Li Muzhan had always wondered why Qiao Zaixian, though not the strongest in martial arts, possessed such daring and fearlessness, smiling easily even when Luo Jiangyan caused trouble.

It was this Senior Sister Cheng, however, who made his face pale, proving her formidable nature. Just where lay her true power? It certainly wasn't just in combat. It was only upon arriving at the Yingfeng Tower in the small city below that Li Muzhan understood the reason.

Three tables were pushed together to form a circle, large bowls were set out, and several big jars of wine were summoned. The petite young woman began to offer toasts.

She smiled sweetly, her voice as smooth as honey, calling one person "Senior Brother" and another "Senior Brother," even addressing Li Muzhan as "Little Junior Brother" with such affection that it could melt a heart.

Under the barrage of her smiles and saccharine words, no one could resist her urging to drink. In no time, ten jars of strong liquor had been emptied into their stomachs, and she immediately called for ten more.

Li Muzhan was persuaded to drink sixteen bowls, while Qiao Zaixian and Lin Beihai managed over ten bowls each. The women took turns urging them on, their laughter ringing out constantly. There was no hint of hostility; instead, the atmosphere was one of joyous camaraderie.

Li Muzhan offered a wry smile. Senior Sister Cheng had an astonishing capacity for alcohol. Qiao Zaixian and Lin Beihai were already showing signs of drunkenness, yet Senior Sister Cheng remained perfectly composed, as if she had merely downed ten bowls of water.

Even ten bowls of water would strain a stomach, yet when comparing the volume of wine to her small abdomen, it seemed impossible for her to hold so much liquor, yet she smiled charmingly, unchanged.

It had been agreed beforehand that they were forbidden from using inner energy to force the alcohol down; that would defeat the purpose. They were to resist the drink based on genuine ability—if they got drunk, they got drunk, no cheating allowed.

After those first ten jars, Qiao Zaixian and the others felt a slight intoxication, and in turn, stopped resisting; they drank whenever Senior Sister Cheng offered.

In the blink of an eye, another ten jars were finished. Qiao Zaixian and the others, without exception, had collapsed onto the tables, drunk. Only two remained sitting upright as before: Li Muzhan and Senior Sister Cheng.

Li Muzhan now knew her name was Cheng Fuxue; she was eighteen, extremely well-liked, possessing a refined beauty but a bold, unrestrained spirit. Her ability to drink surpassed even that of the men.

Cheng Fuxue drained another bowl with a long gulp, setting it down heavily, and studied Li Muzhan. She laughed charmingly, "Junior Brother Li, what a capacity for drink you have!"

Her cheeks were flushed a deep crimson, looking ripe enough to pluck, and her bright eyes shimmered with clear water.

Li Muzhan followed suit, finishing his drink in one go, and set his bowl down gently, chuckling, "Senior Sister Cheng, I'm about to get drunk."

"Hmph. If you can say that, you're clearly fine!" Cheng Fuxue waved her hand, picking up the wine jar to refill both her and Li Muzhan's bowls, her movements bold, spilling quite a bit of wine in the process.

Li Muzhan remarked, "Senior Sister Cheng has truly remarkable stamina. One cannot judge by appearance!"

"Do you think because I'm small, my capacity for drink is small too?!" Cheng Fuxue lifted her large bowl to her lips, glaring sideways at him with a hum.

Li Muzhan nodded. He admitted frankly, "Indeed, I thought so."

After draining her bowl, Cheng Fuxue tilted her head to look at him: "Junior Brother Li, how did you grasp the Zhaoxia Gong? I tried, but it left me feeling so lost!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Senior Sister, if you haven't practiced Zhaoxia Gong, you certainly won't find the thread. Once you practice it, it won't feel that way."

"Why should I practice something men practice!" Cheng Fuxue waved a dismissive hand. "But no matter how powerful Zhaoxia Gong is, it can't beat Yingyue Gong. My dear Senior Brothers, don't even think about turning the tables!"

Li Muzhan gave a wry smile and slowly nodded.

Cheng Fuxue laughed. "But still, now there is hope. The junior brothers won't give up halfway anymore."

Li Muzhan nodded slowly. He knew that previously, some male disciples of the Zishang Palace couldn't bear the training. They had given up, left the mountain, either integrating into the mundane world or becoming outer disciples. Many of them were quite talented; Qiao Zaixian and Lin Beihai spoke of them with sighs of regret.

The two were talking when four middle-aged men in dark robes entered the third floor. Their faces were grim. They swept a cold glance over Li Muzhan and his group, seeing only the two of them, they paid them no mind and settled at a table near the window.

Cheng Fuxue had her back to them, but Li Muzhan saw clearly that these four men exuded a dense killing aura; each of them had taken at least ten lives.

Sensing something, Cheng Fuxue glanced back but quickly dismissed it.

The four middle-aged men leaned forward, their heads nearly touching, murmuring amongst themselves. Li Muzhan and Cheng Fuxue fell silent.

The third floor had been empty save for them. Now that guests had arrived, they couldn't speak too carelessly. The Zishang Palace was famously mysterious, and they preferred outsiders not to know their affairs.

Li Muzhan narrowed his eyes at them and whispered, "Senior Sister Cheng, we've eaten and drunk enough. Let's return to the mountain."

"Good, let's go back," Cheng Fuxue replied with a sweet smile. "This drinking session was truly satisfying! Next time, we won't bother with them; it'll just be the two of us drinking!"

Li Muzhan laughed. "Wonderful, I will certainly accompany you!"

The pair were about to wake Qiao Zaixian and the others when the four middle-aged men stood up. A sturdy, round-faced youth asked, "You two are disciples of the Zishang Palace, aren't you?"

Cheng Fuxue stood up, turned to face them, appraised them from head to toe, and laughed a little, slightly tipsy, "That's right, we are Zishang Palace disciples!"

"Very good!" The round-faced, burly youth grinned widely and waved his hand.

"Clang..." Four cold sabers shot out of their sheaths, slicing toward Cheng Fuxue and Li Muzhan with lightning speed.

Li Muzhan frowned, drew his sword, and blocked one strike for Cheng Fuxue. Cheng Fuxue, being somewhat drunk, had reacted in her mind, but her body couldn't keep up.

Seeing the blade light approaching, a cold sweat broke out across her, and the intoxication vanished instantly. "Ding..." A long sword materialized before her, blocking two of the strikes.

Li Muzhan thrust his sword forward sharply, stating in a deep voice, "Senior Sister, I'll handle them. You wake up our fellow disciples!"

Cheng Fuxue agreed readily and slapped the yellow-robed girl beside her: "Junior Sister Hu, wake up!"

The yellow-robed girl shifted, batting her hand away. Cheng Fuxue quickly urged, "Junior Sister Hu, enemies are here! Wake up quickly!"

Junior Sister Hu sat bolt upright with a jolt, her previously hazy eyes flashing with sharpness. Her apricot-yellow silk robe puffed out, immediately releasing an aroma of wine, and then her eyes cleared completely.

"It's them?!" She turned to look at the wide-eyed Cheng Fuxue.

Cheng Fuxue was staring dazedly at Li Muzhan engaged with the four men, utterly stunned by what she saw. Li Muzhan’s sword light flashed like lightning, attacking the four men in a relentless storm, forcing them backward step by step.

This scene was entirely different from what she had expected; the reality was worlds apart.

Li Muzhan spoke in a grave tone, "Senior Sister Cheng! Senior Sister Hu!"

He did not pause his swordplay while speaking; the sword light grew colder and brighter, flashing like streaks of lightning toward the four attackers. A sky full of cold light obscured the long swords.

Cheng Fuxue turned to Hu Xiaoyan: "Junior Sister Hu, take them down!"

"Alright!" Hu Xiaoyan nodded, leaping gracefully into the flurry of sword light. A shower of shimmering sword light sprayed from her hand. Her figure was slender, her movements elegant and flowing.

The four middle-aged men inwardly groaned. One Li Muzhan was already more than they could handle. Hu Xiaoyan’s swordsmanship, though seemingly light and airy, was even more devastating.

"Retreat!" The round-faced, burly leader said sternly.

He knew the situation was lost. This was Zishang Palace territory; they could not linger. They had initially planned to take advantage of the disciples’ drunkenness and weak state to gain an easy victory and avenge their brothers, but now it seemed they had underestimated the Zishang Palace. A seemingly ordinary disciple possessed such formidable swordsmanship.

"Go!" The other three middle-aged men responded and slowly began to back away.

"Hmph!" Cheng Fuxue snorted coldly, suddenly blocking the exit to the staircase.

Li Muzhan gradually relaxed, as if his preceding barrage of attacks had been too intense and he needed a breath. Hu Xiaoyan’s sword work was exquisite, contrasting with his forceful style; hers was light and composed, like the flowing corner of a delicate lady's garment.

"Bang!" The round-faced, burly man slammed violently into the window, shattering the glass.

Li Muzhan suddenly leaped, swift as a ghost, instantly catching up to the burly man. A cold light flashed and vanished. He immediately retreated, appearing behind another middle-aged man, and another cold light flashed.

"Big Brother! Second Brother!" The other two middle-aged men shouted. They had seen Li Muzhan move like a phantom, his sword like lightning, piercing the backs of the two men, who slowly collapsed.

Cheng Fuxue and Hu Xiaoyan were astonished; they had not expected Li Muzhan's swordsmanship to be so lethal.

With a sharp "Hah!" Li Muzhan flashed like a ghost twice more. Instantly, the two other middle-aged men fell, swords in their backs, collapsing slowly, their eyes fixed on Li Muzhan in fury.

Li Muzhan planted his long sword on the ground, his face pale, his chest heaving violently. His heavy, ragged breaths were clearly audible. He slowly lowered his head.

"Junior Brother Li?" Cheng Fuxue called out softly.

Li Muzhan slowly looked up and managed a weak smile. "Senior Sister Cheng, Senior Sister Hu, if they aren't dead yet, please deliver a couple more blows. I can’t manage it."

"Junior Brother Li, you—?" Cheng Fuxue asked urgently.

Li Muzhan shook his head, gasping, "I've used up all my strength. I can't move."

"I'll do it!" Hu Xiaoyan said. She drew her sword and stabbed each of the four men in the chest. There was no doubt they were finished this time. Her movements were crisp and effortless.

Li Muzhan sighed inwardly. This Senior Sister Hu was also someone who didn't flinch at killing.

The four middle-aged men had all breathed their last. Li Muzhan sat cross-legged on the floor, regulating his breath. The Zhaoxia Sword resting across his knees was unstained by blood, gleaming coldly and menacingly.

Cheng Fuxue and Hu Xiaoyan woke the others. Once they converted their inner energy to dispel the wine, they regained clarity and saw the scene: Li Muzhan seated next to four corpses, his sword across his lap, eyes closed, meditating.

Even though he sat still, a chilling aura emanated from him. They couldn't help but shudder. The Little Junior Brother before them seemed to have transformed into an entirely different, awe-inspiring person.

Qiao Zaixian quickly asked, "Junior Sister Cheng, what happened?"

"Hmph, Senior Brother Qiao, and you have the nerve to ask!" Cheng Fuxue chided. "We were fighting for our lives while you were all sound asleep!"

Qiao Zaixian wiped his face and said with a bitter smile, "We were truly drunk! ... Who were those four guys?"

"Who cares who they were!" Cheng Fuxue retorted impatiently. "They went mad and attacked the moment they heard we were from the Zishang Palace."

"They must be enemies," Qiao Zaixian concluded. "Our Zishang Palace has plenty of enemies. Fortunately, you weren't drunk, Junior Sister."

"I deserve no credit!" Cheng Fuxue pointed at Li Muzhan. "Junior Brother Li killed all four of them! ... I never expected Junior Brother Li's swordsmanship to be so terrifying!"

"Junior Brother Li is still learning the sword," Qiao Zaixian noted.

Cheng Fuxue said, "It really is the Zhaoxia Sword Style! ... Senior Brother Qiao, Junior Brother Lin, you two cannot execute these two moves!"

The two sword moves Li Muzhan used just now were playing vividly in her mind, as if happening before her eyes. She instantly recognized them: they were the Zhuifeng (Chasing Wind) Sword Forms, indeed part of the Zhaoxia Sword Style.

Such ordinary Zhuifeng Sword Forms actually possessed such devastating power!

She was familiar with the Zhaoxia Sword Style, often sparring with the male disciples who practiced it. Knowing the enemy meant one wouldn't fail in a hundred battles; they too had put immense effort into studying its weaknesses.

Sword styles, unlike palm or fist techniques, could compensate for insufficient inner energy. The Zhaoxia Sword Style was powerful, not inferior to their own sword styles.

For the male disciples to regain their standing, there was only one path: relentless sword practice. To maintain their advantage, the women also had to practice their swordsmanship diligently and familiarize themselves with the Zhaoxia Sword Style.

Li Muzhan slowly opened his eyes, offered a smile to the group, and slid his sword back into its sheath. Hu Xiaoyan had been staring intently at Li Muzhan's sword and suddenly asked, "Junior Brother Li, is this the Zhaoxia Sword?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "It is."

"Be careful with this sword," Hu Xiaoyan cautioned.

Li Muzhan smiled. "I understand. This sword only returns to its sheath after tasting blood; its malevolent energy is very strong."

"It's good that you know," Hu Xiaoyan nodded lightly.

Everyone else was somewhat bewildered, unsure of the full context. Cheng Fuxue urged them to leave quickly, take the bodies away, and find a place to bury them, to avoid future complications.

The incident caused no ripple. After returning to the mountain, Cheng Fuxue and Hu Xiaoyan went to the Zhaoxia Hall to report the matter to the Palace Mistress, Qin Yeqiu.

There was no further news afterward, and Li Muzhan paid it no mind, focusing instead on his sword technique training.

He discovered that the Zhaoxia Sword Style was indeed exquisite. When combined with the Zhaoxia Gong, its power was unparalleled.

However, the sword style was not flawless. Its weakness was its profound difficulty; even though it comprised the most basic one hundred and eight forms, they were still too complex for the average disciple to grasp thoroughly.

Each of these one hundred and eight forms held immense power, provided one could comprehend its subtleties and execute it appropriately; otherwise, the power would not manifest.

The one move Li Muzhan used to kill the four middle-aged men was the Zhuifeng form. When coordinated with the Zhaoxia Gong, it truly moved like the wind and a phantom, achieving incredible speed.

The power of this form derived entirely from one's depth of cultivation; deeper cultivation meant stronger power; shallower cultivation meant weaker power—there was no trickery involved.

Every other form held similar potential, the key being deployment at the precise moment. He had observed Qiao Zaixian and the others practicing their sword forms, none of which achieved the necessary nuance.

This was hardly their fault. Li Muzhan was able to grasp the subtleties because he had meticulously studied hundreds of sword styles and witnessed various martial arts, possessing a broad and profound martial cultivation far beyond that of ordinary people.

Qin Yeqiu visited every three days to instruct him in the sword style. She never mentioned the incident of that day, as if it had never happened. Li Muzhan wisely refrained from asking.

She still harbored reservations toward Li Muzhan, seeming constantly wary. She spoke not a single unnecessary word, focusing only on the sword forms. Li Muzhan, understanding the situation, kept his silence and concentrated on his training.

One evening, Qin Yeqiu finally finished transmitting all one hundred and eight sword forms. She sheathed her sword, observed him for a moment, and shook her head.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Senior Sister, what is it?"

Qin Yeqiu said, "The one hundred and eight forms are complete. Master those first; there is no rush to learn the thirty-six forms."

Li Muzhan sheathed his sword in return. "Yes, the one hundred and eight forms are already profound enough."

Qin Yeqiu shook her head. "The one hundred and eight forms are merely the foundation; they are far inferior to the thirty-six forms. And there are nine more forms whose power is even greater."

Li Muzhan pondered for a moment. Qin Yeqiu prompted, "Don't hesitate; speak your mind!"

Li Muzhan said, "Senior Sister, I feel the one hundred and eight forms are still too difficult."

"You cannot comprehend them?" Qin Yeqiu asked blandly. "Junior Sister Cheng mentioned your sword skill was exceptional."

Li Muzhan shook his head. "It was just a fluke; sheer luck!"

Qin Yeqiu gave him a long look but said nothing more. She stated plainly, "In two days, I will be going to Qingyue Valley. You will accompany me."