"Do you think Senior Brother Li Xuan will continue challenging the stages?"
After Li Xuan successfully cleared the twentieth stage, a disciple in a black shirt asked among the many disciples watching from outside.
"Senior Brother Li Xuan's consumption should not be significant, so I believe Senior Brother Li Xuan will continue challenging the stages?"
"That's likely. It's rumored that the higher one progresses in the Purgatory Hall, the greater the benefits one receives. Senior Brother Li Xuan hasn't expended much spiritual energy so far, so he probably won't stop here."
"..."
Upon hearing this, everyone began to discuss amongst themselves.
Indeed!
In the projected screen, Li Xuan, after absorbing the spiritual energy of the twentieth stage's guardian, once again looked up at the sky.
In an instant, the surrounding scenery changed.
High mountains, flowing water, plains.
And opposite Li Xuan, a figure slowly appeared. This phantom body was modeled after Chu Kuangtian's physique. Seeing the 'Chu Kuangtian' appear, Li Xuan, who already knew the situation, didn't hesitate. With a thought, he shot forward like thunder.
Punch, dodge, punch again, and so on. After exchanging seven or eight blows in mid-air with 'Chu Kuangtian,' Li Xuan was repelled by the powerful recoil.
"It seems that the subsequent stages cannot be won by physical strength alone," Li Xuan thought to himself as he gazed at the figure of 'Chu Kuangtian.' He then shifted his mind, and a divine sword instantly appeared in his hand.
Since physical strength was insufficient to defeat these guardians, Li Xuan wasted no more time.
"One Sword Breaks All Laws!"
With a single sword strike, golden light scattered. When the sky cleared, the figure of 'Chu Kuangtian' had vanished.
Subsequently, in the continuous stages, Li Xuan unleashed his sword without any hesitation.
The result was always the same; the battles ended with a single sword strike.
This scene left Yue Mingchi and the others in awe.
Before the twentieth stage, it was settled with a punch.
After the twentieth stage, it was a swift kill with a sword.
At the same time, Chu Kuangtian and the others felt a sense of helplessness. After all, these guardians were simulated versions of their bodies. Being 'killed' by Li Xuan in such a manner was not a pleasant feeling.
"Twenty-sixth stage now." As Li Xuan continuously defeated the guardians, the stage count quickly reached the twenty-sixth.
Yue Mingchi and the other nine Saint Sons all looked on intently. In the Xuan Sect, only Yue Mingchi had previously passed the twenty-sixth stage. Now, with Li Xuan's momentum, he might very well become the second person to succeed.
"Junior Brother Zimo, you have taken a good disciple this time," Xuan Yixian said from the void, a hint of surprise in his eyes as he watched Li Xuan clear the twenty-fifth stage.
"Senior Brother jokes. Li Xuan chose this path himself; it has nothing to do with me. However, I am deeply gratified to have such an outstanding disciple," Gong Zimo said with a laugh, evident satisfaction on his face.
When Li Xuan reached the twentieth stage, Xuan Yixian, Gong Zimo, and four others had all arrived. They hadn't appeared before, but now they had to.
As the foremost Saint Son of the Xuan Sect, Li Xuan held considerable importance.
However, even the six of them couldn't help but be shocked by Li Xuan's performance.
"Since the Old Ancestor departed, our Xuan Sect hasn't been this lively. Now that we have an eleventh Saint Son, we can further promote him. This will undoubtedly heighten the Saint Sect's vigilance towards us."
Xuan Yixian nodded with a smile. Li Xuan had indeed chosen Langya Peak himself. His current achievements were largely due to his own efforts.
However, having such a disciple brought Xuan Yixian great relief. If Li Xuan had joined the Saint Sect, his fate in the Yinglong Cave Heaven might have been different.
"Among our Xuan Sect disciples, apart from that boy Mingchi, no one else has managed to pass the twenty-sixth stage. I wonder if Li Xuan can succeed." Leng Feihong nodded as well and then spoke while looking at the projected screen.
"Senior Brother Feihong need not worry. I believe this young fellow will be fine. I am willing to wager a year's salary that this boy Li Xuan will succeed in his challenge!"
Gong Zimo said with a grin, showing great fondness for Li Xuan.
"You're gloating, and I won't gamble with you," Leng Feihong retorted with a mock glare at Gong Zimo before smiling and shifting his gaze back to the projected screen.
Gong Zimo chuckled and also turned his attention back.
Within the Purgatory Hall, a space unto itself.
Li Xuan's eyes flashed as he focused on the phantom body that had materialized. This phantom body was not a simulation of Yue Mingchi and the others. However, judging by its flesh and blood that appeared almost tangible, it bore a semblance to a true person.
Upon its appearance, this phantom body exuded an immense power that gave Li Xuan a strong sense of dread. Its aura had reached the peak of the Dao Integration realm.
"One Sword Breaks All Laws!"
Before Li Xuan could even make a move, the phantom body formed hand seals and spat out a stream of spiritual light, which rapidly coalesced into a golden sword in mid-air. Instantly, it shot towards Li Xuan.
"It can even mimic my divine abilities!" Li Xuan was startled by this sight and couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile. This golden sword was meant to deal with him?
"What's happening? Why isn't Senior Brother Li Xuan moving?"
"Not only is he not moving, but he's not even making a basic defense."
"What are you worried about? This golden sword poses no threat to Senior Brother Li Xuan."
"..."
The onlookers were astonished. Disciples who had followed Li Xuan before smiled and explained.
A moment later, the disciples finally understood, but a hint of surprise remained in their eyes, as if they couldn't quite believe what they had witnessed.
The next instant, everyone's eyes widened.
The golden sword entered Li Xuan's body and then slowly dissipated.
Even more astonishingly, Li Xuan's aura began to rise rapidly.
In an instant, Li Xuan's cultivation level soared to the peak of the Integration realm.
Xuan Yixian smiled slightly upon seeing this. "It seems our Xuan Sect is truly destined for prosperity."
*Boom!*
A rumbling sound emanated from within Li Xuan. The next moment, Li Xuan slowly opened his eyes.
Dao Integration realm, initial stage!
Xuan, Leng Feihong, and the others looked at each other with a sense of shock. Clearly, Leng Feihong and the others had not expected Li Xuan to break through so dramatically.
After a moment of silence, Leng Feihong and the other four exchanged glances before speaking, "Truly, heaven blesses our Xuan Sect."
Li Xuan took a deep breath, and with a thought, the divine sword vanished from his hand.
The next instant, the phantom body transformed into a myriad of spiritual light and merged into Li Xuan's body.
Stage twenty-six, cleared.