The Daoist temple was increasingly dilapidated; the main hall was open to the winds on two sides, clearly no longer habitable.

Zhao Yetting sized up Li Muchen, his heart filled with complex emotions.

Li Muchen clasped his hands in greeting, smiling at the crowd, nodding to Liu Biyun, and then gracefully departed, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

"Hey, why did he leave?" Zhao Yetting asked, surprised.

He had just saved their lives, and they wanted to talk, express their gratitude, and deepen their connection, yet the man simply left.

Liu Biyun shook her head, gazing into the distance where Li Muchen had already dissolved into the deep night.

She glanced over the group, including Zhao Yetting, her mind churning with hesitation.

"Junior Sister Liu, just say what you need to say quickly; we’re family, no need to be so polite!" Zhao Yetting remarked casually.

He waved his hand. "Alright, Junior Brother Wang, are you alright?"

Wang Hanyang smiled and waved back, "It was timely that fellow arrived!"

Zhao Yetting sighed. "Junior Sister Liu certainly has a discerning eye; we are truly not his equal."

They had clearly seen how, after Li Muchen appeared, with just a few words and a few simple sword strikes, he had forced back the Linhai Pavilion and the Wansheng Sect. Such martial prowess and skill were far beyond their own capabilities. Even if they possessed such power, they lacked his calm, practiced demeanor—truly a man of extraordinary wisdom.

Liu Biyun bit her red lip, thought for a moment, then shook her head, dismissing the idea that had crossed her mind.

She had initially intended to reveal Li Muchen's true identity to everyone, to let them know who their real benefactor was, and then inform them that when the sect decided how to handle the Zishang Palace, they could influence the outcome. However, after this incident, she became apprehensive. If she revealed his true identity and the news spread, both the Linhai Pavilion and the Wansheng Sect would know, and they would never let the matter rest, causing trouble for the Zishang Palace—trouble far harder to handle than anything the sect itself might create.

After careful consideration, she decided against speaking, sighed, and floated out to follow him. Not far from the main hall, Li Muchen reappeared.

Li Muchen, dressed in a plain green robe, smiled at her under the hazy moonlight. She suddenly felt him seem extraordinarily distant.

"What is it?" Li Muchen walked toward her with a smile.

Liu Biyun shook her head, joyful inside but unable to express it.

Li Muchen asked, "Are they alright?"

"It was fortunate you arrived in time," Liu Biyun replied, still frowning slightly.

"What decision is difficult to make?" Li Muchen laughed gently.

The feeling between them was peculiar. They weren't exactly close, yet there was an undeniable, strange resonance.

Liu Biyun said, "I wanted to tell everyone who you are, but I’m afraid..."

Li Muchen shook his head. "Don't tell them.... When the Longshan Sect eventually moves against our Zishang Palace, you don't need to struggle; just let nature take its course."

"But..." Liu Biyun frowned.

Li Muchen smiled. "Once we know the Longshan Sect intends to act, we will hide in advance and avoid their sharpest blow."

"Is that so..." Liu Biyun breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Muchen smiled. "Besides, your Longshan Sect might not even bother with us. In their eyes, the Zishang Palace is insignificant."

"It's a pity I have so little standing to influence the sect's decisions," Liu Biyun sighed.

Li Muchen smiled. "Practice your cultivation diligently; there will always be opportunities in the future."

Liu Biyun shook her head. "Women hold little sway in the Longshan Sect.... To be safe, you should go into hiding first. I estimate..."

Li Muchen frowned. "The Longshan Sect will make a move?"

Liu Biyun looked at him and gave a slight nod. "After the two factions came to besiege us this time, the higher-ups in the sect will be furious. Since they couldn't deal with those two factions, they might take it out on the Zishang Palace!"

Li Muchen snorted, then shook his head and laughed, "That truly sounds like the Longshan Sect’s style!"

Liu Biyun lowered her head shyly.

Li Muchen laughed. "If the Longshan Sect truly acts this way, I won't be polite!"

Liu Biyun looked up at him quickly.

Li Muchen said, "We'll discuss it later. Until we meet again!"

With that, he smiled, waved his hand, and gracefully vanished into the woods.

At the Zhaoxia Hall, high noon. When Li Muchen arrived, Qin Yeqiu was resting on her couch. He entered directly, startling her awake. She quickly sat up straight.

"Senior Sister," Li Muchen said, clasping his hands, feeling slightly embarrassed—his composure still wasn't perfect; he was too impatient.

Qin Yeqiu still wore a look of languid beauty. She waved a hand. "You returned so quickly? You didn't go to the Longshan Sect?"

Li Muchen shook his head. "Longshan Sect disciples met me halfway; there was no need for me to escort them further."

"Why the change of plans?" Qin Yeqiu asked. "Didn't you intend to probe their intentions and see their attitude?"

Li Muchen sighed. "Senior Sister, I fear the situation is not good. Tell everyone to prepare—prepare for the Longshan Sect to make a move."

"The Longshan Sect will really attack?" Qin Yeqiu asked, frowning.

Li Muchen shook his head. "It’s better to be prepared. Do we have a place to hide?"

"We do have places," Qin Yeqiu nodded slowly, musing, "But if we hide now, what happens in the future?"

Li Muchen replied, "We'll come out again after we've improved our martial arts."

"That would be a massive blow to morale," Qin Yeqiu argued. "Retreating without a fight, people will look down on our Zishang Palace, and no disciples will come to join us."

Li Muchen asked, "Does Senior Sister want us to fight the Longshan Sect before retreating?"

Qin Yeqiu slowly nodded. "We have no other choice."

Li Muchen frowned, looking at her, and sighed. "Very well. My Senior Sister and I will stay behind to deal with the Longshan Sect; if we can't manage it, then we retreat."

"You—?" Qin Yeqiu hesitated.

She considered Li Muchen the most vital member of the Zishang Palace; the future prosperity of the sect rested on him. If anything happened to him, the Zishang Palace truly would have no hope.

Li Muchen insisted, "Senior Sister, I must stay. With Liuguang Dianshi, escaping won't be difficult."

Qin Yeqiu shook her head faintly. "You protect the others and lead them away; Master and I will stay."

Li Muchen frowned, displeased. "Does Senior Sister lack confidence in me? Are you afraid I might lose my life?"

Qin Yeqiu replied, "The Longshan Sect has experts aplenty. Your martial arts are strong, but you might not fare well."

Li Muchen laughed, shaking his head. "The Longshan Sect has many masters, but they likely won't send too many of their top fighters. In their eyes, our Zishang Palace is as small as an ant!"

Qin Yeqiu shook her head. "The Longshan Sect acts with absolute dominance, seeking to sever all future troubles. Even if they look down on us, they will exert full effort; there will certainly be no shortage of top masters."

Li Muchen smiled. "Senior Sister underestimates me too much. As long as it isn't the absolute peak masters of the Longshan Sect coming, I have the ability to escape.... Senior Sister, how about we spar with our swordsmanship?"

"Your swordsmanship surpasses mine; there's no need to spar," Qin Yeqiu said.

Li Muchen chuckled. "If a real fight broke out, Senior Sister couldn't withstand two of my moves."

"Hm—?" Qin Yeqiu frowned, gazing at him.

Li Muchen smiled. "Doesn't Senior Sister believe me?"

"Then I must see for myself," Qin Yeqiu said, slowly walking out of the main hall.

Li Muchen followed, stopping opposite her, drawing his Azure Edge Sword. He had left his Zhaoxia Sword behind to maintain his disguise.

Qin Yeqiu drew her sword, pointed it at Li Muchen, and commanded, "Begin."

Li Muchen smiled. "Senior Sister, strike first, or I won't have a chance to draw my sword."

"...Fine!" Qin Yeqiu resolved to teach him a lesson, lest he underestimate the world's martial artists.

"Watch my sword!" she commanded softly, her blade becoming a white streak aimed precisely at his chest. This strike carried exquisite power, her signature move. He claimed she couldn't block two of his moves; she would make him unable to block one of hers. She intended to teach him a profound lesson; though this strike appeared casual, it was a full-power assault.

Li Muchen chuckled lightly, gliding forward, his path precisely intercepting the tip of her sword. Li Muchen lightly touched a spot, then retreated behind Qin Yeqiu. He returned his sword to its sheath, clasped his hands, and smiled, "Senior Sister, I concede!"

They had perfectly exchanged positions: she was where he had been, and he occupied her original spot, as if prearranged.

"You..." Qin Yeqiu's expression flickered slightly as she touched her throat, smooth as porcelain. She studied Li Muchen from head to toe, then her bright eyes flashed again. "Watch my sword!"

Li Muchen sidestepped again, moving in diagonally. A glimmer from his waist appeared, followed by the tip of his sword resting just before her throat. Then he retracted the blade, sheathing it, and smiled broadly, "Senior Sister!"

Qin Yeqiu took a deep breath, slowly returning her sword to its scabbard, and said faintly, "Exquisite swordsmanship!" She hadn't expected Li Muchen's mastery to be so profound, capable of defeating her in a single exchange. Her own intricate techniques felt like a joke; he had broken them effortlessly.

"Senior Sister, how was that?" Li Muchen asked. "Am I capable of staying behind to cover the retreat?"

"...Very well," Qin Yeqiu nodded slowly.

Li Muchen said, "Thank you, Senior Sister. I need to enter seclusion for a while and do not wish to be disturbed!"

"Go ahead," Qin Yeqiu waved her hand. Li Muchen didn't delay; he needed to seize every moment, as the Longshan Sect could arrive at any time, requiring him to quickly enhance his strength.

Li Muchen began his solitary cultivation. He possessed the Dragon-Subduing Technique, the Tortoise and Crane Mystic Scripture, along with the Zhaoxia Skill and the Yingyue Skill. These four core mental cultivation methods each held profound mysteries, incredible and subtle.

In these days, he had gained a full understanding of the martial arts in this world. Compared to his original two worlds, the cultivation here was more refined. Although this world lacked sufficient Yuan Qi (Primal Energy), human innate talent was stronger—the Xiantian Zhi Qi (Innate Vitality) was richer, resulting in longer lifespans.

The martial arts here focused on Jing Qi (Essence Vitality). Unlike Yuan Qi, Jing Qi could not disperse outside the body to form external energy shields (Gang Qi), but it could aid the body's structure and enhance its fortitude. Ultimately, everything relied on the physical body's power. The combination of internal strength and bodily power formed Jin Li (Impact Force), possessing formidable might, perhaps even surpassing Yuan Qi.

Consequently, after arriving in this world, even former Grandmasters often met untimely deaths. Li Muchen had been exceedingly cautious, unwilling to take unnecessary risks. However, after a few forays, he recognized his own advantages, and his courage slowly grew.

His swordsmanship was unparalleled, built upon an excellent foundation from his first world, skills that hadn't been fully utilized in his second world but were now critically important here. Li Muchen was supremely confident in his sword mastery, especially after witnessing the techniques of the Linhai Pavilion; he no longer held himself in low regard, knowing he possessed the power of self-preservation. He desired to create a new core mental technique or martial art that could allow the Zishang Palace disciples to achieve rapid advancement. A powerful yet easily learned technique was the most pressing need for the Zishang Palace.