Li Muzhan paused, then slowly said, "I can only return to speak with Senior Brother Hu; whether he agrees to see me is not for me to decide." Yao Jiameng shook her head. "If you tell him the truth, Sect Master Hu will absolutely refuse to meet." Li Muzhan asked, "Then what should be done?" Yao Jiameng smiled.

"You must trick him into coming out. Meet with my Master first, and then we can discuss it." Li Muzhan’s heart leaped.

He instantly released his Xintong [Mind Connection], realizing the folly of luring Hu Chu out himself, which would only lead to being surrounded and facing a death beyond atonement! Yao Jiameng gazed at him, her bright eyes clear as water, her expression utterly composed, awaiting his decision.

Yao Jiameng’s spirit was pure and incredibly firm, far surpassing that of ordinary people. In the past, Li Muzhan would have been at a loss, and his Xintong might not have been effective.

Having been tempered by lightning, Li Muzhan’s spirit was now far superior, and the power of his Xintong was stronger, allowing him to directly penetrate her thoughts. Li Muzhan considered this for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"Sect Master Yao, please speak!" Yao Jiameng said, "When my Master goes to Mount Huayang, if Sect Master Hu goes there as well, they are bound to meet." "Mount Huayang…" Li Muzhan thought for a moment. "You mean the one about a thousand li away?" "Precisely." Yao Jiameng explained, "If it is too close, Sect Master Hu will refuse." Li Muzhan sighed.

"Sect Master Yao, I feel that Senior Brother Hu is a man of firm will; once he decides something, he never goes back on it." "We can’t just let them live with regret forever; we must try our best," Yao Jiameng insisted. Li Muzhan nodded helplessly.

"Very well, I shall do my utmost." Yao Jiameng smiled. "Now that you are here, Sect Master Hu has no other attachments.

This is the best possible time. What does Young Master He think?" Li Muzhan slowly nodded.

"It seems Sect Master Yao knows Senior Brother Hu very well." Hu Chu had always treated the revival of the Sword Sect as his sole objective, perhaps using it to dispel the pain in his heart. The fact that Li Muzhan had mastered the Yuan Jian Jue [Primal Sword Art] meant he had effectively mastered the Sword Canon; the resurgence of the Sword Sect was imminent.

Once Hu Chu achieved his goal, he might feel utterly adrift. Seeing his former beloved at this juncture might be better for him.

Yao Jiameng stated, "It is my duty to resolve my Master's worries. She has been miserable for these past years, and I truly cannot bear it.

What about Young Master He?" Li Muzhan replied, "...Alright!" Yao Jiameng was immediately overcome with joy, rising to give a formal bow. "Thank you, Young Master He." Li Muzhan returned the courtesy, smiling gently.

"This is also my duty. I hope that lovers may finally be united." He was quite enthusiastic about such matters, feeling it was an immeasurable merit.

Hu Chu had dedicated himself wholly to the Sword Sect; to never have a family was indeed a great pity. He clasped his hands.

"Sect Master Yao, I shall depart then. We shall meet at Mount Huayang in a month!" "Then I shall await your good news, Young Master!" Yao Jiameng replied with a smile.

Li Muzhan left Jade Peak Sect and headed straight back. It took several days to return to the Sword Sect.

The journey was uneventful, with no major setbacks... When he returned to the Hidden Sect, the setting sun illuminated the women practicing their martial arts.

They were more exquisite than flowers, and upon seeing him return, they stopped their forms and gathered around. Gao Jingxuan appraised him with a glance and nodded.

"Dao'er seems to have gained much. Your cultivation has increased significantly; I truly cannot discern the depth of it now." Li Muzhan smiled faintly.

"Master, my excursion this time truly brought immense gains!" "Did you succeed in mastering the Yuan Jian Jue?" Gao Jingxuan inquired. Li Muzhan nodded.

Gao Jingxuan looked surprised. "You truly mastered it?" Li Muzhan chuckled.

"By sheer chance, yes." "Indeed…" Gao Jingxuan shook her head with a faint sigh. She didn't look overly surprised, as too many such things had already happened around Li Muzhan.

She mused aloud, "If Senior Brother Hu knew, I wonder how overjoyed he would be!" Li Muzhan smiled. "Has nothing of note happened while I was away?" "Calm seas," Gao Jingxuan replied with a smile.

"I don't know why, but it has been unnaturally quiet lately; it doesn't feel quite right." "Perhaps it's the calm before the storm," Li Muzhan commented with a smile. Gao Jingxuan nodded.

"I have that exact feeling." Zhu Chuyun piped up, "Brother-in-law, you didn't run into any dazzling beauties, did you?" Li Muzhan laughed. "Senior Sister Zhu, you guessed correctly.

I encountered people from the Jade Peak Sect." "Jade Peak Sect?!" Zhu Chuyun became excited. "How were they?

Were they formidable?" Li Muzhan nodded. "They are no ordinary people, no less impressive than those of our Myriad Saint Sect!

... I met Sect Master Yao; her bearing is indeed extraordinary." "The Jade Peak Sect has kept a low profile these years; their disciples rarely venture out.

How did you happen to meet them?" Zhu Chuyun asked curiously. Li Muzhan recounted the events.

Cheng Lian interjected, "When I traveled the martial world, I met a disciple of the Jade Peak Sect; we became somewhat acquainted. She mentioned that the Jade Peak Sect has extremely strict requirements for its disciples; they are rarely allowed to leave." "That is true," Gao Jingxuan nodded lightly.

"The strictness of the Jade Peak Sect towards its disciples is known throughout the realm. If even one out of ten disciples emerges into the world, that would be considered fortunate." Li Muzhan smiled.

"That shows great dedication." "I fear the disciples might not understand," Gao Jingxuan shook her head. "To cultivate diligently for over a decade only to be unable to venture out and apply their skills—how can they be content?" Li Muzhan asked, "Then what is the arrangement?" "The Jade Peak Sect has many external branches and has established numerous factions.

Disciples who remain secluded cannot walk the world under the banner of the Jade Peak Sect unless they have earned significant merit," Gao Jingxuan explained. Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"Brilliant!" "It is no accident that the Jade Peak Sect stands alongside our Myriad Saint Sect," Gao Jingxuan confirmed. Li Muzhan asked, "Master, are you aware of the grievances between Senior Brother Hu and the Jade Peak Sect?" Gao Jingxuan startled slightly, glanced at the three women, and waved her hand.

"You girls go about your business; I need to speak with Dao'er alone." "Master, what is there that you cannot tell us!" Zhu Chuyun pouted playfully. "There are things you shouldn't know," Gao Jingxuan waved them off.

Zhu Chuyun became even more curious and quickly asked, "Master, what is it? Is it a sect secret?" "Personal privacy; it is better you remain unaware," Gao Jingxuan insisted.

"Now, be off!" Zhu Chuyun shot Li Muzhan a sidelong glance, and Cheng Lian and Yi Xiaoru also departed, leaving only the two of them in the training ground, the setting sun bathing them as if cloaked in rosy light. "You know about Senior Brother Hu's history?" Gao Jingxuan asked.

Li Muzhan nodded slowly. "Sect Master Yao told me a little." "Sigh…" Gao Jingxuan shook her head and sighed.

"Senior Brother Hu was truly unlucky; he met the wrong person." Li Muzhan asked, "Was it the other party who wronged Senior Brother Hu?" "The whole affair is incredibly complicated. From the outside, it's hard to piece together the truth," Gao Jingxuan mused, shaking her head and sighing.

"One can only say it was fate playing cruel tricks." Li Muzhan asked, "He hasn't forgotten her yet, has he?" "If he had forgotten, he would have settled down long ago," Gao Jingxuan replied. "Even though she betrayed him, he remains infatuated; it truly is lamentable." Li Muzhan proposed, "If the other party has a change of heart, could they reconcile?" "Hmph!" Gao Jingxuan’s face darkened, and she frowned at him.

"Dao'er, what are you intending?" Li Muzhan explained, "Sect Master Yao asked me to help reconcile the two of them; her Master has been miserable all these years." "She deserves it!" Gao Jingxuan scoffed. Li Muzhan continued, "If Senior Brother Hu has no interest, I won't stir up this trouble.

But if Senior Brother Hu is willing, it would be best to let them meet!... Senior Brother Hu has suffered too much." "He has devoted himself entirely to the sword; his life has indeed been hard," Gao Jingxuan conceded with a nod and a sigh.

"If they truly could mend what was broken, that wouldn't be a bad outcome." Li Muzhan urged, "Master, could you persuade him? I do not wish to deceive Senior Brother Hu." "...Very well," Gao Jingxuan nodded slowly.

Li Muzhan felt a wave of relief. While he could certainly lure Hu Chu to Mount Huayang, it would be disastrous if he botched things.

After careful thought, he realized Gao Jingxuan was the best person to intervene. They were like true siblings, and Gao Jingxuan wouldn't have agreed to help otherwise.

Moreover, Hu Chu owed Gao Jingxuan a favor... At Dragon Mountain Sect, Li Muzhan materialized within Liu Biyun’s small courtyard.

Coincidentally, Liu Biyun and Wu Jingyi were practicing their swordsmanship; their blades flashed, radiating chilling air. "Big Brother." The moment he appeared, Liu Biyun noticed and stopped her sword, turning to look.

Wu Jingyi, however, thrust her sword out suddenly with a sharp cry. "Brother Li, watch my move!" Li Muzhan lightly flicked his left index finger.

Clang... The sword light vanished, and the longsword was deflected.

Wu Jingyi staggered back two steps, protesting, "Brother Li, you always bully me!" Li Muzhan laughed. "If you were truly fighting an enemy, would you insist on fairness?" Wu Jingyi huffed, reluctantly returning her sword to its sheath, and complained, "Brother Li's cultivation has improved again!" Li Muzhan smiled.

"Indeed." "This is infuriating!" Wu Jingyi pouted, turning to Liu Biyun. "Junior Sister Liu, I'm leaving!" Liu Biyun waved and smiled.

"Go ahead." Wu Jingyi departed like a gust of wind, leaving only Liu Biyun in the courtyard, clad in an goose-yellow silk robe that made her face appear radiant and flawless. "Biyun, you must have fully refined that inner force, I presume?" Li Muzhan smiled.

"Has it been beneficial?" Liu Biyun shot him a look. "It brought benefits, but also considerable suffering.

Where have you been, Big Brother?" Li Muzhan walked to the small pavilion and sat down, recounting his experiences. Liu Biyun’s bright eyes shone as she listened, full of admiration.

Li Muzhan smiled and inquired, "How is the Secret Shadow Sect faring?" Liu Biyun shook her head. "The Sect Master has made no move yet.

I suspect they are gathering intelligence; they certainly won't let this go easily!... Senior Brother Mo and Junior Brother Xie are doing much better now." Li Muzhan frowned in thought, then sighed.

After mastering the Yuan Jian Jue, he felt an urgent desire to return to his original world for revenge. However, the thought of the impending great war between the Secret Shadow Sect and the Dragon Mountain Sect, with Liu Biyun caught in the middle, made him uneasy.

If the battle truly broke out, the Four Prodigies of Dragon Mountain would undoubtedly be primary targets. Even with her rapid progress in martial arts, Liu Biyun might not be safe in such chaos.

"I will be careful," Liu Biyun assured him with a smile. "Don't worry, Big Brother!" Li Muzhan considered this, then stated, "Biyun, I will lend you a helping hand once more!" Liu Biyun shook her head.

"Big Brother, the more you help me like this, the lazier I become. Ultimately, martial arts must be practiced by oneself, don't you agree?" Li Muzhan looked at her and offered a helpless, wry smile.

"Biyun, I must enter seclusion again. It might take a long time, and I cannot emerge midway.

If you face danger during that time, I won't be able to help." "Don't worry, Big Brother, I will be careful," Liu Biyun promised. Li Muzhan shook his head.

"I am not reassured." Liu Biyun spread her hands helplessly. "Fine then, Big Brother, do as you wish!...

How long will this seclusion last?" Li Muzhan entering seclusion frequently was not new, but she still hadn't grown accustomed to it; each time felt like an age, which she could only pass through diligent practice, causing her martial arts to advance rapidly. Li Muzhan replied, "It might be a year or a year and a half, or perhaps eight or ten years." "That long?!" Liu Biyun's expression changed dramatically.

Li Muzhan explained, "I intend to use martial arts to approach the Dao, to grasp a small pathway to it." Liu Biyun hurried to dissuade him. "Big Brother, why trouble yourself?

Your martial arts are already so formidable. Why must you pursue something so ethereal and vague?" Li Muzhan smiled.

"Opportunities flash by in an instant; if I don't seize this, I will regret it for the rest of my life." Liu Biyun felt a sense of despair, knowing she could not change his mind.