Chapter 117: Spiritual Sword Mountain Sword Dao, Willow Color New
The morning light pierced through the thick mountain mist, painting the jungle with golden brilliance. As far as the eye could see, the morning glow shone everywhere, and water vapor filled the air.
The Disciples of Tianshu Academy ate their early morning meal, each with a serious expression.
Their first battle against Lingjian Mountain was to be held today, with He Lingxiu of Zizai Hall facing Yan Shujing of Xuanjian Peak. It would be divided into three rounds, with two wins securing victory.
Although He Lingxiu was the one drawing her sword, she represented Tianshu Academy, which made everyone feel nervous, so much so that during the entire breakfast, there were many fewer conversations.
But even though their conversations were fewer, many Outer Courtyard Disciples of Lingjian Mountain occasionally glanced at them, with a hint of an unkind smile on their faces.
You Buyu had been diligently cultivating his Dao these past few days, paying no mind to external matters. At this moment, he couldn't help but frown slightly: “
What are they saying?”
Wang Yue, who was beside You Buyu, whispered, “Ji You, that Junior Brother from the Outer Courtyard, went to Tianjian Peak to challenge the Sword Forest yesterday.”
You Buyu turned to look at him: “Sword Forest?”
“I only heard about it yesterday. Lingjian Mountain’s Tianjian Peak has a Sword Forest. Those who pass through the Sword Forest can cultivate the Spiritual Sword Mountain Sword Dao.”
Wang Yue rested his arm on the table: “Ji You has always been obsessed with swords. He must have had the idea early on and went to the Sword Forest soon after arriving on the mountain.”
Fang Linchao had also heard some rumors, but at this moment, he was a bit puzzled: “I heard that people from Asked the Dao Sect and Mountain and Sea Pavilion also went to challenge it, but why are these people mocking us Tianshu Academy?”
“Because that Ji You made a fool of himself.”
“What kind of joke?”
“It is said that the last sword of the first layer of the Sword Forest is called 【Xiao Chong Shan】. The weakest Tong Xuan Realm initial stage Disciple of Lingjian Mountain only used eight swords to pass, but Ji You yesterday… used sixteen swords, and after he entered the second layer of the Sword Forest, he was cut out again not long after.”
Wang Yue then added, “The Disciples of Mountain and Sea Pavilion and Asked the Dao Sect were also on the mountain at the time and witnessed his discomfiture.”
You Buyu’s expression was grim, and his voice immediately became sharp: “I said early on that no one was allowed to cause trouble, but I didn’t expect someone still wouldn't listen!”
“Ji You is originally from a rural private cultivation background, without rules in his head. It was the same at Dan Sect. He took people out to wander without permission. I later heard Disciples discussing that some suspected they secretly went to the medicine pool—”
“?!”
After the Dan Sect trip, the Qi of Ji You, Ban Yangshu, and others had noticeably improved, attracting a lot of private discussion.
Although others had no evidence, it was no problem for them to spread gossip.
Wang Yue had originally intended not to disturb his Senior Brother’s Dao Heart before the battle, but at this moment, he couldn't help but let slip.
“What an unruly fellow. Dan Sect was one thing, but to be like this even at Lingjian Mountain, does he really intend to shame our Tianshu Academy completely?”
“He went to challenge their Sword Forest and made such a laughingstock of himself. Even if Senior Sister He and I win the Asked the Dao battle afterward, Lingjian Mountain will definitely use this to mock us. What glory can Tianshu Academy still have!”
Wang Yue and Fang Linchao exchanged glances, their brows also furrowing.
What Senior Brother You said was indeed true.
They originally only needed to win the Asked the Dao battle and then descend the mountain, which would have been enough to regain face for Tianshu Academy, and Great Xia Holy Sect would still reign supreme.
But that Ji You insisted on being reckless and causing trouble at this moment, resulting in him becoming a laughingstock.
Even if Senior Sister He and Senior Brother You win today and tomorrow’s Asked the Dao battles, this glory will inevitably be greatly diminished.
“I finally understand why Master's Courtyard has always targeted Ji You.”
“Even if we temporarily set aside the factor of the Chu family, that Ji You has no sense of glory as a Disciple of Tianshu Academy at all!”
“This person will definitely be a disaster if he stays in Tianshu Academy. After the Asked the Dao battle, I will definitely petition my aunt to expel him from the sect!”
You Buyu said sternly, the part of the bamboo chopstick he was holding already crumbled into powder.
He had always found Ji You displeasing, especially Yuan Caiwei’s vastly different attitude towards the two of them, which made him deeply disgusted. Now, hearing these rumors, he felt a surge of malicious anger.
At the table behind them, Wen Zhengxin and Pei Ruyi watched them for a long time, then turned back to their own table.
“Did Junior Brother really go to challenge Lingjian Mountain’s Sword Forest?”
Ban Yangshu, holding his porridge bowl, nodded: “This matter was already widely spread last night; only a few people don't know about it.”
Pei Ruyi lowered her voice: “Junior Brother Ji had been muttering about wanting to learn swords before he came. I’m not surprised he went to the Sword Forest, but why did he use sixteen swords?”
“Lingjian Mountain Disciples begin learning swords upon entry. What’s strange about some being faster? Junior Brother Ji’s sword was taught by Old Wang, and it’s not the Righteous Path to begin with. What’s strange about needing a few more tries to get used to it?”
“But Junior Brother should know that even if he passes through the Sword Forest, Tianjian Peak won’t teach him—”
“Junior Brother previously said he was observing swords to comprehend the Dao, so perhaps he doesn’t need teaching, but have you ever heard of such a thing before?”
Ban Yangshu shook his head: “If the Sword Dao could truly be learned so easily, Lingjian Mountain’s swords would have long spread throughout the world…”
Bai Rulong drank his thin porridge, not participating in the small talk, but his expression was somewhat grim.
After arriving on the mountain yesterday morning, he rested for a bit and then planned to find Brother Ji at Lingjian Mountain.
However, as soon as he reached the outside of Brother Ji’s courtyard, he noticed that someone seemed to be guarding the mountain path, and sounds of fighting and cries of pain came from Brother Ji’s room.
He suspected that Brother Ji was forced to go to the Sword Forest to be humiliated.
Only he knew this truth.
After breakfast, He Lingxiu, who had been silent throughout, rose with her sword. The other Disciples exchanged glances and followed her out the door.
At this moment, at Lingjian Mountain’s Wangxian Terrace, the Disciples of Asked the Dao Sect, Mountain and Sea Pavilion, and Lingjian Mountain had already gathered, a sea of people as far as the eye could see.
Aside from the Disciples of these three sects, there were also outer sect representatives from Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion, Chen Clan, and their Tianshu Academy seated in the corners.
Due to their small numbers, they would be hard to spot without a close look.
And on the opposite mountainside cliff, the Head of Mountain and Sea Pavilion, the personal Dao Protector Venerable of Asked the Dao Sect, and several Elders of Lingjian Mountain were already seated.
However, what made the Tianshu Academy Disciples frown the most was that besides these people, there was another group on the right side of the high cliff.
Sitting in front was a young man with azure demon eyes and faint scale patterns on his neck near the collar. Behind him followed a burly middle-aged man with short horns on his head, carrying a silver spear.
Although the Yao Race entered the human territory for trade, everyone knew their true intention was the Human Race’s Dao Lineage.
However, the outward spread of Dan Sect’s Dan Dao had shrouded the Dao Lineage matter in mystery, causing the Yao Race not to act rashly.
Besides the Dao Lineage, what interested the Yao Race most was the true strength of the Human Race.
Previously, cultivators from the Azure Cloud Continent had seen a carriage pulled by exotic beasts heading towards Qingzhou, circling near the Chen Clan, seemingly intending to observe the battle.
But the people from Mountain and Sea Pavilion and the Tianjian Peak lineage of Lingjian Mountain were invited up the mountain. No one knew what compromises were made, and they didn't even know whether Sect Master Chen Ruhai had truly died. In short, no war broke out.
Thus, after some twists and turns, the carriage pulled by exotic beasts arrived in Lingzhou.
And compared to the bustling crowds at Wangxian Terrace, the Sword Forest at this moment was utterly silent.
Perhaps because the Disciples of Mountain and Sea Pavilion and Asked the Dao Sect had already figured it out, Elder Qi's Sword Forest would likely not be conquered without a full month of effort, so their desire lessened significantly.
As for the Disciples of Lingjian Mountain, they felt there was still plenty of time and were not in a hurry, preferring instead to watch the excitement of Tianshu Academy's Asked the Dao battle.
Thus, in this quiet bamboo forest, only a white-clad swordsman, who had come from the mountain path, remained. He held an iron sword and walked into the forest.
Last night, he roasted sweet potatoes with the little Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain, just like in his room at Tianshu Academy in winter, but... he didn't get to hug her.
The main reason was that after eating the roasted sweet potatoes, Yan Shuyi subtly dismissed Zhuo Wanqiu and Ding Yao.
Ji You, unable to keep his mouth shut, asked her if she wanted a hug, originally intending to see her reaction. However, the little Master Jian met him with two kicks from her tender feet, then left with Killing Intent.
Actually, he shouldn't have brought it up. The last time he hugged her, she pretended not to notice.
Although she trembled slightly at first while sitting in his arms, she later became increasingly docile, as if pretending nothing had happened.
But now that he had brought it up, hugging her in the future would likely be extremely difficult.
Ji You regretfully reached out to grasp his sword, muttering as he walked into the forest and entered the second layer of the forest.
This place was also empty, but all around were scattered medicine bottles, likely left by Disciples who had previously come to break the sword formation.
“They really have no public morality—”
“Don’t they know that Lingjian Mountain is our home, and cleanliness depends on everyone?”
Ji You tidied up the medicine bottles, then carried his sword into the depths of the second layer of the forest.
Just then, the previously silent forest began to roar with Sword Dao, and Killing Intent instantly surged.
He took a deep breath and stepped forward, hearing clanging sounds all around him. Sharp Sword Qi instantly assailed him, making his expression solemn.
Yuuu—Ji You advanced with his sword, his iron sword fiercely colliding with the Sword Qi of the second layer of the Sword Forest, charging forward with surging Spiritual Qi. Sword waves surged with every step.
Amidst clangs, a fierce Sword Qi pressed down from above, blocked by the iron sword.
The subsequent second Sword Qi struck directly at his back, which Ji You parried by turning his body, sweeping it away with a direct sword strike. His entire body’s Qi and blood surged continuously due to the fierceness within the Sword Qi.
“The Killing Intent within this Sword Dao is a bit too heavy.”
“Isn’t it meant to train Lingjian Mountain Disciples? How can it show no mercy at all—”
Ji You swept away the Sword Qi, standing in the deep green bamboo forest, frowning slightly.
The Sword Intent within the Sword Qi can reflect the Dao Heart. The state of mind of the wielder determines the nature of their Sword Intent.
From the first layer of the forest to the second, all he felt was Elder Qi’s desire to kill.
Ji You didn't think much further, then swung his sword and continued forward, and again, Sword Dao surged from all directions.
He gripped his long sword tightly, constantly changing his sword forms as he dodged and moved, battling the Sword Qi in the forest. The Sword Intent of the second layer was indeed powerful; even just a few direct sword strikes made him feel pressured, requiring him to wield his sword with abundant Spiritual Qi.
His Spiritual Qi was much more abundant than that of ordinary people, yet he still felt pressure. No wonder those Tong Xuan Realm cultivators who entered this place were trapped for so long.
Elder Yan Ye of Tianjian Peak once said that he didn't have enough time and might not see 【Willow Color New】.
But what she didn't know was that Ji You’s Spiritual Qi volume far exceeded that of ordinary people.
With a whoosh, Ji You drew his sword as if from water, walking into the center of the second layer of the forest against the vast Sword Qi.
He had always faced enemies with multiple swords; it was true that people said he took shortcuts. At this moment, capturing the sword strike feedback with a single sword, he increasingly marveled at the subtlety of the Spiritual Sword Mountain Sword Dao.
That Elder Qi truly deserved to be a cultivator who had spent his entire life immersed in the sword.
Buzz—Ji You vibrated his sword and turned back, the sword whistling through the forest. His sword forms connected continuously, forming a sword circle with continuous fierce slashes amidst parries.
In one hour, he only advanced five zhang, his full chest heaving violently, and hot air steaming as his Qi and blood surged.
At this moment, Ji You already felt a powerful Sword Intent brewing deep within the bamboo forest, seemingly waiting for him.
Starting to get excited—
Ji You immediately carried his sword and went forth. Countless Sword Dao flew at him, the surging winds making his white robe dance wildly, then suddenly cut down by his iron sword.
Faster!
Even faster!
Ji You continuously wielded his sword, simultaneously unleashing the Qi apertures around his body, constantly inhaling and exhaling Spiritual Qi. Facing the fierce Sword Dao, his own Sword Intent also began to boil, soaring into the sky, startling the wind and rain.
Clanging sounds echoed incessantly through the forest. Horizontal slashes, circular cuts, piercing thrusts, flying parries—countless Sword Qi imbued with Killing Intent were cut down by his blade.
Then, a clear sword hum rose from the forest, and Ji You saw an incredibly sharp sword rising into the air.
The guardian sword of the second layer of the Sword Forest, Willow Color New.
Compared to the previous heavy and vast 【Xiao Chong Shan】 full of suppressive intent, 【Willow Color New】 released an extreme sharpness.
This sharpness made Ji You feel a shiver at this moment, deeply feeling that even a gentle touch like a breeze caressing a willow would be completely cut off.
At this moment, surging Spiritual Qi burst from his hand, enveloping the entire sword body.
Ji You carried his long sword towards the 【Willow Color New】, then directly met it with a horizontal sword.
Most Sword Dao in the world sought sharpness, but the sword he wielded towards 【Willow Color New】 at this moment was extremely blunt, extremely heavy, as heavy and blunt as a mighty mountain.
Thus, opposing Sword Qi fiercely collided in an instant, and the wildly dancing Qi continuously spread through the forest, expanding into ripples like pebbles thrown into a lake.
Rising, gathering, falling; rising, gathering, falling.
Ji You’s Sword Intent roared continuously, and five swords had already risen consecutively within the bamboo forest.
If not for the abundant Spiritual Qi enveloping the sword body, Ji You had no doubt that he, along with the iron sword in his hand, would be cut to pieces—