Gong Qingyun started, her eyes clearing, and she looked at him in astonishment, murmuring, "You... you could have dodged it, why didn't you?"

Li Muzhan offered a wry smile, opening his mouth as if to speak, but the strength in his limbs was suddenly drained away, a weakness surging in like a tide and instantly engulfing him.

He felt his body grow heavy as a mountain, no longer able to support itself. He involuntarily started to fall forward, frantically using his sword to brace himself, but his arms were limp and powerless, unable to arrest the momentum.

Just as Gong Qingyun was about to move, a voice whispered in her ear, "Let go." Her right hand instantly went numb, and she couldn't help but release the sword hilt. The scenery before her blurred, and he had already moved two zhang away.

Mei Ruolan's purple figure materialized abruptly, her jade face grim. Her left hand shot under his armpit while her right darted out, swiftly sealing over a dozen acupoints on his chest.

"San'er!" Li Mufeng's voice trembled. He stared blankly in their direction, then suddenly shot upright with a "Teng," only to immediately crash down with a "Peng," landing face-first with a solid thud.

He scrambled up frantically, about to lunge forward, when Jin Kaitai seized him in an embrace, saying in a deep voice, "Vice Steward, wait a moment!"

Li Mufeng struggled violently, about to shout, when he suddenly stiffened, his acupoints sealed. His hands sprang open, one foot shot out in a running posture, and he froze, turning into a statue.

The platform was spotless; the fall he took left no mark. He was rigid from head to toe, only his eyes movable, glaring fiercely at Jin Kaitai, his eyes bloodshot with fury.

Jin Kaitai felt a chill despite himself, patted his shoulder, and offered a bitter smile, "Vice Steward, no need to rush. With the Eldest Miss here, Zhanran will be fine, rest assured!"

Unable to speak, Li Mufeng shot him a cold glare before turning his gaze toward Li Muzhan.

Jin Kaitai shook his head with a bitter smile and walked over. At this moment, Cai Xiuping, Zhao Fanning, and Xiaoyuan were all gathered around Li Muzhan, watching Mei Ruolan administer aid with anxious expressions.

Gong Qingyun stood two zhang away, lost and desolate, biting her red lip as she stared intently at the scene. Her white robes billowed, lending her an air of tragic beauty.

The crowd below buzzed, craning their necks, trying to make sense of what was happening.

"Senior Disciple Brother—!" Yu Chiming stamped his foot, impatient, but (He Nanshan) and Cheng Xiaofeng each gripped a shoulder, forcing him to struggle.

Zhao Yuzhen’s face was as dark as water as she stared fixedly at the stage, waving a hand at Yu Chiming and snorting with a frown, "Wait a bit longer. If you go up now, you'll just cause trouble!"

Yu Chiming sighed helplessly, still struggling, yet cursing hatefully, "If anything happens to Fifth Disciple Brother, I'll make Gong Qingyun pay with her life!"

"Don't speak such ill omens!" He Nanshan quickly interjected. His usually deep expression was replaced with anxiety and worry as he stared intently at the stage: "Fifth Disciple Brother has good fortune; nothing will happen to him!"

Cheng Xiaofeng nodded quickly, "Yes, yes, Fifth Disciple Brother will be fine!"

Mei Ruolan rapidly tapped several points, her slender fingers creating phantom images, as if she possessed several hands.

The finger shadows abruptly vanished, and Mei Ruolan let out a long breath, her voice slightly hoarse: "Xiaoyuan, the Plum Blossom Heart-Protecting Pill!"

"Coming!" Xiaoyuan busily pulled a small jade bottle from her bosom—palm-sized, smooth and crystalline—poured out a pale red pellet, cracked the wax seal, and pressed it into Li Muzhan's mouth.

Li Muzhan was utterly weak, yet his senses remained sharp. His powerful spirit resisted the darkness born of pain and exhaustion. He laboriously opened his mouth.

The pill dissolved the moment it touched his tongue, a refreshing fragrance rising from his core and transforming into a surging warmth that rapidly flowed throughout his body. His spirit lifted, and his breathing immediately deepened considerably.

Seeing this, Mei Ruolan let out a soft sigh of relief, and the surrounding figures relaxed as well.

"Miss, this sword...?" Xiaoyuan pointed at the Yaoguang Sword.

The Yaoguang Sword was still embedded in him; they dared not pull it out.

Mei Ruolan shook her head, supporting him with her left hand as she slowly maneuvered him to lie sideways on the ground. She stared at the sword’s entry point, her face heavy, and frowned: "Xiaoyuan, go to the Hall of Rejuvenation and summon Elder An!"

"Yes!" Xiaoyuan responded, turning to leave. Her sweet face was etched with solemnity, her steps light as if she were gliding on the wind, vanishing before everyone’s eyes in an instant.

Elder An was one of the four great elders of the Mei Residence, holding an extraordinary status, stationed at the Hall of Rejuvenation, and renowned as a top physician of the age. Clearly, the Eldest Miss was not entirely confident in saving Zhanran!

Jin Kaitai quickly added, "Eldest Miss, Zhanran's second elder sister is a disciple of the Moon-Crane Abbey and knows the Crane-Guiding Oil-Filling Technique!"

"The Crane-Guiding Oil-Filling Technique?!" Mei Ruolan looked up. She had been squatting beside Li Muzhan, her hand resting on his back, gently channeling internal energy into him.

She paused in thought, her distant gaze passing through the crowd to land on Li Mufeng.

Jin Kaitai stated gravely, "Eldest Miss, I will go to the Moon-Crane Abbey and invite Miss Li over!"

Mei Ruolan nodded lightly. Just as she was about to agree, her sleeve was suddenly tugged. She looked down to meet Li Muzhan’s clear eyes staring intently at her, slowly shaking his head.

Mei Ruolan understood his meaning and frowned: "Master Zhanran, you are in great danger now!"

Li Muzhan offered a serene smile, then shook his head again, his eyes growing clearer, like a pure spring reflecting direct sunlight—so dazzling they were unbearable to look at.

Jin Kaitai hurriedly asked, "Eldest Miss, what does this mean?!"

"Master Zhanran does not wish to summon his second sister," Mei Ruolan replied, shaking her head.

Jin Kaitai’s voice immediately shot up, shouting, "This is the situation we are in, does he truly not care for his life?!... Zhanran’s senses are clouded; don't listen to him!"

However, looking at Li Muzhan’s current state—pale-faced yet radiating vigor—no one believed his senses were impaired.

The Yaoguang Sword’s blade had no groove; as long as it remained unpulled, no blood flowed externally, but internal bleeding was occurring.

Li Muzhan felt mentally lucid, his spirit stronger than ever before, his thoughts flashing like lightning, his movements divinely agile. His ability to see inward had sharpened dramatically; he knew the sword had pierced his lung, and speaking would surely cause him to cough up blood.

Nevertheless, he had a premonition that this sword thrust would not claim his life.

Because his cultivation of Chan Gong was profound, he trusted his premonition, and moreover, he did not fear death.

If this matter were known to his second sister, given her temperament, she would surely raise an unbearable ruckus, which was not what he desired.

A dragon has scales that, when touched, incite rage; people, too, have such sensitive points. His second sister was usually gentle as water, cold toward outsiders, but even-tempered; yet, when it came to him, she transformed, becoming like a tigress protecting her young.

At this moment, his spirit was vigorous, his senses exceptionally keen, and waves of intense pain radiated from his chest. Due to heightened sensation, the pain was even more severe, almost enough to make him faint.

Yet his spirit was abnormally resilient, like a reef beneath raging storms, steadfast and unmoving, maintaining its clarity, thoughts like lightning, movements divinely agile.

Naturally, this was the wonder of the Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing (Heavenly Man Divine Illumination Scripture); his spirit was firm as a rock and must not waver.

In this instant, he suddenly changed his mind, deciding to continue cultivating the Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing. His desire was intense—he would simply focus on refining his Chan Gong. If the waters rise, one builds a higher dam; what is there to fear?!

The diagram of the Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing instantly manifested. His consciousness plunged into a ball of white light atop a lotus. Suddenly, it felt as though he had switched into another body—warm and soft all over, with ineffable bliss, and the intense pain vanished instantly.

It was like moving from hell to paradise; his soul seemed to let out a sigh of contentment.

"Eldest Miss—!" Jin Kaitai stamped his foot.

Mei Ruolan looked down at Li Muzhan once more. Seeing that his eyes were closed but a smile still lingered on his face, her heart settled inexplicably. She shook her head, "Commander Jin, let's wait and see for now! ... With the Plum Blossom Heart-Protecting Pill, there is no immediate danger. Let's see what Elder An says."

"Sigh—!" Jin Kaitai was overwhelmed with frustration and annoyance, stamping his foot and glaring fiercely at Mei Ruolan.

Normally deferential to Mei Ruolan, speaking softly, he now dared to glare. Cai Xiuping shook his head, coughed lightly, and said gently, "Little Jin, restrain your impudence. You won't be wrong to listen to the Eldest Miss!"

"Yes, Chief Steward," Jin Kaitai exhaled a heavy breath and replied sullenly.

Zhao Yuzhen and the others stretched their necks, listening clearly. Yu Chiming quickly lowered his voice, "It seems Fifth Disciple Brother is in grave danger!... Senior Disciple Brother, I will go ask Miss Li to come!"

Zhao Yuzhen quickly raised a hand: "Absolutely not!"

Yu Chiming became furious, urgently demanding, "I just don't understand! At a time like this, why not summon Miss Li? Isn't the Crane-Guiding Oil-Filling Technique incredibly powerful?!"

"It's not that the Eldest Miss won't summon her; it’s that Fifth Disciple Brother won't allow it," He Nanshan shook his head.

Yu Chiming twisted his body, struggling a couple of times: "Fifth Disciple Brother passed out long ago, how could he speak?!"

"Alright, Fourth Disciple Brother, settle down and stop causing more trouble!" Cheng Xiaofeng exerted pressure on his shoulder with force, frowning and humming.

"With Elder An taking charge, Fifth Disciple Brother will be fine," He Nanshan offered as comfort.

Yu Chiming was unconvinced, huffing, "What if it really... better ask Miss Li to come!"

"Silence!" Zhao Yuzhen suddenly turned her head, her face grim.

Yu Chiming immediately shrank his neck, his lips moving, but he dared not say more, settling down.

"Fifth Disciple Brother is clever. Since he won't let us summon Miss Li, there must be a deep reason. Let's wait and see," He Nanshan patted his shoulder and said softly.

The crowd below quieted, glancing toward Mei Ruolan's cluster, then toward Gong Qingyun, who stood alone, lost in thought.

Gong Qingyun, her white robes fluttering, gazed toward the distant horizon, her eyes vague, as if lost in memory, possessing a unique, desolate beauty, like an orchid isolated in an empty valley, standing apart from the world.

In that moment, her slender figure was deeply imprinted on the hearts of everyone below. Her flowing white robes made the hearts of all the young men drift away with them; they longed to pull her into their arms and offer true comfort.

Xiaoyuan’s full figure reappeared, carrying a wooden chest in her left hand, her feet gliding lightly.

Following behind her was an old man, his hair like cranes’ feathers and his face youthful, three wisps of white beard trailing beneath his chin. His demeanor was ethereal and transcendent, like an immortal.

He trailed behind Xiaoyuan, walking slowly, step by step, composed and natural, yet each stride covered over ten zhang, faster than a galloping horse, never falling behind Xiaoyuan.

"Miss, Elder An is here!" Xiaoyuan lightly touched down on the high stage and called out urgently.

Mei Ruolan, still crouching, called up loudly, "Elder An!"

"Eldest Miss!" Elder An clasped his hands in greeting. Cai Xiuping and the others bowed and cleared a path for him to approach.

Mei Ruolan looked up, her hazy, bright eyes fixed on Elder An, and said slowly, "Elder An, I beg your esteemed hand to restore life. Save him, no matter what!"

"Eldest Miss need not worry, this old one will do his utmost!" Elder An clasped his hands, squatted down, and placed three fingers on Li Muzhan’s wrist.

A moment later, Mei Ruolan looked toward Zhanran: "Elder An?"

At this time, Li Muzhan’s eyes were slightly closed, appearing as though he had fainted, but his spirit was completely immersed in the cultivation of the Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing, his senses shut off from the outside world.

Elder An frowned deeply, slowly withdrawing his hand. He looked at the entry point of the Yaoguang Sword and gestured: "This sword has pierced exactly into the lung. Once it is pulled out, the blood will immediately block respiration..."

"...Is there no hope?" Mei Ruolan frowned, her bright eyes smoky with confusion.

"Alas..." Elder An shook his head and sighed.

"Eldest Miss, I'll go fetch Miss Li!" Jin Kaitai exclaimed loudly.

Mei Ruolan frowned and asked, "Elder An, if the Crane-Guiding Oil-Filling Technique were used, could it save him?"

"The Crane-Guiding Oil-Filling Technique?!" Elder An was momentarily stunned, then a look of regret crossed his face: "Although the Crane-Guiding Oil-Filling Technique is Divine Grade, it is not omnipotent after all..."

Jin Kaitai immediately fell silent, hanging his head, his expression grim. P: Thanks everyone for your help; I can only push myself this hard today, striving for two chapters. Here is the first update.