He settled cross-legged onto a yellow prayer cushion, regulated his breath, and quieted his mind. Soon, he slipped into a meditative trance. His mental lake became perfectly clear, his body felt supple and relaxed, and a brilliant light filled his vision, rendering him oblivious to the passage of time.
With a mere flicker of thought, he began visualizing the Tien Ren Shen Zhao Jing diagram.
But as soon as the visualization started, the brilliance abruptly faded, replaced by a rush of absolute blackness that spread rapidly, enveloping everything. In the span of a breath, he was plunged into a darkness so profound he couldn't see his own hand.
In this oppressive dark, his spirit felt mired as if sinking in mud. His thoughts churned sluggishly, and his senses dulled, as if time had reversed to the days before his Zen practice had borne fruit.
His resolve, however, was deeply rooted. The moment a fear arose, it was instantly excised. His heart remained unshaken, like an entity seated in the void, calmly surveying the teeming masses below, utterly fearless of life or death, and therefore fearless of anything.
He observed this darkness with detachment, viewing the strange phenomenon before him with cool indifference, like watching clouds drift across the sky, certain they would eventually dissipate.
Time lost all meaning in the meditation. He knew not how long it passed.
He seemed to fall into slumber, his thoughts stilled, adrift in a hazy nothingness, devoid of thought or awareness, allowing the current of time to flow unimpeded, accepting the natural course.
It felt like a mere instant, yet it might have been an eon. The darkness began to recede, and a soft, gentle light emerged—at first, a tiny point like a candle flame, which slowly expanded before diffusing outward, bathing his body as if in warm sunshine.
It was as if the world was newly formed, creation just beginning, and his thoughts started to stir once more.
Li Muzhan opened his eyes, let out a long sigh, and shook his head with a hint of helplessness. He had guessed wrong; visualizing the Tien Ren Shen Zhao Jing at midday was useless.
No divine nectar descended, nor could he perceive any image.
He frowned in deep thought. The Tien Ren Shen Zhao Jing was truly profound and difficult to fathom. For now, he could only manage visualizations of the bright moon, lake water, or lotus blossoms, and he had no idea how to conjure a human form.
He could only practice around the Zishi hour (11 PM to 1 AM); practice at any other time was futile—it was maddeningly tantalizing, yet utterly beyond his control.
He glanced at the sky, swept away all distracting thoughts, guided his Shen (spirit) to direct his Qi (energy), circulating it through two full cycles. Instantly, his body grew warm, as if bathed in a hot spring.
He released the hand seal, slowly stood up, and leaned against the vermilion railing, gazing down at the Quiet Garden. He took a deep breath. The surrounding woods were lush, dotted with ornamental rockeries, with a stream winding through the center—a perfect, elegant synthesis of mountain, water, and forest, exquisitely beautiful.
The talent of the Third Miss, Mei Songwan, was indeed exceptional; he couldn't compare. To be able to practice martial arts in this Quiet Garden was a great luxury; the status of the Tianshu Courtyard was clearly significant.
The Tianshu Courtyard, Early Morning “Good!” “Not bad, not bad! That move was excellent!” “Marvelous! Truly marvelous!”
Shouts echoed from the courtyard, robust and cheerful, punctuated by the sound of clapping hands.
Beneath the great locust tree in the courtyard, bathed in slanted sunlight, stood Yu Chi Ming. Clad in bright sapphire training gear, his normally round physique seemed imbued with a measure of heroism.
He leaned against the trunk, clapping incessantly, his plump face split in a wide grin.
Not far in front of him, sword light flashed, accompanied by intermittent dinging sounds as two figures engaged in a fierce spar.
Cheng Xiaofeng stood beside him, also dressed in sapphire gear, arms crossed, nodding occasionally with an expression of admiration.
The two sparring were He Nanshan and Li Muzhan. Sword flashes crisscrossed the air, back and forth they fought, locked in a struggle too close to call.
Li Muzhan’s expression was calm; his every movement was simple and unadorned. He Nanshan’s sword style, however, was surging, like giant waves crashing against the shore.
Li Muzhan’s sword moves were rustic. When matched against He Nanshan’s Zhenhai (Sea-Calming) Sword, the Plum Blossom Twelve Swords paled in comparison; in terms of exquisite technique, there was a vast gulf between them.
He Nanshan’s sword momentum was formidable, making the very air churn like a tempestuous tide, threatening to engulf Li Muzhan.
Yet, Li Muzhan’s simple sword style was like a sturdy reef, enduring the constant battering of wind and wave, remaining utterly unshaken.
They were at a stalemate. The power and sheer momentum of the Zhenhai Sword Technique seemed poised to shatter the Plum Blossom Twelve Swords at any second, but they always fell just short.
Every time the crucial moment arrived, Li Muzhan’s sword moves suddenly accelerated, as swift as lightning. With a single thrust, he forced He Nanshan back, recovering the disadvantage.
This happened repeatedly. Although He Nanshan possessed deep temperament and superior bearing, he was still young. Eventually, he grew irritated. He abruptly retracted his sword, floated backward a step, and huffed, "Fifth Brother, let's end the spar here!"
Yu Chi Ming clapped his hands and laughed uproariously, "Hahaha, Second Brother, feeling stifled, aren't you!"
"Fourth Brother, you try!" He Nanshan shot him a look and snorted dismissively.
Yu Chi Ming shook his head, "I wouldn't bother sparring with him; it's too boring!"
Cheng Xiaofeng smiled lightly, his demeanor serene: "A single trick well-played can win the day. Fifth Brother’s immense strength, combined with that speed and ferocity, has made him practically unbeatable!"
Li Muzhan smiled slyly, executed a perfect, graceful flourish with his sword, sheathed it, and chuckled, "Second Brother, I think my Plum Blossom Twelve Swords still lacks true refinement!"
"My dear junior brother, stop with the sarcasm, will you?" Yu Chi Ming chuckled and shook his head. "We’re about to lose all face."
Cheng Xiaofeng also shook his head and smiled faintly.
He Nanshan sighed, offering a wry smile. "Fifth Brother, I suspect you don't even need to practice the Plum Blossom Twelve Swords anymore. That single move you just pulled off is enough!"
Li Muzhan smiled. "I have no other special talents, only this brute strength."
In that last move, he hadn't used his full power.
Yu Chi Ming exclaimed, "Fifth Brother, I envy this strength of yours! It’s equivalent to twenty years of hard training for us!"
Li Muzhan replied with a smile, "It’s a pity. Strength alone, without mastery of the sword techniques, simply makes one a target. My aptitude for swordsmanship is mediocre; my ultimate achievement will be limited."
Cheng Xiaofeng shook his head. "I disagree! Look at the Plum Blossom Twelve Swords. Fifth Brother, you mastered it to this degree in just half a month—we couldn't do that!"
"True," He Nanshan slapped his forehead in sudden realization. "I remember it took us a full month just to get the hang of the Plum Blossom Twelve Swords!"
He scrutinized Li Muzhan with astonishment, suddenly realizing that this seemingly clumsy Fifth Brother was not as dull as they had imagined. Unbeknownst to them, he was already performing better than all three of them.
"Diligence can compensate for a lack of natural talent," Li Muzhan said with a simple, honest smile.
For these past half-plus months, Li Muzhan’s life had been exceptionally routine.
After breakfast, he would head to the Mei Manor’s Tianshu Courtyard to practice swordsmanship with He Nanshan and the other two, learning the Plum Blossom Twelve Swords from Jin Kaitai.
In the evenings, he would leave the Mei Manor, return to his home in Li Family Village, eat dinner, spend time chatting and laughing with his family, and once they were asleep, he would return to the Jingning Temple to cultivate the Tien Ren Shen Zhao Jing and practice his swordsmanship simultaneously.
His focus was absolute; he dismissed everything else, with only one goal occupying his mind: to fully master the Plum Blossom Twelve Swords until it became instinct, and to diligently refine the Tien Ren Shen Zhao Jing.
Over the past fortnight, the Tien Ren Shen Zhao Jing showed little major progress, but his mind grew clearer, his senses sharper, and the world seemed more vivid. It didn't greatly aid his sword practice, other than boosting his spirit slightly.
As for the Plum Blossom Twelve Swords, he practiced one stance a day, constantly training, as if his body had become the sword itself. Now, after half a month, the Plum Blossom Twelve Swords had become instinct. Any move he made was naturally one of the twelve, without conscious thought.
He no longer practiced the sword forms in isolation but sparred against the three of them. At this stage, the marvel of the Tien Ren Shen Zhao Jing manifested: his mind moved like lightning, far faster than his sword moves, allowing him to react to every technique his opponents deployed.
Because the Plum Blossom Twelve Swords were internalized as instinct, they deployed automatically the moment a thought surfaced—much like how a normal person reaches for an object without thinking about the mechanics of the arm movement; the thought alone prompts the action.
Due to this profound familiarity, although the Plum Blossom Twelve Swords were simple, he wielded them masterfully, often turning the mundane into the miraculous, allowing him to hold his own against the more complex techniques of He Nanshan and the others for a period.
“Fifth Brother, I have an idea,” Cheng Xiaofeng murmured, touching his brow thoughtfully.
“Third Brother, please share it!” Li Muzhan urged.
Cheng Xiaofeng said, “Instead of exhausting yourself on the entire set of Plum Blossom Twelve Swords, you should focus on perfecting that single move you used earlier… That strike was incredibly fast and fierce; if you master it, its power will be immense!”
“Indeed! … Indeed!” He Nanshan nodded in agreement. He had felt the sheer power of that strike firsthand—it came like lightning, leaving him no option but evasion. The force contained within the sword was violent, supreme, and domineering. If he had tried to meet it head-on, his tiger’s mouth would have gone numb, half his body tingling in shock; without circulating his inner energy to recover, he would have been defeated instantly. This Fifth Brother’s divine strength was truly astonishing, almost unbelievable.
“Fifth Brother, did you employ internal energy in that move?” Cheng Xiaofeng inquired.
Li Muzhan shook his head. Although his Tian Yuan Tu Na Shu (Heavenly Origin Breathing Technique) was nascent, granting him inexhaustible inner energy and boosting his physical strength and speed, he had no understanding of how to manipulate internal energy. The Plum Blossom Twelve Swords was merely a basic form, quite shallow, and did not involve channeling internal power.
Cheng Xiaofeng remarked, “It’s a pity. Since you are currently cultivating the Tian Yuan Tu Na Shu, if you practiced a different inner cultivation method, that single strike could be even faster, fiercer, and more powerful—Second Brother wouldn't be able to withstand it!”
Li Muzhan smiled and asked, “Then what cultivation method would be best for me?”
Cheng Xiaofeng replied, “That depends on your constitution, Fifth Brother… The Tai Yang Zhen Jing (True Scripture of the Great Sun), the Tai Yin Zhen Jing (True Scripture of the Great Yin), the Shao Yang Zhen Jing (True Scripture of the Lesser Yang), the Shao Yin Zhen Jing (True Scripture of the Lesser Yin), the Yang Ming Zhen Jing (True Scripture of Bright Yang), and the Jue Yin Zhen Jing (True Scripture of Absolute Yin). Each of these is a top-tier cultivation method, and we in the Tianshu Courtyard can directly cultivate them… If you master any one of these six, the power of that strike will multiply tenfold. Perhaps only Eldest Brother could withstand it!”
“Hmm, that’s correct,” He Nanshan affirmed.
Yu Chi Ming waved his hand, gruffly stating, “Fifth Brother, discard that cursed Tian Yuan Tu Na Shu; it’s useless! I’ll beg the Commander to pass down the Tai Yang Zhen Jing to you!”
“Thank you for your concern, Fourth Brother,” Li Muzhan replied with a cheerful smile. “I will speak to the Commander myself.”
Yu Chi Ming became anxious and started to protest, but He Nanshan waved him off, smiling. “…That’s good, too. The Commander values Fifth Brother highly; your words will carry more weight.”
Li Muzhan smiled thoughtfully. What he truly wished to learn was not one of the Six True Scriptures, but the Jingang Buhuai Shengong (Indestructible Vajra Divine Art). Since realizing his own inherent weakness, his desire for the Jingang Buhuai Shengong had intensified. He needed to maximize his advantage and overcome his flaw—relying on clumsiness to defeat cleverness, and power to break technique—and the Jingang Buhuai Shengong was perfectly suited for this.
He had once asked Jin Kaitai how he might learn it. Jin Kaitai had shaken his head, explaining that it was no simple matter. Although no one had ever succeeded in mastering this art, it was still the treasured technique of the sect, inaccessible to ordinary disciples.
The first requirement was background, which he met, being the brother of Deputy Steward Li, ensuring loyalty. The second was potential: he had already entered the Tianshu Courtyard, but he only stood a chance of learning the Jingang Buhuai Shengong if he secured a top-three spot in the Grand Competition.
As the four were talking, heavy footsteps suddenly sounded. A young man walked in slowly, carrying an air of martial solemnity and capability. He paused, glanced over the group, and inclined his head lightly. “Second Brother, you are all here?”
As he spoke, his presence commanded respect without needing to express anger.
“Eldest Brother!” The four immediately stepped forward to greet him.
Yu Chi Ming grinned broadly and rushed forward. “Eldest Brother, why are you back so soon? Wasn’t your trip supposed to be only ten days?”
The imposing young man showed a hint of a smile. “Ran into some trouble on the road; had a skirmish.”
His gaze fell upon Li Muzhan.
Li Muzhan studied him in return. The young man was powerfully built, a head taller than him. His face was square, his two sword-like eyebrows angled sharply towards his temples, and his eyes sparkled like jewels. His mouth was firm, his nose straight—a presence that inspired awe without effort.
Though very young, his bearing was composed and steady, making him seem five or six years older. Li Muzhan surmised this must be Eldest Brother Zhao Yuzhen. He was indeed an impressive talent with an extraordinary demeanor. Comparing him to the others: Second Brother He Nanshan was profound and reserved, possessing great grace; Third Brother Cheng Xiaofeng was elegant like a crane, aloof and solitary; Fourth Brother was fierce on the outside but warm within—each had their merits, but compared to this Eldest Brother, they all fell slightly short.
Yu Chi Ming quickly introduced, “Eldest Brother, this is our newest junior brother, given the monastic name Zhanran, secular name Li Muzhan!”
Li Muzhan gathered his thoughts and smiled, cupping his hands in greeting: “Greetings, Eldest Brother.”
“Fifth Brother, no need for such formality. From now on, we are family,” Zhao Yuzhen returned the salute with cupped hands and nodded calmly.
Li Muzhan smiled slightly and inclined his head.
“I’ll go change first,” Zhao Yuzhen told the four and turned toward the central room facing north.
Li Muzhan watched him leave, thoughtful. Zhao Yuzhen’s steps were firm, following a unique rhythm, yet carrying a subtle lightness, indicating a remarkable level of cultivation.
Yu Chi Ming said, “Fifth Brother, Eldest Brother seems distant, but he’s actually very good to us.”
Li Muzhan smiled and nodded. Compared to the other three, Eldest Brother certainly appeared colder, yet his gaze was friendly, devoid of hostility. As he cultivated the Tien Ren Shen Zhao Jing, his already exceptional senses were enhanced further. If someone opposite held malice, he would immediately perceive it.
He Nanshan and Cheng Xiaofeng offered similar reassurances. He Nanshan smiled, “Our Eldest Brother is cold on the surface but warm-hearted. He shoulders everything for us; Fifth Brother will understand soon enough.”
Yu Chi Ming laughed heartily, “Eldest Brother is back! Now we don’t have to fear that brat Gong Qingyun anymore!”
Cheng Xiaofeng nodded. “Since Eldest Brother began practicing the Shao Yang Zhen Jing, his power has advanced by leaps and bounds, and he’s made more gains this time. Gong Qingyun won’t have it easy.”
As the three were speaking, Zhao Yuzhen reappeared wearing a long sapphire robe. Against the blue fabric, his face seemed carved from jade, radiating vigor.
“Come, let’s talk over there,” Zhao Yuzhen gestured toward the veranda opposite.
The five men moved to the covered walkway. Between the pillars were built-in seats resembling chairs or low couches. He Nanshan and Cheng Xiaofeng sat with Zhao Yuzhen on the south side; Yu Chi Ming and Li Muzhan sat on the north, facing each other.
Zhao Yuzhen smiled. “It’s been a long time since the Tianshu Courtyard welcomed new disciples. It is truly a great joy that Fifth Brother has joined us. Tonight, we’ll go to the Chaoran Tower to celebrate properly.”
“Thank you, Eldest Brother,” Li Muzhan replied, cupping his hands and bowing slightly.
Zhao Yuzhen waved his hand. “We are family; no need for such excessive courtesy!”
“Yes,” Li Muzhan replied with a soft nod, lowering his gaze, appearing entirely simple and honest. He found this amusing, feeling as if he were hidden in the shadows, privy to everyone’s inner thoughts—a peculiar, transcendent sensation of standing apart from the mundane world.
“Eldest Brother, Fifth Brother is an exceptional talent!” He Nanshan stated.
“Oh—?” Zhao Yuzhen smiled, looking over. He knew that while Second Brother appeared unassuming, possessing grace and composure, he held a deep, almost haughty pride, even more so than Third Brother.
Li Muzhan smiled sheepishly and remained silent. In this moment, speaking was less effective than not speaking.
Yu Chi Ming eagerly chimed in, “Fifth Brother’s divine strength is astonishing, Eldest Brother, even you couldn't block it!”
Zhao Yuzhen nodded in realization and smiled. “Excellent! With Fifth Brother joining us, the strength of the Tianshu Courtyard has greatly increased. We can finally stand tall!”
“Exactly!” Yu Chi Ming nodded vigorously, then his face immediately darkened. “Eldest Brother, while you were away, Gong Qingyun taught us a lesson again!”
Zhao Yuzhen’s face instantly sank, his brow furrowing tightly. “What happened?!” As he frowned, the atmosphere shifted, and the air seemed to thin noticeably.
Yu Chi Ming recounted resentfully, “Third Brother and I disciplined a couple of fellows, which somehow got tied up with the Yaoguang Courtyard. Gong Qingyun took the opportunity to punish us.”
Zhao Yuzhen’s face was grim, his eyes flashing with subtle, sharp light. Li Muzhan was inwardly startled; this Eldest Brother possessed incredibly deep internal energy, which was visibly manifested—a sign, as the Commander had mentioned, that his internal cultivation had reached a proficient level.
Zhao Yuzhen remained grim for a moment, then looked up and snorted, “You all never learn your lesson!”
Yu Chi Ming looked miserable and hung his head. Cheng Xiaofeng touched his brow, also silent.
He Nanshan sighed. “Eldest Brother, even if we peacefully avoided trouble, Gong Qingyun always finds a way. The fault lies with our inferior skills!”
“I won’t involve myself in this one!” Zhao Yuzhen said in a low voice, scanning their faces. “For us men of the Tianshu Courtyard to be bullied by disciples of the Yaoguang Courtyard—it’s an utter disgrace! I am too ashamed to confront her!”
“Eldest Brother…” He Nanshan murmured.
Zhao Yuzhen waved his hand sternly. “Second Brother, don’t plead for them! … A grown man like myself cannot stoop to argue with a mere woman!”
Yu Chi Ming pouted, whispering, “Gong Qingyun knows you wouldn't dare do anything to her, that’s why she acts so presumptuously!”
Zhao Yuzhen glared at him, and Yu Chi Ming immediately clamped his mouth shut and lowered his head again.
Zhao Yuzhen huffed, “Third Brother, Fourth Brother, if you have the ability, go and master your martial arts, and win back your own honor. That’s what a real man does!”
Seeing Yu Chi Ming about to speak again, Zhao Yuzhen snorted, silencing him, and said sternly, “Fourth Brother, are you about to start complaining about the Tian Yuan Tu Na Shu again?”
Yu Chi Ming chuckled sheepishly and scratched his head.
Zhao Yuzhen stated, “The Tian Yuan Tu Na Shu is indeed a peerless heart method; if we cannot cultivate it, it is because our talent is insufficient. We cannot blame the Commander. You should all have experienced its benefits by now, Fourth Brother, so stop your nonsense!”
“Yes, Eldest Brother,” Yu Chi Ming replied, hanging his head obediently.
Zhao Yuzhen waved his hand. “Alright, stop looking so glum. While I was out this time, I unintentionally acquired a sword manual. All of you should take a look.”
“What sword manual?!” Yu Chi Ming instantly looked up, excitedly pressing for details.
The surrounding air immediately eased, and the subtle pressure vanished. Li Muzhan marveled internally at the sheer intimidating presence of Eldest Brother.
“The Wu Ying Jian Jue (Shadowless Sword Art),” Zhao Yuzhen said, smiling as he pulled a slender volume from his robe.
The booklet, bound in yellow silk, looked somewhat ancient and quite thick, almost the size of a sword sheath.
Yu Chi Ming and the other two eyed it like famished wolves sighting sheep, their eyes fixed intently on the yellow silk volume, looking as if they desperately wanted to snatch it away.
Zhao Yuzhen handed it to He Nanshan, smiling. “I believe its quality is no less than the sword techniques we cultivate. One can learn much from studying the stones of other mountains. Peruse it; it will certainly be beneficial.”
He Nanshan accepted it carefully, quickly flipping through the pages, nodding constantly in admiration. “A fine sword art! Truly a magnificent sword art!”