Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 186 - 182: Legend of the Martial World

Chapter 186: Chapter 182: Legend of the Martial World

The Lu Mansion is located at the end of Seven Star Alley.

Two stone lions stand on either side, with a bronze gate conveying a sense of stability, and the plaque above bears the words "Lu Mansion".

From the outside, the mansion seems ordinary, much like the other residences on Seven Star Alley, but upon entering, it reveals a whole new world, with the entrance opening up a broad view.

Snow covers the ground, while pavilions and towers create a picturesque scene.

A maid leads Li Fan and his companions through a corridor to an open area in the Lu Mansion, resembling a martial arts arena within the mansion.

In various locations, many people are seated on the ground, each provided with warm wine, Lu Yuhuan sits at the main seat, yet also seated on the ground like everyone else, creating a sense of unity with the guests.

Also, there are no other people from the mansion present.

This aspect provides a comfortable feeling, as many have come here for the sake of Lu Yuhuan and prefer not to engage in socializing.

Sword cultivators are free-spirited, often unrestrained, and dislike restrictions.

Some came for Lu Yuhuan, while others wanted to see other talented sword cultivators.

"Brother Zuo, Miss Lu."

Seeing Li Fan arrive, Lu Yuhuan gestures to a seat and says, "Please take your seats."

Among the group, only Li Fan and Lu Yuan are sword cultivators, so only the two of them arrived for the feast, as it is a gathering of sword cultivators.

Li Fan and Lu Yuan sit on the ground, snowflakes falling, with everyone simply sitting in the snow without cover, leading Li Fan to smile and say, "It’s indeed an appreciation of snow, Miss Lu, elegant."

Drinking warm wine in the snow and discussing swords is a unique enjoyment.

Many around glance at Li Fan and Lu Yuan, both of extraordinary appearance, sitting together and matching well, prompting someone to smilingly ask, "Is this Brother Zuo and Miss Lu a couple?"

Lu Yuan remains unmoved by the words, and the two walking together indeed easily cause misunderstandings, so there’s no need to mind. Li Fan responds, "Friends."

The person nods with a smile, their gaze returning to Lu Yuan, whose exceptional temperament and beauty are undeniable, though her Sword Dao cultivation level is unknown.

If that is likewise extraordinary, then they are indeed a good match.

"I am Shi Zhong." He bows to Lu Yuan, but Lu Yuan looks towards Li Fan beside her, pretending she didn’t see, ignoring Shi Zhong, causing him a bit of embarrassment.

This scene is seen by Lu Yuhuan, who notes that Lu Yuan is rather unceremonious, as Shi Zhong greeted her after asking, yet ignored Li Fan.

Thus, Lu Yuan also ignored him, making it quite intriguing, with Shi Zhong evidently feeling awkward.

"Brother Tang is here." At this moment, a youthful figure with a sword on his back walks in, immediately drawing everyone’s gaze, including Li Fan, who looks at the arriving young sword cultivator, appearing around twenty, walking with the wind, appearing buoyant, free-spirited, and unrestrained.

Tang Huan, ranked thirty-six on the Green Cloud List, is also the youngest talented sword cultivator on the list, naturally possessing the qualification for such free-spiritedness.

A sword cultivator’s eyes hide sword intent, eager to try.

Lu Yuhuan invited young sword cultivators, and those coming to Chi Xiao City all desire to enter the Green Cloud List.

Now, with Tang Huan from the Green Cloud List present, they naturally want to test themselves.

If one challenges and defeats Tang Huan during the sword exchange in Chi Xiao City, they can replace him, ascending to their rank, and enter the Green Cloud with their sword.

"Mr. Tang." Lu Yuhuan rises to greet him, as Tang Huan walks in a carefree manner, calls out to Miss Lu, and sits down not far from her.

"I’ve long heard of Mr. Tang’s name; now upon meeting, indeed, extraordinary in style and still so young." The voice comes from Su Chen, who, upon Li Fan and Lu Yuan’s arrival, didn’t greet as usual, presumably due to the reasons of that day.

Tang Huan doesn’t respond, simply lowers his head to pour warm wine, then raises the cup to Lu Yuhuan, saying, "Is the matter of the rare sword you mentioned serious, Miss Lu?"

"Yuhuan naturally dares not deceive." Lu Yuhuan smiles, retrieves a sword box from beside her, and upon opening it, a cold light emits, exuding an icy aura.

"Inviting everyone to appreciate the snow and discuss swords today naturally comes with some stakes. For the one who wins by sword exchange, the Lu Mansion is willing to present a rare sword. Of course, it’s mainly for fun, as all of you are talented sword cultivators and won’t be intrigued; this sword is just to spice up the sword exchange."

Li Fan senses the sword’s intent, internally noting that this is no ordinary sword, certainly beyond average clans to produce as a prize. The Lu Family also possesses considerable resources, casually using it as stakes.

Tang Huan seems to have come for it, though it wasn’t mentioned before, perhaps he agreed too quickly?

Within the crowd, a particularly conspicuous swordsman in ragged clothes is Yan Qi. He glances at Lu Yuhuan and then continues quietly drinking, appearing out of place at this gathering.

Lu Yuhuan places down the sword, raises a cup in both hands, and says to everyone, "Yuhuan toasts to all, thank you for gracing Lu Mansion with your presence, Yuhuan is deeply grateful."

Saying this, she drinks it all in one go.

The others clink glasses from a distance and drink it down; only Lu Yuan, who is not good at drinking, gently sips instead.

"Why isn’t Miss Lu drinking?" a voice asks, the speaker being Su Chen, who pays attention to Li Fan and Lu Yuan, knowing Lu Yuan hadn’t drunk from her cup.

Lu Yuan frowns.

What does this have to do with him?

"She’s not good at drinking." Li Fan answers for Lu Yuan.

"Earlier, Brother Zuo claimed he wasn’t in a partner relationship with Miss Lu, yet now rushes to explain for her," Su Chen says with a smile, appearing jokingly.

If acquainted well, it might not be offensive, but Li Fan, Lu Yuan, and he aren’t very familiar.

"Do I need to explain to Brother Su?" Li Fan asks with a smile, drawing interest from onlookers watching the two; they haven’t even started the sword discussion, yet seem confrontational already.

Do the two hold old grudges?

"Of course not, I was just joking, casually asking, with no other intention." Su Chen says calmly, with a slight smile, as if it’s Li Fan who can’t take a joke.

"Miss Lu naturally isn’t forced to drink." Lu Yuhuan mediates the situation.

"In the world of Sword Dao, Chi Xiao City ranks supreme, the Da Li Dynasty’s foremost swordsman is already at the Semi-Saint level, overseeing Chi Xiao City, drawing countless talented sword cultivators here. Today our gathering is a fateful coincidence; though our Sword Dao is minor, we are young. Someday, I hope some among us won’t merely enter the Green Cloud but rise into the Sword Saint List." Lu Yuhuan raises her cup again, her words sincere, instilling aspiration in everyone.

To ascend to the Green Cloud, enter the Sword Ranking, and then the Sword Saint List.

This is the dream of countless Da Li Sword Cultivators.

"The head of the world’s Sword Dao is a Semi-Saint. Currently, in the Da Li world, is there a Saint alive?" Li Fan curiously asks, uncertain if anyone here knows.

"Perhaps." a swordsman responds, "I heard in the Da Li Dynasty’s Imperial Palace, there might be a Saint."

"Li Mountain?" Another sword cultivator adds, "A year ago, supposedly the Da Li Dynasty approached Li Mountain and returned defeated. Details of that battle are scarce due to secrecy, yet rumors claim the second figure of Lingxiao Pavilion, Wang Daoxuan, perished on Li Mountain."

"It should be impossible," someone says, "That Sword Dao Saint has long passed away, so has the Li Mountain Sword Master. Perhaps they left some means behind to protect Li Mountain, preventing its downfall."

"That’s possible; I’ve also heard Li Mountain possesses a Divine Sword."

"Regardless, Li Mountain is in the past. The Da Li Court won’t let Li Mountain rise again." Su Chen speaks mildly.

"Back in the day, Li Mountain was filled with heroes and was so glorious. Now, only one Li Mountain Sword Cultivator remains on the Sword Ranking list." Lu Yuhuan sighs.

"Who?" Li Fan inquires.

"Vermilion Bird Sword, Ji Hua." Lu Yuhuan replies.

"Senior Brother Ji Hua." Li Fan muses inwardly.

"However, Wen Jianshou’s son, Wen Ruyu, is also extraordinarily gifted and could have opportunities in the future," Lu Yuhuan adds.

"The court might not give them that chance." Su Chen chuckles.

"Brother Zuo seems unfamiliar with these renowned sword cultivators?" Lu Yuhuan looks curiously at Li Fan.

"New to this place, I haven’t learned about them yet, just know who the top three on the Sword Saint List are," Li Fan smiles, recalling what Elder Cai had mentioned.

"Those are a bit distant, though besides those on the Green Cloud List, many young talented sword cultivators haven’t come to Chi Xiao City and aren’t on the list," Lu Yuhuan says, "I heard Lingxiao Pavilion is sparing no effort in cultivating a top talent, the son of the Imperial City Jiang Family."

"Jiang Tai’e."

Su Chen surprisingly knows a lot, smiling, "Jiang Tai’e has already made his mark in the Imperial Palace, currently only sixteen or seventeen, reportedly already in the Foundation Establishment Realm; such terrifying talent, if he comes to Chi Xiao City, will someday top the Green Cloud List."

"I heard a little gossip," another sword cultivator says.

"What kind of news?"

"During that time the court dealt with Li Mountain, Lingxiao Pavilion took Jiang Tai’e to challenge Li Mountain. Jiang Tai’e lost."

"Oh?" Everyone seems curious.

"Lost to whom?"

"Naturally a Li Mountain disciple; as for who, have you heard about the incidents in Chuzhou City? The court sent several top cultivators to Chuzhou City to kill a certain youth; guess why?"

"The one who defeated Jiang Tai’e?"

"Unknown." The person smiles and shakes their head, "But the truth might not be far off."

Li Fan and Lu Yuan listen quietly, maintaining their demeanor, unexpectedly finding that the sword discussion has turned towards him.

It seems tales of him have already begun circulating the martial world.