"Youngster, to have awakened the sword domain at such a tender age. I underestimated you."
Seeing all their attacks deflected by Li Xuan, Mu Hongguang's pupils contracted slightly before he turned his gaze to Li Xuan. It was only now that Mu Hongguang began to truly take him seriously.
Even after Li Xuan had slain Mu Qingfeng, Mu Hongguang had not paid it much mind. But this was different; a sword cultivator who had comprehended the sword domain possessed strength far beyond that of ordinary spirit masters. However, perhaps precisely because of this, Mu Hongguang found it somewhat more acceptable.
After all, if Mu Qingfeng had died at the hands of a mere commoner, it would have been a profound disgrace to the Mu Prefecture.
"Young friend Li Xuan, you should flee if you can," Qing Tiejun said in a low voice, his heart filled with shock despite Li Xuan's successful defense against the onslaught.
While Li Xuan could use his sword domain to block the powerhouses from the Qing and Duanmu families, Mu Hongguang was still observing from the sidelines. Coupled with Mu Hongguang's high-level Sovereign realm strength, Qing Tiejun could not fathom how Li Xuan could possibly turn the tide.
Furthermore, Qing Tiejun harbored a selfish motive. If Li Xuan could escape and take Qing Ruoyi with him, the Qing family would still have descendants. With Li Xuan's talent and potential, could he not lead the Qing family to a resurgence?
Li Xuan smiled wryly at his words. "If I had fled without intervening earlier, perhaps I would have had a sliver of a chance. But now that he has noticed me, there is no opportunity. Patriarch Qing, leave this to me."
As Li Xuan finished speaking, his gaze shifted to Mu Hongguang, his eyes burning with fierce battle intent.
Li Xuan had not forgotten the promise he made to Qing Ruoyi.
Where Li Xuan stood, the Qing Prefecture would be safe.
"You, a mere early-stage Sovereign, thinking of challenging me? Truly a pipe dream." Mu Hongguang naturally saw the battle intent in Li Xuan's eyes, but he did not take it to heart. With a cold sneer, he waved his large hand.
Qing Tiejun and Duanmu Xiong felt as though they were facing a great enemy. After all, the previous attack from Mu Hongguang had been something even their ancestors could not withstand.
However, in the next moment, the two were stunned. Li Xuan, standing before them, was completely unaffected by the oppressive aura.
Li Xuan smiled and waved his hand. "You think to suppress me with mere pressure? You must be dreaming."
Mu Hongguang was taken aback, but his expression quickly turned grim. This Li Xuan had an audacious tongue!
Qing Tiejun and Duanmu Xiong were also in a state of shock. Li Xuan was speaking to Mu Hongguang in such a manner.
Duanmu Xiong looked at Qing Tiejun, his gaze inquiring. Qing Tiejun, however, merely shook his head. The true origins of Li Xuan remained unclear to Qing Tiejun.
Yet, regarding Li Xuan's strength, Qing Tiejun had some understanding. Moreover, Li Xuan's demeanor towards Mu Hongguang was neither servile nor overbearing, and he displayed such unyielding confidence.
Could it be that Li Xuan possessed some trump card?
"Very well! I wish to see if your strength matches your brazen words!" Mu Hongguang said coldly, saying no more. He immediately struck out at Li Xuan with a palm.
In an instant, a colossal palm formed of spiritual energy hurtled towards Li Xuan. Where it passed, the space seemed unable to bear its might, producing rustling sounds and collapsing.
Li Xuan's expression grew serious. He immediately activated the Lingxi Armor. Even his physical strength, honed to the Rock Realm, was fully unleashed at this moment.
"Overlord Fist Unrivaled!"
Li Xuan threw a punch, and the palm and fist met head-on.
Boom!
With a resounding roar, Li Xuan's figure was sent flying back. He only stopped after covering a distance of over a thousand meters. Although Li Xuan was at a disadvantage in this exchange, Qing Tiejun and Duanmu Xiong stared with wide eyes.
Li Xuan was unharmed!
"A body cultivator, a sword cultivator. I must say, you have greatly surprised me. Such a prodigy, yet you are fated to perish here today!" Mu Hongguang said, glancing at Li Xuan impassively.
While he had to admit internally that Li Xuan was indeed a prodigy, only a prodigy who had grown to maturity could be considered a true powerhouse. Li Xuan's current state, however, gave Mu Hongguang a sense of satisfaction in personally extinguishing the flame of a future strong individual.
"Polarity Splitting!"
Mu Hongguang pointed a finger, and a minuscule beam of pure light shot directly towards Li Xuan. Everything it passed through was annihilated. Some early-stage Sovereign realm experts who were too close instantly turned into blood mist.
Qing Tiejun and Duanmu Xiong's pupils constricted violently, and their bodies instinctively retreated. Li Xuan's expression was also exceedingly grave; this move was clearly a powerful technique of Mu Hongguang's.
"I possess a sword, capable of opening the heavenly gate!"
Li Xuan moved his left hand, and the Shijian sword appeared in his grasp. The next moment, he unleashed a sword strike.
In this strike, Li Xuan held nothing back. Not only did he unleash all the sword energy and intent within his dantian, but he also poured all his surrounding spiritual power into it.
Clang!
The Shijian sword emitted a clear resonance, and its golden light surged rapidly as it slashed down at the pure white beam of light.
Boom!
Myriad sword lights filled the air, but the beam of light was even more potent.
What seemed like a fleeting moment felt like an eternity. In the next instant, the beam of light pierced through the myriad sword lights and, with a '噗嗤' sound, struck Li Xuan's chest.
Bang!
Li Xuan's body was once again sent flying, and a mouthful of blood splattered in mid-air.
"Cough, cough..." Li Xuan coughed violently, looking down at the ink-black light spot on his chest. On the Lingxi Armor, a small trace had appeared.
Li Xuan was somewhat surprised by the armor's defense, but upon remembering it was a gift from his master, he felt it was only natural. Could anything gifted by his master be ordinary?
Even though the Lingxi Armor had deflected the fatal blow for Li Xuan, the immense recoil force still caused severe internal tremors. His internal organs were displaced, and his blood qi reversed. The spiritual energy in his dantian was completely unrecoverable, not even a trace. It could be said that in this exchange, Li Xuan had completely lost.
If not for the Lingxi Armor, he might not have even survived.
"Huh, you're still alive?" Mu Hongguang was somewhat surprised this time. He had used eighty percent of his strength. Yet, Li Xuan had managed to survive. However, Mu Hongguang then burst into laughter, having clearly discerned Li Xuan's current state.
"So you're already at the end of your tether. How will you withstand my next move?" Mu Hongguang said, and a beam of pure light began to gather before him.
"Little Master, can you still fight?" the voice of the Heavenly Dao Brush echoed in Li Xuan's mind.
Li Xuan smiled wryly. At this moment, even a slight movement sent waves of pain through his body. He had no strength to fight.
"Elder Shi Jing, I'll have to trouble you," Li Xuan said with a sigh of helplessness.
"Leave it to me," Shi Jing's voice responded.
In the next moment, Shi Jing's figure slowly appeared in front of Li Xuan.
"Come, I'll give you a chance to make a move."