In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 303 Sword Heart Clear, Young Master Gu, Please Behave Yourself

The moment Gu Shaoan finished speaking, Qin Mengyao moved.

Without warning, his figure seemed to be a white cloud blown by the mountain wind, and suddenly closed the distance to Gu Shaoan's location by three zhang.

This clearly demonstrates that her skill in lightness of body was in no way inferior to Zhou Zhiruo's.

As the two closed the distance, Qin Mengyao's Qingqiu Sword flashed with a clear, cold light, like a bolt of lightning, and pierced straight into Gu Shaoan's center!
This sword strike was not merely swift; as the sword tip trembled, it seemed as if ten thousand cold stars were blooming, enveloping Gu Shao'an's vital points.

The sword aura was chilling, yet it carried no trace of fierce killing intent. Instead, it exuded a sense of ethereal clarity, like a lake under the moonlight.

Faced with this sword, Gu Shaoan's left hand, holding the Heaven-Slaying Sword, remained behind his back. Only after Qin Mengyao's sword had advanced another three inches did Gu Shaoan manage to raise the three-foot pine branch in his hand.

The light, soft pine branch seemed to transform into the most resilient divine weapon in his hands. With a slight twist of his wrist, the tip of the pine branch pierced the clear autumn sword light with extreme precision and without the slightest error.

"Zheng!"

A faint yet crystal-clear metallic sound rang out, like a clear chime from an ancient temple deep in the mountains.

Qin Mengyao felt an indescribable, supple force penetrate her sword, completely sealing off the profound changes contained within the sword's power, melting away naturally like spring snow meeting the warm sun.

The immense sword energy accumulated at the tip of the sword was forced back by this seemingly casual touch.

But her expression remained unchanged, her eyes clear as water.

With her feet moving with mysterious footwork, like a fairy skimming across the water, Qin Mengyao nimbly twisted her body, dissipating the force of the impact.

Seeing this scene, Gu Shaoan let out a soft "hmm" in his heart.

The sword moves that Gu Shaoan used just now were from the "Willow Catkin Sword Technique".

But given Gu Shaoan's current mastery of the "Willow Catkin Sword Technique," the gentle yet powerful force in that sword strike should have been enough to defeat Qin Mengyao.

However, Qin Mengyao was able to keenly perceive the trajectory of the force flowing in her sword strike the instant they clashed, and then neutralize it.

Even Gu Shaoan couldn't possess such keen insight.

Seemingly engrossed, Gu Shaoan observed Qin Mengyao's attacks as she made over a dozen consecutive moves, remaining stationary throughout.

When Qin Mengyao made a move, no matter how Gu Shaoan blocked her moves, Qin Mengyao was able to immediately perceive the flow of energy in his moves and neutralize them.

Just then, Qin Mengyao swung her Qingqiu sword back at him.

As she wielded her longsword, Qin Mengyao's robes fluttered, her moon-white dress billowing in the swirling sword energy, making her resemble a snow lotus blooming atop a mountain, pure and untouched by dust.

As the sword in her hand drew a graceful arc in the air, the sound of the pine trees within a radius of several feet seemed to be absorbed, and only this clear and melodious sword chant remained in the world!

The sword energy was no longer a straight, cold glint, but transformed into visible, pale golden ripples, carrying a clear, penetrating sound as it surged towards Gu Shaoan in layers.

Each ripple contains an unparalleled cutting power, and carries a strange rhythm that disturbs the mind and points directly to the depths of the soul.

Gu Shaoan turned his face slightly to the side.

Gu Shaoan discovered that Qin Mengyao's sword strike had actually stirred up the surrounding winds and energy.

Looking at Qin Mengyao across from her, her expression remained unchanged, her eyes clear as water.

Gu Shaoan's thoughts raced, and he knew perfectly well that the reason Qin Mengyao was able to perceive the trajectory of the energy in his moves and manipulate the surrounding forces was because of her mastery of "Sword Heart Clarity".

Faced with the sword intent sonic waves powerful enough to cut through metal and stone, Gu Shaoan remained unmoved. With a slight flick of his wrist, the pine branch in his hand seemed to transform into willow catkins, twisting and swaying in the air. The trajectory it traced was neither a straight line nor an arc. As soon as it came into contact with this invisible "force field" drawn by the pine branch, it was like a mud ox entering the sea. The sharp cutting force was dissolved layer by layer, and the disturbing sound was enveloped and covered by the more magnificent sound of the pine waves.

Silent and invisible, vanishing without a trace.

Qin Mengyao felt a slight chill in her heart, and activated her Sword Heart Clarity to its fullest extent.

She clearly "saw" that Gu Shaoan was emanating an invisible yet vast and powerful "aura" that perfectly encompassed and neutralized her sword intent, making her feel as if she were in a bottomless ocean, where even a divine sword could not disturb it in the slightest.

This is no longer a contest of techniques, but a vast chasm in terms of spiritual realm!

She lightly bit her lower lip, making a decision in an instant. Her figure rose gracefully into the air, like a fairy from the moon palace riding the wind, exquisitely beautiful and incredibly fast.

The Qingqiu Sword erupted with unprecedented brilliance, and man and sword seemed to become one, transforming into a stunning rainbow that was refined to the extreme and pierced through the void.

It is the ultimate skill "Sword of Utmost Tranquility" from the Cihang Sword Manual!
The sword energy condensed into a single point of sharpness, instantly locking onto Gu Shaoan's aura. Its speed and power were so great that they almost reached the peak of her current realm.

This sword strike abandoned all fancy techniques, possessing only a pure and tranquil killing edge, aiming to break through Gu Shaoan's rounded "momentum" with an absolute "point".

Gu Shaoan's gaze remained calm. At this moment, the pine branch in his hand seemed no longer to be a mere blade of grass, but a beacon bearing his boundless will and strength.

He neither dodged nor avoided; the pine branch rose up, not to directly confront the sword tip's sharpness that had been condensed to its extreme, but rather, at an angle as exquisite as a gazelle hanging from its horns, he gently placed it on the Qingqiu sword about three inches from the spine.

This is where the sword energy is at its strongest, but it is also the most delicate point where the power transforms from condensation to explosion, and where its flow is most difficult to control.

"Om..."

A deep, resonant sword cry echoed through the pine forest.

There was no earth-shattering collision, no raging torrent of energy.

With Gu Shaoan gently guiding the pine branch, the earth-shattering sword strike that condensed all of Qin Mengyao's essence and spirit was like a serpent struck at its vital point. The accumulated torrent of sword energy instantly lost its direction of explosion, as if a rushing river was gently guided towards the sky by an invisible dam!

The dazzling sword light suddenly subsided, reverting to the original form of the Qingqiu Ancient Sword.

Qin Mengyao gracefully landed on the soft pine needles, her toes barely touching the ground before she took three steps back to regain her balance.

The tip of Qingqiu Sword pointed diagonally at the ground, trembling slightly.

Her moon-white robes fell slowly, her otherworldly aura unchanged, but in her eyes, which held the starry sky, there was not only intense surprise but also a deep sense of admiration.

With a slight twist of his wrist, Gu Shaoan retrieved the pine branch that had withstood the impact of the sword energy, which was powerful enough to cut through metal, completely unharmed.

He remained standing in the same spot, his golden-white robe billowing in the fierce mountain wind, spotless and exuding a lingering aura, as if he had merely brushed away a fallen leaf.

"That is indeed quite interesting."

We will not discuss the people of Cihang Jingzhai or their conduct.

Cihang Sword Manual of Cihang Jingzhai alone has its own unique features.

Qin Mengyao's internal energy cultivation level was only at the Qi Condensation stage, yet she was able to draw upon the power of heaven and earth and integrate it into her own techniques through "Sword Heart Clarity." In Gu Shaoan's view, Qin Mengyao had already entered the second realm of swordsmanship.

With the addition of "Sword Heart Clarity", his strength is by no means inferior to Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan.

As he pondered the thought, Gu Shaoan looked up at Qin Mengyao opposite him.

A mountain breeze swept by, lifting the hem of her moon-white dress. The ethereal and pure aura unique to Cihang Jingzhai did not dissipate; it remained like the moonlight enveloping her.

However.
On her face, which was as white as finely sculpted mutton-fat jade, two charming blushes quietly appeared, like two plum blossoms blooming in the snow, both pure and beautiful.

A few strands of her dark hair, damp with sweat, clung to her smooth, porcelain-like forehead and the graceful lines of her neck, trembling slightly with her rapid breathing.

What was most captivating were her slightly parted lips. Her originally pale pink lips, like cherry blossoms, had deepened slightly due to the intense internal energy circulation, gleaming with a moist sheen. Each short inhale and exhale caused her beautiful lips to open and close gently, carrying a hint of unconscious allure.

The disordered breathing caused Qin Mengyao's beautiful chest to rise and fall with each breath, adding a breathtaking, vibrant charm to that inviolable purity.

Purity and allure, aloofness and vibrancy—these two seemingly contradictory qualities blend perfectly in her, creating an irresistible allure that stirs the soul and ignites the blood.

She seemed like a celestial being descended to earth, tainted by the dust of the mortal world. Beneath her aloof and unapproachable coolness emanated a subtle warmth and allure that was enough to make any man in the world hold his breath and gaze intently, his heart fluttering.

Even with Gu Shaoan's composure and temperament, his breath caught in his throat slightly when he saw such a sight.

A clear thought flashed through his mind almost instantly: In this world, how many people can remain unmoved by such a situation?
His heart fluttered for only a moment, but a deeper sense of vigilance suddenly gathered in the depths of Gu Shaoan's profound pupils.

This is too perfect, too just right!
Having just endured a top-level sparring match that exhausted her, it's only natural for her to be panting afterward. However, this naturally revealed allure blended so seamlessly with her deeply rooted, pure aura that it amplified her strange attraction many times over.

The disciples of Cihang Jingzhai, especially the successor known as the "Fairy," cultivate "Sword Heart Clarity," their minds are as clear as a still lake, and they have extraordinary control over their outward aura.

Even if one is exhausted from a fierce battle, one should not, or rather, should not, unconsciously reveal such a captivating, almost instinctive, seductive charm.

Unless, this is part of their spiritual practice?

Or was it a deliberate display?
In a flash, Gu Shaoan suddenly understood.

This seemingly ordinary invitation to spar is probably far more than just a test of martial arts skills.

Gu Shaoan instantly realized that the seemingly unintentional yet exquisitely beautiful demeanor of the Cihang Jingzhai Saintess before him, along with this sparring match, might have been intentional.

"They really know how to have fun!"

At this moment, even Gu Shaoan had to marvel at the methods of Cihang Jingzhai.

It's no wonder that so many outstanding martial artists in the Sui and Wei kingdoms always fall victim to the holy maidens of Cihang Jingzhai.

The methods are like spring rain, nourishing things silently.

At this moment, Qin Mengyao seemed to have calmed down and cupped her hands to Gu Shaoan, saying, "Young Master Gu's strength is profound, Mengyao admires it."

Upon hearing this, Gu Shaoan casually tossed the pine branch aside and then slowly walked towards Qin Mengyao.

However, even when Gu Shaoan and Qin Mengyao were only three steps apart, Gu Shaoan still did not stop walking.

When the two were only a step apart, Qin Mengyao realized something was wrong when she saw Gu Shaoan so close to her. She subconsciously touched the ground with her toes and swung her body backward three zhang.

However, just as Qin Mengyao stood still, Gu Shaoan's body seemed to follow her like a shadow, still standing in front of her.

The distance between their faces remained unchanged.

It seems that if we take another step, we can apply it directly without any hindrance.

Seeing Gu Shaoan suddenly become somewhat rude, Qin Mengyao felt a little flustered, and her eyes flickered slightly.

It was at this moment that Gu Shaoan's voice slowly rang out.

"Gu once heard a saying: 'Love makes the lonely speak at length, and makes the bright feel inferior and speak little.'"

After a pause, Gu Shaoan continued, "I wonder if I am making Miss Qin want to speak at length, or if I am too self-conscious to say anything?"

Because of the distance between them, Qin Mengyao could even clearly feel the warm breath coming from Gu Shaoan's mouth when he spoke.

This made her heart beat faster involuntarily.

"Young Master Gu, please have some self-respect."

In response, Qin Mengyao circulated her internal energy to force herself to calm down.

But Gu Shaoan just smiled lightly at Qin Mengyao's words.

The next instant, Gu Shaoan raised his right hand slightly, and then his fingers moved like lightning to quickly press on the acupoints on Qin Mengyao's body.

In an instant, Qin Mengyao felt her body stiffen like a wooden board, unable to move.

After pressing Qin Mengyao's acupoints, Gu Shaoan slowly said, "To the outside world, Cihang Jingzhai has always been a righteous sect that sacrifices itself for others, strives to stabilize the court and the martial arts world, and benefits the common people. However, in the years I have been in the martial arts world, I happen to know more about Cihang Jingzhai and am also clear about what Cihang Jingzhai behind Miss Qin has been doing in private all these years."

“I am also aware of the purpose behind the play your sect arranged in Yuzhou Prefecture, as well as the purpose of Cihang Jingzhai’s initiative to go to Emei Sect this time.”

"If I'm not mistaken, Miss Qin's painstaking efforts to get close to me must be because your sect has chosen me as Miss Qin's 'Guardian of Love'."

Qin Mengyao remained unmoved by what Gu Shaoan had said earlier.

But as soon as the words "Guardian of Love" were uttered, Qin Mengyao's eyes flickered slightly, and she couldn't help but show a look of surprise.

"The Guardian of Emotion" is one of the greatest secrets of Cihang Jingzhai.

Almost only the head of each Cihang Jingzhai, the ten elders, and the holy maiden knew about this matter.

Qin Mengyao never expected that Gu Shaoan knew so much about Cihang Jingzhai, even about the protectors of the Love Passage.

Seeing Qin Mengyao's reaction, Gu Shaoan confirmed his suspicions.

He couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

　I'll try to finish the next chapter before 1:30!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)