Li Muzhan paced as he spoke, "I've long wanted to see the Purple Star Hall for myself.

It might truly be connected to the West River Gang.

Is Sect Master Deng's injury serious?" Chen Daotang waved a hand dismissively. "He'll be on his feet in a month." Li Muzhan chuckled. "Sounds like quite the blow!" Chen Daotang shook his head with a wry smile. "I forgot you two have history! ...But if you have a grudge, why save him midway through?" Li Muzhan replied, "Public and private matters must be separated.

Since the Sect Master issued an order, I naturally had to complete it.

I just didn't expect the West River Gang to be so slippery, thinking one repulse would be the end of it." "The West River Gang has the shadow of the Great River Sect behind them; they cannot be underestimated," Chen Daotang warned, shaking his head. "Do you know the Great River Sect?" Li Muzhan fell silent, quickly searching his memory.

Due to his earlier lack of insight, he had put considerable effort into understanding the martial world, poring over every book in the Tianyuan Pavilion.

Many old matters were clear to him, easily recalled with a prompt.

Li Muzhan said, "The Great River Sect was a major power a century ago.

They rose quickly and fell just as fast, like an ephemera.

There must be some hidden story behind it?" "Indeed," Chen Daotang sighed. "The demise of the Great River Sect is tied to the Four Great Sects." Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head.

The Great River Sect must have been too dazzling; the Four Great Sects couldn't sit idly by, so they struck in secret, eliminating the threat.

Such things were common enough.

Chen Daotang countered, shaking his head. "It's also the Great River Sect's own fault for being too domineering.

As soon as they appeared, they challenged the Four Sects, suppressing all sides and forcing the Four to join forces." Li Muzhan's brow twitched slightly. "So, the Great River Sect's martial arts were exceptionally powerful?" Chen Daotang nodded slowly. "The Great River Sect's strength surpassed any single one of the Four Sects; only then could the Four unite!" Li Muzhan asked, "When they vanished, what about their cultivation methods?" Chen Daotang’s expression grew solemn, his brow tight with gravity. "They disappeared very mysteriously; their core techniques vanished without a trace." Li Muzhan sat down. "They arranged a retreat?" "Mmm," Chen Daotang confirmed, nodding. "They simply vanished!" Li Muzhan mused, "The Great River Sect rising from the ashes..." Chen Daotang frowned. "Truly an era of turmoil—first the Purple Star Hall, and now the Great River Sect!" Li Muzhan asked, "Could the two truly be connected?" "Judging by the cultivation methods, it doesn't seem like it," Chen Daotang slowly shook his head. "I've clashed with members of the West River Gang; their style isn't that of the Purple Star Hall." "Senior Brother Chen has met a master from the Great River Sect?" Li Muzhan inquired.

Chen Daotang explained, "The Sect Master demonstrated once.

The Great River Sect's moves are like a mighty river surging downward, whereas the Purple Star Hall is ethereal and unpredictable.

They are not the same lineage." Li Muzhan let out a breath of relief.

If the two factions were one, the trouble would have been immense. "Senior Brother, I wish to spar with everyone," Li Muzhan declared.

Chen Daotang asked, "How do you mean, spar?" Li Muzhan smiled. "Sparring them one by one.

How many disciples in our sect have passed through the Stone Forest?" "About two hundred, perhaps," Chen Daotang replied. "Though not many are currently on the mountain." "What about Martial Uncles and the like?" Li Muzhan pressed.

Chen Daotang laughed. "Ambitious words! ...Those of the Martial Uncle generation are mostly residing on the mountain." "I want to spar with them!" Li Muzhan laughed. "Senior Brother, help me find a way!" Chen Daotang paused in thought, then smiled. "Very well, I will issue the challenge for you!" He thought to himself that ordinary disciples wouldn't bother with the Martial Uncles; they lacked the time.

However, Martial Brother Li was practicing the lineage of the Heavenly Secret Sword Art and had started mastering the Grand Heavenly Cycle Sword.

Everyone was curious and unlikely to refuse.

He shook his head, recalling that the Heavenly Secret Sword Art lineage was always held in high regard.

Disciples of the Bright Mirror Sect had all attempted it, with only a handful mastering the Minor Heavenly Cycle Sword Art—and every one of them became a top master.

He himself had benefited greatly from this, earning favor.

For the ensuing month, Li Muzhan sparred constantly with his Martial Uncles, each one possessing profound cultivation that surpassed his own, their swordsmanship exquisitely refined.

He sparred with a master from every lineage.

Thirty-six lineages, one per day, took thirty-five days.

The Heavenly Secret Sword Art lineage had no representative, as he himself had mastered the Grand Heavenly Cycle Sword, making him the direct heir of that lineage.

He benefited immensely.

The martial arts of the thirty-five lineages each possessed unique subtleties, and the Grand Heavenly Cycle Sword Art subtly harmonized with them.

Every spar was etched into his memory; every replay in his mind brought new harvest, deepening his comprehension of the Grand Heavenly Cycle Sword Art and the Eight Understandings of the Sword Path.

Li Muzhan could now confirm that the Heavenly Secret Canon and the Heavenly Secret Sword were indeed related, which plunged him deeper into obsession.

He thought of nothing else day and night, forgetting everything else.

His progress over the month stunned everyone.

In the beginning, the Martial Uncles sparred with ease, but in the final few days, the Grand Heavenly Cycle Sword Art could begin to suppress them, winning steadily.

They witnessed with their own eyes Li Muzhan realizing the Grand Heavenly Cycle Sword Art at a visible rate, advancing a thousand li a day—slowly overtaking them, then rocketing far ahead.

Amidst their jealousy, they were also thrilled.

The emergence of such a prodigious talent in the Bright Mirror Sect was an omen of revitalization.

Once he truly mastered the Heavenly Secret Sword Art, the Bright Mirror Sect could dominate the Three Sects and become number one in the world.

Thinking of this, they sparred even more fiercely with Li Muzhan, unleashing their deepest, most guarded techniques without reservation, pushing Li Muzhan into perilous situations where he struggled immensely.

One evening, Li Muzhan was practicing the Grand Heavenly Cycle Sword in his small courtyard.

Sword light flickered, as if countless points of cold starlight were scattering across the sky, the trajectory of the sword energy imbued with a mysterious aura.

The courtyard door was knocked upon.

Chen Daotang entered.

Li Muzhan ceased his sword practice. "Senior Brother?" "This is from the Sect Master for you." Chen Daotang approached, handing Li Muzhan a cloth-wrapped bundle from behind his back.

Li Muzhan sheathed his sword and accepted it with both hands.

He moved to the small pavilion, placing the bundle on the stone table before opening it.

Inside was a dark sandalwood box, nearly a palm thick.

He opened it directly.

Inside lay a thick scroll bound in silver-white silk, which shimmered golden in the setting sun—possessing both the patina of age and an air of nobility. "This is...?" Li Muzhan turned to Chen Daotang. "The Heavenly Dipper Divine Sword," Chen Daotang smiled.

Li Muzhan nodded slowly.

Two characters were written on the cover, radiating a sharp aura that felt almost tangible, causing him to instinctively lean back.

Chen Daotang spoke with solemnity, "Wuji, this Heavenly Dipper Sword Form is said that every one of its thirty-six stances can correspond to a Heavenly Dipper Star in the sky, drawing upon stellar force for use—hence the name Divine Sword!" Li Muzhan’s brow raised slightly.

Chen Daotang continued, "This is merely legend.

The predecessor who mastered the Heavenly Secret Sword Art went mad; nothing was left behind.

The Heavenly Dipper Divine Sword has not been practiced by anyone since.

Try it, but do not force yourself!" Li Muzhan asked, "Senior Brother, no one can practice it?" "Mmm, I tried too," Chen Daotang nodded. "Everyone has tried.

But the cultivation method is too profound, too divine; no one could grasp the essence and had to give up." Li Muzhan’s heart throbbed with eagerness.

The more he practiced, the more he realized the boundless depth and infinite mystery of the Heavenly Secret lineage's swordsmanship—like a buried treasure trove where even a small dig yielded riches.

He eagerly flipped open the silk scroll.

It was supple and smooth like satin, yet surprisingly heavy.

Ignoring that, he turned to the second page.

Beside a simple sword posture were two lines of cultivation text.

Li Muzhan frowned, then quickly flipped through the remaining thirty-five pages.

He closed the book and smiled.

Chen Daotang laughed. "Is it too esoteric?" Li Muzhan nodded. "It is certainly extraordinary! ...Thank you, Senior Brother!" "You can understand it?" Chen Daotang looked at him curiously.

Li Muzhan smiled. "It looks simple, but it is difficult to practice, and there’s a certain mystery to it.

I shall try practicing it!" The method involved visualization: thirty-six Heavenly Dipper Stars, each stance required incorporating one of these stars into the sword, becoming one entity, and channeling the stellar force for use.

The purpose of the sword forms was to channel stellar force, not to achieve exquisite killing maneuvers.

This Heavenly Dipper Sword technique was similar to the Great Compassion Sword: one channeled internal force, the other channeled stellar force.