"Master, this is the previous master's understanding of sword intent. Master, you can try to comprehend it." As Li Xuan sat down cross-legged, the Shan Jian trembled, and a powerful sword intent instantly permeated the air.
Li Xuan nodded slightly and then closed his eyes, immersing himself in the sword intent.
Time slipped away quietly. Except for a slight frown at the very beginning, Li Xuan remained in a state of serene composure.
"You have indeed made a wise choice," said the Heavenly Dao Brush, suddenly appearing beside the Shan Jian.
The Shan Jian showed obvious wariness at the appearance of the Heavenly Dao Brush, but it quickly retracted its sword aura and asked, "Why do you say that?"
The Heavenly Dao Brush chuckled and replied, "If you had persisted for a moment longer, your young master might have absorbed you. In your current state, do you think you could resist his sword body? If absorbed, your spirit would cease to exist. But now, at least you've saved your life."
The Shan Jian fell silent. In fact, it had sensed Li Xuan's sword body when he appeared. The reason why those artifact spirits allowed Li Xuan to reach the Shan Jian was because the Shan Jian had released a wisp of sword qi.
For many years, had it not been for the Shan Jian guarding this place, those artifact spirits would have already ravaged it. It was precisely because of the Shan Jian that the temperaments of the artifact spirits here had been subtly changed.
"Don't hold any grudges. Since you've chosen to acknowledge the young master as your master, do what you're supposed to do. Moreover, the young master already has a seed of goodness in his heart. If you can nurture it, you will still exist when you encounter that evil sword in the future," the Heavenly Dao Brush said, as if it had seen through the Shan Jian's thoughts.
The Shan Jian remained silent again, then suddenly asked, "What exactly are you?"
The Heavenly Dao Brush chuckled and said, "When the young master wakes up and you see me again, I'll tell you."
After speaking, the Heavenly Dao Brush moved and instantly vanished into the Zhen Prison.
Seeing this, the Shan Jian looked at the Zhen Prison Ring in Li Xuan's hand, and then its body suddenly trembled and flew backward.
Meanwhile, Li Xuan felt two distinct presences within the sword intent. One was benevolence, and the other was malevolence. To Li Xuan's surprise, although the two presences were opposed, they coexisted and merged peacefully.
What surprised Li Xuan even more was that their powers were also mutually enhancing.
However, Li Xuan soon realized that the benevolence within the sword intent was more powerful. Clearly, this was because only the benevolent sword remained.
Sensing this, Li Xuan fully integrated his consciousness into the benevolent sword intent and began to comprehend.
What Li Xuan didn't know was that as his comprehension began, a faint, almost imperceptible crisp chime sounded from the depths of his heart. As this benevolent sword intent merged, a seedling slowly sprouted.
Months passed quietly. The Tomb of Weapons, after the initial discussions, returned to its usual tranquility.
On this day, Li Xuan slowly opened his eyes. His eyes were filled with confusion.
"What is benevolence?" Li Xuan murmured to himself, recalling past events.
Soon, Li Xuan's eyes cleared.
"There are many kinds of benevolence. Why should I be confined to a narrow definition? Helping others is benevolent, protecting the weak is benevolent, punishing evil and promoting good is benevolent. Anything within one's ability is benevolent."
Li Xuan's voice grew firmer, and his gaze became brighter. The sword intent emanating from him had already expanded to nine zhang!
"And my benevolence, Li Xuan's benevolence, is to ensure that all living beings are not oppressed and have the right to choose for themselves!"
*Roar!*
Li Xuan's voice boomed like a great bell, and the sword intent on his body suddenly erupted.
In an instant, centered on Li Xuan, the sword intent rapidly spread in all directions. Everywhere it passed, it was ravaged by terrifying sword qi.
"Holy cow, the young master is about to break through to the Sword Immortal realm!" the Heavenly Dao Brush exclaimed, jumping out at this moment.
The half-sectioned holy sword beside him immediately stirred, and a surge of sword intent shot towards Li Xuan's brow.
Li Xuan did not resist. The next moment, the spreading sword intent condensed even further. And the seedling in Li Xuan's heart had now sprouted a leaf.
"What terrifying sword intent!"
"More than terrifying, the benevolence in this person's sword intent is even more powerful. Has that one recognized him as master?"
"Clearly so, otherwise, how could he still be alive after so long?"
"Everyone, we need to make choices for our future."
"..."
Countless voices of artifact spirits echoed, as if countless gazes were fixed on the depths where Li Xuan was located.
*Boom!*
Just then, a rumbling sound erupted. The sword intent on Li Xuan's body retracted into his body like a tide. The next moment, the Ling Xi also let out a sword cry and shot straight into the sky.
Sword Immortal realm!
Nine layers of sword intent!
Li Xuan exhaled a breath of turbid air, his face filled with excitement.
"Thank you." After a moment, Li Xuan looked at the half-sectioned holy sword and said. Li Xuan knew that if the half-sectioned holy sword hadn't transmitted a wisp of sword intent belonging to an artifact spirit to him at the crucial moment, Li Xuan would probably not have been able to elevate his sword intent to nine layers.
Currently, Li Xuan's sword intent had far surpassed nine layers. And Li Xuan found that his nine-layer sword intent seemed to have room for further improvement. Although according to the woman in yellow, reaching nine layers of sword intent would allow one to ascend to the Sword Domain, since he hadn't reached his limit yet, Li Xuan was not in a hurry.
"This is what I should do for my master," the half-sectioned holy sword replied.
Li Xuan smiled and then looked at the Heavenly Dao Brush and asked, "Little Brush, why did you run out?"
The Heavenly Dao Brush immediately floated in front of Li Xuan and said, "I naturally came to admire the young master's glorious moment of breakthrough!"
"You're just being mischievous." Li Xuan smiled helplessly and then said, "Take him into the Zhen Prison."
The half-sectioned holy sword immediately said, "Master, may I say goodbye to them?"
Li Xuan was stunned for a moment, then nodded. The "them" the half-sectioned holy sword referred to were naturally the artifact spirits there. As fellow artifact spirits, they were, in a sense, of the same kind.
Seeing this, the half-sectioned holy sword suddenly shook and flew into the distance.
After Li Xuan waited for a quarter of an hour, the half-sectioned holy sword flew back. However, Li Xuan was stunned because behind the half-sectioned holy sword, there were densely packed spiritual weapons of various kinds.
What was going on?
Li Xuan looked at the half-sectioned holy sword with confusion and asked in his mind.
"Master, they all want to leave here with you," the half-sectioned holy sword replied.
Li Xuan was taken aback. These spiritual soldiers actually wanted to leave the Tomb of Weapons with him?
"Young master, these are all peerless divine weapons! Since they all want to follow you, what are you afraid of?" the Heavenly Dao Brush urged, seeing Li Xuan's hesitation.
Li Xuan glared at the Heavenly Dao Brush, then looked at the densely packed spiritual weapons in the air and said, "Since you intend to follow me, then enter the Zhen Prison."
After Li Xuan spoke, he raised his left hand, and the Zhen Prison also emitted a white light.
Seeing this, the half-sectioned holy sword was the first to shoot towards the white light, vanishing instantly. The Heavenly Dao Brush glanced at the various spiritual weapons in the air, then also entered the Zhen Prison.
Soon, countless spiritual lights flashed and then all entered the Zhen Prison.
Looking at the Tomb of Weapons, which had returned to its original state, Li Xuan couldn't help but curl his lips upwards.
This trip to the Tomb of Weapons had been incredibly rewarding!