Xiao Bai glanced at Da Bai upon hearing this, smiled slightly, then took Li Xuan's hand and said, "Big Brother, I'll take you inside."
After speaking, Xiao Bai walked directly ahead. Seeing this, Da Bai immediately moved and jumped out of Li Xuan's arms. However, as if remembering something, it flickered with white light and jumped back into Li Xuan's embrace.
Li Xuan smiled at this and, led by Xiao Bai, entered the formation as if walking through an empty space.
Hum.
After a dizzying sensation passed, Li Xuan looked up and his eyes immediately showed surprise.
A magnificent array of towering peaks stood before him, and on a steep cliff face in front of the mountain gate, three large characters, Xuan Shan Sect, were carved.
Looking up, Li Xuan's brow furrowed. The mountain range behind had shifted, and an unfathomably deep sword mark was now emanating waves of sword energy.
"Such immense power. Judging by this, the Xuan Shan Sect was likely annihilated thousands of years ago, yet this sword mark still retains its sword energy," Li Xuan said with some astonishment.
"The old ancestor of the Xuan Shan Sect was indeed quite a figure, but unfortunately, those who came after were worse than the last. Legend has it that the sect was destroyed by a single person, wiping out over ten thousand disciples in one fell swoop, thus severing its lineage," Da Bai spoke from within Li Xuan's embrace.
Li Xuan was somewhat surprised by this. It seemed Da Bai knew quite a lot of information.
Hum!
At this very moment, a humming sound echoed. The next instant, the spiritual energy in the heavens and earth slowly converged, and a gray figure solidified before Li Xuan.
"A guardian! It appears there is indeed a treasure and a legacy within this ruin," Da Bai exclaimed from Li Xuan's arms upon seeing this.
Li Xuan looked at the gray-robed elder with curiosity. Was this the guardian of the Xuan Shan Sect?
"I am Li Xuan, greetings, senior," despite his curiosity, Li Xuan respectfully bowed to the gray-robed elder.
"Did you break the barrier?" The gray-robed elder glanced at Xiao Bai, then at Li Xuan. As for Da Bai in Li Xuan's embrace, the elder paid it little mind.
Li Xuan let out a wry smile and shook his head, "No, junior entered here with the help of my sister."
"Your sister?" The gray-robed elder's expression clearly showed surprise. His gaze turned back to Xiao Bai, and his face immediately tensed.
"Heaven and Earth Spirit Ancestor. No wonder you, with your initial Eternal realm cultivation, could enter here." The gray-robed elder's breathing became noticeably ragged. He took a deep breath and slowly spoke.
Li Xuan's face stiffened. Why did this elder speak so similarly to Da Bai?
"That senior, perhaps you could examine me for any other unique traits?" Li Xuan asked somewhat reluctantly.
The gray-robed elder chuckled, "It's not that I want to discourage you, young one. While you are a person of destiny, with your current strength, if the Xuan Shan Sect were still here, you wouldn't even qualify as an inner disciple."
Li Xuan's face darkened instantly. He had brought this upon himself.
"Young master, don't be discouraged. Many people at your age are not as accomplished as you. Of course, there are also heaven-defying prodigies, but their starting points are naturally higher. Losing to them wouldn't be unjust," the Heavenly Dao Brush's voice echoed in Li Xuan's mind.
"If you can't speak properly, then don't speak," Li Xuan retorted irritably. His gaze then shifted back to the gray-robed elder.
The elder remained silent, also looking at Li Xuan.
"That senior, as the guardian of this place, the legacy of the Xuan Shan Sect must be with you, correct?" After a moment of mutual staring, Li Xuan finally broke the silence.
The gray-robed elder nodded, "It is indeed with me. Under normal circumstances, anyone who can break the barrier and enter would receive the legacy of our Xuan Shan Sect. However, you entered using her special abilities, which strictly speaking, does not count as passing."
Li Xuan immediately understood the implication. The legacy of the Xuan Shan Sect would naturally not be given to him.
"Senior, that statement is unfair," although Li Xuan didn't know what treasures were in the Xuan Shan Sect's legacy, the gray-robed elder before him was clearly powerful. Furthermore, this elder was merely an illusionary projection, hinting at the true strength of his original form.
"Why is it unfair?" The gray-robed elder asked with a smile.
Li Xuan coughed lightly, "According to what senior just said, only those who break the formation barrier to enter are considered to have passed the assessment. But senior should know that people can be good or bad. Who can tell the character of those who enter?"
"Secondly, senior has also recognized that I am a person of destiny, and I have my sister, the Heaven and Earth Spirit Ancestor, by my side. Although my current strength is weak, the future is long. I believe I will one day reach senior's height, or even surpass it."
"And thirdly..."
"Stop, stop, stop, little fellow. I've noticed that your ability to praise yourself is quite remarkable," the gray-robed elder waved his hand, stopping Li Xuan as he was about to present a third point, and said with a wry smile, "However, I must admit, you have a point."
"And then?" Li Xuan's heart surged with anticipation as he looked at the elder.
The gray-robed elder sighed helplessly, "The legacy, I will give it to you. However, if you are unable to cultivate it, I hope that you will select a suitable disciple for my Xuan Shan Sect in the future. As for the treasures, you may dispose of them as you see fit."
Li Xuan nodded joyfully, "Senior, rest assured, I will certainly honor my promise. Should I encounter a suitable candidate in the future, I will ensure the Xuan Shan Sect's lineage continues!"
"Continue the lineage... Young master, your words sound a bit strange," the Heavenly Dao Brush commented in exasperation.
The gray-robed elder: "..."
As soon as Li Xuan finished speaking, the gray-robed elder nodded in satisfaction. With a wave of his hand, a storage ring flew to Li Xuan.
"Person of destiny, I hope I have not chosen wrongly," the gray-robed elder said, looking at Li Xuan. He then cast a lingering glance at the mountain gate and slowly began to dissipate.
"Let's go. There's no need to explore here anymore," Da Bai said from within Li Xuan's embrace as the gray-robed elder faded away.
Li Xuan nodded, then turned to Xiao Bai and said, "Xiao Bai, you've worked hard again this time."
Xiao Bai smiled and shook her head, "Big Brother's matters are my matters."
Li Xuan affectionately stroked Xiao Bai's head. With a thought, he put her into the Town Prison.
"Where is the Heaven and Earth Spirit Ancestor?" Da Bai asked as Xiao Bai disappeared.
Li Xuan smiled, "Naturally, she's hidden away. Otherwise, if others saw her, it would likely lead to another fierce battle."
Da Bai fell silent for a moment, then moved and floated in front of Li Xuan, blocking his path.
"Can we discuss something else?" Da Bai asked.
Li Xuan looked at Da Bai warily, "I won't agree if you're scheming against Xiao Bai."
Da Bai rolled her eyes at Li Xuan, "The Heaven and Earth Spirit Ancestor is not someone I can scheme against if I wanted to."
Relieved, Li Xuan then asked curiously, "As long as it's not about plotting against Xiao Bai, tell me. If it's something I can do, I might agree."
Da Bai then jumped into Li Xuan's arms, "It's very simple. How about you let me follow the Heaven and Earth Spirit Ancestor?"
Li Xuan: "..."