"No one survives the Zhanshen Saber. Do you really want to see it?" Leng Chaoyun snorted, "Even if you are a Grandmaster, you won't live."

Li Muzhan smiled, "Such arrogant words. I don't believe it."

Leng Chaoyun shook her head, "If you don't believe it, fine. Hand over the pill for me to see."

Li Muzhan presented the pill again, this time contained within a bottle to prevent the scent from escaping. Though she had undergone Marrow Cleansing, this particular pill was intensely toxic.

Leng Chaoyun extended her delicate hand, slowly accepting the bottle. Then, with a flicker of movement, she darted out of the great hall and arrived at the cliff edge atop the peak. With a casual, forceful toss, the jade bottle soared away.

Li Muzhan offered a wry smile and shook his head, "Palace Mistress Leng, why such drastic measures!"

He opened his Void Eye, tracking the jade bottle closely. The bottle was sturdy as it flew far afield, eventually landing deep within the woods on another mountain peak.

Leng Chaoyun brushed her fair hands together, a faint smile touching her lips.

Li Muzhan sighed, "Palace Mistress Leng, nothing is inherently good or evil; it all depends on how it is utilized. While this pill has side effects, it can potentially boost internal strength."

"What use is boosting internal strength?" Leng Chaoyun scoffed, "This sort of thing that muddles the mind is what harms women the most. It cannot be kept."

Li Muzhan countered, "You are mistaken. I intended to give it to the Sect Master, so he might give it to his wife. If two people share affection and their power increases, what harm is there in that?"

Leng Chaoyun paused, her face darkening as she gave a cold snort, "Sect Master Yi will not accept it."

Li Muzhan shook his head, "That’s not necessarily true. This item is marvelous; it is a treasure accumulated by the Chunfeng Sect over more than a hundred years. It would be a pity to discard it—a waste of nature’s bounty!"

Leng Chaoyun sneered, "Are you planning to keep it for yourself?"

Li Muzhan smiled broadly and shook his head, "Why would I resort to such means? Palace Mistress, you underestimate me too much!"

"Indeed, you are a rake, capable of captivating women to the point of losing their souls, without the need for this pill," Leng Chaoyun curled her lip slightly, letting loose a string of cold laughter.

Li Muzhan chuckled heartily, "Though that description is somewhat exaggerated, it’s largely accurate, not far from the truth."

"Hurry up and leave. I don't want to see you!" Leng Chaoyun huffed.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Crossing the bridge and tearing it down—it doesn't get clearer than this!"

Leng Chaoyun retorted, "Now, give up hope. I advise you to keep your mouth shut. Let this matter end here, and do not spread any more rumors about the Chunfeng Sect."

Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing knowingly, "And why is that?"

Leng Chaoyun explained, "The affair of the Chunfeng Sect is a major taboo, especially for a sect composed entirely of women. If you speak of it, you will quickly become a public enemy."

Li Muzhan considered this. It seemed this matter indeed hid a great secret. What secret it was stirred his curiosity immensely. He nodded, "Very well, thank you for your kind warning, Palace Mistress."

"Go now," Leng Chaoyun shook her head, turning and leaving the great hall.

Li Muzhan instantly reappeared on Hengbo Island, materializing in Feng Mingxue’s small courtyard.

It was early morning, before the sun had risen, the air still thick with the scent of night—exceptionally fresh and pleasant. The chill wind on his face felt invigorating.

"Eh?" Feng Mingxue happened to be coming out just as she saw Li Muzhan standing in the courtyard.

Feng Mingxue was clad in a moon-white silk tunic, radiating heroic spirit. She shook her head, "Why are you back?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Does my Senior Sister dislike my return?"

Feng Mingxue replied, "I thought you wouldn't dare come back. Did you see the Madam?"

Li Muzhan shook his head, offering a bitter smile, "I didn't go back to my own quarters; I came straight to you, Senior Sister."

"Hmph, why not go back?" Feng Mingxue glanced askance at him as she walked to the small pavilion and sat down.

Li Muzhan entered and sat opposite her. With a light flick of his finger, steam immediately began to billow from the teapot. He brewed tea for both of them, then sighed, "The Madam has people guarding the place, hasn't she?"

"Mhm," Feng Mingxue nodded, "She's determined this time; she absolutely will not let you escape this."

Li Muzhan shook his head helplessly, sighing, unable to speak.

Feng Mingxue squinted at him, "What's wrong? Aren't you usually full of ideas? One cunning plan after another—how can you be so crestfallen?"

Li Muzhan sighed, "Why must Senior Sister mock me?"

"Mock you for what?" Feng Mingxue snorted, "When you were living your carefree, romantic life, why didn't you think of today? I say you deserve it!"

Li Muzhan pleaded, "Senior Sister, hold back your sharp tongue!"

Feng Mingxue huffed, "If it were any other man, I would have struck them dead with one palm. Scoundrels like you who remain in this world only hurt women's hearts!"

Li Muzhan smiled slyly, "Yes, my crimes deserve death. I have hurt Senior Sister’s heart!"

"What nonsense are you speaking!" Feng Mingxue’s face flushed, and she sternly composed herself, "I'm not hurt, you had better think this through properly!"

Li Muzhan shook his head, "I have thought it through very clearly now. Not one of them can be spared!"

"You are dreaming in daylight!" Feng Mingxue shook her head, "Can the Madam possibly agree?!"

Li Muzhan replied, "That rests upon the Sect Master now. I will go find the Sect Master for help; influence whispered in the ear is always effective!"

"I doubt the Sect Master will help you," Feng Mingxue countered, "The Sect Master is such a devoted man; how could he look upon you favorably? It would be good enough if he didn't berate you a few times."

Li Muzhan smiled, "The Sect Master understands true affection; naturally, he will understand the importance of facilitating happiness. I believe the Sect Master will help."

"Then dream your sweet dream," Feng Mingxue was unconvinced. "Are you planning to stay here with me?"

Li Muzhan nodded, "For the time being, I will lodge with Senior Sister. Please do not tell anyone. I need a couple of days of rest."

"Why do you need two days of rest?" Feng Mingxue stared intently at him, knitting her brows, "Are you injured?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Nothing serious."

Feng Mingxue snorted, "What happened this time? Who did you provoke?"

Li Muzhan shook his head and remained silent. Feng Mingxue frowned, "Could it be an old injury?"

She recalled Li Muzhan's previous battle against two Grandmasters and assumed he must have been injured and was only barely holding on. She urged, "You must heal immediately."

Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then smiled, "Senior Sister, there is something I have never been able to tell anyone, and I can only share it with you."

"Speak," Feng Mingxue huffed, feeling a secret pleasure within.

Li Muzhan said, "I once visited the Chunfeng Sect and obtained a cultivation method focused on Yin-Yang dual cultivation."

"You..." Feng Mingxue frowned, "You should simply discard such an evil art; pay it no mind."

Li Muzhan shook his head, "I have discovered it to be an unparalleled, exquisite method."

"Nonsense!" Feng Mingxue shook her head, "Dual cultivation methods have always been regarded as evil arts. Even if you benefit momentarily, you will suffer consequences later."

Li Muzhan smiled slightly and shook his head, "Senior Sister, can you not trust my judgment?"

Feng Mingxue looked at him, sighing, "You wish to cultivate it?"

Li Muzhan nodded, "Yes, I want to try."

"Who do you intend to cultivate with?" Feng Mingxue’s face flushed slightly.

Though she remained detached from worldly affairs, she understood the nature of dual cultivation and felt shy and unable to speak.

Li Muzhan stated, "I wish to try cultivating with you, Senior Sister."

Feng Mingxue’s jade-white face instantly flushed crimson, like someone intoxicated, and she scolded with annoyance, "Be quiet!... What rubbish are you spouting!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "I wish to test this cultivation method with you, Senior Sister. In this age, you know me best; it would be difficult to achieve harmony with anyone else."

Feng Mingxue retorted with a thin anger mixed with vexation, "Who is dual cultivating with you!"

Li Muzhan replied playfully, "Senior Sister, although this method is wondrous, it is difficult to cultivate. Moreover, it is not inherently perverse; on the contrary, it is fundamentally righteous!"

Feng Mingxue frowned and glared at him, snorting, "Righteous?"

Li Muzhan nodded, "The first two layers of this method focus on cultivating mental fortitude, requiring one to smooth out their temperament, to observe lustful images without being moved—it is truly the supreme method for tempering one's nature."

Feng Mingxue huffed, "What exactly is it about?"

Li Muzhan explained, "This method is called the Qiankun He Ding Great Art. It is a dual cultivation method requiring both a man and a woman to cultivate together. However, it is not a method for pursuing sensual pleasure but one achieved only when the mind remains unmoved."

"Unmoved?" Feng Mingxue nodded slowly, "Which party must remain unmoved?"

Li Muzhan sighed, "Neither the man nor the woman can have their minds moved. If even one person is moved, both will simultaneously fall into disaster, risking their lives."

"That dangerous?" Feng Mingxue knitted her brows, "Who could possibly achieve that?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Only ugly men and ugly women could achieve it, yet they must also be emotionally attached, otherwise it's useless. The key to cultivating the later layers is using emotion as the guide."

Feng Mingxue pondered, "To be moved emotionally yet unmoved mentally... that is asking too much of people. How could it be done?... Is this method a cruel joke?"

Li Muzhan shook his head, "It doesn't seem like a joke; it truly embodies the supreme principles of heaven and earth. If one could truly master it, Senior Sister, I can guarantee you could enter the realm of Grandmaster?"

"Truly reach the Grandmaster realm?" Feng Mingxue's expression shifted slightly.

Li Muzhan nodded, "If one can truly achieve 'moved by feeling but without desire,' they will certainly become a Grandmaster!... I estimate that none of the successive disciples of the Chunfeng Sect ever managed to practice it successfully, otherwise, how could the Chunfeng Sect have been destroyed?... The crucial point is that the requirements for the cultivator are too high!"

"Have you reached that level?" Feng Mingxue snorted.

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded, "I can try. After mastering the first few layers of the mind technique, I can achieve it. But remaining unmoved is the ultimate state. I am only afraid that Senior Sister might not succeed..."

"Don't talk nonsense!" Feng Mingxue huffed, "How could I fail?"

Li Muzhan said gently, "This method is exceedingly difficult. I have cultivated meditative concentration since childhood, so my stability is deep, allowing me to succeed. Senior Sister, you have always practiced the Huan Yu Scripture. Although the Huan Yu Scripture is exquisite, it is not sufficient."

"Are you saying I can't succeed?" Feng Mingxue snorted, "Does this cultivation method truly require a man and a woman...?"

Li Muzhan clarified, "It is only required for the final few layers; the earlier layers do not require it. However, I suspect Senior Sister won't master the initial layers, so there's no need to refuse immediately. Let's try first."

"...Very well, but absolutely not a word to anyone else," Feng Mingxue conceded.

Li Muzhan smiled, "It must not be known by others, or it will cause great trouble. The Jiutian Xuannü Sect deeply despises the Chunfeng Sect. I dare not tell Yulan; if she knew, she would surely cause an uproar."

"Yes, exactly," Feng Mingxue nodded, "The Sect Master must not know either. If the Sect Master knows, the Madam will know, and if the Madam knows, the Jiutian Xuannü Sect will know... The Great Luo Zhou Tian Divine Sword is said to have astonishing power, capable of slaying Grandmasters."

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded, "Then we shall practice in secret?"

Feng Mingxue asked, "How do we practice the initial layers?"

Li Muzhan explained with a smile, "The first two layers can be practiced alone. Starting from the third layer, we practice together, merely by placing our palms against each other and perceiving each other's thoughts."

"...Alright," Feng Mingxue agreed, "Tell me."

Li Muzhan smiled, tapping his index finger onto the center of her brow, transferring the Qiankun He Ding Great Art. He only transmitted the first six layers, withholding the latter six.

Feng Mingxue closed her bright eyes, motionless. After a long pause, she slowly opened them and nodded with relief, "You really didn't lie to me."

Li Muzhan quickly protested, asking when he had ever deceived her. She only responded with a cold laugh, saying his ability to lie was immense and she couldn't possibly guard against it.

Li Muzhan sighed, "The first two layers are as difficult as scaling the heavens. Can Senior Sister master them?"

"You don't need to provoke me; I will master them," Feng Mingxue snorted.

She didn't know the practice for the later six layers but could faintly guess why Li Muzhan hadn't told her, choosing not to ask further to avoid embarrassing herself.

But the initial six layers were truly unparalleled in their subtlety, especially the method for tempering one's nature—it was utterly brilliant. She had never imagined such a marvelous technique existed.

She began to believe Li Muzhan's words: if she could master the Qiankun He Ding Great Art, she could indeed ascend to the Grandmaster realm, precisely because the demands it placed on one's mindset were so exceptionally high.

Fortunately, this cultivation method possessed a subtle structure that could be followed, unlike the path to understanding the Grandmaster realm, which lacked any guide, requiring only aimless contemplation—like searching for a needle in a vast ocean.

Thus, in this massive world, there were only a few Grandmasters. Great Li had only nine, and with him, that made ten. It was rumored that Xihua had even more Grandmasters, given its superior environment, abundant natural treasures, and far greater population than Great Li. Even so, they had only a dozen or so Grandmasters.

This path was a shortcut. By tempering her spirit through this method, she might truly grasp the ultimate Dao of Heaven and Earth and reach the Grandmaster state in one swift leap.

This was the true key to her agreeing to cultivate the Qiankun He Ding Great Art, not his sweet talk about her being the only one who truly understood him and could harmonize with him, though she was certainly pleased to hear those words.

She dared not dwell further on that thought, limiting her focus to the Grandmaster realm, telling herself that the Grandmaster level was paramount, and any price required for it must be paid.

Li Muzhan asked, "Senior Sister, shall I transmit any other methods to you?"

"What methods?" Feng Mingxue inquired.

Li Muzhan smiled, "The Buddhist practice of Samatha-Vipassanā (Zhi Guan). This holds unique advantages for tempering one's nature, far surpassing contemporary martial arts."

"Better than the method above?" Feng Mingxue snorted.

Li Muzhan nodded, "Although the method above is marvelous, it is too lofty—one cannot leap to it in one stride. It requires stepping stones. The Zhi Guan method serves as those steps."

Feng Mingxue decided, "Since you say so, then transmit the Zhi Guan method to me."

Li Muzhan smiled broadly, "In that case, Senior Sister, come with me to listen to the Dharma."

"Listen to what Dharma?" Feng Mingxue huffed.

Li Muzhan laughed, "My preaching. I am currently the Abbot of Miaolian Temple in Xihua. Senior Sister must have heard of it but never witnessed it—today you shall see!"

"Zhan Ran?" Feng Mingxue queried, shaking her head, "You really dare! To become a monk—aren't you afraid of exposing yourself?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "I once considered becoming a monk; now I am fulfilling an old aspiration."

"You are strange, and your ideas are strange," Feng Mingxue shook her head.

Li Muzhan smiled slyly, "All my achievements stem from the Buddhist teachings of the past. Senior Sister, do not belittle Buddhist principles!"

"I have heard that Buddhism possesses vast divine powers, so naturally, I dare not belittle it. However, the Buddhist path is profound; how many truly attain divine powers? Not many more than Grandmasters, I presume?"

Li Muzhan agreed, "That is true. The manifestation of divine powers cannot be deliberately sought; pursuing them leads easily to the demonic path. Grasping that nuance is very difficult."

After they spoke for a while, Feng Mingxue changed into a snow-white silk robe and veiled her face, appearing ethereal, like an immortal. Seeing her like this, Li Muzhan was reminded of Leng Chaoyun of the Floating Cloud Palace; their temperaments were equally captivating, truly hard to separate.

Li Muzhan embraced her slender waist, then vanished in a flash, appearing in his own meditation chamber. He wiped his face, resuming the appearance of Zhan Ran, pushed open the door, and stepped out leisurely.

Feng Mingxue followed him out. As soon as she stepped past the threshold, Jing'er and Ji Kong arrived. They froze upon seeing Feng Mingxue, staring blankly at her and then at Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan snorted, "Why are you two staring with such wide eyes!"

"Master, who is this...?" Ji Kong stammered, yet his eyes were glued to Feng Mingxue, unable to look away, feeling as if his soul had been drawn out, unable to regain control, staring fixedly at Feng Mingxue.

He had always disdained lust, focusing solely on martial arts, aiming to cultivate unparalleled prowess; even upon seeing a beauty, he remained unmoved. Jing'er was delicate and lovely, but Ji Kong usually paid her no mind. Yet, seeing Feng Mingxue now, even without seeing her face, he was overwhelmed by her pure, celestial aura and utterly captivated, sinking into the vision.

Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed, "You... where has your fortitude gone?"

He understood Ji Kong’s lapse; he had been the same initially, unable to restrain the tremor in his soul upon seeing Feng Mingxue.

Jing'er coughed loudly, but Ji Kong remained oblivious, only gazing blankly at Feng Mingxue. Jing'er’s own face flushed, and she angrily pushed Ji Kong.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly and looked at Feng Mingxue, "Senior Sister, take a look."

Feng Mingxue said coolly, "Are these your disciples?"

Li Muzhan laughed, "No wonder my disciple has poor fortitude; it’s simply that Senior Sister is too beautiful."

Feng Mingxue huffed, "Stop flattering me with sugary words!... Are you Ji Kong?"

Ji Kong trembled, then suddenly snapped back to awareness. He hurriedly nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes, I am Ji Kong!... You are...?"

"I am your Martial Aunt," Feng Mingxue stated.

Ji Kong’s face instantly fell, and his voice became strained, "Mar... Martial Aunt?"

Li Muzhan huffed, "Ji Kong, this is my Senior Sister!"

"Disciple Ji Kong greets Martial Aunt!" Ji Kong’s expression was stiff, his voice bitter as he cupped his hands in salute.

"Jing'er greets Martial Aunt!" Jing'er also bowed respectfully with cupped hands.

Feng Mingxue smiled faintly and inclined her head slightly, "No need for such ceremony!... I haven't brought any welcoming gifts; I will make up for it next time."

"Senior Sister is too polite," Li Muzhan chuckled, "What about these two unworthy ones?"

Feng Mingxue glanced askance at him and shook her head.

Ji Kong and Jing'er’s hearts immediately sank.