In the early morning light, Long Jingyue, Bai Mingqiu, and Li Muzhan sat upon the thick, plush white rug in the grand hall of Tianyuan Pavilion. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a gentle glow across the chamber.

Though cross-legged, Li Muzhan exuded a lazy air, as if he had only just woken.

Long Jingyue, clad in a violet robe, sat sideways with her legs neatly together, her posture elegant and composed. She frowned, gazing at Li Muzhan: "Wuji, this time you've truly stirred up a hornet's nest. The Qinghe Sword Sect will go mad; they are scouring the entire realm for you."

Bai Mingqiu, wearing a moon-white silk shirt, remained cool and serene: "Leng Qian held a very high status. His death has genuinely wounded the Qinghe Sword Sect."

Long Jingyue nodded: "Leng Qian was to the Qinghe Sword Sect what Wuji is to us at Tianyuan Pavilion. This time, they are determined to eliminate Wuji."

Bai Mingqiu inquired, "Junior Brother, can you truly evade them?"

Li Muzhan merely smiled: "Once Leng Qian is gone, the Qinghe Sword Sect won't have any top-tier masters left, right?"

"That's not necessarily true!" Bai Mingqiu shook her head.

Long Jingyue stated, "There should still be a few. They won't be careless this time; they’ll likely mobilize together. Wuji, you absolutely must not fight them head-on!"

Li Muzhan chuckled, "I will be careful."

Long Jingyue sighed, "Our strength is insufficient; we cannot help. We've let you down!"

She knew Li Muzhan’s southward journey was a deliberate diversion, drawing suspicion away from Tianyuan Pavilion. Otherwise, if the Qinghe Sword Sect discovered the truth, they would not hesitate to fight. Tianyuan Pavilion, not only in reputation but also in power, was no match for the Qinghe Sword Sect; even with its recent heavy losses inflicted by Li Muzhan, it was still not a power Tianyuan Pavilion could afford to provoke.

"Master, what about the Mu family?" Li Muzhan asked.

Long Jingyue replied, "The Mu family cannot locate the Dong family and have fallen into conflict with the He family. They are causing quite a stir."

Li Muzhan frowned: "Their ambition is considerable; they are determined to swallow Dongyang City."

"Indeed." Long Jingyue nodded. "We have long wanted to teach them a lesson, but now that the Qinghe Sword Sect is poised to strike, we must be cautious."

Li Muzhan smiled: "This is precisely the opportune moment. Even the volatile Qinghe Sword Sect must consider the consequences, dare they provoke us?" If his true identity remained hidden, the Qinghe Sword Sect would hesitate to fully break with Tianyuan Pavilion, as they would need to concentrate their forces against him, their primary enemy. However, if they learned his identity, that calculus might shift dramatically.

Long Jingyue shook her head: "It’s hard to say. What if, unable to deal with you, they decide to make an example of us to reassert their authority? It's better to wait."

Li Muzhan furrowed his brow in thought, then slowly nodded. It was not impossible. His recent actions had severely damaged the Qinghe Sword Sect's prestige, and they needed a public display of strength. If Tianyuan Pavilion offered itself up, they might indeed initiate a conflict. Tianyuan Pavilion was also not what it once was; the blockade by the Divine Fist Sect had significantly eroded its authority, and public reverence for the Pavilion had waned considerably.

Bai Mingqiu interjected, "Master, the He family are aligned with us. If we truly stand by and do nothing, it will chill the hearts of our allies."

"Yes, so Qiu'er, you will visit the He family tomorrow," Long Jingyue instructed, nodding. "Go comfort them and issue a warning to the Mu family!"

"Yes, Master." Bai Mingqiu assented.

Long Jingyue turned her gaze back to Li Muzhan: "Wuji, any progress on your end?"

Li Muzhan shook his head: "It's easier said than done. My stay in Yue Zhao City has yielded few opportunities. The disciples of the Mirror Enlightenment Sect frequently visit the city, but they are extremely vigilant, making it impossible to get close."

"You are dreaming," Long Jingyue dismissed. "The Mirror Enlightenment Sect has a thousand years of heritage, yet their core mental cultivation methods have never leaked. That is no accident."

Li Muzhan sighed, "What choice do I have?"

Long Jingyue pondered deeply, her brow furrowed. "I heard some news. Up north, a manual has surfaced—the supreme technique of Cao Hualong, who was unrivaled two centuries ago."

Li Muzhan mused, "Cao Hualong...?"

Bai Mingqiu asked, "The Soul-Shifting Palm master, Cao Hualong?"

"That's him," Long Jingyue confirmed. "Qiu'er, you have heard of him?"

"I have long admired his name," Bai Mingqiu affirmed. "I heard he once performed a feat that remains unmatched to this day."

"What feat?" Li Muzhan asked with a smile.

Bai Mingqiu recounted, "He single-handedly forced his way into the Mirror Enlightenment Sect, defeating every master within. From that moment on, the Soul-Shifting Palm shook the world! Since then, no one has ever breached the Mirror Enlightenment Sect!"

Li Muzhan’s eyebrows twitched: "Defeated every master within the Mirror Enlightenment Sect?" He understood the sheer difficulty of that feat. He had spent these past days diligently studying the records of the Mirror Enlightenment Sect, one of the Four Great Sects and the acknowledged leader of the Northern Martial Arts world.

This world was vast beyond measure, seemingly without end. No one truly knew its extent, as no one had ever fully traversed it. The distinction between East, West, North, and South was anchored around the Central Prefecture.

Bai Mingqiu continued, "It is said his Soul-Shifting Palm combined hardness and softness, encompassing heaven and earth, making him invincible... Although this might be an exaggeration, the power of this palm technique is undeniable. It is a pity Cao Hualong died young without a successor; the Soul-Shifting Palm was lost—a true waste."

"The Soul-Shifting Palm has resurfaced," Long Jingyue observed. "The Northern Martial Arts world is currently turbulent, and people are doing their best to keep this news suppressed."

"Things are about to get truly lively!" Bai Mingqiu sighed. One manual of the Soul-Shifting Palm would undoubtedly cost countless lives; a storm of bloodshed was inevitable. She frowned: "Master, are you also intending to seek the Soul-Shifting Palm?"

Long Jingyue laughed and shook her head: "It’s best not to join in such lively affairs. However, Wuji could try. Wuji’s luck is exceptionally good; there is a sliver of hope!" If he truly obtained the Soul-Shifting Palm, he would no longer need to fear the Qinghe Sword Sect, or even the Mirror Enlightenment Sect!

Li Muzhan smiled, "Is the Soul-Shifting Palm really that formidable?"

Long Jingyue confirmed, "The Soul-Shifting Palm defeated the various martial arts of the Mirror Enlightenment Sect. Even if exaggerated, it cannot be far off in power."

Li Muzhan nodded slowly. "Then I must contend for it."

Long Jingyue smiled: "You possess the Heavenly Secret Arts (Tianji Jue), which allows you to give it a try." This was the real reason for her relief. With the Heavenly Secret Arts, he could avoid harm and seize fortune; she didn't fear for his life, especially given his nearly divine lightness skill. Li Muzhan’s speed was an eye-opener for her; Yue Zhao City was thousands of li away from Tianyuan Pavilion, yet he could reach it in a single day. While this was due to his profound internal energy, it was also thanks to the subtlety of his lightness skill, which she assumed came from their inherited techniques, and she did not press for details.

Bai Mingqiu frowned: "Master, this is a major problem. If he truly obtains the Soul-Shifting Palm, he will never have a peaceful day again!"

Long Jingyue replied, "He can simply assume another identity then. Wuji’s art of disguise is sublime."

"There are always clever people!" Bai Mingqiu shook her head. "Like Zheng Haiya and his group. Even Junior Brother's disguises are useless against them; he cannot escape their notice." They relied on the perception of aura, something mysterious that transcended outward appearance, rendering disguise techniques useless. Furthermore, they could track him using his vital energy signatures.

Li Muzhan stated, "Master, I have decided. I will try for it!"

"Junior Brother!" Bai Mingqiu looked worried.

Li Muzhan laughed, "Senior Sister, rest assured, I know my limits!"

Bai Mingqiu shook her head, deeply uneasy. The Soul-Shifting Palm was incredibly important to him, and the attachment of gain and loss could cloud the judgment of even the wisest person. The Soul-Shifting Palm would not be easily acquired; at the very least, the Four Great Sects would never stand by and allow it to fall into the hands of an outsider, lest it threaten their own standing. Add to this the other sects and various singular masters; snatching the Soul-Shifting Palm from them would be as hard as ascending to heaven.

However, this was also his only real opportunity. At his age, entering the Four Great Sects like the Mirror Enlightenment Sect was almost impossible, which made her fear his desperation and reckless gamble.

Li Muzhan said, "Master, if all else fails, I will cripple my own martial arts and join the Mirror Enlightenment Sect! Surely, my aptitude would merit an exception?"

"That is indeed one approach," Long Jingyue murmured with a smile. Li Muzhan had cultivated several top-tier body refinement methods; his physique was near perfect, and his innate talent was rare in this age. Even with his age, the Mirror Enlightenment Sect likely wouldn't refuse him.

Bai Mingqiu’s eyes lit up: "That’s quite good!"

Li Muzhan clarified: "If I truly cannot succeed, if I cannot obtain the Soul-Shifting Palm, I will cripple my cultivation and join the Mirror Enlightenment Sect!"

Long Jingyue chuckled, "Are you really prepared to destroy your cultivation base?"

Li Muzhan nodded slowly, his expression firm. In truth, he had a hidden confidence; with the Purple Sun Grand Method (Ziyang Dafa), even if he destroyed his inner power, he could recover it swiftly—something outsiders would never perceive. (To be continued)