Master Zhuzhao watched them depart. He turned back and stood on the steps of the Wuji Hall, his voice ringing out, "What happened today is not to be spoken of or spread abroad. All of you will keep your mouths shut when you return. Otherwise, do not expect mercy from the sect rules!"

"Yes!" the assembled disciples responded in unison.

Master Zhuzhao slowly swept her sharp eyes over the group and let out a soft hum. "Go!"

The crowd dispersed immediately, communicating only through their eyes, which held both astonishment and shock.

Firstly, they were astonished by Li Muzhan’s formidable martial arts; he alone had managed to contend with all the disciples of the Canghai Sword Sect, proving utterly invincible. Such skill was terrifyingly formidable. Secondly, they were shocked by the sheer power of the Canghai Sword Qi. Junior Brother Zhanran, despite his profound skill, hadn't been able to muster the slightest resistance against it—such destructive power was truly awe-inspiring.

A wave of pride surged through their chests, layering like a sea of clouds. They instinctively straightened their backs, feeling an even stronger sense of belonging to the Canghai Sword Sect, bolstered by greater confidence.

Li Muzhan lay on the couch, suddenly opening his eyes. His gaze was distant, unfocused.

He frowned, contemplating for a long while, feeling as though he had just awoken from a long, strange dream.

The dreamscape had been bizarre. At the final juncture of cultivating the Great Bright King Scripture, a plume of cyan flame descended, bringing with it an intuitive sense of imminent peril, like heavenly lightning striking.

He realized the danger instantly. In a moment of desperation, acting purely on instinct, his entire consciousness plunged deep into the Sea of Awareness, retreating into the core of the three Heart Beads.

The cyan flame descended, directly engulfing the three beads, burning fiercely, intent on melting them down.

Within the confines of the Heart Beads, he marveled at his fortune in retreating there; otherwise, his spirit would have been incinerated by the flame. But the Heart Beads were as unyielding as adamantine, and even the fierce cyan fire could not destroy them.

Under the blazing flames, the Heart Beads slowly lost connection with his body. Everything was swallowed by cyan fire. After an unknown duration, the spinning of the Heart Beads ceased. His spirit settled, as if drifting into deep slumber.

The events that followed were hazy, indistinct, like fragments of a dream. First, he was intimately close to the Eldest Senior Sister. At that moment, his boldness was immense—fearing neither heaven nor earth—he had to steal a kiss from her full, ripe cherry lips.

This had been a long-suppressed desire, finally erupting.

The Eldest Senior Sister, cunning and quick as a phantom, fled toward Wuji Hall, where their Master intervened to stop him. Yet, even the Master’s presence could not quench the fire of lust burning within him.

Later, the situation escalated. First, several Martial Uncles and Aunts, then the assembled disciples, and finally, the Grand Martial Ancestor appeared. His audacity knew no bounds as he defeated them all.

Finally, upon reaching Wuji Hall, a streak of sword qi erupted from the slender index finger of the jade statue.

This single strand of sword qi was intensely sharp. Even recalling it now sent shivers down his spine.

The sword qi descended like a bolt of lightning splitting the heavens and earth. Before he could react in any meaningful way, it struck him.

The sword qi pierced his body, directly running through his vital meridians, annihilating the seed of the Great Bright King Scripture. It then descended into his Dantian, solidifying there without dissipation.

With the destruction of the Great Bright King Scripture seed, the cyan flame vanished instantly.

As the flame disappeared, the Heart Beads resumed their rotation. His consciousness slowly regained mobility and slipped back out of the beads into his body. Intense pain surged over him like a tide. He let out a soft groan and slowly opened his eyes.

Thinking back on it, he suddenly understood—it hadn't been a dream! Everything that had just happened was real!

He broke out in a cold sweat, managing only a wry smile. This trouble I’ve stirred up is colossal!

At this moment, the detached and unrestrained nature of his heart took hold. After a couple of bitter laughs, he stopped dwelling on it. What was done was done; overthinking was useless. He would let nature take its course.

Looking inward at his spirit, his Sarira was intact. The lake formed by his true qi was clear and pure, though mist swirled on the surface, as usual—it seemed unharmed.

However, an extra object occupied his Dantian. Within the lake of qi, a small, pale green sword darted about, nimble as a swimming fish.

Li Muzhan suddenly realized: this small, pale green sword was the Canghai Sword Qi!

"Canghai Sword Qi! What a Canghai Sword Qi!" Li Muzhan murmured with emotion, withdrawing his consciousness and slowly turning his eyes.

Above him was an ornate coffered ceiling. Turning his head, he saw light green, sheer gauze hanging down, emitting a faint, sweet fragrance that permeated the air, refreshing his spirit.

Could this be a lady's private chamber? Li Muzhan mused silently. He coughed softly.

With a "creak," the door opened. A jade bead curtain swayed aside, revealing Wen Yinyue’s face, shifting between joy and distress, her gaze complex as she looked at him faintly.

"Senior Sister?" Li Muzhan smiled, struggling to prop himself up on his arms, but they were soft and useless. A violent pain wracked his entire body, as if he had been carved by a thousand knives.

If he hadn't been accustomed to such suffering, the agony would have knocked him unconscious immediately.

Wen Yinyue stood before the bed, looking down at him, her gaze like water, fixing directly on his eyes. She spoke quietly, "Are you truly awake?"

Li Muzhan released his arms, letting out a long breath. He wiped the cold sweat beading on his forehead and managed a wry smile. "Senior Sister, what happened to me?"

In that short span, he was drenched in sweat again.

"You don't remember anything at all?" Wen Yinyue said softly. Her expression was devoid of sorrow, joy, anger, or resentment.

Li Muzhan thought for a moment, then laughed. "It seems I went astray while practicing, and all my efforts were wasted. Heh, and I had such a bizarre dream."

He frowned slightly. The Sea Sword Qi had directly destroyed the seed; everything related to the Great Bright King Scripture was lost. To cultivate again, he would have to start from scratch.

His vital meridians had been pierced, yet an internal inspection showed them perfectly whole. This method of healing must be the Yin-Yang Creation Technique.

"That wasn't a dream; it was real!" Wen Yinyue said with a half-smile.

Li Muzhan’s expression shifted to one of stark surprise. "It was real?"

He couldn't help looking at her full, red lips, still so tempting. What a pity I didn't get my wish. Truly a pity!

"What are you looking at?" Wen Yinyue’s jade face darkened, appearing both angry and vexed. "Hmph! I'm going to tell Master!"

With that, she turned and left. The wave of fragrance that washed over him was her personal scent.

The two had spent time together constantly, and Li Muzhan was familiar with this particular aroma.

Master Zhuzhao soon arrived, standing before Li Muzhan’s couch. Her expression was haggard; she had lost considerable weight.

The moment Li Muzhan saw her, he couldn't help but sigh, "Master, you’ve lost weight."

Master Zhuzhao glanced at him, suddenly reaching out and fiercely twisting his ear, pouting dramatically, "You wretched boy, you’ve almost killed me!"

Li Muzhan cried out in pain, begging for mercy.

Master Zhuzhao snorted and released his ear. "Do you have any idea what a catastrophe you’ve caused?!"

Li Muzhan offered an embarrassed smile. "This humble disciple thought he had a strange dream. Senior Sister just said that dream was real, which is rather inconvenient."

Master Zhuzhao shared a subtle resemblance with Mistress Qin; their temperaments were similar. Despite meeting infrequently, Li Muzhan felt an intense closeness to her.

"What bizarre dream? It was all real," Master Zhuzhao retorted, glaring at him and tapping his forehead with her index finger, irately. "You’ve gotten ambitious, haven't you, brat? Unbeatable within the sect! Truly magnificent! I am deeply impressed!" Hmph! Our little Canghai Sword Sect temple is about to become too small to contain a great deity like you! "Even worse, you wretched boy insisted on kissing your Senior Sister!"

Li Muzhan scratched his head, glancing sheepishly at Wen Yinyue.

Wen Yinyue’s face was like still water, utterly expressionless. Even probing her mind, he sensed no ripple. Li Muzhan smiled outwardly, but sighed inwardly.

Master Zhuzhao continued to berate him fiercely. Her words were sharp as knives, yet Li Muzhan only chuckled, offering no rebuttal or defense.

Wen Yinyue, with her face like still water, sighed internally. The harsher the Master’s scolding, the deeper the affection. The Master favored this troublesome junior brother immensely!

Only she had ever endured such a fierce tongue-lashing; the Master was always smiling at others. Those smiles, however, concealed daggers—even when rules were broken, she offered few sharp words, but the punishments were merciless.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Master, you used the Yin-Yang Creation Technique on me, didn't you?"

Master Zhuzhao, still not appeased, said, "Your Senior Sister and I took turns applying it. Without the Yin-Yang Creation Technique, how could you have survived a strike from the Canghai Sword Qi!?"

Li Muzhan chuckled softly. "No wonder Master looks so worn out. It is this disciple’s fault for being unworthy!"

"Stop with the flowery talk!" Master Zhuzhao huffed. "Just cause less trouble, and I’ll be grateful enough!"

Li Muzhan lowered his head in shame. "It is my incompetence; I failed to cultivate the Great Bright King Scripture properly."

Upon hearing the words Great Bright King Scripture, Master Zhuzhao’s mouth twitched slightly, but she forcefully suppressed it. "Hmph! You were practicing until the very last step! You should have consulted me! What use is having me as a Master if you don't ask questions? You just buried your head and practiced recklessly, finally running into trouble!" She shook her head. "Fortunately, your fundamental nature is pure; otherwise, a tragedy might have occurred, resulting in the death of a fellow disciple, and your life would have been forfeit!"

Li Muzhan offered a bitter smile. "Master, what punishment will I receive for causing this trouble this time?"

"It hasn't been decided yet. We will determine it after you have fully recovered from your injuries!" Master Zhuzhao huffed.

Li Muzhan quickly replied, "Master, my injuries are almost healed."

Though his body ached, the sensation was similar to finishing the Selfless Sacrifice Great Method; it required only a period of rest.

He suddenly frowned. Selfless Sacrifice Great Method? Great Bright King Scripture? Could it be that this Great Bright King Scripture, like the Selfless Sacrifice Great Method, is a technique to stimulate potential?

Although the Selfless Sacrifice Great Method provided immense power and increased cultivation temporarily, it consumed one's lifespan by stimulating potential. He had already abandoned it in favor of the Lamp-Burning Art.

"It's not that simple," Master Zhuzhao shot him a look and snorted. "Do you think the Canghai Sword Qi is so easily dealt with?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "The sword qi has not dissipated."

Master Zhuzhao confirmed, "Exactly. This strand of sword qi has solidified into physical form. To dispel it requires the cultivation of the Sixth Level of the Canghai Divine Art. You are currently only at the Fourth Level—two levels short!"

"Yes, this disciple will intensify cultivation and strive to reach the Sixth Level!" Li Muzhan said with a smile.

Master Zhuzhao snorted. "Rest well for this period. When your injuries are healed, we will decide how to punish you."