Chapter 526 - 521: Sword Sacrifice

The Sword Intent flowed between heaven and earth, and on Sword Peak, countless Li Mountain disciples gazed intently at those three figures.

Who would have imagined back then that the few disciples Zuo Canglan cultivated alone on the Outer Peak would now support the backbone of Li Mountain. Many years ago, these few were already exceptional; Ye Qinghuang dared to draw her sword and ascend Sword Peak for Li Fan, and Wen Ruyu was no different.

At that time, the young Li Fan faced countless disdainful looks. Who could have imagined that one day he would stand at the Peak of Li Mountain, leading the Li Mountain Sword to point towards the world.

Standing on the stairs, Li Fan swept his gaze over the crowd, recognizing many familiar faces.

Friends from the West Sea Sun and Moon Palace, old acquaintances from the White Jade Academy, and even, he saw the beauty from his youth.

Upon seeing Li Hongyi and Cui Lengzhou, a glint appeared in Li Fan’s eyes. He smiled with radiant eyes and nodded at Li Hongyi.

Seeing Li Fan’s smile, Li Hongyi was not as nervous or excited as she imagined. Her bright eyes displayed a radiant smile, as if transcending time and space, witnessing again the young man adorned in vibrant attire.

Beside her, Cui Lengzhou had a different feeling. Now possessing a Taoist Body, he gazed at that figure, feeling as if he were witnessing the sun and moon in the sky, perceiving that sensation clearly.

Once a young genius, soaring with the wind, finally reaching the Nine Heavens.

Alas, the entanglement of love and affection.

Behind Li Fan, Wu Tong stepped forward to join the three, then took a step down the stairs.

Drawing the sword from his back, he surveyed the crowd, looking towards the Hundred Miles Heavenly Stairs, and spoke aloud, "For a thousand years, Li Mountain has secluded itself for cultivation, committed to vanquishing demons, primarily transmitting the Sword Dao, and not concerning itself with worldly matters. Yet today in this world, the Da Li Court claims orthodoxy, Taiping Temple and Ten Thousand Buddha Temple are leaders of the Taoist and Buddhist Sects, but they collude with demons, cutting off the world’s path to cultivation, disregarding the common people."

"Since this is so, the Da Li Court, Taiping Temple, and Ten Thousand Buddha Temple are no longer fit to be the world’s orthodoxy."

"The Heavenly Dao is clear, the Earthly Dao is glorious. We at Li Mountain have taken demon-slaying as our duty, and today, we defend the Dao of the world, willing to sacrifice our sword to slay all evil, burn the Dao, extinguish the Buddha and pacify the world."

Wu Tong’s voice was righteous and imposing, his Sword Aura soaring to the sky, shaking the Nine Heavens.

Above him, Li Fan extended his hand, a Divine Sword in his grasp, whose radiant sword light soared into the sky, accompanied by countless sword cries echoing together.

"This sword, is the Sword Ancestor of Li Mountain’s sword. In the past, Li Mountain predecessors held this sword, pacifying the world, then withdrew with the sword. Today, I, as Li Mountain Sword Master, dedicate this sword."

Li Fan pointed his sword towards the long sky, speaking aloud: "The Heavenly Dao is clear, the Earthly Dao is glorious, willing to sacrifice our sword to slay all evil, burn the Dao, extinguish the Buddha, and pacify the world!"

Across all places within Li Mountain, countless Li Mountain cultivators drew their swords, and in an instant, the sword light illuminated the mountains and rivers.

"The Heavenly Dao is clear, the Earthly Dao is glorious, willing to sacrifice our sword to slay all evil, burn the Dao, extinguish the Buddha, and pacify the world!"

A myriad of voices resounded simultaneously, shaking the entire universe, enveloping all of Li Mountain in a murderous aura, the Sword Aura reaching the Nine Heavens.

Outside Li Mountain, those cultivators who came to witness the ceremony looked up to the sky. They saw the boundless sword light piercing the sky, as if to stab through the heavens, with those voices echoing in their ears.

Today, the Sword of Li Mountain, drawn, seeks to challenge the world.

"Burn the Dao, extinguish the Buddha, pacify the world?"

At this moment, a voice came from above the sky, and everyone looked up to see that piercing sword light dissipate as a terrifying storm brewed in the air above them.

With the fall of the voice, the layer of clouds was suddenly torn apart as a majestic and boundless figure straddled the heavens, pressing on everyone’s heads.

It was a figure of ten thousand fathoms, clad in a plain white Daoist Robe, sleeves embracing the flowing clouds, feet stepping on a Tao Map pattern. An aura of myriad Daoist Skills flowed from it, covering a thousand miles around Li Mountain with its terrifying pressure.

As they tried to see his appearance, it remained mysterious and unfathomable.

"The leader of the Taoists, Taiping Temple Master!"

A myriad of cultivators looked up, a voice appeared in their minds, guessing who had arrived.

"Amitabha Buddha."

As this thought emerged among everyone, a golden Buddhist Mantra pierced through the Nine Heavens from above the sky, making it difficult for countless people to open their eyes. These rays of Buddhist light seemed to emerge from the cracks in the sky, reflecting golden twilight over the Nine Heavens.

The Buddhist light shone brilliantly, encompassing the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths under its glow.

When everyone adapted and opened their eyes, they saw an innumerable number of Ancient Buddhas appearing in the sky, covering it completely. Among them, a figure of a Buddha of ten thousand fathoms manifested, like an eternal presence, making one involuntarily want to prostrate and kneel.

"The leader of the Buddhist Sect has also arrived."

At the base of Li Mountain, all the cultivators were stirred up.

Indeed, today’s Sword Dedication Ceremony at Li Mountain was destined to be anything but peaceful, as Li Mountain announced to the world its intent to burn the Dao and extinguish the Buddha and pacify the world, Taiping Temple, Ten Thousand Buddha Temple, along with the Da Li Court, would not ignore this.

The leaders of the Taoist and Buddhist Sects, only rumored to exist, were witnessed personally for the first time.

"Dong!"

The void shuddered, hearts of all present thumped in sync.

The sky’s clouds rolled turbulently as an unparalleled figure strode forth, like a supreme being from Nine Heavens, suppressing the world. Wherever this figure went, the laws of the Tao retreated, the Buddhist light dimmed.

Da Li, Emperor!

Emperor of Da Li, already in the Saint Realm?

The three figures that emerged were towering like deities, yet shrouded in a peculiar force, rendering them indistinct. Is this the magnificent power of a Saint?

"They’ve arrived."

Li Fan raised his head, gazing intently at the scene in the sky, his white robe fluttering, eyes deep as an abyss. Beside him, Ye Qinghuang and Wen Ruyu also looked up, their gazes indifferent.

Once the sword is drawn, there’s no turning back, nor any retreat.

The disciples of Li Mountain all gripped their swords tightly, Sword Aura swirling between heaven and earth, producing endless whistles.

In the Li Mountain Hall, two figures emerged, one to the left and one to the right.

The moment the two appeared, ten thousand swords sang in unison, as if the vast oppressive power between heaven and earth was entirely locked down by the Sword Intent of the two.

"Xuanyuan Sword and Canglan Blade, two Sword Saints."

Though the two had entered the Saint Realm later on, they had reached sainthood through the way of the sword.

Back then, the Eternal Sword Saint single-handedly dominated the world; the leaders of both Taoism and Buddhism did not dare to challenge him.

"Since Li Mountain has a Sword Saint, it can contend for the orthodoxy of heaven’s path. The order of heaven and earth, the rise and fall of all things, have their reasons. Li Mountain need not enumerate others’ sins to beautify itself. Since it’s a struggle for orthodoxy, there’s no room for negotiation. If defeated, the Da Li Swordsmanship scatters. Have you considered the consequences?"

The voice of the Daoist descended from the Nine Heavens, entering the ears of everyone at Li Mountain.

"You see it as a struggle for orthodoxy, but to me, it is to restore the purity of heaven and earth," Li Fan said, looking up towards the source of the voice, "Once the sword is drawn, there’s no rationale for turning back."

"Li Fan."

The oppressive voice fell, as Emperor Li’s towering figure exuded an aura of dominance over the world.

"In the past, within the Imperial Palace, I gave you a chance at life. Now, I grant you one last opportunity. Li Mountain can even be sealed as the orthodoxy of the Da Li World’s Sword Dao. Do you accept?" Emperor Li asked.

"Li Mountain needs no such sealing by you," Li Fan replied.

"If so, do you wish for a battle of order, or a battle of disorder?" Emperor Li’s voice was as thick as a mountain, his mighty figure suspended in the heavens like a god.

"What do you propose?" Li Fan raised his eyes directly at Emperor Li.

"What do you two think?" Emperor Li seemed to be asking the leaders of Taoism and Buddhism.

"Does Your Majesty make the call?" the temple master of Taiping Temple responded.

"The Great Dao has order, and Buddha speaks of cause and effect. It isn’t easy to nurture cultivators in the Great Li World. If so, then let it be a battle of order: Saints do not meddle in conflicts below the Saint Realm, no matter the circumstances. How about it?"

Emperor Li asked.

If Saints do not participate in battles below the Saint Realm, many deaths and injuries can indeed be avoided, for the slaughter by a Saint—

is much more destructive.

"No objection from me."

"Amitabha Buddha, good."

The leaders of Taoism and Buddhism responded.

"Good," Li Fan also nodded in agreement.

"Amitabha Buddha, since Li Mountain seeks to burn the Dao and extinguish Buddhism, I have come to observe and shall present a gift," the leader of the Buddhist Sect announced aloud, his voice like metal and stone.

Before him, thousands of shadowy Buddha apparitions appeared, coalescing into a golden body.

The Buddhist Mantra resonated, lingering in the air; in just an instant, the sky above Li Mountain was filled with phantom Buddhas, and golden Buddhist light rained down, causing numerous Li Mountain disciples to close their eyes.

The dreadful mantra affected their Divine Soul, and the figure of a gigantic Buddha appeared in their minds, causing their Primordial Spirit to tremble.

"This is the Divine Skill of our Buddhist Sect’s willpower, not my personal intervention," the leader of the Buddhist Sect’s voice fell, and the heavenly Buddha images simultaneously raised their hands, pressing down, coating the sky above Li Mountain in an instant.

The roaring storm swept down, its terrifying oppressive force causing the peaks to tremble and many of the cultivators observing around Li Mountain to struggle to stand, potentially being crushed to the ground at any moment.

Even some Seventh Realm Cultivators felt the horrifying pressure—could this be the foundation of the Buddhist orthodoxy within the Great Li World?

"Boom..."

A mountain peak collapsed, and the cultivators of lower realms on the ground struggled to persist, at any moment ready to fall down.

In front of the Li Mountain Hall, Li Fan took a step forward, walking towards the Myriad Buddhas suppressing this realm. The terrifying gusts swept along, making his white robe flutter and sound.

Under the Myriad Buddhas, that figure seemed utterly insignificant, yet he remained calm and composed, striding toward the heavens.

As the Myriad Buddhas pressed down, Li Fan raised his hand toward the Buddha Palm Seal descending from the heavens. With a dull sound, the resplendent golden light shattered into countless cracks, and the Buddha Palm prints showed fissures.

"Open!"

With Li Fan’s single word, it was as though heaven and earth split apart, and the Myriad Buddhas were annihilated.

At the base of Li Mountain, countless people shielded their eyes with their arms, squinting towards the dazzling golden light in the sky. Beneath the boundless Buddhist light, the white-robed figure was illuminated, radiating brilliance, akin to a god.