Li Xuan was completely stunned at this moment. This formidable sword intent was something Li Xuan had never encountered before.
If Li Xuan's sword intent was now like a great river, then the sword intent of this cave mansion was as unfathomable as the sea.
Even the few individuals who had made a move within the Prison Suppression back then, Li Xuan felt, were not as sharp as the sword intent within this cave mansion. Moreover, it was important to note that this cave mansion had existed for tens of thousands of years, yet it could still possess such power.
This revealed the terrifying prowess of Jian Wushuang, the founding ancestor of the Sword Sect.
The next moment, Li Xuan directly sat cross-legged, and his divine sense instantly spread outwards as he began to comprehend.
Li Xuan had experience integrating the sword intent of others into himself, having done so in Sword Burial Mountain. He was now quite adept at it. Furthermore, Li Xuan was not worried about his own swordsmanship being swayed by the sword intent within this cave mansion; otherwise, the successive sect masters would not have meditated here.
More importantly, Li Xuan's swordsmanship already had its own direction. The nascent sprout of Li Xuan's swordsmanship had already emerged, and naturally, nothing else would grow from it.
Time quietly slipped away, and in the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.
If anyone were present, they would have been shocked to see the sword intent within this cave mansion materialize into golden thread-like lines, flowing around Li Xuan's body. wisps of sword intent were now intertwining and merging with Li Xuan's own.
Every second, every moment, Li Xuan's sword intent experienced a qualitative leap.
Even more peculiar was that these sword intents from the cave mansion seemed to have found a host, condensing into swords of intent. As these swords of intent were absorbed into Li Xuan's body, his aura grew increasingly potent.
And this process continued unabated.
"This kid hasn't disappointed me," Jian Nancang, outside the cave mansion, smiled faintly as if sensing something. Then his gaze shifted towards the void.
Although the sword intent within the cave mansion was diminishing as Li Xuan absorbed it, these intents would have naturally decayed over the river of time even without Li Xuan's presence. Rather than let that happen, it was better to bestow a fortune upon Li Xuan.
The existence of the cave mansion, in a sense, was a symbol of the sect master's status. As for the sword intent, it was naturally no longer of paramount importance.
Jade Nest Island, Martial Academy.
"Jian Nancang has personally accepted a disciple, and this disciple has directly occupied the first rank on the new disciple list?" Upon hearing the intelligence from the Sword Sect, Wu Wuji, the Dean of the Martial Academy, also showed a hint of surprise.
"Reporting to the Dean, this matter has already spread throughout the Sword Sect, so it is unlikely to be mere rumor. If this is true, I fear this disciple will be a nightmare for the younger generation of our Martial Academy." A woman below nodded slightly and said.
Wu Wuji smiled upon hearing this, "Our Martial Academy and the Sword Sect have a competition every ten years, and this back-and-forth has been ongoing for many years. Although this disciple sounds truly outstanding, you must not forget that our Martial Academy's disciples are also formidable."
"If it were an ordinary disciple, no matter how heaven-defying, they wouldn't be able to reach such heights. However, this disciple named Li Xuan seems to be the chosen one sent to the Sword Sect by Chu Wan'er of Qingfeng Pavilion. If he were to fight Wu Haotian, I fear..." the woman said, her brow furrowed slightly.
"Are you worried that Wu Haotian will be unable to defeat Li Xuan and remain at the threshold of the True Martial realm?" Wu Wuji immediately understood the meaning behind the woman's words. He then said with a slightly serious expression, "How can our Martial Academy's disciples grow if they choose to retreat because of a powerful opponent?"
"Though our Martial Academy has not had a disciple enter the True Martial realm for over a thousand years, we cannot resort to fleeing from battle. Even if Wu Haotian is our Martial Sect's only hope in a millennium, I hope he will face the challenge head-on, and even if he loses, he will stand tall!"
"Dean, Master Ji Feng, that disciple Li Xuan is willing to fight! Only by confronting a strong opponent can a disciple be satisfied. As for the True Martial realm, this disciple has already taken half a step into it." As Wu Wuji's words fell, a figure instantly appeared behind the two.
"Haotian, you have entered the True Martial realm?" Wu Jifeng's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he immediately asked.
Wu Wuji also scrutinized Wu Haotian with some surprise, then nodded with a satisfied expression, "Although you have not truly stepped into the True Martial realm, you are indeed at the half-step True Martial. Even a peak existence among the Time Walkers would likely not be your match."
"You brat, you haven't disappointed this master of mine," Wu Jifeng said, his face clearing of its previous worry as he smiled.
Wu Wuji chuckled and then looked at Wu Haotian, "You came here not just to tell us that you intend to accept the challenge from Li Xuan of the Sword Sect, right?"
Wu Haotian nodded slightly and then said seriously, "Dean, there are still three months until our Martial Academy's competition with the Sword Sect. So, during these three months, this disciple wishes to undergo trials in the Asura Martial God Battlefield."
"The Asura Martial God Battlefield... Are you sure?" Wu Wuji's expression instantly became more solemn. He glanced at Wu Jifeng before fixing his gaze on Wu Haotian to confirm.
"Haotian, the Asura Martial God Battlefield is no safe place. Even peak existences among the Time Walkers must proceed with caution within it. Apart from our mentors, it is almost never opened to disciples in our Martial Academy," Wu Jifeng said, his voice also tinged with nervousness.
Wu Haotian said earnestly, "Precisely because of this, this disciple has come to seek the Dean's permission. Moreover, this disciple has a feeling that only by experiencing life-or-death crises can one truly step into the True Martial realm. Dean and Master, please rest assured, this disciple has the ability to protect himself."
Wu Wuji smiled and nodded, "Since that is the case, this academy grants your request. Three months from now, I will personally escort you out."
"Thank you, Dean!" Wu Haotian bowed respectfully.
"Go, this token will allow you entry into the Asura Martial God Battlefield." Wu Wuji nodded, then waved his hand, and a token fell into Wu Haotian's hand.
"Dean, Haotian, he..." After Wu Haotian's departure, Wu Jifeng stepped forward and said.
Wu Wuji smiled upon seeing this, "The future of our Martial Academy rests on him. This academy will naturally pay close attention. If any unforeseen circumstances arise, this academy will intervene. You need not worry; what Haotian said is not wrong. Only through facing death can one truly survive against all odds."
Time quietly slipped away, and in the blink of an eye, two months had passed.
As the competition drew nearer, both the Martial Academy and the forces of the Sword Sect became bustling with activity.