Days passed, and Li Xuan's eyes slowly opened. In the next moment, Li Xuan entered the Zhen Prison directly. Upon invoking the power of Zhen Prison, Li Xuan immediately began sparring with an ethereal projection.
"That brat hasn't made a move since he checked into the inn?" Xu Shaoyang frowned slightly as he listened to his subordinate's report. Li Xuan had been staying at the inn for nearly a month and hadn't gone out once. This fact greatly surprised Xu Shaoyang.
"Have someone keep a close watch. Report if there are any developments," Xu Shaoyang decided after a moment of contemplation. Since Li Xuan was inactive, there was no need to bother him. However, the moment Li Xuan left Tianqian City, Xu Shaoyang would have his methods.
"Yes!" The figure below the grand hall bowed in response and then turned to leave.
On the third level of Zhen Prison, Li Xuan had been practicing his swordplay for a full two years. As a beam of sword light shot out, the ethereal projection's body instantly disintegrated and vanished.
"Young Master, this swordsmanship is quite formidable," the Tiandao Pen exclaimed.
Li Xuan nodded slightly upon hearing this. "This 'Sword Sweeping Nine Heavens' carries the true meaning of magnanimity. It's about using one's own power to sweep away all the demons and monsters in the world. To say the swordsmanship is powerful is an understatement; its true power lies in its momentum. That aura of looking down upon all things in the world, that unrestrained and carefree demeanor. I never expected the Shangyin Sect to possess such swordsmanship."
The Tiandao Pen asked curiously, "Young Master, what level of existence is this Shangyin Sect?"
Li Xuan smiled. "The Shangyin Sect existed over twenty thousand years ago and was a top-tier power on a continent less than a hundred thousand miles from here. However, that continent was annihilated, and with foreign enemies invading, the Shangyin Sect also perished. The appearance of the Land of Rebellion, however, swept it into this realm."
"Master, compared to 'One Sword Breaks Ten Thousand Laws,' which is more powerful?" Cang Ling Tower inquired.
Li Xuan pondered for a moment and then said, "Swordsmanship, divine abilities, and even cultivation methods may have distinctions in rank, but their ultimate power is the same. What ultimately determines their superiority is the strength of the wielder. To me, they are all the same."
"However, if we speak purely of swordsmanship and divine abilities, between 'One Sword Breaks Ten Thousand Laws,' 'Three Stances of Heaven Severing,' 'Stacked Sword Techniques,' 'Sword Sweeping Nine Heavens,' and 'Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin,' I still favor 'One Sword Breaks Ten Thousand Laws.'"
"Young Master, we haven't seen you cultivate 'Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin'," the Tiandao Pen pointed out.
Li Xuan chuckled bitterly. "As you said, it's called 'Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin.' I don't have ten thousand swords on me right now."
Li Xuan chuckled after saying this, then moved and left Zhen Prison.
"Broken Tower, do you think Master has mastered 'Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin'?" Cang Ling Tower asked.
The Tiandao Pen fell silent for a moment before replying, "I believe Young Master has indeed mastered it. But given Young Master's nature, he should have demonstrated it to us by now."
"Why would he demonstrate it?" Cang Ling Tower asked, confused.
The Tiandao Pen said, "Naturally, to show off."
Li Xuan: "..."
Outside the inn, Li Xuan's brow furrowed slightly, but it soon relaxed. Just after leaving the inn, Li Xuan had sensed someone monitoring him. With Li Xuan's spiritual sense, such surveillance was utterly transparent.
Li Xuan paid it no mind. So far, the only person Li Xuan had any dealings with in Tianqian City was Xu Shaoyang. Li Xuan had initially thought Xu Shaoyang wouldn't target him, but this surveillance clearly indicated Li Xuan had been mistaken.
After all, Li Xuan had spent two years in Zhen Prison, while only two months had passed in the outside world. To be so persistent, Xu Shaoyang must have some plan. Li Xuan couldn't find the root cause no matter how he thought about it, so he decided it was better to wait for his opponent to make a move.
Of course, with his current strength, Li Xuan would naturally not take the initiative to attack. After all, based on Li Xuan's guess, Xu Shaoyang's strength was at least at the Sovereign realm. Since he had discovered the surveillance, Li Xuan instantly thought of a countermeasure.
Xu Shaoyang's inaction within Tianqian City clearly showed he had reservations. In that case, Li Xuan would naturally not leave the city alone. Even with Qinglong, Li Xuan wanted to rely on his own strength this time.
A sword cultivator relied only on themselves and the sword in their hand.
Soon, Li Xuan entered a wine shop, ordered a pot of spiritual wine, and began drinking alone.
"Continue the surveillance." At this moment, Xu Shaoyang in the City Lord's mansion also received news of Li Xuan's appearance. However, upon hearing that Li Xuan returned to the inn after drinking, he frowned slightly and waved his hand, giving the order.
For the next period, Li Xuan did not choose to continue with secluded cultivation. His days were spent wandering around the city or drinking and listening to the ways of the world in Tianqian City. Perhaps because Li Xuan had previously killed Xu Chudi, the people of Tianqian City had come to accept this unique individual.
After all, several months had passed without anyone coming to trouble Li Xuan.
One day, Li Xuan went to the wine shop as usual. Some of the powerful individuals who frequented the wine shop nodded to Li Xuan. Although their strength was far superior to Li Xuan's cultivation level, they had met several times. Furthermore, Li Xuan had paid for drinks once, which, though a small sum, counted as a favor.
"Shopkeeper, five catties of beef, two catties of baijiu! And a bowl of plain noodles." With a rough voice, a burly man entered the wine shop.
Li Xuan followed the sound and his lips curved into a smile.
This Tianqian City had finally welcomed a newcomer after half a year.
It was worth noting that the burly man was accompanied by a young girl of about fifteen or sixteen. When she saw everyone looking at her, the girl fearfully hid behind the burly man.
The burly man naturally saw the people in the wine shop, but his expression immediately became serious. The man possessed a cultivation level of the advanced Reincarnation realm and naturally discovered that there were no less than five peak Reincarnation realm powerhouses in this small wine shop.
Moreover, the burly man realized that there were no empty seats in the wine shop. Soon, his gaze shifted to Li Xuan, who was sitting by the window.
"Young brother, may I share a table?" the burly man hesitated for a moment, then finally pulled the girl to Li Xuan and asked in a low voice.
Li Xuan smiled and nodded. He glanced at the girl, who was curiously observing him, and then raised his wine cup and took a sip.
Seeing this, the burly man cast a grateful glance at Li Xuan, then pulled the girl to sit down.
Soon, the waiter brought the beef, baijiu, and a bowl of plain noodles.
The burly man did not hold back and ate ravenously in front of Li Xuan. The girl sat beside him, moved the plain noodles in front of her, and then began eating with her head bowed.
Time passed quickly. In just a quarter of an hour, the burly man finished all five catties of beef and two catties of baijiu. After letting out a satisfied burp, he stood up, cupped his fists at Li Xuan, and left with the girl.
Li Xuan had not spoken a word from beginning to end. After the burly man left with the girl, Li Xuan finally stood up.
"Shopkeeper, the bill."
The waiter immediately scurried over. "Guest, the previous guest has already paid for you."
Li Xuan looked out at the street with some surprise, then nodded and walked out.
He hadn't expected that this returning favor would be paid by a newcomer.