Sect Leader Nie stroked his beard and smiled at him, slowly rising to his feet. Though his eyes held a glint of piercing light, his smile was cold as ice, sharp as a blade, wishing he could slice Li Muzhan into a thousand pieces.

Li Muzhan returned the smile and said, "I have long heard of Sect Leader Nie's famed Feixian Swordplay. Though I saw Young Sect Leader Nie execute it, it lacked full mastery, preventing me from seeing its entirety.

Today is perfect for me to witness it!" "Amitabha..." A resonant, peaceful, and distant Buddha's chant suddenly echoed through the great hall. Monk Xinjue stood up from his seat, palms pressed together in reverence, and bowed to the two men, "Sect Leader Nie, Master Zhanran." Li Muzhan turned around with a helpless expression, forcing a wry smile, "Master Xinjue, are you going to spoil my fun?" Sect Leader Nie smiled faintly, "Master Xinjue, what instructions do you have?" Monk Xinjue sighed deeply, "This humble monk believes it is best if Sect Leader Nie and Master Zhanran do not let their cordiality turn to hostility.

If a great conflict erupts, the repercussions will be immense. I beg you both to cease!" Li Muzhan laughed, "I merely wish to learn the ultimate techniques of the Feixian Sword from Sect Leader Nie.

There are no deep entanglements; it is just a spar. Master Xinjue is overthinking things!" Sect Leader Nie pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded, "Very well.

Since Master Xinjue has spoken, I cannot deny him face. We shall call a truce today!" He turned to the assembly, "Everyone, today's betrothal is canceled.

My son was robbed of his intended bride; it is because his skill was inferior. I, the Sect Leader, will absolutely not pursue this matter with the Penglai Pavilion.

All of you can bear witness!" Li Muzhan shook his head and stepped back, giving Monk Xinjue a sidelong glance, annoyed by his meddling. Yet, he also understood that Monk Xinjue's action, while partly for the Lan Tuo Temple, was also for his own sake.

This Sect Leader Nie, Nie Wangqiu, was a dangerous individual; his intuition screamed a warning. Nie Xuefeng kept his head bowed, his face flushed red, silent, but the veins on his hands bulged, fresh blood dripping onto the carpet from his fingertips once more.

Nie Wangqiu let out a hearty laugh, "I apologize to everyone for making you travel here in vain. I offer my apologies to you all!" He gave a deep bow, and the assembly quickly rose to return the courtesy, the hall erupting in a flurry of activity.

Wang Xiaoyao watched He Fengxia with eyes full of joy, unable to look away, feeling both elation and intoxicating sweetness from this return of what was lost, grinning uncontrollably. He Fengxia slightly lowered her delicate head, her face blushing, a smile playing on her lips as well.

Elder He stood beside her, his expression shifting between shadow and light, his gaze flickering. After a long moment, he let out a long, drawn-out sigh.

This time, the Penglai Pavilion had suffered too great a loss. He glared hatefully at Wang Xiaoyao, then looked at his daughter.

His feelings were complex: he was happy for her to have such a devoted lover, but the trouble stirred up this time was immense, and the consequences unknowable. Truly, a karmic knot!

He turned and walked before Li Muzhan, clasping his hands in respect, "Many thanks to Master Zhanran!" Li Muzhan smiled and returned the bow with palms pressed together, "Elder He, there is no need for such formality. May all lovers in the world eventually find their union—that is a meritorious deed in itself." "Master has thus offended the Changbai Sword Sect; this old man feels truly ashamed and uneasy!" Elder He shook his head.

Li Muzhan laughed, "The Changbai Sword Sect isn't some Heavenly King! If we offend them, so be it; it's no great matter.

Elder He need not worry too much." "Alas..." The old man sighed bitterly, "I lack Master's magnanimity; I am ashamed." ... Since the betrothal was ruined, no one naturally lingered for a meal, and everyone took their leave, first bidding farewell to Nie Wangqiu, then to Li Muzhan, Wen Yinyue, and Monk Xinjue.

Li Muzhan returned each bow with palms pressed together, his expression placid. "Master, this old man has a favor to ask." Elder He wrung his hands, looking troubled.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Please speak, Elder He." Elder He said, "I wish to ask Master to take the Young Pavilion Master and Xia'er back to Canghai Mountain with you." Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow, smiled, and nodded, "Excellent. That is precisely my intention...

Elder He should return first to gauge the Pavilion Master's mood. Once his anger subsides, Young Master Wang and Miss He can return to receive their reprimand later." Elder He let out a long breath, nodding eagerly, "Precisely, precisely, that is what this old man was thinking." Li Muzhan smiled, "If the Pavilion Master is truly enraged and intends severe punishment, I will also persuade my master to intercede.

No matter what, the Pavilion Master must show some mercy." "Thank you, Master!" Elder He gave a deep bow. After this incident, his daughter was surely devoted to Wang Xiaoyao.

His mindset had completely shifted; he now regarded the Young Pavilion Master as his son-in-law and considered matters from his perspective. Li Muzhan smiled, "This matter is nothing major; Elder He need not worry excessively." Elder He managed a weak smile, "The Pavilion Master enforces the rules strictly.

Young Master Wang is likely..." He kept shaking his head, deeply worried. Li Muzhan nodded silently.

Meddling in the internal affairs of a sect was a great taboo. Even with his immense power, he could not interfere with the Penglai Pavilion's matters.

If his master stepped in to plead their case, there might be hope. Elder He glanced at the beaming Wang Xiaoyao and his shy, delighted daughter, let out a final sigh, "I entrust these two to your care, Master.

This old man must depart first." Li Muzhan nodded, "Rest assured, Senior." Elder He bid farewell to Nie Wangqiu, then pulled Wang Xiaoyao and He Fengxia aside, whispering instructions, which immediately led to an argument. Wang Xiaoyao kept shaking his head, insisting on returning with Elder He immediately to accept his punishment directly from his master.

Elder He tried patient persuasion repeatedly, but Wang Xiaoyao was utterly stubborn; pulling him back was like trying to move three oxen. Pleading until his lips were dry was useless.

Li Muzhan walked over and said gently with a smile, "Young Hero Wang, Elder He's advice is prudent. Let us journey to my Canghai Mountain together first, and only then return to accept punishment." Wang Xiaoyao was deeply grateful for Li Muzhan's subtle assistance.

He hesitated, reluctant to disappoint him... Li Muzhan smiled, "Young Hero Wang's Qinggong is superb; I am ashamed to admit my inferiority and wish to learn much from you.

Surely, Young Hero Wang will not begrudge sharing his insights?" He Fengxia whispered softly, "Senior Brother..." Wang Xiaoyao looked at He Fengxia, then nodded reluctantly, "Alright!" ... Li Yujiao suddenly spoke up, "Brother Zhanran, I too wish to accompany you to Canghai Mountain." Li Muzhan smiled broadly, "That would be best." Li Yujiao gave a slight smile, said no more, and returned to stand beside Wen Yinyue.

Wen Yinyue's expression was serene, her gaze thoughtful as she watched Sect Leader Nie Wangqiu. Soon, the crowd dispersed in small groups, leaving only about a dozen people remaining in the vast Feixian Hall—all figures from the Seven Great Sects.

Li Muzhan clasped his hands in farewell, "Master Xinjue, we must also take our leave. It is a pity we cannot continue our spar; perhaps next time we will have the chance to compete." Monk Xinjue returned the bow with palms joined, "This humble monk must immediately return to the temple to enter seclusion for practice..." The next time we meet, Master Zhanran, you must not disappoint me.

Take care!" The last two words carried significant weight. As he spoke, he glanced at Nie Wangqiu as if casually, then bowed and departed with ethereal grace.

Murong Hao approached. He remained as suave and strikingly handsome as ever, clasping his hands and smiling, "Master, you have truly established your reputation throughout the world this time.

Congratulations!" He then turned to Wen Yinyue, who was still veiled in white gauze, "Fairy Wen, we must also take our leave!" Wen Yinyue inclined her head slightly, her gaze sweeping across his face. Murong Hao said nothing more, simply bowing his hands and turning to leave, devoid of any apparent hatred.

Li Muzhan and Wen Yinyue were both exceptionally perceptive; if Murong Hao truly harbored enmity, it would be difficult to conceal it from them, no matter how well masked. Li Muzhan, who had briefly utilized Faxingong (Mind Reading), smiled slightly and shook his head.

"What is it?" Wen Yinyue asked. She recognized from Li Muzhan's expression that he must have perceived something.

Li Muzhan laughed, "Those few individuals were mountains pressing down on him. Now that we have helped him move those mountains, we have actually done him a favor." Wen Yinyue understood immediately—great families inevitably suffered from power struggles.

A faint smile touched her delicate, bright eyes. The elder from Xiankong Island did not approach to pay respects; he simply clasped his hands toward Nie Wangqiu and turned to leave, treating Li Muzhan's group as if they were invisible.

Wen Yinyue let out a soft scoff; the relationship between Xiankong Island and the Canghai Sword Sect was growing increasingly tense. She stepped forward to bid farewell to Nie Wangqiu.

Nie Wangqiu acted as if nothing had happened, smiling warmly as he spoke a few words to Wen Yinyue, asking her to convey his regards to Abbess Zhumei, his tone as intimate as that of an elder. Wen Yinyue had witnessed his treachery and felt no fondness for him now, merely offering a distant acknowledgement.

... Li Muzhan, Li Yujiao, the two middle-aged women, Wang Xiaoyao, and He Fengxia—seven people walked out in two lines, creating quite an imposing sight.

Just as they were about to cross the threshold, a sharp shout came from behind: "Stop!" They all turned back. Nie Xuefeng clenched his fists tightly, staring fixedly at Wang Xiaoyao, gritting his teeth, "Wang Xiaoyao, the humiliation today, I will return it a hundredfold in the future!" Wang Xiaoyao sneered, "I'll be waiting!" Li Muzhan shook his head, turned, and stepped out of the great hall.

The others followed. The hall was left empty, save for Nie Wangqiu, Nie Xuefeng, and Nie Yinxia.

"Bang!" Nie Wangqiu slammed his palm onto the rosewood coffee table, his face ashen, his eyes shooting out cold light. The air in the hall instantly solidified.

"Master, your disciple was incompetent...?" Nie Yinxia swallowed hard and lowered his head. Nie Wangqiu waved a dismissive hand and snorted coldly, "A fine Buddhist donkey, that Zhanran!" Nie Xuefeng murmured, "Father, I have disgraced our Changbai Sword Sect!" "Hmph.

Tell me, what happened? How did you lose?" Nie Wangqiu glared at him, suppressing his anger, and asked slowly.

Nie Xuefeng had been defeated before even using his ultimate skills; something was amiss. Nie Xuefeng said, "I felt someone attack me stealthily; a surge of force penetrated my body.

I was caught off guard, my internal energy momentarily chaotic, giving that Wang fellow an opening!" "Master, it must have been Zhanran who struck!" Nie Yinxia said solemnly. Nie Wangqiu nodded, "Besides that damned monk, who else could it be!" Nie Yinxia hesitated, "Could someone have framed us?" Nie Wangqiu shook his head, "To attack invisibly, even the Vajra Finger technique of the Lan Tuo Temple wouldn't suffice.

Only the Canghai Divine Finger can do it! It must be that damned Zhanran!" "I must slaughter that monk!" Nie Xuefeng gnashed his teeth, grinding them in fury.

Nie Wangqiu gave a cold laugh, "You want to slaughter him? Dream on!

With your current skill, fighting him means certain death! Stay far away from him!" "Yes, Father..." Nie Xuefeng drooped his head.

Nie Wangqiu snorted, "A man should hold his head high!" Nie Xuefeng immediately lifted his head, but his gaze was unsteady. Nie Wangqiu shook his head and sighed, "Ah, you...

pity my Changbai Sword Sect..." He waved his hand, "Enough. Go back, rest for three days, and then enter the Yin Wind Valley...

If you cannot master the Feixian Sword, stay there until you die!" Watching Nie Xuefeng depart, Nie Wangqiu sighed inwardly. The most outstanding disciples of the Changbai Sword Sect were him and Yinxia, whereas the Canghai Sword Sect had Wen Yinyue and Zhanran.

If the Changbai Sword Sect wished to suppress the Canghai Sword Sect, they could only rely on unconventional strategies. (To be continued)