He understood Master Mo’s meaning: the Star Envoy inheritance was a core tenet of the Mingjing Sect, and as a Star Envoy, ensuring its continuation was a fundamental duty.

"Ancestor Master, there is something I do not comprehend," Li Muzhan murmured thoughtfully.

"Speak."

Li Muzhan asked, "What connection do we have with the Purple Star Hall?"

"Hm—?" Master Mo’s cloudy gaze instantly sharpened into a piercing sword, stabbing directly into Li Muzhan's heart.

Li Muzhan clarified, "I vaguely sense a connection between the Purple Star Hall and myself, but I do not understand what it is."

"Sigh…" Master Mo shook his head and sighed, studying him. "As expected of one who cultivates the Heavenly Mystery Sword, you are remarkably perceptive. …Indeed, the Purple Star Hall is connected to you."

Li Muzhan adopted an attitude of rapt attention.

Master Mo revealed, "The Purple Star Hall also has a Star Envoy."

Li Muzhan’s brow arched slightly.

Master Mo stated, "The Purple Star Hall should hold the Ziwei Star Envoy."

Li Muzhan frowned. "Are there other Star Envoys besides the Ziwei Star Envoy?"

"There should be," Master Mo nodded slowly, sighing, "This involves an earth-shattering secret. I never intended to speak of it, but since you have asked, and as you are this generation’s Star Envoy, you ought to know."

Li Muzhan straightened his posture, gazing at him with solemnity.

Master Mo declared, "This world is not the only one. The saying 'Beyond the heavens there are heavens' is no mere empty phrase; it is factual."

Li Muzhan nodded slowly.

Master Mo smiled. "You understand this?"

Li Muzhan confirmed, "Yes, I know. I heard there is a gate between the two worlds. Which world does this gate lead to?"

Master Mo shook his head slowly. "This gate is profoundly esoteric and vague; it can only be found upon reaching a certain level! …As the Big Dipper Star Envoy, you command Heavenly Mystery. Once your level is sufficient, finding this gate will be as easy as reaching into your sleeve."

A shock jolted through Li Muzhan’s heart; he narrowed his eyes in contemplation.

All the things he sought with such effort were actually held within his own grasp—the root of heaven and earth, the gate of myriad mysteries. It was clearer now!

"Do you understand now?" Master Mo asked with a gentle smile.

Li Muzhan slowly nodded. "My eyes have been opened!"

Master Mo continued, "Now that you have received the Star Envoy inheritance and truly mastered the Heavenly Mystery Sword, once you grasp the essential approach, you can step through it. …Our own ancestor was the Big Dipper Star Envoy."

Li Muzhan inquired, "The other world must be far more formidable?"

"That is not necessarily the case," Master Mo shook his head. "It is rumored there isn't just one gate, but many. Since you command Heavenly Mystery, you should be able to choose auspicious routes and avoid disaster!"

Li Muzhan pondered. "Is there anything above the level of Star Envoy?"

Master Mo shook his head. "I have considered it. Perhaps there is a higher level above Star Envoy, but it is mere conjecture and cannot be taken as fact."

Li Muzhan pressed, "Why does the Purple Star Hall seek to trouble us?"

Master Mo slid off the jade bed and shook his head helplessly. "This is an old score. The Purple Star Hall demands our submission!"

Li Muzhan’s brow twitched slightly.

Master Mo elaborated, "Ziwei is the Emperor Star, presiding over the myriad stars, thus they wish the Big Dipper Star Envoy to answer their call. Previously, we had no Star Envoy manifest, nor did the Ziwei Star Envoy. Now that the Ziwei Star Envoy has appeared, and the Big Dipper Star Envoy has also appeared—could this truly be fate?"

Li Muzhan smiled faintly. "So we have an ancient enemy. The Purple Star Hall is quite powerful, I presume?"

"They are only stronger than us, never weaker!" Master Mo affirmed.

Li Muzhan asked, "Then how shall we contend with them?"

Master Mo responded, "Wuji, since you have received the inheritance, you must take responsibility for countering the Purple Star Hall."

Li Muzhan forced a bitter smile. "Master Ancestor thinks too highly of me!"

He knew the strength of the Purple Star Hall; if just a few of their top masters appeared, he would have no chance of victory, nor perhaps even escape.

Master Mo instructed, "Now, you must master the Heavenly Mystery Sword. Once you master it, you need not fear them!"

Li Muzhan nodded thoughtfully. "I will do my utmost."

"You already possess the cultivation method for the Heavenly Mystery Sword; handle it as you see fit," Master Mo directed. "From now on, the Sect will no longer assign you missions. Once you become a Star Envoy, your status is transcendent."

Li Muzhan nodded; this suited him best. Acting under orders was completely different from taking the initiative, and he most disliked being constrained.

"Alright, be off now," Master Mo waved his hand.

Li Muzhan rose from the jade bed, bowed deeply, turned, and departed.

———— He left the Mingjing Sect and used instant transmission directly to return to the Tianyuan Pavilion, intending to focus solely on cultivating the Heavenly Mystery Sword. The Heavenly Mystery Sword followed the Big Dipper Divine Sword; in truth, the true Heavenly Mystery Sword was not a fixed set of sword techniques, but a realm of swordsmanship.

When the Big Dipper Divine Sword reached a profound level, aligning with the Seven Stars of the Big Dipper and grasping the Heavenly Mystery, it naturally evolved into the Heavenly Mystery Sword. He currently felt his spirit connected to the Seven Stars, but bridging that connection to the sword itself was still lacking.

Each of the Big Dipper Seven Stars required a portion of one's consciousness; it demanded one mind split into seven. No wonder some cultivators went mad from deviation—this was simply beyond human capacity.

It was difficult enough to manage two tasks with one mind, let alone three, four, or seven. Even with his formidable spirit, Li Muzhan could not achieve this.

The Big Dipper Star Envoy inheritance contained a technique called the Spirit Splitting Art, which allowed the consciousness to divide: one into two, two into four, four into eight. Mastering the third layer would allow one to forge the Heavenly Mystery Sword.

Li Muzhan attempted to cultivate it. It was arduous; every practice session left him dizzy and mentally exhausted, the pain unbearable, as if he were being violently torn into several pieces.

When he practiced the Indestructible Vajra Divine Art previously, it felt like a thousand cuts, yet his spirit, tempered to iron-like resilience, endured the torment. Only that strength allowed him to persist.

Bai Mingqiu remained in secluded cultivation at Tianyuan. Li Muzhan, frustrated, could only practice in his own small courtyard, chatting with Long Jingyue during his free moments.

After several days, seeing that Bai Mingqiu had not emerged, Li Muzhan grew impatient and decided to descend the mountain for a while. Practicing the Spirit Splitting Art could not be done merely through closed-door suffering; it required real-world experience.

With the mind divided into eight parts, having a primary focus and secondary ones, one needed to engage with the mortal world to truly develop this. Without tempering through worldly experience, it was difficult to maintain the eight divisions during actual combat; one would easily slip back into singular focus if not careful.

As the level of the Big Dipper Divine Sword gradually rose, he felt his cultivation had taken a significant leap. Old resentments and new hatreds flooded his mind, bringing to thoughts the Great River Sect and Jiang Ruyue.

To be suppressed by a woman, and a beautiful one at that, was deeply vexing. This time, he resolved to find an opportunity to redeem his honor and settle the score.

Running the Heavenly Mystery Art, he vaguely sensed Jiang Ruyue's location, so he initiated an instant transmission, materializing in a forest.

The sun had already set, and the encroaching twilight hung like mist, rendering the woods dim. However, this darkness could not conceal his Void Eye. After sensing Jiang Ruyue’s position, he gazed over with the Void Eye and his brow immediately lifted in surprise.

He flashed again, appearing beside Jiang Ruyue. With a soft touch, a muffled bang sounded, immediately followed by a howling gale as four black-robed elders surrounding her were violently forced back.

Jiang Ruyue was dressed in lake-green silk robes, her right shoulder stained with blood, sweat beading on her brow, appearing quite battered. The four elders looked utterly ordinary, showing no sign of being top-tier experts; all of them had reached the realm of returning to simplicity.

Li Muzhan steadied Jiang Ruyue, shaking his head. "You won't die, will you?"

Simultaneously, a surge of internal force flowed into her, like sweet rain on long-parched fields. Jiang Ruyue felt a surge of energy, but when she tried to push him away, her limbs felt soft and weak; she let out a cold snort.

Li Muzhan smiled lazily. "You don't appreciate my saving you? …Then I'll let go!"

"You've already saved me!" Jiang Ruyue turned and glared at him. "Why are you here?"

"To get revenge," Li Muzhan chuckled. "Even the great Sect Master Jiang has such a desperate moment. Rare, very rare. Who are they?"

Jiang Ruyue huffed. "None of your business!"