Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 109 - 105 Top-Tier Sword Cultivator

Chapter 109: Chapter 105 Top-Tier Sword Cultivator

When Ji Hua’s voice fell, sure enough, several extraordinarily powerful auras emerged from different corners of Chuzhou City.

In an instant, more than half of Chuzhou City was enveloped in the imposing pressure from those auras.

It seemed that Chuzhou City had never hosted so many great practitioners before.

At the Chu State Governor’s Prefecture, Cui Lengzhou arrived, having been invited by Governor Meng Yong.

Meng Yong had emphasized that the Seventh Prince of the Da Li Dynasty personally requested Cui Lengzhou’s presence, making this journey unavoidable for him.

*No matter how strong-headed he might be, how could anyone be more unyielding than the royal family of the Da Li Dynasty?*

Cui Lengzhou and Meng Yong turned back to glance behind them, both sensing the terrifying aura spreading throughout Chuzhou City.

With a laugh, Cui Lengzhou remarked, "Who would have thought—this small Chuzhou today hosts multiple top-tier practitioners."

Moreover, even a prince of the Da Li Dynasty had arrived.

This revealed that his soon-to-be grandson-in-law’s influence was far greater than he had imagined.

Before this, Li Fan was the only one to come to Chuzhou City.

Yesterday, chaos caused by a demon broke out, and in the early hours of today, the Seventh Prince of Da Li arrived alongside various powerful figures.

Cui Lengzhou naturally understood—they couldn’t have come for the demon outbreak.

*Then, who else could they be coming for?*

Not only did people from the Da Li Dynasty arrive, but top-tier sword cultivators from Li Mountain were also present.

Cui Lengzhou couldn’t possibly fail to grasp the significance of Li Fan.

Meanwhile, Meng Yong harbored a different perspective. Upon learning of Li Fan’s arrival in Chuzhou City, he immediately reported the matter to the court, leading to today’s developments.

*But even he hadn’t anticipated the storm would be this intense.*

The imperial court aimed to challenge Li Mountain, and bloody conflict had already erupted. Now, Li Mountain disciples showed up openly in Chuzhou City, kicking up a mighty commotion.

*Would the court truly spare him?*

In Meng Yong’s view, this was nothing more than a game of chess being played between the court and Li Mountain.

Li Fan was merely a pawn caught between this power struggle.

Of course, this particular pawn seemed highly valuable to Li Mountain.

But he firmly believed that, in this battle, Li Fan was destined to die.

*The court’s honor could not afford to be compromised.*

*If it lost this fight, how would the people of Chuzhou perceive the court and Li Mountain?*

Cui Lengzhou continued striding forward, his gaze landing on Ye Yunke on the steps ahead. He greeted him respectfully, "Cui Lengzhou, Family Head of the Cui Clan, pays respect to His Highness the Seventh Prince."

"Why do you refuse to kneel?" The middle-aged man next to Ye Yunke asked in a cold voice.

"If His Highness becomes the Emperor, then I shall kneel without hesitation," Cui Lengzhou replied.

A wave of oppressive energy descended upon Cui Lengzhou from the middle-aged man, attempting to crush him. Cui Lengzhou frowned but released his own aura to resist, meeting the man’s gaze firmly.

"Has my Cui family violated royal law? What is His Highness implying by this?" Cui Lengzhou asked.

The middle-aged man tried to move forward, but Ye Yunke raised his hand, stopping him. Only then did he restrain his energy, his cold eyes still fixed on Cui Lengzhou.

Cui Lengzhou had aligned himself with Li Fan to annihilate the Chen family. For this alone, he deserved death.

*What exactly was the current relationship between the court and Li Mountain?*

"If I have offended, I beg forgiveness," Ye Yunke said, addressing Cui Lengzhou. "I invited Senior Cui here to discuss a potential transaction."

"I am but a minor figure. What sort of deal could I possibly have with His Highness?" Cui Lengzhou responded.

"I heard that Senior Cui is acquainted with Li Fan. I asked you here to request your help in persuading him to abandon the darkness for the light," Ye Yunke said.

"I’ve only met Li Fan a few times. How could I possibly convince him?" Cui Lengzhou replied.

"How would you know without trying?" Ye Yunke said.

"And if I refuse to comply?" Cui Lengzhou asked.

"Li Mountain stands opposed to the court. If Li Fan represents Li Mountain, the Cui family’s close ties with Li Mountain mean you’re opposing the court too?"

"An accusation without evidence is easy to make," Cui Lengzhou said coldly. "The Chuzhou government was ineffectual, forcing my Cui family to risk its life to slay demons in this city. Now, we are made out to be criminals. Of course, if His Highness insists, then so be it. Kill me—but I hope the court can silence the people’s widespread criticism."

Ye Yunke stared at Cui Lengzhou, then shook his head with a faint smile. This Cui Family Patriarch had an unyielding character indeed.

Ye Yunke raised his head, looking into the distance.

*He was curious—who else had arrived?*

A renowned Sixth-Realm practitioner like Zhou Ding, once a fierce general of the Da Li Dynasty, had been slain with ease. It was truly regrettable.

Li Fan stood quietly, sensing several imposing auras in Chuzhou City. He wondered which factions were present among these arrivals.

His visit to Chuzhou City had two objectives: to avenge the Chen family and to deliver a warning to the Da Li Dynasty.

*He entered Chuzhou openly, choosing not to conceal his identity, deliberately waiting to see who would come.*

Now, they had indeed arrived.

So far, he knew the Seventh Prince Ye Yunke wanted to recruit him, Zhou Ding wished to kill him, yet Zhou Ding’s sponsor remained unknown.

*And who else remains in the shadows?*

Members of the court?

Lingxiao Pavilion? The Jiang family, the Chu family? They were all possibilities.

"Young Master Xiao Fan." A figure surged toward him from the distance and landed before Li Fan—it was Cui Zhanfeng from the Cui family.

"Uncle Cui, what’s the matter?" Li Fan asked.

"The governor of Chu State visited the Cui Mansion and invited the Family Head over, saying His Highness wishes to see him," Cui Zhanfeng explained.

Li Fan frowned.

*If Ye Yunke failed in persuading him, did he turn to the Cui family next?*

*Though the Cui family aligned with him, it was merely to handle the Chen family and the demons.*

Li Fan looked toward Wen Ruyu, who stepped forward and remarked, "The former Chu State governor led an army to attack Li Mountain. That debt has yet to be settled. Xu Bin is dead, but many remain alive."

"Then let’s pay them a visit," Ji Hua declared. As he finished speaking, he took the lead, stepping forward as sword light flowed like a streak toward the sky. He stepped onto the stream of sword aura.

Wen Ruyu also stepped onto his sword aura, turning to Li Fan and calling out, "Come aboard, Junior Brother."

Although Li Fan could manage it, doing so at his current realm still consumed an excessive amount of energy.

*Once he reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, sword control might feel more reasonable.*

*Upon stepping into the Fifth Realm, he could wield swords in the air—truly entering the ranks of the Great Sword Cultivators.*

Three figures ascended simultaneously on streams of sword aura. Their sword aura surged forward, carrying them as they advanced.

People below craned their necks to watch the trio depart, their hearts filled with envy.

*Though their cultivation levels and ages varied, these three were undeniably outstanding figures.*

Such sword cultivators inspired admiration.

Cui Zhanfeng watched their backs, marveling, *Truly, Li Mountain Sword Cultivators embodied unparalleled elegance.*

*Li Fan, though still young, possessed limitless potential. The fact that Great Sword Cultivators from Li Mountain came for him spoke volumes about his talent.*

*Someday, the Da Li Dynasty would undoubtedly sing praises of his name.*

While airborne, the trio sensed several immensely powerful auras pressing down on them from various directions.

Ji Hua stepped forward, his sword aura forming a barrier that sliced through the invisible pressure. He spoke loudly, "To have cultivated to such a level and yet still conceal yourselves—what’s the point of cultivation then?"

"Well said," a voice echoed back with laughter. "The great reputation of Li Mountain Sword Cultivators has long been heard. To meet a sword cultivator of the Seventh Realm here in Chuzhou City today makes this trip worthwhile."

As the voice faded, the sky above Chuzhou City burst into gold light. The overwhelming brilliance emitted an unbeatable sword intent, covering vast lands and enveloping Ji Hua and the others.

The speaker, too, was a sword cultivator.

"Lingxiao Pavilion?" Ji Hua’s trio halted in mid-air, sensing the sword intent. Ji Hua smiled, remarking, "Who would’ve thought—just my Junior Brother arriving in Chuzhou City has drawn multiple Sixth and Seventh-Realm practitioners. Xiao Fan, even royal scions of the Da Li Dynasty may not receive such treatment."

Li Fan heard Ji Hua’s comment and felt torn between amusement and frustration.

*Indeed, it seemed he was somewhat honored.*

*To kill a mere Out-of-Body Realm cultivator, they deployed numerous top-tier practitioners.*

*As far as he knew, the Seventh Realm practically stood at the pinnacle within the Da Li Dynasty.*

*Though the people of Chuzhou City weren’t privy to the battle at the Peak of Li Mountain, top factions within the Da Li Dynasty surely knew. Those seeking his death must have understood he wouldn’t be an easy target. His appearance in Chuzhou City couldn’t possibly lack the backing of Li Mountain.*

*Thus, sending ordinary practitioners was essentially committing them to suicide.*

*Only great practitioners could be deployed.*

Now, multiple had arrived; clearly, they had placed extraordinary value on him.

"At the Peak of Li Mountain, your Junior Brother has already made a name for himself. Some desire his life. Today, even Li Mountain might not be able to protect him," the voice spoke again, sparking waves of emotion in Chuzhou City.

*What had transpired during the battle at the Peak of Li Mountain?*

*They remained utterly clueless.*

Even the noble families of Chuzhou, including the government officials, were wholly unaware.

"The ’people’ you’re referring to—who are they? Is it Lingxiao Pavilion unable to accept defeat, or is it the Chu or Jiang family seeking revenge?" Ji Hua asked curiously. "Or perhaps, the court itself?"

"That, I wouldn’t know," the voice replied. As these words rang out, a golden sword beam emerged from below, slicing through space toward where Li Fan and the others stood.

Ji Hua retaliated with a slash of his own, and the two beams clashed in mid-air, unleashing destructive sword aura far and wide.

"Get down!" someone shouted from below, urging those on the ground to drop prone, as the sweeping sword aura leveled the surrounding structures.

"If you wish to fight, come out—don’t harm the innocent," Ji Hua said, focusing on the ground below.

In Chuzhou City, a figure carrying a massive sword on his back ascended rapidly, shooting toward the high skies. Within moments, he appeared in mid-air. Though he looked to be in his forties, his flowing robes and the oversized, gold-sheathed sword on his back were unmistakable.

"Gu Xiao," Ji Hua muttered, narrowing his gaze on the newcomer.

"Good eye," the middle-aged man replied with a smile.

"I’ve heard of you back in Chi Xiao City," Ji Hua said. "But the free-roaming Great Sword Cultivator, Gu Xiao—when did you begin serving the court? Did they promise you something, or did Lingxiao Pavilion present an irresistible offer?"

"Perhaps," Gu Xiao replied with a faint smile. "And one more reason."

Looking at Ji Hua, he added, "I wish to witness the swords of Li Mountain."

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