Sword Aura to the Heavens-Chapter 411 - 406: Seeking the Dao

Li Fan, along with Lu Yuan and Yue Qingqiu, ascended to the White Jade, but outside the Heavenly Gate, it was Li Fan who protected Lu Yuan and Yue Qingqiu as they climbed the celestial stairs.

Therefore, in the eyes of everyone, it was clear that Lu Yuan and Yue Qingqiu were not here to seek the Dao; the one to inquire was solely Li Fan.

He had previously claimed that what he wanted to inquire about was different from others?

So, what is he going to 'inquire' about?

Li Fan looked up, took a step forward, gazing at the towering palaces reaching the heavens in the distance, as the surrounding crowd fell silent, with all eyes focused on Li Fan, curious about the Dao he intended to seek.

"I've heard that the White Jade Academy is the foremost academy in the world, a sacred land of cultivation in the Da Li, where countless prodigies gather to cultivate," Li Fan began slowly, "I want to ask, what is the 'Dao' of the world's foremost academy, the White Jade?"

The crowd's eyes showed a hint of surprise, their gazes somewhat astonished as they looked at Li Fan, even Yan Chong's eyes flashed with brilliance as he observed this extraordinary young cultivator.

The 'Dao' of White Jade?

"Is it to spread the Dao to the world, so all cultivators can pursue the great Dao; is it to protect the peace of all living beings; or to become the number one power of the Great Li World; or is it to guard the order of the imperial power, unifying the world?"

Li Fan spoke loudly, asking, "This is the Dao I want to 'inquire' about."

As Li Fan's words fell, the surroundings instantly fell into silence, with everyone looking at Li Fan in astonishment.

Is this the Dao he wants to inquire about?

The cultivators coming to this White Jade all wished to witness the prowess of the prodigies of the world's foremost academy, to see how strong their cultivation was, and how powerful their Dao was.

Yet no one had ever asked about the 'Dao' of White Jade.

Nevertheless, even thinking about such a notion, not even daring to ask it.

Ye Yunke's eyes sparkled as he stared at Li Fan, asking about the 'Dao' of White Jade?

Did he wish to join the White Jade Academy to cultivate and see if the 'Dao' of the White Jade Academy aligned with his philosophy?

Such a question shouldn't be asked by a Sixth Realm cultivator.

Even a Great Cultivator of the Seventh Realm wouldn't ask such a question.

These levels are occupied by cultivators standing at the pinnacle of Da Li, yet Li Fan clearly is far from it.

Mu Changqing showed a trace of curiosity, sizing up Li Fan, this question surprised him, as it also piqued his interest.

So, why did this person ask such a question?

Why did he share the same thought?

At first, the students of White Jade Academy were stunned, but their expressions soon changed, appearing somewhat unpleasant as they stared at Li Fan.

Such an arrogant cultivator.

To ask about the 'Dao' of White Jade, clearly, he isn't qualified.

"A reckless youth," thought An Zhiyao, as the notion flitted through his mind, recalling how arrogantly Li Fan walked the steps outside the Heavenly Gate earlier, even bringing two women along with him.

Now, even more boldly asking about the 'Dao' of White Jade, the term "arrogant youth" seemed insufficient to describe him.

Even Chu Jiankuang, whose name carries the character for 'arrogance,' seemed less arrogant compared to him.

In the distant grand hall, there seemed to be a flicker of disturbance spreading, but then it reverted to silence, with no response.

"Arrogant."

A cold rebuke came forth, with Yan Chong's gaze falling upon Li Fan as he spoke, "Young man, this is not the Dao you should inquire about."

"Why can't I inquire?" Li Fan looked at Yan Chong, "I heard that once you reach the White Jade, you qualify to inquire about the Dao. Since that's the case, why can't I inquire about the 'Dao' of White Jade?"

"To inquire about White Jade, this is truly to 'inquire about' White Jade," Ye Yunke let out a low laugh. The audacity of Li Fan's question exceeded even his wildest imagination.

Is White Jade Academy dedicated to spreading the Dao for all living beings?

Or is it ambitious, aiming to become the foremost power of the Great Li World?

Or perhaps, aligned with the court, to defend the order of imperial power?

He was well aware that the differences were significant.

Publicly, White Jade Academy claimed to spread the Dao and educate, but did the world's foremost academy, White Jade Academy, have ambitions?

Do they submit to the imperial power?

Even he, Ye Yunke, was unclear.

This answer, he too wanted to know, but he could never ask, nor could White Jade Academy possibly answer him.

If he were to ask, he would be representing the court, which would be far too sensitive.

But with Li Fan asking, would White Jade Academy respond?

If they did, it would announce to the world the 'Dao' White Jade Academy adhered to.

This question even tied into the future of White Jade Academy, impacting immensely, which is why no one dared to think of it.

Why did Li Fan have this question? What gave him the courage to ask?

This question, even someone like Yan Chong of White Jade Academy, couldn't answer.

The vast White Jade seemed to quiet down, the enormous plaza so silent that a pin drop could be heard.

In the distance, palaces towering into the cloud-filled sky seemed to exude formless fluctuations.

The palace directly ahead, reaching up to the heavens, had a thread of disturbances spreading out, yet similarly without a response.

At this moment, figures began to appear one by one, emerging from the various grand halls, heading in this direction.

Upon seeing those approaching figures, Ye Yunke showed a change of expression, among them were several he recognized.

Even Liu Qingwu of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion had a slight ripple of emotions. Indeed, White Jade Academy had too many extraordinary individuals cultivating here, including noble family members from the Imperial City. She even saw members of the imperial family.

These people were quietly cultivating in White Jade, having not appeared amid the earlier disturbances. Yet Li Fan's question brought them out.

All of these people looked curiously at Li Fan, wondering where this audacious youth came from.

Someone spoke, "Over the years, many have come here to inquire of White Jade, asking the path of cultivation at White Jade, only to find that this path was an insurmountable obstacle for them. And you, on what basis, do you inquire of 'this path'?"

"Boy, you've crossed the line." A middle-aged man, arms crossed before his chest, spoke faintly, his aura exuding extreme intimidation, even standing there casually emanated a sense of immensity and loftiness.

"Uninquitable?"

Li Fan replied, still gazing at the distant hall, "If it truly cannot be inquired of, feel free to say it directly, and I will leave immediately, accepting my impertinence."

He came to White Jade, not really interested in asking about the path of cultivation; he simply wanted to know on what grounds the world's foremost academy, one of the four apex powers, the White Jade Academy, stood in within the Da Li Dynasty.

Seeing no response from afar, Li Fan said to the two women beside him, "Let's go."

Saying so, he indeed turned around directly, heading back the way they came, intending to leave White Jade.

"I thought you'd inquire about Martial Arts."

As Li Fan walked through the crowd, a voice sounded beside him, causing him to halt his steps, glancing at the figure beside him, sitting there with closed eyes in recovery, precisely the previously injured Shen Jing.

"Is this question intentionally sidestepping an inquiry about Martial Arts?" Shen Jing opened his eyes; after earlier calm adjustments, his injuries had already healed since they weren't severe.

"Previously, I gave the Saint Heir of Tiandu Palace a statement, and it applies to you as well." Li Fan looked at Shen Jing, for he had previously told Yun Tiancheng that people should be self-aware, and he wasn't.

Shen Jing stared at Li Fan, with a sword intent bursting forth from him, instantly enveloping Li Fan, engulfing him in an extreme sharpness, as if he had transformed into a sharp sword, attempting to pierce through Li Fan's body.

"Do you know why I never paid you any attention?" Li Fan looked at Shen Jing and said, "Because you're not worthy."

"Boom..."

At the moment his words fell, a surge of incomparably vigorous life force erupted into the sky, his body resembling a great furnace of the Dao, brimming with life, and a giant's silhouette appeared in Shen Jing's mind, as if the one standing before him was a deity.

Overwhelming might, blood and energy transforming into the divine, a golden claw tore through approaching the rapier in Shen Jing's pupils, whose expression changed drastically, with a brilliance blazing from his brow, refining his spirit into the void, transforming it into a sword, with resplendent sword light dazzling like a blazing sun, yet it was crushed under that giant golden hand seal.

With the sound of an explosive crash, Shen Jing's body was thrown back, sliding away, grunting as he spat a mouthful of blood, and looking again at Li Fan, who still stood there unmoving, though his golden eyes seemed to pierce through his own.

"The True Martial Dao."

This sudden scene caused a slight change in the expressions of those around, hinting at a sense of shock.

Even Shen Jing, the genius Sword Cultivator from the Lingxiao Pavilion, seemed vulnerable?

It was as if he was even worse than the Saint Heir of Tiandu Palace before.

Li Fan cast a disdainful glance at Shen Jing, then continued to walk forward.

"Wait."

At this moment, a voice came from afar, causing everyone's hearts to jolt, and Li Fan's footsteps paused again. He slowly turned around, looking towards the direction of the distant hall.

The surrounding crowd did the same, all turning their gaze that way, their eyes revealing a hint of a peculiar expression.

This voice came from that grand hall.

Is White Jade Academy going to respond to his inquiry?