Elder Mistress Zhumei leaned forward, patting Li Muzhan’s shoulder: “Well done, as expected of Zhanran! Killing that Zhao fellow truly delights the heart.
I’ll credit you with a major accomplishment!” Li Muzhan smiled faintly, “Thank you, Martial Aunt.” Elder Mistress Zhumei waved a hand, chuckling, “Now that Zhao is dead, we can breathe a sigh of relief. That man was relentlessly bothersome, but we still need to be wary of that Murong Cang!” She sighed, “I can’t offer much help now!” Wen Yinyue spoke with a soft composure, “Martial Aunt, please rest assured.” Elder Mistress Zhumei laughed, nodding, “Yes, with you here, I have no need to worry… It’s all in your hands now, Yinyue!” “Yes,” Wen Yinyue nodded lightly.
Li Muzhan exchanged a look with her, and Wen Yinyue slipped out of the room. Li Muzhan followed them into the woods, where the moonlight was veiled and the surroundings blurred into ethereal shapes.
“Senior Sister, what is the history between Martial Aunt and Murong Cang?” Li Muzhan asked. Wen Yinyue turned to glance at the moonlit temple grounds, then whispered, “Old grievances from their youth—we dare not ask.
Master once let slip that Martial Aunt and Murong Cang were lovers in their younger days, before turning into mortal enemies.” “Ah,” Li Muzhan nodded, sensing something of the sort. Wen Yinyue continued, “Master refused to elaborate on the details, nor would she allow me to inquire further.” “If I were to kill Murong Cang, would Martial Aunt be angered?” Li Muzhan asked.
Wen Yinyue frowned, her expression darkening, and she scoffed, “Junior Brother, are you planning to use the Great Bright King Sutra again?!” Li Muzhan offered a wry smile, “Given the situation, I may have no choice but to use it.” “You underestimate our Azure Sea Sword Sect!” Wen Yinyue stated calmly. Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow.
Wen Yinyue continued, “You have witnessed the Azure Sea Sword Formation, haven't you?” “Yes, I have seen it. Its power is indeed extraordinary,” Li Muzhan confirmed.
“You probably don’t know that the Azure Sea Sword Formation is divided into Yin and Yang,” Wen Yinyue smiled faintly. Li Muzhan’s interest surged, “Divided into Yin and Yang?
Could it be that the male formation is Yang, and the female formation is Yin? When mixed, Yin and Yang merge to generate life, vastly increasing the power?” Wen Yinyue cast him an approving glance, “Precisely.
Five people form one array, creating the Azure Sea Sword Formation. Five men form the Pure Yang Array, five women form the Ultimate Yin Array…” If five women and five men mix, each forming their own array, and then coalesce into one, they form the true Grand Azure Sea Array, its might several times greater than the single Yin or Yang formation.” “There’s such profound mystery to it!” Li Muzhan exclaimed in admiration, before frowning, “But since Martial Aunt is injured, will it affect things?” Wen Yinyue dismissed the concern, “It’s fine.
The masters from the Martial Performance Hall and Cui Feng Pavilion will form the array.” “That’s best,” Li Muzhan let out a breath of relief. Although his internal energy was formidable, he was still young.
While his comprehension was high, his understanding of martial arts lacked the depth forged by years immersed in the practice—the wisdom deepened with the passage of time. Facing peak masters, he still required the Great Bright King Sutra.
Li Muzhan persisted in practicing the Dragon Slaying Hand. Even if last-minute cramming was often futile, he still yearned to perfect it swiftly and test its true power.
As dawn broke, Li Muzhan awoke from his meditation. He looked around; Martial Aunt Zhumei was sitting with her eyes closed, recuperating.
Her injury had stabilized somewhat, but she was still far from recovery. He shook his head; Murong Cang’s palm strike had been vicious, clearly intended to kill her.
The masters from the Martial Performance Hall and Cui Feng Pavilion sat in a circle around Elder Mistress Zhumei, each cross-legged, regulating their Qi, unmoving, protecting her at the center. Wen Yinyue, seated near him, suddenly turned her gaze toward him.
Meeting her bright eyes, Li Muzhan rose lightly and sighed, “Senior Sister.” Wen Yinyue followed him out to the courtyard. She frowned, “Is someone approaching?...
Who are they?” She knew Li Muzhan possessed some subtle divine abilities, allowing him to sense great distances—a power unrelated to his cultivation, stemming from his Buddhist practice. Li Muzhan shook his head, “They are ambushing in the woods outside, their faces covered.” “Have we handled them?” Wen Yinyue asked.
Li Muzhan shook his head again, “These people are all top-tier masters. I’m afraid we might not manage it; we’ll have to rely on the Azure Sea Formation.
If that fails, I’ll have no choice but to use the Great Bright King Sutra.” “The Great Bright King Sutra cannot be used lightly!” Wen Yinyue frowned, casting him a reproachful look. Li Muzhan managed a wry smile, “Senior Sister, let’s worry about getting through this hurdle first.” Wen Yinyue knitted her brows, “Are they truly that formidable?” “There are six of them, all peak masters,” Li Muzhan nodded slowly.
Wen Yinyue pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded, “Very well. You handle it as you see fit, but do not use the Great Bright King Sutra unless it is absolutely necessary.” “I understand that,” Li Muzhan agreed.
After Wen Yinyue went back in and gave a few quiet instructions, the others opened their eyes to eat. Being outdoors, they couldn't bother with washing up and just made do.
Though Li Muzhan’s martial arts were powerful—he was the foremost expert among the seventh generation disciples of the Azure Sea Sword Sect—Wen Yinyue was the future Sect Leader, and her words carried more weight than his. A quarter of an hour later, after eating, everyone set off.
The sky in Tianzhou was growing faintly bright, the air fresh and chilling, with white mist puffing from everyone's mouth and nose. Each person’s exhaled Qi manifested like streamers, long and distinct, yet cohesive—their breath control techniques were far from ordinary.
Li Muzhan smiled inwardly; in winter, identifying martial arts experts was easy—one just needed to observe the Qi breath. Elder Mistress Zhumei kept her eyes closed while riding her horse, conserving energy and regulating her injuries.
All administrative matters were delegated to Wen Yinyue. When it came to managing affairs, Elder Mistress Zhumei knew she couldn't match Wen Yinyue.
Wen Yinyue rode alongside Li Muzhan at the forefront, while Elder Mistress Zhumei remained cocooned within the circle of ten experts, heavily guarded, lest Murong Cang suddenly strike again. Under Wen Yinyue’s direction, these ten masters had already formed a staggered circle of men and women, prepared to instantly manifest the Sword Formation should the situation demand it.
... “Heh heh…” A clear, booming laugh preceded the appearance of four figures who materialized like ghosts, blocking the path ahead.
The group had just emerged from the woods and were stepping onto the main road. Li Muzhan and Wen Yinyue reined in their horses, studying the four figures.
They all wore tight black martial attire, their faces covered with black scarves, each carrying nothing but a single sword—lean and efficient. Li Muzhan frowned.
Wen Yinyue said calmly, “Form the array!” The ten disciples gracefully dismounted, taking a light step to form a circle, placing Elder Mistress Zhumei at the center. Their long swords were drawn, all pointing diagonally outward, their cold gleam subtly visible.
A tall, slender man laughed loudly, “Zhumei, hand over the Dragon Slaying Secret Tome. We have no desire to trouble the younger generation!” “Murong Cang—!” Elder Mistress Zhumei sat tall on her horse and sneered.
Murong Cang laughed, “Heh heh, old friend, I always keep my word!” Elder Mistress Zhumei scoffed, “Didn't you steal the Secret Tome last night? Why are you here again!...
To think you lead a house, yet resort to such low tricks as sneak attacks!” Murong Cang retracted his smile, frowning, “Zhumei, you’re playing clever now! I struck you last night, yes, but I did not steal your Dragon Slaying Secret Tome!” Elder Mistress Zhumei laughed coldly, “Everyone present saw whether you stole it or not… You attack again and again, clearly intending to destroy us.
Fine then, let’s fight until one side is annihilated!” Li Muzhan gasped inwardly; this maneuver was truly vicious. The other three figures had clear eyes, utterly still, betraying no inner turmoil; they were clearly men of deep cunning.
Yet Li Muzhan was certain they had been tricked. The deeper one’s self-control, the more clearly they understood human nature, making them prone to suspicion.
In this moment, Murong Cang couldn't clear his name even if his mouth were full of words. Murong Cang boomed with laughter, “A fine Zhumei!
You lay traps for me! It’s true, a woman’s heart is the most venomous.
Very well, let’s settle this with genuine skill! If these people die because of you, don't blame me!” “Come on then!” Elder Mistress Zhumei retorted coldly.
“Let’s make our move,” Murong Cang turned and instructed. The three black-clad figures nodded, stirring their long swords, their bodies and blades merging into four streaks of cold light shooting toward the ten masters of the Azure Sea Sword Sect.
Li Muzhan and Wen Yinyue were completely ignored. Li Muzhan’s gaze sharpened slightly.
The sword techniques of these four men were paradoxically clumsy yet profound, returning to the simplicity of nature. This seemingly casual thrust possessed deep mastery and astonishing might.
Elder Mistress Zhumei spoke in a deep voice, “How vast is the Azure Sea? The long sword howls in the four directions.” As her words faded, the ten masters beneath her shifted their footing, their long swords sweeping out to form a single shining ribbon.
Ten ribbons connected, creating two bands of light that encircled their bodies. With a series of sharp metallic clashes—“Ding!
Ding! Ding!
Ding!”—the four black-clad attackers found themselves helpless, unable to break through the Azure Sea Formation. After a dozen relentless strikes, the four withdrew, falling back.
Murong Cang shook his head, “When did the Azure Sea Sword Formation become this powerful?” A raspy voice sounded, “The Azure Sea Sword Sect kept one trick hidden; this must be their core secret art. It seems we have sampled it prematurely!” “It looks like we need to bring out our own trump cards,” another elder shook his head, his voice like a bronze bell, making their ears faintly ache.
The slender black-clad man chuckled and pointed at Li Muzhan and Wen Yinyue, “An easier task before the harder one. Let’s finish these two youngsters first.” “Agreed,” the other three nodded, turning toward Li Muzhan and Wen Yinyue.
“Murong Cang, you shameless scoundrels!” Elder Mistress Zhumei roared in anger. Murong Cang smiled mockingly, “Heh heh, you can choose to save your honor or get the Dragon Slaying Secret Tome.
If you want the Tome, you have to sacrifice your face, Zhumei. Why the surprise?” Elder Mistress Zhumei bit her lip, “Attack them!” Wen Yinyue quickly intervened, “Martial Aunt, do not worry!” She pulled Li Muzhan, and in a flash of movement, they were at the edge of the Sword Formation, preparing to enter.
She was intimately familiar with the Azure Sea Sword Formation; entering and exiting was as easy as breathing. “Heh heh…” Four streaks of sword light descended, blocking their path.
Li Muzhan let out a cold, strange smile, raising both palms to strike directly at the sword light. Seeing this, Elder Mistress Zhumei nearly fell off her horse.
Those four swordsmanship techniques were too exquisite; even if Zhanran was skilled with his palms, this level of overconfidence was reckless! With crisp sounds of “Ding!
Ding!”, the surrounding sword light instantly retracted, and the long swords flew away. The two black-clad attackers stared at Li Muzhan in astonishment, disbelief etched on their faces.
Li Muzhan’s expression remained frigid as he flashed in front of Murong Cang and brought his palm down again. “What a formidable boy!” Murong Cang bellowed, raising his palm to meet the attack.
When he had clashed with Li Muzhan last night, his finger strikes were sharp, but he hadn't expected his palm technique to be this ferocious. The internal energy surged like a tide, overwhelming him to the point where he couldn't defend; his sword was forced from his grasp.
He refused to believe it—how deep could the internal energy of such a young man truly be? He met the descending palm, determined to establish dominance.
With a dull thud—Peng!—he was flung backward, his wrist visibly deformed and broken. Li Muzhan now possessed divine strength, fierce and overwhelming.
Murong Cang, despite his deep internal energy and refined palm skills, was defeated when meeting the power of the Great Bright King Sutra. After sending Murong Cang flying, Li Muzhan lunged toward another opponent, reaching him in an instant, and brought his palm smashing down.