In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 360 Imprinting the Dao into the Heart, Imprinting the Heart into Heaven and Earth, Entering Divine Creation
Gu Shaoan nodded in acknowledgment.

Gu Santong, standing nearby, frowned and said, "I've also heard of the martial art 'Three Blades of Avici Hell.' It's sinister and ruthless; if a practitioner isn't careful, they'll be consumed by its murderous intent. It's definitely a representative of demonic martial arts."

"Most people who practice the 'Three Blades of Avici Hell' become possessed by demons because of this technique, controlled by killing intent, and reduced to beasts that only know how to kill."

"I never expected that Tu Baichuan would be able to remain unaffected by the 'Three Knives of Avici Hell'."

Zhang Sanfeng said, "Martial arts vary from person to person, but demonic martial arts are too strange, even this old Taoist dares not touch them casually."

"The reason why Tu Baichuan was not affected by the Three Blades of Avici Hell is because Tu Baichuan only practiced the sword techniques and did not cultivate the mental techniques."

Gu Shaoan and Gu Santong couldn't help but look astonished.

In martial arts, techniques and mental cultivation complement each other and are indispensable.

Otherwise, having only martial arts skills or mental techniques will make one's martial arts ineffective and greatly reduce its power.

Zhang Sanfeng continued, "I heard that after this guy obtained the 'Three Swords of Avici Hell,' he only practiced the mental techniques of the first two swords. Knowing that mastering all three swords would inevitably affect his mind, he spent nearly thirty years combining the mental techniques of various martial arts schools with the mental techniques of the first two moves of the 'Three Swords of Avici Hell' to create a unique mental technique."

"Using this mental technique to activate the Three Blades of Avici Hell will not only ensure that the power of the blade technique is not diminished, but also prevent oneself from being consumed by killing intent."

Gu Shaoan said in a deep voice, "To be able to spend thirty years studying a mental cultivation technique, Tu Baichuan's character is extraordinary!"

Even martial artists who have mastered a profound martial art will inevitably become restless and lazy over time.

Let alone creating a mental cultivation method.

It's already difficult for the average martial artist to persist for a few years, let alone for thirty years.

At this moment, Gu Santong glanced at Gu Shaoan, then pointed at him and asked, "If we compare this kid with that Tu Baichuan, who would be stronger?"

Seemingly surprised that Gu Santong would suddenly ask this question, Zhang Sanfeng turned his head to look at Gu Shaoan.

Recalling the previous battle between Gu Shaoan and Pang Ban, Zhang Sanfeng stroked his chin.

"That's a bit hard to say."

Seeing Zhang Sanfeng's reaction, Gu Santong exclaimed in astonishment, "Could it be that this kid's strength is now comparable to that of a Celestial Realm cultivator?"

Zhang Sanfeng shook his head and said, "The strength of the Celestial Realm lies in the fact that one's essence, energy and spirit have been condensed into a flower. When making a move, in addition to one's own physical energy, one's essence, energy and spirit can also be mobilized. The same martial art will naturally have greater power, not to mention that one can also draw upon the power of heaven and earth."

"If it were any other martial artist who had reached the Qi Condensation stage, they would naturally be at a great disadvantage when comparing themselves to a martial artist at the Celestial Realm. But do you think this kid is the same as an ordinary Qi Condensation stage martial artist?"

Gu Shaoan smiled inwardly.

The transformation of a martial artist in the Celestial Realm is also a result of reaching a certain level of internal energy cultivation.

The transformation of essence, energy, and spirit, along with the power of heaven and earth, is enough to elevate the strength of a martial artist in the Celestial Realm to a higher level.

The difference between them and martial artists who have condensed their inner energy into a powerful force has become fundamental.

But Gu Shaoan was different.

In terms of the purity of his Qi, Gu Shaoan's steady and solid cultivation of each level of the "Emei Nine Yang True Scripture" has made him surpass even ordinary martial artists at the Celestial Realm.

In terms of skill, Gu Shaoan's skill level is now close to a hundred years old, which is comparable to that of Tu Baichuan and others.

Moreover, Gu Shaoan's "Emei Sword Manual" also allows him to draw upon the power of heaven and earth.

Even his vital energy and spirit have been condensed into a seed that Gu Shaoan can mobilize himself.

It can be said that Gu Shaoan's current skills and strength are far from comparable to those of top-tier Celestial Realm experts like Meng Chixing.

In addition, given Gu Shaoan's own martial arts skills and level of mastery, he might not be without the ability to fight against Tu Baichuan, a martial artist who has just entered the Celestial Realm.

Gu Shaoan had a vague feeling about this when he saw Tu Baichuan make his move.

After pondering Zhang Sanfeng's words for a moment, Gu Santong smacked his lips and said, "That's true. With this little monster's foundation and strength, he's really not someone that ordinary people can compare to."

Zhang Sanfeng looked at Gu Shaoan and said, "Although you have a bit of a wicked streak, that Tu Baichuan is still a martial artist in the Celestial Realm. If you encounter him before you reach the Celestial Realm, it's best not to fight him. If you really need to fight, just come find this old Taoist."

Hearing Zhang Sanfeng's undisguised desire to beat him up, Gu Shaoan couldn't help but chuckle.

He immediately replied, "Rest assured, Master Zhang, this junior will not risk his life."

Zhang Sanfeng nodded, then changed the subject, saying, "Zhu Houzhao just said he would be going to Shaolin Temple. Why didn't you go with him?"

Gu Shaoan shook his head and said, "He is the emperor, and I am from the Emei Sect. We are not the same kind of people. Getting too close to him will only do more harm than good."

"If it weren't for the fact that the Wudang Sect is involved, I wouldn't want to get involved in this mess today."

Zhang Sanfeng asked, "What do you think about his trip to Shaolin?"

Gu Shaoan spoke up, "This is also what I want to ask Master Zhang: what kind of deal did Zhu Houzhao and Master Zhang make?"

Zhang Sanfeng didn't hide anything: "Three days ago, he came to Wudang and told me about what would happen today. He also mentioned that you entrusted him to arrange for Wuji and Qingshu to take action against me."

“In addition, he made two other deals with me.”

"The first deal was for me to help him deal with Meng Chixing. In exchange, as long as I am in Wudang, neither the Azure Dragon Society nor the imperial court will have any designs on Wudang."

Zhang Sanfeng spoke calmly, but Gu Shaoan immediately understood the underlying meaning after a moment's thought.

As the emperor, Zhu Houzhao held a noble status and represented the imperial court.

Although Wudang is a top-tier power, it is ultimately just a Jianghu (martial arts world) force.

Under normal circumstances, neither Shaolin nor Wudang would easily offend officials or members of the royal family like Cao Zhengchun and Zhu Wushi, who were backed by the imperial court.

Not to mention that he was facing the emperor of the Great Wei Kingdom.

If Zhu Houzhao himself was merely an mediocre person, that would be one thing.

The fact that Zhu Houzhao could secretly establish the Azure Dragon Society and even dare to target people like Meng Chixing shows his cunning and ambition.

Unless Zhang Sanfeng is prepared to fight against the entire imperial court single-handedly, he has no choice but to agree to this deal, both for his own sake and for the sake of Wudang's foundation.

Therefore, although Zhu Houzhao's proposal appeared to be a transaction, it actually left Zhang Sanfeng with no choice at all.

Gu Shaoan thought for a moment: "What about the second deal?"

Zhang Sanfeng said, "For the next twenty years, apart from matters within Wudang's sphere of influence, Wudang shall not arbitrarily interfere in any other events in the martial world."

After a pause, Zhang Sanfeng sighed and said, "Our Emperor has quite the ambition!" As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Shaoan's mind raced, and he understood what Zhang Sanfeng meant.

“Yes! Their ambitions are certainly considerable,” Gu Shaoan echoed.

Gu Santong, who was standing to the side, was somewhat confused at the moment.

In response, Gu Shaoan said, "He wants to promote the Azure Dragon Society and then use it to control the entire martial arts world."

Upon hearing this, Gu Santong asked in astonishment, "Didn't you say before that the imperial court secretly established the Azure Dragon Society with the aim of cultivating experts at the Celestial Realm through the Azure Dragon Society, so that members of the royal family could enter the Celestial Realm through the 'Absorption Technique'?"

Gu Shaoan sighed and said, "When ambitions change, original intentions naturally change as well."

The imperial court's initial intention in establishing the Azure Dragon Society was indeed based on the "Absorption Technique," aiming to maintain the number of Celestial Realm cultivators in the court.

However, once it came into Zhu Houzhao's hands, his ambition and the behind-the-scenes manipulators prompted him to develop other ideas.

That would mean making the Azure Dragon Society the undisputed ruler of the martial arts world, thereby controlling it and turning the entire Great Wei Kingdom into a place ruled by one's own voice.

Only by completely controlling the imperial court and the martial arts world could Zhu Houzhao then take action against the Yuan and Sui dynasties.

However, if the Azure Dragon Society wants to take this position, the two forces that cannot be bypassed are Wudang and Shaolin.

Now that the Wudang matter is settled, the next thing to deal with is naturally Shaolin.

As long as the Wudang and Shaolin factions can remain separate, and with the court secretly building momentum and promoting them, the Azure Dragon Society will naturally become the strongest force in the Great Wei Dynasty.

If needed, the imperial court and the Azure Dragon Society can jointly exert pressure and mobilize various forces in the martial arts world to serve them.

Gu Santong rolled his eyes and said, "Those Shaolin people have always been opportunists, the most cunning of all. Once the Great Wei Kingdom really goes to war with the Great Yuan Kingdom or the Great Sui Kingdom, the world will inevitably be in chaos. Those Shaolin people would be more than happy to shut their doors and not come down the mountain. Why would they refuse such a thing?"

It was at this moment that Gu Santong understood the meaning behind Zhang Sanfeng and Gu Shaoan's previous words.

Given the current situation, the rise of the Azure Dragon Society is already a foreseeable event.

Zhang Sanfeng shook his head and said, "I hope the court won't go too far, otherwise, even if this old Taoist priest is unwilling, he will have no choice but to step in."

As one power rises, others inevitably perish.

Zhu Houzhao first appeased Wudang and Shaolin, preventing them from taking action. This meant that after Shaolin, the Qinglong Society would inevitably cause turmoil in the martial arts world.

Upon hearing Zhang Sanfeng's words, Gu Santong clapped his hands and said, "By the way, Master Zhang's cultivation has already reached the Celestial Realm and above. Considering this, the imperial court has to be more cautious and dare not go too far."

Speaking of this, Gu Santong asked curiously, "Master Zhang, what exactly is the realm above the Celestial Realm?"

In response to Gu Santong's question, Zhang Sanfeng replied irritably, "You ask this old Taoist, but who am I supposed to ask? Has anyone recorded this before?"

Gu Santong rubbed his cheek. "That's true. I've never heard of a higher level than the Celestial Realm before."

Zhang Sanfeng thought for a moment and said, "But if we really want to name it, I would like to call this realm the 'Sitting Illumination Realm'."

Under the watchful eyes of Gu Shaoan and Gu Santong, Zhang Sanfeng spoke: "To imprint the Dao on the heart, to imprint the heart on heaven and earth, to enter the realm of divine creation, is to be above heaven and man."

Gu Shaoan mentally repeated Zhang Sanfeng's description of the Sitting Illumination Realm, and then asked, "May I ask, Master Zhang, what is the difference between this Sitting Illumination Realm and the Celestial Realm?"

“The difference is huge. Reaching the Sitting Illumination Realm is the true beginning of the Dao,” Zhang Sanfeng replied.

Gu Shaoan listened intently, but after a long time he didn't hear what came next, which made him look at Zhang Sanfeng.

Meeting Gu Shaoan's gaze, Zhang Sanfeng shook his head and said, "You have to eat one bite at a time. You should first enter the Celestial Realm. Come and learn from this old Daoist when you have entered the Celestial Realm. Knowing too much now will only do you harm."

Zhang Sanfeng wanted to be the riddle teller, and Gu Shaoan couldn't stop him.

You can't just go and get beaten up, can you?

Although I was curious, I had to put my mind to it for the time being.

After chatting with Zhang Sanfeng for a while, Zhang Sanfeng waved his hand and said, "Alright, it's not suitable to travel at this time of day. Why don't you stay at Wudang for the night?"

Neither Gu Shaoan nor Gu Santong objected to this.

Half an hour later.

In a secluded courtyard in Wudang, after Gu Santong returned to his room, Gu Shaoan walked to the window.

There are some things that Gu Shaoan knows far more than Gu Santong and Zhang Sanfeng.

Therefore, Gu Shaoan was well aware that the situation in the Great Wei Kingdom was far more complicated than the two of them had imagined.

After all, Bai Xiaosheng, the mastermind behind it all, wouldn't stand by and watch the court of the Great Wei Kingdom so easily seize control of the martial arts world.

His true purpose was to throw both the Great Wei Kingdom and the Great Yuan Kingdom into chaos.

Thinking deeply, Gu Shaoan turned his head to look out the window at the dark clouds that had begun to drift in at some unknown time.

"Indeed, a storm is brewing!"

The next day.

After having breakfast in the early morning, Gu Shaoan and Gu Santong went to the back mountain to ask Zhang Sanfeng some questions about martial arts that they had been practicing recently. Noticing the smile on Zhang Sanfeng's face, Gu Shaoan put down his teacup and asked, "It seems that Master Zhang is in a good mood today."

Zhang Sanfeng chuckled and said, "Last night, Wuji and Qingshu knelt together in the Zhenwu Hall all night."

Gu Shaoan smiled and said, "It seems the method is quite effective."

Zhang Sanfeng gave a thumbs up and said, "Kid, your method is brilliant. You really solved the problem that has troubled this old Taoist for so long."

"I just thought of it by chance, and since there was this Azure Dragon Society incident, I just went with the flow." Gu Shaoan's voice was light and casual, and he didn't take the matter too seriously.

Seeing Gu Shaoan's calm demeanor, Zhang Sanfeng sighed and said, "Comparison is the thief of joy! Look at you, and then look at those two fools. They really haven't grown a single bit of wit. They've wasted so many years of their lives."

"I don't know if there's really something wrong with the feng shui of Wudang, but whether it's disciples or grand-disciples, everything else is fine, except when it comes to relationships, one after another they stumble."

Thinking of Zhang Cuishan, who was already gone, and Yin Liting, who was still troubled by love and often drowned his sorrows in alcohol, as well as Song Qingshu and Zhang Wuji, who were infatuated with Qin Mengyao a few days ago, Zhang Sanfeng felt a headache coming on.

Upon hearing this, Gu Shaoan couldn't help but glance at Zhang Sanfeng.

After hesitating for a moment, he still didn't say those infuriating words.

(End of this chapter)