"My son, Liu Xuan, has no need to apologize to an outsider!"
As the voice fell, a spiritual light instantly illuminated Li Xuan's body. He tightened his grip on his Master Sword.
At this moment, Wu Yigou, Wang Can, and others heard the voice and a trace of shock flashed across their faces. Yet, amidst the shock, a hint of helplessness could be discerned.
Subsequently, Wu Yigou, Wang Can, and the others turned towards the sky above Crescent Moon Peak and bowed respectfully.
Under Li Xuan's gaze, a figure instantly appeared in the sky above Crescent Moon Peak, treading through the air and stopping above Li Xuan in the blink of an eye.
"Father!" Seeing the arrival of the person, Liu Shaoyun's face lit up with immense joy as he cried out to the figure.
The newcomer was none other than Liu Xuan, the Grand Gate Master who presided over the Nine Gates.
"We pay our respects to the Grand Gate Master," Wu Yigou, Wang Can, and the others also called out.
Liu Xuan glanced at Wu Yigou and the others, his eyes extremely indifferent. When his gaze fell upon Liu Shaoyun, a cold glint instantly appeared in his eyes: "What is the matter with the injury on your arm?"
"Father, it was this brat who did it. Moreover, he threatened to drain my blood like those beasts and kill me. Father, if you hadn't appeared, they would have handed me over," Liu Shaoyun immediately said upon hearing this.
As if emboldened by Liu Xuan's presence, Liu Shaoyun now had no reservations and cast a venomous glare at Li Xuan.
A trace of paternal affection flashed across Liu Xuan's face, and his tone softened considerably: "It is my fault, child, do not be afraid. With your father here today, no one will be able to harm you."
"Moreover, I once swore to your mother that unless I die before you, I will never allow anyone to touch a single hair on your head!"
As Liu Xuan's words fell, the aura and pressure emanating from within him instantly erupted. With the release of Liu Xuan's aura and pressure, Li Xuan was instantly forced back.
Seeing this, Li Xuan immediately activated his Nine Heavens Sword Domain, making a defense in the first instance. However, even so, Li Xuan's expression was extremely grave.
Under the oppressive might of Liu Xuan's peak Vital Essence Realm, Li Xuan's Nine Heavens Sword Domain swayed like a small boat in a vast ocean.
"Grand Gate Master, the matter is not as he says. We implore the Grand Gate Master to investigate and handle this with caution," Wu Yigou said as Liu Xuan prepared to attack.
Liu Xuan slowly turned his gaze towards Wu Yigou and said, "I am aware of this matter. You need not speak."
After speaking, Liu Xuan looked back at Li Xuan and said, "Possessing the strength of an early-stage Vital Essence Realm cultivator and capable of setting up a sixth-grade spirit array, such strength indeed warrants arrogance."
"However, in my Nine Gates, dragons must coil and tigers must lie prostrate. You cherish your spirit beast, but my child is ten thousand times more precious than your spirit beast!"
"Since you have injured my child's arm, you shall pay with your life!"
As Liu Xuan's voice fell, a terrifying aura and pressure surged towards Li Xuan.
In the blink of an eye, Li Xuan felt immense pressure assault him. The Nine Heavens Sword Domain surrounding him was instantly crushed and dispersed.
"You want my life? This pressure is not enough!"
Li Xuan's indomitable bloodline had long been tempered, and Liu Xuan's pressure was naturally ineffective against him.
Then, Li Xuan, holding his Master Sword, slashed directly at Liu Xuan. A sword energy of extreme sharpness instantly appeared.
"One Sword Shatters the Heavenly Gate!"
As Li Xuan's voice fell, the Master Sword erupted with boundless sword intent, slashing towards Liu Xuan. Liu Xuan's terrifying aura and pressure, at this moment, seemed to be split open by a gash, dividing into two halves around Li Xuan.
Bang!
The sword energy from the Master Sword was sharp and piercing. Where it passed, space fractured.
As it was about to cleave Li Xuan's head, Liu Xuan slowly raised his left hand. He merely extended two fingers towards the sky, and the speed of the Master Sword was instantly halted.
Seeing his Master Sword held captive by Liu Xuan's mere two fingers, Li Xuan's pupils contracted sharply. This peak Vital Essence Realm strength was indeed not to be underestimated.
Moreover, Li Xuan realized that Liu Xuan was likely on the verge of breaking through to the next realm.
"This sword strike is not bad. It's a pity your foundation is too weak. Boy, it seems you have many fortuitous encounters. Given your arduous cultivation, I will spare your arm and let this matter go today."
After clamping the Master Sword, Liu Xuan looked at Li Xuan again and slowly spoke.
Li Xuan sneered, "You want to leave my arm? This strength is still not enough. And do you truly believe I came to your Nine Gates unprepared?"
"I had originally thought the Grand Gate Master of the Nine Gates was a reasonable person, but today's meeting proves otherwise. Since you insist on shielding your kin, then do not blame me, Li Xuan, for resorting to any means necessary."
"Immortal Slaying Sword Formation, commence!"
As Li Xuan's voice fell, eight spiritual pillars instantly shot up from the ground. As the formation disk in Li Xuan's hand spun, the nine spiritual pillars became even more solidified.
Boom!
At the same time, a fierce glint flashed in Li Xuan's eyes as his Master Sword shot into the void. The eight spiritual pillars that reached towards the sky, as if replenished, once again shimmered with astonishing golden light.
"Go!" As the eight spiritual pillars changed, a grave expression flashed in Liu Xuan's eyes. With a wave of his palm, a surge of spiritual energy instantly enveloped Liu Shaoyun behind him, and they rapidly shot towards the distance.
Seeing this, Li Xuan let out a cold laugh: "Within this Immortal Slaying Sword Formation, do you truly believe you can act as you please with your own strength? Others may leave, but he cannot!"
Li Xuan finished speaking and pointed a finger at the spiritual light enveloping Liu Shaoyun. Under everyone's gaze, a formation light suddenly appeared around Liu Shaoyun's body, directly imprisoning him in mid-air.
"Insolent cur!"
Seeing Liu Shaoyun immobilized, Liu Xuan let out a roar. Then, with a move, he rapidly dashed towards Li Xuan.
The distance between them was hundreds of meters, yet in just a single breath, Liu Xuan appeared above Li Xuan's head.
The boundless spiritual energy caused Li Xuan's sleeves to flutter even without wind.
However, Li Xuan showed no fear at this moment. Just as Liu Xuan's palm was about to descend upon Li Xuan's head, Li Xuan's voice instantly rang out.
"You could break my sword domain; that is because your strength surpasses mine."
"But within this Immortal Slaying Sword Formation, I am the master!"
Li Xuan's deep voice echoed, and then his gaze shifted directly to Liu Shaoyun.
"Shape Shift."