After another fifty exchanges, the two women were panting, their fine sweat glistening. To sweat so profusely in such a biting cold wind showed how strenuous the effort had been.

The two were stubborn; even when outmatched, they gritted their teeth and persisted.

The root of their resolve lay in Li Muzhan’s peculiar expression—a smile that was not quite a smile. The moment the women saw it, their fury flared. They had been on the verge of conceding, but swallowed the words back, forcing themselves to endure another fifty or so moves through sheer grit.

Li Muzhan deliberately played foul, using his smile to provoke them.

His palm energy spread outward, like several invisible hands, either nudging, pulling, aligning with, or counteracting the fierce cold wind, weaving it into a sea of power.

They felt as if they were caught in a swamp, their movements several times more difficult.

As time wore on, the strength formed by his palm energy mingling with the wind grew more substantial, almost palpable. They felt submerged in a vast ocean with ceaseless undercurrents. Under the pressure of these multiple forces, they had to simultaneously strike and focus their qi to utilize the Thousand-Jin Drop technique, anchoring themselves so they wouldn't be swept off the stone platform.

Ever since he had condensed a tornado with his Heartless Sleeves previously, Li Muzhan’s comprehension of the forces within the world had ascended to a new level. No force was beyond his command; he manipulated them as easily as moving his own limbs.

"That's enough," Li Muzhan suddenly said, retreating two steps and smiling with his hands clasped behind his back.

The two women managed to stop, breathing heavily, their cheeks flushed crimson as if drunk.

Their thin cotton jackets were soaked, revealing the graceful lines of their figures, and hot vapor steamed off their bodies. Their wet hair clung to their foreheads.

The women exchanged a glance, catching sight of each other’s disheveled state, a mix of shame and annoyance rising in their hearts.

Li Muzhan chuckled, "Hurry and circulate your qi to dry your clothes, lest you catch a chill."

"Senior Brother Zhan Ran has formidable skills!" Jiang Lanzhi huffed, giving him a sharp look.

Her entire being was filled with frustrated anger she couldn't vent. It was intensely vexing. She had initiated the spar herself, and he had held back, maintaining the moral high ground in every aspect. If she were to lose her temper now, she would seem utterly unreasonable.

Wang Tingyan carefully smoothed her hair and asked with a giggle, "Senior Brother, what palm technique is that you used?"

Amidst the rising white vapor, the dampness vanished, and their clothes quickly dried, their complexions also returning to calm.

Li Muzhan smiled, "This is our sect’s foundational technique, named the Nine Palms of the Azure Sea. Its might is not insignificant, is it?"

"So it is the Trembling Mountain technique, no wonder!" The two women nodded in sudden understanding, seeming relieved, their expressions softening.

Jiang Lanzhi snorted, "Let's go back!"

Wang Tingyan chirped happily, "Senior Brother, let’s go down the mountain tomorrow. The Iron Cavalry Tribe is having a fair; it will be lively. Are you coming?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "The Iron Cavalry Tribe?"

"The Iron Cavalry Tribe is the largest tribe nearby, with over a hundred thousand people! Junior Sister here is actually the princess of the Iron Cavalry Tribe," Wang Tingyan said cheerfully.

Her bright eyes sparkled, her demeanor excited, completely unaffected by her defeat—a stark contrast to Jiang Lanzhi’s sulky appearance.

"No wonder," Li Muzhan murmured in realization.

He saw immediately: accompanying him was an excuse; her true goal was to join the excitement herself.

Jiang Lanzhi kept her mouth shut, occasionally glancing sideways at Li Muzhan. Her intelligent eyes darted around, and Li Muzhan knew instantly she still hadn't given up, determined to reclaim her dignity.

Jiang Lanzhi suddenly spoke up, "In the tribe, what Junior Sister says goes. She’s been spoiled since childhood. She’s much better now than when she first entered the mountain; she’s far more sensible!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "So, she is indeed a daughter of gold and jade."

Wang Tingyan giggled, "Junior Sister holds an esteemed status, yet she is not arrogant at all. Everyone adores her."

The two led him down the mountain, their speed increased, seeming to glide on the wind. In a short while, they reached the valley and saw the mist-shrouded lake.

On the training ground across the lake, nearly a hundred women were practicing. Sword lights flashed, interspersed with crisp, melodious shouts that rose and fell.

Jiang Lanzhi’s bright eyes flickered, and she suddenly laughed, "Senior Brother, do you want to take a look?"

Li Muzhan shook his head, "Peeking at others practicing martial arts is a major taboo in the Jianghu."

"It doesn't matter; you can just watch," Jiang Lanzi insisted, shaking her head.

Wang Tingyan looked at her, then at Li Muzhan, and giggled mischievously, "Exactly! Our martial arts are based on secret mental cultivation; you can't learn them just by watching. Let's go take a look?"

Li Muzhan didn't fall for the bait, shaking his head with a smile, "Better not. I’m a bit tired; I’ll go back and rest first."

"...Oh, alright then." Jiang Lanzhi looked disgruntled, casting a regretful glance toward the opposite side of the lake.

Li Muzhan smiled inwardly, knowing exactly what she was plotting, but he firmly refused to grant her wish. Battling wits with beauties was, in itself, a source of pleasure.

The two women escorted him back to the small courtyard. Li Muzhan invited them in for a cup of tea. After a brief thought, they readily agreed. They sat at the stone table, and by now, dusk had settled, the sky darkening.

The two were intensely curious about him. He was young yet possessed deep inner strength and exquisite palm techniques. Although the Eldest Senior Sister’s martial arts were unfathomable, this Zhan Ran was certainly no mediocre fighter; they needed to understand him better to keep the Eldest Senior Sister forewarned.

With this thought in mind, they were in no hurry to leave. Li Muzhan casually recounted various martial world anecdotes and interesting tidbits, eliciting continuous laughter from the pair.

They had initially intended to probe his capabilities, but later became engrossed in conversation, forgetting their purpose entirely. Once the floodgates opened, they spoke with great enthusiasm, allowing Li Muzhan to hear much about Mount Saint Snow.

After all, having lived solely on the mountain without much worldly experience or tempering, their minds were still rather naive. Even the calculating Jiang Lanzhi appeared quite juvenile in Li Muzhan’s eyes.

As they were chatting and laughing, a sudden knock sounded at the door. Song Xinyi entered, and upon seeing the three of them smiling warmly, her bright eyes widened in astonishment.

The two women’s cheeks flushed. Jiang Lanzhi quickly took the initiative: "Junior Sister, is something wrong?"

Song Xinyi looked at her, then at Wang Tingyan, and finally settled her gaze on Li Muzhan. She snorted, "Another group of people arrived from down the mountain, and they want to see him!"

"Who are they, Junior Sister?" Wang Tingyan inquired.

Song Xinyi puckered her lips, "Some 'Gongsun Mù-sun' or something—the name was weird, I didn't remember!"

Li Muzhan said, "It must be people from the Gongsun Clan?... They really tracked me down!"

"They are looking for Senior Brother Zhan Ran?" Wang Tingyan asked.

Li Muzhan smiled, "It's nothing major... On the way here, some people from the Gongsun family caused trouble, and I killed one of them. They must be here for revenge."

He said it so casually that the faces of the three women changed instantly, and they stepped back as if recoiling from a venomous snake.

Li Muzhan paused in surprise, then realized they had never taken a life.

Song Xinyi wrinkled her nose and huffed, "If you killed someone, of course, someone will come to avenge him!"

Li Muzhan spread his hands in a bitter smile, "He intended to kill me; how could I sit still and wait to die?... Alas, once you draw a weapon in the martial world, it’s either you die or I die; there is no other path!"

Song Xinyi scoffed, "The moment I looked at you, I knew you weren't a good person. You’re a ruthless killer!"

Li Muzhan laughed, "Junior Sister Song, I need quiet contemplation to prepare for the duel. Please tell them not to disturb me... I am a guest of Mount Saint Snow now, am I not?"

"You...!" Song Xinyi stared at him, her bright eyes wide with disbelief.

His words were utterly unexpected. She hadn't imagined he would be so shameless! He was technically a guest here. If he were truly disturbed, what face would Mount Saint Snow have left? But by doing this, he was effectively using them as a human shield—how infuriating!

She glared for a long moment, stomped her foot fiercely, and turned to leave, the courtyard door slamming shut with a loud bang.

Li Muzhan shook his head, chuckling softly, and took a sip from his tea cup, his expression completely relaxed.

Jiang Lanzhi pursed her lips and smiled, "Senior Brother, your audacity..."

She shook her head, speechless.

Wang Tingyan chuckled, "Senior Brother, you really have thick skin!... You are a top master; how can you act like a shrinking turtle?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "We'll discuss it after the duel. I don't have time for them right now."

Wang Tingyan gave him a look, "Fine. I will go speak to the Sect Leader and tell them not to cause trouble!"

With that, she and Jiang Lanzhi gracefully exited.

Li Muzhan contentedly finished his cup of tea, looking at the sky enveloped in twilight, a slight smile playing on his lips. He could easily picture the members of the Gongsun Clan foaming with rage.

The next day, after rising and practicing martial arts for a while, Jiang Lanzhi and Wang Tingyan soon arrived. Both were clad in white robes, their faces veiled with white gauze, appearing ethereal and graceful, like celestial maidens.

Li Muzhan glanced at them and smiled.

Wang Tingyan said cheerfully, "Senior Brother Zhan Ran, we always dress like this when we go down the mountain. Have you eaten breakfast?"

Li Muzhan nodded, smiling, "Good. It suits you both."

"Then let's go!" Jiang Lanzhi urged.

Li Muzhan returned to his room, set aside the Dragon’s Roar Sword, and strapped on Gongsun Qingyun's treasured sword—which he called the Qingyun Sword. He turned and exited the room, and the three left the small courtyard together. They passed out of the valley and reached the base of the mountain.

Below the mountain stretched a vast, open grassland. The grass had turned yellow, but patches of sheep could still be seen, occasionally punctuated by clear singing—the voices of the shepherds.

The trio walked west. Along the way, they encountered herders who invariably bowed deeply in respect. The two women remained expressionless, as if not noticing, paying them no heed as they floated onward as if riding the wind.

Seeing this, Li Muzhan inwardly marveled at the formidable reputation of Mount Saint Snow, which could not be underestimated.

They traveled swiftly, and soon a mountain appeared before them. Midway up the slope was a stretch of continuous palaces, their golden roofs shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight, projecting an air of solemn dignity.

"That is the Royal Palace of the Iron Cavalry Tribe!" Wang Tingyan pointed toward those structures.

Jiang Lanzhi added, "We need to reach the base of that mountain; the fair is held there."

Li Muzhan smiled, "It seems the Iron Cavalry Tribe is quite wealthy."

"Mm!" Wang Tingyan giggled, "Their felt blankets are unparalleled. They are said to be rare treasures in the Central Plains, affordable only by the rich and noble."

"Oh—?" Li Muzhan sounded genuinely surprised; he truly hadn't known.

Seeing is not the same as arriving. The palaces looked close but were a dozen li away. They reached the mountain base in the time it takes to sip tea, arriving at a bustling small town.

The town streets were wide and densely packed with people. As the two women passed, crowds parted for them, much like one parts water when carrying a Bi Shui Zhu.

The trio toured for a while and soon reached noon, settling down in a small tavern for a meal.

Li Muzhan ordered two vegetarian meals. While eating, he observed the crowd outside, watching the myriad facets of human life, when suddenly a cold sneer rang out. More than a dozen figures clad in black stood opposite them, encircling their table.