Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 47 Li Mountain Book Tower

Chapter 47: Chapter 47 Li Mountain Book Tower

At the peak of Li Mountain, within an ancient hall, there were many figures present, seemingly discussing matters.

"Mo Yang, how is the arrangement going?" A white-haired elder asked, sitting at the head of the hall, looking towards a middle-aged man below.

The elder’s name was Gu Qingyang, a figure of the previous generation from Li Mountain, who had already retired into the background, but now had to come out again.

A few other old men were also with him.

"Reporting to Master Uncle, I have notified all peaks to convene the Li Mountain sword trials ahead of time," Mo Yang replied with an imposing aura, a square face, and short hair, being the current Peak Master of Li Mountain Sword Peak.

"Master Uncle, are things so dire?" someone below Mo Yang asked.

"The Court and various major factions are probably already on their way to Li Mountain. We must make early preparations."

"What does Master Uncle think will happen to Li Mountain?" the person asked, slightly worried.

"For hundreds of years, Li Mountain has been like a sword hanging over Da Li. How could the current emperor and all factions miss this opportunity?" Gu Qingyang said, "This catastrophe for Li Mountain might be somewhat difficult."

"I have instructed Junior Brother Wu to prepare for the early opening of Sword Valley. After this Li Mountain sword trial is over, I will let the outstanding disciples proceed to Sword Valley for Sword Inquiry, inheriting the Sword Dao of our predecessors," Gu Qingyang continued. "Additionally, for other outstanding Li Mountain disciples, you all should make sure to pass down the heritage, as they are the future of Li Mountain."

The people below all wore serious expressions.

Many years ago, a top Great Sword Cultivator of Li Mountain burned out his life’s flame.

Now, the Li Mountain Sword Master has also passed away.

The passing of two top Great Sword Cultivators has greatly weakened Li Mountain’s deterrent power, and the Court along with many factions have seen an opportunity.

Especially since the sword strike of that top Great Sword Cultivator in the Da Li Imperial City back then, the Court had long wanted to act against Li Mountain, but had been waiting.

Now, they finally have their chance, using a random excuse to move against Li Mountain.

"Mo Yang, what are your plans?" Gu Qingyang looked at Mo Yang below and asked.

Mo Yang flashed a smile and replied loudly, "Master Uncle, as long as I am the Peak Master of Sword Peak, the sword exists, Li Mountain exists; if Li Mountain is destroyed, the sword is destroyed!"

"If the calamity of Li Mountain is unavoidable, I hope you will leave. Li Mountain must preserve the useful swords," Gu Qingyang said.

"Master Uncle, more than ten years ago, my Junior Brother died slaying demons. Now that I’ve inherited the Peak Master position of Sword Peak, I have no face to abandon Li Mountain," Mo Yang said, "If I do that, even after death, I won’t face my Junior Brother."

Hearing Mo Yang’s words, everyone in the hall wore solemn expressions. Mo Yang’s Junior Brother, the previous generation’s Li Mountain Sword Leader, was the most likely candidate to become the new Li Mountain Sword Master.

Yet, he perished due to an incident from over ten years ago.

His offspring also possess outstanding talent, but unfortunately, they are still young and need time.

Gu Qingyang maintained a solemn demeanor and said, "The world is in decay, Li Mountain needs a sword to slay demons, exorcise devils, safeguard the Dao, and change the heavens."

"Who will wield this sword for Li Mountain!"

Everyone was moved.

"Let’s leave the sword-wielding to the younger generation. Perhaps, Ruyu has a chance," Mo Yang said, referring to Wen Ruyu, the offspring left by his Junior Brother.

At this time, he seemed to sense something and looked towards the outside of the ancient hall. Everyone else also sensed it and looked outside.

"Junior Sister Ye is here."

Mo Yang turned and looked outside the ancient hall, where a figure of unparalleled elegance was stepping forward, appearing at the hall’s entrance.

"Junior Sister Ye," Mo Yang called out.

Ye Qinghuang looked at the figures in the hall, slightly bowed, and greeted, "Ye Qinghuang greets Master Uncles."

"Qinghuang, what brings you here?" Gu Qingyang asked.

"I came to inform the elders that I will take Junior Brother to the Li Mountain Book Tower. Moreover, my Junior Brother will represent Divine Brilliance Peak in the upcoming Li Mountain sword trials," Ye Qinghuang said.

"You are as persistent as your Master, still unwilling to give up on that child after all these years," Gu Qingyang stated.

Ye Qinghuang frowned, her voice growing colder, "Master Uncle, after over ten years, you may seem indifferent, but the prejudice is ingrained in your bones. Isn’t that enough? How else must he prove himself?"

Gu Qingyang sighed inwardly. The child’s nature was quite good, but his body was different from others.

When the child first came to the mountain, they tried several methods to resolve his abnormality, but to no avail, even developing a murderous intent because of it.

However, for the child’s sake, Ye Qinghuang did not hesitate to turn against Li Mountain...

"Are you planning to take him to Sword Valley?" a black-clad elder asked, "I do not consent."

"I’m not here to discuss with you," Ye Qinghuang said, "Xiao Fan is a Li Mountain disciple. My Master and I will not show favoritism; everything will be according to Li Mountain rules."

Her voice remained gentle, yet carried a forceful tone.

"Fine, you can take him to the Book Tower and participate in the sword trials," Gu Qingyang did not refuse. He couldn’t handle the personalities of this Master and disciples...

"Thank you, Master Uncle," Ye Qinghuang bowed and then turned to leave.

"Junior Sister Ye’s attachment to that child is impressive," Mo Yang remarked.

"How old is the child now?" Gu Qingyang asked.

"Almost seventeen, I think," Mo Yang replied, "Not long ago, Junior Sister Ye sent him to Lin’an County, and he was involved in the Jiao Long incident there."

Gu Qingyang nodded, saying nothing further.

...

Li Fan sat at the edge of the cliff, smiling when he saw Ye Qinghuang return.

"Senior Sister," Li Fan called out.

Ye Qinghuang landed beside Li Fan and said, "Come with me to Li Mountain Sword Peak."

"Why go there?" Li Fan asked curiously.

"To the Book Tower," Ye Qinghuang replied.

"The Book Tower?" Li Fan knew that the Book Tower at the main peak of Li Mountain housed millions of books and held many cultivation methods.

"Yes, Xiao Fan, your body is now completely under control, and you can start cultivating. This time, going down the mountain, you forged your Martial Spirit. In the Book Tower, you can cultivate spells. Afterward, you will participate in the Li Mountain sword trials, and finally proceed to Sword Valley," Ye Qinghuang said, taking Li Fan into the air, stepping into the sea of clouds.

"Sword Valley?" Li Fan was puzzled.

Sword Valley, it was the Sacred Land of Li Mountain.

Ye Qinghuang nodded, "Don’t cultivate swordsmanship in the Book Tower. Wait until you reach Sword Valley for that. They have the Sword Dao inheritance from Li Mountain’s predecessors."

"Senior Sister, I have no talent, can I go to Sword Valley?" Li Fan said.

"Who says you have no talent?" Ye Qinghuang looked at Li Fan.

Li Fan looked strangely at Ye Qinghuang, "Senior Sister, wasn’t it you who said so?"

"Did I say that?" Ye Qinghuang smiled at Li Fan.

Li Fan: "..."

"Since childhood, your body has been abnormal, causing you immense suffering, which delayed your start. When you cultivate the sword in the future, focus on nurturing it," Ye Qinghuang said, "Xiao Fan, your talent is very high."

"Very high."

Though Li Fan faced huge obstacles due to his body, after overcoming them, he became different from others. He could embark on the martial path, different from that of ordinary Martial Artists, and could also cultivate spells.

Moreover, his talent for the Sword Dao was also exceptionally high.

Li Fan’s eyes sparkled a little. Is that so?

His Master and Senior Sister always encouraged him to work hard. He wanted to cultivate, which meant overcoming more challenges, causing him to endure much hardship.

He sneaked a look at his Senior Sister beside him, that eminently beautiful face.

If his talent was truly high, wouldn’t that mean he has a chance to become a Great Sword Cultivator?

"Xiao Fan," Ye Qinghuang looked at Li Fan.

"Senior Sister, what’s wrong?" Li Fan felt something was off with his Senior Sister today.

"Do you resent Li Mountain?" Ye Qinghuang asked.

Li Fan shook his head.

"Li Mountain once wanted to kill you," Ye Qinghuang said.

"That was in the past. Senior Sister is a Li Mountain disciple, Little Senior Brother is a Li Mountain disciple, and the Old Blind Man is also from Li Mountain," Li Fan said, "And I am too."

Li Mountain, along with Li Mountain Village, is his home.

Ye Qinghuang fell silent after hearing Li Fan’s words.

The people on the mountain were not like this boy.

"If they dare treat you like in the past, I’ll tear Li Mountain apart."

Ye Qinghuang’s voice was gentle.

The boy’s eyes held a smile, this was his Senior Sister, who would always stand in front of him.

Li Mountain was vast, cloud-shrouded. Li Fan was walking beside Ye Qinghuang, traveling through the clouds.

In front lay a series of ancient peaks, atop which ancient halls and pavilions formed a continuous expanse.

Li Fan hadn’t been to the core of Li Mountain for a long time.

Over the years, he mainly stayed in the village and the outskirts of Li Mountain’s Divine Brilliance Peak.

"Li Mountain!" Li Fan was very longing for Li Mountain. The closest people to him all came from Li Mountain, and the villagers revered Li Mountain too.

Though Li Mountain had not treated him well, he still hoped for its approval, perhaps because only then could he truly claim the title of a Li Mountain disciple, just like his Senior Sister.

This time, would there be a chance?

The Li Mountain Book Tower soared into the clouds. Many disciples came and went, and when seeing Li Fan and Ye Qinghuang, their eyes were drawn, more accurately, to Ye Qinghuang.

The women carried admiration in their eyes, while the men dared not look too long, glancing briefly before lowering their heads, hiding their admiration deep in their hearts.

A Li Mountain youth stood outside the Book Tower. Upon seeing Ye Qinghuang, he paused, eyes landing on that peerless face.

He remembered the first time he saw Ye Qinghuang.

That year, Ye Qinghuang was of unmatched elegance. Just one glance, and it was unforgettable.

He recalled that year’s Li Mountain sword trials, where none of Li Mountain’s talented cultivators, including sword cultivators, could compare; her Dharma Form was awe-inspiring.

In the subsequent years, Ye Qinghuang advanced rapidly.

Later, she had a little Junior Brother, and thereafter, every time she appeared, she would be leading her little Junior Brother.

For that little Junior Brother, she once fought her way outside Li Mountain Hall.

Since then, Li Mountain no longer troubled that boy.

"His name seems to be Li Fan." He recalled that boy’s name, not so familiar, but somewhat envious.

He wanted to know why that boy warranted such dedication from Ye Qinghuang.

Li Fan was used to the gazes on Ye Qinghuang. No matter where such a woman went, she would always shine.

"Go in," Ye Qinghuang smiled at Li Fan, "Choose the spells you want, I’ll wait outside. Take your time."

"Okay." Li Fan nodded, glanced up at this Li Mountain cultivation treasure ground, and then stepped inside.

Ye Qinghuang watched Li Fan’s back as he entered the Book Tower, her eyes revealing a hint of determination.

After all these years, she naturally understood Li Fan’s thoughts best.

This time, Li Mountain will see!