"Stir it up to your heart's content!" Cheng Suzhen laughed, "Are you worried the sect will lose face and fly into a rage out of shame?"

Li Muzhan nodded with a smile.

Cheng Suzhen waved her hand, "You underestimate our Dragon Mountain Sect! Don't worry, unless you defeat every single opponent in the Dragon Mountain Sect!"

Li Muzhan chuckled, "That's not out of the question."

Cheng Suzhen pursed her lips into a slight smile, shaking her head, "Youth is so unaware of the immensity of heaven and earth! Your swordsmanship is good, but it's nowhere near invincible!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Senior, what if I happen to win by luck..."

Cheng Suzhen shot him a look, "If you're invincible, who would dare say anything?"

"Master, even tigers fear wolf packs!" Liu Biyun voiced Li Muzhan's worry.

Cheng Suzhen huffed, "You're afraid they'll be shamed into ganging up on you, aren't you? They don't have the guts for that!"

"Then I can act without reservation!" Li Muzhan smiled, understanding what Cheng Suzhen meant—they rarely resorted to such tactics, but if they escaped, the retribution was terrifying.

Cheng Suzhen gave a slight, knowing smile, "Teach those brats a thorough lesson. Their martial arts aren't much, but their arrogance is ten parts full!"

Li Muzhan said, "Senior, the disciples of the Dragon Mountain Sect are indeed formidable."

Cheng Suzhen squinted at him, "Little fellow, is that statement true or false?"

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, "I have met quite a few so-called young heroes, and they are far inferior to the disciples of the Dragon Mountain Sect!"

"That's true enough," Cheng Suzhen conceded. "But it depends on who you compare them to. Being a disciple of the Dragon Mountain Sect, comparing yourself to disciples of common sects is just debasing yourself!"

Li Muzhan touched the bridge of his nose, smiling and shaking his head.

Cheng Suzhen gave him a look, "You stinky boy, are you mocking me?"

"Certainly not, certainly not," Li Muzhan quickly waved his hands. He was indeed inwardly chuckling; the disciples of the Dragon Mountain Sect's arrogance wasn't without reason—it was learned from their elders.

Liu Biyun urged, "Big Brother, hurry up and write the challenge letter, don't let them get the jump on us!"

"This is serious business," Cheng Suzhen nodded quickly. "The little fellow has some shrewdness to think of that."

Li Muzhan smiled, "It’s of no consequence."

"It is absolutely not of no consequence!" Cheng Suzhen shook her head. "Just based on the stake money, you might trip up. Little Jing’s savings are substantial!"

Liu Biyun anxiously added, "Senior Brother Jing has quite a few treasures—a precious sword, armor, and even spirit elixirs that outsiders never see!"

Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. This was indeed a complication, but with millions of taels of silver as a base, it probably wouldn't matter much.

Seeing he wasn't worried, Liu Biyun quickly reminded him, "Big Brother, Senior Brother Jing has several priceless treasures!"

Li Muzhan snapped back to attention and nodded, "Good, I'll write the challenge letter now!"

Liu Biyun quickly stood up, went to the desk, and ground the ink until it was ready. Li Muzhan walked to the desk, and his brush danced like a dragon and snake, finishing the challenge letter in one fluid motion. Liu Biyun then handed him an envelope.

—

As the two were busy, a knocking sound suddenly echoed from outside—clank, clank—the clear ringing of a bronze ring. Cheng Suzhen frowned, "Girl, go see who it is!"

She cherished tranquility and usually kept to herself within the sect, disliking mundane affairs. Few people came to disturb her normally, especially at a time like this. This was the first time.

Liu Biyun agreed, put down the envelope, and gracefully slipped out. She soon returned, her red lips tightly pursed, her delicate brows knitted together in a deep furrow. A layer of anger veiled her jade-like face.

Cheng Suzhen asked, "What's wrong? Who angered you?"

Liu Biyun raised a hand, holding a piece of stationery. She said resentfully, "Senior Brother Jing beat us to it!"

"Jing's challenge letter?" Cheng Suzhen began to laugh.

"Mas—ter—!" Liu Biyun pouted coquettishly, shaking the letter fiercely, "This is infuriating!"

Cheng Suzhen laughed, "Who is to blame for that? He thought of it long ago!"

Liu Biyun turned to look at Li Muzhan, who smiled, "So eager. It seems he definitely intends to use the stake money to make things difficult for me, right?"

"Naturally!" Liu Biyun confirmed. "Senior Brother Jing disdains such petty tactics, but he is easily persuaded by others. If they egg him on, he’s bound to agree!"

Li Muzhan asked, "What if the stake money isn't enough?"

"By the rules, he'll have to give you ten free moves!" Liu Biyun stated.

Li Muzhan laughed, "That's easily manageable! I thought he was going to concede!"

Liu Biyun anxiously chided, "Big Brother, Senior Brother Jing practices the Quick Sword; his entire focus is on speed. He usually settles things with a single strike!"

Cheng Suzhen pursed her lips and chuckled, "In this respect, Guan Hai and Little Jing are similar. Interesting. Let's see which of you is faster!"

Li Muzhan smiled, revealing an air of unhurried composure, "Senior, I actually don't favor the Quick Sword; I prefer the Slow Sword!"

"Oh—?" Cheng Suzhen laughed softly, "Those little brats haven't forced you to use your real abilities yet!"

Liu Biyun warned, "Big Brother, you can't be careless! Among the Thirty-Six Arts, only one sword technique is known—the Meteor Sword. Senior Brother Jing focuses solely on practicing this one technique!"

Li Muzhan's brow twitched slightly, and he murmured, "The Meteor Sword. The sword is like a meteor—one is speed, and the second is ever-increasing speed, isn't that right?"

Cheng Suzhen lightly clapped her jade palms twice, "No wonder you possess this swordsmanship at such a young age! The Meteor Sword style is indeed like that. You can't block the first strike, the second is even harder, and they get progressively faster. You should just surrender your sword obediently!"

Li Muzhan seemed deep in thought, his gaze distant, instantly immersed in his own world.

Cheng Suzhen nodded. To enter such a state so quickly—geniuses were indeed different.

—

"What should we do now?" Liu Biyun frowned, thinking for a moment, then sighed.

Cheng Suzhen smiled; this silly girl was truly invested. The emperor wasn't worried, but the eunuch was anxious.

Li Muzhan came back to himself and smiled, "Forget it, ten moves it is then!"

Liu Biyun frowned, "If it were any other sword style, ten moves would be fine; you could block them. But the Meteor Sword style is different."

Li Muzhan smiled, "There is no other way now! We'll just let nature take its course."

Cheng Suzhen pursed her lips and smiled, "Girl, haven't you noticed he's full of confidence?"

"Senior Brother Jing is very formidable, and his attacks are either fatal or lethal..." Thinking of this, Liu Biyun was so anxious she was close to tears, stomping her foot hard.

Cheng Suzhen dared not laugh anymore and quickly said, "How about we pool some silver?"

"It's useless," Liu Biyun shook her head. "They will definitely use Senior Brother Jing's spirit elixirs as collateral!"

Li Muzhan asked, "What kind of spirit elixirs?"

Liu Biyun thought for a moment, "Senior Brother Jing has quite a few spirit elixirs."

Li Muzhan became curious, "How does he possess so many spirit elixirs? Do all Dragon Mountain Sect disciples have them?"

"Not from the sect," Liu Biyun shook her head. "They are from Senior Brother Jing's family."

Li Muzhan grew even more curious, "The Jing family..."

He shook his head; he hadn't heard of such a family. The qi in this world was sparse, but the lifespan of all things was long; even a dog could live fifty-six years, and plants lived even longer. Refining elixirs was certainly good, but it was difficult. It was a terrible waste, and though there were some medicinal formulas to enhance power, the stronger the potency, the greater the side effects, which no one could avoid. Thus, very few people used them.

Li Muzhan surmised that the most important part of refining elixirs was controlling the heat, which required immense spiritual power—something not easily possessed by ordinary people. However, the world was vast and full of wonders, and geniuses would always emerge. Historically, several elixir refiners had appeared.

Liu Biyun explained, "An ancestor of the Jing family once saved an elixir refiner and received three Marrow Cleansing Pills. Senior Brother Jing’s excellent aptitude is thanks to these pills."

"Marrow Cleansing Pill..." Li Muzhan murmured.

Marrow Cleansing Pill. The name sounded familiar. He knew it was an elixir for purging the marrow and cleansing the body. He had practiced many techniques for this purpose, so he didn't really need the pill. In terms of aptitude, he was nearly at his limit; there was no more room for improvement.

Liu Biyun exclaimed excitedly, "Big Brother, this Marrow Cleansing Pill is incomparably miraculous! Even the Sect Master and the others have never taken one!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Your Senior Brother Jing is really bad at managing relationships. Why didn't he offer one to the Sect Master?"

Liu Biyun replied, "Because the Marrow Cleansing Pill is too precious! The Jing family only had three in total. Senior Brother Jing has already taken two; only one remains!"

Cheng Suzhen pursed her lips and smiled, shaking her head, "It's not that he wouldn't give it to the Sect Master, but the Sect Master didn't ask. The Sect Master is quite old; what use would he have for such a thing?"

Li Muzhan's brow lifted slightly, "If he doesn't need it, he should give it to his direct disciple!"

Cheng Suzhen shook her head, "The rules of our Dragon Mountain Sect are different. The Sect Master does not take direct disciples."

Li Muzhan narrowed his eyes slightly. Liu Biyun knew he was thinking; she noticed this small habit—when pondering, he liked to narrow his eyes, as if to prevent his gaze from escaping.

—

Li Muzhan truly did not know this rule of the Dragon Mountain Sect. It was truly strange that the Sect Master would not take a disciple, but this also prevented the succession of the Sect Master position from being hereditary, ensuring the Dragon Mountain Sect belonged to all its disciples, rather than any single family or surname.

"Senior, does that mean any disciple could potentially become the Sect Master?" Li Muzhan asked.

Cheng Suzhen nodded lightly, "Correct! If the girl shows spirit, she might even become the Sect Master of the Dragon Mountain Sect as a woman!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Has the Dragon Mountain Sect ever had a female Sect Master?"

"Of course," Cheng Suzhen laughed. "There have been four female Sect Masters; all were paragons of heaven! I think the girl is still a bit short of the mark; there isn't much hope for her!"

"Mas—ter—!" Liu Biyun pouted in embarrassment, "I'm not cut out for that!"

"That's not necessarily true," Cheng Suzhen smiled, shaking her head. "To become the Sect Master, luck is very important, and your luck is quite good!"

As she spoke, she glanced at Li Muzhan, who touched the bridge of his nose and chuckled.

Cheng Suzhen retorted, "Don't you laugh foolishly, brat. I haven't promised anything!"

Li Muzhan quickly nodded, "Understood, understood!"

Cheng Suzhen continued, "Precisely because there are no direct disciples, the Sect Master can act with impartiality... To become the Sect Master, two things are essential: first, martial cultivation, and second, merit."

Li Muzhan nodded thoughtfully. Cheng Suzhen elaborated, "Martial cultivation goes without saying; without formidable martial arts, one cannot be ranked first among their peers. Without a doubt, among this generation of disciples, Little Jing has a high chance."

Li Muzhan smiled, "I truly wish to witness Senior Brother Jing's style immediately!"

Cheng Suzhen shook her delicate head and smiled, "I'm afraid you will be disappointed. His chances of becoming Sect Master are slim; his actions are too ruthless, lacking in equanimity. If such a young man became Sect Master, endless trouble would follow!"

"Who decides that?" Li Muzhan asked.

Cheng Suzhen replied, "All disciples vote collectively!"

Li Muzhan shook his head and laughed; he hadn't expected the domineering Dragon Mountain Sect to be so open-minded!

Cheng Suzhen sighed, "You must be careful. Little Jing's cultivation is no less than yours, and his swordsmanship is excellent. Plus, he gets ten free moves. To be honest, I truly have no confidence."

Li Muzhan smiled, "Winning or losing isn't a big deal. Just witnessing the Meteor Sword style will be worth it!"

Cheng Suzhen gave him a sharp look, while Liu Biyun quickly interjected, "Big Brother, if you lose, you have to pay! Where will you find a Marrow Cleansing Pill to compensate?"

Cheng Suzhen sighed, "If Little Jing really stakes a Marrow Cleansing Pill, he’s truly ruthless!"

Liu Biyun stomped her foot resentfully, "Given Senior Brother Jing’s temperament, he definitely will!"

Cheng Suzhen looked at Li Muzhan and laughed, "Otherwise, just cheat and run down the mountain!"

Li Muzhan laughed, "Wouldn't that shame Biyun?"

Cheng Suzhen pursed her lips and chuckled, "She's just a girl; losing a little face is no big deal!"

"Mas—ter—!" Liu Biyun stomped her foot angrily, "I'm worried sick, and you're still joking!"

Liu Biyun patted her delicate shoulder and said, "Girl, you are too impatient. Winning and losing are ordinary matters; who can remain undefeated forever?"

Liu Biyun quickly insisted, "But if he has to pay with a Marrow Cleansing Pill..."

"If he really can't pay, the sect won't kill him!" Cheng Suzhen laughed.

Liu Biyun retorted coyly, "Then he’ll have to work off the debt through merit, and Big Brother will be tied to the sect!"

"Wouldn't that be better?" Cheng Suzhen smiled wryly. "He’d become one of our Dragon Mountain Sect disciples, and you could be with him!"

"I don't like it!" Liu Biyun shook her head firmly.

In her eyes, Li Muzhan was a divine dragon in the sky, soaring freely and unconstrained. If he were tied to the Dragon Mountain Sect, he certainly wouldn't be happy!

Li Muzhan saw through her thoughts, his heart softening, and he smiled, "Don't worry, Biyun, I won't lose."

Liu Biyun slowly nodded.

After bidding farewell to the two women, Li Muzhan returned to his room, lay on the couch, and quietly stared at the ceiling. A spark of inspiration had flashed through his mind while speaking with Cheng Suzhen.

He hadn't noticed it at the time because he was thinking of other things. Now, capturing that glimmer of insight—Sect Master... Sect Master, Female Sect Master... Female Sect Master—a smile spread across his face.

He had always wanted to resolve the relationship between the Dragon Mountain Sect and the Purple Robe Palace, but it was difficult. Initially, he thought of befriending an important figure; now, another path had appeared.

This Jing Sen was also a problem. The Dragon Mountain Sect was, after all, a major sect with deep roots and numerous secret arts; one couldn't be too careful. He might possess some secret technique that was impossible to guard against.

He had inquired about Liu Biyun, but she was not very familiar with Jing Sen either, as Jing Sen was deeply engrossed in ascetic cultivation, only interacting with a few fellow disciples and remaining cold toward others. Although Liu Biyun was the 'flower' of the Dragon Mountain Sect, Jing Sen was indifferent to women and focused solely on martial arts, showing her no special favor, so they weren't close. The information she had about him was revealed unintentionally when other disciples were trying to court her favor. She was a careful person and thus knew a bit more about Senior Brother Jing than most.

—

At dawn, Li Muzhan awoke leisurely and stretched. Footsteps sounded outside, and he smiled; it was Liu Biyun pacing just outside his door.

He yawned, and Liu Biyun’s crisp voice immediately followed, "Is Big Brother awake?"

Li Muzhan slid off the couch and pushed open the door. Liu Biyun floated in with a rush of fragrance, her bright eyes fixed on him, "Big Brother, you're really something!"

Li Muzhan laughed, "I needed to ensure I was fully rested."

Liu Biyun shook her head resentfully. Before a great battle, everyone knew they needed rest, but the tension in their hearts was hard to dispel, leaving no appetite for recuperation!

"Big Brother, I have some bad news for you!" Liu Biyun's red lips were tightly pressed, and she said hatefully, "It really is the Marrow Cleansing Pill!"

"Oh—?" Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow and laughed, "As you predicted, Biyun."

Liu Biyun huffed, "Senior Brother Jing is truly venomous! Big Brother, you must be careful!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "I know."