Sword Aura to the Heavens

Chapter 484: Chapter 479: Emperor of Da Li

Li Fan returned to Cangli Palace to cultivate, and Ye Qinghuang felt somewhat at ease. With the Holy Empress Dowager’s assurance, Li Fan should not be in mortal danger within the Imperial Palace.

However, the one in Cangli Palace had yet to meet with Li Fan.

After waiting for several days, while Li Fan was quietly cultivating in the grand hall, he heard footsteps approaching.

Opening his eyes, Li Fan saw a familiar figure, the Da Li National Master, Wei Song.

Wei Song’s long robe reached the ground, his gaze was sharp, and his dignified face exuded an aura of authority without anger as he stared at Li Fan.

In the battle of White Jade, Wei Song’s direct disciple Kong He was killed by Wen Ruyu.

In the battle of Li Mountain years ago, Wei Song had also participated.

The two could be said to have a deep-seated enmity.

Behind Wei Song was another figure with an air of nobility, a tall stature, and eyes constantly assessing Li Fan.

Li Fan also looked at the two men expressionlessly. Being in the Da Li Imperial Palace, it wasn’t surprising to see Wei Song.

"Come with me," Wei Song said with an incontestable dignity in his voice, glancing at Li Fan before turning to walk out.

Li Fan understood that what was meant to come had finally arrived.

He was about to meet the leader of the most powerful force in the Da Li World, the Emperor of Da Li.

Li Fan stood up and followed Wei Song out.

Wei Song led the way, walking along the white jade steps, moving toward the Cangli Palace that pierced the clouds.

Atop Cangli, shrouded in mist, there was a platform called the ’Immortal Gazing Platform.’

The circular Immortal Gazing Platform stood among the clouds, isolated from the world. Standing here, one seemed able to pluck the stars, with the essence of the sun and moon cascading down upon it, making it extraordinarily comfortable.

Wei Song bowed towards the distant clouds and fog and said, "Your Majesty, the person has been brought."

After speaking, he took the man behind him and left.

On the Immortal Gazing Platform, only Li Fan remained. In that moment, the vast heaven and earth seemed to contain only him, invoking a sense of solitude.

He peered into the mist, his pupils turning gold. Through the fog, he saw a hall standing at the cloud’s peak, akin to a celestial palace.

With just one glance, Li Fan felt that same previous impression, as if an inexplicable oppression weighed on him, making him tightly constrained, as if he saw a pair of eyes.

In the hall, a figure slowly walked out. To Li Fan, this figure appeared exceedingly tall, godlike, each step imprinted on his heart. The gaze in the mist penetrated his soul, appearing both distant and right before him.

As that figure emerged, Li Fan felt suffocated, standing before him seemed to be an Immortal God yet like a Demon God, with terrifying eyes that seemed capable of devouring him.

In that instant, Li Fan felt as if he had seen a Demon Dragon.

"What realm is this?" Li Fan’s heart trembled. Was the Emperor of Da Li in the Saint Realm?

He was at the peak of the Sixth Realm, yet at this moment, he felt exceptionally insignificant.

Even so, his gaze persistently locked onto that towering figure.

"Why do you not kneel upon seeing me?"

An extremely dignified voice resonated, as if heavenly power descended upon Li Fan, demanding him to kneel and submit.

Li Fan’s body trembled slightly, a Sword Intent burst from his body, piercing into the sky, standing straight as a sword, still facing the figure with unwavering eyes.

"Did His Majesty summon me to the palace just to use power to suppress people?" Li Fan responded.

"Hmph!"

A cold snort trembled within Li Fan’s heart, the figure said, "Do you truly think if I intended to kill you, you would still be alive today?"

"If so, why does His Majesty want me here?" Li Fan replied.

"When Wei Song led people to Li Mountain that year, it confirmed one thing, Li Mountain had become a name only. Otherwise, do you think if I wanted to destroy Li Mountain, it could still exist to this day?"

"A Li Mountain without a Sword Saint, is it still Li Mountain? In the Da Li World, one mountain, one temple, one observatory, and one academy, do you wonder how they rank? Not to mention, to me, now neither Taiping Temple nor the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple regards Li Mountain?"

Li Fan was somewhat moved by these words, suggesting that there are four Saints in the current world?

Li Mountain was known as Li Mountain because of the presence of a Sword Saint.

Taiping Temple, Ten Thousand Buddha Temple, White Jade, all have Saints in charge.

Thus, they are first-class in the present age.

That year, during the battle of Li Mountain, he wielded the Li Mountain Sword Master’s sword, had Da Li already confirmed Li Mountain had no Saint?

Indeed, if Li Mountain still had Saints, how could anyone from the Da Li court possibly have left alive.

Li Mountain, was there once an era of Dual Saints?

"Since Li Mountain is gone, then this world will no longer allow the emergence of another Sword Saint, do you understand?" The authoritative voice seemed to descend from the sky.

Li Fan had speculated beforehand, the world today would not permit another Saint.

Now, with the Emperor of Da Li personally saying it, it still impacted him.

He represents Li Mountain and would never permit him to become a Sword Saint.

If the world doesn’t allow another Sword Saint, then would the Xuanyuan Sword also be in danger?

"What does His Majesty mean by saying this?" Li Fan asked.

"You have the potential to become a Sword Saint. Since Li Mountain is gone, you should join the court, learn from your master back in the day, thus I can protect you," the Emperor of Da Li stated.

"His Majesty should understand that it’s not possible," Li Fan said.

"So, you choose a path of certain death?"

"His Majesty promised me, leaving the Capital unless a Saint personally acts against me as a junior, otherwise, I might not necessarily die," Li Fan responded.

"Might not? You haven’t entered the Seventh Realm, even if you reach the peak of the Seventh Realm, a Saint killing you wouldn’t be too late, or do you think the Xuanyuan Sword can protect you? This world chess game, how can it easily be entered by him, even a Semi-Saint is not qualified to enter the game."

Chess game?

So, this is the chess game of the court, Taiping Temple, Ten Thousand Buddha Temple, they are the players.

"His Majesty has unified the world, what is the purpose of this chess game? Shouldn’t it be to eradicate demons and bring peace to the people?" Li Fan asked.

"Childishly naive," the Emperor of Da Li responded coldly, "This world chess game is not something you are eligible to know, considering Qinghuang, and you have decent potential, I am giving you a chance. To slay demons, become a Sword Saint first."

"I will become a Sword Saint, the Sword Saint of Li Mountain," Li Fan refused.

"In Da Li, there are not many who dare refuse me, let Qinghuang be, but you, are you sure?" That towering figure pressed forward again, as if standing before Li Fan, like a Heavenly God standing there.

In Li Fan’s vision, it seemed there was only that Heavenly God’s body and those undeniable True Dragon eyes, almost suffocating him under pressure.

"Dare I set foot in the Capital, what else is there to fear?" Li Fan declared righteously, his Sword Bone ringing, standing straight and unyielding.

"I may have promised not to kill you, but I can wear down your pride. Without my permission, no one can come here, not even Qinghuang, the Holy Empress Dowager cannot save you," the Emperor of Da Li stated.

"What His Majesty does, the world will watch," Li Fan faced those True Dragon eyes directly, without evasion.

"Insolent."

The Emperor of Da Li scolded, and Li Fan felt his Divine Soul shaking.

"This world is mine, how dare the world’s people speak out. I give you a few days to reconsider, if you insist on seeking death, I will fulfill it."

The oppressive voice reverberated in Li Fan’s mind, and after the words fell, clouds gathered, obscuring his view, that god-like figure vanished, and the pressure on Li Fan disappeared instantly, as if it had never appeared.

Li Fan’s pupils were still golden, yet even so, he couldn’t see anything.

He recalled their previous conversation. Why did the Emperor of Da Li want to recruit him?

To make him serve the court, if he becomes a Sword Saint in the future, then the court will have another Saint?

This world chess game, could it be more than meets the eye, with Taiping Temple and the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple also having a balance of power with the court?

And the demon race, since humans and demons once reached an agreement, it suggests the Demon Race also has a Demon Saint.

He suddenly felt as if he had never seen the true face of this world until today, he had only touched the edge.

But no matter what, the Emperor of Da Li couldn’t possibly execute him directly. As the ruler of the Da Li World, he too fears the mouths of the masses. If the Emperor’s promise is just empty words, then how can he win the hearts of the people.

Or perhaps, the Emperor of Da Li has other considerations, unable to kill him, so he seeks to recruit? Wants him to serve the court.

Li Fan realized he couldn’t quite comprehend, it seemed correct, yet it’s as if there’s a fog he cannot see through.

However, just as he was contemplating, suddenly around the Immortal Gazing Platform, a brilliant light erupted, the entire platform brightened, as if an Array appeared, beams of light shot to the sky, immense pressure descended upon him, Li Fan looked around and found himself trapped with no way out.