Chapter 520 - 515: The Return of the Sword

South Sea, on the edge of the Divine Country Territory, a group of figures hurried along.

"We’re getting close, soon we’ll be entering the range of the Divine Country Territory. Previously, the outer demon fog was everywhere, with Great Demons occupying the sea domain." At this moment, a cultivator gazed forward, speaking to those beside him.

The cultivator next to him was an elderly man. He looked ahead solemnly and said, "Although I knew previously that vast sea domains were occupied by cultivators who built cities on islands, I never expected there to be a Divine Country, and it even holds sway over seven great dynasties. On this trip, we are tasked with stealthily entering the Divine Country and must remember not to reveal our identities."

"Understood." The group behind him bowed and nodded.

"If what he says is true, the High Priest should already be a Semi-Saint and borrowed special power, yet was still slain by Zuo Canglan and the others. Then Li Fan must also have Semi-Saint battle prowess. With his cultivation talents, given time, he will surely become a Sword Saint." Someone beside him said.

"We have to admit, they have already taken shape."

The group all had grave expressions. If it weren’t for the cultivators from the Divine Country Territory going to Da Li, they wouldn’t have even known what happened here.

They were sent by higher orders to gather intelligence and infiltrate the Divine Country Territory.

"What’s that aura?"

At this moment, the leading elder suddenly halted, gazing into the distance, spreading his divine sense afar, but within its range, there were no cultivators present.

However, he could distinctly feel an unseen pressure.

The others also felt the same, this unseen pressure was as if a great power was watching them.

"Boom..."

A more terrifying oppressive force descended, and their hearts pounded sharply, even the wind sweeping across the sea seemed heavy.

The clouds were in turmoil, a vague silhouette appeared there, heaven’s might descended, making their aura flow sluggishly, a nameless fear enveloped them. But the elder, being a Seventh Realm Great Cultivator, maintained his composure, bowing and greeting, "We juniors are just passing through, unaware of disturbing you; we seek forgiveness."

Not yet reaching their destination, how could such a terrifying being appear? It couldn’t be one of those three...

The vague shadow gradually solidified, a massive face hung from the sky above. Upon seeing that youthful and handsome face, the elder’s heart contracted violently, but he still managed to maintain his calm, feigning ignorance.

"I am Dong Qing, a cultivator from the Divine Country, journeying in the South Sea to seek opportunities. Greetings, Li Jianxian." The elder said again.

The gigantic figure lifted an arm and made an airy grab, a massive hand that covered the sky appeared above the elder, causing his expression to change dramatically.

"Run."

He shouted, instantly unleashing his strongest aura, turning to flee.

The others were equally shocked, and turned to escape.

The giant hand, like the hand of heaven, reached for them. The fleeing figures appeared small, like ants in the palm of a giant. Even Dao Bodies bursting forth, crumbled instantly under the grip of the sky’s hand.

The terrifying hand clenched down, and the group vanished.

On a distant deserted island, Li Fan opened his eyes, the light of the Grand Dao flowed over his body, his flesh became one with the Dao.

"What realm am I now?"

Li Fan murmured softly. He felt that his physical body was now extremely strong, yet not akin to the Xuanyuan Sword in achieving Harmonization and Sainthood.

At this moment, even he was unsure of his current realm.

Could he be on the path of becoming a saint through his flesh?

But in Da Li, it seemed no one had been known to walk this path, even among cultivators who reached the seventh realm with their physical body, there were very few.

If he indeed became a saint through his flesh, what kind of realm would that be?

As of now, his flesh and blood were already far stronger than a Seventh Realm Great Cultivator.

Li Fan didn’t leave; instead, he continued cultivating.

His body had broken through, yet he felt the road ahead was long, especially after the battle with the High Priest, making him realize there were secrets in the world he didn’t yet understand.

While he didn’t have particularly high ambitions, even just wanting to live well in this world wasn’t an easy thing. Even if not for himself, he aimed to break the shackles of this world.

...

In Da Li, thirty years had passed since that great battle.

In these thirty years, many forces had emerged in Da Li, and a new generation of notable figures had arisen.

Taiping Temple and the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple entered the world, traversing it, as countless remarkable individuals appeared, making the entire Great Li Cultivation World seem to enter a golden age.

Furthermore, the Demon World and Demon Court entered the world as well, leading to numerous battles between Da Li cultivators and demons, bringing forth many illustrious figures.

For many years, Li Mountain seemed to vanish completely from Da Li, as if it never existed.

Until recent years, rumors of Li Mountain began frequently appearing in people’s ears.

There were tales that besides Immortal Islands, there were kingdoms beyond the South Sea.

Li Mountain had established a dynasty in the South Sea overseas, governing countless cultivators, vowing to one day reclaim Da Li, and have a final battle with the Da Li Dynasty.

There were also tales that Li Mountain found Immortal inheritance in the South Sea, and the Nanhai Dynasty was an Immortal Country.

In any case, the rumors grew ever more bizarre.

However, recently, there was a rumor that over Li Mountain, people saw a sword descending from the heavens, landing on Li Mountain, with Sword Intent covering a thousand miles’ radius. Countless people from neighboring counties confirmed sensing the Sword Intent.

Thus, many headed to Li Mountain to investigate the news. Subsequently, reports spread that Li Mountain’s area was sealed by Sword Intent, with no one able to set foot on the peaks of Li Mountain.

Later, witnesses observed a massive sword on the highest point of Li Mountain, Sword Peak, seemingly declaring the return of Li Mountain.

Word gradually spread throughout the Da Li Dynasty, stirring discussions among cultivators all over Da Li.

Chi Xiao City, renowned as the Da Li Sword Dao Sacred Land.

Today was the day of the sword trials in Chi Xiao City, with sword cultivators coming together from all places, gathered in the center of Chi Xiao City to test their swords.

At this moment, on the sword trial platform, a black-clothed sword cultivator stood with a stern demeanor, Sword Intent swirling around him. Opposite him was a noble family sword cultivator dressed in elegant attire.

On the high stage, an elder from a noble family of Chi Xiao City said, "I’ve heard a sword appeared at the peak of Li Mountain, as if declaring Li Mountain’s return. Fear not, our Da Li World may yet see a new Sword Saint rise. Today, Chi Xiao City is also teeming with talent, I wonder if we can witness the revival of the Sword Dao."

"A sword returned at the peak of Li Mountain?" The black-clothed cultivator was about to face the sword trial but turned his gaze to the elder upon hearing this.

"Yes, the reports have been confirmed. Li Mountain is surely graced by a Sword Saint now." As the elder’s words fell, the black-clothed cultivator’s form transformed into a sword, disappearing in an instant, and he said, "I concede this match."

The surrounding crowd was in an uproar, what could this mean?

"Could it be, a Li Mountain Sword Cultivator?"

Amidst the commotion, figures began to soar, rushing into the distance.

In the stands, an elder rose and laughed, "I shall take my leave first, farewell."

Da Li, the capital.

In a tavern, guests were similarly engaged in discussion.

From within the tavern, a plainly dressed figure stood up and exited, carrying an ancient sword scabbard. He looked up at the sky, then flew into the air, gazing towards the distance.

There, in the direction of Li Mountain.

Could it be that Li Mountain finally has a Sword Saint?

...

At the foot of Li Mountain, in Lin’an County.

Recently, Lin’an County has been extremely lively, its inns and taverns filled to capacity, as cultivators from various regions arrived to gather news.

On the streets, cultivators of the Condensed Core Realm or even higher were commonly seen.

At this moment, two steeds trotted along the street, attracting a fair amount of attention.

On the steed to the left was an elder, with disheveled hair but a keen gaze, exuding an aura of majesty.

Beside him was a woman in red, seemingly in her thirties, with delicate skin and a dignified and graceful appearance. Having weathered life’s changes, her eyes still retained some clarity.

"Grandfather, did you sense the Sword Intent? Could it be the aura of a Sword Saint?" Li Hongyi watched toward the distance, now her grandfather Cui Lengzhou was a Sixth Realm Dao Body Cultivator, and she too had achieved the Condensed Core Realm.

Cui Lengzhou shook his head, "The Sword Intent is here, but I can’t determine exactly what realm it belongs to. After all these years, I still wish to come back and see, but if we truly meet, what then?"

Li Hongyi gazed into the distance as if recalling fond memories, a radiant smile involuntarily appearing in her eyes.

Back then, it was in this city that they met.

That year, he was still a young man.

"If I see him, I see him, what more needs to be done?" Li Hongyi smiled at Cui Lengzhou, saying that even seeing from afar was already the most beautiful thing in the world. She never wished for more.

Decades had passed, perhaps the young man of old had long forgotten a woman in red once admired him.

"Grandfather, will he return?" Li Hongyi’s voice carried a hint of excitement.

"The sword has returned, people say, Li Mountain will return; now, Li Mountain Sword Cultivators from the Great Li World are all heading to Li Mountain."