CHAPTER 281: CHAPTER 276: LU YUAN’S ORIGINS

The West Emperor Island was in an uproar, with news spreading that the demon army of the West Sea was gathering around the island.

Since the demon turmoil over a decade ago, such a thing had never happened again. One can imagine the shock, even panic, it caused.

Rumors were rife on the island, claiming the demon army would invade the West Emperor Island, and that demons had already infiltrated the island.

In the courtyard, Li Fan was cultivating.

After returning from the sea, they divided the pills they had gathered and used them for cultivation, many of which could accelerate the cultivation progress.

At this moment, Sun Zhao and his group arrived here. The cross-legged Li Fan opened his eyes, stood up, and asked, "How’s the situation outside?"

"It’s confirmed: the demons of the West Sea are rioting. We’re likely facing a bloody storm," Meng Hong said.

"Over ten years ago when demons caused chaos, we knew the location of Jiao Demon Island. Why did the Da Li Court not dispatch troops to annihilate forces like Jiao Demon Island in these past years?" Li Fan asked.

"Perhaps to maintain balance? Or worried about another demon riot in the West Sea? Who knows." Meng Hong said, "The court already had weak control over the West Sea regions. The balance between human and demon forces in the West Sea might be what the court wishes to see."

Li Fan had always had a poor impression of the Da Li Court. The calamity of demons in Lin’an County was orchestrated by the court back then.

"What demon forces lie behind Jiao Demon Island?" Li Fan asked.

"Not demon forces per se. Many years ago, the Land of the West Sea had a Great Demon, extremely fierce, dominating the West Sea with countless demons surrendering to it. Its true form was the Nine Infant. The demon calamity back then was initiated under its command, claiming countless lives."

"Later, the top-tier powers of the West Sea joined forces, even some hidden cultivators stepped in to besiege the Nine Infant. Among them, the most renowned was the Sun and Moon Dual Palace. That battle resulted in heavy casualties; even the Sun and Moon Dual Palace suffered significant losses, and the Sword Dao Sacred Land Li Mountain had a Great Sword Cultivator come as well."

"Rumor has it that the Nine Infant was severely injured and vanished. For over a decade, peace returned to the West Sea, with no further demon chaos. Unexpectedly, after all these years, demons are besieging West Emperor Island. If the Nine Infant beast is behind it, it may lead to another disaster."

"Sun and Moon Dual Palace, Li Mountain Sword Cultivator?" Li Fan looked toward Meng Hong.

"Yes, it is said that many years ago, the Land of the West Sea was ruled solely by the Sun and Moon Palace. But later, internal conflicts arose, leading to a split due to infighting among the strongest clans of the Sun and Moon Dual Palace, thus forming the Sun Palace and the Moon Palace. Even the powerful West Emperor Palace emerged from factions of the Sun and Moon Palace." Meng Hong said, "Of course, that’s a rumor from many years ago. What really happened back then, likely only the people of Sun and Moon Dual Palace and the upper echelons of the West Emperor Palace know."

"What about Li Mountain? Who was the Great Sword Cultivator that came back then?" Li Fan asked.

"It’s said to be the current Li Mountain Sword Master, Mo Yang." Meng Hong said.

Li Fan was taken aback, his gaze inadvertently glanced at Lu Yuan briefly, as if piecing things together.

Li Mountain disciples mostly suffered at the hands of demons.

Lu Yuan is the disciple of Mo Yang, the senior brother.

So, was Lu Yuan brought to Li Mountain by Mo Yang back then?

In the Land of the West Sea?

"Your brother’s talent in the Sword Dao is so extraordinary, he must be from a top-tier Sword Dao force. Do you know Mo Yang?" Luo Qingyan asked with a smile.

"You’re joking, Sister Luo. Who wouldn’t know the Li Mountain Sword Master?" Li Fan replied.

Luo Qingyan observed Li Fan’s expression. He had a mysterious background, one he hadn’t disclosed till now.

"How strong is the Nine Infant?" Li Fan continued to ask.

"Extremely strong. Legend has it that the fierce beast Nine Infant has been alive for an extremely long time, always dominating the West Sea, and being at odds with the Sun and Moon Palace for many years. Under it, several Great Demons take orders from him, and his battle power is incredibly terrifying. I don’t know the exact level, but given its fierce reputation, it’s unlikely that anyone below the Seven Realms could rival it." Meng Hong replied.

"It seems, if this demon turmoil is backed by the fierce beast Nine Infant, West Emperor Palace won’t stand a chance?" Li Fan said.

"You could say so." Meng Hong nodded, "Of course, though the Sun and Moon Palace is split, the Sun Palace and Moon Palace still exist. I’ve heard there are top-tier cultivator hermits in the West Sea regions. If the Nine Infant causes chaos, they should appear. But when that happens, the West Sea will be turbulent—a great catastrophe."

"Being such an ancient fierce beast, having remained hidden for so many years, Nine Infant must have its fears as well." Li Fan said.

"If the court puts in effort, it can certainly deal with the Nine Infant. But the court’s attitude is uncertain, and besides... it’s a pity Li Mountain is no longer what it used to be." Meng Hong said softly. Nowadays, Li Mountain is in a state of flux, and won’t be like the old days when its sword emerged from Li Mountain and demons bowed.

Li Fan was speechless upon hearing Meng Hong’s words. Today, people all lament that Li Mountain isn’t like it used to be.

After a few people left, Li Fan stood at the edge, gazing afar. Lu Yuan stood by his side, whispered, "During the demon chaos in the West Sea back then, Master also came to slay demons and took me to Li Mountain."

Li Fan glanced at Lu Yuan and then looked ahead, listening quietly.

He had asked before, but Lu Yuan didn’t want to say, so he hadn’t pursued it further.

Now that Lu Yuan is willing to speak, he listens quietly.

"My parents were from the Moon Palace. They died in the demon turmoil that ravaged the West Sea years ago," Lu Yuan said. "Although I was young at the time, I still have memories. I remember that my parents had outstanding talent. My father was the heir to the Moon Palace, a Sixth Realm Taoist Body Great Sword Cultivator. In that disaster, they were ordered to the West Sea to slay demons, but suddenly one day, I heard the news of their deaths in the Moon Palace."

"After my parents fell, I found that everything around me seemed to change. The attitude of the Moon Palace people towards me was not the same as before."

Lu Yuan’s voice was calm, without waves, as if she was telling someone else’s story. But these matters have probably been buried in her heart for many years, never mentioned.

Because of this, when she returned to the West Sea, it stirred up Lu Yuan’s buried memories, causing her to hold onto her concerns during those days.

"Later, my master visited the Moon Palace and wanted to take me away. Although the master was quite unfamiliar to me at the time, I chose to leave with the master. Afterward, the master took me to slay demons, and after some time, we ascended to Li Mountain."

"The master told me to practice diligently, become a Great Sword Cultivator, and slay demons."

Li Fan recalled Lu Yuan’s quiet and unspeaking disposition while at Li Mountain. The Li Mountain disciples all said she was as cold as frost but had an exceptional talent for the Sword Dao.

It was only after leaving Li Mountain that he became acquainted with Lu Yuan.

These are not happy memories, so it’s no wonder Lu Yuan doesn’t want to talk about them.

Since she chose to leave with Senior Brother Mo Yang back then, it must be because the Moon Palace treated her poorly after her parents’ death; otherwise, with relatives to care for, she was still young and might not have gone to distant places.

"Lu Yuan, you will become a Great Sword Cultivator and inherit your parents’ legacy," Li Fan said, looking at Lu Yuan with a smile.

Lu Yuan gazed at him with her beautiful eyes and then smiled, as if relieved, saying, "You too, Yang Qingshan."

They didn’t mention the Moon Palace. At that time, Lu Yuan was still young, and she likely felt the warmth and coldness of human nature after her parents’ death.

But what was the identity of Lu Yuan’s parents in the Moon Palace?

If they were heirs, after their deaths, Lu Yuan shouldn’t have been neglected.

Moreover, her father was a Sixth Realm Great Sword Cultivator with outstanding talent, so the talents Lu Yuan inherited wouldn’t be weak.

Is this another family struggle?

While the two were talking, in the distant sky, a group of figures came grandly towards them.

Li Fan and Lu Yuan looked up and saw a familiar face at the forefront.

It was Song Siyu from the Song Family and Nan Zhengchuan, son of the elder from the West Emperor Palace, along with other cultivators from the West Emperor Palace.

Li Fan raised his eyebrows slightly. Why are they here again?

Could it be that they found some clues?

So much time has passed; it shouldn’t be possible.

Song Siyu and Nan Zhengchuan stopped their figures above Li Fan, while Song Siyu examined Li Fan, seemingly curious.

"Does Miss Song have something to discuss?" Li Fan asked.

Neighboring Meng Hong and Luo Qingyan also looked over, ready for battle at any time.

"Recently, monsters have attacked the West Sea, among them demons from Jiao Demon Island. They asked the West Emperor Palace for someone, whom I happened to have seen," Song Siyu looked at Li Fan and asked, "I remember you are Yang Qingshan?"

"Yes," Li Fan replied.

"Why do the demons from Jiao Demon Island want you?" Song Siyu asked.

"To be frank with Miss Song, I encountered a demon raid while coming to West Emperor Island by ship. It was the Young Master of Jiao Demon Island, who was killed by me," Li Fan explained.

Song Siyu seemed somewhat puzzled. The Young Master of Jiao Demon Island must have had Fifth Realm demons around him.

"Sun was there at the time, along with other cultivators. We joined forces to annihilate the demons raiding us, and then entered the island together," Li Fan turned to look at Sun Zhao.

Song Siyu nodded. Li Fan being able to kill a Condensed Pill demon was not surprising.

"You should be careful," Song Siyu said indifferently and then left with the others.