"The suppression within the seventh level of the Divine Soul Pagoda was as irresistible as a towering mountain. It's hard to imagine what the suppression on the ninth level would be like. I never expected Brother Li to be so formidable!"
Watching the figure on the ninth level of the Divine Soul Pagoda, Xi Chuyun said with emotion.
On the ninth level of the Divine Soul Pagoda, Li Xuan's face was drenched in sweat. His upright figure was slightly hunched. It was evident that on this ninth level, the suppression on both the divine soul and the physical body had reached its peak.
Even with the power of his Transcendent realm physique, Li Xuan could barely withstand such immense pressure.
From the seventh level onwards, Li Xuan had paused his constant practice of the eighth rotation of the Nine Revolutions of the Spirit Grinding technique. After all, the spiritual pressure in the seventh level was already extremely powerful. If he hadn't dedicated himself entirely to it, Li Xuan would have likely been unable to endure and proceed further.
"I was careless. In this state, how can I possibly spare any thought to engrave the Nether Tablet?" A wry smile flickered across Li Xuan's lips. At this moment, all his spiritual energy was unleashed to resist the suppression, and even his physical strength was pushed to its limit to withstand the pressure surrounding his body.
It was utterly impossible to divert his attention to engrave the Nether Tablet.
Not only that, but with the slightest distraction from Li Xuan, the omnipresent pressure seemed to find an opening and once again bent Li Xuan's body a few more inches.
Observing Li Xuan's condition within the Divine Soul Pagoda, everyone present frowned. Clearly, they all recognized Li Xuan's predicament. Even Wen Yuanbai and Hong Cheng'en, among others, knitted their brows and shook their heads.
"Although this young man managed to enter the ninth level of the Divine Soul Pagoda by relying on his condensed divine soul and formidable physique, he is struggling to spare any thought for engraving the Nether Tablet. With this diminishing strength, he will likely be suppressed by the Divine Soul Pagoda in the end."
Wen Yuanbai, whose divine soul was the most powerful, naturally sensed Li Xuan's spiritual energy weakening. He looked at the Sect Master with concern, his words filled with helplessness.
"If this child had cultivated either of our profound arts, he would be able to spare some thought for engraving the Nether Tablet. But alas, we are powerless now. Sect Master Yixian, if this child perishes within the Divine Soul Pagoda, it would be a great loss to our Xuan Sect."
Hong Cheng'en nodded at this, then looked at Xuan Yixian.
The other three nodded in unison. Their gazes all turned to Xuan Yixian, as if awaiting his decision.
Xuan Yixian naturally felt the gaze of the five.
However, Xuan Yixian shook his head with a bitter smile and said, "With the combined efforts of our six, we might be able to make the Divine Soul Pagoda pause for a mere three breaths. But if we expend our mental energy at this moment, and if the Sacred Sect receives even the slightest news, the Xuan Sect will be plunged into eternal damnation."
Upon hearing this, Wen Yuanbai and the others hesitated to speak, then sighed and shook their heads. Faced with a choice between a genius and the Xuan Sect, they undoubtedly chose to prioritize the sect.
"I can't go on like this. If I do, I will be utterly depleted!"
As the suppression intensified, the veins on Li Xuan's forehead began to bulge. His face flushed, Li Xuan glanced around, then gritted his teeth and struggled to stand up again.
However, the greater his movement, the stronger the suppression became. Li Xuan merely lifted his head, and the pressure washed over him like a tide. This struggle clearly ended in failure.
"When I was on the eighth level, I only managed to last twenty breaths. If I hadn't started engraving the Nether Tablet immediately, I would have been crushed by the suppression of the eighth level after twenty breaths. And now, this person has been in the ninth level for ten minutes."
Among the onlookers, a candidate with a peak Dao Integration realm cultivation spoke slowly, his words clearly carrying a strong sense of admiration.
"My divine soul is a bit weaker; I almost couldn't hold on on the seventh level. On this ninth level, I would probably be instantly suppressed to the ground upon entering."
"If this person can manage to engrave the Nether Tablet, he will likely be the first among us."
"Just based on his physique and divine soul, he's enough to make us pay attention. Didn't you notice, these esteemed elders are all here for this individual."
"..."
As time passed, the crowd began to murmur.
At some point, the area surrounding the Divine Soul Pagoda became densely packed with people. In addition to the newly admitted disciples from before, a large number of figures had appeared. These figures were all wearing the robes of Xuan Sect disciples.
Clearly, they had all been drawn by the earlier tolling of the Divine Soul Pagoda bell.
"This child's willpower is quite extraordinary. To endure for over ten minutes is already comparable to the chief disciples of each peak."
Xuan Yixian looked at Li Xuan, who was now completely bent over by the suppression within the Divine Soul Pagoda, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration.
"It's just a pity that we cannot intervene. Based on the current situation, there are at most three minutes left. This child will ultimately be… alas." Wen Yuanbai shook his head helplessly.
*Boom!*
Just then, a clear cracking sound echoed from within the Divine Soul Pagoda. Everyone present immediately turned their attention to Li Xuan. They saw that on Li Xuan's arms and face, blood vessels were beginning to burst under the unbearable pressure.
The crimson blood dripped like rain. In an instant, Li Xuan's clothes were stained red, and his breathing became erratic.
"Not good! If this continues, Brother Li won't be able to hold on and will ultimately..." Xi Chuyun's face could no longer maintain its composure upon seeing this.
Xi Chuyun had naturally overheard the conversation between Xuan Yixian and Wen Yuanbai. With the strength of Xuan Yixian and the others choosing not to intervene, what could his own high-level Dao Integration realm accomplish?
*Bang bang bang!*
Continuous muffled thuds emanated from within Li Xuan's body. Even blood began to trickle from the corners of Li Xuan's mouth. The once sharp and bright eyes had become somewhat unfocused.
*Thump!*
With a dull thud, Li Xuan's body could no longer withstand the suppression of the Divine Soul Pagoda, and he knelt down completely.
"Cough, cough..." Li Xuan coughed lightly, then slowly closed his eyes. His hands, which had been supporting his body, now drooped.
"Why did he close his eyes? Has he given up?"
"To be able to last for fifteen minutes is worthy of being a role model for us all!"
"His name is Li Xuan? I will remember this name!"
"..."
The murmurs of the crowd fell upon Xi Chuyun's ears, and he dejectedly closed his eyes.
"Young master, activate your unyielding bloodline!" The Heavenly Dao Brush also sensed Li Xuan's change, and its voice, like a thunderclap, resounded in Li Xuan's mind.
Hearing this, Li Xuan's eyelids twitched slightly. In the next moment, the blood on his body's surface inexplicably began to burn.
Xuan Yixian, who was about to leave, suddenly stopped as if sensing something and looked at Wen Yuanbai with a hint of surprise. "Hmm? This child's aura is actually recovering!"
Wen Yuanbai sensed for a moment, then his pupils slightly contracted. "This bloodline... seems rather unusual!"