Should you quiet your mind and use your spirit to move, the crystal sphere can rotate. Water follows the spin, generating yin energy, and the density of the white mist increases significantly.
As the white mist dissipates faster, the internal energy of his Master and Martial Uncle spins faster as well.
In this manner, just six or seven days of focused effort would be enough to shatter the Jìmìe Suǒyún technique.
This struck him with profound surprise—a restless, itching urge to immediately break the Jìmìe Suǒyún technique, a raw, instinctive impulse, nothing more.
However, his reason remained intact; he knew that acting on that impulse would bring him no benefit.
What he sought now was not to break it, but to enhance it.
He wished to comprehend the Jìmìe Suǒyuán technique; perhaps it would be useful someday. Regardless of the cost, it was a supreme art, not to be underestimated.
Alas, it appeared simple at a glance, but true comprehension proved unfathomably difficult. The deeper he delved, the more mysterious and profound he found its depths.
These past few days, he immersed himself in this study, striving to glimpse its essence.
With his spirit drawn inward, time flowed by with startling speed. When he snapped back to awareness, the sun was directly overhead, the heat scorching, relentless as a furnace.
Li Muzhan glanced around. Everyone was tense, eyes wide, staring at the platform as if he were the one performing.
Li Muzhan shook his head, feeling a touch of envy.
“Why are you shaking your head?” Li Zongheng, who had been observing him secretly, spoke with displeasure.
Li Muzhan smiled but said nothing.
“Hmph, do you think their forms are too simple to be worth watching?” Li Zongheng sneered.
Li Muzhan shook his head. “Not exactly. While their forms are indeed exquisite, they lack practical application; their usage is clumsy, the mastery too shallow. Truly, there is little to see.”
“Hmph, wasn’t that last move of yours a stolen copy of mine?” Li Zongheng scoffed dismissively.
Song Wenbin laughed. “It certainly looked similar, Zhanran. Do you really enjoy copying Zongheng’s moves?”
Li Muzhan chuckled, nodding. “Indeed, you caught me red-handed!”
“Nonsense,” Li Zongheng grunted triumphantly.
Song Wenbin asked, “Zhanran, the Azure Dragon Palm you learned seems practiced by no one else. Why not show it off?”
Li Muzhan smiled faintly. “Alas, I haven’t had the chance to—.”
In front of his two friends, he let down his guard, abandoning pretense and artifice; otherwise, Henggao would mock him without hesitation.
Li Zongheng snorted. “Fine, when we get back, let’s spar and see how strong your Li Clan strength truly is!”
Li Muzhan nodded. “It’s settled then. Tomorrow morning, I’ll also take the opportunity to experience Martial Brother Li’s Flying Bear Fist!”
“You had better be careful,” Li Zongheng quipped, pursing his lips.
Song Wenbin shook his head, looking at the two. He thought that Li Zongheng was only provoking a spar for his own sake; even if it were the Flying Dragon Fist, he wouldn't be Martial Brother Zhanran’s match!
Soon, it was Song Wenbin’s turn. He stepped onto the stage and won his bout with nimble ease. Then came Li Zongheng, who dispatched his opponent in two or three moves, winning just as easily.
Finally, it was Li Muzhan’s turn. His opponent was Zhao Li.
Zhao Qing was a lean youth, perhaps seventeen or eighteen years old, with a gaunt, pale, almost sickly face, as if he had lost much vitality.
Yet, his nose was straight, and his eyes burned with sharp intelligence, piercing like an awl, seeming capable of delving into a person’s very core.
When he stepped onto the stage and stood before Li Muzhan, he showed no fear; instead, his gaze was bright, brimming with excitement.
As Zhao Qing began to move, Li Muzhan sensed his surging fighting spirit and nodded internally. Such individuals were suited to survive in the martial world and had a chance to reach the pinnacle.
Fighting Heaven, fighting Earth, fighting men—the pleasure was endless. Only those with such a combative spirit could unlock their true potential, growing ever stronger.
Such spirit might lead him into dire straits, or it might lead him to the summit.
The path to the mountain peak is never smooth; even with relentless effort, a touch of luck and fate is also required.
Zhao Qing jumped a few times, beckoning with a casual smile. “Martial Brother Hunran, please proceed!”
Li Muzhan smiled and returned the salute with palms pressed together. “Then I must trouble Martial Brother Zhao... I await your first move!”
Though he appeared languid and unenthusiastic, his expression betrayed nothing.
“Be careful!” Zhao Qing shouted softly, pushing off forcefully with both feet to leap into the air, kicking a string of shadows towards Li Muzhan’s chest.
Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, taking a light step sideways to evade effortlessly.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Qing’s footwork was remarkably precise. He landed head-down, pushing off the ground with both palms, and his feet immediately caught up to Li Muzhan, his foot shadows linking into an unbroken chain.
Li Muzhan retreated again. Zhao Qing pushed up with his palms, launching non-stop strikes, his leg shadows continuous and impressive. The crowd below began to cheer; they had never witnessed such fierce footwork.
Li Muzhan evaded—left, right, left—his expression calm and composed.
The martial artists watching exchanged glances, murmuring in approval.
Although Zhao Qing’s footwork was fierce, to them, it was nothing spectacular. What caught their attention was Li Muzhan’s effortless, composed evasion, handling weight as if it were nothing.
They inwardly pondered that this level of composure was something they, in their Outer Sect days, could never have possessed.
Li Muzhan suddenly said, “Martial Brother Zhao, that is enough!”
As he spoke, he suddenly lunged forward one step, his right palm extending, piercing through the layers of kicking shadows, and struck squarely on Zhao Qing’s lower leg.
Bang!—A sharp, sudden report, swift and unexpected!
Yue Jianshu floated up and caught Zhao Qing mid-air, setting him down gently.
Zhao Qing hastily pushed himself upright, struggling to maintain his stance. His footing was unsteady; his legs were splayed in the ‘Wild Horse Parts Mane’ posture, his eyes fixed on Li Muzhan.
Li Muzhan paused, then smiled. “Martial Brother Zhao, this intention…?”
He then looked toward Yue Jianshu with a confused expression.
Zhao Qing stated gravely, “Martial Brother Zhanran indeed possesses superior palm skill. I shall take instruction from you with both palms again!”
The crowd below buzzed with discussion, finally registering what had happened.
Li Zongheng shot up, shouting loudly, “Hey, Zhao! I’ve met shameless people, but never anyone as utterly shameless as you! Get down from there!”
Zhao Qing seemed not to hear, focusing only on Li Muzhan.
Li Muzhan gave a wry smile and shook his head. “Martial Brother Zhao, why is this necessary? It was just a small competition.”
“Martial Brother Zhanran, please!” Zhao Qing said grimly, standing firm.
Li Zongheng yelled, “Zhao! Stop being so shameless! Pack up your dignity and leave! Find a hole to crawl into and don’t show your face in public again!”
The audience murmured, widely feeling that Zhao Li’s action lacked basic martial integrity.
Li Muzhan sighed. “Martial Brother Yue, this is acceptable, then?”
Yue Jianshu smiled faintly. “According to the rules, as long as he has not left the stage, the contest may continue. Although Martial Brother Zhao took a shortcut, he insisted on continuing the fight, so it is not a violation.”
Li Muzhan smiled. “If that is the case, I can only accept the challenge.”
Yue Jianshu commented, “Martial Brother Zhao likely still holds back his ultimate techniques, unwilling to concede.”
“Martial Brother Zhao, please—” Li Muzhan sighed again.
Zhao Qing nodded and stated solemnly, “Take this!”
His hands snapped into claws, lunging suddenly, moving with astonishing speed, like lightning striking flint, arriving in an instant. Li Muzhan was startled.
He hadn't expected his speed to be this swift without the support of internal energy.
The Azure Dragon Palm was finally unleashed. His hands met the attack, then his ten fingers suddenly spread, flickering gracefully, like blossoming petals, brushing against the twin claws.
Zhao Qing seemed struck by lightning; his claws stalled, becoming soft and pliable against the fingertips.
An expression of disbelief crossed his face as he stared blankly at Li Muzhan’s hands.
Li Muzhan withdrew his hands, smiled, and pressed his palms together in salute. “Martial Brother Zhao, I concede the point.”
Zhao Qing rubbed his wrist, looking at Li Muzhan, furrowing his brow. “How is this possible? Are you using internal energy?”
Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled. “This is not internal energy; it is simply mastering the essence.”
“What skill is this?” Zhao Qing asked gravely.
“Azure Dragon Palm,” Li Muzhan replied.
“A fine Azure Dragon Palm!” Zhao Qing said solemnly. “I yield completely.” He turned and stepped off the high platform, drawing a loud laugh from Li Zongheng.
Li Muzhan shot Li Zongheng a glance, causing him to quiet down immediately.
Li Muzhan bowed to the core disciples, then bowed to the assembled crowd, before calmly descending from the stage and returning to his original seat under everyone’s gaze.
………………………………
As soon as he sat down, Li Zongheng leaned over, chuckling. “Zhanran, you were really something! Zhao Qing didn’t pester you today; has the sun risen in the west?”
Li Muzhan smiled. “Martial Brother Zhao has a heavy desire to win; he truly possesses genuine skill.”
Song Wenbin nodded. “Martial Brother Zhao’s Eagle Claw skill is indeed superb.”
Li Muzhan nodded with a smile. “An ordinary person wouldn't withstand that grasp.”
That strike earlier was unparalleled in speed; it almost made one suspect he was driving it with internal energy. Another person would have been utterly incapable of reacting.
Song Wenbin confirmed, “Yes, he has injured countless people with that move. It’s impossible to guard against!”
Li Zongheng snorted, saying nothing, rubbing his chest, which still felt a faint ache.
Song Wenbin laughed. “Zongheng couldn't evade that move either, could you?”
“Hmph, why bring up old history?” Li Zongheng groused unhappily, turning to Li Muzhan. “Zhanran, how did you manage it? You directly dislocated both of his shoulders?”
In everyone’s view, Zhao Qing had suddenly slumped, his shoulders hanging limp, as if they had been severed.
Li Muzhan replied, “Nothing much. It was one move from the Azure Dragon Palm: ‘Divine Strength Whipping Tail.’”
“That move is certainly impressive. That Zhao fellow has good taste,” Li Zongheng admitted, showing considerable envy.
Li Muzhan pretended not to see his expression. The techniques taught by the Eldest Martial Sister—how could he dare pass them on to others?
In Li Muzhan’s eyes, these minor competitions held little interest; he hadn’t encountered any truly challenging opponents. Although the Outer Sect disciples were not weak, having experienced life-or-death combat with top masters, facing these opponents now was simply dull and failed to stir his spirit.
Finally, the day’s minor matches concluded. He had fought three matches and won all three.
The next morning, he rose early to practice the Azure Dragon Palm. The Azure Dragon Palm was indeed profound; once his internal energy fully recovered, its power would be even greater, sufficient to serve as a supreme protective art.
Mei Ruolan suddenly appeared, leaping in over the wall.
She stood before Li Muzhan, clad in a light violet silk robe, a faint coolness emanating from her. “Zhanran, come down the mountain with me. We need to return to the manor for a visit.”
“Return to the manor?” Li Muzhan was startled.
Mei Ruolan nodded. “The Helian family is causing too much trouble. It’s time to deal with the situation.”