"Fuyao, how much time has passed?" Li Xuan asked as soon as he returned to the secret room after leaving Zhenyu.
Seeing Li Xuan suddenly appear, Yue Fuyao was a little surprised, but then she replied, "Two days have passed."
Li Xuan's eyes flashed with surprise upon hearing this. He hadn't spent more than a day in Zhenyu, yet two days had already passed in the outside world. Senior Yi Qin was right; the time flow in Zhenyu was indeed slowing down.
"Good, very good!" Li Xuan rejoiced. If it continued at this pace, it would likely take less than a year for the time flow in Zhenyu to reach a ratio of one year inside to ten years outside. Then, cultivating for a year inside would be equivalent to ten years outside; it would be an unparalleled artifact for cheating.
Seeing Li Xuan's excitement, Yue Fuyao's eyes also showed a hint of curiosity. Li Xuan smiled slightly, then took Yue Fuyao's hand and, with a thought, entered Zhenyu.
"This is..." Looking at the Cang Ling Tower and the self-contained space before her, Yue Fuyao's eyes widened in shock, and she exclaimed.
"Fuyao, this is my greatest secret. This place is called Zhenyu. You can feel the time flow here," Li Xuan said with a smile.
Yue Fuyao closed her eyes and then, after a moment, suddenly opened them. The shock in her eyes was undeniable.
"The time flow in here is actually twice as slow as in the outside world! And the spiritual energy inside is also incredibly abundant!" Yue Fuyao said in shock.
Li Xuan smiled and nodded. "Fuyao, cultivate here. Just say the word when you want to come out."
"Okay," Yue Fuyao nodded, then sat down cross-legged on the spot. Watching Yue Fuyao begin to cultivate, Li Xuan left Zhenyu after requesting Yi Qin to look after her.
Now, Zhenyu not only had a slower time flow but also the Cang Ling Tower to absorb spiritual energy and fill the space. It could be considered a sacred ground for cultivation. Having Yue Fuyao cultivate here was naturally the best option.
"It's time to improve my strength." After reappearing in the secret room, Li Xuan pondered for a moment before taking out the high-grade spirit swords.
As the five high-grade spirit swords were inserted into his dantian, Li Xuan closed his eyes and absorbed their power.
Half a day later, Li Xuan slowly opened his eyes. At the same time, a spiritual light flashed and disappeared, and a slight smile curved Li Xuan's lips.
Martial Emperor Realm, intermediate stage!
Soon, the twenty puppets in the secret room were activated. Li Xuan's figure began to weave through them instantly.
While Li Xuan was in seclusion cultivating, the Southern Region's Qingcheng welcomed another wave of celebration.
The news that Li Xuan had secured the top spot on the Five Regions Heavenly Pride List had spread after the spiritual masters from the Southern Region returned. Many spiritual masters even came to Qingcheng, naturally wanting to witness the place that had nurtured a figure like Li Xuan.
Although many spiritual masters learned upon their arrival that Li Xuan had severed ties with the Li family, he was still considered a member of the Li family. Many spiritual masters still showed considerable respect, which was an excellent way for the Li family to accumulate connections. Li Yuanba accepted them all and treated them as esteemed guests.
Li Yuanba knew that for the Li family to rise, they could only rely on Li Xuan. Even if Li Xuan no longer acknowledged them as family, he still had Li family blood flowing in his veins.
Even Li Chengyun, who was now a branch leader, maintained a very humble demeanor in front of everyone, arranged by Li Yuanba. Li Chengyun also understood the impact these spiritual masters had on the Li family's development.
More than ten days later, disciples from various factions gradually departed.
Li Yuanba looked at Qingcheng, which was gradually returning to its former tranquility. He then turned to Li Chengyun, who stood behind him, and said, "These past few months, you have reorganized your branch. Your abilities are no less than your father's. Now that you can set aside personal grievances, your magnanimity far surpasses that of your father and even your grandfather."
Li Chengyun smiled wryly. "I knew about the grievances between Li Xuan and my grandfather and father from the beginning. I understood that Li Xuan was not at fault. Besides, even if I harbored resentment, what good would it do? With Li Xuan's current strength and influence, even a hundred of me would not be his match. Therefore, why not let go of this matter and forget about it?"
Li Yuanba nodded slightly. "I am relieved to hear you think this way. Chengyun, from today onward, the position of Li family patriarch will be passed on to you."
"Elder!" Li Chengyun was startled and was about to speak when Li Yuanba stopped him.
"Don't worry, Li Xuan will no longer target our Li family. He let you return then, clearly indicating he had completely settled his grievances with your father and grandfather. If he returns in the future, you must treat him as one of our Li family," Li Yuanba said.
"Yes!" Li Chengyun nodded.
...
Five Peaks City, Myriad Treasures Pavilion secret room.
With a series of booming sounds, all twenty puppets were sent flying by Li Xuan. Li Xuan let out a breath of turbid air, then, with a thought, opened the secret room door and walked out.
A quarter of an hour later, Li Xuan returned to the secret room. With a wave of his hand, ten high-grade spirit swords appeared around his body. The next moment, Li Xuan directly inserted the high-grade spirit swords into his dantian and began to absorb their energy.
In the blink of an eye, a month had passed.
Creak.
As the door opened, Li Xuan saw Sword Maniac and Yue Caixuan approaching as soon as he stepped out.
"Brother Li, you've reached the peak of the Martial Emperor Realm?" Sword Maniac was stunned as soon as he saw Li Xuan. Sword Maniac, who had already reached the intermediate stage of the Martial God Realm, could sense the change in Li Xuan's aura. Yue Caixuan was also surprised, knowing that Li Xuan had only been at the initial stage of the Martial Emperor Realm when he obtained the top spot on the Five Regions Heavenly Pride List.
Li Xuan smiled and nodded. After sparring with the puppets, Li Xuan had stabilized his realm. Breaking through was naturally possible.
"Junior Sister, you've also reached the peak of the Martial Emperor Realm!" At this moment, Yue Caixuan's gaze shifted to Yue Fuyao, who was emerging, and she said in shock.
"It's all thanks to Brother Xuan's excellent guidance," Yue Fuyao nodded slightly, her eyes full of joy.
Before this, Yue Fuyao had been worried that Li Xuan's progress would be too fast, making it impossible for her to catch up, just as her master had said. Although Yue Fuyao knew they were at the same level, their combat strength was worlds apart. However, as long as there was hope, Yue Fuyao would not give up.
As for Li Xuan's secret of Zhenyu, despite Yue Caixuan being her closest senior sister, Yue Fuyao chose to keep it hidden.
"Oh, you're already calling him Brother Xuan. It seems Young Master Li Xuan has guided you quite a bit this past month," Yue Caixuan said jokingly, emphasizing the word "guided." Yue Fuyao's face turned red. After glancing at Li Xuan, she lowered her head.
Buzz!
At this moment, Yue Caixuan suddenly had a thought and raised her left hand, sending a communication talisman shooting out. Yue Fuyao also had a communication talisman appear in front of her.
"Master gravely injured, sect in danger, return immediately!"
"No, Master is in trouble!" Yue Caixuan's face changed drastically upon seeing this. Yue Fuyao also looked at Li Xuan nervously, as it concerned her master.
Seeing this, Li Xuan said, "Let's go together."
"Okay," Sword Maniac nodded in agreement.
Soon, the four of them boarded a cloud boat and headed straight for the Sheng Yue Sect in the Southern Region.