In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 379 Little Li Xunhuan
Although both types of pills consume a martial artist's potential, they can still allow someone who has been stuck at the Qi Condensation stage for decades to break through and enter the Celestial Realm.

It is through this method that Shaolin has been able to maintain a number of martial artists at the Celestial Realm level within the sect for so many years.

However, this thing doesn't restrict a martial artist's future path of improvement like the "Absorption Technique".

However, given Gu Shaoan's current foundation and resources, taking the Great Rejuvenation Pill would actually harm his own foundation.

It's not as good as the Linglong Bodhi Pill that Gu Shaoan refined himself. Although it only increases one's power for nine years, the medicinal power is purer and it won't affect the martial artist's foundation.

Gu Shaoan himself naturally looked down on this Great Rejuvenation Pill.

Furthermore, in Gu Shaoan's view, Hao Baitong's words were also a sign that he was worried that Yi Ye would later rely on the Great Rejuvenation Pill to successfully advance his internal energy realm to the level of Condensing Yuan and Forming Gang, and that his strength would be comparable to his, thus affecting his position as the gang leader.

Gu Shaoan would never do something that would be so obviously used as a pawn and cause him trouble afterwards.

In response, Gu Shaoan gently shook Zhou Ruifu's right hand, sending a burst of energy directly into Zhou Ruifu's body, crippling his martial arts skills and limbs.

His dantian was destroyed, and his limbs were also broken by Gu Shaoan's force.

Even Zhou Ruifu, who had been affected by the "Soul Transfer Technique," shuddered violently before fainting from the pain.

After casually loosening his grip and letting Zhou Ruifu fall to the ground, Gu Shaoan said, "This man is from the Baisha Gang. How you deal with him is up to your gang. But I hope this explanation will satisfy me. Otherwise, when I visit again next time, I will not be as mild-mannered as I am today."

As he spoke, Gu Shaoan's gaze fell on Hao Baitong.

Gu Shaoan's eyes still gleamed with a purple light, even though he had not yet contained the internal energy and spiritual power within him.

Her purple eyes trembled slightly with the slightest movement, like two flames of demonic fire.

The fleeting killing intent and the feeling of his own aura being locked on sent a chill down Hao Baitong's spine.

Seeing Gu Shaoan's reaction, Hao Baitong knew that Gu Shaoan had noticed his little scheme.

His smile stiffened slightly, and he quickly said, "Young Master Gu, rest assured, I will personally interrogate them later. Anyone involved in offending your sect will be dealt with severely."

Upon hearing this, Gu Shaoan raised his right hand again, and his special energy directly sucked the post that had been inserted into the Baisha Gang's plaque into his hand, and then flung it toward Hao Baitong.

After Hao Baitong received the invitation, Gu Shaoan's voice rang out again.

"Regardless of the reason, this matter originated from your White Sand Gang. I, Gu, will now give you two choices."

"First, in the martial arts world, our Emei Sect has always been known for its respect for others. We do not like to provoke trouble, but if trouble comes knocking on our door, our Emei Sect will repay it a hundredfold."

"In Tiannan Prefecture, a total of 67 people from my Emei Sect were poisoned due to the ambush by Vice Chief Zhou. Your sect has crippled the martial arts of 670 people as punishment."

The light, airy voice rang out, suddenly making everyone in the White Sand Gang present feel a chill.

Even Hao Baitong was surprised by the condition Gu Shaoan proposed.

After a few breaths, Hao Baitong finally spoke, "Young Master Gu, isn't this a bit too much..."

Gu Shaoan had previously stated that the Heart-Severing Powder was not fatal, and the fact that he was able to come over now without asking about the antidote was enough to show that the poison in the bodies of those from the Emei Sect had been neutralized.

Even so, this demand is still being made now.

To cripple the martial arts of 670 people is truly ruthless.

However, Gu Shaoan did not respond to Hao Baitong's words.

The White Sand Gang is not a reputable sect, nor is it a demonic cult like the Sun Moon Sect, but the businesses they conduct are not entirely clean.

Gu Shaoan had no need to claim kinship with the White Sand Gang.

Secondly, Gu Shaoan himself also intended to use the Baisha Gang to re-establish the authority of the Emei Sect.

If we raise it high but put it down lightly, what's the point?
What Gu Shaoan wanted was for all the forces and martial artists in the martial arts world to know that the Emei Sect was a prestigious and righteous sect, but not one that anyone could provoke.

The Emei Sect doesn't cause trouble, but if anyone dares to provoke them and make things difficult, they'd better consider whether they can bear the consequences.

Immediately, Gu Shaoan spoke again: "The second option is that this post contains images and characteristics of nine kinds of medicines. Collect the nine medicinal herbs within a year and send them to Emei as an apology."

Hao Baitong quickly opened the post and found that it did indeed record nine kinds of drugs.

Hao Baitong recognized three of them; they were all within the Baisha Gang.

Each one is worth a fortune and is extremely rare.

Hao Baitong had never even heard of the other six types.

But its value is unlikely to be lower than the other three.

However, considering the difference in strength between himself and Gu Shaoan, and thinking about his own reputation, Hao Baitong, though heartbroken, still forced a smile and said, "Within a year, I, Hao, will personally take these nine medicines to the Emei Sect to apologize to your sect."

Upon hearing Hao Baitong's choice, the disciples of the White Sand Gang around him immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

When she looked at Gu Shaoan again, a hint of fear crept into her eyes.

At this moment, Gu Shaoan spoke again: "The collection of all medicinal herbs must not be carried out by force or by bullying the weak. I do not want to one day have to come to Emei and ask Chief Hao for help because of the victims of these medicinal herbs."

The medicinal herbs were what Gu Shaoan wanted.

But the people being collected now are from the White Sand Gang.

Each of these medicinal herbs is quite rare and valuable. If the White Sand Gang were to forcibly seize them, the consequences would inexplicably fall on the Emei Sect.

If this gets out, it will damage the reputation of the Emei Sect.

Hao Baitong's eyelids twitched, then he chuckled dryly, "Of course."

Seeing Hao Baitong's reaction, Gu Shaoan couldn't help but snort coldly: "I hope Chief Hao can keep his promise."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Shaoan flashed and headed towards the riverbank.

Its form is like a dragon piercing through the clouds, and the afterimages it leaves in the air are like floating clouds in the sky, unpredictable and elusive.

In just a few breaths, they had crossed dozens of meters of river and disappeared on the other side. As Gu Shaoan left, Hao Baitong, the gang leader, Yi Ye, and the other disciples of the White Sand Gang all breathed a sigh of relief, each with their own thoughts.

On the other side,
After the White Sand Gang left, Gu Shaoan glanced back at the direction of the White Sand Gang.

"With Bai Xiaosheng's intelligence network backing it up, combined with the financial and human resources of the Baisha Gang, it shouldn't be difficult to collect these medicines."

In fact, one of the reasons why Gu Shaoan did not take an overly aggressive stance when facing the Baisha Gang this time was that the conflict between the two factions had not yet reached the point where Gu Shaoan could be too tough. Another reason was that Gu Shaoan knew that behind the Baisha Gang was actually the Baixiao Pavilion, where Bai Xiaosheng was located.

The human, material, and financial resources required to establish and maintain an intelligence agency far exceed what most people imagine.

The amount of money Zhu Wushi spends on the intelligence network of the Dragon Guard Manor every year is no less than the annual expenses of top forces like Wudang and Shaolin.

However, Baixiaoge is only a neutral force. Without a stable source of funding, how can it maintain the annual expenditures of its intelligence network?

The White Sand Gang was a money bag secretly established and supported by the Hundred Knowledge Pavilion.

Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, Gu Shaoan would not consider eliminating the Baisha Gang directly.

Otherwise, Gu Shaoan might soon have to meet with Bai Xiaosheng, the one who orchestrated the establishment of the Azure Dragon Society and the ensuing turmoil of war between the Great Yuan Kingdom and the Great Wei Kingdom.

Thinking too much, my thoughts became chaotic again.

Gu Shaoan shook his head, suppressing his thoughts.

Regardless, the focus going forward will always be on condensing the three flowers to reach the Celestial Realm.

Only those with sufficient strength are qualified to be the player.

Otherwise, if you rashly enter the game, you will only be used as a pawn and manipulated at will.

With that thought in mind, Gu Shaoan quickened his pace and headed towards Baoding Prefecture.

November.

Baoding Prefecture.

Midday, inside the Yingfeng Inn.

Cheng Shifei, who was already twenty-six years old, was idly playing with a chopstick.

Cheng Shifei has slightly curly hair and inherited the best features of Su Xin and Gu Santong. Although he has thick eyebrows and big eyes, he does not appear rough but rather has a delicate appearance.

Although he has been stationed at the border for several years and has grown considerably, he still retains a hint of the roguishness of a local ruffian.

After a moment, Cheng Shifei couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Fan, I feel like you're particularly concerned about that Brother Li. You even wrote a letter asking my father to find someone to treat him?"

Sitting next to Cheng Shifei was Fan Sanshan, who was over fifty years old with graying temples. He was dressed in ordinary scholar's clothes, holding a black iron fan, and had a resolute face.

While sipping wine, he gently waved his iron fan, exuding an air of elegance.

Faced with Cheng Shifei's question, Fan Sanshan looked at Cheng Shifei with some amusement and said, "Although you have martial arts skills, you have been training with me at the border, so you don't know much about the martial arts world. It's normal that you don't know anything about it."

"Judging from his actions that day, that Brother Li is no ordinary person. His internal energy cultivation has already reached the level of Condensing Yuan into Gang, which is considered a first-class master in the entire Great Wei."

"At over forty years old, stationed on the frontier, not only does he possess such appearance and bearing, but his internal energy cultivation has also reached the level of condensing primordial energy into qi. Who else could it be but that Little Li Scholar, Li Xunhuan?"

Cheng Shifei seemed intrigued: "Then, compared to my cheap old man, who is stronger?"

Fan Sanshan thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "If it were twenty years ago, it would be hard to say who would be stronger between Brother Gu's 'Invincible Vajra Divine Skill' and Little Li's Flying Dagger, which never misses its mark. But before that, your father was imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison for more than twenty years, and his strength stagnated. On the other hand, it is said that Li Xunhuan has already reached the level of man and knife as one, and his Little Li Flying Dagger has never been defeated."

"Nowadays, if we really compare him to that young Li Tanhua, I'm afraid his chances of winning are slim."

Cheng Shifei exclaimed in astonishment, "Undefeated is that amazing? Doesn't that mean this Brother Li is invincible?"

Upon hearing this, Fan Sanshan shook his head: "He is not invincible, but he is not the best among the top-tier masters. In fact, he might not even be the number one among the top-tier masters. Not to mention, there are even masters at the Celestial Realm above the top-tier masters."

Cheng Shifei asked, "Who is the number one top-tier expert in the Great Wei Kingdom?"

After a moment's thought, Fan Sanshan replied, "A few years ago, some people thought it would be Bai Fa Sanqianzhang, others thought it would be Lang Fanyun, and still others thought it would be Tianji Laoren, who was ranked number one on the weapon ranking list. But now, the number one person below the Celestial Realm, as unanimously recognized in the martial arts world, is Gu Shaoan, the young master of the Emei Sect."

Cheng Shifei's eyes widened: "Gu Shaoan? Wait, is that the guy my cheap old man said knocked me unconscious and kidnapped me from the capital?"

Fan Sanshan laughed and said, "That's right!"

Hearing Fan Sanshan's words, Cheng Shifei asked in confusion, "No, that guy looks even younger than me, is he really that strong?"

Upon hearing this, Fan Sanshan replied, "Talented martial artists cannot be judged by ordinary standards. Moreover, that young sect leader Gu is the most talented among the talented. In terms of talent and potential, let alone the Great Wei Kingdom, even looking at the entire Nine Provinces, I'm afraid you can't find a second person like him."

At this point, Fan Sanshan paused, then said with a hint of envy and helplessness, "Compared to him, those of us who have wasted decades on the path of martial arts and are still only at the Qi Condensation stage are living like a joke."

Seeing Fan Sanshan's reaction, Cheng Shifei felt a pang of envy.

After a moment, Cheng Shifei asked, "Since Brother Li is a top-notch expert, why did he go to the border? Could it be that there are some experts there as well?"

Fan Sanshan shook his head and said, "More than ten years ago, after Li Xunhuan and Changshan Prefecture rescued Lin Shiyin, the daughter of the Demon Blade Sect leader and his cousin, not long after, I don't know what happened, he suddenly gave all his ancestral home and property in Baoding Prefecture to his sworn brother Long Xiaoyun, and then disappeared. As for why he appeared at the border, I don't know either."

Finally, Fan Sanshan glanced at Cheng Shifei and said, "In the martial world, everyone has their own secrets or unspeakable difficulties. Every year, there are also people in the martial world who bring about their own deaths because of excessive curiosity."

"Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, one should suppress one's curiosity and refrain from prying into or inquiring about other people's affairs, lest one bring trouble upon oneself."

While thugs and hooligans are annoying, it must be admitted that they are very good at reading people's expressions and moods.

Cheng Shifei was naturally clever, and after spending the last few years by Fan Sanshan's side and receiving his personal guidance and training, he had matured considerably compared to when he was still in the capital a few years ago.

Faced with Fan Sanshan's instructions, Cheng Shifei nodded to indicate that he had remembered them.

After a while, seemingly getting a little bored, Cheng Shifei asked, "Uncle Fan, you said that martial artists have internal energy to nourish their bodies, making them much stronger than ordinary people, which allows them to avoid common minor illnesses. But Brother Li is already at the Condensing Yuan and Forming Gang realm, yet he keeps coughing. I'm afraid his illness is not simple. I wonder if the doctor that my cheap old man called can cure him."

Fan Sanshan smiled and said, "The kindness we receive is remembered for a thousand years. We are only doing this to repay the debt of gratitude. We will do our best and leave the rest to fate. If it doesn't work, there's nothing we can do. We can only hope that the person your father found is a skilled doctor!"

Just as Cheng Shifei was like a curious child, constantly learning about the situation of the Jianghu in the Great Wei Kingdom from Fan Sanshan, a carriage slowly pulled up in front of the Welcome Inn in the west of the city.

(End of this chapter)