Seeing Li Muzhan hesitate, Lan Chunhe sneered, "What, am I not good enough to fight you!" Li Muzhan quickly laughed, "Grand-Uncle, you joke. I am just considering whether closing myself off for seclusion or not will lead to faster progress in my martial arts."

"Nonsense!" Lan Chunhe snorted, "You are currently embroiled in endless affairs; how can you possibly calm your mind to practice? I heard you made quite a stir again the other day?"

Li Muzhan said with embarrassment, "Master ordered it, I dare not disobey!"

"From now on, stir up less trouble like that!" Lan Chunhe huffed, dismissing him with a curl of the lip. "The next time Zhuzhao acts up, refuse her. Just say I told you to!"

"Yes," Li Muzhan nodded.

"That girl Zhuzhao, truly reckless!" Lan Chunhe shook his head repeatedly, clearly disapproving.

Li Muzhan activated his Tāixīn Tōng (Mind Reading), vaguely grasping his Grand-Uncle's intentions, and chose to remain discreet and reserved.

He pondered for a moment, then said, "Grand-Uncle, perhaps I shouldn't enter seclusion after all."

Lan Chunhe’s eyes widened, piercing like lightning, and he said coldly, "You brat, don't you understand what I'm saying?!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Grand-Uncle, I am usually quite free. Even when there are matters, they don't impede my practice."

Lan Chunhe scoffed dismissively, "A joke! Have you achieved Buddhahood, that you can practice diligently amidst such chaos?"

Li Muzhan smiled, his hands moving. With two clear ringing sounds—Zheng... Qiang...—the Dragon’s Roar and Phoenix’s Cry dual swords transformed into two arcs of cold light, enveloping Lan Chunhe.

Lan Chunhe let out an "Yi" sound, striking out with both palms, his palm shadows meeting the assault fiercely. However, he was outmatched by the swordsmanship and was forced to retreat in a fluster, stumbling back three or four steps before stabilizing the situation.

Li Muzhan unleashed both swords simultaneously, both employing the first stance of the Canghai Nine Swords. Though his mastery was still imperfect, the power was astonishing. In this sparring session with Lan Chunhe, he had been constantly correcting and refining it, causing its might to increase further. The coordination of the two swords generated immense power; even with Lan Chunhe's profound internal energy, he was momentarily pressed into a somewhat disheveled state.

Li Muzhan chuckled inwardly, finally taking revenge for the earlier slight.

However, Lan Chunhe's cultivation was deeper. After more than thirty moves, he finally managed to reverse the disadvantage and slowly gain the upper hand. Although the Canghai Nine Swords were exquisite, he was only using a single stance.

Li Muzhan shifted his sword stances—the Yaoshu Sword Style in his left hand and the Tianji Sword Style in his right. The sword light surged, drowning Lan Chunhe within it. His current comprehension of swordplay was profound, and these two styles were even more formidable when used together.

"Good!" Lan Chunhe gave a soft cry, his palm shadows flickering as he countered with the Canghai Nine Palms. In the blink of an eye, he had regained the balance and was slowly gaining the advantage again.

Li Muzhan inwardly praised the boundless mystery of the Canghai Nine Palms; his own grasp and understanding were far inferior to his Grand-Uncle's.

After they battled for three hundred exchanges, Li Muzhan suddenly retracted his swords and smiled, "Grand-Uncle, what do you think?"

"Naughty boy, multitasking?" Lan Chunhe ceased his attack, gazing at him in astonishment.

Li Muzhan nodded, "Yes, I can manage two things at once."

"Some talent, very good!" Lan Chunhe’s expression softened, and he nodded, "Then you must seal yourself away for seclusion all the more, put all your focus into it!"

Li Muzhan immediately gave a wry smile. He had hoped to avoid seclusion, but instead, his efforts had backfired.

Since his Grand-Uncle had commanded it, he naturally could not disobey. He shook his head with a bitter smile, said nothing more, and went to the front mountain to report to Abbess Zhuzhao.

In the Hall of Limitlessness, Abbess Zhuzhao and Wen Yinyue sat meditating beneath the jade statue. They were both majestic in demeanor and exquisitely beautiful; the entire hall was silent and serene.

Li Muzhan entered without needing announcement. As he reached the center of the hall, both women opened their eyes.

Li Muzhan performed the heshi salute, greeting his Master and Senior Sister, and reported Lan Chunhe’s decision.

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Abbess Zhuzhao sensed his reluctance and shot him a sidelong glance: "Little fellow, you have been enlightened by your Martial Great-Uncle. This is an opportunity others would beg for; don't be ungrateful!"

Wen Yinyue shook her head slightly.

Li Muzhan said with a wry smile, "Master, although I am busy in my daily life, my spirit never leaves my martial arts practice. It’s no different from secluded practice. Why must I be confined to one location?"

"Little fellow, could your Martial Great-Uncle harm you?!" Abbess Zhuzhao snorted, appraising him up and down, "Isn't your Chándìng (Meditation) skill very powerful? Are you afraid of being alone, feeling lonely?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "I feel unbearable when I haven't seen Master for a day."

"Smelly brat, daring to tease your Master!" Abbess Zhuzhao laughed and playfully extended a slender, jade-like finger, flicking it lightly. Chi! A gust of wind shot out whistling towards him.

Li Muzhan gently brushed his sleeve, neutralizing it completely, and quickly said, "Master, spare me!"

Abbess Zhuzhao said, "Your Wuqing Xiu (Ruthless Sleeve) has some skill now. Sweeping the steps has its benefits... Right, after you emerge from seclusion, you must continue sweeping the steps!"

"Yes, yes!" Li Muzhan drew out his words, shaking his head helplessly.

Abbess Zhuzhao’s smiling expression slowly faded. "Zhanran, when you are at your Martial Great-Uncle's, speak fewer strange words. His temper is poor; he really might beat you half to death!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "I have the protection of the Jingang Buhuai Shengong (Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill), I’m not afraid."

Abbess Zhuzhao’s almond eyes flashed angrily, rebuking him, "Smelly little hand—if you talk back again, you’ll sweep steps for another year."

Li Muzhan chuckled, "Yes, I understand, Master... Don't worry. I know what I’m doing."

Abbess Zhuzhao pouted disdainfully, "Hmph, you know what you're doing! ... When that stubborn streak of yours flares up, you know nothing! Remember, don't anger your Martial Grand-Uncle! ... Yes." Li Muzhan suppressed a smile and nodded solemnly.

His Master, a delicate and exquisite beauty, possessed a unique charm even when using coarse language.

Seeing his compliance, Abbess Zhuzhao breathed a sigh of relief. She glared at him a few more times, waved her hand, "Hurry up and scram, say your goodbyes to those rotten friends, and get to the back mountain quickly. Don't dawdle."

Li Muzhan bowed to Wen Yinyue, "I will be away from Master’s side; I trouble Senior Sister to look after her."

"Junior Brother, go without worry," Wen Yinyue said faintly, her expressionless. She had been sitting beside them, cold, stunning, and sensual; Li Muzhan's heart itched as if scratched by a cat, but he could only suppress the feeling.

Abbess Zhuzhao waved her hand again, "Hurry up and scram, scram! I sound like some eighty-year-old needing care!"

Li Muzhan glanced at Wen Yinyue, feeling that his Master’s words sounded slightly off, but since his Master was urging him away, he had no choice but to comply. Smiling, he performed the heshi salute again and retreated from the Hall of Limitlessness.

Li Muzhan bid farewell to Mei Ruolan, Xiaoyuan, Gong Qingyun, as well as Li Zongheng and Song Wenbin. Their reaction was one of envy; receiving guidance from the Martial Great-Uncle was truly a rare destiny.

The next morning, he arrived early in the forest on the back mountain.

The first light of dawn was breaking; the air was fresh, and his body felt cleansed, clear and sharp. He wondered inwardly if the Grand-Uncle would be even earlier this time.

When he reached the woods, the Grand-Uncle was nowhere in sight. Instead, he saw four middle-aged men leaning against trees, swords in hand, dozing listlessly, radiating an air of indolence.

Hearing the sound of Li Muzhan’s robe fluttering, the four men suddenly opened their eyes, electric light flashing forth, banishing the dimness of the woods.

Li Muzhan felt his vision brighten, and a sense of awe rose in his heart. These four men possessed profound internal energy; they were masters. He wondered who they truly were—were they from Canghai Mountain?

He slowed his movements, drifting lightly before the four men, casting a glance over them. He performed the heshi salute, "Greetings to the four esteemed seniors."

The four exchanged a glance and nodded.

A man with a horse-like face spoke, "You are Zhanran, I presume?"

Li Muzhan nodded, "Precisely. May I ask the esteemed names of the four seniors?"

The horse-faced man had large eyes, sword-like brows, and a high nose. While he wasn't conventionally handsome, he possessed an exceptional martial bearing. He laughed loudly and turned to the others: "This is him!"

He continued, "Zhanran, we are from the Martial Training Hall. My surname is Zhao; no need for names."

"So, Uncle-Master Zhao," Li Muzhan surmised their generation was similar to his Master's based on their appearance. He performed the heshi salute again, "If the four Uncle-Masters are here, you must be waiting for me. Do you have instructions?"

The middle-aged man named Zhao said, "We were ordered by the Martial Great-Uncle to come and spar with you."

"What does the Grand-Uncle intend by this?" Li Muzhan frowned.

The middle-aged man named Zhao shook his head with a bitter smile, "Alas... Martial Great-Uncle commanded the four of us to fight you. If we win, nothing happens. If we lose, we won't be allowed to eat for three days."

"And what about me?" Li Muzhan asked.

The middle-aged man named Zhao replied, "The same for you. If you lose, no food for three days."

Li Muzhan gave a wry smile, "The Grand-Uncle is merciless!"

The middle-aged man named Zhao shook his head with a bitter smile but dared not agree. He cleared his throat loudly and said, "Well then, we must attack you four at once. Zhanran, it might be best if you concede to avoid trouble!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "I am untalented, but I wish to experience the peerless skills of you four Uncle-Masters."

The middle-aged man named Zhao boomed, "Good! Let's test our hand-to-hand combat skills!"

As the words fell, the four men moved simultaneously, rushing towards Li Muzhan, probing and grasping with their palms, swift and fierce. They struck without ceremony.

Li Muzhan shifted to evade, sweeping his palms out, employing the Canghai Nine Palms.

These four men possessed extremely refined combat skills, using different martial arts: two favored fists, two favored palms, all relying on speed to overwhelm. Soon, the air was filled with shadows of fists and palms.

Li Muzhan exerted his full strength using the Canghai Nine Palms, but these four were all first-rate masters. Those who could enter the Martial Training Hall were certainly not ordinary people, and they were a generation older than him.

Bang, bang, bang, bang... He was struck repeatedly by palms, but fortunately, the Jingang Buhuai Shengong protected him, and he sustained no injury.

The four were initially worried they might actually injure him, displeasing the Martial Great-Uncle. Seeing him take the blows as if unharmed, they were greatly astonished and finally unleashed their full strength.

The force of their palms grew heavier. They practiced the Longshe Feisheng Jue (Dragon Snake Ascends Art), their internal energy fierce and unparalleled. Each strike felt like crashing against a mountain or a peak.

Although Li Muzhan's Jingang Buhuai Shengong shielded him from injury on impact, the successive shocks caused his blood and energy to churn; taking so many hits consecutively became unsustainable.

After five hundred moves, the power of the four men’s palms grew increasingly formidable; they seemed to exist in a raging tempest. Yet, around Li Muzhan, a radius of three feet remained undisturbed, as if they occupied two different worlds. The four secretly admired him; at such a young age, to possess such palm power explained why the Grand-Uncle favored him.

Despite their admiration, they still had to strike decisively, or if the news spread, they would truly lose all face.

They struck even harder. Palm shadows crisscrossed the air, bang, bang, bang, bang... in a continuous barrage.

While suppressing the surging internal turmoil, Li Muzhan sighed inwardly. If there had only been two or three opponents, he could have managed—the Canghai Nine Palms were infinitely marvelous.

But facing four, he simply couldn't cope. This was clearly the Grand-Uncle setting a standard for him, deliberately engineered this way.