Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
During these three days, Li Xuan barely left his room. In this Dongxu Mountain, where the spiritual energy was almost palpable, Li Xuan naturally would not waste it. Although it felt a bit like cramming before an exam, it truly allowed Li Xuan to improve himself further.
"What's wrong, Senior Jiang? You look a bit troubled. Have you encountered some difficulties?" As soon as Li Xuan pushed open the door, he saw Jiang Shang standing outside with a slightly displeased expression. Seeing this, Li Xuan curiously asked.
"This is the information about Li Liqing. Take a look first." Jiang Shang waved his hand, and a beam of memory light instantly entered Li Xuan's forehead.
"Li Liqing, one of the three Saint Sons of the War Soul Hall within the Martial God Continent's Martial Hall. Strength: Initial Stage of the God-Entering Realm. Recommended force: Asura Sect."
"I didn't expect his background to be so formidable, and at the initial stage of the God-Entering Realm, that's quite good," Li Xuan said with a smile.
"Young Friend He, you're out." As soon as Li Xuan finished speaking, He Shuqian and He Shuming also emerged from their respective rooms.
Both He Shuqian and He Shuming wore expressions of considerable embarrassment.
"Senior Jiang, I'd like to know if becoming a Buddha Son means one must stay with Buddhism?" Li Xuan asked, looking at Jiang Shang.
"Although the Ten Great Buddha Sons have always been retained by Buddhism, not all Buddha Sons are like that. There was once a Buddha Son named Sun Wukong, who after becoming a Buddha Son, went out for trials and eventually returned to Buddhism with complete merit. He was known to the world as the Venerable Walker Buddha."
Jiang Shang pondered for a moment after hearing Li Xuan's question and then replied.
"Venerable Walker Buddha... Does that mean his strength could be comparable to those twelve?" Li Xuan looked at Jiang Shang in surprise.
Jiang Shang nodded and said, "Indeed. Although Buddhism publicly proclaims only those twelve and the Buddha Sakyamuni as their supreme experts, Buddhism's foundation is unfathomable. Besides them, there are quite a few beings similar to the Venerable Walker Buddha. Therefore, Young Friend Li need not worry about being confined if you become a Buddha Son."
"Pavilion Master Jiang, I heard that Buddhism once accepted a Continent Master. Is this expert still with Buddhism?" He Shuqian suddenly asked as soon as Jiang Shang finished speaking.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing He Shuqian's question, Jiang Shang's expression changed drastically. He then waved his hand, and a spiritual energy barrier instantly appeared around them.
After completing this, Jiang Shang breathed a sigh of relief and then looked at He Shuqian with a wry smile, saying, "Young Friend He, when we are in Buddhist territory later, absolutely do not mention this matter. If it were to be overheard by those with ulterior motives, it might lead to unnecessary trouble."
"As for that individual, I can only tell you all that their strength is comparable to that of the Venerable Walker Buddha. Alright, matters concerning Buddhism are extremely murky, far beyond what we can easily investigate. You two, the quarter-finals are about to begin, let's head out."
After Jiang Shang finished speaking, he waved his hand, and the spatial barrier around them instantly dispersed. He then strode quickly towards the outside of the courtyard. He Shuqian and the other followed suit, and they instantly disappeared from sight.
In the sky above Dongxu Mountain, pavilions and towers began to appear one after another. After Li Xuan, He Shuqian, and Jiang Shang exchanged bows, they immediately shot towards a circular floating platform that had already materialized.
"The three-day rest period has ended. The quarter-finals of the Buddha Son Selection Competition will be held today. Players who have been matched, please begin to enter."
Jin Lun, seemingly not one for many words, spoke with a cold expression. Instantly, beams of golden light shot down from the circular floating platform. In a flash, over one hundred and fifty thousand people vanished.
Within the illusionary space.
Looking at the man before him, Li Xuan's expression remained calm.
Li Liqing, dressed in white jade satin, had a calm gaze that flickered with a sharp glint. The restrained yet potent pressure seemed to make the space itself still.
"He's a formidable opponent." Li Xuan nodded slightly as he looked at Li Liqing. With his powerful background, the aura emanating from Li Liqing clearly indicated that he was a seasoned fighter. This battle suited Li Xuan's preferences.
"You are strong. However, you, in your current state, cannot block my path forward. Therefore, I suggest you concede and withdraw." After a long silence, during which they observed each other, Li Liqing broke the quiet.
Li Xuan smiled. Since he had obtained information about Li Liqing's performance in the preliminaries, Li Liqing would naturally have information about him too. However, Li Xuan's background was likely unknown to anyone on the Bliss Continent.
"It's unfortunate, but the path I, Li Xuan, have chosen, I will see through to the end. To concede before the battle even begins, aren't you being a bit too arrogant?"
Li Liqing, as if he knew Li Xuan would not concede easily, nodded and said, "In that case, let us fight!"
As soon as Li Liqing finished speaking, his spiritual energy flickered, and he vanished into the air. A powerful oppressive aura instantly surged towards Li Xuan from all directions.
"Using your aura to pressure me? You overestimate yourself." Feeling Li Liqing's spiritual pressure, Li Xuan smiled faintly. In a mere instant, Li Xuan's expression sharpened, and he threw a punch towards the front left.
*Bang!*
Upon contact, two immense forces erupted. The surrounding air vibrated with this power. With a loud noise, Li Liqing's figure emerged from the void.
"You can actually sense my movements. It seems your soul is quite powerful. In that case, let's see if your physical body is as formidable as your soul!"
A flicker of surprise crossed Li Liqing's eyes. Few people could see through his footwork; he hadn't expected to encounter an opponent on the Bliss Continent with such insight.
However, Li Liqing wasn't overly surprised. This person also possessed the ability to fight above his cultivation level, so such insight was understandable.
Furthermore, merely seeing through his footwork didn't make him feel wary. As for the strength of his physical body, Li Liqing had absolute confidence.
"Testing physical strength?" Li Xuan shrugged helplessly. He then circulated his physical strength from the Transcendence Realm, his bones audibly cracking as they grew.
Hearing this, a hint of surprise appeared in Li Liqing's eyes. He immediately clenched his fist and lunged towards Li Xuan.
"Martial Fist, Mountain Collapse, Earth Shatter!"
On his massive fist, veins bulged like coiled dragons, releasing immense power with every passing moment. Even the illusionary space, created by Jin Lun with a God-Breaking Realm expert's arrangements, seemed to show signs of cracking under the force of this punch.
Li Xuan, showing no signs of weakness, stomped his left foot fiercely, channeling all his strength into his left arm. His body then shot forward like a cannonball towards the lunging Li Liqing.
"Overlord Fist Peerless!"
*Boom!*
Two fists collided head-on. The immense force caused both of them to be knocked back after just one exchange. The tremendous impact forced them to retreat hundreds of steps before they could stabilize.
"It seems I underestimated you. This is exhilarating! It is indeed fortunate for me, Li Liqing, to encounter a peer of my generation whose physical body can rival mine. Come again!"
As Li Liqing's voice faded, his body spun rapidly once more, and he shot towards Li Xuan. Li Xuan, hearing this, also clenched his left hand fiercely and threw a punch towards Li Liqing's fist.
*Bang, bang, bang!*
In the air, Li Xuan and Li Liqing exchanged over fifty punches in just over ten breaths. Each punch was more powerful than the last. Finally, as their last fists met, a cracking sound echoed from both their arms.
Clearly, under the immense force, both found it difficult to withstand the impact.
After being repelled hundreds of steps once more, Li Xuan and Li Liqing floated in mid-air, looking at each other.
In the pavilions and towers outside Dongxu Mountain, Jiang Shang and He Shuming watched the exchange between Li Xuan and Li Liqing with expressions of disbelief. Clearly, neither of them had expected that Li Xuan, who usually kept a low profile, possessed such terrifying physical strength.
"It's hard for me to imagine how Young Friend Li forged his physical body. You must know that Li Liqing is one of the three Saint Sons of the Martial Hall. Furthermore, Li Liqing is famous for his phantom-like movement techniques and robust physique."
"And today, to witness such an evenly matched contest, I believe this news, if it reaches the Martial Hall, will cause a great stir."
Jiang Shang took a deep breath, his eyes filled with emotion. At the bottom of his eyes, there was also a sense of relief. The stronger Li Xuan displayed himself to be now, the more advantageous it would be for the competition for the Snow Ganoderma Nine Lotuses.
Previously, Jiang Shang had wanted to persuade Li Xuan to give up, as the gap between the intermediate stage of the World Creation Realm and the God-Entering Realm was too vast. But looking at it now, he realized he had worried unnecessarily.
Even He Shuming, standing beside Jiang Shang, had eyes filled with profound shock. The physical strength that Li Xuan had displayed alone was enough to crush him.
As for the Martial God Continent, it was only a world continent slightly weaker than the Bliss Continent. The potential of Li Liqing, a heavenly prodigy from the dominant force of the Martial God Continent, was evident.
"Exhilarating, exhilarating! You are called Li Xuan, aren't you? This Saint Son is very curious, from which continent do you hail? The hardness of your physical body is actually on par with my Martial Soul Sacred Body." Li Liqing said with a hearty laugh, looking at Li Xuan.
Li Xuan nodded slightly and slowly replied, "The Vast Continent."