Meng Qiuxia nodded. She detested the short, thin old man, and seeing him in such a state only brought her satisfaction, not pity. If Brother Li hadn't returned, her own fate would have been dreadful.

She floated forward and drove a punch toward the thin old man’s face, thinking to herself that even if she couldn't defeat him, she could at least disrupt his recovery.

The punch was delivered with an almost feathery lightness, ready to shift tactics at a moment's notice. She knew this little old man was formidable; she was no match for him at all.

With a dull thud, Meng Qiuxia stared at her fist in astonishment, then at the thin old man lying on his back, looking up at the sky, and finally turned to Li Muzhan in confusion.

She found it hard to believe that such a powerful elder could be felled by a single blow from her?

Li Muzhan’s sword light suddenly surged, expanding slightly to entangle the tall old man attempting to break free. He called out loudly, "Strike him while he's weak, Senior Sister! Use your hidden weapons!"

Meng Qiuxia snapped back to attention, gave a slight shake of her right hand, and a silver shuttle appeared, which she flicked toward the old man on the ground. This was the Tide-Breaking Shuttle, a unique hidden weapon of the Haitian Palace.

A flash of silver light shot out. The small, thin old man managed a slight slide, just barely evading the shuttle, but then he spat out a stream of blood, his small, bean-like eyes flashing with fury.

Meng Qiuxia arched an eyebrow and flicked her left hand, shooting out another beam of silver light.

The thin old man tried to evade, but he couldn't move. He could only manage to lift his left hand weakly to guard his chest. The shuttle carved a silver track through his left palm and plunged into his heart.

"Uh..." the thin old man gasped, kicked his legs twice, and then lay utterly still, his left arm dropping limply.

"Old Song!" the tall old man roared in fury, a sound like a wolf’s howl that made the mountains and forests tremble.

Li Muzhan remained unmoved. His sword light enveloped the tall old man like a cocoon, relentlessly wrapping around him, growing tighter and thicker—he was using the Nine Swords of the Vast Sea.

He was completely self-assured. No one in Nanli recognized the Nine Swords of the Vast Sea. Furthermore, his current iteration had long since broken free from its original constraints and undergone fundamental changes. He was certain that even if his master arrived, she would only catch the faintest shadow of the Nine Swords and dare not confirm it.

Since arriving at Star Lake Small Abode, he had studied its various martial arts and grasped the essence of the Mountain-Severing Saber technique, leading to a profound leap in his understanding of swordsmanship.

The tall old man was shocked and enraged, letting out another shout.

He hadn't expected Old Song to perish here, dying so ignominiously after a lifetime of prestige—dying by the hand of a mere young woman. Was there truly such a thing as karma?

Meng Qiuxia felt a sense of wonder herself, having killed a master she considered utterly unreachable.

Li Muzhan's net of swords enveloped the tall old man densely, like countless layers of silk. No matter how he struggled, he could not break free from the sword net, which relentlessly ground down the old man’s fighting spirit.

Li Muzhan’s sword contained an extraordinary inner force—earth energy and wood energy twisted together like two water columns, sharp as a drill, specifically designed to pierce internal qi.

Thus, this effect was not due to the exquisite refinement of Li Muzhan's swordsmanship, but rather the bizarre nature of his force, which rendered the old man’s numerous subtle techniques futile and powerless.

After a hundred exchanges, the tall old man’s sword movements grew sluggish. His body felt as if bound by countless ropes; every movement required enormous effort, like carrying a mountain weighing ten thousand jun.

He persisted this long, but his internal energy was nearly depleted. He wanted to unleash some ultimate moves but lacked the power. He had intended to wait until Li Muzhan’s energy ran out before delivering a killing blow.

But he had misjudged Li Muzhan’s internal energy and swordsmanship. He thought to himself that it was no wonder Old Song had fallen; the force on this sword was truly bizarre, so pure it was like an actual iron-skinned snake, burrowing into the body and refusing to leave.

Li Muzhan secretly admired the old man’s pure and resilient internal energy, yet he sensed the elder held a final, trump card move, ready to counterattack at any moment, requiring intense concentration and vigilance.

Although he appeared to have the upper hand, he had to maintain absolute focus, constantly wary of the elder’s next move. There was no ease in it; rather, it drained his spirit more.

Fortunately, his mental fortitude was strong. Though continuously strained, he persevered, and the force in his sword grew stronger while the pressure on the old man intensified.

Suddenly, the elder shook his body with a series of crackling sounds, like beans being stir-fried, and then his physique expanded by a noticeable amount, instantly boosting his strength as he seemed about to break free from Li Muzhan’s sword net.

Li Muzhan breathed a quiet sigh of relief. He had finally revealed this move. As far as he knew, the great aristocratic families all possessed secret arts to stimulate potential, some brilliant, others mediocre.

Unfortunately, the old man had used it too late. Otherwise, he wouldn't have ended up in this predicament. Li Muzhan’s swordsmanship was subtle, layering force upon force, weaving a net that grew tighter and thicker over time, increasing its power. If the old man had executed this technique decisively earlier, he might have had a chance to escape; now, it was difficult.

Li Muzhan’s internal energy surged out, suppressing the old man. Unwilling to yield, the elder shifted his footing, moving from left to right, from front to back, the two of them traversing the Unworried Cliff.

Where they moved, the pebbles on the ground were pulverized into dust. Meng Qiuxia dodged from side to side, daring not to approach. Back when she was injured, Li Muzhan had moved several stones to shield her from the wind; these stones did not escape unscathed, struck by Li Muzhan’s sword light and reduced to a pile of small gravel.

Meng Qiuxia clicked her tongue inwardly. She hadn't expected Li Muzhan to possess such formidable power—it was truly horrifying. Even Master might not possess such skill. Star Lake Small Abode was indeed not to be underestimated.

Suddenly, a long whistle echoed. Li Muzhan’s expression changed, and he turned, saying, "Senior Sister Meng, you leave first!"

Meng Qiuxia also sensed trouble. This elder’s whistle was clearly summoning companions. If the first was this powerful, his companions must be formidable. If they arrived, she would be in danger.

She looked troubled: "I cannot leave the Unworried Cliff!"

Li Muzhan swung his sword like lightning, stating in a deep voice, "This place is still Haitian Palace's restricted domain!"

Meng Qiuxia shook her head: "Forget it, I can't go."

Li Muzhan sighed helplessly. A golden light flashed in his eyes, and his sword radiance immediately soared, his power surging, pressing the old man so hard he could barely breathe.

The tall old man roared repeatedly, resisting with all his might. His moves were refined, but Li Muzhan completely reversed his previous approach, abandoning the Nine Swords of the Vast Sea for the Mountain-Severing Saber technique instead.

Using the sword as a saber, he chopped and hacked, the sword infused with the cutting force of the Mountain-Severing Saber, which was profoundly strange. The force pierced directly into the meridians, aiming for the heart channel.

The tall old man felt a resonant vibration throughout his body every time he parried a sword strike, as if the force had penetrated his entire being, leaving him momentarily numb.

After a few such blows, his body stiffened, his movements became sluggish, and he grew increasingly incapable.

"Chh!" His shoulder took a sword strike.

Li Muzhan showed no mercy, following one strike with another. A bead of blood splattered from the sword, and he thrust again. The old man couldn't evade in time, and his shoulder was struck again.

Both strikes hit his left shoulder, which did not affect his saber work. Li Muzhan had intended to strike his right shoulder, but although the old man was at a disadvantage, he still retained some strength, and his footwork was superb, as slippery as a catfish.

Another long whistle drifted from a distance, reverberating across the land. Li Muzhan frowned. Judging by the distance, it was only a dozen li away; whoever it was could arrive in moments. This person possessed deep internal energy and would be a formidable opponent.

A second whistle sounded, and Li Muzhan’s brow furrowed again. This person’s internal energy was no less profound than the first; another formidable foe. Though the directions differed, both were troublesome.

Meng Qiuxia rejoiced: "Junior Brother Li, it’s Master!"

Li Muzhan turned and asked, "Was that Palace Master Bai just now?"

Meng Qiuxia nodded: "Indeed! I can recognize Master's voice!"

Li Muzhan shook his head, frowning: "I didn't want to involve Haitian Palace either; it seems that wish is impossible!"

He ignored everything else and immediately activated the Lamp-Lighting Technique. His internal energy blazed up like a roaring lamp, surging out like giant waves crashing against a cliff, the force in his sword becoming even more savage and terrifying.

The moment the old man’s long sword connected with his, it paused abruptly; his internal energy froze, unable to break the restraint as easily as before.

In that instant of pause, Li Muzhan’s sword light struck, piercing the old man's heart. He then drew his sword swiftly, narrowly avoiding the spurt of blood, and reappeared before Meng Qiuxia.

He reached out, gathered Meng Qiuxia into his arms, and floated down the cliff. Meng Qiuxia struggled fruitlessly; her slender waist was fixed by Li Muzhan as if held by iron pincers. She reluctantly turned her head: "Junior Brother Li, let me go quickly!"

Li Muzhan floated downward, shaking his head and sighing, "It's no use for you to stay here. Once you are down the Unworried Cliff, return to Haitian Palace first and avoid getting entangled in this matter."

Meng Qiuxia insisted helplessly: "No matter what, I cannot leave the Unworried Cliff."

Li Muzhan warned, "If you don't leave the cliff, when the Lin family members arrive on top later, they are certain to direct their anger at you, or torture you to reveal my whereabouts."

"I can just point them in a random direction!" Meng Qiuxia countered, struggling briefly. "The moment I leave the Unworried Cliff, all my efforts will be wasted—all the hardship and torment endured for nothing!"

Her cheeks were flushed, radiant as a peony. The aura emanating from Li Muzhan drifted into her nostrils, its unique scent making her body weak and her face hot.

Li Muzhan shook his head: "It’s not as simple as you think. The Lin family is accustomed to dominance; they won't let you go, preferring to kill the wrong person than let a guilty one escape, no matter how beautiful you are, Senior Sister!"

Meng Qiuxia struggled a couple more times, then suddenly went limp. She felt her skin brushing against his, the heat from his body seeping through their clothes and straight into her heart.

Although she was devoted to Xia Wufeng, they had never had physical contact. This was the first time she had been so close to a man, and she felt as if her body was no longer her own.

Li Muzhan landed softly on the ground and transformed into a wisp of light smoke, slipping into a nearby grove. The trees were dense, blending perfectly with the surrounding rocks, making him invisible from the sky.

He released his large hand from Meng Qiuxia’s waist. Though her body was supple and felt wonderful to hold, he felt no stirring of desire—a friend's wife was not to be trifled with, and as his senior sister-in-law, any improper thought was strictly forbidden.

Though he appreciated beauty, he held fast to this principle. He said to Meng Qiuxia, "Senior Sister Meng, wait until I engage them up top and give a loud whistle. Then you should start back for Haitian Palace... Slip through the woods. There is no need to conceal your tracks; be open and straightforward, as if you don't know me and have no connection to me!"

"Junior Brother Li..." Meng Qiuxia was uneasy. Although his martial arts were astonishing, the masters of the Lin family were no pushovers either; their skills were terrifyingly high.

Li Muzhan smiled: "Senior Sister, don't worry. If I really can't win, I’ll run. With you gone, I can fight when I want to fight, and run when I want to run!"

Meng Qiuxia nodded. If it hadn't been for her just now, he would have already fled and wouldn't have fought those two elders. She bit her red lip and whispered softly, "You must be careful, don't overexert yourself!"

Li Muzhan waved his hand and laughed: "Relax, relax. As long as the green hills remain, there's no fear of firewood running out—I understand that principle. If things go badly, I’ll just run back to Star Lake!"

Just then, another whistle sounded, right near her ear.

Li Muzhan floated back up the cliff, waving at her in mid-air. His robes fluttered, and he ascended rapidly as if pulled by a rope, reaching the top of the Unworried Cliff in an instant.

Li Muzhan’s clear, ringing laughter echoed: "Well said, Lin family! You've certainly spared no expense! Come, come, let me see what caliber of person the Lin family has sent!"

"Did you kill Old Song and Old He?!" a thunderous roar erupted.

Li Muzhan’s laughter returned: "Indeed. Though their martial arts were formidable, they were not enough to watch. If you are no match, you might as well leave quickly. Heaven cherishes life, and I truly hate needless slaughter!"

"Nonsense! Take this staff strike from me!" A thunderous shout rang out.

Li Muzhan let out a long, echoing laugh: "Good, good! I shall try out your staff techniques!"

Meng Qiuxia was about to move when another long whistle sounded near her ear. She froze, recognizing it as the voice of her Master, Bai Xiaotian, and worry filled her.

In the past, she had absolute faith in Master Bai Xiaotian’s martial arts, believing that even if his skill wasn't the absolute best in the world, it was certainly among the top few, with few men able to surpass him.

After witnessing the skills of the two elders just now, and then Li Muzhan’s power, her opinion shifted. She knew that while Master’s martial arts were strong, he might not necessarily defeat Junior Brother Li.

"Palace Master Bai, I truly apologize for dragging your Palace into this!" Li Muzhan’s figure flickered, like a phantom drifting out of the myriad strikes of the staff, twisting his body and clasping his fists in greeting: "I came to the Unworried Cliff intending to lie low, but I did not expect them to chase me here!"

"Smelly brat, don't run! Take my staff strike!" The powerfully built man roared like a lion, swinging his staff and attacking again, relentlessly pursuing Li Muzhan.

Bai Xiaotian, dressed in a royal blue long gown, possessed a handsome, jade-like face, yet it was dark as dripping water. He spoke coldly: "Where is Qiuxia?"

Li Muzhan dodged the staff shadows with a flicker of movement and said with a smile, "Palace Master Bai, rest assured, Senior Sister is safe; I have already sent her away! ... Senior Sister struggled and was unwilling to leave the cliff, saying she couldn't leave the Unworried Cliff without cause. I couldn't afford to wait; I had no choice but to force her away. This place has become a place of trouble!"

"Hmph!" A sharp glint flashed in Bai Xiaotian's eyes, and he let out a cold snort.

Li Muzhan continued, "This is all my fault; I provoked the Lin family and was hunted, forcing Senior Sister Meng to leave the Unworried Cliff. I beg for Palace Master Bai's forgiveness!"

Bai Xiaotian pointed coldly at the two dead elders on the ground, then at the staff-wielding man, and asked, "Who are they?"

"They were sent by the Lin family to hunt me," Li Muzhan replied.

Bai Xiaotian snorted coldly: "Stop!"

Li Muzhan flickered away with a sudden movement, retreating a full zhang. The burly man ceased his attack and turned to glare at Bai Xiaotian: "You old man, why ruin my good deed!"

Bai Xiaotian scrutinized the man from head to toe: mid-forties, with short, needle-like stubble, a pair of brass-bell eyes radiating ferocity, and a face crisscrossed with tough flesh like that of a dragon slayer.

The long staff in his hand was forged from Copper-Milled Gold, emitting a dim, purplish-yellow glow, looking incredibly heavy, yet in his grasp, it seemed as light as a blade of grass.

"Who are you?" Bai Xiaotian asked sternly. "I am Bai Xiaotian of the Haitian Palace. This is the restricted domain of my Haitian Palace; outsiders are forbidden to enter!"

"Haitian Palace?" The man scoffed dismissively. "Never heard of it. Just because you say it's your restricted domain doesn't make it so. I say this is the Lin family's restricted domain, and you can’t barge in here!"

"Presumptuous!" Bai Xiaotian said coldly.

The man pursed his lips and sneered, "You old man are too troublesome. Get lost quickly. I intend to kill this brat; don't interfere, or I’ll chop you up along with him!"

Li Muzhan quickly interjected: "Palace Master Bai, please allow me to settle him, and then I will properly beg your forgiveness!"

"Smelly brat, such big talk! You want to kill me? First, ask if my staff agrees!" The burly man laughed heartily, swinging his staff in a great arc. Several phantom golden staffs appeared, aimed at the top of Li Muzhan’s head.

Li Muzhan flickered away, evading the strike, and turned to say, "Palace Master Bai, please observe the fight. Allow me to finish this man before we talk properly!"

Bai Xiaotian took a deep breath, wanting to gauge Li Muzhan's true strength, and nodded, stepping back two paces.

"Smelly brat, stop dodging! If you have the guts, take one of my blows!" The burly man roared, bringing his staff down again.

Li Muzhan let out a long laugh: "Take it I shall!"

Clang... A crisp sound echoed continuously. Li Muzhan’s long sword struck the copper staff, emitting a clear chime like that of a bell or chime, exceedingly pleasant to the ear.

Bai Xiaotian glanced at the long sword in Li Muzhan’s hand—it was the Radiant Light Sword he had bestowed upon Qiuxia, a genuine treasure sword. He felt an intense longing.

Even a treasured sword like this was prone to damage when struck head-on against such a heavy copper rod. Such a fine sword was hard to come by, yet Li Zhu was treating it with such disregard.

Every time he saw Li Muzhan hacking down as if wielding a saber, his heart leaped and tightened as the sword clashed against the copper rod, wishing he could snatch the sword away immediately.

Li Muzhan swung his sword like a blade, executing the Mountain-Severing Saber technique. The burly man's staff technique was extremely powerful, and his internal energy followed a purely yang, massive current, pure and robust.

For a time, the two were locked in a fierce battle, trading sword strikes and staff blows—a pure contest of brute force, eschewing subtle tricks, seeing who would last until the end.

Clang, clang, clang, clang... While Bai Xiaotian watched with a trembling heart, their sword and staff met ceaselessly. Their feet seemed nailed to the ground; neither yielded an inch.

"Haha, good lad, I’m starting to like you a little! But it’s a pity you offended our Lin family; you must die!" the burly man laughed while swinging his staff.

Li Muzhan smiled back: "You are casting pearls before swine, why serve the Lin family? Why not switch allegiance to Haitian Palace?"

"Nonsense! I owe the Lin family a great debt; my life belongs to the Lin family forever!" the man roared, swinging his copper staff even more fiercely. The resulting myriad of staff shadows was truly spectacular.

Seeing this, Li Muzhan shook his head. After striking the copper staff, he suddenly changed his move, sliding his sword down along the staff, aiming for the burly man's wrist with incredible speed.

The burly man grunted in surprise ("Yi!"), released his grip, and let the staff drop downward. He kicked out, sending the staff flying up again, then caught it and swung it violently.

Li Muzhan was thrusting towards his heart. As the staff swung toward him, he had to retreat to evade it. His sword tip tapped the copper rod—Cling—a sharp sound that momentarily stalled the staff.

Li Muzhan had refrained from using his peculiar inner force until this moment, constantly accumulating power. Now, he released it completely, just as he had against the short old man. The burly man suffered the same fate: the invasive internal force drilled directly to his heart channel, forcing him to use his energy to resist, causing a momentary hesitation in his movements.

Li Muzhan had been waiting for this pause. His figure moved like a ghost, darting forward to stab. The sword tip condensed into a single point of cold light, allowing the burly man no time to dodge.

The burly man let out a muffled groan. His chest took the sword strike. As Li Muzhan drew his blade out, a spurt of blood jetted from his chest toward the sky. He fell backward, his body trembling, and finally lay still—dead.

Li Muzhan let out a long breath and turned to Bai Xiaotian: "Palace Master Bai, my apologies for the intrusion."

Bai Xiaotian waved his hand: "Forget it, the Lin family—heh, the Lin family!"

He looked at the dead giant, shock spreading through his heart. He hadn't expected Li Zhu to be this powerful. He could predict the outcome if he fought Li Muzhan himself. To possess such martial arts at this age, and such ruthlessness—Star Lake Small Abode truly lived up to its name!

Li Muzhan lightly shook his sword, flicking off the beads of blood, and sighed: "Senior Sister Meng cannot stay on the Unworried Cliff. Those two men just now saw Senior Sister's beauty and intended to offend her; that's why I decided to kill them."

"I will demand an explanation from the Lin family!" Bai Xiaotian snorted.

Li Muzhan shook his head: "It’s better not to."

Bai Xiaotian frowned at him. Previously, he would have completely ignored Li Muzhan's words, but after witnessing Li Muzhan’s methods, he couldn't afford not to take him seriously.

Li Muzhan continued, "Palace Master Bai, just pretend you know nothing. In any case, all three of them are dead. I will leave immediately and lure them elsewhere!"

Bai Xiaotian pondered in silence, studying him.

Li Muzhan advised, "The Lin family is different, after all. Palace Master Bai doesn't need to clash with them; the bigger picture should be prioritized. Personal honor is not worth dwelling on."

Bai Xiaotian slowly nodded, then suddenly smiled: "Li Zhu, you are quite suited to managing a sect!"

Li Muzhan laughed: "I have an impulsive nature, otherwise I wouldn't have provoked the Lin family, and now I am a homeless dog!"

Bai Xiaotian smiled: "You can hide back in Star Lake Small Abode. I don't believe the Lin family would dare stir up trouble there!"

Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed: "The Lin family nowadays is different; they fear our Small Abode not at all. In fact, they are eager for me to run back!"

"Oh—?" Bai Xiaotian was momentarily stunned, greatly surprised.

The transcendent status of Star Lake Small Abode had been unshaken for nearly a century; for the Lin family to dare provoke it? That was truly audacious!

However, seeing the staff work of the burly man just now, his martial arts were astonishing. The two dead elders must have been similarly skilled. With such masters in their ranks, the Lin family's strength was formidable; it was no wonder they harbored presumptuous ambitions.

He realized with a jolt that they likely intended to seize this opportunity to overshadow Star Lake Small Abode and replace it—the Lin family’s ambition was certainly immense!

He shuddered at the thought and resolved not to clash with their sharp edge. Haitian Palace had suffered from a lack of talent in recent years; although they had produced a Lu Chaozong, he could not hold the fort alone against the Lin family!

Li Muzhan smiled: "Palace Master Bai, this junior takes his leave. I will call on you again another day to apologize!"

With that, he cupped his fists, turned, and walked away. A long whistle sounded from a distance. Li Muzhan laughed loudly, then let out a long whistle of his own, and floated away into the distance.