Li Muzhan understood that this man didn't believe he was a Grandmaster, so he smiled gently. "That works too. Let's exchange a few pointers; I'd also like to gauge the formidable skill of Elder Hu."

Li Yubing snorted, "Zhanran, be careful. This fellow is extremely cunning and specializes in underhanded attacks!"

Li Muzhan nodded with a smile. "No need to worry, Elder Hu, please!"

"Very well, let's just spar a couple of times. This old man is also curious to see what a Grandmaster this young is truly like!"

Li Muzhan offered a slight smile, then suddenly stomped the ground with a muffled boom. The earth beneath Hu Yu split open as if an earthquake had struck.

With a sharp hiss, a stream of blood suddenly shot from Hu Yu's chest.

Hu Yu froze, clutching his sternum and staring at Li Muzhan with wide, disbelieving eyes. "You..."

Li Muzhan flicked his hand again, and an icy flash materialized. Hu Yu managed to twist his body, appearing a full zhang away, narrowly dodging the blade's light, glaring intensely at Li Muzhan.

He held his chest, but the bleeding wouldn't stop; that one cut had pierced his heart directly.

Li Muzhan suddenly formed his hands into a seal and sat cross-legged on the ground, letting out a fierce shout: "Ma..."

This roar, like an enraged Heavenly Dragon, seemed to exhaust nearly all his cultivation in a single burst, filling the entire heaven and earth with its sound; even the clouds overhead appeared to stall in their movement.

With a puff, Hu Yu sprayed a jet of blood toward the sky and slowly collapsed onto the ground.

Li Yubing shielded the two women; they were unharmed, but blood also began to trickle from the corner of Li Yubing’s mouth. Her bright eyes widened as she stared fixedly at Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan’s figure flickered, vanishing instantly from his spot and reappearing behind Hu Yu. He suddenly produced a purple casket and slowly brought it down, striking squarely upon Hu Yu’s Baihui acupoint.

Hu Yu, his spirit nearly shattered by Li Muzhan's roar, never noticed the purple casket in Li Muzhan's hand—capable of isolating all sensation—as Li Muzhan materialized behind him. Under this strike, it landed precisely on his Baihui.

With a clang like striking bronze, Hu Yu slowly tumbled over.

A flash of cold light erupted from Li Muzhan’s hand, then sank into Hu Yu’s brow. A divine light suddenly burst forth from Hu Yu's eyes, only to slowly dissipate into dimness.

Ding! A flying dagger clattered onto the ground, having bounced out from Hu Yu’s brow. His final surge of divine light at death had ejected the weapon.

Li Muzhan fell backward onto the ground, his face as pale as paper, his breath shallow.

"Zhanran!" Li Yubing called out urgently.

Li Muzhan sat up, panting, and managed a weak smile. "Palace Mistress Li, that was close!"

His previous move had gathered all his strength into one strike, relying on Hu Yu’s overconfidence. He hadn't expected it to succeed so easily. The subsequent strikes had each been a desperate effort using his life's cultivation, fearing Hu Yu would recover and retaliate fiercely. He still found it unbelievable that he had killed a Grandmaster; it felt like a dream.

"Zhanran, you..." Li Yubing looked at him with a strange expression.

Li Muzhan gave a wry smile. "Palace Mistress Li, what is it?"

"Unbelievable, truly unbelievable," Li Yubing shook her head repeatedly and sighed. "I never imagined you could fell a Grandmaster!"

Li Muzhan replied, "I nearly failed. He was far too careless!"

"Indeed, careless!" Li Yubing nodded and sighed. "To capsize in a ditch—he surpassed me, yet he fell by your hand. Zhanran, you have made a name for yourself now!"

Li Muzhan hastily waved his hands. "Palace Mistress Li, I have two requests for you!"

Li Yubing smiled. "Given that you helped, and given that you took care of that old fiend, you may speak."

Li Muzhan asked, "Palace Mistress Li, won't you return to the palace first to suppress those people?"

"No need. If they required so little defense, all my efforts would have been in vain!" Li Yubing waved her hand dismissively, assured. "If internal moles were truly effective, my Moli Palace would have disintegrated long ago!"

"I see," Li Muzhan nodded slowly, smiling. "Then I am relieved. My first request is for Palace Mistress Li to take responsibility for this matter."

"You mean, tell others that Hu Yu was killed by me?" Li Yubing’s bright eyes widened.

Li Muzhan said slowly, "Precisely. I wonder if this will implicate Palace Mistress Li?"

Li Yubing pursed her lips and smiled. "Am I afraid of implication? This isn't an implication; it's an honor. Have you thought this through, boy?"

Li Muzhan sighed. "I don't wish to draw too much attention. Killing a Grandmaster is a major affair. Let's forget it; please, Palace Mistress Li, take the blame for me."

Li Yubing chuckled and shook her head. "You are a true fool. At our level, what is there to fear?"

Li Muzhan replied, "I fear other Grandmasters arriving."

Li Yubing agreed readily. "Yes, fine. This matter falls to me. I've long wanted to kill that old ghost Hu Yu, but his cultivation always surpassed mine, so I never could. It won't happen in the future either, but since he's dead, at least I can vent some anger!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "It was sheer luck; I almost lost my life!"

"I was here too! He couldn't kill you!" Li Yubing laughed. "Tell me the second request."

Li Muzhan said, "The Sect Leader is about to marry, and there will be assassins causing trouble. I wish to ask Palace Mistress Li for assistance."

"How can I help?" Li Yubing inquired.

Li Muzhan said, "I ask the Palace Mistress to provide protection from the shadows. Once they make a move, stop them immediately. These assassins are truly formidable..."

He recounted the entire event, detailing precisely how they planned to strike.

Li Yubing listened with a furrowed brow, then glanced at the two white-clad young women after a long moment. "You two little things, aren't you returning to the palace quickly?"

"Yes, Palace Mistress!" The two white-clad maidens had been listening with wide eyes. Seeing Li Yubing's look, they nodded reluctantly and departed with evident reluctance.

They were still in a state of shock. The fall of a Grandmaster was an earth-shattering event, even more shocking than the siege of Moli Palace by myriad evils. Grandmasters were virtually immortal. Battles between them usually stopped short of the finish to avoid mutual destruction, which is why Grandmasters rarely died in recent years. Achieving the Grandmaster realm was difficult, and they could live long lives, so why fight to the death? Moreover, Grandmasters often grasped the fundamental essence of the world, viewing grievances lightly, making them less prone to conflict.

Li Muzhan’s ruthless attack on Hu Yu stemmed from a premonition—he sensed the killing intent in Hu Yu’s heart; if he didn't strike first, his own life would be forfeit. Normally, he preferred not to kill, appearing gentle and agreeable, but in such a situation, he would proactively attack, preferring to kill by mistake rather than let danger linger.

After they disappeared, Li Yubing asked, "Tell me more about those assassins."

Li Muzhan’s brow lifted as he stood and turned toward her. Li Yubing placed a hand on his back but sensed a surging flow of internal energy; he was not as depleted as she expected, realizing he possessed a secret Qi-gathering method.

"Has the Palace Mistress heard of these people?" Li Muzhan inquired.

Li Yubing pondered for a moment, then nodded. "I seem to have heard something."

Li Muzhan quickly followed up, "Is it because of this unique secret technique? This method is too cruel; it truly harms the harmony of heaven!"

Li Yubing considered this. "Within Xihua territory, there is a secret sect, rumored to have traditions spanning thousands of years, extremely ancient."

"What is its name?" Li Muzhan asked.

"The Heavenly Dao Alliance," Li Yubing stated slowly.

Li Muzhan pondered and shook his head; he hadn't heard of this sect. Li Yubing continued, "Few have heard of this sect. One hundred years ago, they went underground, and no word has been heard since."

"I see," Li Muzhan frowned. "Is this secret technique an art of the Heavenly Dao Alliance?"

"Yes, it sounds a bit like it," Li Yubing nodded. "I once saw a disciple of the Heavenly Dao Alliance use such a technique. This method is supposedly a supreme art for refining Qi into Spirit, capable of burning the blood and Qi throughout the body, igniting the lamp of the spirit, allowing the spirit to break through its constraints and reach the other shore."

Li Muzhan took a deep breath, a wry smile on his face. "No wonder..."

Li Yubing scoffed coldly, "Heavenly Dao Alliance? Hmph, Heavenly Dao Alliance—I don't think it should be called that; it should be called the Demonic Dao Alliance!"

Li Muzhan sighed. "This Heavenly Dao Alliance is truly terrifying; their disciples do not fear death..."

"Exactly!" Li Yubing sighed. "Not only do they not fear death, but every one of them desires it. Only by sacrificing themselves for righteousness in battle can they accumulate vast righteous energy and solidify their Yang Spirit. Then, by burning their flesh and blood, they allow the Yang Spirit to materialize and cross to the other shore, achieving immortality."

Li Muzhan asked, "So, these assassins are from the Heavenly Dao Alliance?"

Li Yubing shook her head. "I dare not confirm, but this secret technique sounds similar. However, since the Heavenly Dao Alliance has not appeared in a century, who knows what changes have occurred? It's not certain they are the ones."

"Then after the Sect Leader’s wedding, I must investigate thoroughly," Li Muzhan resolved.

Li Yubing waved her hand dismissively. "I think it’s best you avoid provoking the Heavenly Dao Alliance... They are too troublesome; once entangled, you can never shake them off!"

Li Muzhan argued, "It’s not me provoking them; it’s them coming to my door. I can’t just constantly defend myself without taking any proactive measures, can I?"

"That is true," Li Yubing conceded. "I wonder how your Sect Leader offended them to become their target. He’s quite unlucky!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Not necessarily... Palace Mistress, while you guard the Sect Leader, I need to go watch over Elder Fu to prevent the assassins from exploiting any weakness."

"All right, I'll be careful then," Li Yubing nodded and smiled. "You boy, you need to tell the truth: what Sect Leader?"

Li Muzhan gave a pained smile and had to explain his true identity: he was a disciple of the Cloud Sky Sect, out in the world for experience and to understand human affairs, hence why he had posed as Zhanran.

Li Yubing slowly nodded. "Cloud Sky Sect—the foremost sword sect of the Dali Dynasty! I should have known. Cloud Sky Sect disciples are all geniuses among geniuses."

Li Muzhan smiled. "You flatter me. I hope Palace Mistress Li doesn't hold a grudge."

"Why would I hold a grudge!" Li Yubing waved her hand. "I often do similar things myself; it's rather interesting! But be careful, the Heavenly Dao Alliance has more than just this one secret technique."

"What other secret techniques are there?" Li Muzhan asked urgently.

Li Yubing asked, "Have you heard of the Divine Possession Technique?"

Li Muzhan shook his head. Li Yubing explained, "The Divine Possession Technique involves inviting a Heavenly God to descend and possess one’s body. Instantly, one's power multiplies, as if one were a completely different person. Even an incompetent person, provided the invited God is powerful enough, can leap to become a top expert!" The reason the disciples of the Heavenly Dao Alliance believe so firmly in their secret arts reaching the other shore is precisely because of the Divine Possession Technique; they have witnessed the existence of Heavenly Gods!"

"So that's how it is..." Li Muzhan nodded slowly, his brow furrowed.

He thought of the secret technique he possessed, the Great Bright King Scripture, which was a similar method—Great Bright King Possession granted infinite power. Though it had some after-effects, it was still worth it.

Li Yubing continued, "That's why the disciples of the Heavenly Dao Alliance are so mysterious. Sometimes you see someone who seemingly knows no martial arts suddenly transform into a top master in the blink of an eye—impossible to guard against!"

Li Muzhan pondered. "Is there no way to break it?"

"We Grandmasters aren't afraid, but those below the Grandmaster realm are in deep trouble!" Li Yubing explained. "No matter how strong they become, they cannot surpass the Grandmaster realm; they only hover around the level of a Master."

Li Muzhan sighed. "It's truly troublesome."

"So, avoid the Heavenly Dao Alliance entirely. I only know these two techniques. Rumor has it the Heavenly Dao Alliance possesses many more secret arts—truly impossible to guard against unless you are a solitary hermit," Li Yubing concluded.

Li Muzhan asked, "Is the Palace Mistress not afraid of encountering them?"

Li Yubing nodded helplessly. "I fear for the disciples in my palace. It’s best to avoid the Heavenly Dao Alliance. Thankfully, they’ve been hidden for about a hundred years; I wonder if they are stirring now because of absolute stillness."

Li Muzhan mused, "After the Sect Leader’s wedding, I will investigate properly. If it truly is the Heavenly Dao Alliance, perhaps we should join forces to destroy them!"

Li Yubing considered this and sighed. "We'll see. Even if we must destroy them, we must change our identities so as not to implicate the palace."

Li Muzhan smiled. "That is only natural!"

"Alright, let's leave it at that for now. Come, let's go to my palace for a visit." Li Yubing invited.

"Very well, I won't be polite then."

"Enough chatter, let's go." Li Yubing floated gracefully downward. They arrived at the northern side of the opposite mountain, where the rock face was covered in thick moss, giving off a chilling, eerie atmosphere.

Li Yubing descended first, and Li Muzhan followed above. After floating down about ten zhang, Li Yubing suddenly moved fluidly, darting into a stone cave and vanishing.

Li Muzhan quickly followed. It was indeed a very simple cave opening, but behind it, a circular door appeared on the stone wall. Li Yubing entered, and Li Muzhan followed. The view immediately dimmed. After walking about ten zhang forward, they made a sudden turn, revealing a wide tunnel.

Li Muzhan followed her for another dozen zhang, entering a vast and magnificent palace hall. In the empty hall stood about two hundred individuals.

The palace was extremely wide, its high, vaulted ceiling carved with stars, appearing like a genuine night sky. Looking up, one instantly felt their own insignificance and humility. The floor was paved with green bricks, spotless and clean, without a speck of dust. The two hundred people standing in the hall made the space feel sparsely populated.

Li Muzhan scanned the crowd: over a hundred were women, all dressed in white. The rest wore sapphire-blue long robes and were men, ranging from young to old. They were currently surrounding the two earlier white-clad maidens, asking detailed questions and showing solicitous care. Farther away, four young men lay motionless on the ground. Li Muzhan could sense they were still alive; clearly, their pressure points had been hit, but they had not been killed.

As Li Yubing appeared, the previous murmuring in the grand hall fell silent.

"Palace Mistress!" everyone greeted in unison, stepping forward.

Li Yubing waved a hand. "Did we lose any personnel?"

A middle-aged woman stepped forward. "Palace Mistress, thank heaven, all our disciples are safe. Only these four wicked individuals who harbored ill intentions have been restrained!"

Li Muzhan appraised her: delicate and exquisite, with round, bright eyes and a melon-seed face; beneath her beauty was a clear aura of sharp competence—one look told him she was formidable.

Li Yubing nodded casually. "Mm, these four. Have you interrogated them?"

The middle-aged woman replied, "Yes, we questioned them thoroughly. It was definitely premeditated; they originally intended to open the Dragon Locking Sluice gate."

"Then execute them," Li Yubing commanded.

"Yes." The middle-aged woman paused. "Palace Mistress, what about that fellow surnamed Hu..."

"He has already been killed by me," Li Yubing stated.

"Ah—?!" The middle-aged woman was momentarily stunned, then overjoyed. "The Palace Mistress killed surnamed Hu?!"

Li Yubing glanced at Li Muzhan and said faintly, "Yes, a stroke of lucky success."

The middle-aged woman erupted in elation, and the others quickly reacted, offering praises. They all knew who surnamed Hu was; the name Hu Yu thundered like thunder, a Grandmaster among the elite of the world. Otherwise, the Qiankun Sect would not have dared to encroach upon Moli Palace!

"The Palace Mistress's divine power is peerless, unrivaled in the world!" someone exclaimed in admiration.

"Having killed Hu Yu, who in the world can match the Palace Mistress!"

"Palace Mistress is number one in the world..."

The crowd offered praise after praise. Normally, Li Yubing would feel utterly pleased hearing this, but with Li Muzhan standing nearby, offering a slight, knowing smile, she felt her dignity challenged. She barked, "Enough, stop spouting nonsense! Hurry and get back to work. Open the Dragon Locking Sluice gate, and let’s see if those scoundrels dare to enter again!"

"Yes..." the crowd responded and dispersed.

In the vast palace, only Li Muzhan and Li Yubing remained. Li Yubing shook her head. "Zhanran, you had to witness that display of misplaced admiration!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "It seems the Palace Mistress is highly supported by her disciples. I am impressed... I need to find a place to properly regulate my breath."

"Mm, then go to my meditation chamber," Li Yubing suggested.

She led Li Muzhan away from the main hall to a small stone room nearby. The interior was extremely simple, containing only a cot and a low table. On the table sat a teapot and a teacup—nothing else.

Li Muzhan smiled. "To diminish again and again, until one approaches the Dao—a fine place!"

"That is a wonderfully phrased maxim!" Li Yubing laughed. "Diminish again and again until one approaches the Dao. This place is conducive to centering the mind for cultivation. Shall I help you?"

Li Muzhan smiled. "I'll try myself. I damaged my vitality this time."

"I see that. You overexerted yourself," Li Yubing confirmed. "Did you have such a deep grudge against that old ghost Hu?"

Li Muzhan gave a wry smile. "I didn't intend to resort to killing upon meeting him, but he meant to kill me, so I had no choice but to strike first!"

"I almost forgot; that old ghost Hu was most jealous of talent!" Li Yubing nodded slightly.

Li Muzhan’s brow twitched. "It seems his death was deserved!"

"You were extremely lucky too. He never managed to unleash his true power," Li Yubing praised.

Li Muzhan smiled. "I took a huge advantage. If Palace Mistress Li hadn't fought him first, leaving him exhausted, coupled with his carelessness, I never would have succeeded."

"It’s good you realize that!" Li Yubing stated. "If you tried to kill me now, you couldn't do it!"

"Precisely. I overdrafted my potential and vitality for that strike to have such power. The cost was steep; I need substantial recovery. Palace Mistress, please attend to your affairs."

Li Yubing nodded. "All right, I'll leave you to it then. If you need anything, just call for me!"

Seeing Li Muzhan agree, she turned and drifted away gracefully.

In the early morning, Li Muzhan emerged from the room and stood in the center of the courtyard, stretching leisurely under the bright sunlight.

Hai Yulan emerged from the opposite room, drawing back the curtain. Clad in a flowing, pink silk robe, she moved with delicate grace, then glanced at him, admonishing playfully, "How many days has it been? Are you still not done sleeping?"

Since Li Muzhan arrived, he had been sleeping almost constantly, rarely getting a chance to speak with her, as if he hadn't slept for days. His small room was in the south wing, directly facing the north building. Li Muzhan had stayed here to guard Fu Feihong due to his persistent worry about her safety; most people in the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect didn't know, only Fu Feihong's few disciples had seen him. However, his exertion in killing Hu Yu had taken a heavy toll, and he hadn't fully recovered. Although the Void Qi Drawing Art could quickly restore internal energy, the mental drain required time to replenish. He couldn't practice the Heaven Gazing Illumination Scripture, as entering a meditative state would make it hard to wake up; instead, he recited the Boundless Bright Heart Sutra silently, along with other convenient methods, to slowly restore his spirit. He had been secluded in practice, feigning sleep, unable to pay attention when Hai Yulan visited, focusing entirely on recovery to ensure he could handle the assassins when they inevitably struck during the wedding. Since learning they might be from the Heavenly Dao Alliance, he took the threat far more seriously; they might possess more than one secret art, potentially including the Divine Possession Technique, which would be disastrous if deployed. The crucial thing was to seize the initiative the moment they moved, or even before they moved, to subdue them before they could utilize their skills. His earlier desire to show off had vanished; now, he only wanted to neutralize them first.

Li Muzhan finished stretching and smiled. "Is Elder Fu's injury completely healed?"

"Yes, she's well now," Hai Yulan nodded, bringing over a basin of water. "Wash your face first. Today will be very busy; I won't have time for you later."

Li Muzhan laughed. "Finally, the day has arrived. Thank heaven."

"It's not your wedding!" Hai Yulan pouted and smiled. "Why are you so happy? You look even more excited than Sect Leader Yi!"

Li Muzhan chuckled heartily. "If Elder Fu becomes the Sect Leader’s wife, things will be much easier for us two!"

Hai Yulan blushed, her beauty striking, and urged, "Hurry and wash your face!"

Li Muzhan lowered his head to wash, took the towel she offered to dry his face, and smiled. "But you must be careful; it might not be peaceful."

"I know," Hai Yulan nodded gently. "You too. Don't push yourself too hard!"

Li Muzhan smiled faintly, “I know my limits... But after Senior Fu marries over, what will become of you all?”

“You’d have to ask the Master about that.” Hai Yulan replied, shaking her head. “I doubt the Sect Master would agree; you’d better give up that idea!”

She, too, wished to follow her Master, but the division between the two sects made joining the Cloud-Riding Sect an unlikely prospect.

Li Muzhan stated, “I will speak with Sect Master Zhao about it.”

“For Heaven’s sake, don’t approach the Sect Master!” Hai Yulan jumped, quickly adding, “The Sect Master is already fuming with banked anger!”