Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 144 - 140 Practice Sword

Chapter 144: Chapter 140 Practice Sword

After Yun Zhiqiu learned about the news spreading, he immediately returned to Bai Lu Academy. He felt uneasy, sensing that he was being manipulated.

The sect leader of the Imperial Extreme Sect, Xiao Yu, ostensibly went to the Yun family with his daughter to see how he was doing, but it was actually to probe him for information and find out the mysterious person’s identity?

Now, this news was likely released by the Imperial Extreme Sect. What are they trying to do?

Moreover, he could only keep this matter to himself, unable to divulge it, and even needed to hide it, or else Bai Lu Academy wouldn’t spare him either.

Yun Zhiqiu felt vexed. First, it was Ji Xue, and now it’s Xiao Qiang; he felt like he was being toyed with.

"Brother Yun." Someone called out, and Yun Zhiqiu looked up, forcing a smile.

"What is Brother Yun thinking about, so absorbed?" the person asked with a smile.

"Nothing." Yun Zhiqiu concealed his thoughts without revealing them.

"Has Brother Yun heard? The mysterious cultivator is actually Yang Qingshan, no wonder that day when he stormed Bai Lu Academy, no one could match him. Previously, we thought it was Ji Xue, but it turned out to be him. Truly a prodigy, making us feel ashamed."

Hearing Yang Qingshan mentioned made Yun Zhiqiu feel uncomfortable inside, but he forced a smile and said, "Indeed."

He still recalled when he first saw Yang Qingshan, he didn’t even bother to take a proper look at him.

He even intentionally informed Ji Ran to have Yang Qingshan driven away from Ji Xue’s side.

But when Li Fan previously pointed out that someone abandoned his companions to save himself while storming Bai Lu Academy, Yun Zhiqiu bore a grudge against Li Fan.

Now, there’s also jealousy.

"Yang Qingshan." At this moment, the person beside him looked towards a distance, seeing Yang Qingshan and Lu Yuan walking together.

"Mr. Qu allowed Yang Qingshan to live in Bai Lu Academy. Though he’s not a disciple of the academy, he’s allowed to reside there; this is the reverence shown to a genius, with the academy willing to offer him protection." The person beside him looked enviously at the two figures.

Yang Qingshan and Lu Yuan walking together seemed particularly well-matched.

Moreover, Lu Yuan wasn’t as cold as usual. A relaxed expression showed on her exquisite face; she seemed comfortable walking with Yang Qingshan.

Such a scene had never occurred at the academy before; Lu Yuan never allowed strangers to get close.

Seeing this, Yun Zhiqiu became even more jealous.

He had thoughts about Ji Xue before, but for Lu Yuan, he didn’t even dare to have thoughts, knowing he didn’t stand a chance.

Yet what he longed for seemed so easily attainable for Yang Qingshan.

Whether it’s the admiration of Mr. Qu or the favor of a beauty, now even Ji Xue is indifferent towards him, but she wants to approach Yang Qingshan, and yet Yang Qingshan hardly pays her any mind.

"Mr. Ji." Just then, another figure approached, and Yun Zhiqiu saw it was Ji Ran, and he bowed in greeting, "Mr. Ji."

Ji Ran nodded casually, but his eyes were fixed on Yang Qingshan, and he started to walk towards him, leaving Yun Zhiqiu momentarily stunned.

So, Ji Ran has also become this realistic?

Li Fan and Lu Yuan walked inside the academy and saw Ji Ran coming their way, causing them to stop and look at him.

Ji Ran smiled at Li Fan and said, "Yang Qingshan, I’m Ji Xue’s uncle, Ji Ran. I’m sorry for what happened last time and thank you for saving Ji Xue."

"No problem, it all started because of me, of course I couldn’t let others suffer." Li Fan responded.

"Regardless, it’s a lifesaving grace. If there’s a chance in the future, I’d like to host a banquet and bring along Ji Xue to properly thank you, how about that?" Ji Ran said.

"No need, I’m not going out for the time being." Li Fan declined.

"Alright, maybe some other time." Ji Ran, understanding that Li Fan refused, didn’t insist, and stepped aside.

Li Fan nodded at him, and the two walked past Ji Ran. Watching their backs, Ji Ran lamented silently that Ji Xue’s hope was slim. He once thought he could bring a promising son-in-law into the Ji Family.

One wonders what relationship exists between Yang Qingshan and Lu Yuan.

Li Fan and Lu Yuan arrived at Qu Qingfeng’s courtyard, which quickly became lively. Now with Liu Ji living there, Li Fan visiting, and Ji Xue often coming by, the once quiet courtyard was now full of life.

Liu Ji led Li Fan to the room prepared for him, the courtyard was furnished with several tables and chairs.

Besides Qu Qingfeng, Li Fan noticed a middle-aged woman standing beside him, dressed in a light yellow long dress, her smile gentle, elegant, giving a sense of tranquility.

"This is Aunt Mei." Liu Ji introduced to Li Fan, evidently they were acquainted.

"Greetings, Aunt Mei." Li Fan bowed in greeting.

"I have observed you secretly before, so consider us acquainted now." The lady smiled as she spoke, surprising Li Fan, that he wasn’t aware of her presence before, indicating his cultivation and senses were still lacking.

"It was quiet here before, now it’s lively, there’s something for you to do." The lady said to Qu Qingfeng with a smile.

"We are not disturbing you, Mr. Qu." Li Fan said from the side.

Qu Qingfeng shook his head with a smile, "This is good. Young people, full of vitality like the plum blossoms in this courtyard, lively and colorful. Lu Yuan, why don’t you also move in here, I know you don’t want to become an apprentice, no need for formalities, practice here, and if you encounter problems, you can ask me. Though my knowledge is limited, I can still provide guidance."

"Besides, with Yang Qingshan here, you both can spar and exchange swordsmanship."

Hearing this, Lu Yuan felt tempted. She hadn’t become an apprentice because she was under Mo Yang at Li Mountain, and in terms of seniority, she ought to address Li Fan as uncle.

She glanced at Li Fan. At Li Mountain, they were essentially strangers.

Back then, besides the villagers, the other disciples at Li Mountain were quite unaware of Li Fan, knowing him only because Ye Qinghuang and Wen Ruyu were too dazzling.

After Li Fan’s notable battle at the Peak of Li Mountain, the disciples dispersed across various places. She did want to spar with Li Fan in the Sword Dao, but the opportunity hadn’t arisen.

Other places within the academy weren’t quite suitable; this place seemed like a good option.

Lu Yuan glanced at Li Fan next to her and then said to Qu Qingfeng, "Then, I’ll trouble Mr. Qu."

"That’s good." Qu Qingfeng responded with a gentle smile.

"Yang Qingshan, please guide me in the future." Lu Yuan said to Li Fan with a smile, a hint of playfulness in her eyes.

"Miss Lu, please guide me as well." Li Fan replied with a smile, deliberately calling out Yang Qingshan’s name, was this her mischievous side?

Liu Ji glanced at the two of them and then at Li Fan.

Heh!

Ji Xue silently watched them from the side, slightly lowering her head.

Although she studied under Mr. Qu, he hadn’t let her live here, instead having her return to her residence on White Deer Street each day.

Now, Mr. Qu not only let Li Fan stay but also invited Lu Yuan to stay.

The favor Mr. Qu showed Lu Yuan surpassed what he showed Ji Xue.

Thinking of this, Ji Xue inevitably felt a bit disappointed.

Lu Yuan also packed her things and moved over.

Now, Li Fan, Liu Ji, and Lu Yuan were all residing in this small courtyard.

The news quickly spread within Bai Lu Academy, curious if Mr. Qu had accepted Yang Qingshan and Lu Yuan as his last disciples?

However, Yang Qingshan, if not for the Great Demon threat, wouldn’t have wanted to come to the academy, and Lu Yuan didn’t intend to become an apprentice.

Evidently, Mr. Qu’s regard for them was from pure admiration and a willingness to care for them.

Of course, their talents warranted it.

...

The next morning.

The quiet courtyard, Liu Ji was up early, practicing with the brush and writing in the courtyard.

Li Fan came into the courtyard, seeing Liu Ji’s earnest demeanor, he walked over. Liu Ji finished writing quietly, then put down the brush to look at him, seeing the playful smile in Li Fan’s eyes, Liu Ji shot him a glare.

"Mr. Qu told me to." Liu Ji said, "Practicing writing can temper one’s temperament."

Liu Ji also knew she had an impatient nature, a characteristic of a demon.

"Seems like Mr. Qu has taught well." Li Fan replied with a smile, surprised that Liu Ji would listen so well.

He took a deep breath as a refreshing fragrance filled the air, the scent of plum blossoms.

"Morning."

A voice came from behind, and Li Fan turned around to see Lu Yuan walking over, fresh from washing in the morning, exuding a youthful, vibrant beauty, quiet and different from her usual aloof self.

Perhaps because of her looks and talent, people’s gazes naturally carried their own thoughts when looking at her.

At this moment, Lu Yuan seemed more genuine.

"What are you looking at?" Lu Yuan asked, her expression curious as she looked at Li Fan.

"Nothing," Li Fan replied with a smile, "Morning."

Lu Yuan turned back into her room and appeared again with a sword in hand, pointing it at Li Fan.

Li Fan: "?"

"What are you doing..."

"Yang Qingshan, please guide me," Lu Yuan said. With such a good opportunity, how could she waste it? She agreed to stay here largely because she wanted to practice swordplay with Li Fan daily.

Li Fan: "..."

Is it too late to run now?

"I’ll get my sword," Li Fan said, feeling dispirited.

Li Fan fetched his sword, and the two moved to the open ground under the plum trees, where a Sword Intent spread out as they genuinely began sparring, though they controlled the intensity.

Liu Ji’s gaze shifted towards them, eyes carrying a touch of ambiguous laughter.

At that moment, Ji Xue also stepped into the courtyard and was momentarily stunned when she saw the sword light flashing, then she quietly stood afar, watching the two practice swordsmanship.

Liu Ji gave Ji Xue a look, thinking to herself that she arrived quite early today.

This little courtyard was certainly lively!