Seeing Li Muzhan look at him, Old Man Li snorted, "All these old codgers have ghosts in their hearts, scrambling to study it, absolutely determined to distill the very essence of Chunyu Yueyun's saber techniques!" Elder Ji chuckled, "Chunyu Yueyun's saber work was earth-shattering, truly supreme. To grasp the essence of his technique—that would be a monumental achievement." Old Man Li curled his lip in disdain, "Hmph, in my opinion, they're all dreaming in daylight.

It's just a saber, not a person; how can it pass down any essence?" Elder Ji smiled, "This saber is indeed extraordinary. Every time I touch it, I feel a subtle enlightenment, yet it's like looking at flowers in a fog...

Mingkong, your comprehension is high; perhaps you can glean something." Li Muzhan smiled, "If this disciple gains any insight, I will surely share it with the esteemed seniors." Old Man Li quickly waved his hands dismissively, "No need, no need! We are half-buried in the soil already; what use is learning new saber forms!" Li Muzhan smiled, said no more, and with two light swings, a chilling cold surged.

He glanced down; two characters were inscribed on the hilt: "Duan Yue" (Breaking Peak). The two characters were ancient and vigorous, exuding a profound, powerful energy, as if a great mountain stood before him, demanding reverence.

He couldn't help but admire, "The calligraphy..." Elder Ji said, "It is rumored these two characters were personally written by Chunyu Yueyun. They might contain the saber technique within them.

Take a look; perhaps you can discern something?" Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, "The aura is severe, like a mountain, truly extraordinary, but as for what saber technique is hidden within, this disciple cannot see it." "Hah, ignore that old fool; he’s obsessed with Chunyu Yueyun's saber techniques to the point of madness," Old Man Li waved his hand, unconcerned. Elder Ji stroked his beard and laughed, "If we could decipher this set of saber techniques and apply it in the army, our combat strength could multiply several times over—wouldn't that be boundless merit?" Old Man Li pursed his lips, "Old Ji, you are truly daydreaming!" Look around now; the generation of the Saber Saint has no successor.

This clearly shows that Chunyu Yueyun's saber art is simply not something ordinary people can master!" Elder Ji stroked his beard and chuckled, "Why can't they master it? Because the essence of the technique resides within this very saber—doesn't that confirm the legend?" Old Man Li waved his hand impatiently, "Enough, enough, you're already bewitched...

I'm gifting this saber to the young monk now, so stop pestering me for it!" Elder Ji smiled, stroking his beard, unoffended, and said to Li Muzhan, "Mingkong, I won't touch this saber either; you study it." "Yes," Li Muzhan agreed readily. Old Man Li said, "Keep the saber; it might be useful...

To scale the city walls, Youngster Yan has the Golden Crow Claws; you need a treasure saber to match." Li Muzhan smiled, "Thank you, Senior Li." "Don't thank me yet!" Old Man Li waved his hand, chuckling slyly, "If you fail to snatch the Yin Yuan Pill, I'm taking the Duan Yue Saber back. Don't forget!" "Yes, understood." Li Muzhan smiled and nodded, taking the scabbard and hanging it at his waist.

Only then did Li Muzhan realize that the two elders had no horses; they would need to buy their own once inside West Zhao, and furthermore, they wouldn't leave through the main South Gate, but rather climb over the West Wall. Yan Lengsi dug his hands into the bluestone wall, as if grasping soft tofu, effortlessly sinking them in.

Li Muzhan was astonished, never expecting him to possess such a hidden art without uttering a word. The bluestones used to cast the walls were incredibly hard; even slicing them with a saber only left a shallow mark.

Yet, his hands sank in with ease. If he were grabbing a person, how could flesh and blood withstand such force?

Although Li Muzhan possessed profound internal energy, he couldn't project it outwardly; he hadn't reached that level. In this regard, he was inferior to Yan Lengsi, who could only use his treasure saber to anchor himself for the descent.

The two followed the plan, utilizing the cover of night to stealthily scale the walls of West Zhao. Then, Li Muzhan led Yan Lengsi, strolling out of the military camp as if it were a leisurely walk.

Although West Zhao's military camp was tightly secured, it also showed signs of laxity. Moreover, since Great Yan hadn't attacked West Zhao for centuries, the soldiers were inevitably somewhat complacent and hadn't paid close attention; the patrols were haphazard.

Upon seeing this, Li Muzhan shook his head repeatedly. Such laxity meant that if Great Yan truly decided to attack, it wouldn't be difficult.

He surmised that there must be masters guarding the city center. He dared not be reckless and quietly led Yan Lengsi away from the camp.

Yan Lengsi found it strange. He watched Li Muzhan walk with his eyes closed, yet his pace remained steady.

Moreover, they were precisely traversing the blind spots of the patrols, missing them by a hair's breadth. Often, they were only a few breaths away from being discovered, yet they managed to pass ahead by those few breaths, allowing them to slip away unharmed while the guards remained oblivious.

Li Muzhan probed his intuition; he didn't sense danger. Clearly, the masters in the city were also lulled into complacency, not maintaining full vigilance.

As soon as the two left the camp, Yan Lengsi couldn't help but ask, "Monk, if you close your eyes, can you still see the road?" Li Muzhan smiled, "This is a supernatural ability I gained from cultivating Chanding (Zen concentration)." "Heavenly Eye Vision (Tianyan Tong)?" Yan Lengsi's spirit lifted, his eyes brightening, and he asked eagerly. Li Muzhan nodded with a smile, "Indeed." "Is there truly such a thing as Heavenly Eye Vision?" Yan Lengsi hesitated for a moment, asking somewhat shyly.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Didn't you just see it?" Buddhist divine powers are best left unused; using them too frequently becomes an impediment." He understood, however, that his current ability wasn't strictly a Buddhist divine power but a natural reaction stemming from the consolidation of his heart-pearl and the strength of his spirit. It was like having strong hands to carry water or strong legs to jump high—no different.

When the spirit grew powerful, it naturally perceived the surrounding environment, capable of replacing the function of the eyes. "Heavenly Eye Vision..." Yan Lengsi's eyes shone with excitement, "Try it again?

One more time?" Li Muzhan let out a soft laugh and nodded, "If you insist, let's try." This city is called Lingyun City. It is densely populated, and this happens to be the peak time for the night market, bustling with activity—a hundred times livelier than Tenglong City, comparable to Tianlong City.

The two emerged from the silent military camp and slowly melted into the noisy night market, walking with the crowd while speaking loudly. "How should we test it?" Li Muzhan asked with a smile.

Yan Lengsi thought for a moment, suddenly stopped, bought a bag of dates from a nearby stall, and smiled, "I'll turn around; you tell me how many dates are in my left hand." Li Muzhan smiled and nodded, "Three." Yan Lengsi, who had turned his back and secretly taken three dates, froze upon hearing the answer. He quickly twisted around to look.

Li Muzhan was closing his eyes, and even if his eyes were open, he couldn't see his hand. He stared intently at Li Muzhan's eyes, checking if he had opened them, and then secretly took three more dates in his left hand.

Li Muzhan laughed, "Six!" Yan Lengsi was now utterly convinced, exclaiming with excitement, "It really is Heavenly Eye Vision!" Li Muzhan smiled, "It's nothing much; just a small trick that comes with cultivation, possessing no real might." Yan Lengsi disagreed, "If not for this Heavenly Eye Vision, we wouldn't have gotten out so easily..." Li Muzhan only smiled without answering. Even without Heavenly Eye Vision, he had Mind-Reading (Hearsay), and leaving the camp would have been easy regardless.

The two strolled leisurely along the night market route, then found an inn. They weren't in a hurry to leave, planning to wait for the city gates to open the next day before slowly entering West Zhao.

The next morning, the two woke up, finished breakfast at the inn, and then exited the North Gate, heading north towards the Lingshan Sect. The Lingshan Sect is located on Lingshan Peak, which lies in the geographical center of West Zhao.

A great river flows south of the peak, making it truly a place blessed by heaven and rich in spiritual energy. Lingshan stands majestically, covered in lush forests, enveloped entirely by vibrant greenery.

Coupled with its pleasant climate, it is truly a superb place for spiritual cultivation. Legend has it that an immortal ascended from Lingshan Peak, making it one of the rare blessed grotto-heavens in the world.

The status of the Lingshan Sect in West Zhao is similar to that of the Canghai Sword Sect in Great Yan—one of the foremost major sects in West Zhao, boasting numerous disciples and strict sect rules. That morning, two disciples on duty stood at the foot of the mountain, preparing to receive visitors from all walks of life.

The Lingshan Sect is renowned not only for its superior martial arts but also for its miraculous healing arts (Miaoshou Huichun), attracting a great number of visitors. Some came seeking medicine, some to become disciples, some to offer thanks, some to issue challenges, and others to visit friends—a variety of people.

The on-duty disciples needed to distinguish them carefully and receive them accordingly. Those seeking medicine were politely declined; those asking to apprentice were told the time for the next enrollment; those giving thanks were advised to depart; those issuing challenges were invited up the mountain; and those visiting friends were also invited up.

The duty disciples had to manage everything clearly, ensuring no mistakes occurred. At the entrance to the sole path leading up Lingshan, at the foot of the mountain, Zhao Zihe and Zhao Dong, disciples of the Lingshan Sect, happened to be on duty today.

Today was unusually quiet; they hadn't seen a single person. The two stood idly, leaning against thick stone pillars, one on each side.

The pillars were thick enough to embrace, carved with swirling dragon patterns. Two pillars supported an archway inscribed with the three characters: "Lingshan Sect." Suddenly, their eyes lit up, and they straightened up.

They saw a monk and a young man approaching slowly. Upon reaching them, it was indeed a monk and a youth.

Great Yan highly reveres Buddhism, and West Zhao is the same; monks hold a very high status. Seeing the monk, the two dared not be remiss.

They stepped forward, cupped their fists in a salute, "Esteemed Little Master, what brings you to our sect?" Li Muzhan smiled faintly, "I have long heard of the exceptional martial arts of the Lingshan Sect. I come from the martial world of Great Yan to seek guidance and compare skills." "Great Yan?" The two exchanged a glance, surprised.

West Zhao and the Great Khanate are enemies, but their relationship with Great Yan is generally stable. Although border skirmishes and insults often occur, it doesn't affect the overall peace between the two nations.

West Zhao has always feared that Great Yan might seize the opportunity while they were preoccupied with the Khanate to launch a sneak attack, so they consistently show deference to Great Yan. "That's correct.

I wonder if the Lingshan Sect accepts challenges?" Li Muzhan asked with a smile. Zhao Dong quickly said, "Please wait a moment while I report this.

The Sect Master will decide." Saying this, he briefly spoke to Zhao Zihe, turned, and bolted up the mountain, disappearing in a flash, revealing an extraordinary lightness skill. Li Muzhan nodded inwardly; this Lingshan Sect was indeed not a collection of amateurs.