Under the full moon, Gu Wuchen's sword intent surged to its peak.
The once-peaceful night was drawn in by that sword intent.
"I did it!"
Gu Wuchen regulated his breathing for a moment. Feeling the change in his Qi, he was overjoyed. He had finally worked out the first form.
He had thought it would take a month or so, but he had reached the first form's realm much sooner than expected.
Command the sword with the heart; first steady the heart, then steady the blade!
Gu Wuchen rose and gripped the Dustless Sword. With a single thought, he gathered his entire mind and instantly entered the state of extreme ice, Dustless Ice Heart.
After using his First Soul Skill, Dustless Blade, Gu Wuchen swept his sword across, sending out a tremendously powerful arc of sword Qi.
The sword Qi flew high into the sky and burst apart in midair, scattering specks of frost.
Not bad.
Gu Wuchen smiled with delight. "Not bad!"
Just then, Qian Daoliu walked over to Gu Wuchen. Seeing how happy he was, he asked, "Wuchen, have you grasped another new move?"
Qian Daoliu had seen that move just now, and its power seemed to have increased severalfold.
Gu Wuchen tightened his grip on the hilt and nodded. "I've created a move of my own!"
"A self-created move!" Qian Daoliu exclaimed in surprise.
A self-created move was designed to suit its creator and was a better fit than an outside move or a Soul Skill.
"That's right. I call it Dustless Sword Song. What I just used was the first form, One Sword, No Dust!"
"Command the sword with the heart; first steady the heart, then unleash the blade."
"Core effect: with a single thought, I gather my entire mind and instantly enter the ultimate state of Dustless Ice Heart, clearing away all distracting thoughts, negative statuses, Mental Interference, and Soul Power seals. After activation, my sword intent and Soul Power become perfectly attuned, permanently increasing the power of all subsequent sword moves by 30%!"
Qian Daoliu could say with certainty that this boy's future achievements would be limitless.
With comprehension like that, the effect of the first form alone could counter charm-type Soul Masters.
"Wuchen, do you want to find a charm-type Soul Master to test it on tomorrow?" Qian Daoliu suggested. If it had that effect, they ought to try it.
Gu Wuchen paused. "Grandpa Qian, you don't mean Hu Liena, do you?"
Qian Daoliu smiled. "I do. For Bibi Dong to take that little girl as her disciple, she must have something exceptional about her. It's worth a try. If possible, when the Spirit Hall Academy team is formed, Grandpa will make you its captain!"
There were many things he had to consider first, and Gu Wuchen would certainly still have to handle business dealings.
The Spirit Hall Elementary Academy was only a stepping stone for Gu Wuchen. What he really needed was to enter the advanced academy and give some of those fellows who aimed too high a beating.
Being young and capable was one thing, but being overconfident was not a good thing.
He couldn't stay by Gu Wuchen's side forever, so he said, "Wuchen, do you need me to find someone to help you?"
"She can help you with the business matters you have to handle."
Gu Wuchen put away his Martial Soul and asked curiously, "Who?"
"Her name is Ye Yuan'er. Her Martial Soul is the Blazing Spirit Kite, and she's a Power Attack System Soul Douluo. Want to give her a try?"
A Soul Douluo would be just right.
As a Platinum Bishop of Spirit City, Ye Yuan'er held a position just below the elders.
Gu Wuchen readily agreed. "Then sorry for the trouble, Great Enshrined!"
"Wuchen, go back to your room and rest. I'll make the arrangements." Qian Daoliu turned and left.
Gu Wuchen returned to his room and lay down on the bed. He didn't plan to meditate anymore; it would be nice to get some rest first.
As soon as he closed his eyes, laughter rang out beside his ear.
"Asleep already? Little Wuchen, come play with your big sister!"
Gu Wuchen's eyes flew open. Wide awake, he looked beside him and saw her resting her elbow on the bed and propping up her head with her hand, smiling at him.
"Sister Snow, what brings you here?"
She really did come and go without a trace.
"I couldn't help it. The Far North was too boring, so I came to see you!"
The Snow Empress traced circles on Gu Wuchen's chest with one finger, her gaze suggestive. "I don't suppose Wuchen would refuse. How about letting your big sister have some fun tonight?"
"What kind of wild, beastly talk is that?" Gu Wuchen refused again.
"Little Wuchen, I'm telling you, not asking for your opinion. Understand?" The Snow Empress chuckled. "Come, into your big sister's arms!"
"Hey! What are you doing?"
The night passed in the blink of an eye. When morning came, Gu Wuchen got out of bed with faint dark circles under his eyes.
Remembering how the Snow Empress had bullied him last night made Gu Wuchen's blood boil.
Gu Wuchen left his room and breathed in the fresh air. He heard Qian Daoliu's voice, but the footsteps belonged to two people.
"Wuchen, this is Bishop Ye!"
Gu Wuchen looked over and saw a woman dressed in a long red robe.
Beneath the robe was a tight-fitting black leather outfit that outlined her curvaceous, upright figure. Her features were sharp and capable. She was Ye Yuan'er, an eighty-ninth-rank Power Attack System Soul Douluo.
Gu Wuchen nodded slightly and greeted her politely. "Hello, Bishop Ye."
Ye Yuan'er hurriedly bowed, her tone respectful, not daring to show the slightest negligence. "Young Master, you do me too much honor. Please just call me Yuan'er."
Qian Daoliu spoke. "Bishop Ye, from now on, stay by Wuchen's side. His affairs are my affairs. Whether it's business dealings or everyday matters, do your utmost to take care of them for him."
"Yes, Great Enshrined! I will protect the Young Master and will not fail the trust you've placed in me."
Ye Yuan'er answered in a solemn voice. When her gaze fell on Gu Wuchen again, it held a touch more genuine curiosity.
She had already heard that a few days ago, the Great Enshrined had brought a monstrous child back from the Far North: six years old with Innate Full Soul Power, a thousand-year First Soul Ring, and the Gu family's young master to boot.
Seeing him today, she found that although the boy was still young, he had a composed bearing. His eyes were clear, yet held an edge that could not be underestimated. He truly lived up to his reputation.
Qian Daoliu turned back to Gu Wuchen, his tone much gentler.
"Wuchen, with Ye Yuan'er handling the odds and ends for you, you can focus on cultivating and honing your Dustless Sword Song.
As for the spar with Hu Liena we discussed yesterday, I've already had it arranged for tomorrow morning at the academy's sparring grounds. It'll be a good chance to see whether your move can break her charm."
Gu Wuchen's eyes lit up, and he nodded at once.
"All right. It'll be a good chance to test the first form's effect."
Having dealt with the important matters, Qian Daoliu turned and returned to the main hall.
Gu Wuchen looked at Ye Yuan'er, who stood at his side with her hands at her sides, and got straight to the point.
"There's nothing else planned today. Come with me to the elementary academy first. This afternoon, we'll go to the Gu family's main shop to check the account books."
"Yes, Young Master. The carriage is ready, just outside the hall."
Ye Yuan'er followed him, handling things briskly and efficiently, without the slightest hesitation.
As the two headed out, the Snow Empress's teasing voice suddenly rang out in Gu Wuchen's mind.
Well done, little Wuchen. You've only just arrived in Spirit City, and you've already found yourself a Soul Douluo as a lackey. But that girl has a fire-attribute Martial Soul. It's naturally incompatible with your big sister's Ultimate Ice, so don't let her get too close to you.
The corner of Gu Wuchen's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. He gritted his teeth and replied in his mind:
Can you stop appearing and disappearing like a ghost every day? And don't make trouble.
Ye Yuan'er noticed the slight change in his expression and hurriedly stopped. "Young Master, is something wrong?" she asked in puzzlement.
"It's nothing." Gu Wuchen quickly collected himself and continued forward without a change in expression. "Let's go. We shouldn't be late for class."