"Young master, are you feeling quite pleased at this moment?" The Heavenly Dao Brush appeared before Li Xuan atop a remote mountain peak on the Zhugou Continent.
Li Xuan let out a wry laugh and asked, "What are you trying to say?"
The Heavenly Dao Brush continued, "This Martial Hall is a top force in the Martial God Continent. Now, you, young master, can decide the fate of a prominent figure. Are you still not satisfied?"
Li Xuan immediately smiled upon hearing this. "Actually, even without me, they likely would have been able to elect someone, and the outcome wouldn't have been too different. Moreover, I don't feel any sense of satisfaction or dissatisfaction in this entire affair. I'm merely fulfilling a promise to another."
"Your state of mind, young master, has indeed reached a high level of cultivation. But, young master, are we truly leaving like this?" the Heavenly Dao Brush inquired.
Li Xuan shook his head and replied, "Naturally, we must depart, but I cannot go back just yet."
"Young master, with your current strength, you should be able to contend with Ming Jiuyou, shouldn't you? Although your realm is weaker, that can be a good way to make your opponent lower their guard," the Heavenly Dao Brush said, somewhat puzzled.
Li Xuan chuckled. "As for my realm, I could have broken through long ago. I've been suppressing this breakthrough to reach my own limit. There's still plenty of time, so there's no rush to return. While I have this time, I might as well improve myself further."
"Young master, I sense a sense of urgency from you," the Heavenly Dao Brush remarked.
Li Xuan nodded slightly, his expression gradually becoming more solemn. "Wu Xinghai and the others have surpassed the God Annihilation realm. They have ascended, which means there are even grander world dimensions. While I can suppress the Jiuyou clan now, what if someone from the outer realms arrives?"
"So, young master, you wish to become stronger," the Heavenly Dao Brush said, nodding.
Li Xuan, however, shook his head. "I only wish to protect everyone around me."
"Young master, what are your plans next?" the Heavenly Dao Brush asked.
Li Xuan smiled. "My state of mind is now complete, and my combat awareness has been honed sufficiently within the Sword of Good and Evil. Next, I will cultivate my divine soul."
"Didn't Senior Yi Qin teach you the Nine Revolutions of Divine Grinding?" the Heavenly Dao Brush asked, somewhat confused.
Li Xuan let out a bitter laugh. "The Nine Revolutions of Divine Grinding has already reached its peak. The current nine revolutions can no longer allow my divine soul to break through further. Little Brush, you must know of places to cultivate the divine soul, right?"
The Heavenly Dao Brush was momentarily speechless. It now understood that Li Xuan was trying to trick it.
However, the Heavenly Dao Brush also knew that what Li Xuan said was true. Li Xuan's physical body, realm, and state of mind had all seen significant improvements. His divine soul had undoubtedly become a weakness.
After all, Li Xuan's level of divine soul, the Wandering God's soul, had not seen a breakthrough in a very long time.
"This is the spatial coordinates of the Soul Realm. It happens to be in this spatial dimension as well," the Heavenly Dao Brush said. A piece of information instantly entered Li Xuan's mind.
"Young master, this Soul Realm is different from other world continents, and the trial process is extremely arduous. Although it won't be fatal, there's a possibility of becoming trapped and unable to extricate yourself. And you only have five years remaining from the time Ming Jiuyou gave you," the Heavenly Dao Brush said, sounding somewhat concerned.
Li Xuan smiled. "Five years is enough."
"If that is the case, then, young master, you may proceed," the Heavenly Dao Brush stated.
Li Xuan nodded, then summoned his Master Sword. In the next moment, his figure vanished.
"What is this..." As Li Xuan emerged from the void, he was momentarily stunned by the starlight filling the sky.
Just then, a voice that sounded like heavenly music suddenly echoed.
"Enter the soul."
As this voice resounded, Li Xuan's eyes blinked slightly, and then he slowly closed them.
Qingyun Town, the sky was a hazy gray.
Thud, thud, thud.
With a series of urgent hoofbeats approaching from afar, the pedestrians on the street quickly scattered to the sides.
"The northern border war is in a state of emergency! All males in Qingyun Town who are sixteen years of age and above are conscripted for battle! Those who achieve merit will be promoted and granted titles. Anyone who flees will be treated as a traitor! Within three days, all eligible males must report to the conscription office!"
Several fine horses galloped past, and the voice of the man leading them echoed through the street.
Everyone's face turned grim upon hearing this. Da Hua Kingdom had been at peace for five hundred years. A year ago, the northern border was invaded by an enemy nation, finally triggering a war.
Due to five hundred years of peace, the soldiers of Da Hua Kingdom had become too complacent. They were utterly defeated when the enemy nation invaded, leading to the fall of the vast northern border and widespread suffering. The King of Da Hua Kingdom was furious, and the court was in a state of panic.
As troops were dispatched from all sides, the brutality of the war intensified. In the battle of the northern border a month ago, Da Hua Kingdom lost seven million soldiers. The invading enemy nation, the Liudao Kingdom, had advanced deep into Da Hua Kingdom.
The front lines were critical, and reinforcements were insufficient. Out of necessity, a nationwide conscription was ordered. Even the remote southern town of Qingyun received a decree.
"Alas, how many innocent lives will be lost this time?"
"The nation is in crisis, is this the time to be saying such things? If the country falls, where will your home be? Don't you understand this simple logic?"
"But a month ago, all able-bodied men over twenty-six were conscripted. Now, only a month later, another conscription order has been issued. The men remaining in Qingyun Town, apart from the elderly in their sixties and seventies, are only these young lads."
"Two of the Li family's three brothers have already gone. The conscription order was issued before the seventh-day mourning period was even over. One wonders if the third son will survive after joining the army. It's a pity that the Li family, who has aided the people of Qingyun Town for generations, now only has Li Xuan as their sole descendant."
"If Li Xuan also has to go to the northern front, I'll have my grandson follow him!"
"The Li family's ancestors once produced a commander. The blood of soldiers flows through their veins. Although their descendants have gone into business, their martial spirit remains. Otherwise, why would the eldest and second masters of the Li family have rushed to the northern front? It's just a pity that the eldest and second masters met their demise in battle."
...
When the Li family was mentioned, everyone on the street respectfully turned their gaze towards the depths of the street.
That was where the Li manor was located.
In the Li manor, white banners hung everywhere.
Two large coffins were placed side by side in the main hall, and a young man of seventeen or eighteen stood before them in silence.
"Third young master, you are the only remaining descendant of the Li family now. You absolutely cannot join the army again! Otherwise, how can this old servant face the deceased master and madam?"
An old servant, hearing the conscription sounds from outside the manor and looking at the young man before him, spoke in a hurry.
"But the dying wishes of my eldest and second brothers were to reclaim the land and restore peace to the world. The descendants of our Li family, even if we die, will not live in shame! Furthermore, the King has already issued an edict, can we still escape?"
The young man shook his head slightly. Although he was young, he was extremely steady and experienced.
He withdrew his gaze from the two large coffins, then turned to the old servant beside him. "Uncle Li, you have served our Li family for your entire life, and it's time for you to enjoy your retirement. You should go back now, even if the days of peace are numbered."
"Third young master, this old servant belongs to the Li family in life and spirit in death! Since the third young master is determined to join the army, please allow this old servant to accompany you!" the old servant said, immediately kneeling on the ground.
The young man smiled and helped the old servant up. "Uncle Li, you are already sixty years old. Even if you went to the battlefield, could you still kill enemies? The Li family's legacy is here. I can only entrust it to your care when I leave. If I, Li Xuan, return victorious, it would be a blessing for our Li family's ancestors."
"But, third young master, the soldiers of the Liudao Kingdom are rumored to be extremely fierce. Although you have practiced martial arts since childhood, your physique is inherently frail. If you go to the battlefield, this old servant worries," the old servant said with reluctance.
Li Xuan smiled faintly and shook his head, then stared at the two large coffins. "Eldest brother once said, 'A man's life without a battle-axe, to conquer the fifty prefectures of the north!' Second brother also said, 'A man's heart is full of blood, to sacrifice himself for the nation.'"
"Today, I, Li Xuan, say, 'A man without soaring ambition, to waste his heaven-given eight-foot body!' Da Hua Kingdom is our nation, and Qingyun Town is our root. Now that the nation is in trouble, we cannot stand idly by. Even if it means my life's blood, I will spill it three feet before the enemy!"
"Third young master..." The old servant's eyes welled up with tears. The Li family, as a prominent clan in Qingyun Town, had passed down a tradition of benevolence through generations.
When Li Xiang was a child, his parents died, and he was left to wander the streets. He was fortunate to survive thanks to a bowl of sweet porridge from Li Xuan's parents. Afterwards, he became a house servant to Li Xuan's father, having dedicated his entire life to the Li family.
Li Xiang had personally witnessed the births and growth of Li Xuan and his two brothers. Now, the eldest and second sons of the Li family had both fallen in battle, and the sole remaining heir of the Li family was about to march to the battlefield. Such loyalty, heaven's pity! It was only natural for Li Xiang to be so moved.
Li Xuan comforted Li Xiang by patting his shoulder, then said, "Uncle Li, I will have to trouble you to inform the branches of the Li family. For any family willing to entrust their children to my care to accompany me to the northern front, I will give them one thousand silver taels per family. The remaining silver, Uncle Li, you keep for your own needs. After all, our household still needs you to look after it."
"Third young master, rest assured, this old servant will take good care of the household and await the third young master's triumphant return!" Li Xiang said, wiping away his tears, and then nodded firmly.
Li Xuan nodded, then looked at his elder brothers' coffins. "Tomorrow, let's ask the villagers to escort Eldest Brother and Second Brother for their final rest."
Three days later, over three hundred people stood outside the Li manor. These figures were all young men around seventeen or eighteen years of age. Their gazes were all fixed on the main gate of the Li manor.
Creak.
With a crisp opening sound, the main gate of the Li manor slowly swung open.