CHAPTER 207: CHAPTER 203 RUMORS

The people in the restaurant were all staring at Lu Yuan in astonishment.

Then someone couldn’t hold back and laughed.

Lu Yuan had always been by Li Fan’s side, and they thought, maybe the two were in a Daoist couple relationship, even someone as celestial as her was still trapped by love, unable to see clearly.

Even if Zuo Tu was outstanding, to claim a third of the world’s Sword Dao fortune was simply daydreaming.

This was equivalent to saying that in the future, Li Fan would be the next number one in Sword Dao.

Only the current number one in the world would dare to say they would claim a third of the fortune.

These words could not be merely described as arrogant; they were delusional.

"We may not agree with Miss Lu’s words, but we do admire Miss Lu’s deep affection for Young Master Zuo; such a profound bond is rare," someone said with a laugh.

Causing Lu Yuan to pause, she glanced at Li Fan, then shook her head.

Indeed, they wouldn’t understand.

They only believed that she said this because of her admiration for Li Fan.

"You will see." Lu Yuan did not pay further attention to the crowd nor bother to explain.

The crowd saw that Lu Yuan wasn’t praising her lover but was seriously answering, leaving them somewhat stunned. Perhaps in her eyes, Li Fan really was extraordinary.

Even Lu Yuhuan, who was sitting across from them, couldn’t help but glance at her, surprised to see that Li Fan held such a high position in Lu Yuan’s heart.

"Miss Lu is truly bold; a toast to the both of you," Lu Yulin said with a smile. Of course, he could not agree with Lu Yuan’s words.

Talent in the world is immense, but how many can truly make it onto the Sword Saint List?

The Sword Saint List consists of only ten people, and the vast majority of talents, like those from Cang Yunxuan, appear in each generation, and most of them are eliminated.

The Sword Saint List is a pinnacle difficult for sword cultivators to reach, let alone claim a third of the world’s Sword Dao fortune.

Even he thought it was arrogant, extremely arrogant, and could say it was the most arrogant statement he had ever heard.

"Senior, do you have any business here?" Li Fan asked Lu Yulin, as the latter had just come to find him.

"Last time when Young Hero came to the Lu Mansion, I heard Yuhuan mention it, but at the time, I was afraid to interrupt your discussion over wine and swords, so I didn’t go and missed it." Lu Yulin laughed, "Later, I heard about what happened outside the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena. It was a pity I didn’t see it in person; when Yuhuan told me about it, at my age, my heart was still stirred with excitement, thinking we must drink a few cups."

Li Fan nodded; most likely, Lu Yulin came because of the Xuanyuan Sword Dojo matter. Last time Yuhuan and Xia Yao mentioned it to him, he ultimately agreed with Lu Yuhuan, just as a favor return.

Besides, he originally wanted to go see it.

"Yuhuan said that Hero Zuo is from a hidden sect?" Lu Yulin asked curiously, fearing Li Fan would misunderstand, he added, "I won’t ask which sect, just curious, that’s all."

Those around all pricked up their ears; they were quite curious about Li Fan’s background, a hidden sect?

Was Li Fan’s background really so mysterious?

"Yes." Li Fan nodded, "The sect where I’m from rarely enters the world, mostly focused on cultivation in the mountains."

He wasn’t lying; Li Mountain was indeed like that.

Hidden, but not unknown.

"To nurture a genius like Young Hero, it must be a sect with profound resources. This Da Li is full of hidden talents; there are many sects and forces I’ve never heard of. If there’s a chance, I’d love to leave this Chi Xiao City and travel far and wide."

Lu Yulin smiled, "Young Hero, since you have a sect, you must also have a master?"

Li Fan nodded.

"It’s a bit regrettable then," Lu Yulin said. "I thought, with Young Hero’s talent, maybe you’d catch the eye of Senior Xuan Yuan, but hearing you have a master, I thought you probably have a master in the sect."

"However, with Young Hero’s accomplishment in Sword Dao, your master must also be a Great Sword Cultivator."

Li Fan continued nodding, thinking about the Old Blind Man, he couldn’t help but sigh.

Once, he was the famed Zuo Canglan; if not betrayed by the court, if not injured back then, with the Old Blind Man’s talent, perhaps today he might not be under the Xuanyuan Sword.

But, there are no "ifs."

The once illustrious Canglan Sword now is a secluded, elderly figure hidden in the mountains. If he hadn’t been taken to Yun Meng Swamp, perhaps he would never have seen the Old Blind Man’s elegance when his sword was at its peak.

One can imagine how confident he was back then.

He used to hope the Old Blind Man could live a few more years, or watch him become a Great Sword Cultivator.

But now he dares to dream, hope the Old Blind Man’s injuries could heal, primordial energy restored, sword back to its peak.

He wonders if there is any hope...

What Li Mountain couldn’t achieve, must be hard, right?

"Young Hero, are you thinking of your master?" Seeing Li Fan seemingly lost in memories, Lu Yulin asked with a smile.

"Mm."

Li Fan nodded, "Been away from home for a long time, starting to miss it."

"Young Hero is a person of great sentiment," Lu Yulin said.

In his heart, he thought, seeing Li Fan’s reaction, his master and sect must be extraordinary, with a background perhaps not inferior to Su Chen’s.

Otherwise, how could he nurture such a sword cultivator?

Does Da Li truly have such hidden Sword Dao forces?

"Senior invites me to represent the Lu Family, what exactly does it mean?" Li Fan took the initiative to get to the point.

"Young Hero has already learned of the Xuanyuan Sword Dojo’s Secret Realm, but not everyone is qualified to enter. Senior Xuan Yuan has limited the spots, so one needs to compete for a spot in order to qualify to enter the Secret Realm,"

Lu Yulin explained, "Senior Xuan Yuan resides in Chi Xiao City, hence taking care of the forces in Chi Xiao City. The reputable forces within Chi Xiao City can invite sword cultivators to join this quota contention. Besides, other external forces or sword cultivators must rely on their own strength to compete for the qualification to enter."

"Due to Senior Xuan Yuan’s care for Chi Xiao City’s forces, more and more Sword Dao forces are willing to settle in Chi Xiao City, making this Sword Dao Sacred City ever more prosperous, the land of dreams for sword cultivators worldwide."

Listening to Lu Yulin’s words, Li Fan understood.

It means the forces of Chi Xiao City can compete for multiple spots to enter the Secret Realm.

Meanwhile, external forces and loose cultivators can only compete for their qualification to enter the Secret Realm, thereby taking care of local forces, ensuring local forces can have several sword cultivators entering the Secret Realm.

In this view, Xuanyuan Sword is indeed considerate of Chi Xiao City, the world’s number one sword revered as a saint in this city, worshipped by people.

"At that time, all major top Sword Dao forces in Chi Xiao City will participate, so our Lu Family’s hope all rests on you, Young Hero," Lu Yulin said, cupping his hands toward Li Fan.

"I will do my best." Li Fan said.

"Additionally, since Young Hero is unwilling to return to Seven Star Alley to reside, I’ve had the Lu Family stay at the Yunlai Inn. That night, Su Chen held resentment towards Young Hero to prevent that instance from occurring again," Lu Yulin added.

"Thank you." Li Fan nodded.

"The year-end is approaching, Chi Xiao City will be very bustling. Young Hero, truly not considering a visit to our Lu Family?" Lu Yulin invited with a smile.

"I appreciate senior’s goodwill." Li Fan shook his head.

He practiced at Li Mountain since he was young. Every year-end, he spent it simply on the mountain with the Old Blind Man, his senior brothers and sisters.

For Li Fan, as long as the Old Blind Man and his fellow disciples were around, everything was well.

Now, as he ventured into the world, it seemed he had to spend it on his own.

His junior brother was also in Chi Xiao City, while his senior sister was in the Imperial City.

At Li Mountain, only the Old Blind Man and Senior Brother Changqing remained.

Of course, now Master Wu Tong and Senior Uncle Gu Qingyang, they should also be with the Old Blind Man, as the brothers had resolved their past grudges.

After chatting for a while, Lu Yulin left, as they weren’t of the same generation, they had little in common to discuss, just came to pay respects and exchanged pleasantries.

Li Fan also returned to the courtyard to cultivate.

But their conversation quickly spread, especially the words between Li Fan and Lu Yuan, which spread from ten to hundreds, gradually changing in tone.

Zuo Tu and Lu Yuan claimed that Cang Yunxuan could not compare to him. At eighteen years old, he far surpassed what Cang Yunxuan once was.

They also said that of the world’s Sword Dao fortune, Li Fan intended to claim half, the Sword Saint List would just be something in his pocket.

This news spread quickly, causing an uproar in Chi Xiao City.

Zuo Tu truly was arrogant, not taking the world’s heroic figures into account.

However, it’s said he was also going to the Xuanyuan Sword Dojo, when the time comes, let’s see how he claims half the world’s Sword Dao fortune.

For a moment, Zuo Tu’s name seemed to become the target of everyone, even those sword cultivators coming from all over Da Li were curious.

Who was this Zuo Tu?

Chi Xiao City had such an arrogant person?

Upon learning of this, the sword cultivators of Lingxiao Pavilion found it both comical and speechless. Even Jiang Taie of Lingxiao Pavilion wouldn’t dare to make such audacious claims. In Chi Xiao City, a sword cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage dared to claim half of the world’s Sword Dao fortune? He truly didn’t know the immensity of heaven and earth.

In another inn in Chi Xiao City, two people were drinking.

Both of them had an extraordinary aura, clearly distinguished figures, but in the context of the wave of sword cultivators converging on Chi Xiao City, it wasn’t surprising.

"Did Junior Brother really say those words?" Ji Hua showed an amused smile, "He didn’t seem like that at first."

"Even if he did, so what?" Wen Ruyu said, "If it’s as Junior Brother said, it would be gratifying."

Wen Ruyu had always had a sharp and outstanding demeanor, never concerned about the world’s opinions.

Besides, what matters if the world’s Sword Dao fortune is claimed half?

Inheriting the position of the Li Mountain Sword Master, Junior Brother will in future be like Grandmaster, enter sainthood through the sword.