The Sect Master’s hawk-like eyes blinked as he turned his gaze to the other two. The other two frowned, lost in thought.

Jin Shijie stared at the three, puzzled as to what leverage they possessed, daring to storm the Ling Shan Sect with only the two of them holding the treasured blade. This was showing far too little regard for the Ling Shan Sect.

Could it be that they were truly so formidable in martial arts that they feared none of the masters in the sect? “How are their skills?” the Sect Master asked slowly.

Jin Shijie considered for a moment. “They seem very strong, I couldn't gauge their depth, but they are young after all.

Even if their martial arts are powerful, how powerful can they truly be? ...

Master, perhaps they are just reckless youngsters venturing out into the Jianghu after gaining initial skills, not knowing fear?” The Second Martial Uncle spoke languidly, “Hmph, that is misguided… Even if they are reckless, they can’t be so foolish as to ignore the principle that an innocent man is ruined by possessing a treasure, can they?” Jin Shijie fell silent, unable to refute this. In his estimation, it was indeed so.

Even the most foolish person wouldn't be stupid enough to openly display the Duan Yue Blade in a foreign land without hesitation. On the other side, the two men took their stance in the courtyard.

Li Muzhan remained perfectly still, hands held slightly apart, in an utterly ordinary posture. Yan Lengsi stepped forward with his left foot, his right planted firmly behind him, hands held in the posture of a praying mantis, motionless.

Seeing this, Li Muzhan vaguely understood why Yan Lengsi’s hands were so sharp, capable of cleaving stone like tofu—he practiced Mantis Fist. The two stood without moving, but their mouths did not follow suit.

“Monk, are they planning to just rob us outright?” Yan Lengsi suddenly spoke. Li Muzhan chuckled, “Rob us outright?” “Yes,” Yan Lengsi said in a deep voice.

“If they see the treasure blade is potent, they could just kill us and take it. What could we do then?” Li Muzhan smiled, “They aren’t fools; they won’t act so rashly… They will be suspicious, wondering why we dared to speak of it, if we have a backup plan.” “If it were me, I’d just rob them.

Why worry so much?” Yan Lengsi disagreed. Li Muzhan smiled, “Rest assured, a Sect Master thinks more than we do.” “In my opinion, nobody thinks as much as you do,” Yan Lengsi chuckled, still motionless, his posture steady, his bearing composed yet retaining a sharp edge.

Li Muzhan laughed, “If things truly don’t work out, we’ll have no choice but to rob them outright.” Yan Lengsi’s eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, “How do we rob them? We aren't their match, are we?” Li Muzhan chuckled, “Last time the seniors snatched the Guyuan Pills, they relied on luck.

We cannot expect ordinary disciples to carry such potent medicine on them.” “That’s true,” Yan Lengsi nodded hastily. Li Muzhan smiled, “So we need to add some incentive, make them gather all the pills in one place, to save us the trouble of interrogating and robbing them one by one.” “I see…” Yan Lengsi pondered for a moment, then smiled, “You always have the best ideas.

That is indeed the most efficient way, but first, we have to be able to beat them and escape with the loot.” Li Muzhan laughed, “When the time comes, if they play by the rules, we’ll let it go. If they don’t, you grab the pills and run, and I’ll cover the rear.” “How can that be?” Yan Lengsi sharply turned his head, shaking it.

“You should take the pills and go first, and I’ll cover the rear! You have the better ideas!” Li Muzhan smiled, “Before we left, the seniors specifically instructed you to listen to me.” Yan Lengsi stubbornly retorted, “But if you do that…” Li Muzhan said, “I have my own plan.

I won’t be so foolish as to give my life for a few pills, Little Yan, just relax.” “Do you really have a way to get away?” Yan Lengsi asked suspiciously, then added, “If that treasured blade is truly that powerful, won’t they become completely consumed by greed? Even the big shots will show themselves.” “Relax, I have a secret technique,” Li Muzhan revealed a mysterious smile, glancing around as if checking for eavesdroppers, and beckoned him closer.

Yan Lengsi became intensely curious, releasing his stance and moving beside him, leaning in close. Li Muzhan whispered, “I have a secret technique that can stimulate one’s potential.

Once unleashed, no matter how many people there are, they won’t be able to stop me from breaking free.” “Is there really such a secret technique?” Yan Lengsi stared at Li Muzhan, half-believing, half-doubting. Though slower-witted, he wasn't stupid and didn't entirely believe it.

Li Muzhan nodded vigorously and smiled, “If this technique weren't usable only once a year, I’d demonstrate it for you… Besides, I am a monastic, I do not lie.” Yan Lengsi looked at him, seeing the sincerity and clarity in his eyes, and slowly nodded, “Alright then, you cover the rear, and I’ll grab the things and run first.” Li Muzhan nodded with a smile, letting out a sigh of relief. Persuading this Little Yan was truly difficult.

He was stubborn and rigidly principled, yet currently on the defensive side, leaving no room for argument. Li Muzhan could only patiently persuade him.

Yan Lengsi said, “I still feel showing the treasured blade was too risky.” Li Muzhan chuckled and said no more. This idea was inherently profound and born of intuition.

Moreover, his true intentions weren't entirely pure; there was an element of luring them into a trap, which was not appropriate to reveal. He deliberately displayed the Duan Yue Blade to **provoke them into showing their ugliness, allowing him to strike without hesitation or reservation, resolving the situation cleanly.

Few people could resist such a temptation; it was human nature. Even if the Sect Master was a wise man, he might not be able to withstand the greed of his subordinates.

In this scenario, his seizing of the Guyuan Pills would then be justified—a demand for compensation. The next morning, as Li Muzhan and Yan Lengsi were practicing pillar stances in the courtyard, Jin Shijie suddenly appeared, inviting them to the Daoist temple to meet the Sect Master.

The two followed him to the temple, only to find the open ground teeming with activity. Over two hundred people were practicing martial arts; some wielded swords, others executed fierce punches and kicks, their sword forms sharp and their attacks brutal.

On a high platform in the center stood four elders, their beards and eyebrows entirely white, clad in white Daoist robes, exuding an aura of ethereal grace that inspired awe. Li Muzhan and Yan Lengsi followed Jin Shijie through the crowd, arriving at the base of the platform.

With a light leap, they ascended onto the platform, meeting the gazes of the four elders. Li Muzhan cupped his hands and smiled, “I am Ming Kong from the late night, I pay my respects to the four seniors.” Yan Lengsi remained silent, merely glaring intensely at them.

Seeing their gazes settle on Li Muzhan’s waist, he sneered internally. Li Muzhan had recovered his Cang Hai Divine Skill and possessed the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture, which amplified his Divine Skill tenfold, placing him already in the realm of a first-rate master.

Moreover, with the Cang Hai Divine Skill active, he could utilize certain esoteric techniques. A short, small elder spoke slowly, “The two young heroes come from Da Yan.

Have you seen Nangong Sidao?” His features were delicate, somewhat small, almost feminine, but his deep-set eyes blazed with a divine light that possessed the power to pierce the soul, demanding respect. This was the Ling Shan Sect Master, Wu Miaofeng.

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded, “We have not seen him. Nangong Sidao is the foremost expert under heaven, but regrettably, he remains elusive.

Ordinary folk like us have no right to behold his true face.” “A pity…” Wu Miaofeng shook his head and sighed, “I have long admired the great name of Nangong Sidao and wished to meet him, but I cannot spare the time to travel to Da Yan.” Li Muzhan smiled slightly, “Does the senior wish to challenge the foremost expert under heaven, Nangong Sidao, much like we are challenging your sect now?” “Indeed, I wish to challenge Nangong Sidao,” Wu Miaofeng nodded. Li Muzhan sized him up somewhat impudently, shook his head, and said nothing.

“What are you laughing at?” An elder beside him frowned and snorted, clearly displeased by Li Muzhan’s perceived rudeness; his eyes shone fiercely. Li Muzhan merely smiled and shook his head, remaining silent.

“Little monk, speak,” the elder snorted coldly. Wu Miaofeng raised a hand, stopping the other, and smiled gently, “Little master, is there something you wish to say?” Li Muzhan thought for a moment and then laughed, “This statement is somewhat unpleasant to hear, so it’s better left unsaid.” “But please do speak,” Wu Miaofeng’s expression didn't shift, only his eyebrow arched slightly.

Everyone stared at him, eager to hear what Li Muzhan would say. Li Muzhan smiled and said gently, “In my humble opinion, what the senior said is somewhat laughable.” “Oh?

Why laughable?” Wu Miaofeng’s expression remained unchanged, only his brow twitched. Li Muzhan sensed the anger beneath, yet spoke unhurriedly, “Nangong Sidao being the foremost expert under heaven is no empty title.

Surely Chunyu Yueyun of your nation must possess considerable martial skill? … Does the senior truly believe his skill surpasses Chunyu Yueyun’s?” Wu Miaofeng’s complexion shifted slightly, and he shook his head.

Li Muzhan chuckled, “That’s more like it. Otherwise, why would your nation be so frenzied over the Duan Yue Blade, needing to obtain it at all costs?” Wu Miaofeng shook his head, “Little master is mistaken; we are not that fervent about the Duan Yue Blade.” Li Muzhan laughed, “Does the senior, as a Sect Master, resort to deceiving people with lies?

… I am truly disappointed. With such a narrow mindset, how can you command the vast Ling Shan Sect?” Wu Miaofeng’s face darkened, and he frowned, looking at him.

“You have a great deal of audacity,” the elder beside him sneered coldly, scoffing, “On what grounds do you claim the Sect Master is lying? ...

What is so great about the Duan Yue Blade anyway?” “Alas…” Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed, saying no more. “Alright, since the little master knows, let’s stop playing games,” a tall, robust elder said slowly, shaking his head.

Li Muzhan laughed, “Let’s have a match. The stakes will be the formula for the Guyuan Pills plus the Duan Yue Blade.

The victor claims both.” “Does the little master feel victory is certain?” Wu Miaofeng smiled faintly. Li Muzhan laughed, “We shall find out by trying.” “I will handle it personally, yet the little master remains so confident?” Wu Miaofeng looked at him with a faint smile.

Li Muzhan nodded, “Very well, then I shall seek the pleasure of the Sect Master’s profound skill. Does that count?” Wu Miaofeng turned to the other three elders.

After a few moments of silent communication, he slowly nodded, “Agreed. It is settled then.

Here is the formula for the Guyuan Pills.” He pulled out a piece of dark, somewhat blackened oxhide from his robe and tossed it onto the ground, where it lay unpicked. “How do we guarantee it is real?” Li Muzhan asked with a smile.