Li Muzhan replied, “Buddhist magic is vast and profound, possessing a wonder all its own.”
Li Yubing snorted. “If I need a sarira to suppress a Grandmaster, why should I cultivate it myself? … Zhanran, why don’t you just give me your sarira?”
Li Muzhan paused, then chuckled. “My sarira?”
“Exactly. When you die in the future and form a sarira, give it to me.” Li Yubing nodded and smiled. “By then, I might be gone too, unable to protect the children. I’ll need your sarira then.”
Li Muzhan laughed. “Why don’t I just give you this one now!”
Li Yubing shook her head. “I don’t want it now; it would just be a burden. Besides, you painstakingly broke the formations to obtain it—I still have some shred of decency!”
Li Muzhan pondered for a moment. “Palace Mistress, how can we predict things centuries from now? How about this: if you are gone, I will send a Sacred Artifact to Moli Palace to suppress the Grandmaster!”
“That will do,” Li Yubing smiled. “Then I won’t be polite!”
Li Muzhan grinned. “Then I won’t be polite either, and I’ll keep this sarira!”
“Keep it, but stash that Sandalwood Gold Pagoda away. Looking at all that glittering gold is rather vulgar,” Li Yubing remarked.
Li Muzhan explained, “This pagoda also serves a purpose. It’s carved with formations, acting as the nexus for this hall’s overall array. The power of this sarira will sustain its operation.”
“I see,” Li Yubing studied the Sandalwood Gold Pagoda closely. “The Way of Formations is truly marvelous. You must teach me.”
Li Muzhan chuckled. “Certainly. I’ll teach you when we return. But we must agree beforehand: this truly requires innate talent. It’s not closely related to how clever one is.”
“I refuse to believe I have no talent,” Li Yubing asserted.
The Grandmasters in the world could be counted on one’s fingers. In terms of sheer talent, she was absolutely peerless in this era. How could she, with her qualifications, be unable to learn formations?
Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. A Grandmaster is different from a Grand Formation Master. Formation mastery indeed demands a specific talent, distinct from martial talent.
He took the Sandalwood Gold Pagoda, and the two stepped out of the main hall. As they did, the hall materialized, standing adjacent to the Celestial God Hall—one large, one small, presenting a bizarre sight.
“Let’s go back first, and we can retrieve these things once we’ve found the right people,” Li Yubing suggested.
Li Muzhan didn't cease his work; he continuously laid down formations while simultaneously dismantling them. They left the Heavenly Dao Alliance valley, surrounded by vast, endless mountains.
“Although our haul this trip was incredibly rich, it’s a pity we didn't find the mastermind,” Li Yubing commented with a smile. “How do you plan to investigate further?”
Li Muzhan shook his head. “We can only wait for them to reappear.”
“It won’t be easy to make progress by focusing on them,” Li Yubing frowned. “I pressed them hard for answers before, but their mouths were too tightly sealed. We couldn't pry anything loose.”
Li Muzhan nodded. “They practiced the Celestial God Possession Technique, making it very difficult to extract information. We’ll have to observe.”
Li Yubing sighed. “That is a complication, but I doubt we will succeed easily.”
Li Muzhan smiled. “Let it go. The Palace Mistress’s guards are all highly skilled. Once they are on guard, assassination is difficult. We’ll find an opportunity eventually.”
“That’s true enough,” Li Yubing agreed. “Let’s go; head to my place first.”
That Sandalwood Gold Pagoda was left behind in the valley, where Li Muzhan arranged a protective formation, rendering it inaccessible to outsiders. The sarira was stored within a purple casket.
Once the casket was sealed, both of them instantly regained their Grandmaster capabilities. They traveled with incredible speed, arriving at Moli Palace in just one day.
They first ascended a mountain. Upon reaching the summit, a chain bridge spanned across to a ledge on another peak. The last time he helped, he only stayed briefly at Moli Palace before departing immediately. Revisiting this place now felt imbued with a certain novelty.
“Palace Mistress, this location is indeed easy to defend and hard to attack,” Li Muzhan praised. They floated lightly across the chain bridge, conversing as they went.
Li Yubing remarked, “Though it’s easy to defend and hard to attack, there are always fools who try to storm in. Since we are women, they always assume it will be simple!”
Li Muzhan chuckled. “Underestimating women always leads to ruin. However, you are rather harsh on those men; it’s no wonder they rebelled.”
“These wretched men—if you don’t discipline them for three days, they’ll tear the roof down! They are all dogs at heart!” Li Yubing pouted.
They floated to the opposite side, where two young women in white suddenly appeared, coming forward. “Palace Mistress!”
“Yes. Has Xin’er returned?” Li Yubing asked gently.
One of the white-clad maidens replied, “She returned yesterday.”
Li Yubing frowned, glancing at Li Muzhan. Li Muzhan smiled. “How about I return first, and we meet again before the valley in fifteen days?”
Li Yubing smiled wryly. “Are you really leaving? Do you truly think I’m afraid you’ll cause trouble?”
Li Muzhan laughed. “It’s the Palace Mistress who sees me as a flood or a fierce beast!”
Li Yubing waved her fair hand and smiled. “Fine, stay the night! … But be careful and don’t misbehave, or I will fight you to the death!”
Li Muzhan nodded helplessly, following her inward. They soon arrived at a valley.
Last time, they took the back entrance, thus entering the main hall first. Approaching from the front this time, they entered the valley first; the main hall lay deep within the valley.
The valley was warm as spring. Most of the disciples, clad in white, were busy tending their fields. He had heard Li Yubing mention that Moli Palace was self-sufficient; each person received two plots of land, they could plant whatever they wished, keeping a portion of the harvest and exchanging the rest.
Li Muzhan shook his head. It seemed a terrible waste of heavenly resources to have these delicate young girls tending their own fields, yet he approved of the method: what one sows, one reaps. It benefited their physical and mental health.
Seeing the two of them, the disciples nodded, few offering grand bows. They kept to their tasks, which might seem disrespectful, but their expressions conveyed profound deference.
Li Yubing suddenly stopped, raising her hand to call out, “Xin’er!”
A white-clad maiden flew out from a pumpkin patch on the hillside, floating like an immortal, arriving close by in a flash. “Mistress, you’ve returned!”
Her hands were still stained with mud, and she held a small yellow flower in the other hand.
Li Muzhan appraised her briefly: an oval face, skin crystal clear and moist, eyes bright as water. Her entire demeanor was gentle and composed, yet an air of capable efficiency permeated her presence. Her bright eyes, glancing around, carried an imposing authority.
She looked toward Li Muzhan, poised and graceful. “Mistress, who is this…?”
Li Yubing replied, “This is Zhanran, a monk—… Did your trip go smoothly?”
“Yes, no major issues. What did you go out for, Mistress?” the white-clad maiden asked with a smile.
Li Yubing beamed. “We struck great fortune this time! Come, let’s go inside to talk!”
Li Muzhan interjected with a smile, “Palace Mistress, won’t you introduce me?”
Li Yubing shot him a glance. “This is my inner disciple, Xu Suxin.”
Li Muzhan clasped his hands together and smiled faintly. “Miss Xu, greetings.”
“Master is too kind,” Xu Suxin returned the clasp with a smile. “Master Zhanran was the one who resolved the calamity last time, wasn’t he? Immense gratitude!”
Li Muzhan smiled. “A trivial matter, unworthy of mention.”
Li Yubing said, “Enough chatter, let’s go inside.”
She stepped into the valley first. Terraced fields lined both sides of the valley, each plot occupied by a white-clad maiden diligently planting. Despite the winter outside, it was warm as spring within.
The three entered the main hall. Li Yubing sat first, while Li Muzhan and Xu Suxin took seats to her left and right, respectively. Sitting opposite, Li Muzhan did not let his gaze wander.
“Mistress, any gains this time?” Xu Suxin asked with a smile.
Li Yubing laughed. “This time we found the lair of the Heavenly Dao Alliance and achieved great results!”
“The Heavenly Dao Alliance? The great sect that vanished a hundred years ago?” Xu Suxin inquired.
Li Yubing nodded happily. “The very same. The Heavenly Dao Alliance was once immensely powerful, its peak almost untouchable. Then they suddenly disappeared. We investigated and finally have some leads.”
“And?” Seeing Li Yubing’s excitement, Xu Suxin knew the best part was yet to come.
“Heh heh, we also found the Heavenly Dao Alliance’s secret manuals and armory, including twenty-two sets of Grandmaster-level techniques, along with some divine weapons and sharp implements!” Li Yubing was practically unable to close her mouth from smiling.
Xu Suxin’s expression brightened. “Twenty-two sets of Grandmaster techniques?”
“Doesn’t that sound like a huge success?” Li Yubing asked proudly.
Xu Suxin nodded vigorously. “We only have eight sets of Grandmaster techniques right now. With this addition, that makes thirty sets!”
Li Yubing quickly said, “Xin’er!”
Xu Suxin looked at Li Muzhan, smiling. “Master Zhanran isn’t an outsider, is he?”
Li Yubing huffed. “He isn’t an outsider, but we can’t tell him everything!”
Xu Suxin pursed her lips and smiled faintly. “Yes, Mistress.”
Li Muzhan shook his head helplessly. “Palace Mistress, your words wound me deeply!”
“You are a man, and Moli Palace is entirely female. You must avoid impropriety!” Li Yubing insisted.
Li Muzhan sighed. “Yes, I understand.”
Li Yubing waved her hand. “Xin’er, take a few people with me to retrieve the manuals. Half for us, half for the Cloud Firmament Sect. Then we’ll send disciples over to transcribe them.”
Xu Suxin glanced at Li Muzhan with a subtle smile, then nodded. “Yes, Mistress.”
Li Yubing recounted the events in great detail: how they entered the valley, the search process, the obstacles encountered, how they were overcome, and the ultimate victory achieved through twists and turns.
Her narration was so vivid that Li Muzhan felt transported back to the scene, understanding Li Yubing’s intention was to hone Xu Suxin’s experience.
Having listened, Xu Suxin indeed felt as if she had accompanied them, letting out a long sigh of relief. “That was truly close,” she marveled.
“If it hadn’t been for Zhanran this time, I couldn’t have gotten in,” Li Yubing agreed. “That’s why I want to learn formations.”
“Mistress, perhaps I should learn,” Xu Suxin offered.
Li Yubing waved her off. “It won’t be too late to teach you once I learn it. Besides, it’s not good for you to be distracted right now; focus on your cultivation and trials. I hear learning formations is incredibly difficult and demands too much mental energy.”
Li Muzhan chuckled, shaking his head. She was worried about him interacting too closely with Xu Suxin—such strict vigilance, leaving no gap. He felt both annoyed and amused; why did she view him as such a formidable threat?
He sighed and said, “Palace Mistress, since you wish to learn, let’s begin now. Miss Xu, please fetch ink and brush; I will write down the simplest formation talisman. Let’s see if you can memorize it.”
“Good. Xin’er, get the writing implements,” Li Yubing hurried.
Xu Suxin smiled faintly and agreed, rising to move a writing desk from the east side directly in front of Li Muzhan, which was already supplied with ink, brush, paper, and an inkstone.
She ground the ink herself until it was ready. Li Muzhan took up the brush, his movements fluid as a swimming dragon or a winding snake, quickly completing several sheets, which he handed to Xu Suxin one by one.
Xu Suxin took each sheet, gently fanned it dry, and examined it while fanning. She didn’t recognize a single character; they were bizarre and strange, seeming to drift like wisps of smoke.
After he finished the tenth sheet, Li Muzhan put down his brush, stretched, and extended his hand.
Xu Suxin returned the ten sheets of fine paper to him. Li Muzhan reordered them and handed them to Li Yubing. “Palace Mistress, memorize these formation talismans first.”
“No problem,” Li Yubing agreed readily. “How long will it take?”
Li Muzhan replied, “A day should suffice.”
“Why would it take that long? It’s only ten sheets of paper!” Li Yubing waved her hand. Xu Suxin took the papers and passed them on to Li Yubing.
Li Yubing looked down and flipped through them, frowning. She didn’t recognize a single symbol!
Li Muzhan smiled. “These are the formation talismans of the first layer. If the Palace Mistress can memorize them in a day, she possesses extraordinary talent. If not…”
“Enough, Xin’er. Arrange lodging for Zhanran. I refuse to believe it!” Li Yubing waved her hand.
Li Muzhan said, “No need. I’ll leave first and return tomorrow.”
Li Yubing recalled Li Muzhan’s Great Teleportation Art. Though she didn’t know its name, she knew it was profoundly miraculous. She nodded. “Very well, come back tomorrow.”
Li Muzhan smiled at Xu Suxin, gave a clasp of his hands in salute, and abruptly vanished.
Watching him disappear instantly, Xu Suxin darted out of the main hall. A moment later, she returned to find her Mistress intensely focused on scrutinizing the strange scribbles.
“Mistress, is this Master Zhanran from the Cloud Firmament Sect?” Xu Suxin asked.
Li Yubing nodded. “Yes, he is from the Cloud Firmament Sect.”
“Why is he a monk?” Xu Suxin wondered curiously. “The Cloud Firmament Sect’s swordsmanship is second to none in the world, but it seems none of their disciples are monks.”
“This monk status of his is both real and not real—it’s complicated!” Li Yubing looked up.
“How so?” Xu Suxin laughed. “Mistress, you can’t even explain it clearly?”
Li Yubing sighed. “He wasn’t originally a monk; he’s pretending to be one while traveling the Western Splendor region. But if we say he’s not a monk, his understanding of Buddhist principles and his divine powers surpass even those of venerable high monks… But if we say he is a monk, he’s a notorious womanizer, impure in his five senses, entangled with several women!”
“Entangled with several women?” Xu Suxin laughed. “Him?”
“What, you look down on him?” Li Yubing shot her a sharp look.
Xu Suxin shook her head and smiled. “He doesn’t look particularly extraordinary. If he’s that much of a flirt, those women should just sever their emotional ties!”
Li Yubing shook her head and sighed. “This young man is not strikingly handsome, but his ability is undeniable! He is already a Grandmaster at such a young age, the first in history. Just this fact alone is irresistible to many women!”
“So he’s already a Grandmaster—no wonder,” Xu Suxin said, realization dawning.
Li Yubing continued, “Furthermore, his temperament is gentle as jade, kind and considerate towards women, unlike most men. Women find it even harder to resist. It’s understandable that several women have become utterly devoted, unable to escape his romantic net.”
“To receive such praise from the Mistress, this Master Zhanran is truly remarkable!” Xu Suxin murmured with a smile.
Li Yubing said, “Xin’er, I tell you this as a warning. You must be careful!”
“Mistress, what do I need to be careful of?” Xu Suxin asked with an inexplicable smile.
“Be careful of him!” Li Yubing huffed. “Don’t get too involved with him, lest you fall in!”
“Mistress underestimates me too much!” Xu Suxin laughed, shaking her head. “Don’t worry, I don’t feel anything special for him!”
“That’s good then!” Li Yubing nodded. “Falling for him is like jumping into a pit of fire… This young man is too gentle with women, unwilling to hurt any one of their feelings, and consequently, he hurts them all!”
“Yes, indecisiveness is not the conduct of a true man,” Xu Suxin agreed.
“Exactly, exactly!” Li Yubing strongly concurred, then bent her head again to study the papers in her hand.
After a moment, Xu Suxin couldn't help but ask, “Mistress, what kind of movement technique did he use? He vanished in a flash—it was magnificent.”
Li Yubing replied, “That must be a divine ability, something beyond the scope of martial arts.”
“Can the Mistress catch up to him?” Xu Suxin asked.
Li Yubing seemed distracted, her brow furrowed as she looked back down at the papers.
“Mistress?” Xu Suxin pouted lightly.
Li Yubing looked up. “Hm—? … Oh, I can’t catch up to him. Nobody can.”
“I see…” Xu Suxin nodded. “What is troubling the Mistress?”
“This is bizarre!” Li Yubing frowned. “How can I not remember it?!”
Xu Suxin rose and moved to Li Yubing’s side, picking up the last sheet of paper. After glancing at it briefly, she set it down, closed her eyes, and upon reopening them, she too frowned.
Li Yubing asked, “What do you think? Isn’t it strange?”
“It is quite strange. I clearly remember it, but the moment I look away, it’s gone!” Xu Suxin nodded slowly.
Li Yubing snorted. “No wonder that young man was so confident… I refuse to believe it! I must memorize this. You try too!”
Xu Suxin nodded, her competitive spirit roused.
The two women each held a sheet of paper, sinking into deep contemplation, losing all track of time.
“Ahem, Palace Mistress, I have returned!” Li Muzhan’s clear voice suddenly rang out. The two women looked up and stared at him blankly.
“Zhanran, why are you back?” Li Yubing asked.
Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled. “Palace Mistress, I’m back again—… This is the second day!”
Li Yubing looked up towards the window. Judging by the sunlight, she realized it was morning and said, surprised, “It’s the second day already!”
She paused, thought for a moment, then shook her head and sighed.
Li Muzhan smiled. “Has the Palace Mistress managed to remember?”
“I haven’t remembered,” Li Yubing shook her head, huffing. “I never thought this thing would be so peculiar!”
Li Muzhan nodded with a slight smile. “For those without talent, it’s as hard as climbing to heaven; for those with talent, it’s not too difficult.”
“It seems I truly have no talent then!” Li Yubing conceded.
Li Muzhan smiled. “Then how many pages did the Palace Mistress remember?”
“Not a single one!” Li Yubing snorted resentfully, tossing the fine paper back to Li Muzhan. “Here, take it back!”
Li Muzhan reached out and accepted it, smiling. “Miss Xu tried as well, correct? How was it?”
Xu Suxin shook her head. “I couldn’t either. I only managed to remember one page.”
“Oh?” Li Muzhan looked surprised. “You remembered one page?”
“Yes,” Xu Suxin confirmed. “I tried with all my might and only got one page. No matter what, I couldn’t commit more to memory.”
Li Yubing’s eyes immediately lit up. “Zhanran, does Xin’er have talent?”
Li Muzhan slowly nodded. “Exceptional talent!”
Li Yubing laughed happily. “Good, good! At least Moli Palace didn’t lose face!”
Li Muzhan said, “Palace Mistress, you intend to have Miss Xu study formations? … Perhaps we should wait a while.” (To be continued)