"I'm only stating the truth, unlike some people who are hypocritical and overly polite!" Leng Chaoyun declared.

Li Muzhan stroked his little beard and shook his head helplessly. Ye Zhennan felt profoundly uneasy, his smile strained, his eyes flashing sharply.

Li Muzhan chuckled, "Sect Master Ye, once your injuries heal, perhaps we could spar a bit? Just come to me here; I will remain on Floating Cloud Mountain."

"Very well, it’s a deal. Ye will certainly give it his all," Ye Zhennan nodded slowly.

Leng Chaoyun scoffed, "Ye, whether you give it your all or not makes no difference. I couldn't last more than a few moves against him. How many moves do you think you can last?!"

Ye Zhennan looked at Li Muzhan in astonishment. "Is that true?"

Li Muzhan smiled faintly, "Palace Mistress Leng was merely being generous; you shouldn't take it seriously."

Though Ye Zhennan hadn't spent much time with Leng Chaoyun, he recognized her nature—she was not one to concede; she would never pass up an opportunity for victory.

If that was the case, then the Palace Mistress truly hadn't lasted many moves. If her martial arts were such that she couldn't last long, how many moves could he, whose cultivation was slightly inferior, manage?

This realization did not deflate him; instead, it filled him with tenfold courage and soaring fighting spirit. He chuckled, "Brother Li, I will cultivate diligently and seek a spar with you!"

Li Muzhan nodded. "Good, I agree."

"Then I shall take my leave!" Ye Zhennan managed a difficult cupped-fist salute, turned, and departed.

After the ten middle-aged men escorted him away and he vanished, Li Muzhan turned back to Leng Chaoyun with a wry smile, "Palace Mistress Leng, what grudge do we hold that you seek to cause me trouble?"

"What trouble is he? I was merely letting him know the immensity of the heavens and the depth of the earth!" Leng Chaoyun's expression was detached and light, as if she had done nothing at all, and she turned to leave.

The others quickly withdrew, casting strange glances at Li Muzhan. Some reluctantly returned to the valley, unable to resist looking back at him one last time.

Li Muzhan and Leng Chaoyun stood side-by-side, watching them return to the valley.

"This Sect Master Ye is a young hero; he is no ordinary man," Li Muzhan praised.

Leng Chaoyun shot him a sidelong glance. "Old-fashioned!"

Li Muzhan touched the bridge of his nose and smiled, "However, his spear technique indeed lacks finesse."

Leng Chaoyun snorted, "Spear techniques that aren't based on authentic methods are useless even if he practices until old age; his achievements will be limited!"

Li Muzhan shook his head, "That's not entirely true. Spear techniques, saber techniques, sword techniques—all methods stem from the same root. It lies in mastering the essence of one; once one is mastered, all are accessible, and the power difference is minimal."

"Can a spear technique defeat a saber technique?!" Leng Chaoyun glanced sideways at him, appearing dismissive.

Li Muzhan smiled. "I am also somewhat versed in spear techniques. Shall we exchange a few moves?"

"Your cultivation far surpasses mine; you would just be bullying me with brute force!" Leng Chaoyun shook her head.

Li Muzhan laughed, "I won't use internal energy to win. I will defeat you solely with spear technique. How about that?"

"Truly?" Leng Chaoyun frowned, staring intently at him.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Why would I lie to you? ... This way, Palace Mistress Leng can broaden your horizons and understand the immensity of the world, lest you underestimate the martial arts of others!"

"Very well, let's go to the peak!" Leng Chaoyun directed.

The two floated gracefully up the mountain peak, seeming to cross the air in a single breath, landing side-by-side at the summit. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan and the others were still suspended in mid-air, being lifted up by baskets.

"Follow me," she commanded.

She led Li Muzhan around the main hall to a circular clearing behind it—a field of red earth, about half the size of a modern soccer field, clean and utterly spotless.

By the edge of the field stood a weapon rack displaying sabers, spears, and swords. She picked up a saber, gave it a light flick, and a long spear shot toward Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan caught it with his hand, shook it lightly, and smiled, "The wonder of the spear lies entirely in the Jing (force/skill). Sect Master Ye has not yet fully grasped the Jing. Let's test it."

Leng Chaoyun, without a word, drew her saber and slashed, her figure a blur, pressing toward him like a streak of white light.

Li Muzhan gently shook the long spear. With a muffled peng sound, the saber snapped upward. Her form materialized, and she stared at Li Muzhan in surprise.

Li Muzhan laughed, "That is Beng Jin (Collapsing Force)!"

"Again!" Leng Chaoyun swung her saber once more. With a light chi sound, the saber sliced sideways, aimed at the empty space to Li Muzhan's left.

Li Muzhan laughed, "That is Lü Jin (Coiling/Guiding Force)!"

Ding... The saber was repelled. Li Muzhan laughed, "That is Shuai Jin (Flinging Force)!"

Pu! The saber paused, clinging momentarily to the spear shaft. Li Muzhan stated, "That is Quan Jin (Circling Force)!"

Dang! Leng Chaoyun's saber flew from her grip, soaring straight back to crash against the rear wall of the hall with a sharp report before clattering onto the ground.

Li Muzhan lowered his spear and stood still, smiling gently, "That is Luo Tuo Jin (Spiral Force)!"

Leng Chaoyun glared at him with cold, narrowed eyes, appearing thoughtful.

She sensed that the internal energy Li Muzhan used was weaker than hers, yet all these strange forms of Jin were transmitted through the spear, making it impossible to defend against and completely neutralizing her saber techniques.

Li Muzhan laughed, "How about it? Do you now understand the marvel of spear techniques?"

"How did you learn such miraculous spear techniques?" Leng Chaoyun asked curiously.

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, "Unspeakable, unspeakable!"

Leng Chaoyun said, "With such spear techniques, it is a pity you use a sword!"

Li Muzhan grinned, "My spear technique is just so-so. I also know a few saber moves. Want to try?"

Leng Chaoyun’s spirit lifted instantly. "You know saber techniques too?!"

Li Muzhan chuckled, "A little bit."

"Good, I should like to witness your saber technique!" Leng Chaoyun snorted.

She couldn't defend against the unpredictable and inescapable spear techniques, but she was the originator of saber arts; Floating Cloud Palace was famed as the Saber School. Li Wuji was asking for trouble! Li Muzhan beckoned, and a long saber from the weapon rack flew into his hand. He drew the blade, smiled broadly, and said, "My comprehension of the saber art is not particularly deep. I must ask for your guidance!"

As he finished speaking, his entire being suddenly transformed. His aura shifted entirely, as if he had become a colossal saber suspended in the air, and then he slashed down.

With a light chi of tearing air, the space before them seemed to split in two.

Leng Chaoyun hurriedly dodged. Immediately, a fissure appeared on the ground, extending from the space before Li Muzhan to where she stood—about twenty zhang long and a foot deep, deeper than plowed earth.

Li Muzhan stood smiling, holding the saber. "How was that?"

"Hmm, not bad," Leng Chaoyun nodded calmly. "You have some skill."

Li Muzhan laughed, "Then take my next blow."

His aura shifted again; his entire person seemed to vanish, completely merged into the saber—only the saber remained, no man. He executed a simple horizontal slice. Leng Chaoyun raised her saber to meet it.

Ding... With a crisp clash, Leng Chaoyun was pushed back flatly, as if by an invisible force. Her feet slid on the ground until she retreated a full twenty zhang.

Li Muzhan lowered the saber and stood still, smiling faintly, "How was this strike?"

"Not bad," Leng Chaoyun nodded. "I grasped a bit of the saber's essence."

Li Muzhan laughed, "Very well, watch my next strike!"

His aura changed once more; both man and saber vanished, seemingly merging into the void. He suddenly appeared directly in front of Leng Chaoyun. She swung her saber to counter, and with a ding, her saber flew away, tumbling until it landed at Li Muzhan's feet. He smiled, retrieved the saber, and stood still. "How was this strike?"

"A good saber technique," Leng Chaoyun’s eyes finally changed, betraying undisguised astonishment deep within.

Li Muzhan chuckled inwardly. This strike employed the Po Kong Jian Yi (Void-Breaking Sword Intent), merging the saber and the man entirely into the void, breaching space to appear instantly.

Since it was daytime, Leng Chaoyun could see him and thus block the attack. If it were night, unable to see his form and relying only on intuition, she would have already lost her head from this blow.

A chill crept into Leng Chaoyun’s heart, but it was instantly suppressed by boundless curiosity. She stared fixedly at Li Muzhan. "Where did you learn such saber techniques?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "I just picked them up casually."

"Secretly, something that can't bear to be seen?" Leng Chaoyun asked coldly.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Palace Mistress Leng need not resort to sharp words. How about this: shall we make a fair trade?"

"What kind of trade?" Leng Chaoyun asked.

Li Muzhan smiled, "I will bestow upon you three saber moves, and in return, the Palace Mistress agrees to one condition for me."

"State the condition first," Leng Chaoyun countered.

Li Muzhan smiled, "After learning these three saber moves, Palace Mistress Leng will let the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden Sect go."

"You are quite devoted to the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden Sect!" Leng Chaoyun shot him a side glance. "Is it because of Hai Yulan?"

Li Muzhan laughed, "Does the Palace Mistress agree?"

"Those three moves from earlier?" Leng Chaoyun inquired.

Li Muzhan nodded with a smile, "The Pi Kong Shi (Splitting Void Stance), the Heng Kong Shi (Horizontal Void Stance), and the Xu Kong Shi (Empty Void Stance). These three saber moves are the essence of my saber art. You have already experienced their power. How about it?"

The final move's Po Kong Jian Yi was not pure; otherwise, she would already be dead. Po Kong—breaking everything empty—the saber would have landed directly on her, rather than appearing before her.

Now that he had achieved Grandmaster status, his comprehension of Po Kong Jian Yi was deeper, but unfortunately, he couldn't fully utilize it; within a hundred meters, everything was under his control, and the void belonged to him.

Leng Chaoyun deliberated for a moment, then slowly nodded. "You must teach me completely for this trade to be valid!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Agreed!"

"Then teach me now!" Leng Chaoyun urged.

Li Muzhan said, "My method of transmission is the Buddhist technique of Crown Anointing, which is the most convenient. Do you trust me, Palace Mistress?"

"...Fine then." Leng Chaoyun paused for a brief moment, gazing at him for a long time, and then slowly nodded.

Li Muzhan extended his index finger and lightly touched her brow, branding the three saber moves directly into her mind. She only needed to contemplate and cultivate them carefully to master them completely.

Leng Chaoyun closed her eyes for a while, then slowly opened them. She beckoned, and the long saber flew to her. Her aura instantly transformed, becoming mighty like a mountain. She delivered a fierce downward slash. With a light chi, a fissure appeared before her, two zhang long. While not as deep as Li Muzhan's, it was astonishing enough.

Li Muzhan clapped his hands and laughed, "Palace Mistress Leng has remarkable comprehension!"

Leng Chaoyun snorted, "Hmph, no need for flattery. Rest assured, I will not kill the disciples of the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden Sect. If they come looking for trouble, I will make them retreat in discouragement!"

Li Muzhan pondered. "In my view, the Palace Mistress should establish her prestige, making the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden Sect retreat out of fear. Otherwise, their disciples might face mortal danger... How about this: if a true fight breaks out, summon me. I will ensure everyone's safety."

As he spoke, he pulled out a white jade pendant from his robe and handed it to Leng Chaoyun. "Crush this, and I will appear automatically."

Leng Chaoyun said, "What you say has merit. I will find a way to establish prestige!"

Li Muzhan hastily added, "Please, Palace Mistress, do not establish your prestige at the expense of our Sect. If a real fight starts, it will put me in a very difficult position!"

Leng Chaoyun snorted, "I'm not foolish. How can I establish prestige by going to your headquarters! ... Alright, you go about your business. I need to practice my saber!"

Saying this, she paid Li Muzhan no further attention, concentrating deeply on comprehending the three saber moves. She felt endless profound mysteries within them. Her previously learned saber arts had only captured the forms, not the essence; they were truly inferior.

Li Muzhan's insight into the core principles of the saber art had opened a completely new world for her, forcing her to re-evaluate her past path and realize she had been going astray.

Seeing her so deeply engrossed, Li Muzhan finally let out a breath of relief. The matter was resolved successfully. For the sake of the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden Sect, sharing these three saber moves was acceptable.

These three saber moves were his own insights, not learned from his original training, but their power was indeed remarkable.

When he returned to Round Heart Temple, the temple grounds were buzzing with noise; the beasts were...