"Though I am an unknown nobody, I still wish to witness your might. What makes you, the foremost individual below the Holy Son, so formidable!"
Hearing this, Li Xuan immediately smiled. The moment his figure began to move, his Sword Domain surged, instantly enveloping him.
Beyond that, countless sword energies formed a cyclone. The sheer power of the sword strike even caused space itself to collapse.
In the next instant, Li Xuan's figure shot into the great formation.
*Sizzle, sizzle!*
As Li Xuan entered, the formation began to churn violently. Innumerable streams of spiritual light rapidly descended upon the cyclone of sword energy surrounding Li Xuan's body. Piercing *sizzle* sounds immediately echoed across the sky.
But to everyone's surprise, Li Xuan's sword energy did not disintegrate under the formation's power. Instead, it grew even stronger.
"This person actually withstood the formation's might!"
"As the saying goes, 'Without the skills to back it up, one dares not climb the mountain.' It's no wonder this person has the confidence to represent the Xuan Sect; he truly possesses strength!"
"Even so, that Bai Luan is the foremost individual below the Holy Son. For many years, that title has never been taken. While the Xuan Sect is not weak, winning will likely be difficult."
"..."
Watching Li Xuan remain completely unfazed within the formation, the teams from various factions began to murmur amongst themselves.
"I never imagined my Senior Brother Li Xuan's strength would be so formidable. It seems even if I didn't intervene to save him, he could protect himself." The Peony Chief glanced at Li Xuan, who had already entered the formation, a hint of surprise in her eyes.
"Is... is that really true?" The Green Lotus Chief also showed a flicker of joy upon hearing this.
As Bai Luan appeared, the oppressive aura that had previously permeated the air also receded. Now, upon hearing the Peony Chief's words, the Green Lotus Chief felt considerably more at ease.
The Peony Chief smiled slightly and replied, "It is indeed true. Did you not see? Your Senior Brother Li Xuan can withstand the formation's power solely through his own abilities. As for your Senior Sister, I absolutely cannot do that."
Upon hearing this, the Green Lotus Chief's face bloomed with an unparalleled radiance, and her gaze returned to Li Xuan, who was within the formation.
"To remain completely unaffected within my Soul Devouring Formation? It seems sword cultivators truly are the bane of all things. However, this Soul Devouring Formation has not even been fully activated yet!"
Bai Luan glanced at Li Xuan. As he spoke, the thousand-zhang spiritual formation erupted with dazzling light at his gesture. A thunderclap echoed from the clear sky, rushing forth.
*Boom!*
In an instant, countless beams of spiritual light followed in rapid succession. Across the sky, there was nowhere to hide. As these beams of light shot towards Li Xuan, they transformed into sharp swords, carrying supreme sword intent, making the space itself seem on the verge of tearing.
Seeing this, Li Xuan's face showed a strange expression. The formation actually turned into swords? This guy truly knows how to find shortcuts to improve himself.
Heavenly Dao Pen: "Young master, I've met shameless people, but I've never met one as shameless as you."
Azure Spirit Pagoda: "..."
In the next moment, Li Xuan completely dropped his physical defenses.
"This formation is actually the Soul Devouring Formation! Bai Luan's array mastery is astonishingly high!"
"No wonder I felt a heart-pounding sense of danger earlier; it turns out this formation is the Soul Devouring Formation!"
"The Soul Devouring Formation can kill without a trace. If the soul is destroyed, there is no possibility of survival. No wonder the teams from various factions stopped here; their leaders must have sensed that danger."
"..."
When everyone heard Bai Luan mention the Soul Devouring Formation, their faces turned to shock. They were clearly well aware of its power.
At the same time, they secretly felt fortunate. According to Bai Luan's earlier words, it was directed at the Xuan Sect. Otherwise, they likely would not have been able to enter the depths of the Ying Long Heavenly Cave and rendezvous with their respective Holy Sons and Daughters in the face of this formation.
"That Li Xuan isn't putting up any defenses at all. Is he giving up?"
Someone with sharp eyes noticed Li Xuan's actions and said, utterly perplexed.
"Senior Sister..." The Green Lotus Chief quickly called out to the Peony Chief.
The Peony Chief frowned slightly. "Let's wait for now. I believe he wouldn't do something so foolish."
*Yin!*
Before the Green Lotus Chief could speak, countless sword hums echoed from the sky. In the next moment, a multitude of sharp swords shot directly into Li Xuan's body.
But in the very next instant, everyone was stunned.
Li Xuan, who was now in mid-air, actually began to laugh.
Even more bizarrely, those swords that had pierced into Li Xuan's body had all vanished!
"You can devour?" A trace of shock flashed in Bai Luan's eyes. He was clearly astonished by Li Xuan's method.
"See? Your Senior Brother Li Xuan seems to have some tricks up his sleeve," the Peony Chief said with a slight smile, looking at the Green Lotus Chief.
"I never imagined Senior Brother Li Xuan could actually devour the power of those formations," the Green Lotus Chief said, relieved, nodding slightly.
The Peony Chief smiled, her gaze then returning to the sky.
"Is that all you've got?" Li Xuan looked at Bai Luan and curled his lips.
After absorbing these swords, Li Xuan discovered he was still one step away from reaching the intermediate stage of the Dao Integration realm. Though it was a bit disappointing, it was still better than having to purchase spirit swords himself.
"I want to see just how much you can devour!" Bai Luan's eyes flashed with ferocity. He raised his left hand again.
In the next moment, countless spiritual lights converged, forming a colossal sword, hundreds of zhang in size. The mere pressure of the sword made those outside the formation struggle to breathe.
"Holy cow, is this guy an idiot?" the Heavenly Dao Pen said, speechless.
Azure Spirit Pagoda: "..."
As Bai Luan waved his hand, the giant sword shot directly towards Li Xuan.
Li Xuan's eyes lit up with joy. Bai Luan was truly sending him what he needed when he needed it most.
*Yin!*
Amidst a flurry of sword light, Li Xuan greedily absorbed the giant sword. As time passed, Li Xuan's figure gradually became visible to everyone.
"This guy actually absorbed it again!"
Everyone watched in shock. Many even wore strange expressions. This whole situation felt as if Bai Luan was supplying Li Xuan.
*Boom!*
As the giant sword disappeared, a roaring sound emanated from Li Xuan's body.
Dao Integration realm, intermediate!
"Hey you, thank you for this generous gift." Li Xuan smiled with satisfaction, then shifted his gaze to Bai Luan.
Everyone: "..."
"I truly underestimated you. No wonder you can lead a team. It looks like you'll definitely have a place in the future Holy Son position of the Xuan Sect. But it's a pity you encountered me!"
Bai Luan's voice grew increasingly cold, his words resonating through the heavens like those of a grim reaper.
"And next, I will reveal my true power!"
"Are you prepared to die?"