Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 67: The State Preceptor and the Princess

Chapter 67: Chapter 67: The State Preceptor and the Princess

At this moment, Pei Jing stepped forward, his gaze fixed straight ahead, and said, "Wen Ruyu, do you dare to fight?"

The Lingxiao Pavilion had suffered one dead and one wounded; of the three in the Sword Inquiry, only he remained.

Wen Ruyu stepped out. Instantly, sword aura surged wildly, and an air of slaughter enveloped his blade.

"Hum." Pei Jing’s body transformed into a beam of light, shooting straight toward Wen Ruyu. The Li Mountain disciples looked up at the sky, seeing the winds and clouds in the heavens shift, sword aura churning, and a boundless torrent of sword energy radiating from both combatants.

"Rise of the Sword!" Pei Jing shouted, and golden brilliance erupted around him, forming an infinite array of dazzling sword light.

"You think you’re worthy of seeking a Sword Inquiry with me!" Wen Ruyu sneered as he swung his palm, invoking a chorus of heavenly swords. Before him, a sword materialized—solitary, and distinctive.

On this sword, intricate patterns seemed to weave like the framework of an embryo. Characters glimmered across its surface.

’Kill’: the character!

Wen Ruyu utilized the path of slaughter to enter Dao.

Countless slaughter characters flashed across the heavens and the earth, each one releasing an overwhelming killing intent through its sword aura. Pei Jing felt an unsettling force causing his Sword Heart to falter under the oppressive air of slaughter.

His expression grew grim as his hands formed a Condensed Sword Seal, conjuring a massive golden sword behind him. The sword bore its own shimmering runes.

"Hum..." Radiant golden brilliance pulsed, and swords surged in unison. When the golden divine sword slashed forth, there appeared the ephemeral shadow of a Golden Peng. Its edges were incomparably sharp, emitting golden light that could sting one’s eyes.

Wen Ruyu’s pupils burned fiercely with the light of slaughter. He struck straightforwardly, without embellishment, attacking Pei Jing’s sword.

As his sword descended, all the swords in the heavens seemed to tremble. When Wen Ruyu’s blade reached them, the celestial swords above shattered into oblivion in an instant.

"Clang!"

The collision of the two swords emitted a blinding light. Wen Ruyu’s sword pressed against Pei Jing’s blade, forcing it backward. Although sword intent surged from Pei Jing’s body, divine brilliance erupted from his brow, he still couldn’t hold the sword steady.

Wen Ruyu advanced a step, his blade following. Sharper than the sword itself, the aura of slaughter enveloped Pei Jing entirely. *Pei Jing struggled, for even his Sword Heart wavered under this oppression.*

"Enough!"

Wang Daoxuan commanded in a powerful voice, his words twisting reality itself. Wen Ruyu felt an overwhelming aura descending upon him, halting his advance.

He lowered his gaze, observing Wang Daoxuan wave his hand to signal someone to take Jiang Taie away. Wang’s face was icily indifferent, devoid of the elegance he previously displayed.

Jiang Taie and Chu Zili—both defeated by an unnamed youth—one dead and the other gravely injured.

Pei Jing had further suffered crushing defeat at Wen Ruyu’s hands.

Originally, he intended to claim mastery of the Sword Dao through this battle, but he faced unrelenting setbacks instead.

His face had grown dark and stormy.

"What, can’t handle losing?" Gu Qingyang taunted coldly.

"Hmph." Wang Daoxuan snorted dismissively. "In that case, let me witness Li Mountain’s sword myself."

From Wang Daoxuan’s body, a terrifying sword intent radiated outward, enveloping the entirety of the Sword Peak in seconds. Everyone present felt an overwhelming sword aura that made their souls quake. The Li Mountain disciples trembled with unease.

"Take the disciples away," Gu Qingyang commanded.

He stepped forward, unleashing his towering sword intent, intercepting Wang Daoxuan’s oppressive aura like an insurmountable gorge.

The sword intents of the two clashed, transforming into a horrifying storm that swept across the surroundings.

The Li Mountain faction prepared to retreat with the disciples.

Suddenly, a terrifying aura surged from the distant horizon.

"Boom..." The sky above seemed to shift colors abruptly. From the vast expanse overhead, a dreadful presence descended, engulfing the skies above Li Mountain entirely.

The Li Mountain disciples raised their gaze to the heavens, their faces marked by terror. Above Li Mountain, a supreme powerhouse had concealed their presence until now.

It was evident that these figures aimed to target Li Mountain directly.

Moreover, the various Sword Dao forces atop the mountain simultaneously released their intimidating pressure. These individuals had not come merely as spectators.

In the distance, the mist roared as an immense and imposing aura approached. Subsequently, a massive army appeared on the horizon, advancing steadily.

At the lead of the army were several individuals dressed in golden armor, their resplendence exuding an aura of invincibility. These mighty generals were part of the Da Li Dynasty.

At the forefront stood two figures side by side. One wore a purple robe and exuded an abyss-like presence, daunting and immeasurable.

The other was garbed in black-gold armor, emanating boundless vitality while his murderous aura spilled outward like a Demon God.

"Da Li National Master Wei Song, Demon Suppression Army Commander Dan Tai Ming."

Gu Qingyang looked up at these two looming figures, while Wang Daoxuan of Lingxiao Pavilion stood before him.

The pinnacle of Sword Dao, Qi Cultivation, and Martial Arts in the Da Li Dynasty had each sent someone to represent them.

In addition, other elite cultivators and significant factions from all sides, as well as Da Li Dynasty’s top military forces, had arrived.

Once, when his master and elder uncle were present, forces from all realms dared not set foot on Li Mountain. But now, they had brazenly arrived with the Da Li Court, scheming to obliterate Li Mountain altogether.

Li Fan also gazed at Wei Song, his eyes flashing with sharp intent.

He had seen the man before—in his grandmaster’s memories of the battle where a sword pierced into the Imperial City. Wei Song had been there, participating in the harm inflicted on the Old Blind Man, undoubtedly complicit.

Wei Song seemed to sense Li Fan’s gaze. He turned his eyes toward Li Fan’s direction. With just one glance, Li Fan felt a piercing pain in his eyes.

"Li Mountain, as one of Da Li’s supreme Sword Dao forces, has harbored demons that wreak havoc on the populace and has assassinated court officials. By the Emperor’s decree, Li Mountain shall be thoroughly investigated. If you surrender willingly and follow me back to the Da Li Imperial City, the Emperor may show lenience and mete out a lighter punishment."

Wei Song spoke loudly, his voice reverberating across all of Li Mountain.

"Since when did Li Mountain require orders from the Emperor?" Gu Qingyang retorted boldly. "Go back and ask the Emperor of Da Li how he came into possession of his kingdom. Without Li Mountain, there would be no Da Li World."

"Impudent! From this day forth, Li Mountain shall be erased from Da Li!" Wei Song swept his robe sleeve, and the army surged forward, its killing intent engulfing Li Mountain.