Sword Aura to the Heavens-Chapter 452 - 447: Old Friends from Li Mountain

The Capital was shrouded in turbulent winds, yet the Jingxi Inn where Li Fan resided remained bustling, though no one disturbed Li Fan’s cultivation.

Clearly, the events that transpired earlier had a deterrent effect on most of the factions in the Capital. Even with Chu Xiuyuan of the Chu Family being slain by a single sword, there was little they could do. With the world’s number one sword backing Li Fan, who wouldn’t be wary?

In this rare serenity, Li Fan and Qi dined in the inn’s main hall, deliberately choosing a secluded corner, yet still drawing ample attention.

From the moment they sat down, the place grew much quieter, with everyone lowering their voices and occasionally casting glances at the two of them.

It was hard to imagine that this young man and woman, sitting there quietly like siblings, were actually the most prodigious Sword Cultivators in the world. Both of them were.

"Qi, eat more meat." Li Fan placed more food on Qi’s plate. This girl had been cultivating on the island for years and had indeed grown quite thin.

"Mm." Qi nodded and ate silently. Everyone watched her obediently like a little girl, quite unlike the aura she had when she wielded the Lifeless Sword that day. Their relationship was anyone’s guess.

"May I ask, Taoist Friend Li, is this girl also from Lishan?" a hefty man nearby mustered the courage to ask.

Li Fan didn’t respond. He could see that everyone was extremely curious about Qi, but he wouldn’t satisfy their curiosity. He could tell that Qi didn’t enjoy interacting with others, likely because of her past experiences. Anyone who lived through Qi’s story would harbor a loathing for this world.

Seeing no reply from Li Fan, the man chose not to persist.

At that moment, a figure strolled in from outside, dressed rather haphazardly in a Daoist robe, with a hairpin that was not quite neat and strands of hair hanging messily over his forehead. A very old sword was strapped to his back, its hilt speckled with rust.

This Daoist was not old; he directly sat opposite the man who questioned earlier and raised his head, saying, "May I trouble you for a cup of wine?"

The hefty man glanced disdainfully at the Daoist, who appeared so slovenly, whose sword was even rusted. It was unclear from which dilapidated temple he had come.

"Help yourself." The hefty man, though disfavored by the appearance, was forthright enough; being at the Peak of Five Realms, he wouldn’t skimp on a few sips of wine.

"Could you be so kind as to pour it for me?" the Daoist shamelessly laughed and said, causing Shen Chong to frown. This Daoist seemed somewhat insensible.

Nonetheless, he suppressed his irritation, poured a full cup of wine for the Daoist, and gestured towards the wine cup with his finger.

"Thank you." The Daoist downed the drink in one gulp, smiling, "Good wine."

He looked up at Shen Chong, squinting slightly, "A Martial Arts Golden Body, cultivating Inner Refining. To have come this far is no small feat."

Shen Chong was startled, intensely scrutinizing the other, concealing his earlier disdain, and cupped his hands towards the Daoist, asking, "May I know your name, Taoist Friend?"

He realized he had misjudged; indeed, the Capital is a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, and one should not judge by appearances.

"The Taoist path follows destiny. Having drunk your wine, I shall bestow upon you a destiny." The Daoist did not answer and raised his hand towards the air to conjure, immediately causing a golden light to illuminate, and with a forward motion of his finger, a streak of this golden light entered the other’s forehead.

Shen Chong closed his eyes, and upon opening them again, a glint flashed in his eyes. Rising, he bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, Senior."

The surroundings were filled with low whispers, yet the Daoist’s gaze turned towards the corner where Li Fan and Qi sat, saying, "Many years ago, demons wreaked havoc in Lin’an County of Chuzhou, causing the city dwellers to suffer. A fortune-telling old Taoist appeared in Lin’an County and took away a young girl."

Li Fan’s chopsticks paused, a sharp glint flickering in his eyes.

A small incident from many years ago in Lin’an County, long forgotten, how was it that someone knew?

If it was a matter of investigating Qi, the power behind it was indeed immense.

"However, that old Taoist was not a fortune-teller, simply possessing such high cultivation that nothing in Lin’an County escaped his notice. Many years ago, there was a duel between two peerless Sword Cultivators, one was the Canglan Sword of Li Mountain, and the other was Shi Dao Ren, currently ranked fourth on the Sword Saint List. It’s said that he lost by a single sword and then traveled to the Southern Sea to comprehend the sword, some say seeking Immortal Destiny, and judging by current events, it seems he truly found this Immortal Destiny."

Li Fan listened quietly; it wasn’t some insurmountable secret, yet the way everything connected still left him wary. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

That old Taoist was precisely Shi Dao Ren, ranked fourth on the Sword Saint List. So, it turned out that the top five on today’s Sword Saint List were all in the Capital.

In the inn, all eyes turned towards Qi, so that old Taoist was Shi Dao Ren, and Qi was the little girl he took away? She comprehended Immortal Destiny, thus acquiring the Lifeless Sword Dao?

Who was this Daoist before them? To know such secret essentials?

The speculations arose in everyone’s minds.

"You all are even younger than I imagined, indeed heroes are among the young, but it’s a pity." Having said thus, the Daoist got up and left, ever so decisively. Everyone was stunned for a moment, just leaving like that?

Was he here merely to glance at Li Fan and Qi?

Li Fan picked up his wine cup, took a sip. One mountain, one temple, one academy, and one temple. He had been to the White Jade Academy, perhaps the other temple and monastery would gradually unveil their mysteries too.

Taiping Temple had already arrived.

Then so too might Ten Thousand Buddha Temple be expected.

The words of the inn Daoist quickly spread across the Capital, and the news that the peerless woman skilled in the Lifeless Sword Dao was a disciple of Shi Dao Ren caused a great stir.

The top five on the Sword Saint List were all present.

Moreover, the legends spoke truth of the Southern Sea Territory holding the legacy left by Immortals.

It was through comprehending Immortal Destiny that the woman acquired such an astounding Sword Dao talent, mastering the Lifeless Sword Dao.

News also spread that Taiping Temple and Ten Thousand Buddha Temple had entered the Capital, which signified that the day of philosophical debate was near.

Sure enough, a few days later, news came from the Imperial Palace, that seven days hence, philosophical debates were to be held at Qiyun House in the Capital.

The Capital was shaken.

At Jingxi Inn, Li Fan was anxious. He had no surety of emerging unscathed from the forthcoming philosophical debate in the Capital, not even with the Xuanyuan Sword by his side.

Even though since arriving in the Capital he seemed to have taken the limelight, the forces moving in the shadows were far stronger than what appeared publicly.

Even for the upcoming philosophical debate battle, he couldn’t claim absolute confidence, as no one knew what kind of unforeseen prodigious individuals might appear.

After all, the top figures and factions of Da Li were all present this time.

Outside Jingxi Inn, a group of women dressed in white flew through the air, all exceptionally young and beautiful, with extraordinary temperament. Their presence, like celestial beings descending into the world, drew attention from everyone around the inn.

The leading woman was as cold as frost, yet extremely beautiful, like a flawless ice sculpture.

"Who are they?" the crowd pondered.

"Mo Baiyi."

"Mo Baiyi..." The surrounding crowd gasped upon hearing this name, looking towards the woman who appeared. Known for her fame in the Capital, she made her name while still young, renowned as a prodigious beauty at eighteen.

In those days, half of the Capital’s talents reportedly wished to take her as Dao companion, although exaggerated, but since then Mo Baiyi rarely appeared, rumored to be traveling the world for experience or to have entered the palace, favored by someone of great importance within.

Yet here she was, appearing with a group at Jingxi Inn, clearly seeking Li Fan.

"Is Young Master Li Fan present?"

Mo Baiyi called out towards the direction of Jingxi Inn.

Inside the inn, Li Fan looked up briefly, his figure flashed, and he appeared above the inn, with Qi following, her gaze towards the opposite somewhat menacing.

Li Fan curiously appraised the other. Throughout his cultivation journey, many called him young master, knight errant, but young master was quite rare.

"What brings you to find me, young lady?" Li Fan asked, noting the girl was polite as well.

"A noble one has sent us to Jingxi Inn to invite Young Master Fan to the Imperial Palace," Mo Baiyi stated.

Li Fan was taken aback, the Imperial Palace?

The crowd around was also startled, so Mo Baiyi was indeed in the palace, favored by someone powerful inside?

Was the noble one she referred to His Highness?

"Who is this noble one?" Li Fan inquired.

"An old acquaintance from Lishan, Baiyi Qingcheng," Mo Baiyi replied, puzzling the crowd, leaving them unsure if she referred to herself.

Li Fan, thoughts in a whirl, commanded his sword to fly through the air, landing next to Mo Baiyi, saying, "Please lead the way."

His eyes gazed into the distance, his mind like the tides, fluctuating, yet from those bright eyes emerged a brilliant smile. He was finally about to meet the person he most wished to see on this journey.

Mo Baiyi nodded and led the way, with Li Fan following alongside, Qi accompanying without hindrance.

The court invited him forth, and the day of the philosophical debate was set, watched by the world; he would face no harm.