Chapter 717: Still Not Dead?

Guo Yao looked at Li An, her eyes full of tenderness and trust. She smiled faintly and gently placed her hand over his: "I believe in you, Li An. We'll face the future together."

The two exchanged a smile, as if every difficulty and challenge had become trivial. They gripped each other's hands tightly, turned to face the Xukongzhi Sect that shimmered with dazzling light, and prepared to set out on a new journey.

Just then, a violent ripple suddenly surged from the Xukongzhi Sect. A powerful aura poured out from within, making the entire space tremble. Li An and Guo Yao's expressions changed; they quickly went on guard, their gazes locked tightly on the rippling Xukongzhi Sect.

"What's going on?" Li An asked in a low voice, the spiritual energy within him surging and churning, ready at any moment to face whatever crisis might appear.

Guo Yao also gripped Li An's hand tightly, a glint of vigilance flashing in her eyes: "I don't know, but it's definitely not good."

At that moment, a figure slowly walked out from the Xukongzhi Sect. It was a mysterious person draped in a black robe, a silver mask covering his face, revealing only a pair of deep, icy eyes.

"Li An, we meet again." The mysterious person's voice was low and hoarse, as if coming from a distant void.

Li An's brows knit tightly; he recognized that voice—it was the powerful enemy he had encountered during the trial! He hadn't expected the other party to appear at this moment!

"You actually aren't dead yet?" Li An's voice carried a trace of surprise and wariness.

In the endless void, Li An and Guo Yao held each other tightly, their gazes piercing through the boundless darkness, trying to find a sliver of light. Ever since Li An had mastered the power of the Xukongzhi Sect, they had stepped into this unknown realm, exploring and challenging, yet constantly facing unknown crises.

At this moment, the Xukongzhi Sect suddenly shook violently, like an enraged giant beast trying to devour the intruders. The surrounding space began to twist, as though kneaded by an invisible giant hand, and Li An and Guo Yao's figures grew blurry along with it.

"An, what's going on?" Guo Yao hugged Li An in terror, her voice sounding unusually faint within the twisted space.

Li An frowned tightly, his eyes revealing resolve and calm. He felt a powerful force tugging at him, as if trying to tear him away from this void. He understood this was a self-protection mechanism of the Xukongzhi Sect, rejecting outsiders and trying to expel them.

"Don't be afraid, Yao. I'll find a way." Li An gripped Guo Yao's hand tightly, trying to steady their two figures. Though his voice was calm, his heart churned like rivers and seas overturning; he knew full well the severity of this crisis.

Li An began to mobilize the power within him, trying to communicate with the Xukongzhi Sect. However, the Xukongzhi Sect seemed not to buy it; its shaking grew ever more violent, and spatial cracks spread like a spider's web, ready to swallow the two at any moment.

"An, what should we do?" Guo Yao's voice carried a hint of a sob; she nestled tightly in Li An's arms, as if he were her only reliance.

Li An took a deep breath; he knew he couldn't panic now. He closed his eyes and began to recall the various experiences from the trial before, trying to find a response within them.

"I remember encountering a similar rejection phenomenon during the trial; at the time, I overcame it by steadying my mind and adjusting my breathing." Li An recited silently in his heart, beginning to try adjusting his breathing and mindset, attempting to reach some kind of tacit understanding with the Xukongzhi Sect.