Sword Aura to the Heavens

Chapter 488: Chapter 483: Here for Vengeance

As spring leaves and autumn comes, another year passes in the blink of an eye.

The capital of Da Li remains bustling as ever, seemingly unchanged. But the once-glorious Lingxiao Pavilion, which sought to replace Li Mountain as the Sword Dao Sacred Land, has lost its former vitality.

In that battle, Lingxiao Pavilion Taixu Zi’s sword broke, leaving him aged overnight, his cultivation regressed; Jiang Taie was even ’killed,’ though later rumors suggested Jiang Taie wasn’t dead.

Regardless, the calamity faced by Lingxiao Pavilion’s two most vital figures signifies that Lingxiao Pavilion now exists in name only.

Lingxiao Pavilion today lacks its past liveliness, appearing somewhat desolate, with many disciples leaving over the past year.

Atop the high pavilion in Lingxiao Pavilion’s center, an elderly figure sits cross-legged, beneath him flickers patterns that fill the entire area with Sword Intent, forming a Sword Array.

Above the old man’s head hangs a singular sword, seemingly the eye of the Sword Array, as endless Sword Intent flows down from it, forming an illusory figure arising from Sword Intent—it’s Jiang Taie.

"Tai E, my Sword Dao is destroyed, the future of Lingxiao Pavilion is entrusted to you." Taixu Zi, with aged eyes, gazes at the opposite illusion, as if making final arrangements.

"Teacher..." Jiang Taie shakes his head, seemingly wanting to say something.

"I pursued Sword Dao, wishing to make Lingxiao Pavilion’s Sword Dao surpass Li Mountain. But till now, Lingxiao Pavilion hasn’t replaced Li Mountain as the world’s orthodox Sword Dao. Even Xuanyuan Sword can claim my life; ultimately, my skills are lacking, my Sword Dao weak. Even if I linger in the world, there’s no hope of fulfilling my wishes."

Taixu Zi’s weathered voice slowly echoes, saying to Jiang Taie: "You’re different; your Innate Sword Body, though defeated once, you are still young and can achieve the great path. Only you can sustain Lingxiao Pavilion."

"My lifelong wish is to surpass Li Mountain Sword. Now Li Mountain has Li Fan, who has inherited Li Mountain Sword; his talent is also unprecedented. Your path remains difficult; thus, I must lend you a hand."

The two, one old, one young, both are defeated.

The sword suspended overhead transforms into countless sword beams, falling onto Taixu Zi, as his body seemingly disintegrates, merging into the Sword Array, where his face and voice appear.

"Tai E, destiny is yours, seeking one sword, Lingxiao."

The dazzling sword light shines on Jiang Taie, whose body trembles, with endless Sword Intent slowly solidifying his form.

Outside Lingxiao Pavilion, a brilliant beam breaks through the high pavilion, piercing the sky.

Countless gazes in the capital turn towards Lingxiao Pavilion. What has happened to the Lingxiao Pavilion, which is gradually declining?

The golden sword light tears through clouds, piercing the heavens.

Thinking of Lingxiao Pavilion, many in the capital look towards a particular direction. In that direction, within a courtyard resides a young man, the orchestrator of Lingxiao Pavilion’s downfall.

A year ago, when he walked out of the Imperial Palace, everyone thought he would leave the capital, but surprisingly, he stayed.

He has stayed for a whole year.

Strangely, despite causing a stir and battling various mighty figures over a year ago, he’s been peaceful and quiet for the past year, as if nonexistent.

Looking closer, maybe it’s normal; the one in the imperial palace didn’t kill him, let him return safely. Over a year ago, amid such grand scenes, his life wasn’t taken.

Now, who can kill him?

At this moment, in the secluded courtyard, Li Fan is not practicing as one might expect. Instead, he relaxes on a lounge chair, sunbathing lazily.

Behind him, a stunningly alluring woman massages his shoulders.

Nearby, two exceptionally beautiful women play chess, with a young woman quietly watching.

On another side, a martial artist practices.

Who could have imagined, in the capital, Li Fan lives so leisurely.

"You haven’t practiced in quite a while?"

At this time, a charming voice comes from the woman behind.

"Cultivating doesn’t break the realm, better not cultivate," Li Fan responds, "But Sister Liu, you are also a Great Demon now, no need to serve me like this."

"I volunteer." Liu Ji smiles and says: "Without breaking the realm, don’t practice the sword?"

"Can’t we enjoy some laziness without discussing cultivation?"

Li Fan opens his eyes: "Look at Qing Qiu and Lu Yuan, how peaceful they are."

"Only Brother Huang works tirelessly day and night."

He glances at Huang Xiong in the distance.

After splitting before entering the capital, they have now regrouped here.

Once Li Fan settled here, they gradually came to join him, staying in the capital together.

Li Fan surely understands what this means, and remembers this bond.

Life and death, few in this world could achieve.

Within the capital, though peaceful, they all understand that as long as they are in this city, they remain amidst a mortal peril.

Even so, they have still gathered.

"Not practicing the sword for so long, if a fight comes, hope not to be rusty; still need protection from the master," Liu Ji jokes, actually curious inside.

Li Fan has been truly lazy these days, almost nonchalant, unlike when he first arrived. But Liu Ji naturally knows Li Fan’s not such a person.

Abnormality must have reasons; she’s actually very curious, what is Li Fan’s intention?

"Though not practicing the sword, the sword is on the body, in the heart, in the mind, in the spirit, how could it rust?" Li Fan replies: "With the sword in the heart, whatever doing wherever anytime, is cultivating."

Liu Ji reveals a thoughtful expression, then lightly smiles and shakes her head: "Seems your realm is far beyond mine, I can’t understand anymore."

"It’s right if you don’t understand." Li Fan slightly closes his eyes, recalling scenes from a year ago, when he was ravaged in arrays by three figures.

Months of battle had a significant impact on him.

He may be certain those three weren’t real, yet Emperor Li personally said secrets exist unknown to him, that he would face such powerful opponents.

He believes.

Emperor Li, at least Half-Saint Level, has no need to jest with him.

"I don’t understand much either, Qi, do you understand?" Lu Yuan turns her head to glance over, having practiced together with Li Fan then, but now feels his elusiveness.

Perhaps, he has touched the Seven Realms’ door.

Qi shakes his head.

"Lu Yuan, have the elders returned to the West Sea?" Li Fan asks. The previous arrival of Sun and Moon Palace powerhouses in the capital, and two old men, wasn’t solely because of him; they came due to Lu Yuan’s call for reinforcement.

"I’m not sure either." Lu Yuan shakes her head.

Perhaps they’ve returned, or if Li Fan doesn’t leave the capital, they might still be here.

"Alright." Li Fan replies softly, looking at the leisurely scene ahead; he hadn’t thought he’d experience a peaceful time in the capital like in Bai Lu Academy.

Regrettably, this calm must eventually end.

Li Fan’s gaze drifts outward; his eyes seemingly pierce through space, looking at the distant streets of the capital.

The capital streets are wide, even in residential areas, teeming with people.

At this time, in the middle of the street is a group, the man appears over thirty, yet exudes charm and elegance, with an aura of arrogance and grandeur.

Walking along, he naturally attracts the attention of onlookers.

"This person seems familiar, the aura he exudes, seems to reach Lingxiao." A passerby thinks, as his figure naturally creates a vacuum around him.

This invisible aura seems to keep all at bay.

Moreover, as he proceeds, his aura strengthens, attracting even more attention.

"Jiang Tianxing."

Someone exclaims out loud.

Jiang Family is a noble family in the capital. Before Jiang Taie, many prodigies emerged, one being extremely dazzling, unrivaled in charm, Jiang Taie’s uncle Jiang Tianxing.

But Jiang Taie’s Innate Sword Body drew more attention upon its debut.

Yet Jiang Tianxing was once the capital’s young prodigy.

Years ago, he went out to train, declaring not to return until reaching the Seven Realms.

Now, has he returned?

Does this mean Jiang Tianxing has entered the Seven Realms?

Many turn their gaze towards Jiang Tianxing’s direction, that place is...

Jiang Tianxing has come to avenge Jiang Taie?

Is he unafraid of Emperor Li’s retribution?

At that moment, brilliant sword light erupts from Jiang Tianxing, instantly vanishing; the sword traverses the heavens, followed by a resounding crash, and a distant courtyard collapses into dust.