"Master is out?" Li Xuan's expression froze when he heard Jian Hongda's words upon returning to the Sword Sect. It was somewhat strange for him to be out at this time.
Jian Hongda nodded with a wry smile, "Your contributions to the competition with the Martial Academy were immense. Once the Sect Master returns, you may all enter the Sword Tomb for training."
"Many thanks, Sect Master Hongda!" Jian Shisan and the others' faces instantly lit up with joy as they bowed and exclaimed.
"Two Sect Masters, I've had a sudden realization and will go into seclusion to await Master's return." Seeing this, Li Xuan, though unsure of what the Sword Tomb entailed, sensed it was a good opportunity based on Jian Shisan's expression. Since his Master Jian Nancang was out, Li Xuan also planned to go into seclusion.
"Very well." Jian Hongda and Jian Kaicheng nodded slightly.
Upon returning to his cave dwelling, Li Xuan waved his hand, and a sword formation instantly enveloped the surroundings. Then, with a flicker of his figure, he entered the Town Prison.
In the final exchange with Wu Haotian, Li Xuan had forcibly merged all his sword moves and techniques. Although that one strike was immensely powerful, the backlash was not insignificant. Furthermore, his instability in that state meant he would have had little means of self-preservation in a life-or-death battle.
Li Xuan's purpose in entering the Town Prison was naturally to merge them again. Li Xuan had a feeling that once he perfectly integrated his sword moves and techniques, even an ordinary strike would possess world-destroying power. Such a strike would be a truly pure sword strike.
Beneath the starry sky of the Town Prison, Li Xuan sat cross-legged. As he closed his eyes, the ten flying swords of the Heaven Splitter began to revolve around him.
"Young master is about to enter the stage of self-creation. Once successful, his strength will skyrocket. This path of the sword has truly marked a significant milestone," the Heaven's Will Brush mused from below.
"Master's strength is increasing too rapidly, and our usefulness to him is diminishing," the Azure Spirit Pagoda, which had been silent for a long time, said with a hint of helplessness.
The Heaven's Will Brush chuckled, "Breaking Pagoda, what are you worried about? Even if you become useless, Young Master hasn't discarded you. Moreover, the spiritual energy within the Town Prison is all thanks to your operation. Look at the Azure Dragon and the Sword of Good and Evil; Young Master hasn't truly used them in ages."
Azure Dragon: "..."
Sword of Good and Evil: "..."
"Let's go, I have a feeling that when Young Master awakens this time, the world will change again," the Heaven's Will Brush said after a moment.
The Azure Spirit Pagoda seemed surprised. This was the first time it had seen the Heaven's Will Brush behave this way. However, seeing that the Heaven's Will Brush was unwilling to elaborate, the Azure Spirit Pagoda found it rare to ask. Besides, being within the Town Prison, what happened outside was of no concern to it.
At this moment, under a certain expanse of stars, a figure suddenly stopped.
"Master, what has happened?" Liuli asked in surprise. Master had never acted like this in recent times.
The man smiled and looked towards the void, "I must say, he is truly worthy of my pride. To have reached this point through his own efforts, it seems my decision was the right one."
Liuli's gaze shifted towards the Immortal Realm continent where Li Xuan was located. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes as she said, "Merging sword techniques and achieving inner harmony. It seems Young Master has graduated. Doesn't this mean Master's plan is one step closer to fruition?"
The man nodded slightly, "He faces a great tribulation next. You shall go and secretly protect him. As long as the situation is not overly dire, try not to intervene."
Liuli blinked in surprise, "Master, what kind of situation is overly dire?"
The man smiled, "For instance, the intervention of those old fellows who have lived for thousands upon thousands of years, or those who covet his destiny and heaven's mandate, the 'Heaven Defiers'."
"The Heaven Defiers are also growing impatient?" Liuli's beautiful eyes furrowed.
The man's expression turned serious as he nodded, "Once he breaks through, it is natural for the Heaven Defiers to discover him. If it were a fair competition, there would be no need for intervention. Also, pay attention this time. The Divine Son has the shadow of a Heaven Defier behind him. If you must act, do not leave any lingering trouble."
"Understood," Liuli nodded in response.
The man slowly withdrew his gaze, a hint of fatigue in his eyes as he murmured.
"Once you reach the Divine Breaking realm, you should recover. It is time we met. If I weren't afraid of affecting you, I truly wouldn't want to wait like this."