He had always known that every disciple who achieved merit was rewarded, and they could choose their own reward, but his own achievements were usually mediocre, so he never asked for anything. This time, his merit seemed substantial, otherwise, Chen Daotang wouldn't have singled him out.

Should he ask for a secret manual, or something else? Chen Daotang hurried his steps, quickly arriving before the main hall.

He entered without waiting for an announcement, and Li Muzhan followed closely, casting aside distracting thoughts. The hall was empty, yet Chen Daotang sat down in a chair.

Li Muzhan glanced around and sat down as well. Just as they settled, Huang Ningtian emerged from behind a side screen.

"Sect Master." The two stood up and clasped their fists. Huang Ningtian waved his hand and sat in the Grand Preceptor's chair.

"So hurried, Daotang, what is it?" Chen Daotang reported, "Sect Master, Wuji has found the hiding place of the Purple Star Hall." Huang Ningtian looked at Li Muzhan with surprise. Li Muzhan humbly stated it was merely a temporary refuge, not necessarily their main lair, and cautioned against an immediate assault.

When Huang Ningtian asked why, Li Muzhan sighed, "There are at least three protective talisman formations there." Huang Ningtian and Chen Daotang frowned. Chen Daotang pondered, "So, a frontal assault is out of the question?" Li Muzhan shook his head, "I probed slightly, and a dozen top experts immediately emerged.

If the talisman formations were activated, we would all perish!" He was wary of the power of the void; teleportation might not be reliable, so he dared not push his luck. "No wonder they are so brazen!" Huang Ningtian scoffed.

"It turns out they have no fear of repercussions. Wuji, you have worked hard!" Li Muzhan smiled, "It was purely by accident." Huang Ningtian smiled and shook his head, "You achieved what others could not.

Wuji, your contribution this time is immense. Is there any secret manual or spiritual elixir you desire?" Li Muzhan asked, "Do you have any spiritual elixirs that can increase one's cultivation?" Huang Ningtian frowned, "Why do you need that?

Such elixirs look good, but they are more harmful than beneficial." Li Muzhan smiled, "Sect Master, regarding the secret manuals, may I circulate them outside the sect?" Huang Ningtian pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded, "Not to a third party." Li Muzhan was overjoyed. This was the true reward, especially for him.

Ordinary secret manuals held no appeal, but outside the Mingjing Sect, they were priceless. He was certain that any manual from the Mingjing Sect's collection, if released, could drive the world into a frenzy, sparking bloodshed and chaos.

Huang Ningtian smiled, "Is it for the Tianyuan Pavilion?" Li Muzhan nodded and smiled, "Sect Master, how many manuals may I take?" "Heh, quite the appetite!" Huang Ningtian shook his head with a wry smile. "Very well, you may have two!" "Many thanks, Sect Master!" Li Muzhan quickly expressed his gratitude, then added, "Do you have any ultimate techniques from the Great River Sect?" "Great River Sect's..." Huang Ningtian thought for a moment and nodded.

"It seems there are two. Daotang, take him to look." "Yes." Chen Daotang nodded, glanced at Li Muzhan, and headed out.

Li Muzhan quickly followed. The two arrived outside an unassuming small courtyard.

An old man lived inside, thin and short, with a sallow complexion, occasionally letting out a couple of coughs. Li Muzhan frowned, sizing him up.

Chen Daotang tugged his sleeve, bowed respectfully, and said deferentially, "Ancestor Mo..." The old man, clad in a gray robe, slowly nodded. "Daotang, who is this boy?" His voice was frail, sounding as if he might expire at any moment, making one anxious.

Chen Daotang respectfully replied, "Ancestor Mo, this is Li Wuji, the newest disciple to join." "Mmm, so this is Li Wuji?" Ancestor Mo nodded slightly. His cloudy gaze scrutinized Li Muzhan for a few moments, yet Li Muzhan felt profoundly uneasy.

The gaze, though not sharp, seemed to possess a penetrating power, as if seeing through him entirely—it was truly unsettling. He clasped his fists, "Greetings, Ancestor Mo." "Mmm, has potential." Ancestor Mo waved his hand.

"Go inside. Daotang knows the rules; no need for this old man to ramble!" "Yes, Ancestor." Chen Daotang nodded, tugging Li Muzhan’s sleeve as they walked in.

Li Muzhan followed into the courtyard's rear garden, then stepped into a grotto carved into a rockery. The light dimmed before they descended about a hundred meters diagonally.

Suddenly, the space opened up. Soft light emanated from luminous pearls embedded in the stone walls, illuminating the path.

Li Muzhan took a few deep breaths; the air was fresh, not stale. The layout here was exquisitely complex, winding and turning, making it impossible to move quickly even with practiced lightness skill.

He could sense danger—it was clearly riddled with traps. "Did Ancestor Mo injure his Lung Meridian?" Li Muzhan inquired.

"You could tell?" Chen Daotang, walking ahead, nodded. "Ancestor Mo suffered a backlash during cultivation, damaging his Lung Meridian.

It has become a lingering illness that no one can cure." "With so many profound techniques and secret arts in our sect, even those can't fix it?" Li Muzhan was surprised. Chen Daotang shook his head.

"Ancestor Mo's cultivation is too deep, and the change was gradual over a long period. Just as one doesn't freeze three feet of ground in a single day, it cannot be cured!" Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Senior Brother, perhaps I could try." "Hmm?" Chen Daotang stopped and turned to look at him.

"You can heal Ancestor Mo's injury?" Li Muzhan replied, "I cannot be completely sure, but I can attempt it." Chen Daotang frowned deeply in thought, then shook his head after a moment. "If you aren't certain, it's best not to!" "Why?" Li Muzhan asked, puzzled.

Chen Daotang explained, "Ancestor Mo gave up hope years ago. If you suddenly give him a glimmer of hope and fail to cure him, how will his spirit fare?" "But shouldn't I try?" Li Muzhan pressed.

"Ancestor Mo must be constrained by the Lung Meridian, unable to exert himself for long periods. Doesn't that significantly impact our strength, right?" For a peerless master like Ancestor Mo, one of the few remaining of his caliber, he was a treasure to any sect, a bedrock that could turn the tide of battle at a crucial moment.

Chen Daotang sighed, his tone heavy. "Ancestor Mo is the last remaining elder.

His injury is too severe; he sustains himself purely on his astonishing cultivation. He is too vital to the sect; we cannot let him struggle on in pain." Li Muzhan's brow twitched slightly.

Chen Daotang glanced at him, pondered, and sighed again. "There are several secret lineages that require Ancestor Mo's personal initiation.

If he passes, these legacies will be lost." "Then I must try even more!" Li Muzhan declared. "I fear that if you fail to cure him, you might extinguish Ancestor Mo's will to live," Chen Daotang frowned.

Li Muzhan stated gravely, "Then I must still try!" Chen Daotang knitted his brows. "Do you have confidence?" Li Muzhan replied, "Fifty-fifty." Chen Daotang paced with his hands behind his back.

The soft glow of the luminous pearls reflected on his face, shifting between light and shadow. He walked back and forth a dozen times before stopping, shaking his head, and sighing, "Let the Sect Master decide!" He looked at Li Muzhan.

"I don't know if this is fortune or disaster!" Li Muzhan smiled, "Senior Brother, if there is a chance, I would be unable to rest easy if I didn't fight for it!" "Let's hope this doesn't cause trouble!" Chen Daotang shook his head, showing no joy. He waved his hand, "Never mind.

Go inside and choose your secret manuals!" He led Li Muzhan to a stone chamber where six bookshelves were neatly arranged, each stacked high with manuals. The moment Li Muzhan picked one up, he couldn't look away.

Seeing his absorption, Chen Daotang smiled. "Wuji, you start choosing here.

I'll go speak with the Sect Master. You can read here, but you can only take two." "Good." Li Muzhan did not look up.

Chen Daotang warned, "Don't be too greedy; it won't benefit you!" "Yes." Li Muzhan nodded absently. Chen Daotang shook his head, smiled, turned, and hurried out of the stone chamber back towards the main hall.

Huang Ningtian was just rising to leave when he saw Chen Daotang return and sat back down, smiling, "Finished choosing already?" Chen Daotang shook his head. "He's still choosing; it will take a while.

Sect Master, I have something important to report!" "This boy is trying to gain an advantage!" Huang Ningtian smiled and shook his head. He guessed Li Muzhan’s memory was extraordinary, and he intended to memorize several manuals.

He didn't object to this; how much he could retain depended on his own ability. However, there were too many diverse manuals there; memorizing them all at once would easily lead to confusion, often resulting in wasted effort, as countless others had learned.

"Very well, what is it?" Huang Ningtian asked. Chen Daotang pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Wuji says he wants to attempt to treat Ancestor Mo's injury." "Hmm?" Huang Ningtian’s smile vanished, and he frowned.

"What is his certainty?" "Five parts," Chen Daotang reported. "He only dares to try; he can’t guarantee a cure." "Mmm..." Huang Ningtian stroked his chin.

"This boy is cautious. If he says five parts, he probably means seven or eight.

Let him try!" Chen Daotang was startled. "Sect Master, isn't this too rash?" "If there is even a glimmer of hope, we cannot give up," Huang Ningtian stated.

Chen Daotang countered, "What if Ancestor Mo becomes disheartened? Wouldn't that be doing harm instead of good?" Furthermore, Ancestor Mo has refused treatment for years!" "I have faith in Wuji," Huang Ningtian asserted.

Chen Daotang looked at him, puzzled. Huang Ningtian laughed, "Wuji knows his limits; he wouldn't speak up without some measure of confidence.

Besides, he has had special encounters; perhaps this is Ancestor Mo's opportunity!" "In that case..." Chen Daotang remained silent in contemplation. "Rest assured," Huang Ningtian smiled.

"If it were anyone else, Uncle-Master Mo would refuse. But Uncle-Master Mo particularly enjoys nurturing the younger generation.

Since Wuji is a sect disciple, Ancestor Mo will agree!" "I fear for Wuji..." Chen Daotang hesitated. Huang Ningtian laughed, "Daotang, you underestimate Wuji too much.

Just let him try." "What if he fails to heal the injury, and instead worsens it..." Chen Daotang shook his head. "Then that is simply our sect's misfortune," Huang Ningtian conceded.

Chen Daotang thought it over, gritted his teeth, and nodded firmly, "Then let Wuji try!" Huang Ningtian smiled, "I will go speak with Uncle-Master Mo myself!" "Alas..." Chen Daotang already felt a touch of regret. If anything untoward happened to Ancestor Mo, Wuji would be the sect's culprit.

Even if no punishment were meted out, he would lose face to remain. Wuji was the hope of the Heavenly Mystery Sword lineage, destined to become a pillar of the sect in time, bringing glory to the world.

To have him cut down prematurely would be a terrible waste. Huang Ningtian rose from his seat, shaking his head with a laugh.

"Daotang, you are good in every way, except you are too timid!" He then left the main hall. Li Muzhan appeared nonchalant, picking up a manual, flipping through it entirely, and then putting it down.

He seemed merely to be browsing and selecting suitable manuals, but in reality, he had already imprinted every page into his mind. He flipped through them one by one, from left to right, top to bottom, following the sequence.

He quickly went through over a hundred manuals, eventually locating two ultimate techniques from the Great River Sect: Ice Soul Divine Sword and Lingbo Xudu (Illusory Wave Movement). The former was a finger technique; the latter, lightness skill.

Li Muzhan examined the two manuals in his hands, admiring them silently. The ultimate techniques of the Great River Sect were truly exceptional.

Of the more than one hundred manuals here, every one was exquisite, yet compared to the Great River Sect's martial arts, they fell slightly short. Li Muzhan understood that the reason these two Great River Sect techniques were placed here was due to a crucial characteristic of the Great River Sect's martial arts: they could only be activated by the Great River Sect's core cultivation method.

Other cultivation methods could not drive them, and even those who practiced Yin-attributed cultivation methods would find the power severely diminished if they attempted to use them. (To be continued)