Chapter 102: Straight Up Dan Mountain
Early the next morning, the rooster crowed.
Ji You woke up in his room, looked down at the crowing rooster, and inexplicably puffed out his chest.
Afterward, he washed, ate, and then traveled by carriage with his fellow Disciples to Dan Mountain in the southwest of Xiyang County.
Looking from the foot of the mountain, the lush green mountain was vibrant with vegetation, and on it were seven dense clusters of pavilions, connected by covered bridges, appearing like the Big Dipper.
The Dan Sect had long received the invitation from Tianshu Academy, and at this time, countless Dan Masters wearing Dan robes came down the mountain to greet them.
Standing at the foot of the mountain gate was a gaunt Elder, Dan Qiongzi, who had visited Tianshu Academy last time. He was the paternal uncle of the Yuan family siblings and also the younger brother of the Dan Sect's Headmaster.
The Tianshu Academy group ascended the mountain path, admiring the exotic flowers and plants along the way, finally focusing their gaze on the welcoming party from the Dan Sect.
“Junior You Buyu greets Elder Qiong.”
“Junior He Lingxiu greets Elder Qiong.”
You Buyu and He Lingxiu were leading this quest for the Dao, so it was natural for them to offer their greetings.
As for the other Disciples, they bowed behind the two, then gazed into the distance, their eyes constantly moving between the pavilions.
Among the Seven Great Immortal Sects, the Dan Sect, due to its different Dao, was the most conservative and mysterious. On ordinary days, it was shrouded in deep mist, making even the mountain itself unclear.
Only the courier stations operated by the Dan Sect were qualified to travel to and from the mountain gate at agreed times, transporting the Medicinal Pills needed throughout the Qingyun World.
And these people were considered the first Immortal Sect Disciples to enter the inner workings of the Dan Sect.
Dan Qiongzi had a kind face, smiling as he said “Good” three times, then glanced at Ji You in the crowd, a hint of satisfaction on his face.
Rumors of an impending chaotic era had been circulating since the beginning of the year, and then the counterattack of the Barbarian Race and the entry of the Yao Race seemed to foretell this.
Thus, the Dan Sect changed its stance of keeping distance from the other six Great Immortal Sects, actively befriending Tianshu Academy, wanting to face the chaotic era together. To this end, they arranged for Yuan Caiwei to interact with You Buyu.
However, for some unknown reason, Yuan Chen felt that his sister should marry Ji You.
In normal times, this could naturally be seen as a jest, but after the rumors about the so-called Legacy Physique spread, this jest became peculiar.
Alliance is naturally a way to resist risks, but nothing is better than having it yourself ————
Ji You’s gaze happened to withdraw at this moment, meeting Dan Qiongzi’s eyes.
“Brother Ji, that Dan Sect Elder has been looking at you.”
“I saw him. The old man’s eyes are a bit sinister. He wouldn’t be planning to use me for alchemy, would he?”
Ji You felt a chill and looked at Bai Rulong: “Old Bai, I feel a bit cold. Open your money pouch, I’ll put my hand in to warm it up.”
He didn’t yet know he was at risk of becoming a breeding machine, otherwise he would have immediately gone down the mountain.
Although the thought of it was quite exciting, it was said that the Dan Sect had various mysterious Medicinal Pills that could replenish stamina and energy, allowing one to never stop —
Some things, though beautiful, become torture when there’s too much of them.
Just like a strong ox, even with inexhaustible strength, it would be bewildered by vast, boundless acres of fertile land.
Dan Qiongzi also withdrew his gaze at this moment, returning it to You Buyu, and couldn't help but shake his head.
The Chu Family’s Legacy Physique was something even Immortal Sects envied. Ji You, being single and out alone, and not knowing how to protect himself, would naturally attract the attention of some Families in ordinary times.
Unfortunately, even if it could be passed down, continuous childbirth would take a hundred years to mature, but the current chaotic world told them that they couldn’t wait that long.
Therefore, You Buyu was the best choice.
The Head of Jixiang Hall is a powerful figure at the Perfection of the Upper Five Realms, and there are only a few such people in the entire world.
“Everyone, please come in!”
With a wave of his large sleeve, Dan Qiongzi led the Tianshu Academy Disciples into the mountain, along the mountain path. Directly in front was a giant Pill Furnace, consistent with the one on their Dan robes.
However, although this Pill Furnace was indeed modeled after the Great Furnace, it had no actual miraculous use; it was purely decorative.
After bypassing the bronze furnace and walking up the hillside, past a clear lake, directly ahead was Yuheng Hall, one of the Dan Sect’s Seven Halls.
Yuheng Hall was already full of people. Among them was Yuan Li, the current Headmaster of the Dan Sect, whose stature was as tall and thin as Dan Qiongzi’s, and whose appearance was very similar to Yuan Chen’s. He wore the Headmaster’s sacred robe, exuding an air of authority without anger.
And Yuan Caiwei was standing beside him, dressed in a new silk immortal dress, adorned with light makeup, gazing out of the hall with moist eyes.
She first saw You Buyu, who was walking at the very front, then her eyes continued to search, stopping only when they landed on Ji You.
Yuan Caiwei, dressed in a Dan robe, was also incomparably beautiful, but she lacked some feminine softness. At this moment, she truly made people stare.
You Buyu’s heart trembled, and then he unbuckled his sword and entered the hall.
“You Buyu, a direct Disciple of Jixiang Hall of Tianshu Academy, greets Immortal Master, the Headmaster of the Dan Sect, and Miss Caiwei.”
“Before I left, my aunt asked me to convey her regards to both of you, and said that if there is another opportunity, she will personally come.”
You Buyu was already the son-in-law arranged by Tianshu Academy for the Dan Sect, so naturally no one would steal his thunder. Thus, he was the only one speaking eloquently in the hall.
He spoke about his current Realm, and then conveyed the greetings his aunt had asked him to deliver. The entire hall was filled with joy. Ji You felt a bit dazed at this moment, thinking that if Lingjian Mountain could also have such an atmosphere, that would truly be wonderful.
At this moment, Yuan Caiwei looked at Ji You, and seeing his absent-mindedness, her eyes couldn’t help but flow.
“This, this must be Ji You, right?”
Ji You was pulled back to his senses by this steady question, and he looked up at the Headmaster of the Dan Sect: “I am Ji You, an Outer Courtyard Disciple of Tianshu Academy. I greet Immortal Master Headmaster.”
Yuan Li looked him over: “I must also thank you for rescuing Yuan Chen and Caiwei from the mountain.”
“I received money, and my relationship with Yuan Chen is one of employment. Saving people is what I should do, Immortal Master Headmaster need not be so polite.”
At this moment, the gazes in the hall also turned towards him.
Outer Courtyard Disciples of the various Immortal Sects were actually nothing special; few might remember them, except for Chu River of the Chu Family.
But they all knew that the most dazzling person in Tianshu Academy’s Outer Courtyard was not Chu River, but the very troublesome Ji You.
This was an anomaly, whose actions were said to be quite unexpected.
That day, the direct Disciple secretly ran away from the mountain and only paid a thousand taels to hire him to face life and death —
And hearing Ji You mention Yuan Chen, Yuan Li couldn't help but turn his head to look at his daughter, recalling the words “brother-in-law” that his son had been muttering these past few days.
When he first brought them back, he thought Yuan Chen’s “brother-in-law” referred to You Buyu, and he thought his son was more sensible than his daughter, already understanding the stakes involved.
But later he learned that the “brother-in-law” Yuan Chen spoke of was not the same person as the nephew of the Jixiang Hall Head.
The Dan Sect was secluded and not particularly connected to other Sects, nor did it concern itself with immortal Dao matters, focusing solely on the Dao of alchemy. Its information was not well-informed.
He then ordered someone to find Ji You’s information and read it carefully for a long time.
Yuan Li came back to his senses: “Young Master Ji, what is your age?”
“Twenty years old.”
“Where do you live?”
“Yuyang County, Feng Province.”
You Buyu, who had been sitting upright just now, couldn't help but frown slightly at this moment.
He was the protagonist of this trip, and had an ambiguous relationship with the Dan Sect, at least he thought so.
So when he found that everyone's attention had shifted to Ji You, he naturally felt displeased.
Furthermore, the Dan Sect Headmaster had just asked him about Tianshu Academy’s internal affairs, or the situation of several Hall Heads, which was mostly a polite greeting.
But asking Ji You’s age and where he lived seemed strange.
You Buyu pondered for a moment and dismissed the thought, telling himself that perhaps it was because the You Family was famous, so there was no need to ask where they lived.
And for a rustic private cultivator like Ji You, asking was natural.
Yuan Li then spoke again: “How many people are in Young Master Ji’s Family?”
Ji You thought, “Why is he checking my household registration?” but still politely replied, “Less than eighty.”
“That many?”
“Didn’t they say he was a rustic private cultivator?”
“They clearly said he had no one left in his Family, so how are there eighty?”
“Perhaps… he’s just saying it to fill the atmosphere?”
He Lingxiu pursed her lips upon hearing this, thinking that everyone in Tianshu Academy knew Ji You’s Family situation, so why would he pretend here.
You Buyu directly spoke: “Junior Brother Ji You, you must not speak nonsense in front of the Dan Sect Headmaster. Are you trying to fabricate a Family?”
Ji You remained silent, replacing his expression with a smile: Your mother!
The Dan Sect Headmaster didn't truly intend for Ji You to be his son-in-law, but hearing Yuan Chen constantly babbling about it in his ear, it was certainly strange in his heart, and these questions were done subconsciously.
Afterward, the meeting in the hall concluded, and the Dan Sect Headmaster arranged a lavish welcome banquet for them.
Because one table couldn't accommodate everyone, they were divided into three tables.
Ji You was too lazy to sit with You Buyu, so he turned and went to the side hall, sitting at a table with Bai Rulong and the others, commonly known as the children's table.
Wen Zhengxin, who was at odds with He Lingxiu, also went to the children's table.
Those remaining were You Buyu, He Lingxiu, Ban Yangshu, Pei Ruyi, along with Wang Yue, Fang Linchao, and others.
Yuan Caiwei accompanied them at the table.
Amidst the clinking of cups, there was some conversation, and then someone brought up Ji You's earlier remark about having over eighty people in his Family, unable to suppress a light chuckle.
It felt as if the whole world knew he was a rustic private cultivator whose Family had been destroyed, yet he deliberately put on a facade in front of a figure like the Dan Sect Headmaster.
“Junior Brother didn’t say he had over eighty people in his Family.”
Pei Ruyi heard their discussion, picked up a stalk of Immortal Gathering Sprout, and said, “He said less than eighty.”
You Buyu’s smile gradually faded: “He wasn’t left homeless? Did I hear false information?”
Ban Yangshu didn't know the details either, and couldn't help but look at Pei Ruyi upon hearing this.
“Junior Brother entered Tianshu Academy to protect a six-year-old girl. You should have heard about this recently, right?”
“I’ve heard. The Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion has a history of using people for alchemy. Wasn’t that girl targeted by them?”
Pei Ruyi looked at them calmly: “Yes, and then after Junior Brother Ji joined Tianshu Academy, he immediately adopted seventy-two poor children as his godchildren.”
In the hall, Yuan Caiwei’s chopsticks paused slightly, then she heard Pei Ruyi’s voice again.
“In other settings, Junior Brother might say he’s a lonely person, but in a grand occasion like this where rumors easily spread, he will definitely insist he has many Family members, because those children are still under his protection, right under the nose of the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion.”
Pei Ruyi ate the vegetable sprout: “This is the Worldly Family he guards.”
At this moment, silence suddenly fell over the banquet.
What Ban Yangshu thought of was the saying, “The great among Immortals are for life and for the people.”
So that wasn’t a story; that was Junior Brother Ji’s path.
And what Yuan Caiwei thought of was her younger brother’s constant murmur: “I was born between heaven and earth, and I must leave some stories for future generations to see.”
(Seeking monthly votes, seeking monthly votes~~)