Li Muzhan's eyebrow twitched slightly, and he smiled faintly, "Junior Brother? Shouldn't I be Senior Brother?"

Li Ye waved her hand and laughed charmingly, "Oh well, why should a grown man argue with a little lady like me? I joined earlier than you!"

Li Muzhan turned to look at Huang Ningtian, "Sect Master?"

Huang Ningtian chuckled, "Indeed, in terms of age, Li Wuji is the elder. Li Ye, you'll have to bear the slight inconvenience!"

"Sect Master, this is unfair!" Li Ye pouted coquettishly, "Isn't the Mingjing Sect seniority based on the order of entry? I arrived before him!"

"You two are close enough; we can only go by age!" Huang Ningtian waved his hand and smiled, "Li Wuji is twenty-eight, and you are twenty-five!"

"Sect Master, I suspect he lied about his age! Look at him—how does he look twenty-eight?!" Li Ye turned to glare at Li Muzhan, pouting her cherry-red lips.

Li Muzhan's gaze inevitably fell upon her lips, full and delicate, like freshly ripened cherries, faintly pink in color, luminous as if coated with modern lip gloss, sparking in him a sudden, intense urge to crush them beneath his own mouth.

Huang Ningtian smiled and shook his head, "People only ever claim to be younger, never older. Li Ye, stop arguing; what's wrong with calling him Senior Brother!"

The younger the disciple's appearance relative to their cultivation depth, the greater their potential and genius. Those joining the Mingjing Sect only ever reported lower ages; no one ever claimed to be older.

"Hmph!" Li Ye was highly adept at reading expressions. Seeing Huang Ningtian's demeanor, she conceded with a sigh, "Sect Master, how about this: I will spar with Junior Brother Li. If he wins, he is Senior Brother; if he loses, he remains Junior Brother. How does that sound?"

"Excellent idea!" Huang Ningtian clapped his hands and smiled. Chen Daotang smiled faintly.

Huang Ningtian looked towards Li Muzhan with a smile, "Li Wuji, do you dare accept the challenge?"

"Hmph, how can Junior Brother Li, a grown man, act like a timid turtle?" Li Ye chirped sweetly.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly, "Agreed."

"Very well, you can compete right here!" Huang Yutian chuckled, "But let's agree first: you can only use the Great Sorrow Sword!"

"Fine!" Li Ye bit her delicate cherry lip and snorted.

Li Muzhan took two steps back, while Li Ye advanced one step. They stood six paces apart—a distance they could cross in a single stride.

Li Muzhan slowly drew his sword. The blade shimmered like rippling water. Li Ye drew hers with a swish and pointed it at Li Muzhan, "Junior Brother Li, you strike first!"

Li Muzhan held his long sword level, his stance slightly awkward—his front knee bent, his back leg straight and extended. Huang Ningtian stroked his beard and exchanged a look with Chen Daotang.

Having immersed themselves in the Great Sorrow Sword their entire lives, they vaguely recognized the posture as the first half of the seventh stance, yet they had never considered using this half-stance as an opening move.

They were accustomed to executing the form from the beginning, letting the sword movements guide the inner cultivation method, which required a strict sequence that could not be arbitrarily altered.

As the sword form settled, Li Muzhan's spirit and energy shifted accordingly. Huang Ningtian and Chen Daotang were infected by the change and grew solemn.

Huang Ningtian narrowed his eyes; he could see that Li Muzhan had truly reached a profound level—Spirit and Sword had merged. Achieving this unity in such a short time was remarkable.

Li Muzhan held his long sword level, looking at Li Ye with solemnity, "Junior Sister Li, please!"

"Watch my blade!" Li Ye cried out sweetly. Her body was like a willow branch, her sword like a nimble serpent. With a slight shift, the sword tip instantly appeared before Li Muzhan, incredibly fast, like lightning.

Li Muzhan gently circled his sword, seeking an opening to strike and forcing Li Ye to change her move. Her sword was incredibly swift; even when shifting stance, it instantly reached close quarters with Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan calmly thrust his sword out again, elegant and composed. It seemed he exerted little force, yet he compelled Li Ye to alter her technique once more.

Li Ye grew increasingly frustrated the longer they fought. Li Muzhan seemed capable of seeing through all her vulnerabilities; every gentle thrust forced her into panicked readjustments.

Li Muzhan’s footing was solid, his movements slow, radiating an air of unhurried grace. Li Ye, however, was graceful as a willow, her swordplay imbued with an inexplicable, seductive charm, the blade flicking out as fast as a striking serpent.

For the same Great Sorrow Sword set, Li Muzhan executed it as slow as a crawling turtle, while Li Ye moved as swiftly as the wind—an extreme contrast between slow and fast.

Their sword techniques also differed from the original eight forms of the Great Sorrow Sword, each modified to best suit their individual styles. This sight made Huang Ningtian stroke his beard and beam with delight.

To bring the Great Sorrow Sword training to this level in just one month marked them as exceptional prodigies, yet ultimately, Li Muzhan held the advantage.

They could tell Li Muzhan’s understanding of the Great Sorrow Sword was deep and comprehensive. Li Ye's frantic attempts to evade were entirely visible to him, allowing him to strike directly at her weak points and force her to change tactics. If this continued, Li Ye would suffer internal repercussions and injury.

"That's enough!" Huang Ningtian clapped his hands and smiled, "Stop now!"

Li Ye let out a coquette's cry, her sword momentum growing more rapid, showing no intention of ceasing. She simply could not accept defeat. As the most outstanding disciple of the younger generation in the Qinghe Sword Sect, when had she ever suffered such humiliation!

Li Muzhan shook his head. His sword posture abruptly changed, flashing like an arc of lightning. The tip struck the body of Li Ye's sword.

Li Ye felt a peculiar force travel up her sword—first like a drill boring into her arm from the tiger's mouth grip, then spreading like ripples in water. Half her body instantly went numb, and she nearly lost hold of her weapon.

Seizing the momentary lapse, Li Muzhan gracefully retreated, sheathed his sword, and smiled at her, "Junior Sister Li, I yield graciously!"

"You... Six..." Li Ye bit her cherry lip and glared at him fiercely. Hehehe... Huang Ningtian stroked his beard and roared with laughter, clearly delighted. He had not expected Li Muzhan's comprehension to be so astonishing; it was truly an unexpected joy.

When Chen Daotang took the initiative to accept Li Muzhan as his disciple, Huang Ningtian knew Chen Daotang had incredibly high standards and that anyone favored by him would not be ordinary. But he hadn't anticipated Li Muzhan possessing such insight, mastering the Great Sorrow Sword to this degree in just one month.

Chen Daotang nodded in satisfaction.

Li Ye glared resentfully at Li Muzhan, wishing she could tear him apart. Her pride had never endured such a mortifying slight; it was a massive insult.

Huang Ningtian laughed, "Li Ye, being the Junior Sister isn't so bad!"

"Sect—Master!" Li Ye withdrew her gaze from Li Muzhan's face and demanded spitefully, "Has he practiced the Great Sorrow Sword before?!"

She could sense that every single sword strike from Li Muzhan targeted her weakness, indicating a profound mastery of the art. How could he reach this level in just one month?

"You two arrived on the mountain at the same time and were taught the Great Sorrow Sword on the same day," Huang Ningtian waved his hand, chuckling, "If you want to reclaim the title of Senior Sister, you must defeat him!" ... "How about this: you two can spar once a month. If you win, you become Senior Sister!"

"Thank you, Sect Master!" Li Ye smiled charmingly and cupped her fists.

Huang Ningtian waved his hand again, smiling, "Don't be too quick; I have conditions. This arrangement is valid for two years only, and if one person loses three times consecutively, the challenge ends."

Li Ye paused, glared at Li Muzhan, and slowly nodded, "Agreed!"

Chen Daotang spoke in a deep voice, "You two are only permitted to spar, stopping before injury occurs. Anyone who causes harm will be dealt with according to the Sect Rules!"

"Yes," Li Muzhan cupped his hands. Li Ye shot Li Muzhan another glare, as if injury was guaranteed to come from him, and huffed, "Junior Brother Li, rest assured, I won't kill you!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Then I thank you, Junior Sister Li!"

He didn't care much about the title itself, but Li Ye was a disciple of the Qinghe Sword Sect, which made a difference; seniority had to be established.

To be ranked above Li Ye symbolized the Tianyuan Pavilion holding sway over the Qinghe Sword Sect. Their personal competition represented their respective sects, allowing for no retreat or concession.

Huang Ningtian smiled widely, "You two are now officially disciples of the Mingjing Sect. Daotang, take them out to greet the others and explain some of the customs."

"Yes," Chen Daotang replied, beckoning them to follow him out.

Li Muzhan moved into another small courtyard, located on the east side, not in the same area as his original residence. Whether Chen Daotang did this intentionally or simply followed the arrangement sequence, Li Muzhan and Li Ye became neighbors—he on the east, she on the west, separated by a single wall between their courtyards.

Li Ye consistently refused to give him a pleasant expression and never addressed him as 'Senior Brother.' Li Muzhan, however, seized every opportunity to call her 'Junior Sister,' much to his own amusement.

Li Ye definitely harbored ill intentions. Given any chance, she would not hesitate to kill him to avenge her sect. He had disabled many Qinghe Sword Sect disciples; it was entirely possible some were close to her. He could feel her surging hatred, the desire to pierce him with her sword instantly.

Li Muzhan remained constantly vigilant, guarding against any sneak attack, while simultaneously needing to maintain his training lest she surpassed him. She was a prodigy, no less talented than himself, only lagging due to her limited martial experience.

Having traversed several worlds, his martial knowledge was vast and profound. More crucially, the radically different martial philosophies and styles he encountered had broadened his perspective and elevated his understanding.

The Sect Master's decision to link seniority to sparring results seemed designed to pour oil on the fire, spurring both of them to greater effort. He could not resist this path; he could only follow the road laid out.

Excluding the established disciples, the Mingjing Sect had 123 members; adding Li Muzhan and Li Ye brought the total to 125. All of them aimed to traverse the Stone Forest.

As the newest generation of disciples, the longest-serving had been there ten years, the shortest five. Each was a genius with considerable cultivation, yet none could break through the Stone Forest.

Li Muzhan's cultivation was deep, putting him ahead of the rest, but clearing the Stone Forest required at least one year of enrollment; anyone entering for less than a year was forbidden to attempt it. This rule was in place to restrain disciples too eager for quick success, as the Stone Forest was dangerous and could cost them their lives if their martial skill hadn't reached a certain standard.

Li Muzhan felt no urgency. Like a bibliophile entering a grand library, he had no desire to leave quickly. The martial arts of the Mingjing Sect were exquisite, and he consumed them like a starving man.

The Mingjing Sect's martial arts comprised thirty-six branches, each a systematic progression of skills resembling a tree that required climbing step by step, allowing no shortcuts.

No single branch among the thirty-six was inherently superior or inferior; mastering any one to its peak guaranteed the ability to dominate the world against few rivals. It ultimately depended on personal preference and physical constitution.

The Great Sorrow Sword served as the most fundamental foundation of the thirty-six martial systems, threading through all of them. Its inner cultivation method could power any technique within the thirty-six branches.

Some sect disciples aspired to study two or three branches; they had to use the Great Sorrow Sword as their base. The inner force generated by the Great Sorrow Sword was neutral and harmonious, though it lacked the sharpness and distinct characteristics of specialized methods. While its power might be slightly diminished compared to unique cultivation techniques, it possessed the supreme advantage of preventing internal deviation or qi deviation and could activate all other martial arts.

Li Muzhan harbored the ambition to cultivate all thirty-six branches, which was why he dedicated such intense effort to the Great Sorrow Sword. His physical constitution was robust, his body immensely powerful, allowing him to train for far longer than ordinary practitioners.

The Great Sorrow Sword utilized sword posture to circulate inner force, yet many practitioners, after practicing a dozen times, were left gasping for breath—their internal energy full and their spirits high, but their bodies unable to endure the fatigue. (To be continued)