Returning to his residence, Li Xuan casually set up a formation before sitting cross-legged and slowly closing his eyes.
Half an hour later, Li Xuan’s aura erupted outwards. Had it not been for the formation, the entire pavilion would likely have been annihilated by this surge of energy.
However, the aura appeared as quickly as it vanished. Once the energy was fully contained within his body, Li Xuan’s eyes snapped open.
A sharp glint flashed within them, clearly indicating that Li Xuan’s strength had advanced considerably during that half-hour.
“Indeed, combat is the best and only way to improve one’s strength. I didn’t expect that the battle with Li Liqing would allow me to advance so much,” Li Xuan exhaled a breath of stale air and murmured. As his words faded, Li Xuan closed his eyes once more, replaying the battle and meditating on its lessons.
In the blink of an eye, three days passed.
“That Yang Feng’s strength is not weak. For Xiao You Shu Qian to win is proof enough of his capabilities,” Jiang Shang was discussing with He Shu Qian and his junior brother He Shu Ming in the courtyard. Unbeknownst to them, Li Xuan’s figure had already appeared silently behind them.
“Pavilion Master Jiang, please don’t praise me too highly. If I hadn’t used my trump card, it would have been uncertain who would win. Compared to Li Xuan, my victory is rather insignificant,” He Shu Qian said, shaking his head with a bitter smile.
After speaking, a trace of bitterness appeared on He Shu Qian’s face. He recalled that after his victory three days prior, he had expected to regain some face. However, after watching the battle footage between Li Xuan and Li Liqing, he felt even more discouraged.
“To be able to win is enough to be proud of. Yang Feng’s strength is not weak, and just as you had a trump card, so did he. We cultivators need not be overly self-deprecating; a steadfast heart makes one strong. Daoist friend Shu Qian, congratulations.”
Seeing He Shu Qian’s dejected demeanor, Jiang Shang was about to offer some words of comfort when Li Xuan’s voice was already heard. Hearing this, Jiang Shang and the others promptly stood up and looked towards Li Xuan.
“Little friend Li, you have emerged from seclusion. Hmm? Judging by your spirit and energy, it seems you have made further progress,” Jiang Shang remarked with surprise after a glance. Clearly, Jiang Shang had noticed the change in Li Xuan.
“I have been in seclusion for three days, and indeed, I have gained some new insights. However, with the three of you here, are you perhaps waiting for me?” Li Xuan nodded slightly and asked.
“There have been some changes to the rules of the finals. Since you were in seclusion, you naturally couldn’t know immediately. We are here to inform Daoist friend Li as soon as possible,” He Shu Qian said, sensing the confusion in Li Xuan’s eyes.
“New rules?” Li Xuan was taken aback and looked towards Jiang Shang.
Seeing this, Jiang Shang also spoke, “Little friend Li, it’s like this. According to the previous competition rules, the time between the finals and the semi-finals was three days. But this time, we received a message from Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable, stating that the rest period has been extended by two days.”
“Furthermore, the venue for the finals has changed. We will be heading to the Maitreya Mountain Buddhist Ground to participate. Many participants have already begun their journey today.”
“Maitreya Mountain Buddhist Ground? If I recall correctly, Maitreya Mountain is also one of the three sacred lands. Senior Jiang, why the sudden change of venue from our comfortable Dongxu Mountain?” Li Xuan furrowed his brow.
Although he already knew that the rest period was five days, this change of location was entirely unexpected, prompting Li Xuan to ask directly.
“Actually, it’s not that significant. In previous years, not all Buddha Son Selection Competitions were held on Dongxu Mountain. Sometimes it was on Dongxu Mountain, and sometimes on Maitreya Mountain. However, compared to Dongxu Mountain, the unique Buddhist Ground of Maitreya Mountain is unparalleled,” Jiang Shang explained.
“Perhaps the change of venue for the finals is related to that Buddhist Ground on Maitreya Mountain.”
“Buddhist Ground? Could it be the one that allows one to enter meditation? Could the finals be related to the Buddhist Ground?” He Shu Qian interjected, a clear hint of excitement on his face.
“Daoist friend Shu Qian seems very interested in the Maitreya Mountain Buddhist Ground,” Li Xuan remarked with a hint of surprise.
He Shu Qian then snapped back to attention and, seeing Li Xuan’s questioning gaze, explained, “Daoist friend Li, you jest. The Maitreya Mountain Buddhist Ground holds many opportunities. If this final is related to the Buddhist Ground, our strength might increase considerably.”
“It is rumored that the insights left behind by every Buddha Son, Bodhisattva, and Buddha Venerable after their reincarnations linger within the Buddhist Ground. Thus, over time, it has naturally acquired many profound mysteries. Daoist friend Li, I wonder if you understand what I am saying?”
“I understand,” Li Xuan replied, his understanding dawning upon him.
Indeed, the insights of Bodhisattvas and Buddha Venerables were extremely precious. To comprehend even a fraction of them would be immensely beneficial.
“The journey between Dongxu Mountain and Maitreya Mountain is not short. Normally, one could travel by teleportation array. However, Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable has closed the teleportation arrays, requiring all participants to reach Maitreya Mountain by their own means. This is why everyone has already started their journey.”
“We were also preparing to depart for Maitreya Mountain, but since Little friend Li was still in seclusion, we had no choice but to wait here,” Jiang Shang nodded in agreement and said to Li Xuan.
“So that’s how it is. In that case, there’s no time to waste, let’s begin our journey. I am also quite interested in what this Maitreya Mountain Buddhist Ground is,” Li Xuan nodded and said with a smile.
“Very well, then we shall talk as we travel. It seems that the twelve Supreme Buddha Venerables had a meeting and discussion regarding this final. Well, once we reach Maitreya Mountain, everything will become clear. Little friend Li, Little friend Shu Qian, Little friend Shu Ming, please,” Jiang Shang said.
Jiang Shang nodded and, with a wave of his hand, a cloud boat appeared in mid-air.
Li Xuan and the others looked on with surprise. This cloud boat was of the level of a Innate Spiritual Treasure. Sighing with emotion, Li Xuan and the others leaped aboard the cloud boat.
Seeing Li Xuan and the others steady themselves, Jiang Shang changed his hand seals, and the cloud boat shot rapidly towards the west.
Inside the cabin of the cloud boat, Li Xuan casually set up a barrier before entering Zhenyu.
“Little Master.” The figure of the Heavenly Dao Brush soon appeared before Li Xuan.
“You’ve never actively sought me out before. Is something the matter?” Li Xuan asked, surprised.
The Heavenly Dao Brush remained silent for a moment before replying, “Little Master, I have a question. Keeping it bottled up for so long makes me feel unwell.”
Li Xuan was speechless but still asked, “What question?”
The Heavenly Dao Brush then spoke, “Little Master, my feeling is that Sister Yao’er’s importance in your heart seems to outweigh that of Little Master’s Mother and Little Little Master.”
“For example, when you returned to the Vast Continent this time, although you spent time with Little Master’s Mother and the others, you didn’t visit Little Little Master. And after learning that Sister Yao’er was in trouble, you left Little Master’s Mother and the others behind. Therefore…”
Li Xuan fell silent. With a sigh, he slowly began to speak.
“Little Brush, your feeling is not wrong. In fact, I have noticed what you mentioned. However, I will have a good talk with them about all of this when the time comes.”
“Do you know, Little Brush? When I was little, no one in the entire family cared about me. From the time I could remember, I knew I didn’t fit into the family. With no one to support me, no one to care, I was like a soulless person back then.”
“Being bullied by peers was a common occurrence. Though I was young, my heart had already grown numb. I thought, perhaps it would always be this way.”
“But Yao’er appeared when I was almost giving up on myself.”
“Can you imagine a five or six-year-old girl shielding you with her tender hands? At that moment, I felt as if I had seen light.”
“It was from then on that Yao’er would secretly hide her food to bring to me in the woodshed. She would also tell me all the interesting and fun things she saw in Qingcheng.”
“Later, I learned about Yao’er’s background. Though we shared similar misfortunes, Yao’er gave me the hope to live. Even after I did many things for Yao’er, I still felt it was not enough compared to what Yao’er had given me.”
“Whether it was then or now, all I want is for Yao’er to live a safe and happy life.”
Li Xuan paused and looked into the void, saying, “As for Fuyao and the children, I am a negligent husband and father. However, this is all I can do. Fortunately, both little ones are quite diligent and don’t require me to worry too much.”
“Little Master, you should go back and see them more often when you have the time. After all, with Shi Jian, the travel won’t take too long. Although Little Little Masters are all ambitious, the lack of fatherly love is not ideal,” the Heavenly Dao Brush said after a moment of silence.
Li Xuan nodded slightly and then, with a thought, moved towards the fifth level.
It seemed like it had been a while since he had last seen Xiao Bai.