Emei's Three Treasures

[Willow Catkin Sword Technique advanced to the "Mastery" level, Achievement Points +100.]

[Willow Catkin Sword Technique (Mastery)—Current Proficiency: 1/2000]

At the same time, a notification suddenly appeared before Gu Shaoan.

His gaze settled on the notification, and Gu Shaoan smiled in satisfaction.

According to the settings Gu Shaoan and the other designers had created for the game, the activation chance of [Anointing] was only thirty percent. But this was not a game. Unless one's luck was truly atrocious, the effect of [Anointing] would always trigger at least once within ten attempts.

With [Anointing] and the visible proficiency system, Gu Shaoan's progress in martial arts cultivation was far beyond that of ordinary people.

By Gu Shaoan's estimate, at most two or three more activations of [Anointing] would allow him to cultivate the Willow Catkin Sword Technique to the "Perfect Mastery" level.

He had gained another considerable amount of proficiency.

Letting out a long breath, Gu Shaoan raised the wooden sword in his right hand again and continued practicing the Willow Catkin Sword Technique.

In the distance, Miejue and the others stood at the edge of the bamboo grove, watching Gu Shaoan immerse himself in practice once more. They could not help but silently praise him.

Bei Jinyi said softly, "Junior Brother is exceptionally talented, and he trains so diligently as well. In a few years, his strength will probably catch up to ours."

As soon as she finished speaking, Ding Minjun's voice rang out.

"Junior Brother's talent in swordsmanship is indeed unmatched. But cultivating internal energy requires water to wear through stone and small streams to fill the sea."

"Especially since he is cultivating our Emei Sect's Emei Nine Yangs Technique. Its cultivation difficulty is even greater. Accumulating internal energy will not be so easy."

Hearing Ding Minjun's words, Miejue frowned slightly and snorted coldly as she glanced at her.

As Ding Minjun's master, Miejue understood this disciple of hers very well. Ding Minjun was power-hungry and insufficiently tolerant of others.

However, Ding Minjun had never committed any grave mistakes. Moreover, though her behavior was driven by her desire for power, it had inadvertently made the Emei Sect disciples more mindful of their conduct and Rules. Thus, Miejue had turned a blind eye and never bothered to interfere.

She had not expected Ding Minjun's tolerance for others to be so limited that she would even grow jealous of a junior brother who had only just entered the sect.

Noticing Miejue's cold gaze sweeping toward her, Ding Minjun hurriedly lowered her head.

"This disciple spoke carelessly. I beg Master to forgive me."

Only then did Miejue withdraw her gaze.

She looked once more at Gu Shaoan practicing his swordsmanship in the distance. After pondering for a moment, a trace of resolve flashed through Miejue's eyes, as though she had made a decision.

"Your master intends to give the two pills left behind by our founder to your junior brother."

The moment those words fell, surprise appeared on the faces of Zhao Jingxuan, Ding Minjun, and Bei Jinyi alike.

As Miejue's disciples who had spent many years in Emei, they naturally knew exactly what Miejue meant.

Emei had three treasures.

The first was the peerless divine weapon of the age, the Heavenly Sword, which could cleave iron like mud and generate sword qi on its own.

The second was the sect's foundational cultivation method, the Emei Nine Yangs Technique.

The third treasure was the pill passed down by Founder Guo Xiang—the "Bodhi Exquisite Pill."

It was refined from Bosiqu Snake gallbladders and blood, Exquisite Herb, and forty-nine other medicinal ingredients.

After consuming it, one could strengthen one's foundation and enhance one's internal energy. Its effects were equivalent to a Martial Artist with Superior Bone Structure spending a year painstakingly cultivating internal arts.

It could also increase a Martial Artist's physical strength.

Its effects were no worse than Shaolin's Small Return Pill.

However, the pills were extremely rare. Back then, Founder Guo Xiang had only commissioned the refinement of nine Bodhi Exquisite Pills, and the method of refinement had not been passed down.

Over the past century, only two Bodhi Exquisite Pills remained.

They were exceptionally precious to Emei.

After becoming Sect Leader, Miejue had believed her own talent insufficient and considered consuming them a waste. She had saved them for the next Emei Sect Leader.

Yet now, Miejue intended to take out the Bodhi Exquisite Pills for Gu Shaoan to consume. This was enough to show just how highly she regarded this disciple whom she had accepted only days ago.

Ding Minjun said anxiously, "Master, this—"

However, before Ding Minjun could voice the objections that followed, she noticed Miejue's cold gaze sweep toward her. She immediately swallowed all her remaining words.

Yet when she lowered her head, the jealousy in her eyes only deepened.

Zhao Jingxuan and Bei Jinyi, on the other hand, had no objections.

After witnessing Gu Shaoan's talent, they all knew that he would surely become the pillar of the Emei Sect in the future.

One had to know that nearly a century had passed since Emei was founded by Founder Guo Xiang.

Yet throughout that century, it had been in constant decline.

When Emei had first been established, it had relied on Founder Guo Xiang's strength and reputation. Looking across the martial world, though it could not compare to sects like Wudang Sect or Shaolin, it could still be considered a first-rate force.

But now, it had long since fallen to the second tier.

Sects such as Kongtong and Kunlun Sect, which had once needed to look up to Emei, had now grown bold even in Emei's presence.

Whenever Miejue, who had devoted herself wholeheartedly to building Emei, thought of this, rage would surge within her—yet she could do nothing about it.

Now, Gu Shaoan's existence was undoubtedly an opportunity for Emei.

Given Gu Shaoan's talent, once he matured, he would surely be able to protect Emei for a century and might even lead Emei to restore its former glory.

For a moment, when they raised their eyes toward the youth still immersed in sword practice in the distance, their gazes carried a little more hope.

The next day.

Early morning.

When Gu Shaoan finished washing up and stepped outside, Zhao Jingxuan, Ding Minjun, Bei Jinyi, and Zhou Zhiruo were already cultivating by the river.

Unlike Zhao Jingxuan and Ding Minjun, who had each chosen a separate spot to train alone, Bei Jinyi held a sword in one hand while keeping the other behind her back.

Less than three feet in front of her, Zhou Zhiruo held her sword level before her. Several sandbags were tied to her arms as she practiced sword stances.

The morning light shone upon Zhou Zhiruo's stubborn face, making the beads of sweat on her forehead glimmer faintly.

The path of martial arts was like rowing against the current—if one did not advance, one would fall behind.

Zhou Zhiruo was still young and had only just stepped onto the path of martial arts. If her foundation was not solid enough, her future achievements would ultimately be limited.

After stepping forward to greet Zhao Jingxuan and the others one by one, Gu Shaoan headed toward Miejue's bamboo courtyard.

Watching Gu Shaoan's retreating back, Zhou Zhiruo, still holding her sword stance, asked expectantly, "Third Senior Sister, Junior Brother has already condensed internal energy. Will he stand in sword stances with me every day from now on?"

Hearing this, Bei Jinyi replied, "Junior Brother is different from us. From now on, Master will personally guide all his cultivation. He will not train with us."

In only a few days, Gu Shaoan had cultivated the Willow Catkin Sword Technique to the "Mastery" level. Such progress far surpassed Zhao Jingxuan and the others.

If Gu Shaoan were made to train alongside Zhao Jingxuan and the others, then given enough time, they would inevitably be discouraged by his progress. It would do more harm than good.

It was more suitable for Miejue to teach him personally.

Upon learning that Gu Shaoan would not be training with her, Zhou Zhiruo's face showed a trace of disappointment.

Knowing that Zhou Zhiruo wanted to spend more time with Gu Shaoan, who was close to her in age, Bei Jinyi shook her head. "Junior Brother's talent is exceptionally high, far beyond ours. The Martial Arts he will study next are all among Emei's most profound techniques."

"From now on, you may only seek out Junior Brother when he is free, so as not to affect his cultivation."

Listening to Bei Jinyi's stern tone, Zhou Zhiruo's eyes dimmed slightly. "Zhiruo understands!"

Bei Jinyi took in Zhou Zhiruo's reaction but offered no explanation.

Zhou Zhiruo was still too young and did not understand many things. Even if Bei Jinyi explained, Zhou Zhiruo would not truly comprehend.