"Please do," the green-clad maiden nodded slightly.

Li Muzhan gently closed his eyes, replaying the little girl's movements in his mind. His fingers trembled slightly as he mimicked the technique mentally, striving for absolute precision.

The three maidens stood silently to the side, observing him.

After a quarter of an hour, Li Muzhan’s eyes snapped open. He drew his blade; the sheen of the steel was like flowing spring water, transforming into a curtain of pure light as he moved it.

The four stances were completed in an instant. Li Muzhan returned the saber to its sheath, standing composed, his breathing even. He cupped his hands in greeting. "I seek the maiden's guidance."

"A fine blade!" The little girl’s eyes widened as she fixed her gaze on the Azure Water Saber.

The green-robed maiden smiled faintly. "Excellent swordsmanship!"

The round-faced, delicate maiden also curved her lips into a smile.

Li Muzhan glanced at the little girl and chuckled. "I obtained this saber three years ago in a mountain cave, along with a manual. I've practiced it for so long without much progress, I had almost given up hope."

"What sort of manual is it?" the little girl asked curiously.

The green-robed maiden chided softly, "Rou'er!"

The little girl stuck out her tongue. "Alright, alright, I won't ask anymore!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "The Azure Water Saber Manual."

"The Azure Water Saber Manual?" The little girl blinked her large eyes, then turned to the other two. "Senior Sister Zhang, Senior Sister He, have you ever heard of the Azure Water Saber Technique?"

The two elder sisters thought for a moment, then shook their heads.

The green-robed maiden waved a hand. "That's enough, Rou'er, stop pressing. Young Master Li, you are quite perceptive; you have passed the first trial. Let Junior Sister He examine your physical condition now."

"I am obliged," Li Muzhan nodded to the round-faced maiden.

The round-faced maiden’s cheeks flushed. She offered a shy smile and stepped before Li Muzhan, extending her hand. "Young Master Li, please offer your left hand."

A gust of wind swept by, carrying a faint fragrance of plum blossoms into his nose. He couldn't discern whether it came from the plum blossoms nearby or from the round-faced maiden herself.

The round-faced maiden placed her fair right hand upon his left wrist. Li Muzhan felt the coolness and smoothness of her fingers, followed by a cool energy that seeped into his meridians, flowing gently like a trickling stream. It circulated through his entire network of channels before finally receding back into her fingertips.

Li Muzhan slightly lowered his eyelids, maintaining decorum without staring at her, yet he could sense her embarrassment.

This lasted for about a quarter of an hour. The round-faced maiden released his wrist and hastily retreated to the side of the green-robed maiden, glancing at Li Muzhan. Her lips, like flower petals, moved slightly.

The green-robed maiden also parted her ruby lips and moved them a few times.

Li Muzhan understood they were employing a secret art for telepathic communication.

……………………………………………………………………

The green-clad maiden broke into a smile. "Young Master Li, allow me to check as well."

Li Muzhan nodded and extended his left hand. "Please proceed."

The green-robed maiden approached and smiled. "Give me your right hand."

Li Muzhan switched hands, offering his right. Her slender, delicate fingers rested on his right wrist. She closed her eyes slightly to observe. Li Muzhan felt a wisp of cool energy swirling within his meridians, eventually settling in his Dantian, lingering there for a long moment before slowly withdrawing.

She opened her eyes, observing Li Muzhan with a beaming smile, then nodded. "Congratulations, Young Master Li. You may enter our Star Lake Cottage. From now on, we are fellow disciples. Junior Brother Li!"

"I truly can enter Star Lake Cottage?" Li Muzhan asked slowly.

"Indeed. Your aptitude is exceptional; you are welcome to join," the green-robed maiden confirmed with a smile.

"Heh... heh, heh, hah!" Li Muzhan let out three chuckles, followed by a hearty laugh, then abruptly suppressed his mirth, shaking his head repeatedly. "I never imagined this. Truly never imagined it!"

The green-robed maiden could tell that Li Muzhan had only been trying his luck, not daring to harbor high hopes; thus, his overwhelming surprise was understandable.

This reaction was relatively mild; the previous applicant, Lin Ping, had been far more unrestrained, shouting like a madman and laughing uncontrollably, leaving everyone speechless.

The green-robed maiden smiled sweetly. "Junior Brother Li, regardless of who you were before, from this moment forward, you belong to Star Lake Cottage. We are one family, as long as you abide by the rules."

Li Muzhan smiled. "I have not yet asked for the names of you three Senior Sisters."

The green-robed maiden smiled and gestured toward the round-faced maiden and the little girl. "He Ruoshui, Xu Xiaorou. I am Zhang Qiaoyi."

"I pay my respects to Senior Sister Zhang, Senior Sister He, Senior Sister Xu," Li Muzhan said, cupping his fists with a smile.

Since Xu Xiaorou was just a young girl, addressing her as 'Senior Sister' felt natural. Having gained experience at Canghai Mountain, seniority was determined by entry date, not age.

Xu Xiaorou clapped her hands with delight. "I’ve been promoted to Senior Sister too! Junior Brother Li, how old are you?"

"Eighteen," Li Muzhan replied with a faint smile.

Xu Xiaorou touched her chin, shaking her head pompously. "I don't think so. You must be older than eighteen!"

"That's enough, Rou'er, don't be so outspoken!" Zhang Qiaoyi shot her a look.

Xu Xiaorou giggled. "Looking at Junior Brother Li's demeanor, he doesn't look like a young man at all. He looks more like an uncle, hee hee..."

Zhang Qiaoyi shook her head, smiling faintly. "Junior Brother Li, although the age limit is eighteen, if your aptitude truly is outstanding, exceeding that age is permissible."

Li Muzhan sighed softly. "The children of the poor mature early. I have been on my own since childhood; it seems I have aged prematurely."

Zhang Qiaoyi asked, "Are both your parents gone?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "They passed away when I was eight."

"Then how did you manage to survive alone?" Zhang Qiaoyi inquired.

Li Muzhan replied, "I learned to grow vegetables and chop firewood. It was just enough to get by."

……………………………………………………………………

After a few more exchanges, Zhang Qiaoyi stated, "Junior Brother Li, return in three days. Settle your remaining affairs, and from then on, you will reside at Star Lake Cottage."

Li Muzhan asked, "Senior Sister Zhang, are we not allowed to leave freely?"

Zhang Qiaoyi shook her head, smiling. "According to the rules, one must cultivate to the Sixth Rank before being permitted to leave the lake grounds."

"How long will that take?"

"The Sixth Rank? Generally, about three years. With your excellent aptitude, perhaps a year or eighteen months will suffice."

Li Muzhan touched his nose. "My aptitude is good?"

Zhang Qiaoyi smiled brightly. "Junior Brother Li, your meridians are broad and robust—even better than mine!"

Li Muzhan feigned bewilderment and confusion.

Zhang Qiaoyi laughed. "You will understand in time. Regardless, you possess excellent potential. You must work diligently—perhaps you can even become a Ninth Rank disciple."

"Ninth Rank disciple?" Li Muzhan raised a thick eyebrow.

Zhang Qiaoyi conceded, "It’s no harm to tell you beforehand. The martial arts within our lake are divided into nine ranks, with increasing power. Disciple ranks are also divided into nine grades, and the treatment for each rank differs."

Li Muzhan asked, "How do they differ?"

"Disciples from the First to Third Rank are considered entry-level; they perform menial tasks. From the Fourth Rank upward, menial labor is unnecessary; instead, they receive stipends and medicinal pills. Fourth Rank receives ten taels monthly, one Peiyuan Pill. Fifth Rank, twenty taels and two Peiyuan Pills. Sixth Rank, forty taels and three Peiyuan Pills... With every rank advancement, the silver doubles, and one more Peiyuan Pill is added. Those who surpass the Ninth Rank may advance to become Elders, entering the Elder Hall to participate in deciding the sect's affairs."

Li Muzhan nodded. Star Lake Cottage had a clear hierarchy, completely different from Canghai Mountain. This arrangement had both pros and cons. The downside was the stark, utilitarian distinction between ranks, lacking warmth. The upside was that it provided powerful motivation to constantly climb higher.

"Does becoming a Ninth Rank disciple mean becoming a first-rate master in the martial world?" Li Muzhan inquired.

Zhang Qiaoyi pursed her lips and smiled. "Yes. A Ninth Rank disciple is indeed a first-rate master in the martial world. If one becomes an Elder and practices the profound techniques of the Elder Hall, they become an absolute master, capable of traversing the world unchecked."

"How many Elders are there in our lake?" Li Muzhan asked.

Zhang Qiaoyi replied, "Elders? ...There are currently six."

"And how many total disciples do we have?"

"Over a hundred, perhaps," Zhang Qiaoyi estimated.

"It must be extremely difficult to become an Elder..." Li Muzhan murmured ruefully.

"One must defeat all Ninth Rank disciples to rise to Elder status," Zhang Qiaoyi stated.

Li Muzhan offered a wry smile. It was indeed too difficult.

Zhang Qiaoyi laughed. "Junior Brother, your aptitude is superb; you have a chance to reach the Elder stage. Work hard!"

Li Muzhan thanked her, secretly chuckling, suspecting she likely said the same thing to every new disciple.

……………………………………………………………………

On the morning of the third day, Li Muzhan arrived again at the Star Moon Courtyard.

Xu Xiaorou opened the door. As he followed her toward the main hall, his Eye of the Void peered in; three people were already seated inside, chatting, punctuated by bursts of clear laughter.

Opposite Zhang Qiaoyi and He Ruoshui sat a handsome young man, clad in luxurious brocade robes that only enhanced his handsome features. His face was like powder, his lips like cinnabar, and his eyes sparkled like cold stars; he wore an expression of gentle amusement.

Li Muzhan narrowed his eyes. Lin Ping!

Upon entering the hall, the laughter ceased. The two maidens stood, and Lin Ping rose along with them.

Li Muzhan strode in, cupping his hands. "Senior Sister Zhang, Senior Sister He, have I kept you waiting?" ... "Oh, Young Master Lin is here as well?"

"You recognize Young Master Lin?" Zhang Qiaoyi’s smile hadn't faded.

Li Muzhan nodded. "Who in White Cloud City doesn't recognize Young Master Lin?"

"That is true," Zhang Qiaoyi nodded slightly. "Come, Junior Brother Lin. This is Li Zhu, Junior Brother Li. You two are joining the lake at the same time."

"A pleasure," Lin Ping cupped his hands and smiled, exhibiting impeccable grace.

Li Muzhan smiled broadly. "It is truly fortunate that I can become a fellow disciple with Young Master Lin!"

Zhang Qiaoyi waved her hand, laughing. "We are all fellow disciples now, no need for formalities. Junior Brother Li, since you appear older, you shall be the senior among the two of you; stop calling him Young Master Lin, call him Junior Brother Lin!"

Li Muzhan acknowledged this with a sound and smiled. "Junior Brother Lin."

Lin Ping’s smile stiffened momentarily before he quickly regained his composure, returning a polite smile. "Senior Brother Li, since we are entering Star Lake together, we must look out for one another."

"Indeed," Li Muzhan chuckled.

Seeing his composure—neither subservient nor arrogant—Zhang Qiaoyi pursed her lips in a satisfied smile. "Since everyone is here, we shall depart. It takes three to four days of non-stop travel to reach the lake from here; you must endure it."

"Rest assured, Senior Sister Zhang," Lin Ping smiled proudly.

Zhang Qiaoyi said with a smile, "Junior Brother Lin possesses considerable internal energy, so he shouldn't suffer too much. Junior Brother Li has no internal energy whatsoever; you will have a rough time."

Li Muzhan replied, "Senior Sister Zhang need not worry; I don't mind a bit of hardship."

"Very well, let us set off then," Zhang Qiaoyi nodded, calling out loudly, "Rou'er, Junior Sister He, let's go!"

The two maidens responded, and Xu Xiaorou floated out. Soon, the sound of horses whinnying came from outside.

Li Muzhan thought of Scarlet Shadow. It was currently enjoying its freedom in the vast wilderness outside White Cloud City; no one there would likely harm it.

Zhang Qiaoyi, who sympathized with the underdog, was pleased with Li Muzhan's balanced demeanor. While Young Master Lin was handsome, he carried an inherent arrogance.

The four left the door and approached the horses—ten in total, all rare, fine steeds with coats glossy as black satin and bright, spirited eyes.

"Junior Brother Li, can you ride?" Zhang Qiaoyi turned and asked.

Li Muzhan nodded. "I can."

"That is good," Zhang Qiaoyi confirmed.

Li Muzhan asked, "Senior Sister Zhang, are you all returning? What about this place...?"

Zhang Qiaoyi laughed. "Securing both of you counts as meritorious service. We will return to the lake to claim our rewards. There is no need to worry about this place; we will return after settling you both in properly."

She mounted her horse with agility. Xu Xiaorou and He Ruoshui followed suit with graceful movements. Lin Ping vaulted smoothly into the saddle, while Li Muzhan mounted somewhat clumsily.

"Giddy up!" Zhang Qiaoyi cracked her whip, and the three maidens sped off, with Lin Ping and Li Muzhan following closely behind. The ten horses galloped forth together.

The five figures and ten horses created a stunning spectacle as they galloped, their hoofbeats thundering. The three maidens leaned forward, their delicate bodies moving in perfect synchronization with the horses' rhythm. Lin Ping sat solidly, like an old tree rooted to the ground. Only Li Muzhan’s riding skills were the worst; his entire body was tense, betraying nervousness.

This was appropriate for his supposed background. Even in the Southern Realm, horses were rare, akin to modern luxury automobiles. Coming from a humble background, merely knowing how to ride was commendable; being overly skilled would have been suspicious.

After riding for half a day, Li Muzhan gradually relaxed. He began to move with the rhythm of the horse’s back, merging with it, and his riding skills became exquisite.

The three maidens didn't think much of it; given his aptitude, mastering riding so quickly was normal. Lin Ping’s starlike eyes flickered.

At noon, the five stopped in a stretch of forest to rest. Even if the riders didn't need a break, the horses did, as each was precious.

Xu Xiaorou moved efficiently, first unstrapping the bundles from the horses' backs. These contained fine fodder, which she distributed in piles before each horse. After they finished grazing, she brought a small basin to give them water, busily attending to them.

Li Muzhan and Lin Ping sat with Zhang Qiaoyi and He Ruoshui.

Li Muzhan started to move to help Xu Xiaorou but was stopped by Zhang Qiaoyi. She laughed. "Junior Brother Li, this is delicate work she is used to. If someone else took over now, it wouldn't be done as nicely. Don't worry, she won't be tired."

Li Muzhan looked restless.

Zhang Qiaoyi smiled. "Caring for horses is not simple work, Junior Brother. You will learn the specialized methods once you are inside the lake."

Li Muzhan nodded slowly.

Zhang Qiaoyi took the water skin handed to her by He Ruoshui, took a sip, and then said with a smile, "We will be entering dangerous territory by evening, so you must remain alert."

Li Muzhan laughed. "Are there people who dare provoke Star Lake Cottage?"

Zhang Qiaoyi shook her head. "People nowadays are quite reckless. They don't care about consequences; everyone is desperate. We cannot afford to let our guard down."

Lin Ping patted the long sword at his waist and smiled proudly. "Senior Sister Zhang, rest assured. Anyone who dares to seek trouble will find themselves regretting it!"