Li Muzhan handed the sword to Cheng Lian. "Senior Sister, try to slice it open!" "I dare not.

What if I damage what's inside? I'd deserve a thousand deaths!" Cheng Lian quickly waved her hand dismissively.

Li Muzhan chuckled. "It won't break that easily." No matter what, Cheng Lian refused, shaking her head constantly.

"You should do it!" Li Muzhan sighed helplessly. "Since you insist, I will give it a try!" As his words fell, a chill flashed, followed by a clear, lingering ding sound.

The stone casket showed no change. Li Muzhan sheathed his sword, stepped forward, and gave a gentle pry.

A section of the casket split open, revealing the cross-section, from which he drew out a thin booklet. Cheng Lian's bright eyes immediately lit up, fixed intently on the small book.

Li Muzhan touched it; the booklet felt peculiar, seemingly made of animal hide—supple yet tough, and yellowed with age. Across the cover were three large characters: "Flying Immortal Steps." "Flying Immortal Steps…" Li Muzhan nodded, opening it.

The inner pages were also made of yellowed animal hide, inscribed with diagrams of footprints alongside a few lines of small text. There were ten pages in total.

He quickly turned through them and handed the booklet to the visibly excited Cheng Lian. "Senior Sister, it's a movement technique.

Its power seems decent enough." "A movement technique, huh…" Cheng Lian accepted it with a slight air of disappointment. While being merely a movement technique was disheartening, it was, after all, a secret manual from Mount Fuyun; it couldn't possibly be bad.

What she truly hoped for was a foundational internal cultivation method. The current method used by the Hidden Sect was also from Mount Fuyun, called the Weak Water Art.

It was profound and immense in power, yet it suffered from a fatal flaw: it was incredibly difficult to cultivate, demanding exceptional comprehension. Even their Master had only attained a shallow level, let alone the rest of them.

If only they had another cultivation method, preferably one that was easier to master yet still potent—even if not as formidable as the Weak Water Art. Alas, it wasn't a heart method, only a set of footwork.

She was slightly let down, but as she finished turning the pages, a smile touched her lips. "It really is a fine movement technique." Li Muzhan smiled.

"Senior Sister, you see the mystery in it?" "This technique should be good, but I can't quite discern where its excellence lies," Cheng Lian admitted with an embarrassed smile. Li Muzhan chuckled.

"This footwork appears ordinary, but it is actually deeply arcane. Let me demonstrate it for you, Senior Sister!" "Wonderful," Cheng Lian quickly agreed.

She genuinely hadn't grasped the profoundness, but trusting it was a Mount Fuyun secret manual, she assumed it must be excellent, perhaps beyond her current shallow insight. Li Muzhan slowly took a few steps.

Cheng Lian recognized it as the Flying Immortal Steps, though he moved slowly, as if still unfamiliar with the form. Li Muzhan paused.

"Did you see clearly, Senior Sister!" He took two more steps, then abruptly flashed and vanished. The next instant, he reappeared two zhang away, smiling at Cheng Lian, who gasped in surprise.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Senior Sister, can you see it now?" Cheng Lian frowned and shook her head.

She walked two steps gently herself. On the third step, she suddenly stumbled and pitched forward directly.

Li Muzhan stepped forward to catch her. "Be careful, Senior Sister." Cheng Lian awkwardly pulled herself free from his arm, her face flushed.

"What a strange movement technique!" When she looked at it, it seemed easy—the steps were simple, lacking the complex crisscrossing of the front, back, left, and right, instead flowing smoothly with only a few distinct movements. Yet, when she tried to execute it, she realized the oddity.

The first step felt fine; after the second, she felt a faint surge of energy emerge from her Yongquan point, rushing up her legs. But on the third step, the forces from both legs collided, preventing her from completing the step.

Li Muzhan explained, "Senior Sister, this Flying Immortal Steps looks simple, but mastering it is not easy. It requires dedicated, hard effort!" "No wonder Brother-in-law possesses such cultivation!" Cheng Lian shook her head, sighing with admiration.

Li Muzhan laughed. "Senior Sister is praising me too highly!" Cheng Lian shook her head again.

"I previously thought you were merely lucky, that your success was heaven-bestowed. Now I finally realize how superficial I was." Li Muzhan waved his hands, smiling.

"If Senior Sister keeps praising me, I will have no place left to hide my shame!" "You…" Cheng Lian pursed her lips into a smile and said no more. Frowning, she paused in thought, then tried to take two steps again.

On the third, she staggered once more. This time, anticipating it, she managed to brace herself against the stone wall.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Senior Sister, you practice.

I'll go find something to eat." Cheng Lian’s entire focus was on the Flying Immortal Steps. She merely waved her hand and murmured, "Mhm," frowning deeply as she contemplated the reason for her failure.

This technique must be achievable; Li Muzhan’s success proved it. But why could she not manage the third step?

What was the root cause? After contemplating for a while, she finally decided to practice with all her might, resolving to ask Li Muzhan only if she reached a complete impasse.

When Li Muzhan returned to the cave, he carried a withered tree trunk, as thick as his waist, over his left shoulder, and in his right hand, he held several captured birds and a hare. He saw Cheng Lian still practicing the Flying Immortal Steps.

She managed two steps, then stumbled again, fine stone dust clinging to her robes, giving her a slightly dishevelled appearance. Li Muzhan set down his burden and used his internal energy to dry the branches and leaves.

He had found this withered tree in a sheltered spot; though not rained on directly, it retained dampness and needed roasting before burning, otherwise the thick smoke would choke them both. Li Muzhan conjured a small fire with his internal energy and smiled warmly.

"Senior Sister, come warm yourself by the fire." "No need," Cheng Lian replied, waving him off, slowly placing her feet, then swaying after two steps. She quickly stopped, daring not to proceed.

Li Muzhan said, "Senior Sister, the first six steps are for gathering qi; steps seven through nine are for guiding qi. There is a trick to the gathering phase too; you cannot force it." "Brother-in-law, please instruct me!" Cheng Lian managed with a wry smile.

"I am too slow-witted." Li Muzhan shook his head. "I am accustomed to figuring things out myself.

Your third step is too slow!" "Too slow?" Cheng Lian pondered, then shook her head. "I tried that; going faster doesn't help." Li Muzhan smiled.

"Intention over force. First, you must visualize all nine steps clearly in your mind.

With the effort of taking each step, your mind must flash through all nine movements." "Is that so…" Cheng Lian looked thoughtful. Li Muzhan grilled the fowl while watching her shaky attempts at the Flying Immortal Steps, occasionally shaking his head and chuckling to himself—this technique was not easily mastered.

After a long time, Cheng Lian still could not pass the third step, but she showed no sign of giving up. Li Muzhan spoke, "Senior Sister, rest for a while.

Don't force it. Perhaps after sleeping on it, you'll manage it by morning!" Cheng Lian looked at him, sighed helplessly.

"I am just too dense!" Li Muzhan laughed. "Senior Sister, to be frank, the Flying Immortal Steps is genuinely difficult to practice." "But you mastered it immediately upon trying!" Cheng Lian countered.

Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled. "If Senior Sister switched to another martial art, it wouldn't be this easy for me.

The Flying Immortal Steps is different; I come from a scholarly background. Forget one step thinking of nine—I can conceive of ten or twenty steps ahead." "Oh, I see…" Cheng Lian nodded in sudden comprehension.

Li Muzhan smiled. "The profoundness of these Flying Immortal Steps lies precisely here: the key is mental focus.

If you can conceptualize nine steps, your speed increases greatly; if you can think eighteen steps ahead, your speed is even faster. That is what I did earlier—I visualized eighteen steps." "But I can't even conceive of nine steps," Cheng Lian shook her head.

Li Muzhan replied, "This cannot be rushed; it requires familiarization." "Sigh…" Cheng Lian sighed deeply. Li Muzhan offered her the roasted meat.

Cheng Lian accepted it, then took some spices from her deerskin pouch, sprinkling them over the food before slowly turning it. Soon, the hare and bird meat began to sizzle as fat dripped onto the fire, releasing a rich, savory aroma.

Li Muzhan said with a smile, "The secret to mental focus is something that can only be understood intuitively, not taught through words. It depends on you finding it yourself." "Mhm, I will think about it carefully," Cheng Lian nodded.

Li Muzhan beamed. "Don't be impatient or anxious.

Think slowly, and you will eventually find the way. It would be a pity to pass up learning the Flying Immortal Steps." "Indeed…" Cheng Lian sighed softly.

She mused that when engaging an opponent, suddenly accelerating could catch them completely off guard, making the technique incredibly powerful. Thus, the Flying Immortal Steps must be learned.

Moreover, although it wasn't as subtle as the Weak Water Art, its power was formidable, making it perfect as a surprise weapon—or even without being a surprise, it carried enough deterrent force to make an enemy proceed with extreme caution. After they ate, the two sat in meditation to regulate their breath as the heavy rain continued unabated.

The next morning, when they emerged from their meditative trance, the rain had stopped outside. Cheng Lian began practicing the Flying Immortal Steps the moment she woke.

She attempted it more than ten times, each time catching herself against the wall; otherwise, she would have certainly fallen. Li Muzhan suddenly clapped his hands and laughed.

"Good! You managed the fourth step!" Cheng Lian smiled, her features alight with joy, when suddenly, BAM, she collapsed.

Only by quickly catching herself with her hands did she avoid face-planting into the ground. Li Muzhan chuckled and shook his head.

Cheng Lian let out a wry smile, got up, dusted off her clothes and palms. "I've finally gotten started!" The most difficult part was the third step; clearing that step meant she had officially begun.

The remaining steps were more complex, but none were as challenging as transitioning from the second to the third. Li Muzhan stood up and surveyed the surroundings.

"Senior Sister, should we press forward a bit further to see what lies ahead?" "Isn't that enough…?" Cheng Lian stopped her practice. "What we've gained is already excellent!" She had never anticipated such a massive windfall.

Even without an internal cultivation manual, the Flying Immortal Steps were extraordinarily rare, especially coupled with a wondrous fruit like the Snow Cloud Fruit. Li Muzhan smiled.

"Perhaps there's more to discover!" "We shouldn't be too greedy!" Cheng Lian laughed, shaking her head. "This is more than enough!" She added, "Brother-in-law, when we return, we must not mention the Snow Cloud Fruit." Li Muzhan smiled and nodded.

"I understand. Mentioning it would only invite resentment!" "Brother-in-law truly has a perceptive mind!" Cheng Lian commented with a smile.

As they spoke, they stepped out of the cave. The fresh air washed over them, moist yet clean, feeling exceptionally comfortable.

"Senior Sister, let's keep going!" Li Muzhan stood at the mouth of the cave, looking at the freshly green forest. "With such fine weather, it would be a true waste to stand still!" "I want to perfect the Flying Immortal Steps," Cheng Lian countered.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "We can practice when we return.

Time on Mount Fuyun is precious; how can we waste it practicing footwork!" "Very well then!" Cheng Lian nodded reluctantly. The two of them drifted southwards.

Li Muzhan wanted to see if Mount Fuyun truly had an end, and what mysteries it held, so he casually gathered Cheng Lian's slender waist and transformed into a wisp of light smoke, soaring away. For the remainder of that day, they had no such good luck.

They encountered numerous wild beasts, which Li Muzhan easily evaded using his lightness skill, but they found no further gains. As evening approached, the sun sinking low, Li Muzhan suddenly felt an invisible force envelop him, followed by being thrown outward.

He held Cheng Lian tightly, and together they were hurled through the air. When his vision cleared, Li Muzhan found the scene before him intensely familiar; instantly, he realized: this was right outside Mount Fuyun!

"We're out?" Li Muzhan turned and laughed. Cheng Lian nodded.

"We are! Why aren't they visible?" Li Muzhan pondered, recalling the sensation just moments ago—it was almost identical to when he used his own instantaneous movement, both involving tearing through space.

What exactly was the secret of Mount Fuyun? With a series of dull thuds—peng, peng, peng, peng—several figures suddenly tumbled from the sky onto the ground, landing in an undignified heap before struggling to sit up.

They soon spotted Li Muzhan and Cheng Lian. Immediately, they stood upright with grave expressions, scanning their surroundings, then began murmuring amongst themselves.

P Tomorrow, the pace must quicken. Two days of rest should be enough.

(To be continued)