The group followed suit, rising to pack their belongings, secure their water skins, and depart the pine grove, heading south.

Li Muzhan approached Leng Wushuang, lowering his voice, "Lake Master, now that we've found the Tianji Tower, must we still proceed to Baiyun City to meet Elder Lin?"

With Zhang Qiaoyi to her left and He Ruoshui to her right, Li Muzhan and Xu Xiaorou were trailing behind. As he stepped forward now, He Ruoshui took a slight step back, yielding space.

Leng Wushuang nodded faintly, "Yes, I must see him."

Li Muzhan frowned, "We must guard against Elder Lin losing his temper. He is fiercely protective of his own, especially showing extreme indulgence toward Lin Ping; otherwise, he wouldn't have committed such an act."

Leng Wushuang shook her head, "It won't come to that."

Li Muzhan insisted, "Human hearts are difficult to fathom; we cannot afford not to guard against it... Lake Master should just return," and send a few masters later to assassinate him."

Leng Wushuang stated, "Assassinating him would have too severe consequences."

Li Muzhan smiled wryly, "We can frame the Tianji Tower."

Leng Wushuang glanced at him, shaking her head again, "Just as we managed to discover the Tianji Tower and locate that Lin fellow, there are no truly impenetrable walls in this world. The frame-up will eventually be exposed."

Li Muzhan countered, "As long as that Lin fellow is dead, the Sanxiao Hall won't dare to start a war."

Leng Wushuang shook her head, "I fear they might employ the same tactic against us."

Though she wished for her disciples to face the challenge, that challenge was against the Tianji Tower, whose masters and tiers were limited. Sanxiao Hall was different—its strength was profound, its masters numerous as clouds.

Li Muzhan considered this and proposed, "How about this: I will go to Baiyun City after some time. Lin Ping will surely attempt to kill me then. I will defend myself then and slay them."

Leng Wushuang looked at him, "With your martial arts prowess, going there to kill them is suicide."

She worried Li Muzhan was overestimating himself and spoke bluntly to provoke him a little.

Li Muzhan declared, "When I return, I will enter seclusion. I must reach the Sixth Rank no matter what!"

Leng Wushuang replied coolly, "Having such ambition is good. We shall see."

Li Muzhan said no more. He turned and stepped back, meeting Zhang Qiaoyi’s gaze opposite him, then stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Xu Xiaorou, which caused Xu Xiaorou to purse her lips and smile.

Li Muzhan offered a wry smile. Xu Xiaorou whispered softly, "Whatever the Lake Master wants to say, she will say it directly, without politeness. You aren't angry, are you?"

Li Muzhan sighed, "The Lake Master is correct. It is my own skill that is inferior."

"It is already very good for someone who has only just begun your training," Xu Xiaorou consoled him.

Li Muzhan smiled, saying no more. He closed his eyes, turning his focus inward to observe the ball of yellow energy attached to his spleen, and was startled to find its yellow hue had indeed faded slightly.

He paused, certain he wasn't mistaken—the yellow energy was distinctly lighter. ......................

He concentrated his spirit and looked inward, seeing faint wisps of yellow energy penetrating the spleen—filaments so minute that only his powerful spirit allowed him to detect the anomaly.

As these tendrils of yellow light seeped in, the fist-sized mass of energy slowly lost its color, as if the yellow had been drained away, transforming into a faint white vapor.

The white energy drifted away, dissipating into his body, and the energy mass gradually diminished. Though slow, at this rate, it would eventually vanish entirely.

Li Muzhan focused his mind, contemplating the reason. Though he couldn't discern whether the change was good or ill, his intuition told him it was beneficial, holding infinite potential. Thus, he sought to understand the principle.

After thinking for a long time without a conclusion, he simply gave up. He released his spiritual focus to connect with the outside world, his senses restored, and he heard Xu Xiaorou's crisp voice.

Xu Xiaorou murmured softly, "Junior Brother Li, concentrate on your training. Once you reach the Sixth Rank, the three of us can go out together. It’s dull with just the three of us staying in Baiyun City."

When Li Muzhan was focused internally, his outward appearance showed no difference, merely appearing languid. Xu Xiaorou stood beside him, unable to see his eyes, assuming he was listening.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Alright, I will strive to reach the Sixth Rank as soon as possible."

"Alas... it’s a pity you cannot use the Peiyuan Pills!" Xu Xiaorou shook her head.

Li Muzhan assured her, "Even without the Peiyuan Pills, I can still reach the Sixth Rank. Don't worry, Senior Sister Xu."

"Reaching the Sixth Rank is difficult..." Xu Xiaorou sighed, huffing, "It took me twelve years of martial arts practice to reach the Sixth Rank! Even with your talent, it should take five or six years!"

Li Muzhan smiled, electing not to elaborate. Suddenly, he frowned and said gravely, "Lake Master!"

Leng Wushuang reined in her horse and turned to look back. Zhang Qiaoyi and He Ruoshui also turned, their bright eyes showing confusion.

Li Muzhan announced, "There is killing intent ahead."

"Killing intent? An ambush?" Zhang Qiaoyi inquired.

He Ruoshui immediately closed her eyes, forming a sword seal with both hands and pressing them against her temples. After a moment, she opened her eyes and nodded gently, "It does seem like there is killing intent..."

Had Li Muzhan not pointed it out, she wouldn't have sensed it. Only by directing her attention there after his words could she perceive it faintly, flickering in and out of existence.

"How far?" Leng Wushuang asked.

Li Muzhan pondered, then shook his head, "I can't guess the exact distance, but it shouldn't be more than two li."

"Understood," Leng Wushuang nodded.

Zhang Qiaoyi asked, "Lake Master, what shall we do?"

Leng Wushuang instructed, "Let's draw closer and assess the situation first."

Li Muzhan suggested, "It should be people from the Tianji Tower."

"Perfect!" Zhang Qiaoyi exclaimed, a spark flashing in her eyes.

Her features were delicate and elegant, yet her eyebrows held a resolute, martial spirit. She harbored extreme hatred for the Tianji Tower; had Leng Wushuang not arrived last time, she would no longer be alive.................. He Ruoshui whispered softly, "Lake Master, perhaps my Senior Sister and I should scout ahead to gauge the situation?"

Leng Wushuang shook her head, "No need."

Just as Zhang Qiaoyi opened her mouth to speak, Li Muzhan interjected, "Senior Sister Zhang, Senior Sister He, the Tianji Tower likely has top-tier masters. It would be dangerous for you to scout ahead."

"...Fine." Zhang Qiaoyi looked at Leng Wushuang. Seeing her expressionless face, she knew Junior Brother Li was speaking the truth and pressed no further.

Leng Wushuang commanded, "When we engage, the three of you must link up and protect Li Zhu in the center!"

"Yes!" the three women replied, smiling toward Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan quickly protested, "Lake Master, my Duan Yue Saber is no joke either."

Leng Wushuang countered, "Your internal injuries have not yet healed; exerting your qi is inadvisable."

Li Muzhan shook his head, "I am already recovered now, it’s fine. For me, a mere man, to require protection from three Senior Sisters is truly embarrassing!"

Leng Wushuang shot him a sidelong glance but said nothing.

Xu Xiaorou giggled delightedly, "You are the youngest junior brother, and your martial arts are the weakest right now. What nonsense about manhood? Fine, so you look down on us women then!"

Li Muzhan sighed, "Forget it, I won't argue."

Debating with women was the most exhausting task; ignoring any good points, he chose to retreat immediately.

Xu Xiaorou hummed triumphantly, "Junior Brother, just stand aside and enjoy the show. If I were you, I'd be overjoyed for such an opportunity!"

Li Muzhan shook his head and stopped talking.

Xu Xiaorou stepped forward one pace, while Zhang Qiaoyi and He Ruoshui stepped back one pace, the three riding abreast. Leng Wushuang led the way, with Li Muzhan at the rear.

After riding for one li, He Ruoshui whispered softly, "There is definitely killing intent, and it's very strong!... Junior Brother Li, are you sure this is the Tianji Tower?"

The Tianji Tower members were assassins and killers who excelled at concealing their presence; they would never emit such intense killing intent before an attack.

Li Muzhan explained, "Their lair was destroyed; they must be filled with boundless hatred."

"Ah, that makes sense!" He Ruoshui nodded.

Leng Wushuang ordered, "Take the Pidu Pills first!"

They had taken one yesterday, but the effect of the Pidu Pill lasted only one day, requiring another dose today. Li Muzhan pulled out a porcelain vial from his robe, poured out five pills, and tossed one to each of the four women.

Leng Wushuang caught hers, glanced at the crimson pill, then turned to look at Li Muzhan. After a moment of hesitation, she finally put it into her mouth.

Li Muzhan sighed internally with relief. He could see that the Lake Master had tendencies of mysophobia, and though she tried hard to conceal and overcome it, it was hard to miss entirely—it couldn't escape his eyes. She usually rejected anything belonging to a 'stinking man,' yet she swallowed this.

..................

A wave of joy washed over him; it seemed his risk in saving her life had not been in vain.

The horses trotted slowly forward. After covering about a hundred zhang, Leng Wushuang raised her right hand, and everyone stopped. This section of the road was narrow, barely wide enough for three or four people abreast, bordered by dense thickets and jagged rocks where footing was impossible.

Leng Wushuang stated calmly, "Those ambushing us ahead, show yourselves!"

The three women dismounted and led their horses back. Li Muzhan also dismounted, and the three women immediately encircled him, maintaining a distance of about two paces between them. The faint fragrance from the three women drifted into his nostrils.

Li Muzhan shook his head, saying no more. He picked up two stones from the ground and crushed them easily into several pieces. He crushed them a few more times until they became two small pebbles, which he tucked into his sleeve.

Two groups of people emerged from ahead, about a hundred paces distant, converging from east and west, using their lightness skills to shoot toward Leng Wushuang. The leader was an elder with white hair and beard, his face covered in wrinkles like an old pine tree. He was short and thin, seeming as if a gust of wind could blow him away, yet his eyes shone like cold stars, piercing men's internal organs.

He glared and demanded, "Are you Leng Wushuang of Xinghu Xiaozhu?"

"That is correct," Leng Wushuang affirmed.

"You killed our Valley Master!" the elder asked coldly, his voice sounding as if squeezed through his teeth, carrying a chilling quality that was unpleasant to hear.

Leng Wushuang nodded, "Mo Yunshan was killed by me."

The elder's face darkened as if water were dripping from it. He let out a cold laugh, "Good, good! Then we haven't killed the wrong person! Attack!"

With a wave of his hands, the two groups rushed out from his left and right, surging toward Leng Wushuang like a tide. Most were middle-aged men, with only four elders among them.

These four elders immediately engaged Leng Wushuang, enveloping her in a flurry of snow-white sword light.

Leng Wushuang flicked her sleeve, and with a muffled bang, one elder was sent flying, spitting a stream of blood mid-air before crashing heavily into the nearby thicket and vanishing from sight.

Two more elders flew out from behind the thin elder, joining the other three to surround Leng Wushuang. They attacked without regard for defense, only offense, and in the blink of an eye, Leng Wushuang sent another one flying.

While five men were engaged in surrounding Leng Wushuang, this group bypassed her and rushed toward Zhang Qiaoyi and the other three, surrounding them completely. The path was too narrow, allowing people only in single file, front to back.

They made no sound, attacking immediately. Blades flashed and swords glinted. The three women erected a curtain of swords, blocking the siege. In reality, they were only facing seven or eight attackers.

Li Muzhan stood in the center, perfectly at ease, observing Leng Wushuang ahead. The five surrounding her were all top-tier masters; every move generated fierce gusts of wind, causing the surrounding grass to ripple and sway, but they were far from being a threat to Leng Wushuang.

It resembled five sheep surrounding a lion; all their attacks were like mere tickling.

.................. "Damn it, use hidden weapons!" a harsh shout rang out from the crowd.

"Right, use hidden weapons!" someone else responded.

Immediately, a deluge of hidden weapons rained down, flashing with a dull, bluish sheen. Li Muzhan could smell a faint sweet scent, indicating they were clearly highly toxic.

Ding ding ding... The three women’s sword lights flared, and the myriad hidden weapons plummeted harmlessly to the ground, none getting through.

Li Muzhan stood calmly in the center, picking up a small pebble and flicking it hard. With a sharp chi sound, it shot straight into the crowd.

"Ow!" someone screamed and fell.

The three women exchanged glances, secretly astonished. This pebble looked simple, yet it carried an extraordinary force. Their sword net was not only aimed outward but also served as an internal barrier. Under normal circumstances, this pebble should have struck the sword net and disintegrated into fine dust; the sword screen they formed was impenetrable. This pebble managing to pierce it was by no means ordinary. They remained composed, acting as if they hadn't noticed anything unusual, silent.

Li Muzhan's pebble provoked an even greater barrage of hidden weapons, engulfing the area, all of which were blocked by the sword light of the three women, without a single miss.

With a chi whistle, another pebble shot out, carving a brownish streak, striking the crowd, followed by another scream.

Then, pebble after pebble was hurled out, striking the mass of people, each impact accompanied by a cry of pain. Li Muzhan's pebbles possessed immense power and incredible speed, and since the attackers were tightly packed, those who dodged the front ones couldn't evade the ones behind. Anyone struck suffered broken bones and severed tendons; none escaped the extraordinary might of the pebbles.

In the time it took to blink, Li Muzhan had thrown over a dozen pebbles, felling more than a dozen assailants. The tight crowd had thinned somewhat. There were originally over thirty people, split into two waves, front and back; now, a third had fallen, and the effect was obvious.

The three women exchanged another look, their expressions eager. They hadn't expected Li Muzhan to possess such sophisticated skill with hidden weapons; it saved them a great deal of effort.

The three only needed to defend with their swords; the attack could be entirely left to Junior Brother Li. Filled with excitement, they wanted to see if Li Muzhan could indeed take them all down.

Li Muzhan continued to hurl stones one by one. His perception was keen; it wasn't that he had found flaws in the women's sword light, but rather he relied entirely on intuition. When his instinct told him to throw, he did so with force, and the stone invariably pierced the sword net, never missing. He had always trusted his intuition, and it was usually accurate, but rarely had it been this precise.

He threw the stones with incredible speed, one after another. When only about a dozen men remained, the attackers devised a new tactic.

Three men formed the front line, maintaining their sword light and slowly advancing. When Li Muzhan’s pebble struck the light, the sword glow momentarily dimmed, and a long sword flew up, but it was instantly replaced by another.

The power of Li Muzhan's pebbles was extraordinary, stemming partly from his astonishing divine strength and partly because the pebbles were imbued with Earth Qi—a cluster of the yellow energy from his spleen attached itself to the stone.

This technique employed the Zhù Jiàn Jue (Arrow Anchoring Art); the power of this yellow energy was truly astonishing.