"Clink..."

Accompanied by a faint whistle, Yi Xiaoru's long sword flew out, its tip grazing Feng Zui’s throat without leaving a mark. Feng Zui started, looking toward Li Muzhan not far away.

It was Li Muzhan’s pebble that had knocked the sword away.

Yi Xiaoru’s expression shifted slightly, then she let out a breath of relief, glaring at Feng Zui with annoyance: "You must really be tired of living!"

Feng Zui chuckled: "Senior Sister Yi, if it comes to this, I’d rather be dead!"

"Hmph, dying won't be so easy!" Yi Xiaoru shot him a look and sealed his pressure points.

Li Muzhan drifted through the lingering sword light, arriving gracefully.

"Big Brother?" Yi Xiaoru looked at Li Muzhan with difficulty, unsure how to deal with Feng Zui.

Li Muzhan placed his palm on top of Feng Zui’s head and said in a deep voice, "If you make a move, I'll kill him on the spot!"

Everyone instantly froze. Under the moonlight, their faces were grim, their gazes icy as they looked upon Li Muzhan and Yi Xiaoru as if watching dead men.

Li Muzhan smiled: "Feng Zui is a pillar of your Divine Sword Sect, right? Now that he's in our hands, what can you do?"

"You surnamed Li, what do you intend?" A burly old man stepped forward, shouting in a deep voice.

Li Muzhan asked: "Where is Sect Master Zhao?"

"We don't know the Sect Master's whereabouts!" the burly old man snorted.

Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed: "We only speak with the Sect Master; you people cannot make the decision."

"Whatever it is, spit it out!" The burly old man snorted, sneering: "You aren't worthy to see the Sect Master!"

Li Muzhan said: "I hear your Divine Sword Sect also possesses a demonic artifact. I wish to witness it!"

"You bold brat. Such audacity!" The burly old man's face changed slightly, and he sneered: "You want our demonic artifact?!"

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded: "If Feng Zui is traded for the demonic artifact, will your Sect Master agree?"

"You're dreaming!" The burly old man repeatedly sneered disdainfully: "Even all of us added together are not worth one demonic artifact. Give up that thought immediately!"

Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow and chuckled: "Living men are not valued as highly as dead things. I refuse to believe that!"

The burly old man said coldly: "You surnamed Li, you’re not ignorant that the demonic artifact is the very foundation of our Divine Sword Sect. The Sect Master will absolutely not compromise. Little Feng's life is his own; you decide what to do!"

Li Muzhan frowned, his gaze sweeping over everyone opposite him. It seemed the burly old man spoke the truth. He then turned back to Feng Zui: "Brother Feng, where is the demonic artifact?"

Feng Zui's mute acupoint was instantly released. He looked at Li Muzhan with a half-smile: "So you covet the demonic artifact. Your Hidden Sect harbors quite the ambition!"

Li Muzhan smiled: "It's just a little private interest of mine. I am quite curious about the demonic artifact and wish to truly see it up close!"

Feng Zui’s lips curled up, bearing a mocking smile: "Brother Li, you are merely wishing upon a star!"

Li Muzhan frowned. He activated Mind Reading, learning from Feng Zui’s mind that the demonic artifact was held by Zhao Yuanming, and it was also a precious sword, untouchable by outsiders.

————

Yi Xiaoru turned to look at Li Muzhan, not knowing what to do.

Just as Li Muzhan was about to speak, he suddenly turned toward the south. Over the moonlight floated a dozen or so figures, clad in gray robes, gliding gracefully across the rooftops before landing before them in an instant.

"Martial Uncle Mo!" Yi Xiaoru started, quickly stepping forward to bow to a thin, small old man.

Li Muzhan recognized the thin old man. He looked withered, as if a gust of wind could blow him over, yet he was an elder of the Sword Sect, named Mo Guiyi, renowned for his superior swordsmanship.

"Hmm, who have you apprehended here?" Mo Guiyi looked toward Feng Zui.

"He is Feng Zui, an elite disciple of the Divine Sword Sect," Yi Xiaoru replied obediently. Li Muzhan withdrew his hand and stepped to Yi Xiaoru’s side, smiling as he faced the dozen or so experts.

These dozen figures were all top experts from various sects. Seeing their grim expressions, they had clearly come from the riverside, likely having just overcome some difficulty.

Having been ambushed by the Divine Sword Sect, they were burning with suppressed anger. He didn't wish to provoke their ire, lest he become a target for their frustration.

The Seven Sects, excluding the Myriad Sage Sect, held little affection for him. The Hidden Sect was inherently weak, but his presence had injected a fresh surge of energy. If they had the chance, they would certainly act out.

Mo Guiyi nodded slightly: "Oh, an elite disciple, Feng Zui. Are you willing to surrender?"

"Heh, amusing!" Feng Zui’s face remained unchanged; he sneered: "You are the ones who should surrender! You’ve trespassed onto our territory and still dare to cause trouble?... You came from that direction, didn't you? Perhaps you should learn some restraint?"

"Stubborn and useless! Better dead than alive!" Mo Guiyi coldly snorted, suddenly bringing a palm down on Feng Zui’s head. With a "bang," Feng Zui stiffened and collapsed.

"Martial Uncle Mo!" Yi Xiaoru cried out.

Mo Guiyi turned and glared at her: "What? Why keep such a pest around?!"

Yi Xiaoru glanced at Feng Zui, dead on the ground, then pointed opposite them and said in a low voice: "Martial Uncle Mo, we were just about to use him to coerce those people!"

The other side had erupted into chaos. Everyone’s faces were flushed crimson, their eyes blazing with madness. They drew their swords and charged, while another group of about thirty figures emerged from the buildings, immediately surrounding them.

Mo Guiyi had no time to speak with Yi Xiaoru; he drew his sword and stabbed toward the surrounding attackers. Because he had killed Feng Zui, everyone targeted him instantly, and more than a dozen surrounded him.

Li Muzhan pulled Yi Xiaoru back to avoid being caught in the crossfire. Some others also attacked the pair, but Li Muzhan lightly deflected them, gracefully slipping out of the encirclement and vanishing into the darkness.

"Big Brother..." Yi Xiaoru muttered in annoyance, humming softly. She hadn't reacted quickly enough but guessed Li Muzhan could have reacted, yet chose not to stop the action.

Li Muzhan shook his head: "Forget it. Leaving Feng Zui alive was a disaster waiting to happen; he would have died sooner or later."

Yi Xiaoru's jade-like face was set, she huffed: "But Martial Uncle Mo was far too decisive. He didn't even ask us, just killed him! Now we've stirred up a hornet's nest. Keeping Feng Zui alive would have saved us a lot of effort!"

Li Muzhan laughed: "Martial Uncle Mo is just supremely confident. They weren't afraid of a direct confrontation; perhaps they even hoped for one, just to vent their anger by killing!"

"Hmph!" Yi Xiaoru's face remained stern; she felt deeply uneasy.

————

After a while, seeing Li Muzhan walking haltingly, always lingering in the shadows, she asked curiously: "Big Brother, what are we doing now?"

Li Muzhan smiled: "Seeing if we can catch a big fish!"

"A big fish?" Yi Xiaoru frowned: "Sect Master Zhao isn't here, is he?"

Li Muzhan shook his head: "I don't know. Let's see."

Yi Xiaoru looked around curiously. They were in a narrow alley, hidden under the shadow of a wall, moving silently. Anyone passing by would surely be startled.

Li Muzhan took her jade hand and suddenly moved rapidly, ascending to the roof and gliding as if riding the wind. In moments, they arrived and concealed themselves in the shadow of another small alley.

"Hold your breath," Li Muzhan whispered.

Yi Xiaoru quickly employed the Breath Concealment technique. Li Muzhan had taught her this method, and she had mastered it well. Once the breath was restrained, others couldn't sense it.

Moments later, the faint sound of rustling silk garments was heard approaching from the distance. It grew closer and closer. Both of them held their breaths, blending into their surroundings, hidden within the darkness.

After two heartbeats, a figure appeared. In the moonlight, she could clearly see the person opposite: plump and round like a sphere. Walking on the street, one would hardly believe they were a martial artist; they looked more like a wealthy gentleman—the kind who had grown this way from too much indulgence and a lack of physical labor.

He had a small nose and small eyes, looking somewhat comical, like a genial businessman, about fifty years old, his expression a bit tense.

However, his steps were light, utterly inconsistent with his bulk. When he moved swiftly, there was only the slight sound of silk moving, darting through the alley like a civet cat. In an instant, he reached where the two were hidden, completely unaware of the pair concealed in the shadows.

"Bang!" Li Muzhan struck suddenly, hitting the old man's back.

The old man froze instantly, motionless. Li Muzhan sealed all the acupoints on his body.

"Let's go."

Li Muzhan grabbed the old man and, just like the old man before him, moved with the speed of the wind, silent as a civet cat. In moments, they crossed the long alley to the riverside and leaped onto a small boat.

A lamp was lit inside the boat, its light faint, like the stars above.

Xiuxiu emerged from within, smiling charmingly: "Young Master, Miss Yi!"

"Xiuxiu, when did you get here?" Yi Xiaoru asked curiously.

"I was summoned by the Young Master and have been waiting right here!" she said with a delicate laugh, pointing at the round-faced old man: "Young Master, who is this?"

"Don't ask too many questions, start rowing!" Li Muzhan waved his hand.

"Alright," Xiuxiu agreed, picking up the long bamboo pole and pushing off into the river. The boat drifted away, entering the river's center in moments.

————

Li Muzhan laid the old man down, then sat cross-legged, slightly closing his eyelids, forming a strange hand seal. His left index finger rested on the position between the old man’s eyebrows, remaining perfectly still.

Xiuxiu watched Li Muzhan curiously while poling the boat, and Yi Xiaoru was also mystified. But seeing Li Muzhan’s solemn expression, she dared not disturb him.

Li Muzhan's face turned pale, the color draining rapidly. The two women were alarmed, further muffling their movements. Xiuxiu's rowing became even gentler, ensuring the boat experienced no rocking.

What felt like a long time—the duration of one cup of tea—Li Muzhan slowly withdrew his hand, then formed another seal and placed it on his Dantian, remaining still.

His pale complexion showed no signs of recovery. After another cup of tea of internal regulation, Li Muzhan finally opened his eyes, his face still utterly bloodless.

"Big Brother, what's wrong?" Yi Xiaoru asked quickly.

Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled: "It’s nothing serious... I finally managed to extract something!"

"What exactly happened?" Yi Xiaoru pressed.

"I used Soul Searching Technique," Li Muzhan sighed, shaking his head: "This technique borders on defying heaven, so the backlash is exceptionally severe."

"If the backlash is this fierce, it’s best not to use such secret arts!" Yi Xiaoru scolded him tenderly.

Seeing him like this, she felt inexplicably angry that he didn't cherish his own body.

Li Muzhan laughed: "Though the backlash is severe, the utility is great. Unfortunately, I won't be able to use it again this year; another use might truly cost me my life!"

"Young Master, can this Soul Searching Technique only be used once a year?" Xiuxiu asked curiously.

Li Muzhan nodded: "Yes, once a year at most!... Little Ru, this old man is indeed an important figure; he manages the Divine Sword Sect's finances."

"Finances?" Yi Xiaoru started, her expression shifting slightly: "He controls the Divine Sword Sect's money?"

"Precisely!" Li Muzhan smiled faintly: "We're about to get rich this time!"

Xiuxiu quickly exclaimed: "Young Master, how much money is there?"

Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then smiled: "There should be at least a million taels of silver."

"Wow!" Xiuxiu exclaimed in admiration: "A million! ... With that much money, how many residences could we buy!"

Li Muzhan shook his head and laughed: "Xiuxiu, you only have such limited ambitions. Why buy residences? Wouldn't buying shops be much better!"

"Yes, yes," Xiuxiu nodded repeatedly, her face beaming: "Young Master, buy a shop for us! I'll help you watch it!"

Li Muzhan smiled: "Good, you can start looking slowly and see which one catches your eye."

"Thank you, Young Master!" Xiuxiu’s face blossomed into a radiant smile, charming and bewitching.

————

Yi Xiaoru frowned: "Big Brother, are you saying we should keep it all for ourselves?"

Li Muzhan laughed: "Silly girl. Do you still intend to share it with everyone?... This matter should still be discussed with the Sect Master!"

"Alright," Yi Xiaoru nodded slowly: "I just feel it's not right for us to take it all. What if everyone finds out later..."

"If they find out, they find out," Li Muzhan laughed: "Anyone in our position would keep it to themselves."

"Then I'll ask my Master," Yi Xiaoru conceded, feeling helpless.

"Bang!" A dull thud echoed. A brilliant firework exploded in the sky, shaped like a sword, hanging in the air without dispersing for a long time.

"Should we go over there?" Yi Xiaoru asked.

The story is long. In fact, they had only left that place for about fifteen minutes. The fighting there must have been fierce; everyone would have gone over by now.

This was the signal from the Divine Sword Sect—they couldn't hold on and were calling for reinforcements.

Li Muzhan smiled: "Let's go take a look!"

It wouldn't be a big deal if they just left. Having located the Divine Sword Sect's stronghold was enough to complete their mission; the Hidden Sect members were only tasked with gathering intelligence, not engaging in combat.

Having discovered the information in this elder's mind, they ought to return, lest the others become suspicious.

Furthermore, Yi Xiaoru's nature was too straightforward; if they simply left, she would feel uneasy. It was better to join the fray.

Li Muzhan turned and ordered: "Xiuxiu, find a stone and sink this fellow."

"Ah..." Xiuxiu's face immediately crumpled.

Li Muzhan said: "Can't you handle this small matter?... This old man looks so amiable, but how many women—if not eighty or ninety—has he ruined?"

"He's that despicable?" Xiuxiu's bright eyes widened instantly.

Li Muzhan nodded: "There aren't many good people in the Divine Sword Sect. This old man is a pervert who ruined many good girls. Dying a hundred times would be too lenient for him!"

"Yes, Young Master, I will sink him!" Xiuxiu huffed.

Li Muzhan smiled, then took Yi Xiaoru in his arms. He walked on the waves, returned to the shore, and then sped along the rooftops, arriving back at the Divine Sword Sect stronghold in moments.

The Divine Sword Sect stronghold was brightly lit, filled with the sound of clanging and crashing, sword flashes and chilling auras as hundreds of people were locked in chaotic battle.

The ground was littered with bodies. Li Muzhan swept his gaze across them—about thirty figures, all from the Divine Sword Sect. In this short time, over thirty people had fallen; they must have been tough fighters.

As Li Muzhan and Yi Xiaoru appeared, six middle-aged men in gray robes immediately brandished their swords and rushed them, sword lights flashing, aiming directly for vital spots.

"Little Ru, kill them." Li Muzhan shook his head. A flash of sword light from his waist made the six charging gray-robed men pause, then slowly collapse.

————

Yi Xiaoru was about to move, but the six were already dead. Li Muzhan’s sword was too fast. Then, a dozen more gray-robed figures charged over.

Gray-robed figures were constantly emerging from all directions—all disciples of the Divine Sword Sect. Some charged toward Li Muzhan and Yi Xiaoru, while others attacked Mo Guiyi and his group.

Li Muzhan shook his head: "We have too few people; we were overconfident!"

"Martial Uncle Mo and the others are all top-tier experts; this many should suffice," Yi Xiaoru argued.

"Even a tiger fears a pack of wolves," Li Muzhan said. A flash of sword light caused five figures to fall; another flash, and the rest of those men fell.

His swordsmanship was becoming increasingly fluid, showing significant improvement. Compared to the sword styles of these men, which looked like the random flailing of children, his every strike was decisive.

Seeing him so mighty, Yi Xiaoru stopped making moves, allowing him to rampage freely.

Another wave of a dozen figures charged over. They were frenzied and fearless, unwilling to submit despite seeing Li Muzhan's power.

Li Muzhan ended these dozen Divine Sword Sect disciples with three strikes. He stood still, and the area around him was littered with bodies. In this short span, the fallen disciples numbered about the same as before, which intimidated the remaining crowd.

Li Muzhan remained motionless. About twenty people surrounded him and Yi Xiaoru, keeping a distance of three meters, daring not to approach closely, yet unwilling to retreat.

Li Muzhan shook his head, observing the fierce battle between Mo Guiyi’s group in the distance. Their swordsmanship was superb, but their opponents were no slouches either—all gray-robed elders with profound cultivation and formidable techniques.

Mo Guiyi’s swordsmanship was the most elegant, but he was entangled by four gray-robed elders. After more than a hundred exchanges, he managed to wound one, only for another to immediately take his place.

Under the tacit coordination of the four, the power of their sword techniques increased dramatically, making them almost equal to Mo Guiyi—barely enough to hold him off. The situation around them was much the same.

Mo Guiyi and his men were clearly superior martial artists, far surpassing the Divine Sword Sect disciples, but they were outnumbered. Once entangled, it was hard to break free. Thus, although the fight was intense, few died; mostly, people sustained injuries.

Yi Xiaoru watched for a while with a frown and whispered: "Big Brother, should we lend a hand?"

Li Muzhan shook his head: "Helping would only cause more trouble!... Let's go inside!"

Yi Xiaoru glanced at Mo Guiyi’s group, considered Li Muzhan's words, found sense in them, and followed Li Muzhan inside. The twenty-odd figures nervously kept pace with the pair.

Li Muzhan stopped before the entrance to the main hall, shook his head—the hall was empty.

Just then, a sharp shout suddenly rang out. Li Muzhan turned his head and saw two dozen gray-robed elders floating toward them, resembling twenty-odd bats in the moonlight.

————

Li Muzhan spotted the leader as Zhao Yuanming, the Sect Master of the Divine Sword Sect—square-jawed, with piercing, electric eyes that made it hard to look directly at him.

"You surnamed Mo, how dare you!" Zhao Yuanming landed gracefully and sneered: "Daring to attack our door—you've improved!"

Mo Guiyi sneered: "Zhao Yuanming, today marks the end of your Divine Sword Sect!"

"Good! I'd like to see what skill you possess!" Zhao Yuanming gave a cold laugh and slowly drew the gleaming long sword at his waist.

Li Muzhan noticed a faint, almost imperceptible redness on the blade, difficult to spot if one wasn't paying close attention.

Mo Guiyi’s expression shifted slightly: "The Netherworld Sword!"

Zhao Yuanming drew his sword and pointed it at Mo Guiyi: "The Netherworld Sword hasn't tasted blood in a long time. Today, I shall use you to consecrate my blade!"

Mo Guiyi said in a deep voice: "Everyone, be careful! This Netherworld Sword is a demonic artifact. Zhao surnamed is ready to fight to the death!"

The hearts of the crowd sank slightly. They all knew the fearsome power of demonic artifacts. This Zhao Yuanming was certainly direct, using the demonic artifact immediately upon appearing.

Li Muzhan revealed a look of excitement, a flash of golden light suddenly bursting from his eyes before vanishing. No one noticed the anomaly. He pushed his Mind Reading technique to its absolute limit, fully penetrating Zhao Yuanming’s mind.

This was the critical moment to obtain the incantation for controlling the demonic artifact—a rare opportunity. He drove his Mind Reading to the extreme, reaching a state of selfless ecstasy, as if his soul had left his body and drilled into Zhao Yuanming. He himself transformed into Zhao Yuanming, gaining complete insight into everything within him.