With that, she returned to her room to change, donning a deep purple outfit that melted into the night. Her hair was swept up, lending her an air of sudden grace.

Xiao Yuan slept soundly, undisturbed by the minimal movement. The two women didn't rouse her, slipping quietly from the small courtyard, out of the town, and making their way toward Wohu Mountain.

Gong Qingyun moved like the wind, her lips pressed tight, staring ahead, not uttering a word.

Mei Ruolan walked beside her, seeing her demeanor, she smiled gently, "Qingyun, no need for this. Zhanran is careful in his actions; he wouldn't venture into danger lightly."

Gong Qingyun turned, managing a weak smile that looked strained and awkward.

Mei Ruolan sighed, "I should have sensed it sooner. Alas, I was a step too late!"

She recalled Zhanran's return—how he had gone straight to his room—and she had assumed he was disheartened. She had been wrong; he had merely been conserving his strength!

Gong Qingyun gritted her teeth, her voice low, "Even if Miss advises him, he won't listen."

"This Wohu Mountain stands immutable; it must possess something extraordinary. Zhanran's martial arts are not poor, but—" Mei Ruolan shook her head, then quickly stopped upon seeing Gong Qingyun's face turn pale, managing a reassuring smile, "—but Zhanran is protected by the Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill. It's nothing to worry about."

Gong Qingyun shook her head vigorously. "Miss, you haven't seen Wohu Mountain. It's steep and high. A fall from there... the Indestructible Vajra Skill won't help!"

As she spoke, her face grew paler, her lips trembled slightly, and her words came out a bit shaky.

Mei Ruolan waved her hand, smiling brightly, "Look at us, only speaking ill omens! Zhanran will be fine. No need to rush, and besides, he might not have even gone to Wohu Mountain."

Gong Qingyun shook her head, tightly pressing her lips together, refusing to let them quiver.

She had a creeping sense of foreboding, and as they drew closer to Wohu Mountain, that feeling intensified.

Gong Qingyun exerted her Qinggong to the utmost, moving with incredible speed, and half an hour later, they arrived at the base of Wohu Mountain.

The two stopped at the edge of the woods. Mei Ruolan tilted her head back to gaze up and breathed out, "What a mountain, Wohu Mountain!"

Gong Qingyun frowned, her gaze fixed on the continuous string of lanterns climbing upward. Suddenly, she declared, "Zhanran definitely came here!"

Mei Ruolan looked at her, "Oh?"

"Look at those lanterns!" Gong Qingyun pointed high above. "Originally, there were two lanterns for every step, not missing a single one. Now, many lanterns are extinguished, and they are scattered unevenly."

Mei Ruolan narrowed her eyes, observing, and slowly nodded. "Indeed."

Gong Qingyun concluded, "Zhanran must have forced his way up."

Mei Ruolan gave a wry smile, looking at the sheer, vertical ascent of Wohu Mountain, and shook her head. "Zhanran’s courage is too reckless; to dare force his way into such a place!"

"What isn't he afraid to do?!" Gong Qingyun ground out through clenched teeth.

Gong Qingyun suddenly pointed. "Look quickly!"

Mei Ruolan looked where she pointed: a dark, indistinct mass was plunging vertically, dropping with terrifying speed. In a blink, it reached the middle of the mountain face, then suddenly slowed, releasing a cloud of dark mist.

Mei Ruolan’s bright eyes lit up, shimmering with moisture, like a pool of clear autumn water, especially bright under the moonlight.

She blinked once, the shimmer receded, and she returned to normal. "It looks like Zhanran!"

"It's him?!" Gong Qingyun asked anxiously.

Mei Ruolan kept her eyes locked on the descent. Her bright eyes flashed again; in that short time, the dark shadow’s downward speed had slowed even further.

Mei Ruolan saw clearly, and her expression shifted. "It is Zhanran!"

She drifted out of the woods and began running toward the base of Wohu Mountain.

Gong Qingyun followed closely behind. The two shot forward like arrows loosed from a bow, racing toward the spot where Zhanran was falling.

Both women possessed superb Qinggong, especially Mei Ruolan, who became a faint silhouette, pulling further and further ahead of Gong Qingyun. In the blink of an eye, they were a hundred meters apart.

But even with their mastery of lightness skills, they couldn't match Li Muzhan's fall. By the time Mei Ruolan arrived, Li Muzhan had already hit the ground, falling short by about ten zhang.

With a deafening "BOOM," the earth shuddered beneath them.

Mei Ruolan's heart leaped. Her movement halted abruptly, her mind went blank, and before her eyes swam a blurring vision of crimson—a gruesome sight.

A gust of wind passed, and she snapped back to herself. Gong Qingyun was already knelt ahead, urgently calling out, "Zhanran! Zhanran! Zhanran! Zhanran!"

The calls were laced with tears.

Mei Ruolan approached and cautiously peered down.

She immediately let out a long breath of relief; it wasn't a bloody mess.

However, Li Muzhan’s appearance was far from good. Bare-chested, he lay sprawled and limp upon a pile of leaves, blood oozing from his nose and mouth, his face deathly pale, his expression fierce and frightening.

Mei Ruolan murmured, "Qingyun, let me."

She reached out and placed her hand gently over his abdomen, slowly channeling an internal energy to shield his heart meridian.

Li Muzhan’s chest was bare. In the moonlight, his skin was dazzlingly white, luminous, like polished ivory. The bloody hole on his chest was shockingly conspicuous.

A tear fell onto his chest, splashing near the wound. Gong Qingyun's tears began sliding down—one after another, like pearls spilled from a broken string.

Mei Ruolan sensed his strong heartbeat and resilient heart meridian, and placed her other hand on Li Muzhan’s wrist.

Moments later, she looked up. "Qingyun, rest assured! His heartbeat is strong; he's not in mortal danger!"

Gong Qingyun quickly looked up, her eyes blurred with tears. "Really?"

Mei Ruolan lowered his wrist, letting out a sigh of relief, her face blooming into a smile. "This Zhanran, he has a real knack for staying alive!"

Gong Qingyun hastily wiped away her tears, feeling a touch embarrassed.

"Qingyun, you..." Mei Ruolan sighed gently, speaking in a warm tone, "Zhanran is a monk; he can never return to secular life. You are asking for misery!"

Gong Qingyun shook her head without speaking, gazing down at Li Muzhan's face, lost in thought for a long time. She reached out gently to stroke his cheek, wiping the blood from his mouth and nose.

Mei Ruolan continued, "Besides, this Zhanran is not a suitable match. A woman cannot hold onto someone like him."

She could perceive that although Zhanran lived in the world, his heart was detached, beyond the mortal realm—unbound, unhindered, free and unrestrained. Such a person was fundamentally unattached. He would never become obsessed with another, nor would he fall in love. To love such a man was to invite self-torment.

Gong Qingyun looked at Li Muzhan and whispered softly, "Miss, as long as he remains safe and sound, and I can see him often, that is enough for me."

"You," Mei Ruolan shot her a look, shaking her head with a sigh that spoke volumes of disappointment, "truly are a foolish girl!"

She looked down at Li Muzhan, feeling deeply perplexed. "What exactly is so good about him?! You, and even Xiao Yuan, are completely bewitched!"

Gong Qingyun offered a rare, soft, and sweet smile.

Mei Ruolan shook her head dismissively, intending to persuade her further, but stopped herself. Those caught in the net of love are all fools; they listen to nothing. Even wearing down one's tongue would be useless.

"Ugh, cough, cough! Cough, cough!" Zhanran's body suddenly convulsed. He threw his eyes open, drew a deep breath, and then erupted into a violent bout of coughing.

He turned his head, coughing relentlessly, his body shaking as if he were trying to expel his very lungs. Gong Qingyun rushed to gently pat his back, forgetting all decorum regarding gender propriety.

A moment later, Li Muzhan ceased coughing, let out a long breath, and sat up, turning to look at the two women, offering a casual smile. "Why are you two here?"

"Zhanran, you!" Mei Ruolan pointed at him with a sharp expression of reproach. Seeing his smile, his air of utter indifference, a sudden surge of anger made her teeth itch terribly.

Li Muzhan glanced up. "We can talk when we get back; let’s get out of here first!"

"Yes, quickly!" Gong Qingyun nodded immediately, turning to look toward the stone steps above.

She saw a group of people descending the mountain—clearly pursuers coming for Zhanran.

Li Muzhan said, "Senior Sister, I'll trouble you; you'll have to carry me."

Gong Qingyun started, frowning slightly, and whispered, "Where are you injured?"

"My leg is broken," Li Muzhan offered a bitter smile.

Gong Qingyun nodded, turned to look at Mei Ruolan, and then squatted down.

Mei Ruolan stepped forward to assist. She draped an arm over Li Muzhan's shoulder and lifted him easily, as if carrying a small chicken, setting him onto Gong Qingyun's back.

Li Muzhan gave a wry smile, allowing her to handle him, knowing she was taking the opportunity to vent her frustration.

Mei Ruolan gave him a sharp look, then quickly gathered his monk's robes, and the trio swiftly plunged back into the forest, hurrying toward the town.

Gong Qingyun moved with ethereal grace, as if gliding on the wind, her feet barely seeming to touch the ground, maintaining a perfectly level pace, fearful of jolting Li Muzhan’s injury.

Li Muzhan lay on her back, inhaling the faint, delicate fragrance, and observing Mei Ruolan’s lovely face beside him. Suddenly, he felt that life had never been so beautiful, overwhelming him with emotion, and a faint smile touched his lips.

Mei Ruolan walked alongside Gong Qingyun. They first draped the monk's robe over him, then pulled out a porcelain vial from her inner pocket, tipped out a single snow-white pill, and brought it to Li Muzhan's lips. She huffed, "Open up!"

Li Muzhan smiled, opened his mouth, and swallowed the pill. It instantly dissolved into a clear current of energy upon entering his mouth, rushing straight to his viscera, making his body feel lighter.

"What medicine is this?" Li Muzhan asked.

Mei Ruolan replied crossly, "Seven Treasures Heart-Protecting Elixir! You’re lucky to get it!"

"It seems to be a life-saving treasure, wasted," Li Muzhan chuckled.

"If you act so recklessly again next time, I won't waste medicine on you!" Mei Ruolan countered. "Where exactly are you wounded?"

Li Muzhan gave a wry smile, pulled open his robes, and pointed to his left shoulder and chest. The three bloody holes looked like three staring eyes, deeply unsettling.

Mei Ruolan examined them closely and sighed. "Such severe injuries, and you managed to hold onto your life—that truly is an anomaly!" She had been startled by the sight of the three wounds initially, but seeing his strong heartbeat had amazed her.

Li Muzhan commented, "The Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill is truly extraordinary!" Having cultivated it, he had endured the agony of a thousand cuts and scrapes to temper his internal organs, and only now did he appreciate the preciousness of his gains; his viscera were far more resilient than those of ordinary people, their functions robust. Furthermore, he had been lucky; the force of the Vajra Finger hadn't pierced his organs, and the wounds had clotted instantly, preventing deterioration. Had that single strike landed on his heart, he would not have survived. The thought sent a shiver down his spine, chilling him to the bone.

"Did you fall from the mountain, or did you jump yourself?" Mei Ruolan asked again, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Li Muzhan offered a bitter smile. "The great leader of the Bandits of Guangtou is a monk, with unfathomable martial arts. His Vajra Finger force could be launched through the air. These three holes are his gift to me... I had to jump down; otherwise, I’d have been slain!"

"A monk?" Mei Ruolan looked surprised, then immediately frowned. "The Vajra Finger?"

She frowned, pondering for a moment. "The Vajra Finger is the unique secret art of the Lantuo Temple. Are you certain he used the Vajra Finger?"

"Someone told me it was the Vajra Finger," Li Muzhan shook his head. "Perhaps it was just an idle boast meant to intimidate."

"Let's hope so," Mei Ruolan sighed. "Provoking the Lantuo Temple means huge trouble!"

"Lantuo Temple? One of the Seven Great Sects?" Li Muzhan inquired.

Mei Ruolan confirmed, "Yes. These monks are not to be trifled with."

Li Muzhan nodded. "It truly is major trouble!" Provoking the Crimson Blood Hall had already been difficult, and the Crimson Blood Hall was only a second-rate faction, far inferior to the Lantuo Temple.

Mei Ruolan waved her hand. "Forget about him for now. What about you, Zhanran? You jumped from such a height, yet only broke your leg. What technique did you use?" She was most curious about this.

Li Muzhan explained, using the analogy of an umbrella to describe the parachute principle. After feigning death, he leaped from Wohu Mountain. In mid-air, he tore off his monk's robe, tied several knots, creating a canopy shape, and then infused it with his Taiyin internal energy to enhance its tensile strength. Otherwise, the moment he opened it, it would have ripped apart instantly. Protected by the Taiyin energy, it became as tough as leather, allowing him to survive intact. He then circulated his Qinggong mental arts to lessen his body weight, drifting down lightly like cotton fluff, continuously slowing his descent.

Martial arts are a realm beyond science. Through energy manipulation, one can reduce or increase body weight—something modern science struggles to explain, like the Thousand Jin Drop technique or the Cloud Dragon Nine Manifestations for agile maneuvering. The Flying Cloud Step focuses on explosive power; none of them emphasize lightness. If he had encountered someone with truly superior Qinggong, he might have saved his leg, but he couldn't manage it.

In the time it took to explain, they reached the small town and returned to the small courtyard.

They placed him on the couch inside the room. Mei Ruolan checked his pulse again, nodding. "It's alright. We'll check again tomorrow. If it hasn't worsened, there shouldn't be a problem." The Seven Treasures Heart-Protecting Elixir was a potent life-saving medicine; once its full effects manifested later, his injuries would ease somewhat.

She pointed at Li Muzhan's leg. "Let me see your leg."

Li Muzhan said, "Senior Sister, bring me a pair of scissors."

Gong Qingyun quickly turned and left, returning shortly with a pair of scissors. Li Muzhan took them and cut open his trouser leg, right up to the thigh root, exposing both legs to the air.

"Ah!" Gong Qingyun covered her mouth with a small cry. The lower leg was snapped mid-bone, the shards piercing through the muscle and skin, exposed and frighteningly white.

Having cultivated the Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill, Li Muzhan possessed an extremely high tolerance for pain. His expression remained unchanged, as if the body wasn't his own. He laughed, "Lucky my bones are hard; otherwise, this fall would have killed me, even if I hadn't been half-dead already."

Mei Ruolan secretly admired his toughness. "I'll set it for you."

"Miss knows bone-setting?" Li Muzhan asked with a smile.

Mei Ruolan retorted sharply, "I'll try. If it doesn't work, I'll just break it again and reset it!"

Li Muzhan smiled, took the tea cup handed to him by Gong Qingyun, and took a sip.

"Zhanran, what happened to you?!" Xiao Yuan suddenly darted in, crying out in alarm, her face drained of color. She was wearing a pink silk blouse, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, her bright eyes wide as she looked at Li Muzhan. "What's wrong?!"

"Little Xiao Yuan, quiet!" Mei Ruolan glanced at her.

Xiao Yuan leaned over, felt Li Muzhan’s pulse, let out a long sigh, patted her own trembling chest, and the color returned to her small face.

Mei Ruolan commanded, "Go find a few planks!"

Xiao Yuan immediately scurried out and quickly returned with several pieces of wood, saying sweetly, "Zhanran, does it hurt?"

Li Muzhan smiled. "It’s manageable. I should thank the heavens I made it back alive."

Mei Ruolan secured the planks. "Injuries to bones and sinews take a hundred days to heal. Zhanran, since your constitution is strong, it will still take at least a month in bed. You won't be traveling with the convoy."