With a hum, Li Xuan's vision instantly brightened, and he was transported to an unfamiliar place.
Dense woods surrounded him, with towering trees reaching for the sky. The landscape stretched as far as the eye could see, with winding mountain ranges resembling a colossal dragon.
Within this illusionary realm, the spiritual energy was exceedingly abundant.
Li Xuan touched a nearby towering tree, its texture feeling remarkably real. With a thought, he channeled his palm into a blade and swung it downwards.
As the tree split, a fresh scent emanated from the rupture. Li Xuan was astonished. Everything within this trial illusion was, in fact, real.
"No wonder the disciples in the peaks are so willing to cultivate in this trial illusion," Li Xuan mused with a smile after assessing the situation.
However, Li Xuan remained vigilant. This trial illusion was not a place for mere closed-door cultivation. The seemingly peaceful surroundings could erupt into astonishing changes at any moment.
Li Xuan knew that injuries sustained within the trial illusion were indeed real.
According to his master, Luo Kang, the various beasts within this trial illusion were personally captured and raised by previous peak masters.
The Seventh Peak had long been in decline, and thus, no one had entered the trial illusion. Over time, the beasts within had multiplied considerably. Coupled with the exceptionally dense spiritual energy, the beasts had naturally become very powerful.
"I hope the next two months won't be too boring for me," Li Xuan smacked his lips, a deep sense of anticipation appearing on his face.
With a swift movement, he shot into the depths of the forest like a bolt of lightning.
Atop the rear mountain of the Third Peak in the Azure Hall, two figures hovered.
"The Seven Saints and Ten Virtues Grand Assembly is in two months. All disciples and newly appointed elders of the Azure Hall will participate. I expect you to find the opportune moment to deal with that brat. Otherwise, the matter of the Spirit Dragon Pond will likely fall upon your shoulders."
The man at the forefront of the two figures spoke, hands clasped behind his back, as he turned to face the other.
"Rest assured, Senior Brother Yi Jie, I will certainly take care of Li Xuan!" Qiu Shaolong trembled upon hearing this. This Di Yi Jie was the only son of Di Ren Hai, the Peak Master of the Third Peak. Compared to him, an outsider disciple, Di Yi Jie's status and standing were incomparably higher.
Although he harbored resentment for Di Yi Jie's heartless words, he dared not show it. Combined with his own grievances against Li Xuan, Qiu Shaolong now redirected all his animosity towards Li Xuan.
"Excellent. Li Xuan's influence is growing daily. If you give him more time, he may even surpass you. And you will have no opportunity to make a move against him within the Azure Hall. This Seven Saints and Ten Virtues Grand Assembly is your only chance."
Di Yi Jie paused for a moment before continuing, "However, it is rumored that Li Xuan has already broken through to the intermediate stage of the True Self Realm. Take this Origin Breaking Pill as a precaution for unforeseen circumstances."
"Although your strength has reached the advanced stage of the Shore Realm, some of Li Xuan's methods even surprise me. This Origin Breaking Pill can help you ascend to the initial stage of the Incarnation Realm. If even this is not enough, you understand the consequences."
"Senior Brother, with this divine pill, Li Xuan will surely be caught with ease!" Qiu Shaolong rejoiced. Not only was his own strength inherently superior to Li Xuan's, but even at the same level, Qiu Shaolong was confident.
Now, with the Origin Breaking Pill bestowed by Di Yi Jie, if he still failed to kill Li Xuan, he would truly have to leave.
"Remember your words. If you succeed, your future will be under my protection."
Di Yi Jie nodded slightly and waved his hand. "Li Xuan has already entered the trial illusion of the Seventh Peak. You should also venture into the trial illusion of our Third Peak."
"Thank you, Senior Brother. I'll depart now." Qiu Shaolong bowed respectfully, then with a thought, he rushed towards the direction of the Third Peak's trial illusion.
"Senior Brother Yi Jie, this Origin Breaking Pill not only boosts one's cultivation by a level but also seems to prevent the user from ever reaching the Core Transformation Realm, doesn't it?" As Qiu Shaolong departed, a dark figure slowly appeared beside Di Yi Jie.
As if anticipating the arrival, Di Yi Jie glanced sideways and said, "This Qiu Shaolong lacks discernment. Furthermore, his arrogant nature means that if given time to grow, he might eventually betray us. This can be considered a form of punishment for him."
"Qiu Shaolong indeed has a rebellious streak and cannot be fully trusted. However, Senior Brother Yi Jie, do you truly believe Qiu Shaolong can eliminate Li Xuan from the Seventh Peak?" the dark figure nodded slightly and continued.
Di Yi Jie chuckled and replied, "If I truly trusted Qiu Shaolong, would I have called you here?"
"I see. In that case, let's see what fate has in store for Qiu Shaolong. If he fails, I will fulfill this wish for Senior Brother Yi Jie." The dark figure nodded slowly in agreement.
"Excellent." Di Yi Jie nodded slightly and looked into the distance.
Within the Seventh Peak's trial illusion.
Bang!
After Li Xuan struck down an eighth-tier beast with a single punch, he extracted its beast core and swallowed it whole.
"The beasts here are stronger than those of the same tier I've encountered, likely due to the spiritual energy of this place," Li Xuan mused, shaking his head. He then approached the beast's carcass, built a fire, and began roasting it.
The meat of the beasts within the trial illusion was exceptionally tender, making for a more delicious roast.
Although cultivators could go long periods without eating, Li Xuan did not refuse such a pleasurable experience.
Moreover, Li Xuan's purpose in entering this trial illusion was not significant; he simply wished to avoid idleness. Fighting monsters and roasting meat for consumption was, in itself, a form of enjoyment.
Time gradually passed, and a buzz began to grow across the seven peaks of the Azure Hall. Clearly, as the date approached, the fervor for the Seven Saints and Ten Virtues Grand Assembly intensified.
Some disciples who had been in seclusion for years and possessed immense strength began to appear on the peaks, drawing admiration from many.
Boom!
Within the Seventh Peak's trial illusion, after Li Xuan unleashed another punch to fell a beast, he noticed the surrounding scenery blurring. With a shift in his thoughts, he murmured, "It seems about time."
With this thought, Li Xuan moved, vanishing instantly from his spot.