Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 124 - 120 Follow

Chapter 124: Chapter 120 Follow

Ji Xue suddenly realized that ever since she triggered the array’s disturbance upon stepping onto White Deer Street, everyone had been centered around her, to the point where she herself seemed to have grown overly confident.

She was a Sword Cultivator too, and her realm was no weaker than the opponent’s, but in front of the Crocodile Demon, she was utterly powerless, not even daring to face it head-on.

*So, does she truly count as the Heavenly Pride Girl in everyone’s eyes?*

*And what about the black-robed man before her? What does he count as?*

The Crocodile Demon rose to its feet, emitting an incredibly shrill sound from its mouth. The surrounding ancient trees quivered with their branches and leaves swaying, shaking loose countless leaves that fell to the ground.

Its long, narrow eyes fixated on Li Fan, already swollen from relentless slashes. Even though its defense covered its entire body, including its eyelids, those eyelids were relatively thinner and couldn’t endure the continuous cutting of a sharp blade.

Accompanied by the Crocodile Demon’s ear-piercing screech, it charged toward Li Fan at terrifying speed.

Li Fan gripped his sword, Sword Intent coiling around his body. As the Crocodile Demon approached, its eyes closed entirely, recklessly charging at him.

Li Fan leaned back on the wind to retreat, but his opponent followed closely, moving even faster than him.

Unable to find an opening, Li Fan had no choice but to strike with his sword. Almost simultaneously, the Crocodile Demon’s arm swung toward him, forcing Li Fan to strike horizontally with his blade. A tremendous force pressed down on the sword, bending it until it snapped. Fearsome Demon Energy coalesced into a fist and smashed into Li Fan’s body.

Li Fan’s body was hurled backward and crashed into a large tree. His internal energies churned violently.

The strength of a Fourth Realm Demon far exceeded his own, and this Crocodile Demon excelled particularly in raw power—something Li Fan himself did not specialize in.

*To defeat this Crocodile Demon, he would need to exploit its weaknesses.*

The Crocodile Demon continued stomping forward, its malevolent eyes radiating intense killing intent.

"Take my sword," Ji Xue shouted, sending her blade flying toward Li Fan.

Li Fan tilted his head to avoid it, glanced at her briefly, then shifted his attention away.

Sword Aura gathered around him, materializing into a sword that he firmly grasped in his palm.

Ji Xue froze for a moment, noticing the cold determination in the eyes beneath his mask—they did not look at her...

"Buzz."

The Golden Peng unfurled its wings, and golden brilliance radiated from Li Fan’s body. His Martial Spirit appeared, covering him in what seemed like shimmering golden feathers, dazzling and magnificent. The sword in his hand now shone with gold, a sharper aura emanating from him as his Sword Intent fused more deeply.

"Die."

The Crocodile Demon roared furiously as it charged forward. With a deafening shout, its razor-sharp claws struck down. Li Fan’s wings flickered as he ascended into the air along the ancient trees.

The Crocodile Demon raised its head. Li Fan swept his sword downward, slashing the Crocodile Demon with a "schlick" sound, sending it flying once again.

Li Fan stood atop a tree branch, gazing down at the ground below.

The Crocodile Demon glanced up at him, its killing intent blazing.

"Bang..."

Its feet stomped against the ground, propelling its massive body into the sky. Its tail swung powerfully, gathering Demon Energy as it leaped upward, lunging toward Li Fan.

Fourth Realm Foundation Establishment Cultivators could use mana to soar through the air, and so could Fourth Realm Demons.

"Courting death," the thought flickered through Li Fan’s mind as Sword Aura and mana surged within him.

As the Crocodile Demon approached, light burst forth from between Li Fan’s brows. A golden sword shot out at an incredible speed.

The Crocodile Demon shut its eyes again, but the golden miniature sword transformed into a blur. It sliced toward the demon’s eyes, grazing its eyelids and leaving behind a bloody mark.

With a painful howl, the Crocodile Demon shielded its eyes with its left hand and continued its frantic charge. It was determined to devour this human, bite by bite.

Golden threads erupted from Li Fan’s body, weaving toward the Crocodile Demon. This Gold Affinity Spell—Thousand Silk Weave—formed threads resembling a massive net. Constricted mid-air, the Crocodile Demon lost its leverage, and the force of its movements weakened despite its immense strength.

Sword Intent intensified between Li Fan’s brows, and the golden sword sliced wildly around the demon’s head. Its head was enveloped by Sword Aura, and the strikes upon its skull rendered it increasingly disoriented.

The golden miniature sword suddenly enlarged, its radiance intensifying as it plunged downward toward the demon’s skull.

"Boom..."

The Crocodile Demon’s forehead trembled under the powerful assault. The golden sword spun furiously, trying to drill deeper as the demon roared and reached upward with both arms to catch the blade.

Li Fan moved simultaneously, his wings flaring. He followed the wind, entering the Unity of Heaven and Man Realm, merging entirely with his sword.

"Slash."

In an instant, Ji Xue could only see countless brilliant sword lights erupt. Each sword carried blinding radiance. With a "schlick" sound, the Crocodile Demon’s eyelids were torn open, its eyes blinded by the sword, causing it to scream in agony.

The Sword Aura persisted. Li Fan circled the Crocodile Demon’s disoriented body, his sword slashing through its weakened defenses and cutting its throat. Blood sprayed violently.

"Schlick..." The sword light flared once more, severing the Crocodile Demon’s head and sending it flying upward—a seamless execution.

"Thud."

The Crocodile Demon’s hefty corpse crashed heavily to the ground, reverting to its true form, now headless. Li Fan descended shortly after.

Ji Xue stared blankly at the scene before her.

Bai Lu Academy had Foundation Establishment Cultivators, yet they had been slaughtered and fled before this Crocodile Demon. And now this Soul Emergence Middle Realm Sword Cultivator had single-handedly defeated it?

*Even with the Unity of Heaven and Man augmenting his power, his attacks were absurdly terrifying.

Li Fan ignored Ji Xue and focused on extracting the Demon Core from the slain Crocodile Demon.

In truth, his victory owed more to strategy than strength. Like Huang Xiong, the Crocodile Demon had discernible weaknesses. Despite its impressive speed, it had no advantage against him. Exploiting its vulnerability was the only way to secure victory.

If he had chosen to engage it head-on, he would have found it nearly impossible to contend with the terrifying power of a Fourth Realm Great Demon.

Soon after, Li Fan retrieved the Demon Core and stored it in his pouch, turning to leave.

"Please stay," a voice called out. Li Fan halted in his tracks and turned to look at Ji Xue. His gaze, obscured by his mask, was unfazed.

Because Ji Xue had offered him a ride earlier, leading him to Bai Lu Academy and introducing him to the Academy Master’s tutelage, their connection could be considered fate. He had now saved her life, so there was no debt between them. Of course, he also sought no thanks or reciprocation.

*Ji Xue may have had doubts about the incidents prior, but ultimately, she chose to let them pass. Was it due to lack of courage or simply her calculated stance weighing gains and losses?*

"Ji Xue of Jiangzhou City’s Ji Family, currently studying at Bai Lu Academy. I thank you for saving my life," Ji Xue said to Li Fan. "May I ask for your name, sir, so I may visit you to express my gratitude?"

Li Fan’s deep eyes glanced briefly at her before he turned away, walking off without responding.

Ji Xue stared at his retreating figure in a daze, then glanced at the sword lying on the ground, thinking to herself how coldly resolute he was.

*Judging by his eyes, he wasn’t much older than her—likely close in age. Yet such a talented cultivator remained unwilling to reveal his true face. Why?*

*There was no record of such a prodigy at Bai Lu Academy, suggesting that he did not cultivate there.*

She surveyed the area around her and remembered how Yun Zhiqiu had abandoned her. A slight chill stirred in Ji Xue’s heart, though she bore little resentment. In life and death situations, self-preservation took precedence. Who would risk their life for her?

*But this interaction did allow her to see Yun Zhiqiu more clearly. Moving forward, she would keep her distance.*

She let out a sigh, glanced again at Li Fan’s departing figure, and turned to leave alone. This trial in Yun Meng Swamp had proven to be an utter failure for her.

After parting ways, Li Fan continued deeper into Yun Meng Swamp. Dai Long’s gear had turned out to be quite useful to him.

By midday, in a dense part of Yun Meng Swamp, towering trees fell one after another.

Li Fan was surrounded by a swarm of Puppet Demons, his sword slashing repeatedly. Though devoid of mana fluctuations, the blade emitted the sound of wind and thunder.

As the blade struck a Puppet Demon, its body split instantly, with the wound erupting as if lightning had struck.

Every stroke Li Fan delivered carried the same devastating effect.

Within moments, the Puppet Demons were cleared out.

Afterward, Li Fan began tidying the battlefield. The fusion of Wind and Thunder Intent with Sword Intent had formed Wind and Thunder Sword Intent, granting him greater offensive power and enhancing the efficacy of his swordsmanship.

Li Fan ventured further into Yun Meng Swamp, seeking Fourth Realm Demons to hone his combat skills. For him, Third Realm Demons were now no match—he could defeat them with a single strike.

But as he continued deeper and nightfall approached, a looming sense of danger crept in.

Recalling his agreement with Huang Xiong, Li Fan decided to postpone further exploration, turning back to avoid a nocturnal ambush by Great Demons. Although armed with numerous trump cards, Yun Meng Swamp housed unknown threats. Slow reflexes could spell disaster.

At dawn, a figure in white emerged from Yun Meng Swamp, carrying a pouch filled with numerous Demon Cores.

Li Fan arrived at the spot where he had agreed to meet Huang Xiong the previous day. Huang Xiong had been waiting for him since early morning, and upon seeing Li Fan, he called out, "Brother Yang."

Relieved, Huang Xiong let out a breath, having been worried that Li Fan might have encountered peril. Seeing Li Fan safe and sound, he felt reassured.

Li Fan caught the concern in Huang Xiong’s gaze and said, "Brother Huang, did you not sleep well last night?"

"Brother Yang, Brother Huang didn’t sleep at all. He waited here all night," Xiao Kui said softly by their side. Evidently, Huang Xiong had been anxious when Li Fan hadn’t returned and had stayed outside, waiting through the night.

Li Fan looked at Huang Xiong, finding this towering man to be genuinely sincere toward others.

"You can rest well today," Li Fan said as he walked up to him. "Let’s chat while we walk."

"Alright," Huang Xiong replied, joining Li Fan as they headed in the direction of Yun Meng City.

"Regarding yesterday’s events, members of Bai Lu Academy will likely seek trouble again. Brother Huang, why not come with me? If they come for revenge, I can serve as a witness. In Yun Meng City, even Bai Lu Academy cannot ignore reason," Li Fan suggested. "Besides, Brother Huang has innate Divine Power. Have you never considered joining Bai Lu Academy? If the Academy Master learned of your talent, he certainly wouldn’t reject you."

"I don’t particularly want to join Bai Lu Academy anymore," Huang Xiong replied, his disappointment from the previous day still lingering.

"It’s not the academy itself that’s at fault, only individual actions," Li Fan said. "But it’s nothing to worry about if you don’t want to cultivate there. Perhaps I can recommend a place that suits your training needs."

"Where would that be?" Huang Xiong asked.

"No rush; Brother Huang will learn in time. For now, follow me," Li Fan said. Li Mountain was still far away and inconvenient to reach for now. It would be better for Huang Xiong to stay with him temporarily, and they could figure out the arrangements later.

Huang Xiong hesitated briefly but was reassured when Xiao Kui suggested, "Brother Huang, you should listen to Brother Yang."

She had noticed that Li Fan was different from others.

After hearing Xiao Kui’s advice, Huang Xiong nodded and said, "Alright."

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