Sword Aura to the Heavens-Chapter 427 - 422: Haoran Sword

The Vast Sword Intent grew ever stronger, the radiant sword light flowed like dazzling streams of colors across the sky and earth.

In just a brief moment on the boundless battlefield, everyone felt enveloped by the Vast Sword Intent. The Sword Intent emanating from Wen Ruyu soared to the skies, juxtaposed with that dazzling silver brilliance was the dark night-like ink-colored Slaughter Sword Light.

Two completely opposite sword intents, one of Vast Righteousness and one of extreme slaughter, one black and one white, danced through the space, resembling a vivid ink painting of mountains and rivers.

"His aura is becoming stronger." Everyone sensed the aura on Wen Ruyu's body was rapidly escalating, and suddenly a sigh escaped from him.

"What are you sighing about?" Wen Ruyu asked coldly.

"Who is he talking to?" Everyone's heart trembled, even those Seventh Realm Great Cultivators' expressions changed as if realizing something. Princess Taihua coldly shouted, "Stop him."

The cultivator behind him responded with a sound and stepped forward, the void trembled, he lifted his arm and punched downward, striking directly at Wen Ruyu.

In the sky appeared a massive golden fist light that pierced through space, a hundred feet long, bearing a terrifying roar, the golden stream seemed to tear through space, quickly smashing toward the top of Wen Ruyu's head.

Almost simultaneously, a beam of light from Wen Ruyu's body slashed out, the black and white sword light shot straight upward, slicing through the golden stream, forcibly cutting it open with a single sword stroke.

At the same moment, a vague figure appeared on Wen Ruyu's body, the figure seemed both real and illusory, enveloping Wen Ruyu's form.

He appeared middle-aged, wore a simple white robe, long hair draped over shoulders, holding a sword in one hand, a sense of Vast Righteousness emanated from him. In the vast space, all swords seemed to hum softly.

Below the Heavenly Gate, the sword behind Guan Shanyue also emitted a low whistle, trembling incessantly, looking at the figure with a hint of reverence.

The Li Mountain Sword Master renowned across the world from the previous generation, Wen Haoran.

"So he is still here, didn't expect to have the chance to see his sword again." The Taibai Sword murmured, solemn in expression, eyes showing unprecedented seriousness.

If the Vast Sword were alive back then, today's Sword Saint List would be vastly different.

Not to mention that one from the Lingxiao Pavilion, even the Xuanyuan Sword, the number one sword in the world, might not suppress him alive today.

The two greatest regrets among Great Sword Cultivators were the death of Li Mountain Sword Master Wen Haoran and the severe injury of Zuo Canglan.

They were once known as the Li Mountain Double Wall, hailed as the most hopeful to become Sword Saints.

After losing these two in the world's Sword Dao, it dimmed significantly.

"Little Senior Brother looks like his father." Li Fan gazed at the tall figure with some emotion in his eyes, never expecting to have the chance to personally see Little Senior Brother's father, the legendary sword cultivator of Li Mountain.

The Li Mountain Sword Wall had ancestral Sword Dao legacies, but Wen Haoran's Sword Dao was naturally meant to pass onto Little Senior Brother, only that Little Senior Brother cultivated the Slaughter Sword Dao.

"Do you see it?" Wen Ruyu's voice was sharp, "This is the world you protect."

Wen Haoran looked down, his gaze on Wen Ruyu, his expression gentle, "Ruyu, what I protect are the teachings of my own heart, the Vast Sword Dao, is to guard the peace of the world."

Wen Ruyu's eyes trembled slightly, as he looked up at that blurry figure, half understanding, he said, "But, is the world really at peace?"

"My heart is bright." Wen Haoran replied, "I won't interfere with the Sword Dao you cultivate, as long as you follow your own heart, even if it is the Slaughter Sword Dao, so long as it doesn't betray your heart."

Wen Ruyu looked at that gentle gaze, his eyes slightly reddened.

Wen Haoran had passed away when he was just a boy.

Xing Feng looked at the distant figure, that once unparalleled sword cultivator from Li Mountain, his eyes too were slightly reddened.

He was the Peak Master of Martial Intent Peak; Wen Haoran was much younger yet was the core Peak Master of Sword Peak at Li Mountain.

Once, he too gazed upon Wen Haoran growing from a graceful youth into an unrivaled sword cultivator, just as he now watched Wen Ruyu and Li Fan.

"Master Wen, how should I address him?" Li Fan sent a message into Xing Feng's ear, as his seniority within Li Mountain was somewhat disorganized.

"Since he is your Little Senior Brother's father, you can call him Master Wen, as a senior." Xing Feng replied.

Li Fan nodded, upon hearing this, he straightened his clothes, sheathed his sword, and bowed respectfully in that direction, "Li Fan, disciple of Li Mountain, greets Master Wen."

Wen Haoran turned, his gaze falling on Li Fan, his gentle look seemed to see through many things, he smiled and said, "The future of Li Mountain with you all, I am very gratified."

"Li Mountain disciple Lu Yuan, greets Master Wen." From afar, a figure floated into the air, bowing in respect towards Wen Haoran.

"Li Mountain disciple Huang Xiong, greets Master Wen." Naturally, Huang Xiong had heard of the name of the Vast Sword, and greeted with respect.

"Alright." Wen Haoran's eyes sparkled, recognizing that these Li Mountain juniors were willing to show their respect today despite revealing themselves, which demonstrated their character.

Outside the White Jade City Heavenly Gate, Mu Changqing stepped forward a few paces, clasped his hands and bowed deeply: "Disciple Mu Changqing, greetings to Master Wen."

The surrounding White Jade City Cultivators looked at Mu Changqing with some surprise; it turned out Mr. Mu was also a disciple of Li Mountain.

"Changqing, you've matured." Wen Haoran said with a smile.

"Xiao Lv of White Jade City, greets Senior Wen."

"Guan Shanyue of White Jade City, greets Senior Wen."

Behind Mu Changqing, several White Jade City Cultivators also greeted him in turn, showing respect.

"Greetings to Senior Haoran Sword." Down below, many cultivators seemed stirred, bowing simultaneously.

This bow was not due to Wen Haoran being a top sword cultivator.

Rather, because cultivators of the Great Li World all knew of Haoran Sword's deeds back then and the reason for his death.

Those stories might be somewhat ethereal, but when Haoran Sword, a deceased, revered sword cultivator 'appeared alive' before them, a quiet reverence arose.

Among them, some had briefly entertained thoughts of killing Wen Ruyu for the bounty, yet couldn't suppress their respect for Haoran Sword.

Human nature is, ultimately, complex.

Seeing what was unfolding, the Taicang Sword from Lingxiao Pavilion looked uncomfortable; even deceased for many years, he still held such sway—respect Lingxiao Pavilion never had.

With Li Mountain present, the orthodox Sword Dao seemed to belong nowhere but Li Mountain.

"Wen Haoran, you were once renowned across the world, but your descendant wantonly kills and cultivates the Slaughter Sword Dao unchecked, wanted by the court. If you still hold true to the righteous path, you should surrender him for the court's judgment." Taicang Sword's voice was low as he gazed at Wen Haoran.

Wen Haoran glanced at Taicang Sword with calm eyes, devoid of any ripple, then shifted his focus and lowered his gaze to Wen Ruyu: "Ruyu, I'm already gone. Today, I follow your Sword Dao; you come to wield the sword."

"Alright." Wen Ruyu responded, as the Vast Sword Intent between heaven and earth seemed to merge into Wen Ruyu's body, black and white lightning roamed between heaven and earth, forming a vortex of sword aura around Wen Ruyu's body, a vortex woven of black and white lightning.

Wen Ruyu closed his eyes, a tear trickling down his cheek.

Since childhood, he and his father rarely communicated; he didn't approve of his father's Sword Dao, thinking his father also disapproved of his own Sword Dao.

Yet today, his father, the world-renowned Haoran Sword, followed his Sword Dao.

My heart is free of guilt, indifferent to any Sword Dao path.

"Boom..." A beam of sword light surged from Wen Ruyu's body, piercing the sky as if the heavens were punctured by that sword. A terrifying Sword Domain condensed into existence, weaving a sword net in the sky as dense black and white lightning fell, the ominous aura causing the surrounding cultivators to tremble involuntarily.

"Late-stage Dao Body." Taicang Sword stared at Wen Ruyu.

The crowd also looked at Wen Ruyu in shock, ideas clear, One Thought Breaks the Realm, Wen Ruyu's presence continually strengthened, with the augmentation of Haoran Sword, his own realm had broken through; after today, his distance from the Seven Realms wouldn't be far.

Li Fan looked at his junior brother's figure with a beaming smile.

Despite the besiege from cultivators of various sects today, his junior brother broke into the late-stage Dao Body Realm.

More worth celebrating was that today, his junior brother's heart knot was untied.

Henceforth, his Sword Heart shines bright, his mind unblemished.

"Kill him." Princess Taihua coldly declared, glaring at the figure below, as waves of terrifying aura spread, several Seventh Realm Great Cultivators simultaneously stepped forward, their momentum overwhelming.

At once, numerous cultivators moved to surround Li Fan.

Li Fan's intent stirred, his Sword Intent seemed to grow stronger.

Above the Heavenly Gate, Mu Changqing saw his two fellow disciples surrounded, he stepped forward.

"Mr. Mu, aren't you unfamiliar with cultivation?" A White Jade City Cultivator questioned behind him.

"Though I'm unfamiliar with cultivation, I know how to fight."

Mu Changqing continued to stride forward, winds rose and circled him, he moved with the wind towards the front, as relaxed and carefree as an immortal.