He rather liked Li Muzhan's impatience; only a pure love for martial arts could make one eager for new techniques despite exhaustion.

He had seen many who trained relentlessly, yet their drive wasn't a pure love for the martial way, but a desire for prominence, for establishing a great name.

Such utilitarian ambition could, at times, be a boon, allowing them to surpass peers early on, but later it became an impediment, preventing further progress.

Only pure affection and interest serve as the best path, leading one to delight in practice, constantly meditating, yearning day and night, and thus achieving insight.

The two entered the small courtyard. Li Muzhan surveyed the surroundings—utterly unremarkable: a bamboo grove to the west, a flower bed to the east, and a level training ground in the center, by which stood a small pavilion furnished with a stone table and chairs—simple yet elegant.

Li Muzhan had brought no luggage or bundles, arriving unencumbered. Chen Daotang went straight into the pavilion and pulled a small booklet from his robes.

Li Muzhan took it and saw: Great Sorrow Sword.

Li Muzhan's brow twitched slightly. The name sounded familiar, carrying a Buddhist resonance, yet the martial arts of the Bright Mirror Sect weren't typically of the Buddhist school, were they?

In this world, there was no Buddhism, nor Taoism; there was only martial arts. Taoist philosophical sprouts existed, but without a clear doctrine, they lacked a catalyst.

This world revered strength above all; people focused on martial skill, not abstract thought, unlike his original world which had gone through the Hundred Schools of Thought period, where utility was valued over pure speculation.

Chen Daotang spoke gently, "Wuji, the Great Sorrow Sword appears simple, yet it embodies endless mystery—do not take it lightly."

Li Muzhan nodded while flipping through the booklet. It contained no text, only diagrams of postures—eight forms in total, none of them complicated.

Li Muzhan grew interested and looked up, "No mental cultivation method?"

"Everything is contained within," Chen Daotang replied. "This is the original form of the Great Sorrow Sword Manual; it is a tracing, unaltered in the slightest."

Li Muzhan nodded. In terms of martial arts profundity, he surpassed ordinary men, having seen countless secret manuals. Upon viewing this, he understood: this was a kinetic style of practice.

The mind method was concealed within the sword movements; the most crucial element was the preparation of posture, and this preparation couldn't be achieved by copying the booklet precisely. One needed to find the posture best suited to oneself, possess a subtle sensitivity to the body, and be able to adjust instinctively.

Since arriving in this world, he hadn't encountered this type of martial art, though he had seen similar supreme skills in previous worlds.

These eight sword forms were plain, devoid of flashiness. To transform them into truly effective combat techniques required reaching an unparalleled level of proficiency—condensing complexity into simplicity was no easy feat.

"How is it?" Chen Daotang smiled as he watched Li Muzhan's brow slowly furrow. "Stumped?"

Li Muzhan looked up at him and smiled, "It’s genuinely fascinating!"

Chen Daotang inquired, "Oh? Do you feel the essence?"

Li Muzhan laughed, "These eight sword forms can mobilize the circulation of internal energy, right?"

"Not bad!" Chen Daotang couldn't help but exclaim, nodding. "It seems you've grasped the threshold. Very well, I won't waste any more words. Practice away! ... Don't worry about food, clothing, or daily necessities; someone will see to it for you!"

As he spoke, he stood up. Li Muzhan didn't press him to stay and saw him out. At the threshold, Chen Daotang said, "I will return in a month to see if you can truly become a Sect disciple... The matter with the Heavenly Abyss Pavilion will be settled; once you join the Sect, both sides will cease hostilities."

Li Muzhan asked, "If I fail to enter, will you truly kill me?"

"Heh heh..." Chen Daotang laughed, shaking his head. "You underestimate us too much. Even if you don't make the cut, the Clear River Sword Sect won't cause trouble for your kin anymore!"

Li Muzhan cupped his fists, "Thank you, Senior Brother Chen!"

Chen Daotang waved a hand casually and turned to leave.

For the ensuing month, Li Muzhan remained sequestered, diligently practicing the Great Sorrow Sword. He was experienced in cultivating such techniques; first, he deduced in his mind, quickly finding the posture most suited to him, and then practiced it over and over. His original internal energy slowly transformed into the Great Sorrow Sword's energy—gentle, peaceful, and perfectly fluid.

The internal energy first converted, then grew. As the sword forms became fluid and integrated with his body, the rate of internal energy growth accelerated. In one month, Li Muzhan's cultivation advanced by one-tenth.

At his level, advancing even slightly was exceedingly difficult; Li Muzhan estimated that achieving a one-tenth increase would normally take about a year.

This Great Sorrow Sword was indeed exquisite—and this was only the most fundamental technique. This only fueled Li Muzhan's curiosity and eagerness for the Bright Mirror Sect’s martial arts.

One morning, Li Muzhan was practicing the Great Sorrow Sword, moving slowly and deliberately, much like performing Tai Chi Sword, using the stances to guide the flow of internal energy, moving twice as fast as sedentary meditation.

Suddenly, Chen Daotang's voice called from outside: "Wuji?"

Li Muzhan drifted to the door, flicked his sword, and the tip hooked the latch, swinging the courtyard gate open. Chen Daotang stood outside, clad in a green robe.

Chen Daotang's green robe billowed as he smiled at him, "Wuji, have you finished your practice?"

Li Muzhan smiled back, "Senior Brother Chen, please come in!"

Chen Daotang stepped into the courtyard. A cold gleam flashed at his waist. Li Muzhan moved his sword, slow and measured, as if he had already mapped the exact path of the tip, waiting precisely there.

Clang... Li Muzhan and Chen Daotang both retreated a step simultaneously.

"Good!" Chen Daotang exclaimed, and his sword light enveloped Li Muzhan like rolling ocean waves.

Li Muzhan swung his sword slowly; the light became a silver streak wrapping around him, blocking Chen Daotang's dense sword strikes, remaining calm and composed.

After a while, Chen Daotang retracted his sword and nodded with a smile, "Excellent. Wuji, you have passed!"

Li Muzhan had repeatedly executed the Great Sorrow Sword, yet the mere eight forms, in his hands, had morphed into endless variations, allowing him to hold his own without yielding ground.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Senior Brother Chen, have I been accepted as an initiate?"

Chen Daotang nodded, "Come with me now to see the Sect Master!"

Li Muzhan let out a breath. He wasn't sure how proficient one needed to be to meet the standard for the Great Sorrow Sword. His intense curiosity and yearning for the Bright Mirror Sect’s martial arts made him anxious.

"Senior Brother Chen, has a month passed?"

"Exactly one month!" Chen Daotang laughed. It wasn't strange to lose track of time when engrossed in martial comprehension. He continued, "For you to reach this level, Wuji, brings honor to my face as well. Let’s go!"

He turned and stepped out of the courtyard. Li Muzhan followed. They walked east, then turned north, passing the bustling training grounds and entering the central great hall.

The hall was imposing; the closer they got, the more insignificant they felt. Chen Daotang walked straight in; there were no guards, no one to stop them.

Li Muzhan followed him inside. Two figures occupied the hall: a burly elder sat in the main seat, facing south with his back to the north, speaking with a voluptuous, sexy woman who stood with her back to them.

As they entered, the burly elder looked up and chuckled, "Daotang, is this Li Wuji?"

Li Muzhan sized up the elder: his face had a purplish tint, yet his features were dignified, radiating an air of unyielding integrity. His eyes contracted like cold lightning, unnerving the spirit.

This must be Huang Ningtian, the Sect Master of the Bright Mirror Sect.

The graceful woman also turned. She had a round face, appearing about twenty, radiating seductive charm. She smiled knowingly, sizing up Li Muzhan, her eyes like crescent moons, their moist depths alluring.

Li Muzhan cupped his fists, "Li Wuji pays respects to the Sect Master."

"Heh heh, no need for excessive formality," Huang Ningtian waved his hand, chuckling. "Daotang, did Wuji pass?"

"A mere trifle!" Chen Daotang smiled.

"Excellent! It is cause for celebration that the Bright Mirror Sect gains another talent!" Huang Ningtian clapped his hands and laughed loudly, pointing to the sexy woman. "This is Li Ye; you will be family from now on. Get along well!"

Li Muzhan smiled while cupping his fists, vaguely guessing her identity but choosing not to pry.