In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 492 Sword Madman, Feng Qingyang
The 13th day is auspicious for travel.

Forty li away from Xiyue Prefecture, Mount Hua, the Western Peak, is a steep and precipitous mountain, as if carved by a knife and axe, piercing straight into the clouds.

Ascending the mountain path paved with bluestone, the wild paths that were once overgrown with weeds and covered with thorns are nowhere to be seen. In their place are white jade steps that are more than ten feet wide. The railings on both sides are carved with auspicious clouds and cranes. Every ten feet there is a bronze palace lantern with the words "Huashan" engraved on the lantern pillar in vigorous strokes.

Upon reaching the mountainside, a wide-open plaza suddenly appeared.

The square is paved with white marble, and in the center stands a sword stele that is three zhang tall, inscribed with the four large characters "Controlling the Sword with Qi", which are strong and powerful and exude a dignified and righteous aura.

On the training ground, over a hundred disciples, dressed in uniform moon-white outfits and with long swords at their waists, were practicing the basic sword techniques of Mount Hua. Their swords flashed, their movements were synchronized, and their shouts were deafening.

Further up is the main gate of the Huashan Sect. The vermilion gate is two zhang high, with gilded door nails and two majestic stone lions in front of it. It is a world apart from the old, dilapidated wooden door with peeling paint in the past.

A plaque hangs above the doorway, bearing the three characters "Huashan School" in bold, powerful strokes.

A mountain breeze swept by, causing the flags hanging everywhere to flutter and rustle, with the banners bearing the words "Mount Hua" fluttering in the wind.

The entire Huashan Sect was in perfect order, and the disciples were full of vigor. It was no longer the dilapidated place it was when Yue Buqun took over, with few disciples and even the halls in disrepair.

At 9:00 AM, two figures arrived like a gentle breeze in front of Mount Taihua of the Huashan Sect.

In front of the mountain gate, an elder of the Huashan Sect, dressed in a blue robe and with white hair and beard, stood with his eyes closed.

Just then, a solemn voice suddenly rang out from a disciple of the Huashan Qi Sect.

"Elder Li, someone has arrived."

Upon hearing the words, Li Qianzhong opened his eyes and looked into the distance. At that moment, two figures entered the line of sight of this elder of the Huashan Qi Sect.

The two people were a man and a woman. The man was dressed in a moon-white long robe, his clothes fluttering. His steps seemed casual, but each step seemed to contain some kind of mysterious rhythm. In the blink of an eye, he had already covered a distance of dozens of feet.

The woman, dressed in a long crimson dress and wearing a light veil hat, followed closely behind with a graceful figure, like willow catkins drifting in the wind, utterly detached from worldly concerns.

As the two approached, several disciples of the Huashan Qi Sect in front of the mountain gate drew their swords.

When Li Qianzhong noticed that the two had covered a distance of five or six zhang in the blink of an eye using their lightness skills, his hand holding the sword trembled involuntarily.

Such a swift movement technique is definitely not something a martial artist at the Acquired Realm or the Return to the Innate Realm can achieve.

In other words, the two people in their line of sight were rapidly approaching them.

We can't afford to mess with them.

Thinking of this, Li Qianzhong quickly whispered, "Put all the swords away."

Upon hearing Li Changzhong's words, several disciples of the Huashan Qi Sect were taken aback, but they immediately sheathed their swords.

Li Qianzhong took a deep breath and suppressed the true energy circulating in his body into his dantian.

When Gu Shaoan and Mei Jiangxue were only five zhang away from the mountain gate, they paused and stopped.

Seeing this, Li Qianzhong dared not delay and stepped forward, taking the initiative to ask, "This is the Huashan Sect. May I ask what brings you two here?"

Faced with Li Qianzhong's words, Gu Shaoan paused slightly, and his soft and casual voice rang out, clearly echoing in everyone's ears: "I am Gu Shaoan of the Emei Sect. I would like to trouble you to inform Sect Leader Yue."

The moment the six words "Gu Shaoan of the Emei Sect" were uttered, they resounded like a thunderclap in front of the mountain gate.

The Huashan Sect elder and the several disciples on duty behind him all changed their expressions.

Li Qianzhong's body stiffened slightly.

Looking closely at the two people in front of him, although both of them were covered by bamboo hats and snow-white veils, both Gu Shaoan and Mei Jiangxue had an indescribable temperament.

Especially when his gaze fell on Gu Shaoan, Li Qianzhong found that he could not sense Gu Shaoan's presence at all.

It was as if this figure was completely integrated with heaven and earth.

Upon learning Gu Shaoan's identity, the Huashan Sect elder immediately withdrew his hand from his sword, bowed deeply, and said in an extremely respectful tone: "I did not know that it was Young Master Gu who was here. I am sorry for not welcoming you properly. Please forgive me."

The Huashan elders did not doubt Gu Shaoan's identity.

Nowadays, throughout the Great Wei Kingdom, who doesn't know the name of Gu Shaoan, the young master of the Emei Sect? And who would dare to impersonate this young master of the Emei Sect?

As he spoke, the Huashan Sect elder continued, "It is truly an honor for our Huashan Sect that Young Master Gu has come in person. Please wait a moment, Young Master Gu, while I go and inform the sect leader."

After finishing his speech and bowing again, the Huashan Sect elder quickly turned around, circulated his inner energy, and used his lightness skill to leap over the mountain gate like a startled swan, rushing up the stone steps.

The remaining Huashan Sect disciples held their breath, some lowering their heads to avoid looking directly at Gu Shaoan and Mei Jiangxue, who were wearing bamboo hats, while others secretly observed them. No one dared to make a sound.

The area in front of the mountain gate fell silent for a moment, with only the sound of the mountain wind rustling the banners.

After shifting her gaze from Li Qianzhong, who was rapidly ascending the mountain, Mei Jiangxue used her true essence to transmit her voice, saying, "I remember my senior sister saying that the Huashan Qi Sect had declined before, and the only people in the sect who had reached the level of returning to the innate realm were Yue Buqun and his wife Ning Zhongze. Where did these elders who have reached the level of returning to the innate realm come from?"

In response to Mei Jiangxue's question, Gu Shaoan replied using the same method of telepathic communication: "Perhaps it was summoned from outside!"

Previously, Yue Buqun only had the reputation of being a "gentleman's sword," but in reality, his pockets were empty.

Having a reputation but no wealth and mediocre strength, who would take Yue Buqun seriously? At best, he can only maintain a facade.

However, with the deaths of Zuo Lengchan and the Thirteen Protectors of Songshan, and the absence of suppression from the Songshan Sect in recent years, the tax revenue from the Huashan Qi Sect's sphere of influence alone has been enough to lift the Huashan Qi Sect out of poverty overnight.

It wouldn't be difficult to recruit one or two martial artists at the late-stage Innate Realm from outside the Huashan Qi Sect by combining reputation with money. After all, martial artists also need to eat.

Moreover, the lives of most independent martial artists in the martial arts world are not as good as ordinary people imagine.

Most of these independent martial arts practitioners are poor at midnight and rich at dawn.

Many of them also have enemies abroad.

Therefore, as long as the price is right, these people don't mind selling themselves to a sect, so that they can stop wandering around and live a life of hardship, and find a powerful force to protect them.

Even powerful sects can have decent-looking people to maintain their facade.

Gu Shaoan and Mei Jiangxue did not have to wait long.

Within half an hour, figures flashed across the mountain path, and the sound of clothes rustling through the air rang out. Li Qianzhong had returned, followed by three figures, who were rushing down the mountain.

The leader, dressed in a blue robe, had a lean face and three long strands of beard swaying in the wind; he was none other than Yue Buqun, the head of the Huashan Sect.

Beside him stood a dignified and beautiful woman, with a long sword at her waist, exuding a gentle yet heroic air; this was Ning Zhongze.

Behind the two was a young girl in an apricot-yellow dress, with bright eyes and white teeth; it was Yue Lingshan.

As they approached the mountain gate, Yue Buqun's gaze fell upon Gu Shaoan. Although the man's face was covered by a bamboo hat, his profound and imposing demeanor and physique immediately confirmed Gu Shaoan's identity to Yue Buqun.

After moving to the front of the mountain gate and standing still, Yue Buqun took a few steps forward and spoke first: "I, Yue, greet Young Master Gu. It's been many years. How have you been, Young Master Gu?"

According to the seniority system in the martial arts world, Yue Buqun and Abbess Miejue are of the same generation, so it would not be an exaggeration for Yue Buqun to call Gu Shaoan "junior nephew".

However, in the martial arts world, seniority is never the only factor; strength and status matter even more.

Now that the Emei Sect is powerful, Gu Shaoan has reached the level of internal energy cultivation of Condensing Yuan Qi into Gang, and is even capable of killing experts at the Celestial Realm.

With such strength, let alone his Huashan Sect, even other first-class forces or even Shaolin would not dare to. If Yue Buqun truly considered himself an elder and addressed someone as "Junior Nephew," he would only be humiliating himself and needlessly annoying people.

Seeing this, Ning Zhongze also gave a slight curtsy and said gently, "Ning Zhongze greets Young Master Gu."

Upon hearing the greetings from the two men, Gu Shaoan raised his hand and removed the bamboo hat from his head, revealing his true face.

Mei Jiangxue, who was standing to the side, also took off her bamboo hat along with Gu Shaoan.

Without the snow-white veil of their bamboo hats concealing their faces, the two individuals' appearances came into the view of Yue Buqun and the others.

Not to mention the ordinary disciples who were stunned, even Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze, who had seen Gu Shaoan before, were still amazed by his appearance and demeanor after several years.

The disciples of the Huashan Qi Sect couldn't take their eyes off Mei Jiangxue, whose appearance was both beautiful and otherworldly.

Standing behind her parents, Yue Lingshan looked at Gu Shaoan with her eyes darting around and her heart skipping a beat. But when her gaze fell on Mei Jiangxue, whose temperament was as cold as ice and snow, she subconsciously lowered her head, feeling ashamed of herself.

Gu Shaoan nodded slightly, his voice calm: "Greetings, Sect Leader Yue and Madam Yue."

He then turned to the side and introduced, "This is my junior sister, Mei Jiangxue, a disciple personally taught by my master, Juequan."

Mei Jiangxue stepped forward and gave a graceful bow: "Greetings, Sect Leader Yue and Madam Yue."

Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze quickly returned the greeting. Yue Buqun smiled and said, "So you are a disciple of Abbess Juejue. No wonder you have such an extraordinary demeanor. The Emei Sect is indeed full of talented people, which makes me very envious."

After giving a polite reply, Yue Buqun asked, "I wonder if Young Master Gu has come to my Huashan Qi Sect today with any instructions?"

When asked by Yue Buqun, Gu Shaoan didn't waste any words and simply recounted his encounter with Linghu Chong and Tian Boguang at Nanshan Mansion.

When Yue Buqun learned that Linghu Chong had become sworn brothers with Tian Boguang, a notorious womanizer, his face turned ashen.

However, upon learning that Linghu Chong had been killed by Gu Shaoan, a hint of reluctance appeared in his eyes.

Ning Zhongze and Yue Lingshan, who were standing nearby, changed their expressions drastically upon learning that Linghu Chong was dead.

Ning Zhongze, in particular, staggered and was supported by Yue Buqun.

However, Linghu Chong's death was entirely his own fault, and even though they knew that Gu Shaoan was the one who caused it, Ning Zhongze and Yue Lingshan did not show any dissatisfaction with Gu Shaoan.

While helping Ning Zhongze up, Yue Buqun looked at Gu Shaoan and said in a clear and concise manner, "To be honest, Young Master Gu, I expelled this person from the Huashan Sect a few years ago. Linghu Chong has long since lost all connection with our Huashan Sect. I personally went to the Emei Sect and mentioned this matter to Abbess Miejue and a few others."

Let alone Gu Shaoan's current strength, even if we consider the strength Gu Shaoan displayed a few years ago in the dilapidated temple, Yue Buqun is certain that if Gu Shaoan wanted to kill him, he wouldn't even be able to withstand a single move from Gu Shaoan.

If things aren't handled properly today, it won't just affect him and Ning Zhongze, but the entire Huashan Qi Sect.

Thinking of this, Yue Buqun couldn't help but curse Linghu Chong in his heart as he spoke.

Taking in Yue Buqun's expression, Gu Shaoan said, "Sect Leader Yue, rest assured, I know about Linghu Chong's expulsion from his identity. I came to Huashan Qi Sect today not to cause trouble for Sect Leader Yue or Huashan Qi Sect."

Upon hearing this, Yue Buqun felt a sense of relief, then asked, "Then what is the meaning of Young Master Gu's question?"

Gu Shaoan said calmly, "Today, I have brought my junior sister to your sect to ask for an explanation from another person in your sect."

Yue Buqun pondered for a moment and then cautiously asked, "I wonder who Young Master Gu is looking for?"

Gu Shaoan said softly, "Sword Madman, Feng Qingyang."

(End of this chapter)