This group was quite the spectacle. The news of Li Muzhan's exceptional promotion to a direct disciple spread like wildfire throughout Canghai Mountain in an instant; it was utterly shocking. Now, the rarely seen Eldest Martial Sister was seated beside Li Muzhan, drawing even more attention. Li Zongheng dropped his elbows onto the table, haphazardly wiping his mouth, which remained greasy. He asked, "Zhanran, now that you're an Inner Sect disciple, are you moving up to the Sixth Heaven?" Wen Yinyue glanced at him, her delicate brows slightly furrowed. Li Muzhan chuckled, "I won't move; I'll just stay here. I'm used to it." Li Zongheng squinted at him. "I heard the courtyards in the Sixth Heaven are much larger, the scenery far more beautiful, and one flower garden alone is bigger than our whole yard. Aren't you envious, Zhanran?" Li Muzhan smiled and slowly continued eating. "Li Zongheng, you're filthy!" Xiaoyuan pouted, pointing at his mouth. Zongheng wiped again, seemingly making it even greasier. "Your handkerchief? Where is your handkerchief!" Xiaoyuan scolded sharply. Li Zongheng chuckled sheepishly, pulling a crumpled handkerchief from his robe and vigorously wiping his mouth until it was slightly cleaner. He owned a handkerchief, but he simply lacked the habit of using it—too much effort.

Wen Yinyue shook her head, her eyes shifting to look at Xiaoyuan. Xiaoyuan giggled, "Eldest Martial Sister, you need to be careful with this fellow, Li Muzhan!" "Careful of what?" Wen Yinyue asked. Xiaoyuan glanced at Li Muzhan, chuckled again, and leaned in, whispering, "He..." Li Muzhan laughed, "Xiaoyuan, you be careful not to speak ill of people behind their backs!" Xiaoyuan quickly retorted, "Zhanran, don't falsely accuse good people! I was speaking well of you!" Wen Yinyue's delicate lips twitched slightly; she simply smiled to herself, gave her a look, and shook her head.

Li Muzhan let out a soft scoff, unconcerned, and interjected, "That would only happen if the sun rose in the west!" Xiaoyuan playfully punched him lightly, feigning displeasure. Gong Qingyun said placidly, "We're eating; stop messing around!" Xiaoyuan immediately put her hand down, glared fiercely at Li Muzhan, and then lowered her head to eat. Li Zongheng and Song Wenbin watched Xiaoyuan and Li Muzhan playfully interact with looks of intense envy, wishing they could trade places with him. They, however, lacked the audacity. Speaking to Xiaoyuan was manageable; they could barely keep themselves composed, but the moment Gong Qingyun spoke, they became instantly tense, stammering embarrassingly. People nearby occasionally looked over, quite surprised and somewhat envious of this particular group dynamic. Li Zongheng and Song Wenbin held their heads high, feeling an unprecedented sense of vindication. With Xiaoyuan and Gong Qingyun accompanying them, they felt honored. After finishing the meal, Li Muzhan gave a few more instructions, and then he and Wen Yinyue proceeded to the Wuji Hall to bid farewell to Abbess Zhuzhao.

Abbess Zhuzhao sat on a cushion before a jade statue, smiling warmly as the two entered side-by-side. Her smile was peculiar, causing Wen Yinyue’s jade-like face to flush instantly crimson. She smiled and pointed to the cushions in front of her, and the two sat down. Li Muzhan said, "Master, Martial Sister and I are preparing to descend the mountain. Do you have any instructions for us?" Abbess Zhuzhao smiled, "Be careful. Li Jingwu is not someone to be underestimated. Yinyue, you must listen to your Junior Martial Brother." Wen Yinyue nodded resignedly, "Yes, Master." Abbess Zhuzhao took a thin, silk-bound booklet, aged and pale yellow, from her robes and handed it to Li Muzhan, "Zhanran, this contains the first five layers of the Canghai Divine Art's mental cultivation method. Memorize it here, and practice it when you have time to see how far you can progress." Li Muzhan paused, quickly saying, "Master, this..." Abbess Zhuzhao smiled, "You are now an Inner Sect disciple; naturally, you can cultivate this technique." Li Muzhan asked, "Wasn't it said that only women could cultivate it?" Abbess Zhuzhao chuckled, "Men can cultivate the Canghai Divine Art as well, but breaking through the third layer is exceedingly difficult. The underlying mysteries are still unclear, but it is truly impenetrable... which is why they all practice the Dragon-Serpent Ascension Art." Li Muzhan said, "I fear I won't be capable." Abbess Zhuzhao smiled, "Yes, even if you fear it, it won't matter... However, the first three layers of the Canghai Divine Art are quite powerful. Practicing them is better than not practicing at all." Li Muzhan understood, reached out, and took the book, flipping it open immediately. The words "Canghai Divine Art" rushed towards him like surging waves. Li Muzhan swayed slightly, leaning back as if immense tidal waves were truly crashing against him. Abbess Zhuzhao pursed her lips and smiled, "Good!" Li Muzhan felt a bit embarrassed, glanced at Wen Yinyue, and said, "Master, Martial Sister, please forgive my lack of composure."

Abbess Zhuzhao waved her hand, smiling, "Zhanran, your comprehension is truly astonishing; your spiritual sensitivity far surpasses that of ordinary people." Li Muzhan laughed, "I've practiced Chan meditation since I was young; perhaps that makes me a bit different from others." "The manual containing the secret technique was personally inscribed by the Founding Ancestor, Li Zu! This is Ancestor Li!" Abbess Zhuzhao pointed toward the crystalline jade statue behind her. Li Muzhan sighed, "These few characters truly possess immense grandeur." Abbess Zhuzhao said, "Ancestor Li was a singular figure, unparalleled in the world in the arts of the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He founded our Canghai Sword Sect. Although subsequent generations of disciples have continuously refined the martial arts, they have never surpassed Ancestor Li." She continued, "It is rare that you, Zhanran, can grasp the essence contained within those four characters!" Li Muzhan studied the four characters, feeling as if his entire being had transformed into a small skiff, bobbing and sinking in a vast ocean, with turbulent waves threatening to swallow him at any moment. After an unknown period, he snapped back to awareness. Embarrassed, he said, "Master..." "Excellent. I hope you can attain enlightenment!" Abbess Zhuzhao said with a radiant smile, "Every disciple learning the Canghai Divine Art is shown this manual... Unfortunately, only a very few have ever achieved true understanding." Li Muzhan smiled and continued flipping through.

The flowing, elegant script of Plum Blossom Small Seal characters unrolled before him, narrating its secrets. In a short time, Li Muzhan finished reading. He reviewed it twice and returned the booklet with both hands. "Remembered it all?" Abbess Zhuzhao inquired. Li Muzhan nodded, "It truly lives up to its name as a Divine Art; it is indeed exquisite!" Abbess Zhuzhao laughed heartily, "It seems you have a good memory, not far behind your Martial Sister." Li Muzhan replied, "This is due to my cultivation of Chan techniques, Master; I am not that brilliant." Abbess Zhuzhao said, "Your Chan is profound, even a few points stronger than mine." Li Muzhan smiled without elaborating further. Abbess Zhuzhao waved her hand, "You may descend the mountain now. Go quickly and return swiftly; do not delay." "Yes, Master," they replied in unison, rising to their feet. Li Muzhan cupped his hands in a respectful bow. "Master, I need to return to Yingyue Nunnery first to pay my respects to the Divine Nun Xueyin and see if she will allow me to observe the Compassion View." "Ah, that is an important matter; it naturally takes precedence." Abbess Zhuzhao nodded firmly. Li Muzhan bowed again in the same manner, followed Wen Yinyue, and slowly exited the Wuji Hall.

The two descended the mountain path, following the surging great river westward, reaching an area of continuous sand dunes. There, they turned north and exited the vast, imposing mountain range. Wen Yinyue employed her movement technique, matching Li Muzhan stride for stride. Her robes fluttered, her unbound hair streamed behind her, and her jade feet floated inches above the ground as she glided, moving as if walking on waves, her bearing utterly ethereal. Li Muzhan's form flashed and vanished, his positioning uncertain, but each appearance was right beside Wen Yinyue, never lagging behind. Internally, however, he cursed: as expected of the Eldest Martial Sister, her lightness skill was supreme; he had to exert his very life force just to keep pace. Clearly, the Eldest Martial Sister was testing him. Yet, at this juncture, he could not show weakness, or his claim to the leadership position would be utterly lost. His ambition lay in becoming the foremost master under Heaven, not in leading the masses. He would rather spend that energy honing his practice. But the disciples of the Canghai Sword Sect were truly too simple-minded, naive to the dangers of the outside world. Once they descended, even with profound martial arts, they would easily be used as pawns. He could not stand by and watch his Martial Brothers and Sisters led to ruin, so he was forced to fight to defend them, reluctantly taking the mantle of leadership.

The two competed subtly. Wen Yinyue saw he could keep up and raised a delicate eyebrow, somewhat surprised. She had assumed that although his internal energy was deep, his cultivation method was lacking. She smiled faintly, and a lotus flower seemed to bloom beneath her feet, carrying her forward. She suddenly accelerated, vanishing from Li Muzhan's sight like a shooting star. Li Muzhan paused, quickly mobilizing the internal energy throughout his body, forcing it into his legs. His speed increased another notch, his vision blurring, unable to discern his surroundings. He channeled his energy to his eyes, and the scenery immediately slowed down, appearing exceptionally crisp and bright. His movement was like a shuttle weaving through a forest. Arriving at the edge of the woods, he saw Wen Yinyue standing beneath a tall pine tree, looking at him with a slight, enigmatic smile. A gust of wind blew, causing her light green silk robe to billow, her graceful figure momentarily appearing and disappearing, exquisitely alluring. Li Muzhan approached her and smiled faintly, "Martial Sister's lightness skill is peerless; I am truly impressed!" Wen Yinyue said coolly, "Your internal energy is deep, but your cultivation method is far inferior... Practice the Canghai Divine Art; it will accelerate your progress." "Yes," Li Muzhan replied respectfully. Wen Yinyue stepped onto the path densely covered with weeds, "Let's go." Li Muzhan followed behind her, observing her strange movements. No matter how many weeds or stones blocked the way, she moved elegantly, her path seeming perfectly flat beneath her feet, her delicate body showing no vertical fluctuation. Li Muzhan inwardly clicked his tongue; it seemed she had merged entirely with the earth, becoming indistinguishable from it. "Martial Sister, was that the Marvelous Lotus Scripture just now?" Li Muzhan asked. Wen Yinyue faintly replied, "The Falling Lotus Flowing Water Art." "Falling Lotus Flowing Water Art, what a fine name!" Li Muzhan commented. Wen Yinyue glanced at him, her beautiful eyes like water, "Without the Marvelous Lotus Scripture, it cannot be activated." "What a pity..." Li Muzhan shook his head. "Your lightness skill is also not bad, no less than the Wave-Treading Chant," Wen Yinyue said, shaking her head. "If the Wave-Treading Chant doesn't break the third layer, you won't be a match for her." As they spoke, their pace quickened significantly, far surpassing their previous speed. In less than two days, the two...