Li Mu pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly, a hint of ineffable profundity flowing between his brows: "The enlightenment of the Sword Domain is indeed difficult to accurately describe with words. It is intricately linked with the cultivation of the Sword Array. During countless days and nights of practicing the Sword Array, I gradually became aware of the wonderful interaction between Sword Intent and the surrounding space. Whenever I condense the Sword Array and Sword Intent to their peak state, the feeling is akin to touching an invisible force, like threads surrounding me, closely intertwined with my Sword Intent, merging together. Over time, this feeling grew stronger and stronger until one day, amidst a sudden clarity, I finally understood the mystery of the Sword Domain."

Li Mu’s words were simple yet contained profound wisdom of the Sword Dao, leaving Ling Feng’s mind stirred and deep in thought.

After a long while, Ling Feng suddenly held his Spirit Sword horizontally, looked at Li Mu, and with eyes gleaming with fervent battle spirit, challenged: "Elder Li, please instruct me in the Sword Array Skill!"

On seeing this, Li Mu smiled slightly, neither being overly formal, as a flash of light from his Nine Treasures Spirit Pearl released a myriad of Spirit Swords that flew out like meteors, rapidly gathering in the air. Hundreds or even thousands of Spirit Swords hovered and circled, emitting fierce Sword Qi.

Li Mu made gestures with his Sword Technique, and with his fingers swiftly moving, mystical Sword Techniques formed in the air.

With Li Mu’s Divine Thought, nearly a thousand Spirit Swords quickly arranged and combined according to a specific trajectory, ultimately forming a blooming Cyan Lotus in the air.

The Cyan Lotus was composed of nearly a thousand Tier Five Bamboo Swords, each radiating a faint cyan light with the sword tip pointing toward the center, forming a perfect Sword Array—the Cyan Lotus Sword Array.

As soon as the Cyan Lotus Sword Array was formed, it swiftly enveloped Ling Feng. The Cyan Lotus slowly rotated, the leaves formed by Spirit Swords opening and closing, emitting sword cries, with the Sword Qi within the Sword Array growing denser.

Within the Sword Array, Ling Feng felt the fierce Sword Qi surrounding him, feeling a chill wash over him, the deadly intention suffusing the air.

Faced with the unparalleled Sword Array, Ling Feng showed no trace of fear. His True Essence boiled within him, merging with the Spirit Sword in his hand as he battled within the Cyan Lotus Sword Array. Every clash of his sword tip against the Bamboo Sword produced crisp metallic sounds, with sparks flying.

Seeing this, a hint of admiration flashed in Li Mu’s eyes, and with a thought, the Sword Qi within the Cyan Lotus Sword Array instantly became fiercer, as if it was about to surround and shred Ling Feng within the Sword Array.

Startled, Ling Feng immediately exerted his Sword Techniques to the extreme; Sword Qi flourished from his body, resisting the assault of endless Sword Qi.

For a time, Sword Qi wove through the Cyan Lotus Sword Array, sword lights flickering, as the duel reached an intense heat.

Yet, despite successfully deploying the Cyan Lotus Sword Array, Li Mu remained calm and composed at this moment, standing aside, remotely controlling the stance changes of the Sword Array, as if everything was completely under control.

Trapped in the Sword Array, Ling Feng was in a desperate situation, constantly attempting to break through the constraints of the Cyan Lotus Sword Array, but every attempt ended in failure, posing no real threat.

As time passed, the Sword Qi within the Cyan Lotus Sword Array grew increasingly fierce, leaving Ling Feng exhausted, his expression growing ever more grave as he frantically resisted the thousand Spirit Swords within the Sword Array, struggling at every turn.

Not long after.

"Bang!"

A loud explosion resounded within the Cyan Lotus Sword Array, with Sword Qi overflowing as a thousand Spirit Swords blasted away like fireworks, releasing countless Sword Qi.

Seeing this, Li Mu smiled slightly, effortlessly dispensed the Cyan Lotus Sword Array, and recalled the thousand Tier Five Moon Bamboo Spirit Swords.

At this time, glancing at Ling Feng in the field, his white brocade robe was now wrinkled and shattered, evidently having suffered considerable damage during the fierce battle just now, sweat beads densely covered his forehead, and mist swirled above his head, evidently due to the severe depletion of True Essence and Heart Power, his face flushed red, eyes filled with fatigue, portraying a miserable appearance.

However, Ling Feng understood that Li Mu had held back during the fight just now, otherwise, it wouldn’t have been just his disheveled appearance, and he emerged unscathed.

"Elder Li, your Sword Array skill is unparalleled; I accept defeat wholeheartedly." Ling Feng respectfully performed a sword salute to Li Mu, conceding defeat.

"Thanks for the lesson!" Li Mu smiled slightly, returned the salute.

Looking at Li Mu, before leaving, Ling Feng advised: "Elder Li, let me offer you a piece of advice before leaving. Although there are no restrictions on the Sword Tower rules, you’ve defended the arena on the 100th level for too long, unrivaled, which is not favorable for other disciples attempting the tower. It’s suggested you ascend higher and defend an arena there, lest the sect’s upper echelon harbors resentment toward you."

"Thank you for your reminder!" Li Mu nodded with a smile, expressing gratitude.

Ling Feng smiled and said nothing further, as he shot a blast of Sword Qi from his Body-Protecting Sword Talisman with his index finger, and immediately, with a ’whoosh,’ his figure vanished within the Sword Tower Space.

Watching Ling Feng disappear, Li Mu retracted his gaze, after a brief contemplation, he waved his hand, releasing a fierce Sword Qi into the Sword Talisman, and subsequently, his figure also vanished from the Sword Tower Space.

This time climbing the Sword Tower, Li Mu’s purpose was straightforward: to hone his Sword Skill and gain actual combat experience, and to attempt to comprehend the legendary Sword Heart.

During the time defending the arena, Li Mu experienced countless battles, enhancing his Sword Skills significantly and accumulating substantial combat experience; however, through conversing with Ling Feng, he learned of the difficulty and importance of opportunity in understanding the Sword Heart, realizing that comprehending the Sword Heart was not easy.

Knowing the gap in understanding the Sword Heart that existed for him, continuing to defend the arena held minimal significance, prompting Li Mu to decisively choose to abandon it.

After leaving the Sword Tower, Li Mu immediately controlled his sword and flew toward the Contribution Hall.

The time spent defending the arena earned him millions in Sect Contribution, which now was the perfect time to exchange these contributions for needed resources; Li Mu decided to convert them into Spiritual Materials that aid in the growth of Spirit Plants.

On the way to the Contribution Hall after leaving the Sword Tower.

Unbeknownst to Li Mu, his departure caused a sensation, as the originally quiet Sword Tower battle leaderboard became bustling, disciples gathered together, their eyes fixed on the unusual changes on the battle record leaderboard, discussions bubbling up constantly.

"It’s really strange. Although Senior Brother Ling has clearly been defeated, how come now ’Li Laohu’ has also left, leaving the 100th layer arena master vacated?" A disciple suddenly noticed something and exclaimed.

His voice was loud and distinct, immediately attracting the attention of those around the Sword Tower.

The original announcement of Ling Feng’s challenge defeat against ’Li Laohu’ left many feeling regret, but it was also expected.

Unexpectedly, not long after, the battle leaderboard showed that the Sword Tower’s hundredth-level arena master position was vacant.

Li Mu, who had occupied the hundredth-level arena master position for several years, inexplicably relinquished it after apparently defeating Senior Brother Ling.

"Haha, this is great, our chance has arrived!" Someone excitably patted a companion beside him on the shoulder, eyes sparkling with anticipation, and speculated: "’Li Laohu’ must have been injured by Senior Brother Ling, now unable to maintain the arena master position, perhaps we can seize the opportunity to step up!"

However, there were those who expressed skepticism. A steady voice countered: "Don’t talk nonsense. Haven’t you seen ’Li Laohu’s previous battle record? His strength is so formidable; how could he be injured so easily? Besides, even if he were truly injured, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll give up the arena master position. Don’t forget, he’s a particularly persistent person, having occupied this position for over three years, maybe someday he’ll return and reclaim the arena master position."

"Maybe Elder Li just gave up! It’s been years now; perhaps he’s tired of it!"

"There’s a possibility, ’Li Laohu’ leaving the Sword Tower will be lively again."

"Let’s hurry and queue to enter the tower! Some of you might have a chance to occupy the arena master position for a few days."

...

With Li Mu’s departure, discussions among disciples of the Profound Celestial Sword Sect were constant and excited. Because of Li Mu’s presence, they had been under tremendous pressure, but now, having left, the atmosphere on-site became lively, as they eagerly prepared to enter the Sword Tower.

The Sword Tower once again became the focal point of attention, with fierce competition for the arena master position about to unfold.