As she remained silent, footsteps suddenly echoed from outside: "Palace Master, eight women have arrived outside, and they have killed six of our senior brothers!"
"Who are they?" Leng Chaoyun frowned and asked.
A clear female voice answered from outside, "Disciple does not know; I cannot discern their concealment... Their swordplay is exceptional; they might be disciples from the Cloud Heaven Sect."
"Cloud Heaven Sect?" Leng Chaoyun looked toward Li Muzhan.
Li Muzhan spread his hands and offered a wry smile, "I thought I had thwarted the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden Sect's assassination attempt, but they still came after all! ... There are eight of them, correct?"
"...That's right," the girl outside replied hesitantly after a pause.
Leng Chaoyun said flatly, "What do you make of it!"
Li Muzhan explained, "That sword formation requires nine people to execute. When I learned of the plot, I departed early and managed to take one of them away, disrupting their formation. I didn't expect the remaining eight to still come... What are they trying to achieve!"
This was supposed to be an assassination, but now it was an open slaughter. The power of an eight-person sword formation was severely diminished. No matter how formidable the formation, forcing their way into the Floating Cloud Palace like this was suicidal.
He immediately understood their intent: this was a declaration of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden Sect's resolve. They came, so they had to fight; they couldn't give up halfway.
If that was the case, his act of taking Fu Feihong away had inadvertently harmed them. If things continued this way, their deaths were certain, he thought, knitting his brow.
Although the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden Sect and the Cloud Heaven Sect were rivals, he felt a degree of concern for the former because of Hai Yulan, whom he cared for deeply.
However, their attempt to frame the Cloud Heaven Sect using a sword formation had indeed angered him. Yet, he couldn't simply stand by and watch them die.
"Hmph, eight people!" Leng Chaoyun scoffed, "Xiao Yan, you three go!"
Li Muzhan coughed lightly. Leng Chaoyun said dismissively, "If you have something to say, spit it out!"
Li Muzhan offered, "Palace Master, I suggest you go personally. Though there are only eight, the formation's power should not be underestimated. To prevent too many of your disciples from suffering casualties..."
"...Very well," Leng Chaoyun nodded slowly.
If Li Muzhan had said this before the competition, Leng Chaoyun would have scoffed and ignored him. Now that Li Muzhan had defeated her, the weight of his words was different.
Li Muzhan smiled, "I shall accompany the Palace Master to observe the spectacle."
"As you wish," Leng Chaoyun replied calmly.
She rose and walked out. Xiao Yan and the other two girls glanced at him but showed no anger. Having witnessed Li Muzhan's martial arts, they secretly admired him.
In the martial world, strength reigns supreme. Anyone with profound martial skill naturally carried an invisible aura, forming a unique charm.
It was like modern-day successful figures; even if their appearance was ordinary, every gesture exuded an extraordinary presence, commanding respect.
The worship of the strong was ingrained deep within everyone's bones.
The group exited the main hall to find a slender, dark-clad girl standing there. Her features were delicate, her eyes bright and expressive, yet possessing a sharp, capable intelligence.
The dark-clad girl glanced at Li Muzhan, then stepped forward and whispered to the Palace Master, "Palace Master, they have set up an ambush below the peak; all the senior sisters coming and going are blocked."
Leng Chaoyun's expression remained serene, devoid of annoyance. She lightly patted the girl's shoulder, "I know. You don't need to go back."
"Yes, Palace Master." The dark-clad girl inclined her head, showing gratitude.
Li Muzhan noticed the girl bore an injury, but since the wound was on her shoulder, it was barely visible when she was still, and her internal organs were also damaged.
With that light pat, Leng Chaoyun channeled internal energy into the girl, nourishing her viscera, and her injuries immediately eased significantly.
Li Muzhan frowned. It seemed these eight disciples of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden Sect were no ordinary folk. The dark-clad girl's injury was caused by sword qi.
The Cloud Heaven Sect emphasized swordsmanship, while the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden Sect focused on cultivation techniques. The Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden Heart Sutra was a rare, top-tier supreme art, and the internal energy derived from its cultivation was mysterious and unfathomable.
It seemed they had merged the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden Sutra with the Cloud Heaven Sect's sword techniques, creating a unique supreme art whose power was not to be trifled with!
"Go!" Leng Chaoyun said softly, leaping gracefully off the cliff edge, soaring past the crooked-neck pine tree and descending.
Li Muzhan followed closely. The three younger girls weren't as capable; they leaped onto a large basket, squeezing close together, yet it was not too taxing for them, given their small and slender frames.
The basket plummeted downwards with a swoosh, but it was far slower than Leng Chaoyun's movement. She glanced back and saw Li Muzhan beside her, watching her with a slight smile.
She gave him a brief, expressionless look, then suddenly accelerated her descent like a falling stone, creating a rushing sound.
Li Muzhan also sped up, yet he appeared relaxed and comfortable, keeping pace right beside Leng Chaoyun.
Suddenly, Leng Chaoyun struck out with her left hand, and a dull thud echoed in the air, as if a stone had landed. Her descent immediately slowed, and she drifted down like a drifting white cloud.
Li Muzhan landed lightly beside her. Leng Chaoyun let out a soft snort; the martial prowess of this Li Wuji was truly terrifying, surpassing even her own.
Could the Cloud Heaven Sect truly be this powerful? Could the top master among the third-generation disciples already exceed her strength?
She found it hard to believe the Cloud Heaven Sect was so dominant—if so, they would be the foremost sect in the world. But they wouldn't be this excessive. She surmised that this Li Wuji was exceptional, possessing astonishing talent.
As soon as she landed, Leng Chaoyun accelerated, moving like a wisp of smoke, reaching the edge of a valley in an instant. A group of young men and women were currently engaged in fierce combat with eight middle-aged women clad in tight battle attire.
There were about thirty young people surrounding the eight women, yet they were clearly at a disadvantage, letting out cries of pain as they fell intermittently. Leng Chaoyun let out a soft scoff, "Stop!"
Hearing her voice, the group of young martial artists immediately found their anchor and retreated behind her. The eight middle-aged women did not pursue but stood in an eight-trigram formation, turning their swords toward Leng Chaoyun.
They spotted Li Muzhan standing next to Leng Chaoyun and frowned as they looked at him. Li Muzhan was considered a prominent figure, especially concerning the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden Sect.
"Why are you killing my Floating Cloud Palace disciples?" Leng Chaoyun asked slowly, her red robes billowing, as she approached calmly.
One of the middle-aged women coldly replied, "All disciples of the Floating Cloud Palace deserve death!"
Leng Chaoyun asked blandly, "Then which sect do you belong to?"
The middle-aged woman sneered, "The Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden Sect!"
They had originally intended to frame the Cloud Heaven Sect, but seeing Li Muzhan appear, they knew that was impossible. They decided to admit their affiliation directly, aiming to display the sect's might and let the Floating Cloud Palace know that the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden Sect was not to be trifled with—if pushed too far, they were prepared to fight to the death.
"The Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden Sect..." Leng Chaoyun nodded faintly. "You have killed my Floating Cloud Palace disciples; commit suicide now, and I will not pursue your families."
"What arrogance!" the middle-aged woman sneered. "We shall certainly request a demonstration of Palace Master Leng's supreme arts!"
Leng Chaoyun calmly replied, "Good."
The middle-aged woman was momentarily stunned, surprised by Leng Chaoyun's swift acceptance. She had expected the Palace Master to demur and refuse a direct confrontation with their small group. Wouldn't a Sect Leader engaging so casually diminish her prestige?
"What, are you afraid?" Leng Chaoyun asked mildly. "Then there is no need for me to act; just kill yourselves quickly and save yourselves the suffering."
The middle-aged woman mocked, "Palace Master Leng speaks boldly; come then!"
Leng Chaoyun's long saber remained in her hand. With a light sweep, the blade shimmered, smooth as autumn water, and she slowly moved toward the eight women. The eight figures flickered, instantly enveloping her.
Leng Chaoyun remained unfazed, calmly gazing at the long saber in her hand, as if only the blade existed in her sight, oblivious to the eight approaching figures.
They exchanged glances. Their footwork began slowly, then accelerated, becoming faster and faster until they blurred into a single mass of shadows.
Li Muzhan narrowed his eyes. Was this the Nine Stars Linked Pearl Sword Formation? He truly had never witnessed it before. Seeing it now, its power was indeed formidable.
"Begin Formation!" a sharp command cut through the air. With a whoosh, myriad sword lights exploded, the cold radiance intensifying, like dozens of gleaming mirrors suddenly flipped over, catching the sunlight and dazzling the eyes.
Li Muzhan squinted, but the others around him reacted differently. They hurriedly closed their eyes and stepped back, maintaining vigilant defense, fearing a sudden attack—a subconscious reaction, the instinct of a warrior.
Li Muzhan peered at Leng Chaoyun, only to see her focused solely on her long saber, seemingly unaffected by the blinding sword light. With an indifferent motion, she merely sliced her saber, disregarding the torrent of sword light surging toward her.
A soft chi sound was followed by a continuous series of metallic clashes—ding, ding, ding, ding...
Li Muzhan applauded in admiration. What a move—'Drawing a Boundary'! This single sweep created a field of qi that almost encased her. Anything approaching her body was batted away.
In essence, this move used sheer power to overcome exquisite technique. The swordplay of the middle-aged women was subtle, but their sword qi could not penetrate her saber qi.
Li Muzhan narrowed his eyes in thought. This wasn't because their cultivation was far inferior to Leng Chaoyun's, but because her saber qi possessed a peculiar quality. Her previous strike, which cut through his palm force, was astonishing enough.
The sharpness of the blade qi she cultivated gave it an overwhelmingly piercing and unstoppable quality. Even though the eight women's sword techniques were magnificent, their qi could not pierce her saber qi and ended up coming to naught.
The ding, ding, ding, ding of metal striking metal continued ceaselessly. The eight women moved their feet rapidly, their swords weaving like swimming dragons, circling and wrapping around Leng Chaoyun. Yet, Leng Chaoyun merely made light, effortless sweeps with her long saber, and the eight dragons could not breach her saber qi, merely maneuvering fruitlessly around her.
The onlookers erupted in cheers. Leng Chaoyun's seemingly casual defense captivated them, leaving them mesmerized, as if drunk and lost in a trance—this was the true power of the Floating Cloud Palace's supreme arts.
Li Muzhan scanned the crowd. There were both men and women, but the majority of the women possessed superior cultivation; the men were noticeably weaker.
After a moment of contemplation, he guessed it related to the cultivation method, but why would a sharp, supremely yang blade technique be unsuitable for men?
His expression changed slightly when he suddenly saw the situation shift. Leng Chaoyun abruptly slashed out a strike, her saber qi spreading outwards, colliding with the eight women.
The eight women raised their swords to meet it, but with a crisp ding, they were thrown backward, their sabers flying from their hands. In that brief moment, the saber qi had penetrated their bodies, leaving them numb and unable to resist the strike. They were involuntarily flung backward.
They inwardly sighed, feeling their fate was sealed. They knew this was all they could do, and they died without regret, having avenged their junior sisters by killing so many disciples.
Upon seeing this, Li Muzhan had no time to think. He swiftly pointed a finger and said in a deep voice, "Palace Master Leng, spare their lives!"
With a muffled peng, Leng Chaoyun’s saber momentum slowed, the saber qi dissipated. She halted her attack, turned, and looked at Li Muzhan, two rays of cold light flashing in her bright eyes, almost tangible.
The eight women landed heavily with loud thuds. However, the crowd ignored them, their focus entirely fixed on Leng Chaoyun and Li Muzhan. The surroundings were so quiet that the drop of a pin could be heard.
Li Muzhan cupped his hands in a salute, walked up to Leng Chaoyun, and offered a wry smile, "Palace Master Leng, spare their lives!"
"You want me to spare them?" Leng Chaoyun smiled faintly.
Li Muzhan sighed, "Yes, I request Palace Master Leng to show mercy and spare their lives."
Leng Chaoyun looked at him expressionlessly. Li Muzhan inwardly sighed; at this juncture, he could not let them die, or meeting Hai Yulan again would inevitably bring guilt and shame.
The two stood locked in an unwavering gaze, the onlookers dared not breathe, all curiously watching Li Muzhan, wondering what kind of person possessed such audacity.
Li Muzhan suddenly flashed forward, instantly appearing before a young man in black lying on the ground, already dead.
Li Muzhan formed his fingers into a crane's beak and lightly tapped twice. Then he moved to another young man in red, also deceased, tapping him twice in the same manner. He repeated this process for a total of six young men.
The crowd instantly stirred. Some prepared to attack, others tried to intervene. Leng Chaoyun raised a hand, and they immediately ceased their actions, looking at her in confusion.
Li Muzhan finished and smiled, "Their lives have been saved."
Leng Chaoyun walked to the six young men one by one, checked their pulses, and nodded slightly. The others found it hard to believe. Those lying on the ground were all dead; otherwise, they would have been taken for medical treatment long ago. Yet now Li Muzhan claimed they were alive again—death was an immutable law.
Li Muzhan smiled, bowed, and said, "Palace Master Leng, show mercy!"
Leng Chaoyun regarded him silently for a long moment, then waved her hand lightly, "Take them down and guard them well!"
"Yes!" someone called out loudly. They immobilized the eight women with pressure points. Female disciples then helped them up and floated away into the valley.
Li Muzhan glanced at the valley, clearly the disciples' living quarters. The peak above housed the main hall of the Floating Cloud Palace, reserved only for the Palace Master.
"Come with me," Leng Chaoyun said lightly.
With that, she floated up, quickly returning to Floating Cloud Mountain. She soared upward, occasionally tapping lightly against the cliff face before continuing her ascent. Li Muzhan followed closely, both ascending with superb movement techniques, dispensing with the basket.
After they landed gracefully, Leng Chaoyun glanced at Li Muzhan, finally confirming that Li Muzhan's internal energy was indeed far deeper than hers. Although she maintained a calm exterior, her internal energy was nearly depleted—and that was after rigorous training. Li Muzhan, however, remained composed, clearly possessing an internal energy far deeper and more refined than hers. She turned and entered the main hall, seating herself on the couch, contemplating Li Muzhan, her bright eyes flickering as if facing an insoluble dilemma.
Li Muzhan bowed and sighed, "Palace Master Leng, please spare them!"
"If you were me, would you spare them?" Leng Chaoyun asked plainly.
Li Muzhan shook his head with a wry smile. He couldn't lie to himself. From Leng Chaoyun's perspective, these eight women truly brought their doom upon themselves; she absolutely could not spare them without undermining her authority before her disciples.
Thinking this, Li Muzhan had intervened earlier to save their lives, thereby earning them a chance at survival.
Of course, if he truly wanted to save them, he could have simply taken them away forcibly. But that would trigger conflict between the Cloud Heaven Sect and the Floating Cloud Palace. He weighed the options, deciding not to resort to that unless absolutely necessary.
"It's not impossible to spare them," Leng Chaoyun mused.
Li Muzhan's eyebrows lifted. "Whatever conditions you have, Palace Master, please state them. As long as I can fulfill them, I will certainly do my utmost!"
"Hmph, slippery!" Leng Chaoyun snorted lightly. "Relax, I won't ask you to betray your sect or do anything against your conscience. I only need you to do me a small favor."
Li Muzhan extended his hand and smiled, "Please tell me, Palace Master."
"Help me open a small box." Leng Chaoyun said.
Li Muzhan pondered, "What small box?"
Leng Chaoyun explained, "This is a memento left by my late Master. But it requires immense internal energy to open, and my own strength is insufficient. Since your internal energy is profound, you can lend me your strength."
Li Muzhan frowned slowly, "Since your Master made such an arrangement, she likely intended for the Palace Master to reach a certain level of cultivation before opening it. Perhaps your Master had her reasons. Why the haste, Palace Master?"
"That is none of your business!" Leng Chaoyun snorted coldly. "Just tell me if you agree or not. If you agree, I will release those eight. If not, forget it."
Li Muzhan knew this was an exchange. After a moment of thought, he slowly nodded, "Fine, I agree. But we can't do it immediately; I need to write a letter back home."
"Hmph, you don't trust me, fearing I might harm you?" Leng Chaoyun said coolly. "The heart of a petty person!"
Li Muzhan smiled, "It is the heart of a cautious person; one must be prepared."
Leng Chaoyun waved her hand, "Very well, do as you wish."
Li Muzhan then asked, "I would like to have those eight deliver the letter for me, how about that?"
"Will they agree?" Leng Chaoyun shook her head. "I doubt they will be grateful to you. The feud between our two sects is not recent."
Li Muzhan smiled, "That is no concern for the Palace Master."
"Fine, as you wish." Leng Chaoyun waved her hand toward a low desk by the window. "Go write it, and bring it down once you are done."
Li Muzhan rose and approached the desk. He ground the ink, which emitted a faint fragrance. Li Muzhan concentrated, subtly sensing it; it wasn't the scent of medicine.
His senses were sharp; he could anticipate danger and was rarely poisoned, but he did not let his guard down, suspecting Leng Chaoyun might employ some peculiar method.
He wrote the letter in one fluid motion, sealed it, and Leng Chaoyun said, "Let's go. You will accompany me downstairs to watch them depart personally."
Li Muzhan smiled without further comment. They descended the peak together. Leng Chaoyun ordered the eight women to be brought forth; they were injured and listless.
In front of everyone, Leng Chaoyun told the eight that if Li Muzhan hadn't interceded, she would have killed them. Now, they should leave immediately and never appear before her again, or she would show no mercy next time.
Li Muzhan handed the letter to one of the women, whispering his request for her to deliver it to Wave Crest Island. The middle-aged woman slowly nodded, offering no thanks, merely cupping her fist in salute before the eight departed.
After watching them leave, Leng Chaoyun said lightly, "You plan to stay here?"
Li Muzhan smiled, "Once my Master's reply arrives, I will naturally help the Palace Master with her task!"
He had dispatched the eight women to deliver a letter to the Cloud Heaven Sect, detailing the events, and requesting a reply from his own Sect Master to be delivered to the Floating Cloud Palace. Receiving his Master's reply would confirm the safe arrival of the eight women and that the Floating Cloud Palace had indeed let them go. Otherwise, he certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to proceed.