Li Xuan’s figure slowly emerged from the outer void of the Cloud Spirit Continent.
With the rapid transit of his sword, Li Xuan soon arrived. Yue Fuyou was collected into the Prison Suppression by Li Xuan, thus Li Xuan was free from any worries.
Gazing at the Cloud Spirit Continent before him, Li Xuan took a deep breath and his aura began to surge, climbing back to the Immortal Realm within ten breaths.
As Li Xuan’s strength recovered, the oppressive feeling emanating from the heavens and earth also returned with a vengeance. Sensing this, Li Xuan did not resist with his power.
Furthermore, Li Xuan did not merely stay put; instead, he walked towards the spiritual radiance surrounding the outer void. The intangible sense of oppression grew even more intense.
“The inheritance of Great Venerable Yun Qi is within me, and in a way, I am a part of the Cloud Spirit Continent. I know you were damaged in the great war over ten thousand years ago, but if you lack even this discernment, how can you protect the countless lives of this continent!”
“I, Li Xuan, am not here to conquer you. I merely seek your acknowledgment, to be free from your suppression. With my meager strength, I wish to carve out a path to survival for the countless lives of the Cloud Spirit Continent! We prosper together, we perish together. If we die, so do you!”
Boom!
As he continued to advance, Li Xuan’s sonorous voice echoed through the void. A massive sphere of light emitted a resplendent, multicolored glow, instantly enveloping Li Xuan. Then, with a thunderous roar, Li Xuan’s figure vanished from his original spot.
“Where is this… the palm-sized world of the Cloud Spirit Continent?!” Upon seeing the scene before him abruptly change, Li Xuan beheld a panorama of mountains and rivers flowing endlessly.
However, the colossal rifts on the earth were starkly visible. As scenes shifted, Li Xuan clearly imprinted the mountainous terrain of almost the entire Cloud Spirit Continent into his mind.
Li Xuan glanced around and immediately understood.
The multicolored glow from earlier was undoubtedly the manifestation of the Cloud Spirit Continent’s celestial order and rules.
The current scene allowed Li Xuan to intimately feel the situation of the Cloud Spirit Continent in an instant.
“This is indeed a palm-sized world. The successor of Great Venerable Yun Qi has finally reappeared. To live to witness this day is enough for this old man,” Li Xuan’s voice trailed off as a faint, weary, ancient voice slowly spoke.
Li Xuan’s heart stirred at the sound, and he turned to look. A white-bearded elder appeared, his face etched with weariness and the ravages of time.
“Are you the embodiment of the celestial order and rules?” Li Xuan asked, looking at the elder before him. A hint of excitement was subtly present in his tone.
Li Xuan’s actions earlier were, in fact, a gamble.
Based on Li Xuan’s experience, all things of heaven and earth possessed sentience. And the celestial order and rules that guarded a realm, having endured for countless millennia, would certainly not be mere existences. The events that followed successively confirmed Li Xuan’s conjecture.
“Since the demise of Great Venerable Yun Qi, our Cloud Spirit Continent has not seen a Great Venerable for over ten thousand years. If you had not gained Great Venerable Yun Qi’s recognition, this old man would not have appeared to meet you.”
“The great war over ten thousand years ago caused me severe damage. After enduring for ten thousand years, I have only recovered to sixty percent. Otherwise, the Cloud Spirit Continent would not have degraded to this state,” the embodiment of order nodded slightly and said.
“Was that great war so destructive?” Li Xuan was somewhat shocked to hear this. To damage a continent to such an extent, how catastrophic must that war have been?
“In that year, all beings at the Immortal Realm and Sacred Heart Realm perished, luck was damaged, foundations were shaken, and the heavens and earth were incomplete, hence this state,” the embodiment of order nodded.
“Senior, there is something I must inform you of. A few days from now, the Saint Clan of the Eternal Continent will invade, and I have come to do my part,” Li Xuan nodded upon hearing this and then stated his purpose.
“I am aware of this matter, but limited by the forces of creation, I cannot offer you any assistance. One thing perishes, another is born; the heavens and earth have long decreed it. If the Cloud Spirit Continent cannot overcome this tribulation, then it is destined,” the embodiment of order said.
Li Xuan frowned upon hearing this and then shook his head, “Senior, I cannot agree with your stance.”
“However, I do not presume to ask for any assistance from you. Since you act according to the rules, please inform me how I can gain the acknowledgment of the celestial order and rules.”
“If you can withstand the suppression of these celestial order and rules, can you guarantee victory in the upcoming battle?” the embodiment of order asked after a moment of silence.
“Facing Sheng Lingxiao, my chances of winning are likely less than thirty percent. Even if I can withstand the suppression of the celestial order and rules, I may only have a fifty percent chance. However, even so, I would have no regrets even if I died!” Li Xuan replied firmly.
“Very well. If that is the case, then this old man shall let you go and try. This is within my capabilities and does not violate the laws of heaven and earth. If you can pass the trial of the World Heart, you can wield the power of the celestial order and rules for your own use, just as Great Venerable Yun Qi did.”
“However, the outcome depends on your own destiny,” the embodiment of order nodded.
“World Heart? Senior, what is this World Heart?” Li Xuan was taken aback and then asked in confusion.
“A continent is a world. The heart of a realm can be said to be the soul's central hub of this world. If one can pass the trial of the World Heart, they can become the lord of this realm. The celestial order and rules will naturally not suppress them.”
“Great Venerable Yun Qi was once the lord of our Cloud Spirit Continent. However, since his demise, the World Heart has been in a semi-paralyzed state. Otherwise, our Cloud Spirit Continent would not have fallen to this extent,” the embodiment of order explained.
“So that’s how it is, I understand. If so, please take me to undergo the trial,” Li Xuan nodded slightly and then said.
The embodiment of order nodded slightly, then waved his hand, and the surrounding scene disappeared.
In the next instant, Li Xuan found himself in a vast and blessed land.
And in the center of this blessed land, a colossal, heart-like crimson object pulsed gently. Pure life essence radiated outwards.
“Could this be the World Heart?” Li Xuan muttered to himself, gazing at the blood-red, heart-shaped object.
“Trial-taker, upon passing the test, you shall become the lord of this realm. The trial is extremely arduous, and you may even fall into eternal slumber. Have you considered this carefully? Hmm, your aura… seems somewhat familiar…”
As Li Xuan appeared, a slightly childlike voice emanated from the red, heart-shaped object. Li Xuan followed the sound and saw that it was coming from within it.
“I have considered it. However, time is of the essence. I wonder how long this trial will take?” Li Xuan bowed respectfully to the blood-red heart and asked.
“An instant, a moment, all are within grasp. In a single thought, perhaps aeons pass. The duration of the trial depends on yourself. Now, do you still wish to proceed?”
Li Xuan’s expression turned resolute, and he nodded.
“Very well, let us begin.”