The two descended directly from the Huaqing Sect. By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, Li Muchan turned back for another look, sighed, and shook his head.

"Disappointed?" Bai Mingqiu snorted. She had previously been certain the Huaqing Sect would offer assistance, but reality had slapped her across the face.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "Sister, do you know who the foremost master in the world is right now?" Bai Mingqiu shook her head.

"Who dares claim to be the world's number one master? ...

There's always a higher mountain, always a stronger expert emerging. The world is vast, full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.

Many masters are eccentric, content with solitude, only making their presence known when absolutely forced." "There is no world number one," Li Muzhan murmured. No wonder he hadn't heard of one; he only heard of the top sects, not any top masters.

It turned out there were too many masters to rank them. Bai Mingqiu asked, "Shall we head straight back?" "Let's go back," Li Muzhan nodded.

On their way back, during a rest stop, Li Muzhan took out the Eight Insights of the Sword Way. It truly wasn't a martial arts manual, but rather a collection of scattered insights into swordsmanship.

Li Muzhan flipped through it continuously, full of admiration. Bai Mingqiu frowned as she looked; she was completely baffled.

The Eight Insights of the Sword Way was written in a very disorganized manner, with vague allusions, making it incomprehensible to her. Her comprehension of sword techniques was far inferior to Li Muzhan's.

Li Muzhan had received meticulous instruction from Lan Chunhe at the Canghai Sword Sect, and his thinking process differed fundamentally from ordinary people. As his experience broadened, this difference became increasingly evident in its marvel, and Li Muzhan's grasp of swordsmanship was far beyond the common man's.

Bai Mingqiu eventually gave up reading it. After Li Muzhan finished, gaining some understanding, he would spar with her briefly, passing on what he learned.

The two slowed their journey increasingly. Li Muzhan meditated on the Eight Insights of the Sword Way as they traveled, occasionally stopping in a fit of inspiration to sit in meditation and fully ignite the sparks of insight.

This pattern of stopping and starting made them progressively slower. Initially, they covered hundreds of li a day; later, they struggled to cover ten li, and sometimes didn't move at all.

The later sections of the Eight Insights of the Sword Way became more chaotic, sometimes mere fragments of words, soaring like a runaway horse. Bai Mingqiu found it nonsensical, yet Li Muzhan seemed to grasp something, sparking new inspiration.

The more he read, the more deeply he marveled. The author of the Eight Insights of the Sword Way was truly an extraordinary person, a genius among geniuses.

It was a pity his identity remained unknown. The Huaqing Sect truly lived up to its reputation as a top sect in the realm, overflowing with talent.

They had produced such an individual, though it was regrettable that towards the end, the handwriting grew increasingly erratic, even tinged with madness. As Li Muzhan read the final parts, he shook his head and sighed.

The script was terribly scattered. He could infer from the writing that the person had genuinely gone mad.

He let out a long, lingering sigh, a feeling of regret and sorrow echoing without end. Such a figure of soaring genius ending in madness—it was truly fate begrudging talent, causing one to clench their fists in frustration.

The night was dim. Li Muzhan and Bai Mingqiu sat beside a bonfire, the fierce flames illuminating their faces.

Li Muzhan held the book, the Eight Insights of the Sword Way, turning its pages slowly. After reaching the last page, he suddenly tossed it away.

The Eight Insights of the Sword Way landed on the fire and instantly transformed into a ball of flame. Bai Mingqiu cried out: "Junior Brother, what are you—" She tried to snatch it back but was too late, her bright eyes fixed on Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan clapped his hands together and chuckled. "This is much better!" Bai Mingqiu was furious.

"How could you destroy it!" Li Muzhan laughed. "Sister, keeping it would be a menace.

Although it's not strictly a martial arts manual, if someone truly insisted on holding onto it, Senior Li would also be troubled!" He observed Bai Mingqiu and smiled. "Sister, did you have some sort of misunderstanding with Senior Li?" "Hmph, misunderstanding!" Bai Mingqiu sneered, glaring at him.

"Mind your own business!" Li Muzhan said, "Tell me about it." Bai Mingqiu impatiently threw a piece of wood into the fire. "There's nothing to tell!" Li Muzhan studied her, causing her to blush slightly.

He said gravely, "I was raised by my Master since childhood; I have no parents, let alone a maternal grandfather!" Li Muzhan countered, "Sister, I'm not an outsider. There must be some underlying story, right?" Bai Mingqiu huffed, "It's all ancient history, dust and rot.

It's pointless to recount it!" ... "Did you remember everything above?" Li Muzhan nodded and smiled.

"I did." Bai Mingqiu shot him a look. She recalled his ability to memorize instantly.

No wonder he destroyed the book; burning it was better than letting it fall into the wrong hands. Bai Mingqiu asked, "How much do you estimate your swordsmanship has improved, Junior Brother?" Li Muzhan pondered.

"At least twenty percent. With this, the Twelve Swords of Tianyuan have become much clearer, as if a layer of mist has been cleared." Bai Mingqiu nodded.

For someone at his level, taking another step forward when already at the peak was incredibly difficult; improving his power by twenty percent was already remarkable. Li Muzhan said, "Sister, let's travel faster tomorrow.

Perhaps a fight awaits us." "Mmm," Bai Mingqiu agreed with a nod. The two settled into meditation, and the sky brightened before they knew it.

They quickened their pace, arriving at the Tianyuan Pavilion by sunset the next day. "What is it?" Bai Mingqiu stopped alongside Li Muzhan and looked at him.

As they entered the small town at the foot of the mountain—a place where Tianyuan Pavilion disciples often passed through—it now held a distinct air of desolation. Li Muzhan shook his head.

"They've arrived!" Bai Mingqiu frowned. "So quickly?" Li Muzhan said, "It seems they are fearless!

Sister, let's not enter yet." "Let's charge in!" Bai Mingqiu urged. Li Muzhan shook his head.

"Sister, go wait for me at a certain place. I'll go in and take a look." "You can get in?" Bai Mingqiu asked with a frown.

Li Muzhan laughed. "I'll try.

If I can't get in, I'll come right back. Fleeing is my specialty." "Alright then," Bai Mingqiu considered for a moment and nodded.

The experts from the Qinghe Sword Sect had encountered her Junior Brother before; despite him killing so many of their masters, he remained carefree. Li Muzhan instructed, "Sister, go to Dongyang City." "Good." Bai Mingqiu nodded and turned to leave.

His small courtyard was in Dongyang City; she would go straight there to avoid being a burden. Li Muzhan stood outside the town, watching her go until she was a distant figure before slowly stepping into the town.

The moment he entered, he sensed watchful eyes. He glanced over and saw two young men in blue shirts carrying swords.

Seeing Li Muzhan enter, the two youths approached him, scrutinizing him up and down. Li Muzhan gazed back calmly, walking further into the town as if nothing were amiss.

The two youths seemed unsure of Li Muzhan's identity; soon, one left. As Li Muzhan entered the town's teahouse, two more youths came in.

The three huddled together, whispering for a moment, then left ahead of him. Li Muzhan knew they had recognized him.

He smiled, picked up his teacup, and took a slow sip, eager to see what tricks they had up their sleeves. Before he finished one cup of tea, more than a dozen middle-aged men in blue rushed in and immediately surrounded him.

Li Muzhan set down his teacup and looked at them calmly. The leader, a short, stocky man with a round face but a stern and solemn expression, looked at him coldly.

"Are you Li Wuji of the Tianyuan Pavilion?" Li Muzhan nodded. "From the Qinghe Sword Sect?" "That's good enough!" the short middle-aged man said grimly.

"Don't make things hard for yourself. Surrender now!" Li Muzhan laughed.

"With just the likes of you?" "It seems you insist on resisting to the end!" the short middle-aged man sneered. "Attack!" The twelve middle-aged men in blue all drew their swords and lunged at Li Muzhan.

They knew of his fearsome reputation and attacked with full force. Li Muzhan let out a long laugh, drew his sword while still seated, and a streak of flowing light flashed past.

"Clang, clang, clang, ding..." Amidst the clear ringing, more than a dozen long swords flew up and landed almost simultaneously in a pile with dull thuds. His sword sheathed, Li Muzhan smiled.

This single sword move was utterly magnificent and exhilarating, perfectly displaying everything he had grasped from the Eight Insights of the Sword Way, like completing a satisfyingly written character. Li Muzhan glanced at the men and shook his head.

"The Qinghe Sword Sect... nothing more than this!" The short middle-aged man frowned, humming coldly, "Insolent!

Elder He!" Four elders in gray robes drifted into the teahouse, appearing before Li Muzhan. Li Muzhan frowned; these four possessed profound internal energy, no less than his own, but luckily, he had the Soul Transformation Palm and wasn't afraid of them.

"Elder He, please—!" the short man grunted. The four elders remained silent, their palms sweeping out like phantoms.

The chair suddenly shifted, carrying him out of the encirclement of the four. Then, a flash of sword light passed, forcing the four to retreat involuntarily.

Another flash of sword light, and they retreated again. Li Muzhan sheathed his sword, smiled, and shook his head, disdain evident in his expression.

The four elders exchanged glances. Li Muzhan shook his head again.

"Don't waste your effort. You can't keep me here.

Farewell!" Saying this, he rose and walked slowly toward the exit. The men surrounded him but were forced to back away; no one could block the light of Li Muzhan's sword.

Li Muzhan walked forward with composure, forcing everyone to retreat until they were out of the teahouse and onto the main street, whereupon they surged forward again. Li Muzhan's sword light flowed like water, causing everyone to rapidly retreat.

They looked down at their wrists, where a thin red line appeared, slowly beginning to ooze blood. Li Muzhan shook his head and drifted away.

They dared not move, allowing him to leave. After ascending the mountain, he quickly reached the entrance of the Tianyuan Pavilion.

As he drew near, two elders stepped forward to block him, clad in gray robes, their swords drawn, their gazes like eagles. Li Muzhan was too weary to speak much.

Sword light flowed; with two sharp 'clangs,' the long swords of the two gray-robed elders flew away. Li Muzhan had integrated the mental art of the Soul Transformation Palm into his swordsmanship; the power in his blade was nearly infinite, making it incredibly difficult to resist.

Another flash of sword light from Li Muzhan, and the two gray-robed elders hurriedly retreated. He laughed and shook his head.

After acquiring the Eight Insights of the Sword Way, his swordsmanship had reached a new height, compounded by integrating the Soul Transformation Palm technique, resulting in astonishing power. He drifted inward.

The two elders let out sharp whistles, but Li Muzhan instantly accelerated, quickly reaching the entrance of the Tianyuan Pavilion, where he saw a group of people pointing and discussing animatedly. He shot into the crowd in an instant.

Hearing the whistles, Li Muzhan was already close; they quickly drew their swords, but Li Muzhan's sword light shielded him, smashing through them relentlessly—no one could stop him. By the time they reacted, Li Muzhan had already rushed inside, using his unique footwork to slip into the Tianyuan Pavilion.

Inside, the Tianyuan Pavilion was tranquil, no different from usual. Li Muzhan went straight to the main hall, where Long Jingyue sat quietly, unmoving.

"Master, I'm back," Li Muzhan said, sitting opposite her. Long Jingyue slowly opened her bright eyes.

"You went to the Huaqing Sect?" Li Muzhan nodded, then shook his head. "They dare not show their faces; we still have to rely on ourselves." Long Jingyue frowned.

"Are they afraid of the Mingjing Sect?" Li Muzhan sighed. "Sect Master Huang of the Mingjing Sect displayed awesome might and injured Sect Master Li.

The Huaqing Sect is scared and dare not act rashly." "Mmm," Long Jingyue replied calmly. Li Muzhan asked, "When did they surround us?" "Ten days ago," Long Jingyue said.

"Ignore them; they can't break in." Li Muzhan asked, "So we just wait like this?" "Tianyuan actually has a path leading outside," Long Jingyue revealed. Li Muzhan mused, "Master, it seems we have to use the old method again." "Don't be reckless!" Long Jingyue shook her head.

"They will surround us for a while; when they fail, they will retreat." Li Muzhan remained silent. Long Jingyue sighed.

"Wuji, don't try to be a hero. This world is inherently the survival of the fittest.

If we can't beat them, we can only endure for a time." Li Muzhan smiled. "Sister is still in Dongyang City.

I'll go bring her back." Long Jingyue studied him and shook her head. "You, you insist on going your own way, don't you?" Li Muzhan smiled.

"I'll try first. If it's truly impossible, I'll run back." "Fine, do as you wish," Long Jingyue said, shaking her head.

Li Muzhan had always opposed the Qinghe Sword Sect but had never suffered major losses, which she found quite miraculous. Perhaps he really could carve out a path for himself.

(To be continued)