He immediately frowned, as if flowing from a great river into a small stream, and quickly withdrew half of his energy.

He had considered Li Jian’s meridians to be less robust, but he hadn't expected them to be so frail—barely comparable to his own when he started, despite Li Jian having already practiced for a year!

He secretly shook his head. His own aptitude wasn't great, with poor coordination between his limbs and his head, but his meridians were strong. Li Jian’s weak meridians, however, were a far more critical flaw.

With such poor natural talent, he would need to practice twice as hard to match others in internal power.

Yet, the disciples of the Seven Courts of the Mei Residence were all painstakingly diligent; even if he pushed himself to the limit, he might not surpass them.

To rise above the rest, he had to forge a different path. His resolve hardened, and his internal energy was guided slowly along a unique meridian, meeting an invisible resistance, like sinking into a mire.

Li Muzhan knew this was the inherent power within the human body—formless and intangible, yet undeniably real. The mysteries of the human physique were truly unfathomable.

"So itchy! So itchy!" Li Jian suddenly cried out, his body trembling.

He strained to bear it, but his body’s instinct could not refuse, as wave after wave of intense itching assaulted him, like countless ants gnawing at his bones.

"Clench your jaw and bear it, don't move!" Li Muzhan grunted, resting his left hand on Li Jian's shoulder.

Li Jian instantly felt his body sink, as if a mountain was pressing down. His vision swam with darkness, and he quickly gasped, "Lighter! You'll crush me!"

"Silence!" Li Muzhan raised his left hand, his paired fingers sharp as a sword, tapping several points on Li Jian's body.

Li Jian's mouth opened and closed, but no sound emerged; the vital acupoint was sealed.

His body shook uncontrollably, his face contorted, shifting between tears and laughter in a most bizarre manner.

Li Muzhan kept his eyes closed, paying no heed, merely urging his internal energy forward along the meridian pathway—precisely the second layer of the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art mind-method.

"Hoo... hoo..." A strange sound rumbled in Li Jian's throat as his body began to seize violently.

Li Muzhan utilized both hands concurrently: his left hand pressed down on the shoulder, releasing internal force to seal several mobility points, rendering him immobile; his right hand pressed against the center of his back, cycling the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art throughout his interior.

Unconsciously, a quarter of an hour slipped by.

Li Muzhan slowly withdrew both hands. Li Jian immediately collapsed, going limp like a heap of soft mud, as if all the bones had been drawn out, moaning incessantly.

At this moment, he was drenched in sweat, having drawn a perfect circle upon the couch, looking as if he had just been fished out of water.

Li Muzhan stepped down from the couch and smiled lightly, "How did that feel?"

Li Jian’s head shifted slightly, almost imperceptibly.

"Too soft, you couldn't even handle this short time?" Li Muzhan stood before the couch, looking down and sneering playfully.

Li Jian slowly turned his head, as if rusted in place. His forehead was beaded with heavy sweat, his face flushed, and his voice was weak, "Li Muzhan, did I offend you somehow?"

Li Muzhan chuckled, "Indeed, your meager martial arts skills are an embarrassment to me!"

"That’s not my fault!" Li Jian responded helplessly.

"Now, there's an opportunity, it depends on whether you have the heart for it!" Li Muzhan said with a sly smile.

Li Jian glanced at him, shook his head, and sighed, "When you make that face, it’s never good news!"

Li Muzhan burst into loud laughter, "You really don't recognize kindness when you see it!"

Having grown up together, the person who knew him best, outside of his family, was Li Jian.

Li Muzhan smiled, "It’s only for you; I wouldn't bother exerting this much effort for anyone else!"

"How do we do it?" Li Jian asked.

Li Muzhan replied, "I've learned a divine technique. One layer of its mind-method is specifically for strengthening bones."

"Was that the one just now?" Li Jian asked, grimacing, still unnerved.

The feeling of his bones being gnawed by countless ants, the unbearable itching—it was worse than death. Just thinking about it made his bones itch again, chilling him to the core.

Li Muzhan nodded, "Precisely. I will help you circulate this mind-method and see what the effect is."

"This suffering is truly inhuman!" Li Jian managed a wry smile.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "I’ve specialized in this mind-method for a year and a half. You’ve only managed ten cycles. Alas... your endurance is too poor; you’re just a pampered young lady!"

They spoke so casually when together; he showed none of the composure expected of him.

"It really feels deadly!" Li Jian sighed.

"Enough nonsense. If it were someone else, they would beg me, and I still wouldn't agree!" Li Muzhan waved his hand dismissively.

Li Jian quickly shook his head, "Better not then..."

Having recovered some strength this time, he slowly sat up, bracing himself with his hands, shifting awkwardly. The area beneath him was soaked with sweat, making it uncomfortable to sit.

Li Muzhan stood up, placed both hands on the teapot, and moments later, white steam drifted from it.

"Such powerful internal energy!" Li Jian's eyes widened.

In his view, such profound internal reserves were truly astonishing.

Li Muzhan smiled proudly, poured a small cup of tea and handed it to him, "Drink some tea to replenish your strength, and then let's try again!"

Only after seeing Li Jian drenched again did Li Muzhan stop, fearing he would lose too much fluid from excessive sweating.

"Again?!" Li Jian had just taken the water, but upon hearing this, his eyes immediately flew wide, and he vehemently shook his head: "No, no, absolutely not!"

Li Muzhan said impatiently, "Hurry up and drink!"

Li Jian was also thirsty. He shot him a glare, lifted the lid of the cup, and drank it down in long gulps, sighing contentedly as he handed the empty cup back.

Li Muzhan reached out with a sly smile, but suddenly jabbed two fingers forward swiftly.

Li Jian instantly stiffened, his hand frozen mid-air. The teacup dropped, and Li Muzhan snatched it up with a swift hand, looking quite pleased with himself.

Li Jian immediately pleaded, "Muzhan, what are you doing?!"

His acupoints were sealed, and he could not move.

"Wait a moment!" Li Muzhan turned and walked out, returning quickly with a dark blue bedsheet, which he wrapped around Li Jian in a few motions, transforming him into a human rice dumpling.

After wrapping him securely, he tapped two points, releasing the seals on Li Jian’s acupoints, and smiled, "Sealing the points affects the circulation; this way is best!"

Li Jian rushed, "Muzhan, don't mess around! ... I really can't stand it, let's forget it and think of another way, alright?"

"This way is the best!" Li Muzhan laughed, shaking his head, "If you want a huge boost in strength, but also want to be completely comfortable, there's no such fortune under heaven!"

"Muzhan!" Li Jian’s expression turned grim.

"Heh heh..." Li Muzhan chuckled, shaking his head, "To avoid being bullied, suffering a little hardship is necessary. Don't be so delicate!"

He climbed onto the couch and sat behind Li Jian, placing his left hand on the shoulder and his right palm against the center of the back, beginning to channel his energy.

Wrapped like a mummy, Li Jian’s body was unified. When Li Muzhan pressed down with his left hand, he didn't need to use internal force to seal the points; he easily held him still. His right palm began to transmit internal energy, cycling the second layer of the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art.

Li Jian struggled twice but to no avail, so he began to beg for mercy.

He offered every kind word, promised countless favors—treating Muzhan at the Chaoran Tower, allowing his son to become Li Muzhan's godchild, serving him in his old age, and mourning him in white.

Li Muzhan closed his eyes, hearing nothing, simply continuing his work.

Soon, Li Jian began to moan, "Itchy... itchy..."

Li Muzhan kept his eyes closed and said faintly, "Let him be itchy; it's like a cool breeze brushing a mountain peak. You're already a father; show some backbone! Don't disgrace yourself! ... My Eldest Martial Brother is outside!"

Li Jian sighed, "It's truly too itchy, Muzhan, let's stop!"

"No more talk! You know my temper, don't you?!" Li Muzhan snorted.

Li Jian managed a bitter smile and sighed endlessly, "Chose the wrong friends... my life is so hard..."

Li Muzhan snorted impatiently, "Shut up! Don't bother me. If I mess up the circulation, your martial arts will be completely ruined, and your life could even be in danger!"

Li Jian let out a mournful sigh, helplessly closing his mouth. His body trembled as the strange itching washed over him like an irresistible tide.

Suddenly, footsteps approached, and Jin Kaitai’s voice came from outside: "Yuzhen, where is Zhanran?"

Zhao Yuzhen replied, "Commander, Fifth Junior Brother is inside cultivating. Is there something I should pass on?"

Jin Kaitai said roughly, "No need, I’ll go see how his practice is progressing. Wait there!"

Li Muzhan slowly withdrew his internal energy, released his hands, and called out loudly, "Commander, please come in!"

Jin Kaitai soon pushed the door open and paused upon seeing the scene, then laughed, "What performance is this? Did you get injured?"

Li Jian flushed crimson, shot Li Muzhan a glare, and quickly bowed, "Disciple Li Jian greets the Commander!"

Jin Kaitai chuckled warmly, "You are Li Jian from the Tianji Court?"

Li Muzhan stepped down from the couch, poured him a cup of tea, and smiled, "Li Jian is an old friend from my village; we grew up together."

Jin Kaitai sat down heavily, took a sip of tea, and nodded with a smile, "Such a connection, no wonder..." He then asked, "What is all this about?"

"Just messing around..." Li Muzhan laughed.

As he spoke, he unwrapped the bedsheet. Li Jian gave him a disgruntled look and took his leave.

Once Li Jian was gone, Jin Kaitai’s face sobered. He carefully studied Li Muzhan, nodding, "Your essence light is contained. Your internal energy has reached mastery... a blessing in disguise, indeed!"

"It is all due to the Commander's painstaking guidance!" Li Muzhan said with palms pressed together.

Jin Kaitai set down the teacup and beckoned him over, "Come, let me see how your internal energy is. Push a palm strike!"

"This..." Li Muzhan hesitated briefly.

He was already aware of his own progress; within the Tianshu Court, he was already first, far surpassing the Eldest Martial Brother.

Jin Kaitai laughed, beckoning again, "Come on, don't tell me you can actually defeat me?"

Li Muzhan slowly nodded, "Then Commander, be careful!"

With that, he suddenly shot out a palm strike—silent, utterly swift, reaching Jin Kaitai in an instant.

Jin Kaitai laughed, "Very good!"

The speed of this palm was incredibly fast. Although Zhanran hadn't formally learned palm techniques, he had intuitively integrated the Heart Method of the Shadowless Sword into the strike, resulting in such speed. Such aptitude could not help but inspire admiration.

"Bang!" His palm, large as a cattail fan, met the strike.

"Crack!" The chair splintered, and he sat down hard on his rear end.

He quickly pressed down with his left palm, which hit the floor first, then sprang up instantly, standing straight again.

He looked down at the shattered chair, then turned his head, staring fixedly at Li Muzhan, sizing him up from head to toe.

"Commander..." Li Muzhan felt slightly embarrassed and chuckled, explaining that the palm strike had an element of sneak attack; he had done it intentionally.

Jin Kaitai rubbed his palm, praising him endlessly, "Good! Good! Truly worthy of being Zhanran!"

He then burst into loud laughter. Zhanran’s internal energy was profoundly deep, actually surpassing his own. Such progress was simply terrifying to witness firsthand!

"Commander, what is wrong?" Zhao Yuzhen entered.

Jin Kaitai suppressed his smile, shook his head, "Yuzhen, our Mei Residence can finally hold its head high!"

"Fifth Junior Brother, what happened?" Zhao Yuzhen also noticed the strange sight—the scattered chair, suggesting a fight, yet Jin Kaitai was constantly laughing.

Jin Kaitai laughed, "Yuzhen, your Fifth Junior Brother is formidable! We will benefit from his rise!"

Zhao Yuzhen nodded, a smile appearing, "Fifth Junior Brother is indeed naturally gifted, but without the Commander's guidance, how could he have reached this point today!" He knew the depth of Li Muzhan’s power, but because he was so young, perhaps his temperament was unstable; listening to too much praise might inflate his ego and ultimately hinder him.

"Haha... Good! Good!" Jin Kaitai erupted into another round of hearty laughter.

As the three were talking and laughing, a flash of pink shadow appeared, and Xiaoyuan arrived like a gust of wind, accompanied by a faint fragrance. As soon as she appeared, she hurried to say, "Zhanran, something terrible has happened!"