In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 72 Heavy Sword
On their way to the Miejue Bamboo Courtyard, Gu Shaoan learned from Zhou Zhiruo that Miejue had been back on the mountain for more than an hour.

I had just called them into the courtyard and personally told Zhao Jingxuan and Bei Jinyi about Ding Minjun.

And let Zhao Jingxuan and Bei Jinyi take this as a warning.

When they were still more than ten feet away from the bamboo courtyard, Zhou Zhiruo did not follow them inside.

Almost every student feels both respect and fear towards a strict teacher.

Zhou Zhiruo was no exception to the common practice.

Gu Shaoan didn't pay any attention. After watching Zhou Zhiruo go to the shady spot under a tree to cultivate by herself, Gu Shaoan turned around and stepped into the courtyard.

Miejue was not inside the bamboo hut, but sat quietly in the courtyard.

In the courtyard, a figure in plain clothes sat serenely beside a simple stone table.

The scorching sunlight poured down on her without reservation, making her simple monk's robes appear dazzling. It also made the solemnity and coldness she naturally possessed seem even more solid and imposing under the intense light and shadow, as if even the surrounding air had become somewhat stagnant.

However, when Abbess Miejue raised her eyes and her gaze, which contained the power of thunder and the keen insight to see through everything, fell on Gu Shaoan, the cold sense of estrangement suddenly dissipated like ice and snow melting away.

Facing this disciple who pleased her the most, a rare, warm smile unconsciously appeared on her usually stern lips.

"Disciple greets Master."

Extinction raised her hand and pointed to the bamboo chair beside her, saying in a gentle voice, "Sit."

Gu Shaoan sat down as instructed, but his gaze was inadvertently drawn to the wooden box on the table.

The wooden box is about four feet long and more than a foot and a half wide, its size somewhat resembling that of a violin case.

Abbess Miejue keenly noticed the curiosity in Gu Shaoan's eyes, but she didn't rush to reveal the answer and changed the subject.

"During the time I was away from the mountain, Juechen and Zhuanjue have reported in detail what you have done in Yunyang Prefecture."

"You were able to adapt to changing circumstances, assess the situation, and avoid acting rashly. You also knew how to leverage the situation and lure the enemy, thus avoiding putting yourself in a dangerous position. You did a great job this time."

Gu Shaoan frankly said, "The world of martial arts is unpredictable. At the time, the situation was unclear. I didn't know the strength of those human traffickers and was afraid that there might be some tough guys among them. In addition, my senior sister was also by my side. To be on the safe side, I chose a relatively safe approach."

"Caution is the right thing to do." Abbess Miejue nodded approvingly, her gaze deep.

"Caution is not cowardice, but the way to survive. No matter how strong your martial arts are, there is a limit."

"This world is vast, full of hidden talents and masters. How many great masters are hiding in plain sight? There are also countless conspiracies, tricks, poisons, and hidden weapons that are impossible to guard against."

"I have traveled the world for decades and have seen too many so-called talented young heroes who, relying on their talent and martial arts skills, look down on everyone and only know how to throw punches and draw swords when faced with a problem, and only know how to attack recklessly."

“But how is such behavior any different from that of a brute in the marketplace? One or two times may be lucky, but in the long run, it will inevitably lead to a short life.”

There was a hint of a sigh in her voice.

"To navigate the world, one must possess both wisdom and courage. Martial arts are strength, while wisdom is a discerning mind."

"Knowing when to act decisively, when to bide one's time, and when to leverage external forces is the way to survive and thrive."

"Strength has its limits, but wisdom has no end. Sometimes, forbearance is not weakness, but rather a wise way to protect oneself. After all, as long as one is alive, there is a future and hope. One cannot live a life that is only concerned with short-term gains and losses."

"In the future, when you encounter problems outside, you should act as you have done this time, think thrice before you act, plan carefully before you move, and never act rashly."

Gu Shaoan nodded seriously.

"Disciple understands, Master, please rest assured."

Seeing Gu Shaoan's reaction, Miejue was even more satisfied.

Gu Shaoan's performance on this trip down the mountain was remarkable, far exceeding Miejue's expectations. It was originally thought that upon returning to the mountain, Gu Shaoan might become somewhat arrogant and complacent.

But now it seems that he remains calm and composed.

After giving her approval, Abbess Miejue's gaze finally fell back on the wooden box on the table.

"Open the wooden box and take a look."

Gu Shaoan opened the box as instructed.

Inside the box, just as Gu Shaoan had guessed, was indeed a long sword.

Its shape is similar to that of the Heaven Sword, but it lacks the Heaven Sword's clear, frosty, and chilling sharpness, as well as the magnificent decorations of gold, silver, and gemstones.

The entire sword was jet black, with obvious hammer marks, indicating that it had not been carefully polished afterward.

It gives the impression of being crudely made, as if it were used by a blacksmith's apprentice who had not yet mastered the craft.

After just one glance, Gu Shaoan keenly noticed the difference in this sword.

Compared to ordinary sword blades, the sword in the box is clearly a heavy sword.

It is four inches wide and two inches thick.

Moreover, the sharp edge is blunt and rounded, not a sharp blade, and is clearly not intended for fighting.

Even more striking is the presence of six grooves with locking mechanisms in the middle of the broad blade.

Inside the box, in one corner, were eight equally thick iron sheets, each about an inch thick.

These iron pieces are regularly shaped, and the edges show a precise tenon structure that fits perfectly into the grooves on the sword.

It is immediately apparent that these iron plates are intended to be embedded in the blade of a sword.

Gu Shaoan reached out and grasped the sword hilt. The moment he lifted the hilt with a slight effort, the special effect of "Drawing the Sword Like a Rainbow" allowed him to immediately determine the weight of the sword in the box.

It had reached a staggering twenty-seven jin.

At the same time, the sound of extinction slowly rose.

"Ordinary people need to strengthen their physique and practice sword stances before they can begin to learn swordsmanship. But Shao'an, you are born with a sword-like bone structure and extraordinary muscles and bones. These methods, such as sword stances, are almost useless to you."

As he spoke, Miejue placed his hand on the blade of the greatsword.

"The way of the sword is profound and extensive, and one cannot reach its highest level in a day or two."

"Sword masters throughout history have made countless insights and left behind profound sayings. Among them, one person's classification of realms is particularly exquisite."

He said: "When I first started learning swordsmanship, I had no weapons and no swordsmanship in my mind. I was completely confused and ignorant."

"Having achieved some minor success, I hold a sword in my hand, but the 'sword intent' has not yet arisen in my heart. The sword is the sword, and the person is the person; they are two separate paths."

"When one's skill reaches perfection and one's mind and will are in harmony, one can wield the sword as easily as one's own arm or fingers, with the sword moving at will and the sword following the intention, becoming one with the sword. This is the state of 'unity of man and sword'."

"At this point, whether one holds a peerless sword or a withered branch or blade of grass, it makes no essential difference, because one's mind and will can be poured into it, giving it sharpness."

According to Grandmaster Guo Xiang, there was a senior who divided the first three levels into "sharp sword", "soft sword" and "heavy sword".

“I didn’t understand it before, but now I realize that there is some truth to it.”

(End of this chapter)