Seeing the situation was not good, Lin Ping hastily said, "…I heard the Lake Mistress is peerlessly beautiful, so I was curious.” “The Lake Mistress is indeed like a celestial being,” Senior Brother Chang shot him a glare.
A surge of anger rose in Lin Ping’s chest, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.
But he also understood that one must bend the knee when under another's roof. This wasn't the Southern Altar; it wasn't a place where he could act wildly. Everyone here possessed superior martial arts.
His gaze shifted to Li Muzhan, a cold sneer touching his lips: “Senior Brother Li, let’s spar a bit!” Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled, “Junior Brother Lin, I am certainly no match for you.”
“Senior Brother Li, your saber technique is exquisite; how can you know you’re inferior without testing it!” Lin Ping stared intently, his tone laced with coercion.
He snorted inwardly—among these people, only Senior Brother Li was someone he could vent his frustration upon!
Li Muzhan chuckled inwardly. This Lin Ping was somewhat clever, but too young and arrogant to control himself.
It was like being insulted—knowing clearly it wasn't worth getting angry over, yet still feeling the heat, wanting to lash back, perhaps even to fight. Controlling one's temper sounded simple, but was actually incredibly difficult; almost no one achieved it.
He had kept his killing intent toward Lin Ping hidden deep in his heart, revealing none of it externally. Star Lake Lodge was profound and mysterious; caution was paramount.
“Let’s just forget it.” Li Muzhan shook his head.
Senior Brother Chang said, “Junior Brother Lin, you can’t beat Junior Brother Li… don’t humiliate yourself!” “I can’t beat Li Shumo!” Lin Ping’s voice rose.
“Nonsense!” Senior Brother Chang glared at him irritably, “Am I trying to fool you?!”
“Senior Brother Li has no internal energy…” Lin Ping shook his head in disbelief.
Senior Brother Chang snorted, “Internal or external, it’s all strength. While Junior Brother Li lacks internal energy, he possesses a great deal of sheer might!”
Lin Ping shook his head, “I don’t believe it! We have to fight to know!” Li Muzhan smiled, “Junior Brother Lin, let’s drop it. Our paltry tricks are hardly worth mentioning or comparing.”
Senior Brother Chang smiled slyly, “Junior Brother Li, what you say is incorrect. You two must start from the First Rank martial arts. To enter the Second Rank, you must defeat all First Rank disciples. Since you two are the only new disciples here, to advance in rank… you can only climb over the other!” Lin Ping’s eyes flashed as he swept his gaze over Li Muzhan.
Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled, “Senior Brother Chang… just the two of us? Doesn’t that mean if I can’t beat Junior Brother Lin, I can never reach the Second Rank?”
“Exactly!” Senior Brother Chang nodded.
Li Muzhan grimaced, “Then I can never learn profound martial arts?”
“How can you not learn?” Senior Brother Chang inquired.
“Can a First Rank disciple learn Second Rank martial arts?” Li Muzhan asked.
“Naturally!” Senior Brother Chang nodded and smiled, “It seems you don’t understand. Our ranks and the ranks of the martial arts are separate; they function independently… Even if you are a First Rank disciple, let alone learning Second Rank martial arts, you could even learn Sixth Rank martial arts!” “So that’s how it is,” Li Muzhan realized, this seemed different from what Senior Sister Xu had mentioned.
…………………………………………”,……………………
“Senior Brother Li, come on!” Lin Ping leaped a Zhang away, drawing his sword and shouting.
Senior Brother Chang folded his arms and smiled, “Junior Brother Li, being pressed like this, how can a man refuse to fight?”
Li Muzhan forced a wry smile, “I don’t want to spoil the harmony…” “……” This Lin Ping was a sore loser. If Li Muzhan truly defeated him, it would breed enmity, and killing him later might arouse suspicion.
Senior Brother Chang laughed, “Your enmity is already formed! …Only mediocre men avoid jealousy. Do what must be done!” Li Muzhan nodded helplessly and slowly walked up to Lin Ping, “Junior Brother Lin, let’s stop at a reasonable point, so as not to ruin the harmony.”
“Good!” Lin Ping nodded and said gravely, “Take my move!” A flash of sword light appeared as he lunged with lightning speed.
Clang, Li Muzhan drew the Azure Water Saber and blocked in front of his chest. The tip of the sword met the blade, and he stepped back slightly, diffusing the force.
A flash of sword light—Lin Ping followed up immediately with another thrust. Li Muzhan pulled the saber with his right hand and swept it, cutting against the blade.
Clang…………, Lin Ping’s sword was deflected, and he staggered sideways, turning his head in surprise.
Li Muzhan smiled, “Junior Brother Lin, please!”
Lin Ping retracted his sword, stating seriously, “Senior Brother Li truly possesses astonishing divine strength! Watch my sword!” He thrust again, but before Li Muzhan could swing his saber down, the sword style shifted, swish swish swish swish, launching a continuous barrage of thrusts, forming a curtain of sword light.
Li Muzhan held the Azure Water Saber in his left hand and a long saber in his right—one soft, one hard, one Yin, one Yang. He employed two completely different saber techniques, yet they formed a cohesive whole, two ribbons of light, one bright and one dark, guarding him.
There was a continuous sound of ding, ding-ding as Li Muzhan defended himself so tightly that Lin Ping’s sword, no matter how fast, could not penetrate his defense.
Meng Shichao whispered, “Senior Brother Chang… this Junior Brother Li is extraordinary; it seems he can multitask!”
“Mm,” Senior Brother Chang nodded.
The martial world had its share of dual-wielders, mostly women using the Swan Goose Sabers, but their moves were identical, simply doubling the power of one saber technique. A case like Li Muzhan’s, using different moves with each hand, was rare.
A person capable of such dual focus, if trained in integrated sword techniques, would possess astonishing power—truly heaven-blessed.
Senior Brother Chang sighed, “It seems we have genuinely attracted a great talent this time!” “The Lake Mistress will surely be delighted!” Meng Shichao exclaimed excitedly.
“Yes, cultivating such talent well, he will quickly become a Sixth Rank disciple,” Senior Brother Chang stated.
……………………………………………………………… Lin Ping’s sword strikes were incredibly fast, one following the other relentlessly, giving no room to breathe. Yet Li Muzhan wielded his twin sabers with ease, creating a luminous barrier to block the sword light.
A hundred moves passed in the blink of an eye. Li Muzhan smiled, “Junior Brother Lin… I think we can call this a draw. You can’t touch me, and I can’t touch you.”
He was becoming increasingly proficient in the Setting Sun Saber Technique; practical combat was immensely beneficial for cultivation, with one fight equaling half a month of solitary practice.
Lin Ping gritted his teeth and remained silent, his sword light growing more brilliant and pressing. His ferocity had been stirred; he absolutely had to strike Li Muzhan to swallow this humiliation.
Senior Brother Chang, seeing this, spoke sternly, “Junior Brother Li, stop holding back!” Li Muzhan acknowledged him, and suddenly his right saber quickened while his left slowed down. The increasing gap in speed made the force even stronger.
“Ding, ding, ding, ding…” After a rapid series of clashes between saber and sword, Li Muzhan’s Azure Water Saber found itself resting against Lin Ping’s neck, seemingly without effort.
“Junior Brother Lin, I yield!” Li Muzhan sheathed his saber and smiled, clasping his fist.
The blade’s icy chill pierced the bone. Lin Ping’s handsome face flushed crimson as he glared fiercely at Li Muzhan, as if he wanted to devour him whole.
He sensed a flicker of mockery in Li Muzhan’s eyes, which drove him into a murderous rage, wishing he could run Li Muzhan through with his sword.
Li Muzhan smiled, “Victory and defeat are common in martial engagements. Junior Brother Lin need not take it too seriously.”
Lin Ping took a deep breath, slowly suppressing his anger and agitation, and forced a smile, “Yes, Senior Brother Li’s saber skills are indeed superior. I am impressed!”
Everyone noticed the resentment simmering within him, which somewhat dampened the mood.
Senior Brother Chang clapped his hands and announced loudly, “Alright, everyone has seen the abilities of the two junior brothers. Let’s not waste any more time; go back to your respective tasks!”
The crowd dispersed, each resuming their training.
Lin Ping’s handsome features gradually recovered. After a moment’s thought, he approached Senior Brother Chang, “Senior Brother Chang, when can we begin our cultivation?” Senior Brother Chang acted as if nothing had happened, smiling, “Once the Lake Mistress emerges from seclusion and the initiation ceremony is complete, only then will you be official disciples.”
“When will the Lake Mistress emerge?” Lin Ping asked.
Senior Brother Chang replied, “Soon. What, are you eager to learn martial arts?”
Lin Ping nodded, “We are already far behind the other senior brothers; we must hurry to catch up.” “Heh heh, good lad, ambitious!” Senior Brother Chang laughed, gesturing to the surroundings, “But a few more days won’t hurt. Look around for now, settle your mind first.”
“…Understood,” Lin Ping nodded with a trace of resignation.
Li Muzhan asked, “Senior Brother Chang, are there any forbidden areas here?”
“As long as you don’t enter the women’s courtyards, you’re fine,” Senior Brother Chang chuckled.
………………………………”……………… In the early morning, Li Muzhan was practicing his saber in the training yard. The Setting Sun Saber Technique was superior to the Azure Water Saber Technique, and furthermore, he didn't want to use the Azure Water Saber Technique, lest it draw connections to Canghai Mountain.
“Junior Brother Li!” A delicate, clear voice suddenly rang out. He stopped his saber and turned to look—it was Xu Xiaorou.
Xu Xiaorou, dressed in green, was beckoning to him from the edge of the training yard.
Li Muzhan sheathed his saber, pointed at himself to confirm she was calling him, and then looked over. Lin Ping was not far from him, glaring fiercely at him.
“Heh heh, Junior Brother Li, Senior Sister Xu is calling you! Aren’t you going over?” Senior Brother Chang’s dark face held a strange smile.
Li Muzhan asked, “Senior Brother Chang calls her Senior Sister?” “Our seniority in the Lake only follows the order of entry, not age,” Senior Brother Chang explained, waving his hand, “Go on, hurry up!” Li Muzhan smiled and approached Xu Xiaorou, “Senior Sister Xu.” “Which room are you in?” Xu Xiaorou asked.
Li Muzhan pointed, and Xu Xiaorou said, “Come, let’s go!”
Li Muzhan said no more, leading her into the room, which drew a burst of strange laughter from outside. Xu Xiaorou shot them a look before entering.
The crowd laughed even harder. Xu Xiaorou’s delicate face reddened slightly, and she turned away from them.
Inside the room, Xu Xiaorou pulled out a celadon bottle from her bosom—a round, smoothly curved container about half the size of a palm—and handed it over. “Take this. It’s the Vitality Nurturing Pills; twelve in total.” Li Muzhan reached out and accepted them, smiling, “Thank you, Senior Sister.”
“I begged for these, and Senior Sister Zhang and Senior Sister He begged for some too,” Xu Xiaorou said proudly, “Taking these will be equivalent to three years of hard training for you!”
Li Muzhan smiled, put the porcelain bottle away, and asked, “Senior Sister, are you all leaving?” Xu Xiaorou replied, “We can only leave when the Lake Mistress emerges from seclusion.”
“Returning to White Cloud City?” Li Muzhan inquired.
“Mm,” Xu Xiaorou nodded, smiling, “Perhaps with good luck, we might run into him.”
Li Muzhan suggested, “If Senior Sister has time, would you mind showing Lin Junior Brother and me around?” Xu Xiaorou laughed, “…Fine. But forget Lin Junior Brother; I can’t be bothered with him!”
Li Muzhan interjected, “Junior Brother Lin was accustomed to being the Young Altar Master since childhood; he inevitably has a bad temper. It’s not his fault; he’ll improve after some time.”
“Hmph, I judge people by their true nature. That one…” Xu Xiaorou shook her head.
Li Muzhan conceded, “Alright, I won't bring Junior Brother Lin along then.”
Xu Xiaorou smiled, “I’ll tell Senior Sister Zhang and Senior Sister He, and we can all go visit Xiushui City!” Li Muzhan smiled, “That would be best; I’d like to see Xiushui City too!” …………………………………………………… Meals were taken in a tower on the mountaintop, named the Five Flavors Pavilion. It had three floors, and each floor offered dining at different prices and with different qualities of food.
Those below the Fifth Rank mostly ate on the first floor; the prices on the second and third floors were too high for them to afford, which served as motivation for advancement.
Last night, Li Muzhan had eaten on the first floor, treated by Senior Brother Chang and the others.
Xu Xiaorou led him to the second floor. It was quiet up there, with simple decorations, sturdy pine flooring, and large square tables polished to a mirror sheen.
The two reached a window seat and sat down. When their hands rested on the table, they felt the surface was solid and reassuring.
Li Muzhan saw many female disciples, all dressed colorfully, exuding vibrant youthfulness, lowering their heads to chat and laugh, occasionally glancing at Li Muzhan.
The rules regarding separation between men and women at Star Lake Lodge were very strict. Male and female disciples practiced in different areas and rarely met, except when dining at the Five Flavors Pavilion.
Once one reached the Fifth Rank, they could build water pavilions on the lake or houses on the mountain, allowing men and women to meet freely. The strict separation vanished—the difference between rigid formality and complete freedom was immense, and this sharp contrast was another incentive for promotion.
Seeing him staring blankly at his surroundings, Xu Xiaorou teased, “Aren’t these senior sisters beautiful?” Li Muzhan smiled and nodded, feeling a sense of familiarity. Every female disciple was lovely; there wasn't an ugly woman among them, similar to Canghai Sword Sect. He felt an inexplicable kinship.
Xu Xiaorou laughed, “We are even stricter when recruiting female disciples; not being too ugly is the first requirement.” Li Muzhan commented, “Beauty and ugliness are innate, this…” Xu Xiaorou snorted, “Beauty and ugliness are innate, as is talent, isn’t that right? There is no true fairness in this world, is there?” Li Muzhan smiled and nodded.
“Order your food!” Xu Xiaorou pushed a wooden board toward him and smiled at him, “Eat heartily, don’t worry about my spending!” “Good,” Li Muzhan smiled.
A slender young woman in a white shirt approached and smiled, “Junior Sister Xu, when did you return?”
“Just yesterday, Senior Sister Ling’er. Who is cooking today?” Xu Xiaorou asked with a smile.
“Senior Sister Mei’er is cooking; you’re in for a treat!” The girl in white said, sizing up Li Muzhan, “Is this the new junior brother?” “Yes, we recruited him from White Cloud City. He’s destined for the Elder Hall in the future!” Xu Xiaorou replied cheerfully.
The girl in white smiled, “The Lake Mistress will be very pleased.”
“Naturally!” Xu Xiaorou beamed with delight.
Li Muzhan ordered two dishes, and Xu Xiaorou ordered two as well. The girl in white nodded to Li Muzhan, “Junior Brother, you must work hard and certainly aim for the Elder Hall in the future!”
Li Muzhan smiled, “Senior Sister Xu, I heard the Lake Mistress is incredibly powerful, with supreme martial arts. Just how high is her level?”
“The Lake Mistress’s martial arts are like the great ocean; no one knows how deep they are!” Xu Xiaorou said.
Li Muzhan nodded, then shook his head.
Xu Xiaorou continued, “The Lake Mistress’s martial arts transcend the scope of normal martial arts; martial arts experts cannot defeat her.”
“It is rumored that in Dayuan, there is a Nangong Sidao, hailed as the foremost master under heaven. Who is higher between them?” Li Muzhan asked.
Xu Xiaorou glanced at him in surprise, “You’ve even heard of Nangong Sidao?” Li Muzhan chuckled, “I heard about him in the taverns of White Cloud City; they call him the world’s number one expert, overwhelmingly powerful!” Xu Xiaorou replied, “The Lake Mistress said that Nangong Sidao’s martial arts also transcend the usual martial scope. They have never fought, so we don’t know who is better.”
“Does that mean the Lake Mistress can contend with Nangong Sidao?” Li Muzhan confirmed.
Xu Xiaorou nodded, “Naturally!”
As they spoke, the dishes arrived, starting with a plate of cold-dressed fragrant melon, its color captivating.
“Where does the Lake Mistress usually reside?” Li Muzhan asked.
“Look—do you see those two-story water pavilions on the lake? That’s where,” Xu Xiaorou pointed out the window.
Li Muzhan followed her gaze. The lake surface was like a mirror, and the water pavilions were scattered like chess pieces, forming a strange pattern. Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow, swallowing the words forming on his lips.
These water pavilions were arranged in the pattern of a Nine Palaces Diagram. He had studied the Art of Wonder Gate, Dark Gate strategy in the military, but he couldn't mention it, as it would raise suspicions about his identity. Not just anyone could learn the Art of Wonder Gate.
Ding—a clear, resonant sound suddenly rang out, lingering endlessly, seemingly coming from a great distance, yet also right beside his ear.
Xu Xiaorou immediately stood up, “The Lake Mistress is out of seclusion!”