After a sparring session, he could vividly remember every detail, allowing him to repeatedly analyze and deduce the subtleties of the opponent's moves, even the methods of internal energy circulation. While only fragments at a time, the accumulation over time was not to be underestimated.

Of course, no matter how exquisite a technique, it needed to be applied appropriately; learning a move without knowing how to use it artfully was worse than not learning it at all. The key to mastering more profound techniques lay in gradual cultivation until they became instinct.

When Li Muzhan studied these techniques, he didn't merely imitate them blindly; rather, he sought to grasp their essence—the reason for executing a particular move, finding the underlying principle. Li Muzhan had studied philosophy in a later life; tracing things back to their roots was his forte.

"Good," Li Muzhan responded, and the two exited the small pavilion. "Senior Sister, I used the Azure Sea Divine Sword first, combined with the Indifferent Sleeve," Li Muzhan said.

Wen Yinyue nodded. They stood before the pavilion as the setting sun bathed them in a magnificent red hue.

Li Muzhan shouted, "Great Strength Demonic Fist!" His fist struck out like a hammer, instantly reaching Wen Yinyue's chest, as swift as lightning, indistinguishable from when Monk Xinjue had performed it—convincing enough to fool even an expert. The true power of the Great Strength Demonic Fist lay in its internal mantra, which multiplied the internal energy several times over, not in the technique itself.

Wen Yinyue pressed her thumb down, and with a sharp chi hiss, the Azure Sea Divine Finger surged forth, colliding with his fist, resulting in a dull peng sound. Both retreated a step.

She channeled the Miao Lian Jing to drive the Azure Sea Divine Finger, its power no less than the Azure Sea Divine Sword. Li Muzhan, meanwhile, used the Dragon Slaying Hand cultivation method to command the Great Strength Demonic Fist, its power equaling the original mantra.

In this exchange, they were evenly matched, just as it had been before. "Dharma Blade!" Li Muzhan roared, shaping his palms like blades, cleaving straight down.

Wen Yinyue flicked her sleeve, and the Indifferent Sleeve met the Dharma Blade Qi. With a chi sound, like silk tearing, the blade energy remained intact and continued toward Wen Yinyue.

Wen Yinyue frowned and pressed out her index finger. With a soft bo, the blade energy collided with the Azure Sea Divine Finger, dissipating into nothingness.

The fabric of their clothes suddenly whipped and roared as if caught in a fierce gale. Li Muzhan followed up with another strike.

He had witnessed Monk Xinjue’s Dharma Blade and had been constantly pondering its mysteries. After gathering the snow lotus flowers, he had already begun to faintly decipher it.

Understanding one principle leads to understanding all principles. He had mastered the Azure Sea Divine Sword and intuitively grasped the concept of internal energy penetrating space.

Although the Dharma Blade and the Azure Sea Divine Sword were different, their paths were similar. Combined with his ability to draw parallels, he quickly simulated the Dharma Blade.

The true Dharma Blade technique possessed a unique secret in its inner cultivation, which could not be easily grasped. The Dharma Blade he displayed could naturally not compare to the original, but it was sufficient for demonstration, catching Wen Yinyue off guard and nearly causing her to suffer a loss.

……………………………… Subsequently, he demonstrated the Arhat Divine Fist and the Great Arhat Divine Fist one by one. While the form was present, the spirit was lacking, yet it was enough to dazzle Wen Yinyue, leaving her astonished.

The two finally ceased, Wen Yinyue’s delicate face flushed—partly from the sunset, and partly from the surge of internal energy, emanating a brilliant glow that was difficult to look upon directly. "Hmm, truly worthy of being called Xinjue's work!" Wen Yinyue nodded thoughtfully, still immersed in the recent exchange.

Li Muzhan commented, "The Great Arhat Divine Fist is indeed overwhelmingly powerful, capable of countering the Dragon Slaying Hand." Wen Yinyue frowned. "If that's the case, without the Great Bright King Sutra, you still wouldn't have beaten him." Li Muzhan nodded.

"Correct. Without the Great Bright King Sutra, the outcome would be unpredictable; even with the Great Bright King Sutra, the outcome remains uncertain.

I just don't know what his ultimate, hidden technique is!" He shook his head with a wry smile. "The foundation of Luotuo Temple is profoundly deep, far surpassing ours, with countless peerless arts.

His ultimate technique must be extraordinary... Alas, nowadays, no one forces him to use it.

This generation of the martial world is truly inferior to the last..." Wen Yinyue snorted softly. "He is a once-in-a-century prodigy of Luotuo Temple.

If he could be forced into such a desperate state by just anyone, wouldn't his fame be undeserved? ...

I shall engage him first." Li Muzhan quickly shook his head. "Absolutely not!" Wen Yinyue glanced at him coolly.

"I have no feud with him. It is purely a martial arts sparring session; he won't strike to kill." Li Muzhan shook his head.

"Senior Sister, your reputation is paramount now! ...

The rise of our Azure Sea Sword Sect depends on you. I care little; if I lose, I lose.

You cannot lose!" Wen Yinyue shot him a look. "Nonsense!" Li Muzhan pressed on.

"Senior Sister, someone as intelligent as you must understand that the future of the Azure Sea Sword Sect rests on your shoulders. If your reputation is damaged, our sect suffers a massive loss!

... As for me, I can fight again after a defeat; victory or defeat is irrelevant to me." Wen Yinyue frowned, pondering for a moment, then sighed and slowly nodded.

What he said held merit. She mused that if nothing unexpected occurred, she would undoubtedly be the next sect leader of the Azure Sea Sword Sect.

The crucial responsibility of revitalizing the sect meant she could not afford to act on whims. The two returned to the pavilion, discussing the day's events and Yang Zhiyuan.

"The Jinyuan Yang family is closely connected with Trapped Sky Island. It’s rare that he was willing to help you today," Wen Yinyue remarked.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Though this man understands expediency, he is unfit for major tasks.

Are there truly no other talents in the Jinyuan Yang family?" Wen Yinyue shook her head. "Yang Zhiyuan is the eldest grandson of the Yang family, but his skill is insufficient.

However, the Yang family possesses several great talents who should not be underestimated." Li Muzhan nodded. "These great aristocratic families must not be underestimated.

I do owe Yang Zhiyuan a favor, which I must repay in the future..." Wen Yinyue poured him a fresh cup of tea and shook her head, smiling. ...

The next morning, after Li Muzhan finished his practice, Li Yujiao pushed open the courtyard gate and entered the small yard. Having fought Monk Xinjue the previous day, Li Muzhan had benefited greatly, his understanding of various martial arts deepening further.

Practicing in isolation and sparring with peak experts each had its merits. He had assumed the Dragon Slaying Hand’s power was boundless, only to encounter the Great Arhat Divine Fist, which specifically countered it, delivering a sobering dose of reality.

If the Great Arhat Divine Fist could counter the Dragon Slaying Hand, who was to say other arts couldn't as well? Relying on a single martial art to dominate the world was unreliable; he needed to cultivate several ultimate skills.

"Senior Brother Zhanran, let’s go!" Li Yujiao had changed into a light pink silk robe, looking vibrant and completely renewed. Li Muzhan looked her up and down and smiled.

"Now you look a bit more like a girl..." Li Yujiao shot him a look. "Yesterday's clothes were dirty, so I had to change into this one.

I still prefer white." Li Muzhan chuckled. "Girls should wear many different colors." Li Yujiao raised an eyebrow.

"Senior Brother Zhanran, you left the monastic life, yet you understand such things?" Li Muzhan laughed sheepishly, rubbing his nose slightly awkwardly. "Right, let's set off!

Tomorrow is the engagement banquet; we only have today." Li Yujiao turned to Wen Yinyue, who had come out of the room. "Senior Sister Wen, are you coming with us?" Wen Yinyue shook her head and gave Li Muzhan a few final instructions, urging him not to cause conflict with others, as Changbai Sword Peak was currently the focus of figures from various sects, and any small action could trigger widespread repercussions.

Li Muzhan promised with a smile and left with Li Yujiao. Leaving the small courtyard, Li Yujiao grumbled, "Senior Brother Zhanran, Senior Sister Wen treats you like a child, honestly..." In her eyes, Li Muzhan was mature and steady, like an elder brother; he certainly didn't need such fussing.

She found it irritating. Li Muzhan smiled.

"Senior Sister was just concerned for me; don't dwell on it..." Li Yujiao shook her head. "Only someone as broad-minded as you, Senior Brother Zhanran.

If it were me, I would have argued back immediately!" The two lightly sprang away from Changbai Sword Peak. The bright sunlight shone blindingly off the vast white snow, making the surrounding peaks resemble mountains of pure silver.

They stood atop an unnamed peak, overlooking the panoramic scenery. Feeling a surge of grandeur, they couldn't help but let out long, soaring cries.

Li Muzhan's cry was like a dragon's roar—clear, resonant, and sweeping far out like rolling tides. Li Yujiao's cry was like a phoenix's song—pure, high-pitched, soaring straight toward the heavens and piercing the clouds.

After several long cries that cleared their spirits, they laughed heartily and leaped from the summit, flying across the void to another peak. The two peaks were quite far apart; crossing directly using only movement techniques was impossible.

They met mid-air, colliding palms, using each other for leverage, like two graceful swallows, easily reaching the next summit. ………… They landed on the mountainside, their robes snapping in the wind, exchanging smiles of shared amusement.

They leaped from peak to peak, their coordination growing increasingly smooth. Flying across the air looked as if they were walking on nothing, appearing truly like immortals.

Upon reaching the tenth peak, Li Yujiao stopped and pointed down at the mountain below, laughing. "Senior Brother Zhanran, based on my judgment, this mountain should hold Snow Lotus Flowers—quite a few, too!" "Good, then let's gather plenty and refine more Snow Ginseng Pills..." Li Muzhan laughed.

Li Yujiao was delighted. "That's exactly what I hoped for." The two began their task.

Li Muzhan used his Eye of the Void to survey the area, working with ease. Li Yujiao had conceded defeat yesterday and stopped competing, following closely behind him.

In a short time, the two had gathered over fifty Snow Lotus Flowers, filling the jade vials they had brought. They prepared to leave.

Although this mountain had many Snow Lotuses, the higher the altitude, the better the quality, and there weren't a great number even here. "Eh?" Li Muzhan suddenly stopped, pointing toward a large boulder.

"What is it?" Li Yujiao quickly asked. Li Muzhan said, "What is that?

Let's go take a look." They reached the back of the large rock, which was about the height of a man and twice as wide, lying flat like a whetstone, covered in ice and snow. However, beneath this massive stone, there was a patch of green.

Li Muzhan placed his hand on the stone and gave a gentle push. With a loud peng, the rock flipped over.

Li Yujiao’s eyes widened, looking from the stone to Li Muzhan. A rock this size, weighing nearly a thousand catties, was immovable even for peak experts with profound internal energy.

Yet, Senior Brother Zhanran had flipped it with such casual effort. Li Muzhan possessed innate divine strength, further enhanced by his cultivation of the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art, making his physical might astonishing.

"Look at this," Li Muzhan said with a smile. Li Yujiao's gaze was immediately drawn to it.

(To be continued)