Elder Ouyang started, then nodded in sudden realization.

The Crane-Controlling Oil-Adding Technique was a unique secret art of the Yingyue Nunnery, never taught to outsiders, especially not to a man like him.

Yet, judging by his actions, it was undeniably that technique.

There must be a hidden story here, one he didn't wish to share.

In the martial world, such secrets often concerned life itself, and inquiring about them was the greatest taboo.

Since Zhanran had risked saving people, how could he possibly allow the elder to fall into danger? Li Muzhan let out a breath and said gently, "Elder Ouyang, the next one, please." Elder Ouyang reached in, carefully carried away the middle-aged man, and quickly brought another, placing him gently before him—an old man who had been stabbed through the lower abdomen.

The bleeding had stopped, but his face was sallow, and his breath was faint.

Li Muzhan proceeded as before.

The Crane-Controlling Oil-Adding Technique took effect with astonishing speed.

After the application, the old man's complexion turned rosy, his breathing evened out, and his vitality surged powerfully.

Li Muzhan’s face, however, turned pale.

Even with his cultivation, executing the technique twice in succession was profoundly taxing; his Dantian’s inner power was completely drained.

He signaled to Elder Ouyang, then closed his eyes, formed a hand seal, and circulated the Nine Luminaries Heart Method, gathering the essence of the sun.

The Nine Luminaries Heart Method and the Celestial Origin Breath-Absorption Art were akin in principle, yet comparing the two, the Nine Luminaries Heart Method was faster and more efficient, though the resulting inner power was slightly less pure and far more domineering.

A ray of solar brilliance pierced directly through his Tianmen (Celestial Gate), flowing down the Ren Meridian, filling his Dantian.

It was like pouring tea into a cup.

After cycling the inner power through two complete revolutions, his Dantian began to swell faintly.

His heart-pearl condensed, his spirit was like a dragon, driving the inner power circulation at breakneck speed—two revolutions took only the blink of an eye.

He opened his eyes and said gently, "The next one." Elder Ouyang looked at him deeply, astonishment rising in his heart.

The Crane-Controlling Oil-Adding Technique was a profound art; to boost vitality naturally consumed tremendous inner power.

That Zhanran could perform it twice in a row showed his cultivation was already considerable, and his ability to recover so quickly was even rarer.

He said, "Zhanran, would you like to rest for a while? Don't push yourself." Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled, signaling that he was fine.

Elder Ouyang said no more and gently brought the next person forward.

He continued like this: after every two applications of the Crane-Controlling Oil-Adding Technique, Li Muzhan would pause to regulate his breath.

His face would shift from pale to red, and back again, cycling through the changes.

Gong Qingyun and Xiao Yuan frowned deeply, their bright eyes fixed on the goose-feather arrow lodged in his back.

Their hearts leaped with every movement he made, leaving them constantly on edge.

After saving ten people consecutively, Gong Qingyun could bear it no longer.

She pulled Xiao Yuan and exchanged a meaningful look.

Xiao Yuan paused, then understood, pressed his large hand, and said with a slight pout, "Zhanran, enough, enough! You need to rest now!" "The gravely injured are all dealt with," Elder Ouyang said with a smile, bowing solemnly, "Zhanran, your compassion and selflessness are truly admirable! I thank you on behalf of everyone!" Li Muzhan smiled faintly and pressed his palms together, "Elder Ouyang, you are too kind.

It was merely exerting a little effort; it was my duty.

There is no need for thanks!" "Miss!" Gong Qingyun called out softly.

Li Muzhan turned, looking toward the sound, where Mei Ruolan, supported by Gong Qingyun, was slowly sitting up.

Her face had regained its delicate, lustrous white, like a piece of fine white jade, making one long to touch it.

Her bright eyes were hazy and deep, capable of captivating the soul.

At this moment, her brows were faintly furrowed, carrying a hint of fragility, and Li Muzhan was suddenly moved by an impulse to draw her into his embrace.

Elder Ouyang, standing outside the carriage, quickly inquired, "Eldest Miss?" "Elder Ouyang, how is everyone else?" Mei Ruolan asked.

Her voice was weak, yet her tone was calm and measured, bringing assurance to those who heard it.

Elder Ouyang replied, "Thanks to Zhanran's miraculous skill, only two were lost...

one in the copper armor and one in the silver armor." "Sigh..." Mei Ruolan sighed mournfully.

She sat cross-legged and murmured, "It is my incompetence that has implicated everyone." Elder Ouyang shook his head, "In the martial world, life and death are common occurrences.

Eldest Miss need not blame herself!" Xiao Yuan rushed forward anxiously, "Miss, your arrow is still in you; you shouldn't exert yourself.

Lie down quickly!" Elder Ouyang nodded, "Miss Xiao Yuan speaks rightly.

Eldest Miss, rest assured, I am here to manage things.

Please focus on your recovery." Mei Ruolan nodded lightly, "Thank you for your trouble, Elder Ouyang...

Let everyone rest for a day, and we will depart tomorrow." "Yes," Elder Ouyang said, bowing, and then departed.

Only four people remained inside the carriage.

A faint, sweet fragrance lingered, and the beaded curtains obscured the view outside, making the interior a world unto itself.

Mei Ruolan's hazy gaze slowly settled upon Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan met her gaze, smiling faintly, "Miss, how are you feeling?" Mei Ruolan smiled, "I never thought I'd be so useless!" Recalling her behavior just moments ago, she felt her face flush.

All her profound martial arts and sharp intelligence had proven useless; instead, she had caused Zhanran harm.

It was truly humiliating! Her self-deprecating words, however, sounded composed and gentle to outsiders. "It is I who am useless," Li Muzhan shook his head with a wry smile. "My poor judgment led us into the ambush, which resulted in Miss being injured." Xiao Yuan grew impatient and urged them on, "Enough! Miss, Zhanran, stop being polite to each other! The arrows need to come out first!" Xiao Yuan was always hasty.

Seeing the goose-feather arrows quivering in the two of them made her exceedingly uncomfortable, as if the pain were lodged in her own body.

Gong Qingyun nodded, "Yes, removing the arrows is the priority." Li Muzhan stood up and walked to the couch. "Let me do it." Xiao Yuan immediately asked, "Zhanran, do you know medicine?" "No medical knowledge is required," Li Muzhan chuckled. "I will try to force them out using inner power." Xiao Yuan pouted and gave him a sideways glance, saying with a petulant tone, "Zhanran, look at the time! You're still joking!" "Let him try," Mei Ruolan nodded gently. "Xiao—Yuan—!" Xiao Yuan's bright eyes widened.

Gong Qingyun pulled Xiao Yuan back and whispered, "Let him try." Xiao Yuan stopped, wanting to speak but refraining, and shot Li Muzhan a fierce glare. "Xiao Yuan, prepare something to catch the arrows and the blood," Li Muzhan instructed.

He then mounted the couch, sat cross-legged behind Mei Ruolan, first forming a hand seal, closing his eyes to circulate his power until the Dantian swelled with solar essence.

Afterward, he released the seal, placed both palms against Mei Ruolan's back, and circulated his inner power.

A thread of true qi seeped out, slowly winding itself around the arrowhead.

The qi, like silk or thread, transformed into fine strands, wrapping bit by bit until the arrowhead was completely encased.

The arrowhead was barbed, meaning there were two ways to remove it: either dig it out, which required cutting the surrounding flesh, or force it through.

Thanks to the effect of the heart-pearl, Li Muzhan’s control over his inner power was exquisitely precise, and his inner visualization was crystal clear, revealing every minute detail far beyond the capability of ordinary men.

The wisps of inner power wrapped the arrowhead as if they were actual threads, causing the tip to take on a spindle-like shape.

His expression slowly grew solemn, and he gave a slight tremor with his right palm. "Hiss!" Mei Ruolan’s delicate body trembled, and a jet of blood shot out from her chest.

Xiao Yuan was quick-witted, grabbing a porcelain dish filled with fruit to catch the spurt of blood.

With a 'ding,' the goose-feather arrow struck the dish.

Xiao Yuan used a sticking zi (talisman/technique), and the arrow stopped in the plate, the blood on the arrowhead dark crimson. "Wine!" Li Muzhan reached out his hand.

Gong Qingyun quickly handed him the tea cup, which contained the strong liquor Xiao Yuan had poured earlier.

Li Muzhan took a sip, returned it to Gong Qingyun, and with his other hand, patted Mei Ruolan’s delicate shoulder, causing her body to rotate so she faced him.

He opened his mouth, and a stream of wine shot out, striking Mei Ruolan’s wound.

Her body shivered, and she frowned slightly.

Xiao Yuan opened her small mouth, staring at him in astonishment.

Li Muzhan slowly pressed his right palm onto Mei Ruolan’s wound, holding it still.

The Taiyin True Scripture circulated, and the inner power instantly became cold as ice, rapidly coagulating the blood flow.

This wound was on Mei Ruolan’s right breast, high and proud; as he pressed upon it, his expression remained unmoved.

Li Muzhan slowly withdrew his right palm, gave her shoulder a gentle push, and she turned again to face away from him.

He placed his palm on her back and slowly transmitted his energy, wrapping it around the second arrowhead.

He proceeded in this manner, forcing out three arrows in one go: two from her lower abdomen and one from her right breast—all sensitive areas for a woman.

Li Muzhan pressed his palm directly against them without hesitation.

Xiao Yuan and Gong Qingyun were too preoccupied with worry to notice these details.

Mei Ruolan felt a strange sensation internally, but seeing Li Muzhan’s dignified and solemn appearance, completely frank, she could only pretend not to care.

After forcing out three arrows in succession, Li Muzhan performed the Crane-Controlling Oil-Adding Technique once more.

Mei Ruolan's complexion improved, and she appeared restored.

By this time, he was drenched in sweat, white vapor steaming from his head, and his complexion was somewhat drawn.

Xiao Yuan quickly urged, "Zhanran, hurry up and heal yourself!" Mei Ruolan and Gong Qingyun watched him steadily, eager to see how he would treat his own injuries.

Li Muzhan smiled, "No hurry." He closed his eyes to regulate his breath for a time, using the Celestial Origin Breath-Absorption Art until his Dantian was full, then began forcing out the goose-feather arrows.

He was highly practiced, finishing the removal of all the dozen-plus arrows in just the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn.

After completing this, his face was pale, having lost too much blood.

The three women watched him closely.

Mei Ruolan remained calm, Xiao Yuan's face was filled with anxiety, afraid to find clothes for him to change into.

Gong Qingyun remained outwardly composed, but under her sleeve, her fist was clenched so tightly her nails dug into her flesh.

Li Muzhan changed into a short garment of moon-white silk and smiled faintly, "I need to enter a meditative state for a while.

I rely on you three to guard me." Saying this, without waiting for the women to respond, he formed a seal and entered deep meditation.

His breathing gradually slowed until it stopped altogether; he became utterly still, like a clay statue.

This stillness lasted until the next morning when he slowly opened his eyes.

He was seated on the carpet near the end of the carriage floor, dressed in the moon-white short garment.

Xiao Yuan and Gong Qingyun sat on embroidered stools some distance away, while Mei Ruolan occupied the couch.

His monk's robe was riddled with holes; after forcing out the arrows, it had been stained with much blood.

Xiao Yuan had found the short tunic for him to change into; the pure white fabric made his face appear even fairer.

The gazes of the three women fell upon him.

As he opened his eyes, he met six pools of watery light.

Xiao Yuan exclaimed joyfully, "Zhanran, are you better?" Seeing Li Muzhan’s complexion was rosy and his eyes bright, he showed no signs of injury.

Li Muzhan nodded, smiling, "Yes, nothing serious." "Let me see!" Xiao Yuan leaned forward and abruptly pulled up his tunic to examine his back.

Li Muzhan smiled wryly and shook his head, allowing her to bend over and look.

He inwardly laughed at the little girl’s audaciousness, showing no reserve; although he was a monk, he was still a man! Xiao Yuan slowly lowered his garment, sat back upright, and nodded as if nothing had happened, "Hmm, it’s healing very fast, it’s already scabbing over." As she spoke, her delicate face grew redder, her bright eyes darting left and right, flickering uncertainly.

The others in the carriage shared a silent laugh; it was clear she had realized the impropriety of her actions but was trying hard to remain composed.

Mei Ruolan pursed her lips in a smile and nodded lightly, "The Indestructible Vajra Art is truly marvelous." Her complexion was rosy, though her voice was slightly weaker, lacking vitality.

She had also been struck by poisoned arrows, and she had taken more, yet he was full of life, unhindered.

After fighting for so long, she herself had been quickly felled by the poison, completely exhausted of strength.

In terms of deep inner power, he might not surpass her, yet he was clearly more formidable.

The first layer of the Indestructible Vajra Art refined the five major organs, and its power was evident now.

Such power, he thought, made all the suffering he endured worthwhile.