In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 330 A Phantom Without a Trace, Indestructible Vajra

As Yu Daiyan used his lightness skill to rush towards Taiyuan Prefecture, Song Yuanqiao's gaze swept around the courtyard before finally turning to look at Yuan Dongli's corpse in the mourning hall.

"Everything was fine during the day, but I never expected that Wuzheng Manor would be completely slaughtered at night. Sigh~"

Neither Gu Shaoan nor Zhang Songxi responded to Song Yuanqiao's remark.

That's how the martial arts world is.

Some people's buildings rise, while others' buildings collapse.

As long as people's hearts remain unsettled, even after a hundred or a thousand years, the martial arts world will still be the same.

Mei Jiangxue seemed to be thinking of the Meishan family, and a hint of sadness appeared in her eyes.

However, before Mei Jiangxue could immerse herself in this sudden empathy, Gu Shaoan placed his hand on her shoulder.

The warmth of the large hand eased the sorrow in Mei Jiangxue's heart.

Seemingly feeling that the topic was too heavy, Song Yuanqiao changed the subject, saying, "Not only did they slaughter everyone in Wuzheng Manor, but they also tried to shift the blame to the Emei Sect. Moreover, they were able to command Japanese masters like Yagyu Tajima-no-Kami, who had reached the Qi Condensation stage. Nephew Gu, do you know what kind of forces are behind these people today?"

Gu Shaoan nodded in acknowledgment.

Before Song Yuanqiao could ask further, Gu Shaoan replied, "It's not that I'm unwilling to go into details, but the people involved in this matter are not ordinary. If the Wudang Sect knows too much, it will only do more harm than good."

"When I go to the Wudang Sect next year, I will naturally tell you the whole story."

Hearing what Gu Shaoan said, Song Yuanqiao's doubts deepened, but he did not press further.

Two hours later, while Gu Shaoan and Song Yuanqiao waited, Yu Daiyan and the officials from Taiyuan Prefecture entered Wuzheng Manor.

There were corpses of Yagyu Tajima-no-kami and a group of masked Tengu on the scene.

With Song Yuanqiao, the current leader of the martial arts sect, as well as Yu Daiyan and Zhang Songxi present, the government quickly reached a conclusion.

With all three forces witnessing, even if Zhu Wushi tried to pressure the officials to change their story, Song Yuanqiao and others were still there to oversee things. No matter what, the mudslinging of Wuzheng Manor couldn't be thrown at Gu Shaoan.

After returning to Taiyuan, Gu Shaoan and Song Yuanqiao chose an inn. Gu Shaoan said to Mei Jiangxue, "I originally wanted to wait until the Bat Island matter was settled before handing over the Yuandong Garden to you. I didn't expect things to change so much today. I have broken my promise."

Mei Jiangxue shook her head and said, "The person in charge is dead, which is enough to prevent the real culprit from getting away with it."

Upon hearing this, Gu Shaoan patted Mei Jiangxue's head and said, "Then thank you for your understanding, Junior Sister."

Hearing Gu Shaoan's sudden teasing, Mei Jiangxue's face also showed a smile.

Just then, Gu Santong suddenly rushed into the room through the window.

After glancing at Gu Shaoan and Mei Jiangxue, Gu Santong walked to the table, picked up the teapot, and gulped down several mouthfuls of tea.

After a few breaths, Gu Shaoan asked, "How is it?"

In response to Gu Shaoan's question, Gu Santong shook his head and said, "After you left, no one else has come or gone from Wuzheng Manor. It seems that everyone in the manor is indeed dead."

Gu Shaoan frowned and said, "Wuzheng Manor has stood in the martial world for hundreds of years. Yuan Dongyuan and Yuan Dongli are not fools. Since they dared to build Bat Island, why didn't they have any backup plan? There aren't even any secret rooms or passages built in the manor?"

Gu Santong responded, "Perhaps the people of Wuzheng Manor didn't expect the disaster to come so suddenly?"

Finally, Gu Santong looked at Gu Shaoan and asked, "Should I keep an eye on things for a few more days?"

Gu Shaoan shook his head and said, "With the testimony of the Wudang Sect Leader and the government, even if there are still people left in Wuzheng Manor who want revenge, they won't come after us. It would be better to follow the clues and learn more information to prevent problems before they arise. If we can't find them, it doesn't matter."

Mei Jiangxue, who was standing to the side, asked, "But Senior Brother did cripple Yuan Dongyuan's martial arts. If it weren't for Senior Brother, the world would never know about the relationship between Yuan Dongyuan and Bat Island. What if the Yuan family on Bat Island holds a grudge?"

Before Gu Shaoan could speak, Gu Santong shook his head and said, "Now that Yuan Dongyuan, Yuan Dongli and other experts in Wuzheng Manor are all dead, for those who once went to Bat Island and have their secrets against them, the disaster has turned into a good thing."

"The remaining members of the Yuan family on Bat Island probably don't have much time left."

It's easy to imagine the wealth that Bat Island has accumulated over the years, given that it can be called a den of iniquity.

Let alone ordinary forces, even some top-tier forces would probably be tempted.

In the coming days, all the major forces in the martial arts world and independent cultivators will definitely be on the move.

Gu Santong could even foresee that a few months later, ships would be passing through various parts of the East China Sea.

All for the sake of swallowing up Bat Island, this lucrative prize.

As for the people from Wuzheng Manor who are still on Bat Island, it's questionable whether any of them will survive.

The next day.

The door of the inn.

As they were about to part, Gu Shaoan took out an invitation from his pocket and handed it to Song Yuanqiao.

Upon reading the contents of the invitation, Song Yuanqiao exclaimed in surprise, "Junior Nephew Gu is getting married?"

Yu Daiyan and Zhang Songxi, who were standing nearby, also offered their congratulations with clasped hands.

Gu Shaoan smiled and said, "I have been worried about Pang Ban's matter for the past few years. Now Pang Ban's problem has been solved. My master has made the decision and set the wedding date for me, my senior sister, and my junior sister Yan'er."

"Initially, I wanted to wait until this matter was over before I went to Wudang in person to deliver invitations to Headmaster Song and Master Zhang. I never expected that Headmaster Song would come in person this time, so I will take the easy way out and avoid making a trip."

Song Yuanqiao smiled and said, "After I return, I will definitely hand the invitation to my master as soon as possible and arrive at the Emei Sect on time to offer my congratulations."

Gu Shaoan cupped his hands and said, "This junior will wait for you at Emei."

After some conversation, the group parted ways at the city gate.

When they were nearly thirty miles from the city gate, Gu Shaoan suddenly stopped and said, "The matter is settled, Uncle Gu can come out now."

On their return journey, Gu Shaoan and Mei Jiangxue did not ride horses, but instead used their lightness skills to head towards Emei.

For ordinary martial artists, riding a horse is much more suitable.

However, influenced by Gu Shaoan, Zhou Zhiruo, Yang Yan, and Mei Jiangxue all preferred to travel using light-body techniques.

It can not only cultivate one's own lightness skill, but also consume one's own true energy and true essence while traveling, and then increase the progress of internal energy cultivation through meditation.

During the process, Gu Shaoan would occasionally give Mei Jiangxue pointers on her cultivation, and would also intentionally train and guide her through the events that occurred along the way.

This made Mei Jiangxue feel quite fulfilled throughout the journey, without feeling bored at all.

After returning to the Emei Sect, Gu Shaoan, as was customary, first sought out Abbess Miejue to recount the events at Wuzheng Manor. He then offered some guidance to the two women on their cultivation before returning to his room.

The wedding date with Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan was set for November, and everything in the Emei Sect was on track.

Over the next few months, Gu Shaoan naturally focused on cultivation, striving to open up his middle dantian as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, at Hulong Manor.

Back mountain.

The mountain is steep and precipitous, with exposed, gray-black giant rocks that are rugged and steep, as if cleaved by a knife and axe.

Several gnarled ancient pines take root in the crevices of the rocks, their branches twisting and reaching into the deep valley, appearing and disappearing in the ever-present light mountain mist, adding to their sense of solitude and loneliness.

At this moment, dusk was deepening, and the last rays of the setting sun slanted across the towering mountain ridge opposite, reflecting precisely on the deep pool and tinting the dark green water with a line of dark gold before being quickly swallowed up.

Zhu Wushi, dressed in a black python robe, stood with his hands behind his back by the pool, his figure as upright as a lone pine tree on a cliff, seemingly blending into the rugged and secluded scenery.

Three steps behind him, a figure shrouded in a gray-black outfit was kneeling on one knee, head bowed, holding his breath, like a lifeless rock, with only the occasional rustle of his clothes in the mountain breeze proving his existence.

At this moment, Zhu Wushi was holding a piece of paper in his hand.

But after the secret message on the note was deciphered, a bluish-gray color began to spread from the corners of his tightly pursed lips, gradually covering his entire face. Even the aura around him, which was originally calm and deep, suddenly became dark and heavy, like thick clouds gathering before a storm.

Apply slight pressure between your fingers.

"laugh……"

With a soft sound, the note that carried the weight of failure and uncertainty silently turned into a pinch of extremely fine powder between his fingers.

"Gu Shaoan"

Zhu Wushi couldn't help but squeeze out these words through gritted teeth, a sudden pang of regret creeping into his heart.

Among the 108 masters on the shores of Taihu Lake that year, the elders of the Emei Sect who had reached the level of Qi Condensation were all drained of their essence, spirit, and power by Zhu Wushi and died.

It can be said that from that day on, Zhu Wushi forged a feud with the Emei Sect.

If the Emei Sect were full of people like Miejue and Juechen, Zhu Wushi, with his current strength and status, wouldn't bother with them.

But then, the Emei Sect produced an unparalleled genius like Gu Shaoan.

The fight on Mount Emei made Zhu Wushi even more wary of Gu Shaoan.

Originally, Zhu Wushi planned to secretly eliminate Gu Shaoan once and for all, in conjunction with Yagyu Tajima-no-kami, while Gu Shaoan was escorting Yuan Dongyuan to Wuzheng Manor.

But then he suddenly received a message from Gongzi Yu, forcing Zhu Wushi to settle for a different approach and deal with Gu Shaoan in a different way.

Unexpectedly, Gu Shaoan somehow sensed the change at Wuzheng Manor and led Song Yuanqiao and the others back to Wuzheng Manor, where they killed all thirty-six Heavenly Generals.

It should be noted that the Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals and the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends are the elite warriors that Zhu Wushi has painstakingly cultivated over the past twenty-odd years.

One hundred and eight people, each of whom has at least a superior level of natural talent.

In particular, the three Heavenly Guards who have condensed their Qi into Yuan are no less talented or powerful than Duan Tianya, Guihai Yidao, and Shangguan Haitang.

The possibility of reaching the level of Condensing Essence and Forming Qi in the future is extremely high.

But now, all thirty-six Heavenly Generals have perished in Wuzheng Manor.

In particular, Yagyu Tajima-no-kami, whom he had secretly introduced as an important pawn and a sharp blade, also fell.

Such losses have far exceeded Zhu Wushi's expectations.

At this moment, Zhu Wushi's murderous intent towards Gu Shaoan reached an unprecedented level.

Just as Zhu Wushi's killing intent was spreading like an ice pick, as if sensing something, a faint, almost imperceptible flash of fierceness appeared in Zhu Wushi's eyes.

Immediately afterwards, Zhu Wushi turned his head and said coldly to the kneeling Earthly Fiend Guard behind him, "You can go down now."

"I obey my orders!"

Without hesitation, the Earthly Fiend Guard slid backward and disappeared silently at the end of the winding, rugged path down the mountain, like a shadow blending into the night.

A brief silence returned to the stone platform, broken only by the howling mountain wind and the stagnant ripples of the deep pool.

Zhu Wushi did not turn around; his gaze remained fixed on the dark green pool, as if admiring its abyss that swallowed all light. He simply uttered three cold words:

"Come out!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a strange change occurred in the void beyond the cliff edge at the edge of the stone platform.

There was no sound of air being cut, no rustling of clothes, and not even a wisp of mountain mist was disturbed.

Four tall, thin, and almost identical figures carried a dark purple sedan chair, rising into the air from afar without warning, like four weightless bluish-gray ghosts streaking across the sky.

Its movements resembled those of a kite, or a wandering ghost, leaving clearly visible afterimages in the air.

In the blink of an eye, it covered a distance of nearly ten zhang and landed steadily on the stone platform two zhang behind Zhu Wushi.

When it landed, not even a speck of dust was disturbed.

All four were dressed in the same style of wide, bluish-gray robes. The sleeves and hems of the robes fluttered slightly in the night breeze, yet strangely, they made no sound.

Their height, build, and even their standing posture were exactly the same, like mirror images carved from the same mold. Their faces were all covered with the same bluish-gray masks, revealing only their eyes.

Their hair was also the same gray-white, tied on top of their heads with simple wooden hairpins.

What is most striking is that among these four people, one of them exudes the unique aura of a Qi Condensation Realm martial artist.

These are the Four Ghosts of Western Hunan, known as "Phantom Without a Trace, Indestructible as Vajra".

The sedan chair they were carrying was of an antique style, its entire body a deep purple-black, with tightly closed curtains. The materials used appeared ordinary, yet there were subtle flowing patterns, clearly indicating that it was no ordinary item. The sedan chair itself was undecorated, yet it possessed a contradictory aura that was both as heavy as a mountain and as ethereal as mist.

"Hehehe..."

A warm, mellow laugh, even carrying a hint of contentment, came from inside the sedan chair.

The next second, the sedan curtain was gently lifted by a plump, well-maintained hand adorned with several large, warm jade thumb rings.

A person bent over and stepped out of the sedan chair.

This person was quite plump, with a round face, ruddy complexion, and a natural smile at the corners of his mouth. When his slender eyes narrowed, he appeared extremely kind and approachable.

He wore a large jade-inlaid turban, a fine blue brocade robe embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns, a gold and jade belt around his waist with jade pendants and sachets hanging from it, and a folding fan made of sandalwood with a plain white satin surface, seemingly without any words or paintings, gently waving it in his hand.

He looked exactly like a pampered, wealthy landowner who made his fortune through harmony, or a content and happy gentleman.

It was none other than Wan Sanqian, who was incredibly wealthy and had connections everywhere.

(End of this chapter)