Sword Name Clear Heart

Time flows like water.

Inside the bamboo hut, Internal Energy flowed ceaselessly within Gu Shaoan's body.

In just two short days, Gu Shaoan's Internal Energy had increased by an amount equivalent to five days of previous cultivation.

This significant change was, of course, due to the more profound Internal Cultivation Method. However, the greater reason was that when Gu Shaoan cultivated the Emei Nine Yangs Technique Second Layer, he had first brought the first layer to Perfection.

This had allowed the source of his Internal Energy to reach an extremely pure state.

Thus, the growth of his Internal Energy became faster.

Not only that, but over the past month, the feedback from his Internal Energy, combined with Gu Shaoan's physical growth, had also proportionally increased the width and resilience of his meridians.

His daily cultivation time for the Internal Cultivation Method had also increased by half an hour.

This constant feeling of his Internal Energy growing gave Gu Shaoan a sense of "Taste the Marrow."

If his meridians could withstand it, Gu Shaoan could have meditated from morning till night, dedicating himself entirely to cultivating his Internal Energy.

[Congratulations to the player for cultivating Internal Cultivation Method for half an hour, Achievement Points +5.]

As the notification appeared before Gu Shaoan, the first rays of the morning sun shone into the bamboo hut through the window.

Gu Shaoan guided all his Internal Energy back to his Dantian before beginning to change and wash up.

He picked up the scabbard containing his wooden sword and flicked it towards the table. The bundle he had packed the night before was lifted by the scabbard and slid into Gu Shaoan's hand.

By the time Gu Shaoan reached Miejue's bamboo courtyard, Ding Minjun and Zhou Zhiruo were already waiting at the entrance.

Seeing Gu Shaoan, dressed in a blue and white martial uniform, his black hair tied back with a headband, with his handsome and refined appearance, it wasn't just Zhou Zhiruo, but even Ding Minjun couldn't help but praise him inwardly.

But in the next moment, Ding Minjun's expression turned cold, and she spoke sharply.

"As a disciple, when Master has a request, you should come and wait early. How can you be so late?"

Her opening words placed her on a moral high ground as she reprimanded Gu Shaoan.

Gu Shaoan had only joined the Emei Sect a little over a month ago, and on this back mountain, he had always been proper and adhered to etiquette in all things.

Yet, even so, Gu Shaoan could still sense Ding Minjun's dislike for him from her gaze.

The reason was none other than her jealousy of his displayed talent.

For the past month, he had kept a low profile, focusing on cultivation and trying to minimize contact with Ding Minjun to avoid unpleasantness and ruining his mood.

He hadn't expected Ding Minjun to still pick a fight. He hadn't done anything, yet she was scolding him, relying on her status as a senior disciple.

A flicker of displeasure crossed Gu Shaoan's mind, but his expression remained unchanged. He cupped his fists and said, "Second Senior Sister is right. If there's a next time, Shaoan will definitely remember to wait in advance."

His attitude was serious and humble, as if he truly recognized his mistake.

This reaction, however, caused Ding Minjun's reprimand to get stuck in her throat, unable to be spoken or swallowed, leaving her inexplicably stifled.

Just then, the previously closed bamboo courtyard gate suddenly opened.

Miejue, clad in a plain robe, stepped out from the gate.

Upon seeing Miejue, Gu Shaoan, Zhou Zhiruo, and Ding Minjun quickly bowed.

"Disciple greets Master."

Miejue let out a soft "Mm," her gaze sweeping over Ding Minjun like a dragonfly skimming water, then glancing at Zhou Zhiruo.

Only when her gaze settled on Gu Shaoan did her eyes soften slightly.

She brought her right hand from behind her back, revealing a long sword in her hand.

The silver scabbard was exquisitely carved, covered in patterns, and in the center of the scabbard, fine lines converged to form two characters: "Chengxin."

As the three pairs of eyes fell upon the blade in Miejue's hand, Miejue gently raised her hand and directly tossed the sword to Gu Shaoan.

As Gu Shaoan caught the long sword, Miejue spoke, "Shaoan, although you are young, you possess an Innate Sword Bone. Your arm muscles and bones far surpass ordinary people. Even without tempering, they are no less than those of a regular martial artist. A wooden sword is somewhat unsuitable for you."

Miejue's tone was gentle as she said, "Try this sword and see how it feels?"

Hearing this, Gu Shaoan did not refuse. After carefully examining the long sword in his hand, he held the scabbard horizontally in front of him with his left hand and grasped the hilt with his right.

The moment his fingers closed around the hilt, the "Sword Drawn Like a Rainbow" term effect was triggered, giving Gu Shaoan a sense of long-lost familiarity.

It was as if this sword had already belonged to Gu Shaoan and had been used countless times.

As his fingers tightened on the hilt, the blade slowly slid out of the scabbard.

A cold glint immediately reflected in Gu Shaoan's eyes along the white sword body.

When the entire long sword was unsheathed, its snow-white blade gleamed with a cold light under the morning sun.

It was clearly no ordinary object.

His gaze swept over the blade, and Gu Shaoan swung the long sword, executing several moves. However, his movements were not fast, as if he were adapting to the new sword in his hand.

A few breaths later, Gu Shaoan suddenly thrust the sword towards the side. Just as he was about to stop, Gu Shaoan's wrist suddenly flicked, and the sword tip instantly burst into five or six afterimages, like catkins drifting in the wind.

Miejue nodded as she took in Gu Shaoan's move, which originated from "Catkin Shadows Thousandfold" within the Willow Catkin Sword Technique.

She thought to herself, As expected of an Innate Sword Bone. Even holding a real blade for the first time, there's no discomfort at all. Instead, the Chengxin Sword in Gu Shaoan's hand feels like an extension of his own arm.

In fact, at that moment, Gu Shaoan felt no discomfort whatsoever holding the Chengxin Sword.

Even he could feel that the sword in his hand, compared to the wooden sword he usually used, lacked that feather-light sensation entirely. It felt even more natural to wield.

Feeling inspired, Gu Shaoan couldn't help but try out several sword moves in succession. Only then did he sheathe the long sword with satisfaction, a pleased expression on his face.

"Thank you, Master, for the sword."

Miejue smiled and replied, "This Chengxin Sword was forged by your Grandmaster's commissioned artisans when I came of age. It is a decent weapon. Today, I bestow this sword upon you. I hope you will, like the sword's name, be clear and pure, hold fast to your true heart, and bring glory to the Emei Sect."

Gu Shaoan's expression turned solemn. "This disciple will certainly remember Master's teachings."

Beside them, Ding Minjun looked at the Chengxin Sword in Gu Shaoan's hand, her jealousy almost impossible to conceal.

This Chengxin Sword was forged from a special ore within Emei in those years.

Although it couldn't slice through iron like the Heavenly Sword, it was still considered top-grade.

Even the sword Ding Minjun carried was inferior to it.

Ding Minjun had once found an opportunity to subtly hint that she wanted Miejue to give her this Chengxin Sword, but Miejue had acted as if she hadn't heard.

Yet, when it came to Gu Shaoan, Miejue gifted him the sword proactively without Gu Shaoan even asking.

This made Ding Minjun curse Miejue's favoritism in her heart.

Consequently, when she looked at Gu Shaoan, the coldness in Ding Minjun's eyes intensified.