Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 193 - 189: Reckless Blasphemy

Chapter 193: Chapter 189: Reckless Blasphemy

The Yunlai Inn, as one of the inns within the city, occupied a vast area with its own private courtyards.

In addition, it had designated areas for dining and gatherings, where cultivators often congregated for small meetings.

At this moment, on the rooftop terrace of the Yunlai Inn, many cultivators were drinking and chatting. Su Chen was among them.

After Su Chen entered the Green Cloud List, he revealed his identity publicly. Being bold and straightforward, and known for his generosity, he quickly gained the acquaintance of many. Some sword cultivators, aware of his background, were also willing to associate with him.

Although there were quite a few top-tier sword cultivators in Chi Xiao City, they represented the pinnacle of power within the Da Li Dynasty. Only because of the city’s fame were such elites gathered here.

In truth, sword cultivators beyond the Sixth Realm were as rare as a phoenix feather or a unicorn horn.

Seventh Realm sword cultivators were capable of establishing aristocratic lineages and were virtually standing at the peak of the Da Li World. Any Seventh Realm Great Practitioner was renowned within the dynasty.

And Su Chen, coming from such a world—and specifically from the Imperial City—naturally attracted those around him to seek his company.

Someone walked over, glancing at everyone. Su Chen greeted him, saying, "Brother Song, come join us for a drink."

"Brother Su, you have quite the leisurely spirit," the man replied, "but not long ago, a horse-drawn carriage arrived at the Yunlai Inn. Brother Su, care to guess who it was?"

At these words, Su Chen froze momentarily and narrowed his eyes, as though he had someone in mind.

"Brother Song, who was it?" someone else asked.

"Zuo Tu," the man surnamed Song replied, causing the atmosphere around them to still. Then, murmured discussions began, and everyone’s eyes fell on Su Chen.

The events involving the Lu Family had already circulated widely. Zuo Tu was the one who had defeated Su Chen to claim his place on the Green Cloud List. After Su Chen entered the list, Zuo Tu even climbed several more ranks ahead of him.

They had also heard that Zuo Tu was ambushed in Seven Star Alley, and now he had come to the Yunlai Inn. What was his intent?

Everyone sensed that Zuo Tu had likely come for Su Chen.

Su Chen was well aware as well. His eyes gleamed with a playful smile. *This Zuo Tu is quite amusing, chasing me all the way here?*

"Brother Song, when you saw Zuo Tu, did you notice the women with him?" Su Chen asked with a lighthearted tone, seemingly relaxed. Seeing his demeanor, the others also eased slightly.

*Perhaps they were overthinking.* Even if Su Chen’s strength was inferior to Zuo Tu’s, with Su Chen’s family background, what could Zuo Tu possibly do to him?*

"I did. Their appearances were remarkably stunning," the man surnamed Song replied.

"Weren’t those women rumored to be demons?" someone else said with a chuckle.

"They are indeed demons—one a Snake Demon and the other a Fox Demon," another chimed in. "Zuo Tu does know how to enjoy life."

The group started joking about Li Fan and his companions, creating a light-hearted and cheerful atmosphere. Their banter also had the subtle intention of pleasing Su Chen.

Just then, footsteps echoed as someone ascended the staircase to the rooftop. Conversations immediately halted when everyone noticed the newcomers.

From the stairway emerged a strikingly handsome man, followed by two women and a burly man. It was none other than Li Fan’s group. Liu Ji, still recovering from her injuries, did not accompany them.

Su Chen’s gaze locked onto Li Fan, his eyes narrowing.

*He actually came.*

The rooftop fell into silence, leaving only the sound of Li Fan and his companions’ footsteps.

Li Fan’s group headed to a corner of the terrace and sat down without even sparing Su Chen a glance.

Lu Yuan and Yue Qingqiu sat on either side of him, while Huang Xiong stood beside Li Fan like a tower of iron. His massive, bell-like eyes glared menacingly at those who had been speaking earlier.

The onlookers glanced at Li Fan’s group, and when their eyes landed on Yue Qingqiu and Lu Yuan, expressions of surprise flickered on their faces. *Demons? Yet their beauty was breathtaking.*

The joking tone they previously held began to dissipate. A twinge of envy toward Li Fan surfaced instead. With women of such magnificence, who cared if they were demons?

"You were all just chatting so enthusiastically. Why has everyone gone quiet now?"

Huang Xiong’s thunderous voice boomed at them. His massive gaze fixated on one of the cultivators who had just been teasing about Li Fan’s preferences.

The man, noticing Huang Xiong’s intimidating stare, averted his gaze. But Huang Xiong roared again, "I’m talking to you—why did you shut up?"

Wang Yan frowned and looked up at Huang Xiong. Earlier, he’d heard rumors about Zuo Tu’s coachman defeating a sword cultivator who had gone to challenge him. *Could it have been this man?*

Of course, in Wang Yan’s view, that was likely because the challenger had been too weak. *A mere coachman—how powerful could he be?*

To be called out and scolded by a coachman was naturally humiliating for a sword cultivator, especially in front of so many others.

"What?" Wang Yan retorted. "Was anything I said incorrect? If you’re so sensitive, maybe you shouldn’t bring demons out in public. Isn’t that right, everyone?"

"Brother Wang has a point. Bringing demons to Chi Xiao City—especially such attractive ones—is certainly intriguing," another person said with a laugh.

Back in the Yun Meng Swamp, Yue Qingqiu had heard plenty of talk about the conflict between humans and demons. Human cultivators were naturally predisposed to hostility toward demons. However, since traveling with Li Fan, she had encountered many who treated her without prejudice.

But now, she was beginning to sense the real animosity that humans harbored toward demons.

Of course, she didn’t take it too seriously.

"Get over here," Huang Xiong growled, pointing at Wang Yan and the other man who had spoken.

"A mere coachman dare act so brazenly?" Wang Yan sneered as he stood, his Sword Intent surging. He stepped forward, prepared to strike. Although he might not compare to Zuo Tu, a coachman was beneath his notice.

"Brother Wang, don’t underestimate him. That coachman has some skills," Su Chen interjected as a warning. Yet his words only further riled Wang Yan, who shot back, "Brother Su, don’t worry. I’ll take him down within ten moves."

Restrained Sword Aura began to swirl around Wang Yan’s body, the condensed sword light perfectly controlled at his Foundation Establishment level.

Suddenly, an intense heat filled the air, the temperature rising dramatically. Scorching waves of heat radiated outward as Wang Yan took a single step forward and slashed his sword at Huang Xiong.

The Flame Sword, like a fiery serpent, unleashed searing Sword Light in a sweeping arc. But Huang Xiong’s body, as if made of bronze and iron, erupted with overwhelming vitality, exuding a terrifying pressure that caused Wang Yan’s expression to change instantly.

Huang Xiong’s aura, like a blazing furnace, suppressed the Sword Intent entirely. He reached out with his bare hand, attempting to catch the oncoming blade. The spectators’ faces showed surprise.

A martial artist using their bare body to grab a sword? That was audacious!

Protected by Huang Xiong’s Mysterious Technique, his palm was as unyielding as tempered steel. He gripped the opponent’s sword, and even its sharp edge failed to cut through. With tremendous strength, he immobilized the sword completely.

Wang Yan, who was not particularly brilliant as a cultivator, could do nothing at the same level of cultivation to challenge Huang Xiong’s domineering physical prowess.

In one swift move, Huang Xiong yanked Wang Yan forward by the sword. Sword light flashed between Wang Yan’s brows, but before he could strike, Huang Xiong had already clamped his massive hand around the man’s head, forcing him to retract his Sword Aura for fear of injuring himself.

Huang Xiong grabbed Wang Yan by the neck, lifting him into the air. With an almost casual motion, he swung his arm and hurled Wang Yan’s body, sending it crashing into the other sword cultivator who had been speaking earlier.

The man tried to dodge, but Huang Xiong’s immense strength caused the collision to occur nonetheless. The two bodies collided with a resounding crash before both were flung off the rooftop, falling with a distant rumble.

From below the inn came the sound of voices, and many figures leapt into the air, eager to see what had transpired above.

"Anyone else with a foul mouth? Come out and speak directly instead of gossiping behind people’s backs," Huang Xiong growled, his eyes sweeping over the crowd. "What kind of sword cultivators are you supposed to be?"

The crowd fell completely silent. Those who had previously dismissed the rumors of Zuo Tu’s coachman defeating challengers were now convinced of Huang Xiong’s terrifying power after witnessing it firsthand.

This man was likely born with Divine Power, and whatever Mystic Technique he practiced had rendered his physique as durable as iron. He might even possess a sword cultivator’s combat prowess at the Green Cloud List level.

*And this man is merely Zuo Tu’s coachman?*

Their gazes shifted to Li Fan, who sat calmly, as if nothing that had happened concerned him in the slightest.

"Birds of a feather flock together," Li Fan said with a hint of disdain, "and among so-called sword cultivators, the mediocre vastly outnumber the genuine. Associating with such people—what kind of person does that make you?"

His detached voice left the onlookers stunned.

In a single sentence, Li Fan had insulted everyone present at the gathering.

Among them were some accomplished individuals who frowned, their eyes sharp as swords directed at Li Fan.

"Though you’ve made it onto the Green Cloud List," one of them said, "must you be so arrogant with your words?"

"Indeed," another chimed in. "Even if you have some talent, such arrogance won’t get you far on the Green Cloud List."

"Arrogance?" Li Fan let out a mocking laugh. "Sword cultivators who only know how to gossip behind others’ backs—what kind of sword cultivators are you?"

"As for arrogance, you’re not wrong. I don’t hold you in high regard—not a single one of you."

Li Fan’s voice remained indifferent, yet with these words, he managed to offend everyone present.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.