Ten aged men in azure robes rushed to aid their comrades, inwardly hoping the two young women would cease their attack, for otherwise, the odds were dire; as for the Sect Master's fate, that remained unknown.

Li Muzhan supported Deng Yujiu as they darted forward, appearing to move side-by-side.

Deng Jiuru noticed a trace of blood at the corner of Li Muzhan’s mouth and quickly inquired, "Brother Li, you’ve worked hard! How severe are your injuries?"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "Not fatal. Sect Master Deng, are you alright?"

"I can hold on!" Deng Yujiu laughed dismissively, shaking his head. "If not for you blocking Sect Master Jiang, this old life of mine would have been forfeit!"

Seeing his easygoing manner, Li Muzhan smiled. "The cultivation method of the Great River Sect—is it supremely Yin and utterly cold?"

"It should be the Ice Soul Divine Art!" Deng Jiuru’s expression grew grave. "This art can condense water into ice and blood into ice; no one can withstand it!"

Li Muzhan moved as if riding the wind, light and ethereal, passing by dense woods in a blur. He mused, "Ice Soul Divine Art…" That chilling essence was far beyond any ordinary technique; without his Star Power, he would have been frozen solid long ago!

"The Ice Soul Divine Art is the highest cultivation method of the Great River Sect, possessing terrifying power. Once the Ice Soul Force enters the body, it instantly solidifies the blood essence; it is unstoppable!" Deng Jiuru shook his head. "Perhaps its power is too great, incurring heavenly retribution, which is why no one has ever managed to master it."

Li Muzhan observed, "This Sect Master Jiang might have succeeded!"

"Hm—?" Deng Yujiu frowned, then managed a wry smile. "That spells serious trouble!" A flicker of desperate hope crossed his mind—thank heavens Li Wuji blocked her; he himself could never have withstood the Ice Soul Divine Art. Had he engaged, there would have been no chance of escape.

The terror of the Ice Soul Divine Art lay precisely there: once the Ice Soul Force invaded, blood essence froze, the physical body grew stiff and sluggish, rendering flight impossible, leaving one utterly at the mercy of the attacker.

Li Muzhan asked, "Is there any way to counter it?"

Deng Jiuru shook his head. "It would require a supreme Yang and intensely hot cultivation method. Sadly, I've never heard of one... and even if it existed, it would be useless, as it couldn't be mastered!" That Sect Master Jiang actually mastered the Ice Soul Divine Art! No wonder she aims to revitalize the Great River Sect; she has the necessary foundation!"

Li Muzhan’s brow twitched. He did possess a supreme Yang and intensely hot art—he had practiced the Rainbow Transformation Sutra. After arriving in this world, the internal energy of that Sutra converted into the internal energy of the Great Sorrowful Sword, which now was almost entirely transformed into Star Power. Star Power, refined and overbearing, should not fear the Ice Soul Divine Art.

However, Star Power could not break the Ice Soul Divine Art, while the internal energy of the Rainbow Transformation Sutra, though inferior to Star Power, could shatter it. This was the profound mystery of the Five Elements—their mutual compatibility and antagonism.

Deng Jiuru advised, "Brother Li, since she has mastered the Ice Soul Divine Art, it is best to avoid confrontation—this woman is not to be challenged head-on!"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "Her lightness skill is also top-tier; trying to evade her will be futile!"

Jiang Ruyue’s slightly hoarse voice drifted over, coolly stating, "Must the two of you continue to flee?"

Li Muzhan called back with a loud laugh, "Sect Master Jiang, why the relentless pursuit? We concede!"

Jiang Ruyue moved as if walking on waves, graceful and elegant, her feet barely touching the ground as she drifted. A hundred meters separated them, and as they emerged from the woods, they could clearly see each other.

She stated flatly, "Submit meekly now and suffer less. Otherwise, I will ensure you beg for death and cannot even attain it!"

Li Muzhan chuckled. "Sect Master Jiang has a venomous heart!"

Jiang Ruyue narrowed her phoenix eyes and bit her cherry lips, fixing her gaze on Li Muzhan. Suddenly, she flashed ten zhang away, and in the next instant, she was beside him, her jade palm pressing forward with deceptive lightness.

Li Muzhan shifted two feet laterally, just barely avoiding the blow. He felt a rush of cold air graze his shoulder, accompanied by a faint, refreshing fragrance that reached his nostrils.

Jiang Ruyue tightly pursed her lips and instantly appeared beside Deng Jiuru, striking out with her jade palm. Deng Jiuru dared not meet the attack, fully aware of the might of the Ice Soul Divine Art.

Li Muzhan shoved hard, sending Deng Jiuru shooting away like an arrow from a bow.

Mid-air, he twisted his head back to see Li Muzhan lunging toward Jiang Ruyue, sword light flickering like lightning. Gratitude swelled in his heart; Li Wuji truly valued brotherhood!

Li Muzhan said in a deep voice, "Sect Master Deng, hide yourself well!"

Deng Jiuru shouted from the air, "Brother Li, take care of yourself!"

He truly moved like an arrow, even faster than before. Li Muzhan had imbued him with a surge of profound internal energy, constantly propelling him forward; he was like a tiger gaining wings. He felt a shock inwardly—to maintain such an output of force for so long, Li Wuji’s internal energy purity and the subtlety of his method were truly terrifying, beyond anything imaginable!

Li Muzhan’s sword light danced. Every thrust aimed for her palm. Star Power permeated the blade, capable of resisting the invasion of the Ice Soul Divine Art. Using his palm against her was risky, but the long sword provided a buffer. With enough Star Power to neutralize the Art, he attacked without reservation, unleashing a continuous, surging torrent of exquisite sword forms, temporarily forcing her back.

Jiang Ruyue watched him calmly, not sparing a glance for Deng Jiuru, as if his escape was utterly insignificant and of no concern. Li Muzhan sighed inwardly—Jiang Ruyue was clearly shrewd, making her very difficult to handle. If the monk escapes, the temple remains; finding Deng Jiuru would be easy, as the Sect Master of the Clear River Sword Sect couldn't hide forever. Killing a few more disciples of the Clear River Sword Sect would suffice to force him out.

"Clang, clang, clang, clang…" The sword tip struck Jiang Ruyue’s palm, sounding like a blow against jade. He felt a supple yet unyielding resistance through the blade. His spirit was exceptional, his senses acute. As his understanding of the sword deepened, he neared true unity between man and sword—the sword was his arm, the tip his fingertip, and the sensation was vividly precise.

"Is this the Ice Soul Divine Art?" Li Muzhan asked with a smile while weaving his sword.

"Did that traitor Deng Jiuru tell you?" Jiang Ruyue replied coldly.

Li Muzhan chuckled. "Sect Master Jiang, Sect Master Deng is the leader of the Clear River Sword Sect. How did he become a traitor to the Great River Sect?"

"Hmph. Violating ancestral teachings and forgetting his roots—if that’s not a traitor, what is!" Jiang Ruyue sneered.

Li Muzhan inquired, "What ancestral teachings?"

"None of your concern! Move aside!" Jiang Ruyue commanded coldly. "I didn't intend to kill you, but you insist on seeking death. If you don't yield now, don't blame me for my ruthlessness!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "I am also acting under orders to protect Sect Master Deng. Must Sect Master Jiang make things difficult for me?"

"Very well, I shall oblige you!" Jiang Ruyue sneered.

Her palm instantly turned the color of white jade, crystalline and warm, looking as if carved from the finest material, beautiful and captivating. She gently tapped the sword tip.

"Ding…" Li Muzhan jolted, frowning at Jiang Ruyue.

Jiang Ruyue’s face grew increasingly lustrous and clear, as if transforming into white jade itself. Her phoenix eyes were dark and bright, gleaming like cold stars, shooting forth palpable rays of sharp light.

A vast, mighty coldness swept down, bypassing the sword entirely and drilling straight into his arm. His Star Power was, for a moment, actually frozen. The all-consuming cold tide surged downward, instantly reaching his heart meridian.

"Hah!" Li Muzhan roared. Time seemed to solidify, and the coldness halted. A ball of fire in his chest instantly expanded, surging to meet the cold tide. This shout was the Buddhist Lion’s Roar divine ability, capable of subjugating all things and breaking through calamitous obstacles. His spirit was immensely strong, nearing the peak of that realm, and the roar stopped the cold energy, averting the peril to his life.

Jiang Ruyue’s expression shifted slightly; she frowned and glared at him. Li Muzhan’s roar had paused her secret technique—it was utterly baffling.

White mist steamed from Li Muzhan’s Baihui acupoint, and in a flash, he returned to normal. He stared at Jiang Ruyue warily; this secret technique's power was too astonishing—it could actually freeze Star Power. He had previously assumed that even if Star Power wasn't invincible, it would at least ensure self-preservation, but he hadn't anticipated the Ice Soul Divine Art possessing such might.

"Sect Master Jiang, farewell for now!" Li Muzhan laughed lightly and floated toward the opposite mountain, rising like a wisp of white cloud.

"Hmph!" Jiang Ruyue sneered, giving chase with a movement like treading on ripples.

In the blink of an eye, the two reached the summit. Li Muzhan stopped. In this brief interval, he had circulated the Rainbow Transformation Sutra, rapidly altering his internal energy to become supremely Yang and unyielding.

"Why must Sect Master Jiang press the issue so relentlessly?"

Li Muzhan stood beside a gnarled, ancient pine tree and shook his head. Two steps behind him was a bottomless precipice. Gale-force winds swept up the cliff face, buffeting the pine, causing its branches to sway, though the trunk remained still.

Jiang Ruyue frowned, sensing something different about him; his aura had shifted. Being a peerless genius, her intuition was incredibly sharp. She had recognized Li Muzhan as the greatest threat at first glance, and now she perceived the current Li Muzhan as even more dangerous.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Sect Master Jiang, the Great River Sect is history; it cannot be rebuilt by one or two individuals. Moreover, the rivals of the Great River Sect will never permit you to reestablish it. Why invite suffering?"

"That's none of your concern!" Jiang Ruyue retorted, hands behind her back, pursing her lips. Her phoenix eyes remained locked on him, trying to discern the truth—where did his danger truly originate?

Li Muzhan offered, "If it were me, I wouldn't use the banner of the Great River Sect. I would establish a brand-new sect, and once it developed, I would revert to the name Great River Sect."

"Mere opportunistic maneuvering!" Jiang Ruyue scoffed.

Li Muzhan shook his head. Since she could master the Ice Soul Divine Art—a feat no one in the Great River Sect had achieved—her arrogance was understandable.

Jiang Ruyue stated coldly, "Li Wuji, how long do you intend to stall? Deng Jiuru cannot escape; Zhongtang will deal with him!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "That Brother Jing is handsome and quite skilled; he is indeed a suitable match!"

Jiang Ruyue frowned coldly. "Nonsense! Take this!" Her palm, like white jade radiating cold air, shot toward Li Muzhan. Li Muzhan grinned, meeting it with his own palm. "Bang!" It sounded like a thunderclap on flat ground. The ancient pine tree shook violently, shedding needles like rain.

Li Muzhan was thrown backward, falling toward the dark abyss of the cliff. Jiang Ruyue stumbled back two steps, shaking her throbbing right palm. Gritting her teeth, she lunged forward, reaching Li Muzhan’s side, and pressed down with her left palm.

Li Muzhan sighed in resignation and raised his palm to meet it. "Slap!" Their palms locked together, and their bodies plummeted simultaneously toward the dark chasm. Li Muzhan had intended to instantly teleport back to safety mid-air, but he hadn't anticipated Jiang Ruyue’s ferocity. The surging cold energy pouring from her palm forced him to exert his full strength just to cope.

The supreme Yang internal energy of the Rainbow Transformation Sutra clashed with Jiang Ruyue’s Ice Soul Divine Art—it was like water meeting fire, an absolute confrontation where one must perish for the other to survive; there was no alternative.

Their descent accelerated. Li Muzhan’s Eye of the Void saw a large river below them. He sighed toward Jiang Ruyue, "Sect Master Jiang, are you seeking mutual destruction?"

"What if we perish together!" Jiang Ruyue tightly bit her cherry lips and glared at him coldly.

Li Muzhan sighed, looking down; they were not far from the river. He drew his long sword from its sheath. His internal energy was completely entangled by Jiang Ruyue, leaving not a shred of power to utilize lightness skill. If this continued, even a plunge into a great river would leave them shattered into meat paste. He had to resort to other measures.

He slowly pointed the tip of his sword toward Jiang Ruyue’s eyes. He used no internal energy, simply shaking his head. "I truly do not wish to harm such beauty, Sect Master Jiang. Cease your attack!"

Their palms remained locked, their internal energies in a stalemate, depending only on whose will faltered first—a slight retreat meant certain death. His other hand, lacking internal energy, was useless. But Li Muzhan wore a sword, while Jiang Ruyue, trusting in her pride, carried none.

Li Muzhan brought the sword tip level with Jiang Ruyue’s phoenix eyes, stopping an inch short. "Sect Master Jiang, shall we continue?"

"Despicable!" Jiang Ruyue snarled, pushing her internal energy like a raging tempest. Li Muzhan was prepared and instantly countered, pushing the sword tip forward again.

"Bang!" Jiang Ruyue was sent flying backward, spitting a gout of blood into the air, plummeting toward the river surface. Li Muzhan also flew backward, spitting blood in mid-air.

They both fell into the river almost simultaneously. Li Muzhan sheathed his sword and watched Jiang Ruyue splash into the water before he himself plunged in with a laugh. The river water was ice-cold, the weather frigid, and being in a deep valley, the water was especially bitter.

Li Muzhan leaped out of the water, shaking his body in the air. "Bang!" His robes fluttered once and instantly dried. He stepped across the river surface, moving rapidly, searching for Jiang Ruyue.

The river rushed downward in a torrent; Jiang Ruyue was nowhere in sight. Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then shook his head—Jiang Ruyue wouldn't die; she must have escaped. She was fast, Li Muzhan admitted with a smile. This woman was unparalleled in grace and decisive in action; truly a formidable opponent. He stroked his chin, his smile widening.

"Cough!" He spat out another mouthful of blood. The Ice Soul Divine Art’s power was astonishing. He was fortunate to have the Rainbow Transformation Sutra to counteract it. He had been continuously circulating the Sutra to dissolve the residual force of the Ice Soul Divine Art. She had fought desperately just now, her internal energy like a tide, suppressing the Rainbow Transformation Sutra and injuring his body. Anyone else would have been paralyzed or killed by that blow. Thanks to his powerful physique, he sustained only a light injury, leaving him unable to fight further.

He considered his options: the best course would be to pursue her immediately, strike while she was weak, and end the threat, as a highly skilled and reckless fighter like her would be a huge problem in the future. However, the inherent chivalry within him was impossible to eradicate. Thinking of Jiang Ruyue’s transcendent beauty and poise, he truly couldn't bear the thought of striking down such a delicate flower.

After deliberation, he decided to pursue. Guided by an inexplicable intuition, he soon arrived at a forest and saw Jiang Ruyue sitting on a treetop in meditation. She sensed Li Muzhan's approach and abruptly opened her bright eyes.

Li Muzhan was circulating the Rainbow Transformation Sutra; one radiating water’s cold, the other fire’s heat, they could sense each other even from a distance. Li Muzhan floated up to another tree and stood on the branch, smiling. "Sect Master Jiang, how is your injury?"

"Come then!" Jiang Ruyue remained seated, glaring at him coldly.

Li Muzhan laughed. "Can Sect Master Jiang still fight?"

"Enough to kill you!" Jiang Ruyue sneered.

Li Muzhan shook his head, chuckling. "If Sect Master Jiang could truly kill me, why flee in the first place?"

Jiang Ruyue retorted coldly, "Splitting hairs with words—what kind of man is that!"

Li Muzhan proposed, "How about this: we make an exchange. I let Sect Master Jiang go, and Sect Master Jiang lets Sect Master Deng go. What do you say?"

"Ridiculous!" Jiang Ruyue laughed coldly. "Do you really think you can kill me?"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Sect Master Jiang should know the answer clearly enough?"

"Then let's test it!" Jiang Ruyue looked at him askance, her expression full of disdain.

Li Muzhan sighed, a touch of helplessness in his tone. "Sect Master Jiang is truly stubborn; you won't stop until you see the coffin. Very well, I must offend you!" While he truly did not wish to kill Jiang Ruyue, he certainly wouldn't be soft enough to let her go without extracting some advantage; this opportunity was rare!

He drew his sword, stepped off the branch, and the sword tip pierced the void, arriving instantly. Jiang Ruyue remained seated, pushing out gently with her left palm.

"Ding…" The long sword was deflected. Li Muzhan frowned; the coldness and density of the power on the sword were even more profound than before. She must have used some secret art.

Li Muzhan followed the path of his sword, rolling with the impact to neutralize the force, then swung back in a smooth arc for another thrust. Jiang Ruyue met it again with a palm strike.

They exchanged palm and sword blows for about ten exchanges. Li Muzhan could not harm her, nor could she harm him. After a dozen moves, Jiang Ruyue suddenly vanished. Li Muzhan quickly pursued, but Jiang Ruyue swiftly fled to the great river at the foot of the cliff, leaping into the water. Li Muzhan stood by the bank, looking at the surging river, shaking his head helplessly.

Her Ice Soul Divine Art was suited to water; if he entered, he would certainly be at a disadvantage. He could only wait for her to recover. Li Muzhan considered the situation, then decisively departed. He knew that if Jiang Ruyue fully recovered, he would be in serious trouble.