Li Muzhan materialized in the main hall of the Tianyuan Pavilion. Long Jingyue was seated in meditation upon a thick, soft rug, her eyes closed in stillness, hands forming a mudra before her abdomen, resembling a chaste, noble statue of a jade maiden.

As the first light of dawn faintly appeared, the hall was dim, shrouded as if by dense fog, yet it could not conceal Li Muzhan’s gaze.

Long Jingyue slowly opened her clear eyes and looked mildly at Li Muzhan. Her eyes were as cold as a mountain spring, devoid of any discernible emotion.

A chill ran down Li Muzhan’s spine; knowing it stemmed from the mental cultivation technique she practiced, he felt curious about it. He cupped his fists and said, "Master."

A trace of warmth slowly entered Long Jingyue’s eyes. She sighed softly, "Wuji, you’ve stirred up trouble again, haven't you?"

Li Muzhan smiled brightly, "What makes Master say that?"

Long Jingyue shook her head. "If you hadn't caused trouble, why would you seek me out at this hour?"

Li Muzhan sheepishly touched the bridge of his nose. "Master, there is indeed a troublesome matter."

"Speak," Long Jingyue released the mudra and slowly exhaled. Li Muzhan felt a strange fragrance fill his nostrils.

He found it even more astonishing. His Master's cultivation method was extraordinary; at the very least, its body-refining effects were superb. Her internal organs were completely pure and flawless, all turbid energy expelled—a feat seldom achieved.

Li Muzhan, capable of multitasking, pondered this while maintaining his normal reactions. He sighed, "Master, I have crossed swords with the Qinghe Sword Sect!"

"The Qinghe Sword Sect?!" Long Jingyue’s clear eyes widened sharply, suddenly flashing with intense light. The sharpness subsided as she frowned at Li Muzhan. "They are thousands of miles away. How could you possibly run into them?"

Li Muzhan sighed, "It’s because the Dong family and the Mu family had a conflict."

"The Dong family…" Long Jingyue nodded lightly, deep in thought. "The Mu family’s ambition has inflated in recent years. Did they test the Dong family first?"

Li Muzhan recounted the entire course of events.

Long Jingyue gazed at him with knitted brows, then slowly said, "You acted correctly!"

Li Muzhan beamed, "Master, I want to exterminate the Mu family!"

"Hmm…" Long Jingyue showed no surprise. After pondering for a moment, she shook her head. "That is too extreme. The Qinghe Sword Sect will never let you off."

Li Muzhan pressed, "Master, how do we compare against the Qinghe Sword Sect?"

Long Jingyue shook her head without hesitation. "Far inferior."

Li Muzhan declared, "Then I shall use another identity!"

"You intend to fight alone?" Long Jingyue frowned.

Li Muzhan nodded. "They won't spare me just because of my sect affiliation. I might as well fight solo and let them underestimate me."

Long Jingyue’s dark eyebrows knitted tightly. "Major sects always act cautiously. They will use the strength of lions and tigers even to crush a rabbit. They will dispatch a large contingent of experts to surround and annihilate you!"

Li Muzhan chuckled, "Does Master lack confidence in my ability to escape?"

"This time it is the Qinghe Sword Sect," Long Jingyue's brows remained tightly furrowed.

Li Muzhan assured her, "Rest assured, Master. If I cannot win, I will run. I possess the Heavenly Secret Art (Tianji Jue); they cannot touch me!"

Recalling the Heavenly Secret Art, Long Jingyue’s dark brows finally relaxed. She shook her head. "The Heavenly Secret Art is not invincible. You must still be extremely cautious!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "I understand! ... Master, what are you practicing?"

Long Jingyue smiled back. "The Supreme Purity Sutra of the Great Dao (Taishang Yuqing Jing)! ... Do you not require my intervention?"

Li Muzhan replied, "If I truly cannot handle it, I absolutely will not hesitate to ask! ... Master, perhaps it is better not to cultivate this Supreme Purity Sutra of the Great Dao!"

"Oh—?" Long Jingyue watched him with a sly smile.

Li Muzhan grew serious. "Does cultivating the Supreme Purity Sutra of the Great Dao require severing emotions and desires?"

"Indeed," Long Jingyue nodded lightly.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "This cultivation method is powerful, yes, but it is excruciatingly difficult to master completely, unless one can truly achieve the Supreme Detachment of Emotion (Taishang Wangqing). This violates human nature, risks qi deviation at any moment, and the deeper the cultivation, the stronger the backlash. It is truly not worth the cost! ... I advise Master to stop practicing it!"

Long Jingyue frowned but remained silent. The Supreme Purity Sutra of the Great Dao was a supreme secret of the Tianyuan Pavilion, known only to one disciple per generation, never to be revealed outside.

This Li Wuji, truly a genius who had inherited the complete tradition, had instantly deduced the core of the Supreme Purity Sutra and pointed out its fatal flaw directly.

Li Muzhan continued, "Master, how can a person living in this world truly become emotionless? ... Putting aside other things, the Tianyuan Pavilion itself is Master’s greatest bond. If Master could truly be heartless and let go of these ties, why cultivate the Supreme Purity Sutra of the Great Dao at all?"

Long Jingyue managed a wry smile, sighing inwardly at his acuity; a few sentences had managed to shake her resolve!

Li Muzhan pressed on, "I suspect almost no Founding Ancestor in history managed to master the Supreme Purity Sutra of the Great Dao, did they? ... Even if one succeeded, they must have left the Tianyuan Pavilion?"

Long Jingyue remained silent, shaking her head.

Li Muzhan proposed, "I believe the Twelve Formations of Tianyuan (Tianyuan Shierzhuang) hold infinite mysteries. Master, instead of practicing the Supreme Purity Sutra of the Great Dao, it would be better to study the Twelve Formations of Tianyuan deeply!"

Long Jingyue sighed. "The Twelve Formations of Tianyuan are far too profound and difficult to penetrate."

Li Muzhan countered, "There is the experience of previous generations to guide us, and I have already grasped a glimmer of insight. After this matter is concluded, I shall enter seclusion with Master to study them together!"

Long Jingyue pointed at him, shaking her head and sighing, "You, truly…"

Li Muzhan laughed heartily. "Master, await my good news. I plan to cause quite a stir this time!"

Long Jingyue cautioned him, "You know how formidable the Qinghe Sword Sect is; I don't need to elaborate. Take care of yourself and avoid recklessness!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Master, I would like the people of the Dong Residence to come and take refuge first."

"Very well, I will instruct Mingqiu to handle it," Long Jingyue nodded. "You and the young lady of the Dong family…"

Li Muzhan smiled faintly and shook his head.

Long Jingyue stared at him, knitting her brows. "Wuji, what are your thoughts on Mingqiu?"

Li Muzhan replied with a smile, "Senior Sister is a celestial fairy from the heavens; I am merely a mortal."

"Slick talker!" Long Jingyue huffed, waving her jade hand dismissively. "Go now!"

Li Muzhan offered a cupped-fist salute and gracefully departed.

Li Muzhan traveled day and night at full speed, arriving at Xiyang City on the third day. The Mu Residence occupied the very center of Xiyang City, magnificent and opulent, displaying overwhelming power and influence.

He infiltrated a residence directly across from the Mu Residence. The owner of this house was a wealthy merchant, also protected by skilled guards, but they posed no obstacle to Li Muzhan.

Once inside, he used his Eye of the Void (Xukong zhi Yan) to observe the Mu Residence, listening intently. The entire mansion materialized in his mind; not a single action of any resident escaped his sight.

He observed for two days. On the night of the third day, clad in black night attire and masking his face, he drifted silently into the Mu Residence and, without causing a ripple, located the Master of the Mu Residence.

The Mu Residence Master, Mu Zhuiyun, was forty years old—a man in his prime. His martial arts were profound, his methods decisive and ruthless, commanding immense prestige within the Mu clan.

He possessed a dignified appearance, brimming with masculine energy, pacing before his desk, hands clasped behind his back, his expression solemn and weighty.

Mu Zhuiyun was startled the instant Li Muzhan appeared. He reached out to draw his sword but his hand trembled and froze; he could no longer move, forced only to glare at Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan sighed, flicked a finger, and with a soft 'chi' whistle, Mu Zhuiyun collapsed limply to the ground, utterly silent.

Li Muzhan stepped forward, checked his heartbeat, then struck him with another palm before vanishing.

"Master?" someone called softly from outside.

No response came. The people outside called again, then two elderly men rushed into the study. Seeing Mu Zhuiyun fallen, they immediately rushed forward to check and then roared in unison, "Assassin!"

The Mu Residence descended into chaos. The Master had been slain silently, the surrounding guards utterly unaware. The fact that the assassin entered and left the vast Mu Residence without a trace sent shivers down their spines.

Li Muzhan floated out of the Mu Residence but did not immediately return to the opposite dwelling. He lay in wait, covertly watching the developing situation within the Mu Residence to see how they would manage the aftermath.

Another person stepped forward, bearing a striking resemblance to Mu Zhuiyun. He issued orders calmly and authoritatively. The vast Mu Residence quickly regained its composure. Three groups were formed, and they departed the residence in separate directions.

Li Muzhan had eavesdropped on the commands: one group went to the old Mu family estate, another to investigate the assassination, and the final group headed toward the Qinghe Sword Sect to inform the Mu family disciples stationed there.

This location was thousands of miles from the Qinghe Sword Sect. By the time the Mu family disciples returned, it would be too late. Distant water cannot quench an immediate thirst; every common person understood this. The one who could so quickly take charge of the Mu Residence was clearly no fool. His actions must have a deeper meaning.

Li Muzhan considered this, then quietly followed one group. As soon as they left the city, he eliminated them. Ever since the Mu family sent their men to slaughter the Dong family, they had become his enemy, and he would show them no mercy.

After resolving that group, Li Muzhan resumed his covert watch, waiting for the experts from the old Mu family estate to see what level of cultivation they possessed.

Two days later, ten grey-robed elders appeared in Xiyang City and proceeded directly to the Mu Residence, where they were respectfully welcomed inside by Mu Zhuiyu.

From two days of eavesdropping, Li Muzhan learned that Mu Zhuiyu was Mu Zhuiyun's full brother and had served as Mu Zhuiyun’s chief strategist. He had taken on the heavy burden of the Mu Residence in the crisis, becoming the new family head, a position no one disputed.

Li Muzhan observed the ten elders with his Eye of the Void and sensed them with the Heavenly Secret Art. He shook his head; their cultivation was inferior to his, posing no threat.

In the early morning, he appeared in Baishi City and leisurely left his inn, strolling along the city street, contemplating Zheng Haishi’s expression.

He presumed that by now, Zheng Haishi must know of his return to Baishi City, and his expression would be priceless. The Qinghe Sword Sect had likely never suffered such a loss, and intense, furious retaliation would surely follow.

A restless excitement stirred within Li Muzhan; it had been a long time since he felt such stimulation. He genuinely wanted to probe the depths of the Qinghe Sword Sect.

Since acquiring his inheritance, he had lacked an opportunity to truly test his powers. Now, facing the Qinghe Sword Sect, it was the perfect chance for an evaluation.

The sun soon reached its zenith. He found a tavern, secured a window seat, ordered a pot of wine and two small dishes, and began drinking while listening to the surrounding gossip.

"Did everyone hear? The Tianyuan Pavilion in the north is becoming more and more useless!"

Li Muzhan frowned slightly and leaned in to listen.

"What’s wrong? Isn't the Tianyuan Pavilion quite famous? More importantly, the Pavilion Master is a beauty... Long Jingyue is not someone to be trifled with!"

"Hmph, what use is Long Jingyue alone? The Shenquan Sect is teeming with masters. They finally dropped all pretenses this time and blocked the entrance to the Tianyuan Pavilion, yet the Pavilion refused to send anyone out!"

"There’s such a thing?"

"Alas... I am angry too. Isn't the Shenquan Sect just bullying them!"

"The Tianyuan Pavilion is declining. Alas... after all, she is just a woman; it’s difficult for her."

"So what if she’s a woman?" someone scoffed coldly. "If she can’t manage, she should step down quickly, go home, raise children, and stop mixing in the martial world!"

"Are you picking a fight with Long Jingyue?"

"Yes, I simply disapprove!" that person said coldly. "What future can a sect led by a woman have? The most pitiful are those male disciples of the Tianyuan Pavilion; they aren't men at all!"

"Hush..." someone quickly hissed in alarm. "Are you trying to court death? How dare you say that!"

"So what if I say it?!" the person retorted stubbornly, snorting. "Even if the male disciples of the Tianyuan Pavilion were standing right here, I would still say it!"