Li Muzhan slowly approached her, sitting on the edge of the couch, and reached out to press her smooth wrist. A trace of shyness flashed in her eyes, and she turned her head so he couldn't see.

Li Muzhan frowned, pondering for a moment, then reached out again, pressing her other smooth wrist, his expression grave: "Palace Master, this is really troublesome."

"Is there no cure?" Leng Chaoyun asked.

Li Muzhan shook his head as he pondered: "All the meridians are entangled into a chaotic mess... This feels awkward, even worse than sustaining an injury. There’s clearly no damage, yet the pathways have shifted. It needs to be corrected bit by bit..."

Leng Chaoyun said, "I can't feel my own body right now; I can't reach inside."

Li Muzhan sighed: "What martial art were you practicing, Palace Master?"

Leng Chaoyun glanced at him, her bright eyes clear as water, and shook her head: "Forget it."

Li Muzhan smiled: "You can't tell me? If you don't tell me the inner cultivation method, how can I find the right way to treat it?"

"This is a martial art only women can cultivate. It's not much to say, but you absolutely cannot spread it," Leng Chaoyun slanted a look at him.

Li Muzhan laughed: "My mouth is a bolted iron door; no one can pry it open!"

Leng Chaoyun snorted: "Don't flatter yourself... It's really nothing."

Li Muzhan said: "Then tell me about it. Even if I'm useless, I won't steal your inner cultivation method!"

"You haven't learned it?!" Leng Chaoyun huffed.

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head: "Of course not. I did it unintentionally, just in passing. Besides, your inner cultivation method is slightly inferior to ours in terms of its essence, so it’s no matter."

"Hmph!" Leng Chaoyun rolled her eyes at him and said lightly: "You've angered a Grandmaster again this time. There are only a handful of Grandmasters in the world; you’re making enemies everywhere!"

Li Muzhan nodded and sighed: "That is true."

"Aren't you afraid of causing trouble for the Yunxiao Sect?" Leng Chaoyun asked.

Li Muzhan smiled: "Grandmasters at least have the magnanimity not to harm their sect... Furthermore, Grandmasters aren't born from stone crevices; everyone has relatives and friends."

"That's true. Xiao Yan, you can leave now," Leng Chaoyun said softly.

Xiao Yan glanced at Li Muzhan, then at her, nodded lightly, and retreated, closing the door behind her.

Leng Chaoyun watched her leave gracefully, then turned back: "This is the secret technique passed down by successive Palace Masters of the Floating Cloud Palace. If you spread it, I will be a sinner of the Floating Cloud Palace!"

Li Muzhan smiled: "Rest assured!"

"Listen, this secret art is the Nine Revolutions Reincarnation Saber..." Leng Chaoyun whispered the inner cultivation method in detail, using the technique of sound transmission into secrecy.

Even so, she had asked Xiao Yan to leave, showing her caution.

Li Muzhan listened carefully, then slowly nodded: "This is the cultivation method for the first three revolutions?"

Leng Chaoyun nodded: "I only cultivated up to the third revolution before something went wrong."

Li Muzhan remained silent for a moment, looking up at the patterned ceiling in thought. Leng Chaoyun stared intently at him, her clear eyes fixed, waiting for what startling words he might utter next.

Li Muzhan pondered for a long time, then sighed: "It is indeed exquisitely profound. Once mastered, its power is astonishing. Palace Master, where did you obtain this inner cultivation method?"

"Why do you care so much?!" Leng Chaoyun retorted impatiently: "Tell me, is there a way?"

Li Muzhan shook his head: "I have thought of a method, but it is very dangerous. I don't know if the Palace Master dares to try it."

"Things are already like this, what is there to dare or not dare!" Leng Chaoyun said: "Hurry and tell me, stop being coy!"

Li Muzhan said: "Then we have to wait a bit longer. After my injuries heal, we can begin."

"Tell me the method first," Leng Chaoyun insisted.

Li Muzhan smiled: "I plan to reverse the inner cultivation method!"

"Reverse it?" Leng Chaoyun pondered, her delicate eyebrows slightly raised, lost in thought.

Li Muzhan smiled and watched her, not rushing to speak. Leng Chaoyun was a person of astonishing comprehension; with just a hint from him, she would understand and extrapolate.

A moment later, Leng Chaoyun looked up at him: "You mean reverse the inner cultivation method, making the blade force flow backward?"

Li Muzhan nodded: "Your meridians are like this because of the blade force's influence. You failed to control the saber aura, leading to qi deviation. You were too hasty!"

"I know, I know!" Leng Chaoyun waved her hand: "If the inner cultivation method is reversed, the consequences are hard to predict!"

Li Muzhan said: "Let's re-examine the inner cultivation method first and re-edit it. Not all internal energy circulation should be reversed; there must be a balance of forward and backward flow."

"This Nine Revolutions Reincarnation Saber Art is incredibly profound. If we rashly alter it, I fear..." Leng Chaoyun shook her head dismissively.

Li Muzhan smiled: "No matter how profound the inner cultivation method is, it was created by people. With the Palace Master's insight, surely you are no less capable than the one who created it originally."

"You flatter me too much!" Leng Chaoyun shook her head: "I admit my inferiority. Even if you gave me another brain, I couldn't create such a profound inner cultivation method."

Li Muzhan said: "That's because the Palace Master has never seen such an inner cultivation method before. The creator of this method must have seen similar ones, allowing them to be inspired to create it."

"The formation of every inner cultivation method is often the crystallization of the wisdom and effort of several generations," Leng Chaoyun shook her head, disagreeing with Li Muzhan's view.

Li Muzhan chuckled, shaking his head: "That's not the case. A method this profound must have been extremely secret. Once created, later practitioners would only strive to master it, rarely thinking of surpassing it. Even an exceptional talent like the Palace Master is like this, let alone others!"... Didn't your Master ever think of surpassing the Nine Revolutions Reincarnation Saber?"

Leng Chaoyun said: "Master never thought of it, and neither did I! ... However, you have considerable audacity and an even bolder tone!"... But you have the foundation for it!"

She sighed and shook her head, realizing how far behind she was compared to him.

... ... "Li Muzhan said: "The Palace Master's comprehension and insight surpass mine; you are only lacking in luck. Why be so dejected?"

"Hmph, who is dejected!" Leng Chaoyun shot him a look.

Li Muzhan smiled: "So, does the Palace Master have confidence now?"

"Although my martial arts are inferior to yours, my courage is not smaller than yours!"... Fine, let's modify it, but you must help me!" Leng Chaoyun huffed.

Li Muzhan nodded: "That is what I desire!"

Leng Chaoyun said: "I owe you another favor!"

Li Muzhan smiled: "Palace Master, just don't forget it. I will demand repayment in the future!"

Leng Chaoyun snorted: "Don't worry, I'm not someone who reneges on debts!"

Li Muzhan smiled amiably: "But to adapt this inner cultivation method, I need the complete version. Palace Master, are you willing to trust me with it?"

Leng Chaoyun looked at him intensely, then snorted: "Things have come to this; it can only be this way. However, you must swear a solemn oath never to divulge it!"

Li Muzhan nodded, raised his finger, and swore a vicious oath to the heavens: a vow so severe that if broken, he could never marry, never practice martial arts, meet a terrible death, and suffer eternal damnation without rebirth.

Seeing him do this, Leng Chaoyun snorted. The oath was too harsh, making her feel a little guilty for asking him to help while demanding such a vow.

Li Muzhan smiled secretly. This Leng Chaoyun was outwardly cold and tough but soft inside, though very few people ever saw this side, and she certainly never revealed it to others.

A veil not only concealed her face but also shielded her heart; she seemed isolated from this world, unable to integrate.

Leng Chaoyun said: "Fine. The Nine Revolutions Reincarnation Saber has nine levels of inner cultivation, but almost no one can truly master all nine. It exists only in theory."

Li Muzhan smiled: "It doesn't matter if I practice it, does it?"

"This is an inner cultivation method for women; it is not suitable for men," Leng Chaoyun stated calmly.

Li Muzhan smiled slyly: "What if a man practices it?"

"Hmph, you'll be able to deduce the consequences after you hear the method!" Leng Chaoyun snorted.

Li Muzhan nodded, and after Leng Chaoyun gave him another look, the red gauze veil moved slightly. She employed sound transmission into secrecy—imparting the cultivation method into his ear.

Li Muzhan listened intently and nodded after only a moment: "It is indeed profound!" The later parts were described more simply, suggesting they were harder to practice, perhaps never mastered by anyone?"

"As far as I know, the highest level achieved by past Palace Masters was the sixth revolution," Leng Chaoyun said.

Li Muzhan nodded: "Yin follows Yang, Yang follows Yin, Yin within Yang, Yang within Yin, Yin-Yin-Yang-Yang, Yang-Yang-Yin-Yin. This method is truly detailed; ordinary people really cannot cultivate it."

Leng Chaoyun said: "Now you know the consequences of cultivation, right?"

Li Muzhan shook his head with a bitter smile: "It's better not to practice it. Becoming neither male nor female is worse than death."

"Hmph, it's good that you know!" Leng Chaoyun rolled her eyes at him.

...

Li Muzhan's knowledge was vast; he was a Grandmaster of martial arts. After hearing the entire set of cultivation methods, he knew it was indeed unsuitable for men.

Although men and women share the same meridians, some acupoints differ, reflecting opposite Yin and Yang principles. Circulating internal energy along certain meridian routes would cause the internal energy to become increasingly pure Yin, while also invisibly strengthening the body.

These enhancements favored female capabilities, making them more graceful and soft. If a man practiced it, he would become effeminate, almost girlish.

If someone, for the sake of martial arts and strength, disregarded everything and forcibly cultivated this method, it would often deplete their Yang energy. A man's constitution belongs to Yang; the clash and depletion of Yin and Yang would ultimately damage his body, even threatening his life.

Li Muzhan shook his head. No wonder Leng Chaoyun confidently told him the method—she was certain he couldn't practice it, and having sworn not to tell anyone, it was foolproof.

He shot Leng Chaoyun a look and shook his head. Leng Chaoyun caught the meaning in his eyes: "Are you actually considering cultivating it?"

Li Muzhan shook his head: "Even if I'm useless, I wouldn't practice a woman's inner cultivation method and turn myself into an effeminate wretch, preferring death!"

"Then fine. Now that you know the method, start thinking about how to reverse it," Leng Chaoyun huffed.

Li Muzhan shook his head: "We need to wait a bit longer. Once my injuries recover, we can slowly ponder and deduce it. This matter cannot be rushed."

"You aren't in a hurry, but I am!" Leng Chaoyun huffed: "What if someone gets wind of this and takes the chance to stab the knife in deeper..."

Li Muzhan said: "Rest assured, I won't stand idly by."

"The problem is, I don't want to owe you another favor!" Leng Chaoyun huffed.

Li Muzhan smiled playfully: "Worrying about too many debts doesn't help. Haven't you already owed me plenty?" ... It won't matter for this one time. Rest assured, I won't force you in the future!"

"Hmph, just like the time of Sect Master Yi's grand wedding!" Leng Chaoyun slanted a look at him: "If it weren't for you, how would I have ended up like that!"

The thought of that made her angry. As the dignified Palace Master of the Floating Cloud Palace, she had to act as a bodyguard for Yi Xingzhi, which invisibly diminished the status of the Floating Cloud Palace. The thought alone made her feel humiliated.

But what could she do? She owed Li Wuji a favor. She had to repay it, so she grit her teeth and agreed. Thinking about it now still made her teeth itch with vexation.

Li Muzhan smiled sweetly: "I truly thank the Palace Master for that past matter!"

"Hmph, no thanks necessary!" Leng Chaoyun said coldly.

Li Muzhan laughed: "I won't do such things again in the future. That was a last resort at the time; there was genuinely no one else who could help, so I had to ask the Palace Master for assistance."

Thinking of that past event reminded him of the Wentian Sect. He wondered how the Wentian Sect was doing.

...

"Wait a moment!" Leng Chaoyun called out to Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan was bidding farewell to Leng Chaoyun, planning to return first to properly treat his injuries. Once healed, they could calmly and slowly deduce and carefully analyze the entire method until it was successfully revised.

Li Muzhan turned to look at her. Leng Chaoyun called out loudly: "Xiao Yan!"

Xiao Yan's voice came from downstairs: "Miss?"

While speaking, she arrived outside the quiet room and whispered: "Miss?"

Leng Chaoyun said: "Bring up a bottle of Three Yang Soul Returning Pills!"

"Yes." Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment before agreeing, then footsteps sounded as she walked into an adjacent room, pushing the door open.

Li Muzhan smiled playfully: "Palace Master, are you bestowing medicine upon me?"

Leng Chaoyun said calmly: "Mm. Giving you the pills is for my sake too. The sooner you recover, the sooner we can begin."

Li Muzhan laughed: "Makes sense."

Though Leng Chaoyun was outwardly tough, Li Muzhan felt indebted. Her concern was clearly genuine.

Xiao Yan soon pushed the door open and entered, holding an exquisite yellow jade bottle. The bottle was plain and unadorned, presented before Leng Chaoyun.

Leng Chaoyun took it, opened the stopper, and inside was only a single, snow-white, flawless pill, the size of a longan, with what seemed like clear light swirling within.

"Here, this is the Three Yang Soul Returning Pill. It should be of some use." Leng Chaoyun poured the pill back in, capped the yellow jade bottle, and handed it to Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan accepted it and laughed: "Three Yang Soul Returning Pill? For restoring one's spirit?"

Leng Chaoyun said: "The three treasures of Essence, Qi, and Spirit—this pill directly replenishes the Spirit. It is a supreme grade elixir. We have very few in the Floating Cloud Palace; the medicinal ingredients are hard to find."

Li Muzhan placed it in his robes, cupped his hands with a smile: "Good, then I gratefully accept!"

He took his leave from the quiet room and returned to his main hall, immediately sitting cross-legged on the couch to begin his healing. Floating Cloud Peak was very tranquil; he wasn't worried about being disturbed.

After taking the Three Yang Soul Returning Pill, his entire body felt warm, especially his spirit, which seemed ignited by the medicine, burning fiercely and vigorously.

As if immune to fatigue, he circulated his internal energy ceaselessly, from morning till night, and night till morning, running his energy for three full days and nights without rest.

His injuries were already somewhat better, and combined with this intense circulation of internal energy, his progress was extremely rapid. After three days and nights, more than half of his injuries had healed.

Then he began circulating the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art and the Rainbow Transformation Scripture to recast his physical body. After another day and night, he finally recovered completely.

By then, his physical body was even more formidable. Having been broken and then reformed, Yan Luo's suicidal strike had nearly shattered all his bones. Now that they were reforged, he truly had jade-like bones.

...

"All better?" Leng Chaoyun appraised him calmly: "It seems you've advanced further—a blessing in disguise."

The two stood in the main hall; Xiao Yan and the others stood nearby in silence.

She was acutely sensitive and sensed Li Muzhan’s astonishing aura, like a raging flame spitting heat, with surging power that felt ready to crush her at any moment. The vast pressure almost forced her to her knees.

Li Muzhan smiled: "A slight advancement. The key is that I still lack perfect control over releasing and restraining it, but that will come in a while. Let's begin."

Leng Chaoyun nodded: "What is needed?"

Li Muzhan said: "Only a quiet room is needed, where no one can disturb us."

"Mm, let's go up," Leng Chaoyun turned and went upstairs.

After they ascended, they reached the previous quiet room. After closing the door, Xiao Yan and the others left the area outside the door, then went downstairs, preventing anyone from approaching.

Leng Chaoyun sat on the couch. Li Muzhan moved a table over, sat on an embroidered stool, and smiled: "The key to reversing this inner cultivation method lies in the circulation of a few specific meridians; the core concept must remain."

As he spoke, he picked up a brush and, with a few strokes, sketched a human figure, then drew several lines to mark the meridians. He pointed and explained the Nine Revolutions Reincarnation Saber's inner cultivation method, and then the two studied where the internal energy should travel first and in which direction.

Li Muzhan pointed and outlined an entirely different set of internal cultivation methods.

While healing his injuries, he had simultaneously worked his mind, deducing the Nine Revolutions Reincarnation Saber in his mind, reversing its inner cultivation method; he had already completed the task.

Leng Chaoyun frowned after hearing his explanation, contemplated for a moment, glanced at him a few times, and snorted.

During the days Li Muzhan spent healing, she hadn't been idle either; following Li Muzhan's train of thought, she had also been improving the Nine Revolutions Reincarnation Saber, attempting to reverse the cultivation method.

But now, compared to Li Muzhan’s version, hers was clearly inferior—the difference in quality was immediately apparent.

After Li Muzhan finished speaking, he smiled: "Palace Master, how is my revision?"

"Mm, not bad," Leng Chaoyun huffed.

Li Muzhan said: "Palace Master, try it. I will stand guard nearby; if it goes wrong, I will interrupt."

"Good." Leng Chaoyun nodded without another word and began to close her eyes to circulate her energy. Li Muzhan extended his palm to rest on her back, observing the flow of her internal energy.

A moment later, with a soft "puff," Leng Chaoyun spat out a mouthful of purple blood. Li Muzhan made no move. Leng Chaoyun continued to circulate her energy, and after a while, she spat out another mouthful of purple blood.

Li Muzhan observed that her internal meridians were trembling and changing, having already become a tangled mess, the internal energy pulling the meridians into disarray.

Fortunately, although the meridians were chaotic, the internal energy still flowed unimpeded, occasionally breaking through blockages. Each time a blockage was cleared, she spat out a mouthful of blood.

Her internal energy was subtle and cautious. As time passed, she slowly progressed. Unknowingly, three hours passed, and the sun began to set in the west.

Li Muzhan suddenly moved, his internal energy surging in to replenish hers, like a river pouring into a small channel. It followed the circulation path of the cultivation method he had created for several cycles.

Then, he guided it through several cycles following the original forward cultivation method of the Nine Revolutions Reincarnation Saber. With such profound and pure internal energy, she advanced from the third level to the fourth.