The days following passed quietly for Li Muzhan. Every morning, he would rise, meditate for four hours, practice the Canghai Divine Art, and then eat with the other four.
After the meal, the four would return to the Inner Sect to train in the martial arts grounds under the Wuji Hall, while Li Muzhan would pick up a broom and begin sweeping the steps.
He treated sweeping the steps as martial practice, cultivating the Ruthless Sleeve. The mastery of the Ruthless Sleeve deepened with each passing day; with a gentle flick of the broom, fallen leaves would roll up, and dust would drift away as if touched by a mere breeze.
The application of internal energy in the Ruthless Sleeve was exquisitely subtle, a pursuit he found tireless. He felt this sleeve technique suited his nature perfectly, relishing the minute control over his internal force—it was like the endless fun of playing a video game in later eras.
With every sweep, every execution of the Ruthless Sleeve, he finished cleaning all the steps, practicing at least a thousand times daily, achieving perfect familiarity.
Furthermore, every performance was executed with total concentration, striving for improvement, never merely repeating the motion. Such intensity was unbearable for an ordinary person; it demanded complete mental focus, truly draining the spirit, making constant maintenance impossible.
Yet, his spirit was like a dragon’s, devoid of weariness; instead, he was intoxicated and immersed in the practice, never growing tired of it.
Under such training, the Ruthless Sleeve advanced by leaps and bounds, progressing a thousand li in a day. After a month, his Ruthless Sleeve had reached perfection.
Following a month of cultivation, when he swept the steps now, the broom moved sluggishly, as if incredibly heavy and impossible to drag. As the broom moved slowly, nearby leaves and dust converged, rushing forward to meet the broom’s path, submitting to be swept away.
It appeared as if the broom were a magnet, and the surrounding leaves and dust were iron filings, drawn in from a distance, gathering before the broom, ready to be cleared.
Zhong Bixuan remained by his side, having witnessed the entire process of his Ruthless Sleeve cultivation. She was utterly astonished, letting go of any competitive ambition.
Five days later, she found it tedious; staying near him was too damaging to her confidence. Out of sight, out of mind, she told Wen Yinyue directly.
Hearing this, Wen Yinyue secretly sighed at her Master’s favoritism: punishing her junior brother by making him sweep steps, yet teaching him martial arts so he could slack off—it was truly detestable.
With the Master’s protection, it was hard to deal with him. If she made things slightly difficult, the Master would turn a blind eye; if she went too far, the Master would not stand idly by.
But this fellow was infuriating. Unless she vented her anger thoroughly, her mind could not be settled. She would only look for an opportunity during the Zhi Shi (Stopping Time) to truly deal with this irritating rogue!
That morning, she was meditating in the Wuji Hall, seated beside Abbess Zhuzhao, each on their own cushion before the white jade statue.
Meditating in the Wuji Hall brought an extraordinary tranquility, greatly boosting the efficiency of her practice, far surpassing that in her own courtyard. She always enjoyed meditating there.
Among the direct lineage disciples, she was the only one qualified to meditate and cultivate in the Wuji Hall.
After cultivating for an shichen (two hours), they both finished their practice. Lotus blossoms descended through the void, landing on them, vivid and clear, almost materializing.
Abbess Zhuzhao released her hand seals, smiling warmly, “Yinyue, I haven’t seen Zhanran these past few days?”
Every morning, Li Muzhan would bring his broom to pay respects; these past few days, he was nowhere to be seen. Abbess Zhuzhao found it strange.
Wen Yinyue replied, “Junior Brother told me he needs to enter seclusion for a few days to break through to the sixth layer of the Canghai Divine Art. I agreed to let someone substitute for him these days.”
“Who is substituting for him?” Abbess Zhuzhao asked with a smile.
Wen Yinyue said, “Li Zongheng and Song Wenbin, both Inner Sect disciples.”
Abbess Zhuzhao smiled, “It’s those two. They seem to be good friends with Zhanran. It’s quite rare for them to sweep the ground for him.”
Wen Yinyue allowed a faint smile to grace her lips. “Indeed.”
Sweeping steps was the task assigned to punished disciples. Even Outer Sect disciples would not perform this duty unless they had committed an offense. It carried the weight of humiliation.
Although the labor wasn't overly strenuous and wouldn't harm the body, it was a severe blow to one's dignity, and disciples feared it more than standard punishments.
For Li Zongheng and Song Wenbin to take over the task would severely damage their own reputation; such friends were truly rare.
Abbess Zhuzhao inquired, “Zhanran is aiming for the sixth layer?”
Wen Yinyue nodded. “Junior Brother’s comprehension is astonishing; he will emerge from seclusion soon.”
Abbess Zhuzhao smiled, “Although this little fellow has done quite a few foolish things, his comprehension is indeed exceptional. To reach the sixth layer of the Canghai Divine Art, besides you, he is the only one.”
Wen Yinyue nodded, her cold yet alluring face remaining expressionless.
Among the ten direct disciples, five male and five female, besides herself, the highest cultivation belonged to Xu Jingying, at the fifth layer of the Canghai Divine Art; the rest were at the fourth layer.
Wen Yinyue continued, “Master, I heard Fourth Junior Sister say that Junior Brother created a painting for Junior Sister Xiaoyuan. Viewing this painting benefits the cultivation of the Canghai Divine Art immensely. Both Xiaoyuan and Junior Sister Gong have made rapid progress, now reaching the third layer. Fourth Junior Sister only broke through to the fourth layer after seeing the painting.”
“Oh?” Abbess Zhuzhao was surprised. She chuckled, “Does it truly possess such marvelous effects?”
Wen Yinyue nodded. “I have seen it as well. The momentum is vast, the artistic conception lofty, deeply capturing the essence of the Canghai Divine Art. Junior Brother is truly extraordinary!”
Wen Yinyue spoke these words sincerely, originating from her heart.
She could perceive the essence of the Canghai Divine Art, yet could not articulate it—it was like eating a piece of candy; she knew it was sweet, but she couldn't describe the exact sensation of sweetness. The essence of the Canghai Divine Art was the same: better understood in the spirit than spoken of. Watching her junior sisters spin in place, unable to grasp the concept, she felt anxious but helpless.
That Zhanran could infuse such artistic conception into a painting demonstrated the profound depth of his understanding; she was far inferior. Only by reaching profound depths could one express the surface clearly. In terms of grasping the Canghai Divine Art, she was a step behind.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded. Li Muzhan floated into the hall, cupped his hands in a salute: “Greetings, Master. Senior Sister.”
Abbess Zhuzhao pointed ahead and laughed, “Zhanran. You have indeed reached the sixth layer, well done!”
Li Muzhan sat down on his cushion, smiling, “I just passed the barrier.”
Having just entered the sixth layer of the Canghai Divine Art, he had come immediately.
“Zhanran, you are very good!” Abbess Zhuzhao looked him over, smiling. “Reaching the sixth layer means the Canghai Divine Art is somewhat accomplished; your swordplay, palm techniques, and other minor skills can now unleash their full power… How is the Ruthless Sleeve?”
Li Muzhan smiled and lightly waved his sleeve.
Abbess Zhuzhao swayed slightly, letting out an “Eh?” of surprise, “You clever boy!”
She felt a surge of vast, powerful energy rush towards her, like a mountain torrent breaking loose. Her internal energy automatically activated to neutralize the incoming force, but unexpectedly, this sheer power contained six interconnected and unpredictable forms of strength. Caught off guard, she nearly fell into his trap.
Today I’ve been in the carriage all day and my body hasn’t recovered. The writing will be short. I’ll adjust tomorrow and prepare for a burst—three chapters! D
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