Li Muzhan shook his head and laughed, "The last time we sparred with fists, Senior Brother Zhang, my specialty is the sword. How about a sword fight?"

Zhang Sitong’s face darkened, and he coldly stated, "No need!"

Li Muzhan’s brow twitched slightly in feigned surprise, "Could it be that Senior Brother Zhang is afraid before the fight even begins? Fearing me?"

"Nonsense!" Zhang Sitong snapped.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "Then why is Senior Brother Zhang avoiding the contest? ... Has Senior Brother Zhang’s injury not fully healed?"

"...Fine, then a sword match it is!" Zhang Sitong said coldly.

Seeing Li Muzhan’s determined look, he knew the spar was unavoidable. He agreed, figuring refusal might lead to even more trouble and ultimately make him the laughingstock.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Excellent, then I must ask Senior Brother Zhang for your guidance!"

He walked to the center of the courtyard with his Qingfeng sword, smiling as he extended his left hand. Zhang Sitong grunted deeply and slowly approached him, drawing his sword with a shing: "Junior Brother Li, swords are merciless; guard yourself well!"

Li Muzhan countered with a smile, "Indeed, Senior Brother Zhang must also be careful!"

"Hmph, come then!" Zhang Sitong sneered coldly.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Senior Brother Zhang, please make the first move!"

"Right, watch my sword!" This was exactly what Zhang Sitong wanted. Before the words fully dropped, a flash of cold light erupted, and the tip of his blade was instantly at Li Muzhan's throat, swift as lightning.

Li Muzhan lightly tapped his toes, shifting his body aside to evade, floating like a willow catkin, utterly relaxed. Zhang Sitong’s heart sank; he cursed inwardly—this kid’s swordsmanship was indeed not bad!

Li Muzhan shook his head with a smile, "Senior Brother Zhang, there's no need to hold back."

Zhang Sitong cursed inwardly: Who’s holding back! This brat is just trying to disgust me. With a cold laugh, his sword flashed again, transforming into a myriad of icy stars enveloping Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan’s movements were fluid and effortless; he did not draw his own sword once. Zhang Sitong swung his longsword, each move more exquisite than the last, the flashing steel emitting a chilling aura, yet he could not even graze the corner of Li Muzhan’s robes.

After a while, Li Muzhan shook his head with a look of profound disappointment, sighing, "Senior Brother Zhang, I am truly somewhat disappointed!"

"Enough nonsense!" Zhang Sitong became enraged, his sword light surging outward. The chilling aura expanded instantly, and the sword tip vaguely glowed with white light. Gritting his teeth, he roared, "You asked for this, Li!"

Li Muzhan’s eyebrows lifted, a smile touching his lips. He swept his Qingfeng sword before him, weaving a curtain of light.

"Clang, clang, clang, clang..." The clear ringing of their blades meeting was continuous and dense, possessing a certain rhythm.

The white light flickering intermittently from Zhang Sitong’s sword tip possessed astonishing power. Li Muzhan was inwardly startled; he had underestimated him!

Dust and pebbles flew; their robes billowed as if caught in a gale. The gangqi radiating from their swords clashed, forming powerful gusts that swept across everything nearby.

The courtyard gate slammed shut with a bang, as if forcefully closed by an unseen hand. Clothes hanging on a line outside flew up, dancing lightly, unable to settle, eventually drifting over the courtyard wall to land outside.

"Senior Brother Zhang, watch out!" Li Muzhan suddenly shouted. His sword light vanished instantly, and the tip pierced through Zhang Sitong’s left shoulder.

He drew his sword back with a light retreat, smiling, "My apologies, Senior Brother Zhang, I couldn't quite hold back in time!"

Zhang Sitong clutched his left shoulder, glaring hatefully, and sneered through clenched teeth, "You’re ruthless, Li!"

Li Muzhan shook his head, "Senior Brother Zhang misunderstands!"

"Get out!" Zhang Sitong snorted coldly.

Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed, "Senior Brother Zhang truly misunderstands me. I genuinely wished to experience the sword techniques of an Inner Disciple, but alas, I am disappointed!"

Zhang Sitong gritted his teeth and buried himself in treating his wound, sheathing his sword and sealing the acupoints around his shoulder. Thankfully, the bleeding control techniques of the Pavilion were exquisite, and the blood stopped immediately.

————

After he finished tending to himself, he looked up to see Li Muzhan still there and sneered, "What else do you want?"

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, "My apologies, Senior Brother Zhang. I shall seek your instruction again next time!"

As he spoke, he turned, preparing to walk out, only to hear Zhang Sitong bark, "Hold it!"

Li Muzhan slowly turned back, smiling at him, "Does Senior Brother Zhang have further advice? Please command me!"

Zhang Sitong gritted his teeth and said coldly, "What exactly are you trying to do, Li?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "What does Senior Brother Zhang mean by that? I merely wished to seek guidance in martial arts from Senior Brother Zhang; I mean no harm!"

"Do you take me for a three-year-old, Li?!" Zhang Sitong said resentfully, "Tell me, what is your real intention?"

Li Muzhan shook his head in feigned confusion, "Senior Brother Zhang truly misunderstands me!"

Seeing him play dumb made Zhang Sitong’s gums itch with fury, but one must bow under the eaves. This fellow was rotten to the core, yet his martial skill was so high; he truly was no match.

Without waiting for Zhang Sitong to finish, Li Muzhan cupped his hands, smiled broadly, and started walking out. Zhang Sitong shouted twice, but Li Muzhan had already vanished.

Zhang Sitong stamped his foot, his teeth grinding audibly.

The healing medicine of the Tianyuan Pavilion was extraordinary; a sword stab to the shoulder healed in just five days. But the moment his wound closed, Li Muzhan showed up again at dawn, smiling and asking to spar on swordsmanship.

Zhang Sitong refused, admitting defeat, seeing no point in another match. But Li Muzhan insisted on a contest, pleading for Senior Brother Zhang’s guidance.

Zhang Sitong simply remained motionless, letting Li Muzhan chatter on. He kept his eyes shut, still and silent, like a statue.

Li Muzhan patiently persuaded him, saying that as an elder brother, he should guide his junior; moreover, as an Inner Disciple, how could he show fear before an Outer Disciple and concede without a fight? Wouldn't that bring shame to the Inner Disciples?

He shook his head repeatedly, filled with a thousand emotions. People always said Inner Disciples looked down on Outer Disciples, but now it seemed Inner Disciples were nothing special either.

Zhang Sitong had always been contemptuous of Outer Disciples deep down. Li Muzhan’s words struck a nerve. Finally unable to bear the goading, he furiously drew his sword. The result was another stab from Li Muzhan—the same shoulder, the same type of wound, even the depth the sword tip penetrated was identical.

Li Muzhan left gracefully with a smile, leaving Zhang Sitong furious beyond measure.

————

The next morning, Li Muzhan was practicing in his small courtyard, deeply engrossed in deciphering the Twelve Swords of Tianyuan, finding more profound meaning the deeper he delved into the set.

As for Zhang Sitong, he was no longer on his mind. By relentlessly pressuring him, Li Muzhan had removed any chance for him to employ dark schemes; Zhang Sitong was now focused only on how to evade future challenges.

This was also a silent warning to Zhang Sitong: killing him wouldn't be difficult; the vast gap in their martial arts was enough to plant a seed of fear in his heart.

Bang! The courtyard door burst open. A young man with a melon-shaped face slowly withdrew his foot from the threshold, looking down at Li Muzhan with utter arrogance and disdain.

Li Muzhan finished his movement and sheathed his sword, cupping his hands, "I wonder which esteemed Senior Brother has graced my humble abode. Please enter."

"Hmph, are you Li Wuji?" The young man in the black robe had a pale complexion, suggesting excessive indulgence, his eyes slightly swollen. His thin lips were tightly pressed, the corners of his mouth turned down.

The moment Li Muzhan saw his countenance, he knew this man was trouble—a sharp and unkind appearance. Though physiognomy was often unreliable, they said appearance reflected the heart. Combining the eyes, temperament, and facial structure, one could usually form a decent judgment.

Li Muzhan smiled, "I am indeed Li Wuji. May I ask which Senior Brother you are...?"

"I am Qi Chengying!" the black-robed youth said coldly. "An Inner Disciple!"

Li Muzhan’s eyebrows lifted slightly, and he smiled, "So it is Senior Brother Qi. What instruction brings you to my small courtyard?"

"I heard you look down on us Inner Disciples!" Qi Chengying stared intently into his eyes, trying to gauge if Li Muzhan was lying.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Senior Brother Zhang told you, didn't he?"

"Indeed." Qi Chengying nodded frankly.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "I sparred three times with Senior Brother Zhang and was greatly disappointed. With such cultivation from a dignified Inner Disciple, how could I possibly respect that?"

"Oh—?!" Qi Chengying raised his slender eyebrows, his face darkening, "It seems Junior Brother Zhang wasn't just stirring things up!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "If Senior Brother Qi believes Senior Brother Zhang was provoking, yet you still came. Perhaps you look down on us Outer Disciples!"

"I despise you Outer Sect folk!" Qi Chengying scoffed, "Busy yourselves all day long; when do you have time to focus on cultivation?"

Li Muzhan shook his head, "We also wish to cultivate in peace, but the Pavilion rules forbid it. You are in a fortunate position yet fail to appreciate it, neglecting the secret arts instead of practicing them well—truly disappointing!"

"You have a lot of nerve, Li!" Qi Chengying sneered coldly, "Just entering the Pavilion and you’re already this audacious. I suppose I must teach you a lesson!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Is Senior Brother Qi planning to instruct me? I welcome it!"

"Good, good. If I don't beat you until you're begging on the ground today, I won't be named Qi!" Qi Chengying sneered.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Senior Brother Qi shouldn't speak so absolutely. What if you actually lose?"

"Impossible!" Qi Chengying sneered.

Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled, "There's always a possibility. What if Senior Brother Qi truly loses?"

"Li, you think too highly of yourself!" Qi Chengying dismissed him with disdain, "If I were to lose, it would only be if the sun rose from the west!"

Li Muzhan said, "If Senior Brother Qi wins, I will willingly submit to your orders, walking through fire and water for you without hesitation. What if Senior Brother Qi loses?"

"Then say what you want!" Qi Chengying sneered, "With such little cultivation, you’re wildly arrogant! I truly don't know how Junior Brother Zhang could be so inept!"

Li Muzhan smiled. He had been concealing his true aura; externally, his cultivation seemed to be only one or two-tenths of his actual level. Qi Chengying was overly confident and arrogant, believing Zhang Sitong incompetent, which is why Zhang Sitong lost to Li Muzhan.

"Quickly state your terms!" Qi Chengying sneered coldly, "Don't stall. No one can stop me now!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "If I win, Senior Brother Qi will be at my beck and call? Whatever I need done, Senior Brother Qi will do it for me!"

Qi Chengying frowned and snorted, "You’ve planned quite well. This way, you become an Inner Disciple, and I become an Outer Disciple!"

Li Muzhan shook his head, "Whatever Senior Brother Qi wishes to practice, he can practice directly. I cannot. You remain an Inner Disciple, and I remain an Outer Disciple!"

"...Fine!" Qi Chengying huffed, "If I win, you will go to the Tianyuan wall to meditate in isolation for ten years!"

"Senior Brother Qi is ruthless!" Li Muzhan smiled, completely unconcerned, "I wish to spar with the sword!"

"Just the sword!" Qi Chengying declared, "I want to see what skill you truly possess. Come on!"

Li Muzhan drew his sword and advanced. Qi Chengying shook his head, "Too slow!"

Li Muzhan smiled and flicked his wrist; instantly, a silver lotus bloomed, descending towards Qi Chengying. Qi Chengying’s hairs stood on end, and he instinctively recoiled sharply.

His intuition had always been precise. The moment he saw the sword light, his heart seized; he knew he couldn't meet it head-on and tried to avoid its main force.

Li Muzhan moved forward with an archery step, refusing to let Qi Chengying escape. Cornered, as the sword light descended, Qi Chengying tried desperately to draw his own blade.

"Clang, clang, clang, clang..." The sword light tapped rapidly. The sound was crisp, and with every strike, Qi Chengying’s body trembled. He felt a strange, jarring force transmitted through his sword, agitating the vital energy throughout his body.

The silver lotus formed by the sword light suddenly doubled in size, pressing down again. This time, Qi Chengying tried to retreat but found his limbs heavy. His vital energy was in chaos, refusing to obey his commands. He could only swing his sword frantically. Amidst the sharp clanging sounds, his longsword flew out of his grasp.

Li Muzhan retracted his sword and stood still, looking at him with a smile, "Senior Brother Qi, I concede graciously!"

"...Good, good!" Qi Chengying tightly pursed his thin lips and sneered, "Feigning weakness to deceive the strong. Well played, Junior Brother Li!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Senior Brother Qi flatters me!"

Qi Chengying took several deep breaths and beckoned; his longsword flew back into his hand. After resheathing it, he gritted his teeth and muttered hatefully, "No wonder Junior Brother Zhang failed!"

Li Muzhan said, "What Senior Brother Qi said earlier, is it still valid?"

Qi Chengying’s face darkened. After a long pause, his voice squeezed out from between his teeth, "If you have a task in the future, I will do it for you!"

Li Muzhan cupped his hands and smiled, "Thank you, Senior Brother Qi!"

"Just wait, I will wash away this disgrace today!" Qi Chengying said coldly.

Li Muzhan smiled, "If one day Senior Brother Qi can defeat me, you won't need to do things for me anymore!"

"Hmph!" Qi Chengying sneered, "If I defeat you, you will go to the wall to meditate for ten years!"

Li Muzhan nodded with a smile, "Agreed!"

Qi Chengying said no more, turning and leaving, vanishing in the blink of an eye. Li Muzhan let out a soft chuckle.

Finally, he could devote himself to practice, delving into the Twelve Swords of Tianyuan. However, mastering these twelve swords was not an easy feat.

He suspected the Twelve Swords of Tianyuan represented the culmination of all sword techniques in the Tianyuan Pavilion. To truly comprehend them required mastering the foundational sword styles learned previously, like Bai Mingqiu, to grasp the Twelve Swords fully.

If he were an Inner Disciple, it wouldn't be difficult; he possessed the ability to memorize instantly and had an outstanding comprehension of swordsmanship—he would grasp it upon sight.

But as an Outer Disciple, truly learning these sword styles required accumulating sufficient merit to learn them one by one. This process would take far too long to fully comprehend the Twelve Swords. Hence, he devised this method; the previous challenges against Zhang Sitong were a two-pronged approach.

Qi Chengying was too impatient. Li Muzhan hadn't expected anyone to fall for it so soon; it seemed Inner Disciples truly underestimated Outer Disciples.

In the following days, he successively received several Inner Disciples who came to challenge him. Li Muzhan maintained the same wager: if they lost to him, they had to share his burdens.

In ten days, six Inner Disciples came to challenge him, and all were defeated. No one dared to come again; they only muttered threats about inviting Senior Sister Bai to intervene.

One evening, as Li Muzhan was practicing his sword forms in the courtyard, there was a knock. Li Muzhan stopped his practice, "Please enter!"

Zhu Ling, clad in red, pushed the door open, bringing a faint, delicate fragrance with her as she entered. She looked Li Muzhan up and down, shaking her head repeatedly.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Senior Sister Zhu, what is it?"

"You, you!" Zhu Ling shook her head and pouted, "You are far too bold!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Is this about the matter with the Inner Senior Brothers?"

"Hmph, you’ve gotten Senior Sister Bai into terrible trouble!" Zhu Ling said crossly, "Come on!"

Li Muzhan’s eyebrows lifted slightly, "How could I have troubled Senior Sister Bai?"

"How could you possibly possess such formidable martial arts?" Zhu Ling huffed, "The Pavilion Master sent someone to question me, and I could only speak of Senior Sister Bai transmitting the sword techniques to you!"

Li Muzhan looked at her. Zhu Ling glared with her almond eyes, "Are you angry that I told the truth? Hmph! How could I lie to the Pavilion Master?!"

Li Muzhan sighed and shook his head, "I truly didn't anticipate..."

"You thought of such a thing!" Zhu Ling scolded, "Making Inner Disciples work for you—that’s never happened in our Pavilion!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "This doesn't violate the Pavilion rules, does it?"

"It doesn't!" Zhu Ling huffed, "Aren't you afraid that everyone will join forces to deal with you?"

Li Muzhan laughed, "Do they dare violate the Pavilion rules?!"

"If they can't do it openly, they'll do it secretly!" Zhu Ling pouted, "They look honest and simple, but they are full of wicked schemes! ... Forget it, you aren't exactly a saint either!"

Li Muzhan smiled wryly, "Senior Sister Zhu, what is the actual matter?"

"It's all your fault; you made me so angry I forgot the real reason!" Zhu Ling patted her forehead and chastised, "Hurry up and come with me to see the Pavilion Master!"

Li Muzhan looked surprised, "The Pavilion Master wants to see me?"

He had been there for nearly half a month and had not seen the Pavilion Master once; all his encounters had been with disciples of his own generation.

"The Pavilion Master just emerged from seclusion. After hearing about your affairs, she wishes to see you," Zhu Ling twisted her body and walked out, warning, "Don't speak recklessly when you meet the Pavilion Master!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Is the Pavilion Master ill-tempered?"

"Not exactly," Zhu Ling shook her head, hurrying her steps.

Li Muzhan followed her north to a grand hall. This hall was situated at the very northern edge, backing onto an unfathomable abyss, as if guarding it.

Two youths stood before the hall. Li Muzhan didn't recognize them, but their cultivation was not weak; they must be Inner Disciples. Both regarded Li Muzhan with curiosity.

Zhu Ling told the two, "I have orders from the Pavilion Master to take him inside!"

The two nodded, and Zhu Ling led Li Muzhan into the hall.

Upon entering, the space suddenly opened up; a slight chill permeated the air. He looked up and saw a stunning woman sitting beneath the north wall, her bright eyes like water, watching him quietly.

Li Muzhan froze. He hadn't expected the Pavilion Master to be a woman; no one had ever told him.

"Are you not going to bow to the Pavilion Master?!" Zhu Ling turned and shot him a glare.

Li Muzhan cupped his hands and smiled, "Disciple Li Wuji greets the Pavilion Master!"

The woman carried herself with utmost grace, yet radiated an overwhelming allure that made it hard to look directly at her. Her demeanor bore a slight resemblance to Bai Mingqiu, but surpassed it. Even sitting still, she captivated the spirit, making it difficult for observers to maintain composure.

"Li Wuji..." Her red lips parted, and her magnetic voice carried composure and serenity as her bright eyes quietly regarded Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan cupped his hands, "Your disciple is present."

"Mingqiu taught you the Twelve Swords of Tianyuan, yes?" the Pavilion Master asked calmly, revealing no hint of joy or anger.

Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded, "Yes."

"Mmm," the Pavilion Master said lightly, "Are you capable of mastering them?"

Li Muzhan shook his head.

The Pavilion Master asked, "Why did you intentionally provoke the Inner Disciples?"

Li Muzhan scratched his head, showing a trace of simple honesty. Zhu Ling gave him a warning look; she was being protective of him because he had offended Zhang Sitong previously over Lin Shaobai.

Li Muzhan sighed, "It was for the sake of comprehending the Twelve Swords of Tianyuan."

"Hmm—?" The Pavilion Master’s bright eyes flickered, the light suddenly intense.

Li Muzhan explained, "I wish to understand all the sword techniques in the Pavilion to aid in grasping the Twelve Swords of Tianyuan."

"What a clever boy!" The Pavilion Master smiled, her beauty astonishing and unparalleled.

For more novels, visit storyread.net.