CHAPTER 376: CHAPTER 371: SLAUGHTER AS THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT

Wen Ruyu gazed into the distance; he still couldn’t uncover the exact cause of his death, but he was already certain that the court was involved in his death. Behind it, there might even be other forces entangled.

In fact, Li Mountain had known some information from early on, and he also knew some. Because of this, he cultivated the Slaughter Sword Dao, his personality was obstinate; he wished to inherit the Li Mountain Sword, to slay all the demons of the world, to slay the hearts as demonic as people.

But the Old Blind Man did not choose him, he chose Li Fan.

A scene from his childhood emerged in Wen Ruyu’s mind; on the Li Mountain, he watched him leave, his posture was upright, the sword on his back, perhaps knowing something, he halted his steps, glanced back at the young man, and gently advised, "Ruyu, the path of your Sword Dao in the future, you shall choose yourself."

"Can’t you not go?" The youth asked.

The middle-aged man paused for a moment, sunlight reflected on his profile, as if like a sword.

"This is my Sword Dao." He resolutely turned around, the Sword Aura piercing through the air, his tall silhouette vanished in the sea of clouds.

"You pity the living beings, but will the living be merciful to you?"

Wen Ruyu’s voice was desolate; he turned to look at Li Fan and said, "Little junior brother, I’m going to pursue my Sword Dao."

"Yes." Li Fan nodded; he also hoped that his senior brother would pursue his Sword Dao.

Of course, perhaps at this moment he still didn’t understand what Wen Ruyu meant by those words.

Xing Feng stepped forward.

"Uncle, I leave little junior brother in your care for a while," Wen Ruyu instructed.

"Alright." Xing Feng nodded, "You should go."

He knew that Wen Ruyu had a personality completely different from his father’s; before Li Fan, Wen Ruyu had high expectations placed on him by Li Mountain and was even seen as the successor of the Li Mountain Sword Dao.

Although Li Fan is now confirmed as the Future Sword of Li Mountain, Wen Ruyu, too, is the sharpest sword of Li Mountain.

Wen Ruyu said nothing further; true to his character, he transformed into a Sword Aura and flew away directly.

Xing Feng looked up at his disappearing figure and murmured, "The Great Li World is about to witness a god of killing."

Wen Ruyu, cultivates the Sword of Slaughter.

Li Fan heard this and glanced at Xing Feng.

"Xiao Fan, I will escort you in the future; besides, since Huang Xiong is my disciple, I should fulfill some responsibilities as a master," Xing Feng looked at Huang Xiong. This young man was born with Divine Power, naturally gifted in Martial Arts, perfectly suited to inherit my teachings, and could also protect Li Fan along the way.

Huang Xiong, hearing these words from behind, felt somewhat excited; finally, he would have a mentor to guide him.

And it was no ordinary mentor but a top-tier Great Cultivator capable of executing Prince Qinghe An Lu.

The individuals behind him were somewhat envious of Huang Xiong; such a fortuitous opportunity was not something everyone could have.

Yet Li Fan walked towards them and said, "This journey started from the West Sea and has now reached the heart of Da Li. You are likely aware of the relationship between Li Mountain and the Da Li Court. The road I shall walk henceforth is likely fraught with danger. You didn’t appear during the Qinghe County turmoil, which means you are not yet implicated. Now is the best time to leave."

"What, are you trying to dismiss your sister?"

Luo Qingyan teased, "I was born in the Land of the West Sea. Although I’ve achieved cultivation up to the Condensed Core, I remained confounded in the West Sea. Since following you, I’ve seen another side of the world. Now that I’ve followed from the West Sea, you can’t just send me away. As for danger, once we’ve reached this realm, pursuing anything comes with inherent risks. In that case, I might as well continue to venture with you."

"Why bother with such complicated reasoning," Meng Hong laughed from behind, "Brother Xiao Fan, once we’ve latched onto such a big thigh as yours, we don’t intend to let go. Naturally, if there’s anything we can help with, we won’t hesitate to go through fire and water for you."

Sun Zhao said nothing, but his silence expressed the same sentiment.

Li Fan shook his head, "I understand your intentions, but now the Great Li World is all under the court’s control. We will inevitably confront the court in the future, and even I cannot promise to come out unscathed every time. Continuing to follow me will only lead to certain death."

Even though Li Mountain will protect him, in times of crisis, Li Mountain would prioritize protecting him.

"There is no everlasting feast in the world. It’s already fortunate for me to have met you and accompanied each other for a while. I wish each of you could find your place in this world in the future." Li Fan’s voice was hearty, exuding an easygoing and straightforward spirit.

"Seems like you are truly trying to send us away." Luo Qingyan looked at Li Fan and said, Li Fan laughed, "Sister Luo, you know my intentions."

"Alright, then we won’t be your burden. We will also explore a bit in this Great Li World, and perhaps have the chance to advance further," Luo Qingyan, too, was a straightforward person and laughed, "I also hope to see your sword in the future, reigning over the world."

"People all think that Li Mountain has declined, but seeing you, I know that the Li Mountain Sword will surely stand at the pinnacle of the world," Meng Hong quickly accepted and offered his blessings.

"Take care." Sun Zhao didn’t have much to add; he simply knew that Li Fan’s path would be perilous.

"Take care." Li Fan said to everyone.

"Let’s go."

Meng Hong turned around casually and flew through the air.

Luo Qingyan and Sun Zhao also left one after another.

Li Fan stood and watched them leave.

"We should also hit the road now," Xing Feng said.

"Yes." Li Fan nodded, and the group moved through the wilderness.

The incidents in Qinghe County would inevitably soon shock the court, and it’s believed that the court would send people quickly. Naturally, they couldn’t stay in Qinghe County any longer.

Moreover, Li Fan agreed with An Lu’s words before his death. During the battle at the Peak of Li Mountain, he was still young, even in Chuzhou City, top experts came to deal with him. To this day, he has shown his prowess, and the court’s attention to him will increase once again.

Besides, now they walk in the heart of Da Li, they must be even more vigilant.

Fortunately, this world is vast; for the Da Li Court to find a person is by no means an easy task.

Several months later, Li Fan walked through a small town and heard a piece of news.

Li Mountain Sword Cultivator Wen Ruyu, with one man and one sword, has slain multiple court officials, listing his crimes as upholding heaven’s justice, causing a huge commotion, and the court has issued numerous kill orders, now the Da Li Court is frantically pursuing Wen Ruyu.

And this Wen Ruyu was the son of Wen Haoran, the former Li Mountain Sword Master.

Upon learning this news, Li Fan finally understood the meaning behind his senior brother’s words upon his departure. He is going to fulfill his Sword Dao, to prove his Dao through slaughter.

And the targets he aims to kill are not just the demons of the world.

"Uncle, did you already know?" Li Fan asked as they walked, turning to Xing Feng beside him.

"Ruyu has always had a knot in his heart over his father’s death. Now that he knows the court was undoubtedly involved, how could he let it go? With his Sword Dao, he was bound to tread this path," Xing Feng said.

"By doing this, senior brother might also be sharing my burden," Li Fan captured another point.

Xing Feng was startled and looked at Li Fan, then nodded slightly.

Wen Ruyu, proving his Dao through slaughter, kills were on the court’s people, the court’s focus would be on him, naturally reducing the pressure on Li Fan.

As they traveled, the news about Wen Ruyu grew more frequent.

It was said that the court had dispatched Seven Realms Great Cultivators to hunt Wen Ruyu down, but Wen Ruyu’s whereabouts were unpredictable, leading the court to send masses of cultivators in pursuit.

As for Li Fan’s side, it seems he has been forgotten.

Half a year has passed since the Qinghe County turmoil, Wen Ruyu’s name has spread throughout the world, and the court’s multiple efforts to encircle and suppress him have all been in vain, resulting in heavy casualties.

At this time, on a desolate mountain, a group of figures sat cross-legged in cultivation, with Li Fan among them.

He was sitting on the edge of a mountain peak, facing the cliff, exchanging Sword Aura, with Lu Yuan and Yue Qingqiu beside him, and Liu Ji at his rear side.

In another direction, Huang Xiong was practicing Fist Technique, and each punch he threw caused sonic booms, his body like a dragon, his internal energy roaring like a fierce beast.

Not far from him, Xing Feng was quietly sitting with his eyes closed, nurturing his spirit.

Over the past half-year, besides escorting them, Xing Feng had been mentoring Huang Xiong diligently. Huang Xiong’s cultivation had progressed rapidly, advancing swiftly.

At this moment, Xing Feng opened his eyes, seeing Huang Xiong’s punch wreathed in radiant energy, with a Martial Intent halo enveloping him, seeming as if a phantom overlapped with his body.

"Martial Aura."

In his eyes, Xing Feng showed satisfaction; having heard Zuo Canglan speak of Li Fan accepting a disciple for him, he hadn’t paid much mind. Little did he expect such a pleasant surprise; with Huang Xiong’s talent, he could one day inherit the Peak of Martial Intent of Li Mountain.

When Huang Xiong stopped, he looked towards Xing Feng, seeing him looking back, he stepped forward broadly and asked, "Master, is there any issue with my cultivation?"

"No issues," Xing Feng shook his head, "Cultivation in Martial Arts, with the birth of a Martial Spirit and the forging of a Golden Body, you’re no longer one who merely practices martial arts at a low level but a Fifth Realms Cultivator capable of shaking mountains and rivers, and an immortal Golden Body not inferior to any other cultivators. When you face enemies in the future, you should have the courage and spirit to challenge and shake the world; this is the soul of Martial Arts, the essence of the Martial Cultivator."

"Disciple understands." Huang Xiong bowed his head.