Huang Rongrong had no idea what basis Ye Zhang used to utter those words, nor did she actively ask. After confirming repeatedly that Xu Xian would not be leaving, she settled down at Mount Shu.

“If Xu Xian doesn’t go, neither will I!” Her determined stance left everyone feeling helpless. Ye Wen now understood that this girl was simply one who did exactly as she pleased; talking to her further was useless. It was better to just let her have her way. After all, as Xu Xian’s die-hard fan, she wouldn't do anything to harm Xu Xian's sect.

More importantly, although Huang Rongrong’s martial arts were decent, in Ye Wen’s eyes, they were far from impressive. Even Ning Ruxue could firmly suppress her. Under these circumstances, she simply couldn't stir up any major trouble. Therefore, after Ye Wen summoned a few maids to arrange a guest room for Huang Rongrong, he stopped bothering with her.

“Arrange a room for me closest to Xu Xian!” As the girl departed with the maid, Ye Wen could faintly hear her telling the servant.

He then left the main hall with Ning Ruxue and Xu Xian, discussing the intelligence they had just received about the Tianle Gang as they walked back.

“The Tianle Gang has sent two Elders this time; it seems they are dead set on eradicating our Mount Shu Sect!” Ning Ruxue’s words resonated deeply with Xu Xian and Ye Wen. The outcome of this confrontation with the Tianle Gang should reveal quite a bit. If Ye Wen’s Mount Shu Sect could withstand them, the Tianle Gang would be powerless against Mount Shu. Even if the two sects remained hostile, they wouldn't be able to instigate conflict so easily.

And the Mount Shu Sect could develop its influence more stably. However, the plan Ye Wen originally had—to completely expel the Tianle Gang from Pingzhou—would likely be postponed for a longer time.

“The Tianle Gang truly lives up to its reputation as a major established force in the martial world. Setting aside their sheer strength, the speed with which they responded after trouble arose, and the thunderous intensity of their initial move, shows they possess extraordinary capabilities!” Ye Wen felt a degree of apprehension toward the two Elders sent by the Tianle Gang. He hadn’t expected their reaction to be so resolute, sending two Elders right away, both of whom were masters not far inferior to the Crimson Sun Divine Lord, Pei Gonglie. Ye Wen was confident he could handle one, but facing both would likely not end well for him.

He had initially thought that spreading the news of the Crimson Sun Divine Lord’s death at Mount Shu would instill extreme caution in the Tianle Gang, perhaps causing them to redeploy forces and buy more time. But now it seemed the Tianle Gang had assembled two Elders from the outset, and the strength of their other experts was still unknown.

Just with this lineup, the Mount Shu Sect would struggle to cope. Simply put, they were too short on top-tier experts, relying only on Ye Wen as the main pillar of strength.

Though worried internally, he spoke words of encouragement to the two: “According to what Miss Huang mentioned, Guo Nu’s martial arts should be slightly superior to Pei Bang’s. Furthermore, Guo Nu should only be slightly weaker than the Crimson Sun Divine Lord, Pei Gonglie. Our Mount Shu Sect is not without a fighting chance!”

“Moreover, once the news of the Crimson Sun Divine Lord’s demise reaches them, even if the Tianle Gang doesn't deploy more forces, they will reorganize their strategy, buying us more time. As long as we cultivate diligently and manage our time well, the Tianle Gang won't be able to touch us!” Despite saying this, Ye Wen began considering whether he should send a message to the Tiger Mountain Sect, asking them to send an expert to assist. Doing so felt somewhat humiliating, yet it was currently the safest and most reliable option.

Having made up his mind, Ye Wen returned to write the letter. He naturally chose the most familiar person, True Man Liu Qingfeng, as the recipient. After finishing the letter and sealing it, he summoned Xu Ping to the courtyard where he resided.

Summoning Xu Ping was his only option. Although he now had three disciples, his eldest, Yue Ning, was too young and couldn't be sent out alone with confidence. As for his second disciple, Zhou Zhiruo, there was even less to say.

Only Xu Ping was of the right age and possessed martial world experience, having traveled across Pingzhou. Now that he had learned the Quanzhen Inner Arts, even with limited time, his skill had improved considerably. As for the Yin-Yang Reversal Blade Technique, that was not something that could be mastered quickly.

“How has your training progressed?” Ye Wen didn't immediately give orders, instead first inquiring about the progress of his third disciple.

Xu Ping, unaware of why Ye Wen had summoned him, assumed his master wished to test him. He replied respectfully, “I have completely mastered the Quanzhen Sword Technique, though I have not fully grasped its inner essence!” After joining Ye Wen, he was immediately taught the Quanzhen Inner Arts and the Quanzhen Sword Technique. The Mian Palm was also imparted to him, but he had little talent for palm arts, and his progress was sluggish. Ye Wen didn't rush him, telling him to experience it slowly. In contrast, Ye Wen meticulously guided his practice of the sword technique, often sternly reprimanding him for the slightest oversight.

Under such intense instruction, Xu Ping mastered the entire Quanzhen Sword Technique in a short time. Although he didn't grasp the crucial secrets, he could barely use it to face an opponent. Combined with the Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber Technique he already knew, most people couldn't handle him when he used both martial arts interwoven.

Ye Wen made Xu Ping demonstrate the Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber Technique in front of him, and then performed the Quanzhen Sword Technique once more before saying, “Your saber technique has achieved some success, but your sword technique has only just begun. Currently, one is long and the other short, making them unbalanced. You cannot use the Yin-Yang Reversal Blade Technique, so do not rush to study it for now. When you go down the mountain this time, if you only encounter ordinary bandits, use the long sword to fight. Perhaps using it often will lead to further realization!” Hearing this, Xu Ping understood that his master had a task for him; otherwise, why mention going down the mountain? He didn’t ask further, merely stating, “This disciple understands!”

Ye Wen nodded and handed him the sealed letter, “Deliver this letter to True Man Liu Qingfeng of the Tiger Mountain Sect. Make sure you give it to him personally; do not let anyone else pass it along!” Xu Ping respectfully accepted the letter, secured it close to his body, and then inquired, “Does Master have any further instructions?” Ye Wen thought for a moment, then waved his hand, “That is all. If you have nothing else, you may leave the mountain today! Hurry on your way so you can return sooner. Regardless of the Tiger Mountain Sect’s reply, you must return immediately to inform me. If the Tiger Mountain Sect stalls or refuses to answer, then just return; do not waste time waiting for them!” “Yes, Master!” Xu Ping departed. Ye Wen watched him disappear from sight and let out a long sigh.

He was not optimistic about calling for reinforcements. In the past, the Tiger Mountain Sect was willing to ally with Mount Shu because they saw that while Mount Shu had potential, it was not yet a major power. An alliance meant the Tiger Mountain Sect would hold the dominant position. Regardless of whether the Tianle Gang branch could be expelled, the Tiger Mountain Sect would ultimately reap the greatest benefits.

But the situation was different now. Ye Wen had first split Wei Peng in two with his sword, and recently spread the news of Pei Gonglie's death. Mount Shu’s rapid growth in strength had far exceeded the Tiger Mountain Sect’s expectations. If the two allied now, Mount Shu was subtly threatening to take the lead.

Could the Tiger Mountain Sect accept this change? Or could they accept a previously unknown minor sect suddenly surpassing them?

If nothing else, the matter of the Crimson Sun Divine Lord perishing at Mount Shu, contrasted with Liu Qingfeng being severely wounded by Pei Gonglie’s ten strikes and nearly dying, had already created an invisible friction between the two sects. Mount Shu’s rising prestige was essentially climbing over the face of the Tiger Mountain Sect. Could the Tiger Mountain Sect, the traditional power in Pingzhou, tolerate this?

While the Tiger Mountain Sect wouldn't immediately turn hostile toward Mount Shu, they could certainly drag their feet later. Or, they didn't even need to act; they could just watch the show quietly. Once Mount Shu and the Tianle Gang fought each other to mutual destruction, that would be their greatest victory.

Now, the situation in Pingzhou was no longer the weak Mount Shu clinging to the Tiger Mountain chariot to fight the powerful Tianle Gang. Instead, it was subtly forming a tripartite standoff, where any conflict between two sides would only bring quiet delight to the third.

This shift in dynamics would surely cause the Tiger Mountain Sect Leader to change his original thinking, just as Ye Wen was now questioning whether their alliance could remain as rock-solid as before.

Of course, Ye Wen believed that given Liu Qingfeng’s character, he would likely not refuse after receiving his letter. But what about the Tiger Mountain Sect Leader’s thoughts? Could he tolerate sending his sect's elite masters to aid another faction that was now clearly a competitor?

These messy issues shouldn't really arise within sects. Look at the great sects of the Central Plains—though frictions occurred, they never escalated into such fierce competition. But when two sects occupy the same region and possess roughly equal strength, such a situation becomes unsurprising.

After all, the strongholds of those famous sects were widely separated. Given the transportation capabilities of this era, they had no significant conflicts of interest between them.

For instance, regarding disciples or landed estates, they could ensure that in their immediate vicinity, they were the absolute authority. In that region, others could only pick from what they left behind. The awkward position for Mount Shu and Tiger Mountain was that Pingzhou’s resources, disciples, and estates were less abundant than those in the Central Plains. If they split them, both sects might ultimately fail to grow strong.

Therefore, the only solution was to crush the other sect and become the number one power in Pingzhou, attracting all the excellent disciples and resources, which would allow them to enter the Central Plains and secure a foothold in the world of martial arts. As for the other sect? They would have to make do with whatever the first rejected, forever living under the shadow of the other.

Several days had passed since Xu Ping left. Ye Wen calculated internally that his third disciple should have arrived at Tiger Mountain by now. In another little while, he would know what attitude the Tiger Mountain Sect held.

If they sent someone, it would prove that the Tiger Mountain Sect Leader still wholeheartedly intended to expel the Tianle Gang from Pingzhou. If no one came, the situation would be uncertain. It wouldn't lead to immediate hostility, but standing shoulder-to-shoulder and cheering together as before would be impossible.

Meanwhile, the news from the Tianle Gang was also strange. He had expected that the Pingzhou branch, having assembled two Elders, would soon attack Mount Shu.

Yet, the two Elders had instead retreated into the branch headquarters to sort out routine administrative matters. Neither Guo Nu nor Pei Bang had reappeared. Not only had they stopped troubling Mount Shu, but they had also recalled the Tianle Gang disciples scattered across various locations.

Regarding this situation, Xu Xian’s assessment was: “Either the Tianle Gang has run into internal trouble, or they are making final preparations—this is the calm before the storm!” Ye Wen strongly agreed with Xu Xian’s words, so he dared not relax. Every day, besides drilling his disciples, he focused on consolidating his own realm.

Since achieving mastery in the Purple Mist Divine Skill, he had vaguely found himself stuck on how to proceed with further cultivation. He could only spend his days pondering how to advance his internal energy cultivation and incessantly analyzing his existing moves. Fortunately, the effects of the Cold Spring remained significant, especially after Ye Wen entered the cold cave to cultivate. Although he had opened the vital nexus between Heaven and Earth, his internal energy was still progressing.

Ye Wen could currently cultivate in the cold spring near the entrance of the cold cave (the cold spring in the cave, with the cold pool outside), but he couldn't approach the spring’s eye. This was because the water from the spring’s eye was bone-chillingly cold, orders of magnitude colder than elsewhere. Even channeling all his internal power, Ye Wen could only endure it for a brief moment, let alone use it for practice.

That time he used the spring’s eye to break through the vital nexus of life and death, Pei Gonglie’s palm strike had been quite helpful. Moreover, he had immediately jumped out upon succeeding. So, at the time, it didn't seem too severe. Now that he tested it himself, he realized how terrifying the spring eye was. No wonder Pei Gonglie thought he was surely dead when he fell in.

He cultivated day by day, instructed his disciples, and also, thanks to Huang Rongrong’s reminder, recalled that he was responsible for teaching his disciples basic cultural knowledge, having forgotten to utilize the excellent resource that was Xu Xian.

“What a waste!” To prevent further waste, Ye Wen required all direct disciples to set aside a certain amount of time every afternoon to attend Xu Xian’s lectures. Xu Xian was relieved of his duty to instruct the outer disciples and focused solely on teaching. Xu Xian initially protested but was quickly pacified by Ye Wen’s sentence: “I’ll hire a few old scholars in a few days, and then you’ll be free!”

Meanwhile, Ning Ruxue’s Little Boundless Technique continued its slow progress. Yet, even so, some of the subtle wonders of the Little Boundless Technique were beginning to manifest. When sparring with Ye Wen today, Ning Ruxue actually employed the Quanzhen Sword Technique. If Ye Wen hadn't known the inner details beforehand, he might have been fooled by this set of sword moves and thought she had secretly mastered the technique.

Xu Xian, standing nearby, did not discern that Ning Ruxue’s swordplay was entirely driven by the Little Boundless Technique, nor did he notice the Mian Palm strike that followed was executed the same way. He even shouted in praise: “Senior Sister’s Mian Palm strike is no worse than Senior Brother’s! I wonder when you mastered it!”

Ye Wen hadn't expected Ning Ruxue to suddenly use these moves and was almost struck by the palm. After dodging it, he commented, “Junior Sister’s Little Boundless Technique is finally showing some achievement!” Ning Ruxue was thrilled that her strike looked so authentic—though she was actually using the Little Boundless Technique to channel the force, merely imitating the appearance of Ye Wen’s Mian Palm when delivering the blow—the effect was identical. She became exceedingly happy, proudly flicking her nose: “…Hmph hmph, wasn't that a good palm strike?”

Only then did Xu Xian realize Ning Ruxue’s palm strike was catalyzed by the Little Boundless Technique, and he praised it: “This technique is truly marvelous!” Ye Wen glanced at him, assuming Xu Xian felt regret. Unexpectedly, Xu Xian then furtively glanced at Huang Rongrong, who was happily munching on fruit nearby: “But I still think the Pure Yang Limitless Skill is better…” Following Xu Xian’s gaze, Ye Wen understood what he was referring to.

During her stay at Mount Shu, Huang Rongrong had learned the rough details about the sect and Xu Xian, and she found it unbelievable that Ye Wen had killed Pei Gonglie.

Furthermore, she was furious that Xu Xian had been injured and left with a permanent ailment! And most importantly, she had managed to probe out—through suggestive questioning—that Xu Xian cultivated a virgin-only technique that forbade intimacy!

“Ah? Then what should I do?” Huang Rongrong’s shriek at the time caused Xu Xian secret relief for a long time afterward. He even went to Ye Wen repeatedly to express his thanks: “It’s a good thing you created the Pure Yang Skill, Senior Brother! Otherwise, I’d be in a tough spot this time!” Ye Wen was bewildered at the time, only guessing the general situation the next day when Huang Rongrong kept throwing sanitary napkins at him.

In the following days, Huang Rongrong’s attitude toward Ye Wen was hardly respectful. Even though Ye Wen was the leader of Mount Shu, this fact did not change her demeanor toward Xu Xian’s senior brother. Instead, her relationship with Ning Ruxue improved significantly, as she sweetly called her “Sister Ning.” Ye Wen then realized the girl was indeed just a young girl, as she was even a year younger than Ning Ruxue.

“Then when she cooperated with you to run away from home, she was only…” Xu Xian nodded.

“A mountain boss at such a young age…”

Xu Xian whispered secretly, “It seems she inherited her father’s business!”

Ye Wen finally nodded in realization and then sat down to rest. Ning Ruxue turned to head to the back mountain to practice, while Xu Xian prepared books to teach Yue Ning and Zhou Zhiruo (currently those two disciples needed lessons).

Once everyone had left, only Huang Rongrong and Ye Wen remained in the courtyard. Huang Rongrong glanced at Ye Wen, then suddenly asked with curiosity, “I heard you killed that madman, the Crimson Sun Pei Gonglie?”

“Mm!”

Huang Rongrong pouted, “You must be boasting! That Pei Gonglie wasn't easy to kill. Someone like you would probably be crushed into a meat patty by a single palm strike! What skill do you possess to have killed that madman…”

Ye Wen thought to himself, A meat patty might be avoided, but becoming charcoal is more likely!

Huang Rongrong suddenly leaned closer and said, “I heard from Xu Xian that you are some sort of martial arts prodigy, and that most of Mount Shu’s techniques were created by you?” Ye Wen continued to nod; he couldn't deny this, as claiming he summoned them using treasures would lead to an even worse outcome.

Unexpectedly, despite his agreeable nodding, Huang Rongrong continued to mock him relentlessly, eventually attacking Ye Wen for intentionally creating the Pure Yang Limitless Skill for Xu Xian, suggesting he harbored impure intentions.

Huang Rongrong’s endless stream of taunts finally annoyed Ye Wen, though on the surface, he merely smiled faintly and asked her, “Do you want to know how I killed Pei Gonglie?” Although Huang Rongrong felt disdain internally, her curiosity was piqued and couldn't be suppressed. She turned her face and asked, “How did you kill him?”

Ye Wen suddenly adopted a profound air: “In the critical moment that day, a move suddenly sprang to mind, and it was with this move that I managed to slay Pei Gonglie!”

“What move…”

Ye Wen chuckled slyly, “This move of mine is extremely powerful! Its name is the Heavenly Dance Precious Wheel! Once unleashed, it seizes a person’s five senses, and then turning them round or flattening them is entirely at my will!” He then asked again, “Do you wish to witness it?”

Although Huang Rongrong sensed something was off, she couldn't pinpoint what, so she nodded nonetheless.

Ye Wen grinned, brought his fingers together to form a sword, and suddenly poked lightly toward Huang Rongrong’s eyes. His move was swift and sudden; Huang Rongrong couldn't react in time and instinctively closed her eyes. Luckily, Ye Wen had only intended to frighten her; he exerted no force, withdrawing his finger immediately after touching her eyes.

Even so, being poked in the eyes was painful, and Huang Rongrong cried out, “Ouch!”

Ye Wen withdrew his hand and stood still, muttering coolly, “Sight, seized!”

Then, ignoring Huang Rongrong who was crouching and clutching her eyes, he struck a few poses before heading back into the room: “Speaking of creating new moves, it seems the time is nearly up!”