In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 165 Guaranteed, Epiphany (Third chapter is an extra chapter if he becomes the leader of the Ice Cream Alliance in another day)

The 23rd, approaching the twelfth lunar month.

Snowflakes, like goose feathers, poured down tirelessly from the thick, leaden-gray sky.

The world seemed to be shrouded by a huge, gray-white curtain, and everything in sight lost its sharp edges, becoming hazy and chaotic.

The wind howled, swirling up snowflakes that formed invisible vortexes in the air, whipping the bare branches and the road surface, already covered with a thick "blanket," sometimes fast, sometimes slow.

About twenty miles in front of Wudang Mountain, at the edge of a forest.

The carriage stopped at the edge of the woods, and a group of Wudang disciples gathered around some bonfires, occasionally looking at Wudang Mountain in the distance, which was also covered by heavy snow, their expressions more relaxed.

In a better sheltered spot by the forest, a bonfire blazed brightly. Abbess Miejue sat upright on a rock covered with a thick felt, her expression still cold and solemn, but her body relaxed somewhat as she approached the fire.

Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo sat side by side, each holding a cup of hot tea, the steam quickly condensing into white mist in the cold air.

The two women frequently looked up at the carriage a few feet away to make sure no one approached.

Opposite them, three Wudang masters, Song Yuanqiao, Zhang Songxi, and Mo Shenggu, were also sitting around the fire.

Although they were all at least at the post-natal stage of cultivation, and the short period of change in temperature would not affect them, martial artists are still human.

Why suffer when you can warm yourself by the fire in the dead of winter and have a cup of hot tea to warm your body and soul?
Unlike the sounds of people around the campfire outside, the crackling of burning firewood, and the howling of the cold wind, the carriage covered in snow was eerily silent and still.

The cramped space of the carriage seemed to be its own world, isolating it from the cold and noise of the outside world.

Gu Shaoan sat cross-legged on the soft cushion in the center of the carriage, his eyelids lowered, his breathing almost non-existent, with only a very thin wisp of white breath occasionally escaping from his mouth and nose.

If Yang Yan or Zhou Zhiruo could touch Gu Shaoan at this moment, they would surely discover that although Gu Shaoan's face appeared normal, his body temperature was sometimes as hot as after a cold, and sometimes as cold as an ice block.

"Buzz!"

Just then, a slight, strange sound suddenly emanated from Gu Shaoan's body.

At the same time as the strange sounds echoed within Gu Shaoan's body, the Yin and Yang energies that were originally in opposition within Gu Shaoan's body actually merged into one.

As the Yin and Yang energies merged, several hidden meridians in Gu Shaoan's body were also suddenly opened up with the help of the true essence and the Yin and Yang energies.

In an instant, the Yin and Yang energies fused within Gu Shaoan's body, mixed with true essence, rapidly circulated within him along a new path.

[The fourth level of the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth is complete +500.]

In an instant, streams of true essence, like serpents, quietly emerged from Gu Shaoan's body. As the merging Yin and Yang energies rushed out of his body, Gu Shaoan's originally visible pale golden true essence rapidly became transparent.

Just as Gu Shaoan's true energy dissipated, a special and invisible force began to spread out from Gu Shaoan.

When those dense, downy snowflakes fell into the air within a ten-foot radius of the carriage, it was as if they had touched an invisible boundary and vortex!
They no longer follow the raging snow and wind as they fall.

It was as if they were being lifted and guided by countless unseen, gentle yet irresistible skillful hands.

The falling snowflakes, upon contact with the edge of that invisible force field, had their falling potential energy instantly absorbed and dissolved, and instead began to slowly rotate around the carriage in a way that defied common sense.

At the same time, Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan, who had been observing the situation around the carriage, immediately noticed the unusual activity around the carriage.

"Master."

As Zhou Zhiruo spoke, Miejue first looked at Zhou Zhiruo, and then, noticing where Zhou Zhiruo's gaze was directed, she abruptly turned her head away.

When she saw the sight of the figures rapidly spinning around the carriage along a unique route, Abbess Miejue's expression changed.

He immediately circulated his true energy and shot out like an arrow.

Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo quickly followed and stood beside the carriage with Abbess Miejue. Looking at the lingering snow around the carriage, Yang Yan seemed to have thought of something and immediately transmitted her voice: "Master, it must be that Senior Brother's 'Great Shift of Heaven and Earth' has made a breakthrough."

Upon hearing Yang Yan's words, Abbess Miejue's eyes lit up, and she immediately channeled her true energy to transmit her voice, saying, "You two will protect Shao'an."

Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan both nodded. Then Yang Yan quickly walked around to the other side of the carriage, and together with Zhou Zhiruo, they flanked the carriage from the left and right.

After speaking, Abbess Miejue did not leave, holding a sword in one hand and the other behind her back.

The true energy within the body circulated slowly.

Looking at the carriage surrounded by flying snow and the three women, including Abbess Miejue, protecting it, Mo Shenggu asked in astonishment, "Senior Brother, what happened?"

Upon hearing this, Song Yuanqiao replied, "It must be that Junior Nephew Gu has made some breakthrough in martial arts!"

Zhang Songxi, who was standing next to him, sighed.

"Heaven rewards diligence!"

Song Yuanqiao nodded.

Both Song Yuanqiao and Zhang Songxi felt a sense of surprise yet also that Gu Shaoan's martial arts skills had improved.

After all, they had all witnessed Gu Shaoan's diligence over the past few months.

Gu Shaoan maintained this practice, which was almost like a monk meditating, for nearly eight hours every day.

Song Yuanqiao, Zhang Songxi, and the others asked themselves honestly, and realized that the time they spent on cultivation in a whole year was probably less than the four months that Gu Shaoan had spent.

With such hard work and outstanding talent, how could there not be any improvement?

Standing to the side, Zhang Wuji felt that his internal energy was only ten percent more than it had been four months ago, and for some reason, the phrase "Heaven rewards diligence" sounded somewhat jarring.

"boom"

Just then, the snowflakes that had been swirling around the carriage suddenly stopped and then scattered with a bang.

Inside the carriage, after his true essence and yin and yang energies returned to his body, Gu Shaoan let out a long breath.

When he opened his eyes, a glint of light flashed in Gu Shaoan's eyes.

After a moment's thought, Gu Shaoan took out a copper coin with his left hand and raised one index finger of his right hand.

After a brief moment of feeling, I gently touched the copper coin with my index finger.

"Crack!"

However, with just this light touch, the copper plate, which had been intact a moment ago, instantly cracked and shattered into fragments.

Seeing this, Gu Shaoan couldn't help but smile.

It should be noted that Gu Shaoan did not use any true energy at all just now.

It relies entirely on its own strength.

The difference is that Gu Shaoan mobilized his own power and successfully concentrated it into one point.

This is how you can make a coin shatter with just a light touch of your fingertip.

"Sure enough, once the fourth level of the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth is completed, it will help me to successfully concentrate my internal energy into a single point."

At first, Gu Shaoan thought that only the first level of the "Great Shift of Heaven and Earth" could help practitioners better control and master their own strength.

However, as his understanding of the "Great Shift of Heaven and Earth" deepened, Gu Shaoan gradually discovered that with each level of advancement in the "Great Shift of Heaven and Earth" and the opening of some hidden meridians, Gu Shaoan's control over his own strength would increase by a certain amount, thanks to the Yin and Yang energies within his body.

Just now, as the fourth level of the "Great Shift of Heaven and Earth" reached its peak, the hidden meridians were opened, and the Yin and Yang energies merged. With the help of the Yin and Yang energies, Gu Shaoan was able to achieve the level of his internal energy being as fine as silk.

It was through his enhanced control over his own strength and the mastery of the techniques for applying force in the fourth level that Gu Shaoan was able to successfully condense his Qi into a single point.

In addition, Gu Shaoan could clearly feel that his meridians, acupoints, and even flesh and bones were like a special little universe as the new hidden meridians were opened.

If an enemy's force lands on him, Gu Shaoan can immediately circulate his true energy, combining it with the yin and yang energies, allowing this power to flow into his body for temporary storage without harming himself. When needed, he can then expel this force.

Moreover, based on Gu Shaoan's current understanding of "The Great Shift of Heaven and Earth," besides its effect of redirecting and redirecting the attacks and energy of others, "The Great Shift of Heaven and Earth" is more like an auxiliary tool that can enhance one's control over martial arts.

Just like the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, even if Gu Shaoan cultivated it to the level of "smooth and effortless" and could control it at will, he still could not control his own strength to the point that it was as flexible as his own fingers.

In other words, the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth can also enhance the power that other martial arts techniques can unleash.

"I underestimated this martial art before."

Think about it.

If the "Great Shift of Heaven and Earth" were that simple, Zhu Wushi wouldn't have used it as his strongest killing move.

The thought of Zhu Wushi using the "Great Shift of Heaven and Earth" to move a small mountain and a palace to smash people made Gu Shaoan's eyelids twitch.

"I wonder if Zhu Wushi has reached the sixth or seventh level of the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth."

A thought flashed through his mind: recalling the three familiar streams of true energy and true essence fluctuations that had approached the carriage when he broke through earlier. Instead of dwelling on his martial arts reflections inside the carriage, Gu Shaoan got up and walked outside. Seeing Gu Shaoan step down from the carriage, Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo immediately came to greet him.

"Senior brother, you've broken through again?"

Gu Shaoan nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

However, with members of the Wudang Sect present, Gu Shaoan did not elaborate.

Approaching Abbess Miejue, Gu Shaoan bowed and said, "Thank you for protecting me, Master."

Abbess Miejue waved her hand and said, "We're family, no need for such formalities. However, next time you reach a critical moment in your cultivation, it would be best to let us know via true essence transmission, just in case anything unexpected happens."

Gu Shaoan nodded and said, "This disciple understands."

Having completed the fourth level of the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth, and now that they were nearing Wudang Mountain, Gu Shaoan did not return to the carriage to cultivate. Instead, he went to the edge of the forest and sat by the fire with Abbess Miejue, Yang Yan, and Zhou Zhiruo, enjoying the snowy scenery.

A moment later, Gu Shaoan had a thought and brought up the system panel.

After checking and confirming that he had collected enough achievement points, Gu Shaoan summoned the lottery wheel.

A few breaths later, a notification popped up in front of Gu Shaoan.

[Obtained 1 Heavenly Fragrance Cardamom]

Gu Shaoan: "."

Gu Shaoan's eyelids twitched as he looked at the notification message in front of him.

Several times, Gu Shaoan suspected that the Heavenly Fragrance Bean was the guaranteed prize in a roulette wheel lottery.

I get one every few draws.

Why are you making so much Tianxiang cardamom? Are you planning to use it to grow a plate of broad beans and serve it to Zhu Wushi in the future?
Shaking his head, Gu Shaoan turned off the notification and turned his gaze toward Wudang Mountain.

A hint of anticipation flickered in his eyes.

An hour later, with the arrival of several Wudang elders and hundreds of disciples, the group set off again towards Wudang Mountain with their help.

noon.

As Abbess Miejue stepped onto the ancient stone steps leading to the Golden Summit of Wudang, her feet were steady, but her heart was filled with an indescribable and complex turmoil.

What was it like when she first set foot on this mountain road eight years ago, with Gu Shaoan, who had been a student for less than half a year?
At that time, my internal strength had barely reached the stage of returning to the innate realm after being acquired.

In terms of strength and reputation, in the vast martial arts world, outside the core territory of the six major sects, how many people would recognize "Abbess Miejue" and "Emei Sect"?

Even the Emei Sect's most prized treasure, the Yitian Sword, was not in his hand, but rather stuck inside the Zhenwu Hall.

At that time, she was determined to revitalize Emei Mountain, carried a heavy burden on her shoulders, and had only hope in her eyes for the young boy who placed his hopes on her.

Eight years later, time has passed.

Now, her internal energy cultivation has reached the level of "condensing qi into essence".

In terms of strength, even if Song Yuanqiao, Zhang Songxi and other second-generation Wudang talents joined forces to attack, Abbess Miejue was confident that she could defeat them.

The Emei Sect is no longer what it used to be.

Junior Sister Juechen and Junior Sister Juejue have both entered the Qi Condensation Realm along with her, and their strength has also greatly increased due to the mastery of many profound martial arts.

Among the next generation, Gu Shaoan's strength surpasses all his peers, making him a true prodigy of our time.

Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo, at a young age, have already achieved the transformation from the Innate to the Acquired Realm, and their future is limitless. Looking across the martial arts world, they can also be considered among the most outstanding talents.

In just a few short years, the Emei Sect had unknowingly transformed into the very thing she had always dreamed of.

Thinking of this, the heavy burden that had weighed on his heart for decades, the mental shackles that had caused him to worry day and night about the prosperity of the sect, were silently untied and removed on the mountain steps of Wudang Mountain.

As she ascended the steps, Abbess Miejue's heart jolted, as if a clear glass bead had been thrown into a deep well. All her complex thoughts, triumphant feelings, heavy memories of the past, and aspirations for the future vanished instantly.

An indescribable, unprecedented sense of tranquility and clarity, like clear, cool snow water, instantly permeated every corner of her mind.

All the myriad thoughts I had just had—my obsession with the rise and fall of sects, my comparison of strength with others, and my reflections on the past—have all turned into insignificant dust, swept away by the gentle breeze that rises from the depths of my heart.

Without burdens, without obsessions, there is only a sense of clarity and freedom, like "washing away all artifice and finding simplicity in the ultimate truth."

Mountain wind, flying snow, stone steps, distant mountains. Everything became clearer than ever before, yet it was as if viewed through a pure, clear glass mirror.

The Abbess Miejue, who was climbing the mountain, gradually slowed down until she stopped on the steps.

Faced with Abbess Miejue's sudden halt, Gu Shaoan, Yang Yan, and Zhou Zhiruo were all slightly taken aback.

But the next second, Gu Shaoan's eyes narrowed as he sensed the fluctuations of true essence emanating from Abbess Miejue's body, as well as that elusive and unique aura.

The word "sudden enlightenment" suddenly came to Gu Shaoan's mind.

Understanding his master's current state, Gu Shaoan instantly appeared in front of Miejue with a flash of his true essence, his lips barely moving.

"My master has entered a state of enlightenment. I would like to trouble Sect Leader Song and everyone else to step back and not disturb him."

Gu Shaoan's voice was not shouted, but rather enveloped in pure and profound true essence, transforming into a subtle yet incredibly clear and unquestionable transmission that instantly reached the ears of Song Yuanqiao, Zhang Songxi, and the others.

"Epiphany?"

Upon hearing Gu Shaoan's voice, Song Yuanqiao and Zhang Songxi turned their heads sharply, their faces instantly showing an extremely rare look of surprise and solemnity.

As top masters, they fully understand the weight and value of the word "sudden enlightenment" in martial arts cultivation.

That was a once-in-a-million opportunity, one that could only be encountered by chance.

When his gaze fell upon Abbess Miejue, who appeared serene and detached, seemingly lost in thought yet whose inner energy fluctuated continuously, a hint of envy flashed in Song Yuanqiao's eyes.

His expression turned serious instantly, and without the slightest hesitation, he turned around and made several hand gestures to the Wudang disciples around him.

In an instant, the sound of footsteps in the group became so faint that you could hear a pin drop.

All the Wudang disciples held their breath and tiptoed backward.

Throughout the entire process, Gu Shaoan's gaze constantly swept around his surroundings, with a hint of vigilance.

Only after the dozens of steps where Gu Shaoan, Abbess Miejue, Yang Yan, and Zhou Zhiruo were located were cleared did Gu Shaoan withdraw his gaze and quietly stand guard beside Abbess Miejue.

Many disciples were peering intently at Abbess Miejue, who stood in the center of the stone steps like a meditating statue, eager to witness the wonder of this legendary "sudden enlightenment."

At this moment, Abbess Miejue, who was in a state of profound enlightenment, had almost lost all perception of the sounds and movements of the outside world.

Her mind had already sunk into a dazzling yet tranquil "inner universe".

Under this special state, the profound true essence within Abbess Miejue's body, which she had already honed and circulated countless times, was now infused with boundless vitality and energy. Like a hidden undercurrent in a mountain stream encountering the right opportunity, it surged forth on its own, no longer restrained by ordinary thoughts.

A fiery yet gentle and balanced energy began to awaken and spread from the depths of her dantian.

The invisible fluctuations of true essence emanating from Abbess Miejue also became intense and surging without her realizing it.

"Buzz!"

A very clear, low humming sound, seemingly emanating from within her body, rang out, as if breaking through an invisible barrier.

The bottleneck that Abbess Miejue was originally stuck on in the fourth level of the "Emei Nine Yang Manual" has quietly shattered, like thin ice melting in spring.

As several hidden meridians in the body were opened.

A brand new, purer, and more powerful true energy instantly filled her limbs and bones, marking that she had officially entered the great success stage of the fourth level of the "Emei Nine Yang True Scripture".

But this is just the beginning.

The torrent of true essence ignited by the moment of enlightenment within Abbess Miejue did not cease. After breaking through the fourth level of mastery, it became even more turbulent and spiritual.

It operates wildly along the extremely profound mental cultivation path of the "Emei Nine Yang True Scripture," constantly compressing and purifying itself.

Just as Abbess Miejue was immersed in a state of enlightenment, a figure arrived with the wind and stood atop a large tree beside the stone steps.

When my feet landed on the top branches, there was not a sound, not even a single snowflake from the top.

A pair of calm and natural eyes naturally turned to Abbess Miejue on the steps.

(End of this chapter)