Chapter 101: The Eighth Glimmer of Light
On the eve of early summer, green shade covered the fields, replacing the old light with new, and the gentle breeze made the early days longer.
The Tianshu Academy students departed from Shengjing, a group of twenty, heading to Jingzhou Ferry to board an Immortal Ship and travel southwest.
At this time, the matter of the Yao Race entering the borders had spread, following the descent of an exotic beast onto Chang Sheng Avenue.
Along with them came many Spiritual Plants unique to the Snow Region, high-quality Spirit Stones, and even some rare metals for crafting weapons, which were successively transported into the Nine Provinces.
However, whether to permit the Yao Race to enter the borders became a subject of intense debate.
Even though the two races had once fought side by side, bathed in blood, to jointly resist the Ancient Remnant Race, the Seven Great Immortal Sects remained highly vigilant towards the Yao Race.
This seemed to confirm the Yao Emperor's maxim: 'Those not of our race are bound to have different intentions.'
But what happened next led the scholar-emperor, who had long resided deep within the Imperial Palace, to personally sign a document allowing the Yao Race to enter the Nine Provinces, and the Seven Great Immortal Sects tacitly approved, offering no resistance.
The reason was none other than the sudden outpouring of the Barbarian Race from the Ten Thousand Mountains, who once again attacked the Northern Plains, aiming directly at Hantie Pass.
Since the Great Xia Dynasty was founded, the Human Race and the Barbarian Race had been in constant conflict, back and forth, with Hantie Pass serving as the dividing line.
Throughout the Human Race's millennium-long history, the Barbarian Race had approached Hantie Pass several times but had never managed to break through.
This time, however, was clearly different.
After the temperature in the Northern Plains rebounded with the approach of summer, the Barbarian Race almost poured out all their strength, coming with formidable momentum.
Even powerful Barbarian Race cultivators participated in this campaign, causing the Zhenbei Army to fall into a bitter struggle.
“The Yao Race territory is in the Snow Region to the west of the Northern Plains, and they are essentially neighbors with the Barbarian Race. If not for the Kunling separating them, they would likely have already become allies.”
“The Human Race cannot lose the Nine Provinces, and the Seven Great Immortal Sects are unwilling to lose the Northern Plains, which is a breeding ground for Innate Spiritual Plants.”
“Regardless of the purpose, the Human Race cannot clash with the Yao Race at this moment.”
“Even if—both races harbor the same wolfish ambitions.”
“The first battle of summer was incredibly difficult for our army. If the Yao Race were to also invade, Hantie Pass would surely fall.”
“There will be no more instances of enemy forces pressing on Hantie Pass, only for a sudden blizzard to descend upon the Northern Plains, burying tens of thousands of Barbarian Race soldiers and declaring the Human Race as the true masters of the Nine Provinces.”
“I also don't know why this world has become like this—
Within the majestic palace, the emperor, clad in imperial robes, stood with his hands behind his back before the imperial hall, gazing at the gradually darkening distant sky.
He was only thirty, in his prime, with a proper appearance.
The only blemish was a deep 'river' (chuan, meaning 'river' or 'three lines') wrinkle on his brow, even when not frowning, as if carved by a sharp blade.
He Jingyuan, the Director of the Jianchachu (Surveillance Department), stood behind him at this moment, remaining silent upon hearing the emperor's sigh.
Because he knew, Your Majesty was speaking to himself.
The emperor then sighed softly, withdrawing his gaze from the dim evening sky, and where his eyes landed, songstresses danced, and the sounds of music echoed, sounding joyful and festive.
And the young noble of the Yao Race sat at the banquet, his deep, demonic blue eyes showing no emotion.
“Why is Imperial Brother here?”
Just then, a woman in resplendent robes gracefully approached, speaking in a soft, melodious voice. Her face bore some resemblance to the emperor's, appearing gentle and virtuous.
He Jingyuan bowed upon hearing her: “Greetings, Your Highness the Eldest Princess.”
The Eldest Princess nodded slightly, then turned to the emperor: “The wind is picking up, Imperial Brother has had quite a bit to drink, perhaps you should go back.”
The emperor shook his head, placing his hand on a stone pillar in front of the hall: “Let me watch a bit longer. Perhaps one day, I will become a monarch of a fallen nation.”
He Jingyuan's brow furrowed: “Your Majesty jests. Our Great Xia Dynasty will surely last for ten thousand years.”
The emperor chuckled softly, then turned to look at the two: “It’s strange, I thought the Yao Race would return to the Nine Provinces with arrogance, at least towards me, since everyone knows the Great Xia Dynasty is merely a tool for the Seven Great Immortal Sects to govern the populace. But I never expected them to be so courteous?”
“Before entering the palace, the Yao Race suffered a sword strike on Chang Sheng Avenue. They were probably stripped of some of their arrogance and couldn't be so haughty.”
The emperor was also somewhat surprised: “Who wielded the sword?”
He Jingyuan looked towards Ni Mountain not far away: “A student from Tianshu Academy's Outer Courtyard, named Ji You.”
The emperor was slightly stunned upon hearing this, then nodded: “The fellow who sensed the Heavenly Book upon entering the academy—”
“Precisely.”
“I heard he is a fellow townsman and good friend of the top scholar I personally appointed. But I wonder why he clashed with the Yao Race?”
“It is said that when the Yao Race landed on an exotic beast, they nearly stepped on a child. Ji You happened to be on the street at the time, rescued the child, but had no time to dodge, so he punched the exotic beast.”
The Eldest Princess's eyes trembled slightly upon hearing this, her mouth slightly agape in surprise.
The emperor raised his eyes, and after a long silence, said: “Bring up my top scholar. Let him preside over the Ministry of Revenue for the Yao Race's entry into the Nine Provinces, and concurrently serve as the Chief of the Reception Department of the Jianchachu (Surveillance Department).”
He Jingyuan pondered upon hearing this, and after a long while, spoke: “This, it might be too soon, and the Jianchachu (Surveillance Department) has reported that he was once very close to Wei Li's granddaughter.”
“No matter, he is one of the few people who walk the same Dao as I—.”
After this imperial banquet, the Yao Race began to appear successively throughout the Nine Provinces.
However, when the Yao Race, especially those with obvious physical characteristics, appeared on the streets, it inevitably caused some discussion and suspicion.
But no trouble arose from this; even though rumors of the Yao Race eating people constantly circulated, they turned a deaf ear.
The Seven Great Immortal Sects currently had no time to concern themselves with the Yao Race, as they themselves were plagued by internal conflicts.
The Mountain and Sea Pavilion and the Tianjian Peak lineage of Lingjian Mountain coincidentally arrived at Huangyun Mountain, confronting each other outside the Chen Clan's protective formation, with the three Immortal Sects on the verge of conflict.
It was precisely due to this situation that cultivators often drew swords against each other outside their sects within the Nine Provinces.
Thus, with Qing Province as the boundary, undercurrents surged in the western wild plains.
In addition, the Tianshu Academy group, traveling from Shengjing and sailing south along the Nu River, also attracted attention.
“Look, the only two direct Disciples of the Tianshu Academy's Palace Lords, the one behind is Ji You, who has no Worldly Family background.”
“Going to Lingjian Mountain?”
“Indeed, Tianshu Academy is seeking Dao at Lingjian Mountain.”
“If Ji You's sword is truly as rumored, he would actually be more suited to be a Disciple of Lingjian Mountain. It's a pity he was born in Feng Province.”
“I heard that a few days ago, when the Yao Race delegation went to Shengjing, he stabbed one of them with a sword?”
The Immortal Ship sped along, and three days later, the Tianshu Academy students disembarked at the ferry in Xiyang Commandery, Liang Province, and checked into the Chaoyang Inn there. The reason for their stop was that the Dan Sect was located to the southwest of Liang Province.
You Buyu wanted to visit Dan Mountain, and this place was for preparation before going there.
However, because Xiyang Commandery was a necessary route to Qing Province, there were many cultivators passing through, and more than half of them were heading towards the Chen Clan of Wenshan.
Along the way, they had seen the Yao Race and witnessed cultivators fighting, and an uneasy atmosphere began to grow increasingly thick.
Ji You was currently in his room at the Chaoyang Inn, with all his Qi orifices fully open, continuously drawing Spiritual Qi into his body and igniting Spirit Fire.
Mysterious, pale blue firelight surged within his body, eventually erupting from his skin, continuously tempering every inch of his flesh.
And his forehead, accordingly, broke out in fine beads of sweat.
This was originally a basic method for refining Spirit Origin. Because Ji You's Spirit Origin was shattered and Spiritual Qi was scattered throughout his limbs and bones, he used this method to refine his Physical Body.
After a long time, whistling Qi surged outwards, and the light, after illuminating all directions, quickly receded. Ji You slowly opened his eyes on the bed.
The eighth glimmer of light, finished.
This time, he felt his Qi and blood were much more vigorous.
In addition, he found an extra surge of Qi within his physique, which constantly impacted during the refinement process and then settled back into his limbs and bones after it ended.
On that day on the Baiyu Platform, Sun Bin had taken a Medicinal Pill and condensed a milky protective spiritual light to defend against his sword control.
And now, his physical strength should be almost on par with the spiritual light Sun Bin had condensed.
So tough, I wonder which family's daughter will be so blessed...
He punched upwards, and the Mountain-Shaking Fist he had been practicing moved with the Qi, the force of his punches expanding in the room, and tiger roars echoing everywhere.
His strength also increased significantly after his physique became stronger; these were complementary.
Ji You clenched his fist, recalling the battle with the Yao Race guard on Chang Sheng Avenue, and carefully analyzed the Qi that had traversed the spear shaft. He thought to himself, among all the races under Heaven, the Human Race's Physical Body is indeed the most fragile.
If he hadn't had three previous glimmers of light before that day, his hand bones might really have been broken in that street battle.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Wen Zhengxin, dressed in a cloud-brocade embroidered dress, came to call him down for dinner.
“Senior Sister, do you know why the Yao Race doesn't Cultivate spell arts?”
“The Yao Race also Cultivates spell arts, but it is said to be much more difficult than for the Human Race, and only those with exceptional talent can succeed. I heard from an Inner Courtyard Instructor that this is because their own nature is incompatible with the Heavenly Dao.”
Wen Zhengxin walked gracefully ahead and continued: “However, the Yao Race also has their own secret cultivation techniques, and their combat power is not low.”
“And like the Barbarian Race, they possess some Bloodline talents. Now that the Great Xia Dynasty allows the Yao Race to enter the borders, Junior Brother, if you encounter them on the street, you must not take them lightly.”
As they conversed, the two arrived on the first floor, where the Tianshu Academy Disciples had already gathered in the front hall.
You Buyu, who was already seated, glanced at Ji You, his expression grim.
Tianshu Academy seeking Dao at Lingjian Mountain, although the scale was not as grand as the Mountain and Sea Pavilion and Tianjian Peak confronting the Chen Clan, it was still a significant event, attracting much discussion along the way.
Especially for him, a direct Disciple of a Palace Lord, it should have been natural to be the center of attention when he came out of the mountains.
But who knew that Ji You's popularity was also not low, and many people, upon seeing him, would even shift their attention from himself.
Ultimately, Ji You's act of stabbing the Yao Race guard three times with his sword on Chang Sheng Avenue, amplified by the controversy surrounding the Yao Race's entry, had already become extraordinarily significant.
Before coming, he told He Lingxiu that he would go to Dan Mountain as a direct Disciple of a Palace Lord, to let Yuan Caiwei know his worth, but the outside world was now shouting Ji You's name.
He Lingxiu was also looking at Ji You, who was coming down the stairs, and after a moment of thought, said: “Ji You's aura seems to change every day.”
“Really?”
“I didn't notice it when we were traveling the day before yesterday, but yesterday—”
He Lingxiu had passed by Ji You yesterday, and the keen senses of a cultivator allowed her to sharply perceive that Ji You's Qi and blood were becoming increasingly surging.
Especially his heartbeat, thumping like a heavy hammer hitting the ground, echoing in her ears every time she recalled it.
