Li Muzhan frowned, pondering in silence. He vaguely sensed that his inability to master the Ancient Qi Cultivation Technique was connected to the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art.

His practice of the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art had already refined his five viscera and six bowels once; now, he was stuck at the first layer of Marrow Refinement—which meant refining the marrow itself, achieving the pinnacle of tendon-strengthening and skull-cleansing. His bones were growing ever sturdier, his Jing, Qi, and Shen increasingly robust, and his strength rapidly mounting.

The Vajra Indestructible Divine Art held two higher layers—Vessel Refinement and Body Refinement—but reaching the ultimate stage required more than mere grueling practice. Currently, his five viscera and six bowels far surpassed those of ordinary men, rendering him impervious to cold and heat.

The technique called for absorbing the ethereal earthly Qi and storing it in the spleen; however, his spleen was no longer common—it was protected by an intangible force. As soon as this Qi approached, it was instantly neutralized.

Thus, the Qi Cultivation Technique remained frustratingly outside his grasp. The first step to entry required breaking through the protection enveloping the viscera, a secret deeply embedded within the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art—he saw no easy way around it.

The aura protecting the viscera was not internal energy (Neili); it could not be directed at will, having merged seamlessly with the organs, becoming almost one entity, extremely difficult to separate. He thought long and hard, finally devising a drastic solution: self-mutilation.

He channeled a sliver of his Neili to violently injure his spleen, causing the protective aura to scatter. Then, he intended to strike while the iron was hot, forcing his efforts into cultivating the Earth Qi Secret Art.

This method proved highly effective. A month later, he successfully initiated the Earth Qi Secret Art, officially stepping through the doors of the Qi Cultivation discipline.

Leng Wushuang was quite pleased. Though slightly delayed, achieving genuine entry was a monumental feat.

Even if he couldn't perfect it, the precious experience gained would aid future generations. Once the Earth Qi manifested, it nourished and repaired his spleen, quickly restoring it to normal and generating a new protective layer of aura.

Yet, this new aura differed fundamentally from the original. This earthen aura was faint and nearly imperceptible, yet intensely pure and incredibly tenacious.

It repelled the spontaneously generating secondary aura, fiercely guarding the spleen. The profound mysteries of the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art dictated that the spleen, once injured, would automatically repair and regenerate the shattered protective Qi, attempting to envelop the organ once more.

But the Earth Qi arrived first, seizing the territory. Furthermore, the Earth Qi, refined through the Nine Revolutions of Inhalation and Exhalation, was utterly pristine, far superior to the vital essence generated by the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art.

It was like two armies facing off: one small but elite, the other numerous yet scattered. The resulting confrontation was evenly matched, locked in stalemate.

As Li Muzhan continued his ceaseless inhalation and exhalation, the elite force grew, tipping the scales in his favor. Li Muzhan practiced without sleep for three days and three nights of continuous exertion until the advantage was secured, and the spleen was completely dominated.

Leng Wushuang remained by his side, sleepless, watching as his complexion shifted from pale, indicative of injury, to gradually regaining a deep, steady rhythm, clearly indicating continuous improvement in recovery. …………………………… She felt a surge of curiosity regarding the injury.

The backlash from the Ancient Qi Cultivation Technique was immense, but it typically didn't manifest immediately upon entry; the power of the (backlash) would increase only as the technique’s potency grew. For him to be injured right at the threshold was truly unusual.

Leng Wushuang was deeply curious but dared not interrupt; she resolved to wait quietly until he awoke to inquire. She waited three full days.

Then, Li Muzhan slowly opened his eyes. “Awake?” Leng Wushuang observed him, nodding slowly.

“Mmm, you’ve entered the gate. Congratulations!” “Thank you, Lake Mistress.

Pure luck!” Li Muzhan offered a slight smile. “You must be hungry?

I’ll fetch some congee,” Leng Wushuang rose and quickly returned with a bowl, handing it to Li Muzhan. Li Muzhan accepted without ceremony, though he didn't feel particularly starved.

As the saying went: when Jing is full, one does not desire lust; when Qi is full, one does not desire food. He was in such a marvelous state; despite cultivating for three continuous days, he felt no hunger.

But he could not refuse the Lake Mistress’s kindness. He took the bowl, stirred it lightly with the small spoon, and slowly took a few sips.

Leng Wushuang observed his complexion: ruddy and faintly glowing, his spirit full, as if he had awakened from a deep, refreshing slumber. She asked, “To what level have you progressed, Li Zhu?” Li Muzhan put down the bowl and replied with a gentle smile, “Barely initiated.” “Hard work pays off,” Leng Wushuang nodded slightly.

“To cultivate for three days and three nights without rest—that level of perseverance is rare.” Li Muzhan smiled. “A clumsy bird must fly early; if talent is lacking, one must simply apply more effort.” “Mmm, having that mindset is best,” Leng Wushuang nodded.

“However, in both martial and scholarly pursuits, there must be ebb and flow; tautness all the time is also detrimental.” Li Muzhan acknowledged this with a 'yes,' recognizing it as sound advice. “The Lunar New Year is upon us in five days.

You should emerge from seclusion now.” Leng Wushuang suggested. Li Muzhan smiled faintly, “If it weren't for me, the Lake Mistress would have finished her seclusion long ago, wouldn’t she?” Leng Wushuang nodded gently and said no more.

The two descended the peak. Li Muzhan returned to his courtyard, and Leng Wushuang to the pavilion on the lake.

Though they had spent two months together, the total words exchanged between them barely reached a dozen sentences—averaging less than one sentence per day. Nonetheless, having sat facing each other for two months, despite the limited conversation, their auras had grown close, dissipating the sense of unfamiliarity.

It felt as if they had been together for years, developing a subtle, unspoken understanding. “How far have you cultivated?” Leng Wushuang inquired.

Li Muzhan shook his head. “I’ve only just grasped the rudimentary path; the first layer is not yet complete.” “How long will that take?” Leng Wushuang asked.

Li Muzhan paused to consider: “…By my estimation, it will require another month.” “So fast?” Leng Wushuang frowned at him. This claim verged on boasting.

The Ancient Qi Cultivation Method progressed glacially slowly. One month to enter the gate was fast, but mastering the first layer usually demanded a year or eighteen months.

………………………… Li Muzhan smiled. “Cultivating without sleep yields exceptionally potent results.” “Ah, I suppose that is true,” Leng Wushuang slowly nodded.

Practicing for one hour, or two, or even five or six hours daily, yields far less result than cultivating continuously for twelve hours straight. If one practiced for six hours a day, twelve hours across two days—that should equate to twelve hours on one day, right?

The reality was different: twelve continuous hours of practice in one day could equal five or six days of practicing for six hours. This involves the mysteries of the human body, which operates as a balance system.

Once the balance is disrupted, the body automatically attempts to repair itself—and cultivation is disrupting that balance. If one cultivates for an hour one day, the next day’s practice sees most of that effect already canceled out, perhaps less than one-tenth remaining.

Cultivating for two hours leaves slightly more behind. It was like a water pool with one inlet and one outlet.

If the outlet leaks slightly faster than the inlet flows, the pool will never fill unless water is constantly supplied. The best method to fill the pool is ceaseless input.

Cultivation is like filling a leaky funnel; the best approach is to maximize the duration of practice and minimize the intervals between sessions. Most people fail to grasp this principle, though they vaguely perceive the effect.

However, cultivating Neili is extremely taxing on the spirit; often, after an hour, one is exhausted and cannot continue—willpower remains, but strength fails. Thus, one must proceed according to capacity.

Li Muzhan was different. His spirit was like a dragon, incredibly potent; he could cultivate for days nonstop, meaning his efficiency far surpassed the norm, leading to much faster progress.

Leng Wushuang, thoroughly versed in cultivation theory and having witnessed Li Muzhan’s three-day non-stop rigor, understood that his pace would indeed outstrip ordinary practitioners. Leng Wushuang said, “Once this seclusion ends, the New Year arrives.

Come celebrate with everyone.” Li Muzhan shook his head, a faint, troubled smile touching his lips. Leng Wushuang said, “Before, you were alone.

It’s different now; the disciples in the lake are all one family. You can fully open up.” Li Muzhan nodded slowly.

“Yes.” “You will get used to it. Find someone to go visit Xiushui City with,” Leng Wushuang advised.

“Yes,” Li Muzhan agreed. Leng Wushuang stood up.

“Let’s go.” Li Muzhan flicked the bowl, and it sailed into the deep ravine. Leng Wushuang glanced at him, shook her head without speaking, and slowly headed down the mountain.

Li Muzhan followed close behind. The two reached the mountainside.

Li Muzhan excused himself and returned to his large courtyard, finding it deserted and cold, save for one person practicing: Meng Sichao. …………………………… “Senior Brother Meng,” Li Muzhan greeted him warmly.

Meng Sichao paused his movements, turned, and smiled. “Junior Brother Li!

Out of seclusion?” Li Muzhan nodded. “Just out.

Where is everyone? It’s so quiet!” Meng Sichao chuckled.

“They all rushed off to enjoy themselves—some went into the city, some up the mountains, some into the lake. Everyone’s busy.” “Why didn’t Senior Brother go?” Li Muzhan asked with a smile.

Meng Sichao laughed. “I don’t care for those things.

Practicing martial arts is the most enjoyable activity.” Li Muzhan exclaimed in admiration, “No wonder your martial arts are so formidable!” Viewing martial arts as a hobby ensured excellence; rumor had it Meng Sichao ranked second among the Fifth Rank disciples, with high hopes of advancing to the Sixth Rank. Meng Sichao shook his head and asked, “How do you plan to pass the time?” Li Muzhan smiled.

“I wonder if Junior Sister Xu and the others have returned?” Meng Sichao thought for a moment and shook his head: “Not yet.” Li Muzhan started, his brow furrowing. “Still not back?” “Yes.

Logically, they should have returned by now; the New Year is imminent.” Meng Sichao noted. Li Muzhan frowned in thought.

“Could they have run into trouble, delaying their journey?” “Mmm, they must have been delayed. Otherwise, they would have arrived already.

Senior Sister Xu is impatient; she’d surely rush back early to wait for the New Year,” Meng Sichao reasoned. Li Muzhan stopped pondering and immediately turned to leave.

“Where are you going, Junior Brother Li?” Meng Sichao quickly asked. Li Muzhan did not look back.

“I’m going to ask the Lake Mistress.” Meng Sichao started to speak but stopped himself, shaking his head instead. Li Muzhan strode out of the courtyard, moving swiftly toward the plank bridge, then leaping onto a small boat and rowing toward the two-story water pavilion, entering through the Star-Falling Pavilion.

A young woman in a green dress was sweeping the main hall. Seeing him enter, she was momentarily startled: “Junior Brother Li?” She was petite and graceful, slender, gentle, and soft in demeanor.

Li Muzhan hurried forward. “Senior Sister Xin, where is the Lake Mistress?” “The Lake Mistress is upstairs freshening up.

What brings you here, Junior Brother Li?” Xin Xiaoni inquired. “I need to see the Lake Mistress.” Li Muzhan stated.

“Please wait, I will announce you?” Xin Xiaoni offered.