"Whether it is certain, I cannot claim to know; I only vaguely heard someone mention that in the far north, there exists an island called Samsara Isle, which opens once every ten years."

"No other place?" Li Muzhan inquired.

Bai Mingqiu shook her head. "The world is vast and full of wonders; perhaps there are other places, but I have not heard of them."

Li Muzhan sighed, shaking his head.

Bai Mingqiu frowned. "Junior Brother Li, you've asked me this dozens of times. What is truly going on?"

Li Muzhan merely shook his head again, remaining silent.

Bai Mingqiu scrutinized him. "You wish to go to another world? ... I hear those worlds are depleted of spiritual energy and possess harsh environments. Unless one is native to them, adaptation is nearly impossible. Even with profound martial arts, traveling there is fraught with peril. Why this notion?"

Li Muzhan smiled faintly. "I find the prospect quite interesting."

Bai Mingqiu countered, "Samsara Isle has just opened; it will be another eight years before it opens again."

Li Muzhan forced a wry smile. "Eight years! Eight long years!"

Bai Mingqiu nodded. "Your current cultivation level makes going to Samsara Isle far too dangerous. Training for another eight years would be beneficial; otherwise, Master would never consent!"

Li Muzhan nodded silently.

His longing for the women grew ever stronger, and the Infinite Bright Mountain in his mind shone ever brighter. He could feel their longing for him intensifying as well. Fortunately, he could project his thoughts into their minds, so even separated, they could perceive one another—a small comfort in their estrangement.

Bai Mingqiu furrowed her brow. "If you could master the Twelve Forms, Master would undoubtedly agree."

Li Muzhan offered a bitter smile. "Easier said than done."

He had managed to break through the Sword Intent of Void Piercing because there was a clear path, spurred by the agitation from Nangong Sidao. Cultivating the Twelve Swords of the Deep Abyss, however, was different. His foundation was unstable, he was unfamiliar with this world's martial system, and his innate talent was weak in this regard, making comprehension difficult.

Bai Mingqiu insisted, "Junior Brother Li, your comprehension is extraordinary; there is a sliver of hope."

Li Muzhan shook his head. "It is you, Senior Sister, who has a greater chance of mastering them."

Bai Mingqiu glared at him coolly. "I will not succeed."

Having spent so much time with her, Li Muzhan paid no mind to her cold demeanor and laughed. "Senior Sister, your comprehension is excellent, and your foundation is deep; you have a far better chance than I."

Bai Mingqiu stated solemnly, "Master once said my vision is too narrow, my experience insufficient. Comprehending the Twelve Swords of the Deep Abyss is as hard as ascending heaven; don't even think about it before fifty."

Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow, chuckling. "Master thinks too little of you, Senior Sister!"

Bai Mingqiu countered, "Master's judgment is unerring; she is never wrong."

Li Muzhan smiled. "Then shouldn't you strive to defy her judgment, Senior Sister, and prove her wrong?"

Bai Mingqiu huffed a small noise. "Mastering the Twelve Swords is not so simple! ... However, sparring with you has been extremely rewarding."

Li Muzhan laughed. "The feeling is mutual, Senior Sister Bai. Thank you for your guidance."

He had been persistently urging Bai Mingqiu to demonstrate the various sword styles of the Deep Abyss Pavilion recently. His memory was photographic; he could memorize a technique after seeing it once, and through their duels, he grasped the Sword Intent to a degree of seven or eight parts. By cross-referencing this with the Twelve Swords of the Deep Abyss, he rapidly achieved full integration and mastery. On the path of the sword, his attainment already reached profound levels, far surpassing ordinary martial artists; with his elevated perspective, he often disdained even bothering to commit common sword styles to memory.

Bai Mingqiu sighed and shook her head. "Master used to say that to truly grasp the Twelve Swords of the Deep Abyss, one must experience the full spectrum of life's flavors without surpassing them."

Li Muzhan agreed with a smile. "That is certainly true."

The Sword Intent of the Twelve Swords of the Deep Abyss was indeed profound, not something everyone could fathom. Even an aged veteran with insufficient comprehension would fail, and one whose experience was too shallow, no matter how clever, could not truly appreciate it—much like someone who has never been in love can never truly know the savor of it, no matter how much others describe it.

Li Muzhan looked around, frowning. "Shouldn't a year have passed by now?"

"It should have," Bai Mingqiu confirmed.

The environment within the Deep Abyss was intensely cold, but the temperature still fluctuated. They had lost track of time, but they could feel the shifts in temperature, having endured severe cold and then the onset of early spring; they were now in the warmest period. They had entered during spring, so it should be summer now—at least a year had passed—yet the rope had not been lowered. At the appointed time, the rope should have descended on its own to guide them upward. With no rope, and no means to ascend themselves, they could only wait.

Li Muzhan walked to the mouth of the cavern, gazed up at the sliver of light, and laughed wryly. "Senior Sister, do you think Master forgot about us?"

Bai Mingqiu shot him a look, too weary to entertain such nonsense; the idea was utterly unreliable.

Li Muzhan chuckled. "Otherwise, why hasn't she come to fetch us? ... Perhaps I should strike the Jade Bell?"

"Master gave you a Jade Bell too?" Bai Mingqiu asked.

Li Muzhan nodded. "She worried I wouldn't hold out."

"Let me do it!"

As she spoke, a Jade Bell slid from her left sleeve. Like Li Muzhan's, it was about the size of a small wine cup. With a delicate bend and flick of her slender right finger, a 'ding...' sound resonated as her finger-wind struck the bell. The clear chime lingered, oscillating throughout the entire Deep Abyss like an unbroken valley echo, perfectly focused.

Li Muzhan watched with astonishment. He had attempted a long roar earlier, but the sound barely traveled any distance within the Abyss, let alone echoed as this did. He looked down at the Jade Bell, shaking his head. It seemed this world was not to be underestimated; it held powers he did not understand, much like the formations of his original world. Places saturated with spiritual energy could channel the might of heaven and earth, amplifying human power to terrifying degrees; in this realm, the efficacy of formations would surely be even greater.

Seeing him fixated on the Jade Bell, Bai Mingqiu frowned. "Did Master not transmit the Heart-Piercing Finger to you?"

Li Muzhan started, then shook his head. "What is the Heart-Piercing Finger?"

Bai Mingqiu frowned deeply. "This Jade Bell is nothing special; it's merely its strange material. There are no other complexities. The crucial element is the Heart-Piercing Finger."

Li Muzhan's eyebrows shot up, his thoughts racing in an instant. He smiled. "You mean, even if I have this bell, it's useless, as I can't make it ring?"

"Precisely," Bai Mingqiu confirmed with a nod. "Without the Heart-Piercing Finger, this bell cannot produce a sound. Its material is so unique that even a sword strike won't elicit a tone."

Li Muzhan laughed. "I refuse to believe that."

Saying so, he flicked his finger—"Ding..." A sharp, clear note rang out, carrying far, echoing endlessly within the Deep Abyss, almost physically tangible.

Bai Mingqiu’s eyes instantly brightened, and she looked at him with confusion.

Li Muzhan smiled. "This is certainly not the Heart-Piercing Finger."

"What finger technique is that?" Bai Mingqiu asked.

Li Muzhan smiled. "The Divine Finger of the Boundless Sea..."

A wave of emotion washed over him as he spoke. He sighed and shook his head, thinking of the women of the Boundless Sea Sword Sect, and then of all the others. The longing buried deep in his heart surged forth once more. It was a pity his arrival was ill-timed; Samsara Isle required ten years to open. He considered that his arrival coincided exactly with the opening time—there must be a connection. It wasn't bad timing; it was fated. The mysteries of this universe were endless, and he still needed to strive hard to glimpse them all.

Noticing Li Muzhan's subdued expression, Bai Mingqiu felt a flicker of curiosity. This junior martial brother, a direct disciple, possessed a will that surpassed ordinary men, yet even he had moments like this. Wondering what he recalled, she knew asking Li Muzhan would yield no answer, so she refrained from speaking, and the surroundings lapsed back into deathly silence.

"You two little ones are indeed together!" A shadow flashed, and Long Jingyue appeared before them, regarding them with a subtle, amused smile.

Li Muzhan and Bai Mingqiu bowed. Bai Mingqiu huffed, "Master, it's been over a year, hasn't it?"

"I went on an errand. You two have endured well," Long Jingyue chuckled softly.

Bai Mingqiu grumbled discontentedly, and Li Muzhan offered a wry smile. Long Jingyue said, "Rest assured, I've recorded the time. It will be deducted when you next face punishment!"

Li Muzhan inquired, "Master, did you encounter some great matter?"

Long Jingyue shook her head. "Just a group of insignificant clowns; not worth mentioning!"

"Master, I wish to go to Samsara Isle," Li Muzhan stated directly, looking straight at her.

Long Jingyue frowned. "Samsara Isle? Why go there?"

Li Muzhan replied, "I wish to broaden my horizons."

"It's too dangerous," Long Jingyue refused. "There are many ways to broaden one's experience; why must it be Samsara Isle? Risks of death abound; to return alive from ten attempts is considered lucky!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "To discern the secrets of Heaven and comprehend the Dao of the cosmos, Samsara Isle is an excellent place. I wish to completely master the Twelve Swords of the Deep Abyss."

"Ambitious," Long Jingyue mused for a moment, then slowly conceded. "Very well. If you can thoroughly master three of the swords, I shall permit you to go! ... Though that will still be eight years from now, so there is no rush."

"Agreed!" Li Muzhan nodded vigorously. "Master cannot go back on her word!"

Long Jingyue smiled faintly and shook her head. "Let's go!"

Bai Mingqiu shot Li Muzhan a glare; he was audacious to jest so familiarly with their Master!

A thick rope had silently lowered itself. Long Jingyue rested a hand on it, and her graceful figure ascended straight upward, swiftly moving away.

"Senior Sister," Li Muzhan said, extending a hand, signaling her to go first.

Bai Mingqiu offered no objection and climbed the rope just as Long Jingyue had, Li Muzhan following last. The three ascended with incredible speed, moving as if using their movement techniques. The light, once like a distant cold star, grew larger until it resolved into an open sky. The three finally exited the Deep Abyss. Standing at the edge, looking around, both Li Muzhan and Bai Mingqiu felt as if they had returned from a long journey through time.

Long Jingyue turned. "Come with me to the main hall; let's see your progress."

Li Muzhan and Bai Mingqiu exchanged a glance and followed Long Jingyue to the main hall. The hall was quiet and vast, making the three figures seem tiny within its confines.

"Mingqiu, did you gain anything?" Long Jingyue asked, glancing at Li Muzhan. "How did Wuji find you?"

Bai Mingqiu shook her head. "Junior Brother says he stumbled upon me by chance. ... Master, sparring with Junior Brother has benefited me greatly; please assess my progress."

Saying this, she drew her sword and began executing the Twelve Swords of the Deep Abyss. Long Jingyue did not draw her weapon, instead occasionally tapping the blade or flicking her jade fingers to parry Bai Mingqiu's attacks one by one.

Li Muzhan admired Long Jingyue's skill internally; her cultivation was unimaginably deep. While her ease in deflecting the Twelve Swords was partly due to her familiarity with them, without profoundly deep cultivation, she could not withstand Bai Mingqiu's sword aura.

Long Jingyue commanded, "Wuji, your turn!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Very well, Master, be careful!"

He drew his sword and attacked immediately, showing no courtesy, striking almost like a sneak attack. His blade emitted a sound akin to a dragon's roar, instantly connecting with Long Jingyue. However, Long Jingyue vanished from the spot with a flicker, looking at Li Muzhan with surprise.