Chapter 138: Might Lose
Summer vanished in a blink, and a continuous light rain fell upon Shengjing.
Ji You was currently sitting in a teahouse in Chunhua Alley, watching the rain outside, water droplets constantly dripping along the roof tiles.
He had spent the entire summer refining his Physical Body, but even now, it was only his thirteenth minor illumination.
This was because Cultivating beyond the limits was indeed quite difficult for himself.
At this time, not much time remained until the Autumn Tournament.
Cao Jinsong ran to his courtyard every day, giving him many instructions, looking even more nervous than he was.
After all, in his eyes, Ji You was the glory of their Feng Province.
And this thought was not unique to him; the Governor of Feng Province also seemed to think so. Thus, after the Great Heat, the Governor specifically came to Shengjing and met with him through Kuang Cheng's introduction.
The Governor of Feng Province was probably close to fifty years old, speaking with a northern dialect that sounded quite amiable.
His purpose in meeting Ji You was actually consistent with what Pei Ruyi had said: to discuss the matter of Ji You establishing a Worldly Family or Immortal Villa in Feng Province.
The Autumn Tournament was a minor matter for most, but the comings and goings caused more commotion than imagined.
Even Princess Changle, daughter of Chong Wang, sent an invitation through Wei Rui, wanting to invite Ji You to a banquet.
On the eve of autumn's beginning, everything was chaotic. Ji Hanfei only found free time today, intending to attend to his main business.
So he went to the Trial Sword Forest and watched women like Lu Qingqiu dance with swords, glistening with sweat.
Then he took Bai Rulong, who had almost made a nest in the Trial Sword Forest, and robbed him of two taels of silver to drink tea.
“The Autumn Tournament is divided into the Inner Courtyard and the Outer Courtyard; it's not just one event upon entry, but many events simultaneously.”
“For example, those students in the Outer Courtyard who are about to leave the academy will all have a final competition.”
“However, these competitions rarely attract attention, because everyone's focus is basically on the most important one, which is the struggle for Outer Courtyard students to enter the Inner Courtyard.”
“Additionally, the five halls of the Inner Courtyard will also compete with each other at this time of year. The Saint Halls that already have direct Disciples often stop short, while those without direct Disciples compete very seriously, which is actually for that direct Disciple position.”
“Therefore, before the Autumn Tournament begins, many Cultivators come to Shengjing to join the fun, some from Immortal Villas, some from Worldly Families.”
Ban Yangshu also held his teacup at this moment, explaining as if a wheel was turning.
The love for watching people fight is ingrained in the Human Race's genes.
Ji You looked at the horse carriage banners with Family emblems below the city tower: “They love watching fights that much?”
“It's not just about loving to watch fights. Many Worldly Families or Immortal Villas will invite those who are about to leave the academy at this time to serve as Family retainers.”
Pei Ruyi nodded: “I also received invitations from several Immortal Villas back then, but I felt unwilling to leave the academy just like that, so I refused those invitations and joined the Master's Courtyard.”
Wen Zhengxin couldn't help but interject: “It wasn't this many in previous years; at most, there were only a few scattered Worldly Family Disciples. But this year's Autumn Tournament is different, because many people are here to see Chu River, and incidentally, to see you, Junior Brother.”
“The Chu Family is already famous throughout the world. Although they don't have a Dao tradition, they are known as the Eighth Great Immortal Sect.”
“Many people will be interested in the competition of the Chu Family's second son.”
“As for you, Junior Brother, after the incidents at the ruins and the Sword Forest, your appeal might be even greater than that of the Chu Family.”
Ji You turned to look at Bai Rulong: “Actually, Rulong Immortal Emperor could also achieve Profound Transformation before the Autumn Tournament, but he spends his entire day watching female Cultivators dance with swords in the Sword Forest.”
Bai Rulong held his teacup: “Even if I try hard, it's useless. How could I possibly beat you?”
“If Junior Brother Bai were in previous years, diligent effort would have given him a chance to enter the Inner Courtyard, but this year is indeed too difficult.”
Ban Yangshu spoke very pleasantly, comforting Bai Rulong, who had just had his silver robbed to pay for tea.
But his words were not entirely just comfort.
Because if Li Benzheng 1 is along the path of Xiu You,
H
Those who have made a name for themselves may not be without opportunity.
Therefore, being in the right time is also a very important thing for Cultivators.
Ji You looked at the falling rain outside the window and murmured: “To be honest with all Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, I think I might lose to that Chu River this time.”
“?”
Upon hearing this, Wen Zhengxin, Ban Yangshu, and Pei Ruyi all relaxed their expressions.
Even Bai Rulong, who was usually only interested in plump buttocks, couldn't help but turn to look, a hint of disbelief in his eyes.
Although the Chu Family had profound foundations, it couldn't be said for certain that Ji You's entry into the Inner Courtyard was a sure thing until the very end. However, in their opinion, Junior Brother Ji shouldn't be afraid before the battle.
Especially for a Sword Cultivator like him, if his Sword Heart faltered first, his Sword Qi would naturally weaken.
Ban Yangshu couldn't help but lean forward: “Junior Brother, you absolutely must not have such thoughts. No matter how profound the Chu Family's foundations are, they can't possibly let that Chu River directly enter the Rongdao Realm. How can you think you will lose? What exactly happened?”
Ji You turned to look at them: “Some problems have not been resolved until now.”
“What problems? Tell us, and we'll solve them together!” Pei Ruyi blurted out without thinking.
‘My sword was broken on Lingjian Mountain. Later, they only compensated me with one, and it's not very good. Can Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters pool some money for Junior Brother to buy a sword…’
Rulong Immortal Emperor seemed to see through everything, thinking, 'I knew it was something like this.'
Robbing himself of two taels of silver and not putting it in his pocket, and then inviting so many people to drink tea, this was not his style to begin with.
Sure enough, this was about using two taels of silver to leverage more silver.
But Ji You was indeed not lying; he truly had no money to buy a sword.
That day on Lingjian Mountain, Ding Yao kept mocking his behavior of relying on a rich woman, so he took the one Shang Xiyao gave him. But that sword was said to be rare in the world, and it wasn't good to draw it in public.
What's the point of fighting without a sword? Wouldn't he just lose directly?
So, under this drizzling rain, Ban Yangshu and the other two pooled a table full of fragmented silver for Ji You,
And then they all fell silent.
Other Cultivators who wanted to enter the Inner Courtyard would worry about their Realm, methods, and techniques.
But Junior Brother's headache was not having money to buy a sword. This was truly magical; it would make people die of laughter if word got out.
“This—this is barely enough to buy you three swords.”
Pei Ruyi heard Wen Zhengxin speak and couldn't help but shake her head: “No, two.”
Wen Zhengxin looked at her: “Three should be enough, right?”
Chu River's sword must be the best. Not to mention a Sharp Weapon, but it must be a top-grade Spirit Sword. If he bought ordinary swords, they might be cut off on the spot, so two are barely enough, and one is barely enough. Xiu You also looked at the difference (not available).
Pei Ruyi looked up at him: “Perhaps not. His elder complained to me yesterday that you've been in seclusion for the entire month, and he's been paying for all your food and drink. Now he has no money left.”
“Senior Sister underestimates Cao Instructor too much. He has been an Instructor at Tianshu Academy for so many years; how could he not save a single cent?”
“Cao Instructor might not give it to you.”
“Possibly.”
Ji You spoke faintly: “He and Instructor Ma, and Instructor Ding, bet one hundred Spirit Stones. If I lose, my grandpa and I are both finished.”
Upon hearing this, the four people at the tea table suddenly held their breath.
Grandpa and grandson could only scrape together seven swords. Poor people really aren't worthy of entering the Inner Courtyard.
The five of them finished their tea, then opened their oil-paper umbrellas and stepped into the drizzling rain, walking towards Tianshu Academy, intending to witness Cao Instructor's fate with their own eyes.
However, what they didn't expect was that when they returned to Bishui Lake Garden, they saw a Disciple from the Master's Courtyard waiting at the entrance.
They recognized this Master's Courtyard Disciple; he was usually responsible for delivering letters and packages in the courtyard.
In his hands, he was holding seven long swords, each radiating spiritual light. Every one of them was of excellent quality and brand new.
When Ji You saw these swords, he felt a sense of familiarity, because he had seen each sword with his own eyes.
Ban Yangshu, Wen Zhengxin, and Pei Ruyi, who were following behind him, widened their eyes, thinking, 'Who understands Junior Brother's destitution so well that they sent a timely gift at this moment?'
“Junior Brother Ji, your swords, sent from Nanhua City.”
As the words fell, everyone exchanged glances, surprised and with mouths agape, thinking, 'What a supportive fiancée!'
Junior Brother Ji was doing well now; he had truly found a rich woman.
Ji You reached out to take the long swords, his expression also somewhat surprised.
The young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain had gone into seclusion in the middle of last month, and it had been about half a month now. She said she was going to Breakthrough, and told Ji You not to disturb her, finding him noisy.
But in reality, every time she saw Ji You, she wanted a hug, and simply couldn't calm down to comprehend the Dao.
So, beauty is indeed a disaster, and it's no wonder Ji You called himself a femme fatale.
However, Ji You hadn't expected that she would have prepared all these swords in advance and sent them over, having calculated the day precisely.
Meanwhile, Cao Jinsong walked from the Instructor Courtyard, along Bi Shui Lake, to Ji You's courtyard.
He intended to discuss the arrangements for the Autumn Tournament with him.
But before he could speak, he saw the five people standing in front of the courtyard staring at him, their expressions a bit strange.
“What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Instructor, congratulations on getting your life back—
At the same time, in front of the divine path before Ni Mountain, a carriage adorned with pearls and jade drove towards the mountain gate, attracting many gazes from teahouses and taverns.
The carriage was incomparably luxurious; even the canopy was cast from gold, and the carriage enclosure was embroidered with a complete White Day Ascension illustration.
Looking through the curtains hanging from the edge of the canopy, the Chu Family's second son was sitting cross-legged inside as the carriage drove into Tianshu Academy.
There were already Disciples near Tianshu Academy's Ascension White Jade Platform. Hearing the sound, they looked over and saw the carriage slowly stop, and Chu River stepped out.
His expression was somewhat arrogant, and his aura was profound and deep.