Under the clouds and mists of Ni Mountain, in a secluded four-sided small building outside the Inner Courtyard.
Qin Rong, Lang Hetong, and Ji Jingyao, the three Masters-in-charge of the Inner Courtyard, sat before their desks, their wide sleeves draped on either side of their wooden chairs, listening intently and with an air of authority to a Disciple's report.
After a long while, the report concluded, and the three exchanged glances.
"With a Rongdao Realm Cultivator present, how was it that none of the eight Disciples were injured or killed?"
Lang Hetong chuckled after hearing this, "Brother Qin, are you perhaps hoping for casualties here?"
Qin Rong gently shook his head, "I don't wish to see casualties; it's just a matter concerning the prestige of my Tianshu Academy, and it must be investigated thoroughly."
Ji Jingyao stroked his long beard, then said after a moment, "Among the eight people attacked this time, three emerged completely unscathed, and two only suffered minor superficial injuries. Let's call them over and ask them first."
"I had the same thought," Qin Rong nodded.
Lu Qingqiu, Lou Siyi, and Sun Zhiqiao were rescued by Ji You the instant they joined the battle.
Bai Rulong and Qian Yunxiao had their necks choked by the Evil Seed, but they were unharmed. Thus, under the gaze of many Outer Courtyard Disciples, they were invited to the Master's Courtyard on the mountain.
"Ji You is a Dual Cultivator of Martial Skill and Dao, and his sword techniques are astonishing..."
"He did this, then this, and then this..."
"After the second sword was parried, that Evil Seed fell into a disadvantage, and then the third sword was even more unexpected..."
"Senior Brother Ban and Senior Brother Ji were on the verge of death at that time; it was this third sword that interrupted the opponent's lightning technique..."
Bai Rulong acted as a stuntman, gesturing on the spot.
Lu Qingqiu, complementing Bai Rulong's hand gestures and movements, described the entire scene she witnessed, leaving the three Masters-in-charge in silence.
"The Immortal Sect's power now dominates the world, leading to a thousand years of peace. Even Dao discussion gatherings like the Snow-Boiling Assembly and Immortal Roam Assembly emphasize stopping before harm. Before this incident, even I believed Martial Skill was inferior."
Qin Rong rolled up his sleeve, "Until this moment, that Outer Courtyard Disciple, a Dual Cultivator of Martial Skill and Dao, demonstrated with an extreme display of control the reason why Martial Skill exists."
Lang Hetong opened his mouth after hearing this, "Martial Dao."
"What?"
"It was once called Martial Dao."
Ji Jingyao did not listen to their discussion; instead, he frowned slightly and said, "Ji You, I seem to have heard that name somewhere before?"
Qin Rong also felt a sense of familiarity upon hearing his words, "I seem to have heard it too."
Lang Hetong burst into laughter, "Isn't this Ji You the one who surpassed the Chu family by a step and was the first to sense the Heavenly Book?"
"That scholar from the countryside?!"
"Precisely."
Qin Rong and Ji Jingyao exchanged glances, their eyes filled with surprise.
A Dual Cultivator of Martial Skill and Dao who not only sensed the Heavenly Book but also used a sword to control the situation across realms to save fellow Cultivators was simply unbelievable.
Lang Hetong stroked his long beard and said, "Although this battle is now clear, who that Rongdao Realm Cultivator was, and why an Evil Seed appeared in Shengjing City, these are the most important questions."
Qin Rong nodded upon hearing this, "Indeed, the Disciples searching the city have not yet sent back any news. Let's first ask the three Disciples who participated in the battle."
"Qi Rui is currently injured and unable to get up, so let's not call him."
Ji Jingyao spoke.
The Ji family of Qingzhou was also a prominent Worldly Family, and Ji Qirui was Ji Jingyao's own nephew.
Qin Rong also said, "Ban Yangshu's injuries are also severe; we'll ask him later."
He had no kinship with Ban Yangshu but had old acquaintances with the Ban family, so he also helped speak up.
Cultivation in Qingyun World was originally a Legacy where earlier Cultivators guided later Cultivators.
However, the "later" in "later Cultivators" did not refer to newcomers but to "descendants," which was something many people misunderstood.
"Then... let's summon that Outer Courtyard Disciple."
"Hmm, since he has fought with the Evil Seed and experienced that Rongdao Realm Cultivator's lightning technique, there must be some details that you and I don't know."
Bai Rulong and Qian Yunxiao immediately became anxious. Ji You was their savior: "Masters-in-charge, Ji You's Divine Thought consumption was too great; he is currently in deep sleep and is not suitable for questioning."
Lu Qingqiu and the other two girls also stepped forward, "Three Masters-in-charge, why don't we wait until he wakes up to ask?"
"With a Tianshu Academy Disciple attacked in Shengjing City, fellow Cultivators across the land have heard about it. If it's not investigated quickly, it will damage the Sect's prestige."
Qin Rong picked up his teacup, "Besides, Divine Thought consumption is not an injury. A few simple questions won't hurt."
Ji Jingyao also nodded after hearing this, looking at a Disciple nearby, "Go to the Outer Courtyard and invite Ji You for questioning."
"Yes, Master-in-charge!"
The Master's Courtyard was independent of the Inner and Outer Courtyards, with the aim of upholding the Holy Sect's prestige, and its actions were quite aggressive.
In their eyes, Ji You was currently just an Outer Courtyard Disciple, of low status, and without a Worldly Family background, so they naturally wouldn't consider too much.
Even if Ji You were to enter the Inner Courtyard in the future, as long as he couldn't become a Personal Disciple of the Five Halls, it wouldn't affect their Master's Courtyard.
Moreover, there were only five halls in the Inner Courtyard, and the Personal Disciple of Jixiang Hall was already decided. Other Inner Courtyard Disciples were all eyeing this spot, and Ji You had no chance.
Their actions were all based on upholding the Holy Sect's prestige, following normal procedures. Although it seemed unfeeling, it would not be criticized.
Witnessing this, Lu Qingqiu, Bai Rulong, and the others felt displeased but also knew they had no say.
Perhaps this was the humility of humble origins; even if one cultivated immortality like Ji You, without a Worldly Family background, one would still encounter injustice.
However, at this moment, the Disciple who had just gone out to invite the person hurried back, but he was alone.
"Three Masters-in-charge, Master, the person couldn't be invited."
Qin Rong noticed he was dirty all over, as if he had been rolling somewhere, so he frowned, "He refused to come?"
The Disciple hesitated for a long while and said, "He is said to be in the meditation room of Bishui Lake Garden, still sleeping. This Disciple did not enter."
"Someone stopped you?"
"It was You Dianzhu (Hall Master You) of Jixiang Hall in the Inner Courtyard. She was sitting outside Ji You's meditation room. When she saw this Disciple come to invite him, Hall Lord Yu told this Disciple to scram."
Qin Rong was silent for a moment after hearing this, "Then... then let him rest well. If there's anything, we can ask when he wakes up."
Ji Jingyao also fell silent for a while after hearing this, "Actually, I had the same intention."
Lu Qingqiu and Bai Rulong were also surprised, not understanding why Ji You, who had only consumed some Divine Thought, would attract a visit from an Inner Courtyard Hall Lord.
However, before the five could ponder further, they were asked to leave.
Inside the Master's Courtyard at this time, Qin Rong pondered for a long time, "Could it be that Ji You is a Disciple valued by Hall Lord Yu?"
Lang Hetong shook his head, "Don't forget, Jixiang Hall already has a Personal Disciple."
...
Undisturbed, Ji You slept for two days, and when he opened his eyes again, it was noon.
Upon waking, he felt refreshed and invigorated, which made him curious.
Previously, to observe the Heavenly Book, he had pushed the potential of his Divine Thought to the extreme, and every morning he woke up with a groggy feeling like a hangover. This time was clearly different.
Just as Ji You was wondering, an old man came in from the outer room, carrying a bowl of water.
The old man wore a white long robe, but it looked a bit loose, more like sleepwear than everyday clothes.
Seeing Ji You awake, the old man walked over, reached out, and took his wrist, lightly feeling his pulse.
"So, you're a doctor..."
"?"
Ji You froze for a moment, then quickly pulled his wrist away from the old man's hand.
He had no Spirit Origin; his Spirit Spring was shattered.
He didn't know if doctors in this world could detect anything, but it was better to be careful.
The old man was slightly startled, then stroked his beard and laughed loudly, "Is your mind still clear?"
"It's alright, I don't feel anything wrong."
"Then there's nothing serious."
Ji You nodded after hearing this, "How is the academy now? Were those three captured yesterday?"
The old man stroked his long beard, narrowing his eyes at him, "I'm just a doctor, how would I know such things?"
"You're right."
"Come, drink some water."
The old man stood up, brought the water from the table, and then looked at the letter he had written to Old Qiu but hadn't sealed yet, "Did you write this letter?"
Ji You took a sip of water; it tasted a little sweet, "Yes, it's to report my safety to my family."
Kuang Cheng became the top scholar; he hopes I become the Master-in-charge. I've inquired, the Master-in-charge hasn't taken any Personal Disciples, but he's over three hundred years old, I might not outlive him...
The old man read this sentence and couldn't help but smack his lips.