As Li Xuan and about a hundred disciples entered the Furnace of Creation, the crowd on the plaza dispersed with their respective elders.
The disciples who had previously emerged from the Furnace of Creation were, of course, surrounded and escorted back by disciples from their pavilions.
Having undergone the tempering of the Furnace of Creation, their strength was soon to be enhanced, and breaking through to the Years Realm was imminent.
As everyone dispersed, the pavilion masters of the Five Pavilions and several Supremes exchanged pleasantries before departing.
"Sisters, do you have any further instructions?" With the crowd gone, Lin Yun Yuzun also rose and asked Mo Ningsiang and Bai Suxin Baizun, "Do you have any other instructions?"
Mo Ningsiang shook her head and rose, saying, "Let his cultivation proceed as he wishes, no need for excessive interference. The Pavilion Master selection is in a year. I'm afraid my sister will have to increase her efforts, or he will have to wait another decade to participate."
"Alright, I've noted it," Lin Yun Yuzun replied, her lips slightly pursed. After a pause, she added, "Brother Yi, is there any other news?"
"If there were, we wouldn't have to go through so much trouble. Everything will proceed according to his plan," Mo Ningsiang replied with a wry smile, shaking her head.
"Sister Lin Yun, as long as Li Xuan succeeds, we will all have an easier time in the days to come. Therefore, I'll be counting on you to take good care of him during this cultivation in the Furnace of Creation," Bai Suxin Baizun said.
"Sisters, rest assured, I will keep a close eye on him," Lin Yun Yuzun nodded, then glanced at the spatial rifts that were beginning to close. "Sisters, take care. I'm leaving."
Under the watchful eyes of Bai Suxin Baizun and Mo Ningsiang, Lin Yun Yuzun's figure moved instantaneously and vanished into the spatial rifts. The world between heaven and earth once again returned to tranquility.
"Everything now depends on your own fortune," Bai Suxin Baizun sighed and murmured softly.
...
The Furnace of Creation, though named a furnace, was in fact a self-contained world. Upon entering, Li Xuan saw a scene akin to entering an immortal realm.
Clouds and mist swirled, and the scent of flowers and trees filled the air. The spiritual energy in the heavens and earth was as dense and profound as a tangible substance.
Even without Li Xuan circulating his cultivation technique, the spiritual energy seeped into his body through his exposed pores.
"What a wonderful place. Even without cultivating, one could improve their spiritual power just by staying here," Li Xuan took a deep breath, then said with an expression of intoxication.
This place was truly a treasure.
"All disciples may choose their own cultivation grounds. This cultivation period will last for one year. You are all to cultivate with utmost focus. Any negligence will result in expulsion from this place and permanent exclusion from the list of those eligible to enter!"
"If you encounter a bottleneck, you may attempt to break through at the heart of the furnace."
"You must all look after yourselves."
As Li Xuan finished speaking, a clear voice suddenly echoed through the heavens and earth. Li Xuan looked up but saw nothing but vast clouds and mist obscuring the sky. However, Li Xuan knew that the speaker was Lin Yun Yuzun.
"Myriad Ancients Great Venerable... Sooner or later, I, Li Xuan, will come knocking to avenge my senior brothers and sisters!" The thought of Myriad Ancients Great Venerable made Li Xuan's expression turn solemn.
A moment later, Li Xuan's figure moved through the air. After a slight sensing, Li Xuan directly chose a mountain peak to descend upon. The Furnace of Creation was vast, with layered peaks, and thus, many mountains.
Moreover, Li Xuan found that the density of spiritual energy was the same everywhere, so there was no need to venture deeper. As for the heart of the furnace, Li Xuan did not need it for the moment.
At the cliff edge of the mountain, Li Xuan glanced at the distant clouds and mist condensed from spiritual energy before slowly closing his eyes. After swallowing a Taiyuan Fruit, Li Xuan began to cultivate.
...
In the Myriad Ancients Domain, within a grand palace, no one was present. At the deepest part of the main hall, there was a tall stone chair. Seated upon it was a burly, stout figure. This person was the Great Venerable who controlled the Myriad Ancients Domain, Myriad Ancients.
Myriad Ancients Great Venerable raised his eyebrows slightly, and in the next instant, a flash of spiritual light appeared, and a figure materialized.
"Greetings, Great Venerable!" Upon appearing, the person immediately bowed to the man on the stone chair and called out.
"How are the preparations?" Myriad Ancients Great Venerable nodded slightly and then asked.
"Reporting to the Great Venerable, the time for the replacement of the Grand Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Yi Domain is in one year. Our people are ready. Furthermore, that Yunzun, Lin Yun, has also appeared this time. According to intelligence, her strength should have reached the intermediate level of the Freedom Realm," the person replied, bowing.
Myriad Ancients Great Venerable nodded slowly, then rose and said, "Only the intermediate level of the Freedom Realm is not enough to deal with me. I have been planning for so long, and it is time to begin. Issue the order, the entire clan, prepare!"
"Yes!" The person's expression was one of great joy. After bowing, he turned and left.
The grand palace once again fell into silence.
After a long time, Myriad Ancients Great Venerable looked towards the entrance of the hall and slowly spoke, "Great Venerable Lin Yi, this time I truly wish to see if you will appear!"