Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 147 - 143: Probing

Chapter 147: Chapter 143: Probing

Li Fan’s brows furrowed in confusion as he wondered why the Peacock Demon King wouldn’t stop fixating on him.

"Don’t worry, the Peacock Demon King won’t act so brazenly," Qu Qingfeng said softly.

Li Fan nodded, it seemed Mr. Qu wasn’t concerned about the threat posed by the Peacock Demon King.

Within Bai Lu Academy, several overwhelming pressures emanated across space and landed on the Peacock Demon King, causing his wicked eyes to emit a dazzling brilliance.

"Peacock, Bai Lu Academy’s restraint isn’t because we can’t subdue you but because we don’t wish to ignite a war with Yun Meng Swamp. If you dare act recklessly in Yun Meng City again, you may find you will never leave this human city," a voice infused with pressure fell upon him, its tone seeming to come from beyond the heavens.

The Peacock Demon King clearly felt several pressures simultaneously bearing down on him. Behind him, a virtual shadow of radiant wings appeared and gently fluttered, emitting resplendent divine light. He stared toward the direction of Bai Lu Academy and said, "What arrogant words."

He didn’t believe that, with his speed, anyone in Bai Lu Academy could stop him.

"You can try. If you dare lay a hand on a single soul, I’ll let the Great Demons of Yun Meng Swamp recover your body," the voice came again, leaving the Peacock Demon King’s sinister eyes filled with coldness.

The glorious divine light shone brilliantly, but he dared not act rashly.

*A deep humming noise reverberated...*

In an instant, his figure darted upward as the divine light shot toward the sky, disappearing from view in the blink of an eye. From the heavens came a retreating voice, "Very well, until next time."

As his voice faded, the terrifying demon energy dispersed and the dark clouds in the sky scattered. Only then did the numerous human cultivators breathe a sigh of relief.

They thought, "Bai Lu Academy truly deserves its reputation as Jiangzhou’s Sacred Land. It seems they indeed possess the means to kill the Peacock Demon King."

Li Fan, too, sensed the dispersal of the demon energy from within the academy. Qu Qingfeng remarked, "It’s over, but judging by the Peacock Demon King’s behavior, he likely won’t let this go so easily."

Li Fan nodded; he sensed it too.

Qu Qingfeng turned to Li Fan and said, "The recent demon riots in Yun Meng Swamp were unusually odd. For years, there’s been a delicate balance between Yun Meng Swamp and Yun Meng City without any incidents like this. Now it seems the riot wasn’t targeting human cultivators—perhaps it was aimed directly at you."

"Aimed at me?" Li Fan, though aware the situation was strange, couldn’t understand why Yun Meng Swamp’s demons would single him out.

"Yes," Qu Qingfeng affirmed. "Reflect carefully on the details of the last battle. Afterward, the Peacock Demon King even attempted to capture you before transforming into human form and entering Yun Meng City searching for you. Now, he doesn’t hesitate to reveal himself and issue threats. Clearly, the Peacock Demon King is desperate to capture you."

*Li Fan’s expression became contemplative. Qu Qingfeng gazed into the distance and murmured, "If this is the case, then it’s likely the Peacock Demon King is acting under orders."*

"Under orders?" Li Fan asked Qu Qingfeng. "Are there demons above the Demon Kings in Yun Meng Swamp?"

"The academy has records stating that at the deepest part of Yun Meng Swamp, there’s a figure acknowledged as the Demon Saint—the leader of all demons. Beneath the Demon Saint are the various Demon Kings, of which the Peacock Demon King is but one under their command," Qu Qingfeng said. "According to the academy’s speculation, the power at the depths of Yun Meng Swamp vastly surpasses Bai Lu Academy’s. If Bai Lu Academy weren’t cautious, would they have allowed the Peacock Demon King to leave?"

"Detaining the Peacock Demon King wouldn’t be difficult, but triggering a larger-scale demon riot would spell disaster for Yun Meng City. Based on Bai Lu Academy’s records, if the Great Demons from Yun Meng Swamp’s depths emerged, Yun Meng City would be defenseless."

Hearing this, Li Fan understood. For years, humanity and Yun Meng Swamp had maintained a balance because both sides feared the consequences of escalating conflict.

But if the Peacock Demon King acted under orders, then it could only be on the Demon Saint’s directive.

*If their deduction were correct, why would the Demon Saint want him?*

*Then perhaps there was only one possibility.*

*The demon within him.*

*It had troubled him for a long time, bringing him immense suffering, yet now his body and the inner demon had achieved a form of equilibrium. The demon’s power even offered him advantages in cultivation, leading him to gradually overlook its presence.*

*So, was it because he entered Yun Meng Swamp and the Demon Saint sensed the demon within him?*

The Peacock Demon King was a Sixth Realm Great Demon; the leader of Yun Meng Swamp’s depths was sure to be stronger. It wasn’t unreasonable for them to sense it.

Beyond that, Li Fan couldn’t think of anything else that might draw the attention of the Demon Saint.

*But why wouldn’t the Demon Saint take action personally?*

If the Demon Saint acted, he might not make it out of Yun Meng Swamp alive.

"Sir, staying here in the academy might not be the best choice for its own safety. Perhaps..." Li Fan once more entertained thoughts of leaving.

"The Imperial Extreme Sect has set its sights on you, and Yun Meng Swamp wants you too. If you were to leave Yun Meng City now, you’d likely be targeted the moment you stepped out," Qu Qingfeng said. "So, it’s better to stay put in the academy."

"That’s true."

Li Fan acknowledged that Mr. Qu was likely correct. Two major forces had their eyes on him—one was a top sect within the city and the other a powerful demonic force outside it.

Moreover, it wasn’t yet clear whether the Imperial Extreme Sect had the Court backing them.

"Thinking too much is futile. Just follow what must be done," Qu Qingfeng said with a smile. "Cultivation is cultivation. A person’s life is, in essence, a process of cultivation—to take up and let go—that constitutes stepping into the gateway of cultivation."

"Merely stepping into the gateway?" Li Fan asked. Mr. Qu’s temperament was serene, far from ordinary.

"Yes," Qu Qingfeng replied with a smile, leaving the comment unexplained as he stepped away.

Li Fan was young; the path of life and cultivation stretched long before him, requiring his own discovery.

Looking at Lu Yuan, he noticed her furrowed brow seemingly filled with worry and couldn’t help but chuckle, "What’s on your mind?"

Lu Yuan glanced at him, and Li Fan felt as if he already knew the answer yet asked anyway, and chuckled, "It seems Mr. Qu’s words haven’t made much impact on you."

"Mr. Qu belongs to the world beyond; I have not yet reached that realm," Lu Yuan replied.

"Then, how about practicing swordsmanship?" Li Fan smiled.

Lu Yuan’s eyes lit up at the mention of sword practice. "All right."

Li Fan didn’t think much else, continuing to cultivate diligently while staying at the academy.

Xiao Qiang also joined the academy, her arrival adding to its vibrance and liveliness with more topics of conversation.

One day, within the academy’s library tower—

Li Fan browsed through books; though he wasn’t formally a student of the academy, Mr. Qu suggested that he peruse Bai Lu Academy’s collection of sword manuals. They might not necessarily be superior to the Sword Dao he practiced, but reading various Sword Scriptures could only benefit him.

Furthermore, different Sword Scriptures could complement one another, helping him deepen his cultivation.

Li Fan had now reached the Soul Emergence Realm, with Foundation Establishment as his next major step. Beyond reading the Sword Dao of predecessors, he needed to explore and define his own Sword Dao.

At that moment, Li Fan was deeply engrossed in one particular Sword Scripture. Nearby, academy disciples occasionally cast glances his way but refrained from disturbing him—Li Fan’s reputation had grown too prominent.

In the silent library, Li Fan was entirely absorbed.

Footsteps approached from the side. A figure came to stand beside Li Fan, selecting a Sword Scripture as well. A faint, delicate fragrance lingered, pleasant and refreshing.

This scene attracted several more curious gazes.

Since entering the academy, she had remained quiet for several days. Now, was this a sign of activity?

The individual beside Li Fan was none other than Xiao Qiang.

"I heard you’re staying at the academy, yet you’re not an academy student," Xiao Qiang said softly. "With Bai Lu Academy protecting you and permitting you access to the library, why haven’t you enrolled?"

Li Fan didn’t reply.

"Your swordsmanship is exceptional, and you’ve already comprehended Sword Intent. Such talent suggests you must have a master, which explains why you haven’t joined the academy," Xiao Qiang continued, her gaze lingering on the side of Li Fan’s face. "Am I right?"

*Li Fan had long suspected the Imperial Extreme Sect might be linked to the Court, so he wasn’t surprised by Xiao Qiang’s probing.*

*Yet Xiao Qiang, as the daughter of the Imperial Extreme Sect’s leader, seemed ill-suited for such tasks.*

*Her methods were, frankly, quite inept.*

"Does this concern Miss Xiao?" Li Fan responded in a low voice. "Your curiosity seems a bit excessive."

"What if I told you I’m very interested in you? Would you believe me?" Xiao Qiang asked.

"Should I believe it?" Li Fan finally glanced at her.

"You’re a prodigy—your swordsmanship is extraordinary, your talent unparalleled, and your appearance is striking. Why wouldn’t I be interested in you?" Xiao Qiang replied directly, her gaze boldly locking with his, carrying an air of intensity.

*Her father had instructed her to uncover Li Fan’s secrets, but truthfully, her interest in him wasn’t fabricated.*

Li Fan chuckled ruefully and turned his gaze away from her.

"What’s your connection to Lu Yuan?" Xiao Qiang pressed.

Li Fan didn’t bother responding.

"I hear from the academy that you’ve known her for some time. She, too, specializes in swordsmanship. Could it be that you and Lu Yuan were once fellow disciples?" Xiao Qiang continued.

*Li Fan set the Sword Scripture aside and left without a word.*

*Xiao Qiang raised her steps to follow him, trailing closely behind.*

"Interesting." The library disciples observing the scene exchanged amused glances. "So, is Xiao Qiang competing with Lu Yuan for his attention?"

However, she seemed to lack any clear advantages.

Male pursuit of females was common, but the Imperial Extreme Sect’s heiress chasing after a man? That was rare.

Li Fan exited the library, noting Xiao Qiang still shadowing him. His tone grew colder, "Miss Xiao, if you persist in this discourtesy, don’t blame me for being unkind."

"I haven’t done anything to you; I’m merely interested in you. How would you be unkind to me?" Xiao Qiang replied.

"Miss Xiao, probing into my affairs with such persistence—what is your aim? The previous leaks concerning my identity in Yun Meng City—did they involve the Imperial Extreme Sect?" Li Fan suddenly stopped, his gaze turning icy as a murderous aura burst forth from him. Sword Aura surrounded Xiao Qiang.

"What exactly is your purpose?"

Xiao Qiang could clearly sense the chilling intent enveloping her, making her feel cold to the bone.

Yet Xiao Qiang’s eyes didn’t show any fear. She continued to look directly at Li Fan and said, "Simply because I’m interested in you, would you actually kill me for it?"

"If you don’t believe I’m sincere in my interest, then how should I prove it to you?" Xiao Qiang stepped closer, her gaze locked onto his.

Li Fan raised an arm and struck forward, unleashing a wave of energy that swept over Xiao Qiang. His palm sent her flying backward.

Xiao Qiang stumbled back, staring at Li Fan in shock—he had actually attacked her?

"That was a warning," Li Fan said coldly. "Next time, I won’t be so cordial."

With that, he turned and walked away.

"Bastard," Xiao Qiang muttered under her breath, biting her lip lightly as she seemed to carry a hint of grievance.

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