Li Muzhan smiled wryly, "Your Master acts like someone guarding a little lamb against a wolf. Hai Yulan pursed her lips and chuckled, "Exactly, you are the wolf!" Li Muzhan laughed, "I think it's the other way around.
If I were truly the wolf, I would have snatched away your little lamb long ago, and it wouldn't be up to your Master to guard you?!" Feng Mingxue shot him a look, and Li Muzhan quickly composed his playful demeanor, saying seriously, "Miss Hai, I need to hurry. The Phoenix Island operation is moving fast; if you all are too slow, you might not make it..." Hai Yulan quickly replied, "I know, I know.
We should reach Wanghai City tomorrow. We took the land route this time, using Qinggong the whole way, which is much faster than the sea!" Li Muzhan said, "We need to be even faster, lest the Zhu family reacts.
Never underestimate the Zhu family!" "I understand," Hai Yulan nodded and smiled, "But we aren't pushovers either. With Master here, plus me, we can hold them off for a while." Li Muzhan shook his head, "I already destroyed a large part of Phoenix Island last time; this time they definitely won't be careless; they will be even more frantic!" Hai Yulan smiled, "Alright, I get it.
But Master has traveled far; he needs some rest." Li Muzhan frowned, "We rest after we settle the Hai family—what are we resting for now! Miss Hai, I think you've lost your mind!" Hai Yulan said, "Alright, alright, I know..." ...Actually, I have a group of people, but they couldn't mobilize during the sudden attack on Phoenix Island earlier.
They have already gone to help." "Those ten fellows?" Li Muzhan asked. Hai Yulan shook her head, "No, about a hundred people I've cultivated since childhood." Feng Mingxue said, "Little sister Hai, you cultivated them since you were young?" Hai Yulan smiled proudly, "Starting from the age of ten, I secretly adopted a group of people, taught them the Hai family's cultivation methods, and had them train hard on a certain island." Feng Mingxue said with surprise, "Starting at age ten?" "It was when I was ten that Master took me as a disciple, and I asked Master for help," Hai Yulan nodded gently, sighing, "Master saved my life." Li Muzhan glared at her, "After all my worrying, is playing tricks on me fun?" Hai Yulan pursed her lips and chuckled, "Of course, it's fun.
Isn't that right, Sister Feng?" Feng Mingxue shot Li Muzhan a look: "He worries so much that he loses his composure. I never realized such an ordinarily astute person becomes flustered whenever he sees you!" Hai Yulan giggled, very pleased with herself.
Li Muzhan sighed, "Fine, I was meddling!" But I still need to say this one more time: hurry back; your group might not be useful!" "Yes, I know," Hai Yulan said solemnly. Li Muzhan said, "Alright, we need to scout out the true strength of Phoenix Island.
Let's go!" Hai Yulan said, "We're leaving now?" She quickly added, "I haven't seen Sister Feng in a long time; I wanted to chat more!" Feng Mingxue looked at her with a knowing smile. Wanting to chat more with her was false; wanting to stay with him longer was the truth.
Such is love between a man and a woman... even the smartest and most astute become foolish and clumsy.
After Li Muzhan and Feng Mingxue left, they returned to Wanghai City to first ensure the Hai residence was safe, lest Phoenix Island attempt another sneak attack. Feng Mingxue’s cultivation was deep, and with Li Muzhan’s protection, their Jade Sutra could fuse into one body.
Thus, when executing the Great Teleportation, she only felt discomfort, not actual harm. As Li Muzhan's power grew stronger, his control over the ten-zhang radius world increased, allowing him to eliminate most of the damage from the Great Teleportation, but he still couldn't casually take people with him; the burden was too heavy.
Since Feng Mingxue shared the same origins as his cultivation method, fusing into one body, she was unharmed. Therefore, he could move her around freely, though even so, it was far more taxing than teleporting alone.
Arriving at his small courtyard, Li Muzhan let out a long breath and sighed, "You see, Gui Fu, Senior Fu guards me so tightly, it's even stricter than guarding a thief!" Feng Mingxue pursed her lips and smiled, "Aren't you a thief!" Li Muzhan sighed, "It's as if she's afraid Miss Hai will be snatched away by someone else, insisting on keeping her by her side forever!" Feng Mingxue said, "Perhaps it's because their master-disciple bond is so deep; she truly cannot bear to part with her. Besides, you are the disciple of the person she hates the most!" "Senior Sister, did you find out clearly if the Sect Master and Senior Fu have severed ties?" Li Muzhan smiled.
Feng Mingxue nodded lightly, saying somewhat irritably, "I found out clearly!" Li Muzhan knew this couldn't have been easy and felt immensely grateful. "Thank you for your trouble, Senior Sister.
What exactly happened? Was it truly the Sect Master who wronged Senior Fu?" "Yes, that's right," Feng Mingxue nodded slightly, her white robes fluttering as she slowly walked to the rockery and sat down, shaking her head and sighing, "I didn't expect the Sect Master to be so muddled in his youth!" "Tell me about it!" Li Muzhan sat across from her, staring at her crystal-clear jade-like face.
Feng Mingxue picked up the teapot and gently shook it; it was empty. She rose gracefully and left, returning moments later with the teapot emitting fragrance and billowing heat.
With her slender hands, she poured a cup for each of them, placed it down elegantly, and sighed, "Back then, there was a female disciple in Floating Cloud Palace named Wen. She was highly skilled in martial arts but possessed a gentle nature.
Senior Fu, however, was inherently resolute with a stronger heroic spirit. Once, after Senior Fu had a falling out with the Sect Master, the Sect Master encountered this disciple surnamed Wen and instantly fell head over heels for her, unable to pull himself away." Li Muzhan forgot about drinking the tea and quickly asked, "What happened next?" Feng Mingxue gently sipped her tea, glancing at him sideways, "This disciple surnamed Wen's heart belonged to another; she loved her Senior Brother.
The two eventually married... Sigh, the Sect Master was heartbroken, and Senior Fu came over to cause trouble again, leading to a major conflict between them...
From then on, every year, Senior Fu would cause a scene, and the Sect Master, knowing he was in the wrong, could only swallow his anger and endure it." Li Muzhan sighed, "So that's how it was..." Feng Mingxue took another sip of tea and said lightly, "Junior Brother, tell me, is it in the nature of men to love the new and tire of the old, to change one's affections easily?" Li Muzhan laughed, "Senior Sister, that's not right. Every man is different.
Take me, for example; I love the new but never tire of the old!" Feng Mingxue glanced sideways at him and gave him a look: "You're just as much of a scoundrel!" Sigh, both the Sect Master and you are like this; you men are truly disappointing!" Li Muzhan chuckled a couple of times, "So, does Senior Fu still cause trouble these past few years?" Feng Mingxue nodded, "Yes, she caused a scene last year, and this year too. It was because of your matters that she used it as an excuse to make a huge fuss." Li Muzhan said, "Even without my involvement, Senior Fu could find an excuse." Feng Mingxue considered this and nodded, "That's true!
But it wouldn't have been this intense. This time, she was truly enraged.
Outside the sect, she cursed the heavens and earth, berating every man in our Cloud Heaven Sect!" Li Muzhan smiled wryly, "So no one stopped her?" "Who would stop her if the Sect Master didn't issue an order?" Feng Mingxue shot him a look and snorted, "Everyone could see that the Sect Master felt immense guilt and even some affection for her. Who would invite trouble by interfering?
Let her curse; it won't cost us any flesh. We just pretend not to hear." Li Muzhan said, "As expected of our Cloud Heaven Sect; your composure is truly different!" Feng Mingxue gave him an annoyed look...
then smiled, "But Senior Fu is indeed formidable. Even when cursing the heavens and earth, she is peerlessly graceful and overwhelming in momentum—truly possessing the bearing of a heroine!" Li Muzhan laughed, "Say that to the Sect Master!" Feng Mingxue replied irritably, "I think the Sect Master still favors Senior Fu!" Li Muzhan sighed, "Men are exceptionally tolerant toward women they like...
Otherwise, given his status, how could he allow others to bully her like this!" Feng Mingxue nodded, "Our conflict with the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden Sect isn't just because of Senior Fu; it's a feud spanning several generations. Disciples of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden Sect are forbidden from entering our sect, yet Senior Fu moves freely without hindrance from anyone!" Li Muzhan looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh.
Feng Mingxue smiled, "Junior Brother, what are you doing... why the sigh?" Li Muzhan shook his head, "The Sect Master can't help!" Feng Mingxue said, "You shouldn't rely on the Sect Master.
If he pleads on your behalf, Senior Fu will be even less likely to agree; it will only backfire." Li Muzhan said helplessly, "It seems I have to rely on myself!" Feng Mingxue raised her tea cup and took a delicate sip, glancing at him faintly, "Junior Brother, you truly are deeply devoted to Little Sister Hai!" Li Muzhan laughed, "A beautiful, virtuous woman is what a gentleman desires!" Feng Mingxue pouted, "I think you're just a lecherous rogue!" Alright, is the Hai family alright? Don't let any accident happen, or how will you face Little Sister Hai!" She knew Li Muzhan possessed a secret technique allowing him to see distant places without using his eyes.
Li Muzhan laughed, "It's fine, the Hai family is safe." He suddenly frowned, and Feng Mingxue noticed, "What's wrong?" Li Muzhan furrowed his brow in contemplation, closed his eyes, and after a moment shook his head, "It seems Bai Da and the others have met with an accident. I need to go take a look." "Let's go together," Feng Mingxue said.
Li Muzhan looked at her, saw her determined expression, and nodded helplessly, "It's probably people from Phoenix Island again; they want to silence Bai Da and the others." "Then why did you let them act alone?" Feng Mingxue asked. Since becoming a Grandmaster, he had vaguely possessed an air of planning for every eventuality, his actions always seeming one step ahead, his foresight almost divine, meticulous and flawless.
Li Muzhan sighed, "They need to go through some trials. Staying by my side all the time will limit their potential.
No matter how good their martial arts become, it's useless." "That is true," Feng Mingxue nodded lightly. She understood deeply that immense martial power alone could not ensure smooth sailing; experience and judgment in handling affairs were far more critical.
He slowly extended his arm, looking at her with a smile. Feng Mingxue glared at him irritably, moved close, and placed her slender waist in his hand.
The figures of the two instantly vanished. The two reappeared abruptly in a secluded, quiet courtyard.
Li Muzhan frowned, opening his Eye of the Void. Instantly, a small island became clear in his mind.
His current location was the exact center of the island, a small courtyard deep within a forest, surrounded by guards and heavily fortified, yet the courtyard itself was quiet. No one was in the courtyard at the moment.
He took the opportunity to survey the interior arrangement: luxurious and lavish. The purple carpet was thick and soft; the furniture gleamed exquisitely.
The bed, especially, was unusually large, capable of fitting five or six people side by side. "Where is this?" Feng Mingxue transmitted her voice secretly.
Li Muzhan shook his head, flashed forward, and drifted into the main room. His gaze landed on the Xuan An (long writing desk) beneath the southeast window.
The desk was bare, devoid of writing brushes, ink, paper, or inkstones, holding only a jade pendant of emerald green, emitting a faint, lustrous glow... as if clear water was flowing within it.
"Hmm, is this your jade pendant?" Feng Mingxue's bright eyes narrowed, pointing at the pendant. Li Muzhan nodded slowly, "It is mine"...
It should be in Bai Da's possession." "Bai Da fell into their hands?" Feng Mingxue asked. She could judge that this jade pendant was a life-saving charm—he would never give it to anyone else unless it was forcibly taken.
And whoever could snatch this would mean Bai Da and the others couldn't escape. She carefully glanced at Li Muzhan, wondering if Bai Da and the others were alive or dead.
It was possible they were killed before they could crush the pendant. However, judging by Junior Brother's expression, Bai Da and the others were likely unharmed.
With her level of martial arts, her senses were increasingly acute. If a close person died, she would certainly feel it.
Junior Brother, as a Grandmaster, would feel it even more clearly. "Yes, they should be here," Li Muzhan nodded slightly, a flash of golden light in his eyes that vanished quickly—her spirit shook, as if her heart had been struck by a hammer.
She inwardly marveled at the skill; it truly was worthy of a Grandmaster. Even his gaze held such power.
If he attacked, one glare would be enough to momentarily freeze her movements... a moment's pause sufficient to take her life.
"How many people?" Feng Mingxue asked. Li Muzhan slightly lowered his eyelids, then slowly opened them after a moment, "About three hundred, all experts..." ...Heh, what a coincidence, this is Phoenix Island's new lair!" "It's them?" Feng Mingxue asked.
Li Muzhan said, "Let's go. Bai Da and the others have suffered enough." "What cruel methods!" Li Muzhan's expression turned grim.
He wrapped his arm around Feng Mingxue's slender waist and vanished suddenly... reappearing in a stone hut by the seaside.
As soon as they appeared, a pungent smell of blood assaulted their senses. Feng Mingxue wrinkled her delicate nose and surveyed the surroundings.
Four figures were hanging from iron chains, swaying slightly. Their bodies were split open, a bloody mess, nearly unrecognizable, even bearing a scorched smell that was nauseating.
Opposite the four, there was a Grand Tutor's chair where a handsome young man sat with his legs crossed, looking at the four with a smiling, excited expression. Four bare-chested brutes each held a long whip, the whips covered in barbs, pitch black and soaked in blood, radiating a chilling, fierce aura.
When Li Muzhan and Feng Mingxue appeared, the four brutes were cracking their whips. The four hanging from the chains groaned softly but glared fiercely, their eyes bloodshot and red, quite horrifying.
The handsome youth seated opposite was completely unconcerned. Staring at their reddened eyes, he became even more excited, clapping his hands and laughing shrilly, "Truly amusing, amusing!
Men made of iron, I like it! This has flavor!
Keep beating them, beat them hard!" His voice was sharp and high-pitched, making one feel particularly uncomfortable. Li Muzhan and Feng Mingxue suddenly appeared before him.
The handsome youth started, but made no move, roaring fiercely, "Who goes there?!" Li Muzhan ignored him, glancing at the four on the chains, and shook his head. The person on the far right managed to call out weakly, "Young...
Young Master..." "Sigh... You all—!" Li Muzhan shook his head.
Feng Mingxue narrowed her bright eyes, "Bai Da?" "Miss Feng," the man nodded weakly, "This subordinate is ashamed!" Li Muzhan shook his head, "You were too careless!" Feng Mingxue chided, "Alright, alright, Junior Brother, if you want to discipline them, do it when we get back; he's still hanging here!" Her eyebrows suddenly furrowed, and she huffed, "Your hand tendons and foot tendons...?" The four men's hands and feet dangled limply, hanging by the chains, clearly abnormal. "Cough!" The handsome youth clenched his fist and coughed lightly, smiling, "May I ask the ladies' names?
I am Zhu Wu, the fifth in the Zhu family." Feng Mingxue turned to examine him. Dressed in luxurious and exquisite brocade robes, it was clear he was wealthy and noble.
He had a long face, handsome eyebrows, and bright eyes, though his brow carried a hint of gloom and ruthlessness. Her senses were sharp now; when judging people, she considered not just their appearance but also their spiritual temperament.
She deeply disliked the gloom and ruthlessness emanating from him, frowning slightly. "Zhu Wu?" she asked blandly, "Which Zhu Wu?" The handsome youth Zhu Wu was surprised, "Miss hasn't heard of our Zhu family?
That can't be right. Zhu Tang Zhao Dugu—haven't you heard of them?" Feng Mingxue said lightly, "So it's the Zhu family of the Four Great Clans.
My apologies for the lack of courtesy!" She studied this Zhu Wu, inwardly wondering if he was a fool. Seeing her and her Junior Brother suddenly appear, he showed no surprise or caution, treating it as normal.
Could the Zhu family also possess such divine powers? She frowned, deciding to investigate clearly, and said lightly, "Young Master Zhu Wu doesn't seem surprised by our sudden appearance?" Zhu Wu smiled slightly, arrogantly, "Your Qinggong is indeed superb...
able to evade my guards. However, this is an isolated island.
Once there is any commotion, the entire island will be filled with elite forces. You won't be able to fly away even with wings!" He looked completely confident and in control, which made Feng Mingxue want to laugh.
She realized she had been overly cautious; that was the reason for his composure! Li Muzhan stood silently with his hands behind his back, seemingly watching Feng Mingxue converse with him, but he was actually using the Mind-Reading Art to scan Zhu Wu's memories.
A surging murderous intent churned in his chest and abdomen, threatening to erupt and manifest physically, but he suppressed it fiercely... his surface remaining calm, as if he weren't concerned about the four hanging men.
In reality, the four currently felt a warm current flowing throughout their bodies, as if submerged in warm water, with torrents of internal energy continuously flowing into them. "What island is this?" Feng Mingxue asked.
Zhu Wu was fearless, and moreover, Feng Mingxue's aura was pure and transcendent. He was quite happy to exchange a few more words with the beauty.
He waved his hand, signaling the four whip-wielding brutes to remain still. Zhu Wu smiled and said, "This is Phoenix Island.
There are 323 people here, every one an elite expert with profound cultivation... they are the hidden strength of our Zhu family.
How about it, satisfied?" Feng Mingxue said lightly, "What are you hiding here for?" Zhu Wu laughed, "Miss hasn't told me your name yet. The more you know, the only path left for you is to become my Zhu Wu's woman; otherwise, we'll have to silence you!" Just like these four!" He gestured towards Bai Da and the four others as he spoke.
He chuckled, "These four fellows have strong mouths. Escaping from Phoenix Island last time...
required someone to rescue them. Now it seems there's no need to interrogate them; it was you, wasn't it?" He pointed at Li Muzhan, smiling mockingly at him, like a cat looking at a mouse.
Li Muzhan said faintly, "It was me... Young Master Zhu Wu, your Zhu family became one of the Four Great Clans relying on the Divine Dragon Hand, correct?!" "Correct!" Zhu Wu nodded proudly, chuckling slyly, "What, have you seen the might of my Zhu family's Divine Dragon Hand?" Li Muzhan said, "The Divine Dragon Hand truly lives up to its reputation as a Royal supreme art, exquisitely profound.
You've mastered it, haven't you?" Zhu Wu stood tall and proud, "This young master has mastered the Divine Dragon Hand. Do you wish to try it, Your Excellency?
... To be able to rescue these four good-for-nothings from Phoenix Island, you indeed have some skill.
Come, come, this young master's hands are itching. It's been a long time since I personally plucked someone's heart out for fun!" A scene flashed in Li Muzhan's mind: Zhu Wu thrusting his hand into a burly man's chest, pulling out a still-thumping heart.
The heart's owner stared in despair at his own heart, while Zhu Wu held it up, roaring with laughter, staring at the man, then slowly squeezing. "Bang!" Flesh and blood splattered as the heart was crushed.
The heart's owner screamed and slowly collapsed, dead. The murderous intent surged again, trying to break free from his suppression, seeming to transform into a silver dragon ready to burst from his chest.
Li Muzhan's blood energy churned, but his expression remained as usual. "Come!" Zhu Wu slowly stood up, tidied his robes, stood straight, and extended his hands, "Let me show you my Zhu family's Divine Dragon Hand!" Li Muzhan forcibly suppressed the killing intent, restraining the urge to stab him dead with one sword strike, and said faintly, "Please—!" Zhu Wu suddenly pressed down.
"Chī!" A stream of palm force shot out like a hidden weapon, smashing toward Li Muzhan's chest. Li Muzhan sidestepped slightly, avoiding it.
Zhu Wu slid up close to him, employing the Divine Dragon Hand, his right palm pressing towards him. Li Muzhan reached out to block, but his vision blurred.
Zhu Wu's right palm passed through his arm, incredibly fast, not giving him time to react, and pressed directly onto his heart. Suddenly contracting, the pressing changed to a thrusting motion.
Li Muzhan sucked in his abdomen and pulled back his chest, his foot slipping as if pulled from behind, thus avoiding the thrust—he was startled; that Divine Dragon Hand was terrifyingly potent. "Good!" He exclaimed in admiration, shouting, "See my Raging Dragon Fist!" He punched out into the void.
"Wū!" With a whoosh, a silver dragon shot from his fist, the size of a palm, vividly lifelike. This silver dragon whistled toward Zhu Wu.
Zhu Wu frowned and circled his right palm, drawing an arc, enveloping the silver dragon within it. The silver dragon seemed alive; it twisted its body, broke free from the restraint, and once again shot toward his eyes.
Zhu Wu's execution of the Divine Dragon Hand was indeed impressive, fighting the silver dragon to a standstill. This silver dragon was controlled by Li Muzhan's will, not possessing the full destructive power of a flying dagger, but it was not something an ordinary person could easily handle.
Li Muzhan narrowed his eyes. He used the Mind-Reading Art to experience Zhu Wu's sensations, recreating the silver dragon's momentum.
Under Zhu Wu's obstruction, the silver dragon grew fainter. Li Muzhan lightly tapped it.
"Chī!" With a soft whistle, a stream of finger force collided with the silver dragon. The silver dragon immediately flickered, solidified again, full and vividly lifelike, possessing complete spirit, and once again flew toward Zhu Wu with renewed vigor.
Zhu Wu was beside himself with frustrated fury, his handsome features contorted as if he yearned to throw his head back and scream, to rip out Li Muzhan's heart and crush it ruthlessly in his grip.
A mere wisp of internal energy had managed to pin him down. The seemingly innocuous little thing pulsed with formidable power, laced with a distinctly dangerous aura; contact with it promised nothing good. Unable to evade it with his movement techniques, he was forced to meet it head-on with the Divine Dragon Hand.
Watching Li Muzhan standing idly by, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he observed Zhu Wu like a performing monkey, made his lungs burn. It was always him looking at others this way; now, to be on the receiving end was utterly despicable, hateful, and unforgivable!