Li Muzhan, observing only the man’s retreating back, sensed an aura of immovable presence, like a mountain standing firm against a deep pool. It was clear his heart was tranquil and serene, as if nothing could disturb his state of mind.
Li Muzhan frowned. This man would not be easy to deal with; it must be Mei Daoling. He immediately activated his Mind Energy, attempting to probe Mei Daoling’s thoughts.
Yet, Mei Daoling’s heart was still as water, akin to a great, venerable monk, incapable of stirring even the slightest ripple. Hearing Li Muzhan’s footsteps, he showed no outward reaction, seeming almost nonexistent.
“Guanhai, hurry over here!” Cheng Suzhen beckoned with her delicate, jade-like hand.
Li Muzhan stepped forward, cupped his hands, and smiled, “Greetings to Elder Jin, Elder Xu, Elder Bai, and Senior Cheng.”
Elder Jin nodded. “Little Brother Li, you have considerable guts, daring to challenge Daoling!”
Li Muzhan chuckled. “I wish to witness the thirty-six arts of the Longshan Sect. I hear Senior Mei has mastered four of them, making him the foremost among the third-generation disciples.”
As Li Muzhan spoke, he offered a polite bow to Mei Daoling while taking a swift inventory of him.
Mei Daoling was indeed impeccably neat. Though his clothes were old, they were spotless, and his fingernails were trimmed clean. Li Muzhan instantly guessed he suffered from mysophobia.
Mei Daoling’s appearance defied Li Muzhan’s expectations. He had imagined a handsome man, but instead saw a rugged figure with thick brows and large eyes—far from handsome, possessing a strong, masculine bearing.
Despite his bold features, he stood there with such composure that a subtle elegance emanated from him, naturally inspiring goodwill.
Li Muzhan secretly admired him, understanding why he could capture the hearts of the disciples of the Myriad Saint Sect. They were not ordinary people; the disciples there tended to be more inwardly cunning or cold as a deep river, like Yi Xiaoru, akin to stone women, making them difficult to move emotionally.
However, once these women did form an attachment, it erupted like lava from a volcano—far surpassing the ordinary in intensity and fervor, becoming nearly unstoppable.
The round-faced Elder Xu smiled broadly. “Little Brother Li, what are you wagering this time?”
Li Muzhan smiled. “I am interested only in witnessing Senior Mei’s martial skills, nothing else. I will wager one thousand li of silver. Is that agreeable to Senior Mei?”
“Good,” Mei Daoling replied with a slight smile.
Elder Xu chuckled heartily. “Daoling’s coffers are quite deep, Little Brother Li, don’t you worry about him!”
Li Muzhan smiled. “If you please, Senior Mei practices swordsmanship. I wonder if Senior Mei usually uses…”
“I also use the Sunset Style,” Mei Daoling answered gently and gracefully, smiling. “But I am more proficient with fist arts. Let us compare swordsmanship first; perhaps that will compel me to use my fists.”
Li Muzhan smiled slightly. “Then I shall rely on my own abilities. Senior Mei, please lead the way!”
“Little brother, draw your sword first!” Mei Daoling requested.
Li Muzhan nodded. “Very well, I shall not hold back then!”
The moment his voice fell, his sword flashed out, gliding slowly towards Mei Daoling. Mei Daoling drew his blade with a swift, light thrust, sharp as a viper’s dart.
A master reveals themselves on the first move. Li Muzhan perceived from Mei Daoling’s effortless, fluid thrust the profound depth of his swordsmanship. He did not rush to speed, instead dissecting Mei Daoling’s every move with a continuous stream of exquisite sword postures.
Mei Daoling, however, met these intricate sword techniques with apparent ease, neutralizing them. Though occasionally appearing slightly flustered, he held his ground stubbornly, seemingly on the verge of collapse with every exchange, yet always managing to endure.
Watching the sparring, the spectators outside were somewhat surprised. They had expected the fight to be decided in a single exchange, given Li Muzhan’s famed speed—a flash of his sword usually meant victory or defeat. No one expected Li Muzhan to discard his swift style for genuine, profound swordsmanship.
Only then did they realize the breathtaking subtlety of Li Muzhan’s art, a spectacle so dazzling it was difficult to follow, a veritable burst of complicated beauty—truly remarkable.
Elder Jin turned to glance at Elder Xu and Elder Bai. He smiled slightly; the two were shaking their heads wryly. They had previously argued and made a bet concerning Li Muzhan’s swordsmanship. Elder Xu and Elder Bai had hypothesized that such skill in one so young must stem from mastering a singular, esoteric sword technique—practicing only that one thrust, morning till night, for decades, to reach such divine proficiency. Otherwise, it would be impossible to achieve a speed that surpassed the Meteor Sword Style among the thirty-six arts; something must be abnormal.
Elder Jin disagreed, believing Li Muzhan’s skill was rooted in piercing insight into opportunity and swiftness, not just blind speed—it was far more complex.
Now, seeing Li Muzhan unleash these unparalleled, sigh-inducing maneuvers, Elder Jin shot a somewhat smug glance at the other two elders.
Cheng Yanhua and Cheng Suzhen’s eyes widened, and Cheng Sufu looked on in astonishment. She, too, had suspected Li Muzhan relied on rapid, purely aggressive swordplay. Now she saw she was mistaken.
Cheng Yanhua sighed. “How could he possess such refined swordsmanship at his age?”
Cheng Suzhen stared, shaking her head. “I truly never imagined…”
Liu Biyun asked, “Master, can Brother Li win?”
“It’s doubtful,” Cheng Suzhen shook her head. “I think he’s fighting desperately, but Senior Brother Mei still seems relaxed. What looks strenuous is largely an act.”
“Ah?!” Liu Biyun’s bright eyes immediately snapped wide open.
Cheng Yanhua laughed. “That’s just Daoling’s temperament. He often likes to play cat and mouse, teasing his opponents before finishing them off. I don't know why, but he has never managed to shake off this habit!”
“Will Brother Li lose?” Liu Biyun furrowed her brow with worry.
Cheng Suzhen responded impatiently. “Look at your nature, taking every rumor as gospel... Alright! Winning and losing are common occurrences in battle; isn’t that what he always tells others?”
“Girl, she is letting concern cloud her judgment,” Cheng Yanhua said, shaking his head and smiling. “Don’t frighten Biyun. I think they won’t decide a victor anytime soon!”
“Senior Brother Mei hasn’t revealed his true trump cards yet,” Cheng Suzhen stated, shaking her head.
Cheng Yanhua chuckled. “Guanhai is also holding back. The real show is yet to come.”
During their conversation, Li Muzhan’s swordplay grew faster, transforming from a gentle breeze and fine rain into a violent storm, ever more ferocious. Moreover, his techniques became increasingly refined, showing no sign of disorder as the speed increased, one move pressing immediately after the other.
Mei Daoling stood like a lotus in that tempest, swaying violently in the storm but remaining resilient, refusing to fall, enduring the gale and deluge.
Li Muzhan frowned, then suddenly the myriad sword lights converged, transforming into a single bolt of lightning that instantly pierced toward Mei Daoling’s throat.
“Clang…” Mei Daoling’s sword was suddenly held vertically, and both men retreated simultaneously.
Li Muzhan smiled. “Senior Mei is the first to withstand one hundred of my moves!”
“Good swordsmanship,” Mei Daoling replied with a slight bow, twisting his neck with a series of sharp kacha sounds. He slowly sheathed his sword and smiled, “You are qualified to experience my fist arts!”
Li Muzhan’s eyebrow twitched upward, and he laughed. “Senior Mei intends to use his fists against my sword? All my skills are in the sword; without it, I am nothing.”
Mei Daoling smiled gently. “Let’s use swords. This is more interesting.”
Li Muzhan nodded. “Senior Mei, please!”
“That young fellow has incredibly deep internal energy!” Cheng Yanhua murmured softly.
Cheng Suzhen nodded. To be able to match Mei Daoling equally with the sword, his cultivation must be extraordinary. They had a generational gap of over twenty years, suggesting their power levels should differ significantly.
Yet, after their blades met, they appeared almost identical, as if they were peers. Li Muzhan’s internal energy was clearly not ordinary; even if not equal to Mei Daoling’s, it was close.
Li Muzhan’s sword flashed, thrusting out once more. “Whoosh…” Mei Daoling suddenly let out a low roar, like a fierce tiger descending a mountain. His entire presence shifted; his former serenity vanished abruptly, transforming him into a savage tiger pouncing on Li Muzhan.
Li Muzhan frowned. Mei Daoling’s aura had changed drastically, and his features contorted into a savage grimace, as if he were a different person. His movement technique was bizarre and astonishingly fast, closing the distance instantly.
Li Muzhan stepped obliquely, his sword light curving into an arc to meet the attack. “Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang—” A continuous series of clear ringing sounds erupted as Li Muzhan retreated a step, deflecting Mei Daoling’s furious assault.
Mei Daoling seemed like a frenzied tiger, attacking Li Muzhan relentlessly, intent on tearing him apart, chilling the onlookers to the bone.
Cheng Suzhen frowned, looking at Cheng Yanhua. “Martial Uncle, something is wrong here!”
“Mmm,” Cheng Yanhua nodded softly, keeping his gaze fixed on the pair.
Liu Biyun exclaimed, “Master, has Senior Brother Mei gone mad? He is terrifying!”
“Perhaps it’s the Mad Tiger Vine,” Cheng Suzhen speculated.
Hearing this, Cheng Yanhua couldn’t help but laugh. There was no such technique as the Mad Tiger Fist; she was purely making things up for her apprentice. She truly didn't act like a master!
“Ugh…” Mei Daoling shifted his form again. His frenzied assault suddenly slowed, and his body seemed to become heavy and sluggish. He lightly slapped out with his right palm, “Clang”—his long sword was knocked aside. Li Muzhan was startled; the sheer brute force transmitted through the blade shocked him.
Had he been holding back his true strength until now? That immense power was astonishing. If he hadn't possessed incredible physical strength combined with deep internal energy, he would never have blocked that blow; his sword would have flown away long ago.
Mei Daoling let out strange grunts of “Wu wu,” swaying his body. His movements, though appearing clumsy with his heavy palms, possessed a peculiar lightness, striking Li Muzhan’s sword with every blow.
Li Muzhan was prepared this time. Despite the immense force behind the strikes, he remained steady, parrying them flawlessly.
“Hiss…” With a sharp cry, Mei Daoling changed again. His form became light and agile, circling Li Muzhan rapidly, occasionally striking out with a palm.
Li Muzhan met movement with stillness, standing firmly at the center, occasionally thrusting out a counter-strike to block Mei Daoling’s sudden attacks, resembling a contest between a snake and a crane.
Cheng Suzhen sighed, shaking her head. “This is truly an eye-opener!”
She felt that if it were her facing those moves, she wouldn’t survive a single exchange, yet Li Muzhan maintained equilibrium. The two were locked in a stalemate where neither could overcome the other, fighting with intense enjoyment.
“What is going on with Daoling?” Cheng Yanhua frowned. “He looks so refined, I thought his madness had faded, but the moment he fights, his true nature emerges—like a ghost or a demon!”
“Martial Uncle, who will win?” Cheng Suzhen asked.
Cheng Yanhua shook his head. “Neither has unveiled their ultimate techniques yet. It’s impossible to tell.”
“These two are taking too long!” Cheng Suzhen grumbled impatiently. She had initially expected the duel to end quickly, but it was turning into a prolonged war of attrition.
Indeed, Li Muzhan and Mei Daoling were engaged in a grinding battle. Mei Daoling ceaselessly shifted his ultimate skills, one set after another, each more refined and powerful than the last. Li Muzhan, using only his single sword, forced Mei Daoling to constantly change tactics, either by launching a challenging thrust or breaking a subtle move. The two remained evenly matched.
Liu Biyun, initially extremely tense and worried for Li Muzhan’s safety, gradually relaxed as she watched them fight to a standstill. She turned to her master. “Master, can Brother Li win?”
“He can!” Cheng Suzhen nodded forcefully. “Don’t worry, he will win!”
“Girl, can you please adjust your tone?” Cheng Yanhua truly couldn't stand it anymore. “If you keep saying such nonsense, will she even believe it?”
Cheng Suzhen pursed her lips and smiled. “Martial Uncle, don’t worry. Right now, that’s what she needs to hear, even if she knows it’s unreliable. She only feels comfortable hearing it!”
“Master!” Liu Biyun scolded playfully, blushing slightly.
Cheng Yanhua shook her head. “Girl, you are not a little girl anymore. Stop being mischievous!”
Cheng Suzhen giggled coquettishly. “Martial Uncle, you’re in front of your apprentice!”
“Hmph, you still remember your place, do you?” Cheng Yanhua snorted, shaking her head.
“Clang…” Li Muzhan suddenly flicked his sword with a finger. As the blade hummed softly, he extended a slow, deliberate thrust.
Mei Daoling’s body abruptly contracted, shrinking slightly, and he adopted a peculiar stance, his eyes locked onto Li Muzhan’s sword, unblinking.
Li Muzhan’s expression grew solemn, his gaze fixed solely on his blade, ignoring everything else. The sword drifted downward slowly, aimed at slicing toward Mei Daoling’s head.
Mei Daoling seemed incapable of dodging, allowing the long sword to approach slowly. Just as it was about to strike, he suddenly leaped upward, contracting and expanding his body mid-air to use the air currents to spring backward.
Li Muzhan’s strike missed, but he felt no urge to pursue. He slowly retracted his sword, then thrust it out again, moving with the languid pace of an elderly person practicing Tai Chi swordplay in later generations.
Mei Daoling, however, reacted like a mouse encountering a cat, staring tensely at Li Muzhan’s sword, unblinking. When the sword neared him, he abruptly ducked, rolling on the ground to escape the sword’s sphere of influence.
The onlookers were utterly baffled by this exchange. It was as if the previous tempestuous battle had been replaced by a slow-motion competition. Li Muzhan’s sword moved languidly, seemingly just playing around, yet Mei Daoling reacted with greater tension than against the ferocious attacks before, dodging Li Muzhan’s slow sword as if it were venomous snakes and scorpions.
Cheng Suzhen frowned. “Martial Uncle, what are these two performing?”
Cheng Yanhua’s expression slowly turned serious. “It seems Little Brother Li’s sword technique has truly reached an apex—perhaps the state of Sword Momentum!”
“Sword Momentum?” Cheng Suzhen shook her head. “Surely not? How old is he?”
Cheng Yanhua countered, “Then do you think Daoling has gone insane?”
Cheng Suzhen shook her head. “That doesn’t seem right either.”
“Then this is it!” Cheng Yanhua stated. “We are outsiders; we cannot feel the profound mystery within. He, being in the thick of it, feels it most deeply. Let’s move closer!” He said this while slowly approaching the edge of their fighting circle. Cheng Suzhen and Liu Biyun followed. After taking just three steps, Cheng Yanhua abruptly halted, his face changing slightly. He waved his hand at Cheng Suzhen and Liu Biyun, signaling them not to advance further.
Cheng Suzhen vaguely sensed a chill, an invisible power permeating the air, ready to strike at any moment, causing the hair on her body to stand on end.
Liu Biyun’s senses were also sharp. Having taken the Marrow Cleansing Pill, she was different from ordinary people, and her acuity even surpassed Cheng Suzhen’s. She could feel the presence of a sword suspended directly above her head. (To be continued)