Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 178 - 174 Leaving

Chapter 178: Chapter 174 Leaving

The horizon showed a touch of red glow, giving Demon City a sense of warmth.

In the courtyard, Li Fan opened his eyes and stood up.

His posture was upright, body like a sword, spine like a dragon, and his entire demeanor seemed transformed. As his muscles and bones became active, there appeared to be faint sounds of thunder.

Li Fan looked inward at his body, as if a giant sword was supporting his flesh, every bone within him resembled a dragon-shaped sharp sword.

*This was his foundation.*

"Foundation established."

Li Fan revealed a smile. Entering the fourth stage of cultivation, the Foundation Establishment Realm, he was no longer considered a low-level cultivator.

Establishing a foundational basis for the Great Path in the Da Li Dynasty meant a standard of middling excellence, allowing for a certain social status. Advancing one more step to the Condensed Core Realm, one could even become the family head of a city.

Of course, when considering those top-tier noble families, it was a different matter altogether.

"A foundation like a sword, a dragon; it should be an excellent foundation, not bad," the Old Blind Man said with a smile. Seeing Li Fan establish his foundation made him quite gratified.

The young man was now eighteen, stepping into adulthood and establishing a fundamental basis for the Great Path. The child he had watched since young had finally grown up.

*Although Li Fan did not consider himself a child, in the eyes of the Old Blind Man, the disciple was like a child.*

"Excellent foundation?" Li Fan looked at the Old Blind Man.

"Foundations vary in strength. Although cultivators rarely mention it, if subdivided, the foundations can be categorized into upper, middle, and lower. Most cultivators focus on realms. Only those with exceptional talent pay attention to the quality of the foundation," the Old Blind Man said, "Thus, some children of great families prepare unique treasures when breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm. These treasures, which could be prized items or Demon Cores, must perfectly align with their path of cultivation."

"This realm is crucial for laying a solid foundation for future cultivation. However, for you, it was a natural progression. Even without that Demon Core, you would have established an excellent foundation just the same."

Li Fan nodded. The world valued realms because reaching a high realm was already challenging. Few pursued the quality of a foundation, unless they possessed extraordinary talent or came from a prominent family.

Therefore, cultivators did not mention foundation quality, focusing only on realms.

"Additionally, after achieving the Foundation Establishment, using treasures or Demon Cores, there is still an opportunity to improve the quality of a foundation. Hence the cultivation world is full of intrigue and competition for resources. The higher the realm you reach, the clearer this becomes," the Old Blind Man continued.

It was the same with the Foundation Establishment Realm and the realms above.

The higher one’s cultivation, the higher the pursuit. Some relied on themselves, others sought shortcuts.

"Congratulations." A gentle voice sounded, as Qu Qingfeng smiled at Li Fan, courteous and refined.

"Sir." Li Fan courteously bowed.

"Xiao Fan could slay ordinary Four Realm Demons even at the Soul Emergence Realm. Now, having established the foundation for the Great Path, with formidable combat strength, he could contend with any cultivator in this realm," Qu Qingfeng said with a smile.

Combat strength varied even within the same realm.

Based on the combat strength Li Fan demonstrated at the peak of the Soul Emergence Realm, now he had taken another step up, achieving a significant breakthrough in realms. He believed average Late Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators might not be a match for Li Fan.

Of course, with exceptionally talented Late Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, it was different. After all, the Da Li Dynasty had many capable individuals who could challenge across realms.

"One must try it to know." Li Fan smiled, his combat power now, even without external help, should pose no danger against those below the Condensed Core Realm.

If he utilized the Skywalker Sword, anyone or demon below the Condensed Core Realm should be contestable.

In such a case, even without relying on the Sword Intent within him, he now already had the means to traverse the world, as long as the court did not discover him... After all, against him, the court would deploy top-tier cultivators of the Sixth and Seventh Realm.

"How has your recovery been?" Li Fan was busy with cultivation these past days and did not know how the Old Blind Man was doing now.

"Still manageable," the Old Blind Man said, "Want to leave Yun Meng Swamp?"

"Having stayed this long, it’s time to return," Li Fan said.

Originally, when going to Yun Meng City for cultivation, Li Fan intended to use demon hunting in Yun Meng Swamp to establish his foundation. Now, he indeed established his foundation in Yun Meng Swamp, but it turned out differently than his initial thought of ’Yun Meng Swamp’.

But the result was the same.

According to his prior plan, after establishing the foundation, it was time to leave Yun Meng City and continue the journey.

"Yes." The Old Blind Man nodded as well.

"Sir, what do you think?" Li Fan looked at Qu Qingfeng and smiled.

"Ok," Qu Qingfeng agreed. These days, he walked through Demon City in Yun Meng Swamp, familiarizing himself with the customs, having discussed his thoughts with the Demon Saint.

However, implementing them required time. He also needed to return to Bai Lu Academy for arrangements.

Additionally, there were rumors of conflicts outside, which should be settling down.

Wars, in charging and defending, often caused the deaths of ordinary cultivators, though they often served the interests of only a few.

"Are you going to leave?"

At this time, a clear voice came, the speaker being Yue Qingqiu. She looked at Li Fan and others, feeling somewhat reluctant in her heart.

"Yes," Li Fan nodded, "We do not belong here, so we should return."

Yue Qingqiu’s beautiful eyes seemed to be pondering, softly saying, "I’ll come with you, too."

"Ah..." Li Fan was taken aback.

"I’ll go out with you as well. Lord Demon Saint has no objection and allowed me to leave Yun Meng Swamp to see the human world," Yue Qingqiu softly said.

Li Fan looked at her... Indeed, she had courage.

"Since the Demon Saint does not object, you can come. I can take care of you a bit. Later on, you can cultivate in Bai Lu Academy with me, how about it?" Qu Qingfeng looked at Yue Qingqiu and smiled.

He did not mind including Yue Qingqiu.

He already had plans to establish an academy in Yun Meng Swamp. The entry of the demon race’s Holy Daughter into Bai Lu Academy might serve as a bridge, resolving the millennium-long life and death struggles between Yun Meng Swamp and the humans of Yun Meng Swamp.

At least, there shouldn’t be large-scale slaughter.

As for everyday hunting, it couldn’t be completely resolved.

Yue Qingqiu looked at Qu Qingfeng and then at Li Fan.

Li Fan nodded to her and said, "Sir is a teacher at Bai Lu Academy, educating the world. If you want to get familiar with the human world, you can first cultivate and study at Bai Lu Academy and gradually understand the human world."

"Alright, I’ll listen to you." Yue Qingqiu lightly nodded. She was not familiar with humans, only having Li Fan as a friend, and naturally listened to him.

"If that’s so, Qingqiu, go bid farewell to the Demon Saint on our behalf," Li Fan said to Yue Qingqiu. Although they were initially brought here under duress, they now seemed like guests of Yun Meng Swamp, so it was only fitting to say goodbye when leaving.

"There is no need."

At this time, the voice of the Demon Saint came from the direction of the Demon Saint Palace, "I will let Bailong accompany you, and let the demon army withdraw. But I hope you do not disclose the situation inside Yun Meng Swamp. Otherwise, don’t blame me for disregarding our relationship during this time."

"If the Demon Saint can restrain the demons within Yun Meng Swamp, it would be best. We will not disclose the situation inside externally, but if demons from Yun Meng Swamp invade Yun Meng City again, we will not show mercy," Qu Qingfeng responded.

"Take good care of Qingqiu for me. If anything happens to her, I will personally visit your academy," the Demon Saint continued, "And you, human boy, do not let down my apprentice."

Li Fan: "..."

Between him and Yue Qingqiu, how could there be any question of letting down?

However, he had understood some of the Demon Saint’s character by now. This millennia-old Fox Demon was full of cunning; her words were best taken with a grain of salt.

"Lord Demon Saint." Yue Qingqiu bowed in the direction of the Demon Saint Palace.

"Go on. Remember, humans are deceitful. Do not believe everything they say. You must have your judgment," the Demon Saint replied. Yue Qingqiu seemed to be deep in thought, unclear if she understood.

"Let’s go."

Li Fan said solemnly.

The group nodded, and at the Old Blind Man’s will, a giant sword suddenly floated, and they stepped onto it.

The giant sword soared through the sky, heading for the firmament, passing through clouds and flying above them.

...

Outside, in Yun Meng Swamp’s vast, endless forest areas, battles erupted everywhere.

In one place within the forest, cultivators and demons were tangled in fierce combat. One among them, a burly figure, was extraordinarily violent, carrying an iron mace, rampaging and tearing through demons, leaving blood and flesh scattered.

Not far from him, there was a glint of cold moonlight. The sword aura was chilling, penetrating a Four Realm Demon, causing its blood to instantly solidify into ice, and then its body shattered and died.

Nearby, a Snake Demon also participated in the skirmish against the demons.

Around them, there were many disciples from Bai Lu Academy.

Behind them, above the forest, were the elders of Bai Lu Academy.

"Huang Xiong broke the shackles and entered the Tian Gang. He alone, with only his flesh and blood, displayed unparalleled bravery," an elder said, with others nodding, "Lu Yuan’s sword was equally sharp."

"The demons grew increasingly powerful, while Mr. Qu delved deep into Yun Meng Swamp. We don’t know how he is doing now." They were somewhat worried. Giant demons from Yun Meng Swamp had emerged, yet Mr. Qu was nowhere to be seen.

"Li Fan was taken by demons, and now he’s likely facing grim odds," they sighed, thinking about Li Fan’s talent, which felt like a pity.

Since Li Fan was taken by demons, most in Yun Meng City believed surviving would be difficult. Bai Lu Academy disagreed with Mr. Qu entering Yun Meng Swamp; however, he insisted on going.

Hope, for a miracle.