It was the cusp of morning when he left the small courtyard and stepped out onto the training grounds of the Wuji Hall.

The day was overcast, carrying a subtle oppressiveness, yet the training ground teemed with activity. Wen Yinyue stood atop the platform, hands clasped behind her back, gazing down at the inner disciples with an air of severe majesty.

The way she stood, her robes fluttering slightly, made her seem like an ethereal being looking down upon mortals from the clouds.

Li Muchan stood further back, eyes narrowed slightly, observing Wen Yinyue with a faint smile.

He had managed to clear twenty-four acupoints; the Tulong Shou (Dragon Slaying Hand) was now minorly accomplished, marking the completion of its first layer. As for the second layer, which involved the specific techniques, he hadn't yet begun practicing those.

He was eager to witness the true power of the Tulong Shou.

After watching for a while, a frown creased his brow. Something seemed off with the Senior Sister; her expression was frigid, not merely the usual cool detachment he was accustomed to. The difference was subtle, but he could perceive it.

He called over an inner disciple with a slight hand signal.

A young girl approached, clad in tight black garb, her pretty face flushed. White vapor streamed from her nose and mouth in the cool air, and she blinked her bright eyes up at Li Muchan: "Senior Brother Zhanran?"

"Junior Sister Zhao, what's wrong with Eldest Senior Sister?" Li Muchan gestured vaguely toward the platform.

"Eldest Senior Sister?" The girl turned to look, then shook her head. "What about Eldest Senior Sister?"

Li Muchan felt helpless at the girl's innocence and asked, "Has something happened within the sect?"

The girl suddenly seemed to grasp the situation. "Oh! Someone from the Changbai Sword Sect arrived. Eldest Senior Sister saw them, and she was very displeased."

"Did Nie Xuefeng come?" Li Muchan asked, then immediately shook his head.

He activated his Xukong Zhiyan (Void Eye), piercing through the entirety of Canghai Mountain, but he found no trace of Nie Xuefeng.

"No," the girl replied.

Li Muchan waved his hand. "Alright, you can go. That move you just executed was too fast; try slowing it down by thirty percent. The Canghai Jiu Jian (Nine Swords of Canghai) requires variation—some fast, some slow, some substantial, some illusory. It cannot be flat."

"Yes, Senior Brother Zhanran!" The girl nodded excitedly.

Li Muchan's reputation was now immense, yet he remained elusive, granting him immense prestige among the disciples. To receive pointers on martial arts from him made the young girl nearly jump for joy.

Li Muchan’s own mood brightened, and he strolled toward the Wuji Hall.

Inside the Wuji Hall were Mistress Zhumei, Mistress Zhuzhao, and Li Zhuyue. Seated opposite them were four elderly men whose beards and eyebrows were white, yet their complexions were rosy, resembling the sages of longevity.

They were currently chatting cheerfully with Mistress Zhuzhao, who shook her head repeatedly.

"Master," Li Muchan announced as he reached the entrance of the Wuji Hall.

Mistress Zhumei's voice carried out, "Zhanran, come in."

Li Muchan stepped across the threshold, first clasping his hands in formal greeting before turning his gaze toward the four elders seated opposite.

Mistress Zhuzhao explained, "Zhanran, these four seniors are Elders from the Changbai Sword Sect: Elder Song, Elder Wang, Elder Zhao, and Elder Na."

Li Muchan acknowledged them with a slight bow and a gentle nod.

...A burly elder laughed heartily. "This must be the Dual Sword Monk Zhanran! Truly a talent of this generation; hearing of you is not the same as meeting you."

Li Muchan smiled. "Senior Song flatters me."

"The Young Sect Master told me how profound your martial arts are; the Young Sect Master feels deeply inadequate compared to you," he said, shaking his head and sighing. "The Young Sect Master is a genius born once in an era, mastering the Feixian Jianfa (Flying Immortal Sword Art) at such a young age. Zhanran, you surpass even him; you are truly an astonishing prodigy!"

Li Muchan offered a slight smile; he took the praise with a grain of salt. Elder Song sounded like he was praising him, but in substance, he was praising Nie Xuefeng—which Li Muchan found rather amusing.

Elder Song turned toward the Mistresses. "Esteemed Mistress, the Young Sect Master is a genius, and Miss Wen is also a genius. They are truly a match made in heaven, a perfect pair. Why would you not fulfill this wish for these two jade figures?"

Mistress Zhuzhao smiled faintly. "Zhanran, these four elders have come on behalf of Young Hero Nie to seek a marriage proposal."

Li Muchan frowned. "A marriage proposal? Which Junior Sister are they seeking to marry?"

"Yinyue," Mistress Zhuzhao snorted.

Li Muchan had already guessed, but hearing it directly from his Master made him feign astonishment. "But Senior Sister is to be the future Sect Master! How can she be married off?"

"Heh heh... If Miss Wen becomes our Sect Master's wife, your sect can select another Sect Master, and the two sects can form an eternal bond. Wouldn't that be wonderful?" Elder Song stroked his beard and chuckled.

Li Muchan shook his head. "That cannot be."

Elder Song asked with a smile, "Why not, little master Zhanran?"

Li Muchan replied, "Although Young Hero Nie is an outstanding talent, my Senior Sister is akin to an immortal manifesting in human form. The two are not quite suited."

"Hmm?" Elder Song’s expression darkened.

Li Muchan smiled. "Does Elder Song think my words are inaccurate? How does Young Hero Nie’s martial arts compare to my Senior Sister’s? And how about his ability to manage sect affairs?"

"Well..." Elder Song pondered, frowning. "The Young Sect Master has mastered the Feixian Jianfa, and in the future, he will surely dominate the world. Although the Young Sect Master usually focuses on training, his conduct is mature and steady; he might not necessarily lose to Miss Wen."

"The Feixian Jianfa..." Li Muchan shook his head and smiled. "Young Hero Nie cannot yet surpass me, let alone Senior Sister. He ignores mundane affairs and has received no practical training. Should the Changbai Sword Sect truly be handed over to him?"

Elder Song countered, "In two years, once the Young Sect Master’s martial arts reach fruition, he will naturally begin learning how to handle sect matters."

"Senior Sister manages sect affairs while simultaneously practicing martial arts, and her skill is already a great leap beyond Young Hero Nie's. Elder Song, ask yourself honestly: does Young Hero Nie deserve my Senior Sister?"

"Miss Wen is an exceptional talent; naturally, no one surpasses her. But among the younger generation, our Young Sect Master is outstanding. When looking for a husband, one should seek someone like the Young Sect Master!" Elder Song chuckled, stroking his beard.

Li Muchan shook his head. "Choosing the tallest among the short ones—my Senior Sister would never do such a thing!"

"This... Mistress Zhuzhao, those words are a bit harsh..." Elder Song turned toward Mistress Zhuzhao, his face showing displeasure. He disdained arguing with a junior, so he sought out Mistress Zhuzhao instead.

...Mistress Zhumei stepped forward first, laughing. "Elder Song, Zhanran is correct! Young Hero Nie, despite being a genius, is not worthy of our Yinyue!"

Elder Song frowned. "Mistress Zhumei says the same? It seems your sect has no intention of seeing this union realized."

Mistress Zhuzhao shook her head and smiled faintly. "Although I am the Sect Master, I cannot rule unilaterally. If everyone disagrees, I am helpless."

Elder Song’s face grew grim. This was clearly an excuse; to claim inability to make a final decision as Sect Master suggested incompetence, yet Mistress Zhuzhao was known for her decisiveness, not weakness.

"Brother Song, it seems they have no sincerity. Let's forget it," an elder whispered, shaking his head in resignation.

A glint flashed in Elder Song's eyes, but he shook his head again. "Let's try one more time."

He turned to Mistress Zhuzhao. "Esteemed Mistress, I hear your sect has obtained the Tulong Mi Ben (Dragon Slaying Secret Tome), greatly increasing your strength. However, this has also alerted other sects. The situation for Canghai Mountain might not be ideal."

Mistress Zhuzhao shook her head calmly. "Our Canghai Mountain fears nothing. Let anyone with the gall challenge us!"

Elder Song sighed. "Your sect's strength is indeed not weak; you can contend with any single major sect. But if several sects joined forces, could you still hold them off?"

Mistress Zhuzhao let out a dismissive smile, her expression resolute.

Elder Song paused, surprised by her demeanor. Shouldn't she appear at least slightly more grave?

He took a deep breath and smiled. "If Miss Wen marries the Young Sect Master, our two sects will join forces, and we will have no rivals, unafraid of any invasion! Your sect fighting several others alone is still somewhat outnumbered."

Mistress Zhuzhao smiled sweetly. "Elder Song, we appreciate your good intentions, but marrying off a disciple to strengthen ourselves—that is not something I can do!"

Elder Song sighed and shook his head. "What a pity. Our two sects could have become one..."

Mistress Zhuzhao smiled benignly. "Elder Song, distinguished Elders, Young Hero Nie is naturally brilliant; he will certainly find a fine woman."

"Alas... forget it, forget it. I've wasted my breath. We shall take our leave now!" Elder Song stood up, shaking his head as he cupped his hands in farewell.

"Very well, I won't detain you any further," Mistress Zhuzhao said, smiling as she clasped her hands. "Zhanran, please escort the Elders out for me."

"Yes, Master," Li Muchan responded respectfully.

He turned and gestured. "Elder Song, Elder Wang, Elder Zhao, Elder Na, please proceed!"

The four elders exchanged a glance with the smiling Mistress Zhuzhao, shook their heads, and strode out of the Wuji Hall, heading down the mountain.

Li Muchan followed them in silence.

...The stone steps were lively. Inner disciples practiced martial arts in front of the Wuji Hall, while outer disciples bustled about here, carrying iron buckets, moving with swift, powerful strides, though some were already gasping, barely able to keep up.

The four elders of the Changbai Sect observed the coming and going of the energetic outer disciples, exchanging looks that spoke of grave concern.

They realized the Canghai Sword Sect harbored considerable ambition and could not be underestimated. Judging merely by these outer disciples, each one striving desperately in their training, the entire Canghai Mountain vibrated with burgeoning vitality.

"Are these all your sect's outer disciples?" Elder Song turned to ask.

Li Muchan nodded. "They are."

Elder Song inquired, "How many of them are expected to enter the inner sect?"

"Most of them will make it to the inner sect," Li Muchan replied, activating his Xintong (Heart Connection).

Elder Song mused internally, They all make it to the inner sect! That's over two hundred people? ...If the Canghai Sword Sect continues to develop like this, its strength will only grow, making them a formidable enemy that cannot be lightly dismissed!

Li Muchan clarified, "Entering the inner sect happens at different times—some succeed within a year, others take five or six years, perhaps even seven or eight."

"Is that so..." Elder Song let out a breath.

Li Muchan smiled. "However, the average disciple takes about two years."

Elder Song’s brow furrowed again. A new generation of disciples ready in two years—the strength of Canghai Mountain was expanding too rapidly. With such deep reserves, perhaps even the Lantuo Temple couldn't compare.

Li Muchan gave a wry smile and shook his head. "A pity. The ultimate arts of our Canghai Sword Sect are exceedingly difficult. Even if training progresses quickly, becoming a true master isn't easy; perhaps only one or two in ten succeed."

Elder Song's brow smoothed out, and he nodded in understanding.

Li Muchan sighed. "This time we acquired the Tulong Mi Ben, but it's utterly useless to us now as no one can cultivate it. I don't know why everyone fought over it. In my opinion, we should have just made it public. But Master insists on holding onto it, unwilling to lose face!"