Sword Aura to the Heavens-Chapter 432 - 427: Number One Under Heaven?

The clouds dispersed, and tranquility returned to the world.

Yet, the three young figures standing in the sky were etched into everyone's minds.

They all knew that after this battle, Li Mountain would completely break with the court, and the court would surely hunt down the cultivators of Li Mountain with all its might.

Can these three youths continue forward under the court's pursuit to revive Li Mountain?

A cataclysm is looming over the future of Great Li.

Even if the court can destroy Li Mountain, it will pay a very heavy price. If it cannot, chaos will ensue.

At this moment, Mu Changqing turned to face the direction of White Jade and bowed deeply: "I have disturbed you at White Jade for many days, and concealed my identity. I am deeply ashamed."

This bow was actually an expression of gratitude.

However, he didn't say it outright, knowing well that he would become a wanted criminal by the court in the future. Although the court would not dare move against White Jade, it would not intentionally drag White Jade into the mess.

Li Fan and the others gazed towards White Jade with gratitude. In the situation today, White Jade's mere presence as an observer was a help to Li Mountain.

Although the court had arranged for a hunting operation, it did not anticipate this outcome. The top great cultivators could not arrive in time, and the White Jade Academy was truly capable of turning the tide of battle.

If White Jade Academy intervened, none of them would escape.

"You have been teaching at the academy, and many students have greatly benefited. Why feel ashamed?" A voice echoed ethereally from the academy, saying: "What are your plans for the future? If you wish to continue teaching at White Jade Academy, it's perfectly acceptable."

Li Fan was slightly moved, thinking about who the Mountain Master of White Jade Academy might be, to dare to keep the second senior brother under such circumstances.

Moreover, since the invitation was made publicly, it meant as long as the second senior brother stayed, they would protect him, or else they would lose faith with the world.

He was fully aware of White Jade Academy's weight in Great Li, being a sacred place for cultivators, the court dared not touch it, yet he had not expected White Jade to be willing to shelter people.

In this light, he had underestimated White Jade.

"Thank you, Mountain Master, but I've already disturbed you for many days, and it's time for me to leave." Mu Changqing replied, "Reading ten thousand books, traveling ten thousand miles, I plan to travel across Great Li.

A laugh echoed from within the academy: "Very well, you have entered the gate of the great path. Traveling the world and experiencing life may truly bring you closer to the great path. Should that day come, do visit the academy again."

"If that day comes, I'll return to the academy to toast and discuss the Dao with you." Mu Changqing responded.

"Good, I'll be waiting at the academy."

Mu Changqing bowed once more and said, "Farewell."

With that, he turned and left.

Li Fan and the others followed, and Lu Yuan and the others below flew after them, and soon they had left this troubled place.

The Da Li Court has deep roots and many top great cultivators; clearly, they couldn't stay in Jade City any longer.

Countless gazes watched them fade away, and their hearts were troubled for a long time.

The news of this battle quickly spread throughout Jade City and began to ripple across the entire Great Li World.

Months later, the whole world knew, and Li Mountain, which had faded from public view, once again shook the world.

In fact, even the old news of the court's former siege of Li Mountain was unearthed and discussed by the people.

During the White Jade battle, the three disciples of Zuo Canglan became renowned throughout the world.

The second disciple, Mu Changqing, whose words and laws aligned, was hailed by the Taibai Sword as a prodigy, admired by the Mountain Master of White Jade Academy, who believed he could one day prove the Dao of a Saint.

The third disciple, Wen Ruyu, son of the Haoran Sword, comprehended the Heavenly Punishment Sword Path and remained invincible below the Seven Realms.

The youngest disciple, Li Fan, sought the Dao at White Jade, defeating the three prodigious children of White Jade, reaching the summit of White Jade, and laid the groundwork for the battle.

There were also rumors that years ago, when Lingxiao Pavilion attacked Li Mountain with the court, the great sword cultivator of Lingxiao Pavilion brought Jiang Tai'e to challenge Li Mountain, and was defeated by the young Li Fan.

"Jiang Tai'e, who sparred with Li Fan and was defeated? He was reputed as the Innate Sword Body, with Lingxiao Pavilion declaring his talent unmatched and unsurpassed in history, with sword Dao talent unparalleled in the world."

Months later, the periphery of White Jade Academy was still lively, with restaurants full of guests, but even after months, the most discussed topic in Jade City remained that battle.

The impact of that battle was immense.

"At that time, many people heard it, and the sword cultivators of Lingxiao Pavilion admitted it, so there shouldn't be any falsehood. However, Lingxiao Pavilion believes that Jiang Tai'e was still young then, and if today, Jiang Tai'e were to battle Li Fan again, the result might be..."

"One is an Innate Sword Body, the top genius of Lingxiao Pavilion, and the other has just become famous, reaching the summit of White Jade; it's really hard to say."

"Jiang Tai'e's talent is not only self-proclaimed by Lingxiao Pavilion but also recognized by the major noble families of the Imperial City, and the talents of the noble family of the Imperial City also acknowledge it, showing his strong talent in sword Dao. Although Li Fan reached the summit of White Jade, Xiao Lv and An Zhiyao did not make a move. I believe Jiang Tai'e has the upper hand."

"Do you know which of the three disciples, Mu Changqing, Wen Ruyu, or Li Fan with the Canglan Blade, will become the future sword bearer of Li Mountain?" someone asked nearby.

"Who is it?"

"Li Fan, the youngest, yet he represents the future of the Li Mountain Sword Dao," the person replied.

"Why do you say that?"

"Years ago, Li Chengying, ranked fifth on the Sword Saint List, was slain with a single sword in Chi Xiao City. The one who wielded the sword was none other than the Eternal Sword Saint of Li Mountain. His remnant soul now resides in the sword held by Li Fan," the person finished his drink, his eyes gleaming with some anticipation.

Upon hearing these words, those around maintained a solemn expression. It was the Eternal Sword Saint, after all. Wen Ruyu had the Haoran Sword as protection, while Li Fan's sword contained the remnant soul of the Eternal Sword Saint.

His status at Li Mountain was thereby evident.

"So, do you still think Jiang Taie's sword is sharper than Li Fan's?" the person laughed. "The swords of Lingxiao Pavilion can never be compared to the Li Mountain Sword, not even worthy to carry its shoes. Even if Jiang Taie is the greatest Sword Dao talent in the history of Lingxiao Pavilion, what of it? Li Fan represents the sword of Li Mountain."

His gaze looked afar, and the sword on his back trembled slightly. He might not believe in Li Fan, but he believed in the Li Mountain Sword.

At that moment, a commotion arose from a distance. Everyone turned to see countless gazes fixed in the direction of the White Jade stairs.

In front of the White Jade stairs, a figure hovered in mid-air.

This figure was slender and upright, the gilded robe flowing with sword intent like brilliant golden flames, carrying an ancient sword, with a golden sheath shining brightly, treading upon a Gilded Sword Formation.

He walked forward step by step towards the stairs. With each step he took, the Gilded Sword Formation emitted splendid Sword Dao brilliance, continuously expanding, paving a path in the air.

When he reached the front of the stairs, the young man paused, raising his head and gazing towards the Heavenly Gate, his eyes seemingly having sword aura piercing through White Jade.

"Jiang Taie from Lingxiao Pavilion, challenging White Jade."

A voice rippled across the world, spreading incessantly, then resonating in the ears of countless people, with echoes lingering for a long time.

In the various taverns, countless people rose, their eyes fixated on the figure of the young man, with solemn expressions.

In the region around White Jade, cultivators from all sides halted and looked up.

Several months after Li Fan of Li Mountain challenged White Jade, Jiang Taie, acclaimed as the greatest talent in the history of Lingxiao Pavilion, came to challenge White Jade with his sword.

Jiang Taie, from the foot of the White Jade stairs, 'transformed into a sword,' advancing with countless gazes upon him, as innumerable sword intents converged into a sword shape, with resplendent golden sword light ascending directly, and nothing in the stairs seemed able to hinder him.

Under his feet was also a sword light, with each step forward accompanied by a sword's hum, until within the grand formation of the White Jade stairs, ten thousand swords resonated.

"No one can stop him."

The crowd watched Jiang Taie step by step ascending, treating the grand formation of the White Jade stairs as nothing, ascending atop the stairs with an invincible demeanor.

Without turning back, he directly stepped into the Heavenly Gate, entering White Jade.

After Jiang Taie entered the Heavenly Gate, an elder in the air proceeded directly toward White Jade, stepping into the Heavenly Gate.

It was a Seventh Realm Great Sword Cultivator from Lingxiao Pavilion, accompanying Jiang Taie.

From afar, people continued to arrive and stood at the foot of White Jade, gazing toward the Heavenly Gate.

They understood that this was a continuation of the battle from months ago.

To what extent could Jiang Taie accomplish?

Everyone waited, each moment feeling like torment.

After what seemed like a long time, Jiang Taie emerged from White Jade, countless gazes fixed upon him as someone couldn't help but ask, "How was the challenge?"

Jiang Taie did not respond. The elder following behind him looked around below and said aloud, "Among the younger generation, Jiang Taie's sword is the best in the world."

With this, the two departed.

This statement was like a thunderclap.

Jiang Taie's sword, the best in the world?

In Lingxiao Pavilion, apart from Sword Dao prodigy Guan Shanyue, there was also the first disciple of White Jade Academy, Xiao Lv, who also practiced Sword Dao.

Afterward, people learned of the result of Jiang Taie's challenge at White Jade.

Jiang Taie alone, defeated all the prodigies of White Jade. Even An Zhiyao was defeated by him.

Until Xiao Lv made a move and defeated Jiang Taie with one move.

Xiao Lv said that the move was because he unlocked the realm's suppression, and if it were in the same realm, he wouldn't surpass Jiang Taie.

With one battle, Jiang Taie's name spread across the world.