CHAPTER 209: CHAPTER 205: SENIOR SISTER?

Li Fan was full of doubt as waves of commotion spread across the lake’s edge.

Just who was this Zuo Tu?

His earlier declaration had already shaken Chi Xiao City—did he truly intend to claim half of the Sword Dao destiny within the Da Li World?

Now, rumors spread that he sought seven portions instead.

And the messenger? None other than Fairy Qin.

Chi Xiao City’s inhabitants knew well the extraordinary background of Moon Gaze Pavilion. Fairy Qin, whose real name was Qin Qing, represented the Pavilion’s prestigious figurehead. Even top-ranking elites from the Green Cloud List earned little respect from her.

Yet, here she was, performing a sword dance for Zuo Tu?

This had never happened before.

What on earth was driving these events?

Zuo Tu—who exactly was he?

Everyone in Chi Xiao City acknowledged his tremendous talent; otherwise, he wouldn’t have reached the Green Cloud List’s top ten at just eighteen years old, becoming renowned for the bright, glowing script carved onto the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena’s stone wall.

But such wild boasts were hard to swallow. Even Li Chengying, ranked fifth in the global Sword Dao hierarchy, wouldn’t dare to say he could monopolize two portions of the Da Li World’s Sword Dao destiny.

If he claimed two portions, how much would those above him demand?

It wasn’t only Zuo Tu who was brazen—the messenger was equally audacious.

Such arrogance surely had its reasons.

Who was Zuo Tu?

Which sect did he belong to?

Legends whispered of a hidden, reclusive sect, so could Zuo Tu’s emergence signal this sect’s plan to astonish the Da Li World?

After delivering her message, Qin Qing moved into motion again.

A sword like a startled swan dove into the sky. This time, it wasn’t merely an elegant spectacle—it was truly "sword-dancing," an art where swordsmanship was seamlessly woven into an intricate dance. The delicate woman wielding the blade evoked an aura of overwhelming grandeur.

"The sword originates from the green grass," Qin Qing voiced, her sword soaring into the heavens as she continued.

"Rising to soaring heights."

"Reaching the summit," she declared, slicing with radiant sword light that cut across the dark night sky.

"A youth begins in obscurity."

"Defying his destiny."

"Sets his ambition on towering clouds."

"And vows to stand above all in the mortal world."

Illuminated sword light burst against the sky, glowing in harmony with the moon. Many gazed at that celestial figure in rapt admiration.

Who would have thought Fairy Qin could wield such heroic swordsmanship, accompanied by such resolute words?

As the sword light descended, Qin Qing sheathed her blade, standing tall amidst the void, the wind rippling through her gown. Her beautiful gaze swept over the audience as she smiled, saying, "This is also the message I was instructed to deliver—to Young Master Zuo."

Once again, a gift for Zuo Tu.

Gasps of shock rippled through the crowd. Who could possibly value Zuo Tu so highly?

For someone capable of persuading Qin Qing to dance for them, they were undoubtedly no ordinary figure. Even the most powerful forces boasting Sixth Realm Great Sword Cultivators in Chi Xiao City couldn’t demand this from Moon Gaze Pavilion, nor could they command Fairy Qin.

This messenger must possess extraordinary status.

Clearly, they held Zuo Tu in the highest regard.

Not only did they declare his claim to seven portions of the Sword Dao destiny, but their delivered words brimmed with profound expectation.

The sword originates from the green grass; the youth begins in obscurity.

It seemed this individual knew Zuo Tu’s background well, holding immeasurable hope for his future.

Could they belong to his sect?

Was Zuo Tu even present?

The crowd glanced left and right, scanning the faces of those nearby. Many realized that not only had they never met Zuo Tu, even if they saw him, they wouldn’t know him.

Yet, someone close to Zuo Tu trembled. His gaze fixed firmly on Li Fan. Shortly after, a voice shouted from the area, "Zuo Tu!"

A clamor erupted as countless eyes turned toward Li Fan. Could he be Zuo Tu?

They took in those beside Li Fan: Lu Yuan and Yue Qingqiu, along with Liu Ji, standing behind Huang Xiong.

It seemed plausible—these striking beauties and the presence of a demon.

The towering figure could only be the arrogant coachman, couldn’t he?

Zuo Tu had come here.

Li Fan appeared unbothered by the attention, his thoughts consumed with pondering who had sent Qin Qing to dance and deliver a message to him.

It couldn’t have been the Old Blind Man—this wasn’t his style.

Nor could it have been the elders of Li Mountain.

Could it have been Senior Brother Ji Hua or Junior Brother?

Junior Brother’s personality was too sharp. If he wanted to say something, he would directly seek him out, not employ such a whimsical manner. He certainly wouldn’t consider involving a beauty in the act.

This method—seemingly mischievous yet carrying deep expectations—left an almost dreamlike impression.

There was only one person who could act like this.

From a young age, she had treated him exactly like this.

*Sternness threaded with humor.*

*Jokes intertwined with hope.*

*Every part of it felt so familiar.*

A smile, dazzling and bright, stretched across Li Fan’s face.

"Senior Sister, it’s been so long!"

*Li Fan murmured softly in his heart, wondering if his senior sister was still in the Imperial City.*

From that fateful conversation in the inn to this New Year’s Eve, little time had passed. For her to have known and guessed Zuo Tu’s identity as his... she must have been consistently keeping track of the events in Chi Xiao City.

Zuo Tu was indeed hard for outsiders to identify, but Senior Sister and Junior Brother would likely have no difficulty cracking the code.

Lu Yuan’s eyes fell on Li Fan’s profile. She spotted the radiant smile gracing his face—a rare, all-encompassing kind of joy not often seen, even by those closest to him.

Clearly, he had deduced the messenger’s identity.

Who else could inspire such a reaction?

It could only be his senior brother or senior sister.

Mu Changqing? That didn’t seem likely.

Wen Ruyu? Also unlikely—it didn’t suit his character.

So... Ye Qinghuang.

Of course.

Lu Yuan’s thoughts turned to Ye Qinghuang, whose impression had left a deep mark. Long before her acquaintance with Li Fan, she had already etched the remarkable image of that woman into her mind. It was precisely because of Ye Qinghuang that her attention later focused on the youth beside her.

Among the disciples of Li Mountain, who didn’t envy Li Fan?

Even when the sect had ostracized him, he had Ye Qinghuang at his back—Ye Qinghuang, the woman who would draw her sword for him against Li Mountain.

The world knew Wen Ruyu as the son of Sword Leader Wen, famed for his unmatched talent, and as the youngest Fifth Realm Sword Cultivator in the Da Li World.

Yet few knew of Zuo Canglan’s other disciples.

Mu Changqing, who taught in secluded rural villages.

Ye Qinghuang, the Princess of Da Li.

*Who could doubt their talent and strength?* Wen Ruyu himself deeply admired both his senior sister and senior brother.

When Ye Qinghuang ascended to Li Mountain, Wen Ruyu could only follow behind her.

And then there was Li Fan, who had now stepped into the mortal world. Finally, people would recognize his existence.

Zuo Canglan, once famed for his Sword Dao, might find renown anew through his disciples.

"Let’s go," Li Fan said, heading for the lakeside. Lu Yuan and others followed.

Though Li Fan believed his senior sister had conveyed the message, he wanted to question Qin Qing and confirm his senior sister’s whereabouts. Was she well?

Li Fan leaped forward, walking upon condensed Sword Aura. Lu Yuan followed suit.

"I..." Huang Xiong glanced at the lake. He couldn’t fly!

Martial Artists faced this limitation—they could jump impressively high, unleashing bursts of raw strength, but airborne travel was beyond their reach.

"Zuo Tu!"

As Li Fan appeared, astonished exclamations rang out, and a sea of gazes locked onto him.

This youthful sword genius, whose name had sparked ripples of intrigue across Chi Xiao City, was finally revealed.

As Li Fan made his entrance, small boats suddenly shot across the distant lake, speeding toward him with incredible velocity. Sword Cultivators stood atop each one.

Duan Feiyu and Fu Yuan also turned their attention toward Li Fan’s position, their eyes tinged with hostility.

This was the one who had stolen all the limelight—even Fairy Qin had danced for him.

Li Fan, without glancing at them, traveled by flying sword, his focus unwaveringly fixed on Qin Qing. He stopped not far ahead of her, standing atop his sword formed of Sword Qi.

"Are you Young Master Zuo?" Qin Qing asked with a warm smile. Seen up close, her unmatched beauty was even more striking.

"That would be me," Li Fan replied, adding, "Fairy Qin, may I have a word with you?"

"Of course," Qin Qing smiled. "Would Young Master Zuo care to visit Moon Gaze Pavilion for a chat?"

"That would be splendid," Li Fan agreed, eager to sit down with Qin Qing and uncover the truth.

"Please, Young Master Zuo," Qin Qing said graciously.

Duan Feiyu and Fu Yuan shifted slightly, as if to block Li Fan’s path.

"Tomorrow marks the first day of the New Year, and Xuanyuan Arena will open. If the two of you have anything in mind, we can settle it then," Li Fan said.

Right now, he had no intent of engaging in a Sword Inquiry.

"Fair enough," Duan Feiyu responded with a grin, curiously studying Li Fan as he spoke. He and Fu Yuan held grudges rooted in rivalry; both hailed from local elite factions within Chi Xiao City.

Not having trained at Shadow Bearing Sword Arena themselves, they had missed the events unfolding there—but they’d heard the rumors, and those rumors intrigued them deeply.

This Zuo Tu had embarrassed Cang Yunxuan and even challenged Ying Ze, the Green Cloud List’s top-ranked sword cultivator. The carved script, which outshone even Cang Yunxuan’s, reshaped everyone’s thinking—it proved such feats weren’t impossible.

It was clear the one most aggrieved by Zuo Tu’s rise would be Ying Ze.

Li Fan followed Qin Qing onward, as Sword Intent permeated from various directions. The lake’s surface swarmed with appeared figures, all Sword Cultivators emanating powerful intent.

In Chi Xiao City, defeating Zuo Tu promised greater glory—perhaps even more so than besting Ying Ze, the Green Cloud List’s first-ranked cultivator. Better yet, Zuo Tu appeared more vulnerable.

This opportunity, they wouldn’t let slip between their fingers.

Especially now, as Zuo Tu basked in the height of his reputation thanks to Fairy Qin’s performance.

"Hey," Duan Feiyu called out to the crowd, his voice cutting through the tension. "None of us have made our move yet, no? Shouldn’t we establish some sort of order first?"

The gathering cultivators frowned as Duan Feiyu stepped forward. Li Fan, however, didn’t spare them a glance, instead continuing to follow Qin Qing away from the fray.