The matter was inherently a dilemma, with no perfect solution. Li Muzhan’s handling was already the most prudent, yet residual issues remained.

Fu Feihong scoffed, "I want to ask them if they took me for a fool, and still have the nerve to blame me!"

Hai Yulan shook her head, "Master, in my opinion, it’s best if you just play dumb!"

Fu Feihong snorted, unconvinced, "When someone pushes too far, if I play dumb, they'll just play dumb too!"

Hai Yulan said, "Just let it go. There's no need to insist on who is right or wrong. The more Master bothers about it, the more others will. Just keep your guard up mentally."

Fu Feihong shook her head, "I'm not like you, always overthinking everything. I do what I want to do; I seek straightforwardness!"

Hai Yulan gave a wry smile, "Master, if you were straightforward then, you'll have endless trouble afterward. Why bother? You can't possibly truly fall out with them; people will laugh if they see it!"

Fu Feihong glared at her, "Girl, are you the Master and I the disciple? Lecturing me now!"

Hai Yulan said, "Master, please listen to me!"

Fu Feihong waved her hand, "I won't listen to you this time. I want to get this clear. I won't be toyed with anymore. If it weren't for your quick thinking a few times before, I'd have been sold out already!"

Hai Yulan murmured, "Martial Uncle Li isn't entirely bad, Master. She just can't stand seeing you do well."

"She was like this when she was young. I hate that about her the most!" Fu Feihong huffed.

Hai Yulan quickly smiled, "Then why bother arguing with her, Master? If she was like this when young, she won't change now. Master should just drop it."

"Not this time," Fu Feihong shook her head. "The more I think about this, the more wrong it feels. This time, she wasn't scheming against me, but against you!"

Hai Yulan frowned, "Why scheme against me?"

"I think she can't stand seeing me well. You are my disciple, so naturally, you were implicated," Fu Feihong sneered, pursing her lips. "It seems she thinks I'll change my mind!"

Hai Yulan frowned, "Isn't she afraid of Li Wuji’s retaliation?"

"Someone is backing her, why would she be afraid!" Fu Feihong sneered. "Her scheming runs deep; you are still too naive. Learn from this in the future!"

Hai Yulan smiled, "Master, haven't you always complained that my scheming is too deep?"

"It depends on who you're dealing with. Against someone who likes to scheme, you have to scheme deeper than her, or you won't even know when you’ve been devoured!" Fu Feihong grumbled. "It's a wonder I haven't blown up at her all this time; these kinds of people are infuriating!"

"Master, let's just pretend we don't know," Hai Yulan shook her head helplessly. "You can't kill her, can you? She’s a fellow sect sister, and a direct disciple of the Sect Master at that."

"If it weren't for the Sect Master’s face, I would have dealt with her long ago!" Fu Feihong said resentfully.

As the master and disciple were speaking, Hao Xuemei appeared. Seeing Fu Feihong, she asked with surprise about the reason. Fu Feihong replied resentfully, "Ask Lan'er!"

Hai Yulan smiled, "It's about Li Wuji."

"Him—?" Hao Xuemei smiled, "Looks like she’s worried about Master!"

"He wishes I would die soon so no one could stop him!" Fu Feihong huffed. "This time, he's still looking out for himself, afraid of conflict between our two sects."

"Master, you must say something fair!" Hai Yulan chided playfully.

"Alright, alright, stop talking about him. I get annoyed just mentioning him!" Fu Feihong said irritably.

Li Muzhan returned to the Cloud-Soaring Sect and went straight to request an audience with the Sect Master.

The Sect Master, however, was on Cloud-Soaring Mountain. To see him, one had to go there. Cloud-Soaring Mountain was that massive, mobile peak, suspended in the sky.

Ascending required waiting for the mountain to land; normally, the mountain could never be located. Yet, Li Muzhan, relying on his senses, appeared directly atop it. The formation array of Cloud-Soaring Mountain was ineffective against him.

In the Cloud-Soaring Hall, Li Muzhan suddenly materialized. Yi Xingzhi, who had been standing before the main hall, suddenly turned and saw Li Muzhan inside.

Yi Xingzhi was thin, with an ordinary appearance, not particularly handsome, but possessing a noble and spirited bearing. His eyes were deep yet gentle, seeming capable of drawing a person's spirit inward.

He stepped into the hall with a smile, "Wuji, why have you come?"

Li Muzhan said, "Sect Master, I have come to claim merit this time."

"What merit?" Yi Xingzhi smiled and extended his hand. The two sat in facing chairs and he said with a smile, "Tell me about it."

Li Muzhan recounted the entire incident, concluding with a smile, "Sect Master, if I hadn't intervened this time, Senior Fu would likely have met a grim end!"

Yi Xingzhi's face darkened, "Nonsense!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Indeed. They truly do not know the immensity of heaven and earth!"

Yi Xingzhi shook his head and sighed, "Wuji, you don't know the depth of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden Sect. They truly possess an assassination technique of extreme power."

"Are you saying, Sect Master, that they might have succeeded?" Li Muzhan asked with a frown.

Yi Xingzhi nodded and huffed, "That is what is hateful. If they had succeeded, the one to suffer the consequences would be our sect!"

Li Muzhan asked, "The Floating Cloud Palace would think we did it, right?"

"This isn't the first time such a thing has happened!" Yi Xingzhi said coldly. "I never spoke much because I didn't want to inflate the prestige of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden Sect. But they have become even more audacious!"

Li Muzhan frowned, "Sect Master still has reservations, doesn't he?"

Yi Xingzhi nodded with a bitter smile and sighed, "Alas... This sword formation was actually handed down from our sect. That’s why it’s hard for us to argue our case; no one would believe us!"

Li Muzhan’s brow twitched. Observing Yi Xingzhi’s expression, he suddenly realized, "No wonder... So this sword formation is infinitely powerful, and we have no way to counter it?"

"Yes," Yi Xingzhi nodded and sighed. "This involves the privacy of a Senior. I cannot say more."

Li Muzhan smiled, pondered for a moment, and then said, "A certain Senior fell for the honey trap and had this sword formation extracted. Is that why the relationship between our Cloud-Soaring Sect and the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden Sect is so tense?"

Yi Xingzhi shook his head, "You... why must you be so clever!"

Li Muzhan said, "It seems this happened several generations ago. I didn't expect us to suffer such a significant loss. Have we never sought redress?"

Yi Xingzhi sighed, "How can such a thing be discussed? If word got out, we'd be laughed to death by the world!"

Li Muzhan nodded helplessly, "Swallowing the bitter pill is indeed the way to go."

"The fact that they resort to this move again is truly malicious. It was good that you stopped it!" Yi Xingzhi stood up, reached out, patted his shoulder, and sat down again. "If they had truly assassinated someone from the Floating Cloud Palace, the Floating Cloud Palace would have truly gone mad, and a great war could have erupted."

Li Muzhan asked, "Is that sword formation really that formidable?"

"It is truly one of the rarest sword formations in the world," Yi Xingzhi nodded. "It can borrow the power of heaven and earth, but the requirements are strict; it won't work with one person missing. Your move was like drawing the firewood from under the cauldron—very good!"

Li Muzhan smiled slyly, "Sect Master, is your relationship with Senior Fu related to this sword formation...?"

"Impudent boy, what nonsense are you speaking!" Yi Xingzhi immediately shouted. "You see me that way too?!"

Li Muzhan quickly waved his hands, "Just kidding!"

Yi Xingzhi shook his head, "You... only you dare joke with me like this!"

Li Muzhan smiled slyly, "The Sect Master is approachable and easygoing, which is why I dared to speak carelessly. But this is what the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden Sect said to Senior Fu, isn't it? She must have reservations, right?"

"Alas... When I heard those words back then, in a fit of anger... Forget it, one slip can lead to eternal regret. You must never follow my example!" Yi Xingzhi waved his hand and sighed. "As for your matters with Miss Hai, I see trouble ahead. They will guard against the handsome man's stratagem."

Li Muzhan frowned, "If that's the case, I only have one path left?"

"Absolutely do not use force, or the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden Sect will go mad and do anything, potentially implicating Miss Hai's friends," Yi Xingzhi quickly waved his hand.

Li Muzhan nodded helplessly, "If that's so, are we just supposed to let them do as they please?"

"Just send a greeting to Palace Master Leng of the Floating Cloud Palace," Yi Xingzhi said. "This matter will trouble you. I will write a letter, and you will deliver it for me!"

"Yes," Li Muzhan nodded in agreement.

Yi Xingzhi rose and went to his desk, quickly writing a letter and handing it to Li Muzhan, cautioning him, "Palace Master Leng is not very friendly to us either. Handle this well."

Li Muzhan smiled, "Should I be hard or soft?"

Yi Xingzhi smiled, patted his shoulder, "Soft or hard is up to you. You are astute. Just avoid inciting a war between the two sects."

Li Muzhan smiled, "I dare not accept such praise from the Sect Master. I will be careful."

"Although the Floating Cloud Palace is a bit arrogant, they still possess the bearing of a great sect. They wouldn't resort to petty tricks. It's just this Palace Master Leng—I haven't met her since she took office. She never sees outsiders, quite mysterious. I can't gauge her temperament either," Yi Xingzhi explained.

"I will be careful," Li Muzhan nodded, tucked the letter into his robes, then cupped his fists and vanished.

Li Muzhan first returned to Round Heart Temple and gave a few instructions to Jikong, telling him to take good care of Jing'er. If any urgent matters arose while he was away, Jikong was to crush the jade pendant, and he would appear.

Jikong thumped his chest loudly, confidently stating, "Master, rest assured, nothing will happen. I will definitely take good care of Junior Sister."

Li Muzhan had tempered Jikong’s nature quite a bit recently. His impulsive temper had improved considerably, and he acted more shrewdly, so Li Muzhan felt reassured. Jikong had an excellent relationship with Jing'er, so there was nothing to worry about.

The group of fierce beasts, having been tamed by him, had also lost their hostility and were diligently practicing the martial arts he taught them, never causing trouble.

Thinking of this, he could finally leave with peace of mind. He no longer had to remain stationed at Round Heart Temple; getting out for some fresh air was good, and delivering the letter for the Sect Master was a secondary task.

The Floating Cloud Palace and the Cloud-Soaring Sect were separated by a thousand miles, one to the south and one to the north. Li Muzhan employed his lightness skill and reached Floating Cloud Mountain, where the Floating Cloud Palace was located, in a day and a night.

Floating Cloud Mountain was one among countless vast mountains. Each peak shot straight up into the white clouds. Looking up from below, one could not see the summit, only swirling clouds enveloping silver mountains that rose abruptly from the earth, piercing into the mists, seemingly connecting heaven and earth.

Li Muzhan marveled. What a place of concentrated spiritual essence. He surveyed the surroundings. The midday sun warmed his body. Yet, the area was covered in snow. Floating Cloud Mountain was situated in the far north. Though it didn't have perpetual snow, it was winter now, and a recent snowfall remained un-melted.

He squinted, observing Floating Cloud Mountain. There were no tracks around, offering no clue to the location of the Floating Cloud Palace. He could only rely on his senses to perceive which mountain was the true Floating Cloud Mountain.

He arrived at the foot of one peak and looked up. The imposing presence pressed down on him, as if the mountain might collapse at any moment. He instinctively felt the urge to retreat.

"Cloud-Soaring Sect's Li Wuji, pays respects to Palace Master Leng!" He slowly uttered a few words.

These words, like pearls, floated slowly in the air, drifting toward the summit. They pierced through the condensation and penetrated the peak, breaking through the obstruction of the clouds.

He frowned. There was no response. Clearly, Palace Master Leng did not wish to see him. Remaining silent—this was not the manner of a great sect.

Li Muzhan hadn't expected the Floating Cloud Palace to treat him with such a closed door. With a helpless sigh, he spoke again, letting his words fall like jade: "Cloud-Soaring Sect's Li Wuji, greets Palace Master Leng!"

This time, the voice was far grander and broader, like the clash of massive bronze bells resounding between heaven and earth, its echo continuous and rolling through the air.

At this moment, even thunder could barely obscure his voice. It was truly pervasive, heard everywhere, impossible to evade.

Li Muzhan paused briefly, still no reaction. Annoyance crept in. He let out a cold snort and said faintly, "The Floating Cloud Palace is the sect of the blade. Do you fear my Cloud-Soaring Sect? I, a mere disciple of the Cloud-Soaring Sect, dare not be seen? Truly disappointing!"

"A fine Li Wuji!" A cold snort suddenly sounded right beside his ear, crisp and chilling. "Since you wish to see me, then come up!"

"Many thanks, Palace Master Leng!" Li Muzhan said with a smile.

He waited quietly. Suddenly, a basket descended from the mountainside. The basket was about the size of a person and seemed woven from purple bamboo, shimmering with a dark luster.

Li Muzhan's eyebrows flickered. Without a word, he sprang onto the basket. The basket then rose slowly, ascending higher and higher at a rapid pace.

Li Muzhan looked down. The scenery slowly shrank. The massive rocks below became pebbles. Soon, white clouds floated before his eyes, obscuring his downward view.

The temperature dropped sharply. Li Muzhan looked up and saw a giant tree growing diagonally out from the cliff face, as if someone were peering out.

A large wheel was fastened to the tree's 'neck,' the rope attached to the basket on one end, while the other end was being pulled vigorously, causing the wheel to spin extremely fast.

This crooked-neck tree grew nearer and larger. It was a pine, perhaps a hundred years old, yet still vibrant, showing no signs of senescence.

He could sense vitality, whether in people or trees, he could vaguely perceive it. He knew this tree could easily live another two or three centuries.

The spiritual energy in this world was rich; not only were people's lifespans long, but trees lived even longer—it seemed trees benefited most, not humans.

Bang! The basket suddenly accelerated and slammed against the tree trunk. Then Li Muzhan saw the person behind the tree: a middle-aged woman in white, whose bearing was icy, her gaze like a sharp blade.

Li Muzhan cupped his fists and said with a smile, "Senior, my thanks!"

"Come up!" the middle-aged woman commanded coldly.

Her features were pleasing, qualifying her as a beauty, but not a peerless one. Coupled with her chilling aura, she was genuinely unapproachable.

Li Muzhan floated off the basket and stepped onto the flat stone surface. A glance around left him somewhat stunned. Before him, a grand hall stood tall, surrounded by smaller buildings encircling it, radiating an aura of proud detachment from the world below.

White clouds swirled around the main hall. At first glance, it resembled a celestial palace, exuding mystery and solemnity—truly breathtaking.

Although Li Muzhan's Cloud-Soaring Sect was powerful, its sect gate consisted of several small islands, lacking any grand presence. Even Cloud-Soaring Mountain, suspended in the sky, could not compare to the imposing aura of the Floating Cloud Palace.

Seeing Li Muzhan surveying the surroundings, the middle-aged woman said nothing more, quietly watching him, closely examining his expression. When she saw the shock on Li Muzhan's face, the corner of her mouth lifted slightly.

Li Muzhan exclaimed in admiration, "It truly lives up to its reputation—what a Floating Cloud Palace!"

The middle-aged woman smiled faintly, "You must be Young Hero Li Wuji, correct? The Palace Master is waiting in the hall. Please follow me!"

Li Muzhan cupped his fists and smiled, "I must trouble you. I haven't asked for Senior's esteemed name yet. I am acquainted with your Miss Dugu and Senior Qu. Are they on the mountain?"

The beautiful middle-aged woman glanced at him faintly, "Dugu Meng? Qu Wanying?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Precisely."

"They are both off the mountain." The middle-aged woman shook her head, but her tone softened slightly. "When did you become acquainted with them?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "It was in the capital. I haven't seen them for quite some time. I wonder how they are faring?"

"They are in seclusion for cultivation," the middle-aged woman replied plainly.

Li Muzhan's eyebrow twitched, and he smiled, "In seclusion for cultivation? Heh heh, even Miss Dugu would go into seclusion? It would be better to kill her!"

The middle-aged woman showed a hint of a smile and shook her head, "Junior Sister Qu forced her into seclusion."

She was certain Li Muzhan knew the two. Dugu Meng was notoriously lazy. It was unthinkable that she would voluntarily enter seclusion, likely wishing to run down the mountain.

The last time, she had used family news as an excuse to slip away, but she hadn't returned. In the end, she angered Junior Sister Qu, who personally went down the mountain, captured her, and then they entered seclusion together.

For Dugu Meng’s sake, Junior Sister Qu had truly spent endless effort and worry. The critical point was that Dugu Meng possessed excellent aptitude but disliked cultivation. Thus, Junior Sister Qu was unwilling to give up and insisted she achieve something significant. Having tried every method to no avail, she could only resort to forced seclusion.

Thinking of this, a smile touched the corner of her mouth, and she became a bit friendlier toward Li Muzhan, "You wanted to see them?"

Li Muzhan shook his head, "I am here under orders from the Sect Master to deliver a letter to Palace Master Leng."

"I see..." The middle-aged woman nodded lightly. "Be careful with your words. The Palace Master has a difficult temper."

Li Muzhan's eyebrow twitched. He hadn't expected this middle-aged woman to be sharp-tongued yet warm-hearted, actually offering him a warning. He quickly smiled, "Thank you, Senior."

The middle-aged woman made no move to offer her name. She led Li Muzhan across the flat, expansive training ground to the front of the main hall and called out, "Palace Master, Li Wuji is here."

"Enter," the crisp voice rang out again.

The middle-aged woman glanced at Li Muzhan, gestured for him to go in, and Li Muzhan pushed open the door and entered the hall. Immediately, his eyes lit up. The interior of the hall was surprisingly bright and spacious, contrary to his expectations.