She snorted. "Very well, since the esteemed sir does not wish to deal with them, I shall let them be!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "My thanks to the Ninth Princess."

Chai Xiaoyue waved her hand, chuckling. "Sir, your divine skill has truly opened my eyes. To be able to bring the dead back to life—it’s extraordinary!"

She clicked her tongue in admiration, her face alight with awe.

Li Muzhan said, "This is only possible because their lifespan has not yet ended, and their vital energy still lingers, allowing me to guide the Qi for their return. If they perished from a natural end due to a depleted lifespan, even I would be helpless."

Chai Xiaoyue’s face fell. "Is that so..."

She had been hoping that with Li Muzhan's miraculous art, her parents would not have to die.

Li Muzhan laughed. "To fight against Heaven, the outcome is never good. The saying that Heaven's will cannot be defied is no jest; when the heavenly tribulation arrives, no one can stop it."

"Alright," Chai Xiaoyue smiled. "Then I won't fear injury anymore! With you here, even death means I can come back. That's quite amusing!"

Li Muzhan laughed. "The Princess has too reckless a notion. What if I happen to be absent? Wouldn't you be left stranded? It’s not as simple as wishing to return."

Chai Xiaoyue tilted her head in thought and then smiled. "Then you must stay by my side always."

Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled. "I cannot bear restraint."

Chai Xiaoyue shot him a look. "There is restraint, but there is also enjoyment. Look at those enshrined protectors in the Inner Court; weren't they once the most renowned masters under heaven? Yet, they ended up serving in the Inner Court, didn't they?"

Li Muzhan chuckled. "People are different, Your Highness. Please abandon that thought."

"Is it truly impossible?" Chai Xiaoyue asked, disappointment evident.

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. "I intend to travel the world after a short while; I don't wish to remain in one place."

"Then how about I accompany you?" Chai Xiaoyue quickly asked.

Li Muzhan shook his head again. Chai Xiaoyue huffed. "Sir, you are so disagreeable! Rest assured, Father Emperor will not interfere with me!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "The Emperor would never allow you to run wild, Princess. I have finished reading these books. How about you procure some more for me to look at?"

Chai Xiaoyue glared at him. "Not giving them!"

Li Muzhan smiled wryly and shook his head. "Is this how the Princess treats a benefactor?"

"Hmph, very well then!" Chai Xiaoyue immediately changed her tone, grumbling. "Sir, you truly are boring!"

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded. "The Princess has finally seen through me."

Chai Xiaoyue rolled her eyes, then her bright eyes suddenly lit up. "Sir, your understanding of the Dharma is profound. Why don't you go to the Inner Court and preach to my Father Emperor?"

Li Muzhan shook his head.

Chai Xiaoyue pressed on. "Father Emperor is well-versed in the Dharma and deeply devoted to it. If you can earn his admiration, Sir, there will be great benefits for you."

Li Muzhan smiled. "Princess, dismiss this idea entirely."

Chai Xiaoyue pouted her red lips and huffed. "Fine, fine. I was originally going to invite you to play together, but forget it now. I won't speak to you anymore! Sister Feng, I'm leaving!"

Feng Mingxue smiled and nodded. "Princess, please don't let his rudeness bother you."

"Hmph, I won't pay him any mind!" Chai Xiaoyue shot Li Muzhan one last glare, turned on her heel, and walked away, disappearing in a flash, proud as a startled fawn.

Feng Mingxue said, "Junior Brother, revealing such capabilities—you must have an ulterior motive, right?"

She knew Li Muzhan always acted with careful planning, holding the cards, often thinking several steps ahead of others, thus always seizing the initiative.

"Mmm," Li Muzhan nodded. "Leaving a fallback route."

Feng Mingxue pondered briefly, understanding Li Muzhan's intention, and smiled. "That is wise. It prevents the Emperor from directing his potential anger toward the Sect."

She grasped his meaning: by holding his skill in reserve (), he was ensuring the safety of the Cloud Heaven Sect. The Emperor might not be able to touch the Four Great Families, or even if he did, he might vent his frustration on his Junior Brother or even the Cloud Heaven Sect. Conversely, if he acted rashly, he might accidentally bring trouble upon his Junior Brother and the Sect. By displaying this divine ability, the Emperor would have to reconsider; if he ever needed someone saved, he would have to rely on Li Muzhan, thus restraining himself. This strategy to safeguard the entire sect was indeed brilliant.

As they were speaking, Li Muzhan’s eyebrow suddenly twitched. "The sect's Snow Eagle!"

In the sky, a snow-white flying eagle soared, gliding leisurely, merging with the heavens so high up that ordinary masters could not spot it.

Li Muzhan murmured, "It seems there is an issue at the Sect."

He let out a sharp whistle. The silver-white eagle instantly folded its wings and plummeted straight down. In moments, it was directly above the rear garden, then it spread its wings and gently landed on Feng Mingxue's shoulder.

Feng Mingxue reached out, untied the bamboo tube from the eagle's claw, opened the parchment scroll inside, scanned the brief message, and handed it to Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan retrieved two pastries from the small pavilion for the eagle, then took the note and read it, frowning. "Two Senior Brothers missing?"

Feng Mingxue frowned deeply. "How could that happen..."

The Cloud Heaven Sect had Grandmasters, so few dared provoke them. Unless it was a sect that also possessed Grandmasters, but even then, conflict between two Grandmasters was no small matter; it would shake the world and lead to mutual destruction. Disciples of the Cloud Heaven Sect traveling the world rarely faced danger, due to the deterrence of their Grandmasters and their own superb martial arts and profound cultivation methods, rendering them nearly invincible.

"In Mirror City... where is Mirror City?" Li Muzhan asked.

Feng Mingxue shook her head; she didn't know exactly where Mirror City was located. Li Muzhan said, "I'll go inquire. We should set off immediately."

Feng Mingxue nodded. "Alright, I'll prepare. Junior Brother, you go ask first... Ask Miss Dugu, and mention it to her as well."

Li Muzhan agreed and vanished in a flash.

He instantly appeared at Miss Dugu Jinghua’s small courtyard. Dugu Jinghua was practicing her boxing in the courtyard; her small hands clenched like jade, her movements gentle and graceful. Li Muzhan immediately recognized the subtlety of the fist technique—slow yet immensely powerful. Though perhaps not equal to the Carefree Palm, it was certainly far beyond common martial arts.

"Mr. Li..." Dugu Jinghua, clad in a snow-white silk robe, stopped her movements and revealed a surprised smile, then chided playfully, "Sir, you finally remembered to come see me!" She rarely left the mansion and had grown accustomed to his absence. Li Muzhan had been busy managing the estate these past few days and hadn't shown his face.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Ninth Miss seems quite leisurely."

Dugu Jinghua laughed. "Yes, since Eldest Brother came out of seclusion, I've found some freedom to practice martial arts. You don't visit without a purpose, Mr. Li. Go ahead."

Li Muzhan smiled. "I want to inquire about Mirror City."

"Mirror City?" Dugu Jinghua pondered for a moment, then smiled. "Mirror City is over a thousand li from the Imperial Capital. It's quite desolate. Why are you inquiring about it, Sir?"

Li Muzhan asked, "What powers surround Mirror City?" He knew Dugu Jinghua possessed an exceptional memory; though not photographic, she retained what she saw after just a few glances, making it hard to forget.

Dugu Jinghua replied, "The Wind Thunder Gate. That’s the largest power there, along with a few others that wouldn't catch your eye, so I won't mention them... Why are you asking about Mirror City, Sir? Are you planning to go?"

Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed. "Two of my Senior Brothers went missing in Mirror City. I need to go investigate."

"Cloud Heaven Sect disciples missing?" Dugu Jinghua frowned. "Who dares to be so bold?" It was suicidal to provoke a disciple of the Cloud Heaven Sect, which was presided over by Grandmasters. Few in this world dared to cross them.

Li Muzhan said, "I don't know who yet; I have to go check... Ninth Miss, thank you for your hospitality. My Senior Sister and I must take our leave for a while."

"Sir is leaving?" Dugu Jinghua frowned. "Perhaps I should send some men over to investigate."

Li Muzhan knew the Dugu Family was flourishing and might have better connections, but he preferred not to rely on them again. This was an opportunity to detach himself from the vortex. He took out a jade pendant from his robes and handed it to Dugu Jinghua.

Dugu Jinghua hesitated before accepting it, her face flushing deeply, her brilliant, vibrant eyes avoiding Li Muzhan's gaze.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Ninth Miss, this jade token is my token of trust. If anything happens, you can take this token to the Cloud Heaven Sect to find me. If there is an emergency, a critical moment, crush this token, and I will arrive immediately."

Dugu Jinghua let out a breath, her disappointment palpable, and forced a smile. "So that's what it is."

Li Muzhan smiled. "We shall meet again."

"Will Sir return?" Dugu Jinghua quickly asked.

Li Muzhan nodded. "I will."

"When will you return?" Dugu Jinghua immediately followed up.

Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "It depends on whether matters there conclude smoothly. If they do, I will first return to the Sect to check in. I will be back within a year at the latest."

"A year..." Dugu Jinghua sighed.

Li Muzhan smiled. "A year passes quickly. If you enter closed-door cultivation, it will be the blink of an eye—when you open your eyes, I will already be back!"

Dugu Jinghua managed a faint smile. "I hope so!"

Li Muzhan paused thoughtfully. Dugu Jinghua quickly said, "Tell me what you need to say, Sir!"

Li Muzhan sighed. "It's not my place to speak on this."

"Si—r—!" Dugu Jinghua glared at him, finding him too distant.

Li Muzhan sighed again. "Based on my conjecture, this incident is a trap. The Four Families should refrain from rash action and maintain composure."

Dugu Jinghua's bright eyes flickered, and her expression turned serious. "How do you know this, Sir?"

Li Muzhan said, "This is a sudden intuition, a conjecture. It might not be accurate... but I believe maintaining stability is key."

Dugu Jinghua nodded slowly, deep in thought. "I will relay your words to Eldest Brother."

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded. Telling Dugu Jue was much the same as not telling him; he was strong-willed and obstinate. Though he appeared to listen to others, his own judgment was firm, and decisions were rarely reversed once made.

Dugu Jinghua recognized the meaning behind Li Muzhan's smile and sighed. "Eldest Brother is in charge now, so I have no choice but to try my best to persuade him."

Li Muzhan smiled. "You are a woman after all, and soon you will marry. The head of the Dugu family naturally has to bear the responsibility."

"Alas..." Dugu Jinghua shook her head with a sigh, then managed a smile. "Sir, please wait a moment. I will fetch some information on Mirror City for you."

Without waiting for Li Muzhan to reply, she turned and drifted away. Moments later, she returned, holding two small booklets, each about fifty pages long, and handed them to Li Muzhan. "Here is all the available information on Mirror City, and this one is about the Wind Thunder Gate."

Li Muzhan slowly took them and smiled. "Thank you very much, Ninth Miss."

"Are you still being so formal with me!" Dugu Jinghua chided.

Li Muzhan tucked the two booklets into his robes and smiled. "Very well, then we shall meet again!"

He flashed away from his spot. Dugu Jinghua stared blankly where he had vanished, remaining silent for a long time before letting out a soft sigh, her jade-like face filled with melancholy and loneliness.

When Li Muzhan had left the Dugu Residence previously, she could still sense his aura; at least his residence was not far from the Dugu estate, and she could go to him anytime. As long as he was there, all of Tianjing City felt different. Now that he had suddenly departed, not only did the Dugu estate feel empty, but all of Tianjing City seemed barren, having lost its color. She lost interest in everything; even the sky looked gray.

Mirror City. The sun was setting in the west, casting a vast, magnificent glow across the sky.

Li Muzhan and Feng Mingxue stood before the North Gate of Mirror City, assessing the structure. The city walls were low, easily scaled by anyone with moderate lightness skill; they could only deter ordinary folk. The common people entering and exiting wore tattered, simple clothes, clearly struggling financially. They had traveled using lightness skill, only pausing briefly in cities along the way, and clearly felt that the further west and south they traveled, the poorer the lives of the populace became. The geographical environment also deteriorated, the population thinning out, moving farther from prosperity. Compared to the Imperial Capital, Mirror City was like a beggar to a millionaire—worlds apart.

Feng Mingxue frowned as she surveyed the surroundings and shook her head. "Why would our two Senior Brothers come here for training?"

Li Muzhan said, "Near Mirror City, there is a Thunder Sound Valley. It is rumored that the winds within the valley are incomparably fierce, akin to the turbulent Gale Winds of Heaven (). It is said to be the best place to temper the physical body."

"Really?" Feng Mingxue asked.

Li Muzhan nodded. "There is indeed a Thunder Sound Valley. Training in the Gale Winds there is highly effective, but also extremely dangerous. Few dare come here... Perhaps our two Senior Brothers came here to utilize the valley for their training."

"Shall we go take a look?" Feng Mingxue suggested.

Li Muzhan nodded. "Good. Let's first check that area for any clues."

The two entered the city first, then crossed through all of Mirror City, exiting via the South Gate. They walked south for about ten li, rounded a bend, and entered the mountains.

As they went further, the terrain grew steeper, and the forest dense. Though it was late autumn, the mountainside was covered in vibrant green, starkly different from the bleakness of Tianjing City. The trees here were mostly bamboo—various types of bamboo, verdant and lush, brimming with vigorous life.

After entering the mountains and traversing a high peak, they stopped before a valley. Li Muzhan pointed to the stone cliff on the left. Inscribed vertically on the sheer cliff face were three large characters: "Thunder Sound Valley" (). The cliff was covered in dark green moss, but it could not obscure these three deeply carved characters.

Feng Mingxue remarked, "These characters are well-written. It seems a master has been here before."

Li Muzhan nodded. Being skilled in calligraphy himself, he could sense the righteous grandeur and boundless spirit of the writer—certainly not an ordinary person.

"Let's go in and see, and experience the Thunder Sound Gale Winds," Feng Mingxue said, stepping forward gracefully. Li Muzhan walked alongside her as they entered the valley.

"Whoosh..." "Rumble..."

Upon entering, the area was broad, flat, and incredibly smooth, devoid of dust or grass—nothing but polished stone. The ground and surrounding cliffs looked as if they had been buffed, like river pebbles.

As they were looking around, a blast of icy wind suddenly struck them head-on. At first, they paid it no mind, but the wind was biting, feeling like cuts on the face, and it managed to penetrate their protective True Qi barriers. Both of them were consummate experts; whenever an external force attacked, their protective True Qi would activate automatically, moving without conscious thought. Even hidden projectiles would be blocked. Yet, this cold wind pierced the barrier and struck their faces directly. They found it incredibly strange.

Feng Mingxue shivered. "What powerful Gale Winds!"

Li Muzhan warned, "Senior Sister, be careful. These Gale Winds are strange; they attack not only the body but also affect the spirit."

Feng Mingxue nodded. Their Huan Yu Jing internal energy was not merely Qi but also connected to the spirit; as long as the internal energy remained, their spirits were vital.

Feng Mingxue said, "Let's walk further in."

Li Muzhan nodded. "Senior Sister, tell me immediately if you sense anything amiss."

"Mmm, I understand." Feng Mingxue nodded and took the lead, walking forward. Li Muzhan followed closely behind, unwilling to leave her side. If necessary, he would use the Great Teleportation Art to escape this Thunder Sound Valley; it was truly not a safe place.

The valley twisted and turned nine times, with a new curve after every bend. The Gale Winds in each section were different—some were fierce and violent, others gentle and warm. Paradoxically, the gentler winds were more potent.

Feng Mingxue frequently paused to circulate her energy, resisting the assault of the Gale Winds. Against these winds, the protective True Qi barrier was useless; the wind passing through the body had to be neutralized entirely by internal energy. Their Huan Yu Jing internal energy was dense, and their cultivation deep, so the winds entering their bodies were quickly expelled. However, as they proceeded deeper, Feng Mingxue began to struggle. The Gale Winds grew increasingly warm, as if transitioning from winter to spring, but once they pierced the body, they became unyielding, requiring several complete internal energy cycles to fully dissolve.

Feng Mingxue stopped at the tenth bend, unable to take another step.

Li Muzhan said, "Senior Sister, let’s stop here for now. We can discuss it when we return?"

"...Let's go." Feng Mingxue nodded resignedly.

The two used lightness skill to slip out of the valley. Leaving was easier than entering. In moments, they exited the valley and stopped before the stone cliff. Feng Mingxue let out a long breath, her delicate face pale.

Li Muzhan asked, "Senior Sister, are you alright?"

Feng Mingxue shook her head. "Such formidable Gale Winds! ...Junior Brother, did you find any clues?"

Li Muzhan sighed. "The two Senior Brothers did not come here."

Feng Mingxue frowned and pondered. "They didn't come! Then why did they come to this area?"

Li Muzhan suggested, "Perhaps they were subdued before they had the chance."

Feng Mingxue frowned. "To subdue two Senior Brothers, this is no ordinary opponent. Could it be the Wind Thunder Gate?"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "It's too early to say. We should return to Mirror City and investigate; we're bound to find some trace."

"Yes, we need to hurry," Feng Mingxue agreed. When disciples of the Cloud Heaven Sect traveled, they left hidden markers, subtle signs unknown to outsiders. She wanted to find them before they met disaster.

The two returned to Mirror City via the South Gate, then went to the North Gate, then the East Gate, finally arriving at the West Gate before finding the hidden markers. They followed the signs.

They stopped before an inn. Looking up, the large banner reading "Lone Mountain Inn" () fluttered in the twilight. They had searched for so long that dusk had settled heavily.

"This is the place," Li Muzhan stated.

Feng Mingxue nodded. The two entered the inn, requested a small courtyard from the proprietor, and after dismissing the attendant, they floated into the easternmost courtyard. This was the lodging spot of their two Senior Brothers. The disappearance occurred here, and the markers ceased, clearly indicating they encountered an opponent here and were subdued.

Being subdued inside an inn should have caused some commotion, but upon arriving, they dared not inquire casually. After a preliminary check, they went to the tavern in the front to see if they could overhear any news.