Li Muzhan chuckled, his speed abruptly doubling, twice what it had been. Fan Peiyao felt the rushing wind slash like blades, her eyes forced to narrow, streaming ceaselessly with tears.

Fan Peiyao was utterly astonished; she couldn't fathom how he could move even faster. Such velocity was truly unimaginable; she had never witnessed such Qinggong (lightness skill).

Li Muzhan ignited his internal energy, which blazed fiercely, transforming into immense propulsion. His figure shot forward, and in the blink of an eye, he had widened the distance between himself and Li Tianlei.

Li Muzhan had no desire to fight Li Tianlei. As the Sect Master of Thunder Sword Peak, he must possess astonishing martial achievements, much like his own master—endless, terrifying secret arts and peerless skills.

Besides, if it were a thousand foes, he could run if he couldn't win. To witness supreme skills and broaden one's horizons was hardly reprehensible, but burdened with Fan Peiyao, he dared not take risks.

"Mingkong, do you dare fight me!" A rolling roar traveled from afar, finally catching up to Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan laughed heartily, "Sect Master Li, excellent skill! We shall spar another day. Farewell; no need to escort me further, hah!"

He was overflowing with spirit, his Qimo (Qi Membrane) fully charged. He was supremely confident; at the very least, he had no shortage of internal energy. What he was burning was the Dantian energy, but compared to the Qimo, the Dantian store was like a drop in the ocean—hardly worth mentioning.

Furthermore, he was simultaneously operating the Tianyuan Tūnà Shù (Heavenly Origin Breathing Technique), along with the Minor Dragon Form, allowing his pores to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, while his soles drew in the vital essence of the earth, channeling it all into the Qimo, transforming it into pure internal energy.

From the Qimo, a stream of internal energy would occasionally split off to the Dantian to serve as fuel, forming powerful thrusts that drove his Qinggong. He executed the Lamp-Burning Art, flying with incredible speed—the rushing wind was like a knife. Fan Peiyao couldn't open her eyes, but Li Tianlei also possessed a secret method, and his movement technique suddenly accelerated as well.

The two pursuers maintained an awkward middle ground; the distance remained static, never closing, never widening.

Unable to open her eyes, Fan Peiyao reluctantly turned her head to look back, fixing her gaze on Li Tianlei, who was two or three hundred yards behind them. Purple energy swirled around his face, and his eyes shone with piercing brilliance, sharp as blades, quite intimidating.

The surrounding scenery flashed backward rapidly, the distance between the two groups unchanging. Fan Peiyao suddenly felt a strange illusion, as if they were all quietly standing on a moving carriage, locked in mutual confrontation.

Li Tianlei scoffed repeatedly, saying no more—too lazy for idle chatter. He simply pressed his feet harder, pursuing with every ounce of strength, inwardly cursing the strangeness of the situation.

His cultivation was already profound, placing him among the foremost experts in the martial world of Western Zhao. Yet now, he couldn't catch a mere youth—it was truly bizarre.

If he were to speak of this, few would believe him, likely assuming he had held back intentionally.

Fan Peiyao whispered, "Master, how long can you sustain this?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Worry not. However long he can run, I shall keep him company until the end!"

Fan Peiyao was relieved, knowing his internal reserves were deep enough to maintain this pace for a considerable time. She whispered, "Perhaps... we should find a place and set me down."

Li Muzhan shook his head, "Impossible. If he can't catch me, finding you won't be difficult."

Fan Peiyao fell silent, saying no more. Li Muzhan's reasoning held weight; although Li Tianlei was the master of a major sect, he showed no demeanor of a true master, actually taking out his frustration on a young woman. If this man couldn't catch the Master, he would surely seek trouble with her later.

Li Muzhan continued to burn his internal energy while simultaneously operating the Tianyuan Tūnà Shù, supplemented by absorbing the earth's vital essence, constantly replenishing the Qimo.

However, even without replenishment, the Qimo was sufficient to last a very long time; he genuinely didn't worry about running low on energy.

In a flash, the two had dashed dozens of li and arrived before a massive mountain range, sprawling like a colossal dragon without end in sight.

Li Muzhan was overjoyed. Once they plunged into the mountains, it would be difficult for Li Tianlei to pursue. Although it was deep autumn, the mountains were still lush with trees, obscuring the ground below. If he dashed into the woods and changed direction, Li Tianlei would never catch him.

Mountains look close when viewed from afar, but traversing them is never short. After a quarter of an hour, they finally reached the foot of Mount Fu, and Li Muzhan prepared to rush into the forest at the base.

A long howl rang out. Li Muzhan’s movement wavered, narrowly dodging a streak of sword light. He saw Li Tianlei become one with his sword, surpassing him and stopping several zhang ahead.

Li Muzhan sharply changed direction, without pausing, turning directly to the side.

Li Tianlei sneered, and a cold glint flashed as he struck again toward Li Muzhan’s back, forcing him to shift his momentum and evade the blow.

Li Muzhan’s feet never stopped; he spun again, turning toward another direction.

Li Tianlei once more merged with his sword, shooting toward his back.

Li Muzhan quickly discerned the pattern: although Li Tianlei’s move was fast, it lacked flexibility. He couldn't change trajectory mid-strike; it could only travel in a straight line. If he could pivot, Li Muzhan wouldn't have lasted this long against the attack.

Given this, Li Muzhan was less afraid. With the Eye of the Void and his premonitions, the moment killing intent loomed, he naturally sensed it and could evade. If Li Tianlei were slightly faster, he might shatter the warning and prevent a timely reaction, but while Li Tianlei’s sword fusion was quick, Li Muzhan was not slow either—his speed was far superior to before.

Before his Mò Mǎn (Membrane Full) state, facing Li Tianlei, unless he used the Great Bright King Scripture directly, he would have stood no chance of winning, nor of escaping.

Now, it was different; he had the energy reserves to spare for escape.

However, sparring with Li Tianlei was akin to inviting trouble; he would never initiate it. He would dodge if he could, disregarding face or dignity—preserving his life was paramount.

Moreover, Li Tianlei, the Sect Master of Western Zhao, had dared to enter the territory of Great Yan to kill him. Li Muzhan had already spread the word; the martial artists of Great Yan would not tolerate this. It wouldn't take long before people from the Helian Clan or Holy Snow Peak would intervene.

With three dodges and two evasions, he finally plunged into the woods, then flew low, skimming the ground. Leaves and branches parted automatically. The terrain was tangled with gnarled roots, yet he weaved through like an agile fish.

In moments, he had covered two or three li close to the ground, ascending along the mountainside. Using the Eye of the Void to scan, he found Li Tianlei was still closely pursuing him.

Li Muzhan was somewhat puzzled, unable to determine how Li Tianlei maintained such accurate tracking, never choosing the wrong direction. Along this route, Li Muzhan had changed course three times, enough to disorient anyone. Yet Li Tianlei kept catching up, almost as if he could see Li Muzhan’s footprints.

However, his Qinggong was supremely high, leaving no trace on snow, so he shouldn't have been visible—it was truly strange.

As a result, Li Tianlei clung to him like a maggot on bone, relentlessly following, no matter how Li Muzhan shifted direction or created diversions—it was useless.

Eventually, Li Muzhan gave up trying to lose him, simply focusing on running, determined to see whose internal energy was deeper, who would tire first.

Thus, the two transformed into streaks of light, weaving through the vast, stretching mountain range. Li Muzhan consistently hugged the ridge line, rushing from noon until evening.

On this mountain, the vital essence of the earth was exceptionally rich, thick as oil. Absorbing it was supremely satisfying, offsetting the consumption of energy by the Qimo and the Lamp-Burning Internal Energy.

Li Muzhan’s body, protected by the Indestructible Vajra Divine Art, was inherently strong. He traveled at full speed without rest yet remained vigorous. Simultaneously, he channeled a stream of internal energy into Fan Peiyao’s body.

Fan Peiyao felt her breathing circulate, her body warmed, as if immersed in heat. Lying on his back, she felt utterly safe and gradually drifted off to sleep. She had been worried and exhausted these past few days; suddenly enveloped in warmth, she relaxed completely and fell asleep unknowingly.

When she awoke, she glanced at the sky and murmured lazily, "Master, what time is it?"

She saw the scenery rushing backward—they had exited the great mountains and were now moving rapidly across a wide plain. The vista before her suddenly opened up, bringing immense relief. The sun was in the eastern sky, casting bright light, and the sky was an extraordinary blue, as if a whole day had passed.

"Are you hungry?" Li Muzhan asked with a smile.

Fan Peiyao laughed, "It doesn't matter, just keep going."

Li Muzhan shook his head, smiling ruefully, "A real miscalculation; I forgot to buy some dry rations."

Fan Peiyao asked, "Did a whole night really pass? Master, you ran all night?"

"