For the first level of the Xinfajing, he achieved mastery quickly. Having previously practiced the White Bone Contemplation technique, which nearly drove him to suicide, his resolute will allowed him to suppress the ordeal. Recalling the hardships endured during his practice of Zen concentration skills, those trials forged his foundation, leading to his subsequent rapid advancements.
Without profound and pure Zen concentration skills, he could not have cultivated the Guan Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing; without practicing the Guan Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing, all his later achievements would have been mere fantasy.
To this day, he believes his core essence remains the Guan Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing, the bedrock of all accomplishment. Even now, he treats the Guan Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing as his fundamental practice.
Although the first level of the Xinfajing was easy for him to master—a case of things falling naturally into place—by the time he opened his eyes after achieving it, an entire hour had passed.
Across the lake, Jian Tai’a’s body trembled slightly; his strength was entirely depleted, yet the searing pain continued to stimulate him, offering no numbness, no relief. He now wished for death more than anything.
Unfortunately, he lacked the strength even to die. Moving his little finger was difficult, and he could not even bite off his tongue; his teeth pressed against it, but the bite brought no pain.
His entire being now yearned for the arrival of his Third Uncle. Once Third Uncle appeared, he would be saved. This scenario had played out countless times: Third Uncle would arrive, deal with the opponent, scold him thoroughly, lock him up for a few days, and then he would secretly escape to resume his carefree life in the Jianghu.
He understood that his Third Uncle merely turned a blind eye—though despising his behavior, he couldn’t bear to discipline him severely, leading to this pattern.
Li Mouchan shook his head and sighed. He saw through Jian Tai’a’s thoughts with utter clarity, growing increasingly resentful of Jian Zhimiao. Such indulgence was precisely what allowed Jian Tai’a to become so reckless. If he had been properly disciplined in the beginning, how could he have turned out this way, and how many young women could have been spared?
The fault of the son lies with the father's failure to teach. This Jian Zhimiao was utterly wicked; having become a Grandmaster, he no longer regarded ordinary people as anything significant, treating them as less than human—that was the root of his current state.
He flashed instantly to Jian Tai’a’s side and lightly slapped a palm downward. With a muffled thump came a drawn-out shriek: “Ah!”
Jian Tai’a turned his head, staring at Li Muchen in confusion, feeling as though his entire body was immersed in warm spring water, an indescribable comfort and bliss, making him wish this moment could last forever.
The preceding agony felt like a distant dream, one he never wished to recall, preferring only to sink endlessly into this blissful sensation.
He looked at Li Muchen strangely and managed a smile: “Boy, you finally understand?”
He assumed Li Muchen had finally seen reason, fearing the power of a Grandmaster, and was seeking reconciliation. He sneered: “Boy, if you release me obediently now, I won’t hold a grudge against you, and I won’t let Third Uncle deal with you. How about that?”
Li Muchen shook his head and smiled: “You feel comfortable, don’t you?”
“Hmph, it’s alright,” Jian Tai’a nodded lazily. “You really put me through it before!”
Li Muchen smiled: “Enjoy it while you can. When you recover your strength, you can enjoy the previous sensation again!”
“You—!” Jian Tai’a’s eyes widened, glaring at Li Muchen in astonishment.
...
Li Muchen grinned sweetly: “Having no strength left to scream or struggle is truly dull. Back when you harmed those young women, did you feel this way, perhaps?”
“You…” Jian Tai’a glared venomously at Li Muchen: “Boy, you are finished!”
Li Muchen smiled and nodded: “Yes, I am finished, so I must drag you down with me. What does it matter if you are a Grandmaster? Can a Grandmaster act lawlessly?”
“Are you not afraid of having your entire family purged, implicating your friends and relatives? If you kill me, even if you commit suicide, Third Uncle will not spare your friends!” Jian Tai’a cried out quickly.
Li Muchen shook his head: “What does that matter? You don’t even know who I am; how could you investigate my friends?”
Jian Tai’a sneered: “You are too naive! ... There are no secrets in this world, and my Third Uncle belongs to the Lu family. They could dig three feet underground to find you!”
Li Muchen frowned: “The Lu family? The Lu family of Lotus Pond?”
“Hmph, you have some knowledge after all, knowing of the Lu family of Lotus Pond. Correct, it is the Lu family!” Jian Tai’a snorted triumphantly. “Think about it—can you hide from the eyes and ears of the Lu family?”
Li Muchen frowned, pondered for a moment, then shook his head and chuckled: “Such a dignified Grandmaster actually serving others—this is truly an eye-opener!”
The Great Li Dynasty had four great aristocratic families, and Xihua also had noble houses, though none as formidable as the Four Great Families; Xihua had more families, and their power was more balanced.
He truly hadn't expected such a respected Grandmaster to be at someone else’s beck and call. Even becoming a Consecrated Elder granted one an extraordinary status, which was a form of power—a Grandmaster should be free roaming the world.
Jian Tai’a snorted: “Serving the noble families is a rare opportunity with countless benefits. What do you know? Someone like you wouldn't even be wanted if you applied!”
Li Muchen smiled faintly: “You think they wouldn’t want me?”
Jian Tai’a turned his head away, letting out two cold laughs. He knew that if Li Muchen truly wanted to join them, they would accept him. Jian Tai’a himself was at the peak of the Martial Ancestor realm; this fellow seemed superior, possibly even a Grandmaster.
However, he didn't believe Li Muchen was a Grandmaster; at this age, it was impossible. He must have gained some extraordinary fortune, making him superior to Jian Tai’a.
He relied on his unique cultivation method, absorbing Yin essence to nourish his own Yin, combined with his Third Uncle’s Xinfajing, to reach this level. This boy, so formidable at such a young age, must have stumbled upon a great secret; pure cultivation couldn't achieve this degree of power.
His eyes darted around. When Third Uncle arrived, he absolutely had to pry the truth from this boy—discover what method he used to boost his power and reach the next level. If he became even stronger, he would truly be invincible under Heaven. Those Grandmasters wouldn't dare touch him out of respect for Third Uncle, and all other Martial Ancestors would be no match for him—he could truly run wild!
He reveled in this beautiful thought, a smile touching his lips as he pictured himself reigning supreme. Suddenly, a sharp wave of pain struck him, and he let out a shrill cry, plunging back into hell. Li Muchen sighed: “Ah, you just keep dreaming beautifully!”
...
He leaped across to the other side of the lake, settling his mind to comprehend the second level of the Xinfajing. Supplementing his own deficiencies with the pure Yin essence of the woman would allow him to reach the state of pure Yang. This was not easy, but not overly difficult either; as long as his mind remained tranquil, he could manage it.
As he was contemplating this, a long, piercing howl suddenly rent the air. The sound rolled like thunder, seemingly traveling from the distant horizon, and upon approaching, the deep rumble caused the lake surface to churn as if boiling.
Li Muchen raised an eyebrow and slowly stood up. A small, slender figure tore through the air, arriving moments later near Jian Tai’a, tapping him lightly.
“Ah…” Jian Tai’a let out a wretched cry and quickly shouted: “Third Uncle! You’ve finally come, ah….”
His face twisted in delight and savage distortion, a bizarre sight.
Li Muchen sized up this Jian Zhimiao: dressed in a green robe, slender figure, bearing some resemblance to Jian Tai’a, but his features were far more refined. With a clear gaze and a long, flowing beard, he possessed an almost ethereal quality.
Li Muchen nodded; he certainly had the bearing of a Grandmaster. Standing there, he seemed as still as an abyss and as imposing as a mountain, radiating an imposing, stalwart presence.
“Tai’a, what is happening?” Jian Zhimiao frowned, bending down and striking Jian Tai’a a few times. With every palm strike, Jian Tai’a let out a sharp scream.
“Third Uncle, you’re finally here! If you hadn't come, I would have died!” Jian Tai’a cried out loudly, “Don’t move, don’t move! Moving makes the pain worse! Quickly force that fellow to lift the technique!”
Jian Zhimiao’s brow twitched, his face shadowed. Seeing Jian Tai’a in such agony, his heart felt twisted. He turned and glared at Li Muchen, his two silver eyes shooting out beams of light like tangible objects.
Li Muchen smiled faintly, cupping his hands: “Are you Senior Jian?”
“Indeed, this old man is Jian Zhimiao!” Jian Zhimiao said coldly. “What offense did my nephew commit to warrant such vicious treatment?”
Li Muchen smiled: “Your nephew deserves death by all who encounter him. I speak the truth, do I not?”
“Nonsense!” Jian Zhimiao snorted. “Where does such talk come from?!”
Li Muchen replied: “How many innocent young women has this precious nephew of yours taken the lives of? Surely you are aware?”
Jian Zhimiao snorted: “Rumors spread by the jealous—not to be believed. Others are simply envious of Tai’a and fabricate slander. You believe that?”
Li Muchen chuckled, shaking his head: “Truly incomprehensible. Is this how a Grandmaster is so muddled?”
Jian Zhimiao scoffed coldly: “Since you know I am a Grandmaster, yet still dared to act this way, it seems you have some backing. Whose lineage do you hail from?”
Li Muchen cupped his hands and smiled faintly: “Li Wuji, from the Cloud Heaven Sect.”
“The Cloud Heaven Sect of Great Li?” Jian Zhimiao frowned. “Are you a disciple or grand-disciple of Yun Qing?”
Li Muchen nodded: “Precisely.”
Jian Zhimiao snorted and waved his hand: “Lift the restriction on Tai’a. For Yun Qing’s sake, I will not kill you.”
Li Muchen smiled: “Are you friends with Ancestor Master Yun?”
“Something like that,” Jian Zhimiao snorted. “Hurry and lift the restriction!”
...
Li Muchen smiled faintly, shaking his head: “My Ancestor Master surely wouldn't have such a foolish friend as you, would he?”
“Insolent boy!” Jian Zhimiao said coldly. “If not for Yun Qing, I would strike you down with one palm! Lift the restriction immediately!”
Watching his nephew’s pained appearance, he felt the agony himself, growing restless and irritable.
Li Muchen shook his head: “I will not lift the restriction. He will howl for ten days and nights before his breath finally leaves him. You need not waste your effort; his death is certain!”
“What did you say?!” Jian Zhimiao glared at him coldly.
Li Muchen stated: “The technique he suffered is a fatal method, incurable. His death is inevitable!”
“Nonsense!” Jian Zhimiao sneered. “Your Cloud Heaven Sect does not possess such a technique; don't try to fool this old man. Lift the restriction immediately, or do not blame me for disregarding Yun Qing’s face when I act!”
Li Muchen smiled: “This is not a technique of the Cloud Heaven Sect. This method is too vicious; I obtained it from a wicked man. Only wickedness can defeat wickedness, and this technique is perfectly suited for Jian Tai’a. Consider it repayment on behalf of those innocent young women.”
“Good boy, you seek death!” Jian Zhimiao could bear it no longer. “Even if Yun Qing himself arrived, he couldn't say much to me. Watch my palm!”
Jian Zhimiao snorted, stepped forward to Li Muchen’s front, and brought his palm crashing down.
With a dull thud, Li Muchen met the blow with his own palm. Both retreated more than ten paces, leaving two deep gouges in the lush green grass on either side.
Li Muchen shook his right palm and muttered: “This little bit of skill won’t be enough to deal with me!”
“You… you…?” Jian Zhimiao’s eyes were wide with disbelief as he stared at Li Muchen: “You are also a Grandmaster?”
Li Muchen gave a slight nod: “My apologies for showing off.”
Jian Zhimiao slowly nodded: “Very well, very well. To become a Grandmaster at this age is truly a marvel under Heaven. Unfortunately, you encountered this old man; such is your fate!”
Li Muchen smiled: “It is also unfortunate for you, growing old only to meet me. You could have lived for several more centuries, but now you must die here. Truly, fate is unkind!”
“Boy, what arrogance!” Jian Zhimiao shook his head. “Though you are a Grandmaster, how many years have you held the title? This old man was already a Grandmaster twenty years ago!”
Li Muchen smiled: “Then I must certainly request to witness your superior skills. Watch my palm!”
With a wave of his hand, a column of water immediately shot up from the lake, forming a silver dragon that lunged toward Jian Zhimiao as if it were substantial. Jian Zhimiao frowned and punched out, his fist wind howling. With a muffled boom, water splashed everywhere, scattering the silver dragon.
Li Muchen grunted, and with another gesture, the scattered water instantly reassembled, reforming the silver dragon to charge Jian Zhimiao again. Its movements were agile, resembling a living dragon, unparalleled in its spirit.
Amidst a series of muffled thumps, the silver dragon conjured by Li Muchen tangled fiercely with Jian Zhimiao, locked in an unbreakable struggle.
Jian Zhimiao was inwardly shocked. He hadn't expected the water dragon conjured by Li Muchen to possess such power, truly like a living creature. Though he could achieve something similar, he couldn't reach this level. If he were to follow the same method, he would be no match; he had to rely on his genuine martial skill, not the ability of a Grandmaster to manipulate the heavens and earth.
He realized that although Li Wuji had only recently stepped into the Grandmaster realm, his skills were profoundly deep, and his spiritual power surpassed his own. He couldn't figure out how he cultivated it—could it truly be pure talent?
The disciples of the Cloud Heaven Sect were all exceptionally gifted, making outsiders envious. First, there was Yun Qing, and now Li Wuji—it was infuriating.
Li Mouchan used the silver dragon to restrain Jian Zhimiao, still having spare capacity. Last time, by devouring Tong Tianshu’s soul essence using the Heaven Mending Art, his spiritual power had greatly increased upon fusion, and now its might was undeniably impressive.
Jian Zhimiao was fighting fiercely, trying to destroy the silver dragon. However, Li Muchen kept using the lake water to repair the dragon’s damage. In this short time, not only had the silver dragon not weakened, but it had grown more solidified, allowing him to wield it with greater ease.
Jian Tai’a watched wide-eyed from the side. Seeing a silver dragon wrapping around his Third Uncle, while Li Muchen stood nearby smiling pleasantly and relaxed, he immediately sensed trouble.
He began to roll, slowly moving outward. Despite the excruciating pain, the instinct for self-preservation still drove him to escape—to get as far away as possible.
Li Mouchan laughed, shaking his head: “Jian Tai’a, you don’t need to waste your effort!”
Jian Tai’a ignored him, continuing to roll slowly outward, trying to roll as far as he could. Unfortunately, his body was weak and powerless; even giving his all, his movement appeared sluggish—only managing three or four rolls after a long time.
Li Muchen shook his head and stopped paying attention to him, addressing Jian Zhimiao: “The Jian named Jian has committed countless evils and deserved death long ago. You, his Third Uncle, not only failed to discipline him properly but instead indulged him. Those young women actually died by your hands!”
“Nonsense! This old man has never witnessed Tai’a committing evil; it’s all slander spread by others!” Jian Zhimiao said coldly, striking the silver dragon with palms as quick as lightning.
Li Muchen shook his head: “Such a respected Grandmaster, yet still so naive. Do you not know that empty rumors are never without cause? Why didn't you investigate thoroughly? Or perhaps you knew the truth but chose to deceive yourself?”
Jian Zhimiao coldly sneered: “I believe Tai’a. Your nonsense is useless!”
Li Muchen sighed: “I truly never expected there to be a figure like you among the Grandmasters. This has truly opened my eyes; I am ashamed to be associated with such people!”
Jian Zhimiao countered while punching: “Boy, your arrogance is extreme. Is this all the ability you possess?”
Li Muchen replied: “Break my Water Transformation Art first!”
Jian Zhimiao sneered: “A mere water dragon is nothing to boast about!”
As his words fell, he suddenly hammered out more than ten punches in quick succession, one after another, creating shadows that filled the air, making it impossible to discern which strike was which. Instantly, the head of the silver dragon exploded.
...
Li Muchen suddenly waved both hands, and immediately ten columns of water shot up from the lake surface simultaneously, striking toward Jian Zhimiao. Jian Zhimiao flicked his sleeve, and an invisible, surging gale rose up, shaking the water columns. Unfortunately, it could not blow them away; the columns continued to shoot toward him like ten javelins.
Jian Zhimiao had no choice but to evade slightly. The ten water columns immediately struck the water dragon, causing it to reform instantly, becoming whole again, even seeming slightly more solid.
Jian Zhimiao frowned. He stomped one foot, instantly appearing before Li Muchen, and drove a punch toward him.
Li Muchen rotated and retreated slightly. The silver dragon flew near, wrapping around Jian Zhimiao. He chose not to clash directly, using only the silver dragon to entangle him.
Jian Zhimiao flickered again, vanishing from his spot and reappearing behind Li Muchen to deliver a punch. Li Muchen expressed surprise; Jian Zhimiao’s footwork was exquisite, comparable to his own Minor Teleportation.
Li Muchen shook his head: “Do you rely on this movement technique to run rampant?”
“Correct!” Jian Zhimiao said coldly. “This is the immortal art of Shrinking the Ground to an Inch. How does it feel?”
“Indeed, an excellent technique,” Li Muchen nodded. “Too bad you’ve met the wrong person. What benefit is there for a muddied fool like you to learn it?”
Jian Zhimiao snorted: “Li Wuji, even Yun Qing wouldn't dare speak to me this way in my presence. You are too arrogant!”
Li Muchen laughed heartily: “Stop boasting! If Ancestor Master Yun didn't dare say that in front of you, you are really overinflating your own importance!”
As far as he knew, the other Grandmaster of the Cloud Heaven Sect, Yun Qing, was an audacious figure who dared to offend anyone, which was why the Sect Master had to be cautious and conceal his strength, lest he offend too many people.
Jian Zhimiao’s expression remained unchanged: “Yun Qing is arrogant, but you are even more so. Your Cloud Heaven Sect has always produced arrogant prodigies. Today, I shall slay you, and even Yun Qing won’t dare say much!”
Li Muchen shook his head, flashed once, and suddenly appeared behind Jian Zhimiao. Another silver dragon rose from the lake surface, coordinating with the first one, charging Jian Zhimiao from front and back.
Jian Zhimiao stared at Li Muchen in disbelief: “You also know Shrinking the Ground to an Inch?”
Li Muchen smiled: “What difficulty is there in that?”
Thump! As Jian Zhimiao momentarily lost focus, he was struck by the silver dragon and sent flying, shooting straight toward Jian Tai’a. He landed awkwardly, his green robe soaked, looking utterly disheveled. However, he snatched Jian Tai’a, staggered once, and vanished from Li Muchen’s sight. (To be continued)