Li Yuanba discovered that the pursuing Bodhisattva was merely an avatar, and his worries lessened somewhat.
Nonetheless, he did not let his guard down and, with a flicker, descended towards the sea below.
As he neared the sea surface, he retrieved a fourth-grade top flying boat, the âCrossing Void Shuttleâ, which vanished into the water upon entry.
The Bodhisattva avatar that pursued came to the spot where Li Yuanba entered the sea, extending its senses. The sea, which could block perception for Great Cultivators, was instead an extension of the Bodhisattva avatarâs senses.
Even though the âCrossing Void Shuttleâ had a concealing effect, the Bodhisattva avatar quickly detected the traces left by its navigation.
The Bodhisattva avatar also entered the sea, pursuing in the direction of the âCrossing Void Shuttleâ.
In the waters, even with a fourth-grade top âCrossing Void Shuttleâ, Li Yuanbaâs speed couldnât compare to âinstantaneous arrivalâ.
Fortunately, the Bodhisattva avatarâs speed was also affected in the sea; although the distance between the Bodhisattva avatar and Li Yuanba continued to close, catching up to Li Yuanba would still take some time.
Li Yuanba continuously monitored his position. The Bodhisattva avatar chose an ambush area with careful thought, a region without any formidable forces. Even if Li Yuanba wanted to reach out to the Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion, he couldnât get the message out.
Li Yuanba realized the âCrossing Void Shuttleâ couldnât shake off the Bodhisattva avatar, knowing that things couldnât continue like this.
He put away the âCrossing Void Shuttleâ and performed âinstantaneous arrivalâ, allowing him to leave the water and return to the sky.
He took out the sword token, a keepsake left by the Sword Elder.
Without the slightest hesitation, he activated the sword token.
Heâs not the true Li Shiming, with no background whatsoever; backing him is the Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion, with Sword Elder, a Sword Cultivation Great Power.
As he channeled energy into the sword token, its light flickered.
A phantom appeared above the sword token, visible to Li Yuanba as the image of the Sword Elder.
This was a manifestation of the Sword Elder, not a true avatar, but a spiritual imprint left in the sword token, which could transform into an avatar when necessary using the Great Power energy reserved therein.
"Yuan Ba, it seems youâve encountered trouble. Let me see who it is," the Sword Elderâs avatar said deeply after glancing at Li Yuanba.
Li Yuanba realized this Sword Elder avatar had limited energy, estimating it to be only enough for a single strike.
Li Yuanba, having witnessed Great Powers, and engaged in life-and-death battles with them, had an accurate grasp of their abilities.
Even though the Sword Elder avatar had only enough energy for a single strike, Li Yuanba did not dare underestimate it.
"Sword Elder!" Li Yuanba just bowed and prepared to say something when the Sword Elderâs avatar motioned for him to remain silent.
The Sword Elderâs avatar looked into the distance, sensing the presence of the Bodhisattva avatar.
"Yingchuan Bodhisattva, does Tianluo Temple wish to incur a deadly feud with Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion?" The Sword Elder avatar called out the opponentâs identity and threatened.
Li Yuanba was dumbfounded, having always thought the Bodhisattva avatar chasing him was from Da Leiyin Temple, but it turned out to be a Bodhisattva from Tianluo Temple.
Though Tianluo Temple was a significant force, Li Yuanba had never interacted with it as itâs located in South Zhao Continent.
"Mad Swordmaster, Iâm just here at Huinan Bodhisattvaâs invitation, inviting Li Yuanba to visit!" Yingchuan Bodhisattvaâs avatar, unexpectedly faced with the Sword Elderâs avatar summoned by Li Yuanba, replied.
Yingchuan Bodhisattva was tasked with an unavoidable condition, so despite offending the Sword Elder, he had to bring back Li Yuanba.
Frankly, the Sword Elderâs threat worked with Great Powers in Central State Continent; its effectiveness diminished with other continentsâ Great Powers.
The reason being, the Sword Elder resides in Central State Continent; he could leverage the time away from the Inheritance Cave Heaven to directly confront there with his true Great Power form.
Yet, no matter how furious the Sword Elder got, his true Great Power form couldnât leave Central State Continent to fight in other continents.
As for Great Power avatars, their fighting abilities are not overly threatening to other true Great Powers.
"When did Tianluo Temple become Da Leiyin Templeâs lapdog!" The Sword Elder avatar sneered coldly and mocked.
"Mad Swordmaster, regardless of what you say, Iâm taking Li Yuanba today!" Yingchuan Bodhisattvaâs avatar, looking grim, responded deeply.
"Then thereâs no need for words. Today, you face my sword first. Should Li Yuanba suffer any mishap, my Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion will engage Tianluo Temple in a full-scale war without end!" The Sword Elder avatar, visibly enraged, boosted its aura and shouted.
Although Yingchuan Bodhisattvaâs avatar knew such summoned avatars lacked strength, being the Sword Elderâs avatar commanded caution.
Yingchuan Bodhisattvaâs avatar and the Sword Elderâs avatar stood in the air, the latter transforming into a flying sword, its Sword Intent soaring.
Yingchuan Bodhisattvaâs avatar constantly waved its hands, raising ice walls before it.
Li Yuanba watched the Sword Elderâs avatar morph into a flying sword, noting the dimming glow of the sword token, apparently exhausted.
He understood why such tokens were profoundly precious; the summoning of the Sword Elderâs avatar marked the depletion of the Sword Elderâs spiritual imprint within.