The moment Li Muzhan entered, the four people practicing their martial arts immediately stopped and rushed forward to greet him. Yu Chi Ming hurried up, bustling and loud, "Fifth Junior Brother, what happened? What in the world happened?" Seeing the concern etched on their faces, Li Muzhan managed a wry smile. "I killed Fang Shaohua." "What?!" Zhao Yuzhen and the other three were stunned. Yu Chi Ming scrutinized him from head to toe, clearly disbelieving. "No way... Tell us quickly!" "Come, sit down and talk," Zhao Yuzhen indicated toward the covered walkway.

They moved over and sat down. A gentle breeze blew, cool and mild, feeling incredibly comfortable against their skin. Li Muzhan closed his eyes, letting his pores open to fully absorb the clear, refreshing air from the lake. Yu Chi Ming watched with wide eyes, urging him incessantly, "Fifth Junior Brother, hurry up, don't keep us in suspense!" Li Muzhan opened his eyes and sighed. "Four Senior Brothers, I have come today to bid farewell." "Farewell?" Yu Chi Ming was startled, his expression changing instantly. "If fellow disciples fight and kill, the penalty is having your martial arts crippled and being expelled from the manor. Is the Eldest Miss kicking you out?!" Zhao Yuzhen and the other two also looked dismayed. Li Muzhan shook his head. "I have been sentenced to eighteen months of wall-gazing meditation." "That's a relief! That's a relief!" Yu Chi Ming slapped his chest, letting out a long sigh of relief, before his eyes widened again. "Just tell us what happened, Fifth Junior Brother, quickly!" Li Muzhan then recounted the entire incident again, deliberately omitting any mention of the hidden flying knife.

Hearing the story, all four men breathed a collective sigh of relief. Zhao Yuzhen slapped his forehead in exasperation. "This is my fault!" "And mine!" He Nanshan shook his head repeatedly, sighing. "If we had insisted on escorting Fifth Junior Brother back, Fang Shaohua would have known better than to press the issue, and we wouldn't have this trouble!" Cheng Xiaofeng shook his head and said calmly, "I think this is a good thing!" Seeing their gazes turn to him, he continued, "That surnamed Fang has a corrupt nature, venomous as a serpent, and bears a grudge against us. He would certainly have sought an opportunity for a sneak attack—impossible to guard against! ...Fifth Junior Brother has eliminated a major threat!" Yu Chi Ming let out a hearty laugh and took two steps forward, thumping Li Muzhan’s right shoulder. "Well done, Fifth Junior Brother! To be able to slay the surnamed Fang while injured—truly remarkable!" Li Muzhan waved his hand, offering a bittersweet smile. "I only had enough strength for one strike. Once I committed to that strike, it was either his death or mine; I dared not hold back." "You did the right thing!" Zhao Yuzhen nodded, his tone grave. "When facing an enemy, one must never show softness!" He Nanshan smiled. "Eighteen months of wall-gazing meditation is a harsh sentence for others, but for you, Fifth Junior Brother, with your profound Chan Gong and a heart as still as water, this is a blessing in disguise. You can practice your cultivation in peace, equivalent to secluded training!" Yu Chi Ming grumbled, "It's a shame we can't practice together!" Zhao Yuzhen smiled and nodded. "Second Senior Brother speaks the truth... Fifth Junior Brother, train well. We will compete when you emerge!" "Yes, Eldest Senior Brother," Li Muzhan replied with a smile. He glanced at the four of them and rose. "Since that is the case, this junior brother must take his leave. I shall see you all again in eighteen months." Yu Chi Ming quickly asked, "Fifth Junior Brother, where will you be undergoing your wall-gazing?" "Star-Gazing Tower," Li Muzhan replied. Yu Chi Ming immediately deflated. "Ah... so there's no chance of sneaking a visit!" The Star-Gazing Tower was a forbidden area within the manor; outsiders were strictly forbidden from approaching under penalty of death, rumored to be guarded secretly by Jade-Armored Sentinels. Li Muzhan smiled, clasped his hands in farewell, and departed gracefully.

He carried nothing with him, ascending the Star-Gazing Platform alone. Xiao Yuan stood quietly upon the platform. A breeze ruffled her hair, making her peach-colored silk robe flutter; her full figure appeared even more curvaceous and alluring. As Li Muzhan reached the top of the steps and appeared, she quickly waved her hand. "Zhan Ran! Zhan Ran!" Li Muzhan stepped swiftly to her side, a slight smile on his lips. "Does the Eldest Miss have an instruction for me?" Xiao Yuan smoothed her wind-tossed hair, and a faint fragrance drifted to him on the air. Her dimples flashed as she smiled sweetly. "The Mistress sent me to help you. Come with me!" Saying this, she turned her slender waist and led the way, drifting gracefully toward the east side of the Star-Gazing Tower, pushing open a door and entering the room within. The pale green carpet resembled lush meadow grass. The furniture was natural wood, simple and clean. Beneath the west wall were two purple meditation cushions. Two rows of landscape screens divided the room into three sections. Four tall windows allowed the room to be bright yet softly lit. In the center of the room sat a small round table set with tea implements. Along the south wall was a long couch, and near the north wall stood a refined desk, both positioned under the windows to catch ample light. Xiao Yuan stood at the doorway, turning back to gesture. "This is your room. Are you satisfied with it?" Li Muzhan smiled. "As a person awaiting punishment, how could I have the right to be picky?" Hearing the self-mockery in his tone, Xiao Yuan gave him an exasperated look and huffed, "Zhan Ran, are you angry with the Mistress?" Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. "I wouldn't dare. I violated the manor rules; this punishment is deserved." Xiao Yuan said, "You’ve just arrived and don't understand the Eldest Miss... The Eldest Miss is a kind person with a benevolent heart, but if the manor rules are broken, she is absolutely ruthless to everyone! ...Forget you, even the Second Young Master would have to accept his penalty if he broke the rules!" Li Muzhan smiled, nodded, and said no more. Xiao Yuan continued, "The Eldest Miss said you may move about the Star-Gazing Platform, as long as you do not step off the platform. I will bring the meals." "Thank you to the Eldest Miss. I will trouble you, Xiao Yuan." Li Muzhan nodded. "Alright. If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now!" Li Muzhan nodded with a smile. "Travel safely." Xiao Yuan glanced at him, then turned and departed with a graceful sway.

Li Muzhan turned to survey his surroundings. After pacing a few times, he nodded inwardly. This place was elegant and tranquil, perfectly suited for secluded cultivation. The Eldest Miss placing him here was clearly intending to help him focus on mastering the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art. Since that was the case, he would certainly appreciate the opportunity, especially since he now harbored great ambitions and an intense desire to cultivate. Every second was precious. He closed the room door, immediately took off his boots, settled onto the couch, assumed the lotus position, formed his hand seals, and began cultivating the Six Sutras.

One Sutra required thirty-six revolutions; this took only ten minutes. Since his True Essence had already condensed into a pearl, his internal energy flow was even faster, like a swift wind, completing one revolution in the blink of an eye. After half an hour, each of the six sutras had run thirty-six revolutions. For an ordinary person, this amount of time would only yield thirty-six revolutions for a single sutra. The Six Sutras each possessed profound mysteries. His body felt warm and comfortable, brimming with energy, utterly free from fatigue. He immediately continued by cultivating the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art.

Time flew by in the quiet space; an hour passed in a blink. His gently trembling body settled back to stillness. He opened his eyes, their gaze momentarily dim. His entire body felt as if drenched by rain, his monk's robe soaked and clinging tightly to his skin. Cultivating the Vajra Indestructible Art was torture worse than a thousand cuts. If not for the great ambition burning in his heart, he could never have endured it. Each time he finished a session, it felt like passing from hell to paradise.

Pop-pop, the door was knocked upon, and Xiao Yuan’s sweet voice called out, "Zhan Ran, are you there?" "Come in," Li Muzhan replied slowly, his voice hoarse. A flash of green shadow, and Xiao Yuan pushed the door open. She wore a lake-green silk dress and carried a square wooden box, two feet wide and long, gleaming with vermilion lacquer, exuding an air of luxury. Seeing his appearance, she immediately asked, "Zhan Ran, you practiced the Vajra Indestructible again?" Li Muzhan nodded lightly, seemingly too weak to speak. Xiao Yuan turned and closed the door, setting the wooden box on the central table before approaching the couch. "The food is here. Shall I infuse you with some internal energy?" Li Muzhan shook his head. "I just need a short rest." "Why must you work so hard?" Xiao Yuan sat on the edge of the couch and sighed. "Practicing this technique is agonizingly hard and difficult. You might have to give up halfway... Why not switch to something else?" Li Muzhan managed a weak smile. "I'll give it a try. We can discuss it if I fail." "Alright..." Xiao Yuan nodded helplessly, then brightened. "Let's eat! I don't know if these four dishes will suit your taste..." With that, she opened the wooden box, and a burst of fragrance instantly filled the entire room. All four dishes were vegetarian cuisine, perfect in color and aroma, enough to make one’s mouth water just looking at them. Li Muzhan glanced at them, then shook his head. "I don't mind eating meat... Furthermore, my palate is quite discerning. I truly cannot eat these dishes." Xiao Yuan’s bright eyes widened in astonishment. "Then what do you want to eat?" Li Muzhan smiled. "You can go to Chaoran Tower, or perhaps my own home. Two dishes per meal will be sufficient." "Your home?" Xiao Yuan was even more surprised. Li Muzhan nodded. "Ask my sister-in-law to cook two dishes and send them over." "You... you..." Xiao Yuan pointed at him, her almond eyes wide, stammering, "You are undergoing wall-gazing! How can you do this?" "I will trouble you, Xiao Yuan," Li Muzhan said with a smile, clasping his hands in a bow. "You... you... I'll go ask the Mistress!" Xiao Yuan pointed at him, speechless for a moment, then suddenly flicked her sleeve and ran out with a turn of her waist.

She sped to Quiyou Garden, arriving at the pavilion atop the rockery where Mei Ruolan, clad in a purple gown, was reading with an air of serene leisure. "Mistress! Mistress!" she called out immediately upon entering. Mei Ruolan set down her book and asked blandly, "Was the meal delivered?" Xiao Yuan stamped her foot in playful annoyance. "Mistress, Zhan Ran is being too much! He said the dishes were not good!" "What did he say?" Mei Ruolan frowned. "He said his palate is too refined and he couldn't eat them... He wants me to go to Chaoran Tower or his home to have his sister-in-law cook two dishes and bring them back!" Xiao Yuan wrinkled her nose, complaining hatefully, "He's so hard to serve!" Mei Ruolan suddenly laughed, her beauty glowing like snow. "Mistress—?" Xiao Yuan stared blankly, utterly confused as to why she was laughing. "What an interesting monk!" Mei Ruolan chuckled lightly, picked up her book, and said casually, "In that case, you may go to his home..." "Miss—!" Xiao Yuan stamped her foot, pouting charmingly. "Xiao Yuan, please bear the trouble. Go on," Mei Ruolan pursed her lips in a faint smile and waved her hand. Xiao Yuan reluctantly pouted and departed.

As the sun set, the sky was layered with magnificent, magnificent clouds of burning color. Mei Ruolan was practicing her swordplay in Quiyou Garden. Her purple gown contrasted with the flashes of snow-white sword light that illuminated the entire training ground. Xiao Yuan suddenly rushed in. As soon as she passed through the Moon Gate, she called out from a distance, "Mistress! Mistress!" Mei Ruolan frowned, halting her sword movements, and turned toward Xiao Yuan. "Why such a commotion? What happened?" Xiao Yuan, wearing her lake-green silk dress, had a rosy flush on her cheeks, looking alluring and beautiful, clearly having run in great haste. She frowned slightly, her brow knitted with worry. "Mistress, Zhan Ran hasn't eaten all day!" "Hm—?" Mei Ruolan paused, then asked, "What is the matter?" Xiao Yuan explained, "He said he was afraid of disturbing his cultivation, and asked me to leave the food at the door... But a whole day has passed, and the food hasn't been touched. Did something go wrong with his practice?" Mei Ruolan considered for a moment, sheathed her sword, and started walking out. "Let's go take a look."