The finger force emanating from his pinky was the ultimate Yin, yielding, silent, passing by like a gentle breeze; outsiders would never detect it as internal power, making it perfect for a sneak attack.

Though this move was exquisite, it was not invincible.

The top masters were forged through countless bloody battles, cultivating an inexplicable intuition: when danger approached, the hairs on their body would stand on end, their muscles would tense, and their vital energy would surge.

The finger force from his pinky could be evaded by such a master.

If he unleashed this finger force to ambush Sect Leader Nie, success was unlikely, but ambushing Nie Xuefeng would be effortless.

This finger force was silent, formless, and colorless; even Sect Leader Nie, not being the target, sensed no danger and thus failed to detect it.

Nie Xuefeng was desperately forcing his internal art, parrying the sword lights attacking from all directions, inwardly lamenting, "I never expected Wang Xiaoyao to be this insane."

Wang Xiaoyao was indeed frantic now, attacking with every move, offering no defense, adopting a posture of mutual destruction.

The Flying Immortal Swordplay was subtle; if a weakness was glimpsed and an attack launched, the opponent simply disregarded it and pressed forward, exchanging life for life. His moves were refined, but Wang Xiaoyao’s sword was faster; they were destined for a mutual kill.

Nie Xuefeng cursed the madman under his breath while suffering, realizing that even the peerless Flying Immortal Swordplay could only react defensively against such a lunatic.

Nie Xuefeng had not lived long enough to die alongside Wang Xiaoyao; he could only parry each incoming blow, barely holding on.

Suddenly, a surge of internal force flooded into his body, throwing his vital energy into disarray. His counter-move momentarily faltered—just that instant—and he was struck by two swords.

Wang Xiaoyao gracefully retreated, sheathing his sword, and declared, "I concede!"

With a dull thud, the long sword fell from Nie Xuefeng's grasp, and he let his hands drop to his sides.

Blood erupted simultaneously from both shoulders, gushing like a spring, dripping down his arms onto the pale violet carpet, soaking a large area.

"Junior Brother!" Nie Yinxia rushed forward, rapidly pressing a few points on his body, then pulled a porcelain bottle from his robes, sprinkling powder onto the wounds, which quickly stanched the bleeding.

Nie Xuefeng lowered his head, his face flushed crimson, resembling a boiled crab.

Sect Leader Nie's expression was grim, his eyes sharp and piercing as he stared at his disciple before turning towards Wang Xiaoyao.

Wang Xiaoyao cupped his hands, "Sect Leader Nie will not go back on his word, I have won!"

"Well done, young talent!" Sect Leader Nie smiled faintly and nodded slowly, "This master will certainly not go back on my word. Miss He is free to leave with you!"

"Thank you, Sect Leader Nie!" Wang Xiaoyao cupped his hands, a wave of relief washing over him.

.................................... In a few quick steps, he reached He Fengxia and called out excitedly, "Fengxia!" He Fengxia’s face was flushed, and she whispered, "Senior Brother, are you injured?" "No!" Wang Xiaoyao quickly shook his head, staring intently at her, "Fengxia, come back with me, will you?" He Fengxia blushed deeply and lowered her head.

"Fengxia?!" Wang Xiaoyao's heart tightened.

He Fengxia nodded softly, "Mm."

Wang Xiaoyao immediately broke into a broad smile, rubbing his hands together, unable to suppress a great laugh.

"Young Pavilion Master... look at the trouble you've caused!" Elder He approached, snorting coldly, shaking his head as he looked at He Fengxia, "Xia'er, you... you are truly a femme fatale!" "Father..." He Fengxia bowed her head.

Wang Xiaoyao interjected, "Uncle-Master He, I won. If my master punishes me, I will bear the full responsibility and ensure Fengxia suffers no injustice!" "You, you... you've courted disaster!" Elder He sighed and shook his head, then turned, cupping his hands, "Sect Leader Nie, it is my incompetence... I am ashamed!"

Sect Leader Nie waved his hand dismissively, "Forget it. It seems our two families are not destined to unite. Forcing it is useless. Let them be together!"

"Thank you for your magnanimity, Sect Leader Nie!" Elder He offered a wry smile.

Sect Leader Nie turned his gaze to Li Muzhan and sneered, "Master Zhanran, you have skillful means; this master admires you!"

Li Muzhan's eyebrow twitched, and he smiled broadly, "Sect Leader Nie, why do you say that? Are you perhaps angry that I prevented the ambush against Young Hero Wang?"

"Ambush? If you hadn't meddled, Feng'er would not have been defeated!?" Sect Leader Nie shook his head, sighing.

Li Muzhan shook his head, laughing, "Sect Leader Nie, blaming others is unbecoming of a sect leader's bearing. Rather than Sect Leader Nie being forced to lower his status to falsely accuse others and find random excuses, it would be better to send Young Sect Leader Nie back to diligently practice his swordplay, wouldn't it?!"

"So you mean to say, Master Zhanran's swordplay is exceptional?" Sect Leader Nie stroked his beard and laughed.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Does Sect Leader Nie wish to step forward and offer guidance to a junior?" The word junior was tantamount to mocking Sect Leader Nie for bullying the young.

Sect Leader Nie shook his head, "Why should I personally intervene? Yinxia, you spar with Master Zhanran and see what skill the Master truly possesses."

"Yes, Master." Nie Yinxia respectfully cupped his hands.

He turned back, cupped his hands, and said in a deep voice, "Master Zhanran, this junior seeks your esteemed instruction!" Li Muzhan chuckled, "I wish to first confirm that Sect Leader Nie has agreed not to pursue the matter regarding Young Hero Wang—it's not to hunt him down afterward, is it?" Sect Leader Nie smiled, "Does Master Zhanran suspect a gentleman of such petty intentions? This master promised not to pursue it further, and I absolutely will not!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Then I am relieved. Although Young Hero Wang’s martial arts are formidable, if Sect Leader Nie sends a throng of masters to pursue him, he will eventually fall prey to their poison. Such a man of pure heart is too great a loss to sacrifice!"

…………………… Sect Leader Nie smiled, "This master disdains such despicable acts!"

Li Muzhan laughed, "That's good. Young Master Nie, please commence!"

He stood up, his left hand manipulating his prayer beads, and slowly walked toward Nie Yinxia, stopping a clear distance of one zhang away. "Young Master Nie, are we testing swordplay or palm techniques?"

"Swordplay!" Nie Yinxia replied.

Li Muzhan laughed, "I wield dual swords; do not blame me for overwhelming you with numbers!"

"Please instruct me." Nie Yinxia bent down and picked up the long sword from the carpet, giving it a slight shake. With a soft whirring sound, the blade vibrated as if alive.

A master reveals their ability in their first move; this mere shake showed his attainment in swordsmanship was not shallow.

Li Muzhan turned, "Senior Sister, may I borrow a sword."

Wen Yinyue shot him a glare, then placed her right hand on her scabbard. The Phoenix Cry Sword emerged with a soft chime, shimmering like rippling water. She tossed it casually to Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan caught it with his left hand, and with his right, he drew his own blade, eliciting a sound like a dragon’s roar. The blade shone brightly like water, the two swords reflecting each other.

The onlookers’ eyes gleamed; both these swords were rare treasures!

The long sword in Nie Yinxia's hand was also a treasure—gleaming sharply, radiating intense cold, as if forged from ice.

"Please!" Li Muzhan crossed his dual swords into an 'X' shape and said in a deep voice.

Nie Yinxia shook his sword, and after a whirring sound, with a muffled thud, his entire person vanished from his spot, instantly appearing before Li Muzhan.

His long sword transformed into a single point of icy light, stabbing toward Li Muzhan’s chest.

Li Muzhan instantly stepped back, as if springs were fitted beneath his feet, retreating a perfect foot, just narrowly avoiding the sword strike. The chill from the blade’s tip felt almost tangible.

The crowd gasped in shock; they hadn't expected Nie Yinxia to be so swift. Anyone else in their place would never have dodged that strike; the Dual Sword Monk truly lived up to his reputation!

With another muffled thud, Nie Yinxia vanished again and reappeared before Li Muzhan, the tip of his sword nearly grazing Li Muzhan’s chest.

Li Muzhan laughed loudly, suddenly swinging his dual swords to cast a sheet of clear light, the sword light glistening like water.

Ting—Nie Yinxia’s movement staggered; he stumbled back a step, his face etched with shock.

Li Muzhan rested his swords and stood tall, laughing, "What a vicious sword style, striking once to kill—purely a sword meant for murder. Young Master Nie, what is this sword style called?"

"Seven Kill Sword!" Nie Yinxia stated in a deep voice.

Li Muzhan nodded, "The name alone screams murderous intent. A fine killing sword! Once more!"

Nie Yinxia shook his head, "No need. This junior is not a match."

............................................ He turned around, "Master, your disciple has failed your expectation."

Sect Leader Nie's face was like dark water, and he nodded faintly, "It is not your fault. Withdraw."

Nie Yinxia was one of his trump cards; to have it revealed without achieving the desired effect enraged him. He hadn't expected Zhanran to be so difficult to handle.

He could see that Nie Yinxia hadn't lost due to inferior swordplay, but to raw power; in the exchange of swords, Nie Yinxia’s long sword was almost knocked away—the gap in skill was simply too wide.

He glanced around; the eyes of the surrounding people were shining brightly, filled with excitement—they were enjoying his misfortune.

"Sect Leader, allow me to spar with Master Zhanran."

From the distance, a middle-aged man stood up, wearing a moon-white long robe that was utterly spotless. His eyebrows were inky black, but his hair was mottled gray, giving him a somewhat strange appearance, seeming both old and young, yet possessing an aura of clean freshness.

"Junior Brother Feng..." Sect Leader Nie frowned, pondering silently.

The middle-aged man had already stepped forward and stopped before Li Muzhan. "Master Zhanran truly possesses formidable martial arts. No wonder he could defeat Master Xinjue."

Li Muzhan smiled, "Senior speaks incorrectly. Master Xinjue and I have not yet determined a victor; we will compete again later."

"Hehe, I see." The middle-aged man nodded.

Li Muzhan's brow twitched, and he secretly shook his head. Why were all the people from the Changbai Sword Sect like this—their words filled with veiled jabs, hiding danger everywhere? It might be related to Sect Leader Nie.

When he spoke with Sect Leader Nie earlier, they had exchanged many verbal thrusts; at first, Li Muzhan didn't feel aversion, finding it interesting instead. But this time, the covert assassination attempt was excessive, deliberately trying to incite public anger against the Canghai Sword Sect with base tactics, coupled with Nie Xuefeng's sneak attack on Li Yujiao—this aroused his disgust.

These few words from the middle-aged man subtly sowed discord, extremely insidious.

Sect Leader Nie said solemnly, "Junior Brother Feng, be careful."

The middle-aged man nodded and smiled, "Good. I too wish to experience Master Zhanran's swordplay."

The Canghai Sword Sect had acquired the Dragon-Slaying Hand, and rumors said Zhanran had mastered it. When Li Muzhan sparred with Monk Xinjue, he used only his fists and kicks, which naturally made people wary, so no one dared to choose unarmed combat.

"Please!" Li Muzhan smiled slightly, crossing his dual swords before him.

"Whoosh............" He suddenly gripped both swords with both hands, his eyes wide with rage, like a wrathful Vajra, and brought down a stroke of sword light, like a lightning bolt descending.

Li Muzhan swept his swords into a clear light, and with a sharp clink, the middle-aged man's sword flew from his hand, and he followed it, landing heavily ten zhang away.

Li Muzhan shook his head, pointing both swords at the middle-aged man, "Sect Leader Nie, why don't you offer guidance yourself!"