"I do not believe in fate."
As Li Xuan's words fell, Dan Wushuang's expression grew solemn.
After a serious look at Li Xuan, Dan Wushuang slowly said, "To reject fate, to disbelieve in it, is not an easy feat. The path ahead will be far more arduous than you can imagine. However, I will not interfere, nor can I."
"Li Xuan, if you can endure this trial, I will personally guide you once. How far you can go, and what the ultimate outcome will be, depends entirely on your own destiny."
"Disciple thanks Elder Dan," Li Xuan said, bowing respectfully.
"Good, go," Dan Wushuang nodded. After a slight pause, he continued, "This place is far more dangerous than you can imagine. Even the outer regions will require your full attention with your current strength. Do not act rashly in the core area."
"Yes!" Li Xuan understood the implication of Dan Wushuang's words. He nodded in response, and his figure rapidly moved forward. Within a few breaths, he had vanished from sight.
As Li Xuan departed, Dan Wushuang waved his hand, and seven glowing projections appeared before him. These projections depicted He Xiuzhu and Li Xuan along with six others. Dan Wushuang sat cross-legged, his eyes slightly closed.
As he ventured deeper, Li Xuan's sense of crisis intensified.
Li Xuan had no idea what he would face in the Dragon Burial Ground, as Elder Dan Wushuang had named it. Acting on instinct, Li Xuan moved slowly while circulating his spiritual energy at high speed.
Even his sword, Shi Jian, floated around Li Xuan's body, following him. Furthermore, Li Xuan's divine sense constantly scanned the area within a hundred meters around him. Any anomaly would alert him, allowing him to prepare.
*Whoosh!*
At that moment, a faint whistling sound echoed through the air. Li Xuan, already on guard, immediately detected the anomaly and moved with incredible speed.
*Boom!*
Concurrently, a massive roar erupted from the spot where Li Xuan had been standing.
Li Xuan, having moved to a new position, looked intently. A colossal skeleton, over a hundred feet long, blended seamlessly with the surrounding space, appearing as if it had fallen from the sky.
"It's actually the skeletal remains of a dead dragon." Staring at the monstrous entity, Li Xuan quickly identified it. Recalling the name Elder Dan Wushuang had given this place, the Dragon Burial Ground, Li Xuan began to understand.
The dragon skeleton was devoid of flesh and skin, consisting entirely of bone. Two eerie green lights glowed in its eye sockets.
These lights were now fixed directly on Li Xuan.
"Even in death, this monster possesses the strength of the peak of the Xuan-Knowing realm. Its strength in life must have been even greater. I never imagined such a powerful creature could also fall." Li Xuan shook his head with a hint of melancholy. Then, with a thought, he dashed towards the dragon skeleton.
At this point, Li Xuan knew what he had to face for his trial. Since that was the case, he had no choice but to confront it if he wanted to break through.
"Overlord Fist Unrivaled!"
Li Xuan unleashed the full power of his physical body, throwing a punch. The terrifying force erupted outwards, striking the dragon skeleton.
With a crisp sound, dozens of bones in the dragon skeleton were shattered by Li Xuan's blow.
*Roar!*
The dragon skeleton let out a draconic roar. The dozens of bones that had fallen to the ground flew up and reassembled. Then, stomping its foot, it leaped into the air and lunged towards Li Xuan.
Li Xuan frowned, clearly surprised by the dragon skeleton's regenerative abilities. However, he didn't hesitate, channeling his physical strength once more.
Li Xuan clenched his fist again and unleashed another punch.
*Crack!*
A loud cracking sound ensued, and the dragon skeleton instantly fell apart. Yet, its momentum did not wane, and it reached Li Xuan in an instant. The two eerie green lights enveloped Li Xuan from front and back.
Seeing this, Li Xuan threw a punch without hesitation and retreated rapidly.
*Bang!*
Despite Li Xuan's speed, the dragon skeleton was faster. Several bones struck Li Xuan's body, sending him crashing to the ground.
The two eerie green lights then shot directly into Li Xuan's body and rapidly surged towards his Sea of Consciousness. They seemed intent on devouring Li Xuan's spiritual sense.
"Damn it!" Li Xuan immediately sensed the change within him. If his spiritual sense were devoured by these strange green lights, he would become an empty shell.
Feeling this, Li Xuan disregarded the immense pain in his body. With a sweep of his hand, a barrier of spiritual light appeared around him. He then circulated his spiritual energy frantically, directing it towards the two green lights.
"How is this possible?!" To Li Xuan's despair, even though his spiritual energy had surrounded the two green lights, it could not slow them down. Moreover, his spiritual energy had no effect in blocking them whatsoever.
In that brief moment, the two green lights had already reached Li Xuan's Sea of Consciousness.
"Hmm, the dragon's consciousness has actually reached the Sea of Consciousness. I'd like to see if you can endure this, young man," Dan Wushuang murmured, observing Li Xuan's projected image on the screen with surprise. It seemed he truly had no intention of intervening.
"Ah!"
Upon entering Li Xuan's Sea of Consciousness, the two eerie green lights began to tear into it with savage ferocity. A profound pain, originating from the depths of his soul, instantly engulfed Li Xuan.
"Shi Jian!" Li Xuan roared. Shi Jian, already connected to Li Xuan's mind, instantly transformed into a golden light and returned to Li Xuan's body. The red light then rapidly traversed, heading straight for Li Xuan's Sea of Consciousness.
"Attack!" Perhaps worried about damaging Li Xuan's Sea of Consciousness, Shi Jian's sword body hovered in the mid-air of the Sea of Consciousness, hesitating. Noticing Shi Jian's hesitation, Li Xuan's veins bulged on his forehead as he shouted.
*Roar!*
Sensing Li Xuan's agony, Shi Jian no longer hesitated and struck decisively. Its terrifying sword intent shot towards the two green lights, instantly engulfing them.
As if sensing danger, the two eerie green lights merged into one, transforming into a miniature green dragon that lunged at the equally miniature Shi Jian.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
The battle between the green dragon and Shi Jian caused Li Xuan's Sea of Consciousness to churn violently. The sword intent and the green dragon's attacks that occasionally leaked out left Li Xuan's Sea of Consciousness riddled with holes. The intense pain caused Li Xuan to sweat all over, his face terrifyingly pale.
"This brat is truly reckless. Not only does his Sea of Consciousness lack any defense, but he's allowing a spiritual sword to battle within it. Such a fragile place, how can it withstand such conflict?"
Watching Li Xuan, who was on the verge of unconsciousness, Dan Wushuang snorted coldly.
However, he retracted the step he had taken and once again sat down cross-legged.
*Roar!*
Shi Jian, sharing a connection with Li Xuan's mind, naturally sensed Li Xuan's weakness and acted with increased caution. Conversely, the green dragon's attacks grew fiercer, and Shi Jian was gradually falling into a disadvantage.
"Fine, fine. If this continues, you'll be dead even if you don't die. It seems our destiny together ends here." Dan Wushuang looked at Li Xuan, whose eyes were gradually losing focus, and sighed slightly before standing up.
"Huh? There's actually a variable?" Just as Dan Wushuang was about to intervene, he suddenly stopped. His gaze shifted, focusing directly on the screen projection.
"A remnant of a wicked dragon, a great tonic indeed." An ancient voice echoed in Li Xuan's Sea of Consciousness. Then, an invisible force instantly bound the green dragon. Following that, the green dragon was pulled into Li Xuan's Dantian and vanished.
Then, a sound like a satisfied burp echoed, lingering within Li Xuan's body for a long time.
As the green dragon disappeared, pure energy surged from Li Xuan's bloodline towards his Sea of Consciousness. Under this energy, Li Xuan's Sea of Consciousness began to rapidly recover.
"I had forgotten that this boy's bloodline is extraordinary. Such injuries should have no lasting side effects. This place has thus become a treasure trove for this boy."
Sensing Li Xuan's aura gradually climbing, Dan Wushuang's lips curved into a slight smile, and he once again sat down cross-legged.
Several days later, Li Xuan's tightly closed eyes slowly moved. After several attempts, Li Xuan's eyes suddenly snapped open.
"I'm not dead?" Li Xuan immediately checked his Sea of Consciousness and his entire body, only to find no trace of injury.
Seeing this, Li Xuan was somewhat stunned.
The searing pain of his Sea of Consciousness being destroyed was still vivid in his memory. Yet, upon waking, everything felt like a dream.
"Little Brush," Li Xuan pondered for a moment before transmitting his thoughts.
"You mean my bloodline power saved me?" After listening to the Heavenly Dao Brush's explanation, Li Xuan was taken aback.
"Little Master, your bloodline is the Unyielding Bloodline. No matter how strong the dragon consciousness is, it cannot compare," the Heavenly Dao Brush transmitted.
Li Xuan nodded slightly. Then, with a thought, he realized that his bottleneck had loosened.
Sensing this, Li Xuan's eyes gleamed with joy.
Since his bloodline power could suppress such threats, this place was undoubtedly an excellent cultivation ground for him.