Li Muzhan maintained a distance of ten li; this range neither alerted Zhang Jinglan nor prevented him from intervening at a critical moment—it was optimal.

He followed secretly, worried that the Heavenly Demon Sect disciples might catch up. Concealed, utilizing his miraculous steps, he might still be of some use.

If exposed, facing the Heavenly Demon Sect, he would be like a soft bun battered by hail, utterly without a chance of winning.

Judging by the sect master and junior sister pair from the Heavenly Demon Sect, their cultivation arts were formidable. If he encountered their master, he likely wouldn't stand a chance, yet abandoning them was impossible—a tragedy was inevitable.

Only by following in secret and launching a surprise attack at the crucial juncture was there a sliver of hope.

………………………………………………, he trailed them the entire way, arriving at Jade Dragon Mountain without detecting any tail behind her. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief but did not rush to reveal himself.

Jade Dragon Mountain stood towering, ten thousand zhang high, stretching for ten thousand li without end, like a colossal dragon coiled in repose. Its aura was terrifying, seeming ready to devour men. Standing at its base, a sense of insignificance bloomed inexplicably.

Upon reaching the base of Jade Dragon Mountain, Zhang Jinglan stopped within a dense stretch of woods. Though deep, the mountain slopes remained lush and verdant, covered everywhere with ancient pines.

Li Muzhan followed them in.

Zhang Jinglan gently set down Lan Meier. Lan Meier seemed boneless, breathing shallowly, her bright eyes fixed on Zhang Jinglan with an inexplicable glint.

Her acupoints were sealed. Despite her astounding cultivation, she was currently a frail woman with no strength to fight, requiring Zhang Jinglan to support her.

Zhang Jinglan ignored her gaze. After settling her down, she gathered some dry grass, piled it high, and moved Lan Meier onto the mound. She then sat cross-legged beside her and retrieved the White Jade Pendant from her bosom.

Holding the jade talisman, she pondered, her delicate face shifting through various expressions, wavering indecisively.

After a long moment, she sighed. The jade pendant slowly brightened, its soft glow circulating as if it had come alive, the brilliance growing ever stronger.

She counted ten breaths internally, then slowly withdrew her internal power. The radiance receded, and the jade pendant returned to normal. She tucked it into her robes and began to close her eyes to regulate her breathing.

During the journey, her speed had been extreme, and she was carrying Lan Meier. At first, Lan Meier felt as light as a blade of grass, but towards the end, she grew heavy, becoming almost too much to bear.

The junior sister was cunning and clever; ordinary people couldn't follow her at all. That was why she couldn't be relieved, daring not to leave her in Tianlong City, forced to keep her close. She hadn't expected it to be this exhausting.

Li Muzhan sat amidst the thicket three li away, observing with his Void Eyes. Seeing that she had finally activated the jade talisman, he realized she had chosen to trust him.

Li Muzhan sighed and shook his head.

A quarter of an hour later, a flash of blue light appeared, and the Daoist Qingxuan drifted into view. Seeing Zhang Jinglan, he paused in surprise, a hesitant look crossing his face.

Zhang Jinglan drew the White Jade Pendant from her robes and held it up.

“Ah… how is that in your hands?” Daoist Qingxuan involuntarily took a step back.

Zhang Jinglan then took out a letter from her bosom and tossed it lightly. The letter drifted smoothly towards Daoist Qingxuan, like a feather carried by a gentle breeze.

Daoist Qingxuan caught the letter and opened it. He finished reading quickly, then looked up. “Master Mingkong sent you here?”

“Yes,” Zhang Jinglan nodded.

Daoist Qingxuan’s sword-like brows knitted together, his expression volatile. After thinking for a good while, he sighed, “Come with me!”

Zhang Jinglan said coolly, “You aren’t turning me over to the Shangqing Temple?”

Daoist Qingxuan shook his head. “If you enter our temple, Miss Zhang, your life will be forfeit… Come with me; we’ll find a quiet place.”

“I am much obliged,” Zhang Jinglan replied.

She inwardly mused that the Master must have calculated Qingxuan’s temperament, knowing he wouldn't hand her over to the Shangqing Temple. This was repayment for Master Mingkong’s life-saving grace, perhaps.

Before leaving, Li Muzhan had told Zhang Jinglan the contents of the letter, which had made her anxious. Qingxuan was a rigid fellow, incapable of bending the rules; once she appeared, he would surely report her to the Shangqing Temple.

If the Shangqing Temple knew, she would have no end other than ending her own life.

Unexpectedly, Qingxuan had acted like a completely different person this time, not reporting her but wanting to hide her instead. Clearly, this was the merit of that letter.

Recalling the Master’s enigmatic smile when she handed her the letter, she sighed inwardly. Indeed, he was worthy of being a renunciant; his grasp of the human heart was subtle and profound—she could not compare.

Li Muzhan followed secretly as Zhang Jinglan and the others arrived at a small valley, the entrance obscured by trees. One had to approach closely to even notice it.

There were no paths here; the woods were dense, and human activity was scarce. Without a guide, few would ever venture in—it was an excellent place for concealment.

Li Muzhan followed them into the valley. It wasn't deep. Once inside, it became a tangle of thick undergrowth. Faintly, the sound of rushing water could be heard. At the far end of the valley was a small pool, fed by a mountain spring cascading down to form a small, very picturesque waterfall.

He hid in the trees, motionless, blending perfectly with the dense foliage. Though Daoist Qingxuan and Zhang Jinglan possessed high cultivation, they failed to detect him.

Daoist Qingxuan said, “Miss Zhang, this place is very secluded. You two should stay here for a while. Although your Master’s cultivation is high, she is unlikely to come to Jade Dragon Mountain.”

Zhang Jinglan cupped her hands. “Thank you.”

Daoist Qingxuan shook his head. “I am repaying Master Mingkong’s kindness for saving my life… Both of you rest well. I will not come again, to avoid detection.”

Daoist Qingxuan left quickly, his steps hurried, appearing quite nervous. Evidently, this was his first time doing something like this; he was fearful and uneasy.

Li Muzhan found this amusing internally. Daoist Qingxuan was like a blank sheet of paper—pure and flawless, morally perfect. Such a person would naturally advance rapidly in cultivation.

For the Shangqing Temple to have such a disciple showed that it could not be underestimated.

Yet, a subtle sense of danger permeated Jade Dragon Mountain. He dared not move rashly, remaining hidden in the woods of the small valley, refraining from coming out to meet Zhang Jinglan.

He entered a state of Zen meditation, cultivating the Guan Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing, almost as if he were abstaining from food and drink.

His perception was vague and hazy; his spirit was entirely focused within the internal observation of the Guan Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing. If danger arose outside, he would naturally know; if not, he would not be disturbed.

He did not wish to spy on Zhang Jinglan and Lan Meier’s every move, so he remained immersed in the Guan Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing. The lives of the two women held many hidden aspects.

Zhang Jinglan had constructed a small hut situated across the pool, about three or four zhang away. The surrounding area was covered in slightly yellowed grass, thick and soft as a cushion.

Zhang Jinglan spent her time regulating her breathing and meditating. Lan Meier, with her acupoints sealed, was no different from a helpless woman. Bored, she organized the small hut, making the interior neat and cozy.

One morning, Li Muzhan suddenly awoke, his expression changing slightly.

“Hah-ha…” A melodious laugh echoed through the small valley. Zhang Jinglan sprang up inside the hut, her face paling. “Shiwen!”

Lan Meier stretched languidly on the couch, revealing a seductive smile. “Shiwen has finally arrived!”

“Junior Sister, you!” Zhang Jinglan’s face darkened, realization dawning, her eyes blazing with sharp light.

Lan Meier smiled slyly, “Senior Sister, you finally understand!”

“Hmph. Nurturing a tiger is raising future trouble. It’s my own fault for being too soft-hearted!” Zhang Jinglan said coldly, returning to sit on the couch, her long sword resting across her knees.

Lan Meier stretched and sat up, smiling sweetly. “Senior Sister, you’ve worn me out these past few days. When Master captures you, I will give you a proper reward!”

Zhang Jinglan said coldly, “Shiwen will be here in a while. Aren’t you afraid I’ll just kill you with my sword?”

Lan Meier laughed, “If Senior Sister wanted to kill me, why wait until now?”

Zhang Jinglan snorted, “It’s my fault for having a kind heart and not killing you sooner!”

Lan Meier smiled and gracefully descended from the couch. “Senior Sister, I have Purple Pine Incense on me. Shiwen will surely find me. I haven’t played any tricks.”

Zhang Jinglan sneered, “Shiwen spoils you indeed, even giving you Purple Pine Incense.”

Lan Meier laughed, “Yes. Senior Sister hurt Shiwen’s heart, so Shiwen has decided she must surpass you.”

“Shiwen always gets what she desires!” Zhang Jinglan sneered, waving her hand dismissively. “Enough chatter. Sit properly. Move around again, and I truly won't be able to restrain myself.”

“Yes!” Lan Meier obediently sat back on the couch.

“Good disciple, are you finally willing to see your Master?” A gentle voice sounded faintly, and a woman in white suddenly appeared in the small valley. Treading lightly on the soft ground, she gracefully approached the small wooden cabin.

Li Muzhan observed through his Void Eyes. This woman wore a white veil, obscuring her features. Her eyes were like pools of water, shimmering and captivating, their movement bewitching and soul-snaring.

Her figure was graceful, her demeanor enchanting; every step carried alluring charm. Any man would be captivated. Her entire being seemed bathed in clear light.

Li Muzhan sighed internally. This was another temptress. It seemed the Heavenly Demon Sect placed extremely high demands on their disciples' looks; though he couldn’t see her true face, she must be beautiful.

“Shiwen!” Zhang Jinglan stepped out of the cabin, cupped her hands in greeting, her face serene.

The woman in white stopped, sized her up with a glance, and shook her head with a faint sigh. “Jinglan, so many years have passed, and you still haven’t changed…”

“Master’s elegance has not faded since those years either,” Zhang Jinglan replied indifferently.

Lan Meier emerged from behind her and knelt on the ground. “Greetings, Master!”

“You… you are still a bit naive. Get up!” The woman in white’s eyes flickered as she glanced at Lan Meier, sighing as she waved her hand.

Lan Meier pouted her cherry lips. “Master, your disciple never imagined that the pure and chaste Senior Sister actually had a lover, and they ambushed me together!”

“Oh—?” The woman in white paused, then smiled faintly. “Jinglan, who could capture your eye?” Ah, my discerning disciple actually has a man she favors!”

Zhang Jinglan smiled faintly. “I trouble Master to concern herself.”

“Who is it? Let Master have a look,” the woman in white said with a slight smile.

Zhang Jinglan shook her head. “It is better if Master doesn't see him!”

“Are you still angry with Shiwen?” The woman in white sighed, her voice trailing off wistfully.

Zhang Jinglan answered with a faint air of petulance, “Your disciple wouldn't dare.” (To be continued)