CHAPTER 205: CHAPTER 201: GATHERING OF STORMS

The second day.

Outside the Yunlai Inn, a fierce battle erupted.

Sword Aura raged as a Sword Cultivator ranked twenty-third on the Green Cloud List arrived to challenge Li Fan.

However, the one fighting him was not Li Fan, but Huang Xiong.

The events that had transpired outside the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena had already spread, reaching every corner of Chi Xiao City and drawing in cultivators of all walks of life. Among them were individuals from the Green Cloud List, all seeking a reason to challenge Li Fan.

"This Xiao Rui must be in trouble. Ranked twenty-third on the Green Cloud List, yet he can’t handle this coachman."

"That coachman is truly ferocious. He’s already injured, but he doesn’t seem to care at all. In fact, the more he fights, the stronger he gets. While others tire after prolonged combat, he only becomes more relentless, like a force without end."

"That’s how martial artists fight—endurance in spades. Facing them, you need to finish the battle quickly. But I’ve never seen such a berserk martial artist before."

The duel drew a large crowd of onlookers, including not a few Green Cloud List members. Yet, Li Fan did not make an appearance. With so many Sword Cultivators in Chi Xiao City, if each one were to challenge him, wouldn’t that leave him with no time to cultivate?

With a sickening slice... Xiao Rui’s sword cut across Huang Xiong’s body, leaving a bloody streak. Yet at the same time, a punch from Huang Xiong struck Xiao Rui squarely, sending a thunderous crash reverberating as Xiao Rui’s body was slammed into the wall beside him.

"Injury for injury."

Such a fighting style... But Huang Xiong’s physical strength was superior. After all, the defenses of a martial artist vastly outclassed those of a Sword Cultivator.

Crawling out of the rubble, Xiao Rui coughed up blood, his face pale as he fixed his gaze on the bleeding yet still raging figure before him.

"Do you want to continue?" Huang Xiong asked aloud.

"I concede," Xiao Rui replied in a low voice. With labored steps, he turned and left.

The crowd erupted in astonishment.

Though it was known that Zuo Tu’s coachman possessed impressive combat strength, no one had expected it to reach such levels. A Sword Cultivator ranked twenty-third on the Green Cloud List had been defeated?

But when they thought about what Li Fan had accomplished recently, their surprise began to dissipate. This group of people... was monstrous.

Where exactly did Zuo Tu come from, that even his coachman was a top-tier martial talent?

"Zuo Tu, do you plan to keep using your coachman as your shield?"

At this moment, a Sword Cultivator standing atop a nearby rooftop spoke out. The crowd looked up to see several more Sword Cultivators appearing one after another—all looking for Li Fan.

"Fourteenth on the Green Cloud List, Shen Jun," someone in the crowd remarked while pointing to the figure. Shen Jun, it seemed, also harbored dissatisfaction from being unable to gain entrance to the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena for cultivation.

"Defeat me first," Huang Xiong said, raising his head.

"You are injured. If I fight you now, it wouldn’t be an honorable victory," Shen Jun responded.

"What ranking do you hold on the Green Cloud List? Above Han Zhong? Is your Sword Dao stronger than his?" came Li Fan’s voice from within the Yunlai Inn.

"Fourteenth on the Green Cloud List, not above Han Zhong," Shen Jun replied.

"Then what are you doing here?" Li Fan countered, "Han Zhong required only three strikes—how many could you withstand? If every Sword Cultivator in Chi Xiao City comes looking for me, do I not get to sleep? If you want to challenge me, then reach the top six on the Green Cloud List first—or carve characters on the stone wall of the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena that surpass mine. Only then will I accept your Sword Inquiry challenge."

Li Fan had now replaced Han Zhong as seventh on the Green Cloud List.

Both of these conditions were exceedingly difficult to achieve—unless one of the top six on the Green Cloud List appeared.

"There’s no reason to refuse a Green Cloud List challenge," Shen Jun declared loudly. He still hoped to test Li Fan’s sword skills; after all, such challenges were an unwritten rule for Green Cloud List rankings to shift.

"Feel free to have me removed from the Green Cloud List," Li Fan replied indifferently, making it clear he did not care about such trivialities.

"You are truly arrogant," Shen Jun snarled. "Do you really think carving characters on the stone wall makes you invincible in Chi Xiao City?"

He simply did not believe Li Fan had any respect for the Green Cloud List.

"Whether or not I’m invincible in Chi Xiao City, I don’t know. But I do know... you’re not," Li Fan retorted, his words cutting sharp, making Shen Jun’s expression harden.

"We’ll see," Shen Jun snapped back.

"When the year’s end approaches, come to the Xuanyuan Sword Dojo," Li Fan said. "Until then, I will be in seclusion for cultivation and will accept no interruptions."

Shen Jun’s expression froze upon hearing this—it seemed this was his purpose all along.

Having been so explicitly dismissed, Shen Jun knew Li Fan would not accept the challenge. "Until next time," he said.

With those words, he rode his sword into the air and left.

The other Sword Cultivators soon dispersed as well, quickly spreading the news.

Zuo Tu had come for the Xuanyuan Secret Realm.

It was said that Li Chengying, before the year-end, would recruit disciples and send them to the Xuanyuan Sword Dojo as his representatives.

Yet Li Fan, unable to officially become Li Chengying’s disciple, had been rejected by Cang Yunxuan.

When the time inevitably came for Li Chengying’s students and Li Fan to meet in the Xuanyuan Sword Dojo, what would happen?

For a moment, anticipation brewed within the crowd.

After dismissing the challengers, Li Fan still did not make an appearance, returning to his cultivation instead.

However, his words caused ripples among those gathered.

Zuo Tu had come for the Xuanyuan Secret Realm.

In the days that followed, more and more people arrived in Chi Xiao City.

Many of the Da Li Dynasty’s top Sword Dao sects planned to send their younger disciples to Chi Xiao City by year’s end. They also hoped to witness the most talented Sword Dao prodigies of the time.

At this moment, on the streets of Chi Xiao City, many people looked skyward to see swords whistling through the air, an orderly procession entering the city.

Their grandeur left many momentarily speechless. Such ostentation upon entering Chi Xiao City often signified the arrival of individuals with formidable strength.

All eyes turned to the man leading the group. He exuded an air of otherworldly elegance, dressed in a flowing white robe. No one could discern which sect this cultivator hailed from.

"Chi Xiao City—it has been too long," Tian Chenzi remarked with a faint smile, a hint of anticipation in his expression. It had indeed been many years since he last visited this city.

"This is the Sword Dao Sacred City," a young man beside him said as he gazed at the towering city ahead, his eyes brimming with excitement.

"The world’s Sword Dao Sacred Land used to be Li Mountain," Tian Chenzi said, "but Li Mountain has withdrawn into seclusion, and its influence has waned. Nowadays, Chi Xiao City is undoubtedly the foremost Sword Dao Sacred Land of the Da Li World. Though the Imperial City also boasts many Great Sword Cultivators, it lacks Chi Xiao City’s singular dedication to the sword. Here, the focus is purer."

"After all, the greatest Sword Cultivator in the Da Li World resides in this city," he added.

"This city teems with Sword Dao prodigies. You mustn’t be complacent. Here, you will encounter your rivals," Tian Chenzi said, turning to the young man beside him.

"Our Xuantian Sect may be the foremost sect of the Western Region, but in the Da Li Dynasty, our reputation pales in comparison to many others. Consider the Xuanyuan Sword Dojo and the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena," the young man murmured thoughtfully, "Their renown resonates throughout the Da Li Dynasty, and countless people dream of cultivating within their walls."

"And then there’s the Lingxiao Pavilion in the Imperial City," he continued, "hailed as Da Li Swordsmanship’s premier force. Even the waning Li Mountain remains a name that attracts admiration. This time, I will bring honor to the Xuantian Sect."

"That ambition of yours is commendable," Tian Chenzi said warmly. "Our recent trip to the Yun Meng Swamp has rebuilt your foundation. Even amidst the myriad geniuses here, you will still shine as one of the brightest."

"As for Xuanyuan Sword and Li Chengying—they are Sword Saints, ranked among the top five on the Sword Saint List. For now, they are beyond our Xuantian Sect’s reach. My only hope is that one day, you too will tread such heights and make it onto the Sword Saint List. Then, I will have no regrets."

Though Xuantian Sect was the dominant force in the Western Region, the gap between them and those on the Sword Saint List remained vast.

He himself fell far short.

Xuanyuan Sword, the Quasi-Saint, was hailed as Da Li World’s strongest. In Tian Chenzi’s estimation, perhaps only someone in the Imperial Palace could surpass him.

Li Mountain had contenders in the past, but now... likely not.

"Heaven’s storms produce exceptional individuals. I will rise above them all," the young man declared, his eyes flashing with brilliance as Sword Aura emanated from him.

"With such ambition, let us toast to it!" Tian Chenzi said, laughing heartily. Though the path was arduous, a Sword Cultivator must possess lofty aspirations.

How else could one dominate the world?

On the streets of Chi Xiao City, another group moved quietly. One among them glanced skyward momentarily before looking away, a trace of disdain flickering in his eyes.

Xuantian Sect?

Foolish dreams of grandeur.

The so-called foremost sect of the Western Region—what weight did it carry within the Imperial City?

Beside him, a group of young individuals also moved unassumingly through the streets, exuding an air of humility.

"This time in Chi Xiao City, keep your identities concealed," the leader advised them. "Of course, if discovered, it matters not. Simply treat this as a trial—a chance to assess the talents of your peers and Sword Dao rivals."

"Understood," the group nodded, their eyes gleaming with confidence.

"Do not underestimate your foes. Chi Xiao City has gathered numerous Sword Dao prodigies whose talents are formidable," the leader cautioned.

"Why didn’t Junior Brother Jiang come along?" one youth asked. "If he were here, he could dominate all Sword Cultivators of this generation by himself."

"Our sect already stands as the preeminent Sword Dao force of this era," the leader replied. "To him, participation is unnecessary. Even absent from this gathering, he remains unsurpassed globally. For Tai E, what matters most is devoting himself fully to cultivation and mastering the Sword Dao. Give him a few more years, and once he walks the mortal realm, it will undoubtedly bring a shock to the Da Li Sword Dao world."

"Moreover, your presence here will more than suffice," the leader added.

The youth nodded. Indeed, Junior Brother Tai E’s talent was unparalleled. Possessing the Innate Sword Body, his cultivation seemed devoid of any bottlenecks. Though still young, he had already reached the Middle Stage Foundation Establishment.

Beneath the Condensed Core Realm, he was unmatched.

This group of individuals had come from the Lingxiao Pavilion in the Da Li Imperial City.