Bai Mingqiu said, "The Purple Star Hall seems enigmatic and perhaps pretentious, but their strength is formidable. We must be cautious."

Li Muzhan nodded. "It's good that Senior Sister understands that. They are completely unrestrained, even daring to kill disciples of the Bright Mirror Sect. When Senior Brother Chen went to seek justice, he was actually injured."

"Chen Daotang was injured?" Long Jingyue's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Is the Purple Star Hall truly that terrifying?"

Li Muzhan replied, "Senior Brother Chen has deep cultivation and isn't afraid in a one-on-one fight, but he couldn't withstand them ganging up on him. . . . Moreover, the methods employed by these Purple Star Hall people are unconventional, and they show no regard for face—that is what makes them terrifying."

"Then we really must be careful," Long Jingyue nodded slowly.

A tiger cannot withstand a wolf pack, but that is only if the pack poses a credible threat to the tiger. No number of sheep matters to a tiger otherwise. To mobilize a group capable of wounding Chen Daotang means they cannot be underestimated.

Chen Daotang's cultivation is profound; he is arguably the foremost master among the Bright Mirror Sect's disciples of two generations. His lightness skill is peerless, and ordinary encircling attacks usually cannot even brush the corner of his robes.

"Wuji, why are you out of the Stone Forest so soon? What have you been practicing?" Long Jingyue inquired.

Li Muzhan replied, "Of the Bright Mirror Sect's Thirty-Six Veins martial arts, I have been practicing the Heavenly Mystery Sword."

"Hmm?" Long Jingyue frowned, pondering. "Heavenly Mystery Sword Arts? Isn't that said to be the most difficult of the Thirty-Six Veins?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "So I've heard."

Long Jingyue's delicate brows knitted together as she looked at him intently. "Wuji, do you have confidence?"

"I practiced the Heavenly Mystery Art, which is why I chose the Heavenly Mystery Sword Arts," Li Muzhan stated.

Long Jingyue mused, "The Heavenly Mystery Art and the Heavenly Mystery Sword Arts are connected?"

Seeing Li Muzhan nod, Long Jingyue countered, "That's not necessarily true. As far as I know, the two have no relation whatsoever."

Li Muzhan smiled. "Even if they don't, the Heavenly Mystery Sword Arts stand supreme. How can I rest if I don't try? I would rather waste time than shrink back in fear."

"That is true enough," Long Jingyue shook her head with a slight laugh. "Your nature... So, where are you in your practice now?"

"I have mastered the Minor Heavenly Cycle Sword Form," Li Muzhan informed her.

"The Minor Heavenly Cycle Sword Form is mastered?" Long Jingyue raised an eyebrow, shaking her head with a smile. "Wuji, don't celebrate too soon. Mastering the Minor Heavenly Cycle Sword means very little. Even mastering the Major Heavenly Cycle Sword, or the Heavenly Dipper Sword, or the Big Dipper Sword, might still not be enough to master the Heavenly Mystery Sword!"

Li Muzhan nodded. "That is also true."

That was the difficulty of the Heavenly Mystery Sword Arts; it was the culmination of the preceding sword forms, requiring profound insight rather than just natural progression. There was a qualitative leap involved, much like a carp leaping the Dragon Gate.

"But to master the Minor Heavenly Cycle Sword Form in such a short time, you truly do credit to our Heavenly Abyss Pavilion! How about the disciples from the Clear River Sword Sect?" Long Jingyue asked.

Bai Mingqiu slightly opened her eyes, staring fixedly at him.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "He is also a formidable figure, possessing excellent natural talent."

Long Jingyue nodded. "Naturally so. For such a prime opportunity, they would naturally send their best disciples."

Li Muzhan smiled. "Senior Brother Chen said that if Senior Sister wishes to enter, she can as well."

"Chen Daotang means no good!" Long Jingyue snorted.

Bai Mingqiu spoke, "Junior Brother, let me witness your Minor Heavenly Cycle Sword!"

Saying this, she rose, drew her sword in one fluid motion, and thrust it directly at him. A sharp killing intent washed over him. Li Muzhan’s eyebrows twitched slightly as he pondered why his senior sister would do this.

"Clang, clang, clang, clang..." Their sword tips collided like a rain of falling banana blossoms—rapid, crisp, and quite melodious. Long Jingyue watched from the side, narrowing her eyes in surprise.

She hadn't expected Li Muzhan's swordsmanship to reach this level. She sighed inwardly. Since he left, Qiu'er had practiced as if possessed, her progress rapid as the day is long. But she hadn't expected Wuji's progress to be even faster, pulling ahead by another great margin.

Could it be that the martial arts of the Bright Mirror Sect are truly this potent?

She slowly looked up toward the hall entrance, gazing into the sea of clouds. Could she really let Qiu'er join the Bright Mirror Sect?

As she was thinking, Li Muzhan's voice reached her: "Senior Sister, I concede."

"Fine swordplay!" Bai Mingqiu stated coldly.

When Long Jingyue looked over, Bai Mingqiu was already sheathing her sword, her expression icy. She sighed inwardly, realizing Qiu'er must also be deeply conflicted right now.

She considered this for a moment, then hesitated. "Wuji, perhaps we should let Qiu'er join the Bright Mirror Sect too?"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "If Senior Sister goes to the Bright Mirror Sect, what becomes of the Heavenly Abyss Pavilion?"

Long Jingyue replied, "If it doesn't work out, we can find another successor. I can wait two more years and cultivate someone new."

She knew Bai Mingqiu was obsessed with martial arts. Her training wasn't purely out of duty, but also for enjoyment. How could she not be tempted upon seeing such unparalleled martial arts?

Li Muzhan still shook his head. "There is no one more suitable than Senior Sister. While Senior Sister Ling'er has a good disposition, she is not the material for the Pavilion Master."

Among the female disciples of the Heavenly Abyss Pavilion capable of taking on great responsibility, there were very few. Zhu Ling was the most outstanding—intelligent, quick-witted, and inherently good-natured, capable of being molded.

However, Zhu Ling had a major flaw: she could not endure loneliness or tedium, constantly craving novelty and excitement, which made her unsuitable to be the Pavilion Master.

Long Jingyue countered, "A Pavilion Master is not born that way; she can be tempered slowly. Her temperament will naturally settle as she grows older."

Li Muzhan chuckled. "Master, you are too biased!"

He perceived Long Jingyue's true intention: she did not want to burden Senior Sister and wished to grant her the freedom to cultivate, not wanting her to be constrained by the title of Pavilion Master.

"You insolent boy, am I biased against you?!" Long Jingyue shot him a look, and Bai Mingqiu simultaneously cast a scornful glance in disdain.

Li Muzhan let out a couple of chuckles. His Master had indeed been exceedingly lenient with him, allowing him complete freedom, which was why he was so devoted to returning.

He grinned slyly. "Master, the Bright Mirror Sect's martial arts cannot be taught externally, but anything I create myself is fine."

"That is true," Long Jingyue nodded, then suddenly expressed surprise. "Wuji, you plan to create your own martial arts?"

Li Muzhan smiled. "I will let Master critique it once I emerge from seclusion!"

This was not the first or second time he had done such a thing; he was practiced at it. Creating a sword style was not difficult; the challenge lay in completely integrating all his prior martial knowledge.

"Very well, I shall look forward to it!" Long Jingyue nodded, then waved her hand. "Alright, hurry back to your seclusion. Do you need to enter the Heavenly Abyss now?"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "No rush yet."

Long Jingyue glanced at Bai Mingqiu, pursed her lips, and smiled faintly. "Alright, no rush! ... Qiu'er, take him back."

"He has his own legs, he isn't lost!" Bai Mingqiu said coldly.

Long Jingyue shook her head. "Stop arguing and hurry up!"

Bai Mingqiu huffed, rose, glanced askance at Li Muzhan, and said coldly, "Let's go!"

Li Muzhan cupped his hands toward Long Jingyue and followed behind Bai Mingqiu out of the main hall. They soon reached his small courtyard, but as Bai Mingqiu turned to leave, Li Muzhan blocked the doorway.

"What are you doing?!" Bai Mingqiu glared at him coldly.

Li Muzhan chuckled good-naturedly. "Where have I offended Senior Sister?"

"I wouldn't dare," Bai Mingqiu sneered. Li Muzhan thought for a moment, unable to recall anything, and shook his head helplessly. "Senior Sister, could you give me a hint?"

"If you don't know, then forget it!" Bai Mingqiu said coldly, then charged directly toward him, utterly unconcerned by his obstruction. Li Muzhan was determined not to let her pass.

Their chests were nearly touching when Bai Mingqiu suddenly slipped aside, attempting to evade Li Muzhan, but Li Muzhan was quicker, following close behind. They were still just inches from colliding.

"Senior Sister..." Li Muzhan said with a wry smile. "It’s not that I didn't write letters; I was truly powerless to do so, I was far too busy! The first month was spent practicing the Great Sorrow Sword; if I hadn't succeeded, I couldn't have entered the sect. The rest of the time was spent in seclusion practicing. I dared not slacken, lest I disgrace the reputation of our Heavenly Abyss Pavilion."

"You're the busiest person in the whole world!" Bai Mingqiu sneered, suddenly manifesting three afterimages that phased right through Li Muzhan and appeared outside the door.

Li Muzhan watched her leave, shaking his head helplessly. Even the most magnanimous women had their petty moments. It was just about not writing letters; they would see each other soon enough anyway.

Suddenly, he felt a sharp tug in his heart. He quickly pulled out his communication talisman. A line of text on it made his expression shift slightly: they were being dispatched to aid the Clear River Sword Sect!