Sword Aura to the Heavens-Chapter 399 - 394: Half an Incense Stick

Li Fan withdrew his gaze from the direction of the Heavenly Gate; the White Jade Academy permits the heavenly pride from all sides to question the White Jade.

Three days later, he also wanted to go.

He wanted to go and take a look at the White Jade in the sky.

"This White Jade Academy truly deserves to be the number one academy in the world, surrounded by immortal mist, that woman seems like an immortal," Lu Yuan said, seeing Li Fan's gaze return to him.

"Hm?"

Li Fan looked up at the mask-wearing Lu Yuan opposite him and said, "Don't forget, you were once hailed as an immortal too."

On Li Mountain, Sword Mountain's Lu Yuan, in the hearts of the young on Li Mountain, is like an immortal.

"Me?" Lu Yuan whispered, "You must have forgotten her existence."

Li Fan was startled, his mind conjuring up a white-clad figure again.

Yes, with the presence of Senior Sister, on Li Mountain, who dares to claim immortality?

Thinking of Senior Sister, a gentle flash passed in Li Fan's eyes; how is Senior Sister doing?

Lu Yuan, with lowered head, stealthily glanced at Li Fan, noticing the change in his eyes; her bright eyes dimmed a bit but then she smiled again, as if self-mocking.

Who wouldn't like someone like Ye Xianzi?

Back then, she was just like countless others from Li Mountain, admiring Ye Xianzi.

"An Zhiyao, the heavenly pride girl of White Jade Academy, one of the few students with the strongest talents," said Yang Tai from Chaotian Pavilion beside them, joining in the discussion with a smile.

He once was a student of White Jade Academy too, naturally knowing more about it.

"Sir, how does one question White Jade?" Li Fan inquired, knowing of the academy but not how to question it.

"The White Jade in the sky, its fame echoes through the ages; people come to learn, some come to question. Many come to learn, few come to question," Yang Tai replied with a laugh. "Speaking of questioning, it's simple — regardless of your cultivation realm, as long as you can peacefully ascend the 999 steps, you may enter the Heavenly Gate and step into the White Jade Academy where someone will engage in Dao discussion with you."

Li Fan seemed thoughtful, murmuring, "It seems not difficult, thank you for the guidance, Sir."

Yang Tai paused, then laughed heartily, "Indeed, it's not hard, but it is also a chasm many cannot cross."

With that, he turned to leave, walking downwards.

Upon the terrace, many gazes fell upon Li Fan; they could naturally see that the young man before them was exceedingly self-confident. Of course, he seemed to have the right to be proud, having entered the Taoist Body at a young age, possessing astonishing talent, and daring to compete with the sword cultivators of Lingxiao Pavilion. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Such spirit is rarely matched by many.

"It has been a long time since anyone has questioned the White Jade; unexpectedly this time, heroes gather and question Dao together. Three days later, another grand occasion in Jade City," laughed someone, as all could envision the scene three days hence.

Shen Jing returned to his place, casting a sharp glance at Li Fan, then the group from Lingxiao Pavilion rose and left that side.

Li Fan did not pay attention; Shen Jing belittled him, yet he didn't care for Shen Jing. He perceived Shen Jing's cultivation as the same as his own, both at the early stage of the Taoist Body; he had felt the previous intensity of Sword Intent.

Shen Jing was not yet worthy as his opponent.

His real opponent was the one mentioned by Liu Qingwu from Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion — the first in sword Dao from Chaotian Pavilion, one of the candidates who will stand atop the world: Jiang Taie.

In his youth, on the peak of Li Mountain, he defeated Jiang Taie.

Of course, he understood that it only represented the past.

From what he'd heard, he could deduce that Jiang Taie's growth has rapidly exceeded in recent years. The Jiang Family and Lingxiao Pavilion poured resources into cultivating the top sword cultivator in Da Li, and Jiang Taie seems not to have let them down.

How strong is that young man now?

He was very much looking forward to it.

......

Jade City was particularly lively recently, with the court and cultivators from all sides extensively searching for Wen Ruyu. To the world, Wen Ruyu seemed not like just a sword cultivator from Li Mountain, but a 'heavy treasure'; the court's bounty was enough to move countless cultivators.

Additionally, the events at the foot of White Jade Academy quickly spread throughout Jade City, leading many cultivators to flock to White Jade Academy here.

On this day, beneath the towering Heavenly Palace, cultivators from all directions gathered; every restaurant was packed, with few empty seats.

Especially in positions able to view the academy's steps, seating was even more difficult to find.

"Many Majors have arrived." The terraces of Chaotian Pavilion were similarly crowded, early comers securing spots to gaze at the distant steps of White Jade Academy, seeing many powerful cultivators gather from different directions.

"The Qingya Saint Sect came very early." Someone looked in one direction, a group flying through the air, their demeanor extraordinary, especially the young man leading — Lin Bai, Saint Heir of Qingya Saint Sect.

"Why has Tiandu Palace also arrived?" In another direction, a grand procession appeared, led by a middle-aged man with overwhelmingly mighty presence.

After the Saint Heir of Tiandu Palace was killed, many cultivators from Tiandu Palace came to Jade City to search for Wen Ruyu; the leader was a Great Cultivator of the Seventh Realm.

Wen Ruyu not only killed the Saint Heir of Tiandu Palace but also disrupted relations between Tiandu Palace and the court; this matter must be settled.

"Following the Saint Heir's death, Tiandu Palace selected another successor — now an opportunity to question White Jade arises; surely the 'new Saint Heir' comes to make a name for themselves."

"Boom..." At this moment, a dull sound came from the sky. Everyone looked up and saw a group of figures heading towards the stairs. One of them took large strides, causing the air to tremble. It was none other than Qi Zhanyun.

With each step, he pushed his aura to its peak. When he arrived in front of the stairs, a wave of energy spread from him, and it seemed as if a holy light surrounded him, somewhat blinding.

Even the aura of a Martial Arts Golden Body Realm practitioner is overwhelming, not to mention one in the True Intent Realm.

After that, one after another, major Cultivators arrived. They stood in the air, and those who came to watch below could feel an invisible pressure permeating the sky and earth.

Li Fan had arrived early and stood inconspicuously among the crowd, quietly watching the arriving figures.

In front of him, not far away, Li Fan saw a familiar figure.

Chu Jiankuang was also in the crowd, and contrary to his name, he didn't act wildly. It was Shen Jing, another Sword Cultivator, who was noticeably more arrogant.

Perhaps it was because Shen Jing came from the Lingxiao Pavilion, or perhaps it was because Shen Jing's master was the second-ranked Sword Cultivator in the world.

Sword Aura whistled through the sky, Sword Intent flowed and transformed into golden streams of light, dazzling and eye-catching. When the crowd looked up, the Sword Cultivators from the Lingxiao Pavilion seemed to step on these golden streams of light, shining brilliantly.

"Lingxiao Pavilion has always wanted to become the leader of the world's Sword Dao, and thus they are ostentatious, as if afraid others wouldn't know them," someone murmured in the crowd.

"To become the leader of the world's Sword Dao, they ultimately still need to prove themselves with strength. At least for now, Lingxiao Pavilion is still a bit lacking," someone nearby responded.

Li Mountain is still there. Even if weakened, it still represents a thousand years of the Da Li Swordsmanship. If Lingxiao Pavilion wants to replace it, they at least need to first produce the world's number one Great Sword Cultivator, right?

And now, the leader of Lingxiao Pavilion is ranked second on the Sword Saint List.

At this moment, radiance shone from above the stairs, waves of energy spreading downward. In an instant, the nine hundred and ninety-nine levels of stairs seemed to be enveloped by an invisible force. Silver brilliance enveloped the stairs, and the formation opened.

On the stairs, a group of figures gradually stepped out, standing outside the Heavenly Gate. These figures were wearing academy robes as they spread out on the stairs, standing in a row.

An Zhiyao's figure appeared once more at the Heavenly Gate, looking like a celestial maiden.

"Please enter the formation, and seek the Dao," An Zhiyao said. Her voice was gentle, originating from the sky, spreading below.

Countless people looked up, gazing at the figure of the Immortal and the lofty Immortal Gate.

The White Jade in the sky.

These nine hundred and ninety levels of stairs are as difficult as climbing to the heavens.

"Buzz."

A group of dazzling sword lights unfolded, and the Sword Cultivators from the Lingxiao Pavilion moved forward simultaneously, landing at the bottom of the stairs.

"Enter the formation," Yue Yunxiao said, and he, along with Shen Jing, were the first to move forward, their bodies like swords, climbing straight up.

The Sword Cultivators behind them followed suit, entering the formation and moving upwards.

However, it wasn't long before some people slowed down, their pace becoming increasingly slow until they stopped.

"Bang..." One person's body was shaken back, retreating down the stairs, letting out a muffled grunt.

"Thinking of seeking the Dao at White Jade, it's not that easy," people thought privately. Except for those Heavenly Pride Children, the vast majority wouldn't be able to make it.

Even for those Heavenly Pride Children, it still took some time to reach the top.

"Boom." A loud vibration resounded as Qi Zhanyun stepped upwards from another position. Each step he took seemed like an earthquake.

"Go." People from the Qingya Saint Sect on Qingya Mountain entered the formation, positioned on the left side of Qi Zhanyun. These stairs were wide enough to accommodate a hundred people abreast.

Afterward, Chu Jiankuang entered the formation.

"I'll give it a try too," someone said loudly, stepping forward, and after a moment, rows of Cultivators below began moving upwards on the stairs.

Yet everyone knew that most people were merely joining in the fun.

In midair, Liu Qingwu's body hovered, with other Cultivators from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion behind her, their gaze looking towards the stairs. A young man with golden eyes said, "Who do you think will reach the top first?"

Liu Qingwu shook her head and smiled, "Although I don't know who will reach the top first, I do know that it will take at least half an incense stick of time."

The young man smiled, recalling a special person who came to the White Jade Academy many years ago, wishing to seek advice from the White Jade Academy's mountain elder. With his status, he could have gone directly to the White Jade Academy, but he didn't do so. Instead, he started from the foot of the mountain, seeking the Dao at White Jade.

That time, it took him half an incense stick of time to enter the Immortal Gate.

Since then, this half incense stick has become a target for many of Da Li's Heavenly Pride to break.

Yet, no one has succeeded.

After all, once stepping onto the stairs, entering the formation, not only must they endure the pressure of the formation's power but also face unique attacks.

"I heard, one day in the future, Jiang Taie will also come here to challenge that half incense stick," the young man said, "Do you think he can do it?"

"No," Liu Qingwu stated resolutely.

"Forget it, he is the person you admire," the young man said with a smile, shaking his head, "Unfortunately, you don't stand a chance."

"That's alright," Liu Qingwu smiled, "seeing him reign supreme over the world is enough."