The martial artists passing by all possessed razor-sharp, hostile gazes, as if every soul they encountered were an enemy ready to draw a sword at any moment. The atmosphere was taut, poised for detonation; a single spark could trigger an all-out brawl at any second.

Li Muzhan surveyed the scene slowly, his steps measured and unhurried, while Wen Yinyue frowned deeply, shaking her head repeatedly. Both were dressed in luxurious, noble attire, looking less like martial artists and more like a wealthy young lord and his lady out for an excursion—and beneath their composure lay profound internal energy, perfectly concealed, betraying no sign of martial training.

The pair strolled through the streets of Wancheng. The surrounding martial figures merely glanced at them before moving on, though occasionally one would pause, eyes lingering on Wen Yinyue with undisguised greed and desire.

Wen Yinyue had seen such looks too many times; when she first descended the mountain, she had always worn a veil precisely to avoid those glances. Now, walking beside Li Muzhan, she felt it hardly mattered; she simply dismissed them as the glares of dogs looking at people.

"Let's find an inn first," Li Muzhan suggested. Wen Yinyue nodded.

"It seems that little one wasn't lying; he really is here." "Rumors spread, hearsay propagates—who can truly discern the truth? Let's see first," Li Muzhan replied.

Soon, the two arrived at the Yuefeng Inn. The Yuefeng Inn faced south and backed north.

Its entrance wasn't grand, feeling rather rustic, yet the staff and the proprietor treated each other with the closeness of family, neither overly enthusiastic nor lacking in diligent attention; their service was perfectly balanced. Li Muzhan, observing from above with his Void Eye, had chosen this place because it held the most people and boasted the liveliest business, proving its distinction—in any of the three hundred and sixty trades, there is always a master.

They requested a small courtyard, paid a deposit for three days, and were escorted in. The courtyard section was situated at the back of the inn, flanked by rows of similar small courtyards—about ten in each row—with bustling streets at both the front and rear ends.

The location was excellent: far enough from the noise to be quiet, yet close enough to the vibrancy for easy strolls when idle, and offering seclusion for privacy when needed. Upon entering their courtyard, the pair left behind several White Cloud emblems—the unique marker of the Vast Sea Sword Sect.

Once settled, they left the courtyard and walked west toward the main street, which teemed with people, vibrant and utterly alive. As the sun dipped low, casting a rosy glow, stalls lined both sides of the street, offering everything imaginable: candied haws, sugar figures, peach blossom cakes, honey crisps, a variety of snacks, and all manner of small trinkets—a boundless inventory.

Shouts of vendors, the din of haggling, and the clamor of children's games rose and fell, crashing over the pair like successive waves. Wen Yinyue sighed.

"It’s so much quieter up on our mountain." Li Muzhan chuckled. "Seeing the chaos of the mortal world, observing the myriad facets of life—doesn't you find it interesting?" Wen Yinyue shook her head, unconvinced.

Li Muzhan pressed on. "Senior Sister, staying on the mountain forever is indeed peaceful, but being too detached from the mundane world means you should experience the marketplace.

It benefits the cultivation of one's state of mind greatly." "Mmm... Master said something similar," Wen Yinyue conceded with a slight bow of her head.

"After a while, once we find the Dragon Slaying Secret Tome, we’ll settle down somewhere for a time!" Li Muzhan laughed. Wen Yinyue glanced at him and shook her head.

................................, the two walked slowly until they reached the front of a restaurant. Red banners fluttered vibrantly, deepening in color under the setting sun, where the words "Chivalry Tower" shimmered indistinctly.

To gather intelligence, a tavern was the place to go. Having traveled all day, they were hungry too, so they ascended, only to find the seats near the window already occupied.

Li Muzhan spoke briefly to the waiter, who nodded reluctantly, then quietly consulted with a middle-aged man wearing a sword, who occupied a solitary table near the window. Li Muzhan observed the man: clad in a bright, unrestrained blue robe, he possessed a slight air of being down on his luck; his brows were handsome and his eyes bright, his features refined, yet he wore a persistent frown, clearly burdened by worry.

He drank steadily, glass after glass, at a pace that suggested he was trying to drown himself in liquor, clearly using drink to mask sorrow. The waiter cautiously approached him.

The waiter soon returned, smiling cheerfully. "That patron has agreed; we can share a table." So, Li Muzhan and Wen Yinyue went over and sat opposite the swordsman.

Li Muzhan clasped his hands in greeting and smiled. "I am Li Zhanran.

I hope we are not imposing, sir." The middle-aged man managed a strained smile and returned the gesture. "No need for ceremony, young man.

When one is traveling, all men under heaven are brothers. Please, be seated." He then laughed heartily.

"Your wife is truly a beauty beyond compare; you are indeed fortunate, young sir." Wen Yinyue gave a faint nod, acknowledging the compliment. Li Muzhan smiled, making no denial, ordered a few light dishes, requested two jars of wine, and said, "The bill for this gentleman will be included with mine!" The waiter readily agreed, turned, and soon returned with two jars of wine, a plate of spiced peanuts, a plate of stewed beef, and a plate of pickled radishes.

Li Muzhan popped the corks, poured two full cups, and they drank to the bottom. With the wine down, the distance between them subtly narrowed, and conversation began to flow.

Wen Yinyue slowly picked at the spiced peanuts with silver chopsticks, chewing delicately, her movements elegant, paying no mind to the men's talk. Li Muzhan skillfully built camaraderie with the middle-aged man.

Possessing the ability to discern human hearts, in just a few sentences he made the man feel like a kindred spirit; the atmosphere warmed, filled with laughter and lively discussion. After several cups of wine, the middle-aged man's complexion bloomed, his face flushed with color, as if he were transformed—his former sorrow vanished instantly.

Li Muzhan steered the conversation toward the current strangeness in Wancheng. Kang Zufeng sighed deeply.

"Alas... it's all because of that Dragon Slaying Secret Tome.

You two are clearly not of the martial world; you probably don't know the full story." His name was Kang Zufeng, and he was a renowned master in the martial arts circles, famed for his elegant, wind-like swordplay, earning him the moniker 'Wind-Riding Sword'—though his current appearance belied such grace. ................................, Li Muzhan smiled.

"Brother Kang, we do know a few farmyard maneuvers; we count as part of the martial world, and we have heard of the Dragon Slaying Secret Tome." "Oh?" Kang Zufeng paused, eyeing the pair, then smiled and shook his head. "My mistake, my apologies for my oversight!" Internally, he remained unconvinced, but he masked it well, still perceiving Li Muzhan and Wen Yinyue as novices who might have merely dabbled in a few flashy but shallow techniques.

Many young masters from wealthy families enjoyed martial arts, learning a few moves from their household guards, but lacking the discipline for true hardship—all surface, no substance. If they had truly practiced diligently, there would be outward signs; Li Muzhan and Wen Yinyue were perfectly concentrated, their skin smooth and lustrous, showing no indication of having suffered hardship or faced the sun.

Li Muzhan smiled, unbothered. "Is the Dragon Slaying Secret Tome really here in Wancheng?" "Yes," Kang Zufeng confirmed, sighing.

"It currently rests in the hands of Li Wudi, the Pear Blossom Divine Spear." "Pear Blossom Divine Spear?" Li Muzhan sounded surprised, turning to look at Wen Yinyue. Wen Yinyue frowned.

"Li Wudi?" "Precisely. Madam has heard of him, I presume?" Kang Zufeng chuckled.

Wen Yinyue ignored him, looking at Li Muzhan. "He is a top-tier master." "Top-tier master?" Li Muzhan inquired.

Kang Zufeng laughed. "Indeed.

Among the martial arts experts in the world, this Li Wudi ranks highly. 'Wudi'—Invincible—is not his given name!" "Li Wudi, ha ha..." Li Muzhan laughed.

"Senior Sister, what an education this is. How does he compare to our Master?" Wen Yinyue stated calmly.

"Slightly inferior." "Are you two truly from the martial world?" Kang Zufeng was momentarily startled. Li Muzhan smiled.

"We can be considered so. We enjoy crowded places and came over for a look." "It seems your Master is also a great figure.

May I ask from whence you hail?" Kang Zufeng inquired. Li Muzhan shook his head apologetically.

"Without my Master’s permission, I dare not speak much, lest I tarnish his reputation." "Heh heh..." Kang Zufeng waved a hand dismissively, unoffended. He assumed they were wayward disciples whose mediocre skills led their Master to forbid them from using his name, fearing disgrace.

Looking at this noble couple, they did not seem like serious practitioners, likely unworthy of the name. Though he looked down on Li Muzhan’s perceived martial skill, he separated skill from character; the conversation remained thoroughly agreeable.

…………………… As they were speaking, a sudden loud shout rang out: "A fight has broken out!" "Who is fighting whom?" someone asked. "Li Wudi is fighting someone!

Out in the peach grove beyond the city! Hurry and see!" "Boom........" The patrons in the tavern instantly surged out, leaving most of the space suddenly empty, with only three or four tables remaining occupied.

Li Muzhan turned, smiled, and said, "Great Hero Kang, shall we go take a look as well?" Kang Zufeng stood up, wiped his mouth, and chuckled. "Let's go see.

It’s good that Li Wudi hasn't finished his business yet. It’s worth witnessing." Li Muzhan smiled.

"Senior Sister, let's go watch." Wen Yinyue lightly dabbed her lips with a silk handkerchief, nodded, and rose with Li Muzhan. The three walked out.

Kang Zufeng commented, "I wonder which fool has been blinded by his own arrogance! Li Wudi isn't young anymore, after all!" The street was a surging tide of people flowing toward the south gate, like a rising tide.

They simply let the current carry them, exiting the city gates along with the crowd. Two li outside the city lay a peach grove.

There, several hundred people were gathered, punctuated by cheers. "Good!

Good! Li Wudi is truly formidable!" "What spear technique!

What a magnificent spear technique!" "Is that the tenth one? The eleventh?" "The eleventh!" "The twelfth!" The three quickened their pace and reached the edge of the peach grove, but they could not enter; it was packed three layers deep, too dense to get close.

Li Muzhan said, "Let's go up the trees." Wen Yinyue nodded. The two floated upward, stepping onto the treetops.

Kang Zufeng stared wide-eyed, shook his head, and managed a wry smile before floating up to land near Li Muzhan. He did not possess Li Muzhan's lightness skill, so he could only stand on a branch, looking first at Li Muzhan, then at Wen Yinyue, silently lamenting his blindness.

Although he had considered they might be concealing their true depth, at their age, even deeply hidden masters shouldn't be able to completely conceal their vital energy. He hadn't expected to be so thoroughly mistaken!

Li Muzhan smiled at him, then turned his gaze toward the center of the action. A short, thin old man stood holding a spear, dressed in a white silk tunic that was wide and loose, cinched tightly only at the wrists and ankles, giving him a clean, sharp silhouette.

The red tassel on his white-shafted spear fluttered, bright and conspicuous. Li Muzhan noticed immediately that the tassel was dyed with blood—blood that gave it such vivid color.

Six bodies lay motionless before the old man on the ground. "Who else wants a try?

Step forward!" the old man commanded in a deep voice. The eardrums of the crowd stung slightly, and they involuntarily stepped back, intimidated by his presence.

Li Muzhan murmured in admiration, "What a formidable Li Wudi!" ................................ Li Wudi moved as one with his spear, his sharpness astonishing.

This aura clearly stemmed from grasping the very essence of spear fighting. He had trained in the Flying Dragon Spear while in the army and understood the profound mysteries of the spear; the spear is indeed the king of all weapons, and this title is no mere boast.

But the spear is the hardest to master: a knife can be mastered in a year, a sword in five, but a spear in ten. Furthermore, spear techniques rely most heavily on secrets; without true transmission, practicing blindly for a lifetime yields nothing.

The knife and sword are different. If one lacks destiny and true tutelage, it is still possible to simplify the complex, mastering a single form through a decade of relentless practice, and one will surely achieve proficiency.

Like his throwing knives, which he had practiced since childhood without guidance—they still became a unique skill. Later, after learning the Yellow Dragon Sword, his power reached a new height, making him a deadly assassin.

If a person possesses perseverance and willpower, even without a famous teacher, intense practice of a single sword or knife form can forge a killing move, and while they may not become supreme masters, they can certainly become formidable experts. The onlookers glanced around, but no one dared to move.

The ten men on the ground were all experts; these remaining men knew they were inferior and would certainly lose to Li Wudi—going forward was just offering up their lives. The Dragon Slaying Secret Tome was valuable, but only if one lived to claim it.

What use was the manual without life? "Hmph!" Li Wudi let out a cold sneer, his small eyes flashing fiercely as he slowly swept his gaze over the crowd, including Li Muzhan and Wen Yinyue atop the trees.

Li Muzhan cupped his hands and smiled at Li Wudi. Li Wudi slowly nodded back, acknowledging the greeting; Li Muzhan's lightness skill commanded respect.

"Brother Li, why not go down and test your skills against Li Wudi? It's a rare opportunity!" Kang Zufeng chuckled.

Li Muzhan smiled. "I am no match for Elder Li.

Brother Kang's swordplay is superb; why not go down and show off a little? If you could defeat Elder Li, you would instantly become famous throughout the world!" "Heh heh, I know my limits.

Going down would be pure self-humiliation!" Kang Zufeng waved his hand, laughing. While they were talking, two more figures stepped forward—two young men, swords in hand, just about to speak, when Li Wudi lunged forward, thrusting his spear.

The long spear shot out like a dragon emerging from the sea, flashing twice in an instant. The two youths cried out and fell, their upper thighs pierced, blood gushing out—terrifying to look at, but not life-threatening.

Li Wudi swept his cold gaze over the crowd, halted his spear thrust into the ground, and demanded, "Who else?!" The crowd was struck dumb, nobody daring to step forward. Li Wudi sneered, turned, and began walking back.

The crowd instantly parted, creating a path as if he held a water-parting pearl walking through a lake; no one dared to block him. The people watched him slowly retreat from the peach grove, yet not one dared to intercept him.

Suddenly, a mighty roar erupted from within the crowd: "No matter how powerful Li Wudi is, he is only one man! Let’s all charge him together—we won't lose!

Charge!" As the words fell, a burly man burst forth, long saber in hand, chasing after Li Wudi and swinging his blade down. Following him were two other men, waving their sabers and shouting, "Everyone up!

Kill Li Wudi and seize the Dragon Slaying Secret Tome!"