Liu Biyun shot him a look, turned, and left the room, only to return shortly with a wooden basin filled with chillingly cool water that mirrored his face.

Li Muzhan laughed, "Where is Senior Cheng?"

Liu Biyun replied, "Master has gone out. She needs someone capable to officiate."

Before Li Muzhan could speak, she added, "Senior Brother Jing's attacks are ruthless; his sword never returns to its sheath unless stained with blood, and his technique is too fast. Master wants to find a powerful Grand-Ancestor who can intervene in time."

Li Muzhan felt a touch of warmth but smiled without revealing it, "That truly puts Senior Cheng out."

Liu Biyun smiled back, "Big Brother need not worry. Even if you lose, there will be no danger."

Li Muzhan shook his head and chuckled. He washed his face, took the towel she offered, dried himself, and handed it back to her, "Biyun, you truly have no faith in me?"

Liu Biyun showed an embarrassed expression. "Big Brother, if they didn't resort to tricks, of course, I believe you could defeat Senior Brother Jing. But this is the Meteor Sword Style..."

Li Muzhan smiled, "Alright, alright, I will certainly be careful."

Liu Biyun asked, "Would Big Brother like a few pastries?"

Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled, "Let's eat after the fight."

"Very well, let's go. Everyone is waiting," Liu Biyun said.

Li Muzhan left the grand house with her, heading toward the training grounds in the woods. Halfway there, however, a group of people suddenly emerged from the trees, blocking their path.

Li Muzhan sized up the six individuals. They were all wearing long robes of deep azure, bearing the distinctive air of arrogance unique to Dragon Mountain Sect disciples.

He recognized the two leading them. He had seen them before in Fengyue City. Without Wu Ling present, the one named Chang and the one named Yang possessed only mediocre martial skill.

"Junior Brother Chang, Junior Brother Yang, what are you doing?" Liu Biyun frowned and admonished them.

From their stance, it was clear they intended trouble, not a friendly greeting, especially right before the match. Liu Biyun worried they planned some foul play.

Senior Brother Chang smiled, "Senior Sister, we're just saying hello."

Liu Biyun replied impatiently, "What's there to say hello about here? We can greet each other properly when we get to the training grounds. You move aside quickly!"

"Senior Sister..." Junior Brother Chang dodged Liu Biyun's bright, clear gaze, mustered his courage, and pressed on stiffly, "Junior Brother Yang has something to say."

Junior Brother Yang shook his head helplessly, shot a glare at Junior Brother Chang, and cupped his fists toward Liu Biyun. He stated sternly, "Senior Sister, we simply cannot stand by and watch!"

"What can't you stand by and watch?" Liu Biyun scoffed. "Junior Brother Yang, it's getting late. Say whatever you need to say quickly and don't keep everyone waiting."

Junior Brother Yang stiffened his resolve and said in a deep voice, "Senior Sister, you should know where your loyalties lie. Bending your elbow outward this severely—we all find it hard to watch."

"How am I bending my elbow outward?" Liu Biyun retorted with an indignant pout, her delicate face flushing crimson.

Junior Brother Yang blurted out, "You're helping an outsider so much—isn't that bending your elbow outward?"

Liu Biyun snapped back with slight anger, "Hmph! Brother Li saved my life. He is a guest here. How have you treated him? If I don't support Brother Li, am I even human anymore?"

Junior Brother Yang paused, about to speak more, but Liu Biyun didn't give him the chance. She huffed, "Junior Brother Yang, all of you are mediocre in skill, yet you stir up so much trouble. You truly bring shame to our Dragon Mountain Sect!"

Junior Brother Yang's face flushed red. He tried to speak again, but Liu Biyun waved her hand and huffed, "Enough. There's no reasoning with you lot. Get out of the way!"

Junior Brother Yang, face crimson, glared venomously at Li Muzhan.

He dared not direct his anger at Liu Biyun, so he transferred it to Li Muzhan, grinding his teeth in hatred. He sneered coldly, "You with the surname Li, I advise you to admit defeat now."

Li Muzhan smiled faintly, "Why should I concede?"

Junior Brother Brother Yang sneered proudly, "Senior Brother Jing's sword is too fast; even the Grand-Ancestors can't stop him. Challenging Junior Brother Jing is just suicide."

He continued with a cold laugh, "Furthermore, if the Grand-Ancestors fail to stop him, it won't be Senior Brother Jing's fault. Senior Brother Jing will, at most, spend a few years at Cleansing Cliff."

He was usually somber and calculating, possessing deep cunning, but he was still young and harbored feelings for Liu Biyun. After being chastised by her, rage flooded his mind, causing him to lose all reason.

"Junior Brother Yang!" Liu Biyun cried out sharply, pointing at him and roaring, "Are you insane?"

Junior Brother Yang stared, his face slightly contorted with ferocity, "Senior Sister, why are you protecting this boy? He's bullying our Dragon Mountain Sect, implying we have no capable men! Are you going to help an outsider bully us?"

Liu Biyun sneered back, "Who said he bullied the Dragon Mountain Sect? It is the Dragon Mountain Sect bullying Brother Li... You with the surname Yang, get lost!"

She was usually gentle and elegant and never spoke roughly, but now she couldn't help but curse him.

Junior Brother Yang glared continuously at Li Muzhan with cold sneers. Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled slightly, "I truly don't understand. It’s merely a friendly spar; why take the victory or defeat so seriously?"

"You with the surname Li, it's easy for you to say when you aren't the one losing!" Junior Brother Yang shouted. "You cleaned out all the savings of our seniors, and now you speak so lightly!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "If everyone is short on funds, then forget it. There's no need to press the issue."

"You with the surname Li!" Junior Brother Yang was beside himself with rage, about to leap up. The more Li Muzhan dismissed the matter lightly, the angrier he became, feeling like a ridiculous clown.

————

"Junior Brother Yang, are you not leaving yet?" Liu Biyun drew her sword and stepped forward, glaring coldly at him.

She realized this Yang fellow had malicious intent, coming here purely to disrupt Big Brother's focus and increase his chances of winning. It was utterly despicable, and she was furious.

Li Muzhan reached out and placed a hand on her delicate shoulder. "Biyun, forget it."

Liu Biyun's body instantly went weak; she relaxed her grip on her sword, her cheeks flushing crimson as if drunk. Her virgin body was extremely sensitive to a man's presence. With that light touch from Li Muzhan, she could feel the heat of his palm through her shoulder, as if a warm current had drilled into her heart, leaving her body soft and powerless.

Seeing her appearance, as radiant as a spring flower, the disciples opposite felt a mixture of envy, bitterness, hatred, and anger. They glared fiercely at Li Muzhan, ultimately focusing on the hand resting on her delicate shoulder.

Li Muzhan withdrew his hand and smiled faintly, "Everyone, it's getting late. There's no need to be so intense in a martial skills exchange. Today I win, tomorrow you win. Everyone's martial arts are progressing. If you lose, you lose; just find an opportunity to win it back later."

"You with the surname Li, you make it sound so easy!" Junior Brother Yang sneered repeatedly. "I'd like to see what happens to you if you lose this time."

"Senior Brother Jing will definitely kill him," Junior Brother Chang muttered, shaking his head.

Seeing Liu Biyun glare over, he quickly turned his head away from her, as if he hadn't spoken, which enraged Liu Biyun to the extreme.

She turned her head and said, "Brother Li, ignore their nonsense. Let's go!"

Saying that, she walked ahead, moving directly toward the small group as if they were invisible.

"Senior Sister, why must you help such a dead man?" Junior Brother Yang grumbled in defiance.

Liu Biyun snapped, "Get lost, I don't want to speak to you."

As Junior Brother Yang and the others retreated, he called out, "Senior Sister, look at this fellow! He has no looks and no character. He only hides behind women; he has no heroic spirit whatsoever. How could he possibly be worthy of you, Senior Sister?"

Liu Biyun pressed her lips together, her delicate face tense, walking forward without saying a word.

As the others backed away, still speaking, Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed faintly, "Be quiet."

Junior Brother Yang was stunned, his body freezing instantly. The others who were still retreating didn't notice. It was only when Liu Biyun slowly walked past him that they realized something was wrong. They quickly parted ways to let Liu Biyun and Li Muzhan pass, turning to check on Junior Brother Yang.

Liu Biyun glanced back at them, then at Li Muzhan, and burst out laughing, her face blossoming with joy, "That felt so satisfying!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Couldn't strike him, so I just taught him a small lesson."

"Is Junior Brother Yang alright?" Liu Biyun asked.

This was, after all, on the mountain. If he were genuinely killed, the Sect would never let the matter rest.

Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled, "Just a small lesson. He will become extremely sensitive to sound. It will pass in a few days."

"What will happen to him?" Liu Biyun asked with a suppressed smile.

Li Muzhan chuckled, "The sound of a dog barking will startle him, and a loud shout will sound like thunder. He probably won't sleep well unless he knocks himself unconscious."

"Big Brother, you are truly wicked!" Liu Biyun laughed cheerfully.

This act had cleared her pent-up anger. Those fellows had been too excessive—

When they arrived at the training grounds in the woods, the crowd was even larger than the day before, packed tightly. Only a clearing about two zhang square remained in the center, and many people were perched in the trees as well.

Li Muzhan felt a touch of shame. It seemed the Dragon Mountain Sect disciples were diligent and rose early; the rules of a major sect were certainly strict.

Under the gaze of everyone, Li Muzhan and Liu Biyun moved into the center. Cheng Suzhen was already there, accompanied by a graceful middle-aged beauty. The woman had a full figure and a face round as the moon, with fine brows and beautiful eyes. She looked about forty, but a deep sense of vicissitude in her gaze and the set of her brow suggested her age far exceeded her appearance.

"Boy, hurry over here. This is my Martial Aunt Cheng," Cheng Suzhen beckoned with her jade hand.

Li Muzhan approached, cupped his fist, and bowed, "This junior, Li Guanhai, greets Senior Cheng."

"Mm, the young man looks quite spirited," the middle-aged beauty smiled kindly and nodded. "I hear your swordplay is excellent. Truly rare, truly rare."

Cheng Suzhen laughed, "This boy doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth; he actually wants to experience our Sect's Thirty-Six Arts. I really don't know what to say."

The middle-aged beauty laughed, "Junior Niece Cheng, don't boast. Biyun is a good child."

Standing next to the middle-aged beauty were the three elders seen yesterday—Jin, Xu, and Bai—all looking solemn.

Elder Jin pointed to the blue-robed youth beside him and said in a deep voice, "Little Brother Li, this is Jing Sen, challenging you. Do you accept?"

Li Muzhan turned to Jing Sen. His figure was slender, his complexion pale as if sickly, but his eyes were piercingly bright, like swords themselves.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Greetings, Brother Jing. I am Li Guanhai. I accept the challenge."

"One Marrow Cleansing Pill..." Elder Jin frowned. "Little Brother Li, what collateral will you offer?"

Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled, "I have no treasures, so I will offer all the silver I won yesterday."

The crowd buzzed with murmurs—some mocked quietly, some gloated maliciously, and some shook their heads disapprovingly—a mixture of reactions.

Elder Jin looked slightly awkward, glancing at the other two elders and then at the middle-aged beauty. "Martial Sister Cheng, what do you think..."

"Follow the established rules," the middle-aged beauty nodded calmly.

Elder Jin frowned, "Little Brother Li, the Marrow Cleansing Pill is priceless. Your collateral is insufficient. According to the rules, you must concede ten moves."

Li Muzhan nodded solemnly, "Agreed."

Elder Jin continued, "If you win, the Marrow Cleansing Pill is yours. If you lose, all the silver goes to Jing Sen, and you must serve the Dragon Mountain Sect for ten years."

Li Muzhan nodded, "Yes."

Elder Jin looked at Li Muzhan and said in a deep voice, "Little Brother Li, you can still admit defeat now. Aside from losing face, there is no other loss."

Li Muzhan smiled, cupped his fist, and replied, "Thank you, Senior Jin. This junior accepts the challenge."

"Sigh... very well," Elder Jin sighed helplessly and turned to Jing Sen. "Jing Sen, remember this: no fatal blows are permitted."

Jing Sen, whose posture was as straight as a willow, revealed a slight smile on his pale face. "Grand-Ancestor Jin, you know my sword style is erratic; it is easy to unleash but hard to control. I might accidentally strike too hard."

Elder Jin waved his hand and stated firmly, "Alright, begin!"

————

Li Muzhan smiled, cupped his fists, and said, "Brother Jing, I have long admired your name. Make your move."

"Ten moves..." Jing Sen shook his head and looked at him with a touch of pity. "To be honest, you shouldn't have come to the Dragon Mountain Sect."

Li Muzhan smiled, "Please—"

Liu Biyun stood beside Cheng Suzhen, clutching her fists tightly, her body taut as a bowstring, staring unblinkingly at the center of the ring.

Cheng Suzhen also stopped her light conversation with the middle-aged beauty, moving two steps closer, watching the center intently. The middle-aged beauty's jade hand moved beneath her sleeve, and a willow-leaf dagger was already in her grasp.

With a sharp whistle, a streak of white light erupted around Jing Sen, shooting toward Li Muzhan like a white rainbow, as fast as a meteor.

Li Muzhan stepped sideways lightly, deftly evading the sword strike. The whistle sounded again, the white rainbow pivoted, tracing an arc, and stabbed toward him once more.

Li Muzhan again sidestepped lightly. "Chi!" The white rainbow turned again, pursuing relentlessly, but Li Muzhan's footwork was light and exquisite; he avoided the strike by the narrowest margin each time.

Liu Biyun's fingers twisted together until they were pale and bloodless. Her body trembled slightly. The sword light grew faster, the whistling sound louder, and her heart climbed higher and higher.

Cheng Suzhen also watched without moving, while the surrounding onlookers were ecstatic, their continuous murmurs filling the air as they watched the fight with excitement.

In the blink of an eye, five strikes had passed. Li Muzhan remained standing with a faint smile, elegant and composed. Under normal circumstances, such composure would have made Liu Biyun’s heart flutter like a deer, her ears hot and her face flushed, but now she had no idle thoughts, only staring at Li Muzhan with wide, unblinking eyes.

"Good footwork!" Jing Sen roared, his body flashing suddenly, seemingly dissolving into a phantom attached to his sword. The sword light swelled again, descending into the arena like a blazing sun, its speed suddenly accelerating, though the whistling sound vanished.

Li Muzhan narrowed his eyes slightly. The sword light instantly closed the distance. To anyone else, the sword light would be impossible to see because it was simply too bright.

Cheng Suzhen couldn't help but step forward. Liu Biyun's heart jumped as if it would fly out of her chest. The murmuring of the crowd suddenly intensified, and someone cried out in shock.

A sword strike this fast almost exceeded the limits of the human body; there was no possibility of evasion. They could almost imagine the tragic scene of Li Muzhan being pierced by the sword—a mix of excitement and melancholy.

Cheng Suzhen quickly turned to the middle-aged beauty. The middle-aged beauty narrowed her bright eyes, her left hand emerging from her sleeve, the willow-leaf dagger flashing brilliantly.

"Martial Aunt..." Cheng Suzhen called out softly.

The middle-aged beauty shook her head. "This little fellow is formidable."

"Alas..." A collective sigh rose from the crowd. Seeing Li Muzhan still standing with a smile, one hand behind his back, utterly composed and elegant, like a handsome young tree in the wind, suddenly made him appear several shades more handsome in their eyes.