Li Muzhan had already drawn his long sword, a bloody gash staining his left chest, yet his expression remained as serene as ever, as if he were the one untouched by the wound.

Wen Yinyue drifted down from the couch, the shadow of a lotus flickering beneath her feet, and she vanished into the woods in a swift movement, reappearing before a group of people, blocking their path.

This gathering was led by an elder.

It was none other than Ding Jinxi.

He stroked his long beard, narrowing his eyes, chuckling amiably, carrying an unmistakable air of authority.

Upon seeing Wen Yinyue materialize.

The hand stroking his beard paused, and he laughed, "Heh heh, Miss Wen, long time no see, we meet again!" Wen Yinyue swept him a glance, her gaze sweeping the surroundings: over a dozen sturdy men, three middle-aged figures, and the rest all elders, every one of them boasting prominently bulging temples and eyes that shot forth piercing light.

"Heh heh," Ding Jinxi chuckled, pointing behind him, "These are the experts of my Helian Clan. They've heard tales of your fame, Miss Wen, and are eager for a friendly exchange of pointers."

Wen Yinyue said flatly, "The entire roster of Helian Clan experts has arrived?" "Heh heh, more or less. Miss Wen, we harbor no ill will. We merely wish to request you return with us, so you and Bamboo Light may discuss this matter fairly," Ding Jinxi said with a continued grin.

Wen Yinyue glanced at him, her eyes settling on an elder standing behind him.

The elder was of medium height, with a square face and perfectly round, fiercely bright eyes, sharp as an eagle or a falcon, radiating palpable pressure.

One dared not meet his gaze directly.

Wen Yinyue met his stare, a thoughtful look crossing her face, before she stated coolly, "The Helian Clan pushes things too far!" Ding Jinxi laughed genially, "Heh heh. Miss Wen, that’s hardly accurate. You come to our territory to slay Li Jingwu, and yet claim we are the ones pushing boundaries. Isn’t that turning black into white?!" Wen Yinyue frowned, "Just be quiet. Is he the leader?" As she spoke, she pointed at the elder standing behind Ding Jinxi.

The elder’s eyes burned bright.

He took a step forward.

Cupping his hands in a salute, he stated, "Fairy Cold Lotus, your reputation is well-deserved!" Wen Yinyue said coolly, "Your honored name?" "This old man is Helian Zhan!" the elder stated in a deep voice.

"What is Helian Ye to you?" Wen Yinyue inquired.

The elder, Helian Zhan, said sternly, "My elder brother."

"I see."

Wen Yinyue nodded, coolly concluding, "No need for pleasantries. Let’s get started." Helian Zhan said in a deep voice, "Miss Wen is straightforward; we won't stand on ceremony either!" With that, he waved his hand: "Up! They moved like swift wind, instantly surrounding her, some drawing swords, some unsheathing blades, others retrieving staffs, all attacking at once.

Wen Yinyue smiled faintly, lotus shadows flickering around her hands as she met the assault.

Swords, sabers, and staves collided with the lotus shadows, only to be repelled as if striking an invisible wall of vital energy—blades and swords could not penetrate.

The crowd startled, then redoubled their efforts, several blades and swords descending simultaneously, aiming to shatter her defense.

The lotus shadows flickered beneath Wen Yinyue's feet; her form seemed to vanish and reappear, now in front, now behind, her movements utterly unpredictable.

They sought to surround her but found no purchase.

Li Muzhan sealed his five senses, utterly cut off from external stimuli.

His entire spirit plunged into the Heart Pearl, entering the Xiang Shen state, observing the convergence of moonlight within the Heaven-Man Divine Illumination Chart.

The moonlight enveloped his Xiang Shen.

His body felt like fine grit.

His physical body also began to change imperceptibly; the bloody wounds gradually stitched themselves closed, a movement so subtle it was barely discernible, yet it continued unceasingly.

Wen Yinyue’s jade face was as dark as deep water; her movements were exquisitely graceful, every stance and posture mesmerizingly alluring, yet concealing deadly intent. In this brief span of time, two elders had already been flung backward.

One of them included Ding Jinxi.

The other elder attacked with a sword, trying to break through Wen Yinyue's lotus palm, unprepared for the strange internal force woven into it, which twisted and turned. The force surged into him, sending him flying instantly.

"Miss Wen, what manner of palm technique is this? It is incredibly profound!" Helian Zhan called out loudly.

He remained outside the fray, observing coldly, not joining the fight, apparently too conscious of his status to stoop to overwhelming a single girl with numbers.

Regrettably, even with so many present, they were helpless against Wen Yinyue, and instead, their own men were being injured and thrown back. At this rate, these men were bound to follow suit, one by one thrown aside, unable to even scratch her.

To think that the combined might of the Helian family experts could not subdue a mere girl—if this tale spread, how could they bear the shame? The face of the Helian family would be utterly lost.

Wen Yinyue’s movements were ethereal and unpredictable; suddenly, a lotus shadow flickered, and she sent an elder flying with one palm, stating softly, "Jade Lotus Palm."

Helian Zhan burst into laughter, "A fine Jade Lotus Palm! This old man admires it, and I must also request a lesson!" "Come then," Wen Yinyue replied coldly.

As she spoke, the lotus shadow on her left palm flashed again, and she dispatched another elder, achieving it with utter ease, like an adult toying with children.

Helian Zhan let out a deep cry and charged into the fray, engaging Wen Yinyue in a fierce exchange.

He too utilized a palm technique; both his movements and his palm strikes were crisp and powerful, matching his stern appearance, demanding respect.

Wen Yinyue met his palm strike with one hand while dealing with the others with her other, yet she showed no sign of being at a disadvantage.

Helian Zhan grew somewhat anxious, roaring in frustration. His eyes flared with brilliant light, his palms descending like a violent storm, seeking to overwhelm Wen Yinyue in one breath.

The lotus shadows flickered beneath Wen Yinyue's feet. Her form shifted, moving fluidly through the torrent of his palm strikes, evading them.

Helian Zhan cursed repeatedly, his palm strikes growing ever more ferocious. The clothes of those nearby whipped and fluttered, stirred by the palm wind, as if caught in a gale. Wen Yinyue continued to move, never ceasing her counterattacks; one by one, people were sent flying, landing motionless on the ground, their fate unknown, their fighting capacity gone.

In the blink of an eye, amidst Helian Zhan's enraged roars, more than ten men were flung away. In the end, only he remained standing.

Helian Zhan was astonished. Though he knew the reputation of Fairy Cold Lotus, he had assumed that, being only a young girl, no matter how deep her cultivation or how subtle her techniques, her power must have its limits. With the full force of the Helian family experts, they should have captured her easily. He never imagined she was this formidable; combined, they were no match for her. Such skill was truly terrifying and unbelievable.

Wen Yinyue’s moves suddenly shifted, accelerating instantly. She struck out four times in quick succession, four lotus shadows—North, South, East, West—trapping him.

Helian Zhan roared in defiance and met the attack head-on, using sheer force against force, attempting to decide the victor by raw internal power.

With a dull thud, he flew backward.

Wen Yinyue abruptly stopped, standing quietly to survey the fallen figures on the ground. Dynamic as a startled rabbit, yet still as a virgin maiden, she stood motionless, her light green robe fluttering, looking like an entirely different person from the phantom-like woman moments before.

When Li Muzhan awoke, he opened his eyes to see Wen Yinyue sitting opposite him, her bright eyes like water, gazing at him calmly.

The sun was now high in the sky, its rays scorching hot.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Senior Sister, how long has it been?" Wen Yinyue withdrew her scrutinizing gaze and said flatly, "Five days."

Li Muzhan looked down; the wound had healed completely, smooth as new, showing no trace of injury. Li Muzhan reached out, picked up the long sword beside him, and examined it closely before his eyes, chuckling, "Truly a fine sword. This injury was worth taking for it." The sword was exquisitely bright; its blade seemed coated in a layer of white frost, radiating chilling energy.

"It is indeed a treasured sword." Wen Yinyue glanced at his wound, deep in thought, and then stated, "Is the Indestructible Vajra Divine Art truly so miraculous?" Li Muzhan turned the treasured sword over in his hands; two tiny characters were engraved on the hilt: Fei Shuang (Flying Frost). Stroking the blade, he nodded, "Indeed, the Indestructible Vajra Divine Art is remarkable. Without it, I would have died countless times!" "Pity I have not yet reached perfection. Perhaps with mastery, I truly could attain an adamantine body, impervious to harm."

"Mmm," Wen Yinyue nodded, showing a trace of admiration.

Li Muzhan smiled, "If Senior Sister wishes to learn, I can report to the Mistress and have it transmitted to you." Wen Yinyue shook her head, "This technique requires a pure Yang constitution to cultivate; for a woman, it would be wasted effort." Li Muzhan nodded, finding her reasoning sound, and then smiled, "While I was healing, did someone come causing trouble? ... That girl Jiang Nan wouldn't just let things rest."

Wen Yinyue said, "The Helian family came, but they have retreated. Let us return to the mountain; Master must be anxious and worried."

"Good." Li Muzhan agreed, putting away the Fei Shuang Sword.

The two went to the Boundless Hall to pay respects to Abbess Bamboo Light.

Abbess Bamboo Light sat upon a cushion before the jade statue, watching them with a benevolent smile.

Abbess Bamboo Light nodded with a smile, "Hmm, you both did well!" Li Muzhan laughed, "It is all Senior Sister's credit; I was merely a burden." Abbess Bamboo Light’s face bloomed like a flower, "Zhanran, did you see your Senior Sister’s martial arts?" "Yes!" Li Muzhan nodded vigorously, sighing, "My admiration soars to the heavens!" Abbess Bamboo Light chuckled, "Yinyue is perhaps the foremost master of our Azure Sea Sword Sect; even I am not her equal."

"Mistress," Wen Yinyue quickly interjected.

Abbess Bamboo Light smiled, "This is the marvel of the Wonderful Lotus Scripture. The deeper one comprehends it, the more profound their power becomes, independent of age." She continued, "Zhanran, you are also quite good. Have you brought the Azure Sea Divine Art to the fourth level?" "Yes, Mistress," Li Muzhan confirmed.

Abbess Bamboo Light smiled brightly, "Excellent, you have already surpassed that girl Bi Xuan!" Li Muzhan replied, "It is merely a stroke of luck. After reviewing Patriarch Li’s calligraphy, I gained much insight... Mistress, I feel that the four characters written by Patriarch Li are immensely beneficial for cultivating the Azure Sea Divine Art."

Abbess Bamboo Light smiled, "Indeed. The sect rules require disciples cultivating the Azure Sea Divine Art to study the original manual precisely to inspire them. Alas, few truly grasp its essence." She then asked, "Can you learn the Compassionate Contemplation?" Li Muzhan nodded and smiled, "I have already learned from Divine Nun Xue Yin... Disciples must immediately enter seclusion to begin practicing the Compassionate Contemplation."

Abbess Bamboo Light said gladly, "Very well. If you enter seclusion, I will have your Senior Sister guard your practice." "Yes, thank you, Mistress. I trouble Senior Sister." Li Muzhan agreed with a nod.

Li Muzhan presented the Fei Shuang Sword from his waist: "Mistress, this is the treasured sword this disciple confiscated in a confrontation with Jiang Nan of the Changbai Sword Sect."

Abbess Bamboo Light took it, examining it closely, then frowned, "Fei Shuang Sword! This was the personal sword of Concubine Lü Yan in her youth. It seems Jiang Nan's connection to Jiang Lüyan is not insignificant!" She looked at it a few more times, then handed it back to Li Muzhan, "Keep it. Do not lose it. This sword is extraordinary; even among treasured swords, it is top-tier."

Li Muzhan took it back, and he and Wen Yinyue left the Boundless Hall. He prepared to enter seclusion to cultivate the Compassionate Contemplation, planting its seed to lay the foundation for the Great Bright King Sutra.

(To be continued)