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For the next few days, Duàn Yì focused on practicing martial arts, occasionally going out hunting to replenish the energy he expended during his qi cultivation.

After reconciling with Duàn Yì, Helan Yue'er stayed by his side like a little shadow, claiming to practice together but actually hoping to deepen their relationship.

Duàn Yì didn't mind, treating it as playing with a younger sister. More importantly, it gave him the opportunity to seek advice on martial arts from Granny An and Eunuch Qiu, from whom he gained a great deal.

Unbeknownst to him, Duàn Yì also began to grasp the foundations of their martial arts.

Granny An had studied martial arts at the Five Poisons Sect, a major sect in Jiannan Dao. Her primary focus was the Spirit Snake Staff Technique, and she also practiced a mysterious poison art. Her cultivation was profound; if she were to unleash a full-powered strike, even Bái Xī Wén would suffer a significant disadvantage.

Eunuch Qiu's martial arts were hereditary. He excelled in the Seven Severances, Seven Absolutes Heartbreak Palm and the Exquisite Nimble Hands, a hidden weapon technique. It was he who had injured the Zhou Family's household guards in Daming County that day to save Duàn Yì.

The saying goes that cultivation and martial arts require wealth, a partner, methods, and a suitable environment. The "partner" refers to a mentor who can resolve doubts or like-minded individuals.

Although Duàn Yì possessed the Tower of Hidden Martial Arts as his cheat, it wasn't omniscient. On the path of martial arts, he still needed guidance and instruction from others.

The martial arts and experience of the elder pair were extraordinary, so their help to Duàn Yì was naturally immense.

However, while they provided guidance, Duàn Yì, despite his desire to learn their divine skills, didn't dare to ask directly. Thus, he could only hear about these ultimate techniques but not learn them.

During this period, while Duàn Yì was diligently cultivating, he wasn't entirely unaware of the outside world.

The people from the Moon Worship Palace arrived at Shalu Mountain on the fifth day of the ninth lunar month. The entire Golden Cauldron Sect was alerted, and their disciples gathered at the mountain gate to welcome them, creating a grand spectacle. It was only because Duàn Yì wasn't part of the Golden Cauldron Sect that he enjoyed some peace.

As mentioned earlier, Shalu Mountain has five main peaks. The Golden Cauldron Sect, being wealthy and powerful, occupied three of them, including the West Peak.

The people from the Moon Worship Palace were currently residing in the West Garden on the Golden Cauldron Sect's West Peak, designated for receiving distinguished guests. Ordinary individuals were not allowed to disturb them.

As the niece of Qū Dōng Liú, Helan Yue'er had access to information far beyond that of ordinary disciples. Through Duàn Yì's intentional and unintentional inquiries, she revealed much.

This wedding banquet was truly just that. All the traditional steps of a wedding, such as proposal, asking for names, congratulating, presenting betrothal gifts, setting the date, and fetching the bride, were omitted. Qū Dōng Liú and Yuè Bì Nǔ kept everything simple. Yuè Bì Nǔ even moved in with Qū Dōng Liú beforehand, which was almost like her bringing dowry.

Therefore, no extensive invitations were sent out for this marriage. Only disciples from both sects were informed, and the feast was considered a lively celebration, albeit simple and modest.

It's likely that no woman could tolerate such a hasty wedding, let alone the leader of the Moon Worship Palace. However, Yuè Bì Nǔ had no choice.

In the past, under the leadership of Duàn Yì's maternal grandmother, Yán Susu, the Moon Worship Palace, though known for its aloofness, had performed many deeds beneficial to the righteous martial arts world and was highly respected.

Her recent rebellion, although supported by most disciples within the Moon Worship Palace, was still viewed as an act of betraying one's master and ancestors by the outside world, drawing condemnation and even sanctions from righteous individuals.

If the Golden Cauldron Sect hadn't been involved, and if their combined strength wasn't considerable, and if Qū Dōng Liú hadn't publicly claimed that Yán Susu's martial arts had gone awry, forcing Yuè Bì Nǔ to temporarily assume leadership for the sake of appearances, someone would have already come to demand an explanation.

With the significant actions they had taken, it was already good enough for them to maintain the current situation. They would never dare to provoke the sensitive nerves of the Hebei martial arts world again.

This information wasn't significantly different from what Duàn Yì had previously learned.

Yuè Bì Nǔ had also kept things simple this time, bringing only twelve disciples from the Moon Worship Palace. Among them, four were of the same generation as her and were known as the Moon Palace Four Swords, her staunch supporters. The other eight disciples were of Yuè Jiāo Nú's generation and served as attendants at the Golden Cauldron Sect.

According to Granny An, these disciples from the Moon Worship Palace all had excellent martial arts, comparable to those of the Golden Cauldron Sect disciples. Furthermore, they were beautiful, being beauties chosen from a hundred. This had stirred the desires of many young male disciples.

Another piece of news particularly caught Duàn Yì's attention: after successfully overthrowing the Moon Worship Palace, Yuè Bì Nǔ had changed her name. She was no longer Yuè Bì Nǔ but Yuè Bì Yún.

The names of the remaining disciples of the Moon Worship Palace were also abolished. Those who had original names reverted to them, while those without were given new names by Yuè Bì Yún, with "Yuè" as their surname. This move completely stabilized the hearts of the hundreds of disciples in the Moon Worship Palace and consolidated her rule.

Don't think this was done out of idleness; it was a method Yuè Bì Yún used to win over people's hearts.

In the past, disciples of the Moon Worship Palace were called "Yuè Mou Nu," where "Nu" implied servants or enslavement, which was very displeasing. After all, no one liked being a slave.

Now that they had "turned over a new leaf" and become masters, how could they not be grateful and support Yuè Bì Yún?

Therefore, from Duàn Yì's perspective, this Yuè Bì Yún certainly had some capabilities.

His maternal grandmother, Yán Susu, might have possessed superior martial arts, but her skills in managing people were not refined. Moreover, she was too autocratic and stubborn, which sowed the seeds of disaster and led to her downfall at the hands of this woman and the unfathomably skilled Qū Dōng Liú. It wasn't an unjust fate.

Having witnessed Qū Dōng Liú's shrewdness and learned of Yuè Bì Yún's methods, Duàn Yì became even more cautious.

He kept the so-called deep-seated hatred in his heart, intending to settle it when he was truly capable, rather than seeking his own demise while still lacking strength.

There was also a piece of news that greatly surprised Duàn Yì.

After marrying Qū Dōng Liú, Yuè Bì Yún did not seem to reside permanently at Shalu Mountain. Instead, she returned to the Moon Worship Palace in Huaizhou to manage its affairs.

The eight young disciples brought along this time were left behind, with the intention of selecting suitable young men from the Golden Cauldron Sect disciples to form couples.

This matter led Duàn Yì to extensive speculation. Were these eight disciples the only batch, or the first batch?

In other words, besides these eight disciples, would the Moon Worship Palace continue to marry off its disciples to members of the Golden Cauldron Sect?

If so, it could be foreseen that the ultimate outcome would be the merger of the Golden Cauldron Sect and the Moon Worship Palace. No, more accurately, the Golden Cauldron Sect would annex the Moon Worship Palace.

Women are subordinate to their fathers at home and to their husbands after marriage. Once married into the Golden Cauldron Sect, they would become people of the Golden Cauldron Sect. With the increase of one and the decrease of the other, the Moon Worship Palace might cease to exist in the end.

Then, Qū Dōng Liú's motive for helping Yuè Bì Yún overthrow the Moon Worship Palace became worth considering.

Was it to be openly with his lover, or was he preparing to use this opportunity to expand the strength of the Golden Cauldron Sect?

Based on Duàn Yì's impression of this person, the latter possibility was more likely.

"No wonder Sister Yuè told me back then that Qū Dōng Liú was a man of deep schemes and great ambition. In recent years, the Golden Cauldron Sect has become increasingly prosperous and powerful under his leadership. It's certainly not without reason."

However, this raised a new question.

What was the true nature of Yuè Bì Yún and Qū Dōng Liú's relationship? Was it true love, or a fragile relationship based on mutual benefit?

Had she gone to such great lengths, even bearing the stigma of betraying her master and ancestors, just to pave the way for Qū Dōng Liú?

If she was truly willing, then they were in love.

Using this as a basis, one could make some deductions.

When Yan Susu was in seclusion practicing her martial arts and neglecting palace affairs, Yue Biyun held sole authority.

If she truly was willing to sacrifice everything for Qu Dongliu, she could have simply fled, changed her name, and followed him. There would have been no need to cause such a major incident, which could have led to unforeseen complications.

Perhaps Qu Dongliu wanted to expand the Golden Cauldron Sect's influence, which is why he persuaded Yue Biyun to rebel against Yan Susu and seize control of the Moon Worship Palace.

Yue Biyun's various actions were likely orchestrated and directed by Qu Dongliu.

Women, especially those who have been isolated from men for extended periods, can become like a raging flood or a tidal wave once they fall in love, beyond anyone's control. It's not impossible for them to make significant sacrifices.

But if she wasn't willing, and was instead forced.

Then things become interesting.

Previously, with Yan Susu as a common external enemy, the two could have found solace in each other and advanced together. However, once the external threat was removed, and they were dividing the spoils of victory, irreconcilable conflicts might have arisen between them.

With the Moon Worship Palace being annexed, Yue Biyun might have been forced into this marriage, and it may not have been her willing choice, but rather something she was coerced into by Qu Dongliu.

So, how things would ultimately turn out remained an unknown.

"I wonder if there will be any surprises on the wedding day?"