"Little Pen, where am I now?"
Looking at the scene before him, Li Xuan frowned and asked with a hint of helplessness.
Just moments ago, Li Xuan had slashed through the void with his sword. Following the 'Heavenly Dao Pen's' guidance to a defiant star, space-time dimension node, Li Xuan now found himself staring at a vast expanse of starlight, resembling flowing ribbons. He was momentarily disoriented.
Was he lost?
The Heavenly Dao Pen replied with some exasperation, "This place is considered the origin of the River of Time. This origin is your current temporal dimension, little master. While the 'Master Sword' can pierce through space, the River of Time is different. The Defiance Organization, however, is moving against the current of this river."
"Moving against the current of the River of Time?" Li Xuan's brows furrowed at the words.
The Heavenly Dao Pen continued, "You can understand the River of Time as a straight line. As time continuously passes, this line constantly extends. Everything that has appeared before exists on this line. At any given moment, what exists is fixed."
"For example, yesterday's time. If you wish to return now, little master, you need to move against the current of time. This is something only a Time Emperor can skillfully do. And the stronger one's power, the further back in time they can travel."
Li Xuan listened, feeling somewhat bewildered. "If the River of Time requires moving against its current to enter, then how does the Defiance Organization exist within it?"
The Heavenly Dao Pen patiently explained, "The flow of time can be seen as a line continuously extending, which is a fact. Every day and every month can be viewed as a fixed point. As long as one's strength is sufficient, they can naturally exist within a specific fixed point."
"Many powerful beings can be said to reside within the River of Time. Here, the consumption of their lifespan is minimal. Normally, they might only live for a hundred years. But within the River of Time, they can slumber for thousands or even tens of thousands of years."
Li Xuan pondered for a moment and then nodded slightly. "So, to travel to the Defiance Star where the Defiance Organization is located, I also need to move against the current of time?"
"Little master, you're truly amazing! You've grasped it," the Heavenly Dao Pen exclaimed.
Li Xuan's expression turned grim. He then looked at the vast starry sky before him and said, "According to you, does this mean I cannot yet enter the temporal fixed point where the Defiance Organization is?"
"For an ordinary person, with your current strength, it would indeed be impossible. However, little master, you possess the Unyielding bloodline, coupled with the 'Master Sword's' augmentation. The restrictions of the River of Time are ineffective against you. But entering the River of Time means you will be facing true powerhouses."
Li Xuan took a deep breath, his gaze becoming more resolute. "If that's the case, then let's enter."
With his words, Li Xuan moved, and his figure plunged directly into the River of Time.
Instantly, Li Xuan felt an indescribable pressure. However, as he activated his Unyielding will, the feeling vanished immediately.
Li Xuan's figure moved against the current, his sword intent growing ever stronger.
Soon, ten years, a hundred years, two hundred years flowed backward.
"Little Pen, I seem to have forgotten to ask, what year is the Defiance Star located in?" After moving against the current for half an hour, Li Xuan's mind stirred, and he asked.
"The Defiance Star is located in the River of Time, a hundred billion years ago," the Heavenly Dao Pen replied sheepishly.
Li Xuan almost spat out a mouthful of blood. A hundred billion years ago, when was that?
"The Defiance Organization has quite a few branches within the River of Time, and their locations aren't all in the same hundred-billion-year-old era. Little master, from your current position, if you move against the current for another ten million years, you'll reach the nearest branch," the Heavenly Dao Pen quickly said upon seeing Li Xuan's reaction.
Li Xuan let out a wry smile, then his gaze sharpened, and he accelerated his movement against the current.
Time passed quietly. Half a month later, Li Xuan's figure gradually came to a halt.
"This is the Burial Star, but it has lost all its vitality. The Defiance Organization's branch here serves as a liaison point," the Heavenly Dao Pen stated.
Li Xuan nodded slightly, then his figure moved, and with a single sword strike, he slashed at the Burial Star before him.
*Boom!*
The terrifying sword strike cleaved the Burial Star into two halves.
"Who dares to be so presumptuous here!"
In the next moment, several figures soared through the air. Li Xuan glanced at them. The man leading them was at the level of a Time Emperor. The remaining seven were only at the half-step Destiny realm.
"As expected, it's just a small branch with such meager strength." Li Xuan's aura locked onto the eight individuals, and he raised the 'Master Sword' once more.
"Your Excellency, we have no grievances with you. Is there some misunderstanding here?" Sensing Li Xuan's killing intent, Tian Ye hurriedly clasped his hands and addressed Li Xuan.
Li Xuan smiled and said, "Are you all members of the Defiance Organization?"
"Your Excellency, since you know of our Defiance Organization, then things should be simpler. If there's any misunderstanding, please let us know, and we can offer our apologies," Tian Ye replied with a nod.
"This person... seems to be the 'Destined One' we've been looking for!" At this moment, a man beside Tian Ye suddenly pointed at Li Xuan in terror.
Tian Ye cursed silently in his heart. He had recognized Li Xuan the moment he saw his face. However, Tian Ye knew that his group was no match for Li Xuan, and he hadn't expected Li Xuan to come here, so he had no choice but to show weakness to try and save his life.
But now, this idiotic subordinate had blurted out the truth.
"It seems you recognize me. As the leader of these people, you couldn't possibly not know me, could you?"
Li Xuan looked at Tian Ye meaningfully, then his gaze shifted. "Come, tell me about this wanted situation?"
Tian Ye, at this moment, had already cursed the eighteenth generation of his subordinate's ancestors. He then replied with a fawning smile, "Your Excellency, this wanted order was issued by Elder Shu Chong and Elder Xu Wei. Currently, various powerhouses of the Defiance Organization are returning and preparing to take action against you."
"The Defiance Organization has four levels of wanted orders. The lowest is an Orange Wanted order, followed by Crimson and then Red Wanted orders. Each level involves powerhouses from different factions. The fourth level, Black Wanted, can only be issued by the three leaders."
The Heavenly Dao Pen paused and continued, "Once a Black Wanted order is issued, the Defiance Organization will mobilize in full force, with no respite until death."
Li Xuan looked at Tian Ye with great interest and said, "What is the level of the wanted order concerning me right now?"
Tian Ye let out a wry smile and replied, "Orange Wanted."
Li Xuan pouted. This was still the lowest level.
"Huh? Who is that person?" Just then, Tian Ye suddenly looked behind Li Xuan and said.
Li Xuan turned his head in surprise, but the next moment he froze. Behind him, there was nothing.
When Li Xuan turned back, Tian Ye had already fled a thousand miles away.
"Damn it, you can play it like that?" Li Xuan was utterly speechless.
Tian Ye's subordinates: "..."