Li Muzhan smiled faintly, watching the fleeing brutes scatter in disarray, shaking his head. He held no fondness for these men; they were nothing but pests.

However, the truly powerful martial artists had already been felled by the disciples of Shengxue Peak. Those remaining were mediocre in skill and unlikely to cause further trouble; under the watchful eye of Shengxue Peak, they would henceforth have to tread very carefully.

Tonight, having witnessed the might of Shengxue Peak, they wouldn't dare resist even if given ten times the courage. Rather than slaughtering them and turning this valley into an Asura’s hell, letting them go served as a minor merit.

The great brutes vanished completely in a moment, and even the corpses littering the ground were removed.

The women finally let out long sighs of relief, dissolving their sword formation. Immediately after, every one of them bent over, vomiting, their prior coldness stripped away, leaving them collapsed on the ground, unable to move.

Li Muzhan smiled; he had guessed correctly—their internal arts were profoundly mysterious.

Jiang Lanzhi suddenly cried out loudly, "Senior Sister! Senior Sister!"

Li Yujiao flew out from the Nandou Hall, a streak of white light flashing as she stepped across the lake surface to land nearby. She frowned slightly. "Lanzhi, what is it?"

Jiang Lanzhi was crouched on the ground, cradling Wang Tingyan, her voice tight with anxiety. "Junior Sister Wang, she..."

Wang Tingyan lay limp in her arms, eyes tightly shut, her face as pale as paper, already unconscious. Her delicate eyebrows were deeply furrowed, her expression etched with pain.

"Where is she wounded?" Li Yujiao asked calmly, looking down.

"Her heart!" Jiang Lanzhi rushed out, taking the hand that covered Wang Tingyan’s chest. Fresh blood stained her small hand, a terrifying sight.

Under the moonlight, the blood seemed almost black, which only amplified the horror.

"Senior Sister, please save her!" Jiang Lanzhi urged anxiously.

Li Yujiao knelt down and tapped several points rapidly, sealing the acupoints around the wound on the chest. She took Wang Tingyan’s wrist and shook her head. "I fear it is beyond help..."

Her tone was steady, though a flicker of emotion crossed her eyes as she stated flatly, "Prepare for the rites."

Jiang Lanzhi pleaded desperately, "Senior Sister, please save her! Maybe she can still be saved, Senior Sister—!"

Li Yujiao sighed heavily, shaking her head, her expression unmoved.

Jiang Lanzhi burst into loud sobs. "Senior Sister—!"

She understood the wound; a sword thrust directly to the heart. This sword strike was meant for her—Wang Tingyan had suddenly stepped in front of her to take the blow.

If not for Wang Tingyan, Jiang Lanzhi would be dead now.

Gazing at Wang Tingyan’s pale, lovely face, memories of their shared laughter flashed vividly through her mind. But now, they were to be eternally separated. She was so young, in the prime of her youth, yet she was about to die!

She sank softly to the ground, calling out Wang Tingyan’s name in a voice wracked with grief, a sound so mournful it pierced the heart of everyone who heard it, causing them to lower their heads and sigh.

Wang Tingyan, lively and guileless, had been universally loved. To think that this minor skirmish would claim her life.

"We should have killed them all just now!" one disciple hissed bitterly.

Another quickly agreed, "Yes, we should have killed every last one!"

"Silence!" Li Yujiao barked coldly, her gaze like ice as she swept it over the assembled women.

Li Muzhan gave a light cough into his hand, drawing everyone’s attention. They turned to look at him, some annoyed, others curious.

Li Yujiao’s eyes lit up, and she quickly said, "The Canghai Sword Sect possesses the Yin-Yang Creation Art, capable of bringing the dead back to life! Brother Li, please, save her!"

Li Muzhan nodded. "Very well, I will do my best to try."

"Please!" Li Yujiao urged immediately.

She was transformed; all her previous haughtiness had melted away, and she even managed to force a faint smile.

Li Muzhan paid no mind to her expression. Wang Tingyan’s injury was indeed critical, a sword to the heart. While some of the other women were injured, their wounds were not fatal; they only required medicine and rest.

Wang Tingyan was a good person, but sadly unlucky to be struck in a vital spot. Fortunately, her fate was not yet sealed, and he happened to be present; otherwise, missing the critical window, even a Great Golden Immortal could not have saved her.

The dead could not be brought back to life—the previous incident with Wang Yuanxin’s return to consciousness was due to the rarity of the Shenji Powder, a scenario unlikely to be repeated.

He squatted before Wang Tingyan, checked her pulse, and nodded. "I need to begin the technique now; no disturbances allowed."

"Rest assured!" Li Yujiao nodded immediately.

Li Muzhan began executing the Crane Nurturing Technique to Replenish Essence. After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he concluded the exercise and sat cross-legged on the grass. Li Yujiao sat beside him, guarding him.

Wang Tingyan slowly regained consciousness. During the application of the technique, the color gradually returned to her cheeks. Everyone watched intently, blinking not a single time, astonished by the miraculous nature of the art.

Now that she was truly awake, their relief was absolute. They could barely contain shouts of joy, but Li Yujiao’s glare stopped them.

Their gazes settled upon Li Muzhan. Looking at his solemn, majestic form, they felt only gratitude, no anger remaining. Only Li Yujiao seemed lost in thought.

Though she had never witnessed the Yin-Yang Creation Art, she surmised that whatever he performed was different from it. What strange technique was he using? Could it possibly be the Crane Nurturing Technique to Replenish Essence?

The Crane Nurturing Technique to Replenish Essence was famous across the cosmos, counted among the top life-extending arts in the world. Its execution required a distinctive crane-like hand posture, making it highly recognizable.

But how could a mere disciple of the Canghai Sword Sect be connected to the Yingyue Nunnery? The two seemed worlds apart, with no discernible link.

Puzzled beyond measure, she waved her hand, and the other women quietly dispersed like the ebbing tide, vanishing in an instant. Only she and Wang Shuangfeng remained.

The two stared at Li Muzhan, one on either side, keeping vigilant watch to ensure no one disturbed him.

About half an hour later, as the moon shifted westward, Li Muzhan slowly awoke. A golden light flickered in his eyes, appearing almost substantial. The moment the two women felt this golden gaze, they trembled, their hearts momentarily skipping a beat.

Li Muzhan quickly suppressed the golden radiance, returning to normal, and smiled faintly. "How is Junior Sister Wang?"

"Martial Uncle, Elder Sister Wang is awake now and out of danger!" Wang Shuangfeng reported.

Li Muzhan let out a long breath and chuckled. "That is good; at least the effort wasn't wasted."

"Thank you, Brother Li!" Li Yujiao inclined her body in a deep bow, her expression earnest and solemn.

Li Muzhan waved his hand. "No need for such formality. I could not stand by and watch someone die... This sudden raid, you were prepared for it, weren't you?"

He slowly stood up, brushed off his trousers, and smiled faintly. "Turning their scheme against them—'closing the door to beat the dog'—a fine calculation, surely the work of Sect Master Li? ... A pity, using a butcher’s knife to kill a chicken!"

Li Yujiao stated coolly, "Without your plea, we could have rooted out the entire threat, eliminating future worries!"

Noting the hint of complaint in her tone, Li Muzhan laughed. "Ascetics cherish compassion; Heaven values the virtue of preserving life. Killing too many breeds endless trouble... Besides, they are utterly terrified now; they won't dare try anything in this lifetime, rest assured."

Li Yujiao shook her head, unconvinced. "These desperate wretches cannot be trusted. Today’s disaster stems from our leniency in the past. If anything had happened to Junior Sister Wang, wouldn't that have been a grave sin?"

"Alas..." Li Muzhan sighed.

These matters were indeed hard to rationalize; they could only be attributed to fate—a fate both powerful and strange, which mortals could neither change nor refuse, only accept.

As his martial prowess grew, he understood more deeply the subtle existence of destiny.

Li Muzhan spoke plainly. "Senior Sister Li, the martial competition is in two days. I will not hold back; you must be careful."

Li Muzhan smiled. "Excellent! Holding back would be dreadfully dull! Let us truly compete and see who emerges victorious!"

"Couldn't be better!" Li Yujiao gave a slight smile.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly. "Junior Sister Li looks down on me, certain of victory?"

Li Yujiao smiled faintly and nodded. "Brother Li, your cultivation still lags somewhat!"

Li Muzhan laughed and asked, "Has Junior Sister Li encountered any miraculous fortune? Consumed any spirit medicines or rare, exotic fruits?"

Li Yujiao started slightly, then shook her head.

Li Muzhan chuckled. "For one so young, your internal foundation is remarkably deep. What is the reason?"

"Nothing special. Merely cultivating the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture," Li Yujiao replied calmly.

"The Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture is that miraculous?" Li Muzhan asked, sounding incredulous.

The Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture belonged to the Wang family of Penglai. If it were truly so divine, how could the Wang family members who practiced it have been conquered and had the scripture stolen by Shengxue Peak?

Li Muzhan frowned, musing: Could it be that Shengxue Peak’s martial arts are superior? ... Then why would they bother stealing the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture?!

He shook his head, thoughts churning with electric speed.

Li Yujiao nodded solemnly. "Indeed! The Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture is impossibly potent; it cleanses the marrow and washes the essence, allowing one to undergo total rebirth!"

Li Muzhan nodded. If it weren't so, the Wang family wouldn't have suffered such a catastrophic decline.

However, this scripture must also be incredibly difficult to practice, otherwise, Li Yujiao wouldn't be so far ahead of her peers; the other disciples likely couldn't master it.

"Thank you for today, Brother Li. I shall see you tomorrow!" Li Yujiao cupped her hands in a salute and drifted away gracefully.

Li Muzhan and Wang Shuangfeng returned to their courtyard to rest.

The next day, the valley buzzed with activity. On the training grounds, disciples chattered excitedly. Having recovered from the shock of the bloodshed, they now felt the night’s events like a dream, which only discussing it with others made seem real.

Wang Tingyan was injured, and Jiang Lanzhi stayed with her, leaving them unable to accompany Li Muzhan for leisure. Li Muzhan also ceased roaming and entered closed-door seclusion to prepare for the competition in two days.

Li Yujiao also went into seclusion, preparing for the bout. Though confident of victory, she believed caution was the best policy, ensuring every possibility was accounted for in her preparations.

From morning until night, Wang Shuangfeng sat motionless in Li Muzhan's small courtyard, serving tea and meals, guarding him and permitting no one to disturb him.

She stood like a wooden stake in Li Muzhan’s yard, unmoving for extended periods. Only when it was time for meals would she stir to bring food and tea.

She was excessively tense, going without sleep. In just two days, she had become visibly haggard, like a flower frosted by an early chill, prompting the emerging Li Muzhan to shake his head repeatedly.