As Li Muzhan stepped into the main hall, he immediately sensed a strange atmosphere, thick with awkwardness and peculiarity.

Seated in the center of the hall was Eldest Young Master Dong Yufei, and occupying the guest seats were two figures: a young man in blue robes and an elder in a hempen garment. The youth appeared to be in his early twenties, handsome, and Li Muzhan noticed him glancing sideways at him, radiating an air of condescension.

The old man was around sixty, his face ruddy, a perpetual smile fixed upon it. He appraised Li Muzhan with squinted eyes, revealing neither approval nor disdain.

Li Muzhan frowned inwardly. The young man exuded a thread of barely concealed hostility, which he suspected Dong Yufei and Dong Wanyi could sense just as clearly.

"Elder Wu, Young Master He, allow me to introduce Li Wuji, Young Master Li," Dong Yufei said, rising with a laugh. "Gentlemen, see if he meets your standards."

He then addressed Li Muzhan, "These two are disciples of the Tianyuan Pavilion: He Sen, and Elder Wu."

Li Muzhan returned the greeting with a cupped-fist salute and a polite smile.

His expression remained placid, but internally he mused: He Sen... could this be that disciple from the He family? If so, it truly is a case of enemies crossing paths!

The realization dawned on him, instantly clarifying the strange tension in the hall.

"Li Wuji..." He Sen stroked his chin, scrutinizing Li Muzhan up and down, then shook his head. "You look rather old!"

Li Muzhan smiled faintly. "Twenty-four."

"Oh, twenty-four," He Sen nodded, his tone turning cold. "You appear older than that. Perhaps you've passed thirty?"

Li Muzhan chuckled softly and shook his head.

He Sen turned to the elder. "Elder Wu, does he look past thirty to you?"

Elder Wu chuckled, stroking his silvery beard. "I don't think so. Some people just have older-looking features... Little He, would you like to test his skills?"

"Elder Wu should take the lead!" He Sen replied with a grin. "My cultivation isn't high enough; I wouldn't be able to control the intensity, and it wouldn't be good if I accidentally injured him."

Elder Wu laughed. "Little He, you underestimate people too much."

He Sen glanced at Li Muzhan, his gaze sharp and icy, then smoothly reverted to a smile. "Elder Wu. The Dong family hasn't cherished the past few opportunities, causing our senior brothers to travel in vain. It's hard to inspire confidence!"

Elder Wu stroked his beard and chuckled. "Little He, don't jump to conclusions so quickly. Perhaps this time we are fortunate and have met a true talent."

He Sen smiled thinly. "I’ve had bad luck since childhood; good things never seem to fall my way. I dare not harbor such lofty expectations. The Sect sent me here without much hope to begin with."

"Alas... talent has indeed withered in recent years. I only hope an outer disciple manages to join this year," Elder Wu sighed, shaking his head. "I find this young man Li composed and steady in demeanor; he seems like a talent. You should give it a try, He Sen."

He Sen nodded. "Very well. Since Elder Wu insists, I shall respectfully obey!"

With that, he stood up and crossed the space in a single stride, arriving directly in front of Li Muzhan. Without so much as a preliminary gesture, his fist shot out toward Li Muzhan's chest, his fist shadows blurring the air.

Li Muzhan slid back a step to evade, staring at him in surprise.

"Good!" He Sen roared, his right fist having already spent its initial force. However, the fist abruptly shot out a secondary shadow, vaguely resembling a tiger’s form, instantly closing the distance to Li Muzhan's chest, a fraction faster than the first.

Li Muzhan frowned, shifting his body sideways by a foot, narrowly escaping the punch shadow. "Is this the start already?"

"Indeed," He Sen confirmed with a nod. He stepped forward again, pressing close to Li Muzhan. "Quick reaction. You have potential. Take this next one!"

His footwork was incredibly fast, his fist shadows swirling until Li Muzhan was enveloped in a dazzling display that made the eyes water. Dong Wanyi’s ten fingers were tightly laced together, her bright eyes fixed unblinkingly on the action.

Dong Yufei’s face was grim. He stared intently at He Sen, inwardly scoffing—this He Sen was deliberately making things difficult! It was practically a sneak attack. If not for Li Wuji's swift reaction and excellent movement technique, despite He Sen not being exceptional as a person, his martial arts were formidable, and his footwork quick. In a moment of surprise, Dong Yufei himself might not have dodged it.

Elder Wu, meanwhile, stroked his snow-white beard, watching the exchange with visible delight.

In the span of twenty-odd moves, Li Muzhan observed He Sen attacking with relentless, escalating ferocity, like a violent storm, and carrying an almost tangible killing intent. He was certain that if the fight were going truly poorly, He Sen would show no mercy—even if he didn't kill him, he would cripple him.

This ignited a spark of anger in Li Muzhan. He spoke in a deep voice, "It is uncivilized not to return a courtesy. I shall make a move now, Young Master He. Be careful!"

"Bring it!" He Sen sneered.

Li Muzhan’s fist shot out a sudden, concentrated shadow—a solidifying miniature dragon—that streaked toward He Sen. Where several of He Sen’s fist shadows met the dragon, they dissolved instantly, like snow meeting boiling water.

Watching the dragon-shaped shadow rush towards his face, He Sen had no choice but to retreat swiftly to avoid it. Unexpectedly, the dragon shadow suddenly curved, pursuing him.

He Sen had been entirely focused on Li Muzhan, guarding against a second punch. After dodging the dragon shadow sideways, he paid it no more heed. By the time he realized it, the dragon shadow was already behind him.

With no room to maneuver, he had to meet it head-on. With a muffled bang, He Sen staggered back two steps, his expression so dark it seemed capable of dripping water.

In that single exchange, he felt the force of Li Muzhan’s cultivation—like an unstoppable flood breaking a dam. He instantly knew he was outmatched.

This realization filled him with overwhelming rage. He had intended to use this opportunity to humiliate the Dong family and deliver a crushing first blow to this Li fellow, thus blocking his path into the Tianyuan Pavilion.

He hadn't anticipated that this young Li would be so formidable, actually surpassing him in skill. He, an inner disciple of the Tianyuan Pavilion—how could he bear this humiliation!

His gloomy face first flushed red, then hardened into fury. He sneered, "Good. You certainly have some ability. Now I get serious!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Please do!"

Elder Wu raised a hand. "Little He, that's enough!"

He Sen frowned and turned to look at the elder. Elder Wu stroked his beard and said with a gentle smile, "I see this young man Li has genuine skill. Being able to spar with you for this long proves he is qualified to enter the Tianyuan Pavilion!"

"But Elder Wu..." He Sen began earnestly.

Elder Wu laughed. "That's enough, Little He. You've worked hard. Take a rest."

He Sen shot a frustrated glare at Li Muzhan, then swept his eyes over Dong Yufei before huffing and returning to his seat.

Dong Yufei’s face was beaming now. Dong Wanyi had already hurried to Li Muzhan’s side, excitedly gripping his large hand, her delicate face flushed crimson like a drunkard, radiant as a flower in bloom.

Li Muzhan returned a cupped-fist smile. "Young Master He, you've labored hard... Thank you, Senior Wu!"

Elder Wu chuckled heartily. "Don't call him Young Master He anymore; you should call him Senior Brother He, Li boy. From this day forward, you are a disciple of our Tianyuan Pavilion!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Understood. Thank you, Senior Brother He, Senior Wu!"

"No need for thanks," He Sen sneered, cupping his fist. "We shall have a proper spar again in the future."

Li Muzhan smiled back. "I shall certainly keep you company!"

Elder Wu seemed even more pleased than Dong Yufei, appraising Li Muzhan from head to toe. "Little Li, the outer disciples enjoy considerable freedom. You can stay here, or you can move up to the mountain residence."

Dong Yufei quickly interjected, "Brother Li, why don't you stay on the mountain for now? When you have time later, you can return here. This place is your home, don't be formal!"

Li Muzhan glanced at Dong Wanyi, whose eyes were shining with excitement and whose expression was one of profound emotion. Li Muzhan said, "That sounds good. I will go familiarize myself with the Tianyuan Pavilion first, and then return to stay."

"Excellent," Elder Wu chuckled. "Our Tianyuan Pavilion outer disciples are free and unrestrained, as long as they don't violate the Pavilion rules! ...It's getting late, we should depart!"

Dong Yufei quickly said, "Elder Wu, it’s not too late to eat first!"

Elder Wu shook his head and laughed cheerfully. "I am eager to return and report the good news, so I won't stay for a meal. Next time!"

"...That is acceptable," Dong Yufei replied with a smile and a nod.