Ye Wen had been pondering for days how to enhance his internal cultivation. Even the unexpected summoning of the Wudang lightfoot skill, Tiyun Zong, didn't bring him much elation.

"Without improving my internal energy, I can never truly be called a master."

This urgency was particularly acute when, one day, a letter arrived from the Yue Shan Escort Agency, carried down from the mountain.

The letter was personally delivered by Gongsun Mu, the second-in-command of the Yue Shan Escort Agency, a clear sign of its importance. Ye Wen did not believe the agency was making a fuss over nothing; after all, any martial artist in Pingzhou would approach with utmost caution upon seeing the sender: the Tianle Gang.

"Sect Master Ye and the Tianle Gang...?" Gongsun Mu was unaware of any entanglement between Ye Wen and the Tianle Gang. Seeing Ye Wen’s expression, it certainly didn't resemble the look one gives a friendly correspondence. If it had been a declaration of enmity or a challenge, Gongsun Mu would not have harbored a moment of doubt.

The thought that the Shu Mountain Sect might have incurred the wrath of the Tianle Gang sent a sudden chill down Gongsun Mu's spine. The influence of the Tianle Gang was well-known among those roaming the Jianghu, especially within Pingzhou territory, where even a single branch of the Gang commanded profound respect.

The only power capable of standing equal to the Tianle Gang was the Tiger Mountain Sect. As for the current Shu Mountain Sect? Gongsun Mu conceded its immense potential, but potential did not equate to established strength. Especially before potential is realized, it is all too easy for hostile elements to eliminate it as a future threat.

Fortunately, Ye Wen's subsequent words eased the tension he had felt. After Ye Wen carefully perused the letter and glanced at one specific piece of paper within it, he shook his head and stated, "Mr. Gongsun need not worry. There is no major issue between my Shu Mountain Sect and the Tianle Gang. It was merely a few misunderstandings recently, so we are exchanging correspondence to clarify things and avoid unnecessary conflict."

Although Gongsun Mu didn't entirely believe him, he reasoned that Ye Wen would not conceal something so vital from the Yue Shan Escort Agency. Thus, he felt somewhat relieved, bid farewell, and departed down the mountain.

At this point, Ye Wen looked once more at the single sheet of paper in his hand and instructed Yue Ning, who had been standing by respectfully, "Ning'er, please summon your Martial Aunt Ning. Tell her I have something urgent to discuss with her."

Yue Ning nodded, turned, and left the hall. Once alone, Ye Wen finally let out a long breath, sighing inwardly, "The Tianle Gang's influence is truly astonishing, and they are formidable opponents."

Not long after, Ning Ruxue, who had been busy catching sparrows across the mountain, was found and called back by Yue Ning. Upon entering the hall and seeing Ye Wen's furrowed brow, she knew a serious matter was at hand. She immediately asked, "Senior Brother, what is it? Could it be the Tianle Gang?"

Since Ye Wen brought Zhou Zhiruo back and she herself returned to the mountain, she had meticulously explained the matter of the Tianle Gang to Ning Ruxue, mentioning that their hidden enemy was one of the renowned sects in the Jianghu. She stressed that their sect needed to develop quickly, at the very least so the Tianle Gang wouldn't think they could easily eradicate Shu Mountain.

When Yue Ning urgently called her back stating Ye Wen needed her, and upon learning her Senior Brother had received correspondence from the Tianle Gang, she naturally assumed the Gang had investigated Ye Wen’s affairs from several months prior and were now using it as a pretext for trouble.

"The Tianle Gang sent a letter, and they included Zhiruo's indenture contract along with it."

"What?"

Ye Wen’s opening statement startled Ning Ruxue. She had anticipated the Tianle Gang might leverage their overwhelming strength to cause trouble—perhaps demanding Ye Wen present himself to beg forgiveness, or insisting Zhou Zhiruo be returned. She had considered all of this, but never imagined the Tianle Gang would proactively send Zhiruo's indenture back.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Ye Wen had spent considerable time pondering the Tianle Gang's intentions. Judging from the phrasing in the letter, he didn't believe the Tianle Gang held his Shu Mountain Sect in high regard or feared them enough to refrain from striking. While the wording held no blatant disrespect, it clearly conveyed an air of arrogance.

Based on this letter alone, Ye Wen was convinced that he and his Shu Mountain Sect were merely small fry in the eyes of the Tianle Gang, nothing to be truly feared. They likely believed they could crush or mold the Shu Mountain Sect at will, with no capacity for resistance. As for sending Zhou Zhiruo's indenture, it was probably because they considered a mere girl insignificant; perhaps gifting Ye Wen this favor was meant to foster some positive sentiment toward the Tianle Gang's supposed benevolence.

However, Ye Wen could not fathom why the Tianle Gang would grant him such a favor. A crucial piece of the puzzle remained stubbornly unclear.

"Or perhaps they believe they can recapture Zhiruo anytime they wish, rendering the indenture in my hands meaningless?"

This line of reasoning seemed far more coherent. As his thoughts expanded, Ye Wen recalled Liu Qingfeng, the True Man of the Tiger Mountain Sect, who had been with him that day. "Perhaps the Tianle Gang fears the Tiger Mountain Sect? They might not wish to clash with them right now, and they are uncertain about my relationship with the Tiger Mountain Sect?"

The more he considered it, the more likely it seemed. But if this were true, it meant that in others' eyes, the Shu Mountain Sect was merely a third-rate faction sheltering under the Tiger Mountain Sect’s wing—a notion that deeply displeased Ye Wen.

"It seems we need to accelerate things."

"Accelerate what?" Ning Ruxue was perplexed; she didn't fully grasp what her Senior Brother intended.

Ye Wen offered no explanation, instead quietly calculating in his mind. His current martial arts skill was certainly enough to defeat the scattered elements of the Shu Mountain Sect and drive them out. However, to truly dominate all rivals still required more; he needed to subdue them convincingly. Even if he chased them off this time, they would likely return later seeking trouble.

Furthermore, such a large stir would certainly draw the attention of the Tianle Gang. At that point, the reality that the Shu Mountain Sect had no deep ties with the Tiger Mountain Sect would become evident, potentially inviting the Gang's suppression.

"If I still possess this little skill then, I might not withstand the Tianle Gang's oppression." Sighing at this thought, he concluded, "In the end, it all comes down to my insufficient power. I really must seriously contemplate how to augment my internal energy."

He looked up and inquired, "Junior Sister, how is your practice of the Tianluo Diwang Shi progressing?"

Several months had passed since he taught Ning Ruxue how to cultivate the Tianluo Diwang Shi, and Ye Wen was eager to know his Junior Sister's current advancement.

Ning Ruxue paused, seemingly caught off guard by the sudden question, but quickly replied, "I can barely manage to catch eighty-one sparrows in the small training room, and I was just considering moving to the large training room."

Ye Wen was somewhat surprised; his Junior Sister's progress was quite good, completing the first stage of training in such a short time. However, upon hearing she intended to switch to the large training room, he advised, "Don't rush. It would be better if you wait until you are more familiar with it before moving to the large room."

He hoped Ning Ruxue would solidify her foundation before changing environments, preventing her from becoming flustered and hindering her training when faced with a larger space.

Ning Ruxue nodded, offering no argument, perhaps understanding that moving immediately might put her back in the clumsy state she was in at the very beginning of her practice.

Confirming Ning Ruxue's training status, Ye Wen estimated that at this pace, she might take about the same amount of time as Yang Guo did to master the Tianluo Diwang Shi—roughly two years.

"Two years..."

Ye Wen calculated, believing the Tianle Gang likely wouldn't make a move within two years. But after that period, everything was uncertain. Moreover, the Tiger Mountain Sect would inevitably clash with the Tianle Gang sooner or later. To prevent his Shu Mountain Sect from taking advantage of the ensuing chaos, the Tianle Gang might strike first to eliminate them.

Thus, two years represented the longest projected period for development; any longer, and he couldn't guarantee the current peace and comfort.

"Two years... that should be enough."

Feeling the pressure, Ye Wen finally steeled his resolve to try those methods that could accelerate his internal cultivation. The first order of business was instructing Aunt Zhao to commission an item for him from the blacksmith the next time she descended the mountain.

Afterward, he began searching the mountainsides for snakes. As spring gave way to early summer, the natural environment on Mount Shu was lush, and snakes were plentiful, though capturing them required considerable effort.

Ye Wen sought out snakes to test whether Yang Guo's method of consuming snake gallbladders to enhance internal strength was effective. If it worked, he would have to resort to this means to boost his inner power. As long as his internal energy increased, and he found a suitable cultivation manual, he could refine that energy for his own use. If this method failed, he would have to seek alternatives.

Simultaneously, he meticulously practiced Tiyun Zong, the sole movement technique he had summoned, and also had his Junior Sister and Junior Brother practice it, hoping to strengthen the three strongest martial artists in the Shu Mountain Sect.

Putting aside Ye Wen's own endeavors, Xu Xian's lightness skill was already exceptional; now, possessing Tiyun Zong, he reached new heights. Coupled with his nimble and quick Hengshan Swordplay, his combat presence was dazzling and hard to counter.

For Ning Ruxue, the acquired Tiyun Zong was integrated into her ongoing cultivation of the Tianluo Diwang Shi. With the assistance of this proper lightness skill, the potency of her Tianluo Diwang Shi increased further, and her training accelerated. She had already left the small training room and moved her practice to the larger one.

As for Ye Wen, aside from diligently practicing his internal arts, he frequently journeyed to the rear of the Shu Mountain Sect—the higher peaks of Mount Shu—to train his lightness skill.

The terrain there was precipitous, far beyond the reach of ordinary people. When initially searching for a suitable location to establish the sect, Ye Wen had considered climbing higher, but his cultivation was insufficient, and he lacked lightness skill, making the ascent too difficult, which forced him to abandon the idea.

Now, he had no intention of climbing to the summit to see what lay there; rather, this location was an ideal proving ground for lightfoot mastery. It seemed nonsensical for Ye Wen to ignore such a prime spot and practice elsewhere.

Consequently, the rear slopes of Mount Shu became his most frequent destination. Upon beginning his training, he discovered the difficulty of scaling the area was even greater than he had imagined. Even with Tiyun Zong, he could only manage to ascend slightly past the halfway point before being unable to proceed further.