On the third morning, Li Muzhan, while galloping, suddenly pulled out the jade pendant. After looking at it, he frowned, shook his head in resignation, and then vanished from his spot in a flash.

The next moment, he returned to Tianyuan Pavilion to meet with Bai Mingqiu.

Jiang Ruyue was incomparably beautiful; he felt a stir in his heart, which brought a pang of guilt toward Bai Mingqiu, making him miss her even more. With a mere thought, he was back at Tianyuan Pavilion to see her.

He walked straight into Bai Mingqiu's small courtyard. The bright morning sun draped her in a robe of radiance, making her dazzling, her complexion as pure as snow.

"Senior Sister," he approached her with a smile.

Bai Mingqiu turned her head, her bright eyes like water, her expression mild: "You've returned?"

"Yes," Li Muzhan entered the small pavilion and sat down opposite her.

Bai Mingqiu finished practicing with her sword and sat down across from him. A faint, delicate fragrance drifted over. Li Muzhan smiled, "Senior Sister is still practicing the Twelve Swords of Tianyuan?"

Bai Mingqiu nodded lightly, "Mm."

Sitting quietly in her white robes, she was elegant and serene, firmly captivating Li Muzhan’s entire focus.

Li Muzhan laughed, "Senior Sister, I fought the Sect Master of the Great River Sect and experienced their martial arts. Shall we spar a bit?"

"The Sect Master of the Great River Sect?" Bai Mingqiu inquired.

Li Muzhan recounted the general course of events and chuckled, "That Sect Master Jiang is a prodigious talent; her potential is no less than yours, Senior Sister. Coupled with the Great River Sect's sophisticated heritage, she is quite formidable!"

"I can't beat her, can I?" Bai Mingqiu frowned.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "She likely received a cultivation inheritance, just like me."

Bai Mingqiu pressed, "Can you beat her?"

Li Muzhan paused to consider, then shook his head, "It's a toss-up."

Bai Mingqiu frowned, surprised by the level of power, and fell silent, resolving to re-enter seclusion for rigorous training; she couldn't afford to languish like this any longer!

"Senior Sister, let's begin," Li Muzhan stood up.

Without further words, Bai Mingqiu drifted out of the pavilion, drawing her sword for a thrust. Li Muzhan deployed his Waving Waves Palms, aiming each strike to meet the blade precisely.

"Clang, clang, clang, clang..." The sword resonated with continuous, clear ringing, like metal against metal. She felt the surging power transmitted through the blade—wave after wave, growing stronger and stronger.

After more than a hundred exchanges, the long sword flew from her hand and tumbled through the air.

Li Muzhan withdrew his palms and smiled, "How is the Waving Waves Palm, Senior Sister?"

"Very good," Bai Mingqiu nodded slowly.

Li Muzhan continued, "The Waving Waves Palm is a unique secret art of the Great River Sect. I learned it from Sect Master Deng. You should learn it too, Senior Sister—it's much easier to cultivate than the Soul Dissipation Palm!"

Bai Mingqiu pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded.

She felt like a burden, dragging her junior brother down, desperately wanting to elevate her cultivation and close the distance between them, not wanting to be left too far behind.

Li Muzhan explained the modified Waving Waves Palm to her. The original art required the Great River Sect's unique internal method. Li Muzhan, possessing several different methods, didn't fear backlash, but Bai Mingqiu could not risk it.

When he obtained the Waving Waves Palm, he had begun deducing a way to synchronize it with the Tianyuan Twelve Forms' internal method, and now, having achieved minor success, he could pass it on to Bai Mingqiu.

Bai Mingqiu was sharp as ice and snow and learned quickly. With her prior experience practicing the Soul Dissipation Palm, learning the Waving Waves Palm was twice the result for half the effort, and she soon grasped the essentials.

Li Muzhan felt relieved, bid farewell, and departed. His master, Long Jingyue, was also in seclusion practicing. The entire Tianyuan Pavilion had entered a state of frantic cultivation.

In a deep mountain valley, nestled within a secluded area, stood a complex of buildings centered around a grand hall. Inside the hall were four figures: two white-bearded elders, the exceptionally handsome Jing Zhongtang, and Jiang Ruyue.

Jiang Ruyue’s face was devoid of color; she sat limply in the central chair, flanked by the two elders. Jing Zhongtang stood opposite her, watching with concern, "Sect Master, you are injured!"

Jiang Ruyue glanced at him, "Nonsense!"

"There are very few in the world who can wound the Sect Master! Who was it?!" Jing Zhongtang asked hatefully.

Jiang Ruyue replied impatiently, "Can you avenge me?"

Jing Zhongtang scratched the back of his head sheepishly, "Sect Master, I am powerless..." Jiang Ruyue waved a hand, "Enough, stop the pointless talk! ...Don't bother the Clear River Sword Sect for now!"

"Sect Master...?" Jing Zhongtang started, then quickly asked, "Could it be Deng Jiuru?"

"Use your brain a little, won't you!" Jiang Ruyue said irritably, "Deng Jiuru could wound me?!"

"Then it's..." Jing Zhongtang thought for a moment and realized, "Li Wuji from the Bright Mirror Sect?"

Jiang Ruyue said coldly, "Finally, you aren't entirely stupid!"

Jing Zhongtang found it hard to believe, "Li Wuji is that powerful?"

Jiang Ruyue sneered, "More powerful than you imagine! ...This fellow hides his true ability deeply; I don't know where he sprang from!"

"I found out," Jing Zhongtang hurried to report. "He was originally a disciple of Tianyuan Pavilion, but later had a major conflict with the Clear River Sword Sect. The Bright Mirror Sect noticed his potential and took him in. It's only been a few months since he joined the sect; logically, he shouldn't be this strong..."

As he spoke, he grew more perplexed. In his eyes, the Sect Master’s martial arts were supreme; only a handful of people in the world could match her, certainly not those of the same generation. Li Wuji originated from Tianyuan Pavilion and joined the Bright Mirror Sect only recently; his cultivation couldn't be that high, so how could he injure the Sect Master?

Jiang Ruyue huffed, "If I'm not mistaken, he is practicing the Heavenly Mechanism Sword Arts. Hmph, the Bright Mirror Sect is about to produce a figure of note!"

Jing Zhongtang was even more bewildered, stroking his chin in thought, "The Heavenly Mechanism Sword Arts are obscure and profound. How could he master them in just a few months?"

"Am I mistaken?!" Jiang Ruyue cast a sidelong glance at him.

Jing Zhongtang quickly smiled and shook his head, "Of course, the Sect Master is never wrong! ...How did Li Wuji achieve this? Is he truly a peerless genius, one rarely seen in a century?"

"He must have encountered a special fortune," Jiang Ruyue shook her head. "This fellow is also ruthless. If I hadn't run fast enough, he would have killed me!"

Jing Zhongtang’s handsome face darkened, a killing intent surfacing toward Li Muzhan.

Jiang Ruyue glared at him, "You are no match for him; don't go offering yourself up to die..." "Yes, Sect Master." Jing Zhongtang resumed his smile, "We'll let the Clear River Sword Sect go. What about the secret manuals?"

Jiang Ruyue waved her hand, "I must slay Li Wuji first!"

"Yes," Jing Zhongtang nodded helplessly.

He excused himself from the hall and returned to his small courtyard. The courtyard was elegantly and peacefully arranged, and though the back garden was not large, its quiet beauty was captivating.

He leaned against the railings of the small pavilion by the lake, quietly watching the water, a cold smile playing on his lips as he murmured to himself, "Li Wuji..., Tianyuan Pavilion..."

His long, slender hands sank into the pale white stone. When he realized what he was doing, two clear palm prints were already seared onto the white railing, vivid and distinct.

Bright Mirror Sect

The setting sun cast long rays, bathing the small courtyard in rosy light.

Li Muzhan had just returned. Before he could even sit down for a cup of tea, the courtyard gate sounded, and Chen Daotang hurried in, his face bearing the dust and grime of travel.

"Senior Brother Chen," Li Muzhan rose and extended a hand.

Chen Daotang collapsed into the seat opposite him, took two gulps of the offered tea, and scrutinized Li Muzhan from head to toe, "Wuji, how far have you cultivated?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "The Northern Dipper Divine Sword has seen minor success."

Chen Daotang nodded, "No wonder your vital energy feels hidden and immeasurable; you have truly mastered the Northern Dipper Divine Sword!" His expression was placid, showing no surprise or delight.

Li Muzhan asked, "Senior Brother, have you investigated the Purple Star Hall's background?" Ever since the matter of the jade talisman, his intuition had told him the Purple Star Hall was anything but ordinary.

Chen Daotang shook his head and sighed, "It's utterly bizarre. It's as if they all sprang out of a crack in the stone; we can find absolutely nothing about them."

Li Muzhan asked, "You at least know the location of the Purple Star Hall?"

Chen Daotang shook his head, "Can't locate it!"

Li Muzhan fell into silent contemplation. Chen Daotang continued, "Every one of them is a top master. If we capture one, they commit suicide immediately. They are practically invulnerable, with no seams to exploit!"

Li Muzhan paced slowly, "Has Senior Brother encountered any other members of the Purple Star Hall?"

Chen Daotang shook his head, "These fellows disappear instantly, leaving not a single trace behind. I can't investigate further."

Li Muzhan rose and walked around, saying slowly, "Senior Brother, perhaps I should take on the task!"

"Then you should try," Chen Daotang nodded. "But be extremely careful. This group is treacherous; they swarm you instantly and never engage in one-on-one combat! ...Moreover, they never operate alone; they always move in pairs!"

At their level, everyone held secrets. Junior Brother Li’s high cultivation at such a young age was no accident; he must possess some marvelous techniques unknown to outsiders.

Li Muzhan smiled, "I will be careful."

After a brief exchange, the two began to spar. Chen Daotang's martial arts were already superior, and his aptitude was extremely high. Although his progress wasn't as rapid as Li Muzhan's, their sparring was still exhilarating.

After a bout of fighting, they returned to the small pavilion to rest and drink tea.

Li Muzhan mentioned the affair with the Great River Sect, and from Chen Daotang, he learned a piece of history concerning a major conflict.

The founding ancestor of the Clear River Sword Sect was originally a disciple sent out by the Great River Sect, tasked with stealing martial arts from the Bright Mirror Sect. However, after joining the Bright Mirror Sect, he did not betray them; instead, he candidly revealed his origins. The Bright Mirror Sect demonstrated the magnanimity of a thousand-year lineage, not punishing him but treating him as one of their own.

This disciple proved highly successful and established the Clear River Sword Sect. The Great River Sect viewed him as a traitor and utterly pushed the Clear River Sword Sect into the embrace of the Bright Mirror Sect. The Great River Sect was later destroyed by an alliance of several major sects, and the first step for the Great River Sect's resurgence was to eliminate the Clear River Sword Sect.

Li Muzhan suddenly understood why Jiang Ruyue was determined to kill Deng Jiuru—it was not a personal vendetta.

"Wuji, the martial arts of the Great River Sect follow a path of extreme Yin and frigid coldness. While difficult to cultivate, their power is astonishing. The Ice Soul Divine Art is nearly impossible to counter; don't get entangled with her!" Chen Daotang advised.

Li Muzhan shook his head with a wry smile, "The Sect Master has issued an order; how can I disobey?"

"Alas...," Chen Daotang sighed, "The sect is critically short of manpower; sending you there was unavoidable."

Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow, "Aren't there numerous masters in the sect?"

Chen Daotang waved his hand, "They are all in seclusion." Seeing Li Muzhan's confusion, Chen Daotang explained, "The thirty-six lineages of martial arts in our sect—mastering any one of them allows one to roam the world. Everyone wants to reach the peak of their chosen path."

Li Muzhan nodded, "That is a good thing."

"Each lineage has a structured path, step by step. As long as one cultivates steadily, there is hope, unlike something as esoteric as the Heavenly Mechanism Sword."

Li Muzhan laughed, "The Heavenly Mechanism Sword isn't that esoteric."

"That's because you are perfectly attuned to the Heavenly Mechanism Sword lineage. I have practiced it," Chen Daotang waved his hand dismissively, "Your experience is not a standard example! ...Because there is hope, everyone is training desperately, entering seclusion at every opportunity, and becoming completely detached from worldly affairs!"

Li Muzhan laughed, "If everyone is detached, how will anything get done?"

Chen Daotang shook his head helplessly, "It falls to us juniors to bear the burden! ...Junior Brother Li, you are young but possess profound cultivation; how could the Sect Master not rely on you?"

Li Muzhan smiled ruefully, "So you're saying I'm to become the hard labor."

"The Sect Master knows what she's doing," Chen Daotang chuckled. "But you'll have to work harder than usual. Capable people take on more responsibility, after all."

Li Muzhan shook his head with resignation.

Chen Daotang clapped him on the shoulder, "The Sect Master won't let you toil in vain; there are many wonderful rewards!"

"What kind of rewards?" Li Muzhan asked with a smile.

Chen Daotang thought for a moment, "Spirit elixirs and miraculous medicines are the basics. There are also some talismans and formations, and martial arts manuals—the benefits are endless!"

Li Muzhan's brow twitched. Chen Daotang smiled, "Are you asking why everyone else seems indifferent despite such great benefits?"

Li Muzhan nodded. Chen Daotang smiled, "The pills are for saving lives or improving aptitude; once your martial arts are well-cultivated, they are of little use. The same goes for formations... As for the manuals, most are secret arts from outside sects, unstructured, and not necessarily superior to our internal arts... It’s better to spend time perfecting our own sect’s martial arts than waste time on those."

Li Muzhan smiled inwardly. Manuals that caught the eye of the Bright Mirror Sect must be extraordinary; to others, they are priceless treasures, yet to the disciples here, they are practically useless scraps—enough to infuriate others if known!

"Are there any Great River Sect martial arts?" Li Muzhan inquired.

Chen Daotang nodded, "Yes."

Chen Daotang continued, "I heard the Sect Master say the Great River Sect's martial arts carve a unique path, focusing on extremes. That’s why the Great River Sect is so dangerous and their conduct so extreme, because their internal methods influence temperament... However, their martial arts are no less formidable than ours, perhaps even superior. The pity is that they are too difficult to master, and impossible without the true lineage's core method."

"Has no one tried to practice them?" Li Muzhan asked.

"Of course people have tried," Chen Daotang chuckled. "The Great River Sect's arts require an extremely Yin and yielding internal method for activation. Our Bright Mirror Sect lacks such a method. Using the Great Sorrowful Sword to activate them results in weak power, making it worse than not practicing at all. Afterward, no one bothered with them again!"

Li Muzhan admitted, "The Great River Sect's martial arts are indeed powerful. The Ice Soul Divine Needle is very troublesome."

"Jiang Ruyue has mastered the Ice Soul Divine Needle?" Chen Daotang’s expression changed. "You were struck by the Ice Soul Divine Needle?"

Li Muzhan nodded, "That woman has a truly venomous heart!"

Chen Daotang quickly reached out to take Li Muzhan’s wrist. Li Muzhan reacted instantly but offered no resistance, smiling, "Don't worry, Senior Brother, I have already neutralized it."

"Eh? How did you neutralize it?" Chen Daotang released his grip in surprise. He probed carefully but found no trace of the Ice Soul Divine Needle.

Li Muzhan smiled, "The internal method of the Northern Dipper Divine Sword sufficed."

Chen Daotang shook his head wryly, "Another example not to be followed!... In the Great River Sect's prime, martial artists turned pale at the mention of the Ice Soul Divine Needle. That hidden weapon is utterly malicious." His face grew grim, and he sighed, "So, Jiang Ruyue truly mastered the Ice Soul Divine Art!... This is troublesome!"

Li Muzhan asked with a smile, "How is it troublesome?"

"The Ice Soul Divine Needle is like the Heavenly Mechanism Sword; it seems to invite heavenly jealousy—it’s nearly impossible to master. But once mastered, its possessor is unrivaled!" Chen Daotang's brow was deeply furrowed.

Li Muzhan remained silent in thought. In a future confrontation, he wasn't confident he could kill Jiang Ruyue; her cultivation was deep, her secret techniques numerous, and her movement technique peerless.

Chen Daotang sighed, "I will report to the Sect Master; we must order you into secluded cultivation! ...Only when you master the Heavenly Mechanism Sword can you suppress Jiang Ruyue!"

Li Muzhan shook his head and laughed, "Secluded cultivation won't help much now. What I need most is sparring with masters, gaining enlightenment amidst life and death."

"You still want to tangle with Jiang Ruyue?" Chen Daotang frowned.

Li Muzhan nodded, "Sparring with her has been immensely beneficial!"

"You could lose your life in a moment, and she must hate our Bright Mirror Sect to the bone!" Chen Daotang shook his head in disagreement, "Let's find someone else for that mission!"

Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, "Then I will investigate the Purple Star Hall... That works too." Chen Daotang nodded, leaving with a heavy heart.