Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 196 - 192: Blocking the Road

Chapter 196: Chapter 192: Blocking the Road

The winter sun was warm, and today’s Chi Xiao City was exceptionally lively.

On various streets and alleys, Sword Cultivators emerged, converging on a main street at the city’s center. Along the way, people were abuzz with discussions, while in the sky, Sword Cultivators controlled their swords, moving gracefully and freely.

Today was the day when the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena would accept disciples, attracting many practitioners from the Green Cloud List to try their luck.

Being under the tutelage of the world’s fifth-ranked Sword Cultivator, even if not as a direct disciple but just practicing at the dojo, would be beneficial for one’s Sword Dao due to the guidance available.

Moreover, the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena gathered a myriad of talents, all Sword Cultivators previously on the Green Cloud List, ensuring a smoother path in practicing the Sword Dao in such an environment.

Besides the Sword Cultivators from the Green Cloud List, many others were there just to witness the excitement.

Such opportunities only came once a year, as the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena only recruited disciples once before the year’s end. Missing it meant waiting for the next chance.

"Brother Nian, how many do you think will succeed in entering the Shadow Inheritor Sword’s dojo to practice?" Pedestrians were discussing this, considering the disciple intake at the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena as one of Chi Xiao City’s major events before the year’s end.

"Based on past practice, anyone from the Green Cloud List who shows up mostly gets a chance." A nearby person said, "Of the top five Sword Cultivators, only the Shadow Inheritor Sword’s dojo openly recruits disciples. Besides that, only the world’s second-ranking Lingxiao Pavilion recruits, but Lingxiao Pavilion is different. Even after joining, it’s challenging to meet Tai Xuzi."

As for the other three, seeking their guidance is nearly impossible; only with the Shadow Inheritor Sword is there a chance.

Therefore, many Sword Cultivators from the Green Cloud List are willing to give it a try.

As the crowd drew closer to the location of the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena, the flow of people on the streets grew, making the scene even more lively.

A swift horse galloped past on the street, causing pedestrians to exclaim in surprise.

Gu Qiu, tenth on the Green Cloud List.

"Gu Qiu, why so low-key." In the sky, a streak of light dashed by, a fiery red sword. On the flying sword stood a woman in a long crimson flame-colored dress, valiant and spirited, with a sword strapped to her back.

"Xia Yao." Gu Qiu glanced up, smiling, "I feel like it."

Xia Yao, twelfth on the Green Cloud List.

At another spot, a tall, dark-skinned man with a large sword strapped to his back was walking with firm steps, each move exuding strength.

"Han Zhong." Gu Qiu and Xia Yao looked at the marching figure, a slight seriousness in their expressions.

This Han Zhong, ranked seventh among Sword Cultivators on the Green Cloud List, wielded a dominant greatsword with formidable combat strength.

"So lively." The crowd buzzed with excitement, walking down the streets and easily spotting strong figures from the Green Cloud List, even those in the top ten. It truly lived up to the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena’s disciple recruitment; such a grand occasion was rarely encountered, seldom allowing all the Green Cloud List cultivators to gather.

Su Chen was also walking down the street, having risen early to bathe and dress in an elegant robe, with his hair styled, face like jade, a sword on his back, looking exceptional and attracting many glances.

Following him was that Five Realms Sword Cultivator.

Today was the day he would join the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena for practice.

After arriving in Chi Xiao City, Su Chen hurried onto the Green Cloud List to catch this year’s entry into the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena, understanding that even if he missed it this year, more opportunities would come later. Yet for him, time was precious; joining a year earlier meant faster progress.

The Su Family may have ties with the Li Family, but even so, he needed to follow the process and could not simply join the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena. Not even the Su Family, and even if a Li Family member came, Li Chengying decided whether to show courtesy or not.

The Li Family was a top clan in the Imperial City with a Seventh Realm Practitioner holding the fort, deeply rooted.

However, no matter how strong the foundation, it could not surpass the world’s fifth-ranking Great Sword Cultivator. Li Chengying’s presence had already transcended the Li Family; with a mere nod, he could control the Li Family at any time.

The influence of a peak Practitioner was unmatched by clans; Li Chengying alone could annihilate a family, and Xuan Yuan Sword could destroy a city. Such entities commanded respect from even the Da Li Court.

In those days, the Li Mountain’s influence was unmatched in the Da Li World due to several peak Sword Cultivators; no force could rival them, with only the Da Li Court standing a chance.

But now, as time passed...

Besides joining the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena, Su Chen had another purpose—vying for influence in the Su Family upon returning.

He had a clear understanding of himself; unlike Li Chengying, he lacked the genius to dominate the world. He was an ordinary person, seeking worldly power.

Not born from the heir line, Su Chen often had to act humbly, even flattering the main line to survive better and secure a place in the family’s core group, avoiding exclusion.

Yet how could a man of ambition remain beneath others?

Knowing that staying in the Su Family left no hope, he chose a different path, traveling thousands of miles from the Imperial City to Chi Xiao City, pursuing the Sword Dao, joining the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena, hoping to one day become a direct disciple of the Shadow Inheritor Sword. Such status would significantly elevate his ranking within the family.

Should he succeed in the Sword Dao, he’d have the opportunity to vie for core power, possibly even control the family.

For Su Chen, this attempt was critical to succeeding. He first targeted Tang Huan, the lowest-ranked on the Green Cloud List, residing in Seven Star Alley not by coincidence but as a chosen target.

After Li Fan disrupted his plans, he swiftly opted for a new target, squeezing onto the Green Cloud List.

"Mr., what are my chances?" Su Chen asked the Sword Cultivator beside him.

"Young master came for this purpose—how can a determined person fail?" The nearby Sword Cultivator replied, "Wishing young master success in entering the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena."

"Since childhood, I have learned the sword from you for many years; having today, I owe it to your care, never seeing you as an outsider but akin to a master teacher," Su Chen said. "Should I succeed, I will certainly repay your kindness."

"It’s my duty." The other person responded. He knew Su Chen well, understanding his deep thoughts and skill in winning people over. Even he sometimes couldn’t distinguish between Su Chen’s words being true or false.

Just how much sincerity lay in such heartfelt words?

However, Su Chen could succeed. Unfortunately, while his Sword Dao talent was above average, it wasn’t enough. Joining the Shadow Inheritor Sword’s fold might provide a transformative opportunity; if he could one day dominate the Su Family, that would undoubtedly be ideal.

"Here we are."

Su Chen looked ahead, perceiving a city within the city, towers rising high, sizeable gates surrounded by high walls resembling a city wall, upon which swords were mounted.

Outside the high walls lay a broad plaza, currently filled with various brilliant personalities.

In Su Chen’s eyes glowed anticipation; he quickened his pace, closing in on his goal.

Just as Su Chen brimmed with expectation, he noticed a carriage slowly approaching from the crowd’s side, headed in the same direction, driven by a coachman he recognized, causing him to pause and his face to darken grimly.

"Zuo Tu."

Su Chen stared at the approaching carriage, assuming the person was absent, startled to find his persistent specter looming here.

Was this a deliberate attempt to ruin his plan?

Su Chen paused briefly before continuing forward; the carriage halted before him, blocking his path, drawing attention from the surrounding crowd.

"It’s that coachman." Someone pointed at Huang Xiong.

"Who?"

"Zuo Tu’s coachman, within the carriage should be Zuo Tu," people speculated. Some clearly recognized Li Fan and Huang Xiong, now known figures in Chi Xiao City, albeit with mixed reputations.

In another direction of the crowd, a shabby black-robed swordsman emerged, quietly standing there, blocking Su Chen’s way; it was Yan Qi.

Su Chen emitted a trace of Sword Intent, his eyes gleaming.

He had endured Li Fan for long enough.

Su Chen advanced slowly, stopping near the carriage, speaking softly into it: "Brother Zuo, should there be any enmity between us, let’s consider it my fault. I sincerely apologize. How about visiting another day to make amends?"

Only a step away from entering the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena, Su Chen did not wish for any mishaps now, preferring to bow his head.

"Consider it?"

Li Fan’s voice came from inside the carriage, "It seems Brother Su doesn’t think he’s at fault."

Someone like Su Chen entering the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena could only bring more danger.

"What do you want, Brother Zuo?" Su Chen frowned, lowering his voice, "If possible, perhaps Brother Zuo could state a condition."

Li Fan opened the carriage curtain, stepping onto the street. Huang Xiong maneuvered the carriage aside, and all eyes turned to Li Fan. The sunlight cascaded down, highlighting his handsome face, causing many to marvel at this dashing Sword Cultivator.

Su Chen was already striking, yet standing opposite Li Fan, he felt overshadowed.

Rumors spread in Chi Xiao City about the young Sword Cultivator Zuo Tu, the youngest Sword Cultivator on the Green Cloud List, reputed as a noble dandy, youthful and unrestrained. Even his coachman was said to be arrogant, accompanied by a beautiful demonic companion renowned for her unmatched beauty.

Now, seeing this, the rumors were indeed true.

Today, with talents from all over gathered for the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena’s recruitment and Su Chen aiming to join, Zuo Tu’s carriage blocking the way demonstrated his audacious nature.