Due to his formidable physique, he gained immense advantages practicing the Dabei Sword (Great Sorrow Sword); where others couldn't endure an hour, he could practice for ten with only slight fatigue.
Li Muzhan did not rush to make friends, instead immersing himself in secluded training, achieving rapid advancement through near-constant practice; even when adjusting his mind, the Dabei Sword remained the focus of his mental deductions.
The Dabei Sword was truly a profound art that distilled complexity into simplicity; the deeper he delved into it, the more marvelous it seemed—his extensive martial arts background and rich experience greatly aided his comprehension.
He understood the intricacies of sectarian relationships thoroughly, cutting straight to the core: among the disciples, connections ultimately mattered less than martial prowess.
Even if he remained aloof, keeping others at bay, possessing cultivation far surpassing his peers would earn him respect, lending him an air of mystery instead.
If one's martial arts were weak, no amount of popularity could stave off disdain; those in the martial world prioritized skill above all else, much like in school where poor grades limit the respect one receives.
He trained in seclusion, practicing the Dabei Sword exclusively for an entire month, his ambition being to master all thirty-six martial disciplines.
Yet, he grasped the importance of foundation; the Dabei Sword served as the bedrock of the Mingjing Sect's martial arts, and since it was exquisitely profound, his initial deep cultivation had caused his progress to slow to a crawl, but after taking up the Dabei Sword, his advancement, while not swift as a rabbit, was several times faster than before.
In that month, his cultivation increased by another twenty percent, and integrating the Dabei Sword into himself nearly doubled his overall strength.
One early morning, the sky overcast, the air thick and muggy, he emerged from seclusion.
A month of intense training, sustained only by his powerful body and firm spirit, kept him from descending into madness; any other person enduring such monotonous practice for a month might have driven themselves insane.
Donning a light azure robe, he headed north to find a meal, but halfway there, his steps faltered, and he frowned.
A group approached him: six young men surrounding a beautiful and alluring girl—Li Ye, who smiled with eyes like crescent moons. The six young men were lively, their joking and conversation attracting notice.
Li Ye moved with light, graceful steps, her bearing enchanting—every movement exuded a charming allure. When she saw Li Muzhan approaching, her smile momentarily faded.
The six young men, entirely focused on her, followed her gaze and saw Li Muzhan. Their smiles also vanished as they glared at him.
Li Muzhan continued walking forward, a faint smile on his face. He cupped his fists in greeting but said nothing, proceeding on his way, unwilling to engage her in conflict.
It seemed she hadn't been idle this past month, having gathered a clique; these six men possessed respectable cultivation, placing them among the top tier of the more than one hundred disciples.
Li Ye turned to face him, resting her right elbow on her left arm, her index finger touching her cherry lips. She gave a soft laugh, "Junior Brother Li, not even a greeting for your Senior Sister?"
Li Muzhan stopped, shaking his head—she was spoiling for a fight.
He turned, looking at Li Ye with a half-smile, "Junior Sister Li's radiance grows ever brighter, a joyous matter indeed. Has this past month treated you well?"
"Hmph!" Li Ye gritted her teeth, hearing the mockery in his tone, resentment burning within her, yet she replied with a sweet smile, "My Senior Brothers have been very attentive to me. This is Senior Brother Zhao Jingzong, Senior Brother He Buping, Senior Brother Meng Guangshan..."
She pointed out the six young men one by one, introducing them. After introducing them, she chuckled lightly, "Senior Brother Zhao, this is Li Wuji."
She smiled charmingly, acting as if she and Li Muzhan were intimately acquainted.
"You are Junior Brother Li Wuji?" Zhao Jingzong scrutinized Li Muzhan from head to toe, stroking the small mustache on his lip, and smiled, "Brought into the sect by Elder Uncle Chen?"
Li Muzhan cupped his fists, nodding. Zhao Jingzong was remarkably handsome, with an untamed look in his eyes, clearly self-satisfied.
Zhao Jingzong remarked, "To catch the eye of Elder Uncle Chen, you must be no ordinary person. Junior Brother Li, what stage have you reached?"
Li Muzhan smiled, "Still practicing the Dabei Sword."
"Oh, building a solid foundation." Zhao Jingzong nodded. "You are a man of insight; a strong foundation is indeed crucial. Don't rush into other techniques."
He possessed a somewhat condescending air, and when he appraised Li Muzhan, it was clearly from a superior position.
Disciples capable of entering the Mingjing Sect were all geniuses who shone brightly outside, but upon arrival, they often faded into the common crowd because the sect's martial arts were esoteric; one had to pass the Stone Forest trial just to speak loudly outside.
Zhao Jingzong was nearly capable of passing the Stone Forest; Li Muzhan, being newly initiated, seemed incredibly green in his eyes. Annoyed by Li Muzhan's apparent closeness with Li Ye, he wished to assert his own standing.
Li Muzhan nodded with a faint smile, "Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother Zhao."
Zhao Jingzong frowned; Li Muzhan's composure showed he hadn't taken him seriously. He scoffed, "Junior Brother Li joined with pre-existing skills; we are all curious. Why not put on a demonstration?"
"That's right..." The other five agreed.
Li Ye smiled subtly without speaking, her eyes curved like crescent moons, utterly captivating.
Li Muzhan glanced at her briefly and said coolly, "Senior Brothers, I am hungry. Perhaps another day?"
Zhao Jingzong stroked his chin, a playful smile crossing his face, "Oh? Junior Brother Li, are you refusing?"
Li Muzhan laughed, "Senior Brother Zhao, I have only just begun learning the Dabei Sword; I am far behind. How could I possibly match you? No need for a contest; I willingly concede inferiority!"
Zhao Jingzong, hearing the subtlety beneath his soft words, grew increasingly annoyed. He snorted, "Junior Brother Li actually intends to surpass us? Truly extraordinary ambition! ...As your Seniors, we merely wish to glimpse your level of training; we won't use killing intent!" Li Ye smiled winningly, saying nothing.
Li Muzhan glanced at her and smiled faintly, "Since you insist, I shall respectfully comply."
Upon arriving, one must establish dominance; he hadn't intended conflict so soon, wanting at least a period of training first, but since someone insisted on provoking him, he couldn't back down.
However, Zhao Jingzong’s background must be significant; with Li Ye's scheming nature, she wouldn't pick a mere nobody to challenge him—this might be too easy for himself.
"Let's go to the training grounds!" Zhao Jingzong clapped his hands and chuckled, "Let us witness the martial arts of the Tianyuan Pavilion!"
Li Muzhan narrowed his eyes, glancing faintly at Zhao Jingzong, then smiled, "Senior Brother Zhao, I will go after I've filled my stomach."
"Very well, we will wait for you at the training grounds... Heh, Junior Brother Li won't be backing out now, will you?" Zhao Jingzong said with a smile.
Li Ye chimed in sweetly, "Senior Brother Zhao, I'll accompany Junior Brother Li. He went straight into seclusion upon arrival; I fear he doesn't know the way to the kitchens!"
Without waiting for their reply, she turned and approached Li Muzhan, smiling, "Junior Brother Li, shall we go?"
Li Muzhan glanced at the darkening faces of Zhao Jingzong and the others, shook his head, "Let's go, Senior Sister Li!"
Zhao Jingzong and the others glared furiously. They didn't blame Li Ye but poured all their rage onto Li Muzhan, deciding he needed to be taught a harsh lesson later.
Li Muzhan walked at a leisurely pace, glancing lightly at Li Ye, "Senior Sister Li, is this how the Qinghe Sword Sect handles matters?"
Li Ye bit her lip but maintained a bright, sweet smile, "What's wrong?"
Li Muzhan shook his head, "Using another's hand to strike is too clumsy!"
"Hmph, don't accuse me wrongly!" Li Ye pouted her red lips and laughed triumphantly, "I haven't said a word!"
Li Muzhan asked, "Who is Senior Brother Zhao?"
Li Ye chuckled softly, "Elder Zhao's grandson!... Don't blame me for not warning you, Senior Sister. Elder Zhao is extremely protective and dotes on this grandson!"
Li Muzhan said lightly, "I'll just admit defeat then!"
Li Ye pursed her lips and turned to assess him, "Hey, I heard you went into seclusion for a month. Were you afraid I’d catch up to you?"
Li Muzhan shook his head, "I never considered that."
"What do you mean?!" Li Ye shot him a sidelong glance, "Are you looking down on me?"
Li Muzhan smiled faintly, offering no confirmation.
Li Ye felt her anger surging, rushing to her head, almost impossible to suppress; she desperately wished to draw her sword and stab him through the heart, then stab him a few more times for good measure.
The angrier she became, the brighter her smile grew; she shook her head lightly, chuckling, "We'll see how arrogant you are later!"
Li Muzhan smiled, "Are you inviting me to eat?"
"Why not," Li Ye smiled sweetly, "I'll console you first!"
Li Muzhan and Li Ye entered a large hall, the designated dining area for sect disciples. About twenty disciples were eating, each minding their own business; nobody paid attention to the pair entering.
Li Ye navigated skillfully, ordering dishes and finding a seat, settling opposite Li Muzhan, propping her chin in one hand and staring at him with a smile.
Li Muzhan acted as if she weren't there, eating quickly but deliberately, finishing four dishes in one go. He wiped his mouth but didn't rush to rise.
Li Muzhan picked up a teacup, took a slow sip, his expression relaxed and languid, "Senior Sister Li, aren't you afraid of playing with fire and getting burned?"
Li Muzhan felt that dining here was akin to a five-star hotel in his previous life—impeccable service and perceptive attendants.
Li Ye glanced at him sideways, "How am I playing with fire?"
Li Muzhan stated, "I advise Senior Sister Li, do not treat every man like a fool!"
Li Ye shook her head with a sweet smile, "Junior Brother Li, I advise you as well: do not treat every woman like a weakling!"
Li Muzhan smiled, raised his teacup slightly, and Li Ye pursed her lips, draining hers in one gulp.
Li Muzhan set down his cup and stood up to leave; Li Ye gracefully followed.
Li Muzhan walked slowly toward the training grounds, saying little to Li Ye along the way; Li Ye also kept her red lips tightly shut, remaining silent. She imagined the scene of Li Muzhan being disciplined by Elder Zhao, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved upwards.
This sight was witnessed by Zhao Jingzong and his group, who looked at Li Muzhan with chilling gazes. Every man harbored a desire to monopolize a beauty like Li Ye, and they could not tolerate seeing another touch her; Li Muzhan instantly became a public enemy.
Dark clouds covered the sky, becoming oppressively heavy—the precursor to a storm. Many people were still at the training grounds, many having heard the news and come to watch the spectacle.
Zhao Jingzong stepped forward, smiling, "Junior Brother Li, have you eaten your fill?"
Li Muzhan smiled, "Thank you for waiting, Senior Brothers. Shall we begin?"
"That would be best!" Zhao Jingzong replied.
Li Muzhan smiled, "Will Senior Brother Zhao be personally guiding the lesson?"
"I'll go first!" A lean young man stepped forward, cupped his fists, "Junior Brother Li, let me experience the martial arts of the Tianyuan Pavilion."
Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, "Senior Brother Meng, I will use the Dabei Sword."
"As you wish!" Meng Guangshan waved his hand, "We'll set a limit of one hundred moves. If you can withstand my hundred moves, you win, avoiding accusations of me bullying a junior!"
Li Ye sighed helplessly, her eyes curving into a smile, "Senior Brother Meng, Junior Brother Li has extraordinarily high comprehension; even the Sect Master has praised him personally. Senior Brother Meng, do not be careless."