CHAPTER 206: CHAPTER 202: SWORD DAO UNDER HEAVEN

As the year draws to a close, Chi Xiao City is bustling with activity, becoming even more lively.

Yunlai Inn.

"With the swordsmanship of the Da Li Dynasty gathering in Chi Xiao City, once again, it’s the time for talents to clash. I wonder who will become the most dazzling figure."

"Nowadays in the Da Li world, our Chi Xiao City’s Sword Dao is the first of its kind. No matter what forces come, they shall not overshadow the prodigies of our Chi Xiao City Sword Dao."

"That’s right. When the sword talents gather here, it will showcase the flourishing of our Chi Xiao City Sword Dao."

"However, one shouldn’t be too arrogant. In the Da Li world, there are still many remarkable figures. Take the Da Li Imperial City, where the talents are most brilliant, with many sword prodigies, and then there’s Lingxiao Pavilion. However, Lingxiao Pavilion and Xuanyuan Arena are both Sword Dao Sacred Lands and would unlikely come openly."

Lingxiao Pavilion values its dignity, if they come, it would be discreetly, as bringing disciples openly to enter Xuanyuan Arena would not look good.

After all, when it comes to Sword Dao forces, Lingxiao Pavilion, backed by the royal family, already has the momentum of being the world’s number one.

"It’s a pity about Li Mountain. If the Li Mountain disciples were still practicing in the world and had not declined, the Da Li Swordsmanship scene would have been more prosperous."

"Li Mountain has declined... Currently, on the Sword Ranking, there’s only Ji Hua, and no one on the Sword Saint List, while among the younger generation, only Wen Jianshou’s son, Wen Ruyu, is holding on."

"What about Zuo Canglan? He was once famous throughout the world. Didn’t he take on any disciples?" someone asked curiously.

"After Zuo Canglan was injured, he likely lost heart and has not appeared in the world since. His life or death is unknown now."

"What a pity for such a prodigy."

"Those are old stories; why mention them? Look to the future and see today’s outstanding figures. I’ve heard some news that Lingxiao Pavilion and the Imperial City Jiang Family have jointly nurtured a peerless prodigy, whose talent in swordsmanship is unmatched in the world."

"I’ve heard of this too. It is said that the person is just a youth, only sixteen years old, yet already in the Foundation Establishment Realm. Such talent is truly invincible; he will undoubtedly reach the Solidifying Pill stage before twenty, a true monster..."

"Before twenty, reaching the Solidifying Pill stage, doesn’t that mean he will break into the Sixth Realm before thirty?" The people discussed, growing more and more shocked.

If this young man grows, the world of swordsmanship is bound to be shaken once again.

"Will he come to Chi Xiao City?"

"No, Lingxiao Pavilion would never let him come here."

"Stop talking about something so distant. Isn’t there a remarkable figure right here in this inn?" someone said with a smile.

"Zuo Tu, isn’t he only eighteen years old? Ranked in the top ten of the Green Cloud List, he certainly has a chance to reach the pinnacle of the Green Cloud List in the future."

"Yes, although he’s still young now, he has unlimited potential. In this clash of talents, he will make his mark, but because of his youth and recklessness, he might not go too far. But in a couple of years, he won’t be held back."

"Indeed, such a talented individual is already rare, though not as extraordinary as that Jiang boy from Lingxiao Pavilion, he is still top-tier. Let’s see if he has a chance to enter the Sword Ranking in the future."

The Sword Ranking is a necessary step to the Sword Saint List.

Without getting into the Sword Ranking, it’s basically challenging to have a shot at the Sword Saint List.

"Mere mortals discussing Sword Dao."

At this point, a cold voice came through, and everyone raised their heads in surprise, seeing a group approaching. Looking at the speaker, they saw a woman, cold and stunning, making others feel their own inferiority. It was Lu Yuan.

Li Fan was by her side, along with Lu Yuhuan and a group of middle-aged people, who appeared to be from the Lu Family.

"Miss Lu, we meant no disrespect to Young Master Zuo, and have offered high praise. Why do you speak so?" someone asked, puzzled.

"Before the match outside the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena, you spoke the same way, saying Zuo Tu, though young, was arrogant and self-important. And how did that turn out? Currently, the so-called praise is only self-satisfaction."

Lu Yuan spoke calmly, "You’ve never seen the Jiang boy from Lingxiao Pavilion; how do you know he’s inferior to Jiang Taie?"

"This..." The crowd was momentarily stunned, realizing the reason for her words.

However, the rumors about that Jiang boy from Lingxiao Pavilion truly painted him as peerless. Was she implying Zuo Tu was stronger?

"Let me ask you, can Cang Yunxuan, a disciple of the Shadow Inheritor Sword, enter the Sword Ranking?" Lu Yuan asked.

"He’s bound to have a chance."

"At eighteen, where was Cang Yunxuan ranked on the Green Cloud List?" Lu Yuan continued to ask, leaving the other party dumbfounded.

"When Cang Yunxuan carved his name on the stone wall, how old was he?"

"Twenty-four."

"He carved his name at eighteen, six years ahead, surpassing Cang Yunxuan. Since you believe Cang Yunxuan has a chance to enter the Sword Ranking, why would there be any doubt about him?" said Lu Yuan, having heard them compare Li Fan to Jiang Taie.

During the battle at Li Mountain back then, Li Fan had already defeated Jiang Taie, so why would he now be deemed inferior?

The crowd was stunned by Lu Yuan’s words.

Lu Yuan indeed had a point; viewing it this way, Li Fan was indeed more outstanding than Cang Yunxuan. Just that... Cang Yunxuan was, after all, the previous number one on the Green Cloud List, a direct disciple of Li Chengying.

This Lu Yuan, daring to claim in public that Zuo Tu surpassed Cang Yunxuan...

If this news spread.

"If you do not know, best to speak less of others. The Green Cloud List could not contain him, and in the future, you will see him on both the Sword Ranking and the Sword Saint List." Lu Yuan spoke softly. Her voice was calm, as if stating something that was only right.

This Lu Yuan truly believed in Zuo Tu.

They enviously looked at Li Fan, young and handsome, with extraordinary talent, and the admiration of a beautiful woman, truly perfect.

"I also believe Hero Zuo will enter the Sword Ranking in the future, even the Sword Saint List," said a middle-aged man next to Lu Yuhuan, smiling, who was her father, Lu Yulin.

"Does Senior Lu also hold Young Master Zuo in such high regard?" Someone recognized Lu Yulin.

"Naturally... With the strength of being ranked in the top ten on the Green Cloud List at eighteen, he might even reach the top three. After all, during his battle with Han Zhong, he only used three swords. By carving beyond Cang Yunxuan, you’re hindered only by your own understanding." Lu Yulin said with a smile.

The group sat down on the terrace, Lu Yulin smilingly said to Li Fan, "The people of Chi Xiao City say you are arrogant, but just as you said, being arrogant, so what? I foresee Hero Zuo having his place in the future of the Da Li swordsmanship world."

Li Fan smiled slightly, not taking his words too seriously; Lu Yulin wanted to ally with him, so his words couldn’t be fully trusted.

Of course, Li Fan was no longer the naive boy from the beginning and had a strong self-confidence in his own Sword Dao.

"Young Master Zuo indeed has reasons for arrogance, so may I ask, Young Master Zuo, what do you think of your Sword Dao?" someone asked Li Fan.

How would the young and proud Li Fan respond?

Everyone raised their heads to look at Li Fan.

Li Fan pondered for a moment, then said, "I want to take one-tenth of the world’s Sword Dao fortune."

Upon this statement, the entire place was shocked, leaving the crowd speechless, all staring blankly at Li Fan.

He wants to take one-tenth of the world’s Sword Dao fortune?

What an arrogant statement.

Even before, ignoring the Green Cloud List could not compare to this statement.

If there are ten fortunes in the world of Sword Dao, who can take one?

The Xuanyuan Sword, the number one in the world of Sword Dao, taking three parts would not be too much.

In addition, countless talents and people from the Sword Saint List and Sword Ranking share the other seven portions. Even the world’s second Taixuzi, being elderly, perhaps wouldn’t dare claim one portion himself.

Li Fan, he wants a portion of the world’s Sword Dao fortune?

This statement was like claiming he will surely enter the Sword Saint List in the future.

"Young Master Zuo’s words are astonishing," someone laughed awkwardly, "This is the most arrogant statement I’ve heard in my life, without exception."

They, didn’t agree.

Even if Li Fan has extraordinary talent, even if he surpasses Cang Yunxuan.

But for the world’s Sword Dao fortune, taking one portion?

Would he at least have to become one of the ten most powerful sword practitioners in the Da Li world?

"For such a bold statement, let’s drink a toast," Lu Yulin laughed aloud, although he did not agree with Li Fan’s claim, he chose not to say so.

The waiter brought dishes and wine, and Lu Yulin poured a glass for Li Fan, saying, "Hero’s boldness is matchless, which reminds me of a legendary figure."

Li Fan naturally knew whom he referred to; it was precisely because of his master’s old mentor that he dared to speak this way.

"Looking back, when I was young, I heard his legend," Lu Yulin was lost in reminiscing, "Once, there was a saying that in the world’s Sword Dao fortunes, that senior alone took seven portions."

"Li Mountain," Li Fan said with a low smile.

"Yes, Li Mountain, the master of Zuo Canglan," Lu Yulin replied with a smile.

Lu Yuan also felt sentimental. She never met that venerable senior, Li Fan’s Master’s master.

Li Fan would’ve met his grandmaster when inheriting that sword at the Li Mountain Sword Valley.

She too wished to see the grace of that Sword Saint.

"One portion, hm?"

Lu Yuan turned her face, a smile shading her delicate features, "If the world’s Sword Dao fortune is ten portions, you should at least take three."

Only then would you be worthy of being the Li Mountain Sword Son, upholding the future of Li Mountain.

Back then, that Sword Saint senior claimed seven parts of the world’s sword fortune; their Master Zuo and Master Wen could each claim three parts.

Li Fan, you must surpass your Master and Uncles."

Lu Yulin was startled, spilling some of his drink as he nervously looked at Lu Yuan.

He thought Li Fan’s words were audacious; who would’ve thought this girl saw it as not enough.

In the world’s Sword Dao fortune, taking three parts means...

Becoming the number one sword in the world.

In today’s world, only the Xuanyuan Sword dares to make such a claim.