Li Muzhan stepped into the tent. Sitting on the plush carpet was Long Jingyue, clad in a snow-white silk robe, graceful and serene, casually observing him.

"Master," Li Muzhan said, cupping his hands in a respectful bow.

"Come, sit here," Long Jingyue indicated the space before her.

Li Muzhan approached and sat opposite her. So close, the delicate fragrance was intoxicating, her radiance almost too brilliant to meet his gaze.

Li Muzhan looked at her steadily. "Master, must we truly go to war with the Divine Fist Sect?"

Long Jingyue nodded slightly. "There is no path but battle!"

"Then let this disciple go ahead as the vanguard, to test their true strength. What do you say?"

"You—?" Long Jingyue appraised him with a frown. "Have you mastered the Heavenly Secret Art?"

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded.

Long Jingyue raised an eyebrow, then slowly nodded. "You certainly have some unique capabilities. No wonder your aura is so ethereal and difficult to fathom."

"With the Heavenly Secret Art, I can sense their whereabouts. If the enemy is known and we are hidden, we can gain an advantage, can't we?"

"Our overall strength is lacking," Long Jingyue frowned. "It is fortunate you have mastered the Heavenly Secret Art."

Had Li Muzhan not mastered the Heavenly Secret Art, Long Jingyue would never have agreed to let him join the fight. He was now a public enemy of the Divine Fist Sect; upon seeing him, they would sacrifice their own lives to drag him down with them, refusing to let him live under any circumstances.

But since Li Muzhan had mastered the Heavenly Secret Art, things were different. For a large-scale sectarian war, array formations to disrupt sensing were essential. The Heavenly Secret Art was immensely useful; it could truly turn visibility into shadow, securing the initiative.

"Master, let's hold off on sending everyone out. I will test them alone," Li Muzhan requested.

"You intend to challenge the Divine Fist Sect single-handedly?" Long Jingyue gave him a sidelong glance. "Do you truly believe the Divine Fist Sect is made of clay?"

Li Muzhan chuckled. "With the Heavenly Secret Art, they won't find me."

Long Jingyue shook her head. "In the end, it still comes down to strength. A sneak attack might succeed temporarily, but the Divine Fist Sect has experience dealing with them. It won't be very effective."

"Master can allow me to try. If it doesn't work, I will retreat immediately."

"I only fear you'll get trapped and unable to escape," Long Jingyue murmured, shaking her head.

Bai Mingqiu suddenly interjected. "Master, why not let Junior Brother give it a try?"

"Hm—?" Long Jingyue turned to look at Bai Mingqiu.

Having spent time with Li Muzhan, Bai Mingqiu knew he possessed certain secret techniques, and his lightness skill, in particular, was peerless. Even if she pushed her potential to the limit, burning her lifespan, she couldn't match him. She didn't know how he cultivated such supreme lightness skill, but its power was immense. Even if he couldn't defeat them, he could escape. Moreover, now that he possessed the Heavenly Secret Art, he could sense danger beforehand, making it unlikely he'd be surrounded as he was last time. If he went to launch a surprise attack, his chances of success were very high.

Long Jingyue gazed deeply at her. Bai Mingqiu continued, "Master, Junior Brother knows his limits. He won't throw his life away needlessly; he has seen the power of the Divine Fist Sect."

"Hmm..." Long Jingyue pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Since Mingqiu puts in a good word, very well. Wuji, you must be careful. We will wait here for ten days."

Li Muzhan shook his head. "Master, it is better if you all return to wait. I fear they might launch a sneak attack, or even strike at our base. There are too few people left at the Pavilion."

Long Jingyue said, "You need not worry about that; they won't get in."

"There is no array formation that cannot be broken. If they truly intended it over these years, they might have found a way," Li Muzhan countered.

"Ah, that is true." Long Jingyue's beautiful face shifted slightly.

Li Muzhan cupped his hands. "Master, I shall go ahead then."

"Act within your capabilities. Now that you have mastered the Heavenly Secret Art, you are of crucial importance to the Pavilion. Do not act rashly or boastfully!" Long Jingyue said slowly.

Li Muzhan smiled. "I understand."

With that, he smiled at Bai Mingqiu, stood up, and left the tent... Once he was gone, Long Jingyue sighed, shaking her head. "This Wuji, he even managed to master the Heavenly Secret Art!"

She had practiced the Heavenly Secret Art herself. With her unwilling nature, the harder it was to master, the more determined she became, yet she nearly drove herself mad trying. That art was truly not meant for human cultivation! Furthermore, it seemed no one had ever succeeded, so she had eventually lost faith, thinking it might have been a joke, an ancient scholar's jest, or merely a theory that no one had ever truly achieved.

Yet, unexpectedly, this unattainable Heavenly Secret Art had been mastered by her own disciple. She was genuinely stunned; if not for years of cultivation in composure, her face would surely have lost its color long ago.

Bai Mingqiu remarked, "Junior Brother's innate talent is indeed extraordinary; he achieves what others cannot."

"I wonder if this young fellow will encounter danger," Long Jingyue frowned, feeling she had been too reckless to let him go.

Bai Mingqiu reassured her. "Junior Brother has the Heavenly Secret Art, allowing him to strike where they are weak. Moreover, he is exceptionally wise; the Divine Fist Sect will not gain an advantage, Master can rest assured."

"I pray that is so," Long Jingyue nodded lightly. "Let's return. Now that he has said it, my heart is also unsettled. If he can master the Heavenly Secret Art, what is impossible?"

Bai Mingqiu agreed. "Master speaks the absolute truth."

Thus, the group set off, returning toward the Abyss Pavilion. As expected, they discovered disciples of the Divine Fist Sect attacking the mountain gate of the Abyss Pavilion.

There were about a hundred of them, employing crude methods, pounding away with fist after fist, sending bursts of concentrated punches that struck an invisible force field.

Upon their arrival, they encountered these hundred assailants, and a fierce battle erupted. Bai Mingqiu remained close to Long Jingyue, mindful that even the strongest experts feared being ambushed.

Long Jingyue displayed formidable power. These attackers were merely a raiding party meant to seize the base, having already calculated the Abyss Pavilion's current weakness. Thus, they were led only by two top-tier masters. Though these two elders were strong, they were far inferior to Long Jingyue, an expert of her caliber. Even the Divine Fist Sect, despite its abundance of talent, boasted only a handful of such experts, all positioned at the front lines awaiting Long Jingyue, not here to attack the base.

Long Jingyue unleashed her might, quickly eliminating the two top experts. The disciples of the Abyss Pavilion were greatly heartened, their morale soaring, and they routed the hundred attackers.

Long Jingyue showed no mercy, engaging in a wholesale slaughter—low-level or high-level, she spared none. If they had returned later, these fellows might have succeeded, potentially destroying the thousand-year foundation of the Abyss Pavilion under her watch. The thought sent a cold sweat down her spine; she had been too careless. Simultaneously, a murderous rage surged within her, intent on wiping out every last one of them.

Bai Mingqiu felt the same way as Long Jingyue. The two of them wielded dazzling sword light; wherever they passed, Divine Fist Sect disciples fell like wheat being harvested, section by section. The more than one hundred attackers were swiftly wiped out.

"The Divine Fist Sect is truly despicable!" Long Jingyue hissed resentfully.

Bai Mingqiu suggested, "Master, should we lay an ambush nearby?"

"Yes, a good idea," Long Jingyue nodded lightly. "We will hide nearby. They won't give up so easily; more might still come."

Bai Mingqiu proposed, "Master, shall we do the same to them?"

Long Jingyue shook her head. "If they did that, they would certainly guard against a counter-strike first. It would be useless."

Bai Mingqiu nodded slowly. So, the group concealed themselves nearby. As for the corpses, they were simply thrown into the Abyss, vanishing without a trace...

After acquiring the Heavenly Secret Art, Li Muzhan felt a wondrous change, as if the entire world had been revealed anew. A sense of absolute control over heaven and earth naturally arose within him.

He could sense the locations of the Divine Fist Sect disciples. He stealthily infiltrated their ranks. The Heavenly Secret Art not only allowed him to sense what he intended but also shrouded him in chaotic heavenly secrets, making him undetectable to others. He couldn't ascertain the exact number of Divine Fist Sect disciples. If the number was large, or if top experts were present, his intuition would alert him to danger, and he would naturally avoid them, refusing to rush into a death trap.

While his martial arts were strong, he was not among the absolute top tier in this world. Even with the Heavenly Secret Art, it could not entirely bridge the gap in raw strength, which was still significantly behind his Master, Long Jingyue.

He reflected that the world's spiritual energy was abundant, allowing for rapid progress in martial arts cultivation; the accumulation of years was crucial. Long Jingyue was older, had cultivated in such an environment since childhood, and possessed profound, subtle mental techniques; naturally, she far surpassed him. If he wished to catch up, the key lay in the mental cultivation methods. The Twelve Forms of the Abyss were profoundly subtle, aligning perfectly with the Twelve Swords of the Abyss, leading to much faster progress in cultivation than mere meditation.

His comprehension of the Flowing Water Sword Intent was the deepest. Practicing this sword style, combined with the Flowing Water Form among the Twelve Forms of the Abyss, allowed his internal energy to circulate at an incredibly fast rate, far surpassing seated meditation. He was confident that continuing to cultivate this way would allow him to catch up to Long Jingyue and become a top expert soon. The Abyss Pavilion’s strength was not dominant; its ability to stand proudly relied entirely on Long Jingyue's endurance. Only by surpassing her could he aspire to climb higher.

Relying on his foreknowledge, he achieved repeated success in surprise attacks. In three days, he killed over forty individuals, including several masters, even resorting to his ultimate trump card: Sword Control Art.

The Sword Control Art was even more devastating in this world, and coupled with his cultivation of the Sword Canon, his mastery over the sword was precise and unpredictable. Relying on the Heavenly Secret Art to avoid misfortune, the Divine Fist Sect had long realized his existence, but every scout who saw him died, making him even more mysterious.

His constant seizure of the initiative foiled the Divine Fist Sect's pursuit efforts. Li Muzhan had originally intended to strike at the Divine Fist Sect's main base, but he turned back from a distance when he sensed danger and a deep killing intent. Seeing the situation was not opportune, he slipped away and returned to the Abyss Pavilion.

Seeing him return unharmed, Long Jingyue breathed a sigh of relief. Upon hearing of his exploits, she merely nodded lightly, warning him not to become complacent, as the Divine Fist Sect would never let the matter rest.

Li Muzhan smiled and agreed, returning to continue his practice.

As soon as he re-entered his small courtyard, Lin Shaobai vaulted over the wall and whispered, "Junior Brother Li, I have news about Reincarnation Island!"

Li Muzhan’s spirit lifted, and he invited him inside the room.

As soon as Lin Shaobai sat down, he eagerly asked, "Junior Brother Li, why are you inquiring about Reincarnation Island?"

Li Muzhan replied, "I heard that bizarre occurrences happen there; I am quite curious."

Lin Shaobai grew serious. "Reincarnation Island is no good place, Junior Brother. It’s fraught with mortal danger; 'nine deaths, one life' is no joke!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Don't worry, I will be careful."

"Very well then," Lin Shaobai conceded. "I heard you mastered the Heavenly Secret Art, otherwise, I wouldn't even mention it—this place is too dangerous!"

Li Muzhan urged him with his eyes. Lin Shaobai reluctantly continued, "Reincarnation Island opens once every ten years, and it's not opened by human will, but by celestial phenomena. Once inside, one cannot leave for ten years!"

Li Muzhan nodded; he was already aware of this.

Lin Shaobai went on. "However, not just anyone can enter Reincarnation Island. There's a quota limit—only ten people. Major sects recommend candidates, then they compete, and only the top ten qualify. But very few ever return; perhaps one person lives out of a hundred. Entering is akin to seeking death!"

"If it's certain death, why do people still fight to enter?" Li Muzhan asked.

Lin Shaobai explained, "There's a chance to obtain secret manuals. Once obtained, it can revitalize an entire sect. The Divine Fist Sect was founded that way!"

Li Muzhan nodded slowly.

"Are there any other sects?" Li Muzhan asked.

Lin Shaobai shook his head. "Only the ancestor of the Divine Fist Sect returned alive. No one else has ever come out."

"What was the situation inside?" Li Muzhan inquired.

Lin Shaobai recounted, "He fell into the ocean. Everyone inside can fly and kill without visible means. He was lucky to be saved. He lived on an island for ten years, was taught supreme esoteric arts, and dared not venture out to explore."

"Did the Divine Fist Sect send any disciples in after that?" Li Muzhan frowned.

Lin Shaobai paused, thinking, then shook his head. "It seems they haven't sent anyone else in!"

Li Muzhan's expression darkened, and he sighed with a wry smile.

"What is it?" Lin Shaobai asked quickly.

Li Muzhan sighed. "I fear it's all a hoax!"

"Huh—?" Lin Shaobai quickly responded. "What kind of hoax?"

Li Muzhan explained, "It must be a scheme orchestrated by the Divine Fist Sect. Since no one else returns, and they are the only sect with a survivor, they can say whatever they wish."

"Oh, that makes sense," Lin Shaobai conceded. "But Reincarnation Island is genuinely too dangerous. Still, the more dangerous it is, the more people want to uncover the truth. It seems like a pathway to another world might not be false!"

Li Muzhan shook his head and remained silent.

The world he inhabited was peculiar, utterly different from the original Earth. It seemed capable of connecting to other worlds, much like distinct regions, but finding the passage was difficult, and insufficient cultivation meant one could never step through. However, this passage seemed to be one-way, which was troublesome. Even if Reincarnation Island was a passage, it might not lead back to his original world!

"What's wrong, Junior Brother Li? Your expression is grim?" Lin Shaobai inquired.

Li Muzhan gave a wry smile. "Forget it. Thank you, Senior Brother Lin!"

Lin Shaobai pressed, "Junior Brother Li, can you truly conclude Reincarnation Island is a trick?"

Li Muzhan nodded slowly. "Almost certainly! ... I will go tell Master."

"That would be best," Lin Shaobai quickly agreed. "Several seniors from our Abyss Pavilion went to Reincarnation Island; none have returned! ... Now that you mention it, I feel uneasy too."

After Lin Shaobai left, Li Muzhan paced in the courtyard, hands behind his back, his mind racing, considering other ways to return. It seemed Reincarnation Island was a dead end. The Divine Fist Sect was clearly malicious, setting up such a trap, tossing out bait, unafraid that others wouldn't take it, and likely colluding with other sects to maintain the façade.

He could grasp this due to the marvelous function of the Heavenly Secret Art; his intuition was now extraordinarily sharp. When Bai Mingqiu first mentioned it, he hadn't felt strongly, but after hearing Lin Shaobai's account, a spark of realization hit him, confirming it was a trap.

Where, then, was the real passage?

He considered it, then shook his head. The passage between two worlds was like a crucial nexus point in cultivation—it would only reveal itself upon reaching a certain realm. The immediate priority was to increase his cultivation; once that was achieved, the passage might naturally appear. With these thoughts, he drew his sword and practiced the Twelve Swords of the Abyss, coordinating with the mental cultivation of the Twelve Forms of the Abyss. As his internal energy flowed, his cultivation slowly increased.

Ten days later, at dawn, Li Muzhan was practicing his sword forms when Bai Mingqiu suddenly arrived. Her usually cold face was stern. Though she always wore a cold expression, others couldn't detect any change, but it was impossible to hide from Li Muzhan’s eyes.

"Senior Sister, what happened?" Li Muzhan asked.

Bai Mingqiu, clad in a scarlet robe, her bright eyes icy, replied, "Junior Brother Yu has been murdered!"

Li Muzhan quickly thought. "Senior Brother Yu Zhidao from the Inner Sect?"

"Yes," Bai Mingqiu nodded slowly.

Li Muzhan asked, "The Divine Fist Sect did it?"

"We suspect they are responsible," Bai Mingqiu confirmed.

Li Muzhan nodded. "Leave it to me. I will go kill ten Divine Fist Sect disciples! ... They kill one of ours, we kill ten of theirs. Let's see if they dare again!"

Bai Mingqiu cautioned, "They will likely be prepared."

Li Muzhan smiled. "So what? Are the disciples of the Divine Fist Sect all going to hide in their shells?"

"Very well. Be careful. Master said if you can truly do that, you can choose two secret manuals from the Armory!"

Li Muzhan beamed. "Thank you, Master. I depart!"

He acted immediately, quickly changing his clothes in his room, strapping on his long sword, and leaving the small courtyard—leaving the Abyss Pavilion alone.

As soon as he stepped out of the Abyss Pavilion grounds, he sensed something amiss. He swiftly retreated, then let out a long, echoing cry. Two middle-aged figures shot out from the woods like arrows loosed from a bowstring, instantly appearing before Li Muzhan.

Their movement technique was astonishingly fast. Li Muzhan barely managed to evade them, his long sword transforming into a sheet of shimmering light, like a rippling lake surface, blocking in front of him.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!" The two struck his sword like iron hammers, battering it fiercely. Li Muzhan resisted while retreating, trying to create distance. He felt the immense force transmitted through the sword from their fists. Both men’s cultivation surpassed his own; logically, the Heavenly Secret Art should have given him a warning.

He then clearly observed them: their eyes were bloodshot, their bodies gaunt and severely thin, their gazes cold, devoid of any emotion. Seeing this appearance, Li Muzhan instantly knew they were employing a secret technique, forcing their potential to the limit. This world also had many such secret arts; much like the one Bai Mingqiu used previously, the Divine Fist Sect also possessed methods for mutual destruction. These two had clearly used such a technique, causing their cultivation to surge. Because their previous cultivation was lower than his, he hadn't sensed the threat.

The two were frenzied, attacking without dodging, only caring about their onslaught. In an instant, their clothes were stained red with blood, yet they continued their relentless assault, determined to kill Li Muzhan.

A thread of alarm suddenly surfaced in Li Muzhan's heart. With a violent flash, he vanished from the spot. The situation was critical; he couldn't afford to hide his true capabilities and unleashed instantaneous movement.

"Boom!" "Boom!" With two muffled thuds, the two men exploded, turning into scattered flesh and gore. A deep pit scarred the ground, and the surrounding trees groaned loudly before slowly toppling over. About two dozen large trees were cleanly severed in the middle, their leaves riddled with holes, some reduced to powder.

"Wuji!?" Long Jingyue suddenly appeared, calling out tentatively.

Li Muzhan spat out a mouthful of bloody arrow, shaking his head with a bitter smile. "Careless!"

"What happened?" Long Jingyue surveyed the ravaged surroundings but saw no one.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "The Divine Fist Sect is ruthless. They used two men to commit suicide against me. Luckily, there were only two; if there had been more, I truly wouldn't have escaped!"

Long Jingyue floated to his side, placed a hand on his back, and channeled surging internal energy into him, asking softly, "Are you alright?" She breathed a sigh of relief, sensing Li Muzhan's internal injuries were not severe and would heal after a few days of rest.

Li Muzhan smiled bitterly. "It truly is impossible to guard against everything; the Heavenly Secret Art is not omnipotent."

"It is good that you understand that!" Long Jingyue sighed. "Let's go back first. Revenge is not urgent."

Li Muzhan complied, following Long Jingyue back to the Abyss Pavilion.