He sat cross-legged on the couch, the faint sounds of drilling from the training ground outside drifting in, rising and falling in pitch. The room, however, was profoundly still, as if time itself had paused.

With a slight shift of his robes, white cloth socks suddenly adhered to the soles of his feet, clinging tightly, occasionally giving a slight tremor.

Within the Guan Tian Ren Shen Zhao Tu (Observing Heaven, Man, and Divine Illumination), the Yongquan acupoints on his feet shone brightly like cold stars, continuously drawing in the moonlight. Waves of tingling numbness washed over him, bringing an indescribable comfort.

Despite the anomaly, his heart remained calm, untroubled, still focused on absorbing the moonlight to dissolve the fatigue in his body.

After an unknowable amount of time, the vertical eye on the forehead of his Xiang Shen (Phantasmal Body) suddenly vanished, transforming into five beads that drilled out of the Yaomen (Gate of the Hidden/Sacred Gate). Subsequently, the Xiang Shen slowly disappeared, and he exited the Guan Tian Ren Shen Zhao Tu.

Slowly opening his eyes, he immediately noticed something different: the Yongquan acupoints had changed.

He surmised that this transformation in the Yongquan points was due to their integration with his mind and spirit.

He was overjoyed—if this was the case, would this not surpass even the Jingang Bu Huai Shengong (Diamond Indestructible Divine Skill)?

Thinking this, he immediately re-entered a meditative state, diving back into the Guan Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing (Classic of Observing Heaven, Man, and Divine Illumination), focusing entirely on cultivating the Yongquan acupoints. He only awoke as dawn broke, excitedly checking the points, only to be disappointed.

The Yongquan acupoints showed no further change; they were largely similar to before entering meditation—though twice their original size and much more resilient—they had not expanded as he had anticipated.

Thus, the Yongquan acupoints could not be infinitely strengthened. Li Muzhan shook his head, pondered a moment, and pretty much guessed the reason: perhaps the body's equilibrium could not be broken.

In the hazy dawn, the balance law between heaven and earth exerted its influence.

He let out a long breath and thought of another method. Since the Yongquan points had merged with his spirit, thus benefiting from the Guan Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing, why couldn't the other major acupoints do the same?

If all of them could merge with his spirit, then practicing the Guan Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing would temper his entire body's acupoints, leading to a balanced, progressive tempering across all points. There might be a surprise waiting.

Mulling over these thoughts, he slowly opened his eyes and stepped down to the floor.

The moment his foot touched the ground, he felt the surging internal energy from the Yongquan points—a torrent like floodwaters, several times more robust than before, instantly inundating him.

"Boom..." A clap of thunder echoed in his mind, like the initial creation of heaven and earth—a membrane of Qi formed.

After the Qi membrane solidified, the surging internal energy drilled in from the Yongquan points, directly integrating into the membrane, slowly strengthening it. For a time, the membrane showed no visible change.

He adopted a simple stance, and instantly, the internal energy surged, its speed greatly increasing. His body generated a massive suction force, directly drawing in the vital essence of the earth.

After a while, someone outside spoke in a low voice, "Monk, Monk."

Li Baolu pushed the door open, looked at him, and asked, "Are you alright now, Monk?"

"Hmph, I’m rested. What’s up?" Li Muzhan laughed.

"We have the day off today!" Li Baolu scratched his head and chuckled, "We all want to go back to Tianlong City to buy a few more houses."

"Good idea," Li Muzhan smiled.

Last time, Li Muzhan insisted on everyone splitting the profits equally from selling those dark horses, making them all quite wealthy, their purses bulging, and their spirits restless for more.

Li Muzhan asked with a smile, "Are you buying places to live, or shops?"

Li Baolu chuckled, "First, we buy places to live, then a shop. Head Zhao said so."

"Mm, excellent idea. Let’s go," Li Muzhan nodded.

Just as the two were about to leave, Zhao Shengli arrived with a group, holding lunch boxes. Upon entering, he handed one to Li Muzhan, and they began eating and talking.

The meal was quite lavish—a large lunch box containing four dishes, several steamed buns, plus porridge and gruel.

They clearly carried it with care, suggesting they prepared it often. Li Muzhan’s martial arts practice often ran late, causing him to miss meal times, so they would fetch food from the mess hall for him.

Zhao Shengli ate ravenously, slurping loudly. Wiping his mouth, he looked up, "Monk, I’ve been thinking. We should buy several adjoining houses in the same area first, so we can all live together later."

Li Muzhan nodded, savoring the food carefully.

The military camp food was both abundant and tasty, indicating the cooks were carefully selected. While not as exquisite as the delicacies from Changping Tower, it was far superior to what ordinary restaurants offered.

Zhao Shengli continued, "Then, we buy a few shops and hire some people to run businesses for us."

Li Muzhan nodded and smiled, "That’s a very good idea."

Zhao Shengli declared, "The Commandant is happy today, giving us three days off. We’re heading to Tianlong City!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "You all handle these matters and discuss them among yourselves. I won't interfere; I need to enter secluded training for a while."

"You still need secluded training?" Zhao Shengli exclaimed in surprise, "You’re already formidable enough. What are you still training for?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "If we want to surpass the Black Eagle Cavalry, we must simply train harder."

Zhao Shengli sighed helplessly, "Alright, alright. You’re just a martial arts fanatic. But then again, without that drive, you wouldn't have reached such a high level of skill."

"Then I’ll have to trouble Head Zhao and the others to take care of things," Li Muzhan said with a smile.

"Hey, why be so polite between us!" Zhao Shengli waved his hand and laughed, "Once you find a suitable place, give us your final decision. In terms of insight, none of us compares to you."

Li Muzhan smiled and agreed readily, not bothering with unnecessary modesty.

Li Muzhan went to the Black Tiger Camp main hall and requested leave from the Commandant to return to Tianlong City for a few days to focus on secluded training, as the recent battle had given him new insights.

The Commandant smiled broadly, readily agreeing, and granted him ten days’ leave.

Li Muzhan left the military camp with the others, riding back to Tianlong City. It was only midday. Recently, they had been intensely practicing the Berserk Demon Staff Technique, and their bodies had grown increasingly robust.

They went straight to the residences Xiong Sihai had mentioned, but Li Muzhan parted ways with them and returned to the Ming Estate, a smile appearing the moment he stepped through the gate.

Xiao Ya, clad in a light green silk blouse, came forward and said softly, "Young Master, we have guests."

Li Muzhan nodded, "Yes, I know."

Another servant, named Zhang Er, sturdy and with a simple, honest face, took the reins of Red Shadow and led the horse to the stable beside the river.

Xiao Ya followed him into the main hall and noticed a graceful woman seated on a chair, wearing a light green silk blouse, her face veiled with white gauze, her eyes clear and still as water.

Li Muzhan was overjoyed, "Senior Sister!"

Wen Yinyue’s expression was placid, her gaze like water, and she gave a slight nod, "Mm. Sit down."

Li Muzhan gazed at her graceful figure, feeling both intimacy and a stirring of the heart. He sat close beside her, inhaling the faint, subtle fragrance, and laughed, "I didn't expect Senior Sister to come in person."

"This is a pleasant surprise, truly unexpected," Wen Yinyue replied.

Wen Yinyue said calmly, "Master instructed me to come and check on things."

"Mm, everything is as usual." Wen Yinyue nodded lightly, "Master is very fond of the disciple you have taken on... You haven't officially graduated, so you shouldn't be taking disciples."

Li Muzhan laughed, "It’s rare to find someone with Tongcheng’s potential; I couldn't just let him go. Urgent times call for flexible measures."

At that moment, Xiao Ya gracefully entered, carrying tea trays.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Xiao Ya, this is my..."

"Cousin," Wen Yinyue stated calmly.

Li Muzhan laughed, "Right. Cousin. Xiao Ya, treat my Cousin with the utmost care, do not neglect her in the slightest."

"Yes, Young Master," Xiao Ya replied softly, head respectfully lowered.

"Has Senior Sister also considered taking on disciples?" Li Muzhan asked with a smile.

Wen Yinyue shook her head, "I will not take disciples... Master asked me to bring two ginseng roots—one hundred years old, and one five hundred years old."

Li Muzhan was ecstatic, "Many thanks to Master!"

Wen Yinyue said lightly, "There isn't much ginseng left on the mountain. Use them carefully."

As she spoke, she suddenly pointed a finger. With a light whistling sound ("Chi"), Li Muzhan swiftly dodged to the side. He thought he had avoided it, but the force of the finger suddenly curved in mid-air, taking a bend and transforming into an indistinct lotus flower, striking Li Muzhan squarely on the chest.

Li Muzhan staggered back three steps, forcing a wry smile, "Senior Sister, there’s no need for such a greeting display!"

Wen Yinyue's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, "You've been lazy. There has been no progress."

Li Muzhan grimaced, "Military martial arts here are different from martial world inner cultivation methods. I’d have to abolish my current skills and start over to advance quickly."

"Master has high expectations for you; don't let her be disappointed," Wen Yinyue said, glancing at him sideways.

From the moment they met until now, this was the first hint of emotion she had shown, and Li Muzhan let out a breath, smiling, "When have I ever caused Master to be sad?"

Wen Yinyue looked at him sideways again, "Just try to cause less trouble!"

Li Muzhan chuckled, then quickly changed the subject, "How are things with Senior Sister Mei and the others?"

"...say, don't stay outside too long; return early."

Li Muzhan took a deep breath and nodded slowly. The image of Abbess Zhuzhao’s beautiful face appeared in his mind, smiling charmingly, stirring a faint melancholy and longing within him—he desperately wished to return immediately.

"Master has already sent two people to stay in your village," Wen Yinyue added.

She waved her hand, "That’s enough. Go try the ginseng; it’s in your room. Don't worry about me."

"Stay a few more days, Senior Sister," Li Muzhan quickly urged.

Wen Yinyue nodded, "Mm, I will stay for a while."

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