Xiao Hu jumped, hastily shifting his stance. He hadn't expected this sword attack; it felt as if it had been waiting for him to walk right into it. To evade, he had no choice but to abruptly change his move. This was originally a punch meant to gather momentum and unleash power, but it was interrupted. He had to exhale sharply once more and drive out another fierce punch. “Chii!” Cheng Lian’s sword seemed to cleave the void, instantly arriving before his fist once again. Xiao Hu frantically switched techniques again. This thrust was just as insidious as the first, as if it had seen through his punch, lying in wait for him to approach. He kept shifting his stance, launching a third punch, but sadly, it was no different from the previous two—all of them felt seen through, waiting for him to deliver himself to the blade. This feeling was incredibly suffocating. He roared, and his boxing style suddenly shifted. The previous rigid ferocity gave way to softness, his fists becoming light and airy, like a lover's caress. The onlookers nodded in approval. This was the proper response. Everyone could see that Cheng Lian’s swordsmanship had already countered his punches; to change the tide, he had to change his fist technique. Li Muzhan had never seen this set of forms, and Cheng Lian had no specific counter for it. However, having practiced the sword with Li Muzhan, her technique had greatly improved. Though she lacked a direct counter-move, her strikes remained devastatingly sharp, pressing Xiao Hu until he couldn't breathe. “Junior Sister Gao, Disciple Cheng’s swordsmanship has improved remarkably!” Tang Tianyu praised, showing no worry over Xiao Hu falling behind. Gao Jingxuan smiled: “With Dao’er keeping them company in spar, it would be hard for their sword arts not to advance.” “That’s true!” Tang Tianyu nodded, letting out a sigh. “So, Senior Sister Gao, you really picked up a treasure. A shame it’s not in our Yuan Sect!” Xiao Yixiao sneered, curling his lip: “Hmph, Sect Leader, don't be envious. Who told your Yuan Sect to be too masculine and lack beautiful disciples!?” Gao Jingxuan shot him a cool glance and retorted sharply, “Surname Xiao, are you looking for trouble? Trying to make a spectacle for the disciples?” Xiao Yixiao sneered back, “Gao Jingxuan, that son-in-law is just an outsider. What are you so proud of!” Gao Jingxuan smiled faintly, “I don’t consider Dao’er an outsider, nor does Dao’er consider himself one. Are you still thinking about revenge?” Once that topic was brought up, Xiao Yixiao grew cold, “Martial Uncle Yin was defeated by him, so my loss was only natural. It’s no big deal!” Gao Jingxuan shook her head, “You really have no shame!” Tang Tianyu sighed helplessly, “Junior Sister Gao, Yixiao, can you two just settle down? Look quickly. A victor has been decided!” Cheng Lian pierced Xiao Hu’s sleeve with a sword tip. Xiao Hu honestly admitted defeat. Cheng Lian bowed to the crowd with clasped hands and then floated off the circular stage. Zhu Chuyun chuckled and offered congratulations before gracefully stepping onto the platform. Li Muzhan instantly understood the routine: it seemed the disciples of one faction would take turns, each getting one round. Next up would be Yi Xiaoru, and then himself.

Zhu Chuyun’s opponent was also from the Yuan Sect, someone Li Muzhan didn't recognize—a youth of plain appearance, looking entirely unremarkable. However, his palm techniques were brilliant, though he ultimately fell to Zhu Chuyun. Zhu Chuyun floated onto the platform excitedly and leaned close to Li Muzhan: “Thank you, Brother-in-law!” Li Muzhan smiled, shaking his head, “Senior Sister Zhu, why thank me?” “If no one were sparring with us, our swordsmanship wouldn't be this sharp!” Zhu Chuyun chirped sweetly, “This has been exhilarating; we’ve never enjoyed ourselves so much!” Cheng Lian nodded with a smile, “While we’ve had wins in past years, never this easily. This time is the easiest. Apart from Xiao Hu and Yin Zhaojiang, the rest of the Yuan Sect isn't worth worrying about.” Li Muzhan noted, “That young man just now wasn't simple either.” “Him—?” Zhu Chuyun pouted, “He wasn't trying his hardest, was he?” Li Muzhan nodded, “Senior Sister Zhu noticed too?” Zhu Chuyun huffed, “How could I not sense it when exchanging blows with him? This lad truly has a bit of arrogance. Perhaps he disdained fighting a mere woman for a victory.” Li Muzhan slowly nodded, “Quite possible... Showing mercy to a beauty is a fine thing!” Yi Xiaoru rolled her eyes at him, “Big Brother!” Li Muzhan laughed, “Alright, alright. But if we truly face him, we must be careful. I sense a dangerous aura around him, as if he could erupt at any moment!” “Is he really that formidable?” Yi Xiaoru asked. If Li Muzhan sensed danger from someone, they were certainly not to be underestimated; they all needed to be cautious. Li Muzhan scanned the crowd and saw the youth standing quietly, seemingly indifferent to everything around him, as if detached from the mundane world. Yi Xiaoru declared, “It’s my turn!” Saying this, she floated onto the stage like a falling feather, silently. Seeing Yi Xiaoru appear, the crowd instantly quieted, followed by a buzzing murmur like a swarm of bees. They had seen Yi Xiaoru before; she was beautiful then, but not with the dazzling, almost blinding radiance she possessed now. Today, she was truly beyond compare in her allure! Li Muzhan murmured thoughtfully, “Senior Sister Cheng, I understand now!” “What is it?” Cheng Lian tilted her head to ask. Li Muzhan explained, “This young man must have practiced some perilous secret art. He might be losing control, heading toward Qi Deviation!” “Hmm—?” Cheng Lian’s expression subtly shifted. The martial arts of the Wan Sheng Sect advanced incredibly fast, but their greatest hazard was Qi Deviation (Zou Huo Ru Mo)—the most fatal flaw of all demonic techniques, a terror for every Wan Sheng disciple.

“Really?!” Cheng Lian took a deep breath and whispered. Li Muzhan nodded, “It should be correct. The aura around him surges like waves, ready to explode at any moment. It’s best to keep our distance!” “We will be careful!” Cheng Lian nodded slowly. Zhu Chuyun asked, “That lad is quite decent. Brother-in-law, can you save him?” Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow slightly, a smile touching his lips, “Senior Sister Zhu wants to save him?” “Your smile is awfully strange!” Zhu Chuyun glared at him irritably, “I didn’t mean anything else; I just think he’s not a bad person, and it would be a waste for him to die!” Cheng Lian asked, “Brother-in-law, do you really have a way to save him?” Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, “Senior Sister Zhu, ask him to come over. I’ll give it a try!” “Done!” Zhu Chuyun agreed without hesitation, turning to weave through the crowd. She soon reached the youth, whispered a few words, and the youth nodded before following her back. Cheng Lian murmured quietly, “Junior Sister Zhu is outspoken, but she has the softest heart.” Li Muzhan laughed and nodded, “Senior Sister Cheng, don’t tell me you have feelings for him?” “Where did your mind go!” Cheng Lian shot him a look of mock reproach. Li Muzhan quickly waved his hands, laughing, “I was just guessing; if not, forget it. They’re here!” The two fell silent. Zhu Chuyun led the youth over, saying cheerfully, “He agreed!” Li Muzhan studied the youth again. He looked utterly ordinary: square face, large eyes, straight nose, slightly thick lips—clearly not gifted with eloquent speech, but he seemed somewhat earnest. Seeing the clarity in the youth's eyes, Li Muzhan spoke gently, “Junior Brother Gu, is that right?” He had heard Zhu Chuyun call him Junior Brother Gu earlier. “Gu Tiezheng pays respects to Senior Brother He!” The youth clasped his hands in greeting. Li Muzhan shook his head, “Junior Brother Gu need not be so formal. I’m not entirely confident, I can only try my best!” “Senior Brother He seeing that I’m about to suffer Qi Deviation is already remarkable!” Gu Tiezheng smiled faintly, “If you can’t cure it, it’s fine; as long as I stay near my Master, I won’t be in danger!” Li Muzhan nodded and smiled, “Is it because of the demonic artifact?” “Yes, with the artifact suppressing it, it won't flare up,” Gu Tiezheng nodded, a wry smile appearing. “It’s just a shame I can’t fully resolve it; it’s stuck here. I dare not continue cultivating!” Li Muzhan said, “If Junior Brother Gu trusts me, extend your hand so I can take a look.” Gu Tiezheng immediately offered his arm. Li Muzhan placed his fingers on the wrist, pondered for a moment, and slowly nodded, “You are cultivating a method of utmost hardness and pure Yang. Unfortunately, your Yang energy is excessive. In your current state, even without Qi Deviation, you would be finished in another month or two.” “Finished with what?” Zhu Chuyun asked. Li Muzhan replied, “Your little life would be mostly done for.” “Ah—!?” Zhu Chuyun gasped, “Is it that dangerous?” Li Muzhan nodded, “Solitary Yang cannot last long. His condition is over-Yang; the heart fire is burning his lifespan away, and he will die soon!” “Is there a solution?” Gu Tiezheng asked with composure. Li Muzhan said, “There are two methods.” “Please tell us,” Gu Tiezheng requested. Li Muzhan smiled, “The first is to completely cripple this internal energy. Naturally, the excessive Yang energy will dissipate, and it will no longer burn your vital essence.” Gu Tiezheng sighed and shook his head, “Having my martial arts ruined is no different from death.” Li Muzhan continued, “The second method is to vent a portion of the internal energy, and then begin cultivating a Yin-cold technique to neutralize the excess Yang.” “Will that work?” Zhu Chuyun mused, “Won't it result in water and fire clashing?” Li Muzhan laughed, “That depends on one’s control; one must strike a perfect balance, then disaster can be averted. Otherwise, it’s self-destruction! Junior Brother Gu, do you want to try?” Gu Tiezheng said gravely, “I want to try the second method!”

Li Muzhan smiled, “Very well. I will first drain some of your Yang energy. You must stop cultivating your original technique and find a Yin-gentle method to practice.” “...Alright.” Gu Tiezheng hesitated for a moment, then resolutely extended his arm. Li Muzhan placed his fingers on his wrist. A moment later, his outer clothes trembled slightly, and Gu Tiezheng’s face paled marginally, but nothing else occurred. Li Muzhan withdrew his hand and smiled, “That should suffice!” “Senior Brother He is truly profound and unfathomable!” Gu Tiezheng exclaimed in admiration. “Junior Sister Xia also won,” Cheng Lian suddenly announced. Yi Xiaoru floated down to the three of them and, seeing Gu Tiezheng there, asked, “Junior Brother Gu, why are you over here?” Gu Tiezheng explained, “Senior Sister Yi, I came to ask Senior Brother He for help.” “Oh.” Yi Xiaoru nodded, not asking what the help was for, and smiled coyly, “Senior Brother Meng is fighting personally too. Is your Yuan Sect not planning to compete this year?” Gu Tiezheng shook his head and sighed, “We had no choice. Senior Brother Yin suddenly became incapacitated, and none of us were prepared. We originally expected it to be between Senior Brother Yin and Senior Brother Xiao.” “That’s true,” Yi Xiaoru nodded lightly, “If Martial Brother Yin had been present, you truly wouldn’t have had much chance!” Gu Tiezheng glanced at Li Muzhan and smiled, “Senior Brother He crippling Senior Brother Yin disrupted our plans; we had to send people up in haste.” “Senior Brother Xiao still has a great chance,” Yi Xiaoru asserted. Gu Tiezheng laughed, “I originally thought Senior Brother Xiao had a good chance, but after seeing the sword techniques of the three Senior Sisters... it seems a little uncertain!” “Then I’ll take that as a good omen from you!” Yi Xiaoru smiled. Li Muzhan said, “It seems it’s my turn to go up?” “Go ahead, Big Brother,” Yi Xiaoru nodded. Li Muzhan floated onto the platform, bowed with a smile, and the crowd below immediately began buzzing. The eight people already on the stage sobered, their gazes fixed intently on him.

Tang Tianyu rose and smiled, “Young Brother He, I have a suggestion.” Li Muzhan clasped his hands, “Sect Leader, please speak.” “In my view, why don’t you accept the continuous challenge—fight them all in one go? How about it?” Tang Tianyu laughed, “Otherwise, it will waste too much of your time. Right?” Li Muzhan smiled, “I shall heed the Sect Leader’s instruction!” Tang Tianyu nodded and smiled, “Excellent! Everyone listen up, come up in order. Whoever can defeat Young Brother He, I will reward them with one Rebirth Pill!” The murmur of the crowd rose again. The Rebirth Pill—that was a supreme medicine capable of saving a life. One pill was equivalent to one life; this was an immense temptation. “I’ll go!” A youth squeezed out from the crowd, about thirty years old, handsome, with an arrogant expression. He approached Li Muzhan, clasped his hands arrogantly, and announced, “Dao Sect, Mo Zhan!” Li Muzhan nodded, “Please proceed!” Mo Zhan slowly drew his long saber, pointing it at Li Muzhan, and said grimly, “My saber technique is one born from a hundred battles; it only knows how to kill. You must be careful!” Li Muzhan nodded solemnly, showing no hint of disrespect. Tang Tianyu nodded repeatedly. Neither arrogant nor impatient, treating even a weaker opponent seriously—this temperament was reassuring. “Chii!” The saber carved out a silver streak, instantly reaching Li Muzhan. Li Muzhan lightly pointed a finger. Clang… The saber flew away. Li Muzhan rested his sword against Mo Zhan’s throat and smiled, “I yield, Junior Brother Mo!” Mo Zhan stared at him in disbelief. Although he knew Li Muzhan had severed Martial Ancestor Yin’s arm, he had dismissed the rumors as exaggeration. Seeing that Li Muzhan’s cultivation level didn’t seem exceptional in person, he had been tempted to challenge him. If he could defeat him, his prestige within the entire sect would surely overshadow Yin Zhaojiang’s, making him the top disciple of the Wan Sheng Sect! Furthermore, he had always been supremely confident in his saber arts, only never displaying them publicly. In reality, he had been practicing relentlessly, specifically to stun everyone during the Grand Competition. He never imagined that the saber technique he prided himself on couldn't even withstand one of Li Muzhan’s moves. This fact struck him hard, almost suffocating him. Li Muzhan retracted his sword and shook his head, “Junior Brother Mo’s cultivation needs strengthening. Please retire!” Mo Zhan took a deep breath, nodded slowly, and retreated, his face pale, his steps unsteady. His entire spirit seemed instantly shattered. Li Muzhan shook his head. Such disciples truly had limited potential. Without a resilient will, it was hard for them to endure setbacks; being instantly defeated like this meant they would achieve little, even if they hadn't met him. Gao Jingxuan glanced coolly at Xiao Yixiao, “Is this your star disciple?” Xiao Yixiao’s expression turned grim. He snorted but said nothing. This disciple truly left him with no face. The key wasn't victory or defeat, but the attitude. If you lose, you lose; you go back, practice hard, and seek to reclaim your honor later. But to have the world collapse upon one defeat, becoming lost—that wouldn’t do. “Are there any other Junior Brothers or Sisters?” Li Muzhan stood on the platform and smiled.

“I’ll come!” a youth stated grimly, floating onto the stage. He was an average-looking youth, carrying a long sword at his waist, exuding an air of suave confidence. Li Muzhan glanced at him and smiled, “Is this Junior Brother from the Sword Sect?” “How did you know?” the youth asked coolly, narrowing his eyes, showing great bearing. Li Muzhan smiled, sizing him up, “I observed Senior Brother’s graceful demeanor, which matches the style of this sword. I presumed you were a swordsman, hence the question!” “You do possess some skill!” The youth nodded. “Sword Sect, Xie Feiyun!” Li Muzhan said, “Senior Brother Xie, let’s skip the pleasantries and begin!” Xie Feiyun nodded slowly, “I know I am no match for Senior Brother He, but I truly wish to learn about such exquisite swordsmanship. Senior Brother He, please—” Li Muzhan smiled, “Very well, let’s begin!” He executed a gentle thrust, courteous and restrained. Xie Feiyun’s expression shifted slightly, and he stared intently at Li Muzhan’s sword tip. Midway, he suddenly thrust his sword toward Li Muzhan’s wrist. Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, gently twisting his wrist. His sword spun to form a blossoming flower shape, colliding with the incoming blade. Clang… The clear ringing sound lingered unendingly. Xie Feiyun trembled, his sword nearly flying from his grasp. Li Muzhan smiled, “I only used thirty percent of my strength.” “Fine swordplay!” Xie Feiyun praised. Li Muzhan smiled, “Again!” Xie Feiyun readily agreed, “Good, again!” This time, his swordsmanship changed abruptly, becoming swift and elusive, like catkins drifting in the wind; he simply avoided direct clashes with Li Muzhan’s sword, his movements unpredictable. Li Muzhan’s sword technique, however, was ancient and simple. Every thrust and form exuded a sense of clumsiness, as if wielded by a child who didn't know swordsmanship, executing random gestures—strangely captivating. Yet, it was precisely this technique that forced Xie Feiyun to constantly vary his maneuvers. But no matter how Xie Feiyun shifted his moves, Li Muzhan’s seemingly simple, floating thrust always managed to break through, forcing him to change his strategy again. In the blink of an eye, over a hundred moves passed. Li Muzhan shook his head, “Brother Xie, do you have anything stronger?” Xie Feiyun’s face flushed red; his previous composure and elegance had completely vanished. He said gravely, “Very well, then take this: The Twelve Flashes of Rushing Thunder!” Li Muzhan grinned, “Excellent, come quickly!” Whoosh… It was like a sudden gale howling by. The sword light instantly transformed into a silver streak rushing toward Li Muzhan, incredibly fast. Li Muzhan stepped aside diagonally, the sword tip grazing past his shoulder, then he swept left. Li Muzhan stepped back again, the sword tip brushing his robe, missing by the narrowest margin. Li Muzhan could feel the chill emanating from the blade tip and exclaimed admiringly, “Magnificent swordsmanship!” Xie Feiyun grew somewhat annoyed and increased his speed by another fraction. The surrounding spectators could only see a blur of light; the shadow of his sword was invisible. Tang Tianyu sighed and nodded, “The Sword Sect has worthy successors.” He turned and smiled, “Junior Brother Hu, this Feiyu has improved a lot recently, hasn't he?” “This lad has some comprehension,” Hu Chu stroked his beard and smiled, clearly pleased, but then shook his head, “Though still far inferior to Senior Sister Gao!” Gao Jingxuan focused intently on the fight, remarking mildly, “Even if you used the Twelve Flashes of Rushing Thunder, Hu Chu, you wouldn’t do much better than this, would you?” “This lad’s Twelve Flashes of Rushing Thunder does have some mastery,” Hu Chu conceded, “But he is far behind Young Brother He!” Everyone else shook their heads and sighed. Li Muzhan had been evading, but suddenly, he thrust out a sword. Xie Feiyun’s sword abruptly flew out of his hand—a single move decided the bout. “I lost,” Xie Feiyun shook his head and smiled ruefully. He bent down, retrieved his sword, sheathed it, and clasped his hands, “Thank you, Senior Brother He!” Li Muzhan smiled, “If Brother Xie ever has any doubts, feel free to visit our Hidden Sect anytime to spar in swordsmanship!” “I will!” Xie Feiyun nodded slowly. Li Muzhan’s victory this time relied purely on swordsmanship, without using internal energy. He struck the guard of Xie Feiyun’s sword with precise leverage to send it flying. Xie Feiyun was completely convinced. After he retreated, Li Muzhan smiled and swept his gaze over the assembly, “Who else wishes to challenge me?” The crowd remained silent; no one stepped forward to suffer humiliation. (To be continued)