"This Cang Ling Pagoda seems rather extraordinary, to be able to concentrate spiritual energy to such a degree," Yi Qin's voice echoed within the eighth level. Li Xuan was also somewhat astonished, the spiritual energy on this eighth level had become so dense it was like a visible fog. Upon inhaling, it was instantly absorbed by Qing Xiao.
"Senior, is this Cang Ling Pagoda a Heaven-grade spiritual artifact?" Li Xuan asked after some thought.
"Heaven-grade spiritual artifact? You underestimate the Cang Ling Pagoda far too much. This pagoda is of the Treasure artifact level, which is two grades higher than Heaven-grade spiritual artifacts," Yi Qin replied.
Li Xuan was taken aback. He thought spiritual artifacts were classified into five grades: Profound, Yellow, Human, Earth, and Heaven. Where did this Treasure artifact come from?
"The grades of spiritual artifacts you are aware of are actually just five levels. Above spiritual artifacts are Immortal artifacts, Treasure artifacts, and Divine artifacts," Yi Qin's voice sounded again, as if she had guessed Li Xuan's thoughts.
Li Xuan finally understood, yet he was also somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected there to be these three major classifications above Heaven-grade spiritual artifacts. Judging from the spiritual energy Qing Xiao required to recover, the power of spiritual weapons above spiritual artifacts must be truly terrifying.
"Alright, time is pressing. You should absorb the spiritual energy here first. With the density of spiritual energy on this level, the remaining month should be enough to restore Qing Xiao to eighty to ninety percent of its full power, if not completely," Yi Qin said.
"Alright!" Li Xuan nodded, a sense of anticipation rising within him. If Qing Xiao could recover to its Heaven-grade status, it would be of great benefit to him. With this thought, Li Xuan sat down cross-legged and began to absorb the energy. Instantly, the solidified spiritual energy surged into his body.
Outside the Cang Ling Pagoda, Xuan Ye and the others exchanged complex glances. The fact that someone at the initial stage of the Martial Emperor realm could enter the eighth level of the Cang Ling Pagoda was far beyond their expectations. Even they had only managed to enter when they broke through to the Saint realm.
"Do you think this Li Xuan might be a chosen one?" Luo Xing suddenly asked.
Xuan Ye and the others were stunned for a moment, then all nodded slightly. The five of them had naturally investigated Li Xuan's past. His rapid rise in less than a year was truly terrifying. Although the two women who appeared behind Li Xuan were very powerful, didn't this just highlight Li Xuan's own extraordinary nature?
"With less than a month remaining, I wonder how far these youngsters will advance," Nan Haotian said with a complex expression.
Xuan Ye and the others nodded slightly. Three months of cultivation here was equivalent to several years of arduous training in the outside world. These hundred individuals were the top prodigies of the Cang Mang Continent, and their progress would undoubtedly be even more astonishing.
"Everything will have to wait until they emerge," Hong Xingyi stated.
Xuan Ye and the others nodded and then turned to leave.
Inside the Cang Ling Pagoda, after absorbing spiritual energy for several days, Li Xuan's mind stirred, and he directly retrieved Qing Xiao from his body. He was overjoyed to see that Qing Xiao could indeed absorb the spiritual energy on the eighth level autonomously, just as he had expected.
For the past few days, Li Xuan had only been able to absorb spiritual energy to supply Qing Xiao, leaving him no time for his own cultivation. Thinking of this, Li Xuan suddenly wondered if he could take Qing Xiao out and let it absorb energy independently. This way, he would have time to cultivate himself. After some experimentation, he found this method was feasible.
After reconfirming, Li Xuan took out a high-grade spiritual sword and began practicing the Stacked Sword Technique.
The Stacked Sword Technique, Li Xuan discovered, grew more powerful with each subsequent layer. Although he could now stack his sword energy to six hundred and sixty layers, its power was still insufficient to break through the defenses of a Saint. However, Li Xuan believed that if six hundred and sixty layers weren't enough, then seven hundred, or eight hundred!
As long as he worked hard, he was confident that one day he would be able to pose a threat to Saints with the Stacked Sword Technique.
Time gradually passed, and without realizing it, half a month had gone by. One day, Li Xuan unleashed a sword strike, and a terrifying sword energy swept out. Seeing this, Li Xuan's eyes lit up with joy. The Stacked Sword Technique had finally reached seven hundred and fifty layers.
After experiencing the power of this seven hundred and fifty-layer sword energy, Li Xuan knew that its might was sufficient to threaten a Saint. However, to kill a Saint with this sword energy would still require more power. Even so, Li Xuan's smile did not diminish.
At least, his hard work was paying off.
Soon, Li Xuan resumed his practice.
Time slipped away rapidly, and only three days remained before the three-month period ended. On this day, Li Xuan stopped. Looking at the spiritual energy on the eighth level, which had become so thin it was barely visible, a trace of surprise flickered in his eyes. He had not expected the Heaven-grade Qing Xiao to require such a vast amount of spiritual energy.
"It seems Senior Yi Qin was right; the spiritual energy on this eighth level is likely insufficient to restore Qing Xiao to its peak," Li Xuan murmured, sensing Qing Xiao's spiritual power and shaking his head slightly. However, Li Xuan also felt fortunate that the other prodigies could not enter this eighth level this time, otherwise, the changes here might have drawn unwanted attention.
Just then, a child's figure slowly appeared before Li Xuan. Li Xuan was startled, wondering when a child had arrived on the eighth level.
"Your sword energy, it's quite powerful," the child said, looking curiously at Li Xuan.
Li Xuan was momentarily stunned but quickly became solemn. He was certain that the child before him was at least as strong as himself.
"Do you want it to recover to its peak?" the child asked, his gaze shifting to Qing Xiao as Li Xuan remained silent.
Li Xuan was taken aback, then nodded vigorously. "Do you have a way?"
"He is the pagoda spirit of the Cang Ling Pagoda, and naturally, he has a way to provide Qing Xiao with sufficient spiritual energy. Little fellow, if you can gain his approval, you might have a chance to obtain the Cang Ling Pagoda," Yi Qin's voice echoed in Li Xuan's mind at that moment.
Li Xuan was utterly shocked. The child before him was the pagoda spirit of the Cang Ling Pagoda!
"Yes, I can help it recover to its peak," the child replied with a firm nod.
Li Xuan pondered for a moment, then asked, "What are your conditions?"
"I want to enter that place of yours," the child said, pointing to Li Xuan's left hand.
Li Xuan was surprised, naturally understanding what the Cang Ling Pagoda spirit meant. What astonished Li Xuan even more was that the pagoda spirit could sense the presence of Zhenyu.
"Agreed, deal!" Li Xuan decided after some thought. Since Zhenyu was left behind by his unseen master, its grade must be quite high. Therefore, Li Xuan had no worries that the Cang Ling Pagoda spirit would pose any threat to him.
The child's face lit up with excitement, and he grinned at Li Xuan. With a wave of his hand, the spiritual energy within the eighth level instantly surged. The next moment, this spiritual energy flowed continuously into Qing Xiao's body.
Li Xuan felt a surge of excitement as he sensed Qing Xiao nearing its peak condition!