The young woman turned her head, saw the twin blue flames leaping from Li Muzhan's eyes, and paused briefly. "He has truly fallen to the demonic path."

Mistress Zhuzhao bowed her head in shame. "I must trouble Martial Uncle to intervene."

The middle-aged woman said, "Zhao'er, don't you have the Killer Bronze? Why aren't you using it?"

Mistress Zhuzhao shook her head. "If I use it, and something happens to Zhanran..."

"It has come to this, and you are still spoiling him!" The middle-aged woman shook her head disapprovingly and said softly, "This little fellow seems difficult to handle. Let's give it a try."

"Thank you, Martial Uncle!" Mistress Zhuzhao said hastily.

The middle-aged woman waved her hand and smiled. "Zhao'er, you have a sharp tongue but a soft heart. If you remain so soft-hearted, your position as Sect Master is quite precarious!"

Mistress Zhuzhao smiled sheepishly.

Li Muzhan, with his sharp hearing, grew colder as he listened to the middle-aged woman's words.

"Let's make a move and subdue this youngster!" the middle-aged woman directed.

The other three women responded, and one asked, "Fourth Martial Sister, shall we use the Dragon-Binding Formation?"

The middle-aged woman smiled and nodded. "Good, the Dragon-Binding Formation it is. But remember, this youngster is Zhao'er's precious disciple; don't kill him."

Mistress Zhuzhao looked embarrassed, while Wen Yinyue glared fiercely at Li Muzhan. Having to rely on the elders to act was a great blow to her master's prestige and undermined the authority of the Sect Master.

Li Muzhan smiled at Wen Yinyue.

The four women flashed suddenly, encircling Li Muzhan. Their long swords were drawn, weaving a net of cold light that shot out towards him.

Li Muzhan stood still, watching the flashing sword light with cold eyes.

The cold swords did not strike him directly but circled around him, like four coiled flood dragons seeking an opening to attack.

Li Muzhan remained motionless, observing with a hint of disdain curling at the corner of his lips.

The four women were secretly annoyed by his composure but suppressed it. Without this level of self-control, they would not have achieved their current standing. Nevertheless, they resolved in their hearts that they would certainly teach him a lesson and make him suffer a bit.

A moment later, the four silver dragons moved faster and faster, linking up front to back to form a silver ring, sending a chilling aura sweeping toward him.

"Close!" the middle-aged woman commanded softly.

The silver ring instantly tightened, wrapping around Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. He punched out once, and with a crisp ding, the silver ring immediately shattered, reverting to four long swords.

"Hmph!" the middle-aged woman exclaimed, shouting, "The Two Poles Electric Light Formation!"

Sword light immediately erupted, like four bolts of lightning descending, dazzling the eyes until they could no longer look.

Li Muzhan squinted slightly and punched backward.

With a sharp clang, one woman’s long sword flew away. He followed up with another punch, sending another sword flying. A third punch, and a third sword flew away. The Two Poles Electric Light Sword Formation proved utterly useless.

Mistress Zhumei and Mistress Zhuzhao exchanged glances, both speechless.

They were well aware of the power of their Martial Uncles. Moreover, the Two Poles Electric Light Formation was renowned for its overwhelming might. Yet, Li Muzhan broke the formation one punch at a time.

Overwhelming power defeats technique; how could they not be shocked by such a display?

The swords flew out, and the four women met them with palm strikes. Gray robes fluttered, graceful as startled swans. Li Muzhan did not move his feet; he struck out with punch after punch into the empty air, forcing the three women to constantly shift their forms.

The middle-aged woman's long sword remained, meeting Li Muzhan's fist head-on. It did not fly away, but her arm went instantly numb, making it nearly impossible to hold.

She turned and asked, "Zhao'er, is this the time to still hold back your heart?!"

Mistress Zhuzhao sighed. "Fourth Martial Uncle, let me persuade Zhanran!"

Mistress Zhuzhao smiled and approached Li Muzhan. "Zhanran, stop this nonsense and come back with me!"

Li Muzhan chuckled. "Master, your disciple was disrespectful."

Mistress Zhuzhao huffed. "This is no time for dreaming. Do not act rashly, or your master will have to use harsh measures!"

"Master, your disciple must descend the mountain first. I will accept any punishment upon my return. Hit me as much as you like!" Li Muzhan laughed heartily, cupped his hands in a salute, and stepped a hundred meters away in a single stride.

"Stop him!" The middle-aged woman’s expression changed drastically. "We cannot let him leave the mountain!"

Mistress Zhuzhao also understood the gravity of the situation. If Zhanran descended the mountain like this, no one could control his martial arts. Furthermore, unrestrained as he was, he would surely cause catastrophe.

She shouted, "All Inner Gate disciples, stop Zhanran!"

The sound boomed out, and nearly a hundred disciples flew out from all directions, blocking the path down the mountain.

Li Muzhan laughed faintly, stepped forward, and ignored all the moves launched by the surrounding disciples, letting their fists and palms strike him without moving an inch.

Mistress Zhuzhao called out loudly, "Direct Disciples, form the Vast Sea Turning Wave Formation!"

The crowd rapidly retreated, and nine people flew forward: five men and four women—Lu Jingren, Xiao Xueming, Zhao Jinsheng, Yue Jianshu, Yan Yingxiong. Among the women were Wen Yinyue, Xu Jingying, Xu Wanqing, and Zhong Bixuan.

Mei Ruolan, though also a direct disciple, had not learned this formation; she stood aside, watching Li Muzhan nervously, her lips tightly pressed.

Li Muzhan stopped, glanced at the nine people, and smiled, shaking his head. "Senior Martial Brothers and Sisters, please stand aside."

Zhao Jinsheng said, "Junior Martial Brother Zhanran, listen to your elder brother; stop this!"

Li Muzhan laughed lightly. "Senior Brother Zhao, you are a good person, and I deeply respect you. But I must go down the mountain for a trip to the northwest, circle around, and then return."

Zhao Jinsheng shook his head. "Whether you can leave the mountain requires the order of Martial Uncle Sect Master. Leaving at will is against the rules."

"Alright, Senior Brother Zhao, stop talking and move aside." Li Muzhan waved his hand, showing impatience. Zhao Jinsheng shook his head. "I will not."

"Then I can only sample the formidable skills of all you Senior Brothers and Sisters!" Li Muzhan sighed helplessly.

"Jinsheng, why waste breath? Hurry up and act!" Mistress Zhumei snapped irritably.

Zhao Jinsheng bowed. "Yes, Eldest Martial Uncle."

Clang! Nine swords flashed in unison, their cold light immediately merging into a continuous sheet, like an ocean of light swallowing Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan’s body remained still. He held his palm stiff like a blade, striking the swords with a rhythm, ding ding ding ding, as if playing a zither.

Everyone was astonished in their hearts. His entire body seemed impervious to blades and swords; where they struck, it was like leather that resisted, bending the long swords but making no headway.

The four middle-aged women shook their heads and joined the fray. They were more familiar with the Vast Sea Turning Wave Formation; joining it did not impede it but instead increased its power by several tens of percent.

Li Muzhan remained calm and composed, the blue flames in his pupils leaping. His feet were rooted to the spot; he defended solely with his bare palms. When a strike could not be blocked, he let the sword stab into his body.

His Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill seemed to have reached completion; he was indestructible, and their swords could not pierce him.

Seeing this, Mistress Zhuzhao knitted her delicate brows, helpless.

Mistress Zhumei sighed. "Martial Sister, it seems we must use the final move."

Mistress Zhuzhao nodded sadly.

Just at that moment, Li Muzhan suddenly laughed out loud, and his body moved, transforming into a phantom. Ethereal and without substance, the swords passed through empty shadows where he had been.

But his strikes were solid reality.

With a dull thump!, Lu Jingren was struck in the chest and flew backward—man and sword together—landing a hundred meters away, struggling to rise.

Thump! Thump! Thump! A series of dull thuds followed as figures flew outward.

In the blink of an eye, everyone except Wen Yinyue, including the four middle-aged women, had been sent flying.

Li Muzhan cupped his hands in a salute and smiled faintly. "Senior Sister, I was muddled earlier; I apologize for any offense."

Wen Yinyue stared at him intently, trying to understand what had happened to him—his actions alternating between absurd and serious, completely inexplicable.

At this moment, he seemed to have regained his rationality.

However, the two blue flames still flickered in his eyes, clearly indicating he was not yet fully sober.

Mistress Zhuzhao sighed. "Yinyue, bring Zhanran over!"

With that, she turned and entered the Limitless Hall.

Wen Yinyue shot Li Muzhan a sidelong glance. "Junior Brother, come with me!"

Li Muzhan cupped his hands toward those around him in a salute. "All Senior Brothers and Sisters, your junior brother has offended you; I shall apologize properly another day!"

Saying this, ignoring the bewildered looks cast his way, he followed Wen Yinyue into the Limitless Hall.

The moment Li Muzhan stepped into the Limitless Hall, his body suddenly tensed, his expression changing drastically. He recoiled backward with the swiftness of lightning, instantly returning to the spot where the fighting had occurred.

A streak of milky white light shot through the air, striking his body, too fast for him to employ any evasion technique.

"Canghai Sword Qi!" someone gasped in alarm.

Li Muzhan flew backward, smashing into a small courtyard. With a muffled bang, he went through the south wall and out the north wall. Crack! A stretch of pine trees in front of the courtyard snapped.

He broke through ten more pines before finally landing, still and motionless.

At this point, his face was as pale as gold paper, his gaze distant, a faint smile on his lips. His body twitched a few times before becoming completely still, then his eyes closed, and he fell unconscious.

Mistress Zhuzhao slowly emerged from the Limitless Hall, supported by shimmering lotuses beneath her feet, which carried her instantly to Li Muzhan's side.

Her face was pale, her eyes flickering. She gently placed her hand on his forehead and checked his pulse.

Wen Yinyue approached her and whispered, "Master, should we use the Yin-Yang Creation Technique?"

She knew that although her junior brother had caused a grave offense, her master would never abandon him, despite her occasional dislike for him.

Mistress Zhuzhao shook her head and whispered, "You hold him; follow me."

Mistress Zhumei approached and spoke softly, "Second Martial Sister."

The four middle-aged women also came over, looking at the unconscious Li Muzhan. His brow was tightly furrowed, suggesting pain.

The middle-aged woman smiled. "This little fellow truly knows how to cause trouble."

Mistress Zhuzhao sighed. "Four Martial Uncles, I will discipline him properly; please forgive us."

The middle-aged woman shook her head. "He acted against his will; he should not be blamed. A minor punishment will suffice. Let's see if he can be saved first."

"Yes, thank you, Fourth Martial Uncle!" Mistress Zhuzhao let out a breath of relief.

The middle-aged woman chuckled. "Zhao'er, you are the Sect Master; do as you see fit, don't mind us. Alright, we are leaving. Do you have any message for your master?"

Mistress Zhuzhao shook her head, sighing. "I don't have the face to see Master."

The middle-aged woman laughed. "Quite the opposite! Let's go!"

With that, the four women rose into the air elegantly, swept over the Limitless Hall, and vanished behind it.