"Don't underestimate the Outer Sect disciples, Young Master," Dong Wanyi said. "Ordinary people couldn't even aspire to be Outer Sect disciples. We only get two recommendations every three years, and yet, not a single one has been accepted to this day."

Li Muzhan's eyebrows twitched slightly. "That hard?"

Dong Wanyi nodded vigorously. "Very! Truly very hard! ... Disciples of the Tianyuan Pavilion are rare treasures. Putting aside the fact that those secret manuals are impossible to obtain elsewhere, the mere title of a Tianyuan Pavilion disciple is enough to awe the masses; no one would dare provoke you. After this incident, the He family will certainly not let this go. If you become a disciple of the Tianyuan Pavilion, the He family won't dare to kill you!"

Only then did Li Muzhan understand the depth of Dong Wanyi's concern. He smiled faintly. "Now that you put it that way, I must join the Tianyuan Pavilion!"

Dong Wanyi chuckled. "With your cultivation, Young Master, you will surely succeed!"

Li Muzhan asked, "Will this benefit the Dong Estate?"

Dong Wanyi laughed softly. "Of course, there are benefits. My elder brother doesn't move without a profit; he wouldn't have agreed otherwise!"

Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. He could guess that if the disciple recommended by the Dong Estate entered the Tianyuan Pavilion, the family would naturally forge a connection there, and with the protection of a Tianyuan Pavilion disciple, their standing would increase.

"Has anyone from the He family entered the Tianyuan Pavilion?" Li Muzhan inquired.

Dong Wanyi nodded gently. "Yes. In the past, Dongyang City was solely under our control. Later, a disciple from the He family managed to enter the Tianyuan Pavilion—an Inner Sect disciple, no less. The He family gradually grew stronger and can now stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us."

Li Muzhan smiled. "He is an Inner Sect disciple, and I would be an Outer Sect one. I fear..."

Dong Wanyi assured him, "Tianyuan Pavilion disciples are forbidden from fighting amongst themselves; you need not worry, Young Master. Moreover, an Inner Sect disciple is not necessarily stronger than an Outer Sect one."

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded. "Very well, I will do my utmost."

"It's enough that you try your best, Young Master. It's alright even if you don't get in," Dong Wanyi said. "There are other reputable sects besides the Tianyuan Pavilion."

Li Muzhan smiled. "I am indebted to you for taking the trouble, Miss."

Dong Wanyi waved it off. "You saved my life, Young Master; why be so formal over such a small matter!"

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded. Courtesy was necessary—not for Dong Wanyi’s sake, but for others to see, to avoid misunderstandings that could tarnish her reputation... For the remaining month, he barely left the Dong Estate’s gates to avoid further clashes with the He family, especially since they already had a disciple in the Inner Sect of the Tianyuan Pavilion. If he were to enter the Tianyuan Pavilion in the future, they were destined to meet, and it was best not to make the initial encounter too hostile or awkward. Though confident, he knew the Inner Sect disciples of the Tianyuan Pavilion were not to be trifled with. It was better to avoid trouble now and smooth things over later.

For this entire month, he immersed himself in reading, consuming texts as if starving. Dong Wanyi indulged him, providing him with all the books from her private collection.

The He family remained quiet, as if nothing had happened. Dong Wanyi also stayed indoors, avoiding any further assassination attempts, uncertain if the He family suspected any trickery.

One clear morning, Dong Wanyi was returning from a stroll in the rear garden. Just as she entered her small courtyard, Dong Yufei stood in the center, hands clasped behind his back, smiling down at her.

"Elder Brother?" Dong Wanyi hummed. "What leisure have you to visit my humble quarters?"

"Just checking on my little sister," Dong Yufei replied with a smile. "Has your temper cooled down yet?"

Dong Wanyi shot him a sidelong glance. "I wouldn't dare."

Dong Yufei smiled, shaking his head. "That was my lapse in judgment last time. Is Young Master Li alright?"

The less readily she forgave him, the happier Dong Yufei became, as it proved she valued loyalty. Furthermore, he had grasped her weakness, allowing him to easily shift the topic.

"He is," Dong Wanyi huffed. "What is it you want, Elder Brother?"

Dong Yufei shook his head, chuckling. "What sort of person do you think I am, little sister!"

"The arrangement we made previously cannot be revoked!" Dong Wanyi insisted.

Dong Yufei laughed. "Rest assured. Perhaps our Dong family is truly counting on Young Master Li this time. The stratagem he employed was quite brilliant; he is quite a capable individual!"

Dong Wanyi quickly asked, "Elder Brother, have you gathered any news about the He family?"

Dong Yufei nodded, smiling. "They have quieted down. It seems it was genuine! Young Master Li's secret manual is the key. What manual did he use?"

"I don't know," Dong Wanyi replied, shaking her head. "But Young Master Li was very certain he could pass it off as real."

"Could it be a genuine secret manual?" Dong Yufei frowned. "The He family doesn't miss details. If it were fake, they would surely have seen through it."

Dong Wanyi countered, "Young Master Li's cultivation is so high, and his martial insight so deep; the He family cannot compare!"

Dong Yufei disagreed. "That's not necessarily true. The He family harbors quite a few secret manuals. They can tell the difference between real and fake. Perhaps it is genuine!"

Dong Wanyi remained silent in contemplation.

Dong Yufei continued, "Judging by the He family's reaction, this manual is no small matter."

"Elder Brother, what are you implying?!" Dong Wanyi huffed.

Dong Yufei smiled. "I'm just worried Young Master Li will suffer a disadvantage."

"Worry not," Dong Wanyi said, waving her jade hand dismissively. "Is it truly only Young Master Li going this time?"

Dong Yufei nodded. "Among those under thirty in our ranks, only Xiao Xiao and Xiao Meng are presentable, but they have no real chance. It's better to conserve our strength than to go and embarrass ourselves."

"What about the He family?" Dong Wanyi asked.

"The He family is sending He Yun this time."

"He Yun?" Dong Wanyi frowned, her jade face turning grave. She still remembered that past incident; if not for Young Master Li, she would have already been killed by He Yun!

Dong Yufei explained, "He Qi's martial arts are stronger, but his age is past the limit. He Yun has a strong chance."

Dong Wanyi furrowed her brow and slowly nodded, resolute in her decision: she would implore Li Muzhan to ensure He Yun was eliminated and barred from becoming a Tianyuan Pavilion disciple.

Dong Yufei instructed, "For the next few days, let Young Master Li conserve his energy. Don't let anything go wrong at the critical moment. Don't go and disturb him!"

"Elder Brother, how could I possibly disturb him?!" Dong Wanyi retorted with a playful pout.

Dong Yufei chuckled heartily. "With such a peerless beauty by his side, how could he possibly focus on training? Polishing the spear before battle—it helps, even if it doesn't make it sharper."

Dong Wanyi huffed, "Young Master Li's martial arts are supreme; he doesn't need that kind of talk."

"Still, one cannot be too careless," Dong Yufei shook his head. "There are always stronger martial artists out there. Even if Young Master Li is powerful, there might be someone even stronger."

Dong Wanyi gave him a skeptical look and reluctantly nodded.

Dong Yufei smiled. "Once this hurdle is passed, you can find him whenever you like. No one will care if you two stick together all day long."

Dong Wanyi flushed, chastising him, "Elder Brother, can't you speak more properly!"

"Heh heh..." Dong Yufei scratched his chin, letting out a slightly awkward laugh before turning to leave.

Dong Wanyi watched him depart, shaking her head. If Li Muzhan hadn't shown potential for the Tianyuan Pavilion, her elder brother would never adopt such an attitude; he would absolutely forbid any closeness with Li Muzhan.

A month passed in a blink. One morning, Li Muzhan was practicing his forms in the Purple Bamboo Grove when Chunhua came running. "Young Master, hurry! Someone from the Tianyuan Pavilion is here!"

Li Muzhan stopped his movements and smiled. "I'll go change my clothes and be right there."

"Alright, don't keep the envoy from the Tianyuan Pavilion waiting," Chunhua chirped happily, nodding before turning and disappearing in a puff of movement.

Li Muzhan calmly changed into his purple robes and slowly made his way to the main hall. There, two youths in blue stood like javelins by the entrance, their eyes slightly narrowed as if half-asleep, their entire demeanor radiating palpable killing intent. As Li Muzhan approached, the two snapped their eyes open, their gazes shooting toward him like lightning. Li Muzhan smiled and nodded, his composure gentle and unwavering.

"Young Master Li!" Dong Wanyi stood at the doorway and quickly beckoned him when she saw him appear.

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded, stepping into the hall. Seeing Dong Wanyi greet him, the two blue-robed youths retracted the steps they had begun to take and allowed Li Muzhan to enter, returning to their narrowed-eye stance.