Li Muzhan flicked his sleeve. With a muffled thud, the ten men in black were sent flying back the way they came.

As they passed Chai Xiaoyue, she let out a delicate pout and slapped out a palm strike. One of the black-clad figures was sent soaring diagonally, crashing heavily against a tree where he lay motionless.

Li Muzhan knew Chai Xiaoyue had held back, merely knocking him unconscious, not killing him. "Who are you people, how dare you!" Chai Xiaoyue chirped coquettishly, her figure flashing as she caught up to another man in black and sent a palm strike out.

Her palm strike was light and airy as she struck, like a lover's jest, her delicate face graced with a captivating smile that was all the more deceptive. It was hard to imagine the sheer power behind her blow.

Li Muzhan's flick had employed raw, fierce strength; they recoiled as if hitting a stone wall. Their initial disorientation from the brutal force quickly gave way to awareness.

Seeing Chai Xiaoyue's palm approaching, the black-clad man let out a cold snort, his eyes flashing with icy lightning. He thrust his palm out to meet hers, his palm wind roaring like a tiger, fully intending to take Chai Xiaoyue's life.

Chai Xiaoyue smiled sweetly, her small hand stopping an inch shy of his large one. With a dull thump, the man in black was hurled away, striking a pine tree as thick as a thigh with another bang, then slowly sliding down to the ground, his breath finally ceased.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly. It seemed this Princess was not entirely meek; when others sought her death, she struck back without mercy, clean and decisive—beautifully done.

"Come on then!" Chai Xiaoyue huffed, triumphant. "You riffraff, daring to try and kill me with such paltry, three-legged cat kung fu!" Li Muzhan spoke, "Princess, these men might be looking for me." "What enemies do you have?" Chai Xiaoyue asked, instantly gliding to his side, tilting her head to look at him.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "Too many enemies to count!" Chai Xiaoyue questioned, "Hmph, sounds like you aren't entirely honest either.

What about these fellows?" Li Muzhan chuckled. "I intend to probe their depths." "They are cautious, every one of them masked, hiding their faces—they clearly aren't good sorts, and their strength is mediocre," Chai Xiaoyue observed.

If their strength were truly formidable, they wouldn't need to hide; they would simply attack head-on. If they failed to kill him, they could try again later, rather than fearing his retaliation.

Being masked like this clearly indicated they feared retribution, meaning their power was limited and not worth undue concern. Li Muzhan countered, "Not necessarily.

It could be a feint." "Hmm, that's true too," Chai Xiaoyue nodded. To make the false appear real, and the real appear false—the true from the feigned, it truly was hard to discern.

She rested her hand on her left eyebrow and gazed into the distance. "Logically, they should have arrived by now." A faint sound of angry snorting drifted over.

Li Muzhan used his Eye of the Void to observe. "Perhaps they've been blocked.

It seems there are quite a few people this time, determined to kill me." "These fellows are truly incompetent!" Chai Xiaoyue snorted. "To be stopped so easily!" Li Muzhan said, "This assassination attempt must be foolproof.

There are many masters ambushed outside, so we must rely on ourselves!" He had asked Chai Xiaoyue to summon the guards not just to escape, but to gauge the true strength of the Imperial Palace experts. He had a premonition that he would inevitably confront these high-level palace masters in the future.

The last assassination attempt left him with lingering dread; one slip, and he truly could have perished under the Divine-Shattering Arrow. If he remained ignorant, he might die by it later.

Chai Xiaoyue suggested, "Then let's charge out and link up with them!" Li Muzhan pointed toward the northwest. "Over there!" Chai Xiaoyue said sweetly, "Mr.

Li, you fight yours; don't worry about me!" Li Muzhan agreed, "Very well. Seek no merit, but guard against error!" "I know, I know!" Chai Xiaoyue waved her small hand dismissively.

Li Muzhan smiled, his figure flashing as he instantly appeared behind one of the men in black, flicking his finger—aimed at another. Chai Xiaoyue followed closely, flashing behind yet another man in black and delivering a direct palm strike.

Thump! Thump!

Both succeeded simultaneously. Two men in black flew away.

Then, following the same pattern, their figures flickered, moving fluidly, breaking the enemy line one by one. In the blink of an eye, they had each dispatched five men.

Only half the masked figures in black remained. A furious roar echoed from afar: "Prin—cess—!" Chai Xiaoyue ignored them, thoroughly enjoying the slaughter.

Li Muzhan paid no mind either, inwardly astonished by Chai Xiaoyue's mastery of movement. He was using the Minor Teleportation Technique, yet judging by her footwork, she was no inferior to it.

The Imperial Palace truly held endless esoteric arts, not to be trifled with. Such movement techniques, which would be world-shocking outside, she displayed with such casual ease.

Chai Xiaoyue was equally surprised. She hadn't expected Li Muzhan's movement skills to be so good.

This was her ultimate lightness skill, rare in the world, yet his skill was certainly not below hers. No wonder he managed to kill half of the Zhu family experts.

With such movement techniques, it wasn't difficult; the Zhu family couldn't surround him, allowing him to defeat them one by one. "Prin—cess—!" A sound of anxious roaring came from the distance.

"Are you calling a spirit!" Chai Xiaoyue retorted with an impatient, delicate huff. "I am right here!

Hurry up and come over!" "Princess, wait a moment, we are coming immediately!" A rough voice sounded. Chai Xiaoyue snorted, "You are all such fools!" While scolding them, her hands and feet never stopped.

She sent two more masked men flying. Seeing Li Muzhan had dispatched three, she snorted in competitive spirit and accelerated her movements again.

Just as she dispatched the second brute, a man in purple silk slashed into the grove like a streak of light, appearing on the scene. Seeing the situation, he roared, "How dare you!" This single shout exploded like spring thunder, causing everyone on the field to momentarily freeze.

Li Muzhan and Chai Xiaoyue, unaffected, took the opportunity to send another man flying. Chai Xiaoyue flashed to the large man's side and immediately grabbed his ear.

She pouted, "What are you yelling about, you scared me half to death! Lu Bing, why are you so late!" Li Muzhan paused his movements, turning to observe the purple-clad man.

He appeared to be in his early twenties, powerfully built and robust, like an iron tower, with an honest and simple face. He now looked somewhat helpless, bowing slightly, gazing sluggishly at Chai Xiaoyue.

"Princess, I was ambushed." "You refuse to admit you're clumsy; how could you be ambushed?" Chai Xiaoyue tugged his ear as she huffed. The purple-clad man seemed embarrassed and quickly said, "Princess, there are others!" "They aren't outsiders!" Chai Xiaoyue retorted.

"How were you ambushed?" The big man in purple said helplessly, "They had an ambush set up. About twenty of them burst out.

They are currently dealing with them; I managed to slip away and run over." "Truly foolish!" Chai Xiaoyue pursed her lips and huffed. "You make a terrible guard.

If it weren't for Mr. Li this time, you'd be collecting my corpse now!" The purple-clad man's face shifted slightly.

He turned to the remaining six masked men in black; his previously docile gaze suddenly shifted, shooting out cold light, radiating killing intent. Chai Xiaoyue gave his ear a sharp twist.

"Enough! Don't worry about them for now.

This is Mr. Li; you must thank him properly!" The purple-clad man bowed even lower, quickly saying, "Princess, it hurts!" Chai Xiaoyue shot him a look.

"If it doesn't hurt, you won't learn your lesson!" The big man in purple was three times as thick as Chai Xiaoyue, tall and stout, yet now he was bent over with his ear being pulled, looking like a tiger transformed into a kitten. "Thank you, Mr.

Li!" He bowed with a cupped fist sideways. Li Muzhan smiled.

"Princess, perhaps you should let him save some face!" Chai Xiaoyue pouted. "What face does he have in front of me?

When he was little, his nose ran three feet long, and he still wet the bed at seven or eight!" "Prin—cess—!" The big man in purple's face flushed red. Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled.

"So, childhood friends... You must be Guard Lu?

I am Li Wuji." "Respectfully, Sir, thank you," the big man in purple said gratefully. Chai Xiaoyue released his ear and clapped her hands.

"You, less nonsense! Hurry up and take care of them, then investigate who they are!" "Yes," the big man in purple nodded respectfully, gave Li Muzhan a smile, and then charged toward the remaining masked men in black, like a fierce tiger descending a mountain.

Li Muzhan turned back to Chai Xiaoyue and smiled. "Princess, a true man values his dignity." "Hmm, his name is Lu Bing; he's my personal guard," Chai Xiaoyue pursed her lips and smiled.

"This fellow, if you give him an inch, he'll think he deserves the sky!" Li Muzhan shook his head with a smile, saying no more. Chai Xiaoyue was exceptionally intelligent; a simple hint was enough.

Furthermore, everyone had their own destiny; one couldn't force things, nor could one generalize. This Lu Bing's martial arts were exquisite.

In an instant, he finished off the remaining masked men in black, pulling off their black cloths one by one, and shook his head. He turned back.

"Princess, they don't seem to be from the capital. I'll go investigate over there; there are still a few survivors over there!" "Hurry up then," Chai Xiaoyue waved her hand impatiently.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Guard Lu, I'll trouble you!" He knew this incident was likely his doing.

Chai Xiaoyue shouldn't have any enemies; even if the Emperor had enemies, they shouldn't be targeting Chai Xiaoyue. Lu Bing bowed and smiled.

"Mr. Li, no need to be polite.

I will interrogate them thoroughly. To assassinate the Princess in the capital—truly audacious!

I will let them know what Imperial Might is!" Li Muzhan nodded with a smile. Chai Xiaoyue waved her hand.

"You talk too much, hurry up and go!" Lu Bing shook his head helplessly, clasped his fist, and turned to leave, lest he be tormented further by Chai Xiaoyue. The two walked forward.

Not two li away, they saw a group of people lying on the ground. Li Muzhan frowned.

"Princess, your people are injured too." "Let's go take a look," Chai Xiaoyue said. They approached the area.

Over thirty people lay on the ground: twenty masked men in black, and a dozen men dressed in brocade robes, some middle-aged, some elderly. They lay motionless on the ground, seemingly dead.

Chai Xiaoyue frowned; she hadn't expected such a heavy toll. Lu Bing ran over, saw the bodies, and his face darkened.

"Princess, your subordinate failed you. These fellows suddenly launched a sneak attack and fought with suicidal desperation." "Can none of them be saved?" Chai Xiaoyue asked coldly, pointing.

Lu Bing looked at a middle-aged man beside him. The lean middle-aged man shook his head silently.

Lu Bing sighed, "Princess..." Chai Xiaoyue snorted. "You really are a fool!...

Where is the Spirit Restoring Pill?" "Princess, it's useless. The Spirit Restoring Pill cannot save them," the lean middle-aged man sighed, shaking his head.

Li Muzhan spoke up. "Princess, let me try." Chai Xiaoyue paused, then instantly turned her head.

"Sir, you can save them?" Li Muzhan replied, "It's a last resort; I will try, but I can't promise absolute success." Chai Xiaoyue smiled sweetly. "Sir's Buddhist teachings are profound; do you truly possess the divine ability to bring the dead back to life?...

Try quickly, try quickly! It's alright if you can't save them!" Li Muzhan nodded, bent over, formed his fist into a crane's beak, and gently pecked at each person a few times.

His face rapidly turned as pale as paper. After pecking a few times, he straightened up, let out a long breath, and smiled.

"That should do it. With careful recuperation, their lives should be preserved." Chai Xiaoyue hurried to his side, leaned down to examine the bodies.

Their breaths were faint, but steady, subtle yet orderly. Life force had returned.

Overjoyed, she seized Li Muzhan's hand. "Thank you, Sir!" Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head.

"It was just luck. Moreover, they suffered because of me; I could not stand by and watch them die...

Princess, I must take my leave now." "Are you feeling unwell, Sir?" Chai Xiaoyue noticed his haggard appearance and pale face and asked with concern, understanding that those few actions had exhausted him. Saving dead people, even if it looked light and effortless, was surely not easy.

Her own martial arts were often like that—appearing soft and effortless outwardly, but carrying immense, crushing force. Li Muzhan smiled.

"A moment of calming my breath will suffice." "Then alright. Sir, please go back and rest; I will find out what happened!" Chai Xiaoyue quickly agreed.

On his solitary return journey, Li Muzhan's expression changed several times. He noticed his Xiang Shen (Form Body) growing noticeably more solid, surging power flooding into him, invigorating his spirit immensely.

His previously pale complexion immediately faded, and his spirit seemed subtly elevated to a new level—marvelous beyond description. He felt it closely, pondering slowly how this transformation occurred.

His Xiang Shen suddenly underwent a profound change, solidifying and manifesting power, enhancing his cultivation. Especially his spiritual power—he could sense his own spiritual might had increased slightly.

Though minute, it was far more potent than what he achieved through hard meditation. After deep thought, he ultimately attributed it to saving those ten Imperial Palace experts.

Saving those ten had indeed depleted his cultivation; restoring life from nothingness surely consumed a great deal. His pale face had not been feigned.

From nothing to something was distinctly different from increasing from little to much; it was a quantitative change leading to a qualitative leap. He had expended vast reserves of power, reviving ten people simultaneously—even with his magnificent essence, spirit, and vital energy, it was taxing.

But being instantly replenished was even more profound. A flash of inspiration struck his mind, recalling the single character softly exhaled by Master Kongjing—Xin (Trust/Faith).

Faith, firm belief, religious conviction—what exactly was Xin? Was it merely the Buddhist foundation of starting action, correct faith, correct mindfulness, correct conduct?

It seemed not. He had suddenly discovered a shortcut to cultivation: saving others.

This must be what the Buddhists called accumulating merit, accumulating merit to achieve Buddhahood, to condense the Fa Shen (Dharma Body)—this was not empty talk. However, achieving the Fa Shen, this first step, was a chasm, a hurdle that had confounded countless people throughout history.

The few fortunate ones who crossed it had, nine times out of ten, become Buddhas. Li Muzhan suddenly laughed.

Could it be that he was truly destined to become a Buddha? When he returned to his residence, Feng Mingxue was strolling in the rear garden, appearing serene, dressed in snow-white robes like an ethereal being, detached from the mundane world.

"Finished listening to the Dharma?" Feng Mingxue approached, scrutinizing him, then looking again. Li Muzhan smiled.

"Master Kongjing, the eminent monk from the Xihua Kingdom, is truly extraordinary!" "You gained quite a lot, didn't you?" Feng Mingxue inquired. She sensed Li Muzhan was like a changed man; his entire spirit and aura were completely different, far stronger.

Li Muzhan replied, "Indeed, significantly so. Hearing his discourse was worth more than several years of solitary cultivation!...

Senior Sister, you should go listen to him." He immediately shook his head; his Senior Sister didn't understand Buddhist doctrine. Listening would be useless, just like for Chai Xiaoyue, whose reaction to his teachings was like listening to celestial nonsense—its hypnotic effect was remarkable.

Feng Mingxue asked, "Junior Brother, you're still staying so close to the Ninth Princess. Is that acceptable?" Li Muzhan smiled.

"We moved out of the Dugu Manor precisely to remain uninvolved." "It's not that easy," Feng Mingxue shook her head. Li Muzhan laughed.

"Nor is it that difficult. The Four Great Clans possess their own pride; they won't act based on who someone is...

Besides, the Ninth Princess is kind and innocent; she can be a friend." "Then you've let the Emperor off the hook?" Feng Mingxue huffed. Li Muzhan shook his head.

"No need for me to act. The Four Great Clans will handle it." Feng Mingxue said, "The Dugu family has helped you so much; yet you intend to stay out of it, not helping them?" Li Muzhan smiled.

"Helping at the crucial moment is sufficient. We must not tie ourselves to the Dugu family; our Yunxiao Sect does not hold an Imperial Edict of Immunity!" Feng Mingxue nodded slowly.

This was the crux of the matter. They were disciples of the Yunxiao Sect; their actions had to consider the sect's standing.

If they were not disciples of the Yunxiao Sect, they would wholeheartedly help. But now, it was different; it was best to remain detached.

Moreover, this kind of affair was inherently dangerous, easily leading to the destruction of their entire clan. The two entered the small pavilion to sit and talk.

Feng Mingxue brought tea cups and some pastries. "I plan to buy a few servants today." "Mm, it's been too quiet with just the two of us," Li Muzhan agreed.

"Senior Sister, you make the decisions on everything." Feng Mingxue replied, "Hiring men or women, their age—you decide that." As they were speaking, footsteps approached clearly. Chai Xiaoyue drifted in gracefully.

She treated the place as her own, directly entering the pavilion, and said with a smile, "Sister Feng, Mr. Li." "Did you find out?" Li Muzhan asked with a smile.

Feng Mingxue rose and brought over a tea cup, asking what happened. Chai Xiaoyue excitedly recounted the entire event.

Feng Mingxue pondered, unable to make sense of it. Chai Xiaoyue clapped her hands happily.

"Mr. Li, we found out!

They are disciples of the Luoxia Valley!" Li Muzhan frowned. "Luoxia Valley?" "Yes, they said it was revenge for the Young Valley Master." Chai Xiaoyue explained.

Feng Mingxue looked at Li Muzhan. Li Muzhan gave a wry smile.

"I didn't expect the Luoxia Valley to be so petty, unable to endure even a minor slight!" "Is this about the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden Sect matter?" Feng Mingxue asked. Li Muzhan nodded slowly.

"Yes. I merely taught Guo Siyuan a small lesson; he is the Young Valley Master of Luoxia Valley." "Luoxia Valley is no ordinary sect," Feng Mingxue noted.

"What do you plan to do?" Li Muzhan said, "Let it go. Consider it as if it never happened." Chai Xiaoyue's bright eyes widened.

"Mr. Li, you don't plan to pursue this matter?" Li Muzhan replied, "If we continue to entangle ourselves, it will lead to endless enmity." Chai Xiaoyue shook her head.

"They lost so many people this time. If you don't pursue it, they won't let it drop either.

In my view, it's better to strike first!" Her bright eyes were blazing, eager to fight. Li Muzhan smiled.

"Thank you for your kind intentions, Princess, but let's just drop it." Chai Xiaoyue leaned back dejectedly and pouted. "Mr.

Li, a man might have no intention of harming the tiger, but the tiger harbors intentions to harm man. Next time they pull a stunt like this, we might not avoid it." Li Muzhan smiled faintly.

"Luoxia Valley..." Chai Xiaoyue realized Li Muzhan didn't take the Luoxia Valley seriously at all. She suddenly felt a bit deflated; it wasn't interesting anymore.