Yang Guo: I'm invincible in the opening battle against Aunt Guo!

In the blink of an eye.

Two and a half years have passed since the day the master-disciple relationship was established.

A year is enough to change many things.

Yang Guo had grown taller, with broad shoulders and a lean waist. The childishness of his youth had faded, and his brows now held the composure and sharpness of a strong man. However, his eyes still occasionally darted around, revealing a hint of cynical wickedness.

For two and a half years, he kept in mind his duty as an "apprentice" and diligently practiced every day.

He would pay his respects to Huang Rong morning and evening without fail, receiving her instruction in the Sword Testing Pavilion.

The rest of the time, he would either cultivate diligently in Tingtao Garden or contemplate swordsmanship on the rocks by the sea on the island. His movements were so regular that Guo Fu, who occasionally wanted to find him to play, would often miss him.

His progress was nothing short of astonishing.

In just two and a half years, he made great strides from the mid-stage of the Innate Realm, broke through the Grandmaster barrier, and steadily stepped into the early stage of the Grandmaster Realm!

Moreover, his foundation is so solid and his true essence so pure that it far surpasses that of ordinary masters.

He also learned most of the martial arts techniques of Peach Blossom Island.

He had already mastered the thirty-six forms of the Falling Petals Divine Sword Palm, and his palm strikes produced a dazzling display of falling petals, a mix of illusion and reality, having captured eight-tenths of Huang Rong's essence.

Jade Flute Swordplay, Finger Flicking Skill, Orchid Finger Acupuncture Technique...

These unique skills that made Huang Yaoshi famous were gradually mastered by Yang Guo through Huang Rong's careful instruction and Yang Guo's incredible comprehension.

Ling'ao Step, Bagua Directions, Qimen Dunjia...

He also had a deep understanding of the exquisite lightness skills and formations of Peach Blossom Island.

Now he could navigate the island with his eyes closed and not get lost.

Huang Rong looked at her disciple, her feelings extremely complicated.

There is certainly some relief.

Such a fine disciple, with exceptional talent, temperament, and comprehension, will surely become another towering figure in the martial arts world in due time.

As his mentor, I feel honored.

But more than anything, it was that subtle, indescribable feeling.

For two and a half years, they upheld the proper relationship between master and apprentice.

But only they themselves knew that the marks left by those seven days of entanglement never truly disappeared.

Whenever the night is deep and quiet, or when her inner strength resonates slightly unintentionally during practice, or when she sees the occasional deep look in his respectful eyes, her heart is stirred with indescribable ripples.

The intimacy born from the detoxification process, and the profound connection forged through dual cultivation, had long transcended the simple bond between master and disciple. Yet, they were firmly imprisoned beneath this formal relationship, becoming an unspoken secret and source of torment for both of them.

Yang Guo, on the other hand, seemed to be completely immersed in martial arts training, becoming increasingly respectful and polite to his master, with impeccable manners.

This made her feel somewhat relieved, yet also inexplicably... disappointed.

On this day, the sky was clear and the sea breeze was gentle.

After finishing his morning lessons, Yang Guo did not immediately return to Tingtao Garden.

He strolled up to the "Sea-Viewing Peak," the highest point on Peach Blossom Island.

The terrain here is precipitous, with jagged rocks piercing the sky. Below you are a sheer cliff and the surging East China Sea, offering an extremely wide view that broadens one's mind and spirit.

He found a flat boulder, sat down cross-legged, and instead of cultivating, he flipped his wrist and took out a beautifully bound "little picture book" from the system space.

The check-in activities over the past two and a half years have been quite varied.

Aside from the proper martial arts manuals, divine weapons, and miraculous medicines, there are also some "interesting" items.

For example, there's the complete set of illustrated hardcover editions of "Jin Ping Mei," and this "erotic picture book" in my hand, whose artist I don't know, is exquisitely illustrated and the plot is... captivating.

With no one around and the vast sea and sky above, Yang Guo began to read with great interest.

The figures in the painting are lifelike, with graceful postures and a dramatic plot... Well, it's mainly for studying ancient painting art and human anatomy.

Just as I was enjoying the moment and my mind was slightly distracted, I suddenly heard extremely faint footsteps behind me.