Chapter 99: Yao Race Enters the Capital
Although the Seven Great Immortal Sects have operated independently over the years, they have not lacked interaction. Dao discussion events like the Heavenly Dao Conference and the Immortal Wandering Assembly were frequently held, and in their leisure time, cultivators often visited other Sects.
When the Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain first descended the mountain, she also visited the Chen Clan as a Sect Master and was received with the courtesy of the Chen Clan removing their mountain-protecting array.
However, a Dao inquiry is slightly different from these.
A Dao inquiry does not convey friendliness; it is more like a challenge.
Since it is a challenge, there is no need to send a notice in advance; Disciples can be sent directly. There is no need to fear the other party closing their doors, because not receiving them would be an announcement to the world that they are afraid, and no Immortal Sect would dare to lose Face like that, so they will certainly accept the challenge.
“The personal Disciple of Tianjian Peak is named Zhuang You, at the middle stage of Rongdao Realm. The personal Disciple of Xuanjian Peak is named Yan Shujing, at the initial stage of Rongdao Realm.”
“These two are evenly matched with us; before the fight, it’s hard to say who will win or lose. However, since we are proactively challenging them, we can only win, not lose.”
“If we lose, the title of Sacred Sect for Tianshu Academy will truly become a joke.”
In the Inner Courtyard of Tianshu Academy, within a white marble pavilion to the west of the Purple Bamboo Zen Forest, a man and a woman sat opposite each other.
To the west was He Lingxiu, the personal Disciple of Zizai Hall, who was relaying her Master’s words to You Buyu, the personal Disciple of Jixiang Hall, who sat opposite her.
You Buyu picked up a spirit jujube from the plate, put it into his mouth, and said expressionlessly, “The initial stage is not worth my effort. I choose Zhuang You.”
“Senior Brother You is truly confident.”
“I just really want to kill someone, so I want to find someone to take a sword from me.”
You Buyu had been extremely vexed these past few days, and his Killing Intent was very strong.
The Disciples of Jixiang Hall pretended not to see it, but everyone knew why his Killing Intent had arisen.
He Lingxiu smiled faintly and did not decline: “Then I’ll take the easy pick and choose Yan Shujing, who is at the initial stage.”
You Buyu nodded, then spoke again: “From Shengjing City to Ling Province, we will pass through Yong Province. You will accompany me to Dan Sect to meet Young Miss Yuan.”
He Lingxiu was surprised to hear this: “I thought you were just following your elders’ orders. I didn’t expect Senior Brother You to actually like the Eldest Daughter of Dan Sect.”
You Buyu chuckled: “Yuan Caiwei has an excellent appearance and is a fifth-grade boat Master. She is also a good match for me, and with the support of our elders, why wouldn’t I like her?”
“Senior Brother You is truly thoughtful, but—”
Before He Lingxiu could finish, You Buyu raised his hand to stop her from speaking further.
“The grace of saving a life can sometimes blind one’s eyes. It’s also my fault for being too low-key. Normally, I don’t show off in the academy and haven’t deliberately cultivated my domineering aura, which has led people to underestimate me. Once I ascend Dan Mountain as the personal Disciple of the Hall Master, Young Miss Yuan should understand my status.”
“That’s true. We’ve been sitting quietly in the mountains comprehending the Dao, never having fought. The people of Dan Sect probably don’t quite understand how rare people like us are.”
He Lingxiu raised her eyebrows proudly, placing her teacup gently on the stone table.
At their age, those who could cultivate to the Rongdao Realm were already considered one in ten thousand Geniuses, and only those on the same path knew the true value of this achievement.
Dan Sect cultivates the Dao of alchemy, not the Dao of immortality, so they probably couldn’t immediately grasp the glory represented by this cultivation level.
Thinking of this, He Lingxiu suddenly remembered another woman of even more noble status on Lingjian Mountain.
“I wonder if we will be able to meet the rumored Master Jian during this trip to Lingjian Mountain.”
You Buyu raised his eyes, and after careful thought, gently shook his head.
The Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain is a personal Disciple of the Sect, and also a personal Disciple of the Sect who wields a Heavenly Dao Sacred Artifact. To the outside world, she is already considered a Sect Master-level figure.
Their purpose for this trip is to inquire about the Dao. If that Master Jian were to personally attend, it would be giving Tianshu Academy too much Face.
But if Lingjian Mountain were truly so accommodating, there wouldn't be any need for them to go there to inquire about the Dao in the first place.
Less than half a day later, the news that Tianshu Academy was sending its personal Disciples to Lingjian Mountain to inquire about the Dao spread to Shengjing City, outside Ni Mountain.
The Sect representatives stationed in Shengjing City quickly learned of this and immediately sent messages to their respective Sects.
The detail of these messages even specified the names and identities of the Disciples traveling.
This was not because they were well-informed, but because Tianshu Academy deliberately intended it.
Because a challenge, by its nature, needs to be grand and impactful.
Lingjian Mountain soon learned of this through Bai Xi, who was traveling in Shengjing City. Two copies of the list were sent: one to the Sect Master’s palace on Tianjian Peak, and one to the Cloud Top Heavenly Palace on Xuanjian Peak.
“Coming to inquire about the Dao?”
“Heh heh, what audacity.”
“The Seven Great Immortal Sects haven’t fought in a hundred years. Does Tianshu Academy really think it’s number one in the world?”
Inside the Cloud Top Heavenly Palace, Yan Shuyi was leaning back on a Phoenix couch covered in red silk, her two slender, pale legs crossed. Her snow-white skin, flushed with anger, seemed almost to burst forth, and her tone held a chilling coldness.
The two maidservants guarding outside the Heavenly Palace exchanged glances, thinking that Master Jian was truly furious this time.
But not long after, they heard a joyful humming from within the red gauze curtain, which brought a hint of bewilderment to their eyes.
At this moment, Ji You was packing his luggage, having sneezed several times, and then put all the necessary items into his storage gourd.
He had previously said he wanted to go to Lingjian Mountain to learn swordsmanship, but Yan Shuyi had said he would be thrown out with broken legs before even reaching the mountain. He hadn’t expected the opportunity to come so suddenly, and his desire to observe swordsmanship was already stirring.
However, Cao Instructor had some hidden worries about him wanting to go to Lingjian Mountain.
He felt that Ji You was different from Pei Ruyi. Pei Ruyi was the one injured by a Disciple of Lingjian Mountain; her accompanying the two personal Disciples from the Inner Courtyard to Lingjian Mountain was for justice.
But Ji You was the one who had injured a Disciple of Lingjian Mountain, and had even almost killed an Integration Dao Disciple of theirs, crossing realms to do so.
For him to go to Lingjian Mountain, regardless of his purpose, would appear to outsiders as a show of force and arrogance.
Cao Jinsong feared that his casual accompanying of the Dao inquiry would provoke targeting and hostility from Lingjian Mountain Disciples.
However, Ji You was clearly very confident, even lightly raising the corner of his mouth, though for what reason was unclear—
After packing everything, Ji You went down the mountain. In late spring, the temperature in Shengjing City had gradually begun to rise, and the entire city was covered in tender green.
Kuang Cheng heard that he was going to Lingjian Mountain and his gaze softened: “Didn’t you just come back? Why are you going out again?”
“I can’t stay still on the mountain. It’s good to go out for a walk. The situation between the Immortal Sects is very complex right now, and I need to improve my strength as quickly as possible.”
“I see—”
Ji You held his teacup and looked at him, his brow slightly furrowed: “Why do you seem a bit distracted?”
After a long period of thought, Kuang Cheng looked up at him: “Brother Ji, I’m getting promoted, but I don’t know yet what vacancy I’ll be filling.”
“It hasn’t even been a year, and you’re already getting promoted?”
“Although I hold a leisurely position now, I am, after all, a top scholar. A large number of pro-immortal factions around Wei Xiang have fallen, and there are personnel vacancies in the imperial court, so naturally, someone needs to fill them.”
Ji You put down his teacup: “But why don’t I see any joy in you? Instead, you seem to have something on your mind.”
Kuang Cheng was silent for a long time, then finally sighed: “Brother Ji, do you know? Wei Rui, she—she’s actually Wei Li’s granddaughter.”
A scholar who has diligently studied since childhood has always pursued only fame, but when he suddenly encounters a beloved woman, he realizes that the hurdle of a talented man and beautiful woman is also very difficult to overcome.
Kuang Cheng knew from the beginning that Wei Rui must be a Young Miss from a Worldly Family in the capital, but he did not stop himself from falling in love.
First love is always sudden and hard to control.
But just yesterday, on his way home from the Immortal Supervision Department, he saw Wei Rui sharing a carriage with the Princess of Prince Chong’s Mansion. He then asked someone about it and learned this difficult-to-accept answer.
“Even ordinary people could figure out some connection just by her surname. You’re still a top scholar… you’re truly blinded by beauty.”
Kuang Cheng was stunned for a moment: “Did Brother Ji know all along?”
Ji You nodded: “I also suspected she was related to Wei Li, but I hadn’t thought about how to tell you. It’s good that you found out yourself.”
“I didn’t expect a bad bamboo to produce such good shoots—”
“Do scholars always curse people so sharply? Is your mouth poisoned?”
Kuang Cheng clenched his fingers: “Wei Rui is kind-hearted and a good girl, but unfortunately, she was born into the Wei Clan. I am from the Immortal Supervision Department, and my job is to investigate these pro-immortal factions, so it’s not appropriate for me to have further contact with her.”
Ji You clicked his tongue, finding it difficult to comment on Kuang Cheng’s decision, as relationships are a matter between two people and outsiders cannot interfere.
At this moment, a commotion suddenly arose in the city, and then countless commoners looked up at the sky.
Both their thoughts were interrupted, and they couldn't help but look out the door. Just then, those who were doing business along the street scattered in a rush.
Just as the two were wondering, a large black shadow suddenly approached Shengjing City.
As a cultivator, Ji You’s five senses were sharp. Looking into the distance, he saw more than a dozen exotic beasts, with reins attached, coming through the air.
These exotic beasts were covered in scales, had two horns on their heads, and resembled tigers, but also had a pair of large wings behind them, obscuring the sky and sun.
Ji You focused his mind and saw several figures sitting on the exotic beasts, also with horns on their heads. Some even had fine scales on their necks, glinting brightly in the sunlight.
“It’s the Yao Race.”
When the exotic beasts arrived above Chang Sheng Avenue, Kuang Cheng looked up at the sky and murmured, “So this is what the Yao Race looks like.”
Ji You turned to him: “How are you sure these are the Yao Race?”
“The Immortal Supervision Department received a message the day before yesterday saying that the Yao Race wanted to establish trade with the Human Race and would send an envoy to Shengjing City to negotiate with the Great Xia Dynasty. I just remembered it. These people are clearly not of the Human Race, yet they dare to enter the capital so openly, so they must be the Yao Race.”
Mutual trade is what the Yao Race says externally, but according to Yan Shuyi, they learned that the Human Race’s Dao tradition had problems and began to stir in the Nine Provinces.
The Great Xia Dynasty, under the suppression of the Seven Great Immortal Sects, had become extremely weak. The Yao Race entered the Nine Provinces and then came to Shengjing City, seemingly to probe.
“It really is a troubled time.”
Kuang Cheng withdrew his gaze after hearing this: “Brother Ji, do you know that the Town Protector Divine General returned to Beiyuan yesterday?”
Ji You was startled to hear this: “Is Beiyuan going to war again?”
“I was also surprised. The barbarians had just suffered a defeat half a year ago and all retreated to the Ten Thousand Mountains. Logically, they should have recuperated for a few years, but I didn’t expect them to make a comeback so quickly. It’s truly puzzling.”
As Kuang Cheng spoke, he looked out the window again, suddenly widening his eyes: “Brother Ji—”
Under the bright clear sky, the soaring exotic beast suddenly plummeted, and at that moment, a young child was standing beneath its feet, looking up at the scene.
The next second, a surge of Qi swept through the restaurant above, and Ji You had already vanished from his spot, appearing on the long street.
All objects in the world appear larger up close and smaller from a distance. At this moment, as the exotic beast landed, it truly could be described as enormous.