Sometimes Being a Little Shady Is Justified

The foundation of a martial artist lies in their inner force. If it encounters problems, at best their strength will be diminished, and at worst their martial path will be severed, making further progress in internal energy cultivation impossible for life.

Therefore, unless the internal energy cultivation method is special, an external force causing a surge in inner force is no different from pulling up seedlings to help them grow for a martial artist.

But a power card is different.

Even if Gu Shao'an used a power card to boost his cultivation by twenty years, this power felt as if Gu Shao'an himself had diligently cultivated it bit by bit. It had no impact on his foundation whatsoever.

Moreover, the surge in power, besides increasing Gu Shao'an's own strength, also brought immense benefits to his future cultivation.

As long as Gu Shao'an could acquire the subsequent cultivation methods of the "Emei Nine Yang Skill," his speed in cultivating internal energy would be as if aided by divine assistance, thanks to his profound inner force.

For a time, Gu Shao'an felt like a pauper who had suddenly become rich, constantly experiencing the surging inner force within his body, powerful as rivers.

Only after his body had completely adapted to the rapidly increasing inner force did Gu Shao'an's emotions finally calm down.

After a moment of thought, Gu Shao'an's inner force began to circulate again along the path of the first layer of the "Emei Nine Yang Skill."

As the inner force surged, it actually sealed off two of the three meridians and three vessels that had just been opened.

Furthermore, most of his inner force retreated into his dantian, leaving only a trickle of inner force flowing through the meridians.

This twenty years of cultivation had appeared too bizarre. While it wouldn't matter when facing outsiders, Gu Shao'an found it difficult to explain to elders of the Emei Sect like Miejue.

Coupled with the fact that Gu Shao'an had only recently joined Emei, he usually stayed close to Miejue and the other Emei disciples. In times of danger, it wasn't his turn to rush forward first.

Since that was the case, instead of deceiving them with a lie now, it was better to temporarily conceal it.

He would continue to show his previous inner force state in daily life, and in critical moments, he could simply unseal it. This way, it could even become Gu Shao'an's greatest trump card.

After all, when you're out in the world, being a bit cunning is sometimes only natural.

Following that, Gu Shao'an's thoughts shifted, and he thought about his "Emei Nine Yang Skill."

Not long before descending the mountain, Gu Shao'an had just obtained the second layer of the "Emei Nine Yang Skill." It wasn't appropriate to ask Miejue for the subsequent cultivation methods so soon.

"It seems I can only continue to cultivate the second layer to accumulate power. After returning to Emei, I'll find my Shifu to ask for the later cultivation methods."

Gu Shao'an understood why Miejue only taught the "Emei Nine Yang Skill" layer by layer.

As the saying goes, techniques are not easily passed on, let alone the "Emei Nine Yang Skill," which was the Emei Sect's most supreme internal energy cultivation method.

In other sects, there might even be regulations stating that the highest-level internal energy cultivation methods could only be passed down to the Sect Leader.

The fact that Miejue could directly impart this martial art to every disciple was already extremely generous.

After considering the upcoming situation, Gu Shao'an collected his thoughts, closed his eyes again, and immersed himself in cultivation.

No one knew better than Gu Shao'an how turbulent and unpredictable the martial world would become ten years from now.

Even Miejue could only be considered second-rate in the entire martial world, let alone Gu Shao'an, whose cultivation was far inferior to Miejue's.

While the sudden surge in power was a cause for joy, Gu Shao'an did not become arrogant because of it.

In Gu Shao'an's mind, he had merely taken another significant step on the long martial path, but he had not reached the level of ascending to the heavens in one stride.

He was far from qualified to be complacent.

The strength of the strong lies in their heart. If one's character is so weak that they cannot persevere or strive diligently, how can they hope to climb higher step by step, reach the summit, and behold the vastness of the world with a single glance?

Early Summer.

The sky was stifling, like a covered steamer, and the viscous heat pressed down heavily on every inch of space. The sharp chirping of cicadas pierced through this stagnant curtain of heat, incessant and adding to the oppressive atmosphere.

Thirty li outside Yunyang Prefecture, several dust-covered carriages and a group of Emei disciples on horseback traveled swiftly along the official road.

"Sect Leader, Wudang is just ahead."

At that moment, Juechen's voice suddenly reached the carriage.

Miejue, still with her eyes closed, let out a soft "Mm," appearing indifferent.

Zhou Zhiruo, with a hint of anticipation, lifted the carriage curtain to look outside.

Gu Shao'an tilted his head slightly to gaze into the distance, also seeing Wudang Mountain in the distance.

In this scorching heat, the continuous Wudang mountain range resembled a coiled dragon, stretching its majestic and clear bones in the intense heat of early July.

It was layered with peaks and valleys, with deep ravines hidden within endless lush greenery.

The main peak at the forefront stood solitary and magnificent, like a giant pillar piercing the azure sky, shrouded in thin veils of flowing clouds and mist. Even under the blazing sun, it exuded an ethereal aura, detached from the mortal world.

Compared to the Emei mountains, it lacked some of their precipitousness but possessed a certain grandeur.

It could also be considered a blessed land of Taoism.

As the Emei group continued along the official road for a few more li, Gu Shao'an, with his greatly enhanced eyesight, spotted a group of Wudang disciples standing at the foot of Wudang Mountain.

When the carriages came to a halt, Miejue, who had been resting with her eyes closed, finally spoke, "Get off."

With that, Gu Shao'an and Zhou Zhiruo followed Miejue.

After alighting from the carriage, the two followed closely behind Miejue, along with Juechen and other Emei elders and disciples, heading towards the Wudang disciples at the foot of the mountain.

As Miejue approached, a middle-aged man standing guard among the crowd at the foot of the mountain, with a resolute face and upright gaze, stepped forward.

"Shitai."

Miejue smiled and returned the greeting, "Sect Leader Song."

Gu Shao'an's brow twitched slightly, knowing full well the identity of the person before him.

It was none other than Song Yuanqiao, the foremost disciple of Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang, and also the foremost among the second-generation disciples. He was currently the acting Sect Leader of Wudang.

"Little Sister Zhiruo."

Just as the two finished their greetings, a youth of seventeen or eighteen beside Song Yuanqiao spoke up excitedly, drawing the attention of Gu Shao'an and everyone else.

However, before Zhou Zhiruo could respond, Song Yuanqiao, standing before Miejue, his expression darkened.

"Nonsense! How can you be so disrespectful in front of Shitai?"

His stern voice immediately caused the youth beside him to halt his advancing steps.

Yet, his gaze remained fixed on Zhou Zhiruo, unable to be moved.

After reprimanding the young man, Song Yuanqiao said apologetically, "My son is ill-mannered, I hope Shitai will not take offense."

Seeing this, Gu Shao'an also guessed the other's identity.

Song Yuanqiao's only son, the foremost of Wudang's third generation, Song Qingshu.

However, Song Qingshu was already eighteen, and in two years he would reach the age of manhood. Zhou Zhiruo, on the other hand, was only eleven, a month younger than Gu Shao'an.

But women matured early, their development inherently faster than men's from birth.

Although Zhou Zhiruo was still young, her delicate features already held a hint of exquisite beauty, her initial appearance of stunning allure.

And beauty lies not just in the skin, but more so in the bone.

What was most precious was the gentle charm of the Jiangnan water towns that Zhou Zhiruo possessed, making her feel even more unique.

Noticing Song Qingshu's gaze, Gu Shao'an frowned slightly, then shifted sideways, stepping in front of Zhou Zhiruo.