Li Muchan chuckled, "It's no matter. I'll just duck back into the lake to wait out the trouble and then leave."

Su Yunyun stared at him in astonishment.

To utter such words—didn't it compromise a man's integrity? But then again, he was always so flippant, so shameless; she had clearly overestimated him!

Jin Qiaoqiao said, "Sir, judging by the demeanor of the Ying Clan's Twin Heroes, the Lin Family doesn't seem to fear your Star Lake Lodge." Li Muchan snorted softly through his nose and shook his head with a wry smile.

Star Lake Lodge stood aloof from the world, towering above the major sects, and this was no accident. However, people invariably trust what they see over what they hear. Those who haven't personally witnessed the sheer might of Star Lake Lodge often hold onto a sliver of hope, thinking the rumors have exaggerated their strength.

Su Yunyun also frowned, watching him. Though he was infuriating, it grated on her to see him targeted by others for murder. She vowed to exact revenge with her own hands sooner or later!

"Sir, are you still coming back to the palace with us?" Jin Qiaoqiao asked with a bright smile.

She had already guessed that Li Muchan was only pretending to be constrained to tease her and Sister Su, perhaps just wanting a peek inside the Jade Cold Palace.

Li Muchan smiled at Su Yunyun, "I'm not a woman, yet I can't enter the Jade Cold Palace?" "Any man who enters the palace is destined to become hard labor. If you want to go, then go!" Su Yunyun coldly snorted.

Li Muchan sensed a trace of concern beneath Su Yunyun's sharp words; it seemed she had secretly sneaked over, intending to administer poison to assist him.

Li Muchan chuckled, "Then forget it. I'll escort you both a ways."

Su Yunyun sneered, "I wouldn't dare trouble you so!" ... "You are nothing but a target. The Lin Family won't let you go. If you aren't here, we won't have any trouble!"

Li Muchan smiled, "Yunyun, you overestimate the Lin Family!"

"You underestimate the Lin Family!" Su Yunyun shot him a look, pouting, "Don't you think? We've barely gone this far before they ambushed us. Do you think any ordinary gang could manage that?"

Li Muchan smiled and nodded, offering no rebuttal.

The Lin Family were the local rulers of White Cloud City. Over the years of their operations, their network was deeply entrenched, their intelligence omnipresent. Finding him was not difficult.

Su Yunyun said, "Knowing you are a disciple of Star Lake Lodge yet daring to kill you proves the Lin Family truly fears neither Star Lake Lodge nor the continuous stream of experts they can bring. They must kill you!" Li Muchan laughed, "Very well then—I'd like to meet the Lin Family's experts!" Su Yunyun huffed, "Even a fierce tiger fears a pack of wolves. Can one man stand against a horde of experts? This time the Ying Clan's Twin Heroes were overconfident; it won't be the same next time!" Li Muchan smiled brightly, "Thank you for your concern. I shall be careful!"

"Who's concerned about you? I'm just afraid you'll die before you get a chance for revenge!" Su Yunyun retorted irritably, turning and waving dismissively, "Let's go! Let him cause his own trouble!" Jin Qiaoqiao gave Li Muchan a smile before following Su Yunyun. The three boarded another carriage. Before getting in, Granny Yang tossed a string of silver to the sturdy middle-aged coachman, and the carriage rumbled away.

………………………………”………………………… Li Muchan watched them slowly disappear, sighing wistfully. Although Su Yunyun's words were cold, her beauty remained undimmed, and beneath it all lay a thread of concern.

He cursed the Lin Family for ruining his plans. If the Ying Clan's Twin Heroes hadn't appeared, he was certain he could have cultivated a bond with Su Yunyun on this journey, turning hatred into affection.

Su Yunyun appeared harsh, yet she possessed a soft heart. Perhaps it was due to her upbringing; though clever, she lacked cunning, and her inherent kindness made her quite endearing.

The arrival of the Ying Clan's Twin Heroes had disrupted his good fortune. His original plan was now impossible, forcing him to part ways, and the hope of nurturing their feelings had vanished.

He wondered if he would ever get a chance to resolve this entanglement of fate.

He pondered for a moment, then straightened his resolve. Su Yunyun was right; the Lin Family would not spare him. They had to kill him, or what would become of the Lin Family's honor and prestige?

For any sect, losing prestige meant losing deterrence. Normally, every sect had numerous enemies stemming from inevitable conflicts of interest. If a sect lost its deterrent power, those waiting for an opportunity would seize the moment. If the Lin Family failed to avenge the death of a direct lineal member, their authority would wane, their deterrence would drop, and they might struggle to maintain control. Thus, they were compelled to kill him to reassert their might.

As Li Muchan's thoughts turned, he grasped the crux of the matter. He shook his head with a sigh—such was life in the Jianghu, where one’s actions were often not entirely one’s own choice.

He pondered briefly, thinking of Sea Sky Palace and Mount Wuyou.

Mount Wuyou was an excellent place for seclusion. If he stayed there for a month, his cultivation would soar. It possessed the Spring of Elemental Vitality, which had little effect on others but was a veritable blessed land for him.

He recalled the Taoist lore from his previous life concerning the concept of Grotto-Heavens and Blessed Lands—the thirty-six Grotto-Heavens and seventy-two Blessed Lands. They must be places saturated with dense elemental energy, much like Mount Wuyou.

It was a pity this world differed from the other; the topography was not the same, leaving him no way to verify his suspicions. He could only rely on Mount Wuyou.

As he decided, he turned toward Sea Sky Palace.

Sea Sky Palace was located in the central region of Nanli, near the Imperial Capital, whereas White Cloud City lay on the southern frontier, over a thousand li away. He didn't need a horse; he relied on his Qinggong to travel swiftly.

With the Void Qi Guiding Art replenishing his internal energy, the expenditure from his Qinggong was negligible. He pressed on relentlessly, only stopping in large towns long enough to buy grain and water before continuing his journey.

Even traveling at such a pace, after two days, he still felt someone trailing him. Though he saw no figures, the peculiar sensation lingered faintly.

His Void Eye surveyed the area, detecting nothing amiss within a ten-li radius.

…………………… Li Muchan was not alarmed. He knew the pursuer had blended into the common populace, making them hard to detect normally, but this didn't fool him. He changed direction several times and finally discovered the person.

He also realized why he was being watched: there was an eagle circling high above, blending seamlessly with the white clouds. If he hadn't looked closely, he would have easily overlooked it.

At this time, the eagle was the undisputed king of the skies, with no natural predators. Though people carried bows and arrows, the bird flew too high and reacted too quickly to be easily shot.

Seeing this, Li Muchan smiled slightly, feeling reassured. Once the source of the surveillance was known, the mystery dissolved, and there was nothing left to worry about.

Five days later, he arrived at Lanyun City, standing before the gates of Sea Sky Palace.

The guards at the entrance announced him inside, and Lu Chaozong, clad in dark blue tight-fitting robes, burst out laughing. He immediately reached out to pull Li Muchan inside, but Li Muchan stopped moving.

Lu Chaozong paused, turning to look at him, his large, bell-like eyes filled with confusion. Li Muchan smiled, "Brother Lu, I won't be coming in."

"What's wrong?" Lu Chaozong asked, scratching his head. "I was going to introduce you to two senior brothers. They both admire you greatly and want to witness your demeanor!"

Li Muchan smiled, "Not right now. I need to get to Mount Wuyou as soon as possible."

"Did something happen?" Lu Chaozong turned to look behind him.

Li Muchan smiled, "I'm currently being hunted by the Lin Family, and they should be arriving soon. It would be best if Sea Sky Palace doesn't get involved." "The Lin Family?" Lu Chaozong scratched his forehead, his eyes widening. "The Lin Family from those two great clans?"

Seeing Li Muchan nod, he stared, asking, "How did you manage to provoke them? The Lin Family isn't to be trifled with; even we give them some leeway. They are incredibly overbearing!" Li Muchan shook his head and laughed, "I killed the head of the Three Smiles Hall, Lin Tan, and his son." "Ah?!" Lu Chaozong's eyes widened even further, and he gasped, "Good heavens, you killed the Southern Altar Master of Three Smiles Hall!"

Li Muchan said, "This is like kicking over a hornet's nest. The Lin Family is determined to kill me, so I must first take refuge on Mount Wuyou." "Go, go, quickly!" Lu Chaozong nodded repeatedly.

Li Muchan lowered his voice, "Don't publicize this. If anyone comes looking, just say you haven't seen me, so as not to disturb the tranquility of your Sea Sky Palace."

Lu Chaozong snorted, "I've never cared for them! Don't worry, they wouldn't dare cause trouble here. You stay on Mount Wuyou, and I guarantee you'll be safe!" Li Muchan nodded, "I'll need to act unexpectedly... Please convey my apologies to Palace Master Bai. I hope your esteemed palace is not implicated."

"Got it! I'll tell Master," Lu Chaozong agreed, grinning, "Everyone knows we aren't on the best of terms with your Star Lake Lodge. The Lin Family wouldn't dare act rashly!"

"Good, then I'm off," Li Muchan nodded.

………………………………………… Li Muchan slipped into an inn, changed his clothes, and altered his appearance to deceive the eagle overhead. He walked out slowly, seemingly wandering aimlessly, weaving into the bustling crowd. Unconsciously, he left the city and entered the rolling mountain range, arriving at Mount Wuyou.

He could now sense that the eyes following him had vanished. He had easily shaken off his pursuers; in the massive, crowded Lanyun City, finding him would be a fool's errand. Even the powerful Lin Family dared not act recklessly in Lanyun City, the seat of the Imperial Palace, which harbored experts aplenty. No matter how large the Lin Family was, compared to the Royal Family, they were but an elephant facing ants.

On Mount Wuyou, Meng Qiuxia stood clad in fluttering cyan robes, her long hair streaming in the wind, sitting motionless in meditation by the cliff edge. Hearing Li Muchan's approach, she turned her head.

"Junior Brother Li?" She looked him up and down. "Did something happen?" Li Muchan strode forward into the wind, his wide sleeves billowing, and smiled, "Must something happen for me to visit Senior Sister?"

"Did you return to Star Lake Lodge and see him?" Meng Qiuxia’s full face broke into a smile.

Li Muchan shook his head, "It seems Senior Brother-in-law will be disappointed; I did not return to the Lodge."

"Then what exactly happened?" Meng Qiuxia gave him a look and gestured to the spot before her. The place where she sat was a piece of smooth, polished white stone, utterly spotless, as nothing could adhere to it in the whipping wind.

Li Muchan sat down, leaving a step of space between them. A faint, delicate fragrance drifted towards him—he secretly praised Senior Brother Xia’s fortune; this was clearly her natural scent.

"I fled here," Li Muchan admitted.

Meng Qiuxia raised her slender eyebrows. "What kind of person could make Junior Brother Li flee?" She was intimately aware of Li Muchan’s cultivation; it was already astounding. Even Xia Wufeng was not his equal. Few people in the martial world could force him to flee.

Li Muchan said, "I killed the Southern Altar Master of Three Smiles Hall, and now the Lin Family is hunting me."

Meng Qiuxia studied him up and down. Li Muchan smiled, "Senior Sister Meng?"

Meng Qiuxia shook her head. "You truly are... provoking both Three Smiles Hall and the Lin Family simultaneously. Your martial skill is formidable, but your audacity is even more so!"

Li Muchan sighed, "I was forced into a corner. It’s done, and regret is useless now... Having survived the first ambush by the Lin Family, the attacks will only grow fiercer. The Lin Family is powerful; they can kill one after another, endlessly. I have no choice but to flee as far as I can."

Meng Qiuxia frowned and pondered for a moment, then shook her head. "The Lin Family possesses vast influence; they might find you even here."

Li Muchan laughed, "This is deep in the mountains. If they come, I'll leave. Playing hide-and-seek with them might be amusing." Meng Qiuxia shook her head. "If you had retreated into Star Lake Lodge, no matter how rampant they became, they wouldn't dare attack it."

Li Muchan shook his head and smiled. "To shrink back because of a mere Lin Family would bring great shame upon my Star Lake Lodge. I must test their limits first!"

Meng Qiuxia sighed at his temerity...

……………………………… Li Muchan appeared easygoing, but his heart held an innate pride. He could never simply do nothing and hide in the lake while the Lin Family swaggered and mocked them; such an act was impossible. When he told Su Yunyun that earlier, it was only banter meant to provoke her, but he wouldn't actually do it. Since the Lin Family was acting so aggressively, they deserved a lesson—they needed to learn that Star Lake Lodge disciples were not to be trifled with, lest his future senior brothers and sisters be bullied.

An open spear is easy to guard against, but hidden arrows are difficult to fend off. Even for a Star Lake Lodge disciple, if someone truly plotted against him, claiming absolute self-preservation was difficult. The key was deterrence. The best path was to prevent others from even conceiving the thought of making an enemy of a Star Lake Lodge disciple.

He intended to make the Lin Family suffer and show the world the prowess of Star Lake Lodge disciples. People seemed to have overlooked them somewhat during these past few years of quietude.

Mount Wuyou was an excellent training ground. He wanted to maximize his cultivation to prepare for a battle to establish his authority; the longer the Lin Family took to find him, the better.

In the vast crowds of Lanyun City, finding him wouldn't be easy. Li Muchan settled down to cultivate diligently, preparing to master the third type of Qi—Water Qi.

Li Muchan glanced around and noticed Meng Qiuxia's cultivation had surged, progressing faster than he expected. While she couldn't yet treat the gale-force winds as nothing, she could barely withstand them. The power of the Heaven-Stealing Scripture was immense, and the surrounding vegetation was rich in spiritual energy, which Li Muchan surmised was related to the dense elemental energy here. She absorbed this spiritual energy, reaping immense benefits, causing her cultivation to skyrocket.

He said, "Senior Sister Meng, let me see how your practice is progressing." Meng Qiuxia nodded slightly, turned her back to him, and Li Muchan placed his palm against her back. After observing internally for a moment, he slowly drew back his hand. "Hmm, excellent. Your progress is significant."

Meng Qiuxia turned back, frowning. "This Heaven-Stealing Scripture is truly wondrous, but stealing the opportunities of heaven and earth always brings a feeling of undeserved gain. Could it bring ill fortune?"

Li Muchan laughed, "To steal the opportunities of heaven and earth is skill. Putting aside everything else, consider the succession of dynasties—which emperor did not steal the opportunities of heaven and earth?"

Meng Qiuxia slowly nodded, finding his reasoning sound, and breathed a sigh of relief. Her rapid cultivation progress made her feel uneasy, as if she were gaining too much without sufficient effort—a sense of thievery and opportunism. The faster the progress, the more unsettled she felt.

Li Muchan’s words offered some comfort, yet she still felt uneasy. Seeing this, Li Muchan smiled, "Senior Sister, you are cultivating too intensely; your Qi is agitated and needs proper refinement." "Alright," Meng Qiuxia agreed.

Li Muchan added, "If you feel it’s ominous, once you cultivate to the point where you can leave Mount Wuyou, then discard it. But for now, you must practice. Otherwise, when will you be able to leave Mount Wuyou? Can you bear to make Senior Brother Xia wait anxiously?"

Meng Qiuxia’s expression shifted slightly, and she nodded deeply.

……………………………… Li Muchan began his arduous cultivation of Fire Qi. Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth—he had reached the third element, and his progress was extremely fast, fundamentally thanks to the Void Qi Guiding Art. Mastering one Qi was easy, and two was not difficult, but achieving the third Qi became arduous. Among the five elements, they were mutually generating and mutually restrictive. Once three Qi types existed, there was almost certainly a restrictive relationship. When restrictions occurred, it was a zero-sum game, which was troublesome—like a cat and a mouse, nearly impossible for them to coexist. It required extremely subtle techniques to maintain balance.

Therefore, cultivating the third Qi was extremely difficult. The reason he came to Mount Wuyou was precisely to leverage its dense spiritual energy, aiming to shatter the restrictive pressure in one go. His Water Qi was restricted by his Earth Qi. Since his Earth Qi was already incomparably robust, the moment Water Qi appeared, it would immediately be expelled, making it nearly impossible for the Water Qi to gain a foothold. Only by using the dense spiritual energy of Mount Wuyou and the Void Qi Guiding Art could he first build massive reserves and then refine them, creating a force comparable to the Earth Qi in a short time. Only then could he minimize losses; otherwise, the Water Qi would never take form and could never be mastered. He suspected that all previous generations of masters had been halted at this very barrier.

He cautioned Meng Qiuxia and immediately entered deep seclusion, forbidding any disturbance, hoping to break through and master Water Qi in a short span.

However, upon beginning his practice, he discovered it was far more difficult than imagined. His Earth Qi was as pure as water and usually responded to his will, but the instant Water Qi manifested, the docile Earth Qi became violent, like an untamed wild horse, and was impossible to control; it absolutely had to extinguish the Water Qi.

He tried several times, each attempt ending in failure and wasted effort. The Water Qi could not form. Helplessly, he had to abandon the Water Qi cultivation and focus on strengthening the first two Qi types.

He smiled bitterly to himself—this was like drinking poison to quench thirst. The stronger the first two Qi types became, the harder it was to cultivate the other three. But given the circumstances, he had no other choice. If it truly failed, upon returning to Star Lake Lodge, he would discard the Qi Cultivation Technique and start anew; with the Void Qi Guiding Art, progress would be much faster.

Mount Wuyou’s abundant spiritual energy meant his progress remained swift. In just over ten days, his internal energy advanced by another two levels, far surpassing previous gains.

One evening, he suddenly stood up and whispered, "Senior Sister Meng, they have found me. I must go!" "Really?" Meng Qiuxia turned to look. The mountain wilderness was vast, and nothing was visible.

Li Muchan smiled, "If they come, tell them I said nothing and left." With that, he drifted away, heading toward another peak, vanishing from Meng Qiuxia's sight in an instant.