The past flows like this, day and night.
In the blink of an eye, the fervor of the Grand Gathering of Seven Sages and Ten Virtuous Ones gradually cooled down amidst the passage of time.
Half a year slipped by unnoticed. Li Xuan, after discussing with Luo Kang, had returned to his pavilion to enter secluded cultivation and had not reappeared.
Cultivation knows no time, and in the blink of an eye, another three months passed.
"Everyone, the miasma in the Land of Return to the Void has now receded by more than half. With the combined strength of us eight, I believe we are sufficient to handle it. Therefore, I have decided to enter the Land of Return to the Void again in one month's time. For this month, I urge everyone to put aside their affairs and make preparations."
On the main peak of the Azure Hall, An Batian spoke slowly to the seven peak masters, including Luo Kang.
Luo Kang and the others' expressions became slightly solemn upon hearing this, clearly still bearing some lingering fear from their previous experiences. Although the miasma was gradually dissipating, none of them could predict what further changes lay within.
"Sect Master, what is the probability of success for this scouting mission?" Liu Wen pondered for a moment, then asked An Batian.
"If it were before, the chances would be less than thirty percent. But now, I have mastered the Kunwu Eight Swords entirely. This time, it's a fifty-fifty chance," An Batian replied, flicking his left hand with five fingers.
"The Sect Master has mastered all eight Kunwu Swords?" Di Renhai was visibly surprised upon hearing this. The other six present all looked towards An Batian as if he had accomplished something monumental. Even Luo Kang looked at An Batian with a hint of surprise.
Regarding the Kunwu Eight Swords, Luo Kang had only learned some details after becoming the Seventh Peak Master. These Kunwu Eight Swords were of the same tier as the Seven Treasures Hall of the Seventh Peak, both being unranked spiritual treasures. However, they were considerably stronger than the Seven Treasures Hall.
If the consciousness within the Seven Treasures Hall could be described as a child, then the consciousness within the Kunwu Eight Swords was like an adult man. The difference between the two was naturally clear.
"Previously, I could only wield at most six swords. After more than a year, my efforts have not been in vain, and I have indeed succeeded in mastering the Kunwu Eight Swords."
As An Batian finished speaking, he willed his mind, and eight small spiritual weapon-like swords instantly flew out from his body, circling around him. The eight swords then rapidly merged into one and slowly re-entered An Batian's body.
Liu Wen and the others' expressions immediately became excited. Luo Kang was unaware, but Liu Wen and the others were extremely clear about this.
The Kunwu Eight Swords were considered the symbol of the Azure Hall Sect Master's authority.
Furthermore, for every sword mastered, the power increased severalfold. Now, with all eight swords united, their power had increased exponentially.
"Congratulations to the Sect Master on successfully merging the Kunwu Eight Swords! With this, our chances of entering the Land of Return to the Void have greatly increased. The fifty percent chance you mentioned earlier, in my opinion, is at least seventy percent!" stated Zuo Changfeng, the First Peak Master, with a smile.
"Indeed! I also believe the success rate is at least seventy percent. Sect Master, please do not be modest at this time," Liu Wen nodded with a smile.
An Batian smiled. He had indeed been a bit conservative earlier. After fully mastering the Kunwu Eight Swords, An Batian himself knew how much his strength had grown.
"Perhaps I was a bit too conservative. However, the successful fusion of the Kunwu Eight Swords this time also indicates that our Azure Hall and the Land of Return to the Void indeed have some karmic connection. Entering it this time, we may be able to find opportunities that all of you seek."
"Therefore, when we enter this time, I hope everyone will work together in unison to find what we need!"
After speaking, An Batian's gaze shifted to Luo Kang, a hint of hesitation in his eyes, before he spoke again, "Peak Master Luo Kang, you have been in control of the Seven Treasures Hall for quite some time. How well have you mastered its power?"
Di Renhai's brows immediately flickered, and his gaze also turned to Luo Kang. Di Renhai was acutely aware of the power of unranked spiritual treasures. This was also why, when he had a slight dispute with Luo Kang earlier, Di Renhai had been hesitant to make a move.
After all, the unique aspect of an unranked spiritual treasure was its ability to enhance the wielder's strength, and the extent of this enhancement depended on the degree of mastery.
Of course, besides Di Renhai, Liu Wen and the others also looked towards Luo Kang. Within the Azure Hall, there were only two unranked spiritual treasures. If the Kunwu Eight Swords were the sect's ultimate treasure, then the Seven Treasures Hall possessed by the Seventh Peak was the second offensive weapon.
If Luo Kang could now master fifty percent of the Seven Treasures Hall's power, it would significantly increase the chances of success for everyone present in the Land of Return to the Void.
"My fusion with the Seven Treasures Hall has reached sixty percent," Luo Kang replied calmly, naturally aware of the criticality of the matter.
"Sixty percent? That's excellent! With this, our chances of success for this expedition will increase by another ten percent!" Baili Sheng exclaimed with joy.
Liu Wen and the others also nodded. With the Kunwu Eight Swords and the Seven Treasures Hall, two unranked spiritual treasures, mobilized, along with the strength of the eight of them, the Land of Return to the Void was practically within their grasp.
"However, recently I've had a feeling that the fusion with the Seven Treasures Hall could be increased to seventy percent. But, it requires time," Luo Kang added.
Everyone was surprised again. Although the Seven Treasures Hall was not as powerful as the Kunwu Eight Swords in some respects, it was still an unranked spiritual treasure.
It was important to note that An Batian had been mastering the Kunwu Eight Swords for quite some time, and yet Luo Kang, in less than two years, had achieved such a high level of fusion, which was enough to astonish everyone present.
"This is wonderful! Haha, Sect Master, I am already eager to set off!" Zuo Changfeng said with a smile.
"Everyone, please be patient. Although this endeavor is already a sure success, preparations are still necessary. We will depart as planned, in one month's time," An Batian said, suppressing the excitement of the crowd with a hint of joy in his eyes.
Everyone nodded, seemingly realizing their own excitement, and focused on calming themselves.
At this moment, Luo Kang slightly raised his head and looked at An Batian, saying, "I have one request for this trip."