Li Muzhan glanced at Abbess Zhuzhao.

Abbess Zhuzhao was smiling sweetly, appearing quite pleased, unaware of the undercurrents churning beneath the surface.

Li Muzhan said no more, cupping his hands: "Martial Aunt, I dare not accept such praise.

I am a junior; perhaps I can offer some thoughts for the seniors to brainstorm and decide.

The final judgment should rest with my martial brothers." Li Zhuyue let out a soft laugh and shook her head: "Zhanran, you truly are a sly little fox! ...

Rest assured, there is no backstabbing in our sect.

When dealing with your senior brothers and sisters, you don't need schemes; just say what's on your mind." "...Yes, Martial Aunt," Li Muzhan hesitated, then slowly nodded.

Abbess Zhumei nodded: "Your Martial Aunt speaks truly.

Zhanran, while being worldly-wise is admirable, applying that same slickness when dealing with your senior brothers and sisters rather ruins the fun." "Yes, I accept the teaching," Li Muzhan nodded.

Abbess Zhuzhao chuckled, "Look at the two of you, you've frightened Zhanran! Are you overwhelmed by favor, Zhanran?" Li Muzhan quickly nodded his assent.

Abbess Zhuzhao smiled, "Very well.

After today, you will enter the Inner Sect.

From now on, when you descend the mountain, even your Eldest Martial Sister will defer to you." Li Muzhan immediately bowed deeply: "Thank you, Master! ...

But Eldest Martial Sister..." Abbess Zhuzhao waved her hand with a sweet smile: "Enough, no need to refuse further! ...

Our Canghai Sword Sect has no shortage of geniuses who treat cultivation like eating or drinking water, like your Eldest Martial Sister.

What you lack is profound strategic insight, a rare quality.

Having someone as sharp as you, we must naturally exploit your talents to the fullest!" Li Muzhan smiled shyly: "Disciple possesses no great strategy, only deep study of Buddhist teachings, insight into the human heart, and the ability to consider matters from another's perspective." "That is an extraordinary ability!" Abbess Zhuzhao laughed.

Exiting the Great Hall, Lu Jingren and others approached, smiling and congratulating Li Muzhan on gaining the Sect Master's direct elevation into the Inner Sect.

The rules of the Canghai Sword Sect dictated that disciples advanced step-by-step from the Outer to the Inner Sect, accumulating sufficient merit points before promotion.

However, exceptions existed.

If an exceptionally gifted individual appeared, the Sect Master could issue a direct decree for elevation, bypassing the normal process.

Among those present, Eldest Martial Sister Wen Yinyue was such an exception, having entered the Inner Sect from the Outer in just one year—a once-in-a-century prodigy.

Now, Li Muzhan’s elevation broke Wen Yinyue’s record, making him the first person in centuries to achieve such rapid advancement.

His speed in clearing the three Outer Sect trials was already the fastest in centuries, and now, his ascent to the Inner Sect was equally swift—destined to become a legendary figure in the Canghai Sword Sect, leading his peers.

Li Muzhan understood his Master’s intention: she was intentionally building his momentum.

The greatest genius in centuries; therefore, he could lead the masses without question.

Li Muzhan conversed with Lu Jingren and the others for a while, exchanging pleasantries and courtesies before parting ways one by one, their exchanges harmonious and spirited.

Li Muzhan sensed that his Master and Martial Uncle were correct: the disciples of the Canghai Sword Sect possessed excellent martial talent, but they were largely guileless and simple folk.

Even Zhao Jinsheng, who had considerable experience navigating the martial world, was considered sharp.

If anyone else had told him, Li Muzhan would not have believed it; the higher one climbed, the fiercer the scheming—this was a natural law.

The Canghai Sword Sect defied this.

It seemed to be a result of their environment, coupled with the lack of pressing personal conflicts; the position of Sect Master was already decided, belonging to Wen Yinyue.

They had multiple paths available: remaining in the sect to manage administrative duties, entering the Martial Arts Hall to study supreme sect techniques, joining the Military Hall to fight on the sect's behalf in the wider world, or descending the mountain to establish new branches.

Regardless of their choice, they remained members of the Canghai Sword Sect, and if any faced hardship, the sect would offer its full support.

With no personal stakes involved and a profound sense of belonging, the disciples never schemed against each other, fostering harmony and mutual aid, resembling a single family.

Li Muzhan greatly appreciated this atmosphere and admired it silently.

They had come to congratulate him on becoming an Inner Sect disciple, but a hint of sourness remained—they felt somewhat embarrassed taking orders from this younger martial brother.

Li Muzhan smiled wryly, deliberately keeping his posture extremely humble.

For these peers, as pure as blank parchment, Li Muzhan treated them sincerely, refusing to employ any stratagems.

After bidding farewell to the group, upon returning to his small courtyard, he found others already there: Xiaoyuan, Gong Qingyun, Song Wenbin, and Li Zongheng, all sitting in the small pavilion, laughing and chatting.

Seeing him return, Li Zongheng leaped from the pavilion and rushed over to grab him: "Zhanran, I helped out a great deal today!" Li Muzhan laughed: "Indeed, Junior Brother Li, thank you!" "Junior Brother...? What Junior Brother?" Li Zongheng tilted his head, confused: "Don't tell me you're confused, why are you calling me Junior Brother!" Li Muzhan chuckled, quite pleased with himself: "Junior Brother Li, haha, I am already an Inner Sect disciple.

Naturally, you are my junior brother!" "You've entered the Inner Sect?" Li Zongheng's eyes widened, and he turned to Song Wenbin: "How could he become an Inner Sect disciple? He didn't have enough points!" Song Wenbin glanced at Li Muzhan, seeing he wasn't joking, frowned, and thought for a moment: "It seems...

the Sect Master has the authority for direct elevation." "There's such a rule?!" Li Zongheng cried out in shock.

Li Muzhan smiled, patting his shoulder: "Junior Brother, don't be so alarmed.

I'll wait for you in the Inner Sect!" Li Zongheng huffed, unconvinced: "Just you wait, Zhanran! We'll be in the Inner Sect soon enough!" Xiaoyuan and Gong Qingyun approached him, examining him to ensure he was unharmed.

Xiaoyuan snorted: "Li Zongheng said you looked terrible, and I thought you were injured! ...

Zhanran, are you alright?" Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled: "It's nothing, I just pushed myself too hard rushing back." "Oh, what happened?" Xiaoyuan quickly asked.

Li Muzhan sat down with them in the pavilion and began recounting his experiences descending the mountain.

Xiaoyuan poured tea, Gong Qingyun's bright eyes reflected the light onto his face, while Li Zongheng and Song Wenbin stared intently, their expressions tense, as if they were experiencing it themselves.

Before they knew it, the sun was setting, and the evening clouds wrapped the pavilion, tinting their faces red.

After hearing Li Muzhan's account, Li Zongheng sighed, filled with emotion: "Alas—I never imagined venturing down the mountain was so perilous!" Song Wenbin hesitated: "I always thought going down the mountain would be fun, but now I realize I was too naive.

The outside world is truly dangerous!" Li Muzhan nodded: "That's right.

Once you leave Mount Canghai, you must be extremely cautious, guarded everywhere.

Danger is omnipresent, and a moment's lapse can cost you your life." Xiaoyuan chuckled, laughing sweetly: "Zhanran, you just like to scare people!" Li Zongheng quickly interjected: "Miss Xiaoyuan, Zhanran is just trying to frighten us, right?...

The real martial world isn't that dangerous, is it?" Xiaoyuan tilted her head in thought and shook it: "Not exactly.

However, even if it's dangerous, we are the Canghai Sword Sect.

Our martial arts are superior; we shouldn't fear them!" Gong Qingyun stated coolly: "They should be the ones fearing us!" Li Muzhan chuckled: "Zongheng, you're not as brave as the young lady.

You've learned peerless martial arts but lack the heart of a true powerhouse.

How can you achieve anything?" Li Zongheng glared at him, feeling he had lost face, showing his timidity.

Song Wenbin shook his head and sighed: "Alas...

Zhanran, I think I'm best suited for farming.

It’s quiet and peaceful, with no need for fighting and killing—nothing better." Li Muzhan smiled: "Senior Brother Song, since you dislike bloodshed, go to the Martial Arts Hall." Song Wenbin nodded: "Mm, if I enter the Inner Sect, I will go to the Martial Arts Hall! ...

I hear many Inner Sect disciples stay there." Li Zongheng glared and snorted: "No ambition! I will never go to the Martial Arts Hall.

I will join the Military Hall and make a name for myself in the martial world! ...

That's what a true man does!" Song Wenbin smiled and shook his head, unconvinced.

They sat together, laughing and chatting, filling the small courtyard with merriment until the lamps were lit, at which point they headed out together for dinner.

Li Muzhan spent the entire night circulating the Heavenly Origin Breathing Technique, yet his internal energy only recovered slightly—barely a tenth of his peak capacity.

When dawn broke, he shook his head, deeply dissatisfied.

After burning his internal energy, a full recovery would take at least ten days to half a month.

He pushed open the door to his courtyard and saw Wen Yinyue standing by the flowerbed, looking down intently at a lily.

Li Muzhan was unsurprised and offered a cupped-hand salute.

Wen Yinyue was clad in a light green silk dress, tailored to accentuate her graceful curves, which were subtly revealed.

Her slender eyebrows were gently swept, her hair elegantly pinned up, her forehead fair and smooth.

She possessed an air of dignified composure, radiating a cold beauty that was both captivating and profoundly alluring.

Li Muzhan smiled slightly: "Martial Sister has arrived early.

Shall we depart?" Wen Yinyue’s bright eyes shifted from the lily to his face, and she said flatly: "You should have risen earlier to meditate; efficiency is highest at sunrise." Li Muzhan smiled: "Thank you for the guidance, Martial Sister." Wen Yinyue’s expression remained unchanged as she said, "Let's go eat." Li Muzhan smiled: "Then I shall call out to our two senior brothers." Wen Yinyue frowned slightly and stated coolly: "No need." Li Muzhan smiled knowingly: "I always eat with the two senior brothers.

I can't just ignore them the moment I enter the Inner Sect." "Nonsense!" Wen Yinyue snorted and waved her hand: "Hurry up and come back!" Li Muzhan responded with a slow, deliberate smile, washed his face unhurriedly, then stepped out, called Li Zongheng and Song Wenbin, and asked Li Zongheng to fetch Xiaoyuan and Gong Qingyun from the North Court.

Wen Yinyue walked beside him, saying nothing, merely sitting silently, while Li Muzhan, Xiaoyuan, Gong Qingyun, Li Zongheng, and Song Wenbin chatted animatedly.

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