On this return to the Great Xia Sword Sect, Li Guanqi had left behind plenty of contingency plans and trump cards for the sect.
In truth, the Great Xia Sword Sect had grown far too rapidly over the years.
That was precisely why he harbored such worries.
Previously, the presence of the Guanyun Pavilion had served to deter petty scoundrels.
Yet he understood that whether a sect truly flourished depended, on the one hand, on whether it possessed top-tier powerhouses.
On the other hand, it depended on whether the backbone forces within the sect could mature quickly.
After stepping out from the Spirit Fish Clan, he had come to understand many things.
Lu Kangnian had long taken note of this, and the disciples of the Great Xia Sword Sect had not disappointed.
The sect today... could be said to possess unprecedented cohesion!
Every disciple's pride in the sect had practically reached its peak.
Those disciples of the same generation as Li Guanqi had grown into pillars of the sect.
Just like... Li Sheng'an.
The fellow who had given him a chicken drumstick during the entrance trial of the Great Xia Sword Sect back then.
The little fat boy who, when bullied by fellow disciples, could only swallow his tears in silence.
Now, he too had become the elder of a peak, his bearing vastly different from before.
Li Guanqi saw all of this...
The Great Xia Sword Sect possessed an impeccably upright ethos!
He had kept these words etched in his heart all along and wished to see the sect carry them forward indefinitely, for they were the sect's very foundation.
Therefore, during this sect assembly, he had placed particular emphasis on how disciples who violated sect rules and precepts should be punished.
He would not relax the sect's discipline over its disciples just because of someone like Duan Xian.
On the contrary, he intended to show everyone through concrete action!
Even if someone possessed extraordinary prowess and world-shaking strength, the Great Xia Sword Sect would never regret sticking to its ancient precepts.
The duties of the Disciplinary Law Enforcer would only become all the more crucial.
When he departed, the worried gazes of Lu Kangnian and the elders had touched him deeply.
He had even felt an impulse to stay at the sect and never leave.
Drawing a deep breath, he knew what his responsibilities were; he could not do that.
At his side, Gu Lie might have noticed that Li Guanqi's mood was somewhat unsettled, but he said nothing.
Though Li Guanqi stood right beside him, Gu Lie could not sense a shred of his aura.
Formidable, simply too formidable...
Li Guanqi and Gu Lie flew side by side through the void.
Thoughts tangled in his mind. In truth, he had another purpose in returning to the sect this time.
He had left Lu Kangnian numerous inscribed talismans crafted by Gu Li, instructing him to keep them on his person at all times, and had also placed several spatial teleportation talismans in various locations across the sect.
He did this because he feared that other mastermind in the shadows would make a move against the people of the Great Xia Sword Sect!
The person behind Lu Wuhen had always been a thorn in Li Guanqi's heart.
That person would definitely make a move before he ascended!
It was only uncertain in what manner and by what means they would strike.
Replaying every detail in his mind, perhaps the only one who currently knew the sword spirit was with him was Xun Tian!
Yet... he could not be certain that no one else had been watching from the shadows when he took action back then.
He had no choice but to settle those close to him properly.
He was not worried about Ye Feng and the others; even if the opponent had heaven-defying abilities, they would never dare to strike within the Seventh Domain.
The Li Guanqi of today was no longer the reckless youth of the past.
Back then, he had believed that so long as he possessed sufficient strength, all problems could be solved.
Yet as scheme after scheme unfolded around him, claiming one important person after another, he had finally understood.
Sometimes... open spears are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are hard to guard against!
Especially when facing Duan Xian this time, after acquiring vast amounts of intelligence:
apart from the man's precise whereabouts, Duan Xian had been as starkly visible as a cockroach caught in broad daylight.
Meanwhile, Duan Xian knew nothing about him beyond a few widely known abilities.
Had they engaged in an unreserved, all-out slaughter, Li Guanqi would still have had to exert considerable effort to kill him.
After all, the man's heavenly flame and blood fiend power were extremely troublesome!
Had he not thought on his feet back then and used the Ancient Spirit Burning Ring as leverage to coerce him, Lu Kangnian would have lost a layer of skin even if he survived!
This matter had left a deep impression on him. He was not stupid, but previously he had always felt that head-on clashes were enough.
He had never anticipated that scheming to lure the foe into his trap would make killing him so easy...
Seeing Li Guanqi calm down considerably, Gu Lie spoke in a low voice.
"Could you tell me a bit about what it's like in the Seventh Domain?"
Li Guanqi smiled and said softly, "There's no need to worry too much."
"The Seventh Domain today is not as complicated as you might think."
"After surviving several brutal battles, the atmosphere inside the Seventh Domain has changed."
"It has become quite harmonious. Even some people who held past grudges have let them all go."
Afterward, Li Guanqi casually mentioned a few words about challenging the Eight Generals.
Gu Lie was left utterly dazed as he listened.
After all, experts of the Eight Generals' caliber were undisputed powerhouses in their eyes!
Yet Li Guanqi had challenged the Eight Generals one after another, and had even defeated Long Hou while in the Mahayana realm!
Though spoken so casually, these words detonated like thunderclaps in Gu Lie's ears.
A long while passed before Gu Lie's chest heaved slightly and he let out a long breath, a brilliant light gleaming in his tiger-like eyes.
"To be able to see legendary figures from different eras in the Seventh Domain..."
"Just thinking about it makes one's blood boil with excitement!"
The corners of Li Guanqi's mouth curved slightly. He could feel that Gu Lie's entire demeanor and spirit had undergone a transformation.
Perhaps it was just like that battle between him and Nangong Xuandu.
He had likewise regained his sharpness and spirited vigor from years past.
Li Guanqi said softly, "Don't worry. Fighting there will definitely let you battle to your heart's content."
"Furthermore... the Seventh Domain has another name."
Gu Lie started slightly, furrowing his brows as he asked, "Hm? Another name?"
Li Guanqi looked at the old man and said slowly, "The Immortal Burial Realm."
Though spoken with calm deliberation, those words shook Gu Lie's soul.
"Whew... what an imposing name! Hahahaha, this old man likes it!"
Soon, the two reached the highest reaches of the void, where the chaotic power was so potent that the old man braced himself with a grave countenance.
Li Guanqi then used his identity jade slip to open a rift in the void.
Gu Lie stood there, his heart surging with anticipation. Looking at Li Guanqi's back, his gaze hardened with resolve, and he strode forward.
*Buzz!*
Looking at the dreamlike world before him, shimmering with immortal spirit, Gu Lie stood frozen in place, his mouth slightly ajar.
Everywhere his gaze swept, countless powerhouses whose auras were impossible to fathom cupped their fists and bowed respectfully toward Li Guanqi.
Gu Lie swallowed hard and murmured, "So this is the mightiest place in the Human Spirit Realm... the Immortal Burial Realm!"
At that moment, Li Guanqi's gaze narrowed slightly, for he spotted two familiar faces!
*Whoosh!*
Li Guanqi teleported right in front of the two, bowed in salute, and said in a deep voice, "Junior Li Guanqi greets Senior Dugu."
"Brother Chongming."
A slightly hunched, gaunt old man stood clad in an understated yet luxurious purple robe.
With his hands clasped behind his back, the old man lifted his clouded eyes to look at the youth before him, a faint smile actually surfacing on his bark-like, withered face.
The former Sword Head of the Eight Generals—Dugu Lingxiao!
Chapter 1338