Li Muzhan sighed, "If we had known it would come to this, why act as we did back then!"

He had opposed leaving in that manner originally, because the Divine Sword Sect was in a frenzy, determined to capture them. They had deep roots and intelligence here; how could they have failed to find them eventually?

Zhu Chuyun sighed again. "When danger struck, I told my junior sister to notify you, but that silly girl absolutely refused. It was only when the situation became dire that I took the liberty of contacting you."

Li Muzhan offered a sincere thanks. "Thank you, Senior Sister!"

If she hadn't crushed that jade pendant, and if he had remained absorbed in the Divine Art of Sword Forging, by the time he remembered, Yi Xiaoru might already have faded away!

"Alas... I only hope it isn't too late," Zhu Chuyun shook her head. "This palm strike was too ferocious. I gave Junior Sister some medicinal pills, but they seem ineffective! ... Sir, your inner force is profound; could you perhaps help purge the residual force within her?"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "This internal energy is exceedingly sinister. I cannot dispel it quickly."

"Then there is no hope?" Zhu Chuyun murmured to herself, letting out a heavy sigh. "Must we just watch Junior Sister die?!"

She understood perfectly: if the palm force within her body could not be removed, Yi Xiaoru was doomed. The force was systematically destroying her constitution, and if it continued, she wouldn't last long.

Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke, "Now, there is only one possible method left."

"There is a way?!" Zhu Chuyun's spirits instantly lifted.

Li Muzhan offered a wry smile. "This method is somewhat unconventional, but given the extremity of the situation, I cannot keep it hidden. I must tell you to see what you think."

"Tell me quickly, tell me! As long as it can save Junior Sister's life, anything is acceptable!" Zhu Chuyun urged him.

Li Muzhan stated, "The technique of Dual Cultivation."

"Dual Cultivation?!" Zhu Chuyun was momentarily stunned, her expression immediately shifting. "Does that require us to be... naked together?"

Li Muzhan gave a bitter smile. "Yes. At this juncture, this is the only method I possess. There is no alternative!"

"This..." Zhu Chuyun frowned deeply, silence settling between them.

She could perceive the mutual affection between the two of them. Yet, Junior Sister had always refused to admit it, and there must be a reason. If she rashly agreed on her behalf, and things went awry, she would be committing a terrible mistake.

"Ahem... ahem... ahem..." Yi Xiaoru suddenly erupted in a violent fit of coughing, her bright eyes tightly shut, her brow severely furrowed in unbearable pain.

Even in this state, her face was completely drained of color.

Watching Yi Xiaoru endure such agony, Zhu Chuyun felt the pain as if it were her own, and Li Muzhan felt his heart being twisted like a knife—wishing he could trade places with her.

But truly, there was no other recourse. This palm force was the residue of the Divine Art of Sword Forging, energy that had been absorbed from women’s inner force; it was supremely Yin and gentle, entirely different from the Yin-natured internal force he practiced.

This specific Yin energy possessed a peculiar property: his own internal force could not dissolve it. To eliminate it, only the Divine Art of Sword Forging could be employed. There was no other path.

————

"This..." Zhu Chuyun stared intently at Yi Xiaoru's face, taking a deep breath. "Very well, I agree! ... But you must promise me one condition!"

"Speak it," Li Muzhan urged immediately. He was desperate to begin the technique and alleviate Yi Xiaoru's suffering.

Zhu Chuyun stated, "You must marry Junior Sister!"

Li Muzhan hesitated for a beat, then slowly nodded. "Agreed!"

Once Zhu Chuyun made a decision, she was thoroughly decisive. She said in a low voice, "Then that is settled. I will not ask for Junior Sister's opinion. You may begin. What must I do?"

Li Muzhan replied, "Ensure no outsiders disturb us!"

"No problem!" Zhu Chuyun nodded her assent.

Li Muzhan stressed the point solemnly, "Senior Sister Zhu, you absolutely must not let anyone interrupt us. Otherwise, both of us will suffer a backlash and perish from Qi deviation!"

"Understood!" Zhu Chuyun's expression turned serious, and she replied firmly.

Li Muzhan let out a breath of relief. Zhu Chuyun glanced at Yi Xiaoru, letting out a silent lament—may she not resent me when she wakes; this was unavoidable.

Once Zhu Chuyun had left the room, Li Muzhan finally had the leisure to examine his surroundings closely. The bedstead was old, and all the furnishings and implements looked aged; it was clearly a very old room.

He activated his Eye of the Void to observe: they were in a small village, and he was situated in a humble courtyard, entirely alone.

Li Muzhan gently removed Yi Xiaoru’s garments. She became a white lamb, her plump and captivating jade body laid bare before him. Every curve was perfectly proportioned—full where it should be full, slender where it should be slender. Her figure was dramatically 'S' shaped, with a tiny waist so delicate it seemed one-handed, while her other two curves were exceptionally generous.

Beholding this body, no man could resist arousal. Li Muzhan let out an appreciative sound; it was truly a masterpiece of heaven, intoxicating and mesmerizing.

Suddenly, he noticed Yi Xiaoru’s pale face and tightly knitted brows, and all distractions vanished. He closed his eyes slightly, and his mind cleared completely.

After stripping off his own clothes, he gathered her into his embrace, lightly caressing her body. After stroking several key acupoints until she was adequately receptive, he then guided his lance into the alley, and began to move with gentle rhythm.

His movements were tender, his lance infused with controlled internal energy. He started executing the Divine Art of Sword Forging, drawing out the palm force within her body, then returning it to nourish her flesh.

After a short while, her skin slowly began to take on a rosy hue, as if blush had been applied, emitting a strange, evocative fragrance that stirred the senses. Li Muzhan, however, remained unmoved, his eyes slightly closed, his bearing serene and dignified.

Yi Xiaoru slowly regained consciousness. Sensing the anomaly, she snapped her eyes open and saw Li Muzhan’s solemn face looking down upon her.

"You..." she instinctively reached out to push him away.

Li Muzhan barked sharply, "Gather your spirit and focus your will onto the Dantian!"

————

This sharp command struck her soul like a monastic bell, leaving no room for resistance. She obeyed, closing her eyes slightly, focusing on the changes within her body.

Waves of tingling numbness pulsed from below, flowing throughout her entire being. Her body felt as though it had dissolved into clouds, drifting weightlessly in the air—an indescribable, exquisite pleasure.

She felt as if she were soaring—a sensation she had never experienced, one that held her captive. She quickly suppressed extraneous thoughts and concentrated on the shifting currents within her Dantian.

It felt as though internal force was continuously pouring into her Dantian, wave after wave. In a short time, her Dantian was filled to bursting, creating a sensation of utter fullness, like having eaten far too much.

Slowly, a profound understanding dawned upon her: she had just... achieved union!

Contemplating this, her heart was filled with a complex mixture of emotions—was it sweetness or sorrow? Regret or joy?

After nearly an hour, Li Muzhan slowly drew back. He whispered softly, "Your injury is already healed. But do not rush to circulate your internal energy yet."

"You... you..." Yi Xiaoru lifted her head, her bright eyes fixed steadily on him.

Li Muzhan smiled gently. "You are my woman now!"

Gazing at her face, radiant like a spring flower, her skin delicate and flushed with rosy health, her eyes like deep, clear water—utterly captivating—he could no longer restrain his feelings. He lowered his head and pressed a soft kiss upon her moist, ruby lips.

"You are taking advantage of my helplessness!" Yi Xiaoru turned her head away, trying to evade the kiss, but her movement was sluggish. She failed to escape, and a deep flush instantly flooded her face.

Li Muzhan laughed with satisfaction. "Heaven itself has blessed this union! ... Lie down and rest now. A short sleep should suffice."

"I can't sleep!" Yi Xiaoru shook her head.

Li Muzhan assured her, "I will take care of the rest. You don't need to worry."

"What if Master really discovers your true identity..." Yi Xiaoru’s charming face showed a flicker of worry, making her appear incredibly vulnerable and lovely.

Li Muzhan chuckled. "Then you must solidify my current identity."

"A pretense is always a pretense; there will always be a day it is exposed!" Yi Xiaoru countered, shaking her head.

Li Muzhan smiled reassuringly. "I am confident it will not be exposed, so rest easy!"

"Master is extremely perceptive," Yi Xiaoru frowned, still uneasy.

Li Muzhan stroked her back, smooth as white jade, and murmured softly, "Relax, relax. I will manage everything. No one will ever link He Zudao and Li Wuji together!"

"...Fine then," Yi Xiaoru conceded, seeing his absolute confidence, and nodded helplessly.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Rest well now. You were quite exhausted just now."

"Mm," Yi Xiaoru nodded shyly, her face still warm. Thinking of her own moans just moments ago, she couldn't help but blush, feeling too ashamed to face her Senior Sister.

————

When Li Muzhan gently pushed open the door and stepped slowly out of the main room, Zhu Chuyun was already standing in the courtyard. The sky was just beginning to pale; it was the dead of night turning to dawn.

Li Muzhan saw that her outer garments were damp with dew and apologized, "Senior Sister, you have endured hardship!"

"You are the one who has endured!" Zhu Chuyun looked at him with a peculiar expression, but her own face reddened first. She turned her head. "Is Junior Sister alright now?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "She is asleep now. When she wakes, at least eight or nine tenths of her injuries will be gone."

"Is it truly that miraculous?" Zhu Chuyun stared at him skeptically.

Li Muzhan smiled. "You will know after you see her. ... Senior Sister Zhu, how did you get caught by the Divine Sword Sect? Logically, no one should know your movements!"

"Someone must have been keeping watch," Zhu Chuyun frowned. "I’ve analyzed this matter over and over, and this is the only logical explanation."

Li Muzhan concluded, "It seems so! ... Is Elder Hua alright?"

Zhu Chuyun shook her head with a bitter smile. "Those pursuers weren't overwhelmingly strong. Elder Hua should be able to escape safely."

Li Muzhan nodded. "That's good. As long as the people are safe, that's what matters. ... Are you still planning to head back the way you came?"

"Yes, since we've made it this far, we can only grit our teeth and press on!" Zhu Chuyun affirmed, her bright eyes suddenly fixing on him. "Mr. He, why don't you travel with us!"

Li Muzhan paused, then broke into a smile and nodded. "Certainly. I must escort you both; otherwise, I would not feel at ease!"

Zhu Chuyun gave a bright, knowing smile. "It is time for you to meet Master as well! ... Now that you have taken Junior Sister, you are officially one of us in the Hidden Sect!"

Li Muzhan managed a strained smile. "Senior Sister, under these circumstances, I should..."

Zhu Chuyun cut him off with a small huff. "Regardless of the circumstances, you are responsible for Junior Sister now, aren't you?"

Li Muzhan slowly nodded. "That is true enough. Very well, I will meet your Master."

Zhu Chuyun smiled broadly. "Mr. He, rest assured. Master is very open-minded. As long as Junior Sister is happy, Master will certainly not object!"

"I hope so!" Li Muzhan replied.

After they spoke for a while, the blush gradually faded from Zhu Chuyun's cheeks.

Li Muzhan proposed taking his leave temporarily and returning by noon, suggesting she also needed rest, and Yi Xiaoru would likely be awake by then.

At midday, he reappeared. Zhu Chuyun was quite friendly, though she wondered internally what sort of Movement Technique allowed him to travel so quickly. However, considering everyone has secrets, she decided not to press the issue and pretended not to notice.

————

When Yi Xiaoru finally woke, Zhu Chuyun stared, momentarily speechless.

The transformation in Yi Xiaoru was absolute, like a layer of dullness scraped away from white jade, revealing its warm, lustrous sheen beneath. Yi Xiaoru looked as though she were carved from warm white jade, emitting a soft, internal radiance, her complexion vibrant and her spirit high. Merely looking at her inspired a sense of profound inadequacy in the viewer.

Furthermore, her bright eyes were clearer than ever; the whites of her eyes were pure and flawless, and the black pupils were dark, bright, and utterly pristine.

"Junior Sister!" she exclaimed in admiration, taking Yi Xiaoru’s wrist to check her injuries, only to find they were entirely healed, not a trace of damage remaining. She was inwardly astonished at what kind of mind technique could possess such miraculous healing power.

Yi Xiaoru blushed, muttering, "Se-nior Sis-ter—!"

Zhu Chuyun understood what she was referring to and quickly explained, "Junior Sister, I had no choice! You were about to perish. In any case, we had to save your life first!"

"Alas..." Yi Xiaoru shook her head, her face still flushed.

Zhu Chuyun said sharply, "Enough! I can see you two are fond of each other. What is there to be dissatisfied about!"

Yi Xiaoru replied, "I am worried Master might..."

Zhu Chuyun released her wrist and said testily, "I will help speak to Master. Besides, Master might not be displeased!"

"I only hope so," Yi Xiaoru sighed.

Zhu Chuyun shot her a mock glare. "You little thing! You profit and then play coy!"

Yi Xiaoru quickly said, "Se-nior Sis-ter—!"

"Look at your expression; anyone can tell you are secretly delighted!" Zhu Chuyun huffed. "Stop being contrary!"

Yi Xiaoru smiled sheepishly, not daring to argue further.

As they were talking, Li Muzhan's voice sounded from outside. Yi Xiaoru's face turned red again. Zhu Chuyun laughed lightly. "Come in!"

Li Muzhan pushed the door open and entered with a smile. He immediately scanned Yi Xiaoru on the couch, then turned to Zhu Chuyun, asking cheerfully, "Senior Sister Zhu, when shall we depart?"

Zhu Chuyun smiled. "I don't know if Junior Sister is up to traveling yet."

Yi Xiaoru immediately chastised, "Se-nior Sis-ter—!"

Zhu Chuyun smirked. "Alright, then we should leave right now. The sooner, the better... we should arrive by tomorrow."

Yi Xiaoru’s injuries seemed to have vanished instantly, as if she had never been hurt at all. Moreover, she could feel her cultivation level had advanced; her body felt weightless, and every step she took was light, almost like flying.

The three of them left the humble courtyard. A carriage was already waiting outside. Li Muzhan hopped onto the driver's bench and called out, "Ladies, please board!"

"You intend to be the coachman? Are you capable?" Zhu Chuyun teased.

Li Muzhan smiled. "We'll know once we try!"

"Very well, we'll ride in your carriage!" Zhu Chuyun turned and smiled at her junior sister. "Junior Sister, shall we get in?"

Yi Xiaoru nodded softly, and both women boarded the carriage. Li Muzhan cracked his whip, producing a sharp, clear crack, and the carriage began to move slowly.

Li Muzhan handled the reins with practiced ease, quickly guiding them out of the small village and heading westward.

As dusk approached, the carriage passed through a dense grove of trees. Li Muzhan turned his head and sighed. "It seems the world truly isn't at peace!"

"More people from the Divine Sword Sect?" Yi Xiaoru asked in a low voice.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "Doesn't look like it."

"Perhaps bandits?" Zhu Chuyun gave a light chuckle. "This is the territory of our Myriad Saints Sect. How could there be bandits here?"

"Then they must be people from the Myriad Saints Sect," Li Muzhan frowned.

"Let's get out of the carriage," Zhu Chuyun suggested with a smile. "Let's avoid any misunderstandings."

Li Muzhan countered, "No need. You two stay seated. We will continue onward!"