Li Muzhan’s figure flashed, instantly appearing in the valley. He retrieved a jade Qilin from a waterside pavilion, returned, and sliced it piece by piece with his hand, yielding thirty-six jade pendants. Then, taking out his talisman brush, he began the inscription.
His spirit was greatly augmented now, making talisman creation both effortless and swift, with almost no failures. In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, he had completed these thirty-six talismans.
Li Muzhan was surprised too, staring blankly at the thirty-six carved jade talismans. He shook his head; it seemed that with enhanced spirit, carving talismans possessed such miraculous efficacy.
Li Muzhan could also sense that the power of these thirty-six jade talismans he carved surpassed that of his past work. Not only were they carved quickly, but their might had also increased significantly—a perfect marvel in every aspect.
He floated to a stop in the void, then, like a celestial maiden scattering flowers, the jade talismans flew from his hands one by one, suspending themselves in mid-air, enveloping an area a hundred meters around Jian Zhimiao. When only the last talisman remained, he held it between his two hands. After a moment, it began to shimmer, its bright light dazzling, before suddenly flashing intensely and then regaining its gentle luster.
The thirty-six jade pendants suspended in the void instantly vanished, seemingly dissolving into the emptiness.
Li Muzhan let out a long, resounding cry. Soon, a figure flew toward him from the distance—Li Yubing was fleeing desperately in this direction, moving like lightning.
Li Muzhan hovered in mid-air. Seeing the group approaching, he immediately lunged forward, issuing a loud roar midway, the sound rolling like thunder, demonstrating his profound inner strength.
Following Li Yubing were eight pursuers. One was a Grandmaster, with snow-white eyebrows and a ruddy complexion, clad in a long white robe, exuding an air of immortal detachment.
His movements were graceful and slow, yet deceptively swift. With a light, ethereal palm strike, Li Yubing was sent flying sideways, as if struck by a colossal log.
The remaining seven wore purple robes, their expressions stern, all cultivators at the peak of the Master realm. Li Muzhan was inwardly astonished; where had so many top-tier experts come from?
These were Jian Zhimiao’s companions. Could they be from the Lu family? Had the Lu family grown so powerful?
Li Muzhan’s roar reached their ears. Seeing Li Yubing running desperately toward them, they knew she was their ally. Their eyes fixed on him like cold lightning, killing intent piercing the air as it arrived.
Li Muzhan pounced toward them, shouting fiercely, “Stop!”
His movement technique was incredibly fast; he reached Li Yubing in the blink of an eye, pushing both palms forward evenly. With a bang! like a sudden clap of thunder on flat ground, the earth shuddered.
Li Muzhan gracefully retreated, floating in the air, tracing arcs with both palms and legs, employing a force-dissipating technique, stopping three zhang away.
Li Yubing arrived by his side, giving him a meaningful look. Li Muzhan nodded slightly, turning his gaze to the white-browed elder, squinting slightly as he assessed him.
Li Yubing scoffed, “This old fellow is Lu Changfeng, a three-hundred-year-old monster!”
Lu Changfeng’s eyes widened as he stared at Li Muzhan, a strange expression on his face. He said in a deep voice, “Young man, whence do you come, to possess a Sacred Artifact?”
The moment Li Muzhan drew near, Lu Changfeng felt his Grandmaster power instantly suppressed back into his body, rendering him unable to manipulate the energy of heaven and earth, regressing him to a Master-level expert.
He immediately understood he had encountered a formidable opponent; the other possessed a Sacred Artifact.
Li Muzhan smiled, “My humble name is not worth mentioning. Palace Mistress Li is my close friend. Why do you all persecute her so relentlessly?… In my view, it is better to resolve enmity than to create it; let this matter drop.”
“Boy, you have a big mouth!” a purple-robed elder behind him sneered.
This elder’s eyes shot out cold lightning, but his demeanor was entirely ordinary, betraying no sign of martial practice, indicating he had reached the realm of returning to simplicity, not to be underestimated.
Li Muzhan smiled gently, “I mean well. Between Grandmasters, what hatred can there truly be? Any grudges can dissipate with the passage of time, can they not?”
Lu Changfeng chuckled, “The young man is kind-hearted. May I ask what you are doing here?”
Li Muzhan replied, “We are merely enjoying the scenery. The snowscape here is truly exceptional.”
“Heh heh… Enjoying the view in these barren mountains, this boundless wilderness?” Lu Changfeng shook his head and laughed wryly. “Young man, have you seen Brother Jian?”
“Brother Jian?” Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow slightly, then smiled, “You mean Jian Zhimiao?”
“Precisely.” Lu Changfeng’s expression turned grave.
Li Muzhan shook his head, “You all arrived a step too late. We have already killed him.”
“Killed him?!” Lu Changfeng’s face darkened, and he glanced coldly at Li Muzhan, “Relying on you and Li Yubing, you could kill Brother Jian?”
Li Muzhan smiled, “If we couldn’t win openly, we used a trick. What difficulty is there in that? Palace Mistress Li is supremely skilled in martial arts. As for me, though I can’t offer much direct help, launching a hidden arrow is certainly achievable.”
“You truly harmed Brother Jian?!” Lu Changfeng roared like a crashing thunderclap.
Li Muzhan rubbed his ears, shook his head, and chuckled, “Is there any falsehood in that? Senior Lu, why exert such great anger? The dead cannot return to life. Furthermore, we didn’t know he was one of your people, Senior. Ignorance is excusable, isn’t it?”
“A fine ‘ignorance is excusable’!” Lu Changfeng’s face was grim as he sneered coldly, “You killed Brother Jian, and you expect it to pass so lightly?”
Li Muzhan asked, “Then what does Senior Lu desire?”
“Pay with your life for Brother Jian,” Lu Changfeng replied grimly.
Li Muzhan shook his head, “Do you know why we killed Jian Zhimiao?”
“Tell me,” Lu Changfeng sneered.
Li Muzhan explained, “Because he harbored Jian Taia. How many innocent girls did Jian Taia defile? Senior Lu, you cannot possibly be unaware. Jian Zhimiao was certainly aware too, yet he deliberately indulged and even shielded him. That is tantamount to committing the crime himself! If they don’t die, where is the principle of heaven?”
“Nonsense!” Lu Changfeng snorted coldly.
Li Muzhan glanced sideways at him, “Senior Lu, your Lu family harbors such a person as a retainer? Do you no longer care for your reputation?”
“Jian Taia is Jian Taia, and Brother Jian is Brother Jian; they cannot be confused!” Lu Changfeng stated coldly.
Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed, “Do you even believe such blatant nonsense?”
Li Yubing snorted, “Lu Changfeng, everyone knows the true nature of your Lu family. Stop pretending. You don’t care if Jian Zhimiao was good or bad; you only coveted his martial arts!”
“Palace Mistress Li, choose your words carefully!” Lu Changfeng warned coldly.
Li Yubing pouted and giggled, “Your Lu family is just like that—a mouth full of righteousness and morality, yet stuffed with thieves and prostitutes!”
Lu Changfeng frowned, staring at her, and said heavily, “It seems Palace Mistress Li desires a few more rounds of sparring. I shall oblige you!”
“You are no longer a Grandmaster. You still dare to fight me?” Li Yubing smiled faintly, “Do you wish to sample my Moli Swordplay?”
Lu Changfeng frowned and remained motionless in contemplation.
He genuinely feared Li Yubing’s Moli Swordplay; this sword technique was exquisite beyond compare, rarely seen in the world. At the Master level, he truly had no confidence against it.
Li Yubing sneered repeatedly, shaking her head, “All of the Lu family are cowering turtles!”
“Silence!” A purple-robed elder shouted sternly, “I shall experience the Moli Swordplay!” Li Muzhan looked at Li Yubing with a smile. He too had heard of the Moli Swordplay’s fame but never had the chance to witness it; their previous encounters were all contests between Grandmasters.
Li Yubing glanced at him dismissively, “Just an unknown pawn coming to seek death. I’ll accommodate you. Begin!”
“What arrogance!” The purple-robed elder was tall and slender, with long hands. A long sword hung at his waist, and his bearing was dashing with a unique flair.
He drew his sword and gave it a slight flick. With a hum, the long sword vibrated, writhing like an agile snake, as if imbued with sentience and brought to life.
Li Yubing looked unimpressed. She beckoned her hand, and instantly a cluster of snowflakes flew into her grip. Rubbing them gently a few times, a sword forged of ice and snow appeared.
This sword had a peculiar shape, two cun longer than a standard Qingfeng sword, but one-third narrower—long and thin, radiating a strange aura when held.
“Come,” Li Yubing hummed lightly.
Chii! A single point of cold starlight arrived at her throat. The sword strike was as fast as rushing thunder. Li Muzhan looked on with surprise; this purple-robed elder’s first thrust revealed him to be a sword master.
In all the martial arts under heaven, speed is never wrong—this is not an absolute truth, yet it holds some validity. Even the simplest move, if fast enough, carries astonishing power.
This simple principle seemed to have been mastered to its extreme by this purple-robed elder; as soon as the sword moved, the tip was already there, seemingly tearing through the constraints of space.
Li Yubing’s face showed disdain, and she lightly shook her head. With a slight turn of her body, she simultaneously executed a gentle thrust. Immediately, a wave of frigid air spread out, tightening not just the skin, but the heart as well.
Li Muzhan’s eyebrows twitched slightly; this was Sword Intent. The purple-robed elder’s sword was fast, but Li Yubing’s sword was not fast; instead, it was brimming with Sword Intent, neutralizing the elder’s attack in one move.
Under this chilling coldness, movements instantly slowed, becoming a few degrees slower than normal. This wasn't due to insufficient inner force or physical restraint, but a change in state of mind.
It was like running on mud; once stepping onto ice, one instinctively slows down—this is a primal reaction, unrelated to anything else.
Under such biting Sword Intent, movements involuntarily decelerated; trying to speed up was difficult. This was the power of Sword Intent: attacking the mind rather than the technique.
After a few exchanges, the purple-robed elder gasped, his heart pierced, and he began to fall slowly.
“You…” Lu Changfeng was furious. He tried to intervene and save him but was a step too late. Li Yubing’s earlier moves had been languid, like falling snowflakes, but this final thrust was as fast as lightning, even quicker than the purple-robed elder’s first strike.
Lu Changfeng instinctively tried to control the situation with his energy, but when he realized it was useless, it was already too late to act.
Li Yubing gracefully drew her sword, shook her head, and asked, “Your swordplay is fast, but your artistic conception is lacking. Who else wishes to offer guidance?”
The remaining seven purple-robed elders kept their faces tight and made no move.
Lu Changfeng shifted his figure and rushed to the fallen elder, supporting him. He struck his chest several times in succession, instantly staunching the bleeding from his heart.
Li Muzhan turned to Li Yubing, who pursed her lips, “It’s useless.”
Lu Changfeng ignored them, continuing to strike his chest repeatedly. Li Muzhan watched intently for a few moments, realizing it was a miraculous life-saving technique, similar to his own Crane Controlling Essence Filling Art.
Li Muzhan contemplated. If it were him, it might work, but looking at Lu Changfeng’s expression, it was likely that the elder could not be saved; he was merely fulfilling his duty.
Li Yubing had clearly aimed for a killing blow; the inner force contained in her sword probably severed the purple-robed elder’s life force directly. To save him would require the ability to restore life.
Unfortunately, Lu Changfeng lacked that skill. After several futile strikes, he slowly stopped.
He crouched motionlessly on the ground. After a long pause, he slowly stood up. His white robe billowed slightly without wind. He slowly raised his head, his white eyebrows fluttering, his eyes like lightning.
Li Yubing smiled sweetly, “Lu Changfeng, do you wish to test your skill against me personally?”
Lu Changfeng slowly swept his gaze across her, his electric eyes settling on Li Muzhan.
Li Muzhan smiled, “Senior Lu wishes to seize the Sacred Artifact, correct?”
“Hand it over!” Lu Changfeng’s voice was slow and heavy. “Hand over the Sacred Artifact, and I shall spare your life!”
Li Muzhan laughed, “If I hand over the Sacred Artifact, I can live; if I don’t, I can still live. Why should I necessarily hand it over, Senior Lu!”
“Move!” Lu Changfeng waved his hand and snorted coldly.
He did not wish to waste words with Li Muzhan any longer; this fellow was utterly immovable, and further talk was useless, only serving to benefit the other side.
The seven purple-robed elders lunged toward Li Yubing, while Lu Changfeng rushed toward Li Muzhan.
Li Muzhan shrieked and turned to flee, like a passing breeze. Lu Changfeng was momentarily stunned, and Li Yubing let out a giggle, chasing after Li Muzhan.
Lu Changfeng roared in fury, “Chase—!”
Li Muzhan’s movement technique was astonishingly fast. In moments, he reached the location where the formation had been laid. He had rushed ahead precisely to use the Sacred Artifact to suppress Lu Changfeng; otherwise, a Grandmaster would sense the danger and evade it prematurely.
Once the Sacred Artifact was deployed, the Grandmaster’s perception vanished instantly, and he fell right into the formation. Li Muzhan darted to Li Yubing’s side, and without waiting for her counter-attack, snatched her out of the formation area.
Li Yubing stopped fighting and sensed Li Muzhan’s presence, smiling, “What about them?”
“They are already in the formation,” Li Muzhan said with a smile, pointing.
When Li Yubing turned to look, it was a vast expanse of white; nothing could be seen. Li Muzhan chuckled, “They are struggling inside. Should we kill this Lu Changfeng as well?”
Even though he was a Grandmaster, trapped within the formation and suppressed by the Sacred Artifact, Li Muzhan was confident he could destroy him using the Heavenly Star God Slaying Formation.
Li Yubing thought for a moment and nodded, “Kill him!”
Li Muzhan smiled, “This is like poking a hornet’s nest!”
Li Yubing snorted, “If we let him live, he won’t spare us either. This old fellow is cunning; we were lucky this time to have your Sacred Artifact and the formation prepared, otherwise it would have been truly troublesome. If we fell into his hands, we wouldn’t live!”
Li Muzhan asked, “Is Lu Changfeng ruthless?”
Li Yubing nodded, “Even more so than you!”
Li Muzhan quickly asked, “I’m not considered ruthless, am I, Palace Mistress?”
Li Yubing glanced at him sideways, “You are a Grandmaster assassin. How many Grandmasters have you killed so far?”
Li Muzhan held up two fingers. Li Yubing huffed, “I haven’t killed a single one!”
Li Muzhan replied, “That was due to coincidence… Never mind, if we kill Lu Changfeng, will the Lu family just let it go? Their strength is astonishing!”
“They are all right there!” Li Yubing pointed behind her.
Although she couldn’t see the situation inside the formation, she knew where they were. This formation was indeed marvelous; it could conceal people.
Li Muzhan nodded, “Very well. Since they harbored Jian Zhimiao, let’s deal with them!”
“Lu Changfeng is no good person either; killing him is just fine,” Li Yubing said. “The key is to kill him dead, otherwise my Moli Palace will be in deep trouble.”
Li Muzhan looked at her with a knowing smile. Li Yubing said crossly, “Yes, I am killing Lu Changfeng for the sake of Moli Palace!”
If Lu Changfeng lived, the Lu family would certainly target Moli Palace. Judging by the strength the Lu family had displayed, they were superior to Moli Palace, and with Lu Changfeng being stronger than Li Yubing, Moli Palace faced imminent disaster.
Killing Lu Changfeng would solve everything and save Moli Palace from calamity.
Li Muzhan naturally agreed. This entire situation stemmed from him dragging Li Yubing into trouble, and now potentially dragging Moli Palace in. If Moli Palace truly ran into trouble, his guilt would be immense.
Li Muzhan said, “Palace Mistress, I have gained something this time.”
“Oh—?” Li Yubing pointed toward the distant valley. “The place of Chunfeng Sect?”
Li Muzhan nodded, “Entering with the Cold Soul Pearl, I gained quite a bit.”
“You found their core cultivation method?” Li Yubing frowned.
Li Muzhan smiled, “I did. The Great Method of Qiankun Cauldron Fusion!”
“You actually found this harmful thing?!” Li Yubing’s delicate brows furrowed even tighter, and she glared coldly at him, “Are you very happy about it?”
Li Muzhan smiled and nodded, “Of course! This cultivation method is extremely profound; it is the Great Dao.”
“What Great Dao!” Li Yubing glared at him impatiently. “How did the Chunfeng Sect end up destroyed? It was because of this method!”
Li Muzhan countered, “That was because they walked the evil path, not because they practiced the Great Method of Qiankun Cauldron Fusion.”
“It wasn’t?” Li Yubing raised an eyebrow.
Li Muzhan smiled, “I have examined it. Cultivating the Great Method of Qiankun Cauldron Fusion is not suitable for just anyone, nor is it unilaterally beneficial; rather, it brings mutual benefit.”
“It’s useless however beautifully you describe it. Once it gets out, your reputation will be ruined!” Li Yubing shook her head.
Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow, “It seems it cannot be spread. Fortunately, only the Palace Mistress knows. I should silence you!”
Li Yubing retorted angrily, “It is for the safety of all women in the world that I should be the one killing people!… Fine, don’t show it to me. I refuse to look at this harmful thing!”
Li Muzhan laughed, “It truly embodies the Great Dao. Palace Mistress, you really won’t look?”
“No, no look,” Li Yubing huffed. “I am this old; why would I look at things concerning men and women? I certainly can’t practice it anymore.”
Li Muzhan suggested, “It could be passed down to the disciples…”
Li Yubing huffed, “If they can master this Palace Mistress’s own core method, that is enough. There’s no need to covet anything else, especially this harmful thing!”
Li Muzhan sighed helplessly, “I was actually preparing a surprise for the Palace Mistress, but it seems she doesn’t like it!”
“Are there other gains?” Li Yubing inquired.
Li Muzhan nodded and smiled, “There were some secret manuals inside, but they are far inferior to those of the Heavenly Dao Alliance—just slightly better than nothing. Obtaining the Great Method of Qiankun Cauldron Fusion is the greatest reward.”
“Stop mentioning that harmful thing to me, and don’t mention it to outsiders—not even your women!” Li Yubing instructed.
Li Muzhan smiled, “Alright then, shall we go in?”
“Let’s go!” Li Yubing huffed.
He gently encircled Li Yubing’s waist, and they vanished in a flash, reappearing inside the valley.
Seeing the surroundings, Li Yubing nodded, “It seems they didn't manage to break in originally.”
Li Muzhan nodded. If they had broken in, this place would have been unrecognizable long ago. Judging by its appearance, no one had disturbed it, and it seemed someone had even lived here later on.
“Could there be a successor?” Li Muzhan asked.
Li Yubing shook her head, “The sect was likely annihilated. Looking at this place, no one has lived here for a long time.”
Li Muzhan murmured, “What a pity…”
Li Yubing turned and glared at him, “What is there to pity? Those who practice such an evil technique will sooner or later become a great scourge. Why did that Jian Taia become so demented? It was precisely because he practiced the art of cultivation draining!”
Li Muzhan frowned and nodded, “His cultivation base was supreme, at the peak of the Master realm.”
“Hmph. Someone like him wouldn’t even touch the edge of the Grandmaster realm even after ten lifetimes,” Li Yubing shook her head.
Li Muzhan countered, “Actually, achieving Grandmaster status has nothing to do with character. Take Jian Zhimiao; he was a Grandmaster, yet his conduct was so detestable.”
Li Yubing snorted, “That’s because he couldn’t let go of familial bonds. How many people can truly achieve the righteous extinction of relatives? Moreover, Jian Taia was silver-tongued; he could make the dead seem alive.”
Li Muzhan shook his head disapprovingly. They had entered a waterside pavilion. Li Muzhan surveyed the area and commented, “All the items here belong to women. I suspect that when the Chunfeng Sect was not completely wiped out, some women must have been left behind, is that so?”
Li Yubing shook her head, “How would I know?”
Li Muzhan smiled, “Palace Mistress truly doesn’t know?”
Li Yubing asked, “What did you hear?”
Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, “Palace Mistress, I have studied the Great Method of Qiankun Cauldron Fusion; it is truly exquisite, worthy of being the Great Dao of heaven and earth. Those who cultivate such a marvelous technique, once successful, can achieve astonishing heights. Even if they fail to master it, they are certainly not comparable to ordinary sects. With the strength of the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden Sect, I don't mean to belittle them, but even if they fought to the death, they couldn't wipe out the Chunfeng Sect. There must be an inside story!”
“What inside story?” Li Yubing huffed.
She stood by the window of the waterside pavilion, gazing outside. The lake surface was clear as a mirror, undisturbed by ripples, perfectly reflecting the blue sky and white clouds—truly a breathtaking sight.
Li Muzhan pondered for a moment and smiled faintly, “Were there other sects secretly providing assistance?”
Li Yubing turned to look at him, “You are quite the daydreamer!”
Li Muzhan smiled, “Moli Palace is also entirely composed of women; surely there is some mutual affinity…”
Li Yubing shot him a sidelong look, retorting crossly, “Since you are so good at guessing, did we get involved too?”
Li Muzhan nodded, “Not impossible!”
Li Yubing waved her hand and snorted, “Alright, you really dare to imagine things that don’t exist. Moli Palace was not involved in this matter; would I lie to you?”
Li Muzhan asked, “Then surely other sects were involved?”
Li Yubing nodded, “You guessed correctly; there should have been other sects involved.”
Li Muzhan sighed, “It seems this revenge will be difficult to exact.”
“Hmph, among those involved was your Yunxiao Sect!” Li Yubing looked at him, a half-smile on her face.
Li Muzhan started in surprise, “Was someone from our sect involved?”
The Chunfeng Sect was destroyed about a century ago. Could the Sect Master be over a hundred years old?
Li Yubing huffed, “Why would I lie to you!”
Li Muzhan asked, “Why would the Sect Master want to destroy the Chunfeng Sect?”
"He was probably just following orders," Li Yubing pursed her lips. "In any case, he was involved... Back then, Yi Xingzhi was full of spirit, ruthless and decisive, completely different from the man he is now."
Li Muzhan nodded slowly in thought, "That truly is a hidden secret. Not many people know about this, do they?"
"People from the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden Sect might know," Li Yubing replied.
Li Muzhan frowned, saying nothing. He deliberated for a long while in silence.
"So, in the end, you must still be careful. Do not speak of the cultivation method you obtained to anyone—not even your women, or your fellow sect members," Li Yubing advised. "Otherwise, if Yi Xingzhi hears of it, you’ll have a hard time."
Li Muzhan chuckled, "Palace Mistress worries too much. Even if the Sect Master knew I learned it, he wouldn't do much."
"Don't assume that becoming a Grandmaster means you can be reckless. You know there are plenty of methods to restrain a Grandmaster; it’s no guarantee," Li Yubing shook her head. "Look at Lu Changfeng and Jian Zhimiao; didn't you trap them? They likely won't survive."
Li Muzhan nodded, sighing, "Alright, I'll listen to the Palace Mistress."
"That's more like it. I advise you not to practice this wicked thing; it brings no good whatsoever."
Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head without speaking.
Seeing his expression, Li Yubing knew further persuasion was useless, so she ceased wasting her breath, huffing, "In short, look after yourself. I want none of the things here."
"There are several Grandmaster Secret Manuals here," Li Muzhan mentioned.
Li Yubing shook her head. "Those are roots of disaster. I don't want to implicate my Palace."
Li Muzhan smiled. "If the Palace Mistress truly fears implicating the Moli Palace, why offend so many people?"
Li Yubing sighed, resignation coloring her tone. "As a woman trying to establish herself in this world, one must be even more ruthless and poisonous than men, or else you cannot suppress others and will be quickly devoured until nothing remains but bones."
Li Muzhan countered, "With the Palace Mistress presiding, who would dare offend the Moli Palace?"
"It is precisely because I deal ruthlessly that I can keep people in line," Li Yubing explained. "You cannot comprehend this. Forget it, let's go."
"Since that is the case, I won't touch anything here. We can pretend we never came," Li Muzhan stated.
Li Yubing broke into a smile. "That is the sensible thing to do! Alas, if only you hadn't obtained that calamitous cultivation method, I wouldn't need to be so cautious. You truly are a source of trouble!"
Li Muzhan offered a wry smile and a shake of his head. The two ceased talking and suddenly vanished, reappearing on the snowy ground outside.
"How are they doing?" Li Yubing inquired.
Li Muzhan released his grip and laughed. "They can hold out a while longer. This formation requires power to operate, and power needs time to accumulate."
"Can't you just destroy them directly?" Li Yubing asked.
Li Muzhan replied, "If I were truly ruthless, I could, but it would exhaust too much energy. It’s better to wait for the formation to run its course and slowly grind them down."
Li Yubing waved her hand dismissively. "Delay only breeds trouble. Moreover, the Lu family's strength cannot be underestimated. It's best to end this quickly!"
Li Muzhan considered this, then sighed. "Very well, I will exert myself greatly this once. Palace Mistress, you must lend me your strength!"
"Agreed," Li Yubing nodded.
As she spoke, she placed her left palm against Li Muzhan's back. Li Muzhan took out a jade pendant from his robes and pressed it against his brow. The two then sat down directly on the snow.
As the jade pendant brightened, Li Yubing, seated behind Li Muzhan, watched the space before them distort, gradually revealing the forms of Lu Changfeng and the others. They were seated cross-legged, utterly still.
White vapor steamed from Li Muzhan's head, condensing into an unmoving white cloud hovering above him. The jade pendant pressed against Li Muzhan’s brow grew brighter and brighter, becoming blindingly intense.
Li Yubing glanced at it once and quickly looked away, fearful of damaging her eyes. She could feel a surging power flowing from the distant formation.
As time passed, the power emanating from the formation grew stronger. Li Yubing felt an urge to turn and flee, as if a single misstep could engulf and consume her.
She felt a tremendous suction pulling through her left palm, sweeping away her internal energy. In moments, almost all her inner strength was drawn out. She immediately pulled a jade porcelain flask from her robes and poured all the pills inside into her mouth—these were Primordial Essence Pills, rarely used, intended to replenish internal energy.
As a Grandmaster, her internal energy was inexhaustible, yet after last time helping Li Muzhan and finding her power insufficient, she had kept this bottle ready. Now, she finally had cause to use it.
The internal energy surged out, only to be instantly drawn away by Li Muzhan. Li Muzhan's body acted like a bottomless pit, emitting an immense gravitational pull.
While allowing him to absorb her energy, she watched the figures opposite them. Lu Changfeng and the others thrashed about as if mad, wildly waving their palms. Unfortunately, all the power they exerted was simply absorbed; not even the snowflakes on the ground stirred, a testament to the formation's marvel.
Li Yubing shook her head and sighed. If she were in Lu Changfeng's place, she would meet the same end, utterly unable to control herself. What a pity she couldn't cultivate formations; the sheer might of this one was terrifying.
As her thoughts raced, Lu Changfeng suddenly spat out a jet of blood and collapsed limply onto the ground. Li Yubing was astonished.
It was difficult for a Grandmaster to be injured, and to suffer such grievous harm required an unimaginable force. How severely he must have been wounded was hard to fathom.
Subsequently, the purple-robed elders fell one by one, as if struck by an unseen force, lying weak and powerless on the ground.
Li Yubing turned to look at Jian Zhimiao on the other side. He was running in a circle, using only his legs without internal force, tracing a path within a circle roughly ten meters in diameter on the snow.
"Pfft!" Jian Zhimiao suddenly spat out a stream of blood, and multiple bloody eruptions burst forth from his chest. He then fell backward, looking up at the sky.
Li Yubing quickly urged, "He's down."
Li Muzhan’s eyes remained tightly shut. The jade pendant on his brow grew even brighter. "Bang!" The pendant suddenly shattered, and the brilliant light vanished, plunging Li Yubing into momentary darkness.
Li Muzhan grunted, and his flying knives flashed. "Chik-chik-chik-chik!" Streams of blood shot out from the figures opposite them; none could evade the flying knives.
The jade pendant exploded, and the formation failed. In that instant, Li Muzhan's flying knives flickered, reaping the lives of those men, including Jian Zhimiao who had tried to feign his demise.
Li Yubing looked at the figures opposite, then back at Li Muzhan, astonishment etched on her face.
"Are they...?" Li Yubing asked cautiously.
Li Muzhan replied, "They should be dead."
Li Yubing studied them closely. "They aren't pretending to be dead, are they?"
Li Muzhan laughed. "That would be too easy."
He commanded his ten fingers, and instantly, streaks of finger energy shot out, striking Jian Zhimiao and Lu Changfeng respectively. Their bodies gave muffled sounds—"Pufu"—a couple of times, and then there was silence.
Li Muzhan smiled. "They are completely dead now."
"It's still better to be careful," Li Yubing cautioned, waving her hand dismissively, still unconvinced. "Let’s wait a moment before we approach."
Li Muzhan pondered for a moment and slowly nodded his assent.