With that, her voice suddenly rose: “Heaven rewards the diligent! I never thought I would encounter you, Zhanran; truly, the Patriarch had foresight!” Li Muzhan gave a wry smile, glancing at the girl in the yellow dress, then at Lin Qiongying.

He pondered internally what they would do if he refused; would they turn hostile and force him to remain on the peak, preventing him from descending? Or, to safeguard the secret of the Long Feng Chao Yuan Jin Jing, would they silence him? He circulated his inner sense, feeling carefully for any murderous intent. If they harbored any, he would have no choice but to strike first and force his way out. However, unless absolutely necessary, he truly did not wish to do this. The Jade Immortal Sect was so tranquil and harmonious; living here was quite comfortable—a gentle haven, yet a hero’s tomb. No wonder people said such things.

He sighed, offering an apology: “Sect Leader Lin, I am honored by your favor, but concerning this matter… perhaps we should look for someone else. …I have already practiced the Ziyang Sui, and my heart is already filled with trepidation.”

Lin Qiongying considered this, then pondered for a moment before saying: “If it truly won’t work, how about we abolish your existing internal energy and have you cultivate anew?” Li Muzhan frantically shook his head. A joke! After all his arduous cultivation, reaching this level meant he was already a master. To discard it all at once—even if he could transcend such attachments, he lacked the heart for such a drastic measure. ~∽●●r&qu;●●■●●●●●r&qu;●●■●●11////●

Lin Qiongying assessed him. Seeing his brow furrowed, she quickly added: “Once you cultivate the Long Feng Chao Yuan Jin Jing, all other secular martial arts are not worth mentioning!” Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. “Don’t worry, you can achieve it.” Lin Qiongying was utterly convinced. Li Muzhan shook his head: “Sect Leader Lin, I am no stronger than others. If others cannot succeed, neither can I.”

Lin Qiongying hurried to say: “Zhanran, do not disparage yourself! The depth of your self-control is the greatest I have ever witnessed in my life!” “Sect Leader Lin praises me too highly!” Li Muzhan chuckled. “Other men, seeing Xian’er and Qi’er, would have long been unable to move their feet, yet you can look upon them without reaction and remain unoffended by Xian’er’s provocation!” Lin Qiongying stated. Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow slightly, sighing inwardly. This Sect Leader Lin was indeed deeply calculating; everything that had transpired was arranged by her, testing his self-control. He suddenly asked: “Is the Purple Sun Stele genuine?” “Naturally, it is genuine!” Lin Qiongying started slightly, then nodded quickly.

Li Muzhan sensed that she was not lying and let out a silent breath of relief. When he first cultivated it, his intuition told him there was no danger, which is why he dared to try practicing it.

From this perspective, the Purple Sun Stele was also a test of his comprehension set up by Sect Leader Lin. To use this particular manual to test comprehension—the Jade Immortal Sect had invested a great deal in this endeavor.

Li Muzhan mused for a moment, then looked up: “Sect Leader Lin, please allow me some time to consider this.”

“Very well, how long do you need to think?” Lin Qiongying immediately asked. Li Muzhan smiled= “No rush, no rush. We can discuss it again later.” I am fully recovered from my injuries now, and I should return to Jinyang City.” Lin Qiongying hastily asked: “Zhanran, how old are you now?” Li Muzhan replied: “Eighteen.” Lin Qiongying exclaimed anxiously: “Then we cannot wait any longer! If you pass the age of eighteen, all hope is lost for life!” Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head: “Allow me to consider it carefully, won’t you?” “Alas… you, you! Such a wonderful opportunity, and you still need to deliberate?!” Lin Qiongying stomped her foot in frustration, looking as though she wanted to wring Li Muzhan’s neck. “Senior Sister, count me out!” the girl in the yellow dress suddenly interjected. Lin Qiongying was startled, then said quickly: “Little Junior Sister?”

The girl in the yellow dress gave Li Muzhan a faint glance, her eyes clear and cold, and shook her head: “Look at him! His disposition—he won’t succeed. Let’s forget about it.” Lin Qiongying exclaimed loudly: “Little Junior Sister, meeting Zhanran is Heaven’s decree to revitalize our Jade Immortal Sect! Zhanran possesses both the requisite self-control and comprehension; he can succeed!” The girl in the yellow dress remained impassive, still cold, and shook her head: “You cannot force it.” “I am the Sect Leader now; I make the decisions!” Lin Qiongying dismissed the objection, then looked eagerly at Li Muzhan: “Zhanran, whatever your conditions, just say them!” Li Muzhan shook his head. His intuition screamed that this Long Feng Chao Yuan Jin Jing was too dangerous to cultivate. But how to explain it was troublesome; he couldn't very well say he trusted his intuition, as she wouldn't believe it anyway. ∽●●●r&qu;●●■●●●●●r&qu;●●■●●11 ~~●●■● ●●//●●

Thinking this, he shook his head, rose, clasped his hands in a bow: “Sect Leader Lin, let us end the discussion here for now. This junior must take his leave!” With that, he turned to depart. “Zhanran! Zhanran!” Lin Qiongying called out, but Li Muzhan did not slow his steps. In a flash, he left the main hall and walked toward the east, arriving at his own courtyard. In the pavilion in the courtyard sat Zhou Yuxian and Li Yuqi.

Seeing him stride in resolutely, the two women rose. Zhou Yuxian sat back down and let out a soft huff. Li Yuqi glanced at her, then said to Li Muzhan: “Zhanran, thank you for coming to my aid.” Li Muzhan smiled and waved his hand dismissively: “It was nothing, just a small effort.”

He continued: “Miss Zhou, Miss Li, thank you for taking care of me these past few days. I have no way to repay you, except to recite scriptures a few times morning and night to pray for blessings for both of you!”

Li Yuqi paused, then whispered softly: “You… you… you are leaving?”

Li Muzhan replied: “Yes, my injuries are healed, and I have duties elsewhere. I cannot stay here indefinitely and cause worry back home.” Li Yuqi’s gaze dimmed. After a moment of silence, she nodded gently: “Yes…” Zhou Yuxian huffed dissatisfiedly: “Zhanran, you’re just leaving like that?” “What does Miss Zhou mean…?” Li Muzhan looked over curiously. Zhou Yuxian snorted in annoyance: “Feigning ignorance!” Do you really have no intention of marrying Second Junior Sister?”

Li Muzhan felt awkward, rubbed his nose, and let out a couple of chuckles. Li Yuqi’s face immediately flushed crimson, and she quickly looked up to scold him playfully: “Senior Sister!”

Zhou Yuxian glared at Li Muzhan: “Hmph, you scoundrel, you know perfectly well Second Junior Sister’s feelings!” Li Muzhan felt utterly cornered. He glanced at Li Yuqi, who was looking down at him. Their eyes met briefly, and she quickly turned her head away, overwhelmingly ashamed. “Zhanran, are you marrying Second Junior Sister or not?!” Zhou Yuxian fixed him with an unyielding stare. “Senior Sister!” She stomped her foot and ran out. Li Muzhan shook his head with a wry smile; dealing with a woman like Zhou Yuxian was truly exasperating. Zhou Yuxian glared fiercely at Li Muzhan and huffed: “Stop talking about how monks can’t marry! If you stay here, who would know you got married!” Li Muzhan shook his head, said no more, and turned to enter his room. “Stop right there! You won’t leave until you make this clear!” A white blur flashed, and Zhou Yuxian blocked his path, her bright eyes glaring fiercely at him. Even in this state, she retained her charm; beauty suited both anger and playfulness perfectly, and it was fitting on her. Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed, completely helpless. He couldn't strike or scold this beautiful shrew, so he simply stood still, hands behind his back, observing his surroundings, pretending not to notice her.

Zhou Yuxian remained silent, staring hard at him, seemingly determined to overpower his composure through sheer patience.

Lin Qiongying drifted in, frowned upon seeing the scene: “Xian’er, what is going on?!”

“Mas… Master…” Zhou Yuxian’s imposing manner instantly crumbled. Lin Qiongying sharply rebuked her: “Are you fooling around again!” Zhou Yuxian hastily explained: “Master, if he won’t agree, I said I want him to marry Second Junior Sister first!” “Enough!” Lin Qiongying snapped, waving her hand: “Get out!” “Mas… ter…!” Zhou Yuxian pouted coquettishly, twisting her waist. Lin Qiongying fixed her with a stern look: “If you utter one more nonsense word, you will go to the meditation wall!” “Fine… alright!” Zhou Yuxian complied, but not before shooting Li Muzhan another fierce glare: “I am satisfied!” “What about Zhanran…?” “Mind your own business and leave!” Lin Qiongying waved her hand.

Zhou Yuxian retreated reluctantly, but not before letting out a final, resentful, playful cry and giving Li Muzhan one last harsh look.

Lin Qiongying shook her head slightly; she had no real recourse with her eldest disciple. She couldn't bear to punish her, and mere scolding didn't work very well. She sighed and looked at Li Muzhan: “Zhanran, you are leaving?”

Li Muzhan smiled: “All good things must come to an end. Sect Leader Lin, thank you for your care during this period, allowing me to recover in peace.” “Enough of this politeness!” Lin Qiongying waved her hand and sighed: “Think about it again. With your aptitude, you have a very high chance of mastering the Long Feng Chao Yuan Jin Jing!” Li Muzhan shook his head: “Sect Leader Lin, let’s drop this topic, shall we…” Lin Qiongying shook her head regretfully, looking at him with a hint of blame: “You, you are truly…”

Li Muzhan smiled, surveyed his surroundings, and said thoughtfully: “This place is excellent, but I have worldly ties that prevent me from staying long. What a pity…”

“Alright, I won’t keep you then,” Lin Qiongying sighed. She called out loudly: “Qi’er, Xian’er!” The two girls appeared quickly: “Master?” Zhou Yuxian shot Li Muzhan a sidelong glance, while Li Yuqi blushed deeply, afraid to look at him. Lin Qiongying waved her hand listlessly: “Help Zhanran pack up; he is leaving.” The two girls acknowledged the order and turned into the room. As she entered, Li Yuqi cast him a quick glance, her expression somber.

The two packed his things efficiently, soon preparing a bundle containing some food and two sets of monk robes.

Li Yuqi walked over slowly and handed him the bundle. Li Muzhan took it, looked deeply at her, then turned, clasped his hands in a bow: “Sect Leader Lin, we shall meet again!”

Lin Qiongying nodded and walked with him to the edge of the peak, earnestly instructing him: “Zhanran, if you change your mind, return as soon as possible, but definitely not after the New Year!” “…Understood,” Li Muzhan nodded. Then, he leaped into the round basket and descended rapidly, finally reaching the ground. &qu;+ ∽●● ● ●●■●●●●●r&qu;●●■●∽11■“N1■“■●~∽■●●●0

Bloodstains remained on the grass, and the ground was messy.

Li Muzhan had shown restraint earlier, wounding his opponent with an arrow rather than killing him. By only eliminating the leader of the Purple Bamboo Gang, he resolved the trouble, a result he was quite satisfied with.

He preferred not to kill; fully grasping the laws of cause and effect in the world, avoiding killing was troublesome, but killing brought even greater trouble. Killing and not killing were like Yin and Yang; the proper way was the balance between the two. Ten miles out, he breathed a sigh of relief.

That girl in yellow, Yang Ruoxi, was unfathomably profound. She appeared cool and unaffected by anything, yet she gave him an intense sense of danger, like standing before a tiger. If she had wanted to kill him, he would have found it very difficult to escape; even with his Body Evasion Technique, he probably couldn't have gotten away. With such a master anchoring the Jade Immortal Sect, it was no wonder they could stand firm without fearing the Helian family. Now, the sun was setting, and dusk settled heavily over the wilderness. He reached an apricot grove to rest; the returning birds chirped incessantly. He surveyed the area and sat down, intending to regulate his breathing for a while. Suddenly, a cold sneer drifted over. Li Muzhan frowned, turned his head to look, but the trees were dense, and no one was visible. “Heh!” another cold sneer sounded. Li Muzhan turned back again, still no sign of anyone.

Subsequently, several sneers rang out in succession, coming from all directions. Li Muzhan turned to look at each sound, but still saw no one. He finally leaped up into the treetops to survey the surroundings from above.

Looking out, there was still no human figure. It seemed this person had merged with the woods; even with his sharp eyes, he couldn't detect them. Li Muzhan inwardly grew solemn. He determined it was the sneer of a single person—was his movement incredibly fast, or was he a master of manipulating sound? Li Muzhan spoke loudly: “Esteemed visitor, from which sacred place do you hail? Please show yourself!” “You are Zhanran!” Li Muzhan felt a green shadow flash, and a middle-aged man appeared on the branch opposite him, coldly inquiring. Li Muzhan nodded: “Correct, I am Zhanran.”

He scrutinized the middle-aged man opposite. His face was square, his complexion iron-blue, without a trace of expression; at first glance, he looked like a mask cast from iron—cold and lifeless. His eyes, however, were intensely sharp, flashing with piercing cold light that pierced the soul as he glanced around. “The Twin Sword Monk Zhanran?” the middle-aged man asked coldly. Li Muzhan nodded: “One of the Helian family?”

The middle-aged man nodded lightly: “Mm. It is good that you understand. …Surrender yourself willingly and come with me, or shall I bind you and take you back?”

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head: “Does your Helian family always have such temperaments?”

The middle-aged man said flatly: “Come then!”

A green shadow instantly flashed. Li Muzhan’s vision blurred, and he quickly drew his sword, deploying the Qiankun Sword. A streak of purple light appeared before him. “Bang!” A fist the size of a monk’s bowl passed through the sword light and struck his chest like an iron hammer. A surging force flooded into his body, overwhelming and impossible to resist, sending him flying backward.

Everything before him rushed backward in a blur. He was suspended in the air, his body limp, all his strength scattered. He had to exert all his effort just to grip his sword.

Mid-air, he gave a wry smile, desperately urging his Violet Core to spin, circulating streams of internal energy to restore his strength.

As soon as his internal energy returned, he swung his twin swords, forming a purple barrier of light that enveloped him, impenetrable. That single punch had shaken him to the core.

The green shadow flashed again. His vision blurred once more, and a fist the size of a monk’s bowl pierced the light barrier again, slamming into his chest like a shooting star.

With another muffled thud, like the sound of crushed dry grass.

The pain in his chest was intense, and Li Muzhan was sent flying again.

“Crack!” He struck the back of a tree. A thick apricot tree, as stout as a thigh, broke clean in half.

“Crack!” His momentum unchecked, he broke a second tree.

“Crack!” The third tree snapped.

“Bang!” With a dull impact, he hit the fourth tree, but it did not break. He slid down the trunk, thick as a double embrace, landing softly at the base of the tree roots.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He smiled wryly; his long swords were gone.