Nangong Wuwang reached out, taking hold of his sleeve, and ushered him inside. Li Muzhan did not resist, allowing himself to be led, a secret smile playing on his lips; this Third Young Master was certainly guileless, making friends instantly.

They walked down the dim corridor, and Nangong Wuwang said, "My Second Elder Brother is here too. He’s also obsessed with martial arts, but Second Brother is a good person, very easy to get along with!"

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded.

Suddenly, the space before them brightened, revealing the training ground—a patch of earth covered in red dust that exuded a desolate, wild aura, as if one stood on a battlefield.

When he had visited yesterday, the crowd had been too dense, overwhelmingly lively, which had dispersed this atmosphere. Now, however, the people had gathered before the high platform, leaving the training ground wide open, allowing this essence to deepen.

Seeing the two of them appear, the more than two hundred people turned their gazes simultaneously toward them.

Nangong Wuwang called out cheerfully, "Grandpa Zhao, Second Brother, Brother Li has arrived!"

Saying this, he pulled Li Muzhan’s sleeve, his steps quickening as they reached the front of the platform. With a sly grin, he leaped up, soaring over the heads of the crowd, provoking curses and shouts from many.

Nangong Wuwang pretended not to hear, proudly smoothing his robes, and announced, "Grandpa Zhao, Second Brother, my Brother Li is here!"

On the stage, four grand master chairs were set out; two were empty. Zhao Shuqi sat dead center, posture ramrod straight and imposing, his eyes sharp and piercing.

The other occupant was a youth in his early twenties, his complexion dark and unrefined in appearance, yet his eyes held a gentle warmth, and his bearing was as mild as a spring breeze.

He was worlds apart from Nangong Wuwang in looks, making it hard to believe they were actual brothers, though a subtle resemblance flickered in their brows.

He shook his head with a smile, "Third Brother, perhaps you should refrain from doing things that invite scoldings!"

Nangong Wuwang chuckled smugly and turned, "Brother Li, this is my Second Brother, Nangong Lizhen."

Li Muzhan cupped his fist and smiled, "Second Young Master, I am Li Muzhan." He then turned to Zhao Shuqi, "Greetings, Senior Zhao."

Zhao Shuqi waved a hand but said nothing.

Nangong Lizhen stood up, cupped his fist, and offered a slight smile, "Brother Li, my Third Brother lacks social graces; please forgive any offense he may have caused."

Li Muzhan laughed, "Third Young Master possesses a pure nature; I can only admire it."

"You really aren't Li San!" Nangong Wuwang grumbled, glaring at Li Muzhan, shaking his head, "The moment my Second Brother arrived, you told your real name!"

Li Muzhan rubbed his nose and chuckled, "The Nangong Family is foremost under heaven; I feared bringing harm to my relatives, so I used a false name. Now that I know the Third Young Master’s character, naturally, I shall treat him with candor."

Nangong Wuwang laughed heartily, "Ha! Interesting. Do you perhaps think our family is a tiger?"

Li Muzhan smiled faintly, "Third Young Master, if the Nangong Family isn't the tiger, then who is? ... Daring all others to challenge, no one dares to offend."

Nangong Wuwang pondered for a moment, then laughed, "Heh, you have a point, but we are reasonable people too; we wouldn't bully others without cause."

Nangong Lizhen smiled, "It is rare to find Brother Li so forthright. ... Come, let us meet in martial arts. I hear from Third Brother that you received secret instruction from an otherworldly master, and your palm technique is remarkable, perhaps not inferior to the Qiankun Palm. My heart yearns to witness it."

Li Muzhan smiled, "The fame of the Qiankun Palm is well-deserved; I too hold it in high regard. Third Young Master, shall we begin?"

"Excellent!" Nangong Wuwang exclaimed excitedly, stepping back two paces to assume his stance. Li Muzhan surged forward, striking out lightly yet swiftly.

Nangong Lizhen and Zhao Shuqi, their robes fluttering, were stirred by the sheer force of the palm strike.

"Well met!" Nangong Wuwang shouted, circling his palms together, as if a sphere of energy manifested between his hands.

Li Muzhan’s right palm struck empty air, and he felt a jolt, his entire body tingling as if electrocuted. Unflustered, he unleashed his inner force, reversing the flow in his palm to dispel the numbness, sighing inwardly at the marvel of the Qiankun Palm.

Between those two Qiankun palms seemed to reside infinite profundity, capable of mimicking all forces between heaven and earth: yin and yang, concrete and void, clockwise and counter-clockwise motion, horizontal and vertical tensions. The shifting power was controlled by will, making it impossible to guard against completely. If Li Muzhan's internal energy had not been so purely unified, he would have been defeated before the fight even truly began, as a reversal of that force would have caused him to strike himself.

Against such a sublime palm technique, gaining an advantage was exceedingly difficult. Li Muzhan had always wondered what kind of person Nangong Sidao was to have created such a technique.

The palms clashed back and forth. Although Li Muzhan gained no clear advantage, neither did Nangong Wuwang secure the upper hand. Li Muzhan’s internal energy was exquisite, and the Nine Palms of the Vast Sea were equally brilliant; they were evenly matched.

Nangong Lizhen watched, utterly absorbed, his brow furrowed, nodding continuously. He held deep admiration for his Third Brother's Qiankun Palm; in terms of mastery over it, not only he, but even their exceptionally clever Eldest Brother, fell far short. Now, it seemed, his Third Brother’s Qiankun Palm had advanced further, its power amplified.

Yet, this Li Muzhan, who was even more formidable, held his ground against the Qiankun Palm, remaining stable as bedrock, not yielding an inch. Such pure internal energy was seldom achieved even by men of sixty or seventy. He knew the formidable might of the Qiankun Palm well; even a top expert would find themselves constrained and sorely tested against it. But Li Muzhan handled it with ease, though unable to win, he certainly would not lose, and by his posture, it seemed he was holding back further reserves. His father’s words rang true: there is always someone better beyond the heavens, and Li Muzhan’s master might well be unfathomably powerful.

Nangong Wuwang let out shouts from time to time, fully exhilarated. Sparring with Li Muzhan allowed him to unleash his full potential, while simultaneously sparking new inspiration, deepening his comprehension of the Qiankun Palm. Nangong Wuwang understood that finding an opponent like Li Muzhan was truly rare. Not only was his martial skill formidable, comparable to his own, but his perception was astonishing, capable of igniting his own inspiration. Such an expert, perhaps the only one in the world, existed right before him. A mutual appreciation was born, reflecting his current state of mind.

Li Muzhan felt the same way at that moment. This Third Young Master Nangong not only possessed profound and pure internal strength but also astounding insight. With every exchange, his Qiankun Palm advanced, stimulating Li Muzhan to improve as well, deepening his understanding of the Nine Swords of the Vast Sea. A sense of knowing a kindred spirit arose between them, and their movements grew freer and more exquisite with each passing moment.

Zhao Shuqi and Nangong Lizhen watched from the side, dazzled and mesmerized. They had never witnessed such subtle and refined palm work; it was an eye-opening experience. Nangong Sidao, the world's foremost master, usually concluded his bouts in two or three moves, never needing to display elaborate techniques. Moreover, his skill had reached the realm of returning to simplicity—supreme effectiveness cloaked as utter simplicity. Even if there were subtle nuances, separated by a whole level of mastery, they could not perceive them.

However, the exchange between Li Muzhan and Nangong Wuwang was different. Although their martial arts were potent, they were not several levels superior as Nangong Sidao's were, allowing them to grasp the intricate moves being displayed. Exquisite technique followed exquisite technique, like a thousand flowers blooming before their eyes. Zhao Shuqi and Nangong Lizhen watched, lost in fascination, unable to break free.

The two hundred onlookers below were utterly silent, holding their breath, eyes wide open.

After an unknown length of time, Nangong Wuwang burst out laughing and jumped out of the ring: "Stop, stop! I can't go on!"

At this point, white vapor steamed off his entire body, as if he had just stepped out of hot water. His cheeks were flushed, and wisps of white mist curled up from his hair. His blue robe dripped continuously, saturated with sweat, as if pulled from a lake.

Li Muzhan, in contrast, appeared composed, his breathing steady, as if completely unaffected—the depth and disparity of their internal energies were immediately apparent.

Nangong Wuwang exclaimed in admiration, "Brother Li, your internal energy is so deep!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "The internal arts I practice specialize in sustained energy flow; it’s nothing much."

Nangong Wuwang praised, "It must be a true Xuanmen core cultivation method then, no less impressive than our family’s."

Li Muzhan chuckled, "Though perhaps not quite as refined as the Nangong Family’s method, it is certainly orthodox. ... Third Young Master, shall we rest for half an hour before continuing?"

"Deal!" Nangong Wuwang nodded eagerly, laughing, "Don't call me Third Young Master; just call me Wuwang!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Very well. It feels more familiar that way. Sparring with you, Wuwang, is far better than my solitary, arduous study. Truly exhilarating!"

"Indeed, exhilarating! I feel the same!" Nangong Wuwang nodded vigorously, his face breaking into a broad smile. "Sparring with you has advanced my Qiankun Palm more than a year of harsh training!"

Seeing the two men appreciate each other so much, Nangong Lizhen chuckled, "Meeting a worthy peer, two equals in a contest—this is indeed a rare fate!"

Nangong Wuwang excitedly agreed, "Yes, fate, fate! ... Brother Li, why don't you just settle in Zhongzhou City? We can train together every day!"

Li Muzhan offered a wry smile and shook his head, "That is an excellent idea, but unfortunately, I have pressing matters that keep me bound, preventing me from staying as I wish."

"Ah..." Nangong Wuwang’s face immediately fell, and he shook his head in disappointment.

Seeing this, Nangong Lizhen smiled, "Brother Li, if there is anything our Nangong Family can handle for you, you needn't undertake it personally."

Li Muzhan smiled, "These matters cannot be delegated to others. ... The Wang Family—I owe them a favor. My elders have instructed me that I must travel to Saint Snow Peak to compete against their disciples."

Nangong Wuwang's eyes widened, "Saint Snow Peak? Those women are not easy to deal with!"

Li Muzhan nodded, "On my journey here, I encountered people from Saint Snow Peak; they are indeed formidable. I have no certainty of victory, only that I must do my best."

"Is that so..." Nangong Wuwang rolled his eyes, deep in thought.

Nangong Lizhen smiled, "You are fighting on behalf of the Wang Family for the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture, aren't you?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "Second Young Master knows of this old affair?"

"Every major family knows of this matter," Nangong Lizhen nodded, smiling. "However, in my estimation, the Wang Family regaining the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture is as hard as ascending to heaven!" His gaze sharpened as it fell upon Li Muzhan, "Unless, the Canghai Sword Sect lends a hand! ... Brother Li, you are a disciple of the Canghai Sword Sect, aren't you?"

Li Muzhan gave a bitter smile and slowly nodded. The time for concealment was over. Using his mind-reading ability, he sensed that their thoughts held no hostility, only genuine warmth and friendliness.

"No wonder!" Nangong Lizhen suddenly realized, smiling, "A scion of a famous house, no wonder, no wonder!"

Li Muzhan laughed, "Concealing my identity was a measure of necessity."

"Haha, Brother Li, you were overly cautious. Our Nangong Family has long had no dealings with the Canghai Sword Sect, and we certainly will not provoke conflict lightly," Nangong Lizhen assured him with a smile.