They hurried along, making much faster progress than the official road, reaching the foot of Changbai Sword Peak after only two nights and two days. From a great distance, they concealed themselves within a pine forest.
The sky was still light, the setting sun slanting low; it would be a while before true darkness fell. Everyone settled onto the branches, beginning to regulate their breathing and meditate, restoring their vital energy.
Li Muzhan’s eyes sparkled, his spirit soaring. Not only was there no sign of fatigue, but he radiated robust energy, as if he had just enjoyed a long, good rest, every part of him in optimal condition.
“Master, I’ll go take a look,” Li Muzhan said.
Abbess Zhuzhao opened her eyes and nodded gently. “Be careful.”
Li Muzhan nodded, his form drifting away, vanishing into the pine forest like a phantom.
Yang Zhong, on a nearby branch, opened his eyes to watch Li Muzhan depart. He shook his head. “Abbess, your disciple is truly exceptional!”
Abbess Zhuzhao smiled. “Xiaoyao is not bad either.”
Yang Zhong laughed. “This boy is still far behind Master Zhanran. He won’t catch up in this lifetime; he’ll need Master Zhanran’s continued guidance in the future.”
“The two have shared life and death tribulations; rest assured,” Abbess Zhuzhao replied with a slight, proud smile.
Li Muzhan’s performance surprised even her. She realized she didn't fully understand this disciple; his physical foundation alone was far beyond that of ordinary men.
The Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill was indeed profound, but unfortunately, only he could practice it; no one else could.
After exchanging a few more words, the two closed their eyes to regulate their breath. Rushing for two full days and nights had pushed them to their absolute limits; if not for sheer willpower, they would have collapsed long ago.
Li Muzhan led the way. Being the youngest in age and seniority, it was incumbent upon the elders to endure to the bitter end, even if it killed them.
The sun slowly sank. In the deep winter, the sun set especially early. Twilight enveloped the earth. Half an hour had passed, and Li Muzhan still had not returned.
Wen Yinyue frowned as she awoke. She lightly leaped to the very top of a towering ancient tree, gazing intently towards Changbai Sword Peak. After watching for a long time, she shook her head in disappointment before drifting back down to her original pine branch.
“Any movement?” Abbess Zhuzhao also woke up.
The Subtle Lotus Scripture was marvelous, quickly restoring both physical strength and spiritual energy, far surpassing conventional martial arts cultivation methods.
Wen Yinyue nodded slightly. “No, Master. Thankfully, nothing stirring.”
Abbess Zhuzhao stretched languidly, shaking her head with a lazy smile. “Don’t worry. This boy is slicker than a rat; nothing will happen to him.”
After her own meditation, she felt as refreshed as if she had slept well, her entire body comfortably languid. Yang Zhong opened his eyes and shook his head with a hint of envy.
The Subtle Lotus Scripture was truly profound; his own internal method was inferior.
……………………………………………………………, everyone awoke one by one. The six of them took out dry rations and began to eat slowly. A fierce battle awaited them after nightfall; their success hinged entirely on this moment.
A full moon appeared in the night sky without them noticing. Its clear radiance spilled over Changbai Sword Peak, turning the vast white snow a vibrant blue—a spectacle both magnificent and beautiful.
A flash of white appeared before them, and Li Muzhan suddenly materialized.
“Master.” He appeared on Abbess Zhuzhao’s pine branch.
Abbess Zhuzhao sized him up, seeing he showed no signs of having engaged in combat, and asked, “How was it? Did you locate Nie Wangqiu?”
Li Muzhan nodded, smiling. “I have not failed my mission.”
“Where is he?” Abbess Zhuzhao asked hastily. Yang Zhong also leaped over. Martial Uncle Hua and the two elders from Penglai Pavilion remained motionless, like monks in deep samadhi.
Wen Yinyue floated over and looked at Li Muzhan.
Li Muzhan said, “He is not on Changbai Sword Peak, but rather on that adjacent peak.”
He pointed toward the south of Changbai Sword Peak, where numerous peaks stood tall like swords thrust into the sky. “He should be on one of those peaks. It is guarded by experts on the four surrounding summits, making it difficult to approach stealthily.”
Abbess Zhuzhao’s willow brows knitted. “I heard the Changbai Sword Sect has a restricted area called Wufeng Mountain. Could it be there?”
“It must be Wufeng Mountain!” Yang Zhong declared.
He slapped his thigh hard. “Damn it, I didn’t realize this scoundrel was so cunning, hiding there! It truly is impenetrable!”
He turned. “Master Zhanran, are you absolutely certain he is inside?”
Li Muzhan nodded. “Eight or nine parts out of ten certainty.”
“This is bad,” Yang Zhong sighed, his expression heavy. “Wufeng Mountain is a core location for the Changbai Sword Sect, rumored to be tied to the secrets of their sword techniques. No one is allowed entry except the Sect Leader... The four surrounding peaks are manned by absolute masters; it is truly foolproof!”
He continued, “Master Zhanran, that particular peak is very steep, isn’t it?”
Li Muzhan nodded. “Like a sword inverted—straight up and straight down, with no purchase for climbing.”
“And it’s connected to the four surrounding peaks by iron chains?” Yang Zhong asked again.
Li Muzhan nodded. “Correct.”
“Blast it, then it’s confirmed—it is Wufeng Mountain!” Yang Zhong slammed his hand onto a nearby branch; the thumb-thick pine snapped in two, one piece falling to the ground.
Abbess Zhuzhao’s willow brows also furrowed. After thinking for a long time, she sighed faintly. “It seems our calculations were wrong. That man surnamed Nie is too cautious; there is no opportune moment.”
Yang Zhong snorted. “Nie Wangqiu’s move is ruthless! We came all this way for nothing!”
Wen Yinyue, noticing Li Muzhan lost in thought, whispered, “Junior Brother, do you have any ideas?”
Abbess Zhuzhao and Yang Zhong both turned to look.
Li Muzhan considered for a moment. “Master, Pavilion Master Yang, based on my observations, each peak is guarded by five masters, all possessing extremely deep cultivation. Only the two Seniors and Martial Uncle Ancestor can match them one-to-one.”
Yang Zhong’s eyes lit up. “Only five people?”
Li Muzhan confirmed, “Yes. The two Seniors and Martial Uncle Ancestor each take one opponent. The four of us will handle the remaining two, overwhelming them with a sweep, while I go to assassinate Nie Wangqiu!”
“You?” Yang Zhong hesitated.
Abbess Zhuzhao frowned. “Zhanran, are you planning to use the Great Bright King Scripture again?”
Li Muzhan laughed. “Master, if not now, when? I will be fine!”
Abbess Zhuzhao’s beautiful face shifted rapidly between expressions, her brows tightly locked; she remained silent.
“The Great Bright King Scripture?” Yang Zhong looked between Abbess Zhuzhao and Li Muzhan.
Wen Yinyue’s delicate face also changed, her dark brows knitting together.
Martial Uncle Hua suddenly opened his eyes and sighed slowly. “Jingzhao... since matters have come to this, let Zhanran use the Great Bright King Scripture. Alas...”
“Yes, Martial Uncle,” Abbess Zhuzhao conceded with reluctance.
She turned to Li Muzhan. “Zhanran... once the assassination is successful, immediately withdraw the Great Bright King Scripture, do you hear me?”
The longer the Great Bright King Scripture was used, the greater the harm. She regretted teaching it to Li Muzhan, mainly because she hadn't anticipated he could actually master it.
“Yes, Master, don’t worry,” Li Muzhan replied with a reassuring smile.
Abbess Zhuzhao explained to Yang Zhong, “Yang Zhong... the Great Bright King Scripture is our sect’s secret art. It violently stimulates potential and is extremely dangerous. Zhanran is risking everything for this strike. It must be enough to kill Nie Wangqiu!”
“...Very well. We rely on Master Zhanran,” Yang Zhong realized with sudden understanding.
Penglai Pavilion also possessed such a secret method for maximizing potential, used only at the brink of death. Once deployed, it conferred immense power, but required long recuperation afterward and severely damaged the body.
Li Muzhan smiled. “I am most eager to kill Nie Wangqiu for revenge!”
He added, “Master, let’s meditate a while longer. We will act at the hour of the rat (midnight).”
“Good.” Abbess Zhuzhao nodded. Everyone agreed and settled onto their branches to continue regulating their breath, knowing a bloody battle was inevitable.
Three hours passed quickly. Everyone woke up, their eyes shining brilliantly—their vital energy and spirit adjusted to peak condition, perfectly suited for action.
The six looked at Li Muzhan, sensing something unusual, yet unable to pinpoint why.
Abbess Zhuzhao looked at Li Muzhan, surprise dawning in her apricot eyes.
She knew—this was the sign of complete mastery of the Great Bright King Scripture, the ability to fully command the Bright King without being influenced by it. This disciple truly kept giving her surprises!
Li Muzhan, having activated the Great Bright King Scripture, could suppress the icy intent; his expression remained perfectly normal.
He slowly swept his gaze over the group and then glided silently across the treetops forward. The six followed in his wake, moving soundlessly toward the mountain range that snaked like a giant dragon.
Looking from afar deceives; what appears near is not easily reached. It took a quarter of an hour before they reached the foot of the peak Li Muzhan had indicated. Looking up, the peak resembled an ice spike piercing the night sky.
………………………………………………………………, Li Muzhan made a hand signal, and the others understood. They trod lightly, slowly ascending without a sound. Li Muzhan stopped occasionally, moving deliberately, avoiding traps and mechanisms.
Yang Zhong felt a secret awe. If he had attempted the ascent himself, he would never have detected these mechanisms. How could this Zhanran, so young, discover them? Was it truly the inexplicable divine power of Buddhism?
Li Muzhan advanced in stops and starts, like a wild cat; the others followed closely. Merely in the skill of avoiding traps, everyone was thoroughly convinced.
Although the peak was steep, it was not excessively high. They soon reached the summit.
The peak hosted a pine forest, dense and dark under the moonlight. Beside the forest were five small courtyards, arranged in a line facing south and backed by the north, silent as five crouching tigers.
Li Muzhan turned and pointed at the leftmost courtyard, then pointed behind him to one of the Penglai Pavilion elders. Next, he pointed to the adjacent courtyard, then to the other Penglai Pavilion elder. He pointed from courtyard to person, assigning targets one by one.
Everyone nodded. In the end, Yang Zhong was grouped with him, and Abbess Zhuzhao with Wen Yinyue. Li Muzhan stretched out his hand and slashed downward sharply. Silently, everyone rushed out.
“Who goes there!” A heaven-shaking roar erupted, followed by dull thuds—peng peng peng—like the beating of war drums, resounding deafeningly.
Li Muzhan moved like a phantom, entering the courtyard and rushing directly into the main eastern room. Before the occupant could react, several streaks of sword energy crisscrossed the space, weaving an impenetrable net of blades.
“Clang, clang, clang...” Continuous sharp ringing sounded as a ball of cold light enveloped a small, thin old man.
Li Muzhan said in a deep voice, “He is injured; leave him to Elder Yang!”
With that, he twisted around and left, rushing past all five courtyards, over the summit, and to the north, stepping onto the bridge formed by four thick, thumb-sized iron chains.