In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 141 What kind of good person pats someone on the head as soon as they meet them?

late at night.

backyard.

With the toxins completely eliminated, the members of the six major sects began cleaning up their backyards.

However, while cleaning the backyard, the people from the six factions would occasionally glance at the three people by the pond.

Especially when their eyes fell on that dark figure, the other five sects couldn't help but show more respect.

In terms of age, Gu Shaoan, Zhou Zhiruo, and Yang Yan should be the youngest in this backyard.

But in the world of martial arts, what determines a person's status is never age.

Rather, it is strength and actions.

If it weren't for Gu Shaoan today, we wouldn't even be talking about Wei Yixiao, the Green-Winged Bat King.

The people in the backyard couldn't even detect the Ming Cult sorcerers who were only separated by a wall.

If time drags on and the poison Wei Yixiao administered begins to take effect, everyone in the backyard will be slaughtered like lambs to the slaughter by the Ming Cult disciples.

Not to mention the cold poison that left several sect leaders helpless afterward, which was also resolved thanks to Gu Shaoan.

The strength and ability that Gu Shaoan displayed today alone are enough to make others feel inferior.

A moment later, in one of the rooms in the backyard, Abbess Juechen spoke up: "Wei Yixiao has confessed. Today, Wei Yixiao was the only Ming Cult expert leading the team. His only goal was to try to eliminate us all by poisoning and ambushing us."

Yang Yan scoffed, "You've got some nerve. Do you really think you're the best in the world at lightness skill? You dare to bring people here all by yourself."

In response to Yang Yan's words, Abbess Juechen laughed and said, "That's because Wei Yixiao is unaware of the current situation of our Emei Sect."

Among the six major sects, apart from Wudang and Shaolin, including Emei, none of them are considered top-tier among second-rate forces in the world.

The Ming Cult was, after all, once a first-rate power.

To become a Protector of the Ming Cult, one's strength is naturally beyond that of ordinary people. Apart from the Purple-Robed Dragon King, who is an outsider due to connections, the Golden-Haired Lion King, the Green-Winged Bat King, and the White-Browed Eagle King each have their own unique strengths.

If we consider the situation of the six major sects seven years ago, then in terms of lightness skills and agility, no one could truly compare to Wei Yixiao.

Even Abbess Miejue, whose internal energy cultivation has now reached the level of Qi Condensation, is still like this.

It was precisely because of this that Wei Yixiao dared to be so arrogant, leading the Ming Cult members to come and launch a sneak attack with poison.

Even if he fails in the end, Wei Yixiao can safely retreat by relying on his superb lightness skill.

Wei Yixiao did not expect that because of Gu Shaoan, the Emei Sect had become a completely different entity in the past seven years. The acquisition of several superior martial arts techniques had brought about a dramatic change in the strength of Abbess Miejue and Abbess Juechen.

All the shortcomings have been addressed.

This is why, after the fight, Wei Yixiao realized something was wrong and could only flee in panic.

Zhou Zhiruo said softly, "In less than a quarter of an hour, the Huashan Sword Sect's leader, Xianyu, managed to get Wei Yixiao to confess everything. His methods are quite extraordinary!"

When Zhou Zhiruo said that, Abbess Juechen showed a hint of disdain.

"The demonic cultists are nothing but a bunch of selfish people who disregard human life because of their strength. When faced with danger and interrogation, they are not even as good as an ordinary elder of my Emei Sect."

But after thinking for a moment, Abbess Juechen used her true energy to transmit her voice: "You should be careful about Xianyu Tong. He is the most shrewd and resourceful among the six major sects, but the more shrewd and resourceful a person is, the more dangerous their thoughts and methods are compared to others."

"Compared to those from the Kongtong Sect and Kunlun Sect, Xianyu Tong from the Huashan Sword Sect is, in my opinion, the most dangerous one."

Zhou Zhiruo nodded and interjected, "The thoughts of the Five Elders of the Kongtong Sect and Headmaster He of the Kunlun Sect are mostly traceable, but Headmaster Xianyu's thoughts are indeed more unpredictable."

"Moreover, judging from the methods used to interrogate the Azure Winged Bat King, the methods were quite ruthless and insidious, indeed more dangerous than Junior Brother said."

Yang Yan pursed her lips and transmitted her true energy, saying, "If the sect leader is like this, then the Huashan Sword Sect is probably not much better. Senior Sister, if we encounter these Huashan Sword Sect disciples in the future, it's best if we don't bother with them."

Zhou Zhiruo nodded slightly in response, clearly because Xianyu Tong's impression of the Huashan Sword Sect had diminished considerably.

At this moment, Gu Shaoan transmitted his voice and said, "The news that we, the six major sects, gathered here to discuss the final attack should have been kept extremely secret. However, the fact that the Ming Cult has found out about it suggests that there are spies within our ranks. To avoid any unforeseen complications, I think it would be best to leave as soon as possible."

Abbess Juechen understood Gu Shaoan's meaning.

They were currently inside the house, and in terms of strength, even if all the experts from the Ming Cult were to arrive, they would have nothing to worry about.

However, among the disciples of the Emei Sect who went into battle this time, only Abbess Juequan was a master who had condensed Qi into Yuan.

If the Ming Cult launches a surprise attack, things will get complicated.

Abbess Juechen nodded in response, "My senior sister and I thought so too. The discussion just ended, and after my senior sister finalizes the last few details with the other five sects, we will leave overnight to meet up with Juechen and the others."

After some discussion, Abbess Juechen got up and opened the door.

However, just as the door was opened, Gu Shaoan seemed to sense something. His expression suddenly hardened, and his deep eyes, which had been as calm as a still well, instantly became sharp as lightning, piercing through the open door and precisely locking onto an extremely hidden spot on the outer courtyard wall.

"Buzz!"

As his true essence circulated, emitting an extremely slight tremor and buzzing sound, Gu Shaoan was like a dark stream of light tearing through space, instantly passing by Abbess Juechen.

With the full power of "Nine Shadows of the Spiral," Gu Shaoan moved at extreme speed, leaving behind several afterimages in the room as he moved.

Whether it was Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan inside the room, or Abbess Juechen who had just opened the door, they all felt a gentle breeze suddenly brush past them, and then they discovered that Gu Shaoan had disappeared from the room.

On the courtyard wall.

A young man dressed in a dark blue night outfit was hidden in the shadows, his breathing barely audible, his presence almost perfectly concealed, blending into the darkness and the gaps between the walls and tiles.

He stood tall and straight like a pine tree, his face appearing cold and calm under the starlight. He was about twenty years old, but he exuded a composure and competence far beyond his peers, like a sharp blade hidden in its sheath.

At that moment, the man raised his left hand, as if to release a hidden weapon.

Just then, the man suddenly felt as if a shadowy figure flashed past the doorway, so fast that he couldn't help but blink, wondering if he was seeing things.

The next instant, a gust of wind suddenly blew the loose hair around the man's ears, and a strong sense of unease suddenly arose, causing his pupils to contract sharply and the hairs on his body to stand on end.

Faced with this sudden sense of crisis, the man froze and jerked his head up.

The moment he looked up, the man was horrified to find that Gu Shaoan, who should have been inside the house, had somehow appeared above him.

As the stars filled the sky and his gaze lowered, a cold stare fell upon him. The wide sleeves swayed rapidly as they fell, and Gu Shaoan's slender right hand emerged from the sleeves as if gently and slowly as if picking flowers or brushing away dust, his five fingers casually spread, and pressed down on his head.

The seemingly light downward press made the man feel as if his entire body was locked in place, leaving him with no way to avoid the hand pressing down from the air.

"This, this is... power? How could this be? His martial arts have already reached this level?"

Realizing the terrifying power of Gu Shaoan's move, the man's blood seemed to freeze instantly, and the aura of death caused a layer of sweat to instantly appear on his forehead.

However, just as Gu Shaoan's palm was three inches away from the man's head, Gu Shaoan's gaze suddenly swept over the man's right hand.

Between the man's middle and middle fingers, a small bamboo tube was held.

In the instant his thoughts were flowing, Gu Shaoan shifted his true essence, and the pent-up energy and true essence in his palm dissipated in an instant.

Immediately afterwards, three fingers were bent, and the index and middle fingers, brought together, were swiftly extended like lightning.

"Puff puff!"

Several extremely faint sounds, like needles piercing cloth, rang out!

Duan Tianya suddenly felt a numbness and stiffness in several major acupoints, including Jianjing, Quchi, and Huantiao, as if he were being struck by an invisible hammer.

The true energy that the man had just circulated to its limit was like a river whose source had been cut off, instantly becoming stagnant and solidified.

Even his body was completely stiff as a stone sculpture, unable to move an inch, and even the fingers gripping the hilt of the knife were completely stiff.

After striking the man's pressure points, Gu Shaoan suddenly gripped the man's neck with his five fingers.

The strength and true energy are condensed at the fingertips without being released.

If the man made the slightest movement, the powerful force of his fingers would instantly penetrate the man's neck as Gu Shaoan's five fingers sank in.

The whole process was incredibly fast; from setting out to moving onto the courtyard wall and subduing the man, it took less than two breaths.

His attack was even more urgent and faster than when he faced Wei Yixiao before.

It was only after Gu Shaoan subdued the man that Abbess Juechen, Yang Yan, and Zhou Zhiruo, who were inside the house and at the door, reacted and rushed out of the house.

Gu Shaoan's gaze was like a cold, ancient well, calmly scrutinizing the man before him. His voice was as clear and cold as a moonlit spring, devoid of any warmth or malice. "Lying lurking here in the dead of night, don't you think you owe an explanation?"

After being subdued by Gu Shaoan, the man was initially shocked, but a sense of lingering fear welled up inside him.

Especially on the top of his head, even though it was covered by hair, the man still felt a chill emanating from there, which gave him goosebumps all over his body.

After calming down a bit, the man forced himself to remain composed and said in a clear, fluent voice, "Brother, please don't misunderstand. I have no ill intentions on this trip. I'm just here to deliver a message for someone."

Gu Shaoan glanced at the bamboo tube in the man's hand again out of the corner of his eye, and asked in an unchanged tone, "Whose side are you on?"

"Shangguan Haitang," the man replied in a deep voice.

Shangguan Haitang?

Upon hearing this familiar name, a look of surprise flashed across Gu Shaoan's face.

Below, Abbess Juechen outside thought for a moment and looked at Yang Yan, saying, "Is this Shangguan Haitang the woman you mentioned outside Linhai Town three years ago who helped you?"

Seemingly thinking of something unpleasant, Yang Yan first hummed in agreement, then pursed her lips and muttered to herself, "It's been over three years, does that guy still have designs on me?"

He then glanced at the man in front of him for a moment, and finally his gaze fell on the long, uniquely shaped sword in the man's left hand, which was close to his waist.

The blade is long and narrow with a single, curved edge, and the scabbard is dark and gleams coldly under the starlight.

However, it is a typical Japanese sword.

A thought flashed through his mind, and looking at the handsome man with thick eyebrows and big eyes in front of him, Gu Shaoan could easily guess the man's identity.

Duan Tianya is the number one secret agent under the "Tian" title, under the command of the Iron-Blooded Marquis.

After learning the other party's identity, Gu Shaoan slowly released his grip on the other party's hand and then took the bamboo slip from Duan Tianya's hand.

He took out the paper strip from the bamboo tube and opened it. By the faint starlight and the light from the courtyard, Gu Shaoan could clearly see the line of words on it.

"There is another force behind the siege of Bright Peak by the six major sects. Be careful and avoid it if possible. — Shangguan Haitang"

After understanding the other party's identity and purpose, Gu Shaoan raised his hand and pressed Duan Tianya's acupoints several times to release them.

He immediately clasped his hands in a fist and said, "This happened suddenly, I hope you won't be offended, brother."

Duan Tianya shook his head and said, "The six major sects are about to go to war with the Ming Cult, so it's normal for you to be so vigilant."

Despite his words, Duan Tianya still felt a sense of dread when he thought about Gu Shaoan's terrifying agility and that horrifying palm strike.

After calming down a bit, Duan Tianya said, "The letter has been delivered. I'll take my leave now."

Gu Shaoan nodded and said, "Due to special circumstances, please forgive me for being unable to entertain you. If you have time in the future, you are welcome to come to Emei for a chat."

Looking at the gentle-looking Gu Shaoan in front of him, Duan Tianya couldn't tell whether the gentle and handsome face before him was good or bad.

If he were a bad guy, Gu Shaoan's actions just now would be understandable.

But Duan Tianya doesn't seem like a good person either.

After all, what kind of nice person would pat someone on the head as soon as they meet them?

With the misunderstanding cleared up, even though Duan Tianya was still shaken, he politely nodded in response before leaping up and disappearing into the vast night.

Gu Shaoan then turned around and leaped back to the front of the house.

"Senior brother, what letter did Shangguan Haitang leave you?"

Gu Shaoan didn't hide anything and handed over the note directly.

After reading the message left on the note, Zhou Zhiruo asked in surprise, "How did Miss Shangguan know about this message?"

Gu Shaoan casually replied, "Perhaps they have their own special channels!"

Gu Shaoan knew how strong the intelligence-gathering capabilities of the Dragon Guard Manor were.

As Zhu Wushi's confidant, it wouldn't be difficult for Shangguan Haitang to gain access to the six major sects and the Ming Cult.

To Gu Shaoan's surprise, Shangguan Haitang actually informed him of this news on her own initiative.

But when he thought of Zhu Wushi, Gu Shaoan couldn't help but shake his head.

Looking at the note in Yang Yan's hand, Gu Shaoan sighed inwardly.

Regardless, the fact that Shangguan Haitang specifically asked Duan Tianya to send a message to remind her at this time shows her good intentions.

Even though Gu Shaoan didn't ask, he still owed him a favor.

If Shangguan Haitang gets into trouble in the future, it wouldn't be right for Gu Shaoan not to lend a hand.

Moreover, while others may not know, Gu Shaoan certainly does.

What was the cause of the deaths of the 108 masters who gathered from various sects on the shores of Taihu Lake?

For both public and private reasons, Gu Shaoan will inevitably have to get involved in Shangguan Haitang's affairs in the future.

Suddenly, Gu Shaoan thought of the "Invincible Vajra Divine Skill".

"At this time, Gu Santong should still be alive in the prison."

"If we were to make a deal, given Gu Santong's character, we might be able to acquire another protective skill."

"Thinking about the effect of his [Indestructible Vajra] skill, combined with the [Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill], and his current sixty years of cultivation, Gu Shaoan was also curious whether those martial artists who had condensed their Qi into Gang could break through his defenses."

A moment later, Gu Shaoan turned his head to look in the direction of the capital.

"It seems that after this incident at Bright Peak is over, I will inevitably have to make a trip to the capital."

As he pondered this deeply, a smile involuntarily crept onto Gu Shaoan's lips.

fifth day
The sky was just beginning to brighten.

Lead-gray clouds hung low over the sky, so thick they seemed to crush the vast mountains.

The dawn struggled to squeeze out a few pale rays of light through the gaps in the clouds, which, instead of dispelling the chill, only accentuated the rugged, continuous mountain ranges beneath the sky, like the jagged spine of a lurking beast, silently pointing towards the heavens, exuding a suffocating stillness.

Outside the canyon outside Bright Summit.

The six sects—Shaolin, Wudang, Kongtong, Huashan Sword Sect, Kunlun, and Emei—stood solemnly in their respective positions.

The elders and disciples of each sect stood behind the sect leaders.

Nearly six thousand disciples gathered, and a sense of impending doom gradually spread out.

Perhaps it was the first time Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan had participated in a battle involving inter-factional conflict, let alone the first time they had ever participated in such a battle.

Even Gu Shaoan, gazing at the distant canyon, found it difficult to remain calm as usual.

Especially when he thought about the people he would meet after arriving at Bright Peak, Gu Shaoan felt a surge of excitement.

A short while later, as Mo Shenggu of Wudang, Abbess Juechen of Emei, and other elders from various sects returned from the canyon, an elder from Shaolin said, "We have already investigated, and as we expected, there are no traces of demons at the entrance of the canyon. It seems they are preparing to use the traps and mechanisms on the mountain to deal with us."

Master Kongzhi looked at Song Yuanqiao beside him, and Abbess Miejue and the others chanted a Buddhist prayer: "Everyone, let's eliminate demons and protect the righteous path, and cleanse the martial world."

With that, Master Kongzhi waved his staff and took the lead, heading towards the canyon.

Following Shaolin, the Wudang, Kunlun, and Huashan Sword Sects set off together.

After all five factions had successfully entered the canyon, Abbess Miejue slowly spoke.

"Let's go!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Miejue lightly touched the ground with her toes and, like an arrow, rushed into the canyon first.

After everyone had crossed the canyon, the six major sects dispersed in an orderly manner, forming six groups, and set off from different locations toward the highest peak in the distance.

The battle between the six major factions and the Ming Cult thus began.

　I missed this when I checked the previous chapter: among the six major sects, the Kongtong Sect, the Kunlun Sect, and the Huashan Sword Sect do not have any masters who have achieved the Qi Condensation Realm; their internal energy cultivation is all at the level of returning to the Innate Realm.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)