"What's happening?"
The eight people currently within the sword formation exchanged glances as Li Xuan vanished from it. The profound confusion in each of their eyes was extremely evident.
However, none of them were fools. Witnessing Li Xuan inexplicably disappear from the sword formation, the seven who had been observing hurried towards the edge of the formation. But due to the previous wooden spikes and falling rocks, as soon as the seven rushed forward, intense pain surged through them.
This forced the seven to slow down, clear regret visible in their eyes. The man closest to the edge of the sword formation, seeing the others struggling to reach him, showed a flicker of determination and stepped into the formation.
*Humph.*
A humming sound echoed, and the man's figure instantly vanished from the sword formation. The remaining seven within the formation looked even more vexed and then increased their speed, gritting their teeth as they hurried onward.
Within a few minutes, all eight had emerged from the sword formation.
Outside the sword formation, the eight walked out one after another. As they all exited, the seemingly terrifying sword formation dissolved into fragments of spiritual light.
Seeing this, everyone's gaze shifted towards the summit. There, Li Xuan was already nearing the mountaintop. Even the man who was second to exit the sword formation was still more than fifty meters away from Li Xuan's position.
"I never imagined this sword formation was merely a decoy. Its purpose was solely to test our courage to face it. I... have lost."
A tall, sturdy man retracted his gaze, sighing with a complex expression. He then sat down cross-legged, as if he had abandoned the idea of reaching the summit.
"Earlier, this person remained on the ninth floor of the Divine Soul Tower for over ten minutes to inscribe a冥牌 (ming pai). I only thought his divine soul and physical body were strong. I never expected his courage and bravery to be beyond our comparison. This loss is not unfair."
As the tall man finished speaking, another man beside him nodded, his expression appearing somewhat free-spirited and natural. He too sat down cross-legged, his gaze fixed on Li Xuan, who was still advancing.
Perhaps influenced by the actions of the first two, the remaining five looked at each other, then glanced at Li Xuan's location, and finally shook their heads, standing still to observe.
Even the man who was second to exit the sword formation stopped after a few minutes. Li Xuan was now less than a hundred meters from the large rock at the summit. Even if the man wanted to catch up, his stamina and body could not support it.
Moreover, after looking back at the actions of the other seven, he ultimately sighed helplessly and stopped, watching Li Xuan.
Li Xuan paid no mind to the actions of the eight behind him. His steps were firm, his expression calm as he walked steadily, as if on level ground. The wounds on his body had already scabbed over.
Even the oozing blood had formed blood cocoons and fallen away. Seeing a jade bottle before him, Li Xuan slowly stopped.
Li Xuan slowly turned around, looking at Xuan Yi Xian and the others on the high platform of Shang Qing Plaza below. He then nodded slightly to the eight behind him as a gesture of acknowledgment before turning his gaze back to the jade bottle. He then directly grasped the jade bottle on the large rock.
*Humph!*
The moment Li Xuan held the jade bottle, a dazzling spiritual light erupted from the summit.
In an instant, all nine people, including Li Xuan, vanished. Even the summit itself disappeared as if a scene fading from view.
After the spiritual light dissipated, Li Xuan and the other eight reappeared on the high platform of Shang Qing Plaza.
"Disciple Li Xuan, greetings to the Sect Master, greetings to all Peak Masters." Seeing Xuan Yi Xian and the others looking at him with smiles, Li Xuan immediately bowed and said.
"Disciples, greetings to the Sect Master, greetings to all Peak Masters." The other eight also bowed and shouted.
"Truly excellent. To remain unfazed in the final trial, your courage is indeed extraordinary. This Breaking Barrier Meteor Pill belongs to you." Xuan Yi Xian nodded with a smile, then waved his hand, and Li Xuan felt the connection between himself and his Dantian reappear.
His Dantian whirled, and his injuries instantly healed.
"Sect Master, you flatter me. Disciple merely felt that since our spiritual power was sealed, if that sword formation were real, no one would be able to exit. Moreover, it was personally set by the Peak Master of the Sword Dao Peak." Li Xuan said with a bow.
"If my sword formation were real, wouldn't your thought process lead to losing your life in vain?" Leng Fei Hong asked with a smile.
Li Xuan smiled faintly and replied, "Replying to Peak Master Leng, if I recall correctly, as long as one inscribes a 冥牌 (ming pai) within the Divine Soul Tower, they are a disciple of the Profound Sect. The sect has an obligation to protect its disciples."
"Furthermore, since it's a competition, and with our spiritual power sealed, I felt the worst that could happen was failure. Otherwise, my guess would have been correct."
Li Xuan naturally wasn't foolish enough to reveal that his body was a Sword Body, so fabricating a reason was easier at the moment.
"To think you possess not only extraordinary courage but also such a sharp mind. Junior Brother Zi Mo, I am so impressed with this disciple that I'm tempted to poach him and take him as my personal disciple." Xuan Yi Xian nodded with satisfaction and then said to Gong Zi Mo with a smile.
Gong Zi Mo also smiled and replied, "If the Sect Master is willing to lower himself, and use the status of you and Senior Brother to pressure me, then I, as your junior brother, have nothing to say."
Wen Yuan Bai and the others chuckled at this.
Xuan Yi Xian also shook his head with a smile, then looked at Li Xuan and the other eight, saying, "The Disciple Celebration is a grand event held by our Profound Sect every time we recruit disciples. Firstly, it is to showcase you to your senior brothers and sisters. Secondly, it is to uphold the tenets set by our Ancestor."
"Although you have obtained the Breaking Barrier Meteor Pill now, remember not to be arrogant. Even someone in the Dao Origin Realm is considered insignificant in the eyes of some. Therefore, I hope you will maintain a humble attitude, from beginning to end. Do you all understand?"
"Disciples respectfully abide by the Sect Master's teachings!" Li Xuan and the others bowed in response.
Xuan Yi Xian nodded, then waved his hand, saying, "The competition has concluded. You may all withdraw. I believe that after this event, you will hold a certain standing in the hearts of the senior disciples. This will be of some help to you in the future. Alright, you may go."
"Yes!" Li Xuan and the others bowed again, then moved instantly, descending to the plaza.
As Li Xuan stepped down and walked towards his seat, many disciples dressed in white and green robes nodded at him in greeting. Li Xuan returned their nods and after a few minutes, finally returned to his seat.
"Congratulations. You are one step closer to what you desire." As soon as Li Xuan sat down, Xi Chu Yun's voice was heard.
Li Xuan turned to look at Xi Chu Yun and replied with a wry smile, "Comparatively, I would have preferred a direct confrontation. However, one thing is indeed true, I have taken a big step closer to what I desire."
"At least, you are getting closer, aren't you?" Xi Chu Yun said with a smile.
"That is true. The spiritual wine of the Profound Sect is a delicacy. Brother Chu Yun, would you be interested in a drink?" Li Xuan nodded with a smile and raised his wine cup.
Xi Chu Yun also raised his cup and said, "Excellent."
After several rounds of drinks, the night gradually descended.
Xi Chu Yun did not use his spiritual power to dispel the effects of the alcohol, and after a few more pots, he became drunk. Li Xuan, holding his wine cup, looked into the distance, his longing deepening.
"Once I settle down, I really need to find time to go back and see."
Li Xuan murmured softly, then drained his cup.