CHAPTER 212: CHAPTER 208 GUIDANCE

The dawn of a new year brought renewed vitality.

Chi Xiao City erupted with fervor on this day.

The streets bustled with carriages and horses, while the skies were filled with sword cultivators soaring on their swords—a spectacular scene to behold.

Today, the world’s foremost sword dojo, the Xuanyuan Sword Dojo, opened its gates.

Once a year, only this one opportunity arises; it is a grand occasion for sword cultivators.

Sword cultivators from all corners of Da Li gathered in Chi Xiao City.

In Li Chengying’s dojo, sword aura pierced through the air. Streams of radiance shot vertically into the sky in an instant, drawing countless gazes upward. What they saw was the magnificent spectacle of sword cultivators flying together on their swords.

The disciples under the Shadow Bearing Sword Sect were prodigies among prodigies. Every year, when the Xuanyuan Sword Dojo opened, the sword cultivators from the Shadow Bearing Sword Dojo would showcase their brilliance.

In another part of the city, sword cultivators from Lingxiao Pavilion walked through Chi Xiao City. As always, they remained understated, keeping their identities concealed. While speculation about their origin was inevitable, they would never proactively reveal that they hailed from Lingxiao Pavilion.

Lingxiao Pavilion proclaimed itself the supreme Sword Dao Sacred Land in the world today.

Meanwhile, Tian Chenzi of Xuantian Sect led his disciples en route to the Xuanyuan Sword Dojo.

At Yunlai Inn, members of the Lu Family had gathered early. Both Lu Yulin and Lu Yuhuan were present, accompanied by a number of sword cultivators, including their own family’s sword cultivators and one familiar to Li Fan, Yan Qi.

Lu Yuhuan had once helped Yan Qi before, and this visit seemed to be the return of that favor.

"Hero Zuo, what is your plan for traveling there?" Lu Yulin asked. He knew that Li Fan preferred traveling by carriage. Over recent days, Li Fan had been making frequent appearances in Chi Xiao City, almost exclusively traveling by carriage, hence the inquiry.

"Since we are attending the Sword Dao festival, naturally, we should fly on our swords," Li Fan replied with a smile.

Today, they would ride the wind and soar on their swords.

Foundation Establishment sword cultivators had already achieved the ability to fly on their swords. While their skill was still somewhat lacking for long-distance travel, moving within the city posed no issues.

"Very well, sword flight." Lu Yulin smiled. As the words left his mouth, a sword appeared before him, and he stepped onto its blade.

The Lu Family’s sword cultivators followed suit, mounting their swords.

With a thought, Li Fan channeled his sword aura, transforming it into a sharp blade suspended before him, then stepped onto it.

"Let’s go," Lu Yulin announced. His voice signaled the group of sword cultivators to ascend together, streaking straight toward the heights above.

Li Fan and Lu Yuan traveled together, flying on their swords, overlooking the bustling city below—people swarming everywhere in lively motion.

Likewise, high above, countless sword cultivators cut through the skies, weaving paths to their destinations.

*The scene filled Li Fan’s heart with awe. Chi Xiao City truly deserved its reputation as the Holy City of Sword Cultivators.*

At the central area of Chi Xiao City stood a colossal sword, as if it had fallen from the sky, piercing into the city below. Sword intent surged powerfully from the massive blade.

Beneath the giant sword lay a "city within a city," filled with towering structures. This was the Xuanyuan Sword Dojo.

Sword cultivators in the skies all directed their paths toward this location.

Outside the Xuanyuan Sword Dojo, crowds swarmed the ground.

Above, the skies were crowded with countless sword cultivators walking on swords; the density was such that many on the ground raised their heads to watch. The scene was undeniably breathtaking.

*Could it be that every sword cultivator in Chi Xiao City had truly come here today?*

Li Fan and his companions arrived, joining the crowd while standing on their swords high above. Their gazes fixed on the Xuanyuan Sword Dojo, seemingly waiting for it to open.

"Zuo Tu."

Someone spotted Li Fan and recognized him, prompting whispers among those nearby as they looked his way.

The events of last night at Moon Lake had spread. Many heard what occurred but weren’t sure who had delivered such audacious statements.

Though Li Fan’s appearance attracted some attention, it wasn’t enough to stir a commotion.

On ordinary days, perhaps, his arrival might have caused a stir. But today was different.

Chi Xiao City was packed with so many luminaries that even Li Fan’s brilliance couldn’t overshadow the radiance of others.

Besides, the situation at Moon Lake was seen by most as nothing more than youthful bravado—words borne of youthful arrogance, dismissed as fanciful boasts.

*Could anyone seriously believe he would become the future wielder of the Xuanyuan Sword?*

*In this world, there were far too many geniuses.*

At that moment, several sharp gazes turned toward Li Fan, intent and focused. Li Fan seemed to sense this, and his own gaze shifted in their direction. It landed on Cang Yunxuan and the sword cultivators around him.

Rumor circulated in Chi Xiao City that Li Fan had once claimed he alone dominated half of the Sword Dao’s fortune and sneered at the disciples of the Shadow Bearing Sword Sect, including Cang Yunxuan—the former first-ranking cultivator on the Green Cloud List.

This rumor carried some exaggerations and fabrications. In truth, Li Fan had only said he desired a portion of the Sword Dao’s fortune.

However, Cang Yunxuan interpreted those words differently.

On that day, he revoked Li Fan’s eligibility to train in the Shadow Bearing Sword Dojo. In retaliation, Li Fan carved bold characters to surpass Cang Yunxuan’s mark, making it clear who his target was. It was no surprise he voiced such claims afterward.

Cang Yunxuan himself admitted that Li Fan was extraordinarily gifted. If he had known of Li Fan’s talent earlier, he would not have acted in that manner. Li Fan did deserve to train in the dojo and could even have been his junior disciple.

Yet, what was done was done; he had no regrets and saw no reason to regret.

*In this world, there were countless geniuses. The Shadow Bearing Sword Dojo didn’t lack one more.*

*For someone as arrogant as Li Fan, the road ahead would undoubtedly be challenging.*

"Zuo Tu," Cang Yunxuan called out. Li Fan raised an eyebrow in surprise and asked, "Mr. Cang, what advice do you have for me?"

"Your boastful words are now known throughout Chi Xiao City. While I recognize your exceptional talent—you possess the strength to rank in the top five of the Green Cloud List at just eighteen, making you one of the most gifted individuals in recent years—"

Cang Yunxuan continued, "However, a towering tree faces the fiercest winds. Remarkably brilliant talents are not always blessed; you are still young. Your sword needs tempering. Have the humility to wield your blade, and you may chase the legacy of the predecessors in Sword Dao."

Speaking as an elder, Cang Yunxuan imparted his wisdom: "Your words may stem from youthful recklessness, but they already disregard the senior sword cultivators. While those esteemed Great Sword Cultivators may not concern themselves with your remarks, you should exercise restraint."

"Only through such humility can your Sword Dao go further."

Li Fan raised his eyebrows slightly, his expression betraying confusion.

*Who was this Cang Yunxuan to him, offering unsolicited advice?*

*Even if he had once been first on the Green Cloud List, that was all.*

*Since when could a mere ranking holder presume to teach him?*

*What of Li Fan’s masters and elders? Were they reduced to nothing in comparison?*

"Mr. Cang, are you teaching me?" Li Fan asked.

"Simply a warning to you. Consider it carefully. In this world of multitude geniuses, while you stand out, you are not alone. At the peak of sword cultivation are only a handful. You remain far too young," Cang Yunxuan replied.

"Does Mr. Cang not aspire to become one of the Great Sword Cultivators listed on the Sword Saint List?" Li Fan asked.

"Of course I do," Cang Yunxuan answered.

"So, you and I are alike," Li Fan said. "If that is your ambition, why should one not speak of it? Do you doubt your own talent or lack confidence in your Sword Dao?"

Cang Yunxuan frowned slightly.

"Why must Mr. Cang impose his own limitations on others? If you lack the confidence to ascend the heights of sword cultivation, why should I also refrain?" Li Fan retorted. "If I have such determination, what harm is there in stating it? Surely, the senior Great Sword Cultivators will not begrudge me for aspiring to achieve mastery?"

Cang Yunxuan’s face darkened visibly.

*Was Li Fan now offering counsel to him?*

"The winds of the era will sweep through us. As sword cultivators, what are we if we do not surpass our predecessors in Sword Dao? How can the Sword Dao advance?"

Li Fan continued, "Just because you dare not does not mean others cannot. Just because you fall short does not mean I will fail. Mr. Cang, you’re growing old."

"How dare you!"

Before Cang Yunxuan could respond, someone behind him shouted in a rebuke, "What an arrogant brat! You’re merely in the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, yet you dare to show such disrespect to your elders?"

"And who might you be?" Li Fan asked.

"Ying Ze," the sword cultivator responded boldly.

Ying Ze, the first-ranking cultivator on the Green Cloud List.

"Oh," Li Fan said, "The Green Cloud List’s top cultivator."

Ying Ze sneered coldly.

"Wait until the inscriptions you carve on the stone wall surpass mine. Then, you can offer your critiques," Li Fan shot back.

"You..." Ying Ze’s sword intent began to flow ominously.

"While I do need guidance for my Sword Dao, it will not come from you," Li Fan said. "If your inscriptions on the wall fail to exceed this junior’s, then spare me your elder’s posture."

The surrounding crowd, hearing Li Fan’s words, silently marveled. *What a bold and unrestrained young sword cultivator.*

Neither Cang Yunxuan nor Ying Ze seemed to command his respect.

*Li Fan believed they both fell short of him.*

"Truly arrogant," someone remarked from the crowd, among the ranks of Lingxiao Pavilion. Though they had heard the name "Li Fan," none had met him before since only a handful of them had attended the Peak of Li Mountain previously.

"So this is the sword cultivator claiming to seize seven portions of the Sword Dao’s fortune?" another commented.

"Indeed, even Martial Brother Jiang wouldn’t dare to utter such boasts. This is truly amusing," replied another beside him with a chuckle. "Perhaps he thinks earning the top mark outside the Shadow Bearing Sword Dojo makes his Sword Dao unrivaled. A case of a frog peeping at the heavens from the bottom of the well."

Meanwhile, Tian Chenzi was also observing Li Fan. He and his companions showed a noticeable shift in their expressions, evidently recognizing him.

*Could it really be him?*

Over the past few days, rumors about "Zuo Tu" had reached their ears, but they hadn’t paid them much attention. After all, they hailed from the foremost sect in the Western Domain and had little reason to take note of a mere young sword cultivator.

But seeing Li Fan now, they realized that "Zuo Tu" was a pseudonym for Li Fan.

"Zuo Tu... Zuo Tu..." Tian Chenzi’s eyes narrowed sharply, fixing steadily on Li Fan. A sudden thought surged within him: Zuo Tu must be the disciple of Zuo Canglan.

"Be wary of this one," he said gravely, his tone laced with caution.

The name Zuo Canglan had faded from the Da Li World for some time.

But now, Zuo Canglan’s disciple had emerged into the world.