The Divine Power of the Tianyuan possesses a strange energy; even secret arts like the Heavenly Mandate Manual cannot trace anything back to it. Staying in the Tianyuan shields one's secrets.

As long as he hides in the Tianyuan, the Huaqing Sect will be helpless. They might suspect he is in the Tianyuan, but they won't be able to force their way into the Tianyuan Pavilion.

Li Muzhan had layered additional formations upon the original Guardian Talisman Array, making its current might formidable—a direct assault would be impossible.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "Master, seclusion is useless now. It’s best if I spar with some masters."

"You want to actively seek trouble with the Huaqing Sect?" Long Jingyue frowned. She knew Li Muzhan too well; she could tell where he was going the moment he flicked his tail.

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded. "It’s better than letting them keep pestering us."

Long Jingyue shook her head. "Then you might as well target the Xijiang Gang instead!"

Her feelings toward the Huaqing Sect were complex; her grandmaster was still there, and so was Bai Mingqiu’s maternal grandfather. Their ties were deep-rooted.

Li Muzhan understood Long Jingyue’s conflicted heart and smiled. "I'll stay here for a while first."

Long Jingyue pursed her lips and glanced at Bai Mingqiu with a smile. "Fine, let Qiu'er keep you company!"

Bai Mingqiu blushed deeply, turned her head away as if she hadn't heard, the roots of her ears crimson. Li Muzhan chuckled, "I'll trouble you then, Senior Sister!"

Bai Mingqiu lightly floated up, turned, and walked toward the exit. "I was just looking for someone to spar with. Let’s go!"

Long Jingyue watched their retreating figures leave the main hall together, shaking her head with a smile. This Qiu'er was too reserved; she felt anxious just watching her.

The two left the hall and arrived at the pavilion in Li Muzhan's small courtyard. Li Muzhan felt helpless; his Senior Sister was too demure. Though she clearly cared for him, she couldn't tolerate his familiarity, as if it would damage her dignity.

Li Muzhan, having come from later generations, understood this was a psychological barrier that would be hard to overcome; it had already developed from the mental to the physical, requiring patience and acclimatization.

One who has never tasted meat won't crave it intensely. Li Muzhan, however, had tasted too much, and his deep affection stirred desire, making his restraint truly agonizing. Thinking of Bai Mingqiu made him yearn after just two days apart; seeing her was a kind of torture.

"Slap!" Bai Mingqiu slapped his hand away, glaring at him coldly. "Are you really going to the Huaqing Sect?"

Li Muzhan casually withdrew his hand from hers, the exquisitely fine sensation of her jade-like skin lingering on his palm. He shook his head and smiled. "Let's wait a bit longer. Master doesn't want me conflicting with the Huaqing Sect."

"Because Master knows how powerful the Huaqing Sect is," Bai Mingqiu stated.

Li Muzhan nodded. "The Huaqing Sect is indeed formidable. I'm not a match for them; if I can't win, I run."

Bai Mingqiu shot him a look laced with annoyance. "Don't assume your skill at fleeing is unrivaled; there’s always a higher mountain to climb!"

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded. "That’s true. I will be careful!"

Having witnessed the Jade Talisman of the Purple Star Hall, he truly understood that there were always greater powers; instant movement was not invincible.

————

At dawn, bathed in the bright morning sunlight, Li Muzhan and Bai Mingqiu sparred fiercely, their clashing sword lights flashing with sharp silver brilliance, a beautiful sight.

Li Muzhan attacked while Bai Mingqiu defended. Sometimes he was like a raging storm, other times like a gentle spring breeze caressing the willows. Bai Mingqiu moved her sword with practiced ease and slowness, maintaining a tight defense without flaw.

Li Muzhan's swordplay was incredibly intricate; no two moves were alike, his techniques seeming endless. Bai Mingqiu met all variations with steadfast constancy, her defense impenetrable.

Half an hour later, Li Muzhan stepped back slightly, smiling. "Senior Sister's swordsmanship has improved greatly!"

Bai Mingqiu rolled her eyes at him. "Stop talking nonsense!"

She knew her swordsmanship lagged far behind Li Muzhan. She could sense that he hadn't used his full strength in any strike; he was holding back in every exchange. The gap between them was widening; striving desperately offered no relief, which was truly discouraging.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Senior Sister, I’m truly not flattering you. Your Flowing Water Sword Style has reached a profound level, quite embodying the true essence of the Qinghe Sword Art."

"You noticed that?" Bai Mingqiu huffed.

Li Muzhan nodded. "Senior Sister should go out and see more of the world."

"Sigh..." Bai Mingqiu shook her head. Once she left, the power within the Pavilion would be depleted. The elders deep within the Tianyuan were all in seclusion and could not emerge quickly. Moreover, the current atmosphere was rife with panic; she had no inclination to go out anyway.

Li Muzhan found it a pity and smiled. "But that’s alright. I have seen many sword styles; I can demonstrate them to you one by one for practice!"

His Senior Sister possessed the gift of perfect recollection and high comprehension. She could memorize a sword style after seeing it once and even grasp its essence. Her comprehension was no less than his. However, she was limited by her experience. For the same set of sword techniques, the depth of his and her understanding differed. There was no shortcut for this—only gaining broader experience.

The Qinghe Sword Sect's techniques were heavily imbued with the concept of water. Senior Sister had integrated this into the Flowing Water Sword Style of the Tianyuan Twelve Swords, making her defense continuous and greatly enhanced.

Bai Mingqiu pursed her lips and smiled radiantly, her gaze glancing sideways at him. "Where did you find so many sword styles?"

Li Muzhan laughed. "I enjoy flipping through secret manuals. The Mingjing Sect has quite a few!"

"They have such a long lineage; they must have numerous manuals... Again!" She raised her sword and attacked once more, her dense sword light cascading down like a waterfall.

"Clang, clang, clang, clang..." The clear ringing of the swords possessed a unique, pleasing rhythm.

Suddenly, Li Muzhan leaped back again. Bai Mingqiu frowned and scolded, "How tiresome! What is it now—?!"

Li Muzhan reached into his robe, pulled out a jade pendant, glanced at it, and forced a wry smile. "Senior Sister, I really have to disappoint you!"

"What has Sect Master Huang ordered you to do now?" Bai Mingqiu huffed.

Li Muzhan said, "The Qinghe Sword Sect is in trouble again."

"The Qinghe Sword Sect again!" Bai Mingqiu frowned and sneered. "Those who do much wrong will surely perish. What now?"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Someone is going to cause trouble for Sect Master Deng. I have to go take a look."

"Deng Jiuru has quite the tough life!" Bai Mingqiu sneered coldly. "And you're too meddlesome!"

Li Muzhan shook his head helplessly. "If one Deng Jiuru dies, another Deng Jiuru will appear. It's better to let them owe us a favor."

"I'm afraid you’ll be disappointed," Bai Mingqiu scoffed. "What if they turn on you later?"

Li Muzhan laughed. "We'll see if they have the nerve!"

"Enough, hurry up then!" Bai Mingqiu waved her hand irritably. She was quite displeased; she had thought he would stay longer, but now he had to leave after only two days!

Li Muzhan patted her delicate shoulder and smiled. "I'll be back soon. Senior Sister, I have some insights on sword techniques here; take this to read."

As he spoke, he pulled out a thick booklet from his robe and handed it to Bai Mingqiu.

Bai Mingqiu took it and casually flipped it open. Inside were densely packed characters, written in tiny, exquisite, rounded script, which brought comfort to her entire being, her breath growing even.

The myriad of small characters flooded her vision, and a warm current flowed through her heart. She looked up at Li Muzhan, her eyes shimmering softly.

Li Muzhan waved his hand with a smile. "Senior Sister, I must leave for now. Please speak for me to Master about my departure. Farewell!"

With that, he flashed and vanished before Bai Mingqiu.

Bai Mingqiu let out a long, soft sigh, sat down in the small pavilion, and began to look through the thick manual. The small courtyard still seemed to hold the lingering scent of his presence; she did not wish to move.

————

"Brother Li, you've arrived!" Deng Jiuru greeted him with a hearty laugh.

They were at the foot of the Qinghe Sword Sect's mountain. As soon as Li Muzhan appeared, Deng Jiuru followed suit, greeting him with great warmth.

He wore a long sword at his waist, his green robes fluttering, exuding an extraordinary, transcendent aura, possessing the bearing of an immortal. He was alone, without followers, showing utmost sincerity.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Sect Master Deng's spirit is even more magnificent than before. Congratulations!"

Deng Jiuru had suffered severe injuries previously and was expected to need several months to recover, yet his condition seemed excellent, and his cultivation appeared to have advanced further.

"Heh heh, it is a blessing from your sect. Let’s ascend the mountain!" Deng Jiuru gestured invitation.

They floated upward side by side. Li Muzhan asked, "What is the matter this time?"

"Brother Li, do you recognize this?" Deng Jiuru produced a glistening, emerald-green bamboo tablet from his robe. Li Muzhan took it; it was icy to the touch, sending faint traces of cold energy up his arm.

"Nine Yin Cold Bamboo?" Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow.

Deng Jiuru nodded. "Brother Li doesn't recognize this, then?"

Li Muzhan turned the tablet over carefully, gently reading the characters inscribed upon it: "The Great River Flows East Edict..."

"It seems Brother Li truly doesn't know." Deng Jiuru shook his head. "That's understandable; it's been a long time since the martial world has seen a Great River Flows East Edict..."

Li Muzhan smiled. "Sect Master Deng, stop keeping me in suspense. Tell me quickly!"

This had genuinely piqued his curiosity. He searched his mind for any information regarding the Great River Flows East Edict but found nothing.

Deng Jiuru said, "Has Brother Li heard of the Great River Sect?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "Brilliant and dazzling, yet collapsed in an instant—the Great River Sect is certainly a legend of an era."

Deng Jiuru continued, "This Great River Flows East Edict is the punitive decree of the Great River Sect. Wherever this token arrives, the target is doomed!"

Li Muzhan’s eyebrows twitched slightly. "The Great River Sect wants to kill you?"

"Yes," Deng Jiuru replied with a wry smile. "It seems the Xijiang Gang is truly backed by the Great River Sect."

Li Muzhan said, "The Great River Sect is trying to stage a comeback!"

Deng Jiuru nodded, smiling bitterly. "Only the Sect Master of the Great River Sect possesses the Great River Flows East Edict. If the Great River Sect is truly reviving, I wonder who the current Sect Master is."

His brow furrowed deeply, his expression grave.

Li Muzhan smiled. "What connection does the Great River Sect have with you, Sect Master Deng? Are they truly seeking revenge for the Xijiang Gang?"

"Sigh..." Deng Jiuru shook his head with a bitter smile. "That’s a long story."

Li Muzhan assumed a posture of rapt attention. Deng Jiuru sighed. "Forget it. If it were anyone else, I would never expose my family shame. Brother Li, you are no outsider, so I will tell you."

Li Muzhan quickly nodded. "Exactly, exactly."

Deng Jiuru said, "These are the grudges of our predecessors. We, the juniors, can only listen, not discuss."

"Understood," Li Muzhan smiled.

Deng Jiuru glanced at him before speaking. "The founding ancestor of our sect was originally a disciple of the Great River Sect. Due to a twist of fate, he entered the Mingjing Sect and eventually founded our own."

Li Muzhan's brow twitched. From these two sentences, he could infer endless hidden details. Why would a Great River Sect disciple enter the Mingjing Sect? Could it be for the same reason he did? If that were the case, the Xijiang Gang and the Qinghe Sword Sect wouldn't be mortal enemies.

Deng Jiuru continued. "After the Great River Sect fell, some of their martial arts were lost. The Xijiang Gang wants to obtain our core methods—they must be dreaming!"

Li Muzhan slowly nodded, beginning to understand.

Deng Jiuru snorted. "I didn't expect the Great River Sect to truly not be destroyed. It's laughable that the current Sect Master wants to kill me!"

Li Muzhan suggested, "Perhaps it’s because you killed too many of the Xijiang Gang’s experts."

Deng Jiuru sneered. "Am I supposed to willingly hand over our secret manuals? So what if it’s the Great River Sect!"

Li Muzhan laughed, shaking his head. If he truly feared the Great River Sect, he wouldn't have sought aid from the Mingjing Sect.