Victory Without Arrogance, Elegance Revealed

Gu Shaoan's voice was calm and unwavering, but what was different was that after speaking, Gu Shaoan did not draw his sword.

He even held the sword hilt in an exceptionally relaxed posture. He merely shifted his body slightly, took half a step forward with his left foot, and raised his right palm lightly between his chest and abdomen. This was precisely the defensive stance of the Golden Summit Cotton Palm.

Seeing that his opponent was not using a weapon, the young Zhang Yuting frowned slightly, then let out a low cry. His footwork shifted nimbly, and his figure flickered as he lunged to Gu Shaoan's flank, raising his sword and swiftly pointing it towards Gu Shaoan's Zhangmen acupoint at the waist!

Although this move appeared unpolished, its speed was not slow. The sword tip carried a faint sound of breaking air, enough to show that he had put effort into his daily practice.

Gu Shaoan's eyes narrowed slightly, neither dodging nor evading.

At the very instant the sword point was about to reach him, his right palm swept out like a light feather. The edge of his palm met the opponent's wrist precisely.

This sweep appeared effortless and without much force, yet it accurately struck the critical node of Zhang Yuting's force transmission.

Zhang Yuting felt his wrist sink. The concentrated force instantly receded like a tide, and the pointed sword tip involuntarily skewed and missed its target. He was startled and quickly retreated.

After a slight recovery, he charged at Gu Shaoan again, his sword shadows flickering left and right, blocking Gu Shaoan's retreat.

Gu Shaoan remained in place. As the latter approached, he shifted his steps slightly, his body swaying gently like a weak willow in the wind.

Every time Zhang Yuting's palm shadows lunged close, Gu Shaoan's palm would follow like a shadow, sticking to the outside of the opponent's arm or the back of his hand, skillfully deflecting and neutralizing all of the opponent's attacks.

Zhang Yuting's offensive was thwarted, his small face flushed red, and the stubbornness of youth welled up in his heart.

He gritted his teeth, his breath sinking into his Dantian, and he leaped into the air. Mid-air, he twisted his wrist and executed a "Bird Flies to Forest" strike, descending from above. All his force was concentrated on the tip of the sword, pointing directly at Gu Shaoan's head and shoulder!

This move was powerful and fast, drawing gasps from the young Wudang disciples.

Facing this downward pounce, Gu Shaoan finally moved.

He shifted his feet slightly, advancing instead of retreating, slipping under Zhang Yuting to a distance of three feet in the nick of time.

At the same time, his right palm sliced upwards like lightning. His palm, like a snake's tongue flicking out, silently cut into the exposed opening under Zhang Yuting's armpit, revealed by his downward lunge!

Every move, every action, even the timing of the strike, revealed perfect appropriateness.

It was as if everything had already been planned in Gu Shaoan's mind.

Just as the edge of his palm was about to touch Zhang Yuting's clothes, Gu Shaoan changed his cut into a push. A gentle yet irresistible force suddenly surged out.

"Ah!" Zhang Yuting cried out in surprise. Unable to find purchase in mid-air, he was propelled backward by this soft yet resilient great force, tumbling and flying backward. He was about to fall to the ground.

Gu Shaoan's movements did not stop. He tapped his toes, his body instantly appearing beside Zhang Yuting like a Floating Dragon.

His left hand swiftly reached out and grabbed the collar of Zhang Yuting's back.

With the strength in Gu Shaoan's arm, he could easily lift Zhang Yuting steadily and help him regain his balance.

After they landed, Gu Shaoan tapped his foot lightly, drifting back a safe distance of ten feet. He cupped his fist in a salute, his tone still calm.

"I concede."

From start to finish, it took exactly ten moves.

Gu Shaoan maintained a steady gait throughout, neither rushed nor slow, and his long sword never left its sheath.

Using only his bare palms, he effortlessly defeated Zhang Yuting, even steadying him at the end to prevent a clumsy fall.

At such a young age, he was already composed, victorious without arrogance, his elegance revealed.

Coupled with Gu Shaoan's already outstanding appearance, Miejue was extremely satisfied.

"Th-thank you..."

Zhang Yuting steadied himself, his young voice trembling slightly as he returned the courtesy.

The lingering astonishment and fear on his face showed he hadn't even seen how he lost.

The training ground fell silent.

The Wudang disciples, who had been quietly cheering for Wudang's slight advantage moments ago, now stared with wide eyes at the young Gu Shaoan in surprise.

Compared to Wudang, the disciples of the Emei Sect showed joy.

Looking at Gu Shaoan in the arena, who had easily won the match without even drawing his sword, they all felt honored.

Zhou Zhiruo's pretty face was even adorned with a smile due to her delight.

Her gaze fell upon Gu Shaoan, her star eyes twinkling.

But while laymen watched the spectacle, insiders saw the substance.

The others around only felt that Gu Shaoan's palm techniques were exquisite, and even though he always countered rather than attacked, he still bested Zhang Yuting.

However, to Song Yuanqiao and the others, the situation was entirely different.

Song Yuanqiao, in particular, paused his hand stroking his beard as he watched Gu Shaoan's palm techniques, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

With Song Yuanqiao's eyesight, how could he not see that what Gu Shaoan was using was not some palm technique at all, but the Emei Sect's Willow Catkin Sword Technique?

What was most remarkable was that Gu Shaoan used his palms as a substitute for a sword, executing the sword technique with palm strikes. Yet, his palm movements were like a gentle breeze brushing through willows, possessing a natural sense of flowing with the wind.

It was clear that he had cultivated the Willow Catkin Sword Technique to an extremely profound level. How could this be achieved after only two months of practice?

Suddenly, Zhang Songxi remembered the bet he had made with Miejue earlier and felt as though he had been tricked.

His expression immediately darkened, and he looked at Miejue unhappily.

"Abbess, if you wish to reclaim the Heavenly Sword, you need only say so. Given the relationship between Emei and our Wudang, even Master would not make things too difficult. Why resort to lies and such a roundabout way to deceive us?"

"Abbess's esteemed disciple, able to use the Willow Catkin Sword Technique with her palms as swords, and at the same time make her palm wind sway like willow catkins, has clearly reached the level of 'Mastery'. How could a disciple who joined Emei only two months ago achieve this?"

Hearing this, Miejue's expression stiffened, and then her gaze swept heavily towards Zhang Songxi.

"Ridiculous! I, Miejue, have walked the jianghu for so many years. My word is my bond. I never lie. Or are you, Zhang the Fourth Hero, suggesting that I, Miejue, would disregard my reputation and that of Emei for the Heavenly Sword, and deliberately deceive Wudang?"

With an indignant voice, Zhang Songxi's words suddenly faltered.

Miejue's reputation in the jianghu was mixed, but some things were universally acknowledged.

One of them was Miejue's character.

You could say Miejue was ruthless, or that she was narrow-minded and lacked tolerance.

But you had to admit that a person as resolute as Miejue valued her reputation extremely highly and never lied.

Whatever she did, she would absolutely own up to it.

This was her reputation.

Matters like a disciple's entry time could be easily investigated. Miejue could not possibly hide it.

Given Miejue's character, she would never ruin her reputation over something like this.

Thinking this, Zhang Songxi stood up and bowed to Miejue, saying, "It was Songxi's mistake. I hope Abbess will not take offense."

It had to be said that Zhang Sanfeng had taught his disciples exceptionally well.

If it were others of Miejue's generation, even if they were wrong, they would often cling to their pride and escalate the conflict.

But Zhang Songxi, the moment he realized his mistake, dared to admit it. This surpassed many people.