Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 198 - 194: One Sword

Chapter 198: Chapter 194: One Sword

Chen Xiao was momentarily stunned by Li Fan’s words.

Known as the "Gentleman Sword," ranked in the top twenty on the Green Cloud List, he was ignored so blatantly by the youngest sword cultivator on that list?

"It’s none of your business..."

As if he were an insignificant nobody.

Su Chen’s gaze also fixed on Li Fan, unable to suppress the killing intent in his heart any longer.

*Too much, this was far too much to endure!*

*One sword, just one sword.*

*If this one sword resolved everything, then all his efforts would turn to bubbles, and he’d forever lose the chance to step into Li Chengying’s dojo.*

"Brother Zuo wants to test swords? Anytime after today, I’ll be ready to oblige," Su Chen said, struggling to hold back the storm inside him. He was painfully aware of the severe consequences, but if he could endure just this one day...

"Are you a sword cultivator?" Li Fan questioned sharply. "Do you have the backbone of a true sword cultivator?"

"If you think I’ve wronged you, draw your sword and prove it. If you admit fault, own up to it—offer your sword and fight!"

"If you lack the courage to draw your sword while trying to join Senior Li Chengying’s dojo, then why even practice swordsmanship? How do you think you’re worthy of cultivating under Senior Li Chengying?"

Each of Li Fan’s words cut straight to the heart.

"Buzz..." A beam of sword light flared to life, dazzling golden light glinting in Li Fan’s eyes.

Su Chen could no longer hold back—he drew his sword.

Li Fan’s words had left him no room to retreat. Refusing to draw his sword now would tarnish his reputation beyond repair.

He had no choice.

Seeing Su Chen unsheath his blade, Li Fan wasted no time. Reaching behind his back, he drew "Jian Yi." With the sword in hand, Li Fan’s demeanor seemed to shift dramatically.

His figure grew upright, his bearing like a dragon; his form melded with the sword, with the heavens and the earth. It was as though he and all existence became one, seamlessly fused together. Sunlight struck the sword’s blade, refracting an exquisite brilliance.

Many watching could not help but silently marvel—while Zuo Tu was undoubtedly arrogant and dismissive, seeking conflict outside Senior Li Chengying’s dojo to flaunt his own talents—there was no denying the remarkable presence he radiated alongside his sword.

Especially to the seasoned swordsmen present, it was evident that Li Fan’s unity with heaven and man, his integration of self and sword, exhibited a Sword Dao realm surpassing Su Chen’s. This alone showcased his Sword Dao talent exceeding Su Chen’s by far.

At that moment, a commotion erupted beyond the dojo. Emerging from within was a group of sword cultivators. Each exuded an extraordinary presence, swords strapped to their backs—they were all disciples from Li Chengying’s dojo, former members of the Green Cloud List.

Leading them was a man whose brow and gaze seemed as sharp as blades, his body upright like a pine tree.

"Cang Yunxuan."

The sword cultivators at the stone wall looked at this figure, sharpness flashing in their eyes.

They turned their gaze upward to the stone wall, toward the character "Cang" shimmering brightly. That dazzling character, the most radiant one inscribed, was carved by none other than Cang Yunxuan—the former first-ranked cultivator of the last Green Cloud List.

Cang Yunxuan surveyed the crowd with a calm, sweeping gaze and spoke: "Sword cultivators here today, if you’d like, may carve your names upon this stone wall. Those on the Green Cloud List may inscribe their names here and test their skills within the dojo. Of course, if you’re not on the list and wish to challenge yourself, you may try carving as well."

After speaking, Cang Yunxuan glanced at the stone wall, then shifted his attention to the chaotic crowd in front. Noticing Li Fan and Su Chen both with swords drawn, he continued, "Set your disputes aside for now—carve first."

These words immediately brought a surge of relief to Su Chen’s heart; Cang Yunxuan’s intervention could not have come at a better time. If he failed to parry a single strike from Li Fan, his reputation would crumble before everyone’s eyes.

He smirked coldly at Li Fan across from him, preparing to lower his sword.

But as murmurs arose around him, Li Fan frowned slightly.

"A sword cultivator acts decisively, cutting through grievances and avenging wrongs. If this matter remains unresolved, my Sword Heart will not flow smoothly." Sword Intent swirled around Li Fan, creating an invisible storm of Sword Aura in the surrounding space. His blade hummed incessantly in his hand as he spoke: "One strike first, then I’ll ask for forgiveness."

"Zuo Tu, you dare to behave so brazenly! Do you even realize who just spoke?" Su Chen intended to lower his sword, but Li Fan’s Sword Aura locked onto him, causing his expression to darken. Despite Cang Yunxuan’s words, he refused to yield?

After all, Cang Yunxuan was Li Chengying’s personal disciple.

*"This guy..."* Those in the crowd stared at Li Fan, knowing he was unrestrained, but to such an extent? Even Cang Yunxuan’s command couldn’t make him lower his blade?

Some Green Cloud List members watching frowned; clearly, not all of them approved of Li Fan’s behavior.

This young swordsman was reckless, perhaps even oblivious to social hierarchies.

Chen Xiao, the Gentleman Sword, also stared at him. Still unwilling to show even the smallest deference?

Evidently, he didn’t just disregard him—he ignored Cang Yunxuan as well.

"One might think you were the top-ranked cultivator on the Green Cloud List," Chen Xiao said with a cold laugh, tinged with sarcasm. Cang Yunxuan raised a slight brow at Li Fan’s blatant disregard but remained composed as he remarked, "My master dislikes arrogant individuals. Even if you demonstrate your sword’s merit, what will it accomplish? Put it down."

This was his second admonition for Li Fan to drop his blade.

This time, Li Fan offered no reply.

*Those who do not respect others are unworthy of respect themselves.*

He had made his point clear—this was an unresolved grievance between him and Su Chen. He needed to follow through with this strike, yet outsiders presumed to intervene, urging him to lay down his sword.

*On what grounds?*

It seemed they all believed Li Fan’s intentions were to showcase himself in order to join Li Chengying’s dojo.

But he was a disciple of Li Mountain, the future of the Li Mountain Sword Dao. What was the significance of being ranked fifth in the world to him?

When the Li Mountain Sword reigned supreme, even the number one under heaven would concede to its edge.

Why should he need to join anyone else’s school?

Thus, Li Fan struck.

The brilliance of his sword illuminated the scene, a searing radiance dazzling everyone’s eyes. Amidst their astonishment, some were bewildered, others awestruck by his daring, and still others admired his courage.

The Gentleman Sword had advised him—Li Fan ignored it.

Cang Yunxuan had told him to lower his weapon—Li Fan made his move.

Even Su Chen had not predicted that Li Fan would truly strike.

As the resplendent sword descended, only for an instant, Su Chen felt Sword Intent so despairingly overwhelming that it filled him with dread.

That sword was too fast—his mind struggled to keep up.

It wasn’t just swift. In the moment the sword was unleashed, it seemed to embody the ultimate Sword Dao will, as if his entire life’s cultivation in Sword Dao converged into this single strike. It was both a decisive sword and a deathly sword.

Cang Yunxuan’s brows furrowed as he observed. *What a chilling, audacious, and ruthless stroke.*

A single-strike kind of sword—if he were to choose one sword to represent the famed Jian Yi, this would be it.

This sword was one of determination, one of valor.

All present could sense from that slash Li Fan’s resolve—the momentum of a sword without return.

Gold petals rained down like sword blossoms. Su Chen, no ordinary swordsman, was nonetheless caught off guard but still forced out his own strike. Glittering golden brilliance erupted like a cascade, blossoming forth the full splendor of Sword Dao artistry in an instant.

But it only lasted for a fleeting moment. The domineering force of Li Fan’s blade carved straight through the torrent of sword light, unstoppable. No matter how dazzling one’s swordplay, this one strike crushed it utterly. The surrounding golden radiance dimmed, losing its luster.

Su Chen’s face, too, lost all color. His eyes betrayed sheer terror and despair—within that blade, he’d felt the inescapability of death itself.

A middle-aged sword cultivator behind him bellowed, unleashing a fierce surge of Sword Aura, but it was too late.

In a flash of blinding golden light, Su Chen’s magnificent robes were torn apart, his body sent tumbling, a single scarlet gash marking his form. Yet, at the same moment, Li Fan retracted his blade, deflecting the incoming golden ray. It struck his sword, forcing him to stagger backward, the jangling echoes of his blade ringing in his ears.

The golden ray retreated, returning to the fallen Su Chen.

"A magical treasure."

The crowd’s eyes fell on Su Chen. A swordsman duel—where Li Fan had only struck once—yet Su Chen resorted to deploying a magical treasure in secret.

All eyes turned to Su Chen’s prone figure. Both swordsmen were among the lowest-ranked on the Green Cloud List, separated by just one position. In fact, Li Fan’s very ranking owed partly to Su Chen’s previous performances.

No matter how this duel was perceived, Su Chen’s actions had been disgraceful.

On top of that, the Condensed Core Realm swordsman behind him had tried to interfere.

With puzzlement and reproach in their glances, Su Chen grunted, coughing out blood again. Pale and wounded, he gazed up with seething hatred toward Li Fan.

His carefully cultivated image—shattered by a single strike.

Looking so humiliated, how could he still hope to join Li Chengying’s dojo?

The world’s fifth-ranked swordsman couldn’t possibly take such a disciple.

"Zuo Tu!"

Killing intent burst forth unreservedly from Su Chen, erupting like a tidal wave. With no hope left, there was no longer a need to hide his murderous intent.

"How arrogant," Chen Xiao remarked coldly at the sight. Su Chen’s embarrassing defeat likely meant the loss of his chance.

But Li Fan? He, too, likely ruined his hopes of entering Li Chengying’s dojo.

"Busybody!"

Li Fan’s gaze swept toward him, his sword still in hand. "Do you wish to test my blade’s sharpness?"

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