Li Muzhan nodded. "If your Qinghe Sword Sect insists on picking a fight, fine, let's say I did!"

"Such arrogance!" Li Mengtan frowned sharply. "Liao perished by your hands, and you still claim justification!?" Even if you admit it, you shall pay with your life for Junior Martial Brother Liao!"

Li Muzhan shook his head and laughed. "Your Qinghe Sword Sect has always been this domineering. Aren't you afraid of running into a true force?"

"The way our Qinghe Sword Sect operates is none of your concern!" Li Mengtan sneered. "Will you surrender now, or are you unwilling and wish to struggle a bit?"

Li Muzhan replied, "I want to see exactly what capabilities your Qinghe Sword Sect possesses to be so oppressive!"

"Very well—!" Li Mengtan said solemnly. "You won't yield until you see the coffin. If you wish to witness it, I shall oblige!"

He turned toward a gray-robed elder. "Uncle-Master Zhao."

"Indeed." The lean, refined gray-robed elder nodded, cast a glance at Li Muzhan—swift as lightning—took two deliberate steps, and extended his hand. "No need for more talk. Let us fight!"

Li Muzhan also found further words tiresome. He drew his sword and pointed lightly. "Please—!"

The refined elder snorted, his waist flickering. The tip of his sword zipped toward Li Muzhan's chest. Li Muzhan’s sword transformed into a streak of white light, crashing into it.

Clang... As the two swords met, amidst the clear ringing, the elder's sword flew out of his grasp.

The crowd’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Li Muzhan sheathed his sword and looked calmly at the refined elder. "I concede the point!"

The refined elder’s face flushed, and he frowned, shaking his head before stepping back two paces to his original spot.

"Uncle-Master Zhao...?" Li Mengtan frowned.

The refined elder sighed. "We cannot keep him here."

He clearly felt the formidable strength emanating from Li Muzhan. The power transmitted through the sword was like an unstoppable behemoth—sheer force overriding technique—and the sword speed was terrifyingly fast; it was impossible to meet it head-on.

Li Mengtan glanced deeply at the refined elder, who frowned and slowly shook his head.

Li Muzhan perceived their intentions from their expressions and laughed. "Thinking of attacking me all at once? Feel free to try. The Qinghe Sword Sect is truly declining!"

He smiled faintly, sizing up the group, his demeanor utterly certain.

Li Mengtan saw the look in Uncle-Master Zhao's eyes and knew the idea was unfeasible, but with things having come to this point, if they couldn't subdue this young man, what honor remained for the Qinghe Sword Sect!

He chuckled smoothly. "Truly worthy of being a secret disciple of the Tianyuan Pavilion. Your cultivation is profound; you must have received transmission from some formidable senior, haven't you?"

Such high cultivation at this age could never have been attained through self-practice alone. It must be that a high-level master had poured their entire cultivation into him—the Qinghe Sword Sect possessed similar secret arts.

Li Muzhan frankly admitted it and nodded. "That is correct!"

"It seems I underestimated your Tianyuan Pavilion!" Li Mengtan's eyes flashed with sharp brilliance, and he smiled faintly. "Very well then, let me experience it myself!"

Saying this, he vanished in a flicker, appearing right before Li Muzhan, and struck out with a palm.

Li Muzhan slowly pushed out a fist. Whoosh—a fist shadow, shaped like a dragon, shot out with incredible speed.

Li Mengtan was overflowing with confidence, intending to gauge Li Muzhan’s true depth. He too was a disciple who had received inheritance, possessing extremely profound cultivation.

Bang! Li Mengtan staggered back four steps, his face flushed crimson.

Li Muzhan’s punch utilized the Soul-Dissolving Palm technique, multiplying its power threefold. Although Li Mengtan’s cultivation was deep, it was nowhere near threefold that of Li Muzhan’s, resulting in an immediate disadvantage.

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. Li Mengtan’s face burned even redder, wishing he could kill him with a single strike.

Bai Mingqiu also looked toward Li Muzhan with surprise.

Li Mengtan took a deep breath, drew his sword, and said coldly, "Again!"

His sword light flashed, condensing into a point of cold starlight. Li Muzhan drew his sword and thrust out. Li Mengtan abruptly shifted his sword light, seeking an opening to penetrate, refusing to meet Li Muzhan head-on.

Li Muzhan countered movement with stillness, using the clumsy to defeat the skillful, while Li Mengtan did the exact opposite. One was dynamic, the other static; one subtle, the other crude. Their sword moves were exquisitely refined.

After more than a hundred exchanges, Li Muzhan had a general understanding of his swordsmanship, his flaws clear. He now easily grasped the means to break those sword moves.

Clang... The sword flew from Li Mengtan's hand. He stumbled back several steps, his face ashen.

Li Muzhan smiled. "The sword techniques of the Qinghe Sword Sect are fine, but your cultivation..."

He shook his head. "Shall we all attack together?!"

Li Mengtan’s expression fluctuated wildly. Finally, he said coldly, "Then please grace us with your instruction!" Uncle-Master Zhao, Uncle-Master Ding, capture him no matter what!"

"Yes!" The four elders responded in deep voices and flashed forward, surrounding Li Muzhan in the center.

"You people..." Bai Mingqiu sneered. "Truly shameless!"

Li Mengtan stated gravely, "In exacting revenge for a disciple, we cannot afford to be concerned with trivial means!"

"Hmph!" Bai Mingqiu scoffed. Li Muzhan quickly said, "Senior Sister, there's no need for haste. Please stand by and observe the battle for me!"

He turned back to Li Mengtan. "Is killing me necessary?"

"A life for a life—it is natural justice!" Li Mengtan replied seriously.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "High-sounding words. If that is the case, then do not blame me for being ruthless!"

Li Mengtan’s heart sank. He stepped forward, closing the distance. The five formed a circle with Li Muzhan at the center, who looked languidly at the five of them.

Li Mengtan said gravely, "Kill—"

Bang! Li Muzhan knocked him flying with a single punch.

Before the other four could react, Li Muzhan struck another person, sending them flying. The remaining three immediately drew their swords and thrust fiercely, like a violent storm.

Li Muzhan’s sword light manifested into a protective shield, easily deflecting the three assaults. He integrated the Soul-Dissolving Palm technique into his swordplay, becoming truly invincible.

Clink clink clink clink... Amidst a string of clear sounds, the swords of all three flew away. Li Muzhan’s sword light swept around, lightly grazing the wrists of the three men.

They clutched their wrists and backed away, glaring coldly at Li Muzhan. This single strike had severed their wrist tendons, effectively crippling their swordsmanship. For a sect like the Qinghe Sword Sect, which relied entirely on the sword, severing the tendons was akin to ending their path.

Li Muzhan glanced dismissively at the three and snorted lightly. "In the past, I would have simply killed you all!" Senior Sister, let’s go!"

Bai Mingqiu agreed dazedly, still finding it hard to believe.

She had not expected Li Muzhan to win so overwhelmingly. She had anticipated a tough fight followed by a need to flee. Instead, Li Muzhan had defeated these members of the Qinghe Sword Sect with crushing force. The sect must have been exceedingly confident when sending these five, who were all top-tier experts; she herself wouldn't have been able to handle even one.

Li Muzhan pulled Bai Mingqiu, and the two floated out of the courtyard.

Bai Mingqiu whispered, "Junior Brother, did you kill Li Mengtan?"

Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled. "I left him his life, but his cultivation is ruined."

"Sigh..." Bai Mingqiu shook her head with a wry smile.

Li Muzhan said, "Senior Sister, they deliberately sought trouble; their intentions were clearly malicious. There's no point in being overly accommodating anymore; it's better to tear off the pretense entirely and teach them a lesson!"

"But this puts you in danger!" Bai Mingqiu frowned. "Before the Qinghe Sword Sect moves against the Tianyuan Pavilion, they will want to capture you first. That is the dignity of a major sect; if they cannot subdue you, they won't move against the Pavilion."

Li Muzhan chuckled. "I was hoping to use them as a whetstone!"

"When did you become so formidable?" Bai Mingqiu tilted her head to look at him and shook her head.

Li Muzhan laughed. "I obtained the Soul-Dissolving Palm!"

He had ultimately decided to reveal the Soul-Dissolving Palm. His sect was not powerful enough, which was a source of worry. Furthermore, not just anyone could practice the Soul-Dissolving Palm; even if they could, they would likely only manage one or two levels. Moreover, he would not reveal the later stages of the technique.

"The Soul-Dissolving Palm?" Bai Mingqiu paused, surprised. "You really obtained the Soul-Dissolving Palm?"

Li Muzhan nodded and smiled. "By sheer luck."

Bai Mingqiu glanced around. The two were using their movement techniques, traversing a forest, sometimes floating above the treetops, sometimes landing, but avoiding the canopy whenever ground travel was possible, not wanting to draw too much attention.

With few people around, Bai Mingqiu breathed a sigh of relief, frowning. "Speak carefully!... From now on, never utter those three words again!"

Li Muzhan laughed. "I destroyed the manual."

Bai Mingqiu quickly nodded. "That was the right thing to do!"

Li Muzhan continued, "Without the manual, it is lost. No one will ever mention it again!"

"If you must speak of it, change the name!" Bai Mingqiu suggested.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Senior Sister is indeed thoughtful!"

Bai Mingqiu snorted, glancing sideways at him. "You don't understand the gravity of the situation. If others find out, we won't have any peace."

Li Muzhan nodded. "Senior Sister, I understand. The Soul-Dissolving Palm has a notorious reputation."

"The key is the Mingjing Sect; they will never allow the Soul-Dissolving Palm to resurface," Bai Mingqiu huffed. "It is their disgrace. They will chase after it relentlessly, perhaps even destroy it completely."

Li Muzhan countered, "I am like the fisherman benefiting from the fight. No one saw me, and the manual is destroyed. They won't find me."

"That is good!" Bai Mingqiu nodded. "Junior Brother, you are not muddled in matters of great importance. I can rest assured... No wonder you are so powerful!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Senior Sister, why don't you practice it too?"

Bai Mingqiu quickly waved her hand. "No need."

She understood that the process of obtaining the Soul-Dissolving Palm could not have been as simple as Li Muzhan described; it must have been fraught with peril. Major sects across the world were vying for it; snatching the manual from their grasp was like pulling food from a tiger’s maw. Such a hard-won manual should be kept for oneself, not given to others!

Li Muzhan said, "Senior Sister, I want to pass this manual to our senior brothers and sisters so everyone can enhance their strength."

"You..." Bai Mingqiu stared at him with wide, bright eyes. "You are truly insane!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Just as Senior Sister said, under a different guise, it becomes a secret ultimate technique of our Tianyuan Pavilion... We are too weak."

"You..." Bai Mingqiu shook her head and sighed, falling silent.

She felt ashamed. Putting herself in his position, if she had obtained the Soul-Dissolving Palm, would she offer it up to strengthen the entire sect? She admitted to herself that she couldn't be so selfless; she lacked that confidence and breadth of heart. Perhaps this was true stature, the key to her Junior Brother achieving such heights.

The two soon returned to the Tianyuan Pavilion. Long Jingyue, upon hearing their report, glared helplessly at Li Muzhan. "You are just a troublemaker! Are you truly set on this?"

Li Muzhan nodded slowly. "Passing on two or three palms is enough for everyone. They won't be able to learn more, and it’s easier to hide any tells."

"Mmm, you have thought that through carefully." Long Jingyue nodded, pondering. "Wuji, this merit of yours is immense; there is nothing worthy of rewarding you with!"

Li Muzhan laughed. "Master underestimates me!"

"Fine." Long Jingyue sighed. "I will pass you the Supreme Jade Purity Scripture!"

Li Muzhan quickly waved his hands. "That is for women to practice; I'll pass on that one!"

Long Jingyue stated, "Although this is a feminine cultivation method, it contains endless profound mysteries. If you study it carefully, you will surely benefit!"

Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Yes, thank you, Master!"