After a hundred exchanges, Liu Biyun suddenly laughed sweetly, "Be careful!" "Clink..." Wu Jingyi's longsword flew out of her hand, soaring toward Li Muchan. Li Muchan caught it easily with his open palm and chuckled, "Miss Wu, your swordsmanship is truly excellent!" Wu Jingyi, her face flushing, came forward to retrieve her sword, tucking it sheepishly back into its scabbard.

"I never expected Senior Sister's sword skills to be so formidable. I am ashamed!" Li Muchan smiled.

"For someone your age to possess such swordsmanship, it seems your talent in the blade is undeniable." Wu Jingyi replied, "I am far inferior to Senior Sister!" Li Muchan shook his head and laughed. "You cannot compare.

Biyun has taken the Marrow Cleansing Pill; look at Senior Brother Jing's martial arts to understand why." Wu Jingyi nodded slowly, smiling. "Regardless, Senior Sister's swordsmanship is indeed powerful.

I must admit defeat!" Liu Biyun had been quiet, thoughtful, still immersed in the recent spar, analyzing the gains and losses of every move—whether it had been appropriate. Since taking the Marrow Cleansing Pill, not only was her body pure, but her mind was also clearer, exceptionally agile.

She snapped back to awareness when she heard Wu Jingyi speak and smiled faintly. "Rare indeed for Junior Sister Wu to admit defeat!" Wu Jingyi blushed and chided playfully, "Senior Sister—!" Liu Biyun let out a soft laugh.

"So, do you still wish to spar with Big Brother?" "Of course!" Wu Jingyi didn't hesitate. "I want to personally experience Brother Li's swordsmanship!" She had only seen Li Muchan's bearing from afar—invincible under the sword, truly awe-inspiring in spirit, unmatched by any.

Now that she had the chance, she wouldn't let it pass. Liu Biyun chuckled softly, shaking her head.

This Junior Sister Wu had always been proud and arrogant, looking down on everyone, even not being entirely convinced by herself, because her talent in the sword was superb, allowing her to mock disciples of the same generation, yet her insufficient cultivation barred her from the ranks of the Four Elites—a fact she resented deeply. It seemed she still wasn't fully convinced.

Thinking this, she glanced over at Li Muchan. Li Muchan smiled.

"Very well, then let's exchange a few moves!" "Wonderful!" Wu Jingyi nodded excitedly, drawing her sword and thrusting straight ahead while shouting sharply, "Watch the blade!" Li Muchan laughed, stepping lightly to evade the tip, and in the next instant, a flash of light erupted from his waist. The tip of his sword rested against Wu Jingyi's throat.

He lightly retracted his sword. "Junior Sister Wu, you've lost." Wu Jingyi pressed her lips together and pouted coquettishly, "That doesn't count!

Again!" Li Muchan laughed. "Fine!" This time, Wu Jingyi was wiser; she didn't rush forward rashly.

Instead, she began circling Li Muchan, her steps accelerating. Li Muchan remained still, like a coiled serpent meeting motion with stillness.

Wu Jingyi circled over ten times, faster and faster, dissolving into a blur of motion. Seeing that Li Muchan still showed no opening, she cried out in exasperation, "Watch the blade!" "Clink..." Li Muchan deflected her sword with one sweep and surged toward her throat, swift as lightning.

She had no time to retreat because her footwork was too fast, the inertia too great. Li Muchan smiled and sheathed his sword.

"Junior Sister Wu, you've lost again!" Wu Jingyi bit her lip tightly, her face turning red. Seeing her demeanor, Li Muchan knew she was fiercely competitive and smiled.

"One more round?" "Fine!" Wu Jingyi ground out resentfully. This time she learned her lesson again.

Knowing that a fast sword was useless against Li Muchan, she executed a slow thrust, moving as sluggishly as a crawling tortoise. Though the sword was slow, the momentum was strong; her entire spirit and energy were concentrated into that single strike.

Li Muchan narrowed his eyes slightly. Judging by this one move, he could tell that this Wu Jingyi had truly entered the threshold of mastery, having touched upon the profound mysteries of swordsmanship—remarkable for one her age!

He immediately felt a surge of appreciation for her talent and slowly thrust out a counter-sword strike. Both swords crawled like turtles.

Just as they were about to collide, Wu Jingyi flicked her wrist, and "whoosh..." several sword blossoms erupted in mid-air, enveloping Li Muchan's vital upper-body points. Li Muchan smiled; his sword tip transformed into a single cold star that pierced through the blossoms, instantly landing before her throat.

He smiled gently. "Junior Sister Wu, you've lost yet again!" Wu Jingyi sheathed her sword, expressing her frustration.

"Truly exceptional swordsmanship!" Li Muchan smiled. "Junior Sister Wu, to be honest, your swordsmanship is already quite good, but it lacks a certain Shenyun (spiritual resonance/charm)." "Shenyun?" Wu Jingyi, forgetting her simmering anger, immediately widened her eyes.

She possessed immense talent in sword arts, which was closely linked to her passion for swordsmanship. She was truly obsessed; once she started practicing, she would forget to eat or sleep.

Li Muchan chuckled and remained silent. Wu Jingyi felt as if an ant was scratching her heart, so she hurried forward, feigning conviviality.

"Brother Li, tell me, just a small hint, how about it?" Li Muchan let out a couple of hearty laughs. Wu Jingyi quickly chimed in, "I'll go teach them a lesson tomorrow!

I promise to beat them until they're utterly routed and dare not cause trouble again. How about it?" Li Muchan laughed lightly.

"That doesn't sound quite right, does it...?" Wu Jingyi clenched her jaw but forced a smile. "They dared to show disrespect to Big Brother!

Their crime warrants death, but considering we are fellow disciples, their death sentence can be waived for severe corporal punishment!" "Alright, Big Brother—!" Liu Biyun interjected, unable to help herself at seeing the usually proud and aloof Junior Sister Wu reduced to such pleading. Li Muchan smiled.

"Very well. Since that is the case, I shall impart two sword moves to you!" "Oh, yes, yes!" Wu Jingyi's eyes instantly lit up, her face beaming with joy.

She held Li Muchan's swordplay in the highest regard. These past few days she had been constantly recalling his movements during the fight, studying them meticulously, feeling she had gained immensely, and had been seeking an opportunity to personally experience them to benefit even more.

This was why she had been closely watching Liu Biyun. As soon as she heard Li Muchan was present, she rushed over, and seeing them tending their wounds, she stood guard tirelessly all night.

Everything she did was for the sake of swordsmanship. Now, hearing that Li Muchan was going to teach her two moves, it felt like a heavenly gift had descended; she was so happy she could burst.

Li Muchan smiled gently. "I will demonstrate three times.

Remember as much as you can!" "Understood!" Wu Jingyi nodded rapidly, her bright eyes shining with tangible intensity, fixed on him, terrified of missing even the slightest movement. Li Muchan drew his sword and slowly demonstrated three sword forms.

These three forms were exceedingly simple, very similar to the basic sword techniques they practiced. Wu Jingyi watched without blinking, not daring to slight these moves due to their simplicity, focusing all her concentration to grasp their subtlety and memorize them.

Li Muchan performed them very slowly, yet the forms were incredibly basic. After the first demonstration, he immediately began the second, then the third.

In the blink of an eye, the three repetitions were complete. Li Muchan sheathed his sword and smiled.

"How was it?" Wu Jingyi kept her eyes closed, perfectly still. Liu Biyun smiled faintly, "Big Brother, it's not right to fool the young girl with that." Li Muchan laughed and shook his head.

"Biyun, your talent in the sword isn't as high as hers; you should stick to fist and foot techniques." Liu Biyun shot him a glare; those words truly wounded her pride. Li Muchan chuckled.

"These three moves of mine look simple, but they are about reducing complexity to simplicity, bringing splendor back to the mundane. Look at Junior Sister Wu." Liu Biyun snorted.

"Junior Sister Wu is a sword fanatic. No matter what the sword technique is, she will treat it with absolute seriousness, even the simplest moves!" Li Muchan's eyebrows twitched.

"Oh—?" "What are you plotting?!" Liu Biyun huffed. Li Muchan said, "We can't have her doing things for free; shouldn't we show some gratitude?" "You plan to deal with the Junior Brothers?" Liu Biyun asked.

Li Muchan nodded. "Their boldness grows daily; they need correction!" Liu Biyun sighed.

"They are used to having their way, so they get bold, but they don't mean any harm. Just don't bother arguing with them!" Li Muchan shook his head and laughed.

"If I truly cared to argue, I would have acted long ago and made them cry out for their mothers." Liu Biyun pursed her lips and smiled sweetly. "A great man does not quibble with petty folk.

Big Brother, don't argue with them!" Li Muchan replied, "I can't be bothered to act myself; I'll let Junior Sister Wu handle the task." "Isn't that the same thing?" Liu Biyun said irritably. "Junior Sister Wu hits harder, and she doesn't gauge her strength.

If she causes serious harm, how can you be at ease?" Li Muchan laughed. "They are fellow disciples after all; she won't go too far...

Shh, let's not disturb her; let's leave." Liu Biyun glanced at Wu Jingyi, who was standing with her eyes closed, moving her hands and feet slightly, and nodded gently. "What is this?" Liu Biyun asked curiously, looking at the Snow Cloud Fruit in Li Muchan's hand, examining it with confusion, and pondering, "Where did Big Brother get this?" Li Muchan smiled and shook his head.

"Don't ask so many questions; just eat it." "Then you first tell me what she is," Liu Biyun insisted with a pout. Li Muchan laughed.

"Are you afraid I'm trying to poison you?" "Big Brother—!" Liu Biyun chided. Li Muchan commanded, "Then hurry up and eat it!" Liu Biyun reluctantly took the Snow Cloud Fruit, bit into it gently, and as it broke open, a wave of pure fragrance immediately permeated her body, making her internal organs feel clear and refreshed.

Li Muchan watched her eat with a smile and nodded. "Good.

The reason I came this time was to check on you. Do you have anything belonging to the one who injured you?" "What do you plan to do, Big Brother?" Liu Biyun asked.

Li Muchan smiled. "I want to see who this scoundrel is who dared to harm you!" "Hand it over to the Sect!" Liu Biyun quickly shook her head.

That old man's cultivation was terrifyingly high; she genuinely worried about Li Muchan confronting him. Although Li Muchan's cultivation was profound, now seeming even more inscrutable, he might still not be a match for that elder.

Li Muchan said, "Can your sect deal with him?" "Naturally!" Liu Biyun declared proudly. "Our Sect has the Founding Ancestor overseeing things.

No matter how powerful that person is, he cannot stand against our Ancestors!" Li Muchan's heart stirred, and he smiled faintly. "Have your Ancestors already made a move?" "Yes, they've already gone!" Liu Biyun nodded lightly and smiled.

"Perhaps they have succeeded by now and killed that old man!" Li Muchan laughed. "That's good.

In that case, I'll wait and see. If your Ancestors fail to eliminate him, then I will take action!" "Big Brother, you speak with such audacity!" Liu Biyun laughed softly, shaking her head.

"If the Ancestors can't kill him, you think you can?" Li Muchan laughed. "You underestimate me too much.

Even if my cultivation is inferior, I might still be able to kill him!" "Ah... I forgot about Big Brother's sword skills!" Liu Biyun chuckled.

She suddenly froze, her face turning slightly red. She quickly added, "Big Brother, I need to step away for a moment!" Li Muchan knew the Snow Cloud Fruit was taking effect and waved his hand.

"Go on." Watching Liu Biyun dart away, Li Muchan left the room and went to Wu Jingyi's side. Wu Jingyi had already taken a stance and was slowly practicing those three sword forms.

Seeing Li Muchan approach, she smiled sweetly. "Brother Li, truly magnificent sword skills!" Li Muchan grinned, "Don't you think I was tricking you?" "I've never seen sword skills this powerful!" Wu Jingyi beamed with delight.

Li Muchan said, "Take your time. As your experience grows, the power of these three forms will increase exponentially.

Don't rush." "Mm," Wu Jingyi nodded vigorously. Due to the influence of the Snow Cloud Fruit, Liu Biyun had been unable to settle down.

The fruit was meant to cleanse the body, to strip and cleanse the marrow. Although Liu Biyun had taken the Marrow Cleansing Pill before, it was an acquired substance; compared to the Snow Cloud Fruit, a natural spiritual treasure, it was still lacking in profound effect.

Thus, after eating the Snow Cloud Fruit, her body began purging impurities again. Fine threads of dark sweat seeped from her pores, and a rumbling began in her abdomen as it revolted.

To avoid losing face in front of Li Muchan, Liu Biyun arranged for him to stay in a small courtyard specifically reserved for distinguished guests. A bright moon hung high overhead, the night deep.

Li Muchan sat up from his couch, suddenly vanished in a flash, and reappeared next in the Divine Mechanism Pavilion. As soon as he materialized in the Divine Mechanism Pavilion, Li Muchan immediately activated the Void Eye, sensing two auras.

Compared to their previous mountain-like grandeur, these two auras were significantly weaker. Li Muchan instantly understood: it wasn't that the auras had weakened, but that he had grown stronger.

After consuming the Snow Cloud Fruit and enduring the lightning strike, both his internal energy cultivation and mental cultivation had doubled, incomparable to before. He smiled faintly, then once more employed his technique for concealing his aura, becoming completely like a piece of wood, merging seamlessly with his surroundings, indistinguishable.

If this were before the lightning strike, Li Muchan's spirit wouldn't have been strong enough to escape the perception of the two elders. It was different now; the two elders could no longer sense him while he concealed his aura.

Li Muchan stood quietly for a while, not rushing to act, first allowing himself to merge completely with the surroundings. After an hour, he flickered and entered the Divine Mechanism Pavilion, appearing before a bookshelf.

He stood motionless before the shelf for a quarter of an hour, appearing as if he had merged with the wood itself. A moment later, he abruptly vanished.

Returning to his couch in the room, Li Muchan sat cross-legged, deep in thought. If he had given in to the temptation to move a secret manual today, he would have surely alerted the two elders.

He had suddenly felt an inexplicable sensation just as he was about to act, realizing it was unwise, which is why he decisively stopped. There must be some mechanism within this manual; even concealing his aura was useless.

The moment the manual was touched, the two elders would sense it, alerting the enemy and making it far harder to return. Li Muchan suspected that the manuals on this shelf might not even be real.

They couldn't possibly leave the secret manuals unguarded against someone intruding into the Divine Mechanism Pavilion. Li Muchan muttered to himself, thinking that if he were protecting the manuals, he would never leave them easily assembled in one place.

Li Muchan sat on the couch, shook his head, and sighed ruefully. Obtaining the Thirty-Six Arts would not be so easy; perhaps he needed to devise another plan.

The next day, Li Muchan bid farewell to Liu Biyun. Liu Biyun did not keep him long, knowing his movement skills were peerless and he could return whenever he wished.

At their parting, she reluctantly escorted Li Muchan to the sect's main gate, gazing at him with longing, wishing he could stay on the mountain with her forever. A gentle breeze stirred their robes.

Li Muchan smiled. "Alright, Biyun, it’s not like we won't see each other again.

I'll come back to visit in a few days." Liu Biyun said, "Big Brother, I have found out what it is. It's the Snow Cloud Fruit, isn't it?" Li Muchan smiled and nodded.

"Truly worthy of a great sect; you are quite knowledgeable to recognize this!" "Where did Big Brother obtain it?" Liu Biyun asked curiously. Li Muchan shook his head.

"You shouldn't ask about that." "Big Brother, this Snow Cloud Fruit is too precious..." Liu Biyun sighed, shaking her head helplessly. She truly didn't know how to repay such a great favor.

Li Muchan said, "No matter how precious, it's meant to be eaten. How do you feel now?" "It feels like my cultivation has jumped up a notch!" Liu Biyun reported.

Li Muchan nodded. "It has increased somewhat, but to utilize its full effect, you must train diligently for a while.

The harder you train, the more the medicinal efficacy will be spurred on." "I understand," Liu Biyun nodded firmly. "Big Brother, please come visit me more often." Li Muchan smiled and promised, "Yes, I will come by in a few days!" Liu Biyun said, "Last time, I almost didn't get to see you, and I regretted not summoning you sooner, but Senior Brother and Master were present then..." Li Muchan nodded and smiled.

"Biyun, rest assured, I will not do anything harmful to the Dragon Mountain Sect." Liu Biyun sighed and nodded, but said no more. She was an exceptionally intelligent woman, and having known Li Muchan so deeply, she knew his proud nature meant he held extreme aversion toward the Dragon Mountain Sect.

Even if reconciliation occurred, it would be through enduring humiliation, and he would never forgive the Sect lightly. Furthermore, she did not want the sect members to know Li Muchan's true capabilities, which was why she preferred to suffer grave injury and near-death peril rather than crush the jade pendant last time.

Li Muchan patted her delicate shoulder and said gently, "Don't worry, Biyun, I won't put you in a difficult position!" "I only hope Big Brother can keep his word," Liu Biyun sighed. Li Muchan smiled, knowing more words were useless.

If he intended harm toward the Dragon Mountain Sect, he wouldn't use the identity of Li Guanhai, thus avoiding putting her in a bind. However, the Dragon Mountain Sect had not killed members of the Purple Robe Palace; although they exerted tyrannical pressure, the enmity was not irreconcilable.

He only intended to cause some trouble, not outright murder. While the two were speaking, a figure suddenly approached gracefully, calling out from a distance, "Brother Li, the Sect Master requests your presence!" Li Muchan turned his head and saw Wang Hanyang, whom he had met before.

He smiled. "Brother Wang, why would the Sect Master want to see a mere nobody like me?" "I don't know about that.

Brother Li came up the mountain but left in such a hurry without seeing me?" Wang Hanyang chuckled. Li Muchan shook his head.

"I had other matters to attend to, but I stopped by for a quick look." "Rest assured, Junior Sister Liu has great fortune; she will certainly be fine," Wang Hanyang laughed heartily. Li Muchan shook his head dismissively.

"The larger the sect, the more perilous it becomes—a tall tree catches the wind. I am truly worried!" "Junior Sister Liu took the Marrow Cleansing Pill; her cultivation is soaring.

What danger could there be!" Wang Hanyang countered. Li Muchan replied curtly, "What about this time?" "Heh, this time was unexpected.

Who would have thought the Linhai Pavilion would be so shameless!" Wang Hanyang quickly waved his hands. "There won't be a next time!

Our Ancestors have already gone to kill that person!" Li Muchan snorted. "Since they committed this act, do they not have any defenses prepared?" "Their defenses are useless!" Wang Hanyang laughed heartily.

"He is surely doomed; just wait and see! ...

Oh dear, I forgot the main purpose—the Sect Master is waiting!" Li Muchan glanced at Liu Biyun. Liu Biyun said, "It wouldn't be good to refuse the Sect Master's summons." Li Muchan nodded.

"Very well, in that case, I will meet him!" Wang Hanyang smiled. "Please!" The three floated up the mountain, quickly arriving before a grand hall.

Li Muchan had long been puzzled; he had visited the Dragon Mountain Sect before, yet the Sect Master had shown no interest in meeting him, seeming very mysterious. Now, he would finally see the true face.