CHAPTER 346: CHAPTER 341 THE GRAND EVENT OF THE WEST SEA

Above Nine Infant Island, the thunderclouds dissipated, no longer densely shrouded, and the sky was as blue as washed.

Below, the entire island collapsed and sank, seemingly about to sink into the sea.

When Yue Qingqiu and the others arrived at Nine Infant Island, that Sword Intent seemed to still exist between heaven and earth, and above Nine Infant Island, sword marks piercing the sky were still present.

"Where are the people?"

The group leaped downward, and then followed the cracks into the underground, where they felt a terrifying Demon Energy, crazily devouring everything around and forming a huge vortex.

"That is..." Luo Qingyan stared at the center of the vortex, where Li Fan’s body lay quietly.

"Don’t disturb him."

Yue Qingqiu stopped Luo Qingyan and the others from approaching; she knew the anomaly with Li Fan’s body, that he should be in a deep sleep, his body self-repairing at this moment.

"Let’s wait above." Huang Xiong also knew that Li Fan could absorb Demon Power.

"Alright." Luo Qingyan nodded.

The Resurrection Tree seemed to have been torn apart, yet remnants of its aura remained. Was Li Fan absorbing the remaining power of the Resurrection Tree?

That Sword Intent just now, what was it?

The group quietly waited atop the ruins, guarding over Li Fan.

After several days, Li Fan awoke from his slumber, finding his body already completely healed, with signs of breakthrough in his cultivation, both in Qi Refinement and Martial Arts, at the pinnacle of the Mid Stage of Condensed Core and Golden Body Realm.

He was just a step away from breaking through to the Late-stage of Condensation and Golden Body Realm.

With a thought, an ancient tree appeared behind Li Fan, and as mana surged, the tree swayed, tendrils extending outward.

"An Acquired Dharma Form?"

Li Fan’s expression was strange; this was peculiar.

His figure flickered, arriving on Nine Infant Island, seeing many figures awaiting him.

"Senior Brother." Li Fan saw Ji Hua and his little senior brother Wen Ruyu were also there.

"Little Junior Brother, you mustn’t be so reckless in the future." Wen Ruyu stared at Li Fan, speaking sternly.

"Understood, Little Senior Brother." Li Fan nodded with a smile; his little senior brother was like a true elder brother to him.

He extended his hand, with a shimmering ’Demon Core’ floating above his palm. This Demon Core was remarkably strange; it was tree-shaped, like a sapling, the essence of the Resurrection Tree.

"Senior Brother, quickly return to Li Mountain and give it to Old Blind Man." Li Fan extended his hand, and the sapling was exceptionally gentle as Wen Ruyu took it, his expression serious.

Finally found.

This time, could Old Blind Man’s injured Divine Soul from back then truly be restored?

"Aren’t you returning to Li Mountain?" Wen Ruyu asked.

"No, since I’m wandering and training outside, I’m not going back. I’ll leave the West Sea in some time." Li Fan said.

"Alright, then we’ll head back first." Wen Ruyu replied.

"Go ahead." Li Fan looked relaxed, it had been a long time since he felt so happy.

"Hmm." Ji Hua and Wen Ruyu turned into swords and went back together, this matter was significant, and they needed to return to Li Mountain as quickly as possible.

Watching the figures of the two disappear, Li Fan had a radiant smile.

"We should leave too." Li Fan was in an excellent mood.

The group nodded, boarding the flying boat, leaving Nine Infant Island once again, heading towards the vast sea.

...

Moon Palace.

After much time, Li Fan arrived here again, and now the Moon Palace had somewhat recovered its Primordial Energy.

The Sun and Moon Dual Palace had merged, yet the Moon Palace remained completely intact, with resources exchanged and selected individuals sent to each other’s islands for cultivation.

When Li Fan arrived at the Moon Palace, Lu Wangji personally greeted him, now the Great Elder of the Sun and Moon Palace, overseeing all matters on the side of the Moon Palace.

"Xiao Fan, Yuan’er has been waiting for you a long time, the wedding preparations are complete, and in seven days, it’s an auspicious day, what do you think?" Lu Wangji advanced, affectionately grabbing Li Fan’s arm, despite his age seeming anything but serious.

Li Fan was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Grandfather, what nonsense are you saying?" A figure stepped forward, and Li Fan looked at Lu Yuan; after not seeing her for a while, Lu Yuan’s demeanor had changed somewhat, eyebrows like a distant mountain shaded in green, eyes like autumn water, the once graceful female Sword Cultivator on Li Mountain, now like a beautiful painting.

"You’ve changed quite a bit." Li Fan smiled warmly.

"You’ve changed too." Lu Yuan responded with a smile. Returning to the Moon Palace, the place of her birth, receiving the lineage of the Moon Palace, she and Li Fan had both undergone a transformation, just like on Nine Infant Island.

"Look at you two, can’t you just be straightforward and tell us when you’ll get married?" Lu Wangji chimed in from the side.

Li Fan: "..."

Lu Yuan: "..."

Their gazes showed a hint of awkwardness. Lu Yuan avoided Li Fan’s eyes and glared at Lu Wangji, saying, "Grandfather, I’ve told you not to spew nonsense anymore."

"What nonsense? You’ve been out for a while now, and you’re staying in the Moon Palace waiting for this lad; who else would you be waiting for? This old man may be old, but I’m not blind." Lu Wangji replied, pointing out her embarrassment.

"Just ignore him." Lu Yuan said to Li Fan, resigned.

"Sure enough, granddaughters grow up and can’t be kept around, grandfathers can’t compete with lovers." Lu Wangji shook his head, sighing.

"You old ghost, let Yuan’er handle her own affairs, don’t interfere." Yu Dingzhou came over and said.

"You’re playing the good guy now?" Lu Wangji glared at him and said, "Fine. I won’t say anymore, you two chat, this old man won’t intrude."

With that, Lu Wangji left the area.

Li Fan shook his head with a wry smile. Yue Qingqiu approached from behind, but seeing the people around her not moving, she looked perplexed and asked, "Should we leave too?"

Li Fan turned back to look at Yue Qingqiu speechlessly, thinking she was being influenced too.

"No need." Li Fan said helplessly.

"How have things been in the Moon Palace these days?" Li Fan asked Lu Yuan.

"Very well, and you? Why did you take so long?" Lu Yuan asked curiously. She had actually been out for some time, but Li Fan had not come by.

"I was in seclusion on Nine Infant Island, and I have some good news to share with you." Li Fan smiled and transmitted, "There’s a Resurrection Tree under Nine Infant Island; I’ve already asked senior brother to take it to Li Mountain."

Lu Yuan was stunned for a moment, her beautiful eyes fixed on Li Fan, a smile blossoming in her gaze.

Lu Yuan understood Li Fan’s relationship with the Old Blind Man very well. Among the branches of Li Mountain, the bond between the Old Blind Man and his disciples was the strongest, akin to a father-son relationship.

"Finally, I can be at ease." Lu Yuan chuckled softly.

"Yes." Li Fan nodded, "What are your plans now? Do you intend to continue cultivating in the Moon Palace?"

Lu Yuan shook her head, "I’ve been cultivating for a while now."

"Yes, the journey to the West Sea has lasted some time, so let’s head back inland together." Li Fan said. Lu Yuan gently nodded, she had been waiting for Li Fan in the Moon Palace to travel together.

The Moon Palace had prepared a feast.

At the banquet, Lu Wangji and Yu Dingzhou sat at the head of the table, with Li Fan and Lu Yuan beside them.

"In these past days, the West Sea hasn’t ceased its demon extermination actions. The crisis of the West Sea demons can be considered as having come to an end for the time being." Lu Wangji said.

"This demon crisis was instigated by the court; without the court backing him, Lu Xiao wouldn’t have betrayed us. I suspect Lu Xiao colluded with the court long ago." Li Fan said.

"Yes." Lu Wangji nodded, "I’ve also looked into the events from over ten years ago. There were oddities in the affairs of Yuan’er’s parents. From what we’ve gleaned from Lu Yuan’s branch, it seems there was court involvement in that demon chaos years ago."

"Back then..." Li Fan’s eyes were filled with coldness, the pain he suffered in his youth was due to those events; not only that, but the ordeal at Li Mountain also began with that demon chaos.

And his senior sister and brother...those around him were all affected by those events from back then.

"I also know about the matters between Li Mountain and the court. Today, the Sun and Moon Palace and the forces of the West Sea are almost united, but it’s still difficult to compete with the court. However, if changes occur in the world in the future, the forces of the West Sea might become a supporting power." Lu Wangji said.

Li Fan looked solemn and said, "Thank you, elder."

For changes to occur in the world, Li Mountain needs the power to confront the court’s top figures head-on. Otherwise, going against the court’s millennia of accumulation is seeking death.

"When do you plan to depart?" Lu Wangji asked.

"We’ll set out today." Li Fan replied.

"There’s a major event in the West Sea happening now; before you leave, see if you’d like to check it out." Lu Wangji said.

"What is it?" Li Fan asked.

"The tenth-ranked on the Sword Saint List is taking his disciples to West Flame Island for a sword challenge. West Flame Island should be very lively now, with cultivators from every island going there, especially sword cultivators attending to observe or challenge." Lu Yuan took over Lu Wangji’s words and said.

"The West Sea hasn’t had such a grand occasion for many years. The previous Demon Slaying Summit was for exterminating demons, which was an exception." Lu Wangji laughed, "You’re a sword cultivator, are you interested in joining the fun?"

"I can go." Li Fan nodded, recalling how the Island Master of West Flame Island had personally invited him for a visit in the past. It’s a good opportunity to visit before leaving the West Sea.