The sword momentum was like a rainbow; after cleaving Mingyue Lake in two, it continued surging into the distance.
Even when it finally vanished from sight, its overwhelming power had only diminished by half.
The aftershocks lingered, and the lake water remained parted, refusing to close for a long time.
Nearby, Su Xiaomei and her companions stared at this casual strike from Li Fan, entirely frozen in shock.
Only after a long while did they recover from their petrified state.
Su Xiaomei flew over to Li Fan's side in high excitement, clamoring loudly, "I want to learn this! Master, I want to learn this!"
Xiao Heng was still visibly stunned, gazing at the great lake cleaved in two in the distance, a flicker of yearning in his eyes.
Su Changyu's expression grew all the more resolute.
Zhao Erbao lowered his head, trembling in fear.
In his heart, he wailed endlessly, *The Golden Core stage! A strike like this could only be accomplished by someone at the Golden Core stage! And seeing how effortless he made it look, his cultivation might be even higher!*
*I'm finished, I'm doomed. I won't be escaping his clutches for the rest of my life!*
...
By the shore of Mingyue Lake, Li Fan paid no attention to the clamoring Su Xiaomei beside him.
He was currently quelling the churning riot of spiritual energy within his body, barely maintaining his demeanor of a supreme master.
With merely a Qi Condensation stage cultivation, forcefully wielding the Vast Sea Pearl to unleash this single sword strike of Congyun was still an immense strain.
*In the end, it isn't my own power. I merely copied what I saw based on the residual memories Zhang Haobo left in the Vast Sea Pearl.*
*This strike has form, but lacks true substance. It looks terrifying, but if pitted against a real foe in battle, its power would actually be ordinary.*
*However, with this insight, I can study and contemplate it day and night to make it my own. One day, I will be able to execute my own Twenty-Eight Congyun Swords.*
*The most pressing matter is to achieve Foundation Establishment as soon as possible. Waiting for the Vast Sea Pearl has already dragged on for far too long.*
Having made up his mind, he said to Su Xiaomei and the others, "You all, go thoroughly scout Mingyue Lake and its surrounding areas. See if there are any hidden dangers. I intend to establish a cave abode here."
"Yes, Master!"
"Understood, Senior!"
Having just witnessed his divine might, the group naturally obeyed meekly, chiming in their agreement.
Soon, they dispersed to carry out their tasks.
Even the three mortals from Wanbao Pavilion were brought along.
*Su Xiaomei and Xiao Heng both possess extraordinary fortunes. Add in the Yin sisters, with their Spirit-Attuned Treasure Physique and ability in seeking good fortune and avoiding calamity, and any hidden secrets around Mingyue Lake should be uncovered.*
*However, as a place for Foundation Establishment, it still lacks sufficient security. I will have to make a trip to Yuandao Sky City after all...*
Perhaps because the process of forging a Dao Foundation required communing with Heaven and Earth, one could not achieve Foundation Establishment within the Heavenly Profound Mirror's space.
Therefore, one had to find a safe, secluded location for secluded cultivation.
Otherwise, if disturbed at a critical juncture, all previous efforts could easily be ruined, extinguishing all hope of Foundation Establishment.
Just as Li Fan decided to head to the Heavenly Profound Mirror in Yuandao City to make some purchases, he suddenly caught a faint sense of a figure flying swiftly toward him from the distance.
Behind that figure followed six cultivators.
Judging by their auras, this entire group seemed to possess Foundation Establishment cultivation.
Li Fan narrowed his eyes, immediately on high alert.
The foremost person was clad in blue robes, tattered and stained with blood.
Catching sight of Li Fan, his speed increased by a fraction.
As he flew, he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Senior, save me!"
The pursuers behind him yelled upon hearing this, "You ahead, don't meddle in other people's business!"
Watching the blue-robed man approach, Li Fan abruptly burst with speed and shot far away from him.
What a joke. You, a Foundation Establishment cultivator being hunted down, want to call for help from a lowly Qi Condensation cultivator like me?
Yet in an instant, Li Fan realized what had happened.
This blue-robed man had likely been drawn by the Congyun sword light Li Fan unleashed earlier, assuming some formidable cultivator was practicing here.
A pity...
Seeing Li Fan immediately dodge far away at the sound of his voice, clearly having no intention of meddling, the blue-robed man could not help but show a look of astonishment.
Gritting his teeth, he glanced back at the closing crowd, turned around, and fled toward Shilin Province.
The pursuers did not even spare a glance at the evasive Li Fan off to the side, rushing past in hot pursuit.
Seeing the group on the verge of vanishing from sight, Li Fan felt a stir in his heart.
Formless Killing Intent instantly locked onto the blue-robed man in the lead.
Though heavily wounded, the blue-robed man was not slow in the least.
The six chasing behind him shouted threats continuously, yet they could never close the distance between them.
Gradually, in the distance, a high wall of white mist spanning heaven and earth appeared in view.
*Is this the White Mist Barrier?* It was Li Fan's first time seeing this thing with his own eyes.
Looking down from the perspective of Heaven and Earth, the White Mist Barrier filled the space between heaven and earth, stretching endlessly without bounds.
Compared to it, cultivators truly seemed as puny as ants.
Seeing the blue-robed man about to plunge into the White Mist Barrier, the pursuers grew anxious and cried out one after another, "Huyan Lin, hand over the Blue Feather Legacy Treasure, and we will spare your life!"
Huyan Lin sneered without replying. Disregarding everything, he plunged headfirst into the White Mist Barrier.
The vision went black, and the lock of the Formless Killing Intent instantly failed.
"The Blue Feather Legacy Treasure, is it..." Li Fan murmured thoughtfully.
Following their previous trail, Li Fan came to the front of the White Mist Barrier and waited for three days straight.
Not a single person returned.
Li Fan could only shake his head in regret, firmly engraving the words "Blue Feather Legacy Treasure" into his memory.
This matter was merely a minor interlude.
After sinking the Taiyan Boat into Mingyue Lake, he cast formations to conceal its traces.
After giving instructions to Su Xiaomei and the others, Li Fan hurried toward Yuandao Sky City.
He flew for a full twenty-six days before arriving at Yuandao Sky City.
Upon entering, Li Fan keenly sensed something out of the ordinary.
Yuandao City was sparse and empty; hardly any cultivators could be seen.
The occasional one or two he encountered wore excited expressions, hurriedly flying away toward some destination.
Piqued by curiosity, Li Fan stopped one of them and inquired politely, "Fellow Daoist, might I ask where the cultivators of Yuandao City have gone? Why is the city so empty?"
The man glanced at Li Fan and replied, "You must be new to our Yuandao Province, fellow Daoist? Everyone has gone to watch the competition between the two prodigies of the Blue Feather lineage."
"The battle is fiercely contested this time. The two have fought continuously for three days and three nights without a victor."
"I'm also on my way to observe. Why don't you come along with me?"
Li Fan considered it briefly and gladly accepted.
Along the way, as they conversed, this Qi Condensation cultivator named Feng Shu explained to Li Fan the origin of the clash between the two prodigies of the Blue Feather lineage.
Seven years ago, when Immortal Venerable Blue Feather's lifespan was nearing its end, he established the line of succession for the cultivation method he practiced: the Tiandu Feathering Technique.
The Blue Feather lineage revered martial prowess above all.
Whoever stood alone undefeated would inherit the Tiandu Feathering Technique.
Chapter 144