Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 50 Li Mountain Sword Trial

Chapter 50: Chapter 50 Li Mountain Sword Trial

Several days later, atop Divine Brilliance Peak, by the edge of a cliff.

Mana surged through Li Fan’s body; at times, golden threads flowed across his form, at moments, he moved like a whispering breeze, and at others, bolts of lightning danced around his figure.

The past few days of cultivation had borne fruit, as the three spells he selected from the library had all been successfully mastered. *Yet, deep down, Li Fan remained uncertain.*

Li Mountain was not like the world beneath it. When he had gone to Lin’an County, the cultivators there who possessed Innate Dharma Forms were already considered prodigies.

*Moreover, his journey into cultivation began later than most.*

Ye Qinghuang approached Li Fan’s side, prompting him to turn and greet her, "Senior Sister."

"Let’s go," Ye Qinghuang said.

"Alright." Li Fan nodded, then glanced back at the Old Blind Man, who sat there as if fused with the boulder beneath him.

The Old Blind Man had always liked sitting there, his gaze fixed on the sea of clouds, forever facing the direction of Li Mountain.

"I’m leaving now," Li Fan said.

"Go ahead." The old man nodded with a gentle smile as Ye Qinghuang led Li Fan into the skies.

The Old Blind Man looked toward the direction they left, partly tilting his head skyward, where sunlight illuminated the wrinkles on his face.

"Xiao Fan, Li Mountain will come to see you in a new light," he murmured softly, his face filled with anticipation.

The sword, forged from the heart of Li Mountain.

At Li Mountain’s Sword Peak, golden rays cascaded upon the sea of clouds, painting a magnificent vista; amid the clouds, Great Demons roamed freely.

On the massive plaza before the ancient temple ahead, throngs of people were gathered.

The residents of Li Mountain’s nine peaks had all convened at Sword Peak today for the sword trials.

The trials had already begun; at the plaza’s center, two figures were locked in combat, Sword Aura piercing through the air alongside dazzling spells.

Both fighters were young. The Li Mountain sword trials aimed to select outstanding disciples among the younger generation to focus on nurturing their talents.

The trials were originally scheduled for next year, but due to external matters, Li Mountain had decided to advance them.

As Ye Qinghuang approached with Li Fan, the eyes of everyone on Sword Peak instantly turned toward her, temporarily forgetting the ongoing battle.

"Why has Ye Qinghuang come here?" a Li Mountain disciple asked curiously.

"She brought that young man along."

"I heard that several days ago, Ye Qinghuang escorted him to the library to select cultivation methods. He picked a few spells, so he’s probably set on the path of cultivation by now."

"Could it be that he’s here to participate in the Li Mountain sword trials?"

From all directions, murmurs of discussion began to spread.

"Brother Xiao Fan!" Within the crowd, Xiao Qi shouted, but the distance made it impossible for Li Fan to hear her.

"Why is Brother Xiao Fan here?" asked a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old boy beside her.

"Brother Xiao Fan is here to participate in the sword trials," Xiao Qi replied.

"Brother Xiao Fan’s entering the trials?" The boy curiously looked toward Li Fan. "I’ve never seen Brother Xiao Fan cultivate back in the village—what’s his strength level?"

"I don’t know; why don’t you judge for yourself?" The girl feigned a mysterious tone. She recalled the day spent picking spells in the library with Li Fan; she had a faint feeling that he might truly be a natural prodigy.

*Could he surprise everyone?*

"Acting all mysterious," the boy muttered, rolling his eyes at the girl.

Li Fan followed Ye Qinghuang to a secluded area where they quietly seated themselves.

On the steps just outside the grand hall, the elders of Li Mountain sat in their respective places. Their focus on this year’s sword trials highlighted the immense importance Li Mountain placed upon the event.

This might be the final sword trial for Li Mountain.

Even the elders’ gazes drifted toward Ye Qinghuang’s direction. Gu Qingyang, seated at the chief’s position, studied Li Fan briefly before remarking, "The boy carries himself with an unusual air of refinement."

"Ye Qinghuang brought him to the trials, likely aiming for Sword Valley," an elder beside him commented.

If not for Sword Valley, Ye Qinghuang wouldn’t have seen a need to bring Li Fan here.

"He absolutely cannot be allowed into Sword Valley."

"Let’s observe for now," Gu Qingyang replied.

"Senior Sister," Li Fan said as he looked at Ye Qinghuang. She merely responded softly, "Just watch for now."

"Alright." Li Fan nodded and focused on observing the battle unfolding before them.

At this moment, the two combatants presented distinct fighting styles—one wielded a sword while the other possessed a Dharma Form.

"Xiao Fan, a Sword Cultivator’s Sword Seed is similar to a Dharma Form," Ye Qinghuang began explaining beside him. "Think of the Sword Seed as a sword attribute Dharma Form. Sword Seeds enhance a Sword Cultivator’s attacks and can even serve as weapons themselves. Similarly, Dharma Forms amplify the Mana and spell attacks of Qi Cultivators while also being used directly as offensive techniques."

Ye Qinghuang continued, "The stronger a Sword Cultivator’s Sword Seed, the more powerful their attacks become—and the same applies to Dharma Forms. Therefore, among cultivators, there’s no absolute superiority. Sword Cultivators excel in combat and slaughter, making their attacks more potent, but Qi Cultivators possess diverse Dharma Forms, some of which hold extraordinary powers."

She added, "In fact, certain individuals like you walk the Martial Arts path, honing their Martial Spirit and cultivating an unyielding physical body. Such people must never be underestimated either."

"Understood." Li Fan nodded, silently observing the battle ahead.

Since his Senior Sister hadn’t instructed him to act, he simply watched.

As the clash unfolded, the fight transitioned into its most intense phase, becoming more ferocious by the moment.

The disciples of Li Mountain were well aware that the outcomes of these trials would influence the legacy of their sect, and so they poured their all into their battles.

Suddenly, a figure stepped onto the battlefield, silencing the commotion atop Li Mountain’s main peak.

Many Li Mountain disciples cast admiring glances toward her.

Li Fan directed his gaze at the figure entering the battle. It was Lu Yuan.

Her opponent, a Sword Peak Sword Cultivator, stood motionless as Sword Intent wrapped around him, faintly echoing with the sound of sword cries.

"Please," Lu Yuan said. As her voice fell, wisps of cold air materialized on the battlefield. Centered around her, the space seemed frozen, and behind her, a Dharma Form gradually ascended—a bright moon.

"The moon!"

Bathed in lunar light and divine radiance, Lu Yuan appeared like a celestial maiden. Even her forehead revealed a crescent moon mark that enhanced her breathtaking beauty.

Moonlight poured down, enveloping her opponent. He could feel his body begin to stiffen, as if encased in ice.

"What do you think?" Ye Qinghuang asked Li Fan.

"Not as strong as Senior Sister," Li Fan said calmly.

Ye Qinghuang’s lips curved into a faint smile as she said, "The sun symbolizes Yang, while the moon represents Taiyin. The Bright Moon Dharma Form isn’t something an ordinary cultivator could possess. This Dharma Form alone carries formidable elemental abilities. Moreover, Lu Yuan demonstrates astounding talent in Sword Dao. Coupled with her Bright Moon Dharma Form, she’s widely regarded as the most gifted among the younger generation of disciples. And as her cultivation realm improves, she’ll only grow stronger."

"But of course," she added, "that’s only for now."

Ye Qinghuang’s tone hinted at certainty, "Once she enters Sword Valley, things will change."

True to expectations, Lu Yuan didn’t even need to unleash her sword techniques. Her Dharma Form alone was enough to overpower her opponent. Already at the peak of the Refining Realm, just a step away from the Soul Emergence Realm, and backed by her Bright Moon Dharma Form, her Mana proved overwhelmingly powerful. Most adversaries couldn’t even withstand the direct assaults of her Dharma Form.

The Sword Cultivator, armed with a Sword Seed, was utterly crushed by Lu Yuan.

Li Fan continued watching various battles unfold, witnessing numerous prodigious disciples, particularly among the Sword Cultivators.

The Li Mountain Sword Dao was most renowned, naturally producing the strongest Sword Cultivators.

Time steadily passed, with Lu Yuan taking the stage several more times only to remain undefeated each time, even against challengers.

As evening fell, the golden glow of the setting sun bathed Sword Peak. Gradually, no one else stepped onto the battlefield.

"Xiao Fan." Ye Qinghuang’s voice called out, drawing Li Fan’s attention toward her.

"Go now." With a gentle smile, Ye Qinghuang said to Li Fan, "Let Li Mountain see you in a new light."

"Alright."

Li Fan nodded resolutely, stepping onto the battlefield.

As soon as Li Fan entered the fray, the eyes of everyone from Li Mountain were immediately drawn to him.

This attention wasn’t directed solely at Li Fan but was linked to Ye Qinghuang.

And naturally, to Li Fan’s other Senior Brother, Wen Ruyu.

Ye Qinghuang and Wen Ruyu were legends of Li Mountain.

In contrast, Li Fan had always gone largely unnoticed at Li Mountain. Yet years ago, when Ye Qinghuang stormed the mountain for his sake, the sect had been shaken to its core.

Now, Li Fan stood here, ready for the sword trials.

Positioned in the center of the battlefield, Li Fan bowed respectfully toward the crowd near the Li Mountain main hall and said, "Li Fan, disciple of Divine Brilliance Peak, has come to take part in the sword trials."

Under the golden hues of twilight, the radiant white robe of the young man glowed as his strikingly handsome face became even more dazzling. A breeze brushed past, lifting his long hair.

Li Fan stood tall and firm, like a sword planted unwaveringly into the earth.

*Ten years—spent honing a single sword.*

*Today, he would put it to the test.*

"Your guidance is appreciated," Li Fan said calmly, his voice devoid of any emotion.

"Brother Xiao Fan," Xiao Qi whispered among the crowd, her fists clenched tightly in excitement as she watched him.

Brother Xiao Fan will surely succeed.

"Brother Xiao Fan seems a bit different today," remarked the boy beside her, dazedly staring at Li Fan. Could this truly be the same Xiao Fan who played with them back in the village?

The elders seated upon the staircase observed the young man’s composure, their expressions betraying a trace of surprise.

High among them, seated on the chief’s throne, a black-clad elder’s gaze darkened as he cast his eyes upon Li Fan.

Li Fan reminded him of his former Senior Brother; the resemblance was striking.

However, he would never forgive that Senior Brother—the traitor!

"I won’t allow him into Sword Valley," the black-clad elder declared coldly. Back then, their master had given his Senior Brother everything—how had he repaid him?

It wouldn’t happen again.