Chapter 525 - 520: Observing the Ceremony

Li Mountain announces to the world, enumerating the crimes of the Da Li Court, Taiping Temple, and Ten Thousand Buddha Temple.

Just one of these is enough to enrage the world’s cultivators.

Back then, the Xuanyuan Sword once entered the Capital. After leaving the city, it encountered a siege by the three top forces: Da Li Court, Taiping Temple, and Ten Thousand Buddha Temple. The reason behind this was that these few top forces did not allow any new Saint to appear in the world.

Moreover, Da Li took the dynasty as its foundation, unified the world, suppressed the sects, and became the most orthodox force in Da Li; Taiping Temple in Tao State, and Ten Thousand Buddha Temple in Shanzhou, their foundations need no further words. Their move was to gather the cultivation fortunes of the world.

Back then, planning to deal with Li Mountain was also for this purpose.

Upon hearing this, everyone was extremely angry. This move equates to severing the ultimate cultivation path for cultivators worldwide. Although few in the world can reach the Saint Realm, the actions of these forces are equivalent to cutting off their hope for cultivation.

Perhaps it is precisely because of this that Saints exist only among these few forces?

Because the fortunes of the cultivation world are all plundered by them.

Li Mountain, back in the day, also gathered the fortunes of Sword Dao throughout the world, but that was earned through a thousand years of demon-slaying and gaining the faith of people worldwide.

Therefore, Li Mountain once had two Sword Saints in one sect.

With the flourishing of Sword Dao, who can contest Li Mountain?

Is Li Mountain’s current move severing the fortune of the Da Li Court?

By proclaiming to the world, it causes people to no longer revere the court, Taiping Temple, and Ten Thousand Buddha Temple.

A few days later, another shocking news spread.

Li Mountain will hold a sword ceremony in three months, inviting cultivators from all over the world to gather at Li Mountain to discuss battling Da Li, burning Dao, extinguishing Buddhism.

This move again shook the world.

......

Da Li, Chi Xiao City.

Outside Xuanyuan Arena, many cultivators gathered.

On the streets, in taverns and inns, silhouettes were everywhere.

"What do you all think of Li Mountain’s invitation?"

"Throughout the millennium, the chaos in the Great Li World was mostly caused by demons and monsters. But this time seems different; Li Mountain’s move will surely drag the world’s cultivators into it. Shall we merely observe, or participate?"

"The Da Li Court has ruled over the world for a thousand years. Noble families in the capital are deeply tied to the court, and externally, it suppresses various sects. Currently, the court is the primary cultivation force; additionally, Taiping Temple, Ten Thousand Buddha Temple have millennium-old foundations, while Li Mountain has experienced decline in recent years. Although they have now risen again, I do not believe they can single-handedly contend against the three major forces. Cultivation is challenging; it’s better to watch."

"Indeed, don’t forget the Demon Race. When the world is in turmoil, calamity by demons is inevitable. The future of the world is uncertain, conserving strength is crucial."

"Hmph."

There was a snort, one person said: "The Da Li Court enjoys a thousand years of fortune, and so do the Taoist and Buddhist sects. Yet they conspired to suppress the fortune of the Sword Dao. Back then, when they plotted against Li Mountain, my city’s number one in Sword Dao, Senior Xuanyuan, when he was about to bear the fortune of the world’s Sword Dao, was besieged by the three major forces. Now, Senior Xuanyuan should have entered the Saint Realm. Do we Sword Dao cultivators not dare to unsheathe our three-foot Qingfeng swords?"

"True, I should follow Senior Xuanyuan and partake in the Li Mountain Sword Dao invitation, seizing the world’s fortune, making the Sword Dao prosperous."

Someone boldly spoke, then controlled their sword to head towards Li Mountain.

"Fellow cultivators, wait for me, let’s attend the Li Mountain invitation together."

Gradually, cultivators soared into the sky, yet most watched them leave, unwilling to involve themselves in this great storm.

However, not participating doesn’t prevent them from watching.

......

White Jade Academy.

In the sky, a crane call echoed, flying into the academy’s great hall.

Soon, the news from Li Mountain spread throughout the academy.

Under the academy’s steps at the cultivation dojo, figures gathered, among them were several of Li Fan’s old acquaintances.

Xiao Lv, An Zhiyao, Guan Shanyue.

These prodigies of the White Jade Academy, after decades, have all become Seventh Realm Great Cultivators.

Characters like them ought to make their mark in the Great Li Cultivation World, becoming figures of renown.

Yet in this era, an outlier has emerged, and now, they are stirring up a global contest, making these era prodigies less known.

Then, a powerful aura enveloped the sky, followed by a distant voice: "By the emperor’s command, I come to visit the Mountain Master of the Academy."

This voice echoed into the great hall, one after another, figures appeared, many of the academy’s seniors stood on the steps, gazing towards the great hall behind them.

A moment later, a voice from inside said: "For many years, White Jade Academy has taught and nurtured cultivators for the Great Li World, without engaging in external disputes, without being involved in secular power struggles, and it’s no different this time. Please inform the emperor, the academy shall remain as it is. As for the choices made by the academy’s students, it is their personal decision and has nothing to do with White Jade Academy."

The students of White Jade Academy come from different factions, each with their own ideologies. The academy is not a sect. After leaving the mountain, students have their own families and sects.

"Sir, it seems it’s difficult to stay out of the great struggle of the Dao." A voice replied from afar.

"When that day comes, I will choose my own path." The voice echoed within the great hall.

"Sorry to have disturbed you, Mountain Master." The voice gradually retreated, its presence fading into nothingness.

After they left, the others still gazed towards the great hall. A voice continued to echo from within: "You have cultivated in the academy for many years. Now, it is time to pursue your own path. As I have stated, no matter your stance, it has nothing to do with the academy. It is the path you must walk yourself."

"Yes, sir." Xiao Lv led the bowing gestures towards the great hall.

The breeze blew, fluttering the academy robes of those prodigious talents, who then turned resolutely and left.

Meanwhile, from all parts of the Da Li Dynasty, countless cultivators set off towards Li Mountain to witness the ceremony.

...

Three months later.

On Li Mountain, towering grand halls stood majestically.

The mist cleared, revealing a golden path from Li Mountain Sword Peak that extended downwards, transforming into a staircase leading up the mountain.

At this moment, cultivators from various regions were ascending the staircase towards Li Mountain to attend the ceremony.

Many cultivators chose to remain at the foot of Li Mountain, not proceeding upwards.

The staircase to Li Mountain stretched for hundreds of miles, with countless cultivators walking upon it.

At the end of the staircase is the Sword Peak Cultivation Dojo. Numerous cultivators from Li Mountain gathered here, their gazes fixed on the approaching cultivators. Their hearts surged with emotion, for after so many years, Li Mountain had finally awaited such a day.

Especially after the past humiliation of Lingxiao Pavilion’s challenge to Li Mountain – a mere Lingxiao Pavilion, a dog of Da Li, dared to challenge Li Mountain.

Today, Li Mountain would challenge the world.

"The West Sea Sun and Moon Palace, here to attend the ceremony at Li Mountain." A voice announced as people’s gazes turned towards the staircase, where a grand procession of cultivators advanced, many of whom were Seventh Realm Great Cultivators.

From a high point in Li Mountain Hall, a figure swiftly arrived, landing at the end of the staircase. It was none other than Lu Yuan, who respectfully greeted the newcomers: "Greetings, esteemed elders."

"Little Yuan, it seems your cultivation is now comparable to your grandfather’s." Lu Wangji heartily laughed, striding forward.

"Lu Yuan..." Many people on the staircase looked towards the young woman ahead. It was said that Li Fan always had several close female companions, among whom was Lu Yuan from Sword Peak, a disciple of Li Mountain Great Sword Cultivator Mo Yang.

"So that’s Lu Yuan."

A woman in red softly murmured, her gaze fixed on Lu Yuan.

She practiced alongside Li Fan and was also a Seventh Realm Great Sword Cultivator, equally remarkable and unrivaled.

Cui Lengzhou glanced at his granddaughter and also spoke confidently: "Cui Lengzhou of Chuzhou, here to attend the ceremony at Li Mountain."

Though their cultivation was not as prominent as the Sun and Moon Palace group, their momentum could not be weaker.

People around cast curious glances at Cui Lengzhou, wondering who he was, having never heard of him.

Nevertheless, the disciples of Li Mountain still received him with great courtesy.

"Lin Jingyu, Sword Cultivator of Chi Xiao City, here to attend the ceremony..."

"Xiao Lv of Jade City, here to attend the ceremony." A voice announced, drawing countless eyes. They saw an elegant man approaching.

Xiao Lv, the Xiao Lv from White Jade?

He did not use the name of White Jade Academy, but Jade City. Yet it must be that Xiao Lv.

The crowd grew larger – numerous sects within the Great Li World, half the realm had arrived at Li Mountain, though not all chose to ascend the mountain.

Of course, even those who ascended were not necessarily allied with Li Mountain.

Li Mountain invited the world’s forces to come, and they attended the ceremony in response.

At the end of the staircase, atop Li Mountain Hall, figures walked out one after another. Each person had an astonishing aura, without exception, all were Seventh Realm Great Cultivators.

When three youthful figures appeared on the staircase, Li Mountain Sword Peak fell silent, with countless eyes converging on them.

Li Fan, Ye Qinghuang, Wen Ruyu.

Li Hongyi had already found Lu Yuan to be stunning in style. Now, seeing Li Fan, Ye Qinghuang, and Wen Ruyu standing together, she finally understood what it meant to be breathtakingly celestial.

Each one of them was extraordinary enough alone; when they appeared together, it was as if they made the sun and moon pale in comparison.

The Li Fan of today was no longer the youthful Li Fan of the past. He had long since reined in his arrogance. His eyes seemed to hold the sun, moon, mountains, and rivers. He stood there quietly, his posture upright like an ancient green peak. Now, he was the Li Mountain Sword Master, the prodigy embodying the fortune of the Li Mountain Sword Dao.