On the peak of the Sacred Mountain in the Sacred Sect, Sheng Taixu stood with his hands behind his back, his calm face showing no emotion.
The figures standing behind Sheng Taixu were all half-bowed, not daring to raise their eyes. If an ordinary person were present, they would be greatly astonished. These eight figures were the Hall Masters of the Six Halls of the Sacred Sect, along with Lin Batian and Zu Xiaoyao.
"Speak, what is the intention behind the Xuan Sect's actions? What are your thoughts?" After a long pause, Sheng Taixu slowly spoke.
As Sheng Taixu's voice faded, the eight figures behind him finally stood up. However, none of the eight spoke at this moment.
"What, are you all mute now? Zu Xiaoyao, if this matter had not been personally ordered by you, would the Xuan Sect have dared to act so recklessly? Don't you owe this Sect Master an explanation?"
After a moment of silence, Sheng Taixu suddenly turned around and said with a fierce expression.
Hearing this, Zu Xiaoyao trembled all over and quickly bowed, "Sect Master, please calm your anger. I am willing to bear the punishment for this matter. However, judging by the attitude of that Xuan Yi Xian, it is likely that Old Ancestor Cang Xuan has returned to the Xuan Sect."
Zu Xiaoyao swallowed and continued, "Even if he hasn't returned, the people of the Xuan Sect have likely found some trace of Old Ancestor Cang Xuan. Otherwise, they would never have dared to act like this."
"Punishment? Do you really want this Sect Master to lock you in the You Meng Pavilion as previously stated!"
Sheng Taixu snorted coldly, then his tone softened, "Your analysis is not far from mine. The people of the Xuan Sect have likely found Old Ancestor Cang Xuan. Even if my senior brother has not returned to the Xuan Sect, he must have contacted Xuan Yi Xian and the others."
Zu Xiaoyao finally raised his head. After a slight pause, he said, "The current plan is for our Sacred Sect to closely monitor the Xuan Sect's movements to confirm whether Old Ancestor Cang Xuan has returned to the Xuan Sect or not."
"Secondly, during the upcoming period, our Sacred Sect should try our best to avoid any entanglement with the Xuan Sect. Once the whereabouts of Old Ancestor Cang Xuan are confirmed, all our subsequent matters will be easier to handle."
"This matter is entrusted to you. If you cannot handle it well, don't blame this Sect Master for not giving you a chance." Sheng Taixu pondered for a moment and then slowly nodded.
Zu Xiaoyao immediately bowed and said, "Sect Master, please rest assured. I will personally handle this and make sure to find out the movements of Old Ancestor Cang Xuan."
"I have recently had some insights, and my bottleneck seems to be loosening. I believe it won't be long before I can take that step. At that time, even if my senior brother appears before me, I will not be afraid!" Sheng Taixu nodded slightly, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.
"Congratulations, Sect Master!" Zu Xiaoyao and the others immediately offered their congratulations.
Sheng Taixu waved his hand and said solemnly, "During this period, I will be in secluded cultivation to break through. You all should handle the sect's affairs according to what Elder Zu has said. Before I come out of seclusion, try to minimize disputes with the Xuan Sect. When I emerge, I will make further arrangements."
"We respectfully obey the Sect Master's order!" Zu Xiaoyao and the others bowed again and responded.
"Disperse." As Sheng Taixu's voice fell, his figure slowly disappeared.
Dong!
In the early morning, three bell tolls echoed through the heavens and earth above the Xuan Sect.
Countless figures opened their eyes from their meditation at the sound, all looking towards the direction of the Shang Qing Palace.
"This bell sound, is someone attempting a trial?"
"Although our Xuan Sect has produced ten Holy Sons, since then, many senior and junior brothers and sisters have attempted trials, but none have succeeded. I wonder who it will be this time?"
"I was planning to continue my cultivation, but seeing someone attempting the trial of purgatory is worth watching. Currently, among those in the sect with such ability, it is likely only Junior Brother Li Xuan and the newly admitted junior brothers and sisters. But who it is, we can only go and see."
"..."
The many disciples were discussing, and even Yue Mingchi and the others were guessing. Then, figures shot towards the direction of the Shang Qing Palace, clearly intending to see who the disciple attempting the trial would be.
Although the Shang Qing Palace was usually off-limits to disciples, this prohibition was temporarily lifted whenever there was a trial challenger. Therefore, everyone flew towards the entrance of the Purgatory Hall where the trial took place without hesitation.
In an instant, disciples from the Six Peaks stood in mid-air, their gazes fixed on the Purgatory Hall below.
At its entrance stood two figures. These two were Li Xuan and Xi Chu Yun.
Besides them, there was an elder in a gray robe standing before the hall. His name was Hu Dequan, an elder of the Xuan Sect. He was also the overseer of the Purgatory Hall.
Now that Li Xuan and the other were preparing for the trial, Hu Dequan naturally had to preside over it.
"It's Senior Brother Li Xuan! And Senior Brother Xi Chu Yun, who joined our Xuan Sect at the same time as Senior Brother Li Xuan!"
"The three bell tolls earlier, could they have represented that Senior Brother Li Xuan and the two of them were about to attempt the trial?"
"Senior Brother Li Xuan displayed great power in the Ying Long Cave during the earlier days. Today, he has a high chance of becoming our Xuan Sect's eleventh Holy Son."
"Senior Brother Li Xuan's strength is indeed not weak, but the trial of purgatory is extremely difficult, and whether he can succeed is still unknown."
"..."
The many Xuan Sect disciples began to discuss when they saw that the individuals attempting the Purgatory trial were Li Xuan and Xi Chu Yun. And Li Xuan, among the two, naturally became the focus of their discussion.
"As expected, it's Junior Brother Li Xuan. With Junior Brother Li Xuan's abilities, I believe the trial should not be a problem." At this moment, Yue Mingchi and Zhou Wenlun, who were in mid-air, smiled and said after glancing at the spirited Li Xuan.
"Junior Brother Li Xuan's strength and wisdom are both considerable, so the trial of purgatory should not be difficult. However, Senior Brother thinks, to which level do you think Junior Brother Li Xuan can reach?" Fu Yao Jin asked with a smile.
Yue Mingchi was stunned for a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile, "The trial of purgatory has a total of thirty-six levels, with each level stronger than the last. Even I, at that time, only managed to clear twenty-six levels. If I were to estimate, Junior Brother Li Xuan would at least reach no lower than twenty-six levels."
As Yue Mingchi finished speaking, Ma Kaiyu and the others were all surprised.
Among the ten of them, only Yue Mingchi had reached the twenty-sixth level. The other nine were all between the twenty-first and twenty-fourth levels.
Although one could obtain the title of Holy Son upon entering the twentieth level of the Purgatory trial, the higher the level one cleared, the greater their future potential. And at this moment, Yue Mingchi's evaluation of Li Xuan actually surpassed his own!
"Senior Brother, is your evaluation of Junior Brother Li Xuan really that high?" Murong Ye asked with a wry smile, noticing that Fu Yao Jin and the others were also surprised, and then curiously looked at Yue Mingchi.
"This is just a feeling of mine. But I believe that Junior Brother Li Xuan's level will not be lower than mine. At least, when I was at his level of strength, I couldn't manage to kill that Gongsun Li," Yue Mingchi said with some regret.
Upon hearing this, Murong Ye and the others, especially Jian Tianrui, fell silent after a moment of thought.
"Are you ready?" At this time, Hu Dequan, standing before the Purgatory Hall, asked Li Xuan softly. Li Xuan, standing before him, now had a growing reputation in the Xuan Sect. Even Hu Dequan, who guarded the Purgatory Hall, had heard of Li Xuan's deeds from many elders.
Now that Li Xuan was here to attempt the trial, Hu Dequan was willing to give him a chance to observe. At the same time, Hu Dequan was also secretly curious about how many levels Li Xuan would clear this time.
"I am ready." Li Xuan clasped his fists and responded.
The Purgatory Hall of the Xuan Sect did not have many rules for trials; one just needed to exert their utmost effort. Hu Dequan had given Li Xuan and the other a brief explanation earlier. Now, Li Xuan had adjusted his state to the best possible condition and could begin the trial at any time.
Hu Dequan nodded and then announced loudly, "Li Xuan, disciple of Lang Ya Peak, the trial of purgatory begins!"
As Hu Dequan's voice fell, his gaze instantly focused on Li Xuan. Li Xuan's mind moved at the sound, and his figure instantly shot into the great hall. In a flash, he disappeared.
"Your strength is not weak, but to challenge for the position of Holy Son, it is still somewhat lacking. However, just to familiarize yourself with the difficulty of the Purgatory trial, and to advance your disciple rank, it is possible to attempt it. Now, you can go in as well."
After Li Xuan entered the hall, Hu Dequan's gaze shifted to Xi Chu Yun and said.
Xi Chu Yun nodded, and then his figure instantly shot into the hall.
After Li Xuan and the other two entered the Purgatory Hall one after another, Hu Dequan formed a hand seal, and a seal shot into the void. Two screen projections slowly appeared above the originally calm Purgatory Hall. The two figures on them were precisely Li Xuan and Xi Chu Yun.
Seeing this, everyone focused their attention on the two screen projections.
According to the rules of Purgatory, and also to encourage the disciples of the Xuan Sect to cultivate diligently, any disciple attempting the Purgatory trial would have their progress observed by the disciples of the Xuan Sect for them to learn from.
Now that Li Xuan and the other were attempting the Purgatory trial, their progress would naturally be seen by the disciples of the Xuan Sect.
For a moment, expectant gazes fell upon Li Xuan's screen projection.
Clearly, everyone knew that of the two individuals attempting the Purgatory trial this time, Li Xuan was the main focus.
"Alright, it has begun. Let's see what kind of surprise Junior Brother Li Xuan will bring us."