Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 126 - 122: Coming One After Another

Chapter 126: Chapter 122: Coming One After Another

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White Deer Street wasn’t exactly small, but it wasn’t too big either. Finding someone wouldn’t be too difficult.

Standing quietly in front of an estate’s gate, Lu Yuan resembled a beautiful sculpture. After hesitating for a moment, she raised her hand and knocked softly.

A moment later, the gate opened, and a sultry-looking woman appeared—it was Liu Ji.

Liu Ji glanced at Lu Yuan, her thoughts stirring, *What a stunningly beautiful woman.* She didn’t recognize Lu Yuan as she had never been to the Peak of Li Mountain.

Liu Ji didn’t say a word, merely staring silently at Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan looked back at her and said softly, "I’m looking for Yang Qingshan."

"And you are?" Liu Ji asked.

"Just tell him Lu Yuan from Bai Lu Academy is here," Lu Yuan replied.

"One moment," Liu Ji said with a smile before turning and walking away. It wasn’t long before she returned, saying to Lu Yuan, "My young master invites you in."

Liu Ji led Lu Yuan into Li Fan’s courtyard, where Huang Xiong and Xiao Kui were also present. All eyes were fixed on Lu Yuan, with Huang Xiong’s gaze cautious, *Is Bai Lu Academy here to cause trouble?*

Li Fan saw Lu Yuan standing there and a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes, *Looks like I was right. She actually came to Yun Meng City—the former most exceptional prodigy of Li Mountain.*

*The Five Swords of Li Mountain Sword Valley; though defeated by Jiang Taie, her talent was undeniable.*

Lu Yuan also noticed Li Fan and said, "Yang Qingshan, you’ve got quite the nerve, killing Dai Long of Bai Lu Academy."

Huang Xiong abruptly stood up, emanating an air of hostility, *So this really is trouble.*

But Li Fan killed Dai Long?

*I didn’t know about this. When they parted ways, Li Fan mentioned Dai Long wouldn’t end well.*

*So he went back and killed him?*

Upon hearing Lu Yuan’s words, Li Fan immediately understood, *Looks like Bai Lu Academy has figured it out.*

*Is this a warning?*

*If Lu Yuan can find this place, Bai Lu Academy surely can too.*

"Miss Lu, would you care to hear my explanation first?" Li Fan asked, looking at Lu Yuan.

"No need to explain; let’s start with my sword instead." As Lu Yuan spoke, Sword Intent surrounded her, and the blade in her hand radiated a biting cold that caused the ambient temperature to plummet noticeably.

"Miss Lu..." Huang Xiong began, but Li Fan waved him off and said, "Miss Lu wants to test my sword?"

"Yes," Lu Yuan answered.

"You all, leave for now," Li Fan instructed Huang Xiong, Liu Ji, and the others.

Liu Ji glanced at Li Fan, then at Lu Yuan. *Why does the atmosphere feel odd?*

*This doesn’t seem like the typical vibe of enemies confronting each other.*

*Moreover, while the woman came here in a fury, she shows no discernible intent to kill; even her tone is gentle without a trace of hostility.*

She cast a suspicious look at the two before walking out. *Could there be some sort of plot?*

Huang Xiong wanted to say something, but Xiao Kui pulled him away. The three left the courtyard, leaving only Li Fan and Lu Yuan behind.

Li Fan stood up, holding his sword, and said, "Miss Lu, please instruct me."

"Please instruct me." As soon as Lu Yuan finished speaking, her body advanced and her sword slashed outward. Ice and Snow Sword Intent erupted, releasing an extreme chill so potent it seemed capable of freezing everything.

*Is she serious?*

Li Fan swung his sword, infused with Wind and Thunder Sword Intent. The clash of the two powerful intents resonated violently, with Sword Aura sweeping out around them.

Lu Yuan’s gaze turned serious.

*The regret of Li Mountain’s trial, today is the perfect opportunity to make up for it—I’ve never crossed swords with Li Fan.*

Outside the courtyard, Liu Ji and the others sensed the sweeping Sword Aura emanating from within, though the combatants had sought to contain its reach. They could still perceive the storm-like pressure that surged from inside.

*Are they really fighting?*

*And that woman... is she that strong?*

Huang Xiong also felt it and lifted his head to observe. Xiao Kui whispered, "Brother Yang’s strength—Brother Huang, you can rest assured."

"Hmm," Huang Xiong nodded.

The Sword Aura storm continued to erupt for quite some time before gradually calming down, restoring peace to the courtyard. However, a lingering Sword Intent still enveloped the area, making it eerily silent.

Liu Ji’s feelings of unease grew stronger. *Are they really fighting?*

*Why does this feel oddly mysterious, almost like a secret tryst?*

Inside the courtyard, the two ceased their movements and sheathed their swords. Lu Yuan looked at Li Fan and softly murmured, "Yang Qingshan."

As she spoke, a faint smile involuntarily surfaced in her eyes.

*So, she can smile too.* Li Fan thought as he watched the fleeting smile. *If Yang Qingshan knew Lu Yuan smiled at ’Yang Qingshan,’ what would he think?*

*Qingshan, Brother Xiao Fan doesn’t treat you poorly—I made Lu Yuan smile for you.*

"Using a pseudonym while traveling is better," Li Fan explained.

"Hmm." Lu Yuan nodded lightly and asked, "How is Li Mountain?"

"Everything’s fine. After I descended the mountain, I went to Chuzhou City; Li Mountain issued a warning to the Court," Li Fan replied.

"That’s good." Lu Yuan looked at Li Fan, as though thinking about something, and said, "So, the Bai Lu Formation’s activation and Bai Lu’s soft melody—was it you?"

"It should’ve been," Li Fan nodded, making no effort to deny it in front of Lu Yuan.

"No wonder," Lu Yuan thought to herself. *I had assumed another celestial prodigy appeared. Li Fan’s admission makes sense.*

"The disciples of Bai Lu Academy think you killed one of theirs and are searching for you." Lu Yuan offered him a heads-up, observing his nod before asking, "How long do you plan to stay in Yun Meng City? Why not join the academy for cultivation?"

Li Fan shook his head, "I don’t have any specific plans yet. Maybe I’ll leave after completing Foundation Establishment in Yun Meng City."

"And after that?" Lu Yuan pressed.

"I’ll roam the world, honing my skills. I may head to Chi Xiao City," Li Fan replied.

Lu Yuan nodded faintly without pursuing the matter further. Despite their prior unfamiliarity, meeting as peers far from home felt strangely intimate—an uncanny sort of familiarity.

*Perhaps this is what meeting an old acquaintance in a foreign land feels like.*

"In that case, I’ll return to the academy now," Lu Yuan said.

"Alright," Li Fan nodded.

Lu Yuan hesitated for a moment, looking at Li Fan, then asked, "If time permits, can I seek you out for sparring?"

Finding a top-tier opponent wasn’t easy.

"You may," Li Fan assured her.

"Thank you." Lu Yuan turned to leave, though she still had lingering questions—like wanting to know how Ye Qinghuang was doing.

But it didn’t feel like the right occasion to ask.

Lu Yuan exited the courtyard, letting her Sword Intent dissipate. Liu Ji watched her tranquil departure, her suspicions growing stronger.

*That long?*

Entering the courtyard, Liu Ji’s expression turned playful as she teased Li Fan, "You know her?"

Li Fan nodded.

"You sure know a lot of pretty girls," Liu Ji said, her smile brimming with innuendo. "What were you doing for so long?"

Li Fan: "?"

"Of course, practicing swordsmanship."

"Oh." Liu Ji looked at him, *Ha!*

"Brother Yang." A voice suddenly rang out in the courtyard—it was Ji Feng, who strode inside and noticed a stunning figure leaving as he entered.

Ji Feng’s gaze froze, fixated on that figure. The woman, however, didn’t even spare him a glance, walking silently past.

Ji Feng turned back, watching her leave, unable to collect himself.

*Such beauty.* Ji Feng’s heart raced as he reoriented himself. He continued inside, only to see Liu Ji.

*Oh no, I like them both. What now?*

*Would they agree to be co-wives?*

*Who was that woman? Would she even consent?*

"Brother Yang..." Ji Feng wanted to ask Li Fan but stopped, intimidated by Liu Ji’s mischievous grin.

"Brother Yang, what happened?" Ji Feng finally remembered his purpose for coming.

"What is it?" Li Fan asked.

"My sister wants to speak with you," Ji Feng said. "Should I bring her over?"

Lu Yuan had just warned him, and now Ji Xue was also looking for him. Bai Lu Academy really was closing in.

"Let her come," Li Fan said.

"Alright." Ji Feng nodded and left.

Not long after, Ji Feng returned with Ji Xue.

She noticed Huang Xiong and Xiao Kui in the courtyard and frowned, *He actually brought them?!*

"Can we talk in private?" Ji Xue asked Li Fan.

"Alright," Li Fan nodded.

Everyone else left, while Liu Ji’s expression grew even more peculiar.

*Again, private conversation?*

Once alone, Ji Xue asked Li Fan, "Was it you who killed Dai Long?"

"Yes," Li Fan said, showing no intention to deny it. Ji Xue was momentarily taken aback, her displeasure evident. *While we were being hunted by demons, Li Fan doubled back to kill Dai Long?*

"Why?" Ji Xue demanded.

"As I said before, Dai Long impersonated the Demon Hunting Team, preying on human cultivators to seize Demon Cores. Miss Ji, whether you believe it or not is up to you," Li Fan replied indifferently.

Ji Xue stared into his eyes, finding nothing but calm composure—no trace of turmoil.

"Leave Yun Meng City and don’t return," Ji Xue said firmly. "Dai Long is dead, and this matter cannot be clarified. The dead are always pitied, and since you killed Dai Long, Bai Lu Academy’s cultivators will never let you go."

"Thank you for the warning, Miss Ji," Li Fan responded.

"I’ve said my piece. Whether you act on it is your decision." Ji Xue turned and left, though she doubted Li Fan could escape now.

Bai Lu Academy’s disciples were already after him.

Li Fan watched Ji Xue’s retreating figure, deep in thought.

*Leave Yun Meng City?*

"Brother Yang." Huang Xiong entered and, having heard Ji Xue’s conversation, was taken aback. *Li Fan caused trouble for himself, avenging us by killing Dai Long.*

As he considered it, Huang Xiong silently reached a resolution.