"You, you..." Yi Xingzhi could only shake his head, unable to utter a word. To successfully invite these figures was no small feat; it would require a substantial favor that would need repayment in the future.

This Li Wuji, truly... He felt a surge of emotion, sighing, "Fine, fine.

You take him back and talk things over carefully. Don't fall out with Sect Master Zhao!" Li Muzhan chuckled, "Sect Master, rest assured, I will handle it perfectly." "Be quick about it," Yi Xingzhi instructed.

"I know your movement technique is superb, so no slacking off!" Li Muzhan nodded, then turned to Fu Feihong with a smile, "Senior Fu, is there anything you wish to say to Sect Master Zhao?" Fu Feihong retrieved a silver plaque, palm-sized, from her bosom and handed it to Li Muzhan. "Speak carefully...

Take my token with you." Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. "There’s no need for that.

Sect Master Zhao will believe me. Sect Master, Senior Fu, I’m off now!" With that, he walked to the woman surnamed Li, scooped her up with a slight movement, flashed ten zhang away in an instant, and vanished into the night with another flicker.

"This Li Wuji, he certainly knows how to cause a stir!" Fu Feihong shook her head. Yi Xingzhi laughed in agreement.

Fu Feihong glanced sideways at him. "Are you feeling particularly smug right now?" Yi Xingzhi chuckled heartily, "Smug about what?" "Playing coy.

Li Wuji just saved your face, didn't he? Hmph, Yunxiao Sect truly is formidable.

To be able to enlist the Palace Master of Floating Cloud Palace and the Palace Master of Moli Palace to escort you!" Yi Xingzhi quickly waved his hands. "This is all Wuji's sincere gesture; it has nothing to do with me, nor does it concern the Yunxiao Sect." "He isn't a disciple of the Yunxiao Sect!?" Fu Feihong pursed her lips, eyeing him askance.

"You, you are just being hypocritical!" Yi Xingzhi waved his hand dismissively. "Fine, fine, I'm hypocritical.

You should go inside now and put on your red veil!" "It's suffocating in there, I’m not going!" Fu Feihong snorted. Hai Yulan and Hao Xuemei stood rooted to the spot, daring not to move, pretending to be statues while watching the two bicker.

They were terrified of making a sound that might startle them into awareness, leading to awkwardness. It wouldn't matter if Sect Master Yi felt awkward, but if their Master became embarrassed, she would surely find an opportunity to retaliate later.

"I wonder if Wuji will end up clashing with Sect Master Zhao!" Yi Xingzhi sighed. Fu Feihong snorted, "Then why did you send him?" Yi Xingzhi shook his head.

"Who else is suitable to send? If someone else went, Sect Master Zhao would certainly seize the opportunity to make trouble and show us how formidable she is!" "Surely not..." Fu Feihong hesitated.

Yi Xingzhi glanced at her and shook his head. "You don't understand this.

Sect Master Zhao has a belly full of pent-up anger; she must regain her composure. If we give her the chance, we won't have any grounds to object!" "You think too little of the Sect Master!" Fu Feihong countered.

"The Sect Master always prioritizes the bigger picture and doesn't haggle over personal grudges." Yi Xingzhi smiled. "Ah, you imagine people too kindly.

She is a woman after all; she won't easily swallow that insult. We shall see how Wuji handles this.

However, since he is a Grandmaster, Sect Master Zhao won't dare to push things too far." Fu Feihong retorted, "We have ways to deal with Grandmasters." Yi Xingzhi laughed, "Oh—ˉ—?" "Don't believe me? Ask Lan'er!" Fu Feihong said.

Yi Xingzhi looked towards Hai Yulan, whose expression shifted immediately. "We really should have told him!" Yi Xingzhi smiled.

"Don't worry, Wuji acts with caution... What methods do you have to deal with a Grandmaster?" Hai Yulan said, "The Sect Master seems to have acquired a treasured item capable of suppressing a Grandmaster and protecting the sect." "She actually obtained such a treasure?!" Yi Xingzhi was astonished.

Hai Yulan continued, "I suspect it might be from the Gu Du family... though we don't know its full power yet.

I just hope she doesn't try it out on him!" Yi Xingzhi chuckled. "It’s fine.

Sect Master Zhao won't overstep." But no matter what he said, Hai Yulan remained worried, her expression not improving. Li Muzhan held the woman surnamed Li, and in the span of a few breaths, they were back at the Nine Heavens Xuannü Sect, appearing in Hai Yulan's small courtyard.

She was lying on the stone table of the pavilion. She woke up slowly, suddenly startled, and sprang up to draw her sword against Li Muzhan, but her movements were languid and her attack lacked power.

Li Muzhan gently pinched the sword tip between his left index finger and thumb, smiling faintly. "Senior Li, might we have a word?" "Li Wuji, you have incredible gall!" the middle-aged woman surnamed Li sneered.

Li Muzhan sized her up—an oval face, large eyes, a high-bridged nose, and cherry lips—truly a rare beauty, not much less captivating than Fu Feihong. Her eyes flashed with icy killing intent.

She tried to channel her internal energy to pull the sword, but it wouldn't move. Her fair face flushed with annoyance, and her gaze grew colder.

She felt as if the sword had taken root; no matter how she struggled, she was helpless, a sense of futility creeping in. Li Muzhan suddenly let go.

Caught off guard while her mind wandered, the hilt violently struck her chest. Her blood surged, and her face flushed crimson.

Li Muzhan smiled gently. "I truly don't understand why you wanted to kill Senior Fu, Senior Li.

Aren't you sworn sisters with an extremely close relationship?" "Who wants to kill her!?" the woman surnamed Li sneered back. Li Muzhan knew her name was Li Qiao'e.

He shook his head and sighed. "Let's not play games, Senior Li.

Dare you not admit what you've done?" "What nonsense are you spouting? Who wants to kill her!" Li Qiao'e sneered.

"Perhaps she told you that?" Li Muzhan asked, "Are you one of the Heavenly Dao Alliance members?" Li Qiao'e paused, frowning. "What Heavenly Dao Alliance?!" Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head.

"You don't know the Heavenly Dao Alliance?" As he spoke with her, he employed the Heart Comprehension technique. Although her Nine Heavens Xuannü Heart Sutra cultivation was deep, before a Grandmaster, it was negligible.

Li Muzhan immediately saw through her foundations. She indeed entered the Nine Heavens Xuannü Sect with a hidden agenda, but she hadn't made a move over the years.

She had almost forgotten about it until her parents sent news recently, instructing her to assassinate Fu Feihong en route. If the instruction had been different, she might have hesitated.

But the key point was that she and Fu Feihong had always been at odds, rivals since childhood, so she acted without hesitation. Besides, there were assassins nearby; she could easily shift the blame.

No one knew, and she hadn't expected Li Muzhan to witness the situation. Under the current circumstances, she could not afford to speak the truth.

Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then sighed. "In that case, forget it.

Since you aren't from the Heavenly Dao Alliance, let's pretend nothing happened. I'll take my leave." "Wait!" Li Qiao'e suddenly commanded sharply, pointing her sword at him.

"You think you can just leave like that?" Li Muzhan laughed softly. "I let you go once; what do you want now?" Li Qiao'e brandished her sword, pointing it at him coldly.

"You attacked me without reason and brought me back. Do you think the disciples of our Nine Heavens Xuannü Sect are easy targets?!" If it were anyone else, Li Qiao'e might let it pass.

But Li Muzhan—hatred often extends to those beloved—she simply disliked him. Li Muzhan smiled.

"What do you intend to do?" "Let me experience your renowned skill!" Li Qiao'e declared coldly. Li Muzhan chuckled heartily.

"Very well! Make your move!" "I can't defeat you on my own, so I must ask for help!" Li Qiao'e said coldly, suddenly whistling sharply.

Li Muzhan's eyebrows lifted slightly; he made no move to stop her. Soon, several whistles echoed from the distance, followed by the appearance of several figures—four middle-aged women in total, all beautiful and possessing excellent demeanor, as expected of those who practiced the Nine Heavens Xuannü Heart Sutra.

Seeing Li Muzhan there, they looked towards Li Qiao'e in surprise. A round-faced woman asked, "Junior Sister Li, weren't you escorting the wedding procession?

Why are you back so soon?" "Don't mention it!" Li Qiao'e said coldly, pointing her sword tip at Li Muzhan. "He attacked me without provocation and sent me back!" Li Muzhan sighed.

"Senior Sister Li, why complicate things? Aren't you afraid I'll reveal the truth?" Li Qiao'e sneered, "What truth?

You must have been instigated by Senior Sister Fu!" Li Muzhan knitted his brows. He hadn't expected her to come up with such a hasty excuse, twisting black into white, truly a display of quick wit that he almost admired.

The round-faced woman frowned. "Junior Sister Li, are you fighting with Senior Sister Fu again?" "Who's fighting with her?

I didn't intend to provoke her on such a joyous day, but she took the initiative, ordering this brat to ambush me and send me back!" Li Qiao'e said coldly. "She clearly didn't want to see me, so why use such methods!" "Is that true, Young Master Li?" The round-faced woman turned to look at Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan sighed. "She intended to strike Senior Sister Fu fatally.

I happened to stop it. Not wanting to damage the harmony between our two sects, I sent her back.

I never expected such slander. It's truly..." As he spoke, he shook his head repeatedly, realizing dealing with women was exceptionally difficult.

"Woman surnamed Li, you're speaking utter nonsense!" Li Qiao'e huffed. "Do you think my senior sisters will listen to your fabrication?!" The four middle-aged women exchanged glances.

Finally, the round-faced woman spoke up. "Forget it, Junior Sister Li.

Since you're back, just rest well, and don't argue with Young Master Li anymore." "Senior Sister Fang!" Li Qiao'e said indignantly. "Why are you taking his side?!" The round-faced woman sighed.

"Senior Sister Fu has married out; we are no longer outsiders. Why push things so far?

Let it go, let it go!" Li Qiao'e burst out in anger. "He injured me, and you think it can be settled so easily?

Does our Nine Heavens Xuannü Sect look like an easy target?!" The round-faced woman looked at her helplessly, then smiled apologetically at Li Muzhan. "Since it is so, we must ask the Sect Master to rule on this.

Young Master Li, please wait a moment." Li Muzhan nodded. "Then I shall trouble Senior Sister Fang." "We are not outsiders; no need to be so formal," the round-faced woman replied with a smile.

She dispatched another woman, and soon, Sect Master Zhao arrived gracefully, shrouded in a white gauze robe that seemed like mist or smoke. She walked over, smiling like flowing water.

"Young Master Li, we meet again." Li Muzhan gave a wry smile. "Greetings, Sect Master Zhao." Sect Master Zhao pursed her lips and smiled.

"I dare not accept such high praise. Young Master Li’s esteemed presence here, may I inquire the purpose of your visit?" "Sect Master, please arbitrate this for me!" Li Qiao'e stepped forward hastily, cupping her fists.

"This Li, without provocation, injured me and drove me back. He is utterly despicable!" Sect Master Zhao smiled.

"Martial Aunt Li, please have a seat." Li Qiao'e nodded respectfully. "Yes." She sat down opposite Li Muzhan.

Sect Master Zhao also invited Li Muzhan to sit. Everyone gathered around the stone table in the pavilion.

The night breeze gently swayed the lanterns, illuminating the small pavilion as brightly as day. But under the light, all the women present possessed beauty, especially Sect Master Zhao, who seemed enthroned in radiant splendor, possessing indescribable grace and allure.

Sect Master Zhao asked gently, smiling, "Young Master Li, why did you strike Martial Aunt Li?" Seeing her face blooming like a flower, Li Muzhan grew highly vigilant. He sighed, putting on a pitiful expression as he recounted the sequence of events.

After hearing it, Sect Master Zhao turned to look at Li Qiao'e. Li Qiao'e sniffed and claimed she only intended to speak with Senior Sister Fu to pass the tedious time, and upon approaching the sedan chair, she was instantly knocked unconscious—a complete injustice.

Sect Master Zhao shook her head and sighed. "I am deeply ashamed.

Young Master Li seems to have no regard for our Nine Heavens Xuannü Sect, acting on a whim!" Li Muzhan quickly waved his hands. "Sect Master Zhao, what are you saying?

The situation was urgent; I couldn't afford to wait, so I acted first. Besides, there were no casualties.

What injuries did Senior Sister Li sustain?" Li Qiao'e snorted coldly. "Being immobilized by meridian striking—while not injured, it was certainly humiliating!" Li Muzhan decided to keep silent.

Reasoning with women was clearly inviting misery. "Alas...

forget it. Martial Aunt Li, don't take it to heart with him.

Here is the arrangement: Four Martial Ancestors have just emerged from seclusion. Hearing that Young Master Li is a Grandmaster, they wish to exchange some pointers." Li Muzhan raised his eyebrows slightly and smiled.

"Perhaps not necessary." "This cannot be dismissed so easily. It's a rare opportunity to spar with a Grandmaster; the benefits are endless.

We are no longer outsiders now, Young Master Li, surely you won't refuse?" Sect Master Zhao smiled. Li Muzhan smiled.

"If that is the case, a brief exchange of blows would be fine." He wasn't afraid of a contest, but he feared Sect Master Zhao might have some scheme. She was no innocent soul; she might employ underhanded tactics, so he needed to remain cautious.

"Good! To witness a Grandmaster in action is truly rare.

I must invite all the sect disciples to watch. Young Master Li, you don't mind, do you?" Sect Master Zhao pursed her lips and smiled.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Must it be so public?" Sect Master Zhao chuckled lightly.

"They may never have the chance to see a Grandmaster act in their lifetimes. This opportunity is rare and should not be missed, isn't that right, Young Master Li?" Li Muzhan sighed and nodded.

"Since it is so, I shall comply with the Sect Master's wishes!" He grew secretly alert. Sect Master Zhao must have a plot, though he couldn't detect it now.

Her vital essence and spirit were unified, making detection difficult. The Nine Heavens Xuannü Heart Sutra was truly profound.

Sect Master Zhao smiled radiantly. "Young Master Li, let us proceed to the main hall.

I will summon the disciples, and the four Martial Ancestors as well." "Please!" Li Muzhan readily agreed. Since he had consented, he might as well be forthright and stop overthinking.

He would face whatever came, for as a Grandmaster, what was there to fear! Everyone left Hai Yulan's small courtyard and slowly proceeded to the main hall.

Sect Master Zhao had already sent the round-faced woman ahead to notify the disciples. When they arrived before the main hall, hundreds of women, young and old, already stood in the martial arts field, murmuring amongst themselves, a lively scene.

As they saw Li Muzhan and his group approach, the chatter slowly ceased. They quietly stared at Li Muzhan.

They had only heard rumors of a Grandmaster, never seen one. They were even more surprised that the person rumored to be involved with their own disciple, Hai Yulan, was actually a Grandmaster—utterly astonishing.

Li Muzhan nodded with a smile. They parted to make a path, yet they stared intensely at him.

Their gazes were bold. If Li Muzhan hadn't possessed a firm will, he might have felt unnerved by their scrutiny.

Reaching the steps before the main hall, Sect Master Zhao turned around, raised her hands slightly, and smiled sweetly. "Everyone, please quiet down!" The women hushed, fixing their eyes on her.

Sect Master Zhao pursed her lips and smiled. "Today is a fortunate and grand day.

You all have the honor of witnessing the prowess of a Grandmaster's movements. After seeing it, you will understand the gap between yourselves and a Grandmaster.

Strive diligently so that every one of you may become a Grandmaster!" The women giggled repeatedly, chattering amongst themselves: "Become a Grandmaster!" "We must achieve Grandmaster status!" "Is it truly possible?" "Is Li Wuji really a Grandmaster?" As they were discussing, footsteps sounded—slow, distinct steps that reached every ear. They turned their heads to look.

Four middle-aged women in white robes approached slowly from the east, their movements graceful and ethereal, as if treading on white clouds. "Second Martial Ancestor, Third Martial Ancestor, Fourth Martial Ancestor, Fifth Martial Ancestor!" Sect Master Zhao descended a few steps to meet them, cupping her fists in greeting.

"I apologize for the untimely interruption, Martial Ancestors; your disciple is ashamed!" "The Sect Master commands, naturally, we comply!" A graceful middle-aged woman smiled and shook her head, her clear eyes falling upon Li Muzhan. "Is this Young Master Li Wuji, the Grandmaster?" Li Muzhan stood on the steps, cupped his fists, and smiled.

"Your disciple, Li Wuji, pays respects to the four seniors!" He subtly appraised the four women: their white robes were like snow, their temperaments varied—one graceful, one charming, one dignified, one aloof—each possessing a unique allure. They appeared to be only in their thirties, yet a trace of profound gravity was etched between their brows, their aura mature, far beyond their apparent age.

The other three nodded lightly but remained silent. The four ascended the steps, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Li Muzhan.

The graceful woman smiled and nodded. "I hear you are a disciple of the Yunxiao Sect?" Li Muzhan nodded.

The graceful woman smiled faintly. "Disciples of the Yunxiao Sect are all exceptionally talented.

To become a Grandmaster at such a young age is truly unprecedented; rare, rare indeed... Young Master Li, although we are a few years older, we have yet to break through to the Grandmaster realm, which is truly shameful.

We will impose upon you to exchange a few moves for guidance." Li Muzhan quickly responded, "I dare not say so. My advancement to Grandmaster was merely fortunate luck, not true ability.

The four seniors possess profound cultivation; I hope you will guide me!" He held deep respect for these secluded cultivators. To sever worldly attachments and dedicate themselves solely to martial arts, regardless of the reason, that perseverance was worthy of admiration.

"Very well, no more talk. Let us begin," the graceful woman said with a smile.

Sect Master Zhao quickly interjected, "Second Martial Ancestor, Young Master Li is a Grandmaster. How about the four Martial Ancestors face him together?" Li Muzhan nodded.

"Indeed, that suits my intentions perfectly." The graceful woman turned to look at the other three. They deliberated for a moment and nodded.

Age was useless; if their cultivation lagged behind, they could only resort to overwhelming numbers. "The four of us have practiced a set of joint combat formations.

We request Young Master Li's guidance," the graceful woman smiled, her figure flashing. The other three moved in tandem, surrounding Li Muzhan in the middle.

Sect Master Zhao immediately retreated a few steps, standing at the entrance of the main hall. Li Muzhan and the four women stood on the steps beside the door.

The graceful woman smiled, "Let's move down to fight!" Standing here, the defined levels of the steps were inconvenient for unfolding movement techniques and formations. Li Muzhan agreed, his figure flickering as he appeared below the steps.

The four women also flickered, following closely behind, enveloping him within their formation. "Young Master Li, here we come!" the graceful woman chuckled lightly.

The four figures instantly blurred, showing eight shadows. With another blur, the eight became sixteen.

With yet another flash, they split again, a dense throng of figures rushing towards Li Muzhan, making it impossible to discern the real from the illusory.