"Brother, you're really going through with this!" Liu Biyun chided him. Li Muzhan chuckled, "What your Dragon Mountain Sect did was utterly disgraceful.
It might stir up public outrage; it's better if you don't get involved!" Liu Biyun shook her head. "No matter how disgraceful it is, as a disciple of the Dragon Mountain Sect, I can't just flee without a fight." Li Muzhan laughed.
"You're not fleeing without a fight; you were injured by me!" "Bro-ther—!" Liu Biyun complained, "What will Senior Brother Mo and the others think of me now!" Li Muzhan said, "No one can see your injury." "What about the Sect Master?" Liu Biyun asked. Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled.
"Even Sect Master Yan won't be able to tell." "Is it really that potent?" Liu Biyun eyed him skeptically. Li Muzhan patted her shoulder.
"I'm not belittling Sect Master Yan, but my technique is undetectable by anyone. You can rest assured, focus on your cultivation and don't slack off!" "Bro-ther—!" Liu Biyun was unhappy.
Li Muzhan bent down, lifted her up, carried her into the room, and placed her on the couch, covering her with the silk quilt. He smiled, "Rest well and stop overthinking things!" "Senior Sister Liu!
Senior Sister Liu!" Wu Jingyi came rushing in breathlessly, stopping dead when she saw Li Muzhan. "Brother Li!" Li Muzhan smiled.
"What is it now?" Wu Jingyi, clad in a pale lilac silk dress, her beautiful face etched with embarrassment, whispered, "The Sect Master is sending people to deal with the Secret Shadow Sect!" Li Muzhan asked, "Is Biyun supposed to go?" "Yes," Wu Jingyi quickly nodded. "Senior Sister Liu is to lead the way!" Li Muzhan sighed and shook his head.
"Bad timing, Biyun can't go!" "What's wrong?" Wu Jingyi circled around Li Muzhan to the bedside. She gasped immediately.
"Senior Sister, you're... injured!" She reached out to touch Liu Biyun's wrist, her delicate eyebrows knitting together.
"Senior Sister, how did you suffer such a serious injury?!" Liu Biyun shot Li Muzhan a sidelong glance, and Wu Jingyi immediately turned to look at him, her eyes wide. "Brother Li, did you injure Senior Sister?!" Li Muzhan smiled wryly.
"An accident. I didn't expect this...
When is the Sect Master planning to depart?" "I don't know," Wu Jingyi shook her head. "I ran over as soon as I heard the news; I didn't ask for details." Li Muzhan said, "Biyun's injury won't heal quickly.
...I'll go talk to Sect Master Yan; they'll have to assign someone else." "I'll go," Wu Jingyi offered quickly. Saying that, she turned and darted out like a gust of wind, gone as swiftly as she came.
Li Muzhan shook his head. Liu Biyun glared at him reproachfully, and Li Muzhan laughed.
"It’s settled then. I will try to persuade Sect Master Yan." "Forget it," Liu Biyun shook her head.
"Senior Brother Mo and Junior Brother Xie are so badly hurt; the Sect Master is furious right now. Persuading him would be futile." Li Muzhan paused to consider, then nodded.
"That's true..." As they were speaking, Yan Ziyuan drifted in, his face grim, an aura of suppressed killing intent clinging to him. Seeing Li Muzhan there, he nodded.
"Guanhai, what happened?" Wu Jingyi also rushed back in at that moment, coming to stand by Liu Biyun's couch. Li Muzhan offered a bitter smile.
"Sect Master, it was my eagerness for success; I didn't anticipate..." "A deviation during cultivation?" Yan Ziyuan inquired. Liu Biyun glanced helplessly at Li Muzhan.
Unwilling to lie to the Sect Master, Li Muzhan said, "I'll need some time to recuperate... I heard from Jingyi that we are dealing with the Secret Shadow Sect." "Hmph," Yan Ziyuan’s expression darkened, and he sneered.
"The Secret Shadow Sect has pushed too far; we must strike back. It's a shame Biyun is injured!" Li Muzhan advised, "Sect Master, the Secret Shadow Sect should not be underestimated.
Perhaps we should delay; it won't be too late after Brother Mo and the others have recovered!" "No!" Yan Ziyuan snorted, shaking his head. "We can't swallow this insult!" Li Muzhan countered, "What if the Linhai Pavilion intervenes?" "They wouldn't dare!" Yan Ziyuan scoffed.
"Without Jiang Cheng, they lack the backbone!" Li Muzhan shook his head. "Their backbone is the Demonic Artifact!
...Besides, you still don't truly understand the strength of the Secret Shadow Sect, do you?" Yan Ziyuan frowned. "They aren't that formidable!" Li Muzhan insisted, "Rushing in rashly like this, I fear there will be trouble.
The fact that they could breach the Phoenix Tomb was no mere stroke of luck; they must not be taken lightly, Sect Master. We should plan more carefully!" Liu Biyun spoke softly, "Sect Master, Senior Brother Mo and the others think the same, right?" "Hmph," Yan Ziyuan nodded slowly, his face grim.
"They aren't eager for revenge either." "Then that settles it," Liu Biyun concluded. "It’s better to wait until Senior Brother Mo and the others recover so they can exact their revenge personally." "...Fine," Yan Ziyuan pondered for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"I'll trust Guanhai's judgment this once and delay!" Li Muzhan smiled broadly. "Delaying is wise!" Yan Ziyuan approached and lightly touched Liu Biyun's wrist, shaking his head.
"The injury is not minor! You rest properly too; there's no need to rush." He turned to Li Muzhan.
"Guanhai, you take it easy too. Cultivation is best done steadily; forcing growth does no good." Li Muzhan quickly nodded with a smile.
"Yes, I understand." "I'm leaving," Yan Ziyuan waved his hand and departed. Wu Jingyi stuck out her tongue, following him out, then returned, smiling.
"That was a relief! Brother Li, what you say truly carries weight!" Li Muzhan laughed.
"I think the Sect Master didn't truly want to fight in his heart; he just didn't know how to back down gracefully." Liu Biyun sighed and shook her head. "The Secret Shadow Sect is tough to handle, not to mention the Linhai Pavilion, and even the Myriad Saint Sect.
We must be cautious." Li Muzhan commented, "Your Dragon Mountain Sect truly needs to be careful!" Wu Jingyi nodded. "Exactly.
That means we need to be even fiercer." The three chatted and laughed for a while. Li Muzhan carefully attended to Liu Biyun.
Even though the fight was called off, her injury wouldn't heal instantly; she needed time to recover. Once she diligently refined the trace of pure inner energy Li Muzhan left, her inner energy would become purer, and her ailment would naturally mend...
Three mornings later, Li Muzhan returned to the Sword Sect. On the training ground outside the main hall, he saw Hu Chu sparring with Xie Feiyun.
Li Muzhan approached and paid his respects. Xie Feiyun, carrying himself with relaxed elegance, sized up Li Muzhan with a smile, then cupped his hands in greeting.
"Martial Uncle He." Hu Chu looked at him in surprise. "Junior Brother He, what level have you reached in your Prime Sword Art?" He found himself unable to gauge Li Muzhan's depth; it felt as vast as a mountain or an ocean.
Previously, Li Muzhan's inner energy was unfathomable, but after practicing the Prime Sword Art, Hu Chu could vaguely sense Li Muzhan's cultivation through the Art's resonance. Now, however, it was different again, as if that sense was lost.
Li Muzhan returned the courtesy to Xie Feiyun, holding the Sword Sect's chief disciple in high regard. He smiled and said, "Senior Brother Hu, I should have reached the eighth layer." "Hmm—?!" Hu Chu frowned, staring at him in disbelief.
Li Muzhan smiled, slowly drawing his sword. Instantly, the blade shone with blinding brilliance.
"Sword Aura?!" Hu Chu was startled. Li Muzhan chuckled.
"Senior Brother Hu, what do you think?" "Truly Sword Aura...?" Hu Chu leaned in and took Li Muzhan's sword. The moment the sword left Li Muzhan's hand, its radiance immediately dimmed.
"It is truly Sword Aura!" Hu Chu exclaimed, shaking his head with a wry smile as he looked at Li Muzhan. Li Muzhan touched his face.
Hu Chu sighed. "As expected of He Zudao; you are truly born to wield a sword!" He shook his head bitterly as he spoke.
Li Muzhan could faintly understand his feelings—a lifetime of hard practice achieving less than a short period for himself.