Chapter 1206: Chapter 53: Sword Cultivators Head West (Part 3)
They only knew it was something very bad and very strong, so they had to retreat.
Li Si stood by the roadside, watching the surging crowd, watching the elderly, women, and children board the flying ships one by one.
Whenever a warship was fully loaded, it would rise into the sky, fly eastward, break through the clouds, and leave long trails that lingered due to its rapid speed.
At that moment, there were always children exclaiming with awe.
For adults, leaving their homes often meant sadness and reluctance.
But for children, it represented something new, the magic of the flying ships bringing them immense joy.
Thus, children were the only ones who could still laugh in the current situation.
Li Si watched for a very long time.
One flying ship after another soared into the sky.
There were fewer and fewer people outside the city.
Eventually, only the last flying ship had yet to ascend.
"Master, it’s time to go." A baby-faced cultivator approached and said to Li Si.
Li Si glanced at him.
This was one of his many disciples at the Sword Pavilion, named Chang Youfu.
Quite a fortunate name.
But the name’s owner wasn’t that fortunate.
He was an orphan, raised on meals from various households.
Twenty years ago, when Li Si came to the small city and opened "Flying Swallow Sword Li," the ordinary Chang Youfu had walked in.
Chang Youfu wasn’t a cultivator; he couldn’t even afford a symbolic spirit stone.
But in the end, Li Si accepted him and taught him the cultivation techniques.
Because Li Si saw something of the sword cultivator in Chang Youfu.
The facts proved he was right. In just twenty years, Chang Youfu had made some progress in sword cultivation.
Of course, Chang Youfu held Li Si, his master, in high regard, treating him like his own father.
"Hmm," Li Si nodded, responding with a hum to Chang Youfu, "It’s time to go."
"Master, you’re going the wrong way; the flying ship is over here!" Chang Youfu noticed Li Si heading in a somewhat wrong direction and quickly shouted.
"I’m not going the wrong way." Li Si said.
Chang Youfu paused for a moment, suddenly realizing Li Si’s intentions, was startled, and nervously said, "Master, you’re going west?!"
"Great Xia has issued a call for cultivators."
"They’re looking for cultivators above the fifth realm, Master, you’re so old now..." Chang Youfu worried and spoke bluntly.
"I’m not above the fifth realm, but I have reached the fifth realm, and in my younger days, I slew quite a few demons."
"Your old master may be old, but he can still drink five pots of wine at once. Don’t underestimate your master."
Li Si’s words did little to reassure Chang Youfu.
The more he listened, the more anxious he became. "But the call for cultivators is for the western front, and it has nothing to do with us!"
"I’ve stayed there before; there are so few people at the front line. How long can they hold off the Demon Race?"
"But... going alone won’t help." Chang Youfu’s voice began to tremble.
"Who says I will be alone?" Li Si said softly.
Though he couldn’t see, he knew apart from himself, there would surely be Zhang San, Wang Wu, Zhao Liu, and countless others like "Li Si" heading to that battlefield.
"Youfu, if you want others to value our lives and risk everything to save us, we must show them why our lives are worth saving." Li Si told Chang Youfu.
Having stayed at Dragon City Pass, his perspective was broader than most.
Thus, he vaguely foresaw the impending isolation and helplessness for the Central Spirit Domain.
Li Si did not know whether cultivators from other domains would risk enormous danger to support the Central Spirit Domain.
He only knew that rather than hoping others would come to rescue, the Central Spirit Domain should start with self-rescue.
.....
"Master, then please kill a few more demons." Chang Youfu rubbed his slightly reddened eyes and said.
Li Si saw something of the sword cultivator in Chang Youfu, which was why he took him as a disciple.
And the temperament of a sword cultivator is precisely like this.
"Of course, your master is strong." Li Si assured.
"Chang Youfu, hurry up. It’s time to depart."
At this moment, someone on the last flying ship from behind shouted to Chang Youfu.
It’s time to set off.
"Go on." Li Si waved his hand.
"Well... I’m leaving?" Chang Youfu asked.
"Go ahead."
"Master, when I reach the fifth realm, I will definitely come back." Chang Youfu ran a few steps towards the flying ship, then stopped, turned around, and shouted to Li Si.
"You have to live and wait for me to return!"
He dared not delay any more and quickly boarded the flying ship without waiting for Li Si’s response.
"How wonderful."
Li Si silently watched the last flying ship ascend into the sky, breaking eastward, and murmured.
He glanced again at the now deserted small city, laughed freely, focused his mind, summoned his long unused life-bound sword, and flew away with sword control.
Flying sword and flying ship ascended outside the small city, each heading in opposite directions, forming intersecting radiance in the sky.
The flying ship broke through the space leaving a trail to the east.
The sword light tore through the sky bringing a fierce air current, advancing westward.
Mortals headed east.
Sword cultivators headed west.
.......
Li Si was just an aging sword cultivator of the fifth realm.
He was really quite ordinary.
And yet, he was truly extraordinary.