The moment Grandmaster Shengkong saw the prayer beads, he let out a Buddhist chant and said slowly, “I hadn't expected Benefactor Li to possess a Sacred Artifact. What good fortune!” “Does the Master also possess a Sacred Artifact?” Li Muzhan asked. Grandmaster Shengkong nodded. “Our temple has the relics left by successive generations of patriarchs, condensed into a Sacred Artifact that anchors the Hanging Temple.” “Does the Master happen to know a way to break it?” Li Muzhan inquired. Grandmaster Shengkong pondered for a moment, then shook his head. “There is no method to break a Sacred Artifact. To overcome it, there is only one path: to defeat it with sheer power.” Li Muzhan frowned. “To defeat it with power, what level of cultivation is required?” Grandmaster Shengkong replied, “Xuan Realm.” Li Muzhan let out a wry smile, shook his head, and sighed, “It was all for naught. Forget it, forget it; I should just focus on improving my cultivation.” Grandmaster Shengkong smiled faintly. “With Benefactor Li’s current cultivation, you are already close to the Xuan Gate. The City Lord was not wrong in saying your achievements shake the past and present; such a figure is seldom spoken of.” Li Muzhan sighed. “I have merely been lucky. I thank the Master for his time.” He could sense that what Grandmaster Shengkong said was true. Since the Master had no other method, he had no choice but to increase his cultivation. He had his flying knife, which gave him exceptional combat prowess, and the Great Teleportation Divine Ability. These two points were the keys to improvement: the knife allowed him to conquer the strong despite being weaker, and the Teleportation meant he could flee if outmatched—keeping the green hills intact. Grandmaster Shengkong shook his head, staring at him intently. “I find your profound Buddhist cultivation truly makes this old monk ashamed!” Li Muzhan smiled, aware this was due to the power of faith. His Buddhist energy was vast and surging, so the Master’s perception was not surprising. He was currently the embodiment of great virtue, deeply trusted by the masses. This power of faith, once bestowed, was easily sensed by Buddhist practitioners, though outsiders might not detect it clearly. “Master,” Li Muzhan asked, “how exactly are the Sacred Artifacts forged?” Grandmaster Shengkong pondered. He looked at Li Muzhan. The forging of Sacred Artifacts was a profound secret, the Dharma should not be taught lightly. However, given Li Muzhan’s surging Buddhist energy, it was clear he was a great virtuous figure of high cultivation; there was no need to worry about teaching the wrong person. Li Muzhan smiled. “Master, if it is inconvenient, please don't force yourself. The method of forging Sacred Artifacts is naturally a secret tradition, not meant for the common world to know.” Grandmaster Shengkong slowly shook his head. “For anyone else, this old monk could not agree. But since Benefactor Li asks, there is no need for me to hide it.” Li Muzhan pressed his palms together in a bow. “Thank you, Master!” Grandmaster Shengkong said, “The Dharma is not taught lightly. Benefactor Li, listen closely.” Li Muzhan nodded slowly, his expression solemn. If he could learn the method of forging the Sacred Artifact, he might find a way to counter it, however slim the hope. It was still a sliver of hope. Grandmaster Shengkong’s voice drifted in unhurriedly. Li Muzhan listened intently, the information seared directly into his mind. In just a moment, Li Muzhan slowly nodded and returned the gesture of respect.

Grandmaster Shengkong’s lips moved slightly. To an outsider, no sound seemed to pass his lips, yet Li Muzhan heard everything clearly. After a short while, he nodded, but his brow furrowed. Grandmaster Shengkong drifted back out, leaving Li Muzhan standing quietly in the great hall, deep in thought. A moment later, Cheng Jun entered. “Young Master Li, what news?” Li Muzhan looked up at him and managed a bitter smile. “A pity, no solution was found. Thank you, City Lord.” Cheng Jun waved his hand. “No need for such formalities over small matters! … Young Master Li, if there is anything I can do to help, do not hesitate to ask. I will certainly do my utmost.” “City Lord,” Li Muzhan asked, “is it true that upon reaching a certain realm of cultivation, one must depart this world?” Cheng Jun looked at him in surprise, then nodded. “I didn’t expect Young Master Li to know so much! … That’s correct. Upon reaching a certain level, one ascends to the Xuanqing Heaven.” “One must cultivate beyond the Xuan Gate realm?” Cheng Jun shook his head. “Actually, the Xuan Gate realm is sufficient. … Once one steps into the Xuan Gate realm, they are people of the Xuanqing Heaven. As long as their cultivation is sufficient, they can naturally open the Gate and enter the Xuanqing Realm.” Li Muzhan smiled. “It sounds like ascension to immortality.” “It is essentially ascension to immortality,” Cheng Jun confirmed. Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Can one truly achieve eternal life?” “As far as I know, yes!” Cheng Jun nodded slowly. “To outsiders, this sounds like a joke, absurd and unbelievable, but at our level, we can see a glimmer of truth.” Li Muzhan frowned. “Is eternal life truly achievable?” “Yes,” Cheng Jun confirmed. “I’ve heard that cultivating in the Xuanqing Heaven allows one to reach a state of eternal life; it is impossible in this world.” “Then just how vast is the Xuanqing Heaven?” Li Muzhan asked. “Infinitely vast,” Cheng Jun shook his head. “No one knows its true extent even now.” “Even if it’s immensely vast, if people don't die, won't there eventually be overpopulation?” Li Muzhan reasoned. Cheng Jun laughed. “Young Master Li dreams too sweetly! … The lifespan of those in Xuanqing Heaven is long—the average common person lives to three hundred—but few truly reach their full lifespan. That place is far from peaceful. … Achieving true immortality requires reaching the pinnacle of cultivation; it is extremely difficult.” Li Muzhan frowned. “Why is it not peaceful?” Cheng Jun explained, “There are three methods of achieving longevity: refining the Spirit Elixir, cultivating the Inner Elixir, or the Dragon-Tiger Elixir. The Spirit Elixir is the easiest to achieve; once refined and consumed, it grants longevity and divine abilities—it is the swiftest method! … As for why it’s not peaceful, Young Master can likely deduce the reason.” Li Muzhan murmured, “Is it because of the pursuit of Spirit Elixirs, the struggle over medicinal ingredients?” “Precisely,” Cheng Jun nodded. “I have the opportunity to ascend to the Xuanqing Heaven, but with my current cultivation, I would only be considered second-rate up there, constantly facing mortal danger. It’s better not to go.” Li Muzhan understood. Ascending to the Xuanqing Heaven might mean a short life, whereas here, with the cultivation of a Grandmaster, living for several centuries was not an issue. If one lacked the ambition for eternal life, no one would willingly go to the Xuanqing Heaven.

It was much like how a youth doesn't fear death. For a Grandmaster, perhaps the first two centuries pass without awareness of approaching the limit of life. Only later, when the fear of death sets in, do they seek the Xuanqing Heaven for a chance at immortality. Looking at it this way, the City Lord was not very old, certainly under two hundred, not yet at the stage where fear truly gripped him. That was why he lingered here. Li Muzhan shook his head inwardly. If it were him, he would never settle for mediocrity. Preparation ensures success; lack of preparation leads to failure. One cannot abandon even a sliver of opportunity. All Grandmasters possessed extraordinary willpower. His choice could only mean one thing: the Xuanqing Heaven was too harsh, too difficult to survive in. Becoming a top entity in this world, growing accustomed to that status and position, would make adjusting to another world as merely a second-rate expert truly challenging. Nevertheless, the pursuit of eternal life made it worthwhile. Life and death are decided by fate, wealth by heaven; one cannot evade it even by hiding. “City Lord,” Li Muzhan asked, “how much further must I travel with my current cultivation?” Cheng Jun smiled. “What? Young Master Li intends to go to the Xuanqing Heaven?” Li Muzhan nodded. “I want to go up, see the world with my own eyes, and if it doesn't work out, I can come back down.” “Heh, that is true; if you don't wish to stay up there, returning is easy,” Cheng Jun nodded and smiled. “However, once you descend, your cultivation will drop back to the Grandmaster level.” “That is inconsequential,” Li Muzhan stated. “The higher realms are perilous. You might ascend only to meet your end immediately,” Cheng Jun warned. “What exactly are the dangers up there?” Li Muzhan pressed. Cheng Jun deliberated for a moment. “Alright then. Young Master Li, first focus on improving your cultivation. Once the Mysterious Aperture appears, come back and find me, and I will explain everything in detail.” Li Muzhan considered this, slowly cupped his hands in salute. “Then I thank the City Lord!” Cheng Jun waved his hand, smiling. “No need for courtesy. Young Master Li is the youngest Grandmaster I have seen in thousands of miles. Perhaps you truly have a chance to reach the realm of eternal life. I am quite curious myself.” Li Muzhan smiled. “I’ll take that as a good omen from the City Lord. I’m off then.” “Young Master Li, there is no need to rush; your life is paramount,” Cheng Jun cautioned. “The depths of the North Pole Sacred Realm are exceedingly dangerous; even I dare not venture too far in.” “I understand. Farewell!” He bowed and left the City Lord’s residence. On his way back, he slowly replayed the method for forging the Sacred Artifact in his mind, searching for a flaw, a way to break it open. Alas, although the forging method was complex, the principle was simple: it gathered the collective power of faith into one entity. To destroy the Sacred Artifact, one needed to shatter that faith. Take the Sacred Artifact in the Great Li Imperial Palace, for instance: to neutralize it, one must first sow discord among the populace. Once the people’s minds are in chaos, the faith dissipates or weakens, creating an opportunity to break the Artifact's suppression. There was no other way. Even someone as powerful as City Lord Cheng Jun could not break its suppression. He sighed; this Sacred Artifact was truly a great divine ability of the Buddhist sect.

When he returned to the small wooden hut beside the North Pole Sacred Realm, Feng Mingxue and Li Yubing were both cultivating. They had acquired another spirit grass the day before, and after consuming it, they began circulating their energy, making significant progress. Li Muzhan had been hunting spirit beasts near the North Pole Sacred Realm to advance his cultivation, while the two women mostly enhanced their power by consuming spirit herbs. Li Muzhan hadn't thought much of it before, but now he had second thoughts. He waited until both women awoke, then invited them to his hut. He sat on the couch, watching them quietly, saying nothing. The two women observed him for a while in silence, until finally, Li Yubing couldn't help herself. “Wuji, if you have something to say, just say it. Stop beating around the bush.” Li Muzhan pondered for a moment and sighed. “Palace Mistress, Senior Sister, I met with the City Lord today and inquired about what lies beyond the Grandmaster level.” He then recounted everything the City Lord had told him, watching the two women’s reactions. Li Yubing frowned. “Wuji, are you saying it is truly possible to cultivate eternal life?” Li Muzhan nodded. “It seems so. Palace Mistress, what are your thoughts?” Li Yubing thought it over, then shook her head. “I can’t decide immediately. I need time to carefully consider. The Xuanqing Heaven is too dangerous; if we go up, I fear…” The Moli Palace had an ancestor in the Xuanqing Heaven, but there had been no news since. Now, hearing Li Muzhan, she vaguely felt that ancestor likely met a terrible fate. She knew this ancestor had been a genius; the Moli Palace had grown from a tiny sect to its current prominence entirely due to her contributions. She herself was far inferior to that ancestor; if the ancestor fell, she would likely perish upon ascending as well. Li Muzhan turned to Feng Mingxue. “Senior Sister, what about you?” “I’m fine with whatever,” Feng Mingxue said flatly. Li Muzhan nodded, knowing his Senior Sister would follow him anywhere without objection. “Palace Mistress, Senior Sister, it seems the method of consuming spirit grasses must be abandoned for now.” “Hm—?” Li Yubing looked over. Li Muzhan explained, “This North Pole Sacred Realm is a fantastic place for cultivation, simultaneously enhancing our power and tempering our martial skills to prepare for the future. If you were completely set on staying in this world, that would be one thing. But if you wish to go up, mere cultivation isn't enough; you need much more refined martial arts and practical combat experience.” Li Yubing smiled. “Wuji, you want to go to the Xuanqing Heaven?” Li Muzhan nodded. “I want to fight for that sliver of opportunity. I should have a chance.” “Indeed, you were the first to become a Grandmaster. If anyone has a chance, it’s you! … But the Xuanqing Heaven is too dangerous,” Li Yubing conceded. Li Muzhan smiled. “Fortune is sought in danger. Immortality isn't easily won.” “Fine, I’ll go up too!” Li Yubing gritted her teeth and huffed, “If I die, I die!” Li Muzhan smiled. “Palace Mistress, perhaps wait a little longer, until Miss Xu can hold the fort for the sect before you leave.” “Naturally!” Li Yubing agreed with a smile. “Wuji, you go scout ahead first, and I will join you in the future!” Li Muzhan smiled. “That would be best. … But the immediate priority is still improving our cultivation; reaching the Xuanqing Heaven isn't that easy.” “We’ll just fight our way there ourselves,” Li Yubing agreed.

Li Muzhan flashed back to the peak of Floating Cloud Peak. Dressed in red, Leng Chaoyun stood quietly by the cliff edge, gazing into the distance against the mountain wind, seemingly frozen like a statue. Li Muzhan appeared abruptly, and Leng Chaoyun turned, frowning. “Where did you go?” Her voice was slightly hoarse. “Are you injured?” Li Muzhan asked. “None of your business!” Leng Chaoyun huffed and turned away. Li Muzhan smiled faintly. “I’ve been in North Desolation City recently, cultivating there the whole time. Is everything fine here?” “No issues,” Leng Chaoyun snorted coldly. Li Muzhan shook his head, sensing something amiss. He glanced around and noticed signs of slight damage, a lingering aura of sharp blades and grim battle. Li Muzhan’s heart strings were subtly connected to her; he had moved instantly, but it seemed he was still too late. A major battle had clearly taken place. “What exactly happened?” Li Muzhan pressed. Leng Chaoyun stared at the distant white clouds and said faintly, “Nothing.” “Did you suffer a loss?” “…Mm,” Leng Chaoyun nodded slowly. “North Desolation City—is that the North Desolation City near the North Pole Sacred Realm?” Li Muzhan nodded, unsurprised that she knew of North Desolation City. It seemed that the great sects today all had ancestors who had achieved the Grandmaster level, hence their current heritage. As a Palace Mistress, she must know the secrets of North Desolation City. Leng Chaoyun turned and examined him. “You actually went to the North Desolation. You must have been invited by someone from there?” Li Muzhan nodded. “Yes, it truly is a sacred place for cultivation.” “It is also a place of extreme danger,” Leng Chaoyun countered. “North Desolation has buried countless Grandmasters! … One of my ancestors died within the North Pole Sacred Realm.” Li Muzhan nodded. “It is indeed dangerous there, but it’s also marvelous for cultivation, capable of advancing one’s power. Your current cultivation is sufficient, but it’s a pity you cannot grasp the Way of Heaven and Earth.” Leng Chaoyun’s delicate eyebrows tightened, and she huffed, “I hear your Senior Sister has become a Grandmaster again. Your Yunxiao Sect truly is insufferable!” Li Muzhan smiled. “My Senior Sister has astonishing comprehension and unparalleled aptitude. Becoming a Grandmaster was no fluke, unlike me, I am truly ashamed!” “So, no one can compare to Feng Mingxue?” Li Muzhan nodded gently and smiled. “No one can match her.” “Hmph!” Leng Chaoyun shot him a sidelong glance. “What arrogance!” Li Muzhan laughed. “Palace Mistress, although you possess supreme talent, you are still a step behind Senior Sister.” Leng Chaoyun fell silent, saying faintly, “That is correct, I am not her equal!”

Li Muzhan looked at her, surprised by her straightforwardness. That single sentence revealed a breadth of mind, truly open-hearted and extraordinary. Li Muzhan continued, “However, Palace Mistress, it is only due to unfortunate timing—you haven't had that moment of sudden spiritual flash. Furthermore, Palace Mistress, you have too little real-world experience!” “Too little experience?” Leng Chaoyun frowned and asked. Li Muzhan smiled. “Experiencing the bittersweet tang of human life allows one to better comprehend the myriad things in the world, enabling one to truly break free and achieve true spiritual freedom. Leng Chaoyun stated calmly, “I am already free.” Li Muzhan shook his head. “That is not true liberation. One must enter the world to truly leave it. How can one speak of exiting the world without ever having entered it?” Leng Chaoyun pondered. “Entering the world… exiting the world…” Li Muzhan elaborated, “Palace Mistress, you have always remained isolated from worldly affairs. Though you appear carefree, it differs from true freedom. Once you enter the world, this state of mind will be shattered.” “Does that mean I must enter the world?” Leng Chaoyun frowned. Li Muzhan nodded. “For thousands of years, no one has avoided this path. Although the Palace Mistress has supreme natural talent, you are no exception.” “Has Feng Mingxue entered the world?” Leng Chaoyun asked. Li Muzhan smiled and nodded. “Recently, I accompanied Senior Sister as she sought experience, and we encountered many things. She gained profound insight, which allowed her to advance to Grandmaster so quickly. … If the Palace Mistress wishes to reach the Grandmaster level, she should also seek real-world trials.” Li Muzhan knew in his heart that Feng Mingxue achieved her Grandmaster status by severing emotional threads with her keen sword, having cultivated the Qiankun Hedding Technique. She had struggled fiercely within the web of affection, but upon seeing the technique, she found a way to master her emotions. In a moment of sudden enlightenment, her entire being was renewed, and she ascended to Grandmaster. Leng Chaoyun said slowly, “If that is the case, I shall try it!” Li Muzhan said, “After your tempering, the Palace Mistress will also become a Grandmaster! … Now, tell me what happened. It’s no harm in listening.” “It was nothing much. The Iron Palm Sect and the Mad Blade Sect joined forces to attack us,” Leng Chaoyun stated calmly. Li Muzhan frowned. “Why would they attack the Floating Cloud Palace?” “They simply thought we were easy targets,” Leng Chaoyun said calmly, showing no sorrow or resentment, as if speaking of someone else's affairs. Li Muzhan looked at her and smiled. “The Palace Mistress did not suffer any great loss?” “It was manageable,” Leng Chaoyun shook her head. “A few skirmishes are hardly worth mentioning.” “How many died?” Li Muzhan frowned. Leng Chaoyun replied, “Eighteen of ours died… They didn't fare well either; forty of theirs perished.” Li Muzhan considered. “Do you want me to bring them back?” Leng Chaoyun shook her head and sighed. “You arrived too late.”

Li Muzhan remained silent. Although he had a connection with Leng Chaoyun, it was not deep. If Feng Mingxue or the others had been harmed, he would have sensed it immediately. Leng Chaoyun was different; she was not in mortal danger, and if she were, he would certainly have felt it and returned instantly. His heart strings felt unsettled—perhaps because Leng Chaoyun was feeling downcast, and he had sensed it, prompting him to check on her. Leng Chaoyun offered a faint smile. “They won't give up. They will come again. You can watch the spectacle from the side; there’s no need for you to intervene.” Li Muzhan laughed. “The Palace Mistress is afraid of losing face.” Leng Chaoyun stated coldly, “I do not wish to rely on others. Our Floating Cloud Palace must stand on its own.” Li Muzhan frowned at her. “Palace Mistress, you are letting your disciples bleed and cry for the sake of your pride? … I think that is going too far.” Leng Chaoyun retorted, “A person lives for dignity. If we lack that dignity and rely on you for everything, what kind of people do we become?” Li Muzhan frowned again. “If there is someone to rely on, why choose self-inflicted hardship? … Moreover, for the sake of your disciples, you should set aside your pride. That is what a Palace Mistress should be; you must consider the survival of your disciples, not your own honor.” Leng Chaoyun’s bright eyes flickered. Though her face was hidden by the red gauze, he could sense her struggle. After a long pause, she sighed faintly. Li Muzhan smiled. “Palace Mistress, what do you say?” “Fine, then I impose upon you!” Leng Chaoyun sighed slowly. Li Muzhan smiled. “Palace Mistress, you owe me a favor now, which you must repay in the future. No month is perfectly round, no day perfectly good; I may need the Palace Mistress’s help down the line.” “You are a Grandmaster. What could you possibly need my help with?” Leng Chaoyun shook her head. Li Muzhan explained, “I am within the North Pole Sacred Realm, and I don't know when an accident might occur. If something truly unfortunate happens, if it is within your power, Palace Mistress, please look after Chuxue and Yulan.” Leng Chaoyun squinted at him and huffed coldly. “So, you are worrying about your women. You are indeed deeply affectionate!” Li Muzhan ignored her sarcasm and smiled. “It’s always wise to leave a contingency plan, isn’t it?” “Fine, I will help,” Leng Chaoyun grunted. As they were speaking, they suddenly heard loud laughter soaring into the sky, carrying up from below. It would require very deep cultivation for a voice to travel from the base to Floating Cloud Peak. “Hahaha…” A wild laugh broke out, followed by the coarse voice of a middle-aged man: “Palace Mistress Leng, we’re back again! Come down!” Leng Chaoyun scoffed, remaining motionless. Li Muzhan opened his Void Eye and scanned below, seeing about five hundred people blocking the valley entrance to the Floating Cloud Palace, arrayed in battle formation. A group wore yellow robes embroidered with a small knife on the cuff; the other group wore tight black clothing with a spread palm embroidered on the cuff. The two groups stood on either side, each with a leader in front.

“Are those them?” Li Muzhan pointed below.

Leng Chaoyun nodded lightly. "The Iron Palm Sect and the Mad Blade Sect have been flourishing these past few years, and they are finally growing restless, hoping to supplant our Floating Cloud Palace." Li Muzhan chuckled. "Isn't that a bit beyond their capabilities?" The Floating Cloud Palace and the Iron Palm Sect—the Mad Blade Sect wasn't even in the same league; the gap was enormous. Their audacity was truly staggering. Leng Chaoyun stated, "They've correctly identified a vulnerability in our strength and wish to use this moment to establish their dominance." Li Muzhan frowned. "A vulnerability in our strength?" "Several Martial Uncles and our Master have passed into immortality," she explained. "The Floating Cloud Palace is at its weakest right now; they've assessed the situation perfectly." Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. "Even at our lowest ebb, we shouldn't struggle against them, should we?" Leng Chaoyun looked at him and sighed. "I initially held them in contempt as well. But I never expected their cultivation to be so profound, far exceeding what we imagined." Li Muzhan smiled. "Then I must see for myself. ...Very well. I shall handle them directly; the Palace Mistress need not show her face." "...Good," Leng Chaoyun nodded. Since she had already asked Li Muzhan for help, she saw no reason to be coy. Whatever was simplest was best. She could repay this debt later. Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head again. "Then I shall act." Li Muzhan settled into a cross-legged position. Leng Chaoyun watched him with a slight frown. Li Muzhan lightly closed his eyelids, formed a strange hand seal with both hands, his chest rose and fell a few times, and then he suddenly exhaled, softly spitting out a single word: "Scram!" The word sounded gentle to Leng Chaoyun, carrying no discernible force. But to the two groups below, it crashed like a thunderbolt. Their bodies swayed momentarily before they collapsed limply. Even the two men at the forefront were not spared; they fell motionless to the ground, having lost consciousness. Li Muzhan rose with a smile. "These fellows are truly worthless... Very well, how to deal with them is entirely up to the Palace Mistress." Leng Chaoyun moved to the edge of the cliff and looked down into the distance. She saw the ground littered with people, all sprawled out and still, clearly stripped of any capacity to resist. Li Muzhan asked, "How does the Palace Mistress intend to dispose of them?" "...Kill them," Leng Chaoyun stated flatly. Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow and laughed. "Every last one?" "Indeed," Leng Chaoyun hummed. "If we fell into their hands, our fate would be far worse. These people are scourges upon the world; it is better to kill them cleanly!" Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. "As the Palace Mistress commands."

Li Muzhan sat cross-legged behind Leng Chaoyun, who was seated on her couch with her eyes lightly closed, perfectly still, as Li Muzhan assisted her in healing her injuries. Her wounds were severe, reportedly inflicted by the Iron Palm Sect Master—a palm strike to the shoulder that drove residual energy deep into her body, making it incredibly difficult to expel. Even the esoteric techniques of the Floating Cloud Palace were proving useless against it. Since she could not dispel it herself, and now that Li Muzhan was here and had already done her a great favor, this small task was nothing. He had readily agreed. Moments later, wisps of white vapor rose from the top of Leng Chaoyun's head, fine as threads, which soon coalesced into a patch of white mist exuding a faint, fishy stench. Li Muzhan frowned as he channeled his internal energy, realizing how malicious this palm energy was. It had penetrated deep into her viscera, following perverse meridians. It was the energy of corpse poison—a death energy of extreme yin and coldness. No wonder the Floating Cloud Palace's heart techniques couldn't remove it. Only energy of the most supreme yang and firmness could counteract it, but the Floating Cloud Palace methods were predominantly practiced by women, emphasizing softness and pliability; they were helpless against this form of death qi. Li Muzhan employed the internal force of the Hua Hong Jing (Rainbow Transformation Scripture), transforming extreme firmness into extreme softness, circulating it through every part of her body, thread by thread, to drive out the omnipresent death qi. The Floating Cloud Palace's techniques still possessed remarkable qualities; despite being corroded by this death energy, she remained safe. Had it been anyone else, their soul and spirit would have long since dissipated. As both were concentrating on their cultivation, a long, piercing cry suddenly echoed, a sound so loud it seemed to halt the clouds, originating from the foot of the mountain. The person's cultivation was clearly profound in the extreme. Li Muzhan’s eyebrow twitched. "Palace Mistress, do not be distracted." Leng Chaoyun remained motionless. Li Muzhan continued, "This person might be a master from the Iron Palm Sect or the Mad Blade Sect. It was fortunate you did not send the disciples out." If the disciples had gone out now, they would have inevitably suffered losses against such a top-tier expert. With his Eye of the Void, Li Muzhan observed a black-robed elder examining the disciples of the Iron Palm and Mad Blade Sects.