Immortal Touches My Crown

Gu Shaoan caught the Bamboo Sword without refusing. After closing his eyes to recall it for a moment, he began wielding the Bamboo Sword according to the Sunset Swordplay he had memorized.

As he did so, Gu Shaoan also mobilized the True Qi within his Dantian, circulating it according to the Mind Method Incantation of the Sunset Swordplay.

However, the Sunset Swordplay was already more intricate and obscure than the Willow Catkin Sword Technique Gu Shaoan had learned before. This time, he also had to execute the sword forms while maintaining the circulation of the Mind Method Incantation, causing the difficulty to rise sharply.

As a result, Gu Shaoan drew his sword extremely slowly.

Coupled with his childish face, he truly demonstrated what it meant for a child to learn the sword—at an exceptionally slow pace.

Yet in Miejue's eyes, although Gu Shaoan's sword was slow and his movements lacked precision and fierceness, the forms were indeed those of the Sunset Swordplay.

After he had performed all thirty-six sword forms once, Miejue could confirm that Gu Shaoan had indeed memorized all the contents of the Sunset Swordplay.

However, this differed from when he had learned the Willow Catkin Sword Technique. Back then, Gu Shaoan had reached the realm of Entering the Hall after only a few rounds of practice.

This time, after practicing the Sunset Swordplay once, Gu Shaoan stopped. He did not immediately trigger the effect of the [Anointing] trait on his first attempt.

Gu Shaoan was not surprised, and Miejue, standing nearby, found it perfectly reasonable as well.

After all, the Sunset Swordplay could not compare to the Willow Catkin Sword Technique. It was not something one could comprehend in a short time.

If Gu Shaoan could attain insight and enter the realm of Entering the Hall the first time he practiced any sword technique, just as he had with the Willow Catkin Sword Technique—

Then Miejue would instead have to wonder what exactly the thing standing before her was.

Seeing Gu Shaoan come to a stop, Miejue spoke again. "Remember, this sword technique requires the unity of form, intent, force, and qi circulation to unleash its greatest power."

"Furthermore, Patriarch Guo Xiang created this sword technique after watching the setting sun at dusk. In the future, you may practice the Sunset Swordplay when the slanting sun sets in the west. It may help your cultivation."

Gu Shaoan nodded. "This disciple understands."

After stepping forward again to switch positions with Gu Shaoan, Miejue said, "You have already learned the Emei Nine Yangs Technique as your internal art, and you have both the Willow Catkin Sword Technique and this Sunset Swordplay. What you lack now are hand techniques and a lightness skill movement art."

"This palm technique is the Golden Summit Cotton Palm, the greatest palm art of our Emei Sect. Watch carefully."

As soon as she finished speaking, Miejue raised both hands. Her palms whirled through several moves before her left palm suddenly traced an arc as though pushing aside clouds, while her right palm remained concealed at her ribs, secretly gathering force. Then it shot out at the speed of an arrow!

"First form, Flowing Clouds Conceal the Moon. Qi Travels Taiyin, Pass Cloud Gate, gather sharp force at the edge of the palm, pour it through the Chize Acupoint into the hand, and let the force pierce armor like silver needles!"

Miejue then spun, her palms crossing to form ten afterimages like cold mist sealing the path before suddenly coming together and thrusting out.

"Second form, Qi Surges Spring, Ascends Yu Mansion Acupoint, Enters Hand Jue, Laogong Acupoint, and strikes straight at the enemy's Shanzhong Acupoint! Palm Trembles Like Ice River Cracking!"

After teaching Gu Shaoan all nine palm forms as well as the Mind Method Incantation, Miejue did not ask him to perform them this time. Instead, she had him attack her with the Bamboo Sword in hand.

Understanding Miejue's intention, Gu Shaoan cupped his fists. "This disciple begs forgiveness for the offense."

With that, Gu Shaoan strode forward, and the green bamboo in his hand tore through the air.

As the Bamboo Sword stabbed toward Miejue, its tip trembled like drifting catkins, floating and unpredictable.

It was the eighth form of the Willow Catkin Sword Technique, Catkins Fall on Cold River.

Gu Shaoan's sword was very fast. In Miejue's view, even disciples who had joined Emei Sect years ago were nowhere near as fast as Gu Shaoan was now.

However, Miejue could also clearly sense that Gu Shaoan had not used his internal strength when attacking.

In Miejue's eyes, he was clearly worried that he might hurt her.

Miejue could not help but laugh in amusement.

Though his actions were somewhat laughable, this respect for his teacher and devotion to proper conduct made Miejue even more satisfied.

In an instant, the tip of the green bamboo in Gu Shaoan's hand had entered within three feet of Miejue. Just as it seemed about to strike her in the next moment, Miejue, who had kept both hands behind her back, moved.

Miejue abruptly raised both palms, and her left palm lightly lifted to meet Gu Shaoan's Bamboo Sword.

It appeared to be a casual block, but Gu Shaoan clearly felt layers of soft, yielding force split into three streams and travel along the Bamboo Sword into his hand, making his sword-gripping right hand tremble uncontrollably.

At the same time, as she raised her hand to brush aside the Bamboo Sword, Miejue's right palm, which had been hidden at her ribs, shot out instantly toward Gu Shaoan's forehead.

Miejue's movements were not particularly fast, and she had not even used internal strength. Gu Shaoan could clearly see every one of her movements.

But Miejue's timing was simply too perfect.

It came exactly when the force behind Gu Shaoan's sword had been exhausted, before he could draw it back.

Thus, although Gu Shaoan saw Miejue's every movement clearly, he had no way to respond. He could only watch as her right palm drew closer and closer to his forehead.

Until it stopped one inch before him.

"Again."

After withdrawing her hand, Miejue spoke with a faint smile.

Gu Shaoan steadied his mind. After nodding, he raised the Bamboo Sword once more.

Yet whenever his sword form had only just begun, Miejue's palms would move like Wind in Pines of Ten Thousand Ravines. No matter how Gu Shaoan attacked, Miejue easily blocked him.

Gradually, as palm and sword intertwined between them, Gu Shaoan's sword forms began to change. When he struck, his attacks alternated between feints and solid blows; of his full strength, he used half and held half in reserve.

His sword now carried a touch of both offense and defense, like willow catkins drifting in the wind.

This change made Miejue nod inwardly.

When Martial Artists fought, the greatest taboo was going all in.

Once a move was broken, the enemy could seize the moment before one's force returned and press forward. It was truly unwise.

One should make moves follow the heart. Even while attacking, one should be able to withdraw or alter a move at any time. Only then could one adapt to changing circumstances.

Miejue had originally intended to point out this issue to Gu Shaoan later. She had not expected him to realize it so quickly and adjust on his own.

He truly was extraordinary.

What teacher would not like an outstanding student? Especially when that student was their own.

The more Miejue looked at Gu Shaoan now, the more satisfied she became.

Seeing that her goal had been achieved, Miejue said, "Next is the ninth form of the Golden Summit Cotton Palm, Immortal Touches My Crown. Watch carefully."

As soon as she spoke, Miejue's palm wind abruptly changed. Her hands whirled, and without using internal strength at all, she created a skyful of palm shadows that engulfed Gu Shaoan.

No matter how Gu Shaoan responded, Miejue's palm always appeared a step ahead at his Heavenly Spirit Cover.

Even though he knew Miejue would not hurt him—

The chill wind that repeatedly brushed his forehead and crown still soaked Gu Shaoan's back with sweat.

Gu Shaoan had never imagined that there could be such vicious martial arts in this world.

What Immortal Touches My Crown? It was plainly Palm Shatters Celestial Spirit.

It would smash your skull to pulp.