New Golden Trait

Wisps of incense smoke curled from the burner beside the disciple in charge of records. At the exit of the Bamboo Sea, the disciple loudly announced name after name.

Most of those who passed looked thoroughly bedraggled—some were covered in mud, some had their clothes torn by bamboo branches, and their faces still bore traces of lingering fright or relief.

Yet compared to the first trial, far fewer people had been eliminated in the second. At most, there were only slight differences in the time taken.

By the time the incense in the burner had burned out, only a few people had failed this trial.

At this moment, Abbot Juechen stepped forward once more, her cool voice reaching everyone's ears.

"Anyone entering Emei must focus on martial cultivation. Any Emei disciple must possess excellent Bone Structure to enter the outer sect. Therefore, this final trial will test your Bone Structure."

"Step forward in the order in which you emerged from the Bamboo Sea. An Outer Sect Elder will examine your bones with true qi and inspect the condition of your internal meridians."

As soon as she finished speaking, the disciple previously responsible for recording immediately called out.

"Gu Shao'an."

For a moment, everyone's eyes fell upon Gu Shao'an.

Under everyone's gaze, Gu Shao'an stepped forward and stopped before the Outer Sect Elder responsible for examining Bone Structure.

Looking at Gu Shao'an's bright eyes, handsome features, and composed demeanor, the Outer Sect Elder, a man in his forties, wore a gentle smile.

"Hold out your hand."

Gu Shao'an obediently extended his right hand. Once the Outer Sect Elder grasped his wrist—

Gu Shao'an immediately felt an icy-cool energy enter his body through his wrist, traveling through his meridians.

As the true qi circulated, the Outer Sect Elder's gentle expression stiffened slightly, and a glint of surprise flashed through his eyes.

"Strong meridians. He actually has superior Bone Structure?"

Upon hearing of Gu Shao'an's Bone Structure, the other Emei disciples nearby all looked at him with increased surprise in their eyes.

A martial artist's Bone Structure was divided, from lowest to highest, into inferior, ordinary, superior, outstanding, and peerless.

Comprehension could not be measured and could only be glimpsed through a martial artist's cultivation progress.

Bone Structure, however, could be detected through bone examination or a martial artist's true qi.

Superior Bone Structure might seem neither exceptional nor poor, but in truth, it was already quite rare.

Across all of Emei, fewer than twenty people possessed superior talent.

Just then, as if Abbot Juechen had noticed something, her expression turned solemn. She formed a fist with her left hand against her right wrist and raised the index and middle fingers of her right hand together in a sword-finger salute. "Greetings, Sect Leader."

At her words, everyone's attention shifted behind Gu Shao'an.

The instant their eyes landed on Abbess Miejue, all the Emei elders and disciples promptly saluted.

"Greetings, Sect Leader."

Noticing everyone's gaze, Gu Shao'an quickly turned around as well.

After a fleeting glance at Miejue's face, he immediately lowered his head.

Abbess Miejue ignored everyone. Her eyes, seemingly tempered in eternal frost, rested upon Gu Shao'an.

Her gaze was like tangible shackles—cold and heavy—instantly tensing every muscle in Gu Shao'an's body, as though an invisible giant hand had seized him.

Just as Gu Shao'an felt as if even the air around him had frozen solid, Miejue suddenly spoke.

"Has his identity been investigated?"

Abbot Juechen immediately understood whom Abbess Miejue was asking about. She stepped forward and bowed. "In reply to the Sect Leader, according to the records of the disciples at the foot of the mountain, this child is from Jiangnan. His family was originally well-off, but three months ago, while passing through Jade Mountain Town, they encountered Mountain Bandits. Both his parents died."

Abbess Miejue looked at Gu Shao'an again. Her thin lips parted, and though her voice was not loud, it contained less of its usual chill and more gentleness. "Are you willing to take me as your master?"

As her words fell, envious gazes immediately landed on Gu Shao'an.

Gu Shao'an froze slightly at Miejue's offer, but after recovering himself, he knelt and said, "This disciple pays respects to Master."

"Good!"

Looking at Gu Shao'an as he performed the three bows before her, the warmth in Miejue's eyes deepened.

Player has taken Miejue as master and become Miejue's personal disciple. Achievement Points +1000.

Successfully taking a master has opened the path of the martial world and unlocked the second talent trait.

New talent trait acquired: Sudden Enlightenment (Gold)

Achievement Point roulette unlocked. The player may spend Achievement Points on roulette draws. Each draw costs 1000 Achievement Points.

After several system notifications appeared in succession, Gu Shao'an's attribute panel also popped up.

Player: Gu Shao'an

Bone Structure: Superior

Cultivation: Not unlocked

Internal Cultivation Technique: None

Martial Skills: None

Current Traits: Nun's Favor (Gold), Sudden Enlightenment (Gold)

Achievement Points: 1000

Looking at his attribute panel, Gu Shao'an's eyes flickered.

This feature came with me too?

Gu Shao'an had originally thought that after transmigrating, he had only brought the trait function with him.

He had never expected that the attribute panel and roulette draw function had come along as well.

After examining and learning about his second trait, Gu Shao'an's pupils contracted.

It's actually this talent trait?

Sudden Enlightenment (Gold): During cultivation, you have an extremely high chance of receiving tremendous inspiration.

The description of Sudden Enlightenment seemed simple, but Gu Shao'an knew that it was a hidden trait designed by the developers.

Even among all Gold traits, it was considered one of the very best.

That was because this trait gave martial artists an extremely high chance of entering a state of enlightenment during cultivation.

In this state of enlightenment, a martial artist's comprehension could be greatly enhanced.

Among all talent traits, it ranked near the top.

Obtaining this talent trait truly made Gu Shao'an feel that his luck had exploded.

"Juechen, later, send all the necessary items to the rear mountain according to his measurements and the standards for a Personal Disciple of the Sect Leader."

At this moment, Miejue's cold voice rang out again, carrying an unquestionable tone.

Abbot Juechen bowed slightly. "This disciple obeys."

Miejue turned her gaze toward Gu Shao'an. "Follow me."

With that, she ignored everyone else and turned, walking step by step toward the mist-shrouded mountaintop.

After bowing to Abbot Juechen, Gu Shao'an hurried a few steps to follow behind Miejue.

Before long, the two had vanished from everyone's sight.

Abbot Juechen withdrew her gaze and continued presiding over the disciples' entrance examination.

The mountain wind blew softly. In winter, it might have felt biting to the bone.

But in the height of summer, the wind sweeping through the area brought a hint of coolness.

Combined with the clear, refreshing air of the mountains, it quickly calmed one's mind.

Gu Shao'an had originally only wanted to join Emei and find a temporary place to settle.

He had never expected to become Miejue's personal disciple directly.

Although the Emei Sect had declined in recent years, it was still a force to be reckoned with west of Great Wei.

The Mount Hua Sect, Mount Song Sect, Mount Heng Sect, Mount Heng Sect, and Mount Tai Sect had formed the Five Mountains Sword Sect, whose reputation had steadily grown in recent years.

Yet compared with the Emei Sect, they were still a notch below.

Miejue's strength and Emei's standing were easy enough to imagine.

Sects such as Wudang and Shaolin were undoubtedly top-tier forces, far surpassing the Emei Sect.

But if he joined them only to become an ordinary disciple and failed to catch the eye of people like Song Yuanqiao or Zhang Zhenren, what would be the point?

Those whose ambitions soared higher than the heavens often had lives thinner than paper.

Gu Shao'an was no longer an ignorant youth. He knew that one had to eat one bite at a time.

Unless he could live off a woman.