He slowly transcribed every inscription and image within the stone chamber, gaining an unexpected insight that deepened his grasp of the Qianlong Sword Intent by two full layers. Looking again at the Qianlong Style, it felt like greeting an old friend he had practiced with for countless years.

He did not rush to leave, but stood still, eyes closed, meditating. Occasionally he would open them to glance around, then wield his long sword and slowly execute the Qianlong Style.

Time slipped by unnoticed until Dragon Jingyue's voice broke through his concentration: "Wuji, let's move to the next Sword Grotto."

Li Muzhan snapped awake. "Master, how long has it been?"

Dragon Jingyue replied, "Two days... Aren't you hungry?"

She eyed Li Muzhan critically, nodding inwardly. Finally, she had witnessed the focus and near-madness of this disciple. No wonder his aptitude and comprehension were so exceptional; maintaining such intense concentration was something few could achieve, allowing him to delve deeper than ordinary minds.

Li Muzhan instinctively touched his stomach, which responded with a loud, thunderous rumble. He smiled sheepishly. Dragon Jingyue chuckled, "Here."

With a gesture, a piece of roasted meat, perhaps from a roe deer, flew from the nearby campfire. It was golden brown and glistening with oil, instantly mouth-watering. "I only have some frozen meat here; make do with this."

Li Muzhan nodded, smiling, as he ate. Dragon Jingyue asked, "Ling'er mentioned you are picky about food; can you manage here?"

"It's fine," Li Muzhan replied while gnawing on the meat.

Watching him devour it, Dragon Jingyue smiled. "Did you gain anything?"

Li Muzhan nodded vigorously. "This place is incredible! ... I have benefited immensely."

"This is considered the most refined inheritance of our Tianyuan Pavilion. You must cherish it; how much you gain depends entirely on yourself."

Li Muzhan finished it in a few bites, took Dragon Jingyue's silk handkerchief to wipe his mouth, and handed it back. "Thank you, Master!"

"You earned it through great merit," Dragon Jingyue accepted the handkerchief. "The Twelve Swords are actually connected; don't get stuck in one grotto."

Li Muzhan nodded. "Understood, to the next one!"

Dragon Jingyue led him to the adjacent chamber. This was the Crane Flying Sword Intent. The stone walls were dominated by drawings of cranes—cranes in every posture, rendered with just a few strokes yet vividly alive, seemingly ready to take flight.

Li Muzhan again tried to etch them into his mind. Only by doing so could he feel secure, knowing he could revisit them for contemplation later should the opportunity arise.

The key to comprehending sword intent was context and timing. A sudden stimulus in a specific scene could unlock the heart, causing understanding to jump a level. He had already pushed internal, rigid contemplation in a secluded chamber to its limit; further gains there would be minimal. He needed new stimuli.

He spent another two days inscribing this grotto before moving to the next. When he reached the sixth grotto, dedicated to the Flowing Water Sword Intent, Dragon Jingyue suddenly said, "Wuji. Let's head up first."

The look of confusion on Li Muzhan's face vanished instantly, replaced by clarity. "Did something happen?"

Dragon Jingyue shook her head. "We'll discuss it when we're up there!"

Li Muzhan nodded. The two exited the grotto and swiftly scaled the cliff face of Tianyuan, returning to the main hall where they saw Bai Mingqiu sitting quietly in meditation on a pristine white rug.

"Master." Hearing their approach, Bai Mingqiu rose and bowed.

Dragon Jingyue waved her hand. "What's going on?"

Bai Mingqiu reported, "The Shenquan Sect has blockaded the entrance, demanding we hand over the killer."

"Hm—?" Dragon Jingyue frowned.

Bai Mingqiu glanced at Li Muzhan, then sighed. "They are absolutely convinced it was one of ours. If we don't surrender the culprit, they threaten to declare war on us!"

Dragon Jingyue let out a cold laugh. "Declare war? What arrogance!"

Li Muzhan mused, "They must have something they rely on?... Master, please let me handle this matter!"

Dragon Jingyue countered, "The Shenquan Sect is indeed stronger than us, but in a real fight, we wouldn't necessarily lose. Just ignore them!"

Bai Mingqiu interjected, "If they are blocking the gate and we refuse to engage, our reputation will suffer."

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Dragon Jingyue knitted her brows.

Bai Mingqiu shook her head. "We have no choice but to fight!"

"Hmph, they think they have us cornered, certain we won't dare fight!" Dragon Jingyue sneered. "Then let's show them a taste of our power!"

Li Muzhan pressed again, "Master, please let me take care of this matter?"

"What do you intend to do?" Dragon Jingyue asked.

Li Muzhan smiled. "I'll engage them, probe their true strength."

"You can't do it alone," Dragon Jingyue refused. "No matter how strong you are, your cultivation has limits. The Shenquan Sect's insolence is backed by genuine confidence; you can't beat them."

Li Muzhan smiled. "Master underestimates me too much. We'll see just how capable they are."

"You seriously want to challenge the entire Shenquan Sect by yourself?" Dragon Jingyue inquired.

Li Muzhan slowly nodded, his expression resolute.

Dragon Jingyue deliberated, while Bai Mingqiu hastily added, "Master, at this juncture, if we don't fight, what will the rest of the world think of us?"

Li Muzhan countered with a smile, "Senior Sister, enduring temporary insult is fine. We won't let the junior brothers and sisters come down the mountain until we've dealt with the Shenquan Sect!"

"Dealing with the Shenquan Sect won't be easy!" Bai Mingqiu shot him a look.

Li Muzhan returned a soft smile. "Don't worry, Senior Sister."

Bai Mingqiu snapped back irritably, "You are far too arrogant, challenging the Shenquan Sect alone? Even with the Tianji Jue, it's impossible!"

Dragon Jingyue turned back to him. "Wuji, what is your plan?"

Li Muzhan chuckled. "I'll sneak down the mountain and hit them again, see if they still dare to blockade us!"

"Hmm..." Dragon Jingyue pondered, then shook her head. "They will surely hunt you down relentlessly!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "I've just had some breakthroughs; I need a good chance to sharpen my sword!"

His smile was light, yet it radiated immense confidence. Dragon Jingyue looked at him deeply, while Bai Mingqiu stared anxiously, her crimson lips moving as if to object.

Dragon Jingyue stated gravely, "Very well, give it a try!"

"Ma—ster—!" Bai Mingqiu stared wide-eyed, completely incredulous.

Dragon Jingyue said gently, "Mingqiu, your concern is clouding your judgment."

Bai Mingqiu's face immediately flushed red, her gaze becoming slightly flustered. "Master..."

Dragon Jingyue pursed her lips and smiled. "He is your junior brother; it is only natural for you to worry about him!"

Bai Mingqiu's skin, like chilled white jade, grew even redder. She quickly scolded him, "Master, I think it’s too important for Junior Brother to have mastered the Tianji Jue to risk him so easily!"

Dragon Jingyue asserted, "With the Tianji Jue, Wuji can avoid disaster and seek fortune. I will give him two protective talismans; he can test the waters!... As the saying goes, fortune is sought in danger. It is unrealistic to wait until our strength is fully accumulated to fight the Shenquan Sect; they will never grant us the opportunity!"

"But..." Bai Mingqiu glanced at Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Don't worry, Senior Sister. If I can't win, I'll run. Among my many skills, escaping is something I'm quite confident about."

Bai Mingqiu snorted dismissively. "It won't be that easy to escape if you want to! They will set a massive net!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "With the aid of the Tianji Jue, running is more than enough!"

"That is true," Dragon Jingyue agreed. "As long as he isn't too greedy, no one will catch him!... Wuji, wait a moment."

She turned gracefully and left the hall.

Only Li Muzhan and Bai Mingqiu remained. They sat side-by-side, close enough that the faint, clean fragrance of her body was remarkably clear in the quiet space.

Bai Mingqiu's gaze, cool as clear water, swept over his face repeatedly. Li Muzhan managed a wry smile. "Senior Sister, I simply cannot stand the overbearing nature of the Shenquan Sect. I've wanted to teach them a lesson for a long time!"

"Many people dislike the Shenquan Sect, but they manage to live just fine," Bai Mingqiu replied coldly.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "I cannot swallow this insult."

Bai Mingqiu snorted. "Just keep showing off!... Do you think succeeding in that assassination attempt last time means the Shenquan Sect is a soft persimmon? Humph!"

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. "I can feel their strength, but in a true fight, we really don't stand a chance!"

"That's not necessarily true!" Bai Mingqiu knew her words lacked conviction, so her tone didn't hold firm.

Li Muzhan continued, "Senior Sister, the truth is, my hands are itching for a fight! To truly comprehend the Twelve Swords of Tianyuan, one needs stimulus. If I just lock myself away, I'll never master them in a lifetime. They are my whetstone!"

Bai Mingqiu frowned. "That's far too risky!"

Li Muzhan grinned slyly. "Fortune is sought in danger; the same applies to us martial artists. If we don't strive in peril, how can we force out our hidden potential?"

"But..." Bai Mingqiu's delicate eyebrows remained tightly locked.

Li Muzhan laughed softly. "Senior Sister, rest assured, you've seen my training methods."

Bai Mingqiu shook her head. "Sometimes even excellent Qinggong isn't enough."

Li Muzhan laughed and lightly patted her fragrant shoulder. "I also have the Tianji Jue; combining the two is like adding wings to a tiger. If I'm careful, they won't be able to touch me!"

Bai Mingqiu flinched, pulling her shoulder away from his hand, and glared at him reproachfully.

Li Muzhan awkwardly withdrew his hand and smiled faintly. "What good things is Master going to give me?"

"Protective talismans for saving your life; you use one and it’s gone, so try to conserve them!" Bai Mingqiu huffed, thinking to herself how presumptuous this fellow was. Normally, she would have slapped him, but when she tried to move, her heart softened, so she refrained, making her tone less kind instead.

Li Muzhan touched his nose, no longer seeking discomfort, and let out a couple of chuckles without speaking.

Just then, Dragon Jingyue returned, handing Li Muzhan an embroidered pouch. He took it and opened it to find two jade pendants, each about the size of a palm and perfectly round like the moon.

Dragon Jingyue explained, "One is the [Redacted] Talisman and the other the Void Evasion Talisman; both are for escaping."

Li Muzhan accepted them with a smile. "Thank you, Master!"

"You know how to use them, right?" Dragon Jingyue asked.

Li Muzhan replied with a smile, "Activate them with internal energy, correct?"

"Good. Go and try them out. Don't force things; if the situation becomes impossible, come back. As long as we don't go out, they can't break in!" Dragon Jingyue instructed. Last time, she had been absent, allowing the enemy to forcefully contend with their protective array. But now that she was on the mountain, their efforts would be wasted; they couldn't breach it. Since the talismans required someone to preside over their operation, her absence would cause the stored energy to deplete slowly without replenishment. With her present, she could continually feed energy into the array, making it inexhaustible and unbreakable.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Don't worry, Master. I'm young; I haven't lived enough yet!"

"Exactly!" Dragon Jingyue smiled and nodded. "Strike where they are weak, harass them, and that will suffice."

Li Muzhan nodded, then smiled at Bai Mingqiu. "Senior Sister, I'm leaving!"

"Hurry up and scram!" Bai Mingqiu said coldly.

Li Muzhan cupped his fists, turned, and drifted away, heading directly out of Tianyuan Pavilion without returning to the small courtyard first.

"Master, he..." Bai Mingqiu frowned. Going out so directly felt like seeking death; the Shenquan Sect members were completely surrounding the area!

"Mingqiu, relax," Dragon Jingyue smiled and shook her head. "Oh, you girl, where did your cleverness go?"

"How can he possibly escape when he goes out so recklessly!" Bai Mingqiu insisted, frowning.

Dragon Jingyue shook her head. "Since he dared to go, he must have a plan. Even if he truly can't escape, we can still save him. What is there to fear!"

Bai Mingqiu flushed slightly, huffing, "Master, what kind of look are you giving me!"

Dragon Jingyue laughed. "You wicked girl, can't I even look at you!"

Bai Mingqiu, her face red, asserted, "I will not involve myself in romantic entanglements!"

Dragon Jingyue smiled and shook her head, saying no more... Li Muzhan floated out of Tianyuan Pavilion. Suddenly, four middle-aged men dressed in dark green silk robes leaped out from the woods flanking the path, their eyes like bolts of lightning fixed on him.

Without a word, Li Muzhan flashed behind the four figures.

"Who goes there! Stop!" the four men bellowed.

Li Muzhan ignored them and flashed again, disappearing into the woods. The four men were enraged; someone had escaped right under their noses.

They roared and plunged into the trees, startling nearby villagers. Some gathered to watch, while others remained steadfastly in place. Li Muzhan drifted like a phantom, quickly putting distance between himself and the four pursuers.

He smiled slightly. He had already used the Eye of the Void to observe the terrain, coupled with the guidance of the Tianji Jue, to locate the weakest point of the blockade.

He ran for over a dozen li without leaving the forest. Looking back, he stopped with a smile. The four middle-aged men soon caught up. Li Muzhan had intentionally left traces; given their eyesight and Qinggong, catching up wasn't difficult for them.

When the four saw Li Muzhan standing on a pine tree, smiling faintly, they instantly became wary, slowing their steps and encircling him cautiously.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "Your Shenquan Sect is too tyrannical!"

"Who are you?" the round-faced middle-aged man asked sternly, slowly advancing.

Li Muzhan smiled. "I am a disciple of the Shenquan Sect."

"Such audacity!" the round-faced man sneered coldly. "Hiding in Tianyuan Pavilion and daring to come out—we are truly impressed!"

Li Muzhan laughed. "I simply cannot stand the bullying ways of the Shenquan Sect. Let's see what you can do to me!"

The round-faced man sized him up, then suddenly stopped advancing and coldly sneered, "Kid, our junior nephews were killed by you, weren't they?!"

Li Muzhan slowly nodded. "Sharp eyes you have!"

"Hah!" The round-faced man laughed in extreme anger. "Truly brave!"

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. "Your Shenquan Sect isn't the Heavenly King; why can't you be offended? I find you quite ordinary!"

"Then taste our might!" The round-faced man waved his hand, and the four charged toward Li Muzhan simultaneously. They had unknowingly closed the distance, forming a perfect encirclement, and were instantly upon him.

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. A flash of sword light erupted, transforming into a shimmering curtain; his body merged with the light, piercing through one opponent like a white rainbow streaking toward the sun. They charged too fast and were too close; Li Muzhan's sword light was like lightning, and before the man could react, Li Muzhan's momentum carried him to the next pine tree.

"Thud!" One middle-aged man fell onto the thick, soft ground with a dull sound, then lay utterly still.

"Junior Brother Wu!" the round-faced man roared.

The faces of the remaining three turned grim, glaring viciously at Li Muzhan. Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. "Shenquan Sect disciples—nothing more!"

"Kill him! Kill him—!" The round-faced man's face turned crimson as he roared and charged, the other two also red-faced, charging alongside him.

Li Muzhan burst into laughter, turned, and fled. He could tell they had used some secret technique, spurring their potential and greatly increasing their power. The three rushed at him like arrows, but Li Muzhan escaped at a steady pace, seemingly leisurely but carefully maintaining the distance between them.