The Sword Was Named Chengxin

Time flowed like water.

Inside the bamboo hut, internal energy coursed through Gu Shaoan's body.

In just two days, Gu Shaoan's internal energy had grown as much as it would have from five days of cultivation before.

Such a dramatic change was certainly partly due to the greater depth of the Internal Cultivation Method, but the main reason was that Gu Shaoan had first cultivated the first layer to Complete Mastery before practicing the Emei Nine Yangs Technique Second Layer.

Only then had the source of the internal energy in his body reached such a high degree of purity.

This made his internal energy grow faster.

Moreover, over the past month, the nourishment from his internal energy and the growth of Gu Shaoan's body had also increased the width and resilience of his Meridians.

He could now spend an additional half an hour each day cultivating the Internal Cultivation Method.

Feeling his internal energy increase with every passing moment gave Gu Shaoan a taste for more.

If not for the strain on his Meridians, he could have sat from dawn to dusk, devoting himself entirely to cultivating his internal energy.

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

When the notification appeared before Gu Shaoan, the first rays of morning sunlight streamed through the window into the bamboo hut.

After directing all his internal energy back to his Dantian, Gu Shaoan began to change and wash up.

He picked up the scabbard holding his wooden sword and flicked it toward the table. The bundle he had packed the night before was lifted by the scabbard and slid into his hand.

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

Looking at Gu Shaoan in his blue-and-white martial outfit, his dark hair tied back neatly with a ribbon and his features handsome and refined, even Ding Minjun couldn't help admiring him, let alone Zhou Zhiruo.

But in an instant, Ding Minjun's expression darkened, and she spoke coldly.

"As a disciple, when your master gives an instruction, you should come early and wait. How can you be so tardy?"

She immediately took the moral high ground and rebuked Gu Shaoan.

Gu Shaoan had joined the Emei Sect barely a month ago. Here on the back mountain, he had always been proper and scrupulous in observing the rules.

Even so, he could still sense Ding Minjun's dislike of him in the way she looked at him.

The reason was simple: his evident talent had made her jealous.

Over the past month, he had kept to himself. Besides focusing on his cultivation, he had also tried to avoid Ding Minjun, hoping to prevent unpleasant encounters from ruining his mood.

Who would have thought that Ding Minjun would still pick a fight? He hadn't done anything, yet she was scolding him simply because she was his senior sister.

A flicker of displeasure crossed Gu Shaoan's mind, but none of it showed on his face. He cupped his hands and said, "Second Senior Sister is right. If there's a next time, I'll be sure to come early and wait."

His manner was earnest and humble, as if he truly recognized his mistake.

His response left Ding Minjun's next rebuke stuck in her throat, neither coming out nor going down, and she felt inexplicably stifled.

Just then, the Bamboo Courtyard's tightly shut gate suddenly opened.

Miejue stepped out, dressed in a plain robe.

Seeing her, Gu Shaoan, Zhou Zhiruo, and Ding Minjun quickly bowed.

"This disciple pays respects to Master."

Miejue gave a soft "Mm." Her gaze swept briefly over Ding Minjun before moving to Zhou Zhiruo.

Only when her eyes settled on Gu Shaoan did they soften a little.

She brought her right hand out from behind her back, revealing a longsword.

Its silver scabbard was exquisitely carved, covered in fine patterns. In the middle, two characters—"Chengxin"—were formed by delicate lines.

When the three of them looked at the sword in Miejue's hand, she raised it lightly and tossed it straight to Gu Shaoan.

As Gu Shaoan caught the sword, Miejue said, "You may be young, Shaoan, but you possess an Innate Sword Bone. The bones and muscles in your arms are far beyond those of ordinary people. Even without any special conditioning, you're no weaker than an average martial artist. A wooden sword is no longer suitable for you."

Miejue spoke gently. "Try this sword and see how it feels."

Gu Shaoan didn't refuse. After carefully examining the sword in his hand, he held the scabbard horizontally before him with his left hand and gripped the hilt with his right.

The moment his hand closed around the hilt, the Sword Drawn Like a Rainbow effect activated. As soon as he gripped it, a familiar feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time washed over him.

It was as if this sword had belonged to him for ages and he had already used it tens of thousands of times.

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

A flash of cold light glinted off the snowy-white blade and caught Gu Shaoan's eye.

Once the entire sword was drawn, its white blade gleamed coldly in the morning sunlight.

It was clearly no ordinary weapon.

His gaze swept over the blade. Gu Shaoan swung the sword, trying out one move after another. His movements weren't particularly fast, as if he were still getting used to his new weapon.

A few breaths later, Gu Shaoan suddenly thrust his sword to the side. Just as it was about to stop, his wrist flicked, and the tip of the blade instantly burst into five or six afterimages, like willow catkins rushing toward him.

Miejue watched him perform "Catkin Shadows Thousandfold," a move from the Willow Catkin Sword Technique, and nodded.

As expected of someone with an Innate Sword Bone. Even holding a real blade for the first time, he feels no discomfort. In his hands, the Chengxin Sword seems to move like an extension of his arm.

In truth, Gu Shaoan felt no discomfort at all as he held the Chengxin Sword.

Compared to the wooden sword he usually used, this one didn't feel flimsy in the slightest. If anything, it was easier to handle.

Caught up in the moment, Gu Shaoan tried out several more sword moves before finally sheathing the sword, satisfied and pleased.

"Thank you for giving me this sword, Master."

Miejue replied with a smile, "When I came of age, your grandmaster had a master craftsman forge this Chengxin Sword for me. It's a fine weapon. Today, I'm giving it to you. I hope that, like its name, you will remain clear and pure, hold fast to your principles, and bring honor to Emei."

Gu Shaoan's expression turned solemn. "This disciple will keep your teachings in mind."

Watching the Chengxin Sword in Gu Shaoan's hand, Ding Minjun could barely contain her jealousy.

The Chengxin Sword had been forged from a special ore found at Emei.

Although it wasn't as sharp as the Heavenly Sword, which could cut through iron like mud, it was still an exceptional weapon.

Even Ding Minjun's own sword was far inferior to it.

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

Yet when it came to Gu Shaoan, Miejue had offered him the sword of her own accord without him even asking.

Ding Minjun couldn't help cursing Miejue for playing favorites.

And as she looked at Gu Shaoan, the chill in her eyes grew even stronger.