“How did you know the one surnamed Zhu?” Lin Qiongying asked with a smile. Li Muzhan chuckled, “His resentment practically blazed off him; I could tell at a glance.” Lin Qiongying and the four women lowered their heads to look, shaking their heads—where was any resentment? Now bearing the power of Ta-hsin-t’ung (Other Heart Perception), Li Muzhan could instantly discern who harbored the deepest killing intent. Eliminating future trouble preemptively was the best course of action.

Killing the gang leader meant the Purple Bamboo Gang would be too busy fighting over the succession to seek revenge immediately. Furthermore, the Jade Immortal Sect was not easy to provoke; without a direct, personal wound, why insist on a desperate clash? Gaining three advantages at once—why wouldn’t he do it? Lin Qiongying laughed, “All thanks to you, Zhanran, your archery has grown even more exquisite!” “Sect Leader, is he Zhanran?” a middle-aged beauty murmured with a light laugh, her eyes shimmering like water as she glanced at Li Muzhan, her heart giving an involuntary leap. She mentally praised his skill.

Her figure was round like a jade bead, her breasts threatening to burst the seams of her garment, her hips full and curved, yet her waist was slender, easily circled by a hand—a combination that created a potent, arresting impact, inciting impulse in any man who saw it. Lin Qiongying laughed, “Fourth Junior Sister, you are Zhanran, the Monk of Twin Swords, whose fame rings throughout the world!” “Truly a fine man!” the middle-aged beauty chuckled softly. Suddenly, Li Muzhan looked up and saw a woman in goose-yellow robes descending gracefully, as if treading on white clouds, drifting down slowly, and in a blink, she hung suspended about two zhang above them. “Junior Sister!” Lin Qiongying called out loudly. The woman in yellow robes instantly accelerated, appearing before Li Muzhan in a flash, bringing with her a faint, delicate fragrance.

A light yellow veil drifted over her face, her jade countenance flashing into view—peerlessly exquisite, untouched by a speck of worldly dust, surpassing even Gong Qingyun. Li Muzhan’s heart pounded, stirring an inexplicable possessiveness. [Garbled characters] The girl in yellow glanced at Li Muzhan, her delicate eyebrows furrowing slightly, and she spoke with a cool detachment: “Senior Sister, why didn’t you call for me?” Her gaze was like autumn water, clear and unrippled; her voice was chilling, devoid of emotion. Lin Qiongying laughed, “Little Junior Sister, weren’t you in seclusion?” “Yes,” the yellow-robed girl nodded briefly, then fell silent, holding onto a wire cable as she surveyed the surrounding scenery. The wicker basket continued to ascend, the ground below shrinking incessantly; the forest looked like turf, and the stream like a thin thread. Li Muzhan felt secretly curious. She was the Junior Sister, yet judging by the manner of Lin Qiongying and the other four, they seemed somewhat afraid of her. The middle-aged beauty who had been flirting moments ago now looked perfectly composed, staring straight ahead without glancing sideways.

Li Muzhan remained silent, cautiously probing the yellow-robed girl’s mood. It was as placid as still water, showing not the slightest ripple, which astonished him greatly. He couldn't help but examine her more closely; this was genuine stillness of mind, not the result of deep cunning or practiced control over emotion. Soon, the basket reached the summit where the disciples were waiting. Seeing them safe and sound brought them great joy, and they began bombarding them with anxious questions.

Lin Qiongying waved her hand dismissively. “That’s enough; nothing much happened. Go back to your duties. Don’t waste time here. If you don’t practice your martial arts well, descending the mountain will be suicide!” The disciples dispersed reluctantly.

Lin Qiongying smiled. “Four Junior Sisters, let’s go to my quarters for a while and discuss how to deal with the Purple Bamboo Gang… Little Junior Sister, you come along too.” The yellow-robed girl nodded faintly, and the six of them headed east. Her clear eyes flickered towards Li Muzhan, and she remarked coolly, “Senior Sister, you haven’t given up yet?” Lin Qiongying paused in her steps, casting a quick glance at Li Muzhan, and sighed, “Little Junior Sister, just let me try, alright?” She looked at the yellow-robed girl as if pleading. The yellow-robed girl frowned and remained silent. [Character codes] Li Muzhan was curious what the two were discussing, but it was clearly related to him—what was to be tried? He frowned inwardly. Indeed, Sect Leader Lin’s invitation to the Jade Immortal Sect was not without ulterior motives. [Garbled characters] The group arrived in the main hall. The hall was spacious, bright, softly lit, and elegantly furnished, exuding a strong feminine atmosphere; it was clearly the work of women.

Once seated, Lin Qiongying smiled. “Zhanran, thank you so much. If you hadn’t come, we truly might have floundered today!” Li Muzhan smiled. “Sect Leader Lin, saying such things makes us seem distant.” Lin Qiongying gave a light smile and nodded. “That’s true. Zhanran is practically one of us now!” Li Muzhan’s eyebrow twitched, but he said nothing. The four middle-aged beauties shifted uncomfortably on their seats and began taking their leave one after another. Li Muzhan noticed they seemed somewhat intimidated by the yellow-robed girl. The yellow-robed girl held a teacup in both hands, focusing intently on the painting on the screen nearby, oblivious to everything around her, her composure as still and cool as water. Lin Qiongying waved her hand, signaling the others to depart, but the yellow-robed girl did not move. Li Muzhan watched the others leave, his expression slowly hardening. He gazed at the girl, asking directly, “Sect Leader Jiu, what exactly was that Miss Yang referring to?” The air in the room instantly solidified. Lin Qiongying felt a sudden stiffness and a crushing weight, as if ten thousand massive stones were pressing down upon her head, making it almost impossible to breathe. She was secretly alarmed and turned to look at the yellow-robed girl. The yellow-robed girl turned her head, glancing at Li Muzhan with surprise, and slowly set down her teacup. Li Muzhan ignored her, frowning at Lin Qiongying. “Sect Leader Lin?” “Alas… it’s a long story!” Lin Qiongying let out a bitter laugh. “Little Junior Sister, since things have come to this, perhaps you should tell Zhanran?” “As you wish,” the yellow-robed girl replied faintly, picking up her teacup again to fix her gaze on the screen opposite. Li Muzhan paid her no mind, staring only at Lin Qiongying, his expression calm and unchanging.

Lin Qiongying looked somewhat embarrassed and sighed. “Well… this matter is a secret of our Jade Immortal Sect. Zhanran, you must not speak of it.” “Agreed, I will keep silent,” Li Muzhan nodded.

Lin Qiongying continued, “Our Jade Immortal Sect possesses a foundational secret art called the Golden Scripture of the Dragon and Phoenix Returning to the Yuan. It is a supreme secret method of the Daoist school. If cultivated successfully, there is hope for longevity!” Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. Lin Qiongying slanted a look at him. “Zhanran, do you not believe it?” Li Muzhan chuckled. “Immortality? Is there truly such a fine thing in this world?” Lin Qiongying grew serious. “Zhanran, you believe eternal life is impossible?” Li Muzhan smiled and nodded. “Birth, aging, sickness, and death—the cycle of Heaven is inescapable. Even metal and stone cannot withstand the erosion of time.” Lin Qiongying snorted. “You are mistaken. Eternal life does exist in this world!” “But no one has ever seen it, have they?” Li Muzhan quipped. Lin Qiongying stated solemnly, “Our sect records mention a Patriarch who ascended to the Upper Realms.” Li Muzhan uttered an “Oh,” his interest piqued.

He sensed that Lin Qiongying was not lying, yet the fact that the Jade Immortal Sect’s ancient texts recorded such a thing was indeed extraordinary. “Then, Sect Leader Lin, why have you summoned me here?” Li Muzhan asked with a smile. Lin Qiongying glanced at the yellow-robed girl and sighed bitterly. “The Golden Scripture of the Dragon and Phoenix Returning to the Yuan requires two people to practice together—one male and one female, one Yin and one Yang. Only when the Dragon and Tiger unite can the Great Dao be achieved.” Li Muzhan suddenly understood and gave a wry smile. “Don’t tell me you want me to practice it with someone?” Lin Qiongying nodded. “Yes, solitary Yin cannot flourish; two people are needed.” “Heh heh…” Li Muzhan shook his head and chuckled, glancing at the yellow-robed girl. [Garbled characters]

Silence descended upon the hall. The yellow-robed girl held her teacup, staring fixedly at the screen opposite. Lin Qiongying watched Li Muzhan, and Li Muzhan watched the yellow-robed girl.

After a long moment, Li Muzhan sensed the profound stillness of the yellow-robed girl’s lake of mind, completely undisturbed, and was greatly amazed. He turned his head to look at Lin Qiongying. “What virtue or merit do I possess?” Lin Qiongying breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, “Zhanran, you are the person I have searched for exhaustively!” Li Muzhan felt a prick of discomfort in his heart. No wonder he had always felt she was deeply calculating and required cautious vigilance—she truly had an agenda. However, he kept his expression unchanged, shaking his head and laughing lightly. “Heh heh, to be chosen by Sect Leader Lin is truly an honor.” Lin Qiongying smiled sweetly. “Zhanran, do not be angered with me; I was also forced into this position by necessity!”

Li Muzhan smiled faintly and took a slow sip of his tea. Lin Qiongying sighed, realizing Li Muzhan was displeased. She spoke slowly. “Zhanran, your powers of concentration are profound, rarely matched by mortals. This is the first reason. The most crucial requirement for cultivating the Golden Scripture of the Dragon and Phoenix Returning to the Yuan is concentration. Cultivating the Scripture involves numerous illusions; if one’s concentration is insufficient, there is mortal danger—it will harm oneself and implicate the partner.” “And the second reason?” Li Muzhan asked, shaking his head.

What she said was true. In terms of concentration, while he wouldn't claim to be the best in the world, being forced by the Heart Pearl had deepened his focus to a level rarely seen.

Lin Qiongying continued, “The second reason is your exceptional comprehension. To decipher the Purple Sun Stele on your own—that is astonishing!” “Just a stroke of luck,” Li Muzhan demurred. “This is no luck. Since the Purple Sun Sect’s demise, its secret techniques have been lost. No one has successfully practiced the Purple Sun Stele since. Yet, you managed to master it!” She went on: “The Purple Sun Stele is a Daoist mental cultivation method, and our sect’s Golden Scripture of the Dragon and Phoenix Returning to the Yuan is also of the Daoist lineage. Since you could comprehend the Stele, you have a high probability of comprehending our Scripture as well!” She looked at Li Muzhan with fervent hope. “Zhanran, if you could master the Golden Scripture of the Dragon and Phoenix Returning to the Yuan, you could achieve eternal life—would that not be wonderful?” Li Muzhan used his Ta-hsin-t’ung to sense her; she possessed no hidden malice, only deep yearning. [Garbled characters]

Li Muzhan frowned and pondered. After a moment, he still shook his head, sighing, “I fear I must disappoint Sect Leader Lin’s good intentions… I am a man of the Buddhist school; cultivating a Daoist mental art will bring endless future trouble.” He recalled the words of Daoist Master Zheng of Chaoyang Mountain—it is better to believe in the possibility of harm than to disregard it. “How could that be?” Lin Qiongying asked, surprised, hurriedly adding, “What future trouble? Furthermore, if you could master the Golden Scripture of the Dragon and Phoenix Returning to the Yuan, you would achieve immortality! I am not speaking falsely!” Li Muzhan smiled. “Sect Leader Lin, have you not had others attempt to practice it?” Lin Qiongying shook her head, sighing in disappointment. Li Muzhan’s expression was like a ladle of cold water, sobering her instantly, the eagerness fading from her eyes. Li Muzhan pressed on relentlessly. “Surely you have tried other people, haven’t you?”

Lin Qiongying sighed. “In every generation of our sect, there have been disciples with outstanding aptitude who mastered the first half of the Scripture. Alas, no male disciple has ever succeeded in mastering the latter half…” “Oh?” Li Muzhan said with a faint smile. Lin Qiongying continued, “Across scores of generations of our lineage, in each, one disciple has mastered the Scripture—no more, no less. In this generation, it is Little Junior Sister who achieved mastery.” Lin Qiongying sighed bitterly. “Our sect has secretly searched for outstanding young talents throughout the world, under eighteen years of age, possessing profound concentration and extraordinary wisdom… Sadly, over many generations, we have failed to find a single one.”