It seemed the Young Miss intended to groom Zhan Ran just as she had done with Older Sister Gong.

As for romantic affections, that was not even a consideration; although Zhan Ran was excellent, the man capable of capturing the Young Miss’s heart had yet to appear in this world! She stared at Li Muzhan, her bright eyes sparkling.

Favored by the Young Miss, his future was boundless! “Zhan Ran, when are you planning to begin?” Mei Ruolan asked.

Li Muzhan smiled: “How about starting right now?” Mei Ruolan offered a faint smile: “Very well.

Let’s go to the Star Gazing Tower; it is quieter there!” Saying this, she rose gracefully and left the pavilion, passed the rockery, exited the resting garden, and headed east.

Her purple robes fluttered, and soon they arrived beneath a tall platform.

Li Muzhan walked beside her, employing Fuguang Lueying beneath his feet.

His monastic robes billowed, moving with unrestrained ease.

Xiao Yuan followed behind the two, occasionally glancing at Li Muzhan.

Zhan Ran truly was a prodigy.

Among the handful of supreme lightness skills, Fuguang Lueying was the most difficult to master.

She herself had tried practicing it for a while but failed to learn it, having to settle for Yufeng Jue instead.

Watching him move so effortlessly, who would have known that the internal energy pathways for Fuguang Lueying had to pass through over one hundred acupoints? What was even more infuriating was that not only were the acupoints numerous, but the internal energy also needed to branch off, sometimes splitting into two, only to rejoin again.

This constant juggling could drive a person mad.

“Zhan Ran, this is the Star Gazing Platform, the tallest structure in the estate.” Mei Ruolan turned and pointed to the imposing high platform before him, introducing it casually.

Li Muzhan nodded, looking up.

The Star Gazing Platform was built of bluestone, majestic and soaring, piercing straight into the clouds, its solemn aura washing over them.

Xiao Yuan piped up beside them: “Only the Young Miss and the Family Head are allowed upon the Star Gazing Platform; no one else may ascend!” Li Muzhan chuckled: “Is this secret place hiding martial arts manuals?” Mei Ruolan’s mesmerizing eyes flickered, and she glanced at him.

Xiao Yuan gasped: “How did you know?” Li Muzhan smiled, rubbing his shaved head: “Just guessing randomly.

Did I actually get it right?” “That is correct.

This place is indeed where the estate’s secret manuals are kept.” Mei Ruolan nodded, stepping onto the bluestone stairs with elegant composure.

Xiao Yuan continued to stare at him, shaking her head repeatedly.

The fact that secret manuals were hidden on the Star Gazing Platform was known only to the Family Head and the Young Miss.

Having ascended ninety-nine steps, Li Muzhan stepped onto the Star Gazing Platform.

The view that greeted him was blue sky, white clouds, and a bright lake like a mirror; his spirit felt instantly refreshed.

On the vast platform, a three-story structure rose directly from the ground, imposing in its grandeur.

The vermillion lacquer had faded to a dark brown, and an air of antiquity washed over them, commanding solemn respect.

The plaque on the second story bore three large characters: Guan Xing Lou (Star Gazing Tower).

The script was ancient and rustic, yet powerful and vigorous, as if three coiling dragons were poised, ready to burst forth from the plaque at any moment.

Li Muzhan gazed at these three characters, motionless, every hair on his body standing on end, his body stiffening.

Since the white light condensed into a sphere, his spirit had grown increasingly concentrated and strong, like a fierce tiger lying dormant within his chest, ready to spring forth at any moment.

His sensitivity had also sharpened remarkably.

In the past, even upon seeing these three characters, while he would sense their extraordinary aura, he would not have reacted this way.

“Zhan Ran?” Xiao Yuan saw his monk’s robe swell and rustle, his gaze fixed on the plaque.

Feeling something strange, she stepped forward and tapped his shoulder.

“Bang!” She jolted violently and immediately retreated, as if a rope had been tied to her, yanking her sharply.

Her feet did not leave the ground, yet she slid smoothly a full zhang away, leaving no mark on the bluestone floor.

She stared wide-eyed, utterly astonished, at Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan turned to look at her, rubbed his bald head, and forced a wry smile: “Thank you, Miss Xiao Yuan!” “What happened to you?” Xiao Yuan quickly checked beneath her feet; her water-green embroidered shoes were unharmed, and she sighed in relief, pouting: “What demon possessed you?” Mei Ruolan looked at Li Muzhan, her beautiful eyes distant, and stated faintly: “Legend has it that these three characters were personally inscribed by the First Ancestor.” “Truly formidable!” Li Muzhan looked up at the inscription again, shook his head, and sighed.

Unless one experienced it personally, it was difficult to articulate the feeling—it was like Mount Tai pressing down, heaven and earth shattering, or facing three colossal dragons while feeling as insignificant as an ant.

To imbue mere characters with such imposing might meant that the cultivator's skill was unfathomably deep.

He realized he had severely underestimated the masters of the world, his own knowledge being too limited.

Mei Ruolan asked: “Zhan Ran, what did you see?” Li Muzhan shook his head: “I can’t explain it… It felt as though I transformed into an ant, facing the vast majesty of the heavens.

In comparison, I was utterly insignificant, with my life and death beyond my control.” Mei Ruolan nodded gently, lost in thought, her beautiful eyes flickering distantly.

Li Muzhan quickly turned his head away to avoid losing his composure; her eyes were truly too captivating.

“Zhan Ran, your internal energy is so pure!” Xiao Yuan examined him up and down.

Li Muzhan chuckled: “I apologize for my rough handling just now, Miss Xiao Yuan.” “Just call me Xiao Yuan, no need to be so formal!” Xiao Yuan waved her hand and smiled sweetly: “No wonder you could fight Older Sister Gong!” Mei Ruolan stepped onto the stairs, shifted slightly to turn her back to Li Muzhan, and reached in front of her chest, taking out a silver necklace.

The silver chain held a miniature silver sword, exquisitely crafted, about the length of an index finger, its blade serrated.

Mei Ruolan’s expression became serious.

She inserted the small sword into the circular keyhole of the door, twisting it twice to the right, then three times to the left, and finally two times to the right again.

With a soft “Pa,” the dark red door, which had been perfectly sealed, trembled slightly, revealing a hairline gap.

Mei Ruolan retracted the necklace and nodded slightly: “Xiao Yuan grew up with me and began practicing martial arts from childhood… Zhan Ran, you were able to push her back, your cultivation is indeed not insignificant.” Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, silently admiring that this mechanism was much like a safe from later generations.

Mei Ruolan slowly pushed the door open and stepped inside, saying faintly: “Come in!” The moment he stepped into the room, Li Muzhan felt a surge of energy.

The floor was covered with a moon-white carpet.

There were a few simple pieces of furniture: a couch at the east end, a low table before it, a scholar’s desk by the south window, and the west side was empty, holding only two purple meditation cushions.

Above, several strands of pale purple beaded curtains hung, crystal clear and sparkling brilliantly.

The lighting in the room was excellent; there was no trace of mustiness, but rather a warm brightness, without sacrificing elegance.

Xiao Yuan, quick on her feet, leaned over and opened the window.

Bright sunlight immediately flooded in, bringing in fresh air.

The beaded curtains swayed gently, chiming softly.

Moving as if swept by the wind, she then lit the Qiu Chi beast-shaped censer in the center.

A faint wisp of blue smoke drifted out, enveloped by the fragrance of sandalwood, which was deeply refreshing and immediately calmed the mind.

Afterward, she busied herself heating water to prepare tea.

Mei Ruolan took off her deerskin boots and sat cross-legged on the western cushion: “Zhan Ran, let us begin.” Li Muzhan was equally unceremonious, removing his boots and sitting cross-legged on the other cushion.

They were separated by about two paces—not too close, not too far, just right.

Mei Ruolan looked at him calmly and stated faintly: “The method for the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art is simple; it is understandable upon one viewing, yet no one has ever succeeded in mastering it.

Does Zhan Ran know why?” Li Muzhan shook his head.

Mei Ruolan said: “Because the process of cultivation is excruciatingly painful; no one can endure it.” Li Muzhan nodded slowly.

Mei Ruolan continued: “I know that eminent monks with profound cultivation possess immense self-control, but this type of pain is too intense, exceeding the body’s limits, directly causing one to pass out from the agony.

Naturally, one cannot cultivate.” Li Muzhan frowned, pondering silently.

“The Vajra Indestructible Divine Art is also a supreme Buddhist technique.

Zhan Ran, your resolve is deep and your understanding of the Dharma profound; perhaps you can give it a try.” Mei Ruolan suggested.

If not for these factors, she would never have agreed to let Li Muzhan practice the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art.

Li Muzhan smiled slightly: “I shall give it a try.” Mei Ruolan nodded lightly, giving him an encouraging smile that instantly made her features radiant, causing Li Muzhan to feel a moment of dizziness.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the stirrings in his heart, formed a hand seal, and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing.

Instantly, he thought of the Guantian Renshen Zhao Jing; regrettably, it would not work here.

While his spirit could enter the sphere to avoid the pain, he would be unable to circulate the energy.

Under these circumstances, his only recourse was brute endurance, and he held no confidence in succeeding.

He understood that he was not some unparalleled genius, merely someone who seemed talented due to coincidence in the eyes of others.

The first diagram of the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art appeared before his mind’s eye.

The red line drawn upon it formed the character for ‘Middle’ ().

It ascended from the Dantian, traveled up the Ren meridian, turned at Xuanji, proceeded horizontally, passed Yufu and Qihoo, reached Yunmen, then turned down towards Zhangmen, then turned horizontally again, passing Taiyi and Shangqu to the opposing Zhangmen, before turning upwards again.

This path precisely formed the character ‘Middle’ (); the route was not complex.

A thread of internal energy slipped out from the Dantian, moving along this path slowly, cautiously, nervously, fearful of any misstep.

This thread of internal energy seemed alive; though moving slowly, it was agile.

In a short time, it completed one ‘Middle’ circuit and returned to the Dantian.

Li Muzhan suddenly shuddered, feeling his internal organs violently churn, accompanied by a searing pain no less intense than the sword wound he had sustained previously.

He managed a wry smile, understanding this was normal.

Guiding a trace of internal energy from the Dantian along the newly charted route, this time he moved much faster.

His spirit was firm and powerful, allowing his internal energy to flow swiftly, far surpassing ordinary people.

This single circuit was completed in the blink of an eye.

His body trembled again, the wrenching pain reappeared, slightly more severe than before.

Refusing to believe otherwise, he accelerated his internal energy.

As the circuit repeated, the agonizing pain surged wave after wave, each wave stronger than the last, piling up.

After ten circuits, his entire body was drenched in sweat.

Mei Ruolan’s beautiful eyes were distant as she stared intently at Li Muzhan.

She watched his complexion gradually shift.

With every tremor of his body, his color receded a little.

In this short time, his face had become as pale as paper, and profuse sweat drenched his loose monk’s robes, clinging to his body.

She shook her head gently.

She had not only witnessed others cultivating the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art but had also dabbled in it herself, though she stopped after only a taste, unable to bear the torment likened to being sliced by a thousand knives.

The term ‘execution by a thousand cuts’ was used precisely because it was the most excruciating form of torture.

She let out a slight sigh.

She knew that soon Zhan Ran would lose consciousness; no one had ever persisted for half an hour.

As time passed, her expression shifted, becoming increasingly astonished.

She saw Li Muzhan, his face stark white, sweating profusely to the point of soaking the purple cushion, his body trembling incessantly, yet he still held on.

An hour passed in a flash.

Li Muzhan let out a long breath and slowly opened his eyes.

His demeanor was wilted, but his eyes shone like gemstones.

Mei Ruolan narrowed her eyes; she found herself unable to meet his gaze directly.

Xiao Yuan quickly brought over a tea cup and handed it to him, urging: “Zhan Ran, quickly take a sip of tea!” Li Muzhan accepted it with a smile and took a small sip, wryly commenting: “What an impressive Vajra Indestructible Divine Art!” Mei Ruolan stared intently at him for a moment, then suddenly broke into a brilliant smile: “You persisted for a full hour!”