Li Muzhan stroked his chin, surveying Yan Ziyuan from head to toe, and shook his head with a sigh, "Sect Master Yan, I truly do not wish to kill you."

"What is there to fear in death? You need not try to frighten me with such talk," Yan Ziyuan replied coldly. "But as for obtaining the Sword Control Incantation, you are dreaming, young fellow. In my humble opinion, you should release me, and we shall let bygones be bygones."

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, "Sect Master Yan, even a three-year-old wouldn't believe what you just said, would they?"

Yan Ziyuan said solemnly, "My word is my bond. If you kill me, you know the consequences. No matter how strong you are, you are only one person, and the Dragon Mountain Sect cannot always shelter you!"

Li Muzhan chuckled, "If I kill you, I will immediately enter the Dragon Mountain Sect and become a hidden cultivator."

Yan Ziyuan scoffed and shook his head, "The Dragon Mountain Sect dares to take you in?"

Li Muzhan countered, "If you die, the Linhai Pavilion will be headless. Moreover, I will take the Heaven-Slaying Sword. What capacity do you have to stand against the Dragon Mountain Sect? ... Sect Master Yan, I merely need to borrow the Heaven-Slaying Sword for a time; I will return it when I'm done. You lose nothing."

Yan Ziyuan said grimly, "Do you think that by killing me, you will be safe from our retaliation? ... You should know, we have people within the Dragon Mountain Sect."

Li Muzhan nodded slowly, "Of course."

There were disciples of the Linhai Pavilion within the Dragon Mountain Sect, and there should be disciples of the Dragon Mountain Sect within the Linhai Pavilion. Mutual infiltration between the two sects was inevitable.

If the two sects were truly that impenetrable, then Chu Kuang wouldn't have been able to infiltrate. The most brilliant method was long-term planning: when a core disciple of the Dragon Mountain Sect had a child, they would be sent to an ordinary family. When the child reached six or seven years old, they would be instructed to join the Linhai Pavilion.

Most children born to core disciples of the Dragon Mountain Sect possessed good innate talent. If a child's aptitude wasn't high enough, they would be brought back to the sect. If the aptitude was exceptional, it would be easy for them to be accepted into the Linhai Pavilion.

Thus, this child would slowly grow up. If they possessed outstanding talent, they would gradually become a core disciple of the Linhai Pavilion. When the time was right, their birth parents would then reveal themselves.

This technique was virtually flawless; nothing could be traced. After all, one couldn't assume that all disciples of the Linhai Pavilion were born from existing members; new blood had to be accepted.

Since the Dragon Mountain Sect could employ such methods, so could the Linhai Pavilion. Therefore, it was perfectly normal for disciples of the two factions to be intertwined. Only the Sect Master knew some of the most vital secrets.

Yan Ziyuan struggled to sit upright. He threw his head back and sneered, "Li Guanhai. Even if you hide in the Dragon Mountain Sect, we still have ways to deal with you."

Li Muzhan frowned, "Sect Master Yan, can't we just coexist peacefully?"

"At this stage, do you think you can still retreat?" Yan Ziyuan eyed him with a cold sneer.

Li Muzhan sighed, shaking his head, "Sect Master Yan, I truly mean no harm; I only wish to borrow the Heaven-Slaying Sword. Name your conditions."

"Impossible," Yan Ziyuan shook his head faintly. "Unless you join our Linhai Pavilion."

Li Muzhan laughed and shook his head, "That is impossible. I am a carefree wanderer, unbound and free. How could I pledge allegiance to a sect?"

"Then stop talking about the Heaven-Slaying Sword!" Yan Ziyuan said sternly, "Either kill me, or get lost. Stop wasting time!"

Li Muzhan stated plainly, "Does the Heaven-Slaying Sword truly possess an incantation?"

"If you don't believe me, try it!" Yan Ziyuan sneered.

Li Muzhan frowned, "Then never mind. I am borrowing the Heaven-Slaying Sword; I will return it later!"

"If you take the Heaven-Slaying Sword, we will fight you to the death!" Yan Ziyuan hummed menacingly.

Li Muzhan laughed, "You're still so aggressive even in this state. Has it been too long since you were a Sect Master?"

Saying this, he shook his head and sighed, turning to leave... He held no killing intent towards Yan Ziyuan. Although Yan Ziyuan was cold, he had committed no serious misdeeds, and furthermore, Li Guanhai's assumed identity had no obvious flaws that Yan Ziyuan could exploit.

He had just used the Mind Reading technique, attempting to glean the Sword Control Incantation from Yan Ziyuan's mind, but found nothing. This Yan Ziyuan possessed an incredibly steadfast will, proving difficult to influence.

He moved lightly, floating towards a deep pool, then leaped in and retrieved the Heaven-Slaying Sword from the bottom. He sprang back to the edge, shook his robes, and they instantly dried.

In his former world, accomplishing such feats was easy; even average experts could manage it. In this world, lacking a sturdy physique meant internal energy couldn't project outward, making the simple act of drying clothes extremely difficult—it required the utmost delicacy in controlling his subtle bursts of strength.

He looked down at the Heaven-Slaying Sword. A true Demonic Artifact was said to emanate Baleful Qi, which is why it could suppress Holy Artifacts. He had come to this world precisely to obtain a Demonic Artifact to counteract the Holy Artifacts.

This was the first time he had seen a Demonic Artifact with his own eyes. It looked utterly unremarkable, yet it possessed terrifying, absolute power.

When Yan Ziyuan had previously wielded the Heaven-Slaying Sword, it was as if a demon god possessed him. His power had multiplied exponentially, and his swordsmanship was incomparably exquisite, hundreds or thousands of times better than before—a difference between heaven and earth.

This was clearly the work of the Heaven-Slaying Sword. Li Muzhan deduced that the sword’s Baleful Qi might have coalesced into a tangible form, perhaps even developing sentience, thus allowing it to manipulate Yan Ziyuan.

Yan Ziyuan treated the Heaven-Slaying Sword as a weapon, but the sword might have been treating Yan Ziyuan as its weapon—a case of the sword controlling the man, resulting in overwhelming might.

Li Muzhan examined the Heaven-Slaying Sword, gently stroking it, but he dared not draw the blade. His intuition constantly screamed warnings of mortal danger.

After stroking it for a long time, Li Muzhan felt the Heaven-Slaying Sword was even more extraordinary. The black hilt seemed to emanate an inexplicable aura, as if beckoning him.

Draw the sword! Draw the sword! a voice incessantly urged him from within. Li Muzhan possessed a firm mind and a spirit as strong as a dragon, nearly unmovable. Despite the intense craving, he forcefully suppressed it.

He trusted his intuition. This Heaven-Slaying Sword was genuinely sinister. The overwhelming desire only reinforced his belief that he must not draw it.

After a long pause, he sighed and hung the sword at his waist.

As soon as the sword left his hand, the intense craving vanished, and calm returned. Li Muzhan breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the scabbard itself was also a treasure...

"Big Brother, you've finally returned!" As Li Muzhan appeared in the small courtyard, Liu Biyun sprang up from the pavilion, examining him closely.

Li Muzhan smiled, "What is it?"

"Are you hurt?" Liu Biyun, clad in a white robe with a face as pale as jade, stared at Li Muzhan anxiously.

Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled, "Not hurt, don't worry."

"You encountered Sect Master Yan, didn't you?" Liu Biyun took his hand and led him to sit in the pavilion.

Li Muzhan smiled, "We exchanged blows."

Liu Biyun poured tea and handed it to him, then glanced at him again, sighing with relief, "Sect Master Yan is very formidable. Otherwise, the Sect Master would have killed him long ago!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "He is indeed exceptional."

Liu Biyun sat opposite him and chided gently, "I asked the Sect Master. He told me not to provoke Sect Master Yan; pushing him too far brings nothing good!"

Li Muzhan took a sip of tea, "What trump card does Sect Master Yan have?"

"A Demonic Artifact!" Liu Biyun exclaimed. "The Sect Master wouldn't tell just anyone, but you are my Grand-Master's disciple, so he told me secretly. The power of a Demonic Artifact is astonishing. Only a Demonic Artifact can counter another Demonic Artifact; even the most powerful masters will meet their end against one!"

Her face paled slightly as she spoke, recalling the anxiety and worry she felt earlier, feeling as if every moment stretched into an eternity. She had wished she could sprout wings and fly after him.

Li Muzhan nodded slowly, "Indeed, it is powerful."

"Did Sect Master Yan use the Demonic Artifact?!" Liu Biyun's expression changed drastically.

Li Muzhan unhooked the Heaven-Slaying Sword from his waist and placed it on the table, "There. This is it."

Liu Biyun stared at it nervously, "This is the Heaven-Slaying Sword?!"

She scrutinized Li Muzhan again. Seeing that he was unharmed, she still felt uneasy. She reached out and touched his shoulder, gently scolding, "Big Brother, you were too reckless!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "It was nothing. If I couldn't win, I'd just run."

"How could you escape!" Liu Biyun shook her head. "The Sect Master told me that once a Demonic Artifact is unleashed, it can kill someone in just a few moves!"

Li Muzhan felt a slight headache coming on; she was becoming somewhat neurotic from excessive worry. He waved his hand with a smile, "Alright, Biyun, I'm fine! Demonic Artifacts aren't that terrifying!"

"You..." Liu Biyun sighed helplessly, drew her hand back, and sat down opposite him, reprovingly, "You absolutely must not do this again next time! You scared me half to death; my hair is nearly turning white!"

Seeing that her eyes were beginning to water, Li Muzhan was moved. He nodded with a smile, "Okay, I won't next time."

He secretly resolved that if he ever risked such danger again, he simply wouldn't tell her to spare her excessive worry... "So this is the Heaven-Slaying Sword?" Liu Biyun peered curiously at the black sword on the table, shaking her head. "It really doesn't look like much!"

This treasure sword looked terribly rustic, lacking any divine aura. If placed in a weapons shop, perhaps no one would buy it.

"Divine artifacts often conceal themselves. This sword is indeed extraordinary," Li Muzhan nodded with a smile.

"Let me see..." Liu Biyun reached out.

Li Muzhan quickly raised his hand to block her small, jade-like hand. Liu Biyun looked at him quizzically. Li Muzhan shook his head, "It's best not to touch it."

"Why?" Liu Biyun widened her bright eyes.

Li Muzhan replied, "This thing is genuinely a bit strange. Just looking is enough."

"This is the first time I've seen a Demonic Artifact! The Sect Master wouldn't even let me look. What exactly does it look like?" Liu Biyun asked, full of curiosity.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "It looks perfectly ordinary, not worth a closer look. Forget it."

"But I still want to see it," Liu Biyun insisted.

Li Muzhan gave a wry smile and shook his head, "Biyun, it's not that I don't want you to see it, but I can't draw the sword. ... I took this from Sect Master Yan. I don't know the method for controlling the sword, so I dare not use it."

"Big Brother really defeated Sect Master Yan?" Liu Biyun's interest immediately piqued.

Li Muzhan laughed, "It was sheer luck."

He then put the Heaven-Slaying Sword away. Liu Biyun pouted, "Big Brother, draw it out and let me see!"

Li Muzhan shook his head, "I can't draw it. This sword is too sinister. Without the Sword Control Incantation, drawing it will cause huge trouble. We should wait and see."

Liu Biyun gave him an exasperated look, "You want to get the Sword Control Incantation from Sect Master Yan? ... Big Brother, aren't you quite daring? Why are you afraid to even draw the sword?"

Li Muzhan explained, "Sect Master Yan is stubborn and refused to reveal it even if it meant death. I couldn't possibly kill him, so I let him go and took the sword instead."

Liu Biyun nodded, "Of course he wouldn't tell. If he did, he'd become a sinner... So, do you have a way to get the incantation?"

Li Muzhan frowned in thought, then shook his head, "No certainty. ... He said it's only possible if I join the Linhai Pavilion. If all else fails, I might have to join them."

"No!" Liu Biyun gasped in shock.

Li Muzhan laughed, "Just kidding."

Liu Biyun gave him an annoyed look, chiding, "Big Brother, if you joined the Linhai Pavilion, we'd become enemies! ... Is this Demonic Artifact very important to you?"

Li Muzhan nodded slowly, "I have a great matter that requires a Demonic Artifact."

"What is it?" Liu Biyun asked curiously, then quickly added, "If Big Brother doesn't want to say, that's fine. I was just curious."

She knew that a clever woman shouldn't ask too many questions, as it would annoy a man, but she was extremely curious.

Li Muzhan smiled, "I have a great enemy who requires a Demonic Artifact. ... I'll tell you when there's a chance in the future..."

In the following days, Li Muzhan entered seclusion. In truth, he returned to the Hidden Sect, taking the guise of He Zudao, and accompanied Yi Xiaoru down the mountain to investigate the Divine Sword Sect.

Before setting off, Li Muzhan and Yi Xiaoru sat in the main hall before Gao Jingxuan, receiving her instructions.

Gao Jingxuan was dressed in an elegant, plain silk robe, looking graceful and gentle. She spoke softly, "Dao'er, Xiaoru, when you go down the mountain this time, remember not to push yourselves too hard. Your only task is to ascertain the lair of the Divine Sword Sect. Do not engage with any Divine Sword Sect disciples—remember this!"

Yi Xiaoru nodded lightly, "We understand, Master. ... What exactly is going on with the Divine Sword Sect? They are acting so crazily this time, yet they don't seem afraid of us anymore!"

Gao Jingxuan frowned, pondering, "It is rumored that a genius figure has appeared within their sect, one who has cultivated their cultivation method to its absolute peak, which is why they are no longer afraid of us!"

"Such a figure truly exists?" Yi Xiaoru pondered with a frown. "I don't recall hearing about anyone like that."

Gao Jingxuan huffed, "The Divine Sword Sect has always kept such matters secret; outsiders don't know."

Yi Xiaoru asked, "How do you know, Master?"

"Your Martial Uncle Tang told me." Gao Jingxuan frowned, "This shows that although our Hidden Sect has many eyes and ears, we are still far from achieving true omniscience. Xiaoru, you still need to work harder."

Yi Xiaoru knitted her brows and nodded slowly, "Yes, Master, I will be more thorough! ... The Divine Sword Sect has always been entrenched in Jingzhou City. They are local snakes, making infiltration very difficult."

Gao Jingxuan stated, "This time, their overconfidence might actually allow us to map out their lair. Once we know their location, that is enough; do not clash head-on with them!"

"Yes, Master, I understand." Yi Xiaoru nodded lightly, "Once we know their lair, will the Nine Sects mobilize together?"

"Judging by Martial Uncle Tang's tone, they might move to annihilate the Divine Sword Sect," Gao Jingxuan nodded slightly.

"Master, I don't understand," Yi Xiaoru pressed. "Why hasn't Martial Uncle Tang destroyed the Divine Sword Sect long ago, letting them run rampant?"

Gao Jingxuan smiled faintly, "He has his deeper reasons."

"Is it to spur everyone on to greater effort?" Yi Xiaoru pondered and shook her head. "Everyone is already working hard enough; there's no need for this, is there?"

"The intricacies of this matter are not clear to outsiders," Gao Jingxuan said.

Yi Xiaoru looked surprised, "Does Master not know either?"

"No, I don't know clearly either," Gao Jingxuan nodded slowly.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Master must have a general idea, right?"

Gao Jingxuan glanced at him, perhaps worried he was too intrusive or feeling she was treating him as an outsider. She smiled helplessly, "Alright, I vaguely guess it might be related to their cultivation method."

As soon as she said this, Yi Xiaoru's face flushed, and she dared not speak further.

Li Muzhan chuckled, "The Divine Sword Forging Art?"

Gao Jingxuan snorted, "Yes, perhaps the Divine Sword Forging Art contains a peculiar cultivation method within it. He wants to obtain that method."

Li Muzhan expressed surprise, "Sect Master Tang, as the master of the Ten Thousand Saints Sect, doesn't know the cultivation method of the Divine Sword Forging Art?"

"He only knows a part of it," Gao Jingxuan shook her head. "Just like our cultivation methods—he knows some, but not all."

Li Muzhan nodded slowly. After all, Tang Tianyu was the master of the Primeval Sect, and although he was also the master of the Ten Thousand Saints Sect, the other eight sects remained wary of him. The Nine Sects were competitive, and their cultivation methods were kept secret.

Gao Jingxuan waved her hand, "Alright, once you get there, figure things out quickly and return early. Don't delay too long!"

"Yes, Master, we're leaving," Yi Xiaoru said softly.

Li Muzhan cupped his hands and smiled, "Master, don't worry. I will stay with Xiaoru the entire time."

"As long as you don't overexert yourselves, you have more than enough to protect yourselves," Gao Jingxuan said slowly, then glared at them, "Absolutely do not fight them head-on; avoid conflict whenever possible!"

"We know, Master!" Yi Xiaoru sounded slightly impatient; this instruction had been repeated over a dozen times, making her ears ring.

Gao Jingxuan gave her an exasperated look. She had always spoiled this young disciple, who also had the strongest temper...

Li Muzhan and Yi Xiaoru left the Hidden Sect and soon arrived at Jingzhou City. They boarded a small boat and slowly sailed towards Li Muzhan's small courtyard.

Li Muzhan and Yi Xiaoru sat together. She leaned against him, reading a book, while Li Muzhan also held a book, two swords strapped to his waist.

A faint, ethereal fragrance lingered in the boat. Originally, there was no scent; it came from Yi Xiaoru, slowly permeating the small vessel.

Suddenly, the boat stopped with a slight jolt. A clear, bright laugh drifted from outside, "Heh heh, Junior Sister Yi, Feng Zui of the Divine Sword Sect requests an audience!"

"Feng Zui?" Yi Xiaoru put down her book and looked at Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan asked, "Have you met him?"

Yi Xiaoru shook her head, "I've never even heard of him... Feng Zui, come in."

With Li Muzhan present, Yi Xiaoru was quite bold and spoke without hesitation.

The door curtain moved, and a tall, slender young man drifted in. His azure blue long robe contrasted with a face like refined jade and eyes like bright stars, flashing with a cold glint that exuded a martial heroism.

As soon as he entered the cabin, he cupped his hands and smiled, "Feng Zui pays his respects to Senior Sister Yi."

"Are you from the Divine Sword Sect?" Yi Xiaoru regarded him coldly.

"I am," Feng Zui smiled and nodded, his demeanor casual. "I have long admired Senior Sister Yi's great name. Seeing you today, I find the reputation is well-deserved!"

However, Yi Xiaoru harbored intense aversion towards the disciples of the Divine Sword Sect, so even though he was handsome and dashing, she formed no favorable impression, coldly stating, "How did you know I was coming?"

"Heh heh..." Feng Zui smiled proudly. "The entire Jingzhou City is within our sight. Senior Sister Yi's presence here truly brings great splendor to Jingzhou City!"

"Did you come here just to say that?" Yi Xiaoru asked coldly.

"Heh heh..." Feng Zui was not angered by her harshness and smiled, "Senior Sister Yi must have some misunderstandings about our sect. I came to invite you to be our guest."

"Not going!" Yi Xiaoru refused without hesitation.

Feng Zui paused, then shook his head and smiled, "Our guests are not just Senior Sister Feng, but also some of your subordinates."

Yi Xiaoru frowned, her face turning cold.

Li Muzhan sighed inwardly. This Divine Sword Sect was ruthless enough to seize Yi Xiaoru's lifeline directly. It seemed they had captured all her subordinates.

He had miscalculated this trip, underestimating the Divine Sword Sect. He hadn't expected them to strike preemptively; they were truly reckless.

"Heh heh..." Feng Zui chuckled twice, gazing at Yi Xiaoru's smooth, delicate jade face, and smiled, "Has Senior Sister Yi changed her mind?"

Yi Xiaoru took a deep breath and looked towards Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded.

Yi Xiaoru said coldly, "When?" (To be continued) RQ