The official road outside Jade City was bustling with people, cultivators gathered in droves.

It wasn't just because of Wen Ruyu; Jade City was already renowned in Da Li, and the White Jade Academy was a place cultivators across the land aspired to.

Li Fan and his companions also walked along the road. From ten miles away, raising their eyes to look, they could see the majestic city in the distance, as well as the super array that loomed over the mighty city.

"Is that the legendary Heaven-locking Array?" someone asked in amazement.

"This array was left by the Sage, and the last time it was activated was during the demon chaos. Now, it seems it's being activated to capture Wen Ruyu?"

"That's something you may not know. Many years ago, the Sage laid down the Heaven-locking Array to protect the city's people from the demon calamity. The array can block most demons, but due to its large range, it is useless against the top cultivators, at least unable to stop Seventh Realm Practitioners."

"The Saint Heir from Tiandu Palace and the Commandery Princess are all students of the White Jade Academy. Wen Ruyu killed many people, and with pressure from the court, it's reasonable for the White Jade Academy to activate the Heaven-locking Array."

"How powerful was the Sage back then?"

"A figure from ancient times, who can know? Now we can only view them with longing."

The founder of the White Jade Academy, also its first principal, is referred to by the people as the Sage.

Amidst the crowd, Li Fan sensed something ominous about the distant array. If his senior brother hadn't left Jade City in time, he might still be trapped in the city now.

Thankfully, the city is vast and filled with countless cultivators. As long as they hide well, the court would find it difficult to ferret them out.

"I wonder if we'll be searched upon entering the city. We are wanted individuals, it's easy to enter but hard to leave," Lu Yuan remarked to the two beside her.

Li Fan furrowed his brows at the sight of the array, the level of danger had indeed increased significantly with the Heaven-locking Array in place.

"Will this work?" Yue Qingqiu asked Li Fan.

Li Fan looked at her, only to see that as her face beneath the veil gradually transformed, she quickly changed her appearance, even her entire aura shifted.

"??" Li Fan transmitted, "You have this ability?"

Why didn't you say so earlier?

"The Demon Saint possesses the ability to shapeshift endlessly. It's sorcery, you couldn't learn it..." Yue Qingqiu glanced at the two. Even demons find it hard to master this technique; it requires special talent.

Li Fan recalled the abilities of the Demon Saint from Yun Meng Swamp, whose true form was a Nine-tailed Heavenly Fox, capable of enchanting minds with potent Illusion Techniques.

So, this sorcery is a form of Illusion Technique?

"How would I know if I don't try? Perhaps I could master it?" Li Fan said.

"Then I'll teach you," Yue Qingqiu responded.

"Let's leave here first," Li Fan suggested, deciding to venture away from the crowd for a bit before entering the city, heading toward a sparse area.

Days later, when they returned outside Jade City, Li Fan had already changed his face, still strikingly handsome, but now exuding a more awe-inspiring presence, with a proud demeanor as if he were a Saint Heir from a Major Sect, his aura had transformed radiating an imposing air.

The mask he wore was now on Lu Yuan's face. She couldn't learn the sorcery, only mastering some superficial aspects that altered her aura slightly.

But that was enough; unless someone was extremely familiar with them, they wouldn't recognize them.

In this way, they were much safer.

Entering Jade City was not difficult; they were not searched and easily walked into the city, but getting out appeared not to be so simple.

Once inside the millennia-old city, Li Fan moved with flashing steps, quickly reaching a secluded place, he closed his eyes to sense his sea of consciousness.

"Senior brother is indeed within Jade City," Li Fan pondered, in a residence within the city, Wen Ruyu, meditating, seemed aware of something.

"Xiao Fan, why have you come?" Wen Ruyu's voice sounded in Li Fan's mind.

"Senior brother, I heard about Jade City and came here. Uncle Xing Feng might have also entered the city," Li Fan replied.

"Nonsense." Wen Ruyu's tone was indifferent, "I'll be fine, since you've entered the city, don't stir up trouble, don't seek me lest you expose yourself."

"Understood," Li Fan replied, then opened his eyes.

Of course, their conversation was known only to them.

"What's wrong?" Lu Yuan asked, transmitting to him.

"Senior brother is here," Li Fan replied, gazing toward a certain direction.

In that direction stood an Immortal Palace reaching the clouds, shrouded in mist, as if a dwelling of Immortals, the majestic city revered it as its center.

"Heavens White Jade." Li Fan murmured, guessing that must be the White Jade Academy, only it could exhibit such grandeur.

Senior brother must be in that direction too.

Could it be that the senior brother believes the most dangerous place is the safest?

The White Jade Academy sealed the city with the Heaven-locking Array, their stance might not be friendly.

"Let's go." As Li Fan spoke, he flew off.

"Where to?" Lu Yuan and Yue Qingqiu followed.

"The Trading Pavilion, I need a sword," Li Fan said. He could no longer use his own sword, and having changed identities, a new sword was necessary for a complete disguise.

The three explored the city and arrived at a grand palace, a famously prestigious location, the largest trading place in Jade City.

Upon entering the grand hall, Li Fan noted its exceptional aura, soon a graceful young woman approached, greeting him, "Young hero, what do you need?"

"A sword," Li Fan replied, "Sixth rank."

"Please, young hero," the woman responded even more politely, leading the way, "This humble girl is Yun Shang. Do you know the trading rules here, young hero?"

"Do tell," Li Fan's demeanor was proud, characteristic of his current identity.

"We only trade heavenly materials and treasures or top-level cultivation methods," Yun Shang explained.

"Alright," Li Fan nodded, carrying many treasures himself. Yun Shang led him along the grand hall, through the long corridor to open a mechanism, sinking down to an underground space.

Before him, the sight opened up. The four walls of golden stone were covered with dazzling magical treasures.

"The least among them are top-level fifth rank treasures. I don't have access," Yun Shang whispered to an elder present, who smiled at Li Fan, "Young hero, there are many swords here, but few of sixth rank. I found one that suits your aura, let me show you."

The elder entered behind a stone wall to a secret space, shortly returning with a sword in hand, a golden hilt inlaid with gems, extremely resplendent.

"Golden Punishment Sword, medium sixth rank," the elder said, resting his palm on the hilt, the blade slid out, instantly emitting a dazzling golden glow, an air of extreme incisiveness filled the underground palace.

"What do you think, young hero?" the sword re-sheathed, the elder smiled at Li Fan, the young man's presence was exceptional, and his female companions too, yet he couldn't discern Li Fan's cultivation, either a disciple of a Major Sect or a noble family prodigy; the winds of change engulf Jade City, and prodigies are numerous.

"Good," Li Fan nodded, then waved his hand, placing a skeleton and a Sixth Realm Demon Core on the ground, looking at the elder, "Is it sufficient?"

After examining for a while, the elder smiled and replied, "It's enough, the old man won't haggle with young hero."

With that, he handed the Golden Punishment Sword to Li Fan, "Might I ask for young hero's name?"

"Lu Qingqiu," Li Fan replied.

Lu Yuan: "?"

Yue Qingqiu: "?"

The two quietly glanced at Li Fan, he made up a name so casually.

"Farewell," Li Fan said, turning to leave, Lu Yuan and Yue Qingqiu following closely, the elder said, "Safe travels, young hero."

After Yun Shang saw Li Fan out, she returned to the elder's side, asking, "What is his identity?"

The elder shook his head, "Haven't heard the name. I see his exceptional presence, his cultivation is at least late Ning Dan Realm, if not employing some hidden method, he could have entered the Dao Body."

"So young in the Dao Body?" Yun Shang whispered.

"Judging from his bone structure, he is indeed very young. If he's a Sword Cultivator, he'd have his own sword. If he's buying one, either his sword was damaged or he broke through to the Dao Body Realm needing a stronger sword," the elder whispered. "At such a young age, if he truly entered Dao Body… among current Da Li Sword Cultivators, only one person."

"Who?" Yun Shang asked.

"Lingxiao Pavilion, Jiang Taie." the elder whispered, Yun Shang's heart shook, it's said that Lingxiao Pavilion holds that unparalleled young Sword Cultivator, he has already entered Dao Body?

"Jade City is about to stir up chaos," the elder sighed softly.

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