Sword Aura to the Heavens-Chapter 441 - 436: Promise

The main city of Qingzhou, with countless cultivators, naturally has the most up-to-date information.

Li Fan was walking within Qingzhou City at this moment, moving alone without Lu Yuan and Yue Qingqiu accompanying him.

Walking along the main city streets, Li Fan spread his Divine Sense, and the sounds within dozens of miles flooded his ears. Countless discussions and whispers were being filtered in his mind.

As expected, he heard many people mentioning his name.

Although he hadn't appeared in public for some time, his fame within the Da Li Dynasty was growing. Ignoring the remote areas, at least within the core Eight Great States of the Da Li Dynasty, everyone knew of him.

At this moment, Li Fan stopped, and from a tavern next to the street, someone was loudly discussing, and he heard a voice.

"The court spared no expense to capture a Peak Master from Li Mountain, a top Seventh Realm Great Cultivator, but the purpose is for Li Fan, to lure him to the Capital. In the eyes of the court, Li Fan is a greater threat than a Seventh Realm Great Cultivator."

"Undefeated under the sword, even against opponents like Jiang Taie of Lingxiao Pavilion and top Qi Cultivators of Taiping Temple, he remains undefeated. The world calls him the true heir of the Li Mountain Sword Dao, and it's natural for the court to want him, but how could Li Mountain allow Li Fan to go to that city."

"Indeed so, if he goes, I'm afraid it's a one-way trip, Li Mountain won't agree, and Li Fan probably won't gamble his life."

"There's a piece of news that you all might not know?" At this point, a young gentleman in the tavern waved a folding fan, smiling at everyone.

"What news?" everyone asked.

"It's said that the court has issued an order inviting Li Fan to the Capital to discuss the Dao. During this discussion, no Seventh Realm Cultivators may attack him."

"The court's order, who issued it?"

"Who else in that city can issue such an order?"

"The Emperor of Da Li, is he inviting Li Fan to the Capital? To dispel his concerns, a decree is issued that no Seventh Realm Cultivators may attack him?"

"Exactly." The young man nodded.

The tavern was silent for a moment, then burst into laughter as someone said, "You think a single order is enough to send someone to the Capital to die? Even if no Seventh Realm Cultivators strike, what about the Sixth Realm? Nowadays in Da Li, too many wish Li Fan dead, Lingxiao Pavilion being in that city as well."

"Indeed, even if the court doesn't act, there's no guarantee other forces' Seventh Realm Cultivators won't. The battle at White Jade offended enough people from Li Mountain."

The cultivator with the folding fan silently drank his wine, a hint of mockery in his eyes, and he said lightly, "Who dares to disobey the Emperor of Da Li's orders, especially in the Capital? You seem to underestimate the current Emperor."

Everyone fell silent again upon hearing this, and then someone asked, "As you say, what kind of person is the current Emperor?"

"He speaks with authority, and no one in the world dares to defy him. This decree came from the Imperial Palace and must have been issued by the Emperor; no one dares question his words."

"So, the purpose of issuing this decree is only to have Li Fan come to the Capital to discuss the Dao?"

"Perhaps." The young man responded lightly, his gaze looking into the distance. "Or perhaps, the current Emperor wishes to see that heir of the Li Mountain Sword Dao."

Li Fan stopped briefly outside the tavern and continued walking forward, pondering in his heart whether the court issued this decree specifically to inform him to enter the Capital. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

If it is as the young man said, what are the motives of the Emperor of the Da Li Dynasty?

Could it be that he truly wishes to see the heir of the Li Mountain Sword Dao?

This reason, even Li Fan himself found hard to believe.

However, Senior Sister is in that Imperial City.

How has Senior Sister been? The last news of her was back in Chi Xiao City.

This information, however, may need verification.

He continued to wander through Qingzhou City. Several two-hour periods later, Li Fan confirmed the news was true; indeed, such a decree existed, and it was spreading further.

Li Fan settled in Qingzhou City, and the news spread quickly.

A directive from the Imperial Palace 'inviting' Li Fan to the Capital to discuss the Dao stated that if he entered, no Seventh Realm Cultivators from any faction were to strike him.

It is said that after this order was issued, cultivators from all over the world flocked to the Capital, heroes from everywhere gathered, and that ancient metropolis seemed ready to host a grand event.

Additionally, there was a rumor that a Major from the Demon Race might also send a demon to the Capital, though its truth was unknown.

The news spread like wildfire, but the majority still didn't believe Li Fan would enter the Capital, knowing all too well the risks involved.

As an heir to the Li Mountain Sword Dao, it was improbable that Li Fan would take this risk.

Among cultivators, entering the Capital was considered a situation of nine deaths and one life for Li Fan.

In an inn courtyard in Qingzhou City, Li Fan was meditating with his eyes closed, the entire courtyard sealed off by Sword Aura, a faint light flickering at his brow.

"Little Junior Brother, Uncle Master would never want you to go." In the virtual space within Li Fan's mind, he sat in one place, and in another spot, a sword shadow projected the image of Wen Ruyu.

"Xiao Fan." At that moment, another phantom appeared in a different location, none other than Gu Qingyang from Li Mountain.

"Xing Feng descended the mountain this time to protect your path. You are the contemporary Li Mountain Sword Master, and Xing Feng is the Peak Master of Martial Intent Peak. Protecting your path is his mission; everything is for Li Mountain."

Externally, it is assumed Li Fan is merely a disciple of Li Mountain, but it is unknown that Li Fan has long been the true leader, the contemporary Li Mountain Sword Master.

"But if I don't go, how can I protect the Li Mountain Sword Dao?" Li Fan asked, "Can a Li Mountain Sword Master watch idly as Uncle Master is sent to his death? Can such a master genuinely protect Li Mountain?"

It seemed like he was asking, yet also appeared to be talking to himself, questioning himself.

Evidently, Li Fan himself was also indecisive.

"From the current situation, you must not go. Uncle Master doesn't wish you to go either. Even if you go, there's no guarantee of an outcome, and you might even end up trapped." Wen Ruyu looked at Li Fan and continued, "Of course, Little Junior Brother, I'll support whatever decision you make."

"How is the Old Blind Man?" Li Fan asked Gu Qingyang.

"Your master is fine," Gu Qingyang replied. "The Resurrection Tree you sent restored his foundation."

"Yes." Li Fan nodded, realizing that the Divine Tree obtained in the West Sea had finally shown its worth, as it could restore the Old Blind Man's foundation and perhaps signal the return of the once-renowned Canglan Blade.

Li Fan opened his eyes as if making a decision, the Sword Aura in the courtyard dissipating. He stood up, took a step, and with a sword whistle in the air, swept above Qingzhou City.

This scene caused countless cultivators in Qingzhou City to look up, watching as the Sword Cultivator flew through the sky. Li Fan wore his white robes, bearing an Ancient Sword, not concealing the powerful Sword Intent he exuded.

"It's Li Fan."

Someone exclaimed in surprise, seeing Li Fan appear so openly within Qingzhou City.

One by one, figures soared into the air, following Li Fan, curious about his intentions.

"Towards the direction of the Prefecture," someone exclaimed in surprise.

Within the Prefecture, a place teeming with powerhouses, the Prefect of Qingzhou was sitting inside when he suddenly looked toward the distance. He took a step into the sky and saw a white-robed Sword Cultivator standing on his sword, elegant and outstanding. He immediately recognized the famed Li Fan.

His Divine Sense swept over the area, finding that Li Fan was alone, without any other Li Mountain cultivators, and couldn't help but show a trace of surprise, staring at Li Fan and saying, "You dare to come here?"

"Why wouldn't I dare?" Li Fan stood on his sword, looking at him and saying, "An order from the Imperial Palace invites me to the Capital. Are you planning to attack me?"

The Prefect of Qingzhou looked at Li Fan with a strange expression—inviting him to the Capital? Wasn't he aware of its implications?

"Wouldn't it be better if I 'invisted' you to the Capital?"

"You can try." Li Fan's gaze made the Prefect hesitate, finding it difficult to discern the young Sword Cultivator.

"So why are you here?" he asked.

"To inform the people in the Capital that I may enter the Capital, but before that, they need to demonstrate their sincerity by granting my Uncle Master freedom, unharmed, and allowing him to leave the Capital." Li Fan replied, causing the other to show a peculiar expression: "Have you forgotten the core issue?"

Currently, they held the upper hand.

"You just pass on the message to the Capital," Li Fan continued, "if they can't even do that, how can I trust their sincerity? Naturally, I won't enter the Capital. If they can, then once my Uncle Master leaves, I'll enter the Capital within three months."

"Absurd! If we release him, how can we trust you?"

"If you don't release him, how can I trust you?" Li Fan said, sweeping a glance over the other. "Can the Da Li Court's promises compare to those of Li Mountain?"

With that said, he turned and left on his sword.

The Prefect of Qingzhou hesitated, but ultimately, he just quietly watched Li Fan depart.