The steps, carved from solid ice, stretched up the peak, surrounded by gleaming white snow, creating a scene utterly devoid of color, as if one had stepped into a world bleached pure.
Compared to the majestic grandeur of Canghai Mountain, Changbai Sword Peak possessed a distinct aura. While less vast, it was far more perilous, the cold so intense it pierced to the bone; without inner force shielding the body, one would freeze regardless of how thickly clothed.
Ascending Changbai Sword Peak revealed a stretch of palaces constructed entirely of ice, crystal clear and sparkling brilliantly under the sun.
A procession of figures emerged from the central grand hall. Nie Xuefeng led the way, his steps hurried. In a flash, he was upon them, letting out a hearty laugh, “Fairy Wen, Junior Master Zhanran, your esteemed presence honors us! Forgive my failure to greet you from afar, a true lapse on my part! Pray do not take offense!”
His smile was full of warmth, making one feel bathed in a spring breeze.
Li Muzhan glanced at him. Wen Yinyue had refused his proposal of marriage, yet Nie Xuefeng was beaming so joyously—it felt strange, almost unnatural.
Wen Yinyue offered a slight salute. Li Muzhan chuckled, “On Young Master Nie’s auspicious day, how could we possibly not attend? Why, we don't see the Mistress Nie? Surely at an engagement, especially for such a prestigious house, a formal couple must be present.”
“She is over there, attending to others, but will join us shortly. Please!” Nie Xuefeng smiled.
Li Muzhan nodded in return. “Miss Yang of Penglai Pavilion, rumored to be a fairy herself. Congratulations, Young Master Nie.”
“Not at all… not at all…” Nie Xuefeng laughed, unable to close his mouth.
Clearly, he was utterly pleased with his fiancée, losing his composure right in front of Wen Yinyue.
Wen Yinyue remained impassive. She felt nothing for Nie Xuefeng; in fact, she was relieved to be rid of him. She felt his current demeanor was somewhat contrived, merely an attempt to provoke her.
Besides, a man who changes affections so easily was hardly worth a second thought.
The two followed Nie Xuefeng inside. Only upon reaching the front of the main hall did they grasp its immense, towering presence, which immediately induced a feeling of insignificance and shame.
This was intentional, Li Muzhan observed with a nod after a few scrutinizing glances. Perhaps Canghai Mountain’s Wuji Hall should take a lesson and expand to a more awe-inspiring scale.
Inscribed centrally on the upper facade, running from top to bottom, were three characters: "Feixian Dian" (Flying Immortal Hall)—they seemed like three long swords poised to slice through the air, radiating a chilling sword intent.
“Magnificent calligraphy!” Li Muzhan exclaimed in admiration.
Nie Xuefeng smiled faintly, “My father inscribed that.”
“Oh?” Li Muzhan looked over, surprised. “It is actually the handwriting of Sect Master Nie?”
“Indeed,” Nie Xuefeng confirmed.
Li Muzhan studied it again, praising sincerely, “Sect Master Nie’s sword posture is full of vigor and immense spirit, showing a profound mastery of the sword arts. I am deeply impressed! Deeply impressed!”
All martial arts share fundamental principles, especially calligraphy, which relates to spirit and momentum; one could gauge a man’s essence by his script.
……………………………………………………
Nie Xuefeng chuckled with satisfaction. “Please, enter!”
He stepped into the hall first, followed by Li Muzhan and Wen Yinyue. The carpet, a deep violet, was plush and soft. Seated centrally was a handsome middle-aged man, a few strands of clear beard flowing from his chin, his spirit radiant, like an immortal being.
“Father, this is Fairy Wen and Junior Master Zhanran.” Nie Xuefeng gestured between the two, then added, “This is my father.”
Li Muzhan was startled; he hadn't expected the master of the Changbai Sword Sect to be so young.
He cupped his hands in greeting. “This junior, Zhanran, pays respects to Sect Master Nie!”
Wen Yinyue offered a graceful curtsy as well.
“Heh heh heh… Abbess Zhuzhao is truly blessed to have such an excellent disciple!” Sect Master Nie stroked his beard and laughed heartily, his voice clear and infectious.
Li Muzhan secretly appraised him. No wonder his master was connected to this man; he was undeniably a rare beauty, and even at this age, his charm hadn't faded. Nie Xuefeng, for all his youth and handsomeness, paled in comparison to his father.
Sect Master Nie must have been even more striking in his youth, and retaining such allure at this age was a result of both innate talent and cultivated refinement.
Such a figure was indeed a rarity.
“Sect Master Nie flatters us. Young Master Nie’s martial arts are superb, and his scholarship profound. He is destined to be a leader among men. You have every reason to be proud, Sect Master Nie,” Li Muzhan replied with a smile.
“Xuefeng he…” Sect Master Nie stroked his beard and shook his head, glancing at his son. “He lacks field experience. A lion raised in a cage never amounts to much.”
Nie Xuefeng quickly interjected, “Father!”
“Heh heh, alright, I’ll spare your pride,” Sect Master Nie laughed loudly.
Observing their interaction, they looked more like friends than father and son. Li Muzhan recognized the Sect Master’s open-mindedness and felt a sudden respect; this was not a man to underestimate as an opponent.
The Seven Great Sects were simultaneously allies and rivals, locked in a constant, subtle competition. They wished to maintain the current balance while secretly striving to surpass the other six and stand supreme.
“How is Abbess Zhuzhao lately?” Sect Master Nie inquired, gesturing for them to sit.
The two sat, and Wen Yinyue offered a slight bow. “Master is well.”
Sect Master Nie shook his head, chuckling. “Abbess Zhuzhao has such an impetuous temper. Fortunately, you are there to ease her burdens, or with her nature, she’d have long since gone white from worry!”
Wen Yinyue offered a slight smile.
Sect Master Nie sighed again. “My son spends all his time practicing martial arts and ignores all administrative duties. He exhausts me! I truly envy your master!”
Wen Yinyue remained silent, unwilling to engage further.
She vaguely understood the history between her master and Nie Xuefeng’s father, and finding him irritating in this context only deepened her resolve to remain distant.
Footsteps sounded, and a powerfully built youth stepped in, offering a salute with cupped hands. He announced in a steady voice, “Master, we have visitors from Shengxue Peak at the foot of the mountain.”
“Oh?” Sect Master Nie raised an eyebrow. “Who has arrived?”
The youth replied, “Miss Li Yujiao has come.”
“Xuefeng, go down with your senior martial brother to greet them.” Sect Master Nie waved a hand.
“Yes,” Nie Xuefeng nodded.
He offered a slight nod to Li Muzhan and Wen Yinyue, then turned to leave. The powerful youth spared a glance for the pair before following him out.
Li Muzhan noticed the youth’s sharp eyes concealing their brilliance, his vital spirit deep within, and asked, “Sect Master Nie, who is this brother…?”
“My eldest disciple, Nie Yinxia,” Sect Master Nie replied with a smile.
“Nie Yinxia…” Li Muzhan nodded, then said, smiling, “Sect Master Nie, you are too modest. Brother Nie’s martial arts are exceptionally profound and perfectly concealed. I admire him!”
A spark flashed in Sect Master Nie’s eyes, followed by a loud laugh. “Excellent! Simply for discerning that skill, I am exceedingly impressed! Many have climbed this mountain, but you are the very first to recognize Yinxia’s true cultivation!”
Li Muzhan chuckled, “I am merely straightforward to a fault.”
Sect Master Nie shook his head. “Yinxia practices a unique internal method; outsiders cannot perceive it. Junior Master Zhanran truly has a discerning eye. I am impressed!”
Li Muzhan laughed softly, “Sect Master Nie overpraises me.”
The two chatted amiably. Wen Yinyue listened silently from the side, catching snippets of their conversation, which wove through martial world matters disguised in veiled sparring.
Li Muzhan and Sect Master Nie possessed lightning-fast minds. Every seemingly casual remark touched upon a vast and untraceable range of knowledge. Had someone else been present, they would have understood neither the true meaning nor the subtle exchange of words. Even the supremely intelligent Wen Yinyue struggled to keep pace.
The corners of her mouth lifted slightly; she viewed their conversation as a contest, a battle of wits where every thrust and parry left her thoroughly engaged. With individuals like Li Muzhan and Sect Master Nie, the nuance was so deep that if the opponent couldn't grasp the underlying meaning, they would eventually tire and abandon the effort, no matter how many times they were bested. But these two were different; the other understood and could counter-strike immediately. The back-and-forth was invigorating, a true meeting of equals.
By the time footsteps announced the return of Nie Xuefeng and the others, the two had exchanged over a dozen moves, resulting in an even score—a draw.
Sect Master Nie stroked his beard and laughed heartily. “Wonderful! Heroes emerging from the younger generation! People say my son is a hero, a man of extraordinary talent, but seeing this, he still falls short!”
Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. “Sect Master Nie is too modest.”
He turned and smiled toward the entrance. “Junior Sister Li, have you been well?”
Li Yujiao stood there, clad in immaculate snow-white silk robes, her beautiful face carrying an air of cold aloofness, like a solitary snow lotus flower.
Li Muzhan turned to her, and she started, before her face instantly broke into a joyful radiance. “Senior Brother Zhanran!”
……………………………………………………, Li Muzhan smiled. “I had a feeling I might run into Junior Sister Li, and it seems my guess was correct.”
“Senior Brother Zhanran…” she began to speak, but a middle-aged woman behind her cleared her throat lightly.
Li Yujiao immediately composed herself, offered a curtsy to Sect Master Nie, and exchanged a few pleasantries.
Sect Master Nie was tactful; he exchanged a few words with a smile, then left them to their reunion, walking out of the hall with an elegant, distinctive gait.
Li Yujiao rushed to Li Muzhan’s side. “Senior Brother Zhanran, after all this time, why haven’t you come to Shengxue Peak to see me?”
Li Muzhan smiled. “I’ve been extremely busy this past year, unable to spare the time.”
Li Yujiao shot him a look. “You clearly didn't want to come!”
Normally reserved and quiet, she acted like a young girl upon seeing Li Muzhan, the familiarity of meeting an old friend creating an unusual warmth.
Li Muzhan smiled. “This is my senior martial sister, Wen Yinyue.”
Li Yujiao instantly resumed her cool demeanor, offering a respectful bow. “Greetings, Senior Sister Wen. I am Li Yujiao.”
“Hello, Junior Sister Li,” Wen Yinyue replied with a nod.
Though young, Li Yujiao’s martial arts skill was astonishing, ranking among the very best of the younger generation. This was thanks to her cultivation of the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture (different from Li Muzhan’s, but similar), having mastered two layers, which amplified her internal energy to a formidable level.
Nie Xuefeng, standing nearby, felt awkward as no one addressed him. He had heard much about Li Yujiao, but this was the first time he saw her; she rarely left Shengxue Peak, dedicating her time solely to practice there.
“Miss Li, I hear your swordsmanship is peerless among your peers. If you compare with Junior Master Zhanran, who holds the higher ground?” Nie Xuefeng inquired.
Li Yujiao glanced at him coolly. “Naturally, I am not as skilled as Senior Brother Zhanran.”
Nie Xuefeng showed a look of doubt. “Oh?”
Li Yujiao fixed him with a steady gaze. “I hear you have mastered the Flying Immortal Sword Style. Shall we spar?”
“That might not be appropriate…” Nie Xuefeng hesitated.
Li Yujiao offered a faint, dismissive glance. “If you’re afraid, just say so.”
That fleeting look carried immense weight—scornful and contemptuous, like a sharp knife plunged into Nie Xuefeng’s heart. Men could least tolerate dismissal from a beautiful woman. He stated sternly, “In that case, I shall gladly test the swordsmanship of Shengxue Peak!”
PS: I sincerely apologize for a major oversight in the previous two chapters; rushing the writing indeed creates repercussions.