Li Muzhan looked up toward Penglai Pavilion, Chiying following behind him, snorting occasionally, looking around with a leisurely air, just like a person.

Chiying's speed was astonishing, and its stamina prodigious; when galloping, it was a few parts faster than employing the Qinggong (lightness skill). He was too lazy to use his own lightness skill, instead meditating on the third layer of the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture while riding.

After galloping like this for a day and a night, they arrived beneath Dan Yun Cliff at Penglai Pavilion.

The continuous palaces were stacked layer upon layer, presenting a magnificent spectacle. A single bluestone staircase ran up the center, wide enough for six people abreast, leading all the way to the highest palace.

Standing at the foot of the mountain, one could clearly observe the scene on the stone steps.

Soon, he saw a group of people slowly descending the steps. While their appearance was slow, their actual speed was extremely fast—it was an exceedingly brilliant form of Qinggong.

Li Muzhan sighed inwardly. Wang Xiaoyao’s mastery of lightness skill was not without reason; the mental techniques of Penglai Pavilion were truly exceptional. Watching them, their movements seemed slow yet were swift, moving with apparent ease despite the effort. Every one of them possessed superb lightness skills.

In the blink of an eye, they reached the immediate vicinity, and a booming laugh rang out: "The famous Master Zhanran, the Twin Sword Monk, has graced us with his presence! Our pavilion shines brighter! It truly shines brighter!..."

Yang Zhong laughed heartily, approaching Li Muzhan and assessing him from head to toe.

Li Muzhan took a step forward, cupping his hands in salute: "Greetings to Pavilion Master Yang, and Elder He!"

He glanced at the young woman standing behind Yang Zhong and knew she must be Yang Xingyun. She was dignified and gentle, possessing a pleasing aura that surpassed He Fengxia’s by a significant margin.

Wang Xiaoyao abandoning her for He Fengxia—the nature of romantic affection was indeed hard to fathom.

Yang Zhong laughed heartily: "No need for formalities, you are a rare guest! Please, come in quickly!"

He turned and gestured Li Muzhan forward. Li Muzhan could tell Yang Zhong was a straightforward man and did not stand on ceremony. He ascended the steps with Yang Zhong, arriving in the Sea King Hall. They took their respective seats, and tea was served.

The group that had followed behind Yang Zhong dispersed once they entered the Sea King Hall; only Elder He and Yang Xingyun accompanied them inside.

After taking a sip of tea and slowly setting the cup down, Li Muzhan produced a folded note from his robes. "Pavilion Master Yang, I am here under the orders of my master to deliver this letter."

"Oh?" Yang Zhong paused, then smiled: "Xingyun, fetch it."

Yang Xingyun approached gracefully, a faint, delicate fragrance trailing her. She nodded briefly toward Li Muzhan, extended her slender, pale fingers to take the note, turned, and presented it to Yang Zhong.

Yang Zhong unfolded the letter and read a few lines; his thick brows immediately knitted together.

He casually handed it to Elder He and said in a deep voice: "Master Zhanran, how severely injured was your disciple?..."

Li Muzhan sighed softly, shaking his head: "It was not critical. He is fine now and only requires careful recuperation for a period before he can fully recover."

"Hmph, good for Nie Wangqiu!" Yang Zhong’s face darkened, and he let out a heavy snort that sounded like a muffled thunderclap. Li Muzhan was secretly amazed by the depth of his internal energy.

Elder He finished reading the letter, slapped his thigh in vexation: "I should have known! I should have gone with them!"

Li Muzhan shook his head, chuckling lightly: "Nie Wangqiu first came alone, a single sword against us all. We finally managed to wound him through our combined efforts. Later, they sent experts to kill us, but our sect's high-level escorts intercepted them, so they did not succeed."

"You wounded Nie Wangqiu?" Yang Zhong asked hastily.

Li Muzhan nodded: "It was thanks to Brother Wang's timely help."

"Him?" Yang Zhong shook his head: "I know exactly what he is capable of! Facing Nie Wangqiu, he wouldn't have had the strength to strike back!"

He looked Li Muzhan over and smiled: "It seems fame is not undeserved. Zhanran, your reputation is well-earned!"

Li Muzhan quickly shook his head: "This junior dares not accept such praise."

"I want to see if Nie Wangqiu will have the face to show himself next time we meet. I will shame him to death!" Yang Zhong burst into relieved laughter.

Elder He said: "Senior Brother, what about this matter...?"

Yang Zhong replied: "Since Grand Mistress Zhuzhao has extended an invitation, I naturally cannot refuse. Moreover, I should check on Xiaoyao to see how he is and if he is truly alright."

Elder He smiled: "With the Yin-Yang Creation Technique from the Canghai Sword Sect, even if Xiaoyao wished to die, it would be impossible. Senior Brother need not go; I will go in your stead."

Yang Zhong shook his head and laughed: "If I don't go, Grand Mistress Zhuzhao will mock me."

Elder He countered: "Senior Brother needs to attend to the matters concerning the Changbai Sword Sect. As for checking on the Young Pavilion Master, I shall go. Senior Brother need not personally set out."

Yang Zhong glared: "Hmph! Junior Brother, Grand Mistress Zhuzhao is not Nie Wangqiu!"

Li Muzhan interjected with a smile: "Elder He is worrying unnecessarily. Brother Wang shared hardship with us and saved us. Our sect would never commit an act of ingratitude!"

Elder He, having his intentions exposed by both men, gave a slightly awkward laugh: "Very well, then let's ask Martial Uncle Feng and Martial Uncle Wu to accompany you, Senior Brother?..."

Yang Zhong snorted: "Hmph, as you wish!"

Elder He smiled: "Master Zhanran, please forgive my over-cautiousness."

Li Muzhan smiled: "When walking the Jianghu (martial world), caution is never a mistake. This junior only holds you in high regard."

"Master is reasonable and understanding." Elder He breathed a sigh of relief.

Although Master Zhanran had saved the Young Pavilion Master, and the Young Pavilion Master had saved Master Zhanran, forging a deep bond between them, friendship was friendship, and one must maintain a degree of wariness.

What if the Canghai Sword Sect truly harbored malicious intent? Once they entered their territory, no matter how powerful Senior Brother was, escape would be difficult; a pack of wolves could indeed devour a tiger.

Yang Zhong proposed: "How about this: we set off tomorrow. Master can rest for the night first, what do you say?"

Li Muzhan smiled: "This junior is not tired. There is no need to wait for tomorrow; we can leave right now."

Elder He waved his hand, smiling: "No rush, no rush. Since Xiaoyao is out of danger, whether it's a day earlier or later makes no difference. Let's rest first!"

"Yes," Li Muzhan replied, cupping his hands in salute, responding respectfully.

…………

The next morning, Li Muzhan awoke after his breathing exercises. After eating, he set off with Yang Zhong and the others.

Yang Zhong and two elderly men in plain robes possessed an ethereal, immortal bearing, their eyes as clear as an infant's. Li Muzhan was inwardly astonished and quietly wary.

Indeed, none of the Seven Great Sects were simple. Canghai Mountain had the Grand-Uncle figures, and Penglai Pavilion also harbored masters. These two men had their essence concealed, having reached the realm of returning to simplicity.

If a fight broke out, he might not be their match.

Besides himself and the two elders, Yang Zhong brought one other person: Yang Xingyun. Li Muzhan was rather surprised, wondering why she was included.

However, it was inconvenient to ask. The group departed from Penglai Pavilion's Dan Yun Cliff.

Yang Zhong and the others did not ride horses. Naturally, Li Muzhan could not ride Chiying either. He instructed it to return on its own; Chiying knew the way and, unburdened, could run extremely fast on its own.

Yang Zhong and Li Muzhan walked abreast, the two elders and Yang Xingyun following behind, their steps seemingly gliding on the wind as the scenery flashed past them at incredible speed.

Yang Zhong asked: "Master Zhanran, I heard you defeated the little monk Xinjue of Lantuo Temple?"

Li Muzhan shook his head and chuckled: "It was merely a draw. Master Xinjue’s martial arts are peerless; I admire him greatly!"

"Though Lantuo Temple is domineering, it is indeed the foremost great sect under Heaven, renowned for superior martial arts. Monk Xinjue is truly a hero rarely seen in a century. It is rumored he stands shoulder-to-shoulder with your sect's Immortal Fairy Wen Yinyue," Yang Zhong remarked with a smile.

Li Muzhan nodded: "Master Xinjue is indeed formidable."

"And your sect's Immortal Fairy is even more impressive... Being a woman, she leaves the younger generation utterly subdued. She truly carries the demeanor of Grand Mistress Zhuzhao in her youth," Yang Zhong commented.

Li Muzhan smiled: "Was my Master very formidable in her youth?"

"Grand Mistress Zhuzhao is no ordinary person; we usually yield to her by three parts before meeting her," Yang Zhong quickly affirmed.

Li Muzhan smiled: "But Master praised Pavilion Master Yang as being formidable."

"Hahahaha..." Yang Zhong grinned broadly. "Really?"

Li Muzhan nodded: "My Master said Pavilion Master Yang is straightforward in character and possesses high martial prowess—a truly formidable individual."

"Hahaha, my Master is indeed too polite!" Yang Zhong couldn't help but grin widely.

Li Muzhan asked with a chuckle: "Pavilion Master Yang, how did my Master and Nie Wangqiu become enemies?"

"Those two..." Yang Zhong shook his head and sighed: "It seemed to be over one of the Grand Mistress’s junior sisters. She had some entanglement with Nie Wangqiu, and eventually, she perished. The Grand Mistress then held a deep enmity toward Nie Wangqiu and was determined to kill him for revenge."

"I see..." Li Muzhan nodded slowly; he had guessed incorrectly.

He had originally assumed his master and Nie Wangqiu's conflict stemmed from love turned to hate—he thought he had heard something to that effect somewhere—but what he heard from Yang Zhong was different.

Which one was the truth, and which was the lie?

………………

Yang Zhong snorted: "That fellow Nie Wangqiu also pursued the Grand Mistress back then, but she couldn't stand him! Humph, he certainly has a fine appearance, but alas, the Grand Mistress sees through everything and recognized his true nature!"

Li Muzhan slowly nodded: "No wonder..."

Yang Zhong huffed: "Furthermore, this fellow is too despicable; he goes around telling everyone the Grand Mistress fell for him out of hate."

Li Muzhan glanced at him, hesitating before speaking.

Yang Zhong preempted him: "You're thinking, if he's so despicable, why did I ally with him?..."

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded: "I perceive that Senior is also a man who despises evil and cherishes righteousness; you are a man of deep emotion."

Yang Zhong shook his head and sighed deeply: "Damn it, that’s what’s most infuriating. I once owed him a huge favor; I couldn't refuse to repay it!"

"Father, stop swearing again," Yang Xingyun chided from behind.

"Alright, alright, no more rough language!" Yang Zhong quickly replied with a smile.

His pace quickened subtly, perhaps unintentionally.

Li Muzhan followed lightly, smiling: "It’s a pity we couldn't kill him last time. His swordsmanship is indeed extremely formidable; one must admire it!"

Yang Zhong nodded: "Mmm. Although his character is questionable, his innate talent is not bad. He has managed to master the sword techniques of the Changbai Sword Sect to their utmost, surpassing us."

Yang Xingyun's lightness skill was also excellent, but as Yang Zhong and Li Muzhan quickened their pace, she gradually began to fall behind. The two elders each took one of her hands, trailing them closely, gliding like spirits.

By this time, Yang Zhong stopped talking and merely focused on the journey, fully unleashing his Qinggong. Li Muzhan kept pace perfectly, not falling back a single step.

Seeing this, Yang Zhong harbored the intention to test the depth of their internal energy. From morning until the sun dipped below the horizon in the evening, they maintained a non-stop, high-speed gallop.

Li Muzhan utilized the Tianyuan Breathing Technique, simultaneously driving his Qinggong and employing the technique to replenish his internal energy. The energy consumed was matched by the energy absorbed, circulating endlessly, his blood and vitality robust.

Yang Zhong observed him, looking spirited and even more energetic than before. He sighed heavily inwardly. Zhanran truly lived up to his fame; Xiaoyao was not his equal!

There were still some suppressed tensions to manage, but this section was completed. No tiredness, not even a little bit of fatigue—I kept telling myself that, and it actually worked somewhat. (To be continued)