Li Muzhan cast his Void Eye over them and let out a breath of relief. Both men were badly wounded, but their life force was intact; with the elixirs of the Longshan Sect, they could be saved.

He spared them no further glance, frowning as he contemplated his own affairs. He was stuck at the fifth level of the Heart Method; the sixth was proving immensely difficult.

His inner force was as pure as it could possibly be, having reached its zenith. To achieve the sixth level required a terrifying expenditure of spiritual energy, something even he, with his mental fortitude far exceeding that of ordinary men, could not sustain.

To refine his inner force further was impossible through his own efforts; he needed external aid. How to borrow this power was the problem he had been agonizing over.

After a moment’s thought, he abruptly vanished from the small courtyard, flickered a few times, and reappeared at the seashore, then dove straight into the ocean. He sank continuously, the pressure of the seawater growing stronger.

At first, it felt like an embrace, then a tightening bond, and finally, a crushing force attempting to flatten him. His body fought the omnipresent pressure while his inner force circulated ceaselessly.

Simultaneously, he activated the Yuan Sword Art, causing the flow of inner force to accelerate rapidly. He struggled to maintain his clarity and detachment, his spirit seeming to transcend the physical entirely, observing his own self deep in the abyss as if watching a stranger.

Intense pain continuously assaulted his mind, vision darkening in fits. Darkness sought to consume him, but relying on his formidable spirit, he fought desperately to remain conscious, his spirit soaring free from the body.

This method of cultivation was the most bitter and dangerous. A slight misstep could lead to unconsciousness, and if his body sank further, certain death loomed.

Most people dared not attempt it. He realized this technique cultivated not just the ** body, and inner force, but also the spirit; the confrontation with pain made his spirit increasingly tenacious.

He believed that once he mastered the Yuan Sword Art, he would be invincible in this world, and only then could he return to his original world for revenge. A subtle fear always lingered—the fear of being unable to return.

Ascending was easy; descending was hard. If true peril struck, his life might be forfeit.

As he lived longer and his life became more meaningful, his attachment to existence grew heavier, displacing the carefree detachment he once possessed. Darkness surged, attempting to erode his spirit.

He resisted with all his might. Unbeknownst to him, time slipped away as his inner force circulated and surged desperately, easing the pressure and pain on his body, growing faster and faster, nearly exhausting his potential.

With every circulation, the inner force weakened slightly, yet simultaneously purified. Unconsciously, the Yuan Sword Art broke through the fifth level, reaching the sixth, and then the seventh.

Upon reaching the seventh level, darkness nearly consumed his mind entirely. The Boundless Brightness Mountain in his mind radiated a dense, hazy radiance, like a pearl shimmering through mist.

Just as the pain threatened to overwhelm his spirit and plunge him into unconsciousness, the usually faint, moon-like Brightness Mountain became critically important. It emitted a soft glow, driving back the darkness.

His body continued to sink, the surrounding pressure intensifying. He experienced the illusion that his bones were being crushed, fracturing into tiny pieces that dissolved into his flesh and blood.

The darkness grew thicker, like ink, attempting to obscure the soft radiance of the Boundless Brightness Mountain. Yet, this mountain, seemingly delicate, was weak but unyielding, constantly emitting its glow, illuminating his mind… As he descended, the inner force circulation grew faster, and the consumption rate accelerated even more.

His previously boundless, ocean-like inner force began to dwindle. His replenishment speed could not match the depletion.

His inner force diminished yet grew exponentially purer. After the seventh level came the eighth.

As soon as he reached the eighth level, his inner force was almost entirely spent, only a faint wisp circulating within him. Even this mere trace was enough to alleviate the pressure on his body.

Even in this state, he remained clear-headed and decided to quit. His body shot upwards like an arrow released from a bow.

His control over kinetic force was now exquisite; he converted the immense pressure into forward propulsion, leaping out of the sea surface in the blink of an eye. He gathered energy and glided across the water.

Dawn was just breaking; the sea was silent. Far in the distance, a ship was moving slowly.

The people moving about on deck spotted Li Muzhan. Li Muzhan drifted away, resembling an immortal soaring upon the air.

They watched, dumbfounded, only snapping back to reality when he had become a small black dot vanishing from their sight. Li Muzhan savored the sensation of his purified inner force flowing through him.

The spiritual energy over the sea was far more abundant than elsewhere. He simultaneously used the Void Eye to draw in energy, replenishing his inner force, and activated the Yuan Sword Art to generate more.

In a short while, he refilled every part of his body. His body refinement was complete; his entire body was a Dantian, his inner force profound, almost inexhaustible.

Under normal circumstances, consumption was never as fast as replenishment. However, in the previous situation, consumption had been constant with no replenishment possible, leaving him no spare energy for multitasking.

Now, his inner force was as pure as water, and the Yuan Sword Art circulated with incredible speed, restoring his inner force in moments. A slight surge of inner force propelled him across the lake’s surface at high speed; the air resistance seemed non-existent, completely neutralized by the inner force.

He could feel a faint layer of inner force coating his skin, like Gang Qi (Aura), but it lacked true resilience, far weaker than the power of true Gang Qi. To achieve this level in this world was already an act against nature.

This trace of inner force, though minute, made the difference between night and day. After racing for a while, having experienced the might of the Yuan Sword Art, he suppressed his excitement, flickered once, vanished from the sea surface, and reappeared at the Longshan Sect.

The moment he materialized in the small courtyard, he saw Liu Biyun practicing her swordplay, clad in sharp white attire, looking heroic and spirited. Seeing him appear, she quickly sheathed her sword and scolded him, "Big Brother, where did you go?" Her jade face was flushed with a delicate red beauty; the crisp air carried subtle fragrance, and her bright eyes slanted towards him like water.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Went to practice. ...

How are those two?" Liu Biyun let out a sigh of relief, returning her sword to its scabbard, "They’re finally awake!" Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "How did they suffer such heavy losses? ...

Which bold fool did this?" "The Shadow-Veil Sect!" Liu Biyun huffed. Li Muzhan inwardly shook his head.

Biyun had a bad history with the Shadow-Veil Sect, and now they finally had a chance to clash... "Is this because of the secret vault??" Li Muzhan asked.

Liu Biyun slowly nodded, "Yes." Li Muzhan moved to sit in the small pavilion, "Tell me exactly what happened." Liu Biyun followed, poured a cup of tea, and handed it to him, sighing, "Those people from the Shadow-Veil Sect are quite capable. They got into the secret vault." "Hm—?" Li Muzhan was surprised, frowning, "They didn't suffer any casualties?" "Losses are inevitable, no matter what, they still got inside." Liu Biyun snorted petulantly and sat opposite Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan frowned, "Did they find something inside?" "Who knows." Liu Biyun shook her head, "When Senior Brother Mo and the others questioned them, a fight broke out. The Shadow-Veil Sect people went mad for some reason, nearly killing Senior Brother Mo and the others." Li Muzhan rubbed the bridge of his nose, a wry smile appearing.

If the Shadow-Veil Sect truly entered and saw the inscription he left, they would realize they had been fooled. Their fury and resentment must be sky-high.

At that moment, Mo Jiye and the others approached them. How could the others help but take out their anger on them?

He could imagine; they certainly vented their rage on Mo Jiye and his group. "We must settle this score with them this time!" Liu Biyun said hatefully.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "Better let it go. They didn't get the secret vault, and they are simmering with anger and internal heat...

If they truly intended murder, Brother Mo and Brother Xie would already be dead, wouldn't they?" Liu Biyun knitted her delicate brows and shook her head, "Senior Brother Mo and Junior Brother Xie are so gravely injured—how can we not seek vengeance?" Li Muzhan said, "Can you really deal with the Shadow-Veil Sect?" The Shadow-Veil Sect was hard to deal with. He understood the Longshan Sect had no easy answer, and the Shadow-Veil Sect's strength was unfathomable.

Even if Longshan could win, they would damage their foundation. Although Linhai Pavilion lost its top expert, their deep resources should not be underestimated.

If they saw an opportunity, they would certainly not hesitate to move against the Longshan Sect. Liu Biyun considered this, then huffed, "We must teach them a lesson, at least!" Li Muzhan smiled, "Biyun, you just want to seize the chance for revenge, don't you?" "Big— Brother—!" Liu Biyun admonished with mock indignation, "Isn't that Song Ling very beautiful?" Li Muzhan shook his head, "A little less so than you, Biyun." "Hmph!" Liu Biyun pretended disdain but broke into a delighted smile.

Li Muzhan asked, "Are those two not critical, then?" "They won't be able to fight for two or three months." Liu Biyun shook her head and huffed, "They were too ruthless; Senior Brother Mo was almost finished." Saying this, she became angry again, snorting, "Big Brother, you are merciful to them, but they will never let us go if they get the chance!" Li Muzhan shook his head, "Didn't your Longshan Sect provoke them first?" "But..." Liu Biyun was momentarily speechless. The truth was, the Longshan Sect was in the wrong in this matter.

They spread rumors, manipulated people into entering the tomb, and then planned to rob them—a malicious scheme. Li Muzhan declared, "I think your Longshan Sect deserves a lesson too!" Liu Biyun shot him a sidelong glance, "Big Brother, whose side are you on!" Li Muzhan shook his head, "Your Longshan Sect has gone too far!...

This matter was truly dishonorable. Aren't you afraid of making an enemy of the world?" Liu Biyun’s voice immediately softened, and she sighed helplessly, "It was the Sect Master's idea; what choice do we have?" "Devious methods seldom last.

The Longshan Sect is supposed to be a renowned major sect; you should maintain some semblance of that reputation!" Li Muzhan shook his head. Liu Biyun wrinkled her nose, sighing helplessly, "I tried to advise the Sect Master, but I was reprimanded.

He said this world operates by the law of the jungle: if you don't strike others, they strike you. A good person is easily bullied!" Li Muzhan smiled, "Though that's not entirely untrue, it’s too extreme...

Forget it, don't get involved in this matter." "I have no choice," Liu Biyun replied helplessly. Li Muzhan suggested, "You should feign illness." "Hee-hee, the Sect Master will be furious if he finds out!" Liu Biyun chuckled, biting her lip, "Now that Senior Brother Mo and Junior Brother Xie are injured, if I fall ill too, who will be left to fight?" Li Muzhan smiled, "That’s what I’m worried about.

Even a cornered rabbit bites. The Shadow-Veil Sect is not easy to provoke.

Let's drop it." "Alright then," Liu Biyun nodded. Li Muzhan smiled, "Rest assured, when I make my move, it will be flawless.

No one will see through the disguise." "Or perhaps Big Brother could go persuade the Sect Master?" Liu Biyun hesitated slightly, asking cautiously. Li Muzhan replied, "I will try to persuade him, but a figure like Sect Master Yan cannot be swayed by persuasion; his rules of conduct are deeply entrenched." "Sigh..." Liu Biyun shook her head in resignation.

Li Muzhan lightly patted her shoulder. Liu Biyun immediately trembled, and then her face turned pale.

She looked at Li Muzhan in surprise, "What happened?" Li Muzhan smiled, "While you're resting in bed, practice the Heaven-Seizing Palm more." "Big Brother, how did you do that?" Liu Biyun’s bright eyes widened in curiosity, gazing at him. She didn't feel pain, but her body instantly turned cold—yet she didn't feel cold, as if submerged in cool water, perfectly comfortable, but her limbs felt soft and powerless, her inner force circulating slowly and heavily.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Refine that strand of inner force, and you’ll be well. Your inner force will also improve." He injected a stream of his inner force into Liu Biyun's Dantian.

His inner force was incomparably pure, almost tangible, directly obstructing the flow of Liu Biyun’s Qi.