Sometimes It's Only Right to Be a Little Sinister

Internal Energy is the foundation of a martial artist. If a martial artist's Internal Energy encounters problems, their strength will be weakened at best, and their path in martial arts will be severed at worst, making it impossible to achieve further progress in Internal Cultivation Methods for the rest of their life.

Therefore, unless the Internal Cultivation Method being practiced is special, any sudden surge in Internal Energy caused by external forces is no different from pulling up seedlings to help them grow for a martial artist.

But cultivation power cards are different.

Even if Gu Shaoan used a cultivation power card to boost his cultivation power by twenty years, this cultivation power felt as if Gu Shaoan himself had diligently cultivated it bit by bit. It had no impact on his foundation whatsoever.

Moreover, the surge in cultivation power, aside from increasing Gu Shaoan's personal strength, also brought significant benefits to his future cultivation.

As long as Gu Shaoan could obtain the subsequent cultivation techniques of the Emei Nine Yangs Technique, his speed in cultivating Internal Cultivation Methods would be as if aided by a divine hand, thanks to his profound Internal Energy.

For a time, Gu Shaoan felt like a pauper who had become rich overnight, constantly sensing the surging Internal Energy within his body, powerful as a river.

Only after his body had fully adapted to the rapidly increasing Internal Energy did Gu Shaoan's emotions calm down.

After contemplating for a moment, Gu Shaoan's Internal Energy began to circulate according to the route of the first layer of the Emei Nine Yangs Technique.

As the Internal Energy surged, it actually sealed two of the three meridians and three vessels that had just been opened.

Furthermore, most of the Internal Energy retreated to the Dantian, leaving only a trickle flowing through the meridians.

This twenty years' worth of cultivation power had appeared too strangely. While it wouldn't be an issue when facing outsiders, it would be difficult for Gu Shaoan to explain to elders of the Emei Sect like Miejue.

Adding to that, Gu Shaoan had only recently joined the Emei Sect and usually stayed close to Miejue and the other Emei disciples. In times of danger, it was never his turn to charge forward first.

Since that was the case, rather than deceiving them with a lie now, it was better to hide it temporarily.

He would continue to show his previous level of Internal Energy in daily life and only unseal it when in critical moments. This way, it could even become Gu Shaoan's greatest trump card.

After all, when you're out in the world, being a bit cunning is sometimes only natural.

Next, Gu Shaoan's thoughts turned to his Emei Nine Yangs Technique.

Not long before descending the mountain, Gu Shaoan had just obtained the second layer of the Emei Nine Yangs Technique. It wouldn't be appropriate to ask Miejue for the subsequent cultivation techniques so soon.

"It seems I can only continue to cultivate the second layer to accumulate cultivation power and then ask Master for the subsequent techniques after returning to Emei."

Gu Shaoan understood why Miejue only taught the Emei Nine Yangs Technique layer by layer.

As the saying goes, techniques are not easily passed on, especially when the Emei Nine Yangs Technique is the Emei Sect's most supreme Internal Cultivation Method.

In other sects, there might even be rules stating that the most supreme Internal Cultivation Method could only be passed down to the Sect Leader.

The fact that Miejue could directly teach this martial art to every disciple was already extremely generous.

After considering the upcoming situation, Gu Shaoan collected his thoughts and once again closed his eyes, immersing himself in cultivation.

No one knew better than Gu Shaoan how turbulent and unpredictable the martial world would become ten years later.

Even Miejue was considered only second-rate in the entire martial world, let alone Gu Shaoan, whose cultivation power was far inferior to hers.

While the sudden surge in cultivation power was cause for joy, Gu Shaoan did not become arrogant because of it.

In Gu Shaoan's heart, he had merely taken another significant step on the long road of martial arts, not reached the level of ascending to heaven in one leap.

He was far from qualified to be complacent.

The strength of the strong lies in their heart. If one's disposition is too weak to persevere and diligently pursue goals, how can they hope to climb step by step, reach the summit, and look down upon all the mountains?

Early Summer.

The sky was stifling, like a covered steamer, and the viscous heat pressed down heavily on every inch of space. The sharp chirping of cicadas pierced the stagnant heat curtain, incessant and adding to the oppressive feeling.

About thirty miles outside Yunyang Prefecture, several dust-covered carriages and a group of Emei disciples on horseback were traveling swiftly along the official road.

"Sect Leader, Wudang is just ahead."

At that moment, Juechen's voice suddenly reached the carriage.

Miejue, still with her eyes closed, let out a soft "Mm," appearing unconcerned.

Zhou Zhiruo, however, lifted the carriage curtain with a hint of anticipation and looked outside.

Gu Shaoan tilted his head slightly and gazed into the distance, also seeing the Wudang Mountains ahead.

In this sweltering heat, the continuous Wudang mountain range resembled a coiled dragon, stretching its majestic and clear bones in the intense heat of early July.

It was layered with peaks and valleys hidden within endless deep green.

The main peak at the forefront stood solitary and magnificent, like a giant pillar piercing the azure sky, shrouded in wisps of flowing clouds and mist like thin veils. Even under the scorching sun, it exuded an ethereal aura, detached from the mortal world.

Compared to the Emei mountains, it lacked some of their precipitousness but possessed a certain grandeur.

It could also be called a blessed land of Taoism.

As the Emei group continued along the official road for a few more miles, Gu Shaoan, with his greatly enhanced eyesight, spotted a group of Wudang disciples standing at the foot of Wudang Mountain.

When the carriages stopped, Miejue, who had been resting with her eyes closed, finally spoke, "Let's get off!"

With her words, Gu Shaoan and Zhou Zhiruo descended the carriage together with Miejue.

After getting off, the two followed closely behind Miejue, along with Juechen and other Emei elders and disciples, heading towards the Wudang disciples at the foot of the mountain.

As Miejue approached, a middle-aged man with a resolute face and upright gaze, standing guard among the group at the foot of the mountain, stepped forward.

"Reverend Master,"

Miejue's face broke into a smile as she returned the greeting, "Sect Leader Song."

Gu Shaoan's brow twitched slightly, knowing full well who the person before him was.

It was none other than the foremost disciple of Wudang's Zhang Sanfeng, the head of the second generation, and the current acting Sect Leader of Wudang, Song Yuanqiao.

"Little sister Zhiruo."

Just as the two finished their greetings, a youth of seventeen or eighteen beside Song Yuanqiao excitedly spoke up, drawing Gu Shaoan's and everyone else's attention.

However, before Zhou Zhiruo could respond, Song Yuanqiao, standing before Miejue, his face darkened.

"Nonsense! How can you be so disrespectful in front of the abbess?"

His stern voice rang out, immediately causing the youth beside him to halt his advancing steps.

Yet, his gaze remained fixed on Zhou Zhiruo, unable to look away.

After reprimanding the young man, Song Yuanqiao said apologetically, "My son is ill-mannered, I hope the Shītài will not take offense."

Seeing this, Gu Shaoan guessed the other's identity.

Song Yuanqiao's only son, the head of Wudang's third generation, Song Qingshu.

However, Song Qingshu was already eighteen, and in two years he would reach the age of manhood (coming of age). Zhou Zhiruo, on the other hand, was only eleven, a month younger than Gu Shaoan.

But women matured early, and their development was naturally a few points faster than men's.

Though Zhou Zhiruo was still young, her delicate features already held a hint of beauty, showing the beginnings of a stunning appearance.

And beauty lies not only in the skin, but also in the bone.

What was most rare was Zhou Zhiruo's gentle charm, reminiscent of the water towns of Jiangnan, making her presence even more unique.

Noticing Song Qingshu's gaze, Gu Shaoan frowned slightly, then took a step to the side, positioning himself in front of Zhou Zhiruo.