Xiao Yan could only nod helplessly, turning to look at Li Muzhan. Seeing him signal with his eyes, she used an excuse to prepare and made her way to Li Muzhan’s side hall.

Li Muzhan excused himself from Leng Chaoyun and returned to the side hall, where Xiao Yan was already waiting.

“Young Master, the Mistress she…” Xiao Yan’s face was etched with anxiety.

She knew her Mistress was throwing a temper; no amount of persuasion would work. But the Four Great Families were an immense power, perhaps even slightly stronger than the Floating Cloud Palace. The world dared to challenge the majesty of the Floating Cloud Palace, yet they dared not provoke the Four Great Families. These families were not only martial artists but also entrenched elites in the secular world; they respected no rules and would employ any means necessary. If a real conflict erupted with the Zhu family, the Floating Cloud Palace would be the one to suffer. Even if the Zhu family sustained heavy losses, the Floating Cloud Palace still couldn't win.

She was worried, and seeing how well Li Muzhan treated Leng Chaoyun, she assumed he was smitten with her. A sense of reliance bloomed in her heart; after all, Leng Chaoyun was a Grandmaster, one of the foremost experts under heaven.

Li Muzhan sighed, “There seems to be no alternative now.”

Xiao Yan wrung her hands, “Young Master, what if the Mistress clashes with the Zhu family…”

Li Muzhan nodded slowly, “Once your Mistress makes her move, a fight is inevitable. The Zhu family has always been brazen and tyrannical; they will never give the Floating Cloud Palace a second glance.”

“Then what do we do?” Xiao Yan stamped her foot anxiously, “Young Master, please help us think of a plan!”

Li Muzhan replied, “All we can do now is prepare, prepare for a tough fight.”

“Must it really come to blows?” Xiao Yan asked with resignation.

Li Muzhan nodded, “Only if Palace Master Leng achieves the realm of Grandmaster will the Zhu family show restraint.”

“Grandmaster…” Xiao Yan shook her head helplessly and sighed, “If we had a Grandmaster, we would have long ago stood tall and proud, and the Zhu family wouldn't dare provoke us!”

Li Muzhan conceded, “That is the truth.”

“Young Master, saying these things is useless. Say something helpful.” Xiao Yan chided him playfully.

Li Muzhan said, “For now, you must all bear it patiently… I suspect your Palace Master won't agree; she won't be able to swallow this insult.”

“Sigh…” Xiao Yan sighed deeply, “Will you help us, Young Master?”

Li Muzhan nodded, “I want to help, but your Palace Master refuses…”

“The Palace Master is just being stubborn,” Xiao Yan quickly countered.

Li Muzhan stated, “I can’t do much, but take these four jade pendants. Each of you take one. If you encounter a mortal danger, crush it, and I will arrive instantly.”

As he spoke, he took four jade pendants from his robes and handed them to Xiao Yan, adding, “You know your Palace Master’s temper; stop advising her further, it will only be counterproductive!”

Xiao Yan took the pendants, hesitated for a moment, and then slowly nodded, “Alright, I will dutifully keep my mouth shut.”

“If you absolutely cannot resist saying something, find another way. Detail the consequences should the Floating Cloud Palace anger the Zhu family; complain profusely about the hardship. Perhaps then she will listen.” Li Muzhan advised.

Xiao Yan considered this and nodded, “Good, I’ll remember that.”

Li Muzhan saw Xiao Yan off and then departed the Floating Cloud Palace. He was certain of the outcome for Leng Chaoyun and her party: defeat, with no chance of victory. He had originally intended to avoid further entanglement with the Four Great Families and evade Dugu Jinghua, but now that seemed impossible; it appeared his fate was closely tied to the Zhu family.

He instantly returned to the Miaolian Temple to perform a ritual for his followers, strengthening their faith and allowing his illusory form to gradually solidify. He had regained considerable power, now possessing the strength to contend even with a Grandmaster.

Furthermore, he dimly felt there might be a way to break through the suppression of the Sacred Artifacts—one simply needed to become stronger. The power of the Sacred Artifacts stemmed from Faith Power. These artifacts were condensed by great Buddhist luminaries using relics, or other magical implements; ultimately, they were all applications of Faith Power. However, the method for forging these artifacts was incredibly profound. Though their power originated from Faith Power, it differed from his own, which fluctuated with the state of his believers. The power of the Sacred Artifacts was concentrated and fixed, suffering no decay. Li Muzhan contemplated two paths to overcome their suppression: first, to destroy the artifacts, thereby severing their source of power by damaging their latent faith energy; the second path was to surpass them.

Since the source of the Sacred Artifacts' strength was Faith Power, if his own Faith Power could exceed that of the artifacts, he could naturally overcome them and break the suppression. Currently, although his illusory form had condensed into a flawless, luminous Moon Wheel, representing perfected essence and clear insight, his Faith Power was not yet mighty. He commanded the faith only of the monks at Yuanxin Temple and Miaolian Temple. Because the duration was short, their Faith Power was limited, far from enough to overpower the Sacred Artifacts. Accumulation over time was necessary; the Faith Power of these followers would deepen and purify as time passed. Moreover, he needed to slowly expand his influence and cultivate more believers.

However, the development of believers required a measured, step-by-step approach; haste would be detrimental. Any eagerness would unconsciously manifest in his demeanor, which would actually harm his Faith Power. Although he wished to expand his influence, he dared not move too quickly. Great monks and virtuous masters needed to embody a state of desirelessness. The moment an urgent need surfaces, it is easily detected, leading to a great depletion of Faith Power, rendering all further efforts useless. The human heart is fickle and unpredictable; a tiny misstep can trigger a change in them. The generation and disappearance of Faith Power can occur in a single thought; it must be nurtured slowly, accumulated bit by bit.

Outsiders could scarcely grasp the subtle complexities involved. They might assume it was simple: just display divine abilities, and people would naturally believe. But this belief is the shallowest kind, its power minuscule, almost negligible; a multitude of such believers would be meaningless. The best source of Faith Power comes from those who believe without reservation; one such person is worth a thousand or ten thousand shallow believers. Hence, he was in no hurry to display miracles publicly to expand his following.

As things stood, every few days he would hold a Dharma assembly, sweeping away the worries of the assembly and guiding their cultivation. As their practice advanced, their conviction would deepen, slowly penetrating to the core and eventually turning into pure faith—only then would the Faith Power he received be truly substantial. Miaolian Temple had become a sacred ground for cultivation. When Li Muzhan was absent, he would place the relics he acquired into the pagoda, forming a spiritual field where everyone could bask in the Buddha’s light.

He spent some time instructing the assembly on their cultivation. Today, over fifty people attended Miaolian Temple, filling the main hall. Any more, and they would have to sit in the courtyard. Monk Chengjing approached Li Muzhan, suggesting they expand Miaolian Temple to accommodate more people, but Li Muzhan shook his head in negation.

“Abbot, we never anticipated so many people staying. Currently, we can only seat about fifty, but I see more and more people coming,” Monk Chengjing said, cupping his hands respectfully.

Li Muzhan waved him off, “Enough. No need for major construction.”

“If the space isn't sufficient, people won’t come,” Monk Chengjing argued.

Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled, “Those with insincere hearts aren't worth having anyway. If their hearts are sincere, they will persist in coming even without a proper place.”

“That may be so, Abbot, but the weather is so cold now. It’s truly uncomfortable for everyone to stay outside. How many can endure such hardship just to listen to the Dharma?” Monk Chengjing sighed.

Li Muzhan smiled, “Then let it be. This many people is just right.”

He held back the deeper reason: scarcity breeds value. If the space were vast, people would not cherish it, coming and going as they pleased. Insufficient space, however, made every session precious, forcing everyone to compete for a spot. Precisely because space was limited, people would feel the pressure more acutely, value the teachings more, and believe his words more firmly—this was an unconscious, intangible influence that helped bolster their Faith Power.

Li Muzhan was certain the time was not yet right. When the crowd’s dissatisfaction reached its peak, expanding then would align with the forces of man, time, place, and harmony. Monk Chengjing’s eagerness to expand now was rushing ahead of the people, which would not garner favor—such is human nature.

“Abbot…” Monk Chengjing tried to persuade him again, but Li Muzhan waved his hand, “Chengjing, that’s enough for now. Your cultivation is flawed.”

Monk Chengjing looked embarrassed, “Abbot, my body is weak; I can’t sustain meditation for long.”

Li Muzhan shook his head, “That’s because your meditation method is flawed… Alas, you have too many worldly distractions; you focus too much on secular matters. This path won't do.”

Monk Chengjing sighed helplessly, “I try not to think, but the thoughts won't cease.”

Li Muzhan instructed, “The methods of Samatha and Vipassanā require dual cultivation of stillness and insight. You can’t stop them because you started incorrectly early on, taking a wrong path. Forget it, you should switch to a different discipline.”

“This…” Monk Chengjing hesitated, “Abbot, I have cultivated for over seventy years. If I change now…”

Li Muzhan shook his head, “Cultivating for seventy years with no achievement shows this method isn't suitable for you. Why didn't your master have you change…”

Monk Chengjing replied, “My late master only knew this one method…”

Li Muzhan understood immediately, nodding thoughtfully, “No wonder… Fine. You must stop counting breaths. Switch to guarding the emptiness of the nasal cavity. This is a method of sweet dew, which should suit your constitution. You will see rapid progress soon; your foundation lies here.”

“…Yes.” Monk Chengjing slowly clasped his hands in reverence.

As Li Muzhan was speaking with Monk Chengjing, his expression shifted subtly. He frowned and waved his hand, “Chengjing, practice as I’ve directed, and don’t slack off. Your body is already nearing its limit. Without further progress soon, you will weaken rapidly. Seize every moment to cultivate and fight for a sliver of life.”

Monk Chengjing’s face changed, and he slowly nodded, “Yes, Abbot.”

Li Muzhan’s words were more potent than anything else. Monk Chengjing, despite being a monk, had not fully transcended the fear of death. Hearing this, he was instantly filled with motivation, letting go of all other concerns.

Li Muzhan nodded. Monk Chengjing’s attachment was not inherently wrong, but too many attachments led to chaotic distracting thoughts, hindering his practice. It would be better to cling fiercely to one method, which would promote his cultivation. However, this path held a future peril: this attachment would deepen and solidify, becoming nearly impossible to shift later, turning into his greatest obstacle. But this only applied if he reached those later stages. With his current cultivation, he wouldn’t get that far; he would die soon anyway.

Moreover, Li Muzhan possessed methods to break attachment, but the time was not right. Breaking it now would sap his drive. It was like cooking: fire is needed to cook rice well, but too much fire later will burn the rice; the fire must be extinguished precisely when the rice is perfectly done. Ordinary masters struggle to start the fire. Slightly better masters can start it but cannot extinguish it—or rather, cannot extinguish it at the opportune moment, extinguishing it too early or too late. A master like Li Muzhan, proficient in both starting and extinguishing the flame, is what is called a truly enlightened teacher.

Li Muzhan stated, “Alright, I have business to attend to. Intensify your practice.”

“Yes, Abbot, rest assured, I will work hard.” Monk Chengjing nodded vigorously, his face grave. Li Muzhan had genuinely frightened him. If he didn’t change course now, he would certainly slack off again.

Li Muzhan nodded, then vanished in a flicker. In the next instant, he reappeared on the peak of Floating Cloud Peak. The area was bustling. Xiao Yan and the other three women formed a blade array, their sword light flashing as they desperately held off two elderly men, while Leng Chaoyun was locked in a fierce struggle with an elder in black.

When Li Muzhan suddenly appeared, Xiao Yan spotted him and cried out, “Young Master!”

Li Muzhan frowned, glancing over, and shook his head, “What is going on?”

The two elders in black pressed down on the four women, nearly suffocating them, yet they were not rushing to kill, seemingly playing with their prey. The other elder in black was evenly matched with Leng Chaoyun, seemingly unable to gain an advantage. However, two more elders in black stood to the side. Seeing Li Muzhan appear, their eyes shot out sharp light as they stared coldly.

“Young Master, they just showed up somehow and ambushed us!” Xiao Yan replied, straining her words. In that moment of distraction, a sharp peng sound echoed as she was struck in the abdomen and sent flying back, spitting blood.

Li Muzhan instantly vanished from his spot and caught her in mid-air, immediately launching a counter-palm strike. An elder in black was pursuing, intending to finish Xiao Yan off while she was vulnerable.

With a muffled peng, Li Muzhan landed lightly, one hand pressed against Xiao Yan’s back, channeling internal force to stabilize her injuries. Although her internal organs had shifted, the injury was severe, at least the core structure hadn't been destroyed—thanks to the armor she wore, which absorbed most of the impact. Otherwise, surviving that blow would have been near impossible.

The elder in black was sent hurtling sideways toward the cliff edge, seemingly fated to fly off and plummet down the mountain. The two elders in black standing nearby flashed forward; one went to catch his companion, while the other swiftly filled the vacated spot to attack the remaining three women.

The elder who caught his companion gasped, spitting out a stream of blood, before also being flung away. Both men flew off the cliff and vanished from sight.

Li Muzhan shook his head. His palm force was not something easily withstood. Both men were severely injured; summoning internal force would be difficult. Falling like that, they would at best be terribly battered, certainly unable to fight again.

He looked down at Xiao Yan. Her injuries were grave, but her life was safe; however, she would need bed rest for some time. These elders possessed profound cultivation; they were clearly not from ordinary sects. The elder entangled with Leng Chaoyun was particularly unsettling—thin as an ape, his movements nimble, his techniques bizarre. Leng Chaoyun couldn't even draw her saber, forced into a desperate defense. Had Li Muzhan not appeared and saved Xiao Yan from that sudden blow, she would certainly have collapsed and suffered greatly.

“Young Master, you’ve finally arrived!” Xiao Yan lay in Li Muzhan’s arms, smiling brightly, “We are saved! There is one more fellow in the main hall who hasn't come out yet.”

Li Muzhan looked at her pale face and nodded with a smile, “Don't worry, not a single one will escape.”

“Yes, with the Young Master here, they won't get away!” Xiao Yan laughed with relief.

Li Muzhan said, “You focus on recovering. Leave the rest to me.”

“Don't let the Mistress get hurt,” Xiao Yan whispered earnestly.

Li Muzhan chuckled, “Her mind is currently unsettled; getting hurt might not be a bad thing.”

Xiao Yan grew agitated, but Li Muzhan quickly placated her, “Fine, fine, I understand. You rest well, I won't let her be harmed.”

Xiao Yan let out a breath of relief, “If the Mistress is injured while practicing that peculiar art, all her progress will be ruined. You must absolutely not let the Mistress get hurt!”

Li Muzhan’s brow twitched. He surveyed the surroundings with his Eye of the Void, outwardly appearing relaxed, chatting slowly with Xiao Yan instead of immediately engaging the enemy.

Xiao Yan quickly shook her head, “I shouldn’t say more.”

Li Muzhan smiled, “Very well, I won’t press you. Rest now, I’m going to act.”

“Be careful of the fellow in the main hall; he seems even more formidable,” Xiao Yan managed to glance toward the hall, huffing, “They’re hiding in there and won't come out; they must be plotting something!”

Li Muzhan nodded, “Understood, understood. You just rest easy!” He found it amusing that the girl was lingering, sounding as if she were giving final instructions. This little maid truly worried about everything.

He gently laid Xiao Yan down, circulating internal energy within her body, guiding it along her established cultivation path to aid her healing—a process many times more effective than her own. Xiao Yan felt a warm, comfortable sensation, as if soaking in hot water. If the situation weren't so critical, she would have drifted off to sleep immediately.

Li Muzhan flashed away, reappearing behind the two black-clad elders who were currently attacking the other three women. He delivered a light tap, and with a muffled peng, both elders were sent flying backward. Li Muzhan then blinked to a position opposite Leng Chaoyun, flicked his sleeve toward the elder in black, who, showing swift agility, dodged the attack. Seeing the sheer, unmatched ferocity of Li Muzhan’s palm strike, the elder dared not meet it head-on, relying instead on his movement techniques to maneuver. However, the moment he dodged, he felt himself ensnared by an invisible force.

With a sharp peng! Li Muzhan thrust his left palm out from his sleeve and pressed down. The elder in black was instantly flung outward, spitting a gout of blood into the air as he sailed over the cliff edge and disappeared.

“Still trying to run! Hmph!” Li Muzhan snorted coldly. An elder in gray flew out from the main hall, his form like a phantom, drifting swiftly toward the rear. Li Muzhan's final word, “Hmph,” carried an invisible force. The gray-robed elder halted mid-flight upon hearing it. Li Muzhan made a summoning gesture, and the man immediately flew forward, stopping before Li Muzhan. He stood motionless as a statue, a square-jawed man in his sixties, authority radiating from his brow. When the elder saw Li Muzhan's face, his expression drastically changed.

Li Muzhan smiled, “It seems we are old acquaintances. You are from the Zhu family?” Li Muzhan possessed perfect recall; he could remember even minor figures with just one glance, not just the important ones.

“We didn’t lose unjustly!” The square-jawed elder’s face was ashen, revealing a bitter smile. (To be continued)