Li Xuan did not head to the left or right sides of the city after leaving the City Lord's manor. He was confident that the remaining individuals would immediately receive news of Fan Li Bai and Guan Ze Yang's whereabouts and plunder their possessions.
More importantly, Li Xuan already possessed their spatial rings.
After purchasing some spirit wine from the distillery, Li Xuan directly departed from Tianqian City. He was not short of spirit stones, and the spirit swords he acquired from the City Lord's manor treasury numbered over a hundred. The following period would undoubtedly be spent finding a quiet place for secluded cultivation.
Li Xuan appeared on a mountaintop near the Tianqian Land. The next moment, he unleashed a punch, instantly smashing a large hole. After setting up a barrier at the entrance, Li Xuan entered the Zhenyu.
"Senior, if I were to release you, what are your plans for the future?" Li Xuan asked, approaching the stone coffin on the fourth level.
Shi Jing remained silent for a moment before replying, "I will choose a new path for my cultivation."
Li Xuan nodded slightly upon hearing this and said, "I believe in you, Senior."
"Do you wish to release me now?" Shi Jing inquired.
Li Xuan was taken aback and responded, "Senior, I am about to enter secluded cultivation."
Shi Jing chuckled, "No matter. Since you have already decided to release me, I am not in a hurry. Furthermore, if I were to be released just like this, I would owe you a debt of gratitude. For me, it is best to avoid such karmic ties. Release me when you require my assistance."
Li Xuan was stunned for a moment, then let out a wry smile and shook his head. None of the individuals previously suppressed had shown a willingness to remain like Shi Jing. However, since Shi Jing had stated his preference, Li Xuan did not insist.
Although Li Xuan had initially intended not to rely on the powerful beings within Zhenyu, he reconsidered, thinking that as long as he did not encounter those who could overpower him by a full realm, why would he need their intervention?
"Then I shall heed your words, Senior." Li Xuan said, cupping his fists in a salute towards the stone coffin, then turned to leave.
Li Xuan's figure appeared at the summit of the Cang Ling Tower. As the spiritual energy of heaven and earth continuously poured in, Li Xuan produced his immortal swords and a staggering ten billion top-grade spirit stones. Under the instigation of the tower spirit, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth at the summit became several times more concentrated.
The next moment, several immortal swords were directly inserted into Li Xuan's dan tian. As Li Xuan closed his eyes, time quietly slipped away.
For cultivators, there are no years; time flows like water.
Li Xuan's secluded cultivation this time lasted for a full ten years.
Although only half a year had passed in the outside world, it was the longest period Li Xuan had ever spent in seclusion.
Li Xuan's figure appeared outside the partition of the fourth level, then he directly pushed open the door and walked in.
The furnishings were the same, but the wooden box on the table had been replaced by a sword sheath.
Li Xuan opened it with some surprise, and a golden sword, shimmering with golden light, immediately appeared before his eyes.
Within the sword sheath, Li Xuan also found a jade slip for recording images. As Li Xuan infused his spiritual power into it, an image materialized.
A figure, whose face remained indistinct, stood in the starry sky with his hands clasped behind his back.
"You have come this far, to the fourth level, which is already quite remarkable. This sword was forged by me from countless stars, and its soul was created from the essence of the nine heavens. This sword is now entrusted to you. However, its power is immense, and with your current abilities, you may be unable to wield it."
"This sword is still in a sealed state. After you activate it, it will only be able to unleash one-thousandth of its full power. However, do not underestimate this sword. As your strength grows, so will its might."
"Furthermore, I have not named this sword. Since it was prepared for you, the naming is up to you."
"One last thing: the sword grows stronger with its wielder."
As the voice faded, the man's figure completely vanished.
"The sword grows stronger with its wielder..." Li Xuan murmured, repeatedly reciting his master's final words. His eyes became a little distant, but after a few breaths, they grew brighter and brighter.
Li Xuan remained completely unaware that a subtle yet tangible fluctuation of destiny had begun to emanate from him.
"Sword cultivator, sword cultivator. So that's how it is," Li Xuan smiled, then bowed to the empty space. This bow was naturally for his master.
Li Xuan, whose sword heart had already achieved perfect communion, understood the meaning of his master's words after careful contemplation. The true power of a sword cultivator lies not in the grade of the sword, but in the sword cultivator himself.
A truly powerful sword cultivator can make anything a sword. Even an ordinary object becomes a divine weapon in their hands. This is not merely an understanding of the Way of the Sword, but a profound grasp of the art of sword cultivation. And when a sword cultivator reaches a certain level of power, and their spiritual sword is also of a high grade, who in this world can stand against them?
"Since you were crafted by Master specifically for me, I shall name you 'Shi Jian' (Master's Sword)," Li Xuan said softly as he picked up the golden sword.
The next moment, the golden sword directly flashed with a golden light.
Seeing this, Li Xuan smiled slightly, then with a thought, Shi Jian was absorbed into his body.
"It's time to venture into the Tianqian Land," Li Xuan murmured to himself, then his figure moved, and he left the Zhenyu.
"Young master seems to be getting a bit ahead of himself. After this breakthrough, he hasn't come to chat with us." The Heavenly Dao Brush spoke.
The Cang Ling Tower remained silent for a moment before replying, "Broke Pen, why do I feel like you're the one getting ahead of yourself? If the master has broken through, why should he chat with us? For what reason, just to show off?"
The Heavenly Dao Brush: "..."
In the Tianqian Land, Li Xuan's figure slowly approached.
"Master, do you have confidence?" The Azure Dragon's figure appeared before Li Xuan, and after glancing at the colossal rock, asked Li Xuan.
Li Xuan nodded slightly. Although he was currently only at the advanced stage of the Samsara Realm, he was only one step away from the Sovereign Realm. Moreover, during the ten years in Zhenyu, Li Xuan had cultivated all his sword techniques and divine abilities to their utmost perfection.
Not only that, but Li Xuan's physical body had also improved considerably. After absorbing the power of the stars from the fourth level, his Star Body had been strengthened several times over. Even his divine soul had reached the tail end of the seventh level in the Nine Revolutions of Spirit Grinding.
"Master, then I shall protect you." The Azure Dragon immediately offered upon seeing this.
Li Xuan nodded, then with a thought, Shi Jian appeared in his hand.
Li Xuan looked down at Shi Jian and softly said, "This is your first time acting. I hope you won't disappoint me."
Having said that, Li Xuan's eyes sharpened, and he then slashed directly at the colossal rock.
"One Sword Opens the Heavenly Gate!"
*Crack!*
Shi Jian emitted a golden light, which, like an arc, pierced into the colossal rock. Soon, a crisp sound echoed.
The next moment, a crack, like a spiderweb, appeared on the colossal rock. Subsequently, the passage Li Xuan had seen before slowly emerged.
Seeing this, Li Xuan smiled slightly. Shi Jian had indeed lived up to his master's expectations.
"What a terrifying sword!" The Azure Dragon, who was standing by, his pupils contracted. This sword, though appearing ordinary, unleashed an incredibly terrifying power. The Azure Dragon knew that if this sword were to strike him, he would not be able to withstand it.
"Let's go." Li Xuan beckoned to the Azure Dragon, then directly stepped into the passage and disappeared.