"I have now passed twenty-six consecutive stages, matching Senior Brother Mingchi. Moreover, each stage within the Purgatory Hall contains a sliver of enlightenment. Though not much, it’s enough to improve considerably."
"Especially after the twentieth stage, each subsequent stage holds something different. Could these all be traps set by Ancestor Cangxuan?"
Li Xuan frowned, his doubts growing. Before entering the Purgatory Hall, Li Xuan had heard of the stage-clearing records of Yue Mingchi and others. Hu Dequan's introduction had also subtly hinted that the Purgatory Hall was more than just a place to gain identity.
Although the enlightenment gained from the first to the tenth stages was not substantial, it was real. Particularly after the twentieth stage, the spiritual light that dissipated from the guardian clearly possessed a distinct spiritual aura.
Furthermore, after Li Xuan dispersed the guardian of the twenty-sixth stage, the embedded essence displayed extremely clear signs. Li Xuan discovered that as these essences integrated into his body, both his spiritual power and his soul were undergoing a metamorphosis.
"It seems this young fellow has also sensed the power of law left behind by the Ancestor. However, with his cultivation and strength, it's unlikely he can fully comprehend this power of law yet," Xuan Yi Xian said with a smile, watching Li Xuan on the screen projection with a slight frown.
"It's evident that Li Xuan hasn't had the guidance of a renowned master, otherwise he wouldn't be unaware of the power of law within the Purgatory Hall. Having cleared twenty-six stages consecutively, he has indeed obtained thirty percent of the Ancestor's law power left within this Purgatory Hall," Leng Feihong continued after a pause. "Once he receives guidance and integrates this law power into himself, his strength will undoubtedly soar."
"The true power of the Ancestor's law lies beyond the thirtieth stage. I wonder if Li Xuan can reach the thirtieth stage," Hong Chengen mused after a moment of contemplation.
"In the first twenty-six stages, the Ancestor dispersed thirty percent of the law power. From the twenty-seventh to the thirtieth stage, there is another ten percent of law power. Obtaining thirty percent of the Ancestor's law power is already incredibly rare," Wen Yuanbai recalled. "If someone could pass all thirty-six stages, they would obtain the Ancestor's complete law power. With this complete law power, one would be able to cultivate their own Law Domain at the advanced Dao Integration realm. Among peers, they would be virtually invincible!"
Mu Qingyu chuckled, "When the Ancestor established this Purgatory Hall, all six of us senior brothers received his personal guidance. Furthermore, the Law Domain that each spirit master can cultivate depends on their individual attributes."
"Although the Ancestor's law power serves as a guide, one's own comprehension is also crucial."
"Li Xuan's comprehension should not be an issue. However, in the upcoming stages, besides the twenty-seventh to the thirtieth, each remaining stage contains a strike with sixty percent of our six brothers' combined strength. It will be very difficult to clear them all," Gong Zimo said, watching Li Xuan on the screen projection with concern, unlike Xuan Yi Xian and the others.
Although their strength was still at the early Dao One realm when Ancestor Cangxuan established the Purgatory Hall, over the years, with the formations and law power within the Purgatory Hall, the illusory bodies of the guardians in each stage had their power enhanced to the middle Dao One realm.
Sixty percent of the power of a middle Dao One realm existence is not something Li Xuan, at his early Dao Integration realm cultivation, can withstand.
Xuan Yi Xian and the others nodded in agreement. Li Xuan had only just broken through to the Dao Integration realm. Being able to reach this point was already an incredible feat. Even if he managed to clear more stages, it was unlikely he could continue winning beyond the thirtieth stage.
The power of a middle Dao One realm existence is not something an early Dao Integration realm spirit master can resist, even if it's only sixty percent of their strength.
Meanwhile, Yue Mingchi and the others fell silent as they watched Li Xuan on the screen. Compared to Li Xuan, they were naturally aware of what was contained within the Purgatory Hall. However, back then, like Li Xuan, they had not known about the Ancestor Cangxuan's law power left within. They only learned about it from the peak masters after exiting. Obtaining even a portion of Ancestor Cangxuan's law power was a great honor to them.
"Challenger, you have successfully cleared the twenty-sixth stage. Do you wish to continue?"
As Li Xuan was contemplating, a deep, ancient voice suddenly sounded. Li Xuan’s senses snapped back to attention. While pondering, Li Xuan had also performed an internal examination. As the law power from the Purgatory Hall entered his body, not only did his spiritual power undergo a transformation, but his soul also felt a subtle solidification. Although Li Xuan did not yet know it was the power of law, he would not choose to stop when presented with such benefits.
"Continue!"
As soon as Li Xuan's voice fell, a spiritual light instantly flickered in his field of vision. Li Xuan glanced at it, and the divine sword in his hand trembled.
"The twenty-seventh stage!"
Seeing the illusory body appear on the screen, Yue Mingchi and the others immediately focused their gaze. Even the surrounding Xuan Sect disciples watched Li Xuan on the screen with excitement. They all knew that previously, only Yue Mingchi had cleared the twenty-sixth stage. Now that Li Xuan had joined that number, they were even more eager to see if he could succeed again.
As the illusory body appeared, before Li Xuan could even make a move, it instantly vanished from its spot. When it reappeared, it had already struck Li Xuan in the chest with a palm.
Bang!
With a loud bang, Li Xuan's body plummeted towards the ground like a kite with a broken string.
A large pit appeared as the dust and sand settled, revealing Li Xuan's form within. Seeing this, everyone was shocked. Li Xuan had never experienced such a situation from the first stage to the twenty-sixth. Now, he was suppressed in a single exchange.
"This guardian's illusory body in the twenty-seventh stage is too strong!" Many Xuan Sect disciples gulped as they watched Li Xuan lying in the pit, their eyes filled with deep shock.
"I wonder if Junior Brother Li Xuan can get up. I passed out after taking just one palm back then," Yue Mingchi said with a wry smile, looking at Li Xuan on the screen, having suffered a similar fate.
Just as Xie Yushan was about to speak, a hint of joy lit up his worried eyes. Because on the screen, Li Xuan, who was lying in the pit, had now stood up.
"Why is the guardian in the twenty-seventh stage so strong!"
"He's not even unconscious yet! Junior Brother Li Xuan's physique is truly remarkable! However, the guardian of the twenty-seventh stage possesses a quarter of the Ancestor's law power, and their strength is at the peak of the early Dao One realm. Junior Brother Li Xuan will likely have a hard time winning," Zhou Wenlun said with a trace of disbelief after seeing Li Xuan stand up.
"Junior Brother Li Xuan's physical defense and strength are both superior to us disciples of Hongshang Peak. It's normal for him to withstand this blow. Even I probably wouldn't be as good as Junior Brother Li Xuan," Wan Yuquan said slowly, watching Li Xuan on the screen.
Hearing this, Yue Mingchi and the others finally realized. Among the ten of them, Wan Yuquan possessed the strongest physical strength, as Hongshang Peak specialized in body cultivation. Wan Yuquan's words were undoubtedly of unquestionable authority.
"Let's see how Junior Brother Li Xuan clears this stage," Yue Mingchi said, shifting his gaze back to Li Xuan on the screen.
Li Xuan, now standing up in the pit, looked at the guardian's illusory body floating in mid-air and twitched his lips. It was clear that the previous strike had been quite painful.
"The difficulty increased too quickly! If it weren't for my extremely strong physical defense, this blow would have been enough to incapacitate me," Li Xuan frowned, feeling the pain in his body. This level of power had surpassed his own. Close combat would likely be difficult to win. With a thought, Li Xuan's figure instantly vanished from its spot.
"Instant Kill Sword!"
Li Xuan reappeared behind the illusory body, his divine sword slashing directly at it.
Swoosh!
The sword light passed, instantly leaving a long sword mark on the guardian's illusory body. Countless streaks of spiritual light flowed along this mark, causing the once radiant illusory body to dim and lose its luster.
"Rest in peace!" Seeing the illusory body like this, Li Xuan instantly channeled his sword intent and integrated it into his divine sword.
Clang!
The next moment, Li Xuan thrust his sword out again.
Crack!
With a crisp sound, the illusory body slowly dissipated.
Seeing Li Xuan clear the stage like this, Yue Mingchi and Fu Yaojin and the others were filled with shock. Who would have thought that Li Xuan, who was injured by the guardian's punch at the beginning, would ultimately disperse the illusory body with lightning speed.
As Li Xuan began to absorb the law power left by the guardian of the twenty-seventh stage, Yue Mingchi sighed with a complex expression.
"It seems it's time for the position of Saint Son to change hands."