In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 269 Engagement
On the way back to Mount Da'e, Gu Shaoan's thoughts remained on the spiritual seed in Feng Xinglie's mind.

The more Gu Shaoan thought about it, the more amazed he became.

Unfortunately, the route by which Feng Xinglie's spiritual energy circulates around the Shen Ting acupoint is only suitable for Feng Xinglie himself and has no effect on others.

Otherwise, cultivating spiritual energy wouldn't have become so difficult.

Gu Shaoan could only use the energy circulation route around Feng Xinglie's Shen Ting acupoint as a reference.

Even if it's just for reference, it's much better than knowing nothing at all.

"I wonder how much mental abilities can be enhanced after the Kuroki Shunbo flower and other medicines are refined into medicine."

As his thoughts wandered, Gu Shaoan's figure drifted into the back mountain like a gentle breeze.

"Shao'an, come here for a moment."

However, just as Gu Shaoan entered the back mountain and was about to return to his courtyard, Abbess Miejue's voice suddenly entered his ears.

Upon hearing the sound, Gu Shaoan didn't hesitate. He activated the Yin and Yang energies within his body, and the unique force pulled him in so that he was forced to bend over and land lightly at the entrance of Abbess Miejue's courtyard.

Upon entering the courtyard, Gu Shaoan greeted Abbess Miejue and Abbess Juechen, who were seated there, saying, "Master, Martial Aunt."

After the two nodded, Abbess Miejue pointed to the bamboo stool opposite and said, "Sit!"

After Gu Shaoan sat down, Abbess Miejue coughed lightly and then asked, "Your master and Juechen called you here alone because there is something we want to discuss with you."

Gu Shaoan nodded, waiting quietly for Abbess Miejue and Abbess Juechen to continue.

After a moment's thought, Abbess Miejue said, "You've been with Zhiruo and Yan'er since childhood, and you know what those two girls are thinking."

Upon hearing this, Gu Shaoan already guessed what Abbess Miejue and Abbess Juechen were going to say.

Almost as soon as Gu Shaoan's thoughts became clear, Abbess Juechen spoke up.

“In the past, you were not strong enough, and with the great enemy, the Demon Master Pang Ban, hanging over your head, we never talked about it.”

“Now that you are a top-tier expert in this world, and the Demon Master Pang Ban has been defeated and fled from your hands, the crisis is over, so your master and I think it’s time to consider your relationship with Zhi Ruo and Yan’er.”

Abbess Miejue took over the conversation, saying, "Taking advantage of this banquet to welcome guests from all directions, your Uncle Juechen and I are thinking that we should also use this day as the engagement day for the three of you, and establish your marriage contract."

"I will send out invitations later to invite Wudang and other forces that are on good terms with my Emei Sect to attend the wedding."

While they were speaking, both Abbess Miejue and Abbess Juechen stared at Gu Shaoan, feeling inexplicably nervous.

Over the years, Miejue and Juechen, who have treated Gu Shaoan, Zhou Zhiruo, and Yang Yan as their own children, are also waiting for the three of them to have their own happy ending.

Meeting their gazes, Gu Shaoan asked, "Have Master and Uncle-Master told Senior Sister and Junior Sister about this?"

Abbess Juechen sighed and said, "I just mentioned that Zhiruo and Yan'er have already been taken away by your Uncle Juejue to choose an auspicious day."

Thinking of Abbess Isolation's energetic and impulsive nature, Gu Shaoan couldn't help but smile.

At this moment, Abbess Miejue spoke up: "Moreover, when you set off for the capital, I took Juechen and Yan'er to visit Yan'er's father to discuss this matter. He had no objections, but you should definitely take Yan'er to visit him later and invite him to stay at Emei for a while."

He immediately said, "Everything is up to Master and Uncle."

Gu Shaoan, Zhou Zhiruo, and Yang Yan can definitely be described as childhood sweethearts.

Putting aside the two women's martial arts skills, even their current temperament and reactions when faced with problems are largely influenced by Gu Shaoan.

It's no exaggeration to say that Gu Shaoan guided and nurtured him to this point in his life.

Having finally raised his senior and junior sisters to adulthood, Gu Shaoan was naturally waiting for the right time to reap the rewards.

Abbess Miejue and Abbess Juechen were not at all surprised by Gu Shaoan's reaction.

The relationship between the three was common knowledge throughout the entire Emei Sect.

Otherwise, Abbess Wujie wouldn't have directly dragged Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan along to choose an auspicious day.

Upon hearing Gu Shaoan's words, both Abbess Miejue and Abbess Juechen smiled.

Abbess Miejue made the decision, saying, "Alright, the young master of my Emei Sect is getting married, so we must hold a grand wedding. You don't need to worry about this. Your master and your two uncles will handle everything. We guarantee it will be a lively and joyous occasion."

Seeing the two of them so interested, Gu Shaoan smiled and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Master and Uncle."

"Silly child, if I don't worry about this for you, who will?"

Without waiting for Gu Shaoan's response, Abbess Miejue and Abbess Juechen gathered their true energy and leaped away into the distance.

Gu Shaoan knew without a doubt that the two of them had gone to find Abbess Isolation and the others.

As the two left, Gu Shaoan also walked out of Abbess Miejue's courtyard.

Looking at the sun in the distance, which was already beginning to set, I reflected on the time since I entered Mount Emei.

"Unbeknownst to us, ten years have already passed!"

Gu Shaoan's voice was very soft, like a sigh, or perhaps a self-reflection after a period of reflection.

Joining the Emei Sect was a decision Gu Shaoan made after careful consideration.

Gu Shaoan hadn't expected that, without realizing it, the environment and the people on the mountain would quickly make him feel a sense of belonging.

Ten years have passed, and this sense of belonging has long since taken root and sprouted.

This also meant that Gu Shaoan never regretted joining the Emei Sect over the past ten years.

When drinking water, don’t forget the man who dug the well.

Even now, Gu Shaoan knows that without Emei, without the complete instruction, strict protection, and heartfelt care of his master and uncles, even with all his skills and proficiency, it would have been difficult for him to cultivate single-mindedly for the past ten years.

After a short while, Gu Shaoan murmured softly, his tone becoming more cheerful.

Walking to the edge of the cliff, gazing at the majestic Emei Mountains under the sunlight, Gu Shaoan took a deep breath, as if he wanted to inhale the mountains, the clouds, and the wind into his lungs and let them seep into his bones.

In Gu Shaoan's eyes, the golden glow of the setting sun was reflected, as was the green mountain that had given him everything.

Standing on the mountainside, amidst the biting mountain wind, Gu Shaoan's figure blended seamlessly with the majestic and beautiful Emei Mountain landscape.

After an unknown period of time, Gu Shaoan suddenly remembered the "Nine Yang Divine Skill".

Thinking about the effects of the Nine Yang Divine Skill, Gu Shaoan felt that he could practice it more often in his spare time.

As evening approached and the sky began to turn a dusky yellow, two heads quietly peeked out from the gate of the courtyard.

Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan breathed a sigh of relief when they confirmed that Gu Shaoan was not in the courtyard.

He then tiptoed into the courtyard.

It was as if they were afraid of making any sound.

However, as soon as the two women entered the courtyard, they seemed to sense something and looked up one after another.

Then, they saw Gu Shaoan sitting on the roof of the main house, one eye closed and the other open, watching the two of them.

Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan were both taken aback when they saw Gu Shaoan, who was turning a blind eye and smiling.

Immediately, the two women's faces flushed red at a visible speed.

The next second, both of them stood up straight and spoke.

"Master, Master, Junior Brother."

"Teacher, senior brother."

As she spoke with a slight stutter, Zhou Zhiruo put her hands behind her back and lowered her head.

Yang Yan turned her head to look to the other side and even whistled. Seeing their reactions, Gu Shaoan couldn't help but smile.

He then jumped off the roof.

He raised his hand and flicked Yang Yan's forehead lightly with his finger.

"What? Are you getting shy now?"

Yang Yan, who had just turned her head, immediately looked to the side again.

"No way."

Seeing this, Gu Shaoan reached into his robes, took out two wooden boxes, and handed them to the two men.

"Na."

Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan were immediately drawn to the wooden box in front of them.

The two opened the box and their eyes lit up when they saw the hairpin inside.

Inside Zhou Zhiruo's wooden box was a simple and elegant white magnolia hairpin with tassels.

The hairpin is carved from a single piece of fine Hetian white jade. The jade is as delicate as mutton fat, pure and flawless, and shimmers with a soft and restrained luster in the dim light of dusk.

The hairpin head is carved with several magnolia buds that are about to bloom. The shapes are lifelike and lively, with delicate and graceful petals and clearly visible stamens. The layers of carvings exude elegance and tranquility, and there are also crystal-clear and round jade beads that form a tassel.

It perfectly matches Zhou Zhiruo's gentle, graceful, and inwardly refined temperament.

Inside Yang Yan's wooden box lay a magnificent and dazzling phoenix gold hairpin, its main body crafted from extremely pure red gold, with a slender and flowing shape.

Fine gold threads, as thin as hair, are skillfully coiled and welded to form the phoenix's graceful form and magnificent wings. Its eyes are inlaid with two tiny blood-red gemstones, which shimmer with a captivating and lively light in the afterglow of the setting sun.

It perfectly matches Yang Yan's radiant yet seemingly innate noble temperament.

Both hairpins fit Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan perfectly, which shows the care Gu Shaoan put into choosing the gifts.

With his gaze fixed on the two of them, Gu Shaoan said softly, "These two hairpins were originally intended as an apology for letting you be attacked half a year ago."

Zhou Zhiruo smiled gently and said, "I really like the hairpin. Thank you, Junior Brother."

Yang Yan snorted lightly: "I thought you would pretend to be deaf and dumb and not mention it, Senior Brother?"

Gu Shaoan raised his hand and patted Yang Yan's head, saying, "You hold grudges the most. If we don't bring it up, you might bring up this old grudge one day."

Yang Yan gave two soft "humming" sounds.

She then looked at Gu Shaoan with some suspicion: "However, regarding the attack half a year ago, neither my senior sister, master, nor sect leader uncle revealed anything to me. How did you know that I had already guessed the whole story?"

Gu Shaoan smiled casually and said, "After you were attacked, your master and Uncle Juechen reacted relatively calmly. With your intelligence, how could you not notice the problem? You will naturally be able to react in a few days."

Although Gu Shaoan intentionally provoked Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan, Abbess Juechen and Abbess Miejue were, after all, their elders.

We can't expect the two of them to put on a show in front of Yang Yan.

Yang Yan didn't realize it at the time, but after calming down a bit, how could she not see the problem with her intelligence?
Hearing Gu Shaoan's words, Yang Yan pouted and said, "No wonder Master said that my senior sister and I will be completely under your thumb from now on."

Then, Yang Yan's gaze fell on the hairpin in the box and she said, "For the sake of this hairpin, I'll forgive you for lying to me before."

"Then thank you very much for your understanding, Junior Sister."

Gu Shaoan responded with a smile.

With gifts paving the way, Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo's earlier embarrassment subsided somewhat.

After all, the three of them had been together since childhood and could be considered childhood sweethearts.

It was only natural and logical for them to come together.

Naturally, he wouldn't be as awkward and hesitant as ordinary people.

A moment later, Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan sat on either side of Gu Shaoan at the edge of the cliff, and the three of them sat quietly at the edge of the cliff.

The setting sun burned the horizon into a brilliant golden-red, and the afterglow, like molten gold, gently spread across the entire back mountain, softly enveloping the three people sitting side by side.

The air was filled with the dry, fresh scent of grass and trees baked by the sun. The summer mountain breeze swept up from the cliff, and when it blew past, it did not make people feel cold. Instead, it dispelled the heat of the day and brought a refreshing and comfortable coolness, making people's clothes flutter and their black hair sway slightly.

After a long while, Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan turned their heads one after the other, letting their gaze fall on Gu Shaoan beside them.

The golden afterglow outlined his handsome profile, with a straight nose, exquisite features, and a faint, warm smile playing on his lips.

His gaze was calm and profound as he looked at the clouds drifting across the sky, a smile lingering on his lips.

The two women's eyes were like those ignited by the setting sun, or like autumn waters caressed by a spring breeze, incredibly gentle, clearly reflecting Gu Shaoan's figure as they flowed.

What's ever worrying is never the future.

But people.

If it were an ordinary woman, she would feel somewhat hesitant when facing such a major life event as marriage.

The uncertainty of living with another person after marriage.

The bewilderment of entrusting all future honors, disgraces, joys, and sorrows to others.

The more you think, the more uneasy you become.

But at this moment, the gazes of Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan towards Gu Shaoan were devoid of any gloom, nor did they reveal the confusion, worry, or vague unease about the unknown future that are common among ordinary women facing the important matter of marriage.

Yes, but after marriage, the expectation is to hold hands with the man in front of you and see all the mountains, rivers, stars and moon of this world together.

All she had was the hope of being able to walk hand in hand with Gu Shaoan in the future, and the infinite longing to share joys and sorrows with him until they grew old together.

After a short while, Gu Shaoan spoke softly, "There's still a long road ahead. What will we do after we get married if we get tired of each other now?"

Zhou Zhiruo's tranquil voice slowly rang out.

"A junior brother like him is someone you could look at for a lifetime and never get tired of."

Yang Yan, standing beside her, seemed to have thought of something, a sly glint in her eyes.

Then, Yang Yan said listlessly, "Senior brother has changed. He used to look at me and senior sister when he spoke, but now he doesn't look at us when he speaks."

Immediately afterwards, Yang Yan smiled.

"Or is it that Senior Brother doesn't know whether to look at Senior Sister or Junior Sister first when speaking? Ah~ Could it be that Senior Brother is now thinking about treating everyone equally?"

Turning his head to look at the sly look on Yang Yan's face, Gu Shaoan couldn't help but smile, then raised his hand and flicked Yang Yan's forehead lightly with his finger.

"Always being silly."

Yang Yan chuckled, then rested her head on Gu Shaoan's shoulder, her two dangling feet gently swaying.

Zhou Zhiruo, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but smile as she watched this scene.

She turned her head to look at the afterglow in the sky and unconsciously rested her head on Gu Shaoan's shoulder.

A mountain breeze swept by, ruffling a few strands of hair on Gu Shaoan's forehead and gently brushing against the smiling eyes of the two young ladies.

The wind carries the sound of pine trees rustling in the breeze, and in the distance, the sound of a mountain stream babbling. All the sounds intertwine, creating a gentle footnote from heaven and earth to this moment.

The setting sun cast long, intertwined shadows of the three people on the bluish-gray mountain rocks.

Time seemed to be melted into something extra thick by the sunset, flowing extremely slowly. A silent warmth and tacit understanding flowed between the three of them, more reassuring than any words.

　I caught a cold from the child! I'm going to get some medicine in a bit, so the update might be a little late tonight!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)