He heard the news from Lin Shaobai, shaking his head repeatedly; the Divine Fist Sect was clearly intent on dragging him out, tossing this piece of bait.
The Mountain Shaking Divine Fist was no ordinary martial art; it was one of the pinnacle secret techniques of the Divine Fist Sect. Though it couldn't compare to the Shadowless Divine Fist, it was still a rare peerless martial art, capable of sweeping across the world if one truly mastered its essence.
However, even though the Mountain Shaking Divine Fist was powerful, its cultivation demanded time. Most people wouldn't dare provoke the Heavenly Abyss Pavilion so lightly; they’d likely be dealt with by the Pavilion long before they could master the Divine Fist.
But the Divine Fist Sect also promised that anyone who provided verified information would immediately become a disciple of the Divine Fist Sect and train within their walls.
Even if they failed to master the Mountain Shaking Divine Fist, being within the Divine Fist Sect was incomparably safe—as long as they didn't leave the mountain. This held immense appeal for those fleeing enemies.
With this incentive, informants no longer held back; anyone who knew the truth was certain to inform the Divine Fist Sect. Alas, the Divine Fist Sect was fated to be disappointed. His assassination was carried out flawlessly; everyone who saw him was dead, leaving no witness to his actions.
The Divine Fist Sect would likely guess it was him, and they would certainly have a follow-up plan; he needed to remain vigilant.
As he was speaking with Lin Shaobai, Zhu Ling floated in, pushing the door open gently, and said to Li Muzhan, "Junior Brother Li, the Pavilion Master wishes to see you."
Li Muzhan nodded: "Has something happened?"
"What could happen?!" Zhu Ling chuckled lightly, "Everyone is watching the Divine Fist Sect's antics, seeing if they can catch the culprit!"
Li Muzhan smiled: "Why does Master want to see me?"
"I don't know," Zhu Ling shook her head. "Junior Brother Li, are you interested in finding out who struck?"
Li Muzhan’s actions were too secretive. Aside from Long Jingyue, no one knew he had left the mountain, and he offered no further explanation, simply shaking his head with a smile: "Let's forget it. I haven't even finished practicing the Twelve Swords of Heavenly Abyss yet."
"Senior Sister Zhu, isn't the Pavilion Master waiting for Junior Brother Li?" Lin Shaobai asked quietly.
Zhu Ling slapped her forehead: "Right, right. Hurry up, hurry up... Why didn't you remind me sooner!"
Lin Shaobai grunted in frustration, but Zhu Ling pulled Li Muzhan away before he could speak: "Hurry, hurry!"
Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head at Lin Shaobai, who returned the gesture helplessly. Zhu Ling, oblivious to their exchange, tugged Li Muzhan onward.
Li Muzhan arrived in the great hall. Long Jingyue waved, and the guards outside the hall withdrew, Zhu Ling among them. She glanced at Li Muzhan with curiosity.
Only Li Muzhan and Bai Mingqiu remained in the hall. Long Jingyue sat on a soft rug, gazing at Li Muzhan with gentle softness, and shook her head: "Wuji, your courage is excessive!"
Bai Mingqiu stared at Li Muzhan, her delicate brows tightly furrowed.
Li Muzhan smiled: "Master knows?"
"Hmph. Were you trying to keep me in the dark too?" Long Jingyue snorted.
Li Muzhan laughed: "I was afraid Master would worry. How did Master know it was me?"
Long Jingyue said: "How could I, the Pavilion Master, not know when you leave the sect?"
Li Muzhan smiled: "Thank you for your trust, Master."
That she hadn't stopped him from leaving privately, and more importantly, hadn't tracked him, was a profound show of trust that deeply moved him.
Long Jingyue waved her hand: "Enough talk. Tell me, how did you actually manage it?... You are truly audacious, sneaking up to the Divine Fist Sect to assassinate their disciples!"
Li Muzhan laughed: "Ultimately, it comes down to the Heavenly Secret Art."
"The marvels of the Heavenly Secret Art seem not to be exaggerated, but sadly, it is too difficult to cultivate," Long Jingyue sighed, shaking her head.
Bai Mingqiu asked: "Junior Brother, did you really go right in front of the Divine Fist Sect to kill their disciples?"
Li Muzhan nodded with a smile: "It was sheer luck. The Divine Fist Sect likely never imagined someone would dare attempt such a thing, so they were careless, and I exploited the opening."
Bai Mingqiu shook her head: "You..."
Long Jingyue asked: "Wuji, how did you manage to master the Heavenly Secret Art?"
Li Muzhan frowned in thought. Long Jingyue quickly added, "If it's a real secret, you don't have to say."
Li Muzhan shook his head: "It was a coincidence of fate. I was practicing desperately, nearing madness, about to give up, when it started raining. At the sound of thunder, the image I was visualizing shifted, coinciding perfectly with nine strikes of lightning. It was as if Heaven itself aided me... If there had been one more or one less bolt, the Heavenly Secret Art would never have been mastered."
"That is truly bizarre..." Long Jingyue nodded slightly. "Thunder..."
Li Muzhan cautioned: "Master, it’s best not to try. I felt it was too precise. At any other time, such loud thunder might have caused a backlash leading to qi deviation, but my state then was perfectly suited for it."
"You have incredibly good fortune, little one!" Long Jingyue sighed.
Li Muzhan smiled: "Yes, the cultivation of the Heavenly Secret Art can only be achieved by Heaven's will."
Long Jingyue concluded: "Very well. Having you is enough for our Heavenly Abyss Pavilion. Stay here for a while and avoid the limelight; the world has no unbreachable walls."
Li Muzhan smiled: "Master, I want to go out."
"Hm—?" Long Jingyue frowned.
Bai Mingqiu interjected: "Junior Brother, your cultivation is strong, but no matter how strong, you cannot withstand an assault from the masses. They are now maddened by the loss of the Mountain Shaking Divine Fist, having lost all reason."
Li Muzhan smiled faintly: "This is precisely our opportunity, and mine as well, isn't it, Master?"
Long Jingyue knitted her brows: "Wuji, you are remarkably confident!"
Li Muzhan declared: "I don't believe my fate ends so soon. This opportunity is rare; if I miss it, it’s gone forever. I’d rather take the risk than live with regret!"
"Have you thought this through?" Long Jingyue looked at him deeply.
Li Muzhan nodded firmly: "Yes, I want to descend the mountain for a trip."
Bai Mingqiu quickly looked toward Long Jingyue: "Master, he..."
Long Jingyue stated: "Mingqiu, since he insists on leaving the mountain, let him. Having mastered the Heavenly Secret Art, he knows how to avoid fortune and calamity; he won't die so easily."
Bai Mingqiu exclaimed: "Master, even if he had perfected the Twelve Swords of Heavenly Abyss and achieved complete sword intent, going out like this would still be certain death!"
Long Jingyue suddenly laughed, staring at Bai Mingqiu.
Bai Mingqiu flushed but forced herself to remain calm: "Master, since Junior Brother has mastered the Heavenly Secret Art, he is critically important to our Heavenly Abyss Pavilion. Even if I were to die, Junior Brother must not!"
"Senior Sister, those words are ominous. What is this talk of dying!" Li Muzhan shook his head and laughed.
"Shut up!" Bai Mingqiu glared at him, speaking irritably: "You clueless fellow. Do you truly think you are invincible in the world?!"
Li Muzhan gave a helpless, wry smile, about to speak, but Bai Mingqiu cut him off with a hum: "Even Master wouldn't dare be so reckless as to challenge the heroes of the world! You have skill, but have you surpassed Master?!"
Li Muzhan was about to respond, but Bai Mingqiu rushed on: "If you won't think of yourself, then think of Master, think of our Heavenly Abyss Pavilion!"
She spoke a long string of accusations in one breath, leaving Li Muzhan dumbfounded and speechless.
Long Jingyue turned her head and smiled: "Wuji, Mingqiu speaks the truth; you are too willful!"
Li Muzhan smiled wryly: "Master, I..."
"You want to say you have a handle on things and won't be in danger, right?" Long Jingyue shook her head. "Even the best swimmers drown; overconfidence is never a good thing!"
Li Muzhan sighed helplessly: "Fine, I won't leave the mountain then!"
A hint of a smile touched Bai Mingqiu’s cold expression; she secretly let out a breath of relief. Long Jingyue laughed: "That’s for the best. But you are absolutely forbidden from sneaking down the mountain!"
Li Muzhan protested: "What kind of person does Master take me for!"
Long Jingyue retorted: "You haven't done such a thing before!"
Li Muzhan shook his head resignedly: "Master can rest assured, I won't leave the mountain. However, if the Divine Fist Sect truly provokes us, I won't act like a turtle hiding in its shell."
"Good. Your mastery of the Twelve Swords of Heavenly Abyss is nearly complete. Come with me to study them for a while," Long Jingyue suggested.
Li Muzhan's eyebrows lifted slightly.
Bai Mingqiu explained: "Junior Brother, the Twelve Swords of Heavenly Abyss have been cultivated by countless predecessors. Upon their deaths, they leave behind their insights to be passed down to the next generation."
Li Muzhan asked eagerly: "Where is it?"
Long Jingyue smiled sweetly: "Wuji, follow me. Mingqiu, you take charge of matters outside. Don't disturb us unless something vital happens."
"Yes, Master." Bai Mingqiu nodded lightly.
Long Jingyue led Li Muzhan out of the great hall and headed towards the rear of the complex. They soon arrived at the edge of the Heavenly Abyss. Looking down into the dark chasm, Li Muzhan expressed surprise: "Master, it's here?"
Gusts of vital energy surged up from the deep abyss, causing Long Jingyue's robes to billow—her emerald green silken dress fluttering like an immortal's. She smiled and nodded: "It is within the Heavenly Abyss."
Li Muzhan sighed: "What a place!"
This Heavenly Abyss truly resembled an unfathomable ocean, hiding a secret place as if concealing a needle in the sea—impossible for outsiders to find. Entering meant certain death.
"Follow me down," Long Jingyue commanded, immediately grasping a thick rope and descending. Li Muzhan followed closely. After dropping nearly a thousand meters, Long Jingyue swung sideways and landed in a shallow cave.
Li Muzhan drifted down after her. Inside the cave, Long Jingyue stepped three times, leaving an imprint with each step, though the footprints vanished almost immediately.
Li Muzhan touched the material beneath his feet; it was the same as the surrounding rock—cold enough to instantly freeze a man stiff.
Once the three footprints disappeared, there was a loud boom, and a circular opening, two meters in diameter, appeared in the rock wall. Long Jingyue floated inside.
Li Muzhan followed. At first, it was pitch black, but gradually, light appeared ahead, like distant stars scattered across a black night sky.
Li Muzhan observed that night-luminescent pearls were embedded in the stone walls, their glow carrying a chill. The place was utterly silent; even when they trod on the floor, no sound was made.
Li Muzhan noticed the ground material was strange; even without deliberately using lightness skill to suppress sound, the impact of their feet on the floor was silent, as if they were wading through water.
After rounding two bends, Li Muzhan estimated they had walked about two hundred meters before the area suddenly opened into a stone cavern, two zhang high and about three to four zhang in circumference, illuminated by several night-luminescent pearls.
The cavern was empty, but the stone walls were divided into countless panels. Some depicted diagrams, some held inscriptions, and others contained both, resembling martial arts manuals.
Li Muzhan scanned them, and Long Jingyue said: "Wuji, this is the Hidden Dragon Grotto—the insights left by our predecessors regarding the Hidden Dragon Stance."
Li Muzhan slowly nodded, attempting to imprint the entire wall surface into his mind, but he couldn't. It felt as though an invisible force resisted, unwilling to let the knowledge enter his consciousness.
Li Muzhan settled in for a contest; he was experienced in dealing with such resistance. The key was a struggle of the spirit—grinding away little by little, eventually overwhelming it.
Seeing Li Muzhan’s aura surging and rolling like clouds and waves, Long Jingyue did not interrupt, standing to the side and focusing on the surrounding stone walls, beginning her own contemplation.
Time flowed rapidly, yet Li Muzhan felt time had stopped. Only the current wall before him existed—the diagrams and inscriptions slowly unfolding within his mind.