The Martial God Continent was a land where martial arts thrived. All spiritual masters revered strength above all else.
Across the Martial God Continent, from grand cities to small towns, wherever people resided, martial arts arenas were established. The prevalence of martial arts was evident.
On this day, outside a city in Qinghe County, a figure slowly approached.
This person was Li Xuan, who had departed from the Blissful Continent.
Upon arriving at the Martial God Continent and gaining a general understanding of its situation, Li Xuan entered the Town Prison for secluded cultivation.
His experiences on the Blissful Continent had been profoundly insightful, enabling Li Xuan to break through to the Intermediate Realm of Harmony within just one year of seclusion.
To Li Xuan's surprise, the Good and Evil Sword had also advanced in rank. Considering the spiritual veins and accelerated time flow within the Town Prison, Li Xuan quickly came to terms with it.
After engaging in combat within the black and white barrier inside the Good and Evil Sword's body, Li Xuan was completely unaware that two years had quietly passed in the outside world.
"Yin."
With a sword strike, all the puppets within the black and white barrier were annihilated. Li Xuan smiled slightly at this, then his figure moved and he vanished instantly.
Inside a Qinghe County inn, after consuming a full half-ton of beef, Li Xuan returned to his room to rest amidst the astonished gazes of the onlookers.
Although spiritual masters did not need to eat daily, prolonged absorption of spiritual energy could become monotonous. Moreover, Li Xuan had been in seclusion for a considerable time, and indulging his appetite now was a form of enjoyment.
After resting for half a day, Li Xuan set out once more. In the past month, his experiences on the Martial God Continent had greatly broadened his horizons. He was now heading towards the continent's supreme power, the Martial Palace.
The Martial Palace was located on Soul Refining Mountain. Its subordinate city was called Martial City. Martial City was vast, covering ten thousand acres, and within it, numerous factions were entrenched. Many of the Martial Palace's competitions and challenges were also held within Martial City.
It could be said that Martial City was the most lively and prosperous place on the Martial God Continent, and Li Xuan's journey was naturally driven by the excitement of Martial City.
As he advanced, Li Xuan inadvertently learned during a rest that Martial City was about to hold a grand martial arts competition. The three Saint Sons of the War Soul Hall would all participate.
It was rumored that Li Liqing, the foremost of the three Saint Sons, had broken through to the God Extermination Realm and sought a worthy opponent for an exhilarating battle. The rewards for the competition were also extremely generous, especially for the top ten contestants who would be able to join the Martial Palace.
Li Xuan certainly had a strong impression of Li Liqing. Both his physical body and combat prowess were formidable. Now that he had broken through to the God Extermination Realm, his combat power was imaginable.
"I am somewhat looking forward to fighting him again." Li Xuan's eyes were filled with fighting spirit, and then his figure moved as he continued to speed towards Martial City.
With the news of the martial arts competition spreading, the younger generation of various forces, and even veteran powerhouses, were all drawn by the commotion. In an instant, Martial City was overcrowded. If not for the immense size of Martial City, the dense crowds alone would have submerged it.
"The people on this Martial God Continent are truly formidable. In just this short while, I've sensed no less than a hundred experts in the Divine Infusion Realm and even the God Breaking Realm." Li Xuan, having also entered Martial City, murmured softly while observing the crowds outside the window over a cup of tea.
"Young Master, are you feeling pressured?" the Heavenly Dao Brush inquired.
Li Xuan smiled upon hearing this and said, "Pressure is what drives motivation. Besides, I don't really take these people seriously."
Heavenly Dao Brush: "Young Master, if you speak like that, then I truly don't know how to respond."
Li Xuan: "..."
"Brother Li?" Just then, a surprised voice suddenly rang out.
Li Xuan immediately shifted his gaze towards the source of the sound and was also taken aback. The speaker was none other than Li Liqing, who had previously fought Li Xuan on the Blissful Continent.
"Long time no see." Li Xuan smiled and nodded upon seeing him.
Li Liqing then strode over and spoke excitedly, "I initially thought I had misrecognized you, but it really is you."
Li Xuan smiled and asked, "Brother Li Qing, why have you come to this place?"
Li Liqing let out a wry smile and replied, "It's too monotonous within the Martial Palace, and I also wanted to see if there were any suitable opponents in this martial arts tournament, so I came out. I never expected to encounter Brother Li. It seems my wish will be fulfilled this time."
Li Xuan smiled and nodded slightly, "Coincidentally, I've had some breakthroughs recently. I hope I won't disappoint Brother Li Qing."
Li Liqing then looked at Li Xuan carefully, and his expression became somewhat peculiar.
Three years, Intermediate Realm of Harmony.
Although Li Xuan's current realm was a major stage higher than when he was on the Blissful Continent, Li Liqing still felt a strange emotion considering he was already in the Early God Extermination Realm.
However, seeing the unwavering confidence on Li Xuan's face, Li Liqing also began to smile.
Li Xuan's realm was significantly lower than his back then. Yet, their final duel was even acknowledged by Venerable Golden Wheel Buddha. His breakthrough now might just make him his best opponent.
"Brother Li, shall we wait for the martial arts competition to begin at my place?" Li Liqing asked.
With an opponent now found, Li Liqing saw no need to observe the participants of the martial arts competition.
Li Xuan pondered for a moment and then nodded, "Alright."
Time gradually passed, and the day of the martial arts competition finally arrived.