"Yao'er, I've finally found you."
Li Xuan whispered to himself, paying no heed to the words of the ten experts at the Conglomerate Realm in the seventh level. He then sat down cross-legged and began to regulate his breathing. After a moment of cultivation, Li Xuan's aura stabilized.
Unbeknownst to Li Xuan, as he entered the seventh level, Li Yao, who was also in the central area of the seventh level of the Netherworld Tower, suddenly opened her eyes. She frowned slightly and looked towards the entrance of the seventh level stairs.
Outside the Netherworld Tower, as another mystical light illuminated the seventh level, Messenger Ming Chang and the other six people were all invigorated. "Someone has entered the seventh level!"
The old man with the mustache's gaze fell upon Messenger Ming Chang, and he bowed slightly. "Messenger Ming Chang, do you think this eleventh contestant to enter the seventh level might be Li Xuan from the Li family?"
As the mustached man finished speaking, Ming Hongyang and Ming Yuanji also looked directly at Messenger Ming Chang.
Upon hearing this, Messenger Ming Chang shook his head with a wry smile. "Although we can see how many people have entered which level through the mystical lights of the Netherworld Tower, we cannot know who they are. We will only know after a month."
As Messenger Ming Chang finished speaking, Ming Hongyang and Ming Yuanji's expressions relaxed slightly. Although Ming Hongyang hoped that the person entering the seventh level was Li Xuan, Messenger Ming Chang's previous words had already hinted that Li Xuan would eventually be favored by the clan leader, Ming Jiuyou, and thus could not become a member of the Second Elder's family.
As for Ming Yuanji, he did not wish for the eleventh person to be Li Xuan. If so, he would likely gain even more favor from the clan leader, Ming Jiuyou.
Aside from Ming Yuanji and Ming Hongyang, the other three, including the mustached old man, also had varied expressions. However, none of the five spoke further. The final outcome would only be known after a month had passed.
Within the seventh level of the Netherworld Tower, after glancing at Li Xuan who was sitting cross-legged to heal himself, the ten experts at the Conglomerate Realm slowly closed their eyes. However, just as the ten were about to close their eyes, an aura appeared, causing all of them to abruptly open their eyes.
A graceful white-robed figure glided in, her gaze falling upon Li Xuan. There was a clear trace of surprise in her expression.
"Saintess!"
Upon seeing the newcomer, all ten experts at the Conglomerate Realm exclaimed. Their gazes towards her were filled with eager warmth.
If Li Xuan were awake at this moment, he would immediately recognize the person as Li Yao, whom he had been desperately searching for.
"You really came," Li Yao said, looking at Li Xuan who was meditating and healing with his eyes closed. Her expression was now somewhat complex. Then, with a wave of her hand, a surge of spiritual light enveloped Li Xuan and he disappeared.
"What does the Saintess mean? 'You really came'?"
"Judging by the Saintess's words, does she know this brat?"
"Isn't this Li Xuan a disciple of the Li family? But it seems he has a close relationship with the Saintess. If they were merely acquaintances, would the Saintess take him away?"
"We should just focus on our cultivation. Although we don't know the exact relationship between the Saintess and this Li Xuan, it is definitely not something we can compare with. Who would have thought that this Li Xuan, who appeared out of nowhere, would also know the Saintess."
"..."
The ten Conglomerate Realm experts were all deeply shocked. It seemed as though Li Yao herself had helped Li Xuan leave.
Such a scene was difficult for them, who already admired Li Yao, to accept. For a moment, they all sighed with complex expressions and slowly closed their eyes.
In the center of the seventh level.
"I can't believe that after all these years, Brother Xuan, you've grown so handsome," Li Yao said, her eyes filled with joy as she looked at Li Xuan, who was still meditating with his eyes closed.
As time passed, Li Yao's face bloomed with radiant joy as she watched the aura of Li Xuan gradually increase. She then cupped her chin with her hands, her gaze fixed on Li Xuan's incredibly handsome face.
*Hum.*
With a hum, the spiritual light around Li Xuan flashed. As the light receded, Li Xuan's eyes slowly opened.
"Brother Xuan, you're finally awake!" Li Yao exclaimed with joy as Li Xuan opened his eyes.
Hearing the voice, Li Xuan's eyes focused. He then turned his gaze directly to Li Yao. "Yao'er, am I dreaming?"
Upon hearing this, Li Yao immediately stepped forward and threw herself into Li Xuan's arms. "Brother Xuan, this is not a dream. I thought I would never see you again."
Smelling the familiar scent and feeling Li Yao's warmth, Li Xuan instantly sobered up. He then unhesitatingly embraced Li Yao tightly, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably.
Reuniting with a loved one after years, Li Xuan was extremely excited. His tightly clasped arms seemed to suggest that if he loosened his grip, Li Yao would vanish.
Feeling the strength of Li Xuan's embrace, Li Yao was also deeply touched. They held each other like this, without any reservations.
As time passed, Li Xuan's emotions gradually stabilized.
Li Xuan released his embrace and immediately took Li Yao's hand. "Yao'er, have you been well all these years?"
Li Yao nodded slightly. "I was fine at the Ice Palace, and it's been alright even after being brought here. How about you, Brother Xuan? Tell me, how did you enter this Netherworld?"
Li Xuan nodded slightly and then recounted his experience of learning the news, rushing to the Ice Palace, and entering the Netherworld. Some of the events he described made Li Yao look increasingly nervous.
"I didn't expect the Palace Mistress and the others to have perished... All of this is because of me..." Li Yao sighed.
Li Xuan comforted her. "Yao'er, you don't need to blame yourself. When the Ice Palace Mistress was dying, she was still thinking of you. As long as you live well, the legacy of the Ice Palace will not be lost. I believe this would be the best way to repay the Ice Palace Mistress and the others."
Li Xuan seemed to recall something and continued, "Right, Yao'er, time is short. You should enter the Town Prison first. When this Netherworld Tower closes, I will take you away from here."
Li Yao was stunned for a moment. Looking at the hopeful expression in Li Xuan's eyes, she hesitated to speak.
Then, as if making a decision, she looked at Li Xuan with firm determination. "Brother Xuan, I'm afraid I can't leave with you."
"Why?" Li Xuan frowned upon hearing this.
Li Yao replied with a complicated expression, "That Ming Jiuyou's strength is unfathomable. Once he senses my absence, he might implicate you, Brother Xuan. I have already implicated the Ice Palace, and I don't want to, nor am I willing to, implicate you, Brother Xuan."
Li Xuan smiled and gently patted Li Yao's head. "Yao'er, perhaps you don't fully understand my current strength."
Seeing Li Yao's continued hesitation, Li Xuan spoke again. "Let me put it this way, this Netherworld cannot stop me. Even if that Ming Jiuyou were to appear before me, I would be able to fight him."
Just then, a hoarse voice suddenly sounded.
"At such a young age, you have quite an arrogant tone."