Breaking through the illusion of the mortal world

Chapter 159 Sword Dance

A flash of light streaked across the sky, the wind ruffled their clothes, and Xia Linxian and his eleven companions walked through the air. In less than half a day, the majestic city of Fulong came into view.

Fulong City is located not far from the foot of the Fuyou Sacred Land. It was originally a city built and controlled by the Fuyou Sacred Land, so naturally it has a magnificent and varied landscape.

The gray walls of Fulong City stretch for hundreds of miles, and the city is bustling with people. The spiritual energy of the city rises and swirls, making it worthy of being the most important town in the Fuyou Holy Land.

The Lingyun Tower, perched atop a high point in the city, stands out from the crowd. Its carved beams are adorned with gold powder, and its painted rafters are inlaid with jade beads. The hundreds of stories of the tower reach straight into the clouds, and the gilded plaque outside the tower is written in a vigorous and unrestrained style. The two characters "Lingyun" exude an air of dominance over the world.

This is the number one restaurant in Fulong City, so naturally, it's the place with the best information.

The battle between the Taoist Academy and the Dark Fragrance Pavilion was earth-shattering, and since it wasn't far from here, it had naturally spread far and wide.

Some people even started selling the projections of the battle, creating quite a stir.

Upon seeing Xia Linxian and his entourage from afar, the innkeeper personally came downstairs to greet them, repeatedly saying, "Your presence is an honor to Lingyun Tower! The private room on the top floor has already been prepared!"

The group climbed the steps to the top of the building, leaned on the railing, and looked out into the distance, taking in the entire city of Fulong.

The long street stretches like a ribbon, carriages and horses move like dragons, the Ling River flows around the city, and in the distance, green mountains rise one after another, creating a magnificent scene.

After days of fighting and battles, everyone was tense and exhausted, but all of that vanished in the open scenery and the hustle and bustle of the world.

The innkeeper personally arranged the banquet, with fine wines and delicacies served in crystal goblets and laid out on the sacred wooden table.

As the soft sounds of silk and bamboo instruments filled the air, dancers in light silk gowns gracefully moved to the rhythm of the music, their flowing sleeves billowing like clouds and snow, filling the room with an enchanting and elegant atmosphere.

"Today, no one will dare to impersonate Junior Brother Li and scheme against you all. Junior brothers and sisters, please drink to your hearts' content and have a good time! Hahahaha!" Xia Linxian joked.

After the food and drinks were prepared, Xia Linxian raised his glass and stood up. His eyes were bright, completely lacking the domineering and sharpness he had shown when fighting Yin Qianshang.

All that remained was high spirits and unrestrained spirit. "We are honored to have subdued another force for the academy, and to Junior Brother Lu for averting danger. After this trip, I will certainly take credit for everyone!"

Everyone raised their glasses in unison, the glass goblets clinking together with a crisp sound.

Chenghao raised his wine glass and drank heartily, laughing loudly: "Fighting alongside Senior Brother Xia and Senior Brother Li was exhilarating! Junior Brother Lu even benefited from the misfortune, well done!"

Chu Tian smiled slightly and said gently, "From now on, no one in the Central Continent will dare to underestimate my Dao Academy. Many wavering forces should also think carefully."

The crowd was filled with laughter and chatter, their weariness from the days of bloody battles replaced by joy. Lu Ming raised his cup and stood up: "If it weren't for the life-risking rescue by my fellow disciples, I would have perished at Dark Fragrance Pavilion. I will forever remember this kindness!"

"We're fellow disciples, no need for thanks. Since we brought you out, we couldn't possibly stand by and watch you fall into danger!" Li Jingyun's jade robe fluttered lightly, his smile radiant. "You were able to turn misfortune into good fortune and greatly improve your cultivation, which is the best way to repay us."

Xia Yufei sat quietly to the side, neither speaking nor declining the toasts offered by her fellow disciples.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the music became increasingly melodious, the dancers' movements more graceful, and everyone, slightly tipsy and full of youthful exuberance, reveled in the moment.

Li Jingyun was already exceptionally handsome and elegant. When the wine was flowing freely, he suddenly stood up, and the Dragon Roar Sword was automatically drawn from its sheath, its light shining like moonlight.

"Since we're all quite drunk and have nothing else to do for entertainment, I'll perform a sword dance to brighten your day!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Jingyun touched the ground with his toes, his figure graceful as a startled swan. The Dragon Roar Sword flashed with light, completely lacking the deadly sharpness of his combat form, but instead exuding a more dashing and elegant air.

The sword light was like the first bloom of a night-blooming cereus, like flowing rosy clouds. In an instant, the sword's beauty and the dance moves merged together. The sword followed the body, and the body followed the heart. The jade robe fluttered and the black hair swayed lightly.

Every sword strike and every move was breathtakingly elegant, captivating all the dancers in the room who forgot their steps, gazing at him in awe.

Xia Linxian joked from the side, "Junior Brother Li's sword dance is the envy of countless people, hahaha."

Seeing this, Su Qingluan's eyes softened with tenderness. She rose and gently performed a magic spell, causing the spiritual energy of the dew-covered hairpin to swirl around her, transforming into countless flying flowers that danced with her sword.

Her figure was as light as a butterfly, with flying petals swirling around her sword. Her graceful dance complemented Li Jingyun's elegant swordsmanship perfectly. One was strong, the other gentle; one sword, one dance, they were like a divine couple, filling the room with brilliance.

The crowd applauded and cheered, and Chenghao slapped the table and laughed loudly, "What a fine sword! What a fine dance!"

Su Qingluan's cheeks flushed slightly, but her dance steps remained steady, her gaze always fixed on Li Jingyun, revealing her undisguised admiration.

Liu Yiyi sat beside Xia Linxian, her delicate hand holding the wine pot, filling Xia Linxian's wine cup. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, like butterfly wings fluttering.

She glanced up at Xia Linxian and saw that he was also looking at her with a gentle smile.

Su Qingluan's heart fluttered, and she said softly, "Senior Brother Xia, the wine is cold. Let me get you a hot one."

Her voice was soft, tinged with a girlish shyness, and unintentionally, her joy was fully revealed.

Xia Linxian looked up and smiled, saying gently, "Thank you for your trouble, Junior Sister Liu." This smile warmed Liu Yiyi's heart, and she couldn't help but smile slightly.

When wine flows freely and emotions run high, poetic inspiration naturally arises.

Xia Linxian leaned on the railing, overlooking Fulong City, gazing at the rosy clouds in the sky, and recited aloud:

"A traveler far from home, I raise my cup to the wind as I journey to the Central Plains."

After Li Jingyun finished his sword dance, he sheathed it and stood still, the sword's light returning to its sheath, and continued chanting in a clear voice:

"The dragon sword's cold light startles with a subtle fragrance, and the dancing petals intoxicate with its elegance."

Chu Tian laughed and said:

"Seven tribulations to slay the dragon in place of heavenly punishment, five thunderbolts to suppress evil and stabilize the Central Continent."

"A young man with lofty ambitions dares to challenge the heavens and change the world!"

As the poem ended, cheers filled the room, the sounds of string and wind instruments grew louder, and the dancers' movements became even more beautiful.

With lofty aspirations and youthful vigor, everyone unleashed their full potential atop Lingyun Tower, amidst the revelry of wine and swordplay.

Apart from Lu Ming and Xia Yufei, the rest of the people were all several hundred years old, yet they possessed such cultivation at such a young age.

At this level of cultivation, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them teenagers.

Meanwhile, deep within the Juechen Palace, Ning Hanchuan smashed a room full of treasures, his face contorted in rage, the echoes of his cursing still reverberating within the palace.

But no matter how resentful or angry he was, he could only watch helplessly as the young prodigies of the Dao Academy shone brightly in the Central Continent.

Moreover, his father, Ning Wuyai, warned him not to touch Lu Ming again, which made him furious.

Upstairs in Lingyun Tower, the wine was flowing freely, the songs were sung joyfully, and the people were in high spirits and full of youthful vigor.

Xia Linxian raised his cup, looked at his spirited fellow disciples beside him, and spoke in a clear voice that echoed across the rooftop:

"Today we celebrate our victory with wine; tomorrow we will establish a firm foothold in Central Continent and uphold the prestige of the Celestial Dynasty!"

"To establish the prestige of the Celestial Dynasty!"

The eleven people responded in unison, their voices piercing through the Lingyun Tower and drifting across the vast land of Zhongzhou.

The wind brushes the drifting clouds, the wine warms the heart, and youthful vigor shines brightly in its prime.