Yi Xiaoru quickly reviewed the Heaven-Seizing Palm scroll, sensing its formidable power, especially the accompanying cultivation method, the Heaven-Seizing Scripture, which was truly astonishing.

Li Muzhan smiled. "You should learn this palm technique."

"Mmm." Yi Xiaoru didn't stand on ceremony, her gaze immediately returning to the scroll, utterly captivated by the Heaven-Seizing Palm; she had never before encountered such a subtle and profound martial art.

After a long moment, she finally reacted. "Big Brother, you aren't cultivating such a powerful technique?"

Li Muzhan chuckled. "I'll practice it a bit, but... I prefer swordsmanship."

"That makes sense," Yi Xiaoru nodded, then frowned in contemplation. "It's a pity Big Brother cannot view the Sword Canon of the Sword Sect..."

Li Muzhan smiled faintly. "The Sword Canon, you say..."

"If Big Brother could study the Sword Canon, the gains would be immense!" Yi Xiaoru urged.

Li Muzhan laughed. "How could the Sword Sect allow an outsider access to the Sword Canon?"

"The Sword Canon is too esoteric for them to fully grasp, let alone an outsider; so, no one is greedy enough to ask to see it. But Big Brother is different." Yi Xiaoru furrowed her brow, pondering.

Li Muzhan asked, "Is there any way?"

Yi Xiaoru thought for a moment, then shook her head. "They cannot decipher the Sword Canon, but they absolutely will not leak it, much less allow someone else to read it!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Not a single possibility?"

"Perhaps through an exchange?" Yi Xiaoru mused, hesitating. "Trade a top-tier martial art for the Sword Canon?"

"Would they agree to trade?" Li Muzhan inquired.

Yi Xiaoru shook her head. "It seems no one has ever tried... I'll go ask them."

Li Muzhan smiled. "It would be best if they agreed. Ask them what their terms are. I truly wish to see that Sword Canon."

"Mhm, I'll go right now!" Yi Xiaoru set the scroll down, swung her legs off the bed, pulled on her boots, and headed out. Li Muzhan made no move to stop her.

He had already examined the sword scripture from the Linhai Pavilion; it was indeed incredibly profound, surpassing any sword art he had previously learned, and the scripture was merely a segment of the complete Sword Canon. He presumed the true Sword Canon would be far more mysterious.

If he could truly study the Sword Canon, his swordsmanship would undoubtedly advance. Currently, swordsmanship was his strongest martial art. In this world, the power of the sword was paramount.

He also had his flying daggers, the daggers wielded under the intent of the Void-Piercing Sword. They were truly supernatural; as his divine intent grew stronger, so too did the might of the flying daggers.

However, the flying daggers were an ultimate, hidden ace, not to be used carelessly until absolutely critical. Swordsmanship was the righteous path, best employed to suppress all rivals.

A while later, Yi Xiaoru returned, her jade face sporting a slight blush. Li Muzhan instantly knew she was upset; something must have gone wrong.

He smiled gently. "What happened? Did they refuse?"

"Hmph, those old fossils! They flat-out rejected it! I pleaded until my mouth was dry, but it was useless!" Yi Xiaoru huffed in vexation.

Li Muzhan considered, then shook his head. "Did they not mention any other way to view the Sword Canon?"

Yi Xiaoru snorted. "They stubbornly refused to yield on anything. They swore the Sword Canon would never be shared with outsiders, unless... unless Big Brother joins the Sword Sect!"

Li Muzhan gave a wry smile and shook his head. "Join the Sword Sect?"

"Hmph, what an enormous appetite they have, demanding Big Brother join the Sword Sect!" Yi Xiaoru pouted. "It’s purely making things difficult!"

Li Muzhan sighed. "Then let it be."

Yi Xiaoru thought for a moment, observing his expression. "Why not, Big Brother? Join the Sword Sect?"

Li Muzhan frowned. "I am a member of the Hidden Sect! How can I join the Sword Sect!?"

"Big Brother, you are currently considered a disciple of the Hidden Sect," Yi Xiaoru nodded. "But joining the Sword Sect wouldn't be the end of the world."

Li Muzhan laughed. "You're talking nonsense."

"Big Brother, it's true!" Yi Xiaoru hurried to reassure him. "If we speak with Master properly, she will definitely agree!"

Li Muzhan questioned, "Wouldn't that be apostasy?"

Yi Xiaoru shook her head. "As long as the Sect Master agrees, it isn't considered desertion. This kind of thing isn't rare. Some disciples are better suited to a different style of martial arts, so they transfer to another sect. The Nine Sects share one breath, it's no great matter."

"Forget it," Li Muzhan waved his hand.

Yi Xiaoru pressed on. "Big Brother, you have rendered immense service to our Hidden Sect; Master won't make things difficult for you. More importantly, all the martial arts in our sect are practiced by women, so Big Brother gains nothing by staying!"

Li Muzhan smiled, shaking his head. "I don't need any benefits."

"But Master will be uneasy," Yi Xiaoru countered, shaking her head. "Master has been trying to find a way to compensate you."

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head again. "We are family; why be so formal?"

"I think Master will agree. I’m going to see her!" Yi Xiaoru turned gracefully and left again.

Moments later, Zhu Chuyun floated in, looking quite charming in her green robes. She smiled. "Brother-in-law, Master requests your presence!"

Li Muzhan's eyebrows lifted slightly, and he nodded with a smile, following Zhu Chuyun to the main hall.

Everyone was assembled in the hall. Gao Jingxuan occupied the main seat, Cheng Lian sat in the lower seat, and further down was Yi Xiaoru, who was giving Li Muzhan meaningful glances.

Seeing her expression, Li Muzhan understood that matters had been settled... "Dao'er, take a seat." Gao Jingxuan, clad in purple robes, watched Li Muzhan quietly.

Li Muzhan cupped his fist in salute and sat opposite Yi Xiaoru, with Zhu Chuyun sitting below him.

"Dao'er, Xiao Ru told me. The Sword Sect desires you!" Gao Jingxuan stated.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Master, I think they were just making things difficult for Xiao Ru, not genuinely serious. Only Sword Sect disciples can examine the Sword Canon; that is the sect rule. They were using it as an excuse for Xiao Ru."

"Actually, Senior Brother Hu has mentioned it to me several times," Gao Jingxuan sighed, shaking her head. "I was hesitating, but now that Xiao Ru has raised it, I have made up my mind."

Li Muzhan asked, "Master, do they truly want me to transfer?"

Gao Jingxuan sighed deeply. "Your swordsmanship is peerless, even surpassing the Sword Sect's finest. Naturally, they want you to join to bolster their strength. The Sword Sect has waned over the years, and Senior Brother Hu has been tirelessly devoted to restoring its glory; it has been tough on him."

Li Muzhan offered a wry smile. "What good can one person do?"

Gao Jingxuan explained, "They value your comprehension. You comprehended sword techniques independently. For them, it’s not a lack of profound sword arts they suffer from, but a severe shortage of disciples with extraordinary insight!"

Li Muzhan frowned. "Master wants me to join the Sword Sect?"

"Precisely." Gao Jingxuan nodded slowly. "Once you join the Sword Sect, you will be in your element. The sword arts within the Sword Canon are far beyond what ordinary people can imagine. Your current swordsmanship has reached its zenith; perhaps you stand a chance of comprehending the Sword Canon!"

Li Muzhan gave a bitter smile. "Master overestimates me!"

Gao Jingxuan smiled and shook her head. "Dao'er, don't disappoint your Master!"

Li Muzhan frowned. Gao Jingxuan continued, "As long as Xiao Ru remains here, whether you are in the Hidden Sect doesn't matter much. Go to the Sword Sect and witness the Sword Canon!"

Li Muzhan took a deep breath and slowly nodded. "Yes, thank you, Master!"

Gao Jingxuan instructed, "Even as a disciple of the Sword Sect, you remain half a disciple of the Hidden Sect. You must return here to sleep most nights!"

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded. "Understood." (To be continued)RQ