...Well, look at you all," he said, looking over the group. "Grand Master Wu, quickly settle your breaths.

I will stand guard." Every face was flushed crimson, as if drunk, eyes shining fiercely, yet their bodies were weak, their breathing ragged, as if they had suffered grievous injury. Wang Yuanchu smashed his fist into his palm and let out a hateful sigh.

"Sigh... damn it!

We used the Life-Sacrifice Secret Art, and still couldn't take down Gongsun Qingyun. This is truly goddamned wicked!" Brother Li.

"I trouble you, we'll need seven or eight days to recover!" Li Muzhan smiled. "There's no need for such politeness, Young Master.

Hurry to your seats and regulate your breathing." "Are you alright?" Wang Yuanchu asked. Noticing Li Muzhan's pallor, he knew that Wang Yuanchu had also practiced the Yellow Dragon Flying Sword.

He knew that was the strike that pooled a lifetime of skill—one strike, and then nothing remained. Brother Li had unleashed two such strikes, meaning he must have used some secret technique to stimulate his potential.

The Azure Sea Sword Sect was by no means comparable to the Wang family. Such secret arts naturally existed for them as well.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly. "I just need a moment to regulate my breathing.

Young Master, do not worry." Wang Yuanchu breathed a sigh of relief and laughed. "That's good then!

We'll leave it to you!" Li Muzhan nodded. Then, he frowned suddenly and sighed.

"What is it?" Wang Yuanchu asked quickly. Li Muzhan sighed and shook his head.

"I didn't expect her to react so quickly... Grand Master, you all should go first.

I will follow shortly." Wang Yuanchu’s face shifted. "Gongsun Qingyun has returned?" Though outwardly rough and careless, he possessed a keen perception beneath the surface—he was extremely intelligent, otherwise, he would have already reincarnated like the Fourth Young Master.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "It is not Gongsun Qingyun." He gazed out the window.

A young woman in white had already appeared in the courtyard. The night wind caressed her, her white robes fluttering, making her seem like an immortal descending from the Guanghan Palace.

"Someone from Sacred Snow Peak?" Wang Yuanchu started, following Li Muzhan's gaze to the girl in white. Under the moonlight, she had a delicate, melon-seed face, round eyes, arched brows, a delicate nose, and soft features, yet her gaze was piercingly cold and distant.

It was as if she were looking at the dead. He shuddered.

This was the first time he had encountered such a look, feeling as if he were a pig or sheep destined for slaughter, his entire body tensing involuntarily. He turned back to Li Muzhan with a wry smile.

"It really seems to be someone from Sacred Snow Peak!" Sacred Snow Peak was a massive mountain weighing down the Wang family. To revitalize the Wang family, they needed to reclaim the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture from them—this was common knowledge for every member of the Wang family.

However, Sacred Snow Peak was one of the Seven Great Sects of the martial world, possessing immense power. A frontal assault was impossible; the only recourse was a martial contest to decide the victor by defeating the foremost young expert of Sacred Snow Peak.

He had once asked the Old Ancestor why Sacred Snow Peak, having seized the Scripture and possessing superior strength, would agree to this condition when the Wang family clearly couldn't reclaim it by force. The Old Ancestor had once said that this was the terrifying aspect of Sacred Snow Peak.

Firstly, it was because of the Azure Sea Sword Sect's influence. Secondly...

it was a method of self-discipline for Sacred Snow Peak. Sacred Snow Peak was located in the far west, perpetually covered in snow and enduring harsh conditions.

The other six sects would never harbor the intent to destroy them, yet because of the severe climate, they had grown complacent. If this continued, they would lose their drive and slowly decline.

The goading provided by the Wang family ensured they dared not slacken, forcing them to train diligently, which was ultimately beneficial. Wang Yuanchu considered this and felt a sense of admiration.

The people of Sacred Snow Peak were indeed extraordinary. Every five years, a disciple from the Wang family would go to challenge them, departing proudly only to return dejectedly.

The dread inspired by Sacred Snow Peak was known throughout the Wang family. Seeing this young girl in white, Wang Yuanchu instantly sensed she was a disciple of Sacred Snow Peak.

The chilling aura emanating from her seemed tangible even from this distance. He sighed, turning back.

"Brother Li, it seems we are destined to journey to the Yellow Springs together. I am truly ashamed to have implicated you in the matters of our Wang family!" Li Muzhan smiled.

"Young Master, it is too soon to speak of such things... You all leave first.

I will hold them off for a while." He stared at the girl in white, deep in thought. He activated his Inner Sensing, perceiving a faint, non-lethal hostility.

He was certain this girl was an adversary, not an ally, but he couldn't ascertain if she truly intended to attack. "Brother Li, there's no need to waste your effort," Wang Yuanchu shook his head, patting his shoulder.

"If there is a next life, we must become sworn brothers and share life and death!" He turned back and sneered. "Sacred Snow Peak—hehe, well said, Sacred Snow Peak!

I perhaps overestimated you!" The girl in white glanced at him, her gaze as cold and clear as a mountain spring, shaking her head faintly. "The Wang family deteriorates with each generation.

Disappointing." With that, she looked deeply at Li Muzhan. "Who are you?" Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head.

"Why ask? Let us fight!" His sapphire-blue robe moved without wind, slowly billowing, fluttering as if whipped by a great gale, releasing a sharp chill that gradually expanded around him.

The girl in white said lightly, "This contest—it is you, isn't it?" Li Muzhan frowned and slowly nodded. "Indeed.

I, the humble practitioner, shall receive instruction from the esteemed masters of Sacred Snow Peak!" The girl in white nodded. "I will wait until you say so." Then, she slowly rose as if stepping on floating clouds, gave Li Muzhan a profound look with her bright eyes, and swiftly swept past the courtyard wall, vanishing into the night sky.

Li Muzhan let out a long breath; the billowing of his robes instantly settled, and the flush of blood receded from his face. He had nearly ignited his internal power.

"She actually left!" Wang Yuanchu said in disbelief. He then nodded gruffly.

"So, she was just probing our strength. Despicable Sacred Snow Peak!" He looked at Li Muzhan.

"Brother Li, are you truly going to the martial contest at Sacred Snow Peak for us?" Li Muzhan forced a bitter smile. "Grand Master, the fact that she didn't kick us while we were down and finish us off counts as magnanimous." Wang Yuanchu huffed.

"If she doesn't kill people but only frightens them, she's no good!" Li Muzhan smiled bitterly and said no more. Though the woman from Sacred Snow Peak had refrained from murder, she hadn't offered aid either.

Initially, he had assumed she was allied with Gongsun Qingyun. He sighed; if not for worrying about her, he wouldn't have deployed the Yellow Dragon Flying Sword, exposing the Copper Killer Seal.

He had lost the advantage for the coming martial contest—this woman was quite cunning! Over the next few days, peace reigned; no one else disturbed them or launched a sneak attack.

They seized the time to recover, but the aftereffects of the Life-Sacrifice Art were severe. Even consuming spiritual elixirs, it took them six full days to regain their vitality.

By this time, they had entered Zhongzhou Prefecture. Arriving in Zhongzhou Prefecture, Wang Yuanchu and his companions finally relaxed.

Everyone knew that Zhongzhou Prefecture was ruled by the Nangong Family. Martial artists entering Zhongzhou Prefecture had to behave themselves.

If they caused trouble, it meant crossing the Nangong Family of Zhongnan. The Nangong Family was righteous and fair, but also overbearing.

Those who opposed the Nangong Family were deemed enemies, and enemies were always treated with ruthless severity, without mercy. Zhongzhou Prefecture was a paradise for martial artists.

If one had enemies or needed to hide, they came to Zhongzhou Prefecture; no one dared seek revenge there. As a result, Zhongzhou Prefecture grew increasingly prosperous.

The spirit of the people was different: harmonious, self-assured, and utterly devoid of timidity. Wang Yuanchu laughed loudly.

"Hahaha! Now that we're in Zhongzhou Prefecture, no matter how arrogant the Gongsun Family is, they won't dare to ambush us again.

We are safe now!" Wang Yingjie’s face was radiant as he followed with a laugh. "To hell with the Gongsun Family, what can they do to us now!" The other three guards smiled wryly.

The Gongsun Family had nearly proven fatal; if the Old Ancestor hadn't made arrangements and sent this Master Li, their chances of survival would have been slim. Entering Zhongzhou Prefecture, they walked for another half a day until they reached Zhongzhou City.

It was now late afternoon. Under the setting sun, they arrived at the Nangong Family estate.

The Nangong Family residence was situated in the center of Zhongzhou City, occupying half a street—a continuous expanse of grandeur that commanded respect. Compared to the Nangong residence, the City Guard Office of Zhongzhou City looked miserably shabby.

In Zhongzhou Prefecture, some people might not know who the City Guard was, but everyone knew the Nangong Family. Two stone lions, lacquered black, emanated a fierce aura in the twilight, making people instinctively hesitate.

The vermilion wooden main gate was adorned with dozens of shining gold nail heads, neatly arranged in upper and lower rows, exuding an air of opulent nobility. The central main door stood wide open, unlike the usual closed main gates of affluent households where guests used side entrances.

There were no guards stationed before the gate either. When Li Muzhan's group arrived at the entrance, they all felt surprised.

If not for the four large characters on the plaque above the gate, they would have thought they had come to the wrong place. Li Muzhan carefully read the four characters: "Nangong Family." The characters were imposing and powerful, like four coiling dragons, threatening to burst through the plaque.

He glanced at them and involuntarily stepped back, his sapphire-blue robe swirling a few times. Wang Shuangfeng asked, "What is it, Martial Uncle?" "A magnificent calligraphy piece," Li Muzhan stared at the four characters.

The spirit emanating from the writing was overwhelmingly potent, akin to facing a top-tier master. Wang Shuangfeng said, "This must be personally inscribed by Nangong Sidao, right?" Li Muzhan nodded.

Without needing to look at the inscription below, he could guess that such imposing power could not be achieved by an ordinary person. As the group was observing the facade, five figures suddenly emerged approaching them—a young man in blue leading four middle-aged men.

The youth in blue had a face as beautiful as jade, refined and handsome. Seeing the six of them lingering at the entrance, he cupped his hands and said, "Esteemed sirs, are you here to enter our humble residence?" Li Muzhan stepped back slightly, and Wang Yuanchu stepped forward, cupping his hands and chuckling.

"Is this the Nangong Family, the Nangong residence?" The youth in blue smiled faintly. "Indeed.

I am Nangong Wuwang. I do not yet know your honorable names, and whom do you seek?" Wang Yuanchu chuckled again.

"So, this is the Third Young Master Nangong. I am Wang Yuanchu, from the Wang Family of Penglai.

I wish to pay a visit to the Eldest Young Master." Nangong Wuwang paused, his expression slowly cooling. "So, this is the Grand Young Master of the Penglai Wang Family.

My apologies, my apologies." Seeing his demeanor, Wang Yuanchu paid it no mind. "Third Young Master is too kind.

My family has caused offense previously, and we have come to offer our apologies." He grinned amiably, as if oblivious to Nangong Wuwang's cold face. Li Muzhan secretly admired him.

Wang Yuanchu appeared coarse and quick-tempered, yet he possessed this level of cultivation; it was truly remarkable. (To be continued) e is in closed state.

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