A year passed on Azure Sky Peak.
Beneath a green pine, a palm-sized Thunder Pool floated in the air, its lightning held within. Black and white qi became two sword lights that intertwined as they slashed outward. A hazy conception of life and death almost manifested, only to vanish in an instant.
The Daoist in a dark black robe let out a soft breath. Over the past two years, he had gained considerable insight into the Sword Treatise on Life-and-Death Qi, and most of his flying sword arts had improved. Yet a bottleneck still barred him from the supposed Great Way of Life and Death.
"Perhaps the fault lies not with me, but with a flaw in this path."
Xu Xuan felt that his understanding of the transformations of life and death ran deep. He had even made a journey through Reincarnation Lake. His continued inability to comprehend the way gave rise to a suspicion: perhaps it was because the Netherworld had not manifested and Altar Thunder's position remained hidden.
He put away his swords for the moment. The Thunder Pool slipped into his Qi Sea and united with his Immortal Foundation, while an Ashen Gray Dharma Sword flew out of it and settled behind his back, just as before.
A mass of murky yellow Smoke Sand surged over from Heavenly Tribulation Mountain. As it descended, a young-looking man in a pitch-black robe emerged. His brows were sharp, his eyes narrow, and his irises bright yellow. Slender in build, he strode over with a composed expression.
Xu Xuan turned his gaze toward the newcomer. After sensing his cultivation, a trace of delight appeared in his eyes, and he asked softly:
"You broke through?"
Xu Fayan nodded slightly and revealed his aura. He had already reached the eighth level. In a