CHAPTER 309: CHAPTER 304: REFUSAL

The vast West Emperor Palace, on the martial arts arena, a figure in white stands gracefully on the sword.

Since the Demon Slaying Summit, it finally seems that a truly stunning Condensed Pill cultivator has emerged, and it is the talented sword cultivator who previously caused some commotion on West Emperor Island.

Foundation Establishment kills Condensed Pill, then destroys the Song Family upon entering the Condensed Pill stage.

"It seems this Yang Qingshan doesn’t even regard the cultivators of West Emperor Palace," an old Condensed Pill cultivator in the crowd laughed and said, "We struggle to join West Emperor Palace to cultivate, yet the truly top talent likely doesn’t care, unless..."

"Unless what?" someone nearby asked.

"Naturally, it’s if those great figures are willing to take them as direct disciples," the elder stroked his beard and smiled. Although Li Fan claims he doesn’t want to show off, isn’t his every action exactly that?

Young and arrogant, with stunning talent, that’s the personality this young talented sword cultivator displays.

"I just don’t know whether his target is the Palace Master of West Emperor Palace or the one from West Flame Island..." the elder said with some curiosity.

"How is this young man’s talent in Sword Dao?"

In the main seat of the White Jade Palace of West Emperor Palace, Palace Master Liu Zonglin gazed at Li Fan, smiling and asking the middle-aged sword cultivator from West Flame Island beside him.

This middle-aged sword cultivator was named Kong Zhou, with a remarkable background, being the chief disciple of the Island Master of West Flame Island. His strength was extraordinary, currently at the peak of the Sixth Realm as a Great Sword Cultivator, and said to be just a step away from entering the Seventh Realm, which he would inevitably reach sooner or later.

"Indeed, his sword control technique is extraordinary, simultaneously wielding nine swords with all formidable power, moving them as easily as if they were his arms, and his sword aura is boundless. This young man’s Primordial Spirit must also be very strong, and he possesses a Sword Body," Kong Zhou said. "His talent in Sword Dao is exceptional among sword cultivators, and it’s understandable that the West Emperor Palace disciple was defeated."

Sitting next to him was, after all, the Palace Master of West Emperor Palace.

"Kong Zhou, there’s no need to be modest. Although Liu Liangchen cultivates in my West Emperor Palace and is considered talented, the gap with top sword dao geniuses remains vast. At our level of cultivation, we understand the difference in talent between people is just too great. So-called geniuses in the eyes of ordinary people are worthless in front of true geniuses."

Liu Zonglin looked over at Li Fan and smiled, "How would you say this young man compares among your fellow disciples?"

Kong Zhou shook his head and replied, "This young man has shown extraordinary Sword Dao talent, but what we’ve seen is merely the surface. In that previous battle, he didn’t unleash his true combat power. What level his Sword Dao truly is at can’t be discerned just from earlier; only by facing other top Sword Dao geniuses would one know."

"That’s true, talent is drawn from comparisons," Liu Zonglin nodded with a smile, "Does West Flame Island have any interest in this young man?"

This young man’s talent is outstanding, uncertain from which Sword Dao faction he comes, but if West Flame Island wants him, he wouldn’t refuse.

"Let’s watch his performance further," Kong Zhou replied, "If it’s impressive enough, I’ll consider taking him as a disciple on behalf of my teacher and bringing him to West Flame Island to cultivate Sword Dao."

"For the young man, that’s a significant opportunity," Liu Zonglin chuckled but heard a voice from the side, "The two of you are having a great conversation, but didn’t hear that young man say he had no intention of showing off?"

This speaker was an envoy from the Sun Palace, exuding no aura, casually sitting there yet like a blazing sun.

"West Sea Sword Cultivators, there’s no one who doesn’t yearn for West Flame Island," Liu Zonglin said with a laugh, looking towards the battlefield and loudly calling, "Yang Qingshan."

Li Fan, about to return to his seat, stopped suddenly upon hearing the voice and looked up to see the speaker was the Palace Master of West Emperor Palace, Liu Zonglin.

Not only Li Fan, but at the moment Liu Zonglin spoke, the eyes of everyone turned towards the figure on the main seat.

West Emperor Palace’s Palace Master personally calling his name, this is...

In the crowd, the previously commenting West Emperor Palace cultivators felt a loss of face, and Song Siyu and the recently defeated Liu Liangchen were stunned.

The Palace Master, could he have taken a liking to Li Fan?

"If I remember correctly, that should be the name," Liu Zonglin said with a smile, "The rules of the Demon Slaying Summit, as I already stated clearly, there’s an opportunity here, you must seize it well, stay there and demonstrate your Sword Dao talent."

"As expected..."

There was a stir in the crowd, an opportunity... Could it be that the Palace Master of West Emperor Palace wants to take Li Fan as a direct disciple?

"Have I made it easy for him?" Song Siyu looked in the direction of Li Fan, her expression complex. If Li Fan were taken as a disciple by the Palace Master, revenge would become hopeless.

Song Siyu glanced at her senior brother, seeing a figure at that position intending to step forward, yet was held back by someone nearby.

"Senior Brother." The person looked back at the one holding him, seeing the other shake his head, "The Palace Master has taken notice of him, even if you, with a late-stage Condensation realm, oppress him, it is of no use, that defeat already ended it."

Liu Liangchen, defeated too miserably.

If Liu Liangchen could have fought Li Fan to a draw, or even without defeating him, it would have been enough, then another could have come to crush him, and the talent name would be an empty claim.

But now, Liu Liangchen only needed a single sword.

This way, it is already certain that Li Fan is unstoppable.

"Junior thanks the Palace Master’s kindness, but as I stated before, I came only to slay demons, with no interest in the opportunities, if not for the others’ provocation, I would not have taken action, now it’s over,"

Li Fan bowed to Liu Zonglin and said, "The Demon Slaying Summit is filled with talents, I’d rather not affect others’ performances."

Upon hearing Li Fan’s words, Liu Zonglin’s expression turned with surprise.

No interest in opportunity either?

The surrounding crowd whispered among themselves, this guy, the Palace Master of West Emperor Palace personally offered an olive branch, and he intends to refuse?

"It seems you have some grievances with West Emperor Palace due to something, but it doesn’t matter, I am not forcibly making you join West Emperor Palace. You are a sword cultivator, and today we have a Great Sword Cultivator from West Flame Island, don’t you want to compete for this opportunity?"

Liu Zonglin didn’t mind Li Fan’s refusal, merely smiled, misinterpreting it as youthful arrogance due to dissatisfaction with the actions of West Emperor Palace’s disciples.

However, as a sword cultivator, the allure of West Flame Island should be enough, right?

Joining West Flame Island also counts as an opportunity?

Li Fan thought, if his teacher and senior siblings knew, they might question why he would humble himself to join West Flame Island?

Of course, now that he was concealing his identity, Liu Zonglin’s words were well-intentioned, the poise of the West Emperor Palace’s Palace Master was indeed remarkable, far beyond that of those West Emperor Palace disciples.

"Thank you for the kind offer, Palace Master, but it’s unnecessary." Li Fan replied briefly and then stepped back to his position.

This West Flame Island also seems very proud. With the Sword Dao talent he displayed, if West Flame Island wanted to take him as a disciple, there were still further tests required?

Are all the sword cultivators of West Flame Island endowed with such extraordinary talent?

But, it has nothing to do with him.

"Rejected?"

The crowd was taken aback watching Li Fan walk away; not only did he reject Liu Zonglin, but he also refused West Flame Island, as if saying he wasn’t interested in West Emperor Palace or West Flame Island.

This...

Sitting beside Liu Zonglin, Kong Zhou was also somewhat surprised. Just a moment ago, during his conversation with Liu Zonglin, he mentioned observing Li Fan further before considering taking him as a disciple on behalf of his teacher, naturally to showcase West Flame Island’s Sword Dao status.

However, Li Fan had no interest in this, not wanting to show off...

"You have no interest in joining West Flame Island to cultivate Sword Dao?" Kong Zhou looked towards Li Fan and asked, seeing Li Fan pause and look up towards him, Kong Zhou continued, "Or perhaps you don’t understand West Flame Island?"

"I’ve heard of it and have seen sword cultivators from West Flame Island before," Li Fan looked at Yuwen Jing in the crowd and said, "The sword cultivators from West Flame Island have exceptional talent in Sword Dao, which I greatly admire."

Kong Zhou slightly nodded, this young man seemed reasonable, so he said, "Your Sword Dao talent is good, if you are willing to compete, you might be able to join West Flame Island to cultivate, how about it?"

"Thank you for the kind offer, senior, but I have no interest," Li Fan replied, cupped his hands, and continued walking back.

Kong Zhou was stunned, his smile vanished, yet as a Sword Dao elder, he naturally couldn’t say anything, though... his face looked slightly displeased.

The sword cultivators of West Flame Island had long remained isolated, but now, with demons wreaking havoc, they emerged, showcasing their sharpness.

The sword remained hidden on the island for years; once revealed, it should resound across the world, demonstrating the might of West Flame Island’s Sword Dao.

Yuwen Jing, who had first entered the world, had already shown the people of West Emperor Island the grace of West Flame Island’s sword cultivators.

And now, they all appeared together, aiming to astonish the West Sea.

Today marks the official introduction of West Flame Island’s sword cultivators, intending to showcase their prowess at the Demon Slaying Summit. But before that, someone actually refused West Flame Island.

"Wait."

Just as Li Fan was about to leave, another voice rung out, causing Li Fan’s brow to furrow. He looked up to see a sword cultivator in the crowd, holding a sword, whose gaze was sharp as a blade.