Half a month later.
After parting ways with Yue Fuyao, Li Xuan once again found a secluded area to practice his sword-drawing technique. His previous encounter with the Third Young Master had made Li Xuan realize the flaws in his mastery of the sword-drawing technique. After half a month of practice, Li Xuan could now execute it with ease. His sword-drawing technique had reached perfection.
"Previously, I understood the sword-drawing technique to be about speed, but I neglected the existence of sword qi. To be able to control sword qi with one's heart is the highest realm of the sword-drawing technique," a hint of joy flashed in Li Xuan's eyes. With his current sword-drawing technique, Li Xuan was confident he could kill an opponent in an instant. Of course, Li Xuan could also control the speed of his sword qi, allowing enemies to die unknowingly.
"Now that the sword-drawing technique is almost complete, it's time to head to Cangyun Sect," Li Xuan sheathed his spirit sword and then moved directly towards the marketplace.
In the marketplace, after inquiring, Li Xuan chose to travel by cloud boat. There were two types of flying vehicles in the trading company: the flying spirit boat Li Xuan had taken before, and the cloud boat. However, the cloud boat was significantly faster than the flying spirit boat. The distance to the city below Cangyun Sect would take five days by flying spirit boat, but only three days by cloud boat. Of course, the price was also much higher.
"Flying on a sword, I'm really looking forward to it. I'll have to find time to practice after seeing Yao'er." On the cloud boat, Li Xuan watched the clouds rapidly receding before him, his eyes full of excitement. Li Xuan had been eager to fly on a sword for a long time. Although he couldn't cultivate the sword-flying art, he could still achieve flight on a sword.
After a while, finding the scenery somewhat boring, Li Xuan returned to his room and sat down in meditation. Each room on the cloud boat was equipped with a barrier, which also served to protect the privacy of the guests. Li Xuan activated the barrier and entered the Town Prison. After witnessing Li Xuan's sword-drawing technique, Feng Chaoge fell silent.
"Senior, how is my sword-drawing technique now? If there are any shortcomings, please do not hesitate to tell me," Li Xuan said with some anticipation.
"To reach this level in the sword-drawing technique in such a short time is already extraordinary. Your focus should now be on the sword-flying art. Regarding how to improve your spiritual consciousness, you can go and ask her," Feng Chaoge said.
"Senior Yi Qin? Alright, Senior." Li Xuan was taken aback. He had expected Senior Feng Chaoge to offer some guidance, but to be dismissed so easily.
Was his sword-drawing technique not satisfactory to Senior Feng Chaoge? Li Xuan shook his head helplessly. Seniors were indeed seniors.
Feng Chaoge: "..."
"You wish to improve your spiritual consciousness?" Yi Qin pondered after hearing Li Xuan's words, then said, "That guy actually sent you to find me. He found the right person. Spiritual consciousness, in simple terms, is the strength of your soul. As long as your soul is strong enough, your spiritual consciousness will naturally not be weak."
"This is the Nine Revolutions of the Soul Grinding. Take it and cultivate. However, you must pay attention. You can barely withstand the first two revolutions. After your soul can fully adapt to the first two revolutions, then proceed to the third revolution for tempering. After the third revolution, your sword-flying art should be within your grasp."
As Yi Qin finished speaking, he waved his hand, and a stream of spiritual light entered Li Xuan's brow and disappeared.
"Nine Revolutions of the Soul Grinding: First revolution removes impurities, second revolution refines essence, third revolution purifies the mundane..."
Li Xuan felt a message appear in his mind. After reading the introduction and cultivation mantra, he slowly closed his eyes.
Buzz!
As Li Xuan began to cultivate, he felt his soul instantly separate from his body. The surrounding scenery changed, and he found himself in a starry sky. Before Li Xuan, a giant stone mill slowly rotated.
"Nine Revolutions of the Soul Grinding, First Revolution."
A hollow voice sounded, and Li Xuan felt his soul consciousness being pulled into the millstone.
Hiss!
After a moment, Li Xuan felt dizzy and disoriented. The sensation came from the deepest part of his soul. It wasn't pain, exactly, but it certainly wasn't painless. Li Xuan could distinctly feel the tearing pain of his soul. However, as the millstone rotated, Li Xuan found that his soul consciousness seemed to have become purer.
Time passed gradually, and three days flew by in the blink of an eye.
"Young Master, we have arrived at Cangyun City." Accompanied by a knock on the door, Li Xuan instantly appeared in the room.
"Three days have passed so quickly," Li Xuan muttered to himself, then opened the door and walked out.
"Huh, this guest's aura seems remarkably clean?" Taohong glanced at Li Xuan's retreating back with some surprise. Shaking her head, unsure if it was an illusion, she continued towards the next room.
Cangyun City. Looking at the city gate before him, Li Xuan felt a surge of excitement and anticipation. Calculating the time, he had been separated from Yao'er for several months.
"I wonder how Yao'er is doing at Cangyun Sect," Li Xuan mused, then shook his head. Although Li Xuan's father, Li Chengyun, was also at Cangyun Sect, Li Yao had no connection to the Li family's affairs. Moreover, Li Xuan believed that with Cangyun Sect's strength, they would take good care of their disciples.
"Who goes there!"
As Li Xuan reached the foot of Cangyun Sect mountain, two men in green robes appeared and blocked his path.
"I am Li Xuan, I have come specifically to see my sister." Although the cultivation of the two men was only at the initial spirit realm, they were disciples of Cangyun Sect, so Li Xuan politely clasped his fists and said.
"See your sister? What is your sister's full name?" the man on the left asked, his expression slightly relaxing.
"Li Yao, from Qingcheng. A few months ago, Elder Liu Qing of your sect brought her back," Li Xuan replied immediately.
"Li Yao? You are Li Yao's brother?" The two men frowned upon hearing this, their gazes towards Li Xuan becoming vigilant.
"Yes, sirs, is my sister in the sect?" Li Xuan nodded hastily upon hearing this, completely unaware of the change in their expressions.
"Yes, of course she is. Since you are here to see Li Yao, follow us." The man on the left's lips curved into a slight smile. He then exchanged a glance with the man on his right before turning and heading up the mountain. Li Xuan frowned slightly at this but still followed.
What Li Xuan didn't notice was that the other man, following behind, had already drawn a long sword.
"Attack!"
At a corner, the man in front suddenly shouted. The next instant, the two men attacked Li Xuan from front and back, aiming for him with a punch and a sword.
Li Xuan ignored the sword behind him and threw a punch directly at the man in front.
Pfft!
A sword pierced Li Xuan's body from behind. The man, seeing this, was overjoyed. But the next moment, his expression changed drastically. His long sword had simply vanished.
Simultaneously, the man in front who had attacked Li Xuan met his punch. He had expected it to be an easy victory, but to his surprise, his punch felt like it had struck a bronze wall. Then, a terrifying force struck him, and he was sent flying backward.
"Speak! Why did you ambush me!" Li Xuan directly grabbed the man behind him by the neck, his expression chilling. If his strength hadn't far surpassed theirs, he would likely have been severely injured by their combined attack. This was one thing, but the fact that they attacked him knowing he was looking for Li Yao could only mean something was wrong.
Li Yao!
Thinking of this, Li Xuan tightened his grip.
"Li... Li Yao is not in the sect..." the man caught by Li Xuan said, his face contorted in pain, clearly not expecting Li Xuan's strength to far exceed theirs.
"Where!" Li Xuan asked, suddenly panicked.
"She... she was taken away..."