Starting with a blind date with a female constable, you acquire the Nine Swords of Dugu.

Gu Guanqi checked the system's explanation.

They immediately chose to adopt a compatible approach.

The resulting true energy, primarily based on the Purple Cloud Divine Skill and incorporating the internal strength advantages of the Embracing Yuan Force, is of higher quality than pure Purple Cloud True Energy.

The Baoyuan Jin is responsible for building a solid foundation, while the Zixia Shen Gong is responsible for qualitative improvement. The former lays a firm foundation, while the latter accumulates strength for a powerful burst, forming a combination of defense and counterattack and protracted combat.

"compatible!"

In an instant, a warm yet powerful force surged from the depths of his dantian, like a purple sun rising from the sea.

In that instant, the internal energy of his Baoyuan Jin surged forth from his limbs and bones towards his dantian like rivers flowing into the sea. That internal energy was already profound and pure, but now it was being drawn, compressed, and tempered by an even higher power, as if repeatedly forging a piece of pig iron, removing the dross and refining it into steel.

Purple energy swirled within his dantian.

The originally solidified internal energy of Baoyuan Jin transformed into wisps of purple true qi, like the rising sun and the purple aura coming from the east. The purple true qi slowly rotated in the dantian, becoming denser and brighter, finally condensing into a ball of purple-gold light, sinking to the deepest part of the dantian, as stable as a rock.

At the same time, a profound realization surged into his mind.

The essence of the Purple Cloud Divine Skill—its initial release is faint and subtle, like drifting clouds; its accumulated power is extremely resilient, growing stronger with each battle; when used, its purple aura fills the face, and its internal energy is inexhaustible—unfolded slowly in his mind like a scroll, and was deeply etched into the depths of his soul like a brand.

Time flies by.

The internal energy within the body is constantly changing.

One hour, two hours...

Gu Guanqi had no sense of time at all.

When the conversion is complete,

It was already daylight.

All the internal energy in his body was transformed into Zixia True Qi, and the Zixia Divine Skill had reached its perfect state.

Gu Guanqi opened his eyes.

He raised his right hand, palm up, and with a slight thought, a wisp of faint purple true energy emerged from his palm, like smoke or mist, shimmering with a lustrous sheen. The true energy appeared gentle, yet it contained an extremely resilient power.

He clenched his fist, and the purple true energy gathered into his body, returning to his dantian.

Gu Guanqi exhaled a long breath of turbid air. The breath condensed and did not dissipate, turning into a faint purple hue, like a thin column of smoke that shot out more than a foot before slowly dissipating.

He stood up, stretched his muscles and bones, and felt that his internal energy was abundant, and his condition was better than ever before. Every inch of his meridians felt as if they had been washed by a clear spring, crystal clear and unobstructed.

Feeling the characteristics of the true energy within the body,

Gu Guanqi was very satisfied.

This internal energy cultivation method doesn't pursue instantaneous bursts of power, but rather emphasizes continuous, unbroken flow, like the tides, one wave higher than the next, growing stronger with each battle, possessing inexhaustible staying power, making it best suited for prolonged warfare. True energy can protect the body, forming a protective shield, making it difficult to harm from ordinary weapons; it can also circulate through the meridians, healing injuries, strengthening the body, and dispelling the intrusion of other energies. Furthermore, it can utilize exquisite internal energy to close and shift acupoints, strike and subdue enemies, and control swords with energy, doubling their power.

Of the nine feats of Mount Hua, Zixia is the best, and her reputation is well-deserved.

Moreover, he is currently capable of using both the max-level Baoyuan Jin and the max-level Zixia Divine Skill.

……

I didn't sleep all night.

Gu Guanqi did not feel tired at all; on the contrary, he was full of energy, and the remaining internal injuries had been completely healed.

"Excellent technique." Gu Guanqi exclaimed sincerely.

He walked to the window and opened it.

The morning breeze blew in through the window, carrying the fragrance of osmanthus trees, delicate and refreshing.

Subsequently,

He then went out to find Fang Cunxin.

After having breakfast, the two immediately set off for the Xiao family in Changqing County, Linzhong Prefecture, where Fang Shiyang was currently stationed.

The two sped westward along the official road.

Because Fang Cunxin was anxious about her father's injuries, they traveled at a fast pace, and apart from necessary rest stops to feed the horses, the two of them hardly stopped.

Fortunately, Fang Cunxin was a seasoned escort and knew the routes very well, so the two of them didn't miss a single step.

The next day at noon, the two entered the territory of Linzhong County.

However, it was the height of the sun, and the soil on the official road had dried and cracked. Both horses were getting tired, panting heavily, and their speed gradually slowed down.

"Brother Gu, we can find some shelter from the heat in the woods ahead. Let's rest there and let the horses catch their breath before continuing," Fang Cunxin said, reining in her horse and pointing to a dense forest ahead.

"it is good."

Gu Guanqi had long wanted to take a break. Although he was skilled in martial arts, when it came to enduring hardship, he couldn't compare to Fang Cunxin, who had been traveling the martial arts world for many years.

Fortunately, Fang Cunxin could see his condition. Although they were rushing along the way, they would find a place to rest every now and then. Moreover, Fang Cunxin had a lot of experience in the wild, so Gu Guanqi did not suffer from hunger or thirst along the way.

at this time,

The two sped quickly toward the dense forest.

They soon entered the forest.

Fang Cunxin found a relatively shady spot, and the two tied their horses to a large tree by the roadside. They took the water bags off the horses' backs and sat on a flat rock to drink water and rest.

The forest was quiet, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind and a few sporadic birdsongs.

Fang Cunxin gulped down half a water pouch in one go and said, "At this rate, we'll reach Changqing County in two more days. However, the Xiao family isn't in Changqing County, but in a small town. We'll probably have to travel at night."

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly and asked, "You only need to know the way."

Fang Cunxin said, "The Xiao family is also a prominent family in the martial arts world. They have many business dealings with my family. The head of the Xiao family, Xiao Changliu, and my father have been friends for many years. Therefore, I have accompanied my father to the Xiao family many times. The Xiao family has a very high status in the martial arts world of Linzhong County. They are recognized as the number one power, equivalent to the combined status of the four major sects of our Qingyang County."

Gu Guanqi immediately became respectful and said, "Then the Xiao family must have many experts, right?"

Fang Cunxin nodded and said, "There are quite a few, especially the patriarch Xiao Changliu, whose martial arts are extremely high. He comes from the Hanyue Sect, one of the eight major sects in the Jianghu of our Qian Kingdom. The Hanyue Sect is the leader of the martial arts in Hongzhou. It mainly cultivates external skills and the way of horizontal training. Its inherited martial art, Hanyue Fist, is known as the number one external skill in the world!"

Although Xiao Changliu didn't learn the Shaking Mountain Fist, he practiced the Heavenly Sun Palm, one of the ten external martial arts of the Shaking Mountain Sect. This palm technique consists of forty-eight moves, each extremely powerful. He was also the number one expert in Linzhong County, and it was said that his martial arts were no weaker than the eight heroes of Qingzhou!

Gu Guanqi said, "Does the Heavenly Demonic Sect still dare to wreak havoc in Linzhong County?"

Fang Cunxin said, "It's not really rampage. They've probably been plotting something lately, which is why they've caused such a commotion. For so many years, the Tianshu branch of the Heavenly Demon Sect has been hiding. Every time they show themselves, they're hunted down by the Xiao family and various martial arts sects in Linzhong County. So, my father's decision to go to the Xiao family to recover after fighting with the Heavenly Demon Sect wasn't made lightly."

"I see!"

While the two were chatting,

Suddenly, a sharp female voice rang out from the woods:

"Help—Help me—"

It was a woman's voice, sharp and panicked, with a sob in it.

Gu Guanqi and Fang Cunxin looked over.

Then a figure stumbled out from the forest path.

She was a young woman, about eighteen or nineteen years old, wearing a light pink dress, her hair disheveled, her hairpins askew, and her face full of panic. She was running very fast, and her skirt was torn in several places by thorns, revealing a section of her fair calves.

Two menacing-looking men were hot on her heels.

The two men were both in their thirties or forties, dressed in short-sleeved clothing, with single-edged swords at their waists. Their faces were full of menacing features, and they chased after him, cursing as they went: "You little wench, why are you running! Stop right there!"

"Little beauty, if you dare run away again, I won't show you any mercy!"

"..."

The two men chased after them, uttering foul language.

"Help! Hero, help me!"

The woman ran onto the main road and suddenly saw Gu Guanqi and Fang Cunxin resting in the woods. Her eyes lit up and she ran towards them as fast as she could.

She ran very fast, rushing forward in a few strides, repeatedly crying out, "Hero, heroine, please save me! Those two lecherous thieves are trying to take advantage of me! Please, save me!"

At this time,

The two thugs caught up, but stopped in their tracks when they saw Gu Guanqi and Fang Cunxin. One of them drew a single-edged sword and snarled, "If you know what's good for you, get lost and mind your own business!"

The other one also drew a knife, his face contorted with malice.

The woman was so frightened that she quickly ran behind Gu Guanqi.

The two thugs immediately tried to arrest him.

Just then, Fang Cun's heart was moved.

The spear was suddenly swung out.

However, instead of thrusting her gun at the two thugs, she swept the barrel horizontally, bringing a sharp gust of wind, and smashed it straight at the woman's waist and abdomen.

The shot was swift and deadly, without any warning.

The woman's panic vanished instantly, replaced by a cold glint. With a light step, she floated backward like a falling leaf, flying more than ten feet before landing steadily.

"Miss Fang is indeed impressive." The woman stopped, brushed off non-existent dust from her dress, and chuckled. "Even this couldn't fool you?"

Fang Cunxin flicked her spear, the tip pointing diagonally at the ground, and coldly snorted, "What kind of weak woman can run faster than bandits, running this far without even breaking a sweat? Only a fool would be fooled!"

Gu Guanqi suddenly turned his head: "??"

Fang Cunxin quickly said, "Brother Gu, I wasn't talking about you."

Gu Guanqi: "..."