Inside the mountain peak, it was hollow despite appearing solid. Li Xuan walked for only five or six minutes before spotting a massive rock.
A long sword was embedded diagonally in the rock. Upon seeing the sword, Li Xuan's eyes lit up with excitement. This long sword was the spiritual sword he had been searching for!
At this moment, as if sensing Li Xuan's presence, the sword intent emanating from the spiritual sword grew even sharper. This caused the three intertwined forces of rules to retreat several feet.
However, the forces of rules quickly intensified, and within moments, they returned to the state Li Xuan had observed upon entering.
*Hum!*
Seeing this, Li Xuan rushed towards the rock where the spiritual sword was. But as soon as he took a step, a humming sound echoed from within the cave. A strong sense of death washed over Li Xuan, causing him to stop abruptly.
Li Xuan's gaze flickered as he surveyed his surroundings before settling on the three forces of rules opposing the spiritual sword.
"Young Master, these forces of rules seem to be issuing a warning," the previous voice transmitted, even the Heavenly Dao Brush felt the current situation.
Li Xuan nodded, clearly understanding that the three forces of rules feared the spiritual sword's power strengthening, hence they were issuing a warning to prevent Li Xuan from approaching it.
However, Li Xuan himself had come for the spiritual sword, and now that it was within his sight, how could he stop now?
"I want to see if you can still suppress the spiritual sword when you've diverted your strength to deal with me!"
Li Xuan's expression turned cold. He immediately activated his physical defense, and with a thought, the sword domain halo around his body contracted by half. As it shrank, the solidity of the sword domain halo became even more concentrated.
Having completed these preparations, Li Xuan unleashed his Carefree Steps and dashed towards the rock where the spiritual sword was.
As Li Xuan shot forward, he saw one of the three intertwined forces of rules unleash a black light that struck him squarely.
*Boom!*
With a resounding crash, Li Xuan's body plummeted from the void. On his chest, intricate black lines crisscrossed, indicating that his physical defense had been breached in a single blow.
*Yin!*
As if angered by Li Xuan's injury, the spiritual sword let out a resonant hum. Sand swirled wildly within the cave, and the entire mountain peak began to tremble.
In an instant, cracks appeared and collapsed. However, with the spiritual sword's movement, the three forces of rules once again pressed closer to the area where the spiritual sword was located.
"Cough, cough..." At this moment, Li Xuan, who had fallen to the ground, slowly rose with violent coughing. The blood flowing from his lips gave him a ferocious appearance.
"This is the first time I've sustained such severe injuries. The forces of rules are truly terrifying. But do you think this is enough to stop me?" Li Xuan looked down at the wound on his chest, and a dazzling glint suddenly shot from his eyes.
Then, Li Xuan summoned his master sword, his gaze icy as he looked at the three forces of rules.
"If you have the guts, try it again!"
As Li Xuan finished speaking, he raised his foot again and took a step towards the rock where the spiritual sword was.
*Boom!*
As his foot landed, the sword domain halo vanished into nothingness. An invisible force struck Li Xuan, sending him flying once more.
Flying in an arc, Li Xuan landed heavily on the ground. Blood dripped from his body and the corner of his mouth, scattering within the cave.
Unbeknownst to Li Xuan, as his blood fell onto the rock, it instantly seeped into it and disappeared.
"As long as I don't die, you can never stop my progress! Even if you are the ruler of this world!" The immense pain emanating from within his body did not instill fear in Li Xuan. On the contrary, the repeated attacks from the forces of rules only ignited the unyielding wildness in Li Xuan's heart.
With that declaration, Li Xuan shakily stood up and continued to walk towards the spiritual sword.
*Bang!*
*Bang!*
*Bang!*
With each step Li Xuan took forward, he was knocked back by the invisible force. After several attempts, there was no part of Li Xuan's body left unharmed.
The continuous stream of blood had dyed his entire body red. The wounds, which were deep enough to expose bone, were difficult to heal.
As he lost a large amount of blood, Li Xuan's complexion turned extremely pale. On the ground where Li Xuan lay, crimson blood had already formed small streams, dyeing the surroundings blood-red.
"Again..."
*Bang!*
Li Xuan, who had finally managed to stand up, was sent flying back again before he could utter another word. This time, Li Xuan lay completely motionless.
It seemed as though all the blood in his body had drained away.
Even the aura of Li Xuan's presence gradually weakened. His eyes, now unfocused, slowly closed as his presence faded.
*Yin!*
Sensing the disappearance of Li Xuan's presence, the spiritual sword let out another hum. The rock beneath it vibrated rapidly with the sword's song.
If anyone were present, they would have been shocked to see the streams of blood flowing into a small river within the cave, all heading towards the rock.
*Boom!*
As the blood was absorbed by the rock, a resounding boom echoed through heaven and earth. The entire mountain peak exploded, shattering into pieces. The spiritual sword then flew out from the pulverized rock and lunged towards the three forces of rules above.
The spiritual sword, shimmering with golden light, exuded an even more ferocious sword energy than before. With a sweep of golden light, the intertwined radiance of the three forces of rules vanished instantly.
This strike from the spiritual sword seemed to have pierced a hole in the heavens.
The previously grey and hazy world was suddenly pierced by a long-lost ray of sunlight. The surrounding mist dissipated under its warmth.
*Yin!*
With the disappearance of the three forces of rules, the spiritual sword hummed softly again, its sound laced with a hint of sorrow. It then flew above Li Xuan, who lay motionless on the ground, circled his body several times, and with a loud crash, landed beside him.
Man and sword, utterly still.
"What's happening? Why is the ground shaking?" Xi Chu Yun and Shi Hong Yi, who had retreated ten miles away, both showed signs of worry upon feeling the ground suddenly shake. This tremor was originating from the depths of the Xuan Feng Forbidden Zone.
"Hmm? Senior Brother Chu Yun, the oppressive pressure within the Xuan Feng Forbidden Zone seems to have disappeared!" Shi Hong Yi sensed it slightly, his eyes revealing surprise.
Xi Chu Yun closed his eyes briefly, then his eyes lit up with joy. "Brother Li must have obtained the spiritual sword! Let's go and meet him!"
As Xi Chu Yun spoke, he immediately shot towards the depths. Shi Hong Yi frowned slightly, glanced back, and then also flew towards the depths.