Li Muzhan curved his lips into a smile that seemed both suggestive and mocking. "Very well, I've been wanting to test your skills!"

Old Man Su, a master of guile whose composure was impenetrable, thought to himself: This kid practices the Heavenly Secret Sword lineage; to have mastered the Grand Heavenly Cycle Sword is a menace that must be eliminated!

"Come then!" he commanded in a deep voice.

Li Muzhan thrust his sword forward lightly, as gentle as a breeze, devoid of any heat. Elder Su drifted back a step, frowning as he fixed his gaze upon the attack.

Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled, retracting his long sword to regard the elder.

Even with his thick skin, Elder Su felt his face flush. He ground his teeth inwardly, realizing he’d been played; the seemingly fearsome thrust had suddenly withdrawn, deliberately humiliating him.

Murderous intent surged within him, yet he managed a smile. "Well done, young man, truly a magnificent swordsmanship!"

Li Muzhan returned the smile. "Elder Su was startled!"

It felt like a slap across Elder Su’s face. His complexion flushed crimson, and his eyes glinted with tangible, sharp light. "Good, good! Let's go again!"

Without waiting for Li Muzhan to strike, he surged forward in an arrow-straight dash, his sword light condensing into a single icy gleam that instantly menaced Li Muzhan's heart.

Li Muzhan blocked with the flat of his blade. Clang... The clear chime resonated endlessly as Li Muzhan's sword bent into a perfect crescent moon shape.

The sword rebounded, sending both men drifting back two steps.

Li Muzhan nodded in satisfaction. Elder Su’s face remained grim, musing that with such profound cultivation at so young an age, this boy could not be allowed to mature further!

Li Muzhan smiled faintly. "Elder Su, perhaps we should cease. If anything untoward happened, it would reflect poorly on both our sects."

Elder Su glared, frowning. "Are you afraid?"

Li Muzhan laughed and shook his head. "I fear damaging our harmony."

Elder Su sneered coldly, his frown deepening. "When have your Bright Mirror Sect and ours ever been in harmony?! ... You didn't fear injuring harmony when sparring with Pingyang just now, but now you do when facing me?"

Li Muzhan replied, "That was to test Young Master Su's merit on behalf of my Senior Sister. Now, however, you are an Elder of the Pure Clarity Sect, and I am merely an ordinary disciple of the Bright Mirror Sect. How could I possibly engage you?"

This statement was another barb, subtly mocking Elder Su for using his seniority to bully a junior.

Elder Su, too thick-skinned to acknowledge the sting, said coldly, "Why waste words? Fear is fear. I am not one to bully the young or weak!"

Saying this, he sheathed his sword and glanced back at Su Pingyang, who stood lost, staring blankly at the ground—dumbstruck.

Elder Su glared at his grandson, annoyed by his lack of spirit. Losing was one thing, but this performance of utter despair was infuriating. If your skill is lacking, you train harder and surpass them; it’s not the end of the world!

Li Muzhan spread his hands and said with a slight smile, "Very well... to tell the truth, I likely cannot defeat Elder Su!"

Elder Su frowned. His killing intent intensified; this boy was adaptable, thick-skinned, and thus, a greater threat.

However, as an Elder of the Pure Clarity Sect, he couldn't overstep boundaries. He stiffened his expression and said coldly, "Sect Leader Long, what are your thoughts?"

Long Jingyue seemed to awaken from a daze. "Hmm? Oh, you aren't fighting anymore?"

Elder Su inwardly sneered. "Since Young Master Li is afraid, pressing on would be bullying a junior. Let us drop the matter!"

Long Jingyue smiled. "This boy has always been arrogant and looked down on everyone. Since joining the Bright Mirror Sect, he’s grown excessively proud. Finally, he has bowed his head this time. Thank you, Elder Su!"

"I dare not claim credit!" Elder Su said calmly. "Does Sect Leader Long have a suggestion?"

Long Jingyue asked, "Is Elder Su still intending to propose marriage for Young Master Su?"

"Grandfather!" Su Pingyang suddenly spoke, his eyes burning fiercely.

Elder Su shook his head and sighed. "The proposal is over. Pingyang lacks that fortune!"

Long Jingyue smiled. "It is Qiu'er who lacks fortune!... Young Master Su is a dragon among men, with a boundless future!"

Elder Su turned and glared at Li Muzhan. "Young Master Li, are you currently a disciple of the Heaven Abyss Pavilion or the Bright Mirror Sect?"

Long Jingyue replied, "He is naturally a disciple of the Bright Mirror Sect now. This child is sentimental; see, he came to visit us as soon as he returned to the mountain."

She did not wish to expel Li Muzhan from the Pavilion, but the Bright Mirror Sect was a massive tree offering ample shade, which was useful—a form of buffer.

"A Bright Mirror Sect disciple, hmph!" Elder Su sneered coldly at Li Muzhan and stated sternly, "We shall meet again. Sect Leader Long, we take our leave!"

With that, he turned to depart. Su Pingyang cast a lingering look at Bai Mingqiu. Her eyes sparkled enchantingly, enough to steal a man's breath, yet she was focused entirely on Li Wuji, not sparing him a glance!

His heart twisted in agony, and his face grew paler.

"Pingyang!" Elder Su commanded.

Su Pingyang took a deep breath, glanced one last time at Bai Mingqiu, and walked slowly outward with heavy steps, finally vanishing through the doorway.

"Alas..." Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed. "I never expected Young Master Su to be such a passionate lover!"

Bai Mingqiu shot him a sidelong glance and turned her head away.

Long Jingyue laughed. "This time, we have thoroughly offended the Pure Clarity Sect!"

Li Muzhan grinned wickedly. "Master, can the Pure Clarity Sect still be trusted?"

Long Jingyue replied, "No matter what, Qiu'er has her maternal grandfather involved."

Li Muzhan smiled. "And the face of my Martial Ancestor?"

"Impudent boy, you're courting death!" Long Jingyue glanced around before lowering her voice. "If my Master heard you say that, she’d box your ears for sure!"

Li Muzhan asked, "Master, are you not disheartened by the previous incident?"

Long Jingyue frowned, finally sighing. "All crows are black under the sun. In critical moments, one must rely on oneself. The Pure Clarity Sect is unreliable, and the Bright Mirror Sect is no better!"

Li Muzhan soothed, "Master, just endure a few more years!"

Long Jingyue broke into a smile. "Wuji, don't rush either. I hear the Heavenly Secret Sword Arts are very dangerous; be extremely careful not to suffer Qi deviation!"

Li Muzhan nodded, then returned to his small courtyard and sealed himself off.

Three days later, he presented eight jade pendants to Long Jingyue. They were palm-sized, shimmering emerald green, seeming to hold flowing clear springs within—inviting touch.

These eight pendants had cost him three days and three nights of effort. Four were engraved with the Instantaneous Teleportation Divine Ability; once activated, they would instantly transport him a hundred miles away. The other four were for protection, capable of blocking one full-power strike from him.

With these two types of talismans, survival was assured.

Accepting the eight jade talismans, Long Jingyue shook her head and chuckled, thinking he was being overly cautious; the Heaven Abyss Pavilion possessed protective arrays that no outsider could breach.

Li Muzhan earnestly instructed her, insisting she keep the two talismans for herself. The eight talismans were intended for four people: Long Jingyue, Bai Mingqiu, Lin Shaobai, and Zhu Ling.

In the time he had been at the Heaven Abyss Pavilion, these four were the only ones he felt truly close to; he rarely saw other sect members and had no real affection for them. These two talismans could save their lives and prevent him from having regrets. He understood, fundamentally, that only his own strength could truly shield them.

He did not linger long at the Heaven Abyss Pavilion, returning directly to the Bright Mirror Sect.

The moment he entered his courtyard, Chen Daotang appeared, clad in flowing grey robes, maintaining his usual cold severity. After entering the courtyard, he sat directly down in the small pavilion. Li Muzhan sheathed his sword and sat opposite him, pouring tea.

"Senior Brother Chen, what has happened?"

"Sect Master Deng is in trouble!" Chen Daotang stated grimly.

Li Muzhan shot up instantly. "What—!?"

"The Sect Master of the Clear River Sword Sect was gravely wounded," Chen Daotang reported. "He nearly perished!"

Li Muzhan quickly asked, "Senior Brother Chen received my message, right?"

"It was fortunate you sent word; I arrived in time," Chen Daotang nodded.

Li Muzhan frowned. "Was it the work of the West River Gang?"

"The Violet Star Hall," Chen Daotang snorted.

Li Muzhan stood, hands behind his back, pacing slowly, his brow deeply furrowed. "Senior Brother Chen suspects the West River Gang is connected to the Violet Star Hall?"

"Yes," Chen Daotang confirmed. "Otherwise, this coincidence is too great!"