Li Muzhan pondered, "No one knows what happened back then.

I just have a feeling that the Zhaoxia Gong and the Yinyue Gong were originally one." Yan Mei scoffed, "Junior Brother Li, you really dare to imagine!" She turned to look at Qin Yeqiu, who remained motionless, her bright eyes flickering ceaselessly as she sank into thought.

Yan Mei glanced at Li Muzhan again, realizing he had moved the Palace Mistress.

Could it be true? That the Zhaoxia Gong and Yinyue Gong were once a single technique? She shook her head, thinking it was merely Li Muzhan engaging in fanciful speculation.

A quarter of an hour passed before Qin Yeqiu’s bright eyes regained clarity, and she nodded slowly, "It's possible." Li Muzhan spoke up, "Palace Mistress, let me try.

We'll know the truth or falsehood with one attempt." Qin Yeqiu shook her head, "Even if it is true, grasping the proper timing and intensity will be extremely difficult." The Yinyue Gong was Yin and the Zhaoxia Gong was Yang; like water and fire, they were bound to conflict upon meeting, inevitably leading to internal deviations, resulting in severe injury or, worse, death.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly, "Senior Sister, as they say, extreme Yin begets Yang, and extreme Yang begets Yin; the perfect harmony of Yin and Yang is the ultimate goodness.

I have cultivated the Zhaoxia Gong to its peak; perhaps if I then practice the Yinyue Gong, it might succeed." "Worthy of someone who has read books," Yan Mei remarked to Qin Yeqiu with a smile. "The saying about extreme Yin begetting Yang is not something common folk would know." Qin Yeqiu frowned and shook her head. "The Zhaoxia Gong is overwhelmingly dominant and allows no room for other internal energies.

The moment the internal energy of the Yinyue Gong appears, it will instantly be devoured." "That is mere conjecture; the actual situation might not be so.

I wish to test it," Li Muzhan insisted. "Very well, you may try," Qin Yeqiu acquiesced. "If anything feels wrong, stop immediately.

We are still counting on you at this crucial time; you must not take unnecessary risks." Li Muzhan nodded. "I will try for a few days.

If it fails, I’ll head straight to the Dragon Mountain Sect!" "We'll see about that," Qin Yeqiu replied, shaking her head.

Yan Mei offered, "Palace Mistress, allow me to guard Junior Brother Li during his meditation." Qin Yeqiu nodded, and the three left the Zhaoxia Hall, proceeding to Li Muzhan’s small courtyard.

Li Muzhan’s sleeping chamber was not large; it wasn't cramped for one person, but having all three of them enter made it feel crowded.

The two women radiated faint, delicate fragrances.

In the vast hall or outside, these scents were barely perceptible, but in the narrow confines of the small room, they became distinct.

Li Muzhan inhaled the light, sweet aroma.

His heart remained tranquil, devoid of any improper thoughts.

He sat cross-legged on the couch.

Qin Yeqiu sat behind him, placing both palms against his Bexin (Heart-Back Point), then slowly transmitted the core method of the Yinyue Gong.

Yan Mei fetched a high-backed chair from outside.

After sitting down, she observed the pair, her longsword resting across her knees, ready to be drawn at any moment.

After listening to the core method, Li Muzhan paused in thought, asked a few clarifying questions about critical junctures, to which Qin Yeqiu patiently responded.

Li Muzhan nodded, closed his eyes, and began his cultivation.

Time slipped by unnoticed, moving from morning to noon, and then to evening.

The lingering glow of the setting sun illuminated the paper windows, bathing the small room in crimson light.

Yan Mei’s bright eyes were fixed on Li Muzhan’s face, clear as still water.

Qin Yeqiu’s palms remained pressed against Li Muzhan’s back; the two figures were unmoving, like statues.

Yan Mei felt a touch of worry.

Cultivating internal energy methods demands immense focus; usually, one could only persist for an hour, perhaps two at most, before needing rest to replenish their spirit.

Li Muzhan had been cultivating for an entire day—roughly five full hours.

Had he passed out? Or had some problem trapped him? Perhaps he was only appearing to cultivate while cleverly regulating his mind, otherwise, this duration was simply unbelievable.

Who practices this way? Her eyebrows, shaped like distant mountains, furrowed slightly as she gazed at Li Muzhan, filled with confused doubt.

Yet, she knew her own suspicion was likely incorrect; she could sense his internal energy flowing continuously.

The aura around him was slowly shifting, constantly and subtly changing, like a surging great river entering a different channel, becoming gentler and more meandering, losing its previous fierceness. "Huuuh..." Li Muzhan slowly exhaled.

A white jet shot out, striking the quilt by the head of the bed, creating an indentation as if struck by a fist.

Qin Yeqiu drew back her jade palms and slowly opened her eyes.

Yan Mei quickly inquired, "Junior Brother, Senior Sister, how was it?" Li Muzhan smiled. "Good news! ...

Senior Sister Qin, what do you think?" Qin Yeqiu nodded gently. "Mm." Yan Mei’s face blossomed into a joyous smile. "Does this mean the Yinyue Gong and Zhaoxia Gong are truly a single set of techniques?" Qin Yeqiu stated, "Very likely, perhaps nine out of ten parts match." "What about the power?" Yan Mei asked.

Li Muzhan smiled, extended his hand, and chuckled, "Senior Sister Yan, try it." Yan Mei stood up and placed her white jade-like left hand against Li Muzhan’s right palm.

With a slight exertion, a muffled peng sound erupted from the point of contact between their palms, and she staggered back a step. "Incredible!" Yan Mei exclaimed in admiration.

She had used Cunjin (Inch Force), unleashing the internal energy of the Yinyue Gong with about sixty to seventy percent of her power, knowing Li Muzhan’s cultivation was profound enough not to warrant holding back.

But this strike felt like hitting cotton—hollow, yielding nothing, like stepping into empty air.

Immediately following, a fierce, rebounding force struck her back.

Her initial momentum had ceased just as a new force had yet to form, leaving her with no means of resistance.

Li Muzhan laughed. "Having both Yin and Yang means having both void and substance.

With this interplay of void and substance, one gains significant advantages in a fight." "Indeed," Yan Mei agreed, having experienced it firsthand, nodding in approval.

Qin Yeqiu shook her head. "Relying only on this won't be enough to withstand the Dragon Mountain Sect." Li Muzhan considered this for a moment. "Senior Sister, does our Palace possess any body-tempering internal cultivation methods?" Qin Yeqiu frowned and pondered, then shook her head. "No." Li Muzhan suggested, "In my view, tempering the body first, and then practicing either the Zhaoxia Gong or the Yinyue Gong, would yield twice the result with half the effort." The core method of the Zhaoxia Gong was exquisite yet uncomplicated; it lacked the convoluted layers of complexity he had previously studied.

This single line of cultivation, practiced continuously, would lead straight to the Dantian (Elixir Field) becoming completely full.

It was like several rivers flowing toward a lake—one river would always be the most direct route, filling the lake fastest.

The Zhaoxia Gong was precisely such a river.

As for expanding the lake or changing the water's quality, this single river was incapable.

But when the Zhaoxia Gong and Yinyue Gong combined, a method for that was found.

Qin Yeqiu shook her head. "More than one predecessor has attempted this, but the progress was too slow, and they ultimately abandoned it.

That's why we stopped pursuing body-tempering techniques; we simply look for disciples with superior innate talent to avoid the trouble." Li Muzhan mused briefly, then slowly stated, "Senior Sister, the Zhaoxia Gong advances quickly, but it cannot alter the meridians.

Talent dictates achievement; no matter how long one practices, they cannot transcend the limits of their innate aptitude.

The Yinyue Gong is similar.

However, combining the two can change the meridians." "Hmm—?" Qin Yeqiu frowned.

Li Muzhan explained, "The internal energy generated by the union of Yin and Yang has the effect of nourishing and strengthening the meridians.

Finding one specialized technique for strengthening meridians would complete the cycle." "Does it really have such a marvelous effect?" Yan Mei asked quickly.

Li Muzhan smiled. "We’ll know with one try!" Yan Mei questioned, "Junior Brother, can we attempt it now?" Li Muzhan thought for a moment, hesitating. "If we can perfectly control the intensity, and moreover, use two minds simultaneously to circulate both techniques, we could attempt it.

Otherwise, it is much safer to first cultivate one technique to its ultimate realm before trying the other." Yan Mei sighed. "That means it’s not feasible right now." Qin Yeqiu concluded, "It is too dangerous.

Let's forget it." Li Muzhan laughed. "Senior Sister, the moment one steps into the martial world, their head is tied to their waist; how can one fear danger!" Yan Mei nodded. "Junior Brother speaks sense.

I want to try." Li Muzhan instructed, "Senior Sister, observe this." He drew a circle and a triangle on the couch with his two index fingers simultaneously, perfectly executed, then gestured toward Yan Mei.

Yan Mei also extended her two hands and tried to draw.

However, her drawings were distorted; she could not replicate it.

Li Muzhan chuckled. "This is dual-tasking.

If Senior Sister Yan cannot do it, you should give up." Yan Mei tried twice more in defiance but failed.

She huffed, "Palace Mistress, you try." Qin Yeqiu rested her two index fingers above the couch, staring intently for a moment.

Then, both index fingers simultaneously drew a circle and a triangle with perfect precision.

Li Muzhan laughed heartily. "Senior Sister can also multitask." Yan Mei tried again, sighing in defeat; she still could not manage it.

Li Muzhan concluded, "Senior Sister Qin can attempt cultivating with both methods simultaneously.

Senior Sister Yan cannot manage this; it is better for you to cultivate the Yinyue Gong to its peak, and then practice the Zhaoxia Gong.

Fortunately, the Zhaoxia Gong is quick to learn, so there is no need to rush." "Ah...

this is infuriating," Yan Mei sighed.

The Zhaoxia Gong was Yang and the Yinyue Gong was Yin, yet their core methods were not similar.

The Zhaoxia Gong achieved progress by leaps and bounds, emphasizing swiftness, while the Yinyue Gong was like dripping water piercing stone, a slow but steady flow.

Once the key to the Zhaoxia Gong was grasped, progress cascaded rapidly, making it seem superior.

However, the Zhaoxia Gong's weakness was also more pronounced.

Though slower, the foundation laid by the Yinyue Gong was extremely solid, strengthening the meridians as cultivation grew, far surpassing the Zhaoxia Gong.

Precisely because of this, the Yinyue Gong could not be rushed.

To master the Yinyue Gong without forty to fifty years of arduous practice was pure fantasy.

Li Muzhan spoke again, "Senior Sister, actually, there is another path." "Speak," Qin Yeqiu urged.

Li Muzhan proposed, "Male and female disciples cultivating together—both practicing as one unit." Qin Yeqiu frowned and pondered.

After a long moment, she stated, "This requires complete unity of mind and heart between the two individuals, which is difficult." The male and female disciples of the Purple Garment Palace were like fire and water, constantly trying to suppress the other; how could they possibly achieve such spiritual harmony? Li Muzhan offered, "How about this, Senior Sister: I will assist.

Senior Sister Yan, shall we try this?" "Good!" Yan Mei agreed without hesitation.

Qin Yeqiu hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Can you circulate your energy after resting?" Li Muzhan smiled. "I have recovered." Yan Mei exclaimed, "No wonder Junior Brother has such cultivation! Who can practice for that long?!" Li Muzhan instructed, "Senior Sister Yan, let us begin.

Inject your internal energy into my body, and after I process it, I will return it to you." "Alright." Yan Mei sat on the couch, facing Li Muzhan directly.

Their four palms met, and they slightly lowered their eyelids.

Yan Mei began to inject her internal energy into his two palms, flooding into his body.

Li Muzhan activated the Zhaoxia Gong and Yinyue Gong simultaneously.

The Yinyue Gong assimilated Yan Mei's external energy.

After two full cycles of both techniques circulating, the internal energy began to transform.

A moment later, Yan Mei felt a spring-like internal energy gushing back, drilling into her body before flowing along the circulatory path of the Yinyue Gong.

Her entire body felt warm, completely unlike her usual experience with the Yinyue Gong.