This morning, Xiao Yuan and Gong Qingyun arrived. Li Muzhan, seated in the small pavilion, didn't move as Xi Zhe took a seat. Li Muzhan gestured toward the small earthen stove.

The small earthen stove hissed softly, white vapor swirling upward, carrying a delicate fragrance.

Xiao Yuan poured three cups of tea and handed them around, smiling broadly. "Zhan Ran, why the long face? Is something troubling you?"

Li Muzhan shook his head, speaking solemnly. "I possess a method that can lend Sister Gong a helping hand."

"What sort of method?" Xiao Yuan asked curiously, and Gong Qingyun also turned to look.

Li Muzhan stated, "Buddhism has a practice called 'Abhisheka' or empowerment initiation. Have you heard of it?"

"Abhisheka?" Xiao Yuan and Gong Qingyun exchanged a glance and shook their heads.

The practice of Abhisheka originated west of the Great Snow Mountains, an ultimate secret lineage technique. It had slowly filtered into the Central Plains, but practitioners mastering it there were exceedingly rare—perhaps only a handful of individuals.

Firstly, the requirements for executing this technique were extraordinarily high, seldom met. Secondly, the Buddhist lineage in the Central Plains emphasized oral transmission and secret teachings, generally avoiding this particular path.

The Buddhist cultivation in the western Great Snow Mountains differed from that in the Central Plains; it focused more keenly on the spirit, viewing the physical body as a decaying vessel. Those old monks often appeared withered in body, yet their spirits were formidable.

Central Plains Buddhism, however, absorbed the essence of Daoism, emphasizing not only the spirit but also the physical form, viewing the body as the essential raft for crossing the river—something not to be neglected. By striving for both, they naturally could not match the intensity of focusing solely on one aspect.

Li Muzhan explained the nuances, and the two women nodded repeatedly.

Xiao Yuan tilted her head and asked, "Zhan Ran, are you going to use the Abhisheka method to help us?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "For you, there's still a bit of refinement needed. Let's assist Senior Sister Gong first."

Xiao Yuan pouted, letting out a soft, childish huff.

Li Muzhan chuckled, then turned to Gong Qingyun. "Senior Sister Gong, you’ve been running into a dead end these past few days. Such methods are not the way; following the natural flow is the true path!"

Gong Qingyun offered a faint smile; her expression was wan, making her appear even more delicate and captivating.

Li Muzhan continued, "The key to the success or failure of the Abhisheka ritual is whether one can completely open one's heart, without any concealment. If that cannot be achieved, the initiation is useless."

Xiao Yuan giggled but remained silent. Gong Qingyun’s face flushed slightly.

Li Muzhan glared at Xiao Yuan, then turned back to Gong Qingyun. "Senior Sister Gong, when we perform the rite, do not see me as a man; regard me as a statue of the Buddha!"

Gong Qingyun hesitated for a beat, then slowly inclined her head in agreement.

Xiao Yuan giggled again, scrutinizing Li Muzhan, shaking her head. "Not as a man..."

Li Muzhan shot Xiao Yuan a sharp look, and she quickly suppressed her smile, though a trace of amusement lingered at the corners of her mouth.

Li Muzhan said, "Senior Sister, let's begin tomorrow... Rise early, burn incense, bathe, and purify both body and mind."

"Mmm," Gong Qingyun replied in assent.

The three conversed for a while, then practiced the Canghai Divine Art for an hour. Afterward, they went to the northern training grounds. Li Muzhan sat by the stone table again, watching the women practice. They still ignored him.

Li Muzhan paid them no mind, fully immersed in the Nine Palms of the Vast Sea. As he pondered, his comprehension of the Nine Palms deepened, revealing its profound exquisiteness.

The swordsmanship he was developing had taken a rudimentary shape, but it was still far from complete. He mused that finishing it within a month was utterly impossible.

Li Muzhan’s Bedroom

Gong Qingyun, clad in snow-white silk robes, sat calmly on the couch. Li Muzhan sat before her, his posture grave and solemn. He formed his fingers into a sword shape, his index finger touching the center of her brow, remaining perfectly still.

Xiao Yuan sat to the side, her bright eyes wide with curiosity.

In that moment, she felt Li Muzhan transform into the Buddha, radiating a majesty so profound it was impossible to gaze upon directly. She had thought he was joking, but he was actually performing the rite. Xiao Yuan was astonished, filled with a host of unspoken questions that made her deeply uncomfortable.

Li Muzhan’s complexion began to shift, slowly paling, growing whiter and whiter, until finally, it became almost transparent, crystal clear and moist, light flowing across its surface. He looked like a piece of white jade. Xiao Yuan’s fingers twitched; she longed to reach out and touch him, to confirm if he had truly turned to jade. But she knew she could not disturb him at this critical juncture, forcing herself to restrain the itch in her hands.

Xiao Yuan felt an eternity pass. She glanced toward the incense burner on the low table; the stick of aloeswood was only half consumed.

Li Muzhan slowly withdrew his finger. The luminescence on his face flowed and gradually receded. He brought his hands together in a mudra, exhaling softly. The light instantly vanished, completely gone.

Xiao Yuan’s bright eyes widened, unblinking.

When Li Muzhan finally opened his eyes, a flash of golden light appeared and vanished. She gasped in shock, feeling her heart skip a beat, blood surging painfully in her chest.

Before she could speak, Li Muzhan waved his hand to silence her.

The two crept quietly out of the room. Xiao Yuan whispered, "Is the Abhisheka done already?"

Li Muzhan nodded softly. "Yes. Now it depends on Senior Sister Gong's comprehension. Let’s talk outside."

"How long until Sister Gong wakes up?" Xiao Yuan asked.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "Perhaps an hour, perhaps a day. It's uncertain... You guard here; don't let anyone disturb her. I'll go to the training grounds."

Xiao Yuan chuckled mischievously. "Zhan Ran, they've been instigated by Senior Sister Yang; they won't approach you. Just ignore them and see how long they can last!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Very well."

He arrived at the northern training grounds, but indeed, no one paid him any attention. He simply closed his eyes and focused entirely on the Nine Palms of the Vast Sea, deconstructing each move.

In his mind, two figures materialized: one wielding a sword, the other using open palms, locked in combat. The swordplay was sharp and unpredictable, switching fluidly between the Eight Swords of Yue or the Dipper Sword Technique, blending rigidity and flexibility. During this time, his insight into swordsmanship had advanced by leaps and bounds.

The palm technique, merely the Nine Palms of the Vast Sea, appeared simple and straightforward, yet it was perfectly balanced, possessing the power to transform the ordinary into the miraculous. Meeting sword strikes with his palms required no exertion at all.

If others attempted such simulation, they could only successfully mimic one fighter. To simulate two simultaneously was exceptionally difficult. However, with Li Muzhan employing three simultaneous threads of thought, it was not challenging.

An hour later, he smiled and left the northern training ground. He retrieved a broom from the entrance of the Wuji Hall and resumed sweeping his own steps.

Sweeping the steps was his practice of the Sleeves of Ruthlessness. With every sweep, he vigorously channeled the technique, striving to maximize its destructive power and fully manifest its subtle intricacies.

Now, with a gentle wave of the broom, five steps were instantly cleaned.

If he swept six steps, he could not maintain such minute control; it became mere brute force. He pursued this practice tirelessly, gradually increasing the scope of his precise control. Being able to clean hundreds of steps with a single sweep of the broom would be true mastery.

As he was sweeping, he suddenly paused, twisting his body to look down. More than a dozen people were slowly ascending the mountain. Leading them was an elder, clad in a green robe billowing in the wind, his physique graceful, his hair streaked with white.

Li Muzhan gazed intently and saw that while the elder possessed a dignified appearance, his expression was grim, and an aura of coldness emanated from him—clearly, the visitors bore ill intentions.

Behind him followed a dozen youths, dressed in sapphire blue long gowns, and two women whose looks were above average, both spirited and beautiful enough to attract attention. The ten young men all had sharp, glittering eyes, their vitality robust.

Li Muzhan’s gaze settled on one of the youths.

This youth had a broad, square face and large ears. His complexion was pale, like a piece of flawless jade, and his eyes shone brightly. Though not tall, his demeanor, even in a casual glance, was composed and steady, possessing an extraordinary presence.

Li Muzhan sensed that among this group, this youth possessed the deepest cultivation, perhaps even slightly surpassing the elder—a figure of note. He estimated this young man's prowess to be comparable to that of the Second Senior Sister, Xu Jingying. As for the Eldest Senior Sister, he was far behind; her power was unfathomable. Without the Daming Wang Scripture, even combining the strength of several of his peers would not suffice against her.

Though this observation took time to analyze, in reality, it was merely a fleeting glance. He resumed sweeping the steps, slowly, no longer employing the Sleeves of Ruthlessness.

The group approached slowly. He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, bowed his head, and stepped aside to let them pass.

The dozen people glanced at him, paused to examine him for a moment, perhaps surprised to see a monk.

The elder spoke in a deep voice, "Little monk, is your sect’s Mistress Zhuzhao here?"

Li Muzhan performed the gesture of respect again, lowering his gaze and answering softly, "May I ask whence come the esteemed visitors?"

The elder glanced at him coldly. "I am Zhou Wanli from Xiankong Island, here specifically to pay my respects to Mistress Zhuzhao!"

"So it is an esteemed guest from Xiankong Island." Li Muzhan cupped his hands, smiling faintly. "Our Sect Master is currently in the Wuji Hall. Senior Zhou, please..."

The elder scrutinized him, grunted, "Much obliged!"

With that, he flicked his sleeve and turned to leave. The young men behind him cast curious glances at Li Muzhan before following Zhou Wanli up the path. The broad-faced youth gave Li Muzhan a brief, sharp look, and courteously inclined his head.

Li Muzhan watched them ascend, frowning in thought. Why would the people from Xiankong Island come here?

He recalled his master mentioning that among the Seven Great Sects, Xiankong Island was the closest to Canghai Mountain, situated in the vast southern sea. Being unguided and unreachable by others, they acted without restraint—ruthless and vicious, renowned throughout the world. The Canghai Sword Sect and Xiankong Island were not on friendly terms, frequently clashing. However, the Canghai Sword Sect held a slight superiority in martial arts prowess, which kept Xiankong Island in check, preventing them from going too far.

Their arrival at Canghai Mountain now meant it was highly likely they brought no good news.

Li Muzhan shook his head and returned to sweeping the steps, deliberately not using the Sleeves of Ruthlessness, moving slowly, one step at a time. His expression was serene; from a distance, his figure resembled an elderly, aged monk.

As he swept, Li Muzhan contemplated the Nine Palms of the Vast Sea.

Unknowingly, he reached halfway up the mountain when someone called out sweetly from above, "Senior Brother Zhan Ran! Senior Brother Zhan Ran! The Sect Master summons you."

Li Muzhan looked up. A slender young girl stood a few dozen steps above him, silhouetted against the bright sunlight. Her black robes glittered, billowing dynamically in the wind.

Li Muzhan called back loudly, "Understood."

Holding the broom, he walked upward slowly, one step at a time. This deliberate pace made the girl stomp her foot in agitation, calling out sharply, "Senior Brother Zhan Ran, hurry up!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "No rush, no rush."

The girl glared at him helplessly. As an inner disciple, she was aware of the goings-on in the northern training grounds and knew that Senior Brother Zhan Ran possessed an easygoing nature and rarely lost his temper.

Li Muzhan slowly reached her level and smiled. "Junior Sister Cheng, what brings the people from Xiankong Island?"

The girl replied, "They've come to show off their strength. The Sect Master wants you to come see the martial arts of Xiankong Island."

Li Muzhan nodded. "Junior Sister Cheng, has a fight broken out yet?"

"They are still arguing; it’s about to start!" the girl said.

Li Muzhan chuckled. "If it hasn't started yet, there's no need to rush."

The girl shot him a sharp look, then grabbed the edge of his wide sleeve and began tugging him upward, urging him on incessantly, clearly agitated.

Li Muzhan smiled, letting her pull him along. The young girl had a good nature but was overly impatient; achieving the fourth level of the Canghai Divine Art would be difficult for her.