Bai Mingqiu pondered, a hesitant expression slowly spreading across her face. Her concern had muddled her judgment, losing the decisiveness she previously held. She had agreed easily at first, but upon closer reflection, worries surfaced. She looked up, "Master, could this be a trap? Are they luring Junior Brother to the Mingjing Sect just to cut off our lifeline?"

Long Jingyue chuckled, "If it were anyone else, I would worry too, but Chen Daotang? No way!"

"Master, what sort of person is this Chen Daotang?" Bai Mingqiu frowned. "Why haven't I heard of him before?"

Long Jingyue paused in thought for a moment. "Chen Daotang is a secret disciple of the Mingjing Sect, renowned as the Sword of Utmost Sincerity, where the sword and movement become one."

"The Sword of Utmost Sincerity?" Bai Mingqiu frowned. "Does that mean he absolutely never lies?"

"Yes," Long Jingyue nodded. "He adheres to the Dao of Utmost Sincerity. This is both his belief and the source of his power; he would never violate it."

"Could it just be to gain a reputation?" Bai Mingqiu was unconvinced.

Long Jingyue replied, "That’s unlikely. If the Mingjing Sect truly wanted to eliminate Wuji, they wouldn't need such roundabout methods... They place great value on talent, and Wuji's current situation is not uncommon among their aspirants."

"Junior Brother, what do you say?" Bai Mingqiu’s bright eyes fixed on his face.

Li Muchen sighed and slowly said, "Alright, I will join the Mingjing Sect!"

Long Jingyue allowed a hint of a smile to appear and nodded. "That's more like it! Tianyuan Pavilion is your home; come back as soon as you are permitted to descend the mountain!"

Li Muchen smiled. "I will return as soon as possible."

Bai Mingqiu huffed, casting a sidelong glance at him. "You must be pleased, aren't you?"

Li Muchen smiled and nodded. "To be able to turn hostility into friendship is certainly worth celebrating. ...Senior Sister, practice well; don't let me leave you too far behind!"

"Just you wait and see!" Bai Mingqiu retorted coldly.

Long Jingyue shook her head. "Flipping moods so quickly! Qiu'er, you really must fix that terrible temper of yours!"

Bai Mingqiu’s thoughts could not be hidden from her master's eyes. She smiled inwardly; a hero’s temporary lapse, the tenderness of youth. No matter how proud or aloof Qiu'er acted, she was still a woman.

Bai Mingqiu snorted and refused to look at Li Muchen.

Li Muchen smiled lightly. "Master, I need to go say goodbye to my Senior Brothers and Sisters."

"Go on," Long Jingyue waved her hand. "Qiu'er, tell Chen Daotang."

Bai Mingqiu turned and walked away. Li Muchen watched her until she left.

Long Jingyue smiled. "Wuji, don't mind her; she'll be fine in a while."

Li Muchen withdrew his gaze, sighed, and shook his head. "Master, I’m leaving now."

Long Jingyue said with a smile, "You had good intentions too. Qiu'er's competitive nature means your goading will force her into secluded training. Don't worry."

Li Muchen felt a bit embarrassed. Experience truly made the master wise; his subtle intentions hadn't escaped his Master. He quickly rose and departed the main hall.

Since Li Muchen possessed the art of instantaneous movement, he was not concerned and met Chen Daotang calmly. The two left Tianyuan Pavilion and set off toward the Mingjing Sect.

Chen Daotang was a man of few words, and Li Muchen spoke little either. Most of their journey was spent in silence, traveling day and night without pause, resting for only one hour each day and using the remaining time to press forward with their Qinggong.

Chen Daotang wore a flowing green robe, possessing an elegant and unrestrained air, the fabric utterly spotless. Li Muchen, also clad in a similarly flowing green robe, shared a subtle resemblance in temperament with him.

That evening, the two arrived at the foot of the Mingjing Sect’s mountain.

The setting sun painted Mount Mingyu crimson; it stood majestic and magnificent. Observing it instantly invoked a feeling of smallness and humility, yet simultaneously opened the mind, washing away the petty struggles of the mundane world.

Chen Daotang surveyed Mount Mingyu, then turned to Li Muchen. "Wuji, once you set foot on Mount Mingyu, you are a disciple of the Mingjing Sect. You cannot descend until you navigate the Stone Forest. Are you prepared?"

Li Muchen nodded. "I am."

"There is also one aspirant from the Qinghe Sword Sect coming up the mountain this time," Chen Daotang said. "Try not to cause too much trouble between the two of you."

Li Muchen smiled and nodded. "I understand, thank you, Senior Chen."

Chen Daotang spoke sternly, "Call me Senior Brother. ...Sect rules forbid disciples from killing each other. Violators face demotion and expulsion from the martial world for lesser offenses, and execution for severe ones!"

Li Muchen nodded. Chen Daotang continued gravely, "Do not let a dispute born of momentary pique escalate beyond control, ruining your promising future! At critical moments, think back to Tianyuan Pavilion!"

Li Muchen grasped his sincere concern and smiled. "Senior Brother Chen, rest assured, I won't act recklessly."

Chen Daotang stated firmly, "I know you are audacious, Wuji, but the sect rules are merciless and tolerate no defiance. You must not seek your own demise!"

Li Muchen smiled and nodded in agreement. The two advanced again, setting foot on Mount Mingyu.

The moment he entered the mountain, he immediately sensed several gazes fixed upon him—disciples hidden in the shadows, possessing profound cultivation and mastery in concealing their auras, making their presence extremely difficult to detect.

Mount Mingyu rose steeply, like a sword thrust vertically into the earth. Initially, there were gentle inclines, but later the path became sheer, requiring the application of Wall-Gliding Art just to ascend.

Chen Daotang trod the cliff face as if it were level ground. Li Muchen realized he must have cultivated a unique movement technique to achieve such ease. Fortunately, his own Qinggong was supreme and his cultivation deep, allowing him to keep pace. The hidden masters grew stronger and more elusive; Li Muchen could no longer pinpoint their locations, only sense the weight of their scrutiny.

After climbing over two thousand meters straight up, they reached the clouds. Looking down, he saw layers of floating mist obscuring the rivers and terrain below.

As they ascended, the temperature dropped steadily, but then it strangely began to rise again. Even with his protective Gang Qi shield, Li Muchen felt the bizarre fluctuation in temperature.

His Void Eye perceived structures beyond, about a hundred meters higher—a continuous expanse of buildings nestled within a mountain valley.

The summit was not flat but shaped like a barrel missing a segment—sheer stone walls encircled the area, with only a single gap providing access.

Li Muchen marveled; this formation was likely not natural but the result of immense acquired power, creating a valley shape that sheltered them from the biting gale winds.

"We are almost there!" Chen Daotang's voice carried, his speed suddenly increasing. Li Muchen followed, and they rushed together to the gap at the summit, where a wave of warm air rushed out to meet them, like a spring breeze.

Li Muchen’s Void Eye had already surveyed the area: the valley spanned roughly one li in circumference, a significantly vast space, much larger than the small town below.

The continuous buildings were laid out in an orderly fashion. The highest structure in the center must be the main hall of the Mingjing Sect. In front of the hall was a training ground where hundreds of disciples were practicing.

Chen Daotang turned and smiled. "Wuji, you can bypass eight of the sect’s nine trials. However, the final step cannot be omitted. I will teach you a foundational martial art. If you master it within a month, you will earn the right to officially join the sect."

Li Muchen’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

Chen Daotang continued, "Do not underestimate this martial art; it is the bedrock of Mingjing Sect’s techniques—simplifying complexity, which makes it profoundly difficult to grasp."

Li Muchen asked, "Has anyone failed this test?"

"Many," Chen Daotang nodded. "Many gifted individuals ultimately fail at this final hurdle. ...Given your youth and cultivation level, your comprehension shouldn't be lacking; you should pass without issue." He trusted his own judgment, but the final step was mandatory for everyone.

"Understood," Li Muchen slowly nodded.

"Come, I will arrange your lodging. Only after passing this trial will you be considered a sect disciple and meet everyone else." Chen Daotang turned left, leading him toward a small courtyard.

"Mingguang Courtyard." Li Muchen surveyed the small complex. A horizontal plaque hung above the door, the three characters written in a refined, gentle style, exuding composure and balance.

Chen Daotang stopped at the gate. "Wuji, you will stay here for a month. Rest tonight, and I will teach you the martial art tomorrow."

Li Muchen replied, "The journey wasn't tiring at all. Please teach me the martial art first; otherwise, I won't sleep soundly."

"You are quite eager," Chen Daotang smiled, nodding. "Very well, I shall indulge you. Go inside!" (To be continued.)