He looked down. The two elders’ Zhuīxīn Fǎ was still cycling, starlight pouring in ceaselessly. Unfortunately, the healing effect of the starlight was terrible; even so, sustained by that power, the two old men hadn't yet drawn their last breath.
Li Muzhan smiled, squatting down. He placed his left palm on one elder’s Bǎihuì point and his right palm on the other’s back, initiating the Soul-Searching technique.
Long Jingyue and Bai Mingqiu, seeing his solemn expression, dared not interrupt. They took positions to his left and right, scanning their surroundings vigilantly.
After a long while, Li Muzhan slowly withdrew his palms, a look of joy spreading across his face.
“Wuji, what is it?” Long Jingyue asked.
Li Muzhan laughed, “A great harvest!”
Bai Mingqiu glanced at the two elders who had just expired, then turned to Li Muzhan, “Junior Brother, did you manage to glimpse the profound mysteries of the Purple Star Palace’s martial arts?”
Li Muzhan nodded. “Close enough. Sister, would you like to learn?”
“Can I manage it?” Bai Mingqiu inquired.
Li Muzhan chuckled. “The Purple Star Palace martial arts are exquisitely profound. I only grasped a fraction; I need time to study them meticulously. If I gain anything of substance, I will certainly pass it on to you, Senior Sister!”
“Good,” Bai Mingqiu accepted without ceremony.
Long Jingyue shook her head. “Purple Star, you…”
She had never imagined becoming enemies with the Purple Star Palace; now, it had escalated into a feud where neither side would yield. While the strength of the Abyss Pavilion had increased, it was far from matching the ferocity of the foe they had made.
Li Muzhan laughed. “Master, don't worry. The Purple Star Palace is nothing to fear.”
“It seems you’ve stumbled upon something valuable!” Seeing his absolute confidence, Long Jingyue felt her heart settle. She sighed, “Keep your spirits up!”
The three floated back to the Abyss Pavilion. Disciples were quickly dispatched to manage the scene. Li Muzhan resumed his work, setting up formations once more.
When he had previously set up formations, he had barely cracked open a thread of the mystery of the void. Now, as a Star Envoy, understanding the secrets of starlight had caused his cultivation in formations to surge by a massive margin.
He immersed himself in comprehension for three days, creating a new Grand Formation. He then spent seven more days arranging the Tiāngāng Stardust Grand Array.
The power of this array lay in the starlight itself: drawing the power of the heavens into the formation, providing an endless source. With starlight as the bone structure and the world’s spiritual energy as the flesh and blood, it formed a seamless whole, possessing almost no vulnerabilities—breaking this array would be exceedingly difficult.
During these ten days, Bai Mingqiu slowly emerged from the restraints of the Tàishàng Yùqīng Scripture. She was no longer as cold toward Li Muzhan, but her demeanor grew increasingly transcendent, like an immortal maiden untouched by worldly dust.
Li Muzhan had acquired the Zǐwēi Star mental cultivation method from the two elders. Comparing it with his Tiānjī Jue, he realized the two types of starlight were indeed different.
The domineering nature of the Tiāngāng Big Dipper starlight paled in comparison to the Zǐwēi Star; the latter’s dominance far surpassed the former, capable of annihilating almost everything.
Li Muzhan marveled inwardly. It was worthy of being called the Emperor Star; no wonder it inherently demanded the service of the Tiāngāng Star Envoys—it was rooted in nature, irreconcilable.
Li Muzhan’s inherent pride could not tolerate this, yet after obtaining the Zǐwēi Star heart method, he grasped a subtle key.
When the Zǐwēi Star and the Tiāngāng Star merged, they could actually activate the mechanisms of Heaven’s secrets and locate the gateway between Heaven and Earth. Li Muzhan’s delight stemmed from this—what he had sought through endless hardship was finally found!
However, merging the two was not easy. Both were incredibly tyrannical, with the Zǐwēi Star being the superior. Furthermore, he hadn't mastered the Tiāngāng Star to perfection.
Moreover, he lacked the complete Zǐwēi Star inheritance, possessing only the core mental method, allowing him only to glimpse a path. What he most desired was the full inheritance of the Zǐwēi Star.
Acquiring the Zǐwēi Star inheritance was no simple feat. He had only earned the inheritance in the Bright Mirror Sect due to his unparalleled aptitude and contributions. As he was a mortal enemy of the Purple Star Palace, they would never transmit it to him.
The Star Envoy inheritance actually connected the Star with the person's spirit. Without the full inheritance, one could never truly confirm which star they were linked to; the starlight would be impure, and the power incomplete.
He couldn't rely on the Purple Star Palace for the inheritance; his hope lay only in himself: practicing the Tiānjī Jue to perfection, then using the Tiāngāng Big Dipper and the Tiānjī Jue to deduce the location of the Zǐwēi Star, and finally using the Zǐwēi Star heart method to connect with it, thus becoming a Zǐwēi Star Envoy.
He entered secluded cultivation at the Abyss, dedicating himself to practicing the Tiānjī Jue. A month passed in a blink. His progress was slow; the higher the level of the Tiānjī Jue, the more difficult it became.
One morning, as he was carefully pondering, his heart suddenly stirred. The deeper the insights into the Tiānjī Jue, the stronger his sensing became, allowing the fortunes and misfortunes of those around him to reflect in his mind.
He vanished from the stone chamber in a flash, reappearing moments later atop a majestic mountain peak, where a fierce wind howled, whipping their robes loudly.
Li Muzhan offered a wry smile. Seven people were locked in a chaotic battle: six middle-aged men in grey robes, and the other, clad in white, was Jiang Ruyue—her bright eyes and pearly teeth framed by an icy expression.
He recognized the six grey-robed men; the leader was Chen Daotang. The six besieged Jiang Ruyue, the fight fierce and evenly matched.
Li Muzhan sighed.
The two groups suddenly noticed his appearance and retreated backward.
“Wuji?” Chen Daotang broke into a smile. “You’ve arrived at the perfect moment!”
“Hmph, Li Wuji, are you here to help them?!” Jiang Ruyue scoffed coldly.
Chen Daotang glanced at her, then back at Li Muzhan. “Wuji, you know Jiang Ruyue?”
Li Muzhan approached, cupping his hands with a bitter smile. “Senior Brother Chen, esteemed brothers, I am friends with Sect Master Jiang.”
“That’s strange…” Chen Daotang looked between them, shaking his head in incomprehension. Jiang Ruyue was a remnant of the Great Jiang Sect, harboring intense hatred for the Four Sects. How could she be friends with Wuji, a disciple of the Bright Mirror Sect?
Li Muzhan asked, “Senior Brother Chen, what mischief has she been up to this time?”
“Her?” Chen Daotang shook his head. “Nothing major, just preemptive action, eliminating a potential threat.”
Li Muzhan said, “Senior Brother Chen, let it go.”
Chen Daotang’s face darkened, his expression stern. “Wuji, think carefully! If she harms our Bright Mirror Sect disciples in the future, your fault will be immense… Today, we won't kill her, only cripple her martial arts and extinguish her ambition.”
“Hmph, what great arrogance!” Jiang Ruyue sneered.
Li Muzhan gave her a subtle look; Jiang Ruyue turned her head away as if she hadn't noticed.
Li Muzhan said, “Senior Brother Chen, rest assured, Sect Master Jiang will not trouble the Bright Mirror Sect.”
“Oh?” Chen Daotang was unconvinced.
Li Muzhan smiled. “I have an agreement with Sect Master Jiang.”
“Really?” Chen Daotang looked at Jiang Ruyue.
Jiang Ruyue stood with her back to them, gazing out at the mountains. The sunlight illuminated the peaks, making them sharp and picturesque.
Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed. “Turning conflict into harmony, Senior Brother Chen, don't ruin such hard work!”
“You really are something, kid!” Chen Daotang laughed and shook his head. “Fine. Since you trust her, I’ll take your word for it this once!”
Li Muzhan smiled. “Thank you, Senior Brother Chen!”
He hadn't expected Chen Daotang to give up so easily; he had prepared for a lengthy argument.
Chen Daotang mused, “However, dealing with the Sect Master won’t be as straightforward!”
Li Muzhan frowned, remaining silent, then slowly nodded. Even if the Sect Master trusted him, for the safety of the sect's disciples, acceptance would not come easily.
“I have a way!” Chen Daotang beckoned him closer.
Li Muzhan leaned in, and Chen Daotang whispered low, “Marry her!”
Li Muzhan froze, then shook his head with a wry smile.
Chen Daotang continued, “Wuji, this is the only way you can protect her. Otherwise, the Sect Master will never leave an open threat! Even if we spare her life out of respect for you, we’ll either cripple her or capture her!”
Li Muzhan concentrated in thought.
“Alright, I’ve said all I can. Think it over carefully!” Chen Daotang patted his shoulder and waved. “Let’s go, everyone!”
The other five middle-aged men smiled at Li Muzhan. His acquisition of the Star Envoy inheritance was no secret within the Bright Mirror Sect; his standing was significant. The six men floated away, vanishing from Li Muzhan’s sight in moments.
Jiang Ruyue turned around, sneering, “Li Wuji, thank you very much!”
Li Muzhan sighed. “Sect Master Jiang, I truly didn’t know about this.”
“Hmph, besides you, who else would know my whereabouts?!” Jiang Ruyue sneered. “Surely you don’t suggest there’s a traitor in my sect who leaked my position?!”
Li Muzhan shook his head. “Ruyue, don’t underestimate our Bright Mirror Sect. There are experts within; it wouldn't be difficult for them to discover your movements!”
“Hmph, nonsense!” Jiang Ruyue scoffed.
Li Muzhan said, “You clearly could have avoided them!”
“What a joke!” Jiang Ruyue pouted. “Why should I avoid them?! It’s generous of me not to have wiped them out already!”
Li Muzhan scratched his head. It seemed this day had finally arrived.
Jiang Ruyue stated, “I intended for us to remain separate, like well water and river water, but they insist on pressing their advantage. Don't blame me for lacking trustworthiness!”
Li Muzhan sighed. “It’s best to steer clear for a while.”
“Hmph, taking an inch and demanding a mile. Do they really think I fear them?” Jiang Ruyue said coldly. “I can tolerate it, but if they move against my followers, I will never stand down!”
Li Muzhan remained silent, contemplating a solution.
Jiang Ruyue glanced sideways at him, then scoffed, “Nothing good ever happens when I see you. I’m leaving!”
Li Muzhan stood in the wind, watching her float downward until she melted into the forest. He shook his head, and Chen Daotang’s suggestion suddenly surfaced in his mind.
He shook his head forcefully. Jiang Ruyue was admirable, but she hadn't reached that level. He already carried too many emotional debts; the Immeasurable Bright Mountain in his mind bore the weight of countless memories. He did not want more romantic obligations.
Saving Jiang Ruyue out of sympathy was one thing, but he harbored no desire to possess her. A woman like Jiang Ruyue, much like his Senior Sister Bai Mingqiu, belonged to no ordinary man.
He returned to the Abyss, preparing to continue his study of the Heavenly Mechanism Sword, but was summoned by Long Jingyue.
“Wuji, Qiu’er is preparing to take over as Pavilion Master,” Long Jingyue told him, settling opposite him with a sigh.
Li Muzhan’s eyebrows twitched. “Take over as Pavilion Master?!”
Long Jingyue nodded. “Yes. I intend to step down as Pavilion Master and dedicate myself entirely to cultivation.”
Li Muzhan frowned. “Master, you are still young. Why the rush?”
Long Jingyue shook her head with a sigh. “Both of you disciples have matured. I, your Master, have become the burden; it’s no longer interesting!”
Li Muzhan laughed. “With your skill, Master, you don't need to specifically enter closed-door seclusion to train intensely.”
“No longer possible,” Long Jingyue shook her head. “My aptitude is inferior to you both. Qiu’er is ready now, and I can finally set my heart at ease.”
Li Muzhan scratched his head.
Long Jingyue continued, “It’s a pity you two cannot marry now.”
Li Muzhan murmured, “Is there truly no destiny between Senior Sister and me?”
“Once one becomes the Pavilion Master, they cannot marry,” Long Jingyue sighed. “And if they marry, they cannot be the Pavilion Master. I asked Qiu’er, and she has decided to inherit the Pavilion Master role.”
Li Muzhan wore a bitter smile, shaking his head and sighing.
“Wuji, you know Qiu’er’s feelings for you,” Long Jingyue said. “But she is destined to be the Pavilion Master of the Abyss Pavilion.”
Li Muzhan took a deep breath, slowly nodding. “Master, I understand.”
Long Jingyue gazed at him intently, trying to penetrate his inner thoughts.
She asked softly, “So, what do you intend to do?”
Li Muzhan shook his head. “I don’t know.”
(To be continued)