Two days later, the last trace of twilight was greedily absorbed into Li Xuan's body.
Boom.
Li Xuan's eyes suddenly snapped open, a sharp glint flashing within them. A colossal aura erupted instantly, causing the entire sky to dim and lose its luster under Li Xuan's pressure.
Mieshen Realm initial stage.
Li Xuan retracted his aura with satisfaction and, just as he was about to enter the Zhen Prison, his gaze shifted, catching sight of something in the distance.
Soon, a pleasure boat appeared in Li Xuan's vision.
"I didn't expect to see someone successfully transcend tribulations on this dead star. I am Liu Yun, greetings, young friend." The pleasure boat stopped swiftly before Li Xuan, and an old man emerged, cupping his fist and smiling at Li Xuan.
"I am Li Xuan, greetings, Elder Liu." One doesn't strike a smiling face, Li Xuan returned the gesture by cupping his fist. Moreover, Li Xuan noticed that Liu Yun was actually a peak Wudao Realm existence, and his politeness made Li Xuan's impression of him much better.
"Forgive my presumptuousness in observing without your permission, young friend. Where are you headed next? If it's along the way, I can offer you a ride, as a form of apology." Liu Yun said with a smile.
"I am out here for experience and have no particular destination. Do you have any suggestions, Elder Liu?" Li Xuan, having no idea where this place was, replied vaguely.
"In that case, why don't you accompany me back home for a visit, young friend? Although my Liu City is not the largest, it is somewhat renowned on the Zhenwu Continent." Liu Yun asked with a smile.
"Since you say so, I shall trouble Elder Liu." Li Xuan nodded immediately upon hearing this. Furthermore, from Liu Yun's words, Li Xuan had gained some information.
The Zhenwu Continent, it seemed, was a world with a considerable population.
Soon, the pleasure boat entered the void and disappeared.
Li Xuan had no worries that Liu Yun would harbor ill intentions towards him; had he such thoughts, he would have acted already. Moreover, Li Xuan was eager to see what kind of world continents existed under this starry sky, and combining the two was perfectly to his liking.
Several days passed, and the pleasure boat slowly came to a halt. Sensing the movement of the boat, Li Xuan emerged from his room.
"Young friend, we have arrived." Liu Yun, who had just arrived outside Li Xuan's room, said with a smile.
"I am already looking forward to the scenery of Liu City," Li Xuan replied with a smile.
"It will not disappoint you," Liu Yun said with a smile.
In the blink of an eye, Li Xuan followed Liu Yun into Liu City.
Gazing at the magnificent Liu City before him, the shock in Li Xuan's eyes was naturally perceived by Liu Yun.
"I haven't disappointed you, have I?" Liu Yun said with a smile.
Li Xuan nodded and said, "This Liu City is likely headed by Elder Liu's family."
The fact that the city was named Liu implied the influence of the Liu family. Furthermore, the vastness of Liu City also indirectly indicated the family's strength.
"While Liu City is led by my Liu family, there are countless other factions within it. As long as the rules are followed, all can coexist," Liu Yun nodded with a smile.
"Elder Liu is so approachable, it seems the Liu family has earned the recognition of many factions. This journey has been worthwhile," Li Xuan said with a smile.
Soon, Liu Yun led Li Xuan into the Liu family residence. After some conversation, Li Xuan gained a general understanding of the Liu family and Liu City.
On the Zhenwu Continent, there were countless cities like Liu City. Liu Yun was the patriarch of the Liu family. He enjoyed traveling and appreciating landscapes, hence he also developed a fondness for making friends, not just among those of similar standing, but based on personal preference.
Furthermore, over the following half-month, through his inquiries in Liu City, Li Xuan gained a clearer understanding of Liu Yun.
Liu Yun was someone worth befriending.
Inside the grand hall.
One day, Elder Liu saw Li Xuan return and smiled faintly, then his expression turned somewhat helpless.
"Elder Liu, has something happened?" Li Xuan asked.
"Take a look," Liu Yun said with a wry smile, handing Li Xuan a token.
Li Xuan took it and saw two large characters written on it: "Huan Xing" (Illusion Star).
"Is this from the Huanxing Palace?" Li Xuan asked immediately upon seeing it.
"You know of the Huanxing Palace, young friend?" Elder Liu looked at Li Xuan in surprise.
"I heard mention of it not long ago. I didn't expect them to send a token here. By the way, Elder Liu, did they leave any message?" Li Xuan nodded.
The Huanxing Palace was the most powerful force on the Zhenwu Continent. It was teeming with experts, and it was rumored to even have cultivators at the Mingshen Realm.
"Place your divine sense into it, and you will know," Elder Liu's eyes gradually lost their confusion, and he looked at the token and said.
Li Xuan immediately projected his divine sense into the token and began to read.
"All individuals above the Poshen Realm from all factions are ordered to arrive at the Huanxing Palace within seven days. Those who violate this order will be treated as traitors. Their subordinate factions will also be eradicated. Huanxing Palace."
Instantly, a gruff voice echoed in Li Xuan's mind.
"This Huanxing Palace is too domineering," Li Xuan's anger flared, and he crushed the token with a burst of force.
"No!"
Elder Liu's voice immediately rang out, attempting to stop Li Xuan, but it was too late.
"Elder Liu, why is this?" Li Xuan asked, somewhat curious.
"Alas, this token bears the mark of the Huanxing Palace. Although many factions harbor resentment towards the Huanxing Palace, none dare to openly challenge them. Nor does any faction dare to crush a token issued by the Huanxing Palace."
"And you have just crushed the token, so the mark has vanished. The Huanxing Palace likely knows of this by now. You must understand that the Huanxing Palace has four Mingshen Realm powerhouses, and one is said to have already reached the Mingzhi Realm," Elder Liu said helplessly.
"So that's what it is. Elder Liu, please don't worry. If the Huanxing Palace doesn't come looking for me, then all is well. If they truly come knocking, I will face them one by one," Li Xuan said.
Since his breakthrough, Li Xuan had been eager to test his current strength.
"But..." Elder Liu began to express his concern again.
Before he could finish, he felt a powerful sword pressure sweeping towards him. His gaze towards Li Xuan instantly filled with shock.
This pressure was released by Li Xuan to reassure Elder Liu, seeing his uneasy expression.
"Young friend, you... your strength..." Elder Liu trembled, his inner turmoil immense.
A sword pressure that could make a peak Wudao Realm cultivator like himself feel a tremor, just how strong was this power?
"Now, Elder Liu, are you still worried?" Li Xuan retracted his aura the moment he saw he had achieved his desired effect.
"I never expected I was so short-sighted. The younger generation is indeed formidable, truly formidable," Elder Liu said, his expression slowly calming after a moment of shock.
"Elder Liu, rest assured. As long as I am here, the Huanxing Palace will not be able to harm a single hair on your heads," Li Xuan said with a slight smile.
"Young friend, do you mean we are not going to the Huanxing Palace?" Elder Liu furrowed his brow upon hearing this.
Li Xuan smiled and nodded. "Since the token has been crushed, I imagine someone is already on their way."