Two days later, after spending the time immersed in his cultivation, Jia Er awoke and pushed open the door to step outside.

A young woman in a white gauze dress stood in the small courtyard, her figure tall, slender, and gracefully lithe.

Hearing the sound, she turned her head to look over.

“It is Miss Qi’er,” Li Muzhan said, raising his hands in a slight bow, a smile on his face.

The maiden smiled gently.

“My name is Li Yuqi.” “Miss Li,” Li Muzhan corrected himself, modifying his address with a smile, and asked, “Is your master not here?” “Mmm, Master has gone out.” Li Yuqi nodded slightly.

“She asked me to stay behind to guard you.

Is your injury better?” Li Muzhan shook his head.

“Only about thirty or forty percent recovered; it will take a few more days yet.” “That’s good, then you should focus on healing,” the Eldest Senior Sister went after Miss Yuanyuan and hasn’t returned yet.

I wonder if anything happened to her,” Li Yuqi frowned slightly.

“The sun is strong; let’s go sit over there.” Li Muzhan gestured toward the southern corridor.

The two sat in the corridor, facing each other but separated by a considerable distance.

A hint of shyness appeared between her delicate eyebrows, which Li Muzhan privately found amusing.

Li Muzhan asked with a smile, “Miss Li, why do all of you wear veils?” Li Yuqi replied, “It is a rule of our Yuxian Sect; our true faces are only shown to our husbands.” “I see.” Li Muzhan nodded in sudden understanding, glancing at her.

Sitting this close, the veil was as thin as a cicada’s wing, almost revealing her true features.

This sect rule was truly peculiar.

Li Yuqi flushed under his gaze and turned her head away, looking toward the flower beds in the small courtyard.

This was indeed the best courtyard in the inn.

The small yard was exquisitely kept; beneath Li Muzhan’s window was a small patch of clustered blooms, where a few scarlet flowers were opening, emitting a faint, lingering fragrance.

Li Muzhan chuckled inwardly at her bashfulness and coyness.

At this moment, she was a completely different person from the one he had seen earlier at the restaurant.

The two sat in silence: one watching the beauty, the other watching the flowers, as an unusual atmosphere drifted through the corridor.

Suddenly, a long, piercing cry echoed through the air.

The cry was clear, sharp, and resonant, like the cry of a crane, coming from the southeast and reverberating throughout Yangming City.

Li Yuqi suddenly stood up, urgently saying, “That’s Master!” “Let’s go see!” Li Muzhan stood up and strode out of the corridor with long, swift steps.

Li Yuqi followed behind him, then suddenly turned to ask, “Master Zhanran, your injury…?” Li Muzhan waved his hand dismissively.

“It’s nothing; seeing Sect Leader Lin is more important.” Seeing that she hadn’t moved, Li Muzhan looked puzzled.

“What’s wrong?” Li Yuqi’s delicate brows were tightly knitted, hesitating.

“Master’s signal is a warning—it means we should leave quickly and not look for her.” Li Muzhan paused, greatly surprised.

He had always felt that although Lin Qiongying was beautiful, her heart wasn't equally pure.

He never expected that when she encountered an enemy, she would instruct her disciple to leave.

Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then looked up.

“How about this: Miss Li, I will scout ahead.

You wait here and act according to the situation.” Li Yuqi frowned in deep thought for a moment, then shook her head.

“No, I must go find Master!” Li Muzhan quickly waved his hands.

“Since your master sent a message, if you leave, wouldn’t that negate Sect Leader Lin’s painstaking efforts?!” Li Yuqi hesitated, wavering.

In the end, she still shook her head.

“I must go.

Since Eldest Senior Sister isn’t here… If Eldest Senior Sister weren’t here, the Yuxian Sect wouldn’t matter; I must go help Master!” Li Muzhan sighed softly and nodded.

“Fine, if that is so, let’s go.” The two darted out of the small courtyard, disregarding any astonishment they might cause, moving swiftly down the street, transforming into two wisps of clear wind, exiting the South Gate in the blink of an eye, heading toward the Peach Blossom Forest.

He sighed inwardly.

This Li Yuqi, at first glance appearing cold, revealed herself upon closer contact to be shy and kind, possessing a gentle nature, yet possessing a core of steadfast resolve that often made people overlook her seductive appearance.

He suddenly felt a measure of pity for Li Yuqi; a woman like this deserved to be carefully cherished.

In the open space before the Peach Blossom Forest, a group of people were surrounding and attacking Lin Qiongying.

There were nearly a hundred people, packed densely, forming about ten layers, completely encircling Lin Qiongying.

It was an impenetrable formation.

Four men stood outside the circle, pointing and gesturing, looking quite relaxed.

Lin Qiongying’s white skirt billowed, the white veil on her face swayed lightly, her movements graceful as dance, elegant and serene.

Her long sword was as soft as a willow branch swaying in the spring breeze.

There was no killing intent; it was like a lover caressing, teasing.

In the innermost ring, more than ten people attacked simultaneously but failed to gain the upper hand.

Lin Qiongying actually held the advantage, wounding one person with three or four precise strikes; her sword was like a spring breeze, injuring people imperceptibly.

These attackers were also nimble; as soon as one was injured, they immediately retreated, and others from the rear quickly filled the gap, maintaining a continuous stream of offense, wave after wave.

Li Muzhan and Li Yuqi hid in the forest, watching from a distance.

Seeing that Lin Qiongying was unharmed, Li Yuqi let out a breath of relief and whispered, “These are people from the Crimson Blood Hall!” “Which one is Feng Junsheng?” Li Muzhan turned to ask.

The two stood on a tree, separating onto two different branches, close enough to hear each other’s breath.

Her faint, delicate fragrance drifted into his nostrils.

Li Yuqi shifted slightly uncomfortably, moving her body back a little, and pointed toward the four men outside the circle.

“The one in the purple robe is Feng Junsheng.” Li Muzhan fixed his gaze.

All four were elders.

The one in purple appeared the youngest, perhaps in his early fifties, with a face like polished jade and eyes sparkling like bright stars.

He had three thin wisps of beard beneath his chin, exuding an ethereal charm, like an immortal.

Li Muzhan secretly admired him, thinking what fine looks he possessed.

Although Feng Shangkun was handsome, he appeared overly effeminate; compared to his father, he was far inferior.

Li Muzhan narrowed his eyes slightly, carefully observing the look in his eyes.

When he glanced around, an imposing brilliance flashed forth, almost tangible.

His internal energy depth was something he, in his current state, could not hope to match.

Such a figure was indeed worthy of being the Master of the Crimson Blood Hall.

Li Muzhan glanced at the ethereal Feng Junsheng, then at the graceful and captivating Lin Qiongying, and smiled.

“Why did your sect incur the wrath of Feng Junsheng?” Li Yuqi’s expression dimmed, and she whispered, “The Crimson Blood Hall killed one of our junior sisters.” Li Muzhan nodded, said no more, and focused only on watching the distant fight.

He had always remained wary of Lin Qiongying, feeling this woman possessed deep cunning and was a ruthless figure; provoking her would never result in mercy.

He had also always feared her martial arts prowess, as her cultivation far surpassed his own, and as a Sect Leader, she must possess astounding ultimate skills, likely far beyond what he learned at the Mei Manor.

Now, witnessing Lin Qiongying’s method of fighting opened his eyes.

Elegant and graceful, without the slightest hint of aggression, she wounded opponents without them realizing it.

He calculated that if he encountered this sword style, his only recourse would be extreme speed, and overcoming it would likely result in mutual destruction.

In this short time, she had injured a dozen more people.

Lin Qiongying remained poised and elegant, her movements graceful, showing no anger, her expression calm and peaceful.

Li Muzhan asked in a gentle voice, “How long can your master hold out?” Li Yuqi stared into the distance and whispered, “Master’s internal energy is deep, her breath long and enduring; these men cannot injure her.

Even if they fought until noon, Master would not tire.” “In that case, Feng Junsheng miscalculated,” Li Muzhan remarked with a smile.

Li Yuqi pointed toward Feng Junsheng and the others.

“The only ones who pose a threat to Master are those four men.” Li Muzhan pondered in silence.

Each of these four men possessed profound cultivation.

If he joined the fray, his life would be in jeopardy.

He glanced at Li Yuqi, sighed inwardly, and decided he had to intervene.

He said softly, “Let’s wait a little longer.” Another half hour passed.

Lin Qiongying showed no sign of fatigue, injuring twenty more people amid her graceful, light dance.

The dense encirclement had halved.

Feng Junsheng stroked his beard, waved his hand, and shouted, “Enough! Everyone fall back, prepare the arrows!” The men in the inner circle rapidly retreated backward.

At this moment, the three outermost layers of men simultaneously drew their bows, and arrows flew like locusts, showering toward Lin Qiongying.

Li Yuqi’s hand tightened, and her breathing grew rapid.

With a series of crisp Ding, ding, ding, ding sounds, goose-feather arrows were bounced away, falling around her in a small circle.

Li Muzhan secretly praised her technique for channeling strength—it was truly exquisite.

Thirty or forty men shot arrows simultaneously, like a swarm of grasshoppers.

The goose-feather arrows rained down incessantly, wave after wave, pressing down overwhelmingly.

Soon, a pile of arrows reached halfway up her body.

Lin Qiongying wielded her sword freely, her movements graceful, showing no fatigue.

She remained completely undisturbed, pointed her long sword, and looked at Feng Junsheng with a faint, almost mocking smile.

“Feng, to think you are a Hall Master, yet you act so shamelessly, only sending your subordinates to die.

Truly pitiful and laughable!” Feng Junsheng smiled while stroking his beard.

“Lin, you shrew, I have tolerated you for too long, pestering me endlessly.

Today, we settle this completely!” Even when cursing, he still appeared dashing and magnanimous, his demeanor captivating.

“Very well, come then!” Lin Qiongying sneered.

Feng Junsheng waved his hand.

“Everyone retreat!” The crowd put away their bows and arrows, drew their swords again, and stepped back two paces, leaving a clear path in the center.

Feng Junsheng slowly advanced, followed by the three elders behind him.

Lin Qiongying narrowed her eyes and scoffed, “The same old trick.

Feng, you are as timid as a mouse; you dare not fight me, a mere woman, one-on-one.

What kind of Hall Master are you!” Feng Junsheng stroked his beard and smiled, his demeanor elegant.

“Sect Leader Lin, your martial arts are peerless; I willingly admit defeat.

Naturally, I cannot send myself to die, so I must win dishonorably!” Saying this, he turned.

“Three Elders, let’s advance together.

Let’s finish off this shrew quickly and catch up to the Mei family members!” “Yes, Hall Master!” The three elders bowed slightly and drew their swords one after another.

The four slowly approached from four different directions, holding long swords, their faces grave, their movements measured.

Hmph, Ding, ding, ding, a series of clear ringing sounds arose.

The four of them swung their swords, deflecting the incoming arrows.

A single Ding sounded, particularly long and resonant amidst the barrage.

Immediately following, Ding, ding, ding, ding—a string of clear chimes.

Amidst the arrows, two figures became entangled, their footwork spinning like wheels, sword lights flashing brilliantly.

Lin Qiongying merged with the arrow fire, charging toward Feng Junsheng to catch him off guard.

The two moved with incredible speed, flashing past like rabbits and falling like eagles, their swords flashing like lightning.

Cold light shimmered intensely.

Lin Qiongying’s sword style changed drastically, transforming from the soft spring breeze into a violent storm.

Feng Junsheng seemed like a small sapling, on the verge of being crushed by the tempest.

When the arrows finally settled, the two had already exchanged over twenty moves.

The remaining three elders surrounded them, joining the fray.

Feng Junsheng let out a long breath; he had finally weathered the initial wild assault.

The three elders each possessed seasoned swordsmanship and profound power.

Once they joined, the situation immediately turned critical, and Lin Qiongying found herself at a disadvantage.

Lin Qiongying changed her sword style again, reverting to the earlier gentle technique—soft as a spring breeze, continuous and measured—but the scope of her sword strikes was being compressed relentlessly.

Li Yuqi clenched her fists, her entire body tense, her right hand resting on her sword hilt.

Li Muzhan reached out, patted her delicate shoulder, and whispered, “Don’t go out.

Don’t let your master get distracted.

I’ll do it!” Li Yuqi turned to look at him, her eyes filled with gratitude.

Li Muzhan smiled, leaped down from the tree, and swiftly moved east through the forest, heading toward the battlefield.

Two hundred meters later, he leaped out of the woods and charged directly toward Feng Junsheng.

Danger: Today is a good day; the monthly ticket count has finally surpassed the great authors ahead of me—this sense of accomplishment is indescribable.

I must thank everyone again; one particularly enthusiastic reader has made me feel deeply honored.

The group chat number has been posted in the review section; everyone can join.

I will set a time later to log in regularly and chat.