Chapter 112: On Lingjian Mountain
Each major Realm of the Upper Five Realms exerts a powerful oppressive force on those in lower Realms, which stems from the depth of their comprehension of the Heavenly Dao.
You Buyu, as a Personal Disciple of the Palace Master, reaching the Rongdao Realm at such a young age, was actually considered a heaven-sent genius.
He was still very young, with sufficient Lifespan, and infinite possibilities.
But at this moment, the Aura from outside the door made him clearly feel that he couldn't win.
Because that Aura made him feel as if countless sharp swords hung above his head, Killing Intent overflowing, as if he would be decapitated the next second.
Could it be that someone from Lingjian Mountain wanted to kill him under the cover of night?
No, impossible.
Tianshu Academy Disciples came to Asked the Dao in an open and honorable manner; Lingjian Mountain wouldn't be so foolish as to kill them at the foot of the mountain without even giving them a chance to ascend.
But if not, how could such a high-Realm expert arrive at this inn, which had been booked by Tianshu Academy, tonight?
"May I ask, who is Senior?"
"Could it be a Lingjian Mountain Elder, afraid that Zhuang You wouldn't win against me, so they secretly made a move at night?"
"Senior, do you know that if such an act were to spread, Lingjian Mountain would surely be ridiculed by fellow Daoists across the world!"
You Buyu crawled up from the ground, gasping, and asked in an icy voice.
Lingzhou, backed by Xuán Hǎi, was shrouded in mist, and at this moment, the bright moon appeared through the gaps in the clouds, casting a tall, graceful silhouette onto the door, flickering between light and dark.
Seeing this, You Buyu was stunned.
The silhouette indicated that the person at the door was a woman, and seemingly a young woman.
A possibility flashed through his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.
It couldn't be the Young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain; even if I am a Personal Disciple of the Tianshu Academy Palace Master, it's probably not worth her personally coming here under the cover of night.
But after much thought, he couldn't figure out which Elder from Lingjian Mountain it could be.
However, at this moment, that silhouette suddenly disappeared, and the intimidating Aura he felt also dissipated.
You Buyu stood in the room, slightly relieved, but the terror in his eyes had not yet faded.
In the unseen night, a graceful figure had already flown up Xuanjian Peak, then landed on the mist-shrouded Cloud Top Heavenly Palace.
It was already late at night, and the two maids in the palace were almost asleep. Feeling a gust of wind, they immediately sobered up.
"Master Jian, it's so late, where did you go?"
"To show off to the unremarkable Tianshu Academy Disciple."
Yan Shuyi said faintly to the two maids, then thought to herself that showing off was true, and that Tianshu Academy Disciple was so scared he kept calling her Master Jian, but being touched on the foot and being fed pumpkin seeds could be ignored.
As the stars and moon rotated, the night quietly receded, and the first rays of dawn scattered, awakening Nanhua City.
You Buyu emerged from his room, his expression more solemn than usual.
That Aura from last night kept him on high alert all night, so he didn't get much sleep.
He Lingxiu frowned slightly upon seeing him: "What's wrong, *Shixiong* You? Why is your expression even more tense than in previous days?"
"It seems that Zhuang You is definitely not as good as me."
"?"
You Buyu lowered his voice and said: "Last night, as I was Cultivating in my room, a master suddenly attacked, trying to ambush me under the cover of night."
"Someone attacked you last night?" He Lingxiu was greatly alarmed.
"Indeed, fortunately, I acted quickly and managed to scare that person away. But this is enough to show that the people of Lingjian Mountain lack confidence and have resorted to such underhanded tactics."
You Buyu finished speaking and raised the corner of his mouth: "It seems that in this battle, I don't need to be so cautious; I just need to unleash my Sword Intent with full force."
As his words fell, footsteps came from outside the inn. The Disciple who had been sent out to observe the mountain returned with news: the mist on the mountainside of Lingjian Mountain had dispersed, and the climbing path was now in sight.
The Seven Great Immortal Sects of Qingyun World all have protective formations, which are usually half-open, using mist as a cover. Now that the mist has dispersed, it signifies that their mountain gate formations have opened.
Ji You, Ban Yangshu, Wen Zhengxin, and Pei Ruyi also came down from upstairs at this time, and saw that the Tianshu Academy group was already ready to depart.
Then, facing the morning sun, they went out and ascended the mountain path of Lingjian Mountain.
This place was full of perilous peaks, and only upon reaching the mountainside could one see a magnificent mountain gate, in front of which cultivators had already gathered.
Most of them were Lingjian Mountain Disciples, their faces showing vigilance as they looked at them, some even openly circulating their Spirit Origin, pushing their Sword Intent to the extreme.
The other part consisted of Disciples from Asked the Dao Sect and Mountain and Sea Pavilion, scattered around the Lingjian Mountain Disciples.
There was no personal enmity between Mountain and Sea Pavilion and Tianshu Academy, and most of their Disciples wore expressions of watching a show.
However, Asked the Dao Sect had grim expressions, their gazes all focused around Ji You, among whom Min Cheng was also present, remembering yesterday's events and feeling somewhat murderous.
"*Shidi* Ji insisting on going up the mountain was indeed not a wise choice."
Ban Yangshu looked at the eyes of the Asked the Dao Sect Disciples, and couldn't help but feel a little worried: "Last night, You Buyu was Cultivating in his room, and it is said he almost suffered an ambush."
Ji You looked at him upon hearing this: "What ambush?"
"You don't know yet? He said Lingjian Mountain was worried that Zhuang You would lose, so last night, a master came for him under the cover of night, but he managed to scare them away with his quick thinking."
"No wonder he lives so happily."
At this moment, Ji You's gaze drifted, looking around, and he recognized a few familiar faces, all of whom he had exchanged swords with in the ruins.
At that time, the Evil Qi in the ruins was vast, suppressing many people so that they could hardly circulate their Spirit Origin, which gave Ji You the upper hand.
But seeing them again now, these people's cultivation was indeed not low.
Among them were two Rongdao Realm cultivators from Asked the Dao Sect, who had fully unleashed their Aura, making him, a Tong Xuan Realm cultivator, feel immense pressure.
But since they had already come, there was no reason for Lingjian Mountain not to ascend; he was still thinking about the person and the sword.
He had seen the person yesterday, but not the sword yet.
Yesterday, when he ran into Ding Yao on the street, he heard about Tianjian Peak setting up the Sword Forest, and he already had an idea in his mind; it was impossible for him not to come.
So, under the watchful eyes and boundless Killing Intent, the Tianshu Academy Disciples walked along the mountain, and the interior of Lingjian Mountain was revealed before their eyes.
This place was unlike Tianshu Academy; the terrain had not been heavily modified, preserving the original mountain's ruggedness, but there were many pavilions and towers.
Further ahead was a huge covered bridge, suspended between two cliffs, with a waterfall cascading down from Wenjian Peak in the middle, like a straight, long sword finally plunging into the surging river in the gorge.
There were several waterwheels on the river, turning with the rushing water, and on both sides of the gorge were the residences and training grounds of the Outer Courtyard Disciples, neatly arranged as far as the eye could see.
Then they arrived at a circular area, called Wangjian Platform, facing the sword waterfall that plunged three thousand feet.
At this moment, three people were already waiting for them on Wangjian Platform.
One was the Master-in-charge Elder of Tianjian Peak, named Yan Ye, a direct Bloodline of Lingjian Mountain, wearing a Daoist robe, his gaze arrogant.
The other two were not strangers: Zhuo Wanqiu, whom he had encountered multiple times in the ruins, and Ding Yao, who had ordered the siege on them that day.
Tianshu Academy came to Asked the Dao, so naturally, there would be no Sect Master or Master Jian present to greet them with smiles, unlike yesterday.
Yan Ye represented Tianjian Peak, while Zhuo Wanqiu and Ding Yao represented Xuanjian Peak. Wenjian Peak, having no Personal Disciple participating and having been in decline for many years, did not come forward to get involved in this matter.
"The matter of the ruins was originally for immortal opportunities, it was a life-and-death struggle, each relying on their own abilities."
"But Tianshu Academy thinks our Disciples' sword attacks were unreasonable. If that's the case, we accept the Asked the Dao challenge."
"Tomorrow, we will set up a venue on Wangjian Platform. If right and wrong cannot be clearly explained, a three-foot sword in hand will surely clarify justice."
"If your Tianshu Academy wants to dominate the world and make my Lingjian Mountain a foil, then let's see if your swords are qualified."
Yan Ye finished speaking a few words, then looked at Zhuo Wanqiu.
Zhuo Wanqiu raised her eyes at this moment and glanced at Ji You in the crowd: "Everyone has traveled a long way and must be tired. The accommodation during the Asked the Dao period has been arranged on our Xuanjian Peak. Please follow me."
Hearing Zhuo Wanqiu's soft words, Yan Ye couldn't help but frown slightly, thinking, *Are they really treating them as guests with such politeness?*
The personal maid Master Jian changed to, compared to Ding Yao, was indeed much worse.
Furthermore, when they previously discussed arranging accommodation for the Tianshu Academy Disciples who came to Asked the Dao, Tianjian Peak's intention was just to clear out a few Outer Courtyard Disciple dormitories.
But no one knew why Xuanjian Peak had to interfere in this matter and arrange them all on the mountain, which was puzzling.
Subsequently, the group of Disciples ascended the mountain, and saw that the houses on both sides of the valley were suspended on cliffs.
"It seems they're even sorted by name? Strange––––"
Wen Zhengxin and Pei Ruyi conversed in low voices, their hearts filled with confusion.
If Lingjian Mountain was being considerate, they had clearly left them stranded for a night yesterday, and instead invited Disciples from Asked the Dao Sect and Mountain and Sea Pavilion up the mountain.
But if it was rude, they had gone to great lengths over such minor details, which was truly hard to understand.
The following few people were then individually assigned to guest rooms on both sides of the gorge. Wen Zhengxin and Pei Ruyi also got a high-up small room.
However, neither of them entered the room, but watched as Ji You was led to a higher place.
"Why do they have to live so high up? I just saw a guest room not far away."
"I don't know either—"
Pei Ruyi looked up. The enormous Cloud Top Heavenly Palace was on a nearby high peak.
At this moment, Ji You followed Zhuo Wanqiu and Ding Yao to a place near the Heavenly Palace, then was led into a small path leading to a bamboo forest.
In the bamboo forest was a small courtyard, the courtyard gate wide open, and the courtyard was very clean, even furnished with many daily necessities.
For example, teacups, meditation cushions, and chopsticks, all brand new and in pairs.
Ding Yao looked at this small courtyard, frowning, thinking that Master Jian actually arranged him here, then heard Zhuo Wanqiu's voice beside her ear,
"Ji Gongzi, this is your residence. You don't need to draw your sword these next few days, so please rest well. If you need anything, just call me."
"My residence, was it arranged by your Young Master Jian?"
Zhuo Wanqiu shook her head upon hearing this: "No, it was randomly assigned. Master Jian has been diligently Cultivating the Dao these past few days and has never inquired about this matter, not a single word."
Ding Yao stood at the doorway, looking at Zhuo Wanqiu, thinking, *I don't know if Master Jian inquired, but even if she didn't, I guess it wouldn't stop your thoughtfulness.*
To arrange for one person, she went to the trouble of arranging for all the Tianshu Academy Disciples. It was truly painstaking.
However, ever since she learned that Master Jian couldn't even wait a single night and had floated down the mountain to see him last night, she had become a bit more mindful and no longer wished to provoke this person.
Ji You's luggage was all in his storage gourd, so he didn't need to unpack. At this moment, he looked at Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu and asked: "Where is the Sword Forest set up by Tianjian Peak?"
"Sword Forest?"
Zhuo Wanqiu opened her mouth: "Young Master wants to challenge the Sword Forest?"
Ji You nodded: "I want to see the swords of Lingjian Mountain."
He didn't have much time; he only had the opportunity to stay on Lingjian Mountain for these few days of Asked the Dao.
If the Asked the Dao ended, he would also need to leave the mountain with the Tianshu Academy Disciples, and he wouldn't know when he would have the chance to come again.
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