At that, Shu Han was intrigued and could not help asking, "Who now possesses the highest martial arts prowess in Sky-aspiring Sect?"

Xiang Zuofeng laughed heartily, "My own Sky-aspiring Sword Technique ranks within the top ten of the sect. However, the one with the highest martial arts prowess is not easily determined. From Elder Zhang's faction, the strongest in Sky-aspiring Sword Technique is his grandson, Zhang Wanxing, who has reached a transcendent realm with his technique. And from Elder He's faction, it's Jiang Feiyu, known as the 'Wild Lion'. His swordsmanship may not surpass Zhang Wanxing, but his wide and bold strokes are of an impressive scale."

Shu Han queried, "Then, the new sect leader will emerge from these two?"

"Precisely," Xiang Zuofeng confirmed. "However, neither of them is the ultimate master of our Sky-aspiring Sect's swordsmanship."

"Oh? Who is the master then? Why aren't they a candidate for the new sect leader?" Shu Han asked.

Xiang Zuofeng elaborated, "Only the old sect leader's lineage grasps the essence of the Sky-aspiring Sword Technique. The current master is naturally the old sect leader's daughter, Miss Mu Wan'er."

At the mention of her name, Shu Han paused noticeably.

"Brother Big Head, what's wrong?"

Shu Han waved him off and continued his line of questioning, "Why then, despite Miss Mu Wan'er's superior skills, is she not chosen as the new sect leader?"

Xiang Zuofeng explained, "Respected Immortal, our Sky-aspiring Sect traditionally passes leadership to males. Though Miss Mu Wan'er outshines all others, she is not considered for the leadership role because of this. Since the establishment of the Sky-aspiring Sect, it has been led by the Mu family, and thus, whoever emerges victorious will have to marry Miss Mu Wan'er and join the Mu family."

Shu Han narrowed his eyes, his tone cooling, "Such a tradition seems rather unfair to Miss Mu."

"And what of it?" Xiang Zuofeng shrugged, "She is the only heir to the Mu family and the sole person mastering the essence of the Sky-aspiring Sword Technique. To ensure the co-survival of the Sky-aspiring Sect and the Mu family, it has to be so. Besides, no disciples would pity this woman. Had she not insisted on sticking to the underworld principles left by her father, the Sky-aspiring Sect wouldn't have come to this pass."

"Since when did adhering to principles become a crime?" Shu Han questioned, leaving Xiang Zuofeng momentarily speechless.

"Respected Immortal, your words may be mistaken. The underworld is a place for ruthless competition, and what good does it do to hold onto principles when everyone else abandons them?"

Shu Han did not answer, but sighed deeply, "It seems I have no choice but to unify these disparate forces in Northern Yan. If I don't, endless conflicts will lead to disastrous consequences, worse even than when the Mystical Dragon Sect held power. In such a case, wouldn't I be the chief instigator?"

Xiang Zuofeng was elated at the first half of Shu Han's comment but was left utterly perplexed by the latter half.

"Respected Immortal, if you aspire to this ambition, the Sky-aspiring Sect will definitely provide the platform for you to display your talents!"

Shu Han, staring at the not-too-distant Sky-aspiring Sect's gate, responded, "I am quite intrigued by the Mu Wan'er you mentioned. Could you take me to meet her?"

"You wish to meet her?" The surprise was evident in Xiang Zuofeng's voice.

Shu Han frowned at his reaction, "Is there a problem with that?"

"Well, Respected Immortal, you might have heard of the renown of Mu Wan'er, but those were stories from five years ago. She remains a stunning beauty, but she is no longer a maiden. You seem rather youthful and would probably not be interested in her." Xiang Zuofeng, displaying a wicked smile, added, "If it is beautiful women you desire, Sky-aspiring Sect will surely not disappoint you."

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

At these words, Shu Han's expression darkened. How dare you utter such words about Sister Wan'er?! He suppressed his rage, replying coldly, "Just let me know if you can arrange the meeting. Refrain from such groundless remarks!"

"It is possible, but she has been rather volatile recently. She was restrained by the sect elders and confined in the backyard."

Shu Han took a deep breath, turning to Goudan, "You go with him to the Sky-aspiring Sect first, meet the brothers from Mystical Dragon Sect, and tell them that I, Shu Han, have arrived. I need to visit an old friend and will find you later." Goudan nodded.

Immediately, Shu Han rose into the wind from his horse's back and departed the group in a blink, flying towards the distant gate of the Sky-aspiring Sect.

Xiang Zuofeng gasped, "Respected Immortal, what..."

Goudan cut him off, coldly saying, "Don't bother about my brother's business. I will go with you to the sect to meet my fellow disciples."

...

Using a minor spell, Shu Han caught a disciple within the Sky-aspiring Sect and found out where Mu Wan'er was being held. He then flew above the courtyard.

The courtyard was adorned with artificial mountains and flowing water, lush groves, and well-kept bamboo, making the environment quite unique.

By the artificial mountain pond, Shu Han saw a little girl with her hair done up in pigtails. She seemed about four or five years old, rolling up her sleeves and trying to catch the goldfish swimming in the pond.

The little girl was quite nimble, but the goldfish were even more agile. Despite her persistent attempts, she could not catch a single one and stomped her feet in frustration. From his vantage point in the sky, Shu Han observed the girl. Seeing the resemblance she bore to Sister Wan'er, he decided to use a spell.

Suddenly, the goldfish in the pond simultaneously sprang out of the water, swimming around in the air before the little girl. The girl gasped in delight, clapping her hands in glee at the sight of the goldfish circling around her.

Following that, Shu Han slowly descended before her, softly asking, "Do you like it?"

The girl was quite bold. Seeing a stranger appear, her large eyes curved into crescents as she laughed. She took hold of Shu Han's sleeve with her chubby hand and asked, "Big brother, are you the immortal that Auntie talks about?" Shu Han chuckled, "Yes, indeed. Big Brother is immortal. Is there anything you want the immortal to help you with?"

The little girl raised her tiny fists, saying, "Immortal Brother, can you help Auntie chase away the bad people? They always come to bully Auntie!"

Suddenly, Shu Han's spiritual sense alarmed him. As he turned his head, a long sword whizzed past his ear and embedded itself into the artificial mountain behind him.

"A-Ying! Come here! Come to Auntie quickly!"

A-Ying heard the call and immediately scampered over, clutching the woman's hand and chattering excitedly, "Auntie, I saw an immortal! That big brother is an immortal!"

Shu Han glanced sideways, seeing the woman whom the little girl was pulling along. Her face was just as it had been ten years ago, stirring a whirl of emotions within him.

Sister Wan'er, it's been a long time.

Mu Wan'er, on the other hand, gave Shu Han a frosty look, wielding her sword warily, and demanding in a stern voice, "Who are you?! I have never seen you in the Sky-aspiring Sect! What are you doing here!"

Seeing Mu Wan'er standing with her sword, memories of practicing the sword together all those years ago flooded back.

An itch in his fingers prompted Shu Han to pull out the sword from the artificial mountain and, without a word, he raised his sword and attacked.

Mu Wan'er's gaze was as bright as a torch, and her heroic air was compelling. Leaving A-Ying where she was, she moved swiftly in a fluid motion, the sword in her hand changing countless forms. A move called the Hundred Phoenixes Greeting the Sun transformed into specks of frosty light, heading straight for Shu Han.

Shu Han also swung his sword, amazingly countering with the same move, and the sword light he wielded was even more formidable than Mu Wan'er's.

Seeing the highly skilled Sky-aspiring Sword Technique, Mu Wan'er was greatly shocked. In her memory, there was no young man in the Sky-aspiring Sect who had trained the swordsmanship to this level!

Could it be a new disciple secretly nurtured by the old men?

Mu Wan'er swiftly moved, unleashing the move, Long Goose Return. But no matter what move she performed, the stranger in front of her retaliated with the same technique, but he was more proficient, more perfect, even compared to her as a direct descendant!

After more than thirty rounds of intense fighting, Mu Wan'er's swordsmanship became increasingly elusive, and each move touched on the essence of the Sky-aspiring Sword Technique. However, to Mu Wan'er's surprise, the stranger was equally matched, no matter how she attacked, even when she used the direct inheritance swordsmanship, he could perfectly respond.

This feeling was not so much a battle as a dance. Finally, Mu Wan'er's sword was knocked flying. She had lost, utterly defeated in the Sky-aspiring Swordsmanship. She had never lost so cleanly in the Sky-aspiring Sword Technique before. Despite the loss, her mind was filled with tumultuous emotions. Her trembling hand couldn't help covering her mouth as she whispered, "You are..."

Shu Han smiled, "This is what they call 'the student surpassing the teacher'. Sister Wan'er, thank you for the fight."