He arrived outside Yi Xingzhi’s courtyard. Two guards in black halted him. Their expressions were solemn, their gazes calm, as if devoid of emotion.

Li Muzhan cupped his hands in salute, requesting them to enter and announce his presence.

These two black-clad guards were middle-aged but possessed profound cultivation, having reached the Peak Realm. They were top-tier experts among Grandmasters, pillars of the sect, and as the Sect Leader's personal guards, held an extraordinary status. They showed deference to no one, and Li Muzhan, despite being a Great Grandmaster, was no exception.

There were eighteen black-clad guards in total. Usually, the Sect Leader did not keep them all nearby; three or four sufficed. This time, when they visited the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect, four had been accompanying him, which resulted in the assassination attempt.

Fortunately, there were no casualties; otherwise, his guilt would have been immense.

However, his intuition had not warned him of impending disaster. Had there been losses, he would certainly have sensed something amiss, perhaps even offering covert protection.

A moment later, one of the black-clad guards returned, extending a hand to signal Li Muzhan to enter.

Li Muzhan bowed with a smile and stepped into Yi Xingzhi’s small courtyard. It was quiet inside. He lifted the curtain and entered the room directly, finding his Master, Gu Hengdi, sitting beside the couch, conversing with Yi Xingzhi.

Gu Hengdi was wearing a gown of pale yellow silk, exuding serenity and elegance, occasionally sipping her tea with a soft laugh. The atmosphere in the room was excellent. Li Muzhan paused upon entering.

Gu Hengdi turned her head and chided, "Wuji, why aren't you coming over quickly!"

Li Muzhan laughed, "Master, you’re here too."

"Can't I be here?" Gu Hengdi replied testily, "I hear this was your foolish suggestion. Hurry up and come apologize to the Sect Leader!"

Li Muzhan approached with a smile, cupped his hands, and bowed, "Sect Leader."

Yi Xingzhi leaned against his pillow, appearing quite spirited, though his complexion was pale, clearly indicating a serious injury. He waved his hand with a smile, "Enough, Hengdi, don't mention it again. Wuji is not to blame!"

Li Muzhan said, "The Sect Leader is blessed with good fortune; how could petty villains succeed! ... There were twelve of them?"

Yi Xingzhi's smile faded, and he nodded, "Twelve men, faces masked, speaking nothing. They attacked immediately with a few moves, then activated a secret art, shattering their own bodies and using flesh and blood as weapons—truly terrifying!"

Li Muzhan asked, "Has the Sect Leader heard of any sect possessing such a secret art?"

Yi Xingzhi shook his head and sighed, "I haven't heard of any secret art that forces potential out like that. A few sects have similar techniques, but none so overwhelmingly potent."

"Then how many enemies do we have?" Li Muzhan inquired.

Yi Xingzhi sighed, "We obstruct the path of so many; our enemies are innumerable."

"How many wish for the Sect Leader's death?" Li Muzhan pressed.

Yi Xingzhi shook his head, "Also countless. For years, I have advocated keeping a low profile, precisely because I sensed unsettling undercurrents beginning to surge."

Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow and looked over.

Yi Xingzhi continued, "I noticed several families making coordinated moves, intending to annihilate us."

Li Muzhan’s face darkened, and he snorted, "Which families?"

Yi Xingzhi shook his head, "They operate with extreme secrecy; I couldn't trace them. I can only maintain caution and defense. This time, I suspect with high probability that they were responsible!"

Li Muzhan pondered, "Could it be the Floating Cloud Palace?"

Yi Xingzhi shook his head, "Probably not the Floating Cloud Palace. The Floating Cloud Palace has always been arrogant, seeking to defeat us in martial arts and overall strength to become the foremost sect under heaven. Although the previous Palace Master was extreme, he was still straightforward and honorable. Unfortunately, you don't know much about this aspect."

Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, nodding, "The Sect Leader is correct. After spending time with Palace Master Leng, I found him to be upright and honorable, not someone given to shadows and deceit."

"I only had a bad feeling, but I couldn't be sure if it was a mere illusion. I operated under the principle that caution rarely leads to error, and it seems I was not mistaken this time," Yi Xingzhi sighed.

Li Muzhan said, "Sect Leader, I wish to go take a look. Where did you encounter the assassins?"

"Not far from leaving the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect." Yi Xingzhi glanced at Gu Hengdi somewhat unnaturally. Gu Hengdi pursed her lips and smiled, "Sect Leader, it’s time to settle things with Senior Fu. Dragging it out indefinitely—when will it end? You need to press her!"

Yi Xingzhi looked embarrassed, "She is severely injured now... Wuji, I heard you were the one who wounded her?"

Li Muzhan rubbed his nose, almost forgetting that the complaint had already been filed. He smiled, "I had run out of options. The Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect has not treated Senior Fu well at all, and I didn't want her going against the Floating Cloud Palace again; I had to resort to this measure."

"The Floating Cloud Palace is untouchable?" Yi Xingzhi was surprised.

Li Muzhan stated, "Sect Leader, you all underestimate the Floating Cloud Palace. This current Palace Master is an astonishing individual—silent, but when he acts, his impact is earth-shattering!"

"Tell me more!" Yi Xingzhi urged.

Li Muzhan elaborated, "Palace Master Leng's cultivation is comparable to Senior Sister Feng's. I suspect she has one foot already stepping into the Great Grandmaster realm. Is the Floating Cloud Palace’s Washing Saber Canon comparable to our Returning Jade Scripture?"

Yi Xingzhi shook his head, "The Washing Saber Canon is similar to the Riding Sword Scripture. The Supreme Yin True Scripture is comparable to the Returning Jade Scripture. It seems Palace Master Leng has mastered the Supreme Yin True Scripture."

"Supreme Yin True Scripture?" Li Muzhan was surprised.

Yi Xingzhi explained, "The heart technique of the Supreme Yin True Scripture is called Supreme Yin Form Refining. It is an ancient, ultimate skill, almost on par with our Returning Jade Scripture, neither inferior nor superior. The difficulty of cultivation is no less than the Returning Jade Scripture. No one in the Floating Cloud Palace has mastered it until now; it appears Palace Master Leng has succeeded! ... Truly formidable; it seems the Floating Cloud Palace is about to rise!"

Li Muzhan mused, "Supreme Yin Form Refining... I must see it for myself then."

Yi Xingzhi shook his head and chuckled, "This Supreme Yin Form Refining can only be practiced by women. Men cannot. If a man attempts it, he will turn into an unnatural, monstrous creature."

Li Muzhan asked, "Then Floating Cloud Palace’s male disciples cannot cultivate it?"

"The male disciples of the Floating Cloud Palace can practice it, but only the first two layers. Beyond that, it becomes impossible. However, even the first two layers constitute a top-tier martial art, much like our Returning Jade Scripture; disciples with average aptitude might only manage to cultivate two or three layers, which is already quite beneficial."

Li Muzhan nodded slowly, "Sect Leader, it seems she has mastered the Supreme Yin True Scripture. If that’s the case, the Floating Cloud Palace shouldn't need such underhanded schemes. Which sect could it be then?"

Yi Xingzhi smiled faintly, "Wuji, you are a Great Grandmaster; you surely have better means. Go investigate this matter."

Li Muzhan nodded, "It is my duty, I will not refuse!"

Yi Xingzhi smiled broadly, "Hengdi, you have an excellent disciple!"

Gu Hengdi smiled faintly, "It is all thanks to the Sect Leader's discerning eye."

Yi Xingzhi shook his head and chuckled, "This matter is far from trivial, Wuji. You must not spread word; proceed in secret. Since you always travel alone, no one will find it strange."

Li Muzhan stated, "I would like Senior Sister Feng to assist me."

Gu Hengdi nodded lightly, "Yes, letting Mingxue go out for experience is also good. What she lacks now is real trial. I wouldn't feel at ease sending her out alone; accompanying you would be best."

"Sect Leader, I shall depart then," Li Muzhan stood up, cupped his hands, and turned to leave.

Li Muzhan, Feng Mingxue, and one black-clad guard left Mount Hengbo, heading toward the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect. The two sects were separated by a vast distance. The trio traveled for a day and a night before finally approaching the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect.

Like most sects, the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect was situated in the vast wilderness. After entering the mountains and traversing several peaks, they stopped before a valley. The black-clad guard pointed around, "It was right here!"

This black-clad guard had unremarkable features and a medium build, easily lost in a crowd. Moreover, he showed absolutely no signs of being a martial artist; his gaze was calm and steady, his spirit and essence entirely internalized, appearing no different from an ordinary person.

This was the state of returning to simplicity through martial arts—cultivation had reached its zenith. To possess such mastery at his age made him a true prodigy.

The disciples of the Cloud Soaring Sect were all geniuses, and the eighteen black-clad guards were the elite among these geniuses. Although they hadn't mastered the Returning Jade Scripture, they held the hope of becoming Great Grandmasters.

Their status was unparalleled, not only because they guarded the Sect Leader, but due to their martial attainment and accomplishments—they were the foremost among all disciples.

As for Li Muzhan and Feng Mingxue, they were anomalies—monsters appearing once in several centuries, naturally not counted among the rest.

This particular black-clad guard’s surname was Ping. Along the journey, Li Muzhan was extremely respectful, constantly addressing him as 'Uncle-Master Ping' and humbly seeking guidance in martial arts, gaining considerable benefit.

Guards of Uncle-Master Ping's caliber possessed unique modes of thinking; otherwise, merely following techniques by the book would make surpassing others nearly impossible.

Since Uncle-Master Ping was the Sect Leader's personal guard, he naturally knew Li Muzhan was a Great Grandmaster and dared not be disrespectful. He answered nearly all of Li Muzhan's inquiries without concealment and also sought instruction from Li Muzhan in return.

Their exchanges were frequent and reciprocal; both benefited greatly.

"This place..." Li Muzhan surveyed the surroundings. It was a complete mess, clearly the aftermath of a fierce battle. The ground was pockmarked, and the surrounding trees were heavily damaged, looking as if they had been swept by modern bullets, riddled with holes—a devastating sight.

Seeing the scene, Uncle-Master Ping's expression flickered, his hairs stood on end, and he remembered the brutality of that encounter, still feeling lingering dread.

Those men were all lunatics, maniacs who valued their lives at nothing. After a few moves, they suddenly detonated themselves—a terrifying spectacle that still made him shudder despite having witnessed much cruelty.

Noticing the change in his expression, Li Muzhan sighed, "Uncle-Master Ping, leave the rest to us. You should return now; thank you for guiding the way."

Uncle-Master Ping did not insist on staying. Li Muzhan was a Great Grandmaster, and Feng Mingxue was halfway to becoming one. With them together, there was no danger. His presence would only be an obstruction, a burden.

"Very well, be careful," he agreed readily, then turned and departed.

Li Muzhan watched him leave, then turned back with a smile, "Senior Sister, we need to search thoroughly."

"Search for what?" Feng Mingxue looked around and shook her head, sighing, "There's nothing left here. And they all intended to die; they likely wouldn't have kept anything on them."

She knew Li Muzhan's skills—he could find a person through their personal belongings. But since they were all dead, even if found, it would be useless; where would you search for someone already gone?

Li Muzhan countered, "Even the most meticulous plan has a flaw. If we search, we might find something."

"Alright," Feng Mingxue conceded with a sigh.

The two then walked shoulder to shoulder, sweeping from east to west, searching the ground area by area, as meticulously as if they were matching patterns on a flat surface, letting nothing escape their notice.

In the end, they did manage to find quite a few items: a few buttons, two broken blades, one broken sword, a copper coin, and several porcelain bottles.

Feng Mingxue was rather satisfied with the haul, but the sight of purple stains occasionally made her nauseous, close to vomiting.

These purple stains were clearly left by blood and flesh. In this forest, vultures specialized in carrion, and wild wolves were also present. The remains of those men had been completely consumed, not a shred left.

To think of dying without a burial place—the ruthlessness of these people was apparent. Those so cruel to themselves would surely be even more merciless to others.

The pair moved their search location, going slightly further up the mountain, closer to the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect, though they had no intention of going directly to the sect headquarters yet.

Li Muzhan glanced eastward, sighed, and shook his head, "The Sect Leader never suspected the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect, which turns out to be..."

Feng Mingxue’s spirits lifted; she quickly asked, "Junior Brother, are you suggesting they are from the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect?!"

Li Muzhan shook his head, "Probably not. If it were people from the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect, they wouldn't have attacked so close by. But what was their purpose approaching the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect?"

"Does this matter truly have nothing to do with the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect?" Feng Mingxue frowned, asking, "I feel it's rather dubious. This entire affair... I suspect it cannot be entirely disconnected from the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect?"

Li Muzhan shook his head, "Such words cannot be spoken carelessly; the Sect Leader would be displeased if she heard."

Feng Mingxue gave him a sideways glance, "Are you worried about the Sect Leader being displeased, or are you afraid it involves Sister Hai?"

Li Muzhan laughed, "Senior Sister, what are you implying? How could she be involved?"

Feng Mingxue smiled coyly, "Perhaps not. Maybe this whole situation started because of Sister Hai? First Senior Fu, and now Sister Hai. The Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect is hardly the harem of the Cloud Soaring Sect. They must be furious, looking upon the Sect Leader with resentment, which is why they tried to kill him."

Li Muzhan quickly waved his hands, "Senior Sister, don't frighten me!"

Feng Mingxue snorted, "Didn't Senior Fu try to ambush you once?"

Li Muzhan chuckled, "I got my revenge."

"Hmm—?" Feng Mingxue looked surprised.

Li Muzhan recounted the entire sequence of events. Feng Mingxue pursed her lips and smiled, "You have such a devious mind. How could Senior Fu not know?"

Li Muzhan laughed, "So what if she knew?"

Feng Mingxue inquired, "Aren't you afraid she'll stop Sister Hai?"

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, "I think Senior Fu can't hold out much longer. She'll be marrying into our Cloud Soaring Sect soon!"

"Really?" Feng Mingxue was surprised, then shook her head, "If she were going to marry, it would have happened already."

Li Muzhan explained, "The timing wasn't right before. Now it's about there. I calculated it. I instigated it: first, a move that made her unwelcome in her own sect, forcing rejection from her peers, followed by a sharp realization. Now, with the Sect Leader attacked, if I arrange some support and use a little strategy, it should be nearly complete."

Li Muzhan stood up, "Alright, let's go to the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect!"

"Go there for what?" Feng Mingxue asked with a smile, "Didn't you say they were unrelated!"

Li Muzhan grinned, "Whether they are related or not depends on us now, doesn't it?"

"Then what are you planning?" Feng Mingxue asked, puzzled.

Li Muzhan declared, "We go up there and confront them, pin the blame on them!"

"That doesn't seem right," Feng Mingxue hesitated, then shook her head, "You clearly know they aren't involved, yet you insist on blaming them?... That's quite dishonorable!"

Li Muzhan laughed, "For the sake of the Sect Leader's lifelong happiness, I can be dishonorable just this once!"

Feng Mingxue’s bright eyes darted, and she immediately understood, laughing, "You’re forcing a marriage!"

Li Muzhan nodded, "As expected of you, Senior Sister! ... I will pin this matter on them, and then have the Sect Leader propose marriage. If they refuse..."

Feng Mingxue stared at him for a moment, then shook her head, "Junior Brother, you truly are wicked!"

Li Muzhan laughed, "I'm doing this for the Sect Leader's sake! ... Senior Sister, don't go soft on them. These people from the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect are actually quite deserving of pity!"

"Fine, do as you wish," Feng Mingxue replied somewhat petulantly, shaking her head. "I'll just watch from the sidelines and not interfere." It truly went against her nature, but she knew she couldn't win against her Junior Brother, and besides, it would be quite entertaining to watch the spectacle.

Li Muzhan straightened his spirits and beamed, "Let's go!"

The two arrived before the mountain gate of the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect. Located halfway up the mountain, an imposing archway was built against the slope, behind which lay continuous structures rising and falling with the terrain. Every building possessed an imposing aura.

The five large characters inscribed on the archway read "Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect." Ethereal mist seemed to emanate from them, suggesting they might float away, yet they also carried a profound sense of weight.

Li Muzhan stood with his hands behind his back, gazing up at these characters. His posture subtly shifted; his entire being was imitating the forms of these five characters, deep in contemplation.

Seeing him like this, Feng Mingxue knew he loved calligraphy and could glean much understanding from it. She, however, could not; although she had read widely and her handwriting was elegant and beautiful, she understood nothing of the profound art of calligraphy—she only wrote characters.

"A fine artistic conception!" Li Muzhan praised, "It seems the ancestor of the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect was also an extraordinary figure, possessing an uncommon momentum."

Feng Mingxue laughed, "Do you need to say that? Which founder of a sect was ever ordinary?"

Li Muzhan countered, "Not necessarily. Some were commoners, some were mere mortals, and some were not mortal at all. They cannot all be judged the same way."

Feng Mingxue shook her head, smiling, "Nonsense. Why hasn't anyone come out yet? Is no one minding the gate here?"

Li Muzhan stated, "Then we shall announce ourselves directly."

Feng Mingxue smiled, "Wouldn't that be too rude?"

While they were speaking, a girl in a green dress drifted into view, polite and composed, "Esteemed young master, gentle lady, may I ask the reason for your visit to our humble sect?"

Li Muzhan replied, "We are disciples of the Cloud Soaring Sect, here to pay our respects to your Sect Leader!"

"You wish to see the Sect Leader?" The green-clad girl paused, looked them over, and shook her head, "The Sect Leader is currently in seclusion and has ordered that no outsiders be received."

Li Muzhan smiled, "Disciples of the Cloud Soaring Sect are hardly outsiders. Please announce that Li Wuji and Feng Mingxue of the Cloud Soaring Sect seek an audience with Sect Leader Zhao!"

"...Very well, please wait a moment, both of you." The green-clad girl hesitated, but seeing their extraordinary bearing, she finally agreed, turning and drifting away.

Feng Mingxue smiled, "I doubt Sect Leader Zhao will see us!"

Li Muzhan countered, "That's not necessarily true."

"In her eyes, we are juniors; sending someone out should suffice," Feng Mingxue remarked.

Li Muzhan pondered for a moment and nodded, "The Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect is exceedingly proud; your guess might be correct."

As they were speaking, a middle-aged woman followed behind the green-clad girl. She was not strikingly beautiful but possessed a clean elegance that was quite pleasing.

She offered a slight bow, smiling sweetly, "Young Hero Li, Miss Feng, my name is Luo Zhen. I apologize; the Sect Leader is in closed training and cannot receive guests. I hope you two can understand."

Li Muzhan shook his head, "It seems we really won't be seeing Sect Leader Zhao."

"Please, come inside to talk," Luo Zhen smiled and led the way. After walking a few steps upward, they entered a vast, open martial arts training ground. They passed through throngs of disciples, who looked like a gathering of orioles and swallows, and arrived inside the main hall.