Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 130 - 126 Arrangements

Chapter 130: Chapter 126 Arrangements

After Li Fan and the others left, Ji Xue also departed.

Qu Qingfeng sat alone savoring his tea, and beneath the plum blossom tree behind him, a woman’s silhouette gradually approached. Her demeanor was calm, her eyes veiling a trace of mist, watching the departing figures.

"What do you think?" Qu Qingfeng looked up and asked the woman.

"All of them are outstanding young individuals," the woman softly said. "Yang Qingshan, in particular, harbors extraordinary secrets."

"First there was Lu Yuan, and now Yang Qingshan. Two sword cultivators with top-tier talents who are acquainted with each other," Qu Qingfeng remarked, a smile hinting of insight into worldly affairs gracing his gaze as he sipped his tea.

"Do you know their origins?" the woman inquired softly.

"To have such exceptionally gifted sword cultivators is difficult for even Bai Lu Academy to find, and for two to appear simultaneously suggests that the place they come from is of a higher standing than Bai Lu Academy. Although there are quite a few such places in the Da Li world, they are not too many," Qu Qingfeng replied with a smile.

He continued, "Moreover, they have both left their original places. What could have prompted such a decision? Perhaps this is the reason Lu Yuan refuses to take a mentor."

"Li Mountain," the woman murmured.

"They are indeed guests from afar," Qu Qingfeng nodded. He had heard that the disciples of Li Mountain had all descended the mountain, so Yang Qingshan and Lu Yuan must have originated from there.

"Now knowing they are from Li Mountain, do you still wish to enroll him in the Academy for cultivation?" she asked.

"The Academy is a place for imparting teachings and learning. Why shouldn’t they be allowed to study at the Academy?" Qu Qingfeng replied with a smile. "It is well known that the Academy does not inquire about a student’s origins when selecting them. Even if the Court knew, they couldn’t blame the Academy, right? Besides, having just two Li Mountain disciples descending the mountain for study wouldn’t draw much attention."

After separating from Lu Yuan, Li Fan and others returned to the residence.

"Brother Huang, tomorrow we’ll be going to the Academy for cultivation. If you have any unfinished matters, you can attend to them now. Once we are there, you can focus on cultivating," Li Fan said to Huang Xiong.

"Brother Yang, didn’t you say before that you would send me to a place for cultivation? Why are we now entering Bai Lu Academy?" Huang Xiong inquired, puzzled.

"We can cultivate at the Academy for a period before going elsewhere, and it wouldn’t be too late then. The Academy is a place for study and not a sect; it doesn’t detain you forcefully. Mr. Qu also mentioned that you can leave whenever you wish. During this time, you can address your issues, break past bottlenecks, and strive to advance to the Martial Arts Fourth Realm," Li Fan said.

"The Fourth Realm," Huang Xiong aspired, knowing the Fourth Realm is the Heavenly Gang Realm.

The Martial Arts Sky Gang Realm would see his physique improve rapidly.

If he stepped into the Fifth Realm, the Golden Body Realm, he would be said to have an indestructible golden body.

Yet, he always dared not imagine it. The Innate Realm was his bottleneck, one he could not surpass.

Li Fan was also looking forward to it. Huang Xiong, as an Innate Martial Artist with terrifying divine power capable of challenging Foundation Establishment Cultivators, upon reaching the Heavenly Gang or even Golden Body Realm, how powerful could his physique and divine power become? He might be able to tear apart Foundation Establishment Cultivators barehanded.

Maybe, like that Crocodile Demon, ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn’t even penetrate his defense.

"Xiao Kui, accompany Brother Huang to the Academy. Should you encounter any trouble, you can come back to me or seek Lu Yuan’s assistance," Li Fan instructed Xiao Kui.

"Thank you, Brother Yang," Xiao Kui said with a joyful smile. Brother Yang indeed was Brother Huang’s benefactor.

Brother Yang mentioned letting Brother Huang study at the Academy first, then sending him elsewhere afterward.

The place he spoke of could possibly be even stronger than Bai Lu Academy.

"You’re back," Liu Ji approached and said.

"Liu Ji, I’ve spoken with the Academy Master. Tomorrow, you will also be going to Bai Lu Academy," Li Fan smiled at the approaching Liu Ji.

"Me?" Liu Ji looked at Li Fan, surprised he’d actually send her to Bai Lu Academy.

"Yes," Li Fan nodded. "I don’t need your care, just spend some time learning at the Academy."

Liu Ji rolled her eyes at him and said, "Alright, then."

With nothing else to do, why not visit the place for human study?

"Brother Yang, you tricked me really bad," came a wailing voice from outside. As Li Fan turned his head, he saw Ji Feng walking over.

"Brother Yang?" Li Fan looked at Ji Feng, surprised—it was supposed to be Brother Yang, wasn’t it?

"Yes, henceforth you are my elder brother," Ji Feng said. "But Brother Yang, you are really not honorable. I poured my heart and soul to you, yet you weren’t sincere."

"Brother Ji, when was I insincere?" Li Fan asked.

"Your talent is so strong, why deceive me?" Ji Feng lamented, realizing the fool was himself.

"When did I deceive you?" Li Fan questioned back.

Ji Feng: "..."

Did he always imagine it, then?

"Brother Yang, henceforth you are my elder brother," Ji Feng said. "What do you think about my sister?"

Li Fan: "?"

Here we go again.

Seeing Li Fan’s expression, Ji Feng muttered, "Surely, you possibly don’t fancy her either—how about taking her as a concubine?"

"Can’t do, my father would kill me, so best to forget it," Ji Feng waved his hand, "Brother, can you introduce me to Lu Yuan?"

Li Fan silently looked at him, realizing that this guy was probably the quintessential playboy in Jiangzhou City.

"Sigh, I’ve heard that Lu Yuan is the Academy’s Heavenly Pride Girl, probably wouldn’t be interested in me," Ji Feng mused aloud, evidently having some self-awareness.

"Brother, in the future, I’ll just follow your lead," Ji Feng said looking at Li Fan.

"Okay, I’m going to Yun Meng Swamp tomorrow to slay demons," Li Fan said.

"Farewell," Ji Feng bid, bowing and actually left.

Yun Meng Swamp, slaying demons?

Isn’t that the place for young lords?

...

The next day, Huang Xiong, Xiao Kui, and Liu Ji arrived at Bai Lu Academy together.

As they stepped into Bai Lu Academy, they drew many eyes; the students had heard that Mr. Qu would admit Huang Xiong to study at the Academy, although they were uninformed about Liu Ji.

"Who is this woman?"

"She does look seductive and charming."

Many watched Liu Ji with smiles, and Liu Ji scanned the crowd, her beautiful eyes revealing a seductive smile, glinting with a light sheen of green.

"A demon?" someone eyed Liu Ji.

"You’re a demon," a student from the Academy approached with an unpleasant look.

Liu Ji looked at them smiling, eyes radiating a wicked allure. Huang Xiong stepped forward, standing in front of Liu Ji, who shot him a glance, thinking this big guy was quite loyal.

"Mr. Qu is the one who allowed them to study at the Academy." At this moment, a voice came forth, and the crowd saw Ji Xue approaching. They looked at Ji Xue and asked, "Is it Mr. Qu’s intention?"

"Yes," Ji Xue nodded, then turned to Liu Ji and others, "Follow me."

Liu Ji’s gaze swept over the crowd; entering a human academy to study was unexpected, yet somehow intriguing.

"Why would Mr. Qu accept this demon? What background does she have?"

"It might be related to Yang Qingshan from the other day. It’s said that the array’s anomaly and the white deer murmuring were not due to Ji Xue but because of him, hence Mr. Qu holds him in high regard."

"If it’s him, why didn’t he come to study at the Academy?" someone asked.

"I heard that he was unwilling to come..."

This statement was followed by a brief silence.

To think there are people who don’t want to come to Bai Lu Academy, a sacred place for cultivation in Jiangzhou.

"Such an arrogant young man," someone said with a chuckle.

Yun Zhiqiu was also in the crowd, his expression exceedingly unpleasant.

Ji Xue led them to Qu Qingfeng’s courtyard.

"Greetings, sir," they saluted, yet Liu Ji stood there examining Qu Qingfeng.

Being a demon, she initially harbored no goodwill towards humans. After entering Li Mountain with Li Fan and spending a brief time with Ye Qinghuang, she acknowledged Li Mountain and willingly followed Li Fan.

But it didn’t mean she respected all humans.

"Why don’t you greet?" Qu Qingfeng asked Liu Ji.

"You are human, I am a demon; why should I greet you?" Liu Ji said. "Moreover, attending the Academy wasn’t my intention. I’m not interested in your human etiquette; it’s nothing but the hypocrisy."

"You have a point," Qu Qingfeng nodded. "Humanity is indeed hypocritical; behind benevolence and righteousness lie personal desires and interests."

"You admit it?" Liu Ji grew a bit interested, looking at Qu Qingfeng. This person exuded an air of elegance, a gentle voice that made others feel very comfortable, differing from many others.

"Why not admit it when you’re right?" Qu Qingfeng chuckled, "However, it’s exactly because humans are inherently hypocritical and greedy for benefits that we humans need to learn etiquette and reason. Otherwise, wouldn’t humankind be even more unhinged, slaughtering one another? Without moral constraints, how could ordinary people survive in this harsh world?"

Liu Ji seemed to ponder as she looked at Qu Qingfeng, nodding lightly, "You do make some sense."

"Since that’s the case, how about following me from now on? If you wish to learn, learn; if not, do whatever you desire," Qu Qingfeng suggested with a smile.

"Alright," Liu Ji agreed; she found Qu Qingfeng rather pleasing to the eye.

Qu Qingfeng’s gaze then shifted to Huang Xiong, taking out a jade scroll to hand over, "I’m aware of your body’s condition. This is a cultivation technique I selected for you; it’s very domineering and seldom mastered, plus it’s incomplete. Additionally, I’ll arrange a spiritual array for you to see if there’s a chance to break through the limitations of your physique, to use your body as a vessel to connect with the world."

"Thank you, sir," Huang Xiong bowed gratefully.

The Academy’s masters did indeed differ from the students; Mr. Qu’s demeanor was not something ordinary people could compare to.

Qu Qingfeng turned his gaze to Xiao Kui, "Little girl, you also have some unique traits. I’ve found a teacher for you."

"I can study too?" Xiao Kui expressed joyfully.

"Of course, you can," Qu Qingfeng assured with a smile.

"Thank you, sir," Xiao Kui exclaimed, overwhelmed with excitement.

Watching Qu Qingfeng make arrangements one by one, Ji Xue felt a sense of loss. Since becoming his disciple, the master had yet to impart true teachings; he merely delegated tasks.

Yet for Liu Ji and Huang Xiong, after their arrivals, the master was so good to them.

Is this all because of him?

Did the master accept her as a disciple for his sake?

Qu Qingfeng took a glance at Ji Xue, seemingly sensing her emotions, yet said nothing with a smile.

Ji Xue’s temperament needed more discipline.

Meanwhile, where Li Fan resided, he was cultivating with closed eyes. Floating before him was a Demon Core of wood element; he swallowed it whole, digesting it within.

After some time, Li Fan’s aura grew even stronger, his blood and energy brimming with vitality, teeming with life force.

Upon fully absorbing the Demon Core, Li Fan opened his eyes, his gaze sharpened yet restrained. After feeling the vitality within, Li Fan internally noted how the wood element’s spiritual power enhanced one’s blood and energy.

With this understanding, perhaps Huang Xiong could also use it.

Every form of elemental power brought about unique effects.

Standing up, Li Fan found the courtyard devoid of life.

It seemed it was time for him to go out.

A moment later, he slung a bundle over his back, carrying only a sword, and stepped out of the courtyard.