Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 125 - 121: Yang Qingshan?

Chapter 125: Chapter 121: Yang Qingshan?

Li Fan returned to the residence on White Deer Street, and Liu Ji noticed that there were two additional people, revealing a look of surprise.

"Brother Huang, this is Liu Ji," Li Fan introduced.

"I’ve seen Miss Liu," Huang Xiong cupped his hands.

"Sister Liu," Xiao Kui also called affectionately, her eyes always on Liu Ji.

It’s a demon!

And a very formidable one at that.

However, it wasn’t strange for a human to be around demons. Xiao Kui had a peculiar feeling that Li Fan was someone who could change Brother Huang’s fate.

Xiao Kui knew Huang Xiong very well; Brother Huang was the type with unrecognized talent. He wasn’t without ability, but due to a lack of innate gifts, he missed many opportunities and ended up on the path of demon hunting in Yun Meng Swamp.

But she believed that as long as he met a famous teacher, Brother Huang would surely have the chance to unleash his potential.

"Such a cute little girl." Liu Ji glanced at Li Fan with a smile and said, "How did you manage to bring back the local guide from your trip to Yun Meng Swamp?"

"Go tidy up; from now on, Brother Huang and Xiao Kui will be staying here," Li Fan instructed Liu Ji. Liu Ji replied, "Yes, young master, I’ll take care of it right away."

After saying this, she gave Li Fan a sidelong glance and turned away.

"Brother Yang, who is Miss Liu?" Huang Xiong asked curiously.

"Arranged by the elders to stay by my side," Li Fan replied casually.

"Just as I thought," Xiao Kui mused inwardly, realizing that Li Fan’s identity was likely very complex.

"Brother Huang, you said you lack Qi Refinement talent and rely on absorbing strength from the Demon Core to temper your body during cultivation?" Li Fan asked.

"Yes," Huang Xiong nodded.

"Try punching me," Li Fan, curious, wanted to test Huang Xiong’s innate divine strength.

"This..." Huang Xiong looked at Li Fan, knowing that although his strength was no match for Li Fan’s, in terms of pure force... if he punched, Li Fan might not be able to withstand it.

He was aware of his own great strength.

"It’s fine, use your full strength," Li Fan encouraged upon seeing Huang Xiong’s hesitation.

"Alright, Brother Yang, be careful then," Huang Xiong said, lifting his strong arm. Stomping the ground, he launched a heavy punch towards Li Fan, causing a gust of wind.

Within Li Fan, his blood energy roared, a dragon’s roar seemed to emanate, the Jiao Long Demon Bone Fist erupted and clashed with the opponent’s fist.

Bang!

A loud explosive sound echoed, and Li Fan’s body slid continuously backward, feeling as if his fist would shatter, his arm numb.

Li Fan looked at Huang Xiong, indeed his strength was astonishing. No wonder he could withstand confrontations with cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Realm.

In terms of pure strength, few in the Out-of-Body Realm could rival Huang Xiong.

"I can’t sense any mana leakage, the strength Brother Huang absorbed seems to be completely digested by his body," Li Fan remarked to Huang Xiong, "It seems that Brother Huang’s body might have a massive demand for mana, far from reaching its limit."

Huang Xiong didn’t fully understand Li Fan’s statement, but Xiao Kui softly remarked, "Brother Yang means Brother Huang can absorb more power?"

"Yes," Li Fan nodded, "For martial artists, the body is essentially a vessel. Brother Huang’s body is an enormous container, and the absorbed strength is far from sufficient."

"I’ve hunted quite a few demons in Yun Meng Swamp and acquired some Demon Cores. Brother Huang, try refining and absorbing them," Li Fan said, handing a package to Huang Xiong.

"Brother Yang, how can I accept this?" Huang Xiong quickly declined.

"I only made a trip to Yun Meng Swamp for it. This is crucial for Brother Huang’s future, so don’t delay," Li Fan insisted.

Xiao Kui also looked up at Huang Xiong.

Huang Xiong hesitated, but seeing Li Fan’s eyes, he accepted the package. Looking inside, he found even Demon Cores of Four Realm Demons, feeling a pang of emotion.

In Yun Meng Swamp, many people would kill for Demon Cores, including disciples from Bai Lu Academy, who disguised themselves as the Demon Hunting Team to murder for them.

Yet Li Fan generously gave these precious Demon Cores to support his cultivation.

"Brother Yang’s great kindness, Huang will remember it," Huang Xiong sincerely said. In Yun Meng Swamp, Li Fan had already saved his life, and now he was gifting Demon Cores to aid in his cultivation.

"Brother Huang, go train, and I’ll fetch you some more Demon Cores later," Li Fan said. Huang Xiong, seeing Li Fan’s sincere smile, was moved to tears, unsure what to say, but nodded firmly.

Besides relying on Xiao Kui, when had anyone treated him this kindly?

Though he was burly and imposing, he wasn’t always welcomed by others.

Liu Ji returned and took them to the tidy little courtyard. After Liu Ji left, Huang Xiong whispered, "Xiao Kui, Brother Yang treats me so well. How should I repay him?"

Xiao Kui smiled at him, her eyes revealing a hint of joy, "Brother Huang, haven’t you realized, perhaps Brother Yang might just be your benefactor."

"Benefactor?" Huang Xiong looked at her.

"Yes," Xiao Kui nodded with a smile, "Brother Huang has always had great talent, but it went unrecognized. Now, you’ve finally met someone who appreciates you."

She just hadn’t expected Brother Huang’s benefactor to be so young.

"Don’t overthink it, Brother Huang. Brother Yang’s identity is likely extraordinary. With your current strength, you probably can’t do much to repay him. Focus on enhancing your cultivation," Xiao Kui continued. Huang Xiong nodded in realization and then chose suitable Demon Cores for his training.

On the following morning, Li Fan practiced his swordsmanship in the courtyard.

Huang Xiong approached, standing nearby to watch Li Fan practice.

"Brother Huang," Li Fan paused and looked at Huang Xiong, "How’s your training?"

Huang Xiong clenched his fists, moved his arms, and his joints made crisp sounds. He said, "After absorbing the Demon Core of a Four Realm Great Demon yesterday, my physique indeed feels considerably strengthened, and my strength has also increased."

"Indeed," Li Fan nodded, "I knew Brother Huang’s talent was actually very good; it just hadn’t been fully unleashed. The mana you’ve absorbed should be merging into your physique. Your body’s vessel is too strong, causing the mana not to leak, and it’s far from being fully absorbed."

"Is that so?" Huang Xiong scratched his head, not fully understanding.

...

At Bai Lu Academy, Ji Xue had just arrived on the campus when Yun Zhiqiu found her.

"Junior Sister Ji," Yun Zhiqiu seemed hesitant to speak.

"Is there something on your mind, Senior Brother Yun?" Ji Xue asked, her tone even and unemotional, without resentment but courteous.

"About the incident in Yun Meng Swamp, I was momentarily confused. I hope Junior Sister Ji will not hold it against me," Yun Zhiqiu apologized. After all, the event had indeed happened, and there was no room for explanation, only admission of fault.

"In the face of danger, preserving oneself is only natural. How could I blame Senior Brother Yun?" Ji Xue’s voice was calm, but from her tone, Yun Zhiqiu sensed a distance. Ji Xue no longer had the closeness as before and instead kept a distance from him.

Yun Zhiqiu sighed in his heart, knowing he probably no longer had hope.

But given the situation, he didn’t expect Ji Xue to forgive.

Yesterday, after he left and returned with reinforcements, Ji Xue had already emerged.

As for the Crocodile Demon, according to Ji Xue, it had been slain by a Sword Cultivator.

"Junior Yun, Junior Ji,"

At this moment, a figure approached them and, seeing Ji Xue, inquired, "Is Junior Ji unharmed?"

"Nothing major, thank you for your concern, Senior Brother," Ji Xue replied.

"What happened in Yun Meng Swamp was unexpected. Who would have thought that area had hidden a Four Realm Demon? I should have been more cautious. Luckily, Junior Sister is unharmed." The person said to Ji Xue, "In this instance, our academy has lost several people in Yun Meng Swamp, and it seems that Junior Brother Dai was not harmed by demons but died at the hands of humans. I’ve heard that just before being attacked by demons, Junior Brother Dai had a conflict with someone. Junior Sister Ji, do you know the other party?"

"I do," Ji Xue nodded slightly, "However, there are still some doubts... According to the other party, it was Senior Brother Dai who tried to seize their Demon Core."

"Regardless of the facts, we must first find the person and then uncover the truth. Junior Brother Dai has passed, and an explanation is necessary," the person stated. Ji Xue, hearing this, didn’t say much more and remarked, "That person traveled with me to Yun Meng City, but I don’t know him well. However, he doesn’t seem like the type to kill for treasure. He carries several swords, possibly a Sword Cultivator, named Yang Qingshan, but I don’t know where he went."

"A Sword Cultivator?" the person said, "Junior Brother Dai fell at the hands of a Sword Cultivator."

"Yang Qingshan?"

A figure, originally walking past silently at a short distance, paused upon hearing the name Yang Qingshan.

The group noticed her presence and looked toward her direction.

"Lu Yuan."

Ji Xue saw a beautiful face, whose beauty even surpassed her own. She had known of Lu Yuan’s presence since arriving at the academy, having heard of Lu Yuan’s exceptionally high talent in Sword Dao. The academy’s esteemed instructors desired to take her as their final disciple.

However, Lu Yuan had not accepted a master.

"Junior Sister Lu," the man greeted Lu Yuan with a smile when he saw her.

"Yang Qingshan, a Sword Cultivator?" Lu Yuan’s beautiful eyes showed some puzzlement.

She seemed to know a young man named Yang Qingshan, who indeed was a Sword Cultivator. She remembered that Yang Qingshan was close to Li Fan and was the son of Yang Tiejiang from Li Mountain Village.

Has he also come to Yun Meng City?

"Yang Qingshan, is he a young man?" Lu Yuan asked Ji Xue.

Ji Xue looked at her and gently nodded.

"Any distinctive features?" Lu Yuan asked again. If he indeed came from Li Mountain, then she could offer some assistance.

"He has a very handsome appearance," Ji Xue thought for a moment and said, acknowledging that Li Fan was indeed quite striking.

Lu Yuan gently nodded; it seemed to be just a coincidence of names, as Yang Qingshan wasn’t particularly handsome.

Lu Yuan gave Ji Xue a slight nod and continued walking, but Ji Xue added, "There is also one distinctive feature, he carries three swords on his back."

Lu Yuan’s footsteps paused again, her heart slightly stirred.

Three swords?

At Li Mountain Sword Valley, someone had sought the sword thrice and obtained three swords.

But clearly, that person wasn’t named Yang Qingshan.

So, it’s him!

"Thank you," Lu Yuan whispered and continued walking, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appearing in her dazzling, enchanting eyes.

Yang Qingshan?

Li Fan.

He has descended the mountain and come to Yun Meng City.

So, was he the one who killed Dai Long?

Then, it was certainly well-deserved.

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