Difficult Beginnings

Perhaps it was because he had already killed someone, taking that first step.

Or perhaps it was because his heart was set on Zhou Zhiruo, knowing that now was not the time for indecision. Gu Shaoan unleashed the most powerful offensive move, Sunset Swordplay, with each strike holding nothing back.

After Gu Shaoan dealt with two of them, he didn't attack the last one. Instead, he let the man charge towards Zhou Zhiruo.

Gu Shaoan knew that with Miejue's strength, stopping these bandits from charging at them would be as easy as lifting a hand.

The only reason he let these four approach was to use them to train Gu Shaoan and Zhou Zhiruo.

At the same time, he quickly wiped his long sword on the clothes of the bandits lying cold on the ground, then swiftly sheathed it.

He immediately flashed to a position just two zhang away from Zhou Zhiruo and the bandit.

Once he stopped, his right hand remained on the sword hilt, his legs slightly bent.

He was clearly in a stance, ready to strike at any moment.

In fact, with the effect of the [Sword Drawn Like a Rainbow] trait, Gu Shaoan's sword was fastest and most powerful the moment it was drawn.

On Emei Mountain, Gu Shaoan had often seen Miejue testing Zhao Jingxuan, Ding Minjun, and Bei Jinyi.

Through comparison, Gu Shaoan was certain that with the effect of the [Sword Drawn Like a Rainbow] trait, the speed of his draw in this moment even surpassed theirs slightly.

In other words, a martial artist like Zhao Jingxuan, who had been practicing for nearly twenty years, could potentially be injured or even killed by Gu Shaoan if caught off guard by his initial strike.

This was even with Gu Shaoan being young and his meridians not yet having been nourished for a long time.

If he were a few years older, as his body grew stronger and his physique improved, with the [Sword Drawn Like a Rainbow] trait, the speed of his draw could become so fast that even Zhao Jingxuan and the others wouldn't be able to react.

Only with this move did Gu Shaoan have enough confidence that if any problems arose, he could immediately kill the bandit charging at Zhou Zhiruo and keep her safe.

Catching a glimpse of his three companions being killed, the remaining bandit, after a brief moment of panic, hardened his heart and fixed his gaze on Zhou Zhiruo.

He rushed in front of Zhou Zhiruo in a few steps. With the momentum of his charge, the bandit swung the heavy iron-headed cudgel in his hand mercilessly towards Zhou Zhiruo's body.

Facing the whistling iron-headed cudgel, Zhou Zhiruo's heart stopped. The fierce aura that struck her made her limbs go cold.

Panic surged from the depths of her heart again, urging her to retreat, but her body was stiff as stone, unable to move an inch!

"Senior Sister, Willow Catkin Sword Technique, 'Misty Willow Smoke Tree', attack the chest."

Just then, Gu Shaoan's calm voice, like cold iron piercing the chaos, broke into Zhou Zhiruo's ears.

His stern voice, along with the sword move seemingly imprinted in her heart, made Zhou Zhiruo instinctively act according to the "Misty Willow Smoke Tree" from Willow Catkin Sword Technique.

The wooden sword was already light when swung.

Furthermore, the sword stances practiced daily for the past six months had also effectively tempered Zhou Zhiruo's muscles and bones.

The wooden sword thrust out, surprisingly striking first, piercing the bandit's chest before his attack landed.

Even though it was not sharpened, being poked in the chest by the sharp wooden sword caused the bandit's movements to falter, and a pained expression appeared on his face.

However, the pain only elicited more violent curses from the bandit.

"Bitch, you're asking for death."

As he spoke, the bandit raised the iron-headed cudgel in his hand again and swung it towards Zhou Zhiruo, but this time, it was aimed directly at her face.

"Snowfall Without Trace, neutralize the force."

His voice reached her ears. Without hesitation, Zhou Zhiruo moved sideways like a willow catkin, raising her wooden sword. The moment the sword touched the bandit's iron-headed cudgel, she quickly swept it, deflecting the force of the cudgel to the side, causing the bandit's weapon to veer off course.

The next moment, Gu Shaoan's voice echoed in Zhou Zhiruo's ears again.

"Spring Willow Parting the Curtain, strike the Shenshu acupoint."

Zhou Zhiruo shifted sideways, her wooden sword thrusting out with a tricky, gentle, and swift motion. The force was concentrated at a single point, striking the bandit's right side.

The pain in his waist acupoint made the bandit tremble instantly, and he couldn't help but let out a pained cry.

But before the bandit could recover from the pain, under Gu Shaoan's guidance, Zhou Zhiruo had already swung her sword again.

The bandit in front of her was just an ordinary person, fighting without any technique. How could he be a match for Zhou Zhiruo, who had been cultivating for some time?

The reason for her initial poor reaction was simply that it was her first time facing an enemy, and Zhou Zhiruo had lost her composure.

But with Gu Shaoan's guidance, as Zhou Zhiruo swung her wooden sword, her flustered state gradually calmed down, and she could clearly sense the bandit's flawed movements when he attacked.

The confidence and steadiness gained from several exchanges of parries and blocks completely dispelled her fear.

Even without Gu Shaoan's guidance, Zhou Zhiruo could now calmly deal with the bandit using Willow Catkin Sword Technique and her movement skills.

Gu Shaoan observed Zhou Zhiruo's situation and nodded slightly.

"Senior Sister's first test of courage has succeeded."

The beginning is always the hardest.

For Zhou Zhiruo, being able to bravely face these bandits in combat was already taking the first step.

At this, Gu Shaoan felt a slight ease in his heart, but his right hand remained on his sword hilt.

After more than ten exchanges, Zhou Zhiruo, having fully adapted, used "Snowfall Without Trace" again. While dodging the opponent's attack, she leaped up, spun, and thrust her sword directly into the bandit's temple.

The temple is a vital point on the human body.

Even though the wooden sword was not sharp, being struck with all of Zhou Zhiruo's strength, carrying the force from the tip, caused the bandit to grunt and pass out.

Only now did Zhou Zhiruo gasp for breath, her dark hair sticking to her cheeks with sweat.

But looking at the bandits she had knocked unconscious before her, Zhou Zhiruo's eyes grew even brighter.

"Senior Sister is amazing!"

Suddenly, Gu Shaoan's voice rang out from the side.

Zhou Zhiruo looked at Gu Shaoan, who was striding towards her, and as she recalled what had just happened, a trace of lingering fear surged within her.

Moments ago, Zhou Zhiruo had been intimidated by the bandit's imposing presence. If Gu Shaoan hadn't spoken up to remind her, she would likely have been injured or even captured by now.

In response, Zhou Zhiruo quickly said, "Thank you for your help just now, Junior Brother."

Gu Shaoan smiled and replied, "We are not strangers, Senior Sister. There's no need for such politeness."

Zhou Zhiruo gave a gentle smile, then raised her gaze. She first looked at the corpses of the bandits Gu Shaoan had killed earlier, and then at the bandit lying unconscious before her.

Recalling Gu Shaoan's previous words and what he had told her on Mount Emei, a hint of conflict appeared on Zhou Zhiruo's face.

"Hum~"

Just then, a cold glint flashed in Zhou Zhiruo's eyes.