Little Yuan hastily waved her hands: "Who would dare bully Sister Gong? It’s just that Sister Gong is too willful! ... Hmph, she practices day and night, forgetting to eat and sleep. I've pleaded with her until my tongue is worn thin, but she won't listen!"

Gong Qingyun offered a faint smile: "It's nothing serious with me, perhaps just too much mental exertion."

Li Muzhan sighed softly, his voice gentle: "The way of martial arts is built through gradual accumulation, like dripping water wearing through stone; there is no shortcut to sudden achievement... Senior Sister Gong, do not rush, be careful of backlash."

Gong Qingyun nodded slightly.

Li Muzhan looked at her deeply, his gaze holding a shade of reproof, his heart heavy with concern; her haggard appearance, like a frost-bitten flower, was truly pitiable.

Gong Qingyun offered a faint smile, then turned her gaze away, looking toward the distant horizon.

Li Muzhan paused in thought for a moment, then said: "How about this, Senior Sister Gong, come practice in my courtyard. I am idle and bored by myself anyway."

"I'll come too!" Little Yuan chirped immediately.

Gong Qingyun shook her head: "There's no need."

Li Muzhan frowned: "Every day at the Maoshi hour, come to my courtyard!"

"That might not be proper..." Gong Qingyun shook her head: "People will talk."

Li Muzhan laughed: "Senior Sister Gong, you’ve never cared about gossip."

"This place is not the Mei Manor," Gong Qingyun replied.

Li Muzhan chuckled: "Whether at Mei Manor or here, it is all the same. Don't mind others... Besides, the sect does not forbid men and women from cultivating together."

Little Yuan vigorously nodded her head: "Yes, yes, Sister Gong, just agree! Please agree!"

Saying that, she took hold of Gong Qingyun’s jade arm and shook it hard.

Gong Qingyun looked at Little Yuan, then at Li Muzhan, hesitant.

Li Muzhan waved his hand decisively: "That's settled then. If Senior Sister doesn't come, I will come to your courtyard and drag you over!"

Gong Qingyun chuckled lightly, a flush rising in her cheeks, shot him a look, pondered for a moment, and finally sighed, nodding her head.

Little Yuan cheered, giggling incessantly.

Li Muzhan also let out a breath of relief, glancing around. There were more than thirty women present, all clad in black training attire, observing them with curiosity.

Little Yuan finished her celebration, beaming, and asked: "Zhanran, did you come looking for us?"

Li Muzhan frowned: "Did no one inform me that I am here to coach everyone in the Canghai Shen Gong?"

Little Yuan widened her bright eyes and shook her head: "No, I’ll go ask."

She sprang out over ten zhang, caught hold of a young girl, whispered intensely for a while, then floated back, shaking her head: "Zhanran, truly no one knew."

Li Muzhan gave a wry smile, realizing it must be his Master or Eldest Senior Sister playing tricks, wanting to see him make a spectacle of himself.

He surveyed the surroundings, using his senses to check, but did not detect Abbess Zhuzhao or the Eldest Senior Sister.

He sighed, then called out in a clear voice: "Junior Sisters, I am Zhanran. By order of the Master, I am here to spar with all of you on the Canghai Shen Gong."

His seniority was originally the lowest, but now, as a direct disciple, his standing had increased greatly; he was last among the eleven direct disciples, yet held precedence over all outer sect disciples.

Streams of bright gazes turned toward him, accompanied by soft murmurs and scattered discussions.

Li Muzhan stepped forward, walking into the center of the assembled women. They moved closer, surrounding him.

"Senior Brother Zhanran, was the Canghai Bird's Eye View map drawn by you?" a girl with a melon-seed face inquired.

She possessed that distinctive face shape, a delicate nose, full and soft lips, and eyes full of sharp intelligence. While not a peerless beauty, her charming and delicate demeanor held a unique flavor.

Li Muzhan nodded: "That’s right, I drew it."

The girl continued: "Compared to Second Senior Sister's artistry, whose drawing skills are superior?"

Li Muzhan smiled: "I learned my drawing from Senior Sister Xu, so naturally, I am not as good."

"Is that true?... Or is that just Senior Brother being modest?" The girl fixed her bright eyes on Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan nodded with a smile. At first glance, the girl was delicate and charming, but he realized she was quite astute; appearances could indeed be deceiving, he mused internally.

The girl snorted: "But Second Senior Sister said that when it comes to drawing the Canghai Mountains, you are number one!"

Li Muzhan laughed: "Senior Sister Xu is being too humble. I am passable at landscapes, but lacking in many other areas."

"I think so too!" the girl scoffed, raising her sharp, delicate chin slightly.

Little Yuan’s bright eyes flared, and she stepped forward with a delicate huff: "Senior Sister Yang, you can’t even tell genuine humility from politeness, you are truly ridiculous!"

"Little Yuan, you brat!" The girl’s lovely face darkened, and she huffed: "Are you trying to oppose me again!"

Little Yuan pouted: "I can’t stand seeing you bully people!"

The girl cast a sidelong glance at her, speaking slowly and deliberately: "Oh? So you mean I am bullying Senior Brother Zhanran?"

"Senior Brother Zhanran simply doesn't deign to argue with you!" Little Yuan retorted with an equal sidelong glance.

The two women stared at each other askance, looking like fighting cocks, yet possessing a distinct air of grace. Beautiful women are indeed capable of being both joyful and vexed, Li Muzhan reflected.

Though he enjoyed the spectacle, he knew it was unwise to let the argument escalate, lest his Master find reason to mock him again, which would sour his mood for days.

"Ahem!" He cleared his throat lightly and spoke gently: "Alright, everyone return to your positions."

Little Yuan gave a soft huff, pursed her lips, and returned to his side. The other girl glanced at Zhanran, then at Little Yuan, raised her chin with a heavy huff, and stepped back a few paces.

Li Muzhan nodded secretly; this young lady was quite clever, knowing when to advance and retreat.

He used his inner senses, perceiving that this girl was not malicious, but pure-hearted. Yet, two good people together do not guarantee harmony. Little Yuan, accustomed to being a pampered princess at Mei Manor, hadn't shed that temper here, and this girl must also be favored; when they met, friction was inevitable.

Li Muzhan announced: "Junior Sisters, I will be here for one shichen (two hours) daily. If any of you have questions, feel free to ask, and we can discuss them."

The girl from before huffed: "Are you here to teach us the Canghai Shen Gong?"

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded.

Having said that, he turned toward a nearby stone table and said with a smile: "Little Yuan..."

"I know," Little Yuan answered, running off. In a moment, she returned with a teapot and cups, poured a drink for him, and handed them over with both hands, smiling: "Zhanran, why are you teaching us?"

Li Muzhan accepted the tea: "It is the Master's command; I cannot disobey."

"As a direct disciple, it seems you must teach others," Little Yuan sat down across from him and chuckled: "Hee hee, so you won't have to sweep floors anymore?"

Li Muzhan nodded, took a small sip, and frowned slightly.

Little Yuan rested her chin on her hands, tilted her head, and smiled: "I’ll bring some better tea tomorrow. Miss has some."

As the two were speaking, the proud girl from before walked over, her chin slightly raised, and huffed: "Senior Brother Zhanran, if you are to teach us, you must first show us a demonstration, mustn't you?"

The women gathered around with amused smiles, enclosing Li Muzhan once more, looking forward to the show.

Li Muzhan put down his teacup, nodded with a slight smile: "That is reasonable. Junior Sister Yang, would you care to spar with me?"

The girl quickly shook her head: "I'm no match. Little Yuan’s skills are formidable. Why don't you spar with Little Yuan, let everyone witness Senior Brother's exquisite techniques!"

"Yang, you truly are a coward!" Little Yuan glared with her bright eyes.

Li Muzhan raised his hand with a smile to stop Little Yuan, observed the girl for a moment, and said with a smile: "Well, that sounds good too. Little Yuan, let's exchange a few moves."

Little Yuan shot the other girl a fierce glare, turned back with an eager expression: "Alright! Miss says your skills improve by the day. We haven't competed yet. I’m not jealous, but you must be careful!"

Li Muzhan stood up, flicked his sleeve, and smiled: "Junior Sisters, let us proceed!"

Suddenly, the toes of the crowd lifted off the ground, their bodies moving with Li Muzhan’s float. Their expressions shifted drastically; they felt as if caught in a surging flood, unable to control themselves.

Li Muzhan moved slowly to the center of the training ground, released his inner strength, and they all landed.

He smiled faintly as his gaze swept over the faces of the women. Every single one wore an expression as if they had seen a ghost. When they noticed his gaze upon them, they scrambled to avoid it, each like a startled fawn.

The girl from before stared at him, her bright eyes wide with shock.

Li Muzhan’s Wuqing Xiu (Ruthless Sleeve) technique was perfected to the utmost degree, his control over force astonishingly precise, amplified by his profound internal energy, resulting in terrifying power. Most of them were at the first or second layer of Canghai Shen Gong, with one or two perhaps at the third. Against his sixth layer of Canghai Shen Gong, they possessed no power to resist.

"Little Yuan, come," Li Muzhan said with a smile.

Little Yuan asked excitedly: "Swordplay or fist techniques?"

Li Muzhan replied: "You use the sword, and I will use the palm."

"See my sword!" Little Yuan shouted sharply, drawing her sword and thrusting immediately. A streak of cold light flashed, and the sword tip reached him in an instant.

"Good!" Li Muzhan praised with a nod.

Little Yuan’s thrust was full of spirit, swift and nimble; her swordsmanship had clearly improved greatly.

He stepped forward diagonally, meeting the attack with his left palm, which grazed the length of the blade exactly. Little Yuan trembled, and her long sword dropped as if a snake’s vital point had been struck—it went instantly limp.

Li Muzhan stepped back. Little Yuan held her sword with her left hand, humming resentfully: "Zhanran, you are relying on sheer internal power to win, isn't that bullying?"

Li Muzhan laughed: "My internal strength has greatly advanced; otherwise, the Master wouldn't have sent me to help everyone practice the Canghai Shen Gong."

Little Yuan still unconvinced, sheathed her sword: "Zhanran, what layer have you reached?"

"The sixth layer," Li Muzhan stated.

"Ah—?" The crowd gasped, murmuring excitedly.

"Is that true? He actually reached the sixth layer?!"

"That's the highest level! Even Second Senior Sister hasn't reached that, has she?"

"Second Senior Sister is so powerful, but she’s only at the fifth layer. He really reached the sixth?"

"Senior Brother Zhanran is a celibate monk; he wouldn't lie."

"Second Senior Sister was always the one teaching us the Canghai Shen Gong; no wonder they changed it to him!"

Li Muzhan gave a light cough. His voice was not loud, but the women shuddered slightly, their bodies trembling in response to the sound, unable to control themselves.

Having experienced this sensation twice, they were becoming more convinced. Although Second Senior Sister’s internal energy was deep, it was not this formidable.

Li Muzhan smiled gently: "Please, any Junior Sister with questions, feel free to approach and ask." -This chapter was hand-typed and updated by shushuw.com—For more exciting content, please log in to shushuw.net-

Saying that, he returned to the stone table to taste his tea, composed and at ease.

Little Yuan smiled brightly, sat beside him, and chattered away incessantly.

Time flew by, and the hour passed quickly. He stood up, bowed to the women with clasped hands, smiled, and departed.

During that hour, no one approached him with questions; only Little Yuan stayed close, asking him non-stop. The other women practiced on their own, ignoring him.

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