Chapter 124: It’s Ji You
“Isn’t that Junior Sister Yan, the direct Disciple of Xuanjian Peak?!”
“Junior Sister Yan flew up bare-chested to sing for you? You’re dreaming, that voice was clearly a man’s!”
“All the Disciples in the Sect came to watch the battle today, so which Disciple is still on the mountain?”
“Junior Brother Huang Hui is on the mountain. He said he didn’t want to watch the battle and went to break through the Sword Forest this morning!”
“Huang Hui is only in the Tong Xuan Realm. He couldn’t even take down the ‘Willow Color New’, so how could he have broken through the third layer in half a day? You must be talking in your sleep.”
“Oh, right, there’s also Senior Brother Gongshu. He said watching a battle between opponents of the same Realm wouldn’t help him much, so he didn’t come to watch yesterday.”
“How could I forget him? So it was Senior Brother Gongshu! That’s great!”
“Is it Senior Brother Gongshu? No, that’s not right. That moving Physical Body doesn’t look like him at all, and the voice isn’t—”
The clouds and mist of Tianjian Peak drifted over, obscuring the figure, but they couldn’t stop the Lingjian Mountain Disciples on Wangjian Platform from discussing animatedly.
The noisy voices rose and fell, and the scope of their discussion was even wider than when Zhuang You had just cut down You Buyu with a single sword.
But what was strange was that the expressions of some high-Realm Disciples and the Elders on the high platform were all extremely displeased.
They seemed to have seen something but didn’t want to say it.
During this time, several young Disciples who intended to go up the mountain to observe were driven back by the Tianjian Peak Elder who arrived first.
This reaction instantly made many people feel strange, thinking that someone being the first to break through the Sword Forest should be a good thing.
Why would it be so hidden?
Yes, Gongshu Chou being a step ahead of Xuanjian Peak’s direct Disciple might cause them to lose some face, but it also suited Tianjian Peak’s wishes.
What is the meaning of keeping it a secret now?
The Lingjian Mountain Disciples discussed endlessly, while the Asked the Dao Sect and Mountain and Sea Pavilion Disciples also began to whisper.
Meanwhile, on Tianjian Peak, which everyone was looking at but couldn’t see through.
Six of the seven Dragon-like swords that encircled it were now all broken, scattered on the rugged mountain path behind the Sword Forest, with only the one held in hand still relatively straight.
However, although the sword body was straight, its blade was already curled, clearly unusable.
“What a huge loss…”
Ji You murmured softly, then felt a rush of heat flow down his arm, only to realize his shoulder had been split open by Sword Qi.
Blood was now flowing from his sword-holding hand, dripping down the sword body and onto the ground, mixing with the dust on the cliff to form beads.
“Si Wu Xie” truly lived up to its name as the strongest killing move in the Sword Forest, so pure that its Sword Intent contained only the thought of severing everything.
If it weren’t for the addition of the “Xiao Chong Shan,” “Willow Color New,” and “Gui Qu Lai” Sword Intents when he finally struck, even his hardened Physical Body, having undergone ten minor illuminations, would have found it difficult to withstand this sword.
However, although difficult, he ultimately withstood it. It’s just a pity that there wasn’t enough time, and he couldn’t slowly grind down that purest killing sword, “Si Wu Xie.”
“I should first master these three swords. Once I make a name for myself with them, I’ll claim that Lingjian Mountain plagiarized me and force them to teach me the remaining swords—”
“Damn, am I a Genius?”
At this moment, Yan Ye, Yan Qingchi, and Yan Shujing had already chased out from the forest and stood on the high cliff, their ears still filled with that half-sung, half-spoken, impromptu opening, with lyrics that weren’t quite neat, their eyes busy.
Lingjian Mountain had accepted countless Disciples over the years, each with different natural aptitudes.
Some had good bones, some had excellent Dao nature, and some, though clumsy, were pure.
But in every generation of Disciples, there were always some who were greatly favored, often praised by the Sect Elders, saying that swords and youths were indeed a perfect match, and that their spirit, Qi, and essence were like Sword Qi.
In fact, this statement was originally made by an Old Ancestor who loved swords, praising a direct Disciple of the Sword Dao for his transparent Sword Heart. Later generations often adapted it.
However, many people felt that this statement was exaggerated, believing that there was no spirit, Qi, and essence like Sword Qi.
Until this moment, they personally watched this Tianshu Academy student break through “Si Wu Xie” and sing while suspended in the sky.
They seemed to truly understand why swords and youths were such a perfect match, and what true youthful heroism and a clear Sword Heart meant.
“Junior Ji You, here to embarrass Tianshu Academy.”
“The world says he’s a born Lingjian Mountain Disciple.”
“He was born at the wrong time, and in the wrong place.”
“I can only observe swords up to this point, but I haven’t tried forcing my way through.”
Looking at that full and majestic back, and the still-unscattered blazing Qi, the three’s ears continued to echo with the previous conversation.
But at this moment, a female Lingjian Mountain sword robe suddenly came fluttering from the distant sky, landing on his shoulder, and a refreshing, faint fragrance wafted with the wind.
“?”
“Whose clothes—”
The defined Physical Body was covered, causing Yan Ye and Yan Shujing, being women, to instinctively furrow their brows, their expressions turning very displeased.
And in that instant, a strong aura suddenly emanated from the depths of Tianjian Peak, directly stopping the howling mountain wind.
Before Ji You could react, he was struck down from mid-air and instantly swept away, directly pulled into a mansion within the deep mountain clouds and mist.
Following closely behind was a leaping, graceful figure, wearing a glazed immortal crown, chasing through the air, but still a step too slow.
Watching this scene, Yan Ye suddenly came to her senses, her expression becoming very serious.
Tianshu Academy came to Lingjian Mountain to Ask the Dao, suffering two losses in two battles. This should have been something that boosted Lingjian Mountain’s prestige.
But who knew that at this critical juncture, a Tianshu Academy Disciple broke through the Sword Forest one step ahead of Xuanjian Peak’s direct Disciple—
Most importantly, that Tianshu Academy Disciple was only in the Tong Xuan Realm—
Now, the people from Asked the Dao Sect and Mountain and Sea Pavilion were at the foot of the mountain. This was originally a stage set by Tianjian Peak for themselves, but now an unexpected play had been performed.
Meanwhile, outside the second layer of the forest, Wen Zhengxin, Pei Ruyi, Ban Yangshu, and Bai Rulong were suddenly forced back onto the mountain path by Lingjian Mountain Elders holding swords.
These sword-wielding Elders had no murderous intent; they simply wouldn’t allow them to approach again.
The four were utterly bewildered, not knowing what had happened, but unwilling to leave without finding Ji You, so they could only wait there.
At this time, more people passed by the Sword Forest, but instead of entering the forest, they went around it to the back mountain.
Looking at the people coming and going, Ding Yao and Huang Hui could only look around blankly at this moment.
“That Sword Qi just now?”
“Someone must have broken through the Sword Forest, and the Sword Qi leaked out.”
Ding Yao watched the Elders pass by, unable to help but blink her eyes slightly: “Who is in the fourth layer?”
Huang Hui folded his arms: “Your Xuanjian Peak’s direct Disciple, Junior Sister Yan Shujing.”
“No wonder so many people went up the mountain. This is indeed a joyous occasion. I just wonder what happened at the foot of the mountain. I heard Senior Brother Zhuang’s sword chant seems to have stopped, so he should have won too.”
The sword chant on Wangjian Platform had indeed stopped. Ding Yao didn’t know the result and wanted to go see, but didn’t dare to leave.
She was originally arranged by Master Jian to personally serve Ji You. Master Jian had already been here, so she couldn’t go down the mountain on her own.
However, based on the first battle, Zhuang You defeating You Buyu was almost a foregone conclusion.
But looking at the hurried figures coming and going, and their furrowed brows, Ding Yao mumbled, thinking that something unexpected might have happened in the competition at the foot of the mountain.
No sooner had she spoken than a Yan-surname Elder from Xuanjian Peak also ascended the mountain. This Elder had just been sitting on the peak of Wangjian Platform, which made Ding Yao’s eyes light up.
“Elder Ru, may I ask about the result of the Asked the Dao at the foot of the mountain?”
“Tianshu Academy lost. That Palace Master’s direct Disciple fell into a coma and has now been carried back to the Academy.”
“It really was us who won—”
Ding Yao instantly breathed a sigh of relief, the corners of her mouth immediately curving upward.
But since Lingjian Mountain had won both battles, why did these Elders’ faces show no joy at all?
Instead, they seemed a bit strange.
She kept pondering, her gaze alertly shifting to the side. Before long, she heard a rustling of footsteps coming from the forest.
Since the end of the first Asked the Dao battle at noon, this was the first time someone had come out of the forest, rather than walking into it.
Ding Yao looked up and saw Yan Shujing walking out, followed by a thoughtful Gongshu Chou.
“Ding Yao of Xuanjian Peak greets Second Young Miss. May I ask if Second Young Miss has seen Elder Yan Ye?”
Yan Shujing came back to her senses and glanced at her: “The Sword Forest has been broken. All the Elders of Tianjian Peak have gone to Elder Qi’s mansion. You don’t need to wait; go down the mountain.”
Ding Yao was slightly stunned after hearing this, and looked at her with some surprise.
“It wasn’t me who broke the forest; it was Ji You of Tianshu Academy.”
Yan Shujing knew what he was wondering about, so she spoke softly, then left without stopping and walked down the mountain. Ding Yao instantly froze in place, her head buzzing for a long time before she looked at Gongshu Chou with a bewildered expression: “Who did Second Young Miss just say… broke the Sword Forest?”
“Ji You.”
Gongshu Chou stood with his hands behind his back: “That man who once sparred with me for several rounds, fighting to a draw, he broke through the Sword Forest with seven swords simultaneously, a step ahead of Junior Sister Yan.”
Before Ding Yao could react, Gongshu Chou descended the mountain and saw Zhuo Wanqiu talking to four Tianshu Academy Disciples, her words making the four look hesitant.
Then Zhuo Wanqiu ascended the mountain, bowed to him, holding a man’s long robe and many Medicinal Pills for healing.
“Has Young Master not come out yet?” Zhuo Wanqiu looked at Ding Yao and asked.
Ding Yao was still reeling from Gongshu Chou’s words and subconsciously looked at him: “What are you doing here?”
Zhuo Wanqiu raised the items in her hand: “Young Master told me earlier that he would break through the Sword Forest with his sword today, and might get injured in the process, so he asked me to prepare some things.”
“Break through the Sword Forest? He’s just in the Tong Xuan Realm. He used sixteen swords to pass ‘Xiao Chong Shan,’ didn’t you see that too?”
“When we were returning after eating the sweet potatoes, Master Jian told me that others used eight swords to take down Xiao Chong Shan, but Young Master might have used sixteen swords to secretly learn Xiao Chong Shan.”
Ding Yao suddenly fell silent, her mind filled with Ji You’s comings and goings on the mountain these past few days.
He never seemed to talk about what happened in the Sword Forest. Every morning, he would go up the mountain with his sword, and when he returned, he would roast sweet potatoes for Master Jian.
Everyone thought that Tianshu Academy’s face would be upheld by He Lingxiu and You Buyu, and that Ji You was merely an undisciplined, self-taught cultivator from the countryside.
When people outside laughed at his sixteen swords, he never responded.
But in the end, He Lingxiu and You Buyu both lost, and it was he who truly upheld the name of Tianshu Academy.
Although Ding Yao knew in her heart that Ji You’s talent, no matter which Sect he was in, would undoubtedly make him a focal point of attention, every time she thought of her own Master Jian, she couldn’t help but look down on him.
Because she always felt that among the men in the world, unless they could inherit the Dao lineage, no matter how talented or brilliant, they were not worthy of Master Jian.
She also felt that Ji You was full of sweet talk, and that Master Jian was temporarily infatuated with his looks.
But now, Ji You, in the Tong Xuan Realm, had broken through the Sword Forest, which made her begin to doubt whether her prejudices were right or wrong.
“Previously in the ruins, he liked to act on his own. Why does he care so much about Tianshu Academy’s face now?”
“Young Master said that Tianshu Academy is too weak, and if this bad reputation plummets even further, even the manor under Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion won’t be able to hold it down. Then he’ll truly have to become a bandit, and if it really turns out that ugly, the two Sects will be sworn enemies in the future, and he’ll never be able to come to Lingjian Mountain again.”