Chapter 171: Feng Province Spectacle
The officials responsible for this diplomatic mission to the Yao Race would naturally not be pro-Immortal factions like Chong Wang and Wei Li, who were full of selfish desires.
Because such people are always unreliable.
And according to Kuang Cheng, these were all officials who had been ostracized from the imperial court by the pro-Immortal faction, subjected to countless suppressions, and later recalled due to the new policies.
Among them was a man named Wang Mingchang, with a head full of white hair, already in his twilight years.
Thirty years ago, he was still the State Prefecture of Yun Province, but dissatisfied with the tax tribute system that caused widespread poverty among his people, he repeatedly submitted memorials and was finally dismissed from office. When he returned home, his right leg was broken, and he endured thirty years of pain and resentment.
There were many other officials like him in the delegation.
Just like Ji You's earlier saying, “Since ancient times, who has not died in life? Let me keep my loyal heart to illuminate the annals of history,” they were fearless in the Face of death.
Some had even been disheartened for a long time.
There were often rumors about Ji You in Shengjing, and although these envoys were Mortals, they had also heard a few stories.
However, from their perspective, it was difficult to trust a Cultivator.
Because in their hearts, Cultivators had always been birds of a feather; this was a deeply ingrained idea caused by a thousand years of the Qingyun World's structure.
At this moment, with cups clinking and the bright moon accompanying them, a grand banquet was held in Hexing City.
On the flower towers and jade palaces of the Worldly Family and prominent families, the Immortal Sect Prodigies, though still appearing indifferent and untainted by the mundane, were actually deeply satisfied with the warm hospitality of the Yun Province Worldly Family.
After all, the Yun Province Worldly Family all relied on the production of Spirit Stones, and their hospitality was varied and of much higher quality than other Nine Provinces; besides strange Immortal delicacies, even the singing and dancing were refreshing.
So they toasted until dawn before gracefully departing.
The Southern Three Sects returned earlier and saw those who had stayed at the inn having their morning meal, followed by the Northern Prodigies who returned one after another.
Afterward, the delegation continued on its journey, as previously planned, detouring to the northwest of Feng Province, where a sense of barrenness immediately enveloped them.
There were no tall cities here, nor any pavilions with upturned eaves; only mud huts and thatched cottages, even the courtyards were made of bundled and stacked dry branches, perhaps more appropriately called fences.
The stark contrast in wealth between the two adjacent regions was indeed a strong shock.
“Yun Province’s rich mineral resources have established its extremely important position among the Nine Provinces. It can be said to be a gift from Heaven. In comparison, Feng Province is truly dispensable.”
“Hmm, that superior Spiritual Wine from yesterday was rare even for me.”
Jiang Yan of Asked the Dao Sect, Jiang Yuerou of Mountain and Sea Pavilion, and Yan Qiubai of Lingjian Mountain were riding in the same carriage at this time, discussing animatedly among themselves.
Cultivators emphasize being detached from worldly things and maintaining a calm and natural demeanor, but they were, after all, women.
When they saw something new, they couldn't help but offer sharp comments.
Jiang Yan now pulled out a Spirit Stone from her sleeve, and with a flick of her Divine Thought, rich and pure Spiritual Qi poured into her body: “Although things are always better from their place of origin, Spirit Stones of this quality must be valuable. This Yun Province Worldly Family is truly generous.”
Yan Qiu Bai chuckled upon hearing this: “Is that all? At the Wang Family banquet yesterday, the direct son of the Wang Family head seemed to have some interest in Sister Yan?”
Jiang Yan curled her lips: “His Realm is ordinary, and his appearance is plain. How dare he even think of it?”
“Sister, is your family not rushing you regarding a Dao Companion?”
“I have been asked, but I have requirements for appearance. After all, during Dual Cultivation, one must at least be presentable, otherwise, there would be no interest at all.”
Continuous reproduction is the main theme of Worldly Family development, and this applies even to Worldly Family Disciples.
Whether it's forming Alliances or giving birth to more talented offspring, it's a proper task for both men and women.
Jiang Yuerou spoke up at this moment: “I remember there was someone in the convoy with a very good appearance.”
“Who?”
“That Tong Xuan Realm Cultivator, I think his name is Ji You. I’ve been in seclusion for too long, and I only learned his name from their conversation last night.”
Yan Qiu Bai instantly recalled that Tong Xuan Realm Cultivator: “Oh, that person. I did take a few extra glances before we set off. He’s indeed not bad.”
Jiang Yan looked at the two of them: “If he has a good appearance, I might be interested, but have you ever heard of a Worldly Family with the surname Ji among the countless Worldly Families in the Qingyun World?”
“?”
“Sister, are you saying this person entered the Sect through a quota?”
Jiang Yan nodded: “That should be the case.”
Yan Qiu Bai opened her mouth: “To be able to Cultivate to the Upper Five Realms through a quota entry, his talent is quite good.”
“But the Tong Xuan Realm is merely the initial Realm of the Upper Five Realms; it’s still a bit weak. If he were a Worldly Family Disciple, it might be considered, but what value can a quota entry have? You can’t just look at appearance; otherwise, wouldn’t it be no different from a secular woman?”
Amidst their discussions, Jiang Yuerou was suddenly drawn by a scene outside the window. She turned her head to look out, and after a while, she couldn't help but say, “Look, something strange.”
Jiang Yan and Yan Qiu Bai, who were conversing, paused slightly, then turned to look, and saw the strangeness Jiang Yuerou spoke of.
Because they were currently traveling along the border between Yun Province and Feng Province, they saw countless wooden spikes forming chevaux de frise blocking the way, stretching endlessly. Wherever there was a road, even a bumpy dirt path, these barriers were present.
The two watched like this, and suddenly noticed a group of shabbily dressed Mortals moving from west to east along a low mountain situated on the border between Feng Province and Yun Province.
Several strong men led the way, with children and women among them, their Faces showing panic.
“What are they—what are they doing?”
“Fleeing?”
Immortals on the mountain rarely cared about the mundane world below, especially Prodigies like them who spent years in seclusion.
Some officials in the carriage also witnessed this scene; they saw those Mortals, after crossing the mountain, suddenly seemed to be relieved, raising their pale Faces towards the rising red sun.
This was the difference in appearance between Yun Province people and Feng Province people.
Feng Province people faced the yellow earth with their backs to the sky, their skin color was basically dark, while Yun Province people were trapped in mine shafts all year round, unable to see the sun.
And there were many more curious things like this along the way.
For example, other vagrants crossing over to this area were caught by the local Yun Province government.
Another example was another group of vagrants, pursued by government runners, but fortunately, they managed to step into Feng Province territory before being caught.
Although those runners were furious, their expressions seemed to turn somewhat envious as they watched the shabbily dressed people walk further and further into the barren land, finally turning and leaving.
Another perplexing sight was about Cultivators, which they saw when passing a village.
Under a willow tree outside the village, a Ninghua Realm Cultivator was using Spiritual Qi to manipulate a thick, black iron drill,
Fiercely plunging it into the ground.
As the iron drill went deeper underground, the upward-rotating protrusions at the edge brought large amounts of mud to the surface.
After a few breaths, the person was exhausted, and another seamlessly took over, drilling deeper.
In a short while, what was pulled up turned into mud.
Upon seeing this, the surrounding farmers knelt down, their heads touching the ground, knocking their foreheads with loud thuds.
Ji You also watched for a long time, then softly said, “Frightening, it’s actually the Magical Artifact Poison Dragon Immortal Drill combined with Sword Dao for excavation.”
Kuang Cheng’s mouth twitched: “Isn’t this just digging a well?”
“That’s its nickname, a common folk term. Immortals never speak like that. A while ago, I had Feng Province State Prefecture compile statistics on uncultivated but fertile land to switch to three-crop cultivation. Irrigation is a big issue, and they are truly blessed.”
“No wonder they need to dig wells.”
“Look, Cultivators like them, they themselves know they have no chance of Ascension, but because they have some cultivation, their distracting thoughts and desires are more numerous than Mortals, requiring more external things to fill the emptiness in their hearts.”
“The saying ‘the Master-in-charge is belligerent, the Disciples are troublesome’ is precisely this principle.”
Ji You calmly looked out the window: “But these external things cannot be obtained when the common people don't even have enough food or money, so we need to provide them with emotional value.”
Kuang Cheng looked out the window for a long time, then couldn't help but ask, “What is emotional value?”
“Greed and vanity are not distinguished by their level; both can bring satisfaction and can, in principle, replace each other.”
“Material things satisfy greed, while praise satisfies vanity. If we don’t give them tax tribute, we must give them applause.”
Ji You muttered: “So-called Personal Disciples are high and mighty, reigning over the world, but I doubt they would be praised as much as these people. You must know, they were originally supposed to be the scraps of this world.”
Kuang Cheng pursed his lips: “Feng Province is going to fully develop agriculture?”
“Feng Province doesn’t have Spirit Stone resources like Yun Province, so this is the only way for now. The common people can live better, and I can earn a bit more. The Disciples of those Immortal Villas also feel deeply satisfied. Let’s stabilize things this way first, and then think about industrial upgrading later.”
“It can still be upgraded?”
Ji You turned to look at him: “Build high walls, accumulate vast stores of grain, reproduce endlessly, and then develop customers. Farming isn’t as fast as plundering.”
Just then, in the second village the carriage passed, Cultivators used Spiritual Qi to manipulate thatch, repairing some dilapidated rooftops.
Yun Province and Central Province both bordered Feng Province. Although the government privately issued decrees prohibiting the common people from fleeing, after several months of exploration, some small smuggling routes had been established.
And these common people who fled here always needed a place to shelter from the wind and rain first.
Kuang Cheng watched for a long time: “What—what kind of Sword Dao is this again?”
Ji You gently shook his head: “This is no longer Sword Dao; this is already within the scope of magical arts. It’s called ‘scattering grass to form a roof.’ That’s what they say outside, after all, when you’re out, your Face is something you earn yourself.”
At this moment, the convoy had followed the northeast of Feng Province and stopped in front of the next village.
Cultivators could go without food, but if the envoys didn’t eat, they certainly wouldn't be able to last until their destination.
Jiang Yan, Yan Qiu Bai, and Jiang Yuerou got out of the carriage together. Because they had previously discussed Ji You, they couldn't help but turn to look back, glancing at the man who was a femme fatale.
But then, a dragging sound of footsteps attracted their attention.
The three turned to look and saw that group of old officials getting out of their carriages and turning towards the back.
Like the Cultivators, they had seen common people fleeing to Feng Province, witnessed the joint excavation, and saw the 'scattering grass to form a roof' during the journey, so they had been silent the whole way. Now, they gently raised their hands, and dozens of them, in unison, bowed deeply.
People from prominent families all went to Cultivate, only the poor would choose to become officials.
Aside from their official positions, they were actually once the lowest-class common people living in this world.
Jiang Yan paused slightly, then turned to look back, discovering that they were bowing to Ji You. This scene made the other Prodigies also unable to help but look over.
Emotional value is indeed terrifying; it can almost make one forget that they are a professional bandit.
If Cao Jinsong were here, his chest would probably explode.
Ji You nodded lightly to them, then turned and went elsewhere, like an arrogant swordsman looking out at the vast Feng Province.
"Ji You?"
"You mean that Tianshu Academy Disciple with extraordinary talent, unparalleled Sword Dao, like a banished Immortal?"
"No, he didn't enter the Sect through a quota."
Among the three Southern Sects, the only one not in secluded cultivation recently was Gongshu Chou.
At this moment, he was sitting by the carriage, looking profound and unfathomable, slowly speaking to Junior Sister Yan Qiubai—
Jiang Yan was currently under a temporarily built tea shed, pondering what she had just seen, when she noticed Yan Qiubai returning from afar, huddling with Jiang Yuerou and talking about something.
Jiang Yan couldn't help but walk over: "What were you chatting about to be so enthusiastic? Have you forgotten that the Dao Heart needs to be as still as water?"
Yan Qiubai looked up at him: "Sister Jiang Yan, I've clarified it. That Ji You didn't enter the Sect through a quota."
"Is there truly a Ji surname among the Worldly Families of Qingyun World?"
"No, he's actually a rustic private cultivator—"
"???"
Jiang Yan was slightly startled, and it took her a long time to react: "Private cultivation is a capital offense; how could he possibly enter an Immortal Sect?"
Yan Qiubai blinked: "It's said that when he was discovered, he hadn't yet reached adulthood, but he was already at Junior Third Realm Completion."
"?!"
Yan Qiubai recounted everything she had heard from Gongshu Chou, saying that a Tianshu Academy Instructor went to recruit and saw Spiritual Qi soaring to the sky.
Jiang Yan, from a Worldly Family, had experienced the cultivation of the Lower Three Realms and had seen young children in her family being guided by elders to awaken their spiritual senses.
During childhood, one's Heart-Nature is unstable. Some who are more foolish might be stuck at the awakening step for years and unable to achieve even a glimmer of spiritual light, requiring the aid of Medicinal Pills and Spirit Stones.
And even if one comes from a Worldly Family with endless resources and countless Medicinal Pills available, cultivating to Junior Third Realm Completion is by no means easy.
So, hearing Yan Qiubai say this, Jiang Yan found it incredibly unbelievable.
That person could actually, through their own efforts, privately Cultivate to the point of being admitted to the academy exceptionally.
She had only ever heard such stories in folk plays.
Jiang Yan was silent for a long time, finally coming back to her senses and saying: "So he's a rustic private cultivator. Doesn't that make him even worse than entering with a quota? Entering with a quota at least means this person comes from an official family or the military, but a rustic private cultivator doesn't even have such a family background."
Yan Qiubai opened her mouth: "But he has a Worldly Family."
"Didn't you say he was a rustic private cultivator?"
"This Ji You originates from Feng Province, right here. Not long ago, he entered the Inner Courtyard and established his own Worldly Family here, and he reduced Feng Province's annual tax tribute to one-tenth, so people from Yun Province and Zhong Province flock here daily, which is the scene we witnessed on this trip…"
Feng Province is barren and has no Worldly Families; this is common knowledge.
But it is also common knowledge that foreign Worldly Family Disciples have established Immortal Villas there, collecting tribute.
Jiang Yan couldn't help but feel confused: "He established a local Worldly Family and controls the tax tribute. Why wouldn't those foreign Immortal Villas stop him?"
"They tried to stop him, and then he killed eighteen Tong Xuan Realm cultivators and even slew one Rongdao Realm cultivator, carrying a pile of heads, covered in blood, he entered the State Prefecture—"
"?!"
Jiang Yan looked at him inexplicably, thinking, *Do you even hear what you're saying?*
Sitting in deep mountains, secluded cultivation for Dao comprehension, they had actually been doing this since childhood.
At least a year, sometimes three to five years; although they would hear some new things every time they emerged from seclusion, they had never heard anything as preposterous as today.
A rustic private cultivator entering the academy was acceptable, but killing countless cultivators of the same Realm and even transcending Realms to kill higher-Realm cultivators was utterly unbelievable to her.
Not to mention that transcending Realms to kill people was beyond imagination, even Ji You's appearance was clearly that of a harmless scholar; how could he be such a 'werewolf'?
But seeing no sign of joking from Yan Qiubai, Jiang Yan turned to look at the figure by the carriage.
Jiang Yuerou looked up at this moment: "I remember now. A year ago, when I briefly came out of seclusion, I did hear various Disciples talking about a rustic private cultivator entering Tianshu Academy. So it was him."
Yan Qiubai nodded.
"That's not right. Chu River, the second son of the Chu family, also entered Tianshu Academy in the same year. His Seven Apertures Exquisite Physique is Innate and close to the Heavenly Dao. That Chu Xian is even a Personal Disciple of Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion. How did Ji You end up entering the Inner Courtyard?"
"In Tianshu Academy's Autumn Tournament, Chu River only fought him once, and both his hands were cut off."
Some people don't look fierce, but they sound very fierce.
It's like they don't look fierce with clothes on, but they're incredibly fierce when they take them off.
From the story told by Yan Qiubai, that jade-faced man actually went against the current, slaying and breaking through all obstacles.
And with Gongshu Chou's generous explanation, Jiang Chenfeng and Huo Hong and others also heard about him, and couldn't help but frown.
Only Xie Chenyu, Chu Butian, Qian Jun and others, as well as Shi Junhao and Xiao Hanyan of Tianshu Academy, showed no reaction.
In the early years of Taiyuan, they did not have long periods of seclusion, especially the latter two, who almost watched Ji You fight his way into the Inner Courtyard.
However, only the matter of Physique inheritance was not mentioned, mainly because Gongshu Chou had never spoken of it.
Because after the Tianshu Academy Autumn Tournament, he was called to Master Jian's Cloud Top Heavenly Palace, and when he descended the mountain, Ding Yao had specifically instructed him on this matter.
However, although he didn't know the reason, Gongshu Chou solved the mystery himself.
Junior Sister Ding Yao must have feelings for Ji You and wanted to pass on her lineage to him herself, otherwise, she wouldn't have avoided Master Jian to specifically instruct him on this matter.
"A Tong Xuan Realm cultivator slaying a Rongdao Realm cultivator, this indeed sounds impressive when said, but it's actually not worth boasting about."
Jiang Chenfeng picked up his teacup: "Those Rongdao Realm cultivators from the Immortal Villas all broke through their Realm by enduring hardship and consuming Medicinal Pills.
Their bodies are already old, so it can be said that they are greatly watered down. It's not really cross-Realm killing. I don't find it particularly surprising."
Jiang Yan looked at her younger cousin: "Rongdao Realm is always higher than Tong Xuan Realm."
"Cousin, you may not know, but when I was in the Tong Xuan Realm, I also defeated a Senior Brother of the Rongdao Realm within the Sect."
"There's such a thing?"
"Cousin, you've been in secluded cultivation for a long time and rarely act. You don't know that in front of us, some fake Rongdao Realm cultivators are actually just stronger Tongxuan Upper Realm cultivators. Using years to refine one's Realm is a truly pathetic thing."
Just as the words fell, a tremendous roar suddenly echoed from the northwest, like thunder erupting.
In an instant, a majestic Qi current, like a bound Dragon breaking free, surged furiously into the sky, piercing through layers of clouds in the blink of an eye.
Following that, flickering flames shot up into the heavens, painting half the sky crimson, magnificent and awe-inspiring.
Upon witnessing this scene, the previous discussion about Ji You came to an abrupt halt.
Everyone couldn't help but look up, even the envoys put down their bowls and chopsticks, their expressions instantly turning serious.
The source of that loud noise was Hantie Pass in the Northern Region. Ji You turned to Kuang Cheng: "You stay here. From here, go southwest, but definitely do not approach Hantie Pass.
If things look bad, run."
"Brother Ji—"
"I'll ensure my safety and try to return safely from the Snow Region. Remember to save up money. It's said there isn't much good food in the Yao Race territory. I'll definitely be very hungry when I return."
Kuang Cheng took a step back after hearing this, bowing deeply: "Brother Ji, have a safe journey."
Ji You nodded slightly, then rose and boarded the carriage.
The Magical Artifacts embedded in the carriage continuously released powerful Qi currents, and the horses pulling the carriage instantly became excited. With spirited neighs, their hooves seemed to gain wind, and they galloped wildly towards the border pass.
As time passed, everyone finally arrived at the border pass.
What appeared before their eyes was a towering, pitch-black city wall, like a slumbering colossal beast, giving off an endless sense of oppression.
This was not a city wall built by ordinary Mortals, but one erected by the contemporary Sages with the combined power of the heavens after the decline of the Ancient Remnant Race. It stretched endlessly, like an insurmountable natural chasm, separating other races from the Nine Provinces for thousands of years.
Before the carriage even reached the foot of the city wall, more than a dozen streams of Spiritual Qi, like arrows released from a bowstring, suddenly rose from the carriage, soaring into the sky and speeding towards the city wall.
Ji You followed closely, his Immortal robe fluttering in the strong wind. After a long while, on the city wall of Luo Yue Pass, he felt a biting cold wind assault his Face.
Looking down as far as the eye could see, there was an endless expanse of mist, shrouding everything, and beneath the mist was a bottomless dark abyss.
At this moment, to the west of Luo Yue Pass, smoke and beacon fires flared everywhere, and the sounds of fighting were constant.
Upon seeing this, Ji You's expression couldn't help but become much more solemn.
This trip to the Yao Race was best undertaken without encountering any barbarian cavalry, so the Immortal Supervisorate had specifically chosen a day when the barbarians had temporarily ceased fighting, hoping they could secretly infiltrate beyond the pass.
Even if they encountered barbarians on the way, it would at least not be fatal.
But no one expected the barbarians to attack so quickly again from the Ten Thousand Mountains.
This meant that if they left the pass now, there would be a high probability of being affected by the war, and they might even encounter barbarian armies.
The money was certainly not wasted; the longevity peach bought by the Master's Courtyard was absolutely worth it. This was truly a matter of risking one's life.
Ji You felt the powerful Aura from afar, and his Sword Intent had already begun to stir slightly.
One could wait for the rain to stop, or for the wind to calm, but the Human Race had little time left to wait.
The Yao Race's attitude was unclear; they neither refused the barbarian envoy's visit to the Snow Region nor did they refuse the Human Race envoy's current visit to the north, which indicated that they were hesitating.
Why they hesitated, or what they wanted, Ji You did not know, because no one could see through the heart of that Yao Emperor.
But what was certain was that the Alliance or non-Alliance rested on his single thought.
Ji You turned his head, looking at the barren land behind him in the fierce west wind, then rose and landed at the foot of the wall.
At this moment, whether it was the envoys, the Yao Race accompanying them north, or the cultivators who had not gone up the wall earlier, all dismounted from their carriages. Seeing him rush over, their eyes were filled with questions.
"What happened outside?"
"Nothing happened, it's very safe, we can depart immediately."
Everyone in the group looked up at the burning long clouds, silent for a long time.
