"Such terrifying sword intent!"
As Liu Li flicked her finger and a portal appeared, Li Xuan followed her through. The scene changed instantly, and Li Xuan's expression turned solemn as he looked ahead.
The surroundings were like a hellscape, suffused with a scarlet hue. In Li Xuan's sight, hundreds of meters away, stood a solitary mountain. Sword energy, solidified like a storm, raged across the land, leaving no trace of life.
Li Xuan also noticed that within the solitary mountain, the sword intent was even more potent. Its intensity was unlike anything Li Xuan had ever encountered.
By Li Xuan's estimation, the ambient sword energy was strong enough to obliterate a being in the Zizai realm.
"Qingluan is the master's sword-bearer, and she cultivates the master's sword dao. Among the four of us, Qingluan possesses the strongest strength. Now that Qingluan's consciousness is dormant, this sword intent has automatically activated to protect her. If not for this, I wouldn't have sought you out," Liu Li said with a slight nod.
Li Xuan understood upon hearing this but remained somewhat puzzled. Since Qingluan was the most powerful among his master's four maids, why was her consciousness dormant, and why was she in the Qingxiao Continent?
However, Liu Li did not have the answer to this, and it could only be known once Qingluan awoke.
"Senior, what do you need me to do?" Li Xuan asked Liu Li.
Liu Li replied, "Your body can absorb all spiritual swords in the world, and your current strength is barely sufficient. Entering that solitary mountain should not be difficult. Your task is to reach the summit of the solitary mountain and awaken Qingluan's consciousness."
"Alright," Li Xuan nodded immediately and took a step towards the solitary mountain.
"Wait a moment!" Liu Li stopped him and said, "Although you can absorb spiritual swords, each sword cultivator has a different path, and their sword intents naturally vary. Moreover, this sword intent is in a self-activating state, and you will naturally be regarded as an enemy by it once you enter."
Li Xuan frowned and asked, "Then what should I do?"
"You should still have the sword energy your master left for you, right? Using your master's sword energy as a guide to protect you should lessen the intensity of the sword intent," Liu Li suggested.
Li Xuan nodded, "Okay."
With a thought, a wisp of sword energy materialized before Li Xuan. With a wave of his hand, the sword energy expanded, enveloping his body.
"Go. Although this sword energy can suppress Qingluan's sword intent to a degree, it is different after all. On your journey to the summit, while there may not be fatal danger, there will be many troubles. Everything from here on depends on you," Liu Li said with a slight nod.
Li Xuan nodded and then moved, walking towards the solitary mountain.
Li Xuan and Liu Li were at the periphery, where the sword energy was not very strong. Within a few breaths, Li Xuan had advanced dozens of meters. After a minute, Li Xuan's figure gradually disappeared.
"Little one, I hope you can withstand it. However, if you truly reach the summit of the solitary mountain, it will be a great fortune for you," Liu Li murmured with a complex expression as Li Xuan vanished.
Concurrently, Li Xuan, who had reached the foot of the solitary mountain, slowly stopped.
During the journey so far, thanks to his master's sword energy and his own resilience, the ambient sword energy had not affected Li Xuan. But upon reaching the foot of the solitary mountain, Li Xuan could clearly sense that the sword energy had undergone a qualitative change.
Even with his master's sword energy protecting him, Li Xuan's physical body was already experiencing unprecedented pressure.
"My body hasn't broken through in a long time. Perhaps this is an opportunity," Li Xuan pondered for a moment, then looked resolutely at the solitary mountain and stepped forward.
*Clang!*
Li Xuan's step was like a stone dropped into a vast ocean, instantly stirring the sword intent of the entire solitary mountain, which surged towards Li Xuan with ferocious intensity.
*Bang!*
In just one breath, Li Xuan's body was blasted backward.
"Damn, it's too strong..." Li Xuan spat out a mouthful of blood, closed his eyes, and fainted.
Liu Li, observing from the periphery, frowned, "This fellow, so reckless."
After a moment of contemplation, Liu Li flicked her finger, and a stream of spiritual light shot out.
Soon, the sword energy of the heavens and earth surged towards Li Xuan's location. As the sword energy entered his body, Li Xuan's injuries quickly stabilized.
A few minutes later, Li Xuan slowly opened his eyes.