Chapter 54: Your Sword is So Fast

Under Gu An’s watchful eyes, a figure darted through the air, landing in front of Ye Yan.  

Seeing the man, Ye Yan grew nervous and instinctively stepped back.  

[Zhou Tongyou (Nascent Soul Stage, Level Nine): 62/900/3100]  

It’s him!  

Gu An hadn’t expected to encounter Zhou Tongyou here—the recent sensation of the Taixuan Sect.  

Zhou Tongyou had been challenging young disciples across the sect, undefeated in every encounter. His reputation had even reached the outer sect.  

Since Zhou Tongyou hailed from the prestigious Jueshan Sect, which was on friendly terms with the Taixuan Sect, the higher-ups refrained from intervening. As a result, Zhou Tongyou roamed freely within the sect for over half a year, unchecked.  

He strictly dueled without taking lives and only challenged opponents under 100 years old. Despite his leniency, his actions still infuriated many Taixuan disciples.  

Yet, no one could dispute his rules. Though he himself had 38 years before reaching 100, he often challenged disciples aged 99, making it seem like an advantage for the Taixuan Sect. Even so, no one could defeat him.  

Zhou Tongyou’s gaze drifted to Gu An, standing on a nearby slope. His expression was calm.  

Gu An stowed his book and walked down the hill toward them.  

He positioned himself between Zhou Tongyou and Ye Yan, cupping his fists in greeting. “I am Gu An, Ye Yan’s master. May I ask what offense my disciple has caused, Senior?”  

Ye Yan, seeing Gu An stand before him against such a powerful figure, was deeply moved.  

Gu An had told him before that all cultivators in this area were likely inner sect disciples, meaning they were at least Nascent Soul Stage. Yet here was Gu An, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, willing to face one head-on for him.  

“You’re his master?” Zhou Tongyou glanced at Gu An with mild disappointment. “Your cultivation is… underwhelming.”  

Gu An replied calmly, “My disciple is only at the Qi Refinement Stage. How high could his master’s cultivation be?”  

Zhou Tongyou snorted. “I’m not bullying your disciple. On the contrary, I think highly of him.”  

Ye Yan’s face turned green at the comment, his mouth opening but no words coming out.  

Gu An stared directly at Zhou Tongyou. “If you truly wanted to guide him, you could have been forthright. My disciple would have been grateful. But you said nothing and struck him heavily. Perhaps your intentions were genuine, but your disdain is evident. You didn’t even bother to explain yourself.”  

Zhou Tongyou frowned further, clearly irked but unable to refute Gu An’s assessment. He knew Gu An was right—he did look down on Ye Yan. His so-called “guidance” was nothing more than a whim.  

“Hmph. It seems you’ve come to accuse me,” Zhou Tongyou said coldly. “Very well. Same rules: no spiritual energy, just techniques. If you can defeat me, I’ll apologize to your disciple and gift him a complete body-refinement manual. How about it?”  

“Master, don’t!” Ye Yan exclaimed. He knew Zhou Tongyou’s prowess too well. Even without spiritual energy, his techniques were formidable.  

Gu An asked, “Just techniques?”  

“Exactly,” Zhou Tongyou confirmed, a predatory smile forming on his face.  

Gu An narrowed his eyes. “If you lose, you won’t mention it to anyone, and you’ll stop bothering my disciple and me.”  

“Haha! You dare to challenge me with just techniques!” Zhou Tongyou laughed, clearly entertained. “Fine. Agreed. Fetch your weapon!”  

Gu An raised his right hand, and with a gesture, a branch flew from the forest into his grasp. Holding it like a sword, he gestured at Zhou Tongyou with his left hand.   Râ

Zhou Tongyou advanced, closing the distance. Ye Yan quickly stepped aside to avoid interfering.  

When the gap between them shrank to seven paces, Zhou Tongyou suddenly accelerated, appearing before Gu An in a single stride. His right fist shot toward Gu An’s abdomen.  

Even without spiritual energy, the punch roared with the force of a tiger’s growl. The sheer power radiating from it was palpable.  

Whoosh!  

Zhou Tongyou’s fist halted mid-air. His pupils trembled as shock flooded his face.  

Ye Yan’s eyes widened in disbelief.  

Gu An’s body was slightly leaned back, the branch in his hand pressed lightly against Zhou Tongyou’s throat. Zhou Tongyou’s fist was still two feet from Gu An’s body.  

“If this were a sword, do you think it would wound you?” Gu An asked calmly.  

Zhou Tongyou’s expression shifted repeatedly before he exhaled sharply and stepped back. Gu An lowered the branch.  

Turning to Ye Yan, Zhou Tongyou said, “I apologize. I was too harsh.”  

He pulled a manual from his storage pouch and tossed it to Ye Yan, then turned back to Gu An.  

“Your sword is incredibly fast. Who are you, truly?”  

Gu An tossed the branch back into the forest and replied evenly, “I’m just a cultivator with average aptitude who doesn’t enjoy qi cultivation. I practice swordsmanship for leisure. My techniques are crude but fast enough. Were it not for your self-imposed rules, I’d be no match for you.”  

Seeing Zhou Tongyou acknowledge his loss and even apologize, Gu An’s opinion of him shifted. Arrogant, yes, but not inherently malicious.  

Zhou Tongyou hesitated before asking, “Will you truly keep today’s events a secret?”  

“I don’t even know your name. How would I tell anyone?” Gu An replied.  

Relaxing visibly, Zhou Tongyou saluted Gu An, then departed swiftly.  

—

Ye Yan approached Gu An, excitement evident. “Master, I never knew your sword was so fast! You defeated him in just one move!”  

Glancing at the valley, Gu An noted Zhen Qin meditating in her room and Su Han practicing sword techniques in the distant forest. Neither had noticed the duel.  

“This stays between us,” Gu An instructed Ye Yan. “Not even your senior brother and sister should know.”  

Ye Yan nodded enthusiastically, feeling an even closer bond with his master.  

For Gu An, teaching Zhou Tongyou a lesson was a minor episode. Confident the matter was resolved, he resumed his regular duties.  

—

A month later, Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley, only to spot Zhou Tongyou near the valley entrance, watching Ye Yan practice spear techniques.  

Sensing Gu An’s gaze, Zhou Tongyou broke into a wide smile and waved energetically.  

Gu An frowned and approached. “Why are you here again?”  

Zhou Tongyou, looking elated, said, “I’ve figured out how to counter your sword technique. Let’s spar again!”  

“We agreed you wouldn’t bother us. Are you going back on your word?”  

“This isn’t harassment! Tell you what, name your price. I just want to test your swordsmanship,” Zhou Tongyou pleaded.  

Nearby, Ye Yan added, “Master, he’s been waiting here for four days.”  

Frowning, Gu An hesitated until Zhou Tongyou retrieved a small pouch. “These are fourth-grade herb seeds—all yours if you spar with me. I’m not seeking victory, just to learn from you.”  

Weighing the pouch in his hand, Gu An sighed. “Fine. Just this once.”  

“Absolutely! No next time!” Zhou Tongyou exclaimed, thinking, This time, I’ll definitely make you submit!  

Pulling out a mid-grade flying sword, he handed it to Gu An. “This is for Foundation Establishment cultivators. Use it against me!”  

Taking out a spear for himself, Zhou Tongyou readied for combat.  

Gripping the sword, Gu An couldn’t help but chuckle.  

“Same rules—no spiritual energy, just techniques!” Zhou Tongyou clarified, somewhat awkwardly.  

“Let’s begin.”  

—

This time, the commotion drew Zhen Qin and Su Han, who hurried over but arrived just as the duel ended.  

Gu An had already placed his fingers against Zhou Tongyou’s throat, leaving him frozen in disbelief once again.  

Defeated, Zhou Tongyou muttered, “Your speed is unnatural… Are you truly just at Foundation Establishment Stage Level One?”  

Gu An replied, “If we used spiritual energy, you’d surpass me. It’s your rules that favor me. Ordinary cultivators have their dignity too.”  

Zhou Tongyou flushed with embarrassment and fled.  

—

From then on, Zhou Tongyou became a frequent visitor, each time bearing gifts of herb seeds. Though Gu An grew fond of the resources, he ensured their spars remained infrequent.  

As the year ended, snow blanketed Horizon Valley.  

Inspecting his valleys alongside the three monkey demons, Gu An reflected on his steady lifespan growth. With the upcoming harvests from Horizon and Third Medicine Valleys, his lifespan was set to soar.  

Returning to the pavilion, he found Luo Hun waiting awkwardly.  

“Why haven’t you brought any books lately?” Luo Hun asked hesitantly.  

“You want books? I thought you weren’t interested.”  

“Life in the valley is dull. I need something to ease my mind.”  

“Alright, I’ll bring the latest Romance of the Gods next

 time.”  

“… And maybe a few volumes of Adventures of the Green Hero too,” Luo Hun added with a cough.  

…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep