Li Xuan bowed respectfully, greeting Bai Zun and the Grand Zun's wife.
A gentle breeze caressed his face as Li Xuan awoke under the warm sun. Upon seeing Bai Sixin, the Bai Zun, and Mo Ningxiang, he quickly stood and bowed in greeting.
Bai Sixin, the Bai Zun, smiled and poured him a cup of spiritual tea. "Come, sit."
Li Xuan's eyes widened in surprise. He bowed again, "Disciple is humbled."
"When did you become so formal, young man? You possess the Nine-Nine Convergence, destined to be a pillar of our Tianyi Domain. Rest assured, come and sit. We won't eat you," Mo Ningxiang said with a laugh.
"This... disciple obeys rather than presumes," Li Xuan hesitated for a moment, then walked to the pavilion and sat down.
As Li Xuan settled, Mo Ningxiang studied him carefully. "The Nine-Nine Convergence. I wonder how we should nurture you. One thing is certain: you cannot leave the Tianyi Domain until you possess sufficient strength to protect yourself."
"Grand Zun's wife, why is that?" Li Xuan frowned, clearly not understanding her words.
Mo Ningxiang chuckled and looked at him. "Li Xuan, do you know how many in our Nine Domains of the Cloud World have condensed the Nine-Nine Convergence upon first entering the Quantity Change realm?"
Li Xuan answered truthfully, "Reporting to the Grand Zun's wife, I have heard that only the Grand Zun has achieved this thus far."
Mo Ningxiang nodded slightly. "The Nine-Nine Convergence. To this day, only my husband has achieved it. You know his accomplishments, I believe. But a tree that stands out in the forest is destined to be destroyed by the wind. You understand this principle. Although my husband founded the Tianyi Domain, he faced immense suppression.
"Those who did not wish to see my husband rise, and those who feared him. After all, my husband was truly exceptional then. Now, you are like my husband. If those with intentions learn of this, do you think they will allow you to grow in peace?"
"Disciple understands," Li Xuan said, his mind clearing. Since arriving at Tianyi Domain, Li Xuan had grasped some of its hidden truths.
The Tianyi Domain was not harmonious.
This disharmony might even originate from the upper echelons of the Tianyi Domain. If his situation were to be leaked, the consequences could be imagined.
Even a powerful figure like the Grand Zun had vanished for over ten thousand years. This indicated the might of those existences. Though Li Xuan had now entered the Quantity Change realm, he was no match for them.
"You needn't worry. We have shielded the aura of your breakthrough. Unless someone's strength surpasses ours, they will not detect the anomaly. However, the phenomenon of your Nine Extremes Limit has been noticed. Upon your departure, some will undoubtedly sense your condition."
"Of course, as long as you don't use your full power, even they cannot ascertain the exact number of your Star Spirit Beads," Bai Sixin, the Bai Zun, said.
Li Xuan nodded, then gave a wry smile. "But I am scheduled to fight Commander Zhang Xu next. Commander Zhang Xu is a mid-stage Divine Transformation realm cultivator. If I don't go all out, my chances of winning are slim. Bai Zun, Grand Zun's wife, that's thirty Taiyuan Fruits."
"You brat, is your life not worth thirty Taiyuan Fruits?" Mo Ningxiang glared at him, chiding him.
Bai Sixin, the Bai Zun, smiled. "Zhang Xu's strength at the mid-stage Divine Transformation realm likely means he has around eighty thousand Star Spirit Beads. With your current strength, you naturally cannot defeat him. However, as far as I know, Zhang Xu will seal his power to fight you fairly. In the same realm, do you still fear you cannot win?"
"Eighty thousand..." Li Xuan was taken aback, not having expected Commander Zhang Xu to possess such a vast number of Star Spirit Beads. With Li Xuan's current strength, he likely wouldn't withstand a single blow.
Bai Sixin, the Bai Zun, nodded slightly and explained, "The Star Spirit Beads condensed upon first entering the Quantity Change realm are the foundation of your being. As you cultivate and accumulate, your divine mansion will become more complete. When the Star Spirit Beads reach fifty thousand, you are considered to have touched the threshold of the Qualitative Change realm.
"How much you can improve also depends on your own foundation. The Grand Zun's Star Spirit Bead count reached one hundred thousand when he entered the Qualitative Change realm."
"One hundred thousand... Bai Zun, are you implying that my future cultivation is to accumulate Star Spirit Beads? And only when the count reaches fifty thousand will I touch the threshold of the Qualitative Change realm?" Li Xuan clicked his tongue.
"Although most spiritual masters touch the threshold of the Qualitative Change realm around fifty thousand, the number you require will depend on your own circumstances. After all, within the entire Tianyi Domain, only the Grand Zun shares your Nine Extremes Limit and the Nine-Nine Convergence."
"Furthermore, as Star Spirit Beads accumulate, your realm comprehension and divine soul must also advance in tandem," Bai Sixin, the Bai Zun, nodded.
"Disciple understands," Li Xuan nodded.
Mo Ningxiang smiled. "Alright, a month has passed. Your breakthrough is complete. For now, you should return. In your fight with Zhang Xu, you can learn more about the application of Star Spirit Beads."
"Disciple takes his leave," Li Xuan stood and bowed, then turned and shot towards the direction of the wooden pavilion.
"Sister Sixin, do you think he can win?" As Li Xuan departed, Mo Ningxiang turned to Bai Sixin, the Bai Zun, and asked.
Bai Sixin, the Bai Zun, smiled. "If Zhang Xu does not suppress his power, Li Xuan will naturally lose. However, if he suppresses it to the early Quantity Change realm, Li Xuan should be able to handle it. As you said, in this vast Tianyi Domain, besides the Grand Zun, he is the only one who has achieved this in over ten thousand years."
Mo Ningxiang nodded. "Li Xuan's growth has exceeded my expectations. It seems my foresight is still not as keen as yours, Sister. Now, I understand why the Penholder chose him."
...
In the private courtyard of Li Xuan's team within the Wood Pavilion mountain range.
"Congratulations, Commander Li," upon entering the courtyard, Li Xuan saw Qiu Jiuchao at once. Qiu Jiuchao looked at Li Xuan and then cupped his fists with a smile.
Qiu Jiuchao was arguably the closest person to Li Xuan after his arrival at the Wood Pavilion. Naturally, he had observed Li Xuan's changes closely. Now that Li Xuan had entered the early Quantity Change realm, Qiu Jiuchao felt a sense of relief amidst his admiration. After all, in this world, everyone hoped that the person they followed would grow stronger. Li Xuan's breakthrough undoubtedly solidified Qiu Jiuchao's decision.
Seeing Qiu Jiuchao, Li Xuan nodded with a smile and approached. "Were you waiting for me?"
Qiu Jiuchao nodded. "The Commander previously instructed me to inform Commander Zhang Xu. A month has passed, and as a subordinate, I must naturally be concerned. Now that the Commander has returned from his breakthrough, I am considerably more at ease."
"I found a quiet place for this month of secluded cultivation breakthrough. Brother Qiu, you have worked hard. By the way, what did Commander Zhang Xu say?" Li Xuan nodded.
"When I conveyed your words to Commander Zhang Xu, he did not refuse. However, over this past month, for some reason, everyone has become aware of your arranged duel with Commander Zhang Xu. Now that the month's deadline has arrived, it is likely that the number of spectators for this duel will be even greater than the last. Commander Li, do you have confidence?" Qiu Jiuchao said.
A hint of surprise flickered in Li Xuan's eyes. Although he had only met Commander Zhang Xu once, Li Xuan did not perceive him as someone who would spread such news. Now that the information had leaked, there were likely other factors at play. Combining this with what Bai Sixin, the Bai Zun, and Mo Ningxiang, the Grand Zun's wife, had told him, Li Xuan had a rough idea. Perhaps the leak of this news was orchestrated by that deeply hidden figure to test Li Xuan's abilities.
"If I were to fight Commander Zhang Xu with my current strength, the outcome would be my defeat. However, if Commander Zhang Xu seals his power as agreed, then there is a possibility of a fight. As for victory or defeat, we will know after the battle. Since I have returned, let the duel be tomorrow."
"In that case, I must trouble Brother Qiu once more," Li Xuan said.
"Very well," Qiu Jiuchao nodded and bowed to Li Xuan before turning to leave the courtyard.
Li Xuan's return naturally attracted the attention of the team members within the courtyard. After Li Xuan entered the pavilion, the others discussed in low voices before returning to their rooms.
After a while, the news of Li Xuan's return and his imminent duel with Commander Zhang Xu the next day spread throughout the Wood Pavilion. Even the high-ranking officials of the Wood Pavilion were discussing it, though their opinions on the outcome were divided. The vast majority, however, favored Commander Zhang Xu. After all, Li Xuan had only just entered the Quantity Change realm. Despite his commendable performance and potential, he was undoubtedly far inferior to Commander Zhang Xu, who had been immersed in the mid-stage Divine Transformation realm for two years.
In the evening, the Wood Pavilion's high command issued an order. Elder Geng Tian would serve as the mediator for the duel between Li Xuan and Zhang Xu. Furthermore, the Wood Pavilion would open its mountain protection array to welcome disciples from the other four pavilions to observe. While a Quantity Change realm battle might not be a monumental event for the Tianyi Pavilion, it would undoubtedly broaden the horizons and provide valuable experience for newly joined disciples and those who had been stuck at the peak of the Immeasurable realm for years.
The next day, the morning air after the rain was exceptionally clear. Amidst a gentle, cool breeze, Li Xuan and his team slowly walked towards the Wood Pavilion plaza. Qiu Jiuchao, following behind Li Xuan, felt a sense of relief as he observed Li Xuan's more rounded and full spirit and energy after a night of rest.
Upon their arrival at the plaza, Li Xuan's group drew the attention of the disciples who had arrived early from various pavilions. Li Xuan was the first to ascend the stage. After bowing respectfully to Elder Geng Tian, he stood aside, his eyes closed, awaiting the arrival of his opponent.
A few minutes later, accompanied by a stir from outside the plaza, Li Xuan opened his eyes.
Zhang Xu had arrived.