Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 183 - 179: Chi Xiao City

Chapter 183: Chapter 179: Chi Xiao City

Autumn passes and winter arrives, bringing a touch of chill in the twelfth lunar month.

Outside Chi Xiao City, people come and go, with demon beasts and fine horses alike.

In the distance, a carriage approaches Chi Xiao City, the breath of the all-black horse turning into white mist in the winter air.

"Young master, we’ve arrived."

Outside the carriage, a seductive and charming woman smiled as she spoke to the person inside. She wore a long dress, her alluring figure drawing the attention of passersby. Cultivators are not afraid of the cold or heat.

Some who passed by glanced into the carriage, curious about this young master who seemed heartless, allowing such a beautiful woman to drive in the cold.

But in a place like Chi Xiao City, no one would meddle without reason.

This world-renowned Sword Tao Sacred City gathered countless legendary figures. Once inside, even a randomly thrown stone could hit a Great Sword Cultivator.

A delicate hand pulled open the curtain, and Lu Yuan looked out of the carriage, gazing at the world-famous Sword Tao Sacred City. Just at a glance, as a Sword Cultivator, she felt as if the entire city emitted a mystical Sword Intent.

"Truly peculiar," Lu Yuan said softly. Curious people looked over, witnessing Lu Yuan’s face and were taken aback, finding her even more beautiful than the woman driving.

No wonder...

As they marveled, another stunning face appeared in view, casting a glance outside.

They were all stunned, this...

But in an instant, the curtain closed again. Inside, the faint voice of a man emerged, and they cursed silently in their hearts, what a scoundrel!

"Giddy up..." Though initially excited upon arriving at Chi Xiao City, they were now filled with melancholy, thinking of how others lived such legendary lives.

Inside the carriage, Li Fan also felt a peculiar sensation. Even by sitting inside, he could sense the presence of a tremendous Sword Intent. It wasn’t the Sword Intent of Sword Cultivators but the entire city exuding a sharp aura.

Chi Xiao City was hailed as the Sword Tao Sacred City in the Da Li World, and the reputation was well-deserved.

This aroused his expectations a bit.

"I heard that Sword Cultivators from all over the Da Li World yearn for this place. I wonder how many talented Sword Cultivators are here," Lu Yuan said softly and looked at Li Fan. "This time, what name do you plan to use, Yang Qingshan?"

Li Fan shook his head. "The name Yang Qingshan has already been used in Yun Meng City and caused quite a stir. Even the Court knows about it, so it’s better to use a different one."

"What shall it be?" Lu Yuan asked curiously.

"Lu Long? I could be your elder brother, how about that?" Li Fan suggested. Lu Yuan shook her head. "Not good, the name Lu Yuan might also be known to the Court."

Though Chi Xiao City wasn’t within the Court’s sphere of influence, it was still better not to stir things up, similar to Yun Meng City, where the Court likely has its spies.

"Zuo Tu," Li Fan said.

Zuo Tu, Zuo Canglan’s disciple.

Lu Yuan seemed to muse, and Li Fan asked, "What about you, what name will you use?"

"How about Zuo Yuan?"

Lu Yuan looked at him and said softly, "It’s better not to mention names."

Li Fan was taken aback, then nodded with a smile, "That works as well. If someone asks, you can just give a surname."

"Brother Huang, once we’re in Chi Xiao City, don’t use your real name outside," Li Fan cautioned, and Huang Xiong replied, "Understood."

While chatting, they headed towards the grand city.

The carriage entered the city; the streets of Chi Xiao City were exceedingly wide, and many passersby carried sharp swords.

It’s said that in Chi Xiao City, nine out of ten people are Sword Cultivators. While this is an exaggeration, it does reflect the number of Sword Cultivators in the city.

Within the Da Li Dynasty, no other city could compare, not even the Imperial City could rival Chi Xiao City in terms of Sword Cultivators.

Currently, the top-ranked Sword Cultivator in the Da Li Dynasty resides in this Chi Xiao City.

"Liu Ji, Brother Huang, let’s find a place to stay, not an inn but somewhere for a long-term stay," Li Fan said softly to those outside the carriage.

Inns are crowded and nosy, easily causing trouble.

He preferred, like in Yun Meng City, to find a courtyard to settle in, having everyone live together for convenience.

Otherwise, with Liu Ji around, they would be somewhat conspicuous.

Not to mention, there’s Lu Yuan and Yue Qingqiu... Indeed, it’s quite eye-catching.

"Alright, let’s inquire first inside the city, see what’s convenient," Liu Ji replied.

"You all find a place to rest first, I’ll handle it," Huang Xiong offered. He had spent many years in the martial world and was adept at such matters.

"No rush, let’s do it together," Li Fan said.

"Alright then, Miss Liu, you take the reins; I’ll go scout ahead," Huang Xiong said, jumping off the carriage and heading forward. He entered a nearby shop, emerging with a map of Chi Xiao City in hand.

Returning to the carriage, Huang Xiong said, "Chi Xiao City truly is vast. At our current pace, crossing through the city would take quite some time. I’ve inquired about residences as well: should we settle in the central area or somewhere more remote?"

"Central would be better," Li Fan said. "The area on the outskirts of the center."

"Understood." Huang Xiong climbed back onto the carriage and drove forward.

Indeed, as he stated, this Chi Xiao City is immense, with a population exceeding millions, most of whom are cultivators.

In places like Chi Xiao City, it is challenging for ordinary people to survive, essentially leaving only those working at the lowest levels.

In Chi Xiao City’s Seven Star Alley, a rather well-known alley in the city, many outside Sword Cultivators resided here.

Li Fan and his companions made their way here.

Outside a shop, an old man sat basking in the sun, holding a smoking pipe and puffing away.

Huang Xiong approached and conversed for a while. The old man raised his eyes to look at Huang Xiong and said, "Are you a Sword Cultivator?"

"No," Huang Xiong shook his head.

"If you’re not a Sword Cultivator, no rental," the old man glanced at Huang Xiong and then lost interest. This puzzled Huang Xiong—does the old man look down on people?

"Sir," at this moment, Liu Ji stepped forward. The old man gave her a once-over, his eyes showing a bit of brightness and asked, "Miss, are you a Sword Cultivator?"

"I’m not," Liu Ji said with a smile.

"That’s also no good; rules cannot be broken," the old man replied, though his attitude was a bit more courteous than with Huang Xiong.

"I’m not a Sword Cultivator, but my young master is," Liu Ji responded with a smile.

"Then let your young master come," the old man said, looking at the carriage arrogantly.

Lu Yuan emerged from the carriage, leaving the old man stunned, watching Lu Yuan. Previously, Liu Ji surprised him, yet Lu Yuan’s aura was even more exceptional.

Yue Qingqiu also descended from the carriage; the old man blinked, choking on his smoke and coughing.

Li Fan was the last to come down, and the old man had already stood up, addressing Liu Ji, "Miss, please come with me."

Liu Ji, somewhat puzzled, followed, as did Li Fan and the others, while Huang Xiong went to drive the carriage.

"Why did you change your mind so quickly, sir?" Liu Ji asked with a smile.

"Heh..." the old man chuckled confidently, "Your young master is clearly no ordinary person at a glance."

"Oh, how so?" Liu Ji asked curiously.

"I’ve been here for many years and have seen countless people. I still have that bit of insight," the old man said. With a maid like Liu Ji, he could be a noble young master.

Yet to also have Lu Yuan and Yue Qingqiu by his side...it’s not simple, oh.

The old man led them outside a courtyard. This area was all residential, with courtyards scattered strategically, all grand houses.

"Here it is, come in and have a look."

The old man opened the door and entered. Although not comparable to grand mansions, it was spacious enough, with front and back yards, and many rooms.

"Miss, though it’s not large, many Great Sword Cultivators have lived here over the years," the old man said with a smile. "In Chi Xiao City, the ground is full of talented Sword Cultivators, and Seven Star Alley has always been a resting place for Sword Cultivators. Even a top Great Sword Cultivator on the Sword Saint List once lived here."

He spoke with a proud expression.

"Sword Saint List?" Liu Ji asked in surprise, "What is that?"

"Miss, coming to Chi Xiao City, you don’t know?" the old man questioned, looking at Liu Ji. "In this Chi Xiao City, there’s a ranking for Sword Cultivators in the world, the Sword Saint List, ranking the strongest sword cultivators in the Da Li World, the top Great Sword Cultivators eligible for the Sword Saint realm."

"Currently, the number one on the Sword Saint List resides in this Chi Xiao City," the old man glanced reverently into the distance.

"Oh?" Liu Ji said, "What about the second and third rankings?"

"Both are in Da Li Imperial City," the old man replied. "But the fifth is also in Chi Xiao City."

"What about Li Mountain?" Liu Ji asked, "The Li Mountain Sword Cultivators are renowned worldwide."

"Li Mountain,"

The old man murmured, smiling and shaking his head, "Li Mountain, was once unparallelled by the Sword Saint List, yet now cannot enter."

"What do you mean?" Lu Yuan stepped forward, curious to ask.

"Li Mountain’s former figure suppressed the Sword Cultivators of the Da Li World, revered as the Sword Tao Saint—how could the Sword Saint List contain them?" the old man said with a smile. "Even that person’s disciple was on the Sword Saint List, but was injured then, and Li Mountain’s Wen Jianshou was world-renowned, also ranked high, but unfortunately perished."

"But now, Li Mountain is in decline, and few Li Mountain Great Sword Cultivators come out, lacking achievements. Thus today..." The old man shook his head, sighing, "Every generation replaces the one before."

Li Fan listened quietly, slightly touched.

That Sword Tao Saint must be referring to Master Ancestor, indeed.