"This Star Lake Hermitage is somewhat similar to our Canghai Mountain," Abbess Zhuzhao explained. "It is mostly women, their sword techniques are exquisitely profound. They do accept male disciples, though; women practice the sword, and men practice the saber, so their techniques complement each other beautifully."
Li Muzhan frowned slightly.
Abbess Zhuzhao smiled upon seeing this, "What, you're displeased that women hold the primary authority? Aren't you?"
Li Muzhan managed a wry smile, "Master, is the owner of Star Lake Hermitage male or female?"
Abbess Zhuzhao replied, "It is said to be a young, beautiful maiden—much like Yin Yue—a formidable figure not to be underestimated."
Li Muzhan shook his head, "Then perhaps we should pass, Master." "It's like our Canghai Mountain; since the Canghai Divine Art is primarily cultivated by women, men always end up being suppressed."
Abbess Zhuzhao shot him a look, "You insolent boy, speaking so directly! Suppressed how? The martial arts of our Canghai Mountain are simply better suited for female cultivation; what can be done about that!"
Li Muzhan laughed, "If Canghai Mountain is like this, Star Lake Hermitage must be the same. If the saber technique is inferior to the sword technique, what is the use in learning it?" The saber technique being inherently weaker meant that no matter how strong he became, his achievements would be limited. After practicing diligently for a long time, only to be overshadowed by others, it was better not to learn it at all.
Abbess Zhuzhao snorted, "The saber technique at Star Lake Hermitage is exquisite. If you could truly learn it, it would be a tremendous fortune for you. However, you probably can't even get in! Star Lake Hermitage has very few disciples; they prefer quality over quantity."
Li Muzhan asked, "Are there no other renowned masters of the saber technique?"
Abbess Zhuzhao shook her head, "There are indeed many expert saber wielders in the Southern Territories, but they don't take on disciples easily. It won't be simple for you to infiltrate." Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then said, "Master, I will go take a look first."
"Mm, very well. Adapt as you see fit," Abbess Zhuzhao said with a smile, sizing him up. "But your current attire isn't suited for the Southern Territories. It’s humid and warm there; you don't need leather clothing."
Li Muzhan lowered his gaze, touched the soft, plush fur, and chuckled.
He had already made up his mind not to go to Star Lake Hermitage under any circumstances. A sect dominated by women looked beautiful on the surface, full of lovely sights, but once inside, he realized it was completely different—constantly being looked down upon. For someone as fiercely patriarchal as him, that was almost unbearable.
He cupped his hands, "Master, this disciple will take his leave now. It will be at least half a year, perhaps three to five years. During this time, I will not contact the mountain."
"Mm. If you have an urgent matter, send a letter," Abbess Zhuzhao managed a strained smile.
Li Muzhan laughed, "This disciple bids farewell."
He offered a half-bow, turned, and strode out purposefully.
……………………………………
"Wait a moment!" Abbess Zhuzhao called out.
Li Muzhan had reached the doorway and stopped, turning back, "Does Master have further instructions?"
"Insolent boy, I almost forgot. Come here!" Abbess Zhuzhao beckoned him over.
Li Muzhan approached, and Abbess Zhuzhao pulled out a plain piece of stationery from her robes. "Here, take this."
Li Muzhan took it and glanced down, a smile appearing on his face, "Master is indeed thoughtful; this disciple is ashamed!"
"The customs in the Southern Territories are peculiar. Without an official travel warrant, you won't move an inch... Without household registration and identity, you cannot establish yourself." Abbess Zhuzhao explained.
Li Muzhan looked up and gave a bitter smile, "Master, isn't this name a bit too plain? Li Zhu..."
"Your identity is that of a poor country boy; your parents are simple farmers. To have a name like this is already quite good; be content with it!" Abbess Zhuzhao pursed her lips and smiled.
"Sigh..." Li Muzhan shook his head.
"From now on, you are called Li Zhu. Remember it," Abbess Zhuzhao giggled. "Li Zhu! Li Zhu!" Li Muzhan shook his head wryly.
"You still won't agree!" Abbess Zhuzhao kept laughing.
Li Muzhan rubbed his nose, "Master, please spare me this time!"
Abbess Zhuzhao smiled thinly, "Fine, I'll let you off this once!" "The martial arts hierarchy in the Southern Territories is strictly graded and systematic, unlike the casual nature of our Da Yan. When you arrive, don't rush into anything else; first, get a clear understanding of the situation."
"Yes, Master," Li Muzhan nodded.
"Don't rush to kill Lin Ping. Establish a firm footing first, then take it step by step. If you can kill him, fine; if not, forget it, don't force it," Abbess Zhuzhao instructed.
Li Muzhan replied, "Mm."
Abbess Zhuzhao worriedly cautioned him, "Zhanran, you must be very careful. Once you reach the Southern Territories, we can't offer any help."
Li Muzhan laughed, "Master, don't worry. I will be careful. You've already told me several times!"
"Insolent boy!" Abbess Zhuzhao shot him a look.
Li Muzhan cupped his hands and smiled, "Then this disciple bids farewell!"
"Alright, off you go," Abbess Zhuzhao waved him away dismissively.
Li Muzhan turned and left, striding out of the Wuji Hall, descending the stone steps toward the mountain base.
His Eye of the Void looked down; Wen Yinyue was pacing in her courtyard, her delicate face shifting expression, showing the internal struggle she was enduring.
She suddenly hurried a few steps, intending to leave her small courtyard. Just as her jade-like foot was about to cross the threshold, she pulled it back. Gritting her teeth, she turned and returned to the courtyard, paced a few steps, then couldn't help but try to leave again, only to retreat once more.
After entering and retreating several times, by the time she finally stepped out and arrived before the Wuji Hall, Li Muzhan was nowhere in sight.
Li Muzhan's Eye of the Void had seen her. Seeing her gazing blankly down the mountain with a look of melancholy, he shook his head—he and his Senior Sister were destined to be connected but fated to be apart; further entanglement would be pointless.
………………………………………………
The Yanfei Tower in Baiyun City, Southern Territories. The Yanfei Tower was one of the foremost grand restaurants in Baiyun City, spanning three stories. It was immensely tall, with an extremely high foundation; the first floor alone was already over ten meters high, allowing patrons to look down upon the scenery below.
The first floor was the liveliest, bustling with people coming and going, loud and noisy. The second and third floors contained private rooms, mostly frequented by scholars and literary guests who disliked such clamor.
The first floor was mostly filled with wandering martial artists, merchants, and laborers, gathering together, drinking heavily, eating heartily, showing off their open-handed generosity, and laughing loudly.
"Did you hear? Young Master Lin from the Altar has entered Star Lake Hermitage!" someone shouted loudly.
Another person burst into laughter, "You just found out? That news is long overdue!"
"For Young Master Lin to be able to enter Star Lake Hermitage is truly great fortune!" A heavily bearded man slapped the table, sighing with profound envy.
"Isn't that right!" A sharp-faced, monkey-cheeked man next to him chuckled slyly, "Star Lake Hermitage is full of beauties—it’s practically a haven of tenderness!"
"Monkey, you're thinking crookedly. Those beauties in Star Lake Hermitage all have thorns. Someone like you, even if you were sent right to their door, couldn't handle it!"
"Hehe..." The sharp-faced, monkey-cheeked man laughed, shaking his head repeatedly.
"Indeed," an old man sipped his wine and shook his head, "The world has truly changed... even women are so formidable now. It’s truly a sign of moral decay!"
"Old Sir, the women of Star Lake Hermitage have always been this powerful; it hasn't been just three or five years—it's been this way for nearly a hundred years," a steady-looking man chuckled wryly.
"Even so, countless people are scrambling and desperately trying to marry a disciple of Star Lake Hermitage!" someone remarked with emotion.
"Old Huang, why is that? Do you know?"
"It seems that because of their cultivation methods, the women of Star Lake Hermitage are all exceptionally beautiful."
"Hehe, it seems you don't know. Does anyone else here know?" A middle-aged man stroked his beard, smiling, sweeping his gaze across the crowd.
At a table near the southeast window sat a single youth: dressed in a sapphire-blue long robe, wearing a dingy melon-skin cap, sporting a V-shaped mustache—his appearance was ordinary. At first glance, he looked young, but a closer look revealed a deep world-weariness in his eyes and brows.
He placed his saber on the table, slowly swirling the wine cup in his hand, listening to the crowd's clamor with a half-smile, as if amused.
Hearing the middle-aged man's question, he suddenly put down his wine cup and chuckled, "Venerable Bai, is it because the power of Star Lake Hermitage is so great?"
The middle-aged man turned to look, chuckling, "Young Master Li has guessed incorrectly."
"Oh?" Young Master Li raised an eyebrow and laughed, "Then what is the reason?"
This Young Master Li was none other than Li Muzhan, who was also extremely curious at this moment.
The middle-aged man glanced around the crowd and chuckled conspiratorially.
Li Muzhan beckoned, "Waiter! Bring Venerable Bai a jar of High Mountain Green!"
"Coming! A jar of High Mountain Green!" A waiter nearby called out loudly.
……………………………………
The South Altar of the Three Laughs Hall was located in Baiyun City. Outside Baiyun City lay continuous high mountains, and Li Muzhan had built a small hut on one of these mountains, cultivating a patch of barren land. However, since it was winter, nothing could be planted; he could only wait for the spring thaw.
He lived there quietly alone. Usually, he would chop firewood and sell it in the city to buy necessary supplies. The rest of his time was spent practicing the saber.
He had fought a few petty thugs and sparred with some local experts, earning a small reputation. The impression he gave was that his martial arts skills weren't top-tier, but he was undeniably a master of the saber.
His appearance had completely changed now. His small beard was darker and shinier, his eyebrows were dark, and his head had grown hair, concealing the shaved scar. His entire aura had shifted.
Even those close to him would hesitate to recognize him as Li Muzhan.
After arriving in Baiyun City, he realized his Master's words were not exaggerated. Although his own martial arts were powerful, in Baiyun City, he was truly not among the absolute elite.
In Baiyun City alone, there were dozens of masters. He had attempted to challenge one expert but was ultimately defeated, confirming that he was indeed only a second-rate master.
The middle-aged man laughed heartily, "Thank you, Young Master Li!"
Li Muzhan waved his hand, "It's just a small token of respect, nothing much. Venerable Bai, please enlighten us."
"Alright!" The middle-aged man readily agreed, laughing, "This is a closely guarded secret, everyone keep quiet about what I'm about to say!"
"Venerable Bai, stop holding back!" someone impatiently called out.
"Hehe..." The middle-aged man nodded and smiled, "It is rumored that the women of Star Lake Hermitage cultivate a peculiar technique called the Grand Yin Divine Art. They are forbidden from intimate relations—if their chastity is broken, their entire cultivation skill will transfer into the other party's body... So, hehe, if you marry a woman from Star Lake Hermitage, you immediately become a martial arts master—a massive, instantaneous leap!"