Li Muzhan sighed and nodded, "Alright, alright, I'll give it a try... You guys are sure the secret treasure is hidden here?"

"It should be accurate." Liu Biyun nodded vigorously.

Li Muzhan said, "Then let's try... As for that group outside, where are they from?"

"Where?" Liu Biyun curiously scanned their surroundings; they were in a dense forest, unable to see the situation outside.

Li Muzhan drew her waist close and floated up to the treetop for a view. Liu Biyun narrowed her bright eyes and hummed softly, "It's people from the Shadow Secret Sect!"

"Shadow Secret Sect?" Li Muzhan paused to think, then shook his head, "Who are the Shadow Secret Sect?"

"They are a hidden martial arts sect." Liu Biyun explained, "When they emerge, they use different identities; very few people know the truth."

"How do you know?" Li Muzhan asked with a smile.

Liu Biyun said proudly, "They can fool others, but how can they fool us!"

Li Muzhan waved his hand and chuckled, "Enough, I know how formidable the Dragon Mountain Sect is. Tell me, why are they here? What is their strength?"

He glanced over and nodded, "These three are quite formidable, not inferior to the Four Heroes of your Dragon Mountain Sect!"

Liu Biyun frowned, glancing over at the location. She could see three figures moving through the mountain forest—two men and one woman—and nodded slightly, "The Shadow Secret Sect does have some ability."

"Stronger than the Dragon Mountain Sect?" Li Muzhan asked in surprise.

Liu Biyun shook her head, "They are far inferior to us, but they aren't afraid of us either!"

Li Muzhan mused for a moment, "Are their martial arts stronger?"

Liu Biyun snorted, "Not necessarily stronger, but not weak either... They have few disciples, but every single disciple's martial arts are formidable."

"How many disciples do they have?" Li Muzhan asked.

"Thirty-six," Liu Biyun replied.

Li Muzhan slowly nodded, "Hmm, indeed not many. Is every one of them a master?"

The Purple Robe Palace wasn't considered large either, yet it had over a hundred disciples; thirty-six was certainly a thin number.

"Even if they can't compare to us, they aren't far off," Liu Biyun conceded.

Li Muzhan smiled, "This is interesting. I truly haven't heard of this Shadow Secret Sect; staying hidden for so many years must require a superior method of concealment."

"Yes," Liu Biyun nodded slowly, "They possess a unique and strange profound art that allows them to transform into anyone. It’s quite vexing."

Li Muzhan's brow lifted slightly, and he chuckled, "Is it facial disguise techniques?"

Liu Biyun considered for a moment, then shook her head, "It's the Shadow Secret Profound Art. The appearance, voice, and mannerisms are all identical; it’s almost impossible to distinguish."

Li Muzhan nodded, "Truly mysterious."

"Let's ignore them!" Liu Biyun glared over in that direction and snorted.

Li Muzhan smiled, growing even more curious about the Shadow Secret Sect.

He realized his experience was indeed limited; many mysterious sects often hid outside the common knowledge of the world, surviving silently on their own. Occasionally, a fleeting glimpse would leave behind a stunning shadow... Li Muzhan smiled, "Did they bring anything with them?"

Liu Biyun asked curiously, "What do you mean?"

Li Muzhan countered, "Did you believe him based on his empty words? ... He must have taken something, something found from that secret cache, right?"

Liu Biyun said, "It seems like a jade pendant; it’s with Senior Brother Mo."

"Bring that item over; I'll try something," Li Muzhan requested.

Liu Biyun thought for a moment, "Let's go find Senior Brother Mo."

She drifted down from the treetop and darted among the pine trees. Li Muzhan walked alongside her, and soon they traveled twenty-odd li, rounding a mountain. They were still within the pine forest.

Mo Jiye, clad in a green robe, walked slowly, occasionally lowering his head to peer at the ground as if searching for tracks. His expression was solemn, and he walked very slowly.

Liu Biyun called out from afar, "Senior Brother Mo!"

Mo Jiye turned his head, cupped his hands, and smiled, "Brother Li is here too?"

Li Muzhan cupped his hands and smiled back, "Brother Mo, I trust you've been well."

"Heh heh, we're all slaves to our work, unlike Brother Li, who enjoys leisure," Mo Jiye shook his head and chuckled, "When did you come out of seclusion?"

After Li Muzhan left the Dragon Mountain Sect to return to the Hidden Sect, he simply used seclusion as an excuse. No one could tell; his cultivation was profound, and others couldn't perceive it at all.

Li Muzhan said, "I came immediately upon exiting seclusion. Has anything happened?"

"Nothing much," Mo Jiye nodded, "This time seems quite smooth, but if we can't find the place, it might all be in vain."

"Senior Brother Mo, I spotted people from the Shadow Secret Sect!" Liu Biyun said with gravity.

Mo Jiye's expression instantly darkened, "The Shadow Secret Sect? Truly the Shadow Secret Sect?"

"Could I be mistaken?" Liu Biyun retorted somewhat impatiently, "Li Kaiyu, Song Zhigang, Song Ling—how could I not recognize them?"

Mo Jiye frowned sternly, "Why did they come here?"

Liu Biyun asked, "Could it be a coincidence?"

Mo Jiye shook his head, "How could there be a coincidence in such a desolate place?"

He turned to look at Li Muzhan, "What do you think, Brother Li?"

Li Muzhan said, "Judging by their expressions, they also look like they are searching for something. They probably know about this secret treasure too."

"They know as well?" Mo Jiye frowned and pondered... Liu Biyun exclaimed, "That’s unlikely, isn't it? ... Only the four of us and the Sect Master know this news; who could have leaked it?!"

"Perhaps Senior Brother Luo let something slip before he obtained it," Mo Jiye frowned, "This is becoming troublesome!"

"What should we do?" Liu Biyun asked, "Should we drive them away first?"

"Forget it," Mo Jiye shook his head, "We don't know what they intend to do. If we make a move now, it will only confirm our intentions."

Li Muzhan could tell that Mo Jiye was quite wary of the Shadow Secret Sect. The Dragon Mountain Sect had always been domineering and rarely polite to other factions; this cautious behavior was contrary to their usual style.

"What if we run into them?" Liu Biyun pressed.

Mo Jiye shook his head, "Let's avoid running into them!"

"Senior Brother, I have Big Brother here, but what about Junior Brother Xie and the others?" Liu Biyun asked.

Mo Jiye said, "I will speak to them."

Liu Biyun said reluctantly, "Fine, Senior Brother. Is that jade pendant Senior Brother Luo took still around?"

Li Muzhan glanced at her, smiling. He knew she held a grudge against the Shadow Secret Sect, having surely suffered losses, and now wanted retribution.

Mo Jiye nodded, "I have it. Why?"

"Big Brother wants to use it," Liu Biyun extended a delicate hand.

Mo Jiye looked at Li Muzhan, who smiled and said, "I want to see if I can find any clues with it."

Mo Jiye didn't hesitate. He took out a cloth bundle from his robes and slowly unwrapped it, revealing a yellow jade piece faintly tinged with blood-red residue—clearly an ancient piece that hadn't been cared for in a long time.

Li Muzhan smiled; Mo Jiye was indeed the eldest of the Four Heroes, acting seriously and cautiously.

"Brother Li, please take a look," Mo Jiye carefully handed it over. "I truly think this came from an ancient tomb, right?"

After accepting the jade pendant, Li Muzhan slowly nodded, "The cold energy is quite heavy, and the Yin energy is strong. It definitely came from a tomb... though the material of this jade is rather common."

Mo Jiye's expression shifted, "Brother Li, are you saying this jade doesn't match someone of great status?"

Li Muzhan thought for a moment and shook his head, "It’s too early to say now. It might have been carried since childhood. The key isn't the material, but the significance."

"Yes, that makes sense, makes sense," Mo Jiye quickly nodded.

Li Muzhan placed the jade pendant against his brow, closing his eyes motionlessly. A moment later, he opened them. Liu Biyun quickly asked, "Big Brother, did you find anything?"

Li Muzhan said, "I have a bit of a lead. Let's go."

Mo Jiye hurriedly asked, "Brother Li, can you sense the location of the tomb through this?"

Li Muzhan nodded, "I can only find a vague, general location."

"That's incredible!" Mo Jiye exclaimed in admiration... The three floated forward lightly, passing through the woods, and soon arrived at a dense patch of forest on the mountainside. Looking at the thick growth before them, Liu Biyun asked, "Is it here, Big Brother?"

Li Muzhan nodded, "This jade should originate from here; let's search."

Liu Biyun lowered her head to search, and Mo Jiye didn't doubt it; he was already searching with a take-it-or-leave-it attitude. Li Muzhan being able to narrow down the area was already remarkable.

He lowered his head to search while Li Muzhan floated up into a tree. A moment later, he frowned, "They are coming out."

"People from the Shadow Secret Sect?" Liu Biyun asked quickly.

Li Muzhan nodded, "They are coming toward this spot."

"Do they know this place?" Liu Biyun frowned and snorted, "Do they know more than we do?"

Mo Jiye urged, "Hurry up and search."

Li Muzhan shook his head, "I'm afraid it's too late!... Should we confront them?"

"Then we should hide for a moment," Mo Jiye considered and pondered.

Li Muzhan had already clearly seen the appearance of the three people. All of them were strikingly attractive. One man was spirited and radiating heroic energy; another was exceptionally handsome. The third was a tall, graceful beauty, alluring and gentle.

The three made a well-matched trio, and judging by their demeanor, they knew the location and were walking straight toward them. Li Muzhan shook his head; it seemed further complications were inevitable.

The cultivation of the three was not shallow, comparable to Mo Jiye and the others, though slightly inferior to Liu Biyun, who had benefited from the Marrow Cleansing Pill and Li Muzhan's assistance, resulting in a major boost to her power.

"Let's hide then!" Liu Biyun hummed unwillingly.

Li Muzhan pulled her close and quietly inquired. Liu Biyun shook her head, unwilling to speak. Li Muzhan smiled; even without using his Mind Reading technique, he could guess it was related to that Song Ling.

Mo Jiye advised, "It's best not to provoke people from the Shadow Secret Sect to avoid trouble. Let's go over there."

He took the lead in hiding in the woods, preventing Liu Biyun from causing a scene; he knew about the past grievances between her and the Shadow Secret Sect.

Li Muzhan and Liu Biyun hid together in the woods. After a short while, three figures floated over, their footsteps completely silent, as if light and shadow were gliding past.

The three stopped where Li Muzhan and the others had been standing, then positioned themselves in a triangular formation, not moving immediately but observing for a while before speaking.

The handsome man said, "Senior Brother Li, is this the place?"

The spirited, heroic youth surveyed the surroundings slowly and nodded, "Yes, it is right here!"

The charming, slender beauty smiled, "I truly never expected the dignified Feng Batian to be buried in such a desolate mountain. It truly makes one sentimental!"

"Alright, Junior Sister Song, let’s not get sentimental yet. Let's discuss this inside!" The heroic youth waved his hand, "Everyone, search for the entrance. There should be one life gate and two death gates. Don't get them wrong, or there will be no chance of survival!"

"Take it slow; there's no rush," the handsome youth smiled.

The heroic youth said sternly, "The longer the night, the more dreams we have. Talk less and do more work. Let's begin!"

The three walked upward side-by-side, searching meticulously, inch by inch. Li Muzhan, Liu Biyun, and Mo Jiye remained absolutely still. (To be continued) RQ