In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 212 The Yangtze River's back waves push the front waves, and the front waves are washed away on the beach.

Gu Shaoan sheathed the Yitian Sword but did not use the other eight sword techniques from the Emei Sword Manual on Gu San.

Simply because there's no need for it.

Gu Shaoan himself had already cultivated the "Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill," so he naturally knew the power of this martial art.

Now, Gu Shaoan has cultivated the "Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill" to the fourth level.

With Jin Yuan's help, Gu Shaoan's physique also improved significantly.

This was only a few months after Gu Shaoan began practicing the "Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill".

Moreover, Gu Santong had cultivated the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill for decades.

Even if Gu Shaoquan used all his strength to unleash "One Sword Separates Worlds", it wouldn't necessarily be able to break Gu Santong's "Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill".

Not to mention the other eight sword techniques.

"What does Senior Gu think of my move?"

Faced with Gu Shaoan's question, Gu Santong pondered for a moment before asking, "Did your sword strike just now draw upon the power of heaven and earth?"

Gu Shaoan nodded in acknowledgment.

Gu Santong suddenly realized and said, "No wonder. I was wondering why your sword strike was so strong just now. It turns out it involved the power of heaven and earth."

Gu Shaoan was not surprised that Gu San knew the power of heaven and earth.

As a renowned master, it wouldn't make sense if Gu Santong didn't even understand the power of heaven and earth.

After thinking for a moment, Gu Santong continued, "It involves the power of heaven and earth, so I can't say anything. This thing can only be mastered by martial artists at the Celestial Realm. However, judging from the power of that sword just now, if your internal energy level is also at the Condensation of Qi, then with my current Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill, I can't withstand your sword."

After a pause, Gu Santong continued, "Although I have never fought against Pang Ban of the Demon Master's Palace, the martial arts of the Demon Master's Palace involve spiritual energy."

"To be honest, it's hard to say in terms of strength, but in terms of defense, that Pang Ban is definitely no match for me."

"If your cultivation level can also reach the Qi Condensation Formation Realm, then below the Celestial Realm, there are probably few who would dare to take your sword head-on."

Gu Shaoan nodded slightly, which was why he wanted to bring Gu Santong along to try out his moves.

The Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill ranks among the top body-refining martial arts. Its defensive capabilities are unmatched by any other martial art. Gu Santong's current strength, while not the strongest among the Qi Condensation Realm practitioners, is definitely the most durable.

If even Gu Santong's "Invincible Vajra Divine Skill" couldn't withstand Gu Shaoan's sword strike, then the Demon Master Pang Ban was even less likely to succeed.

At this moment, Gu Santong paused and asked again, "Young Gu, did you really create this sword technique yourself?"

Gu Shaoan said with a hint of helplessness, "This junior is not so bored as to try to fool a senior with such a thing."

"Too."

Gu Santong nodded first, then looked at Gu Shaoan with a strange expression: "You're really something else."

Gu Santong believed he had seen many of the most outstanding martial artists of his time.

Back then, he challenged many renowned masters in the martial arts world.

But he had never met anyone like Gu Shaoan.

However, he has such a profound foundation despite being only twenty years old.

Thinking of this, Gu Santong couldn't help but feel a sense of "the Yangtze River's back waves push the front waves, and the front waves are washed away on the beach."

Immediately, Gu Santong asked, "Alright, the martial arts test is over. What are your plans for the two of us now?"

Gu Shaoan replied, "I have already had my sect members make preparations. There is a bamboo forest to the east of Mount Da'e, where a separate courtyard has been built. No outsiders will disturb you in the bamboo forest on weekdays, making it a perfect place for you and Miss Suxin to live."

Gu Santong nodded. He never had any particular requirements regarding his living environment.

As long as they can have peace and quiet, and no one disturbs him and Suxin, that's enough.

A moment later, as Mei Jiangxue led Gu Santong and Suxin to the other courtyard, Abbess Miejue asked, "Aren't we going to deal with their disguise problem?"

Gu Shaoan shook his head and said, "The Dragon Guard Manor controlled by Zhu Wushi is different from ordinary forces. Its strongest point is its intelligence capabilities. Over the past twenty years, many famous martial arts forces in the Great Wei Kingdom may have members from the Dragon Guard Manor. It is more stable to maintain the status quo."

Gu Shaoan's reasons were reasonable, so Abbess Miejue naturally wouldn't object.

Immediately afterwards, Gu Shaoan said with a smile, "Senior Gu is, after all, a master of Qi Condensation. If Master and Uncle need him, we can exchange ideas or spar with him more often."

Extinction, Juechen, and the others are different from Gu Shaoan.

Without a proficiency panel as a reference, it's often difficult to understand one's own progress.

However, having a master they could consult at any time would naturally be of great benefit to the group, including Abbess Miejue.

Furthermore, it also allows Abbess Miejue and the others to clearly understand the strength of martial artists at the Condensing Yuan to Form Gang level.

Half an hour later, inside the bamboo grove courtyard.

After Mei Jiangxue left, Su Xin looked at Gu Santong, who had been silent the whole way, and couldn't help but tease him, "What's wrong? Did you get discouraged?"

In response to Su Xin's question, Gu Santong sighed and said frankly, "I was indeed a little scared by that kid."

Seeing that Gu Santong directly admitted it, Su Xin was somewhat surprised.

Seeing Su Xin's reaction, Gu Santong shook his head and said, "You don't know enough about martial artists. You don't know how strong the things that kid had when I fought him today were."

"To put it bluntly, any ordinary martial artist who has half of his strength would probably be considered a top-tier martial artist."

"If I were his age, I probably wouldn't last a single move against him."

Upon hearing this, Su Xin couldn't help but cover her mouth with her hand, exclaiming in surprise, "You couldn't even withstand one move?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Santong smiled wryly and said, "Although I am very reluctant to admit it, it is indeed the case."

"That kid has too many tricks up his sleeve. Even martial artists who have reached the Qi Condensation stage are only slightly better at internal energy cultivation than him."

"Once his internal energy also reaches the level of Condensing Yuan and Forming Gang, his strength will be able to rival the top group of martial artists who have reached the Condensing Yuan and Forming Gang stage."

Su Xin asked, "However, Young Master Gu has only just come of age. I'm afraid it will take him some time to reach the Qi Condensation Realm."

Gu Santong shook his head and said, "That kid can't be judged by ordinary standards. You don't know the extent of his skill and the purity of his true essence. He's no weaker than me."

"If that kid's internal energy cultivation reaches the level of Condensing Yuan into Gang tomorrow, I won't be surprised."

At this point, Gu Santong let out a long sigh of relief.

"I never expected that after spending more than twenty years in the prison, such a little monster would emerge in the martial arts world."

"If this kid is allowed to grow up, he might become the second Zhang Sanfeng in the Great Wei Kingdom."

Although Su Xin was not a member of the martial arts world, she had followed Gu Santong around the country for many years and had some understanding of the situation in the martial arts world.

I had naturally heard some stories about Zhang Sanfeng.

Even when Gu Santong was young and arrogant, he spoke of Zhang Sanfeng with admiration.

Seeing Gu Santong actually compare Gu Shaoan to someone like Zhang Sanfeng, Su Xin's surprise was understandable. After a few breaths, Gu Santong, having collected his thoughts, exhaled a breath of stale air and said, "It seems I'll have to work harder from now on."

"Otherwise, if that kid takes care of Zhu Tiedan first, who am I supposed to settle scores with for all these decades?"

Beijing.

Hulong Villa.

After all the carrier pigeons with bamboo tubes tied to their cages were released together with Duan Tianya, Shangguan Haitang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, turning her head to look at Duan Tianya, who looked tired, Shangguan Haitang said, "If you're tired, brother, go and rest for a while. If our godfather asks, I'll explain."

Upon hearing this, Duan Tianya shook his head and said, "It's alright, I can still hold on."

"My godfather has spared no expense these past few months in having everyone at the Dragon Guard Manor focus on investigating the people behind the Ghost Hand Gang, the Four Seas Hall, and the Giant Sword Sect in the Northwest. He has no time to attend to the situation in the imperial court, so I can only use the number one manor in the world to constantly interfere with Cao Zhengchun and the Eastern Depot's actions."

“But this can’t go on forever. After the New Year, Cao Zhengchun has discovered that his adoptive father has been too busy to attend to matters of state lately. He has been increasingly active in eliminating dissidents in the court. With just the three of us, Yi Dao, and the number one manor in the world, we will eventually be unable to hold back the people of the Eastern Depot.”

As she spoke, Shangguan Haitang's expression showed signs of fatigue.

Before the New Year, Shangguan Haitang had already traveled from the capital to the territory of the Emei Sect.

However, a sudden and urgent summons forced Shangguan Haitang to set off again and rush back to the capital.

I've been busy for months at a time.

Most importantly, in the past few months, the number one martial arts master in the world has suffered too many casualties.

Lack of manpower.

If a few more months pass, even Shangguan Haitang will not know how to deal with the Eastern Depot's actions.

At this moment, Shangguan Haitang regretted returning to the Dragon Guard Manor immediately after receiving the urgent summons.

If they had delayed a few more days, and waited until she arrived at Emei and persuaded Gu Shaoan to join the Dragon Guard Manor, they wouldn't be in such a passive position now, given Gu Shaoan's strength.

Now, even if Shangguan Haitang wanted to go to the Emei Sect, she couldn't find the time to leave.

Time flows like water.

A year has passed in the blink of an eye.

East of Mount Emei.

Outside the secluded courtyard surrounded by lush bamboo groves.

Zhou Zhiruo, Yang Yan, and Su Xin sat at a bamboo table outside the courtyard.

Master Juechen raised her palms, her figure like an eagle swooping down on a rabbit, or like flowing clouds emerging from a mountain peak. In the stillness, her palms suddenly burst forth with a continuous stream of palm shadows, pressing down on Gu Santong.

The palm shadows were like raging waves crashing against the shore, or like thousands of silken threads wrapping around Gu Santong, layer upon layer, completely enveloping the three-foot area around him.

Faced with this overwhelming palm strike, Gu Santong nonchalantly munched on the apple in his left hand, while his other hand hung casually at his side, appearing somewhat indifferent.

Just as the myriad palm shadows were about to arrive, Gu Santong merely raised his right arm very slightly and then casually swung it in the air, thus blocking all of Abbess Juechen's attacks.

Seeing that her all-out attack was in vain and had not even shaken the opponent's footsteps, Abbess Juechen took a deep breath and pushed her true energy to its limit.

His body spun like a top, leaving afterimages as he spun above Gu Santong. His right hand, with fingers like hooks, moved with lightning speed toward Gu Santong's right shoulder.

It is precisely the "Immortal Touching the Head" in the "Golden Top Cotton Palm" technique.

However, Gu Santong shook his head in response to Abbess Juechen's move.

He clicked his tongue.

It's like seeing a child's clumsy trick when they don't know any better, with an undisguised sense of boredom and disappointment.

The next second, Gu Santong suddenly raised his right hand.

Abbess Juechen only felt a blur before her eyes, and her right hand, which was about to strike Gu Santong, was already caught.

At the very moment Gu Santong's right hand grabbed Abbess Juechen's wrist, Abbess Juechen felt a tremendous force surge into her wrist, forcibly dispersing the palm force, true essence, and momentum she had gathered in her palm.

With a flick of his right arm, Gu Santong sent Abbess Juechen flying to the side.

After spinning several times in mid-air, Abbess Juechen landed steadily and took a deep breath.

After the surging blood and true essence in his body subsided, he clasped his hands in thanks to Gu Santong and said, "Thank you, senior."

Gu Santong casually tossed the fruit pit he had just finished eating aside and then shook his head.

"Although your Golden Top Cotton Palm has reached the level of 'smooth and perfect,' your strength, which is neither strong nor soft, looks intimidating but actually doesn't please either side."

"Although it's a bit better than last time, the improvement is limited. If you can't adjust this issue of hardness and softness, you'll never be able to reach the level of 'momentum' in this palm technique in your lifetime."

As he spoke, Gu Santong sighed inwardly.

Over the course of a year, whether it was Abbess Miejue, Juechen, or Juejue, they would periodically seek guidance from Gu Santong.

It was only after fighting with these people that Gu Santong realized how foolish he had been.

While Abbess Miejue and her companions were not considered weak among martial artists of similar internal strength, their abilities were still quite formidable.

But it's only at a level that's better than some but not as good as others.

Compared to Gu Shaoan, his strength is far inferior.

The thought that he had actually been wary of Extinction, Dustless, and Insulation made Gu Santong feel like he had truly been driven mad by being imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison.

They actually thought that because Gu Shaoan was strong, his elders, such as Abbess Miejue and Abbess Juechen, would be even stronger.

Suppressing his thoughts, Gu Santong pointed out the shortcomings in Abbess Juechen's martial arts and returned to Suxin's side, asking, "That kid hasn't come over for a month. Has he hit a bottleneck?"

In response to Gu Santong's question, Abbess Juechen shook her head and said, "Shao'an has been practicing his internal energy cultivation on the cliff these days, and we don't know anything about his situation."

Upon hearing this, Gu Santong stroked his chin and said, "He's been working so hard on internal energy cultivation techniques. Could this kid really be about to break through in his internal energy realm?"

"boom!"

However, just as Gu Santong finished speaking, he felt a distinct fluctuation of true essence.

The direction from which this surge of true energy came was from the back of Mount Da'e.

Sensing this particularly noticeable fluctuation of true energy, Gu Santong's expression changed, and he instantly rushed towards the back mountain as his Qi circulated.

But the next second, Gu Santong, who had just left, turned back, picked up Su Xin, and then used his lightness skill to head towards the back mountain.

"Could it be that"

Taking in Gu Santong's reaction, Abbess Juechen, Zhou Zhiruo, and Yang Yan exchanged glances, and a thought popped into their minds.

The three then used their lightness skills to quickly move towards the back of the mountain.

　I need to organize the outline and the major plot points regarding Pang Ban, so I'll only be updating once today! Then starting tomorrow, I'll be updating three times a day for the next three days! Sorry for the inconvenience!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)