Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 63 Sword Dao Prodigy

Chapter 63: Chapter 63 Sword Dao Prodigy

The chaos persisted, and all at once, Li Fan sensed as though the sword in his hand had awoken, like a living entity stirring from slumber.

Suddenly, the scene shifted—Li Fan was astonished to see the sword valley atop the Peak of Li Mountain unfold before his vision.

Between Sword Valley and the countless mountain peaks, atop the Li Mountain Sword Peak, many people had gathered. Someone was conducting Sword Inquiry at the peak of Li Mountain.

Everything appeared vividly within his mind!

...

At the Peak of Li Mountain, the heroes of the realm converged.

Watching one Li Mountain disciple after another fall, defeated, the onlookers sneered coldly.

*A thousand years of prosperity for Li Mountain, its apex spanning an era, now finally on the brink of decline.*

The Lingxiao Pavilion, as a newly ascendent Sword Dao force, now posed a challenge that could not be ignored, seeking to supplant it.

Moreover, Lingxiao Pavilion had always harbored such ambition, so they came to the Peak of Li Mountain to issue Sword Inquiry against Li Mountain.

This Sword Inquiry was to be the defining event, marking Lingxiao Pavilion’s declaration to the world: From this day forward, Da Li Swordsmanship was theirs to dominate.

Lingxiao Pavilion arrived with their two most distinguished prodigies—Jiang Taie and Chu Zili. Yet, thus far, Jiang Taie had not made a move.

Chu Zili alone had won match after match, with no rivals capable of his level.

And still, Da Li’s youngest Five Realms Sword Cultivator, Wen Ruyu, had yet to appear. Could it be that they were avoiding battle?

This absence only underscored the undeniable decay of Li Mountain Sword Dao; from top to bottom, there was no strength left to contend.

Still, such decline was inevitable. Soon, Li Mountain would be erased from Da Li’s history.

"I’m next!"

In that moment, a lone figure stepped forward onto the battlefield, the gazes of all Li Mountain disciples falling upon him.

"Xie Can."

A flicker of hope lit up in the eyes of the Li Mountain disciples—Xie Can had arrived.

This particular Sword Inquiry was fraught with danger; Chu Zili’s attacks had been ruthless. In previous battles, two Li Mountain disciples had already lost their lives, and many more were gravely injured.

*For this reason, Li Mountain elders did not require disciples to partake in Sword Inquiry—it was strictly voluntary.*

Now, with the prodigy of Sword Peak, Xie Can, willing to step forward, the Li Mountain disciples felt a surge of excitement.

Among Li Mountain disciples in this generation below the Soul Emergence Realm, Xie Can’s strength was second only to Lu Yuan.

Chu Zili lifted his gaze toward Xie Can, his interest piqued by the Sword Intent flowing from the latter’s body.

But Xie Can did not direct his attention toward Chu Zili—instead, his focus rested on Jiang Taie.

Up to this moment, Jiang Taie had not so much as lifted his sword.

This absence had become a humiliation to Li Mountain.

*Was Li Mountain unworthy of Jiang Taie’s sword?*

"I challenge Jiang Taie."

Xie Can spoke boldly, taking step after step forward. Instantly, Sword Intent enveloped his body. His clothes rippled with Sword Aura that transformed into a Sword Veil, wrapping his entire being within flows of Sword Dao energy.

"Hmph." Chu Zili sneered, as if scoffing at the notion of challenging Jiang Taie.

"Defeat me first."

"Zili, let Taie take the fight," Wang Daoxuan spoke from behind them.

He clearly recognized Xie Can’s impressive skill. Even if Chu Zili could secure victory, it would be far from easy and unlikely to deliver Li Mountain a crushing blow.

If Jiang Taie were to step into battle, however—it would be an entirely different matter.

Moreover, Jiang Taie had not yet fought.

*Perhaps this current generation of Li Mountain disciples was not worthy of Jiang Taie’s sword.*

Still, Wang Daoxuan was determined to let Li Mountain, and all of Da Li World, witness the brilliance of Lingxiao Pavilion’s Jiang Taie.

This clash atop Li Mountain’s peak—a pinnacle battle of Sword Dao—was sure to ripple through Da Li’s upper echelons.

This would be Jiang Taie’s moment of fame, paving the path for his future ascension.

Though Jiang Taie’s talent in Sword Dao was unmatched, he was still young, with a long road ahead before he could rule Lingxiao Pavilion.

"Very well." Chu Zili, though prideful, showed unwavering respect toward Wang Daoxuan, not daring to utter a single word of dissent. He knew well just how terrifying Wang Daoxuan was.

*Even his Chu Family’s ancient ancestors would be unable to suppress Wang Daoxuan.*

"Taie, step forward," Wang Daoxuan said gently, directing his words toward Jiang Taie. For those in Lingxiao Pavilion who were otherwise fearful of him, Jiang Taie was the one exception—treated with warmth and nurtured with care, as if a son.

*At his age, encountering such talent was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and he spared no measure in cultivating it.*

Strict hierarchy should have barred Wang Daoxuan from personally mentoring Jiang Taie, yet he broke tradition to admit Jiang Taie as his direct disciple—raising him to an exceptionally high rank within Lingxiao Pavilion.

"Yes, Master." Jiang Taie bowed deeply in respect before striding into the arena, his gaze locking onto Xie Can, whose body was shrouded in turbulent Sword Intent. Jiang Taie’s expression was extraordinarily calm, his heart serene as still water.

*A Sword Cultivator must maintain composure, regardless of whom they face.*

*A disturbed heart leads to faltering swordsmanship.*

Xie Can saw Jiang Taie step forward, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He moved closer, one deliberate step after another, and with each step, his Sword Intent heightened.

When Xie Can was twenty paces away from Jiang Taie, a whirlwind of Sword Aura erupted around him. Before he even made a move, his Sword Intent reached Jiang Taie—a storm of Sword Aura that lashed at him like blade edges.

Jiang Taie stood unperturbed, his robes billowing, until suddenly a burst of Sword Intent flared from him. Behind him appeared a majestic Sword Ring, golden Divine Swords orbiting it as they radiated dazzling gold beams—blindingly brilliant.

As the Sword Ring materialized, the entire Li Mountain seemed to fall silent. The eyes of Li Mountain disciples were transfixed, their hearts shaken.

*What was this phenomenon?*

*Could someone at the Refining God Realm truly manifest such a level of power?*

*Jiang Taie’s sword had transcended their imagination.*

Even the elders of Li Mountain, witnessing this, could not fully suppress the ripples of emotion stirring within.

*It appeared Li Mountain’s Sword Dao fate was indeed waning.*

*Lingxiao Pavilion had produced such a prodigy.*

*This was a Sword Dao phenomenon.*

Such visions were not supposed to be wielded by someone in the Refining God Realm, but here and now, Jiang Taie defied convention. No wonder people claimed Lingxiao Pavilion had brought forth a once-in-a-century Sword Dao genius.

*It seemed those claims were true.*

Xie Can’s pupils contracted sharply upon witnessing this. The excitement in his eyes vanished, replaced by a grave solemnity. Yet the sword had been drawn—there was no turning back now.

*For a Sword Cultivator, retreat was never an option.*

"Buzz..." The sound of a sword’s hum echoed in the air as Xie Can made his move.

"Let the winds sing."

Li Mountain elders watched Xie Can’s sword technique unfold—it emitted a song-like resonance, blending the whistle of the wind with the sharp cry of blades. His strike was like a streak of light, impossibly fast—so swift the Li Mountain disciples could hardly see the sword itself, only a flash.

Even Chu Zili squinted, his expression sharpening. What a rapid sword.

Yet Jiang Taie remained unmoving, merely reaching forward with a single finger. Instantly, one of the golden Divine Swords revolving within the Sword Ring transformed into a beam of golden light, slicing forth at breathtaking speed.

The two beams clashed mid-air. The golden Divine Sword struck Xie Can’s sword light with precision, extinguishing the latter instantly and disrupting Xie Can’s momentum. He hesitated just slightly before unleashing his second strike.

Another golden sword beam surged forth, again perfectly intercepting Xie Can’s attack, impeding his advance.

Two golden Divine Swords hovered in mid-air now, hanging before Xie Can and pulsating with streams of sharp golden light.

Xie Can’s momentum was continuously broken, and his mental state began to waver—but he persisted, stepping forward while preparing a fresh strike. Just then, a third golden beam shot forward, smashing into his attack.

"Bang..." The radiant golden sword light surged toward him, landing its third strike, disrupting Xie Can’s attempt at building momentum.

*What remarkable Sword Dao insight.*

Gu Qingyang watched the battle unfold, his focus locked on Jiang Taie’s movements. Every strike was executed with perfect timing, targeting critical moments—leaving Xie Can constantly one step behind, never able to reach his full strength.

*This youth’s understanding of the sword was truly terrifying.*

The fourth strike, the fifth strike... When the seventh golden sword beam fell, Xie Can’s momentum completely crumbled, and his composure shattered alongside it.

Seven swords etched themselves into the air before him, pulsating with ominous golden light. Though Xie Can roared with frustration and swung his sword wildly, the seven swords rotated fluidly in unison, forming what seemed like a Sword Array imbued with gleaming lethality.

As Xie Can swung to block them, wielding a rapidly spinning Sword Veil, Jiang Taie’s hand lifted and he calmly pushed forward. Instantly, the seven golden swords comprising the array surged forth, overwhelming Xie Can’s defenses and obliterating his attack.

Xie Can’s body flew backward, blood spilling from his mouth, while the seven golden swords loomed over him with a terrifying hum of resonance. Jiang Taie gave a slight mental command, and the swords withdrew—a show of mercy sparing Xie Can’s life.

"Thank you for the match."

Jiang Taie performed a Sword Cultivator’s ceremonial bow toward the fallen Xie Can—a display of cordiality that seemed almost incongruous coming from a youth barely into his mid-teens, already bearing the demeanor of a seasoned swordsman.

"Lingxiao Pavilion is truly about to produce a Great Sword Cultivator destined to astonish the world," the spectating crowd thought to themselves. Clearly, Lingxiao Pavilion’s rise to dominate was unstoppable.

Among Li Mountain elders, expressions hardened as they gazed at the boy—an opponent and yet undeniably an unparalleled talent.

*Li Mountain itself could no longer yield such a prodigy.*

*The fate of Li Mountain Sword Dao had indeed reached its twilight.*

*A thousand years of glory had dwindled into decline.*

Xie Can slowly rose to his feet, bowed toward Jiang Taie in genuine acknowledgment of defeat. Though exceedingly prideful, this battle had shown him that his opponent held mastery beyond reproach—even without reaching his own peak, Xie Can had been bested soundly.

*He harbored no grievances, for his skill was lacking.*

Atop the Peak of Li Mountain, a heavy silence settled. Only the sound of wind stirring broke the stillness.

The disciples of Li Mountain were paralyzed with quiet despair—the young Jiang Taie had wrought feelings of utter hopelessness.

*Who could stand against him?*

*Where was Lu Yuan?*

"Does Li Mountain have no one willing to step forward?" Seeing the silence of Li Mountain’s disciples, Lingxiao Pavilion’s leader Ye Chaosong asked aloud.

No one approached; Li Mountain remained silent.

"If Li Mountain has no challengers, perhaps it might relinquish Sword Valley. We of Lingxiao Pavilion have always admired the prestige of Li Mountain Sacred Land, and in that vein, hoped to visit its grounds and pay homage to its forebears," Wang Daoxuan stated, as if revealing the true purpose of their excursion.

*Li Mountain was crumbling, but its cultivation resources remained.*

*Where lay the legendary sword of Li Mountain?*

"This Sword Inquiry has ended with Li Mountain achieving not a single victory. The title of Sword Dao Sacred Land no longer suits them—it is time they step aside and concede. Why not open Sword Valley?" Nearby forces, empowered by the Sword Inquiry’s outcome, added insult to injury, pressing down on Li Mountain with their combined influence.

The disciples of Li Mountain burned with fury—but, indeed, they had failed to win a single match.

As he surveyed the scene, Gu Qingyang silently sighed. *Li Mountain was fading before his very eyes.*

Li Mountain’s elders remained silent—their hearts heavy with sorrow.

*Li Mountain... Li Mountain... destined to fall into obscurity.*

*A single youth had eclipsed a millennia of Li Mountain’s glory.*

*Such lamentation, such tragedy!*

At that moment, within the Sword Valley Rock Wall, Li Fan gripped his Divine Sword tightly, the battle atop Li Mountain Sword Peak vividly etched into his mind. An overwhelming impulse surged within him.

The sword sensed his emotion and spoke, "Do you wish to go?"

"Yes," Li Fan replied, his heart ablaze with passion.

"Then go," the voice emanating from the sword urged again. "Defeat him. Return and claim the sword!"

PS: Volume will launch tomorrow at noon. This arc still has five or six Chapters left to conclude—thank you, brothers, for your unwavering support!

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