Li Biyun recalled Li Muzhan’s teleportation ability and, after a moment of contemplation, slowly nodded, acknowledging that when it came to escaping danger, he was truly peerless under heaven.
If he were exploring alone, he could retreat calmly even when facing peril, but the thought of Feng Batian’s vicious methods sent a chill through her heart.
She whispered, “Big Brother, perhaps we should forget about it.”
Li Muzhan smiled, shaking his head.
Wu Jingyi’s movements were fluid and graceful, executed with composure and elegance. Li Muzhan nodded inwardly; the key to reaching this level wasn't just arduous practice, but innate talent.
After finishing her practice, Wu Jingyi approached carefully: “Big Brother, how was it?”
Li Muzhan nodded. “Mm, there’s progress. You’ve grasped a sliver of the essence now.”
“Only a sliver?” Wu Jingyi’s bright eyes widened.
Li Muzhan replied, “A sliver is quite good. The core of this sword technique lies in actual combat; you can never master it practicing behind closed doors. Sparring with others will accelerate your comprehension.”
“Yes, yes, I noticed that too,” Wu Jingyi agreed emphatically.
Li Muzhan continued, “Although cramming too much martial knowledge leads to poor retention, this sword technique is different. You can study other sword arts to gain insight into this one. The more styles you learn, the deeper your mastery of this technique will become.”
“Exactly, exactly! I feel the same way!” Wu Jingyi nodded excitedly.
Li Muzhan chuckled, “It’s rare that you grasp these subtleties.”
Wu Jingyi exclaimed with delight, “Big Brother, it seems I haven’t been practicing incorrectly!”
Li Muzhan nodded approvingly. “Seek actual combat, pursue breadth—follow these two paths, Jingyi, and you will certainly master this sword technique!”
“Thank you, Elder Brother Li!” Wu Jingyi beamed, her face alight with joy.
Liu Biyun said with mock impatience, “Junior Sister Wu, your mouth is stretching clear across your face!”
Wu Jingyi giggled, “Senior Sister Liu, I won’t keep you waiting then!”
She darted away in a flash.
Liu Biyun watched her go, her smile fading as she frowned and asked, “Big Brother, are you really going?”
Li Muzhan asked, “If we don’t try our best now and just give up, if it were you, Biyun, could you accept that?”
Liu Biyun pondered for a moment, then sighed.
Li Muzhan patted her delicate shoulder. “Biyun, has the Linhai Pavilion been stirring up trouble lately?”
“No, they haven’t,” Liu Biyun pursed her lips and smiled. “Is it because Big Brother took their demonic artifact, so their confidence has waned?... I didn't tell the Sect Master.”
Li Muzhan smiled faintly, “You must be exceptionally careful.”
“I understand,” Liu Biyun nodded.
She understood that if Yan Ziyuan became desperate and couldn't find Big Brother, he would certainly come after her. She had now become Big Brother’s fatal weakness.
Li Muzhan asked, “Has the Sect Master truly given up?”
Liu Biyun nodded. “The Sect Master spread the news; everyone under heaven knows by now.”
Li Muzhan’s brow twitched slightly. He clapped his hands in admiration. “What an impressive tactic….” Liu Biyun looked at him doubtfully. Li Muzhan shook his head. “The Sect Master isn't just a figurehead for nothing! Borrowing momentum, leveraging power—a superb move!”
Liu Biyun responded, “The Sect Master was also left with no choice. Since he won't go himself, letting everyone try their luck might yield a fortunate outcome for someone.”
Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. “Biyun, you…”
“Isn’t that the case?” Liu Biyun inquired.
Li Muzhan sighed. “The Sect Master’s move is very clever. No matter who finds the secret treasure, it will ultimately fall into the hands of your Dragon Mountain Sect.”
Liu Biyun was exceptionally bright, but due to her youth and pure heart, her understanding of human nature was incomplete. She hadn't considered it until Li Muzhan mentioned it, and then she immediately understood.
“Big Brother, you mean the Sect Master is using everyone else to open the secret vault?” Liu Biyun asked.
Li Muzhan chuckled, “What do you think?”
Liu Biyun pondered briefly, then slowly nodded. Although the Sect Master wasn't exactly a villain, his actions always prioritized the interests of the Dragon Mountain Sect; such tactics were not uncommon.
Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed. “Doing all the hard work for others to reap the rewards—those people probably never imagined it. This is the Martial World; the big fish eat the small ones!”
“Are you still going, Big Brother?” Liu Biyun asked hastily, eager to dissuade him from his intent.
Li Muzhan smiled. “I happen to enjoy joining in on the excitement most!”
“But what if…” Liu Biyun frowned.
Li Muzhan said with a playful smile, “Guess what the Sect Master would do if I truly obtained the secret treasure?”
“The Sect Master wouldn't dare make things difficult for Big Brother!” Liu Biyun shook her head.
Li Muzhan laughed softly, “For the sake of the treasure, maybe he would! ... Alright, tell the Sect Master for me.”
“Ah?” Liu Biyun quickly pleaded, “Big Brother, please reconsider. Why bother?”
Li Muzhan smiled gently, “I believe the Sect Master will show leniency out of respect for your face!”
Liu Biyun shook her head helplessly. “The Sect Master won't, not at all. Public matters are public, and private matters are private; he keeps them strictly separated. If you truly obtain the treasure, Big Brother, the Sect Master will definitely try to take it!”
Li Muzhan laughed. “Very well, then let’s see the strength of your Dragon Mountain Sect. But first, we agree: you cannot be used as leverage, or I will truly be angered!”
“Big Brother…” Liu Biyun chided him coquettishly, “Can’t we just have a few days of peaceful living!”
Li Muzhan chuckled heartily. “Wouldn’t peaceful days be dreadfully boring? Don’t worry, your Sect Master knows where the line is; he won't truly turn hostile!”
“Fine, I will tell the Sect Master!” Liu Biyun huffed.
Li Muzhan smiled as he drew her slender waist close. Liu Biyun’s body instantly went soft, recognizing what he intended. Her face flushed crimson, and her limbs grew weak and languid… Li Muzhan stood at the foot of the mountain, observing the crowds surging back and forth, shaking his head with mild exasperation. The Dragon Mountain Sect had spread the news fast; the allure of the secret treasure was too potent.
He activated his Void Eye, surveying the area. There were easily eight hundred or a thousand people around the mountain—and that was only because he had arrived quickly; soon, the numbers would swell several times over.
Li Muzhan considered for a moment, then flashed out of the woods, arriving within a narrow passageway. Ahead of the dark stone path lay several piles of stones, emitting a foul, fishy stench.
Li Muzhan’s five senses were extraordinarily acute; just as a person with keen hearing perceives noise differently than one who is dull of hearing, his perception was distinct.
Li Muzhan sealed off his sense of smell and slowly advanced. This was a passage they had encountered during their previous exploration—a torrent of incredibly violent floodwater, truly terrifying.
Afterward, Li Muzhan had ceaselessly replayed every checkpoint in his mind, concluding that this single section offered the only exploitable weakness. He soared upward, adhering to the ceiling like a gecko. Then, with two powerful palm strikes, he stirred the floodwaters again. Amidst flashing sword light, he carved out a pit in the ceiling and then clung to the edge.
Watching the floodwaters gradually subside and the water level drop, a slight smile touched his lips. Walking on the roof of the tunnel was as easy as walking on flat ground, and he covered over two hundred meters swiftly.
He rounded a corner, and the scene shifted abruptly to a vast lake, perhaps three hundred meters across, black as ink, as if the water itself were liquid ink.
Li Muzhan shook his head. He hadn't expected this narrow passage to lead to a lake. Fortunately, the water level wasn't too high; otherwise, entry would have been impossible.
In the center of the lake floated a small island, roughly ten meters in circumference. On the island stood a small pavilion. Inside, seated on a cushion, was a figure so lifelike he seemed alive at first glance. He scrutinized the person with his Void Eye—this individual had long since lost all vitality; it must be Feng Batian.
Besides Feng Batian sitting on the central cushion in the pavilion, there was a golden scroll resting before him—presumably the legendary secret manual.
Reaching the island required crossing the lake, and besides the lake water itself, the depths likely concealed danger. The distance of a hundred zhang exceeded the limits of any qinggong.
He clung to the stone wall, deep in thought, when the lake surface suddenly rippled, and slowly, a crocodile emerged. Its eyeballs were the size of fists. Li Muzhan was slightly startled—what an enormous giant crocodile! (To be continued)RQ