Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 139 - 135: Stealth

Chapter 139: Chapter 135: Stealth

After Li Fan extracted the Demon Core, his gaze once again turned towards the direction of the demon army.

The Peacock Demon King had set the rules: if one side could no longer fight, they must admit defeat.

He had already slain three Great Demons in succession, and those demons were likely already fearful. If one or two more demons came forward and he killed them, there should be no one left willing to risk death.

Sure enough, although the demon army appeared mighty, they were silent at the moment, looking this way.

"This human cultivator’s attack power is very strong, even capable of hurting me. This probably isn’t even his full strength," said the Peacock Demon King’s offspring in a low voice beside him.

Previously, when he was hunting humans in the Yunmeng Swamp, this human had struck with a sword.

He hadn’t tangled with him at that time, but now this human had become a factor influencing the outcome of the war. If he had known, he would have dealt with him back in Yunmeng Swamp.

Back then, he didn’t know that Li Fan was the human cultivator his father was seeking.

The Peacock Demon King’s eyes narrowed sharply at these words, staring at Li Fan, knowing that someone whom Lord Demon Saint named would not be simple.

He was well aware of his offspring’s strength, nearly invincible among the Fourth Realm Demons, with few rivals. Yet, a Soul Emergence Realm human cultivator could harm him.

This indicated that if Li Fan unleashed his full power, no Third Realm Demon could withstand his sword.

As it stood, there seemed to be no need to continue this battle; another approach was necessary.

His eyes fixed on Li Fan, and suddenly, a brilliant radiance burst forth, and in an instant, the Peacock Demon King vanished from his place.

Li Fan saw a beam of light shooting towards him, fast to the extreme.

"Not good..."

Li Fan’s expression changed suddenly; was the Peacock Demon King personally stepping in?

The human cultivator army was still in shock at Li Fan’s strength when they too saw the beam of light, unable to react in time.

"Boom..."

A loud crash echoed, and a figure seemed to appear out of nowhere in mid-air before Li Fan. Then, he felt a terrifying shockwave lifting him, his feet continuing to retreat upon landing.

Looking up, he saw an elder from Bai Lu Academy standing in mid-air, confronting the Peacock Demon King opposite. The elder’s robe billowed, his powerful mana enveloping the area, as he angrily scolded the Peacock Demon King: "As the Demon King of Yunmeng Swamp, how can you be so despicable?"

The human cultivator army also reacted, angrily cursing.

Utterly shameless.

Couldn’t the Yunmeng Swamp Demon King afford to lose?

The Peacock Demon King’s eyes were sharp, staring at the elder blocking him, inwardly noting the fast speed. He understood his speed well, but the opponent was able to catch up when he suddenly moved to take someone away.

At Bai Lu Academy’s side, Lu Yuan’s heart skipped as she saw the Peacock Demon King make a move; she hadn’t expected it. It seemed senseless.

Being a Demon King, even if he lost this battle, stepping in to kill a junior was more disgraceful than anything else.

She didn’t know that the Peacock Demon King wasn’t trying to kill Li Fan but wanted to take him.

Seeing it couldn’t be done on the battlefield, he decided to try personally.

Although a loss of face, Lord Demon Saint’s orders were more important.

"We admit defeat in this battle." The Peacock Demon King gave the elder a sly look, turned, and walked away with his hands behind his back. After a few steps, he suddenly turned back, seeing the elder still watching him. The Peacock Demon King smirked: "I mean no harm, just curious about what a human cultivator who defeated the Yunmeng Swamp’s demon world genius looks like."

With that, he drifted forward, returning to the front of the demon world army and waving his hand: "Retreat."

The demon world army, reluctant but growling, eyed the human army’s direction before surging back into the Yunmeng Swamp like a tide.

The ground shook abruptly as though about to crack open.

The Peacock Demon King didn’t look back again, rising straight into the sky, transforming into a beam of light and fleeing into the distance, disappearing in an instant.

It was as if, to him, none of it had happened or mattered.

Bai Lu Academy watched the Peacock Demon King’s disappearing figure with a slight frown, sensing something fishy and odd.

The demon world’s invasion had come suddenly and retreated just as suddenly, almost like a joke or a whim of the enemy.

But did whim really require such a grandiose maneuver?

So, there was bound to be something fishy involved.

But as for the specific reason, he couldn’t know, only feeling it extremely strange.

After perceiving the Peacock Demon King’s departure, the elder turned around, glanced at Li Fan, with a voice entering Li Fan’s ears: "Don’t let others know who you are. I’ll keep an eye on the academy’s side."

Li Fan was taken aback, then bowed to the elder.

It seemed the elder knew his identity.

But this made sense, given he had been to Bai Lu Academy and had taken action there.

As for not exposing it, it was naturally to protect him.

The final move by the Peacock Demon King was very odd, and the elder couldn’t be sure if the Great Demons of Yunmeng Swamp would trouble Li Fan again, hence the warning.

"Thank you for saving many lives." The elder’s voice came again before he walked back; had it not been for Li Fan ending this war, many more might have died.

Li Fan watched the elder’s back, rather admiring the teachers of Bai Lu Academy.

Whether Mr. Qu or this elder, they indeed were people of character. Bai Lu Academy, as a place for teaching and propagating doctrine, might have devious disciples, but the teachers must be people of faith.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t remain in Bai Lu Academy to teach.

This elder’s cultivation was the same as the Peacock Demon King’s, in the Sixth Realm, above the Condensed Core Realm.

Li Fan also walked along the road, the crowd bursting into thunderous cheers, countless eyes upon him, curious to know who was behind the mask.

Within the crowd, several figures emerged, led by Duan Feng, shielding Li Fan and escorting him outward.

"Who is the young hero? Is he a student of Bai Lu Academy or a child of nobility?" Those around them surged forward to inquire.

"Why not show your true face, young hero? Don’t worry, even if demons seek revenge, the people of Yun Meng City will protect your safety."

"Make way." Duan Feng squeezed through with Li Fan, while Lin Yumo coldly spoke: "Have you considered that if the Peacock Demon King seeks revenge and infiltrates Yun Meng City, how many can stop him?"

Those around heard her words and found them reasonable, swiftly making way.

Li Fan quickly passed through the human army, heading toward Yun Meng City.

He was more concerned about the court discovering his identity, fearing trouble.

At Bai Lu Academy, the elder surveyed the crowd, saying: "After returning, don’t discuss or speculate who he is. The Peacock Demon King’s final move seemed malicious, and as academy disciples, you need to understand the situation. If anyone maliciously speculates, they will be expelled."

Everyone felt a chill, and those like Huang Xiong and Lu Yuan, who knew Li Fan’s identity, naturally wouldn’t spread it. They understood the elder was protecting Li Fan.

Duan Feng and the group escorted him all the way back into Yun Meng City. Li Fan cupped his hands to them, saying: "Thank you, elders, for the escort."

"Brother Ji, you’re too polite. We greatly admire Brother Ji’s demeanor. It’s a pity we can’t announce Brother Ji’s identity to the public. One day, if there’s a chance, we’ll surely make Brother Ji’s name known." Duan Feng cupped his hands in return.

Li Fan nodded slightly, thinking that Ji Feng would surely thank them.

What does Ji Feng’s fame have to do with my Yang Qingshan?

However, for now, he planned to cultivate quietly for a while, hardly stepping outside, to avoid external troubles.

"Elders, I’ll take my leave first." Li Fan cupped his hands, each side said their goodbyes, and Li Fan swiftly left.

"Truly unrestrained and free. Such grace, known to none, like wearing fine clothes at night, what a pity." Duan Feng remarked that if he had such grace today, making demons cower, he would parade in Yun Meng City for seven days and nights for its people to admire him; what joy!

"We know his name, we can seek him quietly, not announcing it; what say you?" Lin Yumo suggested, hoping to befriend such a talented figure like Li Fan.

"Makes sense." Duan Feng’s eyes brightened, thinking that with a name, they should be able to inquire.

With their influence in Yun Meng City, conducting such a search discreetly shouldn’t be hard, provided they kept it from outsiders, achieving both aims.

"Then let’s do it."

Duan Feng grinned broadly, while Li Fan had already quietly left, finding a secluded place to remove his robe and mask, thus returning to his true appearance in Yun Meng City and heading back to his residence on White Deer Street.

The courtyard was silent; Liu Ji had gone to the academy following Mr. Qu for cultivation, leaving only him alone here.

However, this quiet atmosphere was more suited to cultivation.

Li Fan took out the Demon Core and entered the state of cultivation, striving to break through to the Late Stage Soul Emergence this time, after which he could then attack the Foundation Establishment Realm.

The courtyard was quiet, but Yun Meng City was very lively; the events of that battle spread rapidly, and within a day, the whole city knew.

Lu Yuan and Huang Xiong became renowned through the battle.

Now, countless people in Yun Meng City hailed Lu Yuan as a goddess.

Apart from Lu Yuan, the most talked-about topic was that mysterious genius cultivator who, with an almost invincible stance, intimidated the demons, slaying one with each sword strike, and after three strikes, demons dared not emerge.

Ji Feng was at a tavern in Yun Meng City, drinking and chatting with people. His nature was carefree; visiting Yun Meng City to send his sister Ji Xue to Bai Lu Academy, he had befriended many drinking pals in his free time.

Hearing that the mysterious cultivator had slain three Great Demons in a row, Ji Feng also found it thrilling. Though he was a playboy, he admired such talented figures, truly impressive but regrettably unknown.

In Bai Lu Academy, Ji Xue walked along the path, hearing others discussing Lu Yuan and that mysterious person, feeling a myriad of thoughts.

Not long ago, she too had been the center of attention, yet now no one remembered the gentle singing of the White Deer. Of course, that was never really her.

At Yun Meng City’s gates, cultivators came and went in an endless stream.

In the crowd, a figure in a splendid robe dragged a demon beast corpse towards the city, drawing many glances.

"Quite a haul." Someone praised seeing the demon corpse, likely worth a lot.

"Not bad," the man smiled and nodded, continuing into the city. As he entered, he gazed at the broad street ahead, the ceaseless flow of people, a smile playing at his lips, tinged with a little wickedness, and those deep eyes seemed almost colored.

"Yun Meng City."

The man murmured, stepping forward.

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