"Father, tell me about the situation in Weiyang City. You mentioned alien scouts before, and that there was a spirit array that could detect their identities. If that's the case, why do the aliens still dare to be here?"
Li Xuan looked at Li Jun and asked. Since the family matters had been clarified, it was time for Li Xuan to understand the local situation.
Li Jun's expression became serious. "Actually, it's not just Weiyang City. The entire Central Domain is divided into two main forces. The first is humanity and other races. The second is the alien race."
"The strong individuals from various races and human powerhouses, apart from those guarding the passes, are mostly in Weiyang City. As for the aliens, even with the spirit array set up by Qin Shitian and me, we still can't pinpoint their headquarters."
"As for the alien scouts, they are actually human. But in the face of profit, some people can't resist. Besides, they are only asked to gather some intelligence, and over time, they've become complacent."
Li Xuan nodded slightly. Qin Shitian, whom his father mentioned, must be the Domain Lord of the Central Domain. As for some humans serving the aliens, Li Xuan wasn't too surprised. After all, money could make ghosts push millstones, let alone cultivators who needed resources.
"Father, are the aliens very powerful?" Li Xuan asked curiously.
Li Jun gave a wry smile. "The alien race has existed for tens of thousands of years. Although they rose later, they have a solid foundation. Last time, it took the combined forces of the Five Domains to barely suppress them, but not eliminate them completely. You can imagine."
Li Jun exhaled deeply. "It is said that thirty years ago, a new king emerged among the aliens. For the past twenty years, alien powerhouses have rarely appeared. But recently, the aliens have been very active, and it is likely that a major move is imminent."
Li Xuan was taken aback. Had he stepped into a hornet's nest? If the alien powerhouses were to act now, he would have to participate.
"Young master, when did you become so hesitant?" The voice of the Heavenly Dao Brush echoed in Li Xuan's mind.
Li Xuan was stunned and then retorted, "This isn't hesitation, it's not wanting trouble."
The Heavenly Dao Brush immediately said, "Young master, think about it. Your parents are already involved in this matter. And you should have realized that your parents are likely leaders among humanity. Will the aliens let them go?"
"And you, young master, have already arrived in the Central Domain. Even if you disregard your identity, will the aliens spare the living beings within the Central Domain? More importantly, your Sword Heart is no longer as unwavering as before."
Li Xuan's expression became serious. What the Heavenly Dao Brush said was true; his Sword Heart seemed to be in turmoil.
"Young master, this is not your fault. In the past few years, although your sword cultivation realm has improved significantly, you have relied more on external forces. This is why I strongly opposed you using external forces back then."
The Heavenly Dao Brush paused and continued, "Sword cultivators rely only on themselves. They rely on the sword in their hands. In essence, the self is an unyielding sword. A sword cultivator presses forward bravely, preferring to break rather than bend. Only then can you go further."
"Excessive reliance on external forces will gradually cause fluctuations in your state of mind. At first, you won't notice it, and even if you do, you'll think it's just occasional help, especially since the enemies are too strong. Over time, the consequences become severe."
"Young master, think about it. Every time you encounter an enemy you cannot resist, have you ever truly fought with all your might? Your potential is gradually being eroded. People deceive themselves and comfort themselves. And this is precisely the root of your downfall."
Li Xuan fell silent. Although the words of the Heavenly Dao Brush were sharp, they were also entirely reasonable.
Li Jun and Wang Lanying watched Li Xuan in thought, exchanged glances, and remained silent.
Soon, they saw a sword intent emanating from Li Xuan. This sword intent fluctuated, and finally, Li Xuan closed his eyes. The sword qi around him became as violent as a volcano.
Seeing this, Li Jun waved his hand, and the space around Li Xuan was instantly sealed.
"Xuan'er, what is he..." Wang Lanying looked at Li Jun worriedly.
Li Jun pondered for a moment. "I'm afraid his state of mind is troubled, but it's not appropriate for us to interfere. Xuan'er has always relied on himself. Let's give him some time."
At this moment, Li Xuan, unaware of anything, had his consciousness enter a void. Looking at the gray expanse, Li Xuan felt a sense of fear. But the next moment, he shook his head.
"My state of mind is indeed problematic. Fear is normal when facing the unknown. But facing this fear directly is the mark of a true strong person."
"My sword path, in essence, is not wrong. What's wrong is that I lacked the heart of a strong individual, that I relied too much, that I lacked the spirit of my younger days. And this enemy, in the final analysis, is myself."
"A sword cultivator, if they cannot even defeat themselves, how can they become a true powerhouse?"
A slight smile appeared on Li Xuan's lips. A spiritual sword materialized in his hand at some point.
"These shackles cannot bind me, Li Xuan!"
Li Xuan's expression turned serious, and the next moment, he slashed out with his sword.
Boom!
As a sword light cut through the sky, the gray scene around them instantly brightened.
Hum!
With a humming sound, Li Xuan's eyes snapped open. The sword intent emanating from him was completely retracted at this moment.
Chirp!
In the next instant, a sword cry sounded from within Li Xuan. The spiritual spring in Li Xuan's dantian appeared before him. After circling Li Xuan once, it returned to his dantian.
At this moment, Li Xuan felt an incomparably joyful and free sensation throughout his body and soul.
"Little Brush, thank you." Li Xuan smiled, then murmured softly.
Li Jun and Wang Lanying exchanged a glance, then nodded with smiles.
"Xuan'er, congratulations. Sword Heart Freedom is a rare realm among sword cultivators." Li Jun said happily.
In sword cultivation realms, after Great Sword Immortal comes Sword Saint, then Transcendent Sword Saint, Sword God, and finally Sword Heart Freedom. For Li Xuan to break through to Sword Heart Freedom in one go was the feat of a monstrous prodigy rarely seen in a millennium.
Li Xuan smiled and nodded gently. Then, his gaze shifted to Li Jun and Wang Lanying. "Father, Mother, I'll take you somewhere."
Under the astonished gazes of Li Jun and Wang Lanying, Li Xuan willed it, and they were brought into the Prison Suppression.
"This place... time dilation!" Li Jun and Wang Lanying, with their strength, immediately noticed the difference between the Prison Suppression and the outside world.
Even though their strength was at the peak of the Five-Dimensional world, they looked at each other in shock.
"I found this in the ancestral belongings I recovered." Li Xuan said with a smile.
Li Jun gave a wry smile. "This thing was likely left for you by your master."
Li Xuan nodded with a smile and said, "Father, Mother, you can cultivate here for the time being."
"Good." Li Jun and Wang Lanying nodded.
Soon, under Li Xuan's arrangement, the top floor of the Cang Ling Tower was also opened for Li Jun and Wang Lanying to use.
After settling his parents, Li Xuan breathed a sigh of relief and re-entered the black and white barrier of the Good and Evil Sword to continue his battle.
Li Xuan had a premonition that the alien race would likely make their move soon.