"Yes, thank you, Senior Sister," Li Muzhan nodded.

Wen Yinyue remained expressionless, glanced at him, turned, and left, her movements exquisitely graceful and alluring.

Li Muzhan smiled, knowing he had thoroughly offended his Senior Sister this time, having publicly embarrassed her in front of the entire Canghai Sword Sect, severely damaging her prestige.

Even if his inner sense was unresponsive, Li Muzhan understood that Senior Sister would deal with him sooner or later; she was only holding back now because he was injured.

He shook his head, quite annoyed, cursing his own incompetence—even in that state of divine might and invincibility, he hadn't managed to steal a kiss. What incompetence! The chance of such an opportunity arising again was minuscule!

Li Muzhan lay on the couch for a month, spending his days carefully observing his entire body, minutely examining every detail.

This was the first time such a situation had occurred; it was strange and profound, and he dared not be careless, fearing some hidden consequence.

With the Vajra Undying Divine Art protecting him, his physique was far stronger than ordinary people, granting him extreme recuperative powers; if it had been the Life-Sacrificing Great Method, six or seven days would have sufficed.

He had not dared to activate the Heaven-Observing Divine Illumination Scripture. In his estimation, since the Heart Pearl had been burned by the Azure Flame, it might be damaged and needed time to rest, making it unsuitable for easy use.

If he could use the Heaven-Observing Divine Illumination Scripture, his recovery would naturally be swift, but no matter what, this time the aftereffects were more severe and would last longer than those from the Life-Sacrificing Great Method.

Lying on the couch for thirty days, beyond internal observation, he practiced the Canghai Divine Art.

During this month, his internal strength cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, and the Canghai Divine Art reached the fifth layer.

Unfortunately, he still could not refine the Sword Qi pooled in his Dantian.

He once had an impulse to perform the Lamp-Burning Technique, incinerating all his internal energy to see what the Canghai Sword Qi would do, whether it would dissipate.

But his intuition warned him of danger: once the internal energy was completely burned away, the Canghai Sword Qi, without hindrance, might attack the Sarira.

Throughout this month, it was Wen Yinyue who attended to him.

Her expression remained vacant, as if wearing a mask. No matter how he spoke, her responses were brief and essential. She uttered few words, reluctant to say even one more, as if unwilling to spare an extra syllable. Li Muzhan sighed inwardly, worried even more about Senior Sister settling scores later—it certainly wouldn't be lightly dismissed.

On this day, he finally got off the couch. In recent days, he had actually been able to walk, but he had deliberately lingered on the **, hoping to spend more time with Wen Yinyue and soothe her anger.

Now, it seemed the hope was slim, and he delayed no longer.

With a soft creak, the door opened. Wen Yinyue entered, clad in a pale green silk gown, moving with ethereal grace. Seeing him standing before the couch, her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. "You can get up now?"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Yes. I wish to pay my respects to Master."

"Follow me," Wen Yinyue said faintly, turning to lead the way out. Her steps were light, her pace slow.

Li Muzhan followed her, catching the faint, subtle fragrance carried on the breeze, and soon they arrived at the Boundless Hall.

The Boundless Hall

Beneath the white jade statue, Master Zhuzhao sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, clad in a dark green monastic robe, her eyes slightly closed, hands formed in a mudra, utterly still.

Wen Yinyue’s melodious, cool voice suddenly cut through the silence. "Master, Junior Brother seeks an audience."

Master Zhuzhao opened her bright eyes; two rays of pure light flashed through before receding. "Come in."

Wen Yinyue and Li Muzhan crossed the threshold, approaching her, and offered their formal courtesies.

Master Zhuzhao waved a hand, gesturing for them to sit before her.

"Zhanran, are you well?" Master Zhuzhao observed Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan smiled sheepishly, scratching his head. "Yes, Master. Your disciple has come to beg pardon."

Master Zhuzhao inquired, "Are your injuries mostly healed?"

"The Canghai Sword Qi remains, but other wounds are mended," Li Muzhan replied respectfully.

Master Zhuzhao nodded. "Mmm, regarding the Canghai Sword Qi, do not rush. Take it slow. Once you reach the sixth layer, you will naturally be able to refine it."

"Yes," Li Muzhan replied respectfully.

"The matter of how to deal with you has been decided," Master Zhuzhao stated.

Li Muzhan looked at her with a placid expression, but Wen Yinyue grew anxious, quickly asking, "Master, how will Junior Brother be punished?"

"Although Zhanran did not cause massive damage, the influence was extremely negative," Master Zhuzhao sighed, glancing briefly at Li Muzhan.

Seeing Li Muzhan still smiling faintly, his demeanor unperturbed, she chuckled lightly. "Zhanran, aren't you anxious?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "What use is anxiety to this disciple?"

Master Zhuzhao laughed. "Indeed, everyone understands that principle, but achieving a heart that remains still is not easy. Truly worthy of someone who has cultivated the Great Bright King Scripture."

Li Muzhan shook his head. "Master, this disciple is ashamed. I failed at the final step; I did not complete the Great Bright King Scripture."

"Don't rush, take your time," Master Zhuzhao replied with a smile.

Mentioning the Great Bright King Scripture, she couldn't help but laugh twice. Seeing her senior disciple, Wen Yinyue, staring intently, she stopped playing games and announced, "Zhanran is sentenced to sweep the steps for one year."

Wen Yinyue started, then quickly protested, "Master, what kind of punishment is that?"

Master Zhuzhao smiled knowingly as she assessed her. "What is it, Yinyue? Are you eager for your Junior Brother to receive a severe punishment?"

Wen Yinyue hurried to shake her head. "No! Master, Junior Brother caused too great a disaster this time, alarming Grand-Master Uncle and causing our Martial Uncles to lose all face. This is no small offense." Such a light punishment might not satisfy everyone, and it would undermine Master's authority."

It was rare for her to speak so much in one breath; usually, she...

Master Zhuzhao laughed. "If anyone else had the capability, it wouldn't matter even if they tore down the Boundless Hall. Zhanran offended you by being presumptuous this time, hence this punishment."

Wen Yinyue stopped arguing, knowing it was futile, and merely glared fiercely at Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan pretended not to notice and asked, "Master, which steps am I to sweep?"

"All of them!" Master Zhuzhao said with a smile. "From the bottom of the mountain to the top, from the South Courtyard to the North Courtyard, all the way to the Boundless Hall."

Li Muzhan gave a wry smile. "That's so many; I fear I can't finish them in one day."

Master Zhuzhao chuckled. "If you can't finish in one day, take two. You just cannot be idle. However, after ten days, you must complete one full sweep per day."

"In that case, I won't be able to cultivate," Li Muzhan sighed.

Master Zhuzhao laughed. "Whether you can cultivate depends on your capability. Once the steps are swept, the rest of the time is yours to command."

Li Muzhan sighed deeply. "Yes, Master. Your disciple accepts the punishment!"

Li Muzhan thanked Wen Yinyue for her care and returned to his small courtyard. The courtyard was as clean as before, as if someone had tidied it. Lilies bloomed, their scent faint and lingering. Entering the room, several sets of clothes were neatly placed on the couch, including two new monastic robes.

Li Muzhan picked them up for inspection. One was Xiaoyuan's work; her stitching was erratic—neither straight nor curved. The other was likely made by Gong Qingyun.

He looked at the two robes, a faint smile touching his lips, feeling a warmth spread through his heart.

Seeing that the sky was still early, guessing his few friends were busy, he decided not to disturb them. He sat directly on the couch and began circulating the Heaven-Observing Divine Illumination Scripture.

Instantly, his spirit dove into the three Heart Pearls. He suddenly sensed something amiss; the Heart Pearls held a faint trace of cyan. As his divine sense pierced inside, it merged directly with his spiritual awareness.

He felt his consciousness settle, clear as still water. In an instant, his mind became much clearer, like a sweet frost descending, or akin to the state just after emerging from deep meditation—serene and joyful.

His intuition signaled no danger, and he relaxed, thinking no more. He directly manifested his spiritual body on the lotus flower, then dove into the Heart Pearl, transforming into a vertical eye between his brows, drawing down the essence of the moon to bathe in its light.

The moonlight grew increasingly refining and solid, appearing no different from a pillar of white jade. Bathing within it, his whole body’s cells were active and excited, as if he could feel flesh and blood transforming, clarifying the turbid, renewing the old.

After about an hour, he awoke, opening his eyes with a faint smile. He felt his concentration had greatly improved; that trace of cyan was quite miraculous, actually enhancing his focus.

He was met by four pairs of eyes.

Li Zongheng, Song Wenbin, Xiaoyuan, and Gong Qingyun were all sitting inside, staring at him intently. Seeing him wake, their eyes instantly lit up.

Xiaoyuan broke into a wide smile and rushed to ask, "Zhanran, when did you get back?"

Gong Qingyun also gazed at him deeply. When Li Muzhan’s eyes met hers, he quickly looked away, smiling. "I just got back. When did you all arrive?"

Xiaoyuan hurried to say, "We've been waiting for you for half an hour!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Have you all entered the Inner Sect?"

"Naturally!" Xiaoyuan puffed out her chest proudly. "We entered the Inner Sect last month! We couldn't find you; Senior Sister said you were recuperating from your injuries."

"Congratulations to all of you," Li Muzhan said with a smile.

Li Zongheng pouted, waving his hand dismissively. "Hmph, what's there to congratulate? No matter how strong we are, we could never catch up to a monster like you!"

He suddenly glanced towards the courtyard gate behind him, leaned forward, and lowered his voice. "I heard... Zhanran, you caused a huge ruckus in the Boundless Hall, beating all the Inner Sect disciples and direct lineage disciples into submission. Is that true? You were incredibly imposing!"

Li Muzhan chuckled, shaking his head, neither admitting nor denying it.

Seeing this, the group understood; the rumors were indeed true. When they first heard he was recovering, they had guessed as much—otherwise, why would he have been injured for no apparent reason?

Xiaoyuan’s face glowed, and she asked excitedly in a low voice, "Zhanran, how did you do it? What marvelous technique did you learn?"

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. "Master has already issued a gag order; everyone must refrain from discussing or spreading it. It’s best we speak less!"

"Stinky Zhanran, stop holding back!" Little Xiaoyuan huffed.

Li Muzhan smiled. "This matter is not glorious, nothing much to speak of. I had a mishap while cultivating, a deviation of Qi, which led to my outburst and the great trouble I caused. Starting tomorrow, I have to sweep steps; the punishment is actually quite light!"

"Oh, so that's how it is, hehe, sweeping steps!" Xiaoyuan laughed, then quickly added, "Qi deviation is serious! Are you alright now?"

Li Muzhan replied, "Thanks to Master and Senior Sister saving me, I barely kept my life. I’m almost fully recovered now."

The group chatted for a while longer, finally departing reluctantly.

The next morning, Li Muzhan rose early and arrived at the Boundless Hall. Wen Yinyue was already there, examining a broom up and down.

Master Zhuzhao stood up, took the broom from Wen Yinyue’s hand, and smiled as she handed it to him. "Zhanran, work hard. Don't be lazy!"

Li Muzhan took the broom, giving a wry smile. "Yes, Master."

Master Zhuzhao chuckled. "I will have Yinyue supervise you. If you are caught idling, I will add another year to your sentence!"

"Yes." Li Muzhan glanced at Wen Yinyue. She finally showed a hint of a smile, which made Li Muzhan’s heart pound with alarm, sensing something ominous.