Dong Wanyi assumed Li Muzhan felt he was no match for the young master, so she interjected, "Young Master Mo, Young Master Li dislikes sparring with others. You've come to the wrong person. Only my elder brother has received the true teachings of the Dong Family Spear."

Mo Zichen had been fixedly watching Li Muzhan, and seeing his composed smile and air of utter certainty, an inexplicable annoyance flared within him. He sneered, "So, he's just a pretty face!"

Li Muzhan simply shook his head and smiled, his expression unchanged. Dong Wanyi pretended not to have heard, not wanting to embarrass Li Muzhan, but inwardly she was growing anxious; it seemed this Third Young Master Mo was determined to force Young Master Li’s hand!

Old Geng frowned, "Third Young Master Mo, Young Master Li clearly doesn't wish to fight. Why must you press him so relentlessly?"

Mo Zichen smiled proudly, bowing slightly, "This is just my temperament. If I've offended anyone, please don't take it to heart... But in my opinion, flowery words are useless. Let’s settle this with our hands."

Li Muzhan inwardly shook his head. Mo Zichen's towering arrogance and dismissive attitude did possess a certain imposing air; most women truly couldn't resist that.

He glanced at Dong Wanyi; she was knitting her delicate eyebrows, her displeasure evident on her face.

This only stoked Mo Zichen’s rage further. He stared intently at Li Muzhan, mixing cold sneers with outright mockery, clearly on the verge of stepping forward to directly force a confrontation.

Mo Zichen hardened his resolve; he absolutely had to teach this Li fellow a harsh lesson, give him a memorable reminder of his place, so he understood the vastness of the world versus his own conceit—he was young, but his arrogance was significant!

A proud man can least tolerate arrogance in others. Li Muzhan’s gentle smile and mild demeanor struck Mo Zichen as the height of condescension. Coupled with the fact that Li Muzhan had caught Dong Wanyi’s favorable eye, Mo Zichen found him unbearable in every way. He wouldn't feel appeased until he had given him a thorough dressing-down.

Li Muzhan only shook his head and smiled, uttering not a word. Old Geng and Old He exchanged helpless looks. To be cornered and cursed at yet maintain such composure, even managing a smile—this young man truly knew how to conceal his depth.

Dong Wanyi’s fair face stiffened, and she huffed, "Young Master Mo, you are a guest here; please have some self-respect!"

Mo Zichen glanced dismissively at Dong Wanyi. He sneered at Li Muzhan, "Hiding behind a woman, truly impressive. My compliments!"

Li Muzhan shook his head, "Young Master Mo, isn't peace perfectly fine? Why be so aggressive?"

"I am pushing you now. If you are a man, then step forward!" Mo Zichen sneered, "Stop hiding behind the women, acting like a coward. You’re truly embarrassing to men!"

Li Muzhan sighed, reached out to shield Dong Wanyi slightly, and sighed again, "Miss, it seems I must take action."

"Young Master, do not stoop to his level," Dong Wanyi urged quickly.

She worried Li Muzhan couldn't match him and had fallen for Mo Zichen’s goading. She sensed Mo Zichen intended to use heavy force, and if anything truly unfortunate happened, it would be disastrous.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "I have only just arrived and did not wish to steal the spotlight. But since Young Master Mo insists on sparring, refusing further would disgrace the Dong family."

"Young Master..." Dong Wanyi was still concerned.

Li Muzhan waved his hand and laughed, "It’s just a spar. Nothing serious."

Dong Wanyi turned to Mo Zichen, "Young Master Mo, if we spar, please exercise restraint."

Mo Zichen glanced at Li Muzhan and sneered, "Don't worry, Miss Dong. I won't cripple him!"

Dong Wanyi gave him a deep look and said no more, fearing further provocation. Seeing that even Old Geng and Old He were not his match, she felt considerable apprehension toward Mo Zichen... Li Muzhan stepped forward two paces and smiled, "Young Master Mo wishes to compare spear techniques?"

"The Dong Family Spear is renowned. I would certainly like to learn," Mo Zichen replied, looking at him haughtily. "Though I presume you don't know the Dong Family Spear. Fists, feet, swords, or blades—whatever you choose!"

Li Muzhan turned his head, "Sister Chunhua, could you trouble yourself to fetch a spear, please?"

Chunhua nodded, turned, and floated gracefully away, soon returning with a long spear. Its moon-white shaft was perfectly round and straight, and the jet-black tip absorbed all sunlight, faintly hinting at an icy chill.

Li Muzhan examined the spear, giving it a light flick. With a soft weng sound, the spearhead blurred into a shadow, and the shaft demonstrated remarkable flexibility.

"A fine weapon!" he praised.

Chunhua said, "Young Master, this spear belongs to the Miss."

Li Muzhan turned and smiled, "My thanks, young lady."

Dong Wanyi smiled, "My uncle gave this to me. I have no use for it."

"Are we fighting or not?" Mo Zichen snorted impatiently, feeling unbearably irritated seeing Dong Wanyi and Li Muzhan exchanging pleasantries.

Li Muzhan smiled, "I haven't seen the Dong Family Spear technique; I imagine it is superb. However, I have practiced a few spear moves myself. If Young Master Mo wishes to see some spear work, I shall disgrace myself by showing off!"

"Enough idle talk. Let’s begin!" Mo Zichen snorted.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Very well then!"

He hefted the spear and strode two paces onto the clearing within the bamboo grove. Mo Zichen advanced in a single stride, positioning himself two zhang away from Li Muzhan.

"Start!" Mo Zichen urged impatiently. "Stop dawdling!"

Li Muzhan gave the spear a gentle shake and smiled, "Please, proceed!"

"You go first!" Mo Zichen grunted.

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, then thrust lightly. With a soft chi whistle, the spear tip was already before Mo Zichen's chest, the point dissolving into a shimmering shadow, making it impossible to tell the exact target.

Mo Zichen pressed a palm forward, grunting, "You certainly have some skill!"

Peng! A palm strike shot out from Mo Zichen's hand, meeting the spear tip with a dull thud, like two pieces of wood colliding.

Li Muzhan immediately flicked the spear shaft, perfectly nullifying the tremendous force. The spear tip instantly reappeared, striking Mo Zichen’s chest—a fraction of a second faster than before. He was a master of controlling kinetic force, and with the long spear in hand, he was like a tiger with wings. Mo Zichen’s internal energy was indeed immensely powerful, but unfortunately for him, it met Li Muzhan’s spear, which simply diverted the resistance.

Ding! Mo Zichen flew back three zhang, his heels gouging two deep trenches in the earth as he stared at Li Muzhan in utter disbelief.

Li Muzhan frowned, shaking his head, "I didn't realize Young Master Mo was wearing inner armor!"

Mo Zichen pulled a jade pendant from his robes—it was originally square, but now had a small hole in the center, resembling a meticulously carved jade ring.

Li Muzhan smiled, "A very hard piece of jade."

Mo Zichen looked at the pendant in his hand, his face dark, staring fixedly at Li Muzhan, "Good, very good. I clearly misjudged you; you truly keep your abilities hidden!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "You mock me."

Old Geng and Old He exchanged looks of astonishment. Their sharp eyes had seen the shape of the jade pendant and immediately understood that Li Muzhan's thrust had struck it. This in itself wasn't extraordinary, but what was remarkable was that the jade only had a small puncture—no other cracks or breaks—clearly indicating that the spear's force had been concentrated precisely on a single point to achieve such a result. Such focused force was not something an ordinary person could manage; it required a profound mastery of spear technique. They knew they could not achieve such a result so casually.

Mo Zichen tossed the jade pendant aside and slowly drew his long sword, "I underestimated you. Come then!"

His blade was bright, looking as if a clear spring flowed over its surface. It was obvious at a glance that this was a precious sword, emitting a soft, ethereal gleam under the sunlight.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Please—!"

Mo Zichen dropped his dismissive attitude, his expression grave and solemn. He moved with strange, intricate footwork, suddenly closing the distance to Li Muzhan, enveloping him in a vast expanse of silver light.

Li Muzhan stepped back, and with a weng sound, the spear tip became a swirling mass across the air. Ding-ding-ding-ding... the sword tip and spear tip clashed like rain drumming on banana leaves, blending into one continuous sound.

Li Muzhan suddenly spun and flashed past, appearing behind Mo Zichen. Then followed a dull peng sound; Mo Zichen was sent flying, knocked back by the shaft of the spear itself.

Li Muzhan stood still, holding his spear, and smiled, "Young Master Mo, I accept your concession!"

Mo Zichen struggled to his feet, looking wretched, his entire body still numb. The spear shaft looked innocuous, but its strange internal energy was swirling wildly inside him, refusing to dissipate.