CHAPTER 339: CHAPTER 334 OPPORTUNITY

The space above Sun Island is exceptionally quiet. Even the countless sea monsters have stopped roaring, staring blankly at that sword descending from the sky.

With just one sword, the Nine Infant was slain.

The demon lord who roamed the West Sea was killed with a single strike by a human sword cultivator; one can only imagine the immense impact this had on the other sea monsters.

Lu Xiao and the cultivators from the Moon Palace were also dumbfounded, disbelief written on their faces, fear creeping into their hearts.

If that sword cultivator were to strike at him... Lu Xiao did not dare to imagine.

Who could withstand such a sword?

"Who is this?" the Moon Palace cultivators wondered aloud. Who was this sword cultivator that Li Fan had invited?

Suddenly, there was a violent commotion from the surrounding sea. Many top-level great demons immediately turned to flee, moving at incredible speed, as if fearing the sword cultivator might turn his sword upon them.

Soon after, the entire sea of sea monsters went berserk, frantically escaping. The Nine Infant was the ruler of the West Sea demons; now that the Nine Infant had fallen, the great demons also fled, not daring to linger.

"These beasts," Lu Xiao cursed in anger, witnessing the events unfold. Yet he himself was indecisive — should he flee?

But with the sword cultivator’s strength, could he even escape if he tried?

"Lu Xiao, the Nine Infant has been executed, and your Moon Palace is on the brink of collapse," Mo Zhantian proclaimed loudly, also shocked by the sword, taking a long moment to recover. He thrust the Sun God Spear, breaking through the void and striking towards Lu Xiao.

Lu Xiao formed seals with his hands, a lunar disc appearing before him in defense, but it was still pierced by the Sun God Spear. He retreated violently, glancing at the Xuanyuan Sword. Seeing no response from it, he ordered, "Retreat."

"Retreat." The people of the Moon Palace turned to flee in all directions.

"Should you make a second strike?" Xuanyuan Sword asked in a low voice.

"No need, this time I must thank Senior for taking action." Li Fan bowed respectfully towards Xuanyuan Sword. The likes of Lu Xiao did not warrant wasting a second sword.

After the demon calamity was resolved, the Moon Palace had already offended the various powers of the West Sea. It was doomed to destruction.

He needed the remaining two swords for critical moments.

"In that case, I shall take my leave first," Xuanyuan said indifferently, transforming into a sword and vanishing in an instant.

Li Fan watched the disappearing figure of the Xuanyuan Sword. He had no real connection with Xuanyuan Sword, merely having once entered the Xuanyuan Arena, and the promise of three swords from Xuanyuan Sword was due to the kindness of his grandmaster.

After killing several Moon Palace cultivators with the Sun God Spear, Mo Zhantian stopped, not pursuing the fleeing enemies. The enormous figure disappeared, and Mo Zhantian appeared before Li Fan, giving a slight bow and saying, "Many thanks to Young Hero Li for your assistance this time at the Sun Palace."

"Senior, there’s no need to be so formal. Brother Mo is a member of the Sun Palace; as his junior brother, it’s only right for me to help. Please simply call me by my name." Li Fan returned the bow, speaking to the Sun Palace Master, a top-tier great cultivator.

"Even so, without your intervention, the thousand-year legacy passed down by our ancestors would likely have been destroyed in my hands." Mo Zhantian sighed, "As Brother Mo calls you Xiao Fan, I shall call you that too. Mo Yang has written about you, and Sikong has mentioned you as well — Li Mountain has a successor now."

"How heavy were the losses for the Sun Palace?" Li Fan asked.

"The surrounding islands suffered heavy casualties. To maintain the great formation, many from the Sun Palace were seriously injured. If you had not arrived in time with help, the Sun Palace would be gone," Mo Zhantian reflected. "That sword cultivator just now, was it the Xuanyuan Sword ranked first on the Sword Saint List?"

In this world of Da Li, such a domineering sword that could slay the Nine Infant with one strike likely belonged only to the world’s number one sword, the Xuanyuan Sword.

"Yes." Li Fan nodded, "I had some connection with him in Chi Xiao City years ago. Senior Xuanyuan Sword promised me three strikes. For this West Sea calamity, I invited Senior Xuanyuan Sword to use one strike."

"That one strike is enough to resolve the West Sea calamity." Mo Zhantian nodded, "However, the three swords of the world’s number one sword are extremely precious. For my Sun Palace, you used one strike, and it’s a debt my Sun Palace fears it cannot repay."

"Senior need not worry. Inviting Senior Xuanyuan Sword to strike was also to quell the demon calamity of the West Sea," Li Fan replied.

Mo Zhantian nodded slightly without saying more. Although Li Fan spoke as such, he indeed had the intention of saving the Sun Palace. At his level, he naturally understood the immense value of a strike from the Xuanyuan Sword.

Li Fan’s words reflected his noble character, not seeking anything in return and even deliberately downplaying the favor. It was something only a person of exceptional magnanimity could achieve.

"Let’s go to the island," Mo Zhantian said, and Li Fan nodded. The two made their way toward Sun Island.

Sun Island, Sun Palace.

A group of cultivators gathered, many of whom were faintly breathing, mostly older elders, all injured in the previous battle.

At this moment, everyone’s gaze was on the young figure accompanying Mo Zhantian, gratitude clear in their eyes.

The sword moments ago, they had all witnessed it. Without this youth, the Sun Palace would have been finished.

"Let me introduce you all — Xiao Fan, Brother Mo Yang’s junior, a disciple of the Canglan Blade, and a Li Mountain Sword Son. To save the Sun Palace, he did not hesitate to use his favor to invite Xuanyuan Sword, the number one sword in Da Li, to strike down the Nine Infant, saving our Sun Palace and the lives of millions on the islands," Mo Zhantian announced loudly.

With one sentence, everyone understood what had happened. No wonder the sword cultivator only used one strike; it turned out that Li Fan had not hesitated to use his favor to prompt Xuanyuan Sword’s intervention.

Using a favor meant it would be decreased by one each time.

"Thank you, young hero, for saving our Sun Palace," many figures said in unison, bowing.

Behind them, the vast silhouettes of the Sun Palace’s members bowed together as well, expressing gratitude for the life-saving deed. Before this, the Sun Palace had been on the brink of destruction, at a dead end.

"There’s no need to be so formal, seniors." Li Fan gestured in the air, indicating the group need not bow, and said, "Slaying demons is our duty. As a Li Mountain Sword Cultivator, how could I stand by and watch as demons wreak havoc? Moreover, during the previous battle with the demons, Senior Sikong also saved me."

"Xiao Fan, no matter what you say, this time, you saved the Sun Palace," Sikong looked up, smiling, and the others nodded, smiling as well. Although it was still bleak, the dark clouds had lifted.

Mo Zhantian and Li Fan descended and entered the Sun Palace. The grand Sun Palace stood majestic as Mo Zhantian carried an air of authority, with Li Fan following beside him, radiating excellence.

"Li Mountain can indeed nurture talent. Since Mo Yang went there, he became a renowned great sword cultivator. From what I see in Xiao Fan, his future achievements might surpass many seniors, perhaps even reaching that of the Eternal Sword Saint of yore."

"Xiao Fan, do you have any marriage arrangements? What do you think of our Sun Palace’s Heavenly Pride Girl, Mo Yuechan?" an elder asked, gesturing towards a young woman beside him.

Li Fan was taken aback, glancing at the young woman, who was extremely beautiful, wearing a colorful long dress with sun and moon patterns embroidered on it.

The young woman was also momentarily surprised but looked at Li Fan with grace and no trace of bashfulness, her gaze filled with curiosity.

"You old fellows sure can talk," Mo Zhantian chuckled and shook his head, saying, "Xiao Fan, though Yue Chan is a girl from our Sun Palace, her name contains the word ’moon,’ symbolizing the hope placed in her because of the Sun and Moon Dual Palaces sharing a lineage. It’s unexpected for the Moon Palace to turn out like this, but Mo Yuechan has extraordinary talent and is the most brilliant genius among the young generation of our Sun Palace. You could get to know her..."

"The palace master is no different," an elder behind them joked, hinting that a standout youth like Li Fan, if unattached, would be an ideal match for their family’s women.

Li Fan: "......"

"Palace Master, this..."

"That’s enough of that," Mo Zhantian laughed, waving it off. "Now that the Nine Infant Great Demon is done away with, what are your thoughts, Xiao Fan, on the situation in the West Sea?"

"On our way here, Master Liu was behind us, so the major powers of the West Sea should soon receive the news and come forward. Together with the various forces of the West Sea, the Sun Palace should enter the Moon Palace," Li Fan said. "The Moon Palace conspired with demons and betrayed the cultivators. They must be held accountable."

"Indeed," Mo Zhantian nodded. "Who would have thought Lu Xiao would take this path? The thousand-year reputation of the Moon Palace is ruined overnight."

"Senior, although the Moon Palace betrayed us, it doesn’t mean all Moon Palace cultivators are traitors. They were likely led astray by Lu Xiao. When attacking the Moon Palace, there should be a reorganization, executing those traitor leaders. The Sun and Moon Dual Palaces have been divided for many years. This is an excellent opportunity to reunite them as one, making them leaders of the West Sea," Li Fan advised.

Mo Zhantian listened to Li Fan and then gave him a smile. That would be for the best.

He also did not wish to see the complete destruction of the Moon Palace, which once shared the same roots with them.

Li Fan’s youthful wisdom earned his respect.