Outside the Xuan Feng Restricted Zone, as the sky gradually brightened, sounds of breaking through the air followed one after another. The leaders of the factions who had already arrived watched their surroundings vigilantly.
Upon seeing the newcomers, the apprehension in their eyes deepened. The approaching contingent was none other than the Sacred Sect, and at its forefront was the Sacred Sect's Elder, Zu Xiaoyao.
In addition to him, three of the Sacred Sect's six Hall Masters were present: Wang Wenchun, Yuan Qiongjin, and Rong Xixiao. Moreover, all the Saint Son level disciples were in attendance.
Such a powerful force was naturally a colossal entity in the eyes of the onlookers.
However, the leaders of these factions soon breathed a sigh of relief. As soon as Zu Xiaoyao, the leader of the Sacred Sect's contingent, appeared, his gaze fell upon the void not far away. A trace of impatience was evident on his brow.
In an instant, figures emerged from the void. The newcomers were Xuan Yi Xian, Leng Feihong, Wen Yuanbai, and Gong Zimo from the Profound Sect.
Following them, ten disciples from the Moon Bright Pond also emerged.
"Zu Xiaoyao? I didn't expect you to lead the Sacred Sect's contingent again after so many years. Has the Sacred Sect run out of people? Oh, right. Now that the seal of the Xuan Feng Restricted Zone is about to dissipate, why isn't Sheng Taixu coming in person? Did he go into seclusion and suffer a qi deviation?"
Wen Yuanbai spoke with a laugh, looking at Zu Xiaoyao and the others.
"Whether I lead the contingent or not is none of your Profound Sect's business. Wen Yuanbai, since you believe I am not qualified to lead, why don't you come and spar with me to see if I am qualified! Just as well, I'd like to see what superior techniques your Profound Sect possesses!"
Zu Xiaoyao let out a cold snort. As his voice fell, he stepped forward, and an advanced Dao One realm aura instantly permeated the heavens and earth.
The leaders of the various factions inwardly lamented.
It was common knowledge that the Profound Sect and the Sacred Sect harbored deep animosity, and their encounters were always fueled by intense hatred. Yet, here, at the Xuan Feng Restricted Zone, the experts of both sects were still so confrontational. If a battle were to break out, they, the bystanders, would be the ones to suffer.
"Your Sacred Sect's Sect Master, Sheng Taixu, betrayed our Profound Sect. Are your techniques truly self-created? Since you wish to spar, I fear you are not up to the task!"
Wen Yuanbai took a step forward as well. The pressure emanating from him was, surprisingly, also an advanced Dao One realm aura.
Observing the aura radiating from Wen Yuanbai, Zu Xiaoyao's eyes flickered slightly. He hadn't expected that after five years, Wen Yuanbai would also have broken through from the intermediate Dao One realm to the advanced stage.
Although he himself possessed advanced Dao One realm strength, his cultivation had stagnated for years. Coupled with his advanced age, a deathmatch with Wen Yuanbai would likely result in an uncertain outcome. However, with Wen Yuanbai having accepted the challenge, Zu Xiaoyao would be mocked by the various factions present if he didn't fight.
"Damn it! If I had known, I should have personally eliminated this scoundrel back then!" Zu Xiaoyao regretted inwardly, his gaze growing increasingly cold.
Boom!
Just then, a tremendous booming sound echoed. As the sound faded, the earth began to tremble violently.
"Look quickly, the barrier of the Xuan Feng Restricted Zone is gone!"
The sudden tremor caused the personnel of the various factions present to panic. However, soon, someone with sharp eyes noticed that the barrier of the Xuan Feng Restricted Zone had disappeared. With this shout, the gazes of Zu Xiaoyao, Wen Yuanbai, and the others all turned towards the Xuan Feng Restricted Zone.
"The barrier has indeed vanished. It seems it's time for the treasures within to appear! Wen Yuanbai, if you wish to fight, I will gladly oblige after this matter is concluded! Let's go!"
Zu Xiaoyao's gaze sharpened slightly. After glancing towards the depths of the Xuan Feng Restricted Zone, he coldly said to Wen Yuanbai.
As his voice fell, he immediately surged towards the depths of the Xuan Feng Restricted Zone. Wang Wenchun and the others, seeing this, their spiritual lights flashed, and they followed closely behind.
With the Sacred Sect's contingent entering, the numerous factions present, under the orders of their respective leaders, also swiftly headed towards the depths of the Xuan Feng Restricted Zone.
"Let's move as well. Although we don't yet know what lies within the Xuan Feng Restricted Zone, now that the barrier is gone, it is bound to be revealed. Whatever it is, we absolutely cannot let the Sacred Sect obtain it!"
"Also, Li Xuan, Xi Chu Yun, and Shi Hongyi should have gone in. I hope those three are alright." Xuan Yi Xian said, looking at everyone.
Wen Yuanbai and the others nodded in agreement, and then, with a movement of their figures, they all shot towards the depths of the Xuan Feng Restricted Zone.
Deep within the Xuan Feng Restricted Zone, on the chaotic ground, a long sword was lodged diagonally, beside it lay a bloody and mangled body. Even its face was difficult to discern.
However, upon closer inspection, a blood-red light was rapidly flowing beneath the decaying flesh. Wherever the blood-red light passed, the wounds began to heal.
Fresh flesh and blood were also growing rapidly. In less than half an hour, the entire body was revitalized as if it had undergone a complete transformation.
This person was Li Xuan, who had been repeatedly injured by the power of rules. As new flesh and blood grew, Li Xuan's life aura reappeared. However, the newly grown flesh was extremely smooth and translucent, as if it could be broken with a single touch.
His once unbearable-to-look-at face now had sharp features, completely different from his previous appearance. As Li Xuan's eyelashes fluttered, his tightly closed eyes suddenly sprang open.
This opening of his eyes made Li Xuan's face even more handsome.
His features were as exquisite as a painting, his lips as red as cherries, and his skin as fair as snow. His delicate features were framed by a few strands of long hair that danced in the wind. His light purple eyes held both clarity and allure, as if they could captivate a soul with the slightest carelessness. He was the epitome of handsomeness.
"Where am I..." As if sensing the changes within his body, Li Xuan frowned slightly. In an instant, memories of the past flooded back.
"Right, the Spiritual Sword!"
Remembering everything, Li Xuan stood up and his gaze landed on the Spiritual Sword lodged beside him. Without hesitation, he grasped the hilt and pulled it out of the ground.
"What's going on? This Spiritual Sword feels like scrap metal?" Li Xuan frowned, holding the sword.
The Spiritual Sword lacked any spiritual essence, feeling even less significant than ordinary spiritual weapons.
If Li Xuan hadn't witnessed its confrontation with the rules of order earlier, he would never have believed that the long sword in his hand was that very Spiritual Sword.
"Young master, the spirit of the Spiritual Sword has completely fallen into a deep slumber. In the previous confrontation with the rules of order, the spirit of the Spiritual Sword believed that you had been killed by those rules and expended all its power. For the Spiritual Sword to recover, it will likely take quite some time."
As Li Xuan was contemplating, the voice of the Heavenly Dao Brush echoed in his mind.
Li Xuan asked, "What needs to be done to awaken the spirit of the Spiritual Sword?"
Huolingxin chuckled and replied, "Young master, there's no need to worry. Although the spirit of the Spiritual Sword has fallen into slumber, you have found it. As long as you house the Spiritual Sword within your body and nurture it with spiritual energy, the spirit of the Spiritual Sword will eventually recover."
Li Xuan nodded slowly and then, with a thought, directly absorbed the Spiritual Sword into his dantian.
Whoosh whoosh!
Just then, two sounds of breaking through the air approached from afar. As the sounds faded, Shi Hongyi and Xi Chu Yun suddenly appeared from the void.
"You... are you Senior Brother Li Xuan?" Shi Hongyi's eyes flashed with confusion as he looked at Li Xuan, who seemed like an entirely different person. If he hadn't sensed that the aura of the man before him was identical to Li Xuan's, Shi Hongyi would have mistaken him for someone else.
Even Xi Chu Yun, who was with him, now looked bewildered.
Because Li Xuan was now even more handsome than before. This was a significant improvement compared to the Li Xuan in Xi Chu Yun's memory.
Li Xuan nodded and then recounted the events of the Spiritual Sword's confrontation with the rules of order.
"Brother Li, are you alright now? Do you feel any discomfort anywhere?" After understanding the whole story, Xi Chu Yun anxiously asked Li Xuan.
Li Xuan smiled and shook his head. "Although I was severely injured by the continuous bombardment of the rules of order, I also gained immense benefits. My physical defense has reached a new level."
"Then we must congratulate you. However, now that the Spiritual Sword has been found, what are your plans next?" Shi Hongyi asked with a relieved smile.
Li Xuan pondered for a moment and then said, "Now that the Spiritual Sword is found, let's first rendezvous with the Sect Master and the others."
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Just then, several sounds of breaking through the air suddenly rang out. Li Xuan's attention snapped back as he heard them. With a thought, he looked in the direction of the sound. Upon seeing, he immediately frowned.
The newcomer was none other than Zu Xiaoyao of the Sacred Sect.