Stone Rock Town, cultivators come and go endlessly along the streets, quite bustling.

In a tavern, a group of people quietly sit aside; it's Li Fan and his companions, though only three remain.

Li Fan, Lu Yuan, and Yue Qingqiu.

After entering the Taoist Body realm during closed cultivation, he didn't immediately set out but continued to cultivate and stabilize for a period of time. Now, nearly a year has passed since the battle in Liuyue City, and the impact of that battle has gradually diminished, no longer the focus of people's discussions.

Nonetheless, the court's pursuit of them only tightens, which is why they decided to scatter instead of all traveling together; being too obvious is dangerous.

Lu You left with Yang Qingshan; he had planned to leave after Li Fan broke through, but during those days, Lu You guided Yang Qingshan in cultivation, perhaps developing some feelings or considering Yang Qingshan a good prospect, so he took him along.

The remaining people split into two groups; the three of them stayed together.

Xing Feng and Huang Xiong, the master and disciple pair, traveled together, and Li Fan had Liu Ji accompany them to take care of everyday tasks.

At this point, Li Fan wore a silver mask, while Lu Yuan and Yue Qingqiu veiled their faces. Although they had entered the Dao Body realm, being in the heartland of Da Li, and wanted by the court with their images everywhere, it was better to be cautious.

"Look quickly." At this moment, a commotion came from outside, and people on the street raised their heads to look at the sky, where a group of cultivators flew overhead. They all wore blue robes, elegant and distinguished, and their unintentional aura made those below tremble uncontrollably.

"All cultivators are at least in the Condensed Core realm. Which major sect is this?" The group swiftly passed overhead and disappeared from sight.

"Looks like Qingya Mountain cultivators," someone whispered not far from Li Fan.

"Qingya Saint Sect?" someone murmured in astonishment; atop Qingya Mountain lies a sacred cultivation ground named Qingya Saint Sect, with a long-standing heritage. Legend says it gave birth to saints in ancient times, daring to be called a Saint Sect, though its glory has waned, it remains a top-tier sect.

"They're also heading to Jade City, right?"

"Certainly."

Li Fan quietly drank his wine, pondering the magnitude of his junior brother's disturbance, which prompted the court to issue a kill order and bounty worldwide.

Evidently, after the battle in Liuyue City, the court was furious, personally dispatching multiple great cultivators to Liuyue City to remove the city lord and hunt down and capture their group.

At that time, he should have been in closed cultivation in the mountains, unaware of external movements.

But then a major incident occurred in Jade City.

Jade City, a world-renowned place, where the First Academy of Da Li World is located.

Aptly described as heavenly White Jade; the White Jade Academy is the holy ground of the Da Li Dynasty.

Outside of the court, there is a mountain, a temple, a monastery, and an academy.

The academy refers to White Jade Academy, a sacred ground in the hearts of countless cultivators in Da Li World, with a status of utmost reverence, also the leading academy in Da Li World.

White Jade Academy is home to countless prodigies seeking the way, including court figures, royal descendants, and top noble family scions. White Jade Academy teaches without discrimination; anyone who passes the academy's assessment may enter for cultivation and seeking the way, therefore its reputation is the highest among the four major forces.

The saying goes that among these four major forces, Li Mountain is the strongest, White Jade Academy has the highest prestige, Taiping Temple is the most mysterious, and Ten Thousand Buddha Temple is the most profound.

Of course, nowadays people no longer acknowledge Li Mountain as the strongest.

Among the many extraordinary students cultivating at White Jade Academy, there are many outstanding individuals, including the Saint Heir of Tiandu Palace, a top force of Da Li Dynasty, and a Commandery Princess of the Da Li Royal Family. The two have feelings for each other and may become Dao companions.

The significance of these two extraordinary identities means that their union implies closer ties between Tiandu Palace and the court, sending an atypical signal.

During a gathering in Jade City, the Saint Heir and the Commandery Princess were killed, and many attendees were slain.

This incident caused massive upheaval; the court was enraged and Tiandu Palace went mad.

Note that the Saint Heir was already a Dao Body mid-realm cultivator, and in a few years could step into the top-tier great cultivators among the Seven Realms, a successor of Tiandu Palace, yet was publicly killed.

Moreover, killed with them was a Commandery Princess of the court and numerous highly talented prodigies; the impact of this far exceeded the events of Liuyue City.

Soon after, news spread that the murderer was a Li Mountain Sword Cultivator, son of the previous Li Mountain Sword Master Wen Haoran, Wen Ruyu.

Subsequently, the court issued a reward to all cultivators worldwide, setting a kill order for Wen Ruyu, causing a sensation across Yu Province, where even some top-tier sects came forth.

Presently, Jade City is swirling with intrigue, reportedly with traces of Wen Ruyu suggesting he might still be hidden there, and the court has sealed Jade City, making entry easy but exit difficult; anyone leaving Jade City faces thorough scrutiny.

"What exactly happened at the gathering in Jade City?" a voice by the side questioned, and Li Fan listened quietly.

"Who knows, but Wen Ruyu, son of the Haoran Sword, the former Li Mountain Sword Master, dared to openly kill the Saint Heir of Tiandu Palace and the court's Commandery Princess, truly a madman," someone shook their head.

This kind of madness, not to mention doing it, who would even dare imagine?

It's likely that those killed never even dared imagine, they were Dao Body Cultivators who had stepped into the great cultivator ranks of the realm, at their level, they could travel anywhere in the world unsuspected, yet they were slain on the spot.

Li Fan also wondered what transpired at the gathering, why had it so infuriated his junior brother?

But he wouldn't doubt his junior brother's actions; since his junior brother acted, then it must be right.

Those killed surely deserved death.

Of course, Li Fan was also contemplating whether his junior brother's actions served as a distraction from the court's focus?

"Are we going to Jade City?" Lu Yuan communicated to Li Fan.

Jade City is now a hub of activity, with cultivators from various factions heading there, undoubtedly including many Seven Realm great cultivators.

"Jade City might have news of my junior brother, we should certainly take a look, however, you don't need to go." said Li Fan; rumors say his junior brother may be trapped in Jade City, and the court has sealed Jade City.

"I have now entered the Dao Body realm, and even if exposed, cultivators in the late Dao Body realm would find it hard to hold me. Naturally, I won't reveal myself, merely seeking information, the master uncle will also be in the shadows as a precaution."

"Since you won't expose yourself, why can't I follow?" Lu Yuan retorted.

"Just fear unforeseen circumstances." Li Fan replied.

"What unforeseen could arise?" Lu Yuan's beautiful eyes gazed at him; with her presence, Li Fan might exercise more caution for her safety, not exposing his identity.

Given the situation in Jade City, once exposed, even with Uncle Master Xing Feng's presence, it's hard to guarantee safe retreat.

Moreover, not only Wen Ruyu but Li Fan is also a top wanted fugitive by the court.

Being outside, they don't know what Jade City is like now.

Li Fan looked at Lu Yuan's eyes and quietly pondered.

"Since that's the case, let's go together, there are already people from Li Mountain headed this way." Li Fan communicated to Lu Yuan, such a significant event naturally stirred Li Mountain.

"Li Mountain sent people?" Lu Yuan's eyes showed surprise; it seems Senior Brother Wen's actions triggered a tremor, if he indeed remains in Jade City, it's unknown how it'll end.

Li Fan nodded gently towards her; though unaware of why his junior brother killed, as long as he did, he had his reasons, Li Mountain wouldn't stand idly by.

Previously in Qinghe County, he knew roughly that his junior brother's father's death carries immense entanglement, yet the court cannot escape blame, knowing his junior brother's character, he couldn't bear it and continuously seeks revenge.

Truthfully, hiding away to cultivate until attaining the Seven Realms before seeking revenge might be a better choice, but then, he wouldn't be his junior brother.

Moments later, the three of them stood, continuing their journey towards Jade City.

Presently, Yu Province, where Jade City is located, sees cultivators from all directions heading to Jade City.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.