Li Muzhan remained expressionless. From his left sleeve, the pinky finger tapped almost imperceptibly, sending out a silent stream of finger force, while his right palm pushed forward forcefully.

"Whoosh…" The palm wind roared, like a fierce tiger descending a mountain.

The thin, small elder shifted sharply to the left, swaying away like a small boat on a lake—nimble and light—but suddenly paused, staring fixedly at Li Muzhan, then looking down at his own chest.

A bloody hole was oozing crimson, and all the strength in his body was draining out. Despite his profound internal energy, his limbs felt limp and weak; he could no longer summon any force.

Li Muzhan flashed forward, appearing beside Wen Yinyue, and struck out with his palm. With a sharp clink, he knocked away another assailant's long ke, and Wen Yinyue seized the opening to stab home.

Their combined assault was synchronized as if they were one entity, doubling their power. The remaining fighter, though formidable, could not react in time as Li Muzhan lashed out another palm strike, swift as lightning.

The burly elder sneered and met the attack with his own palm.

With a muffled thud, the elder stepped back, his eyes flashing sharply. Wen Yinyue’s sword pressed the advantage, moving like a viper emerging from its hole.

The elder thrust out his palm. A sharp clink sounded, and the Phoenix Cry Sword vibrated violently, nearly flying from Wen Yinyue’s grip. She marveled inwardly at the depth of the elder’s palm force, far surpassing what he had shown moments before.

She guessed the elder had employed a secret technique. She withdrew her sword and struck his palm, condensing a lotus flower in her own palm as if it were tangible.

The elder let out a cold chuckle and met her palm.

Bang! Both retreated a step.

Li Muzhan seized the moment, pressing forward with his right thumb. With a muffled chih sound, a thick bolt of finger force blasted the elder backward.

In the span of a breath, between the initial surprise and the final landing, four men had been neutralized. Abbess Zhumei and the ten masters stared, dumbfounded and incredulous.

They scrutinized Li Muzhan, seemingly trying to discern exactly who he was.

Abbess Zhumei frowned. "Quickly, dispel the Great Bright King Sutra!"

She had personally witnessed Li Muzhan use the Great Bright King Sutra when he wreaked havoc on Canghai Mountain—no one could stop him then. Seeing the current display, she recognized it instantly.

Li Muzhan nodded, walked directly to a nearby stone, sat cross-legged, and settled his breathing.

The others subdued the four elders. Two were already dead; the two survivors were swiftly executed, including Murong Cang, whom Abbess Zhumei killed herself.

She snatched the black kerchiefs from the four, her expression icy. She glanced toward Li Muzhan sitting on the stone, then at Wen Yinyue.

For these four powerful figures to fall to two junior practitioners was truly an absurd reversal—no one would believe it if the story got out.

She turned and cautioned the assembled group. "No one is to speak of what happened today!"

The group nodded, understanding her intent. The identities of these four were significant; if news spread, while the two youths would gain immense fame, they would also face countless pursuers.

After Li Muzhan awoke, the group resumed their journey. This time, no one obstructed them; it seemed they had been thoroughly intimidated. They reached Canghai Mountain without further incident.

As evening approached, the setting sun cast its dying rays, bathing Canghai Mountain in a rosy glow. Li Muzhan found the sight immensely comforting. He turned and smiled. "Senior Sister, we are finally home."

"Yes…" Wen Yinyue nodded.

She let out a long breath. Her nerves had been taut the entire journey. The Great Bright King Sutra had been used once, and it couldn't be deployed again soon. Her Martial Uncle was injured, leaving her solely responsible for the immense burden, which had nearly suffocated her. Now, she could finally set down the heavy stone weighing on her heart.

To the sound of melodious xiao music, a group of people walked down the mountain steps. Leading them was Abbess Zhuzhao, followed in single file by her disciples.

Abbess Zhuzhao moved lightly, clad in a moon-white monastic robe, seeming to float down like a white cloud before arriving before the group in moments.

"Greetings, Sect Leader!" Everyone dismounted and bowed.

Abbess Zhuzhao waved a hand. "No need for formalities!"

Her almond eyes swept over the group, and seeing no one missing, she smiled. "Good! Excellent! With Senior Sister leading, everything is secure. Quickly, come up the mountain!"

Abbess Zhumei shook her head and smiled. "Junior Sister Sect Leader, I deserve little credit this time. Zhanran deserves the utmost praise!"

"Him?" Abbess Zhuzhao glanced at Li Muzhan and laughed. "If he doesn't cause trouble, that's a blessing from Amitabha. Senior Sister needn't praise him so... Is your injury healed?"

As she spoke, she reached out to support Abbess Zhumei, placing her fingers on her pulse.

"It's nothing serious," Abbess Zhumei replied with a smile.

Abbess Zhuzhao released her wrist, smiling. "Good, no major harm done. That scoundrel Murong Cang has injured you several times. The next time I descend the mountain, I will take his life myself!"

Abbess Zhumei laughed. "You won't need to. Zhanran has already seen to it."

Li Muzhan interjected respectfully, "Master, this is Senior Li, the Invincible Gold Spear. This is Li Xiaoshui; I have already accepted her as an outer disciple on Master's behalf."

"Greetings, Abbess."

Li Wudi smiled and cupped his fists.

Abbess Zhuzhao pursed her lips and smiled sweetly. "Elder Master Li, please do not be so formal. Your presence here is truly an honor for Canghai Mountain. From now on, this place is your home."

"Shuier, come and pay respects to Master," Li Muzhan beckoned.

Li Xiaoshui shyly stepped forward and offered a formal curtsy. Abbess Zhuzhao took her small hand, examined her briefly, and laughed. "The little brat has discerning taste; she's a good prospect."

Li Muzhan chuckled. "Naturally."

Abbess Zhuzhao smiled softly. "Shuier, is it? From now on, you will follow Zhanran; he will teach you martial arts. Strive to enter the inner sect soon, alright?..."

"Yes, Master," Li Xiaoshui replied crisply, blinking her large eyes.

……………………

Abbess Zhuzhao held her small hand and walked up the mountain with Li Wudi, chatting about martial world affairs, their conversation lively and pleasant.

As Li Wudi recounted the perils of their journey, Abbess Zhuzhao frequently looked back at Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan kept his gaze lowered, appearing respectful and quite composed.

Their steps were light; even without using qinggong, they moved much faster than ordinary people. In a short while, they reached the Wuji Hall. The ten masters dispersed to return to the Martial Arts Hall and Cui Feng Pavilion.

Li Wudi and Li Xiaoshui were also escorted to their lodgings by a disciple.

Abbess Zhuzhao, Abbess Zhumei, Li Muzhan, and Wen Yinyue sat together on cushions.

Abbess Zhuzhao glared at Li Muzhan. "You used the Great Bright King Sutra again! If you keep using it, you’ll turn into a monster sooner or later!"

Li Muzhan chuckled, offering no rebuttal.

"Hmph! Without the Great Bright King Sutra in that situation, all of us would have perished! Murong Cang, Li Zhantang, Feng Buqu, Tang Fangge—which one of them was weak?"

"It was those four!" Abbess Zhuzhao frowned and snorted.

"The Murong family has suffered a massive blow to their vitality from this!" Abbess Zhumei beamed with delight, shaking her head repeatedly. "Trying to steal a chicken only to lose the bait; exhilarating! Truly exhilarating!..."

Abbess Zhuzhao asked, "Did the other Five Great Sects offer any opposition?"

"No, they were likely intimidated," Abbess Zhumei replied, shaking her head.

Abbess Zhuzhao sighed. "It’s a good thing they were cautious. Zhanran cannot use the Great Bright King Sutra again."

Abbess Zhumei said, "We owe him a great debt this time. When he said that temple was unlucky, I didn't pay heed, and sure enough, something happened. It seems he truly has some special insight."

Abbess Zhuzhao waved her hand. "He has cultivated Buddhist practices since childhood; his mastery of Chanding surpasses even ours. A little supernatural ability is not entirely surprising."

"I believe it now," Abbess Zhumei conceded.

After discussing a little longer, Abbess Zhumei, whose injury had not yet healed, retired to rest.

"Yinyue, recount it to me in detail," Abbess Zhuzhao said.

Wen Yinyue nodded in assent and began recounting everything, starting from when they descended the mountain—how they found the killers of Lu Jingren and the others, how they executed them, then traveled to Wancheng, met Li Wudi, who proactively pledged allegiance, and finally how the Changbai Sword Sect and people from the Murong family arrived.

From beginning to end, she narrated clearly and precisely. Li Muzhan listened from the side, his eyes narrowed slightly, finding listening to his Senior Sister speak a true pleasure.

………………

When Wen Yinyue finished, Abbess Zhuzhao turned to him and snorted. "Stinking brat, tell me honestly, the Dragon Slaying Hand isn't too difficult for you, is it?"

Li Muzhan chuckled and nodded. "Yes, Disciple is currently cultivating it. I estimate it will be nearly complete in about half a month."

"Good, I knew you could handle it!" Abbess Zhuzhao showed approval.

Seeing Li Muzhan smile proudly, she immediately shot him a look. "Didn't I tell you to use the Great Bright King Sutra less and less? Was my advice like wind in your ears?!"

Li Muzhan gave a bitter smile. "Master, I was forced into a desperate situation!"

"Hmph, forced!" Abbess Zhuzhao scoffed dismissively, pouting. "I think you were just showing off. If you can't win, you run!"

Li Muzhan argued, "I could run away myself, but Martial Uncle could not."

Abbess Zhuzhao harrumphed. "Let it pass this once, but do not use the Great Bright King Sutra again next time, understood?!"

"Yes, Master," Li Muzhan nodded helplessly.

He had formed the Sarira. The Great Bright King Sutra had residual side effects, resulting only in physical exhaustion, not affecting his emotions; logically, he could use it freely.

But seeing his Master like this, explanations were useless. Moreover, he could not explain the Sarira. He instinctively felt a strong warning: never reveal anything about the Black Buddha.

"Enough, stop dawdling. Go practice your skills now!" Abbess Zhuzhao waved her hand.

"Master, I wish to go home and visit," Li Muzhan said.

"Home? Jinyang City?" Abbess Zhuzhao asked.

Li Muzhan nodded. "I haven't been home in almost a year. I miss it a bit. I request Master's permission."

Abbess Zhuzhao pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Yes, that is fine. Go home for a visit after you master the Dragon Slaying Hand... Your parents are quite stubborn; they refuse to come, even after I personally persuaded them!"

Li Muzhan shook his head with a wry smile. "My Eldest Brother and Second Sister are over there; they could never bear to leave."

"Then have your Eldest Brother and Second Sister come over together!" Abbess Zhuzhao huffed.

Li Muzhan sighed. "Eldest Brother is at the Mei Residence; he long ago gave up thoughts of cultivation, unwilling to part with worldly splendor. Second Sister is at Yingyue Nunnery and won't come either, so my mother and father won't come."

"Don't they miss you?" Abbess Zhuzhao complained, frowning crossly.

Li Muzhan smiled. "They worry least about me, their youngest son."

"Even an honest official can't settle family disputes. Alright, alright, go practice now!" Abbess Zhuzhao waved him off.

Fifteen days later, Li Muzhan emerged from seclusion.