Chapter 98: Body Refining with Spiritual Qi Again
In the bright late spring, Ji You decided to seclude himself.
However, he didn't lock himself in his room, but rather constantly went back and forth between the Wudao Field, the Trial Sword Forest, and his room.
Aside from the occasional female Cultivator passing by his door without wearing a bellyband, which would cause a slight distraction, Ji You truly achieved a clear Dao Heart.
During this period, he had thoroughly observed Wind Movement and Thunder Movement.
These were the most basic and simple techniques that could be comprehended in the Tong Xuan Realm, because both Wind Movement and Thunder Movement were directly perceivable by the Human Race's five senses, and they were the most offensive.
However, the Tong Xuan Realm could only comprehend Laws, but not change them.
For example, after comprehending Wind Dance, one could ride the wind when drawing a sword, but could not change the wind direction at will.
But with summer approaching, he could find the coolest place.
In the leisurely small courtyard, Ji You's eyes were golden, observing the tender leaves unfurling and trembling slightly in the wind, and a sense of peace and ease appeared in his eyes.
“Brother Ji, your lunch is here!”
“Hmm, put it on the stone table. I’ll eat it later.”
Bai Rulong and Qian Yunxiao placed the food they had brought from the Immortal Kitchen on the table, then sat on the folding stools outside his courtyard, continuing their Dao Heart enlightenment.
Tianshu Academy was still spreading rumors about Ji You's Physique being inheritable, so much so that his doorway was almost becoming a tourist attraction.
How could Ji You, who had entered the Dao through banditry, let this opportunity pass? So he started charging an entrance fee.
In the end, Bai Rulong and Qian Yunxiao became his food-fetching attendants, and they even paid for it themselves.
Lu Qingqiu, Lou Siyi, and Sun Qiaozhi had also visited several times, drinking tea in his courtyard. During their visits, they brought three swords, whose quality was higher than the previous ones, and their value was almost comparable to Chu River's sword.
However, because the three were familiar with him, they did not directly express their desire to have a child with him.
But even so, he still felt the covetous gaze of countless fellow Disciples.
A few days ago, a Senior Sister, after dressing up exquisitely, came uninvited, only to be chased into the courtyard by her Dao Companion and dragged back.
“To be honest, I am not valued in my Family, and it is thanks to some cultivation talent that I was favored by Tianshu Academy.”
Bai Rulong looked at Ji You in the courtyard and said, “But I never thought of entering the Inner Courtyard or Immortal Ascension, so even though Brother Ji is dominating, I never envied him much before.”
Qian Yunxiao looked up at him: “Now you envy him, I understand.”
Besides the frequent female visitors, Ji You also received a letter from Dan Sect, signed by Yuan Caiwei.
She had heard about the series of events that occurred after she left and expressed her deep apologies to Ji You. She also said that her matter with You Buyu was only about the good relations between the two Sects, as Dan Sect was not as strong as the other six Immortal Sects, and she could not refuse, but she never had any intention of harming Ji You.
She also said that after their farewell at Tianshu Academy, Yuan Chen had again grown weary of the Dao of alchemy and spent his days dreaming while holding storybooks. She hoped that he, as an older brother-in-Law, could persuade him for her.
The original words in the letter were: “Yuan Chen listens to no one. He spends his days reminiscing about how enjoyable it was with you in the ruins. Since Young Master Ji is his brother-in-Law, could you please help me persuade him?”
Hmm, she must covet my body.
Women generally don't use such blatant hints in letters, especially in terms of address, as writing a letter is not like speaking where one might blurt something out without thinking.
Therefore, every single word must have been carefully considered and deemed appropriate before being written down.
That means the address of 'brother-in-Law' was likely something Yuan Caiwei herself wanted to write.
Especially at the end, she even asked what exactly was going on with the inheritable Physique.
“A femme fatale, Ji Bochang, you truly are a femme fatale!”
Ji You, while eating, slammed the table, his eyes scanning the letter with infinite indignation.
After finishing lunch, the sun had begun to set.
Ji You got up and left Bishui Lake Garden, went to a post station in the city, and sent Yan Shuyi a silver note for a thousand taels to buy her a sword.
He knew that Yan Shuyi, as the Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain, would not lack swords; he just wanted to subtly probe something.
But since he had promised, he couldn't not do it, so he just considered it coaxing her.
After all, when he was going to the ruins, she had also spent a fortune, buying him many things, telling him not to die.
Thinking of this, Ji You felt that his commitment to his word still had some gentlemanly demeanor, and compared to that fellow Kuang Cheng, he was not inferior.
After doing all this, he returned to Tianshu Academy and entered the Trial Sword Forest.
Since he couldn't improve his Sword Dao for now, Ji You turned his attention to the spear. In the afternoon, he madly practiced 'one thrust to the brow, two to the heart, three to the brow, four to the heart... seven to the brow, eight to the heart.' Wang Instructor, holding a teacup, watched from the side, his heart pounding.
“Ji You, stop practicing—”
“Give me money and I'll stop.”
“?”
Ji You, holding his spear, swept and lightly lifted it through the bamboo forest, his blood and Qi surging, Spiritual Qi whistling.
At his Realm, he wouldn't easily feel tired, but he still practiced until he was drenched in sweat and his Qi apertures were clear, making the eyes of many Disciples practicing swords in the forest burn with fervor.
Wang Instructor saw endless longing in their eyes, as if saying, 'Instructor, I want to learn this.'
Cao Jinsong would also often come to the Trial Sword Forest because the Instructor's Courtyard was not far from here, and he would often listen to Wang Instructor's casual remarks.
“Ji You has been much more diligent these past few days. It seems he is still worried about the autumn battle with Chu River.”
Cao Jinsong turned to look at him: “You are wrong. Ji You has never put Chu River in his eyes. The reason he works so hard is because he is inherently diligent. Even when he knew he was being sent to the ruins, he still seized the time to comprehend the heavenly book, but—he couldn't resist beauty.”
Wang Instructor slightly averted his gaze: “The Chu Family's foundation is more profound than imagined, and there are even people from Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion making a move. He doesn't even care about such a person?”
“Your words reminded me. Why have I never quite understood what the Chu Family wants?”
“The Chu Family has no Dao lineage, so it's naturally impossible to tie the entire Family to the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion's ship. Although Chu Xian, as a direct Disciple, is currently in the limelight, he is not of the Xuan Yuan Bloodline, and whether he can control the Xuan Yuan Orb is still undecided. Therefore, the Chu Family has always wanted to push Chu River into the Inner Courtyard, betting on both sides.”
Cao Jinsong looked at Wang Instructor: “What news have you received?”
Wang Instructor put his wooden sword behind his back: “A Palace Master in the Inner Courtyard has decided to accept Chu River as a direct Disciple, so this is not just a matter of an Inner Courtyard spot. For this, the Chu Family will use all their might.”
“So that's what happened. No wonder the Chu Family values him so much and even brought him back home.”
Wang Instructor nodded: “So don't think that because Chu River is one minor Realm lower, Ji You will be absolutely certain of victory. If this anomaly enters the academy next year and avoids Chu River, perhaps he won't have to work so hard.”
Cao Jinsong's brow furrowed slightly: “Who do you think will win?”
“Ji You's talent is extraordinary, his martial arts profound, and he is naturally close to Spiritual Qi. I—I bet on Chu River.”
“No vision!”
Wang Instructor chuckled softly: “Everyone in the academy is saying that Ji You's Physique can be passed down. Even if he doesn't enter the Inner Courtyard, he can establish his own Worldly Family. Conquering the world sometimes isn't done with fists; a good body can also do it.”
As Cao Jinsong listened, his expression suddenly changed: “Ji You is about to finish practicing. I'll retreat first. He said he spent a bit too much these past few days and wants the silver note he gave me back.”
“?”
After Cao Jinsong left, Ji You walked out of the forest, dripping with sweat, and threw down his spear.
Then he returned to the courtyard to clean up, and began to study the circulation of Spiritual Qi.
In the battle on the Ascension White Jade Platform with Sun Bin, it was the first time he allowed Spiritual Qi to overflow in his limbs and bones. After much thought after the battle, he had more ingenious ideas.
The Lower Three Realms were the Body Refining Realm. At that time, Cultivators had not yet condensed Spirit Origin, and Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi could spread throughout the body through the Spiritual Sea, thereby tempering the Physical Body.
But in reality, there was a saying in Qingyun World that the Physical Body's strength should not be too strong.
Because Ascension seemed to require shedding the mortal body, and the Divine Soul would condense an Immortal Body after ascending to the Immortal Realm.
Some said that if the body was too powerful, Ascension would be extremely difficult, making it hard to easily break free from the Physical Body's limitations.
And after Junior Third Realm Completion, with Spirit Origin condensed, Cultivators completely lost the opportunity to refine their bodies with Spiritual Qi.
However, Ji You's Spirit Origin was explosive, so he could still try to temper his Physical Body with Spiritual Qi.
Moreover, he wasn't very interested in Ascension, just as he had refused when his Family sent him abroad back then.
“Try to micro-illuminate again—”
“Damn it, why do I feel like I'm practicing randomly? Will I die if I keep practicing like this?”
Ji You dried his hair, sat on the meditation cushion, and after a long period of contemplation, slowly closed his eyes, opening all the Qi apertures around his body.
The Spiritual Qi gathered by Bi Shui Lake gradually began to flow towards this place, and after entering the explosive Spirit Origin, it started to flow everywhere like a breached river, re-scouring the meridians.
And as the Spiritual Qi gathered, he could already see faint spiritual light emerging during his inner vision.
At this moment, a surge of heat rose from his limbs, beginning to overflow and swell.
But as he continued to micro-illuminate and re-refine his Physique, an uncontrollable tremor began to constantly emerge.
In his Divine Thought's inner vision, Ji You felt that the Spiritual Qi in his body was as full as the sea, constantly surging. So he silently chanted, and the Spiritual Qi began to burn fiercely, spiritual light shining in all directions, overflowing from his body and constantly swaying.
“Brother Ji, your meal.”
“Thank you.”
Qian Yunxiao didn't come today, so Bai Rulong came in carrying the food: “Brother Ji, these past few days—why are you always moaning in the courtyard?”
Ji You glanced at him: “I'm practicing.”
“Oh, oh—”
Ji You sent Bai Rulong away, finished his meal, and continued as before, igniting the spiritual fire to continue refining.
It proved that his idea was not a big problem; he could indeed re-micro-illuminate and temper his Physical Body, but the more times he did it, the more painful it would be.
It was as if each time he had to break and rebuild, accompanied by intense trembling.
However, there were also benefits. Ji You now felt himself hard as a rock!
If this continued, even if he couldn't conquer the world with strength, he could conquer those Worldly Family Young Misses with this good body!
Just then, a flurry of footsteps sounded from outside the courtyard wall, followed by a series of 'thump-thump-thump' knocking sounds.
Ji You restrained his aura, got up, and walked to the door, finding that the visitors were Pei Ruyi, Ban Yangshu, and Wen Zhengxin.
Their eyes met, and the three were somewhat surprised, constantly scrutinizing Ji You, feeling that his blood and Qi were much more vigorous than when they last saw him, as if a great river was surging.
“Senior Brother, Senior Sister, what brings you here?”
“Are you aware of Tianshu Academy's accusation against Lingjian Mountain?”
Ji You picked up the teapot and poured them tea: “I know a little.”
Wen Zhengxin looked at him: “Lingjian Mountain has not responded to this, showing a tendency to look down on our Tianshu Academy. So the Master's Courtyard has arranged a team of Disciples to go to Lingjian Mountain to Ask the Dao.”
The teapot in Ji You's hand paused slightly, and his eyes lifted gently.
He had previously told Yan Shuyi that Tianshu Academy and Lingjian Mountain were far apart, so the possibility of a direct conflict was small.
And Asking the Dao, which meant duels between Disciples, might be the best way.
Pei Ruyi spoke at this moment: “This time, the ones going to Ask the Dao are two direct Disciples of the Inner Courtyard Palace Masters, You Buyu and He Lingxiu. Their opponents are the direct Disciples of Tianjian Peak and Xuanjian Peak.”
“Going to fight the little Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain? Are you crazy?”
“No, the little Master Jian is a direct Disciple of the Sect. Only a direct Disciple of the Sect can make her act. Unfortunately, our Tianshu Academy doesn't have one, which is why You Buyu and He Lingxiu are going, and they will only fight the direct Disciples of the Sword Peak.”
Ban Yangshu now sat on a stone stool: “The Master's Courtyard said that the Disciples who were besieged back then must also go, because we are the parties involved and cannot be bullied without showing our stance. Junior Brother, do you want to go?”
Wen Zhengxin glanced at Ban Yangshu: “I don't recommend you go, because your sword that day made Lingjian Mountain and Asked the Dao Sect lose Face. This trip will be unfavorable for you.”
“Go.”
Pei Ruyi was a little surprised: “You want to go?”
Ji You nodded: “I just broke through a Realm. Old Cao advised me not to be impatient at this time and to stabilize my Realm, so I plan to take this opportunity to see the Sword Dao of Lingjian Mountain.”
Hearing this, Ban Yangshu, Wen Zhengxin, and Pei Ruyi exchanged glances: “You won't go and not come back, will you?”
“Why do you say that?”
Ban Yangshu smacked his lips: “Compared to Tianshu Academy Disciples, everyone actually says you're more like a Lingjian Mountain Disciple, because for Sword Cultivators in Qingyun World, Lingjian Mountain will always be the Holy Land in their hearts.”
Ji You looked at them: “Why do you all think I'm going to run away?”
“You almost ran away last time…”
“I really do want to go to Lingjian Mountain to learn swordsmanship.”
Ban Yangshu glanced at him, thinking that his Junior Brother really didn't treat himself as an outsider.