"Control swords with your mind, manipulate them with your spirit; the Nine Tribulation Immortal Execution Sword Formation is not a dead object, but a manifestation of your Sword Intent."
Han Xuanji's voice was clear and resonant, like cold springs striking jade.
Li Taiqing held his breath and concentrated, operating the sword art as instructed. The several Spirit Swords suspended before him hummed and vibrated, their sword light flickering, attempting to outline the Prototype of the profound formation diagram, yet still appearing sluggish and difficult.
Han Xuanji was currently teaching Li Taiqing the Nine Tribulation Immortal Execution Sword Formation.
This Divine Ability of the Sword Dao had been refined by him to an extremely terrifying degree, and coupled with Li Taiqing's cultivation of the Qinglian Sword Sutra, as long as his cultivation improved, he would have few rivals in the Lower Realm.
Li Taiqing was also quite excited about Han Xuanji's guidance.
This was the guidance of a contemporary Sword Immortal; even occasional pointers could benefit him immensely.
However, the Nine Tribulation Immortal Execution Sword Formation was extremely profound, and even with Li Taiqing's Aptitude, he found it quite challenging to practice. Nevertheless, he maintained a good mindset, planning to dedicate a portion of his time to cultivation each day, as this was a Move capable of instantly killing an Ascension Realm Sword Cultivator.
Suddenly.
A commotion came from outside.
Han Xuanji sensed a familiar aura approaching.
"Master!!!"
With a clear, joyful sound.
Carrying the momentum of wind and thunder, the Little White Tiger's figure, like a white lightning bolt, instantly appeared outside the hall.
It had just awakened from its slumber, having thoroughly digested the immense Opportunity from the Azure Dragon Immortal Abode, and eagerly sought its Master.
A white shadow, swift as the wind, accurately pounced to Han Xuanji's feet, its furry head affectionately rubbing against his robe, its tail gently wagging:
"Master! Master!
I'm at the ninth layer of the Returning to Void Realm, just one step away from Breakthrough to the Body Integration Realm."
It raised its head, its golden eyes filled with anticipation and a desire for praise.
"Hmm, your progress is acceptable."
Han Xuanji lowered his gaze, looking at the excited little fellow at his feet, a subtle curve forming at the corner of his lips, his tone calm but affirming.
To achieve this much in just over thirty years was, in fact, quite good.
"Then can I be of use now?"
The Little White Tiger felt full of confidence.
"I've already achieved Immortal Ascension… I probably won't need you to act."
Han Xuanji said faintly.
"Ah…"
The Little White Tiger's entire body stiffened.
Immortal Ascension?
It wondered if it had slept for several millennia.
Although it had never been arrogant enough to believe it could protect Han Xuanji, it felt it might still be of some use.
But unexpectedly, its Master had already achieved Immortal Ascension, while it was still stuck in the Returning to Void Realm.
If this continued, and Han Xuanji were to Ascension, wouldn't it be left to guard the Lower Realm alone?
Li Taiqing, standing by, looked at this spiritual little creature, so close to his Master, with fresh curiosity, and couldn't help but tease:
"Master, so you also keep a cat?
It seems its Bloodline is quite extraordinary. Where did you find such a Spirit Beast?"
Upon hearing this.
The Little White Tiger instantly became displeased, its entire white fur fluffed up, and it bared its teeth at Li Taiqing, letting out a low, threatening growl:
"Kid, look closely!
I, your Tiger Lord, am a dignified White Tiger Bloodline, the King of all Beasts, understand?
Call me names again and I'll scratch your face!"
It turned angrily to Han Xuanji, seeking validation: "Master, who is this guy?"
Han Xuanji's slender fingers ruffled the Little White Tiger's furry head, and he said faintly:
"A newly taken Disciple, Li Taiqing."
Upon learning that the young man before him was his Master's new Disciple, the Little White Tiger was first surprised, then feigned maturity as it scrutinized Li Taiqing from head to toe, pouting and huffing:
"Two eyes and one nose, quite ordinary, I suppose."
Li Taiqing was amused by its pretentious demeanor and retorted without ceremony:
"Heh, do you think all of the Human Race are like you of the Yao Race, looking bizarre and varied?"
"I'm at the ninth layer of Returning Void, more useful than you."
"Heh heh, Master has already achieved Immortal Ascension, what use is a little cat like you?"
"You?!"
The man and the tiger bickered, full of joy.
But soon, Heaven Jade Perfected Person came to visit, interrupting their conversation.
Han Xuanji noticed that his brows were furrowed with worry, indicating considerable pressure in his heart, so it was likely not good news.
However, he was used to it.
There usually wasn't any good news anyway.
"Elder Han, something terrible has happened!
The Yao Race has brazenly invaded the Great Ming Dynasty, and now Great Ming is suffering, with corpses strewn everywhere… countless cities have been reduced to scorched earth, and the fallen Cultivators and Mortals… are innumerable!"
Heaven Jade Perfected Person's voice carried a hint of imperceptible tremor.
"The next target of the Yao Race army is very likely our Great Xia. The Xia Emperor has requested that the various Sects and Cultivators of Great Xia unite to resist the Yao Race.
What… should we do?"
Heaven Jade Perfected Person also felt helpless; such a major event no longer concerned just one Sect or one person.
The Yao Race invasion, this was no small matter!
Once, the Yao Race was also the overlord of the Nine Provinces Continent, and the Human Race could only barely survive. After countless years of development, they finally drove the Yao Race to the southern Ten Thousand Demons State, and the Yao Race frequently incited beast tides. This time, however, clearly broke the previous unwritten rules.
Han Xuanji frowned:
"How many powerhouses has the Yao Race dispatched?"
"Unclear, but there are reportedly dozens of Undergoing Tribulation Demon Race that have already appeared,"
Heaven Jade Perfected Person replied.
"Moreover, it is said that a Peak Undergoing Tribulation Cultivator from Great Ming acted and nearly died."
"Rumor has it that a stronger Yao Race secretly made a Move."
"Hmm?"
Han Xuanji was somewhat shocked.
He had previously learned some intelligence about the Yao Race from Shen Feng Demon Saint, but this was too different from what he knew.
Dozens of Undergoing Tribulation Yao Race, let alone Great Ming, the entire Eastern Cang Continent probably couldn't gather that many Undergoing Tribulation Cultivators to contend with them.
If there were also Ascension Realm Yao Race secretly involved, then the problem would be significant.
This power, it was estimated that only the Holy Lands and Immortal Sects of Central Continent could contend with it.
"If that's the case, are no powerhouses from Central Continent willing to act?"
Han Xuanji asked, puzzled.
Heaven Jade Perfected Person said, troubled:
"A major event has also occurred in Central Continent; the Six Demonic Path Sects, and even the entire Central Continent, have begun to circulate a terrifying Demonic Technique where mutual slaughter allows one to seize lifespan and cultivation. Now the entire Central Continent is in chaos and completely unable to attend to the Yao Race matter."
"Perhaps, we can open negotiations with the Yao Race."
The atmosphere suddenly dropped to freezing point.
The Little White Tiger also put away its playful mood, pricking up its ears, its golden pupils flashing with sharp light.
Li Taiqing clenched his fists even tighter, a hint of worry in his eyes.
Han Xuanji was silent for a moment. He looked at Heaven Jade Perfected Person, his voice betraying no emotion:
"Since the Yao Race dared to invade on such a large scale, they must have absolute confidence and likely do not fear the powerhouses of Central Continent. Even if they are willing to negotiate, it will most likely be unfavorable to us."
Heaven Jade Perfected Person's face turned pale; Han Xuanji's words completely shattered his last shred of illusion.
A sense of powerlessness instantly surged from his heart.
In this world, strength is the foundation.
Without strength, one doesn't even have the qualifications to sit at the negotiating table.
In fact, if it weren't for Han Xuanji, this Sword Immortal, holding the fort, the idea of negotiation wouldn't even have arisen.