Chapter 209: Tiandao Conference Preliminary Selection
His Physical Body had achieved Integration Dao.
Then, his strength greatly increased; this was the first thought that emerged from Ji You's drained Divine Thought.
If the phrase “hating that the sky has no handle and the earth has no ring” was an exaggeration when he reached Tong Xuan Realm, then this time it was almost true.
He felt that if his current self had been standing on the carriage of the traveling envoy group that day, Soldier King's punch would not have nearly killed him.
In addition, when Ji You clenched his fist just now, he noticed that his bones seemed as hard as iron, and his joints, when moving, gave a full and taut feedback. Even without using Spiritual Qi, he believed he could pierce through anything with a single finger.
Besides these, there was also his Divine Soul.
Previously, during Body Refining, only his body trembled as the spiritual fire burned, but now even his Divine Soul was affected.
That feeling of heaven and earth opening up did not enhance his five senses, but it made his Divine Soul feel a gush of hot current being poured in, seemingly perfectly integrated with his Physical Body.
As a result, he could clearly control the operation of each Qi orifice and precisely know the flow of blood within his body.
It turned out that the Human Race's spirit and soul were not Innately integrated.
Ji You could not help but murmur, suddenly remembering that he had heard someone say that people's control over their bodies was actually far less than one-tenth.
Whether it was internal organs, blood, or bones, people could not control or adjust them independently, but Ji You's Divine Soul now had some connection to them.
His body was automatically integrating in a closer direction, allowing his body to Breakthrough to a stronger form.
Another point was the previous soreness.
The previous twenty-second minor illumination was far less intense and difficult than this twenty-third minor illumination today.
But the soreness left by the twenty-second minor illumination took almost eight hours to disappear.
However, after this higher-intensity minor illumination, he could clearly feel the soreness receding like a tide.
This indicated that the increase in body strength also brought improved recovery speed and resistance.
Ji You panted, sweat constantly dripping from his head, making sizzling sounds on the ground. Most cultivators in Qingyun World were pure Dao cultivators. Even Lingjian Mountain, which primarily focused on Sword Dao and did not attempt to control the four elements, the sky, or force methods, could still be considered a branch of Dao cultivation. They would not exert themselves in Body Refining like him.
And he himself must have been unconsciously influenced by this trend, always prioritizing Dao cultivation,
and supplementing it with Body Refining.
Now, if he switched to prioritizing Body Refining, abandoning Dao cultivation, and only cultivating Divine Thought, he wondered what heights he would reach.
However, since he had already decided, there was no need to worry so much. As long as there was a path, he would walk it.
Just like when he first came to Qingyun World, he also walked dozens of steps before finding a sudden enlightenment.
Uh, Senior Sister Wen is here, right at the door.
After Ji You's perception became clearer, he could even capture Senior Sister Wen's outline standing outside.
But—
He couldn't get up.
As his breathing gradually smoothed out, Ji You felt a wave of fatigue surge through his limbs and bones, and he fell into a deep sleep.
When he opened his eyes again, it was already the hour of Wei (1-3 PM) on the second day. The afternoon sunlight was brilliant, and beams of light continuously spilled into the room through the window sill, with one falling on Ji You's face, illuminating his sword-browed, star-eyed countenance and waking him up.
This sleep was longer than the previous ones, which was not surprising.
Because although he did not continue his Divine Thought flight yesterday, the trembling of his Divine Soul had also consumed a lot of his energy.
Ji You sat up from the bed, dazed for a long time before realizing that he had been covered with a blanket, and his clothes, which had been soaked with sweat yesterday, were also gone.
Right, he had noticed Senior Sister Wen arriving yesterday.
He got out of bed and walked to the main room, where he saw Wen Zhengxin eating porridge. Besides her, there were also Ban Yangshu and Cao Jinsong.
Although Cao Jinsong was an Outer Courtyard Instructor, he could enter the Inner Courtyard; he just usually didn't like to come.
Seeing Ji You come out at this moment, the three of them looked up simultaneously.
“Why are you all here?”
Cao Jinsong's beard twitched: “Your Senior Sister Wen sent a message saying you had fainted in the room, burning hot all over, which scared us into rushing over.”
Ji You sat down on a chair: “I was just doing Body Refining.”
Wen Zhengxin looked at him: “Finished practicing?”
“Finished. Senior Sister, did you return last night?”
Wen Zhengxin nodded, her gaze at him suddenly becoming a bit more complex.
She had changed Ji You's clothes after she returned, but that was not a big deal.
The key issue was that Cao Jinsong and Ban Yangshu had only received her message this morning, and only she had felt that overwhelming sense of pressure last night, feeling as if Mount Tai had collapsed before her eyes.
But Junior Brother was still in the Tong Xuan Realm, and his aura was now contained, showing no abnormalities, no significant difference from other Tong Xuan Realm cultivators.
Ji You opened his mouth: “I was too tired last night. I actually sensed Senior Sister coming back, but I couldn't open my eyes.”
Wen Zhengxin glanced at him: “This Body Refining technique, who exactly did you learn it from?”
“I figured it out myself.”
Hearing this, the three exchanged glances.
After such a long period of observation, they had already realized the extraordinary nature of Ji You's Body Refining technique.
Such a powerful increase in strength was definitely not something ordinary Body Refining techniques in Qingyun World could achieve.
Because those Body Refining techniques were far from reaching Ji You's current formidable level.
He already displayed such terrifying prowess in the Tong Xuan Realm; Cao Jinsong didn't know how strong he would be once he entered the Rongdao Realm.
Ji You stretched a big lazy stretch towards the sunlight outside the door, feeling refreshed.
Wen Zhengxin coughed at this moment: “This—can you only practice it at night?”
Ji You turned his head at the sound: “There's no distinction between night and day, it's just that each time I become completely exhausted,
and my Divine Thought is also consumed to the extreme. If I practice at night, I just go to sleep immediately afterward, and I can do whatever I need to do the next day.
Why does Senior Sister ask this?”
“Nothing, I just suddenly feel you should go back.”
“?”
Wen Zhengxin's ears turned a little red: “It's one thing to eat and drink for free here all day, but at night you make all sorts of strange noises. When I came back this time, why were there strange looks everywhere? I don't want to offend the Dan Sect's daughter.”
Ji You immediately retorted: “Senior Sister, that's not right. I even washed your clothes for you, so how can it be eating and drinking for free?
R
Wen Zhengxin told him to get lost, saying she wouldn't comment on whether he was washing clothes or satisfying his own hobbies.
Although she didn't know what was going on with his state of mind, it seemed to be mostly recovered now, and there was no way he was going to freeload here any longer.
In her courtyard, as a single woman, with his soft groans of pain echoing all day, how was she supposed to maintain her reputation?
On the way here, some people even praised her, saying how amazing she was, and how patient she was. At first, she didn't connect it to anything, but later she understood what they were praising.
Also, every day after Ji You finished practicing, he would fall unconscious, covered in sweat. As his Senior Sister, should she change his clothes or not? If she changed them, should she look or not?
Cao Jinsong and Ban Yangshu exchanged glances, wondering, “What strange noises?”
Wen Zhengxin didn't explain to them and simply kicked all three of them out of the courtyard.
Cao Jinsong stood at the door, looking at Ji You: “What kind of noises was your Senior Sister Wen talking about?”
Ji You mimicked twice: “When I do Body Refining, there's a tearing pain in my body, so I can't help but make sounds.”
“I can understand why your Senior Sister Wen would kick you out—
“For you to make such noises and for her to still keep you for so long, Zhengxin Fairy has truly been benevolent and righteous to the extreme.”
Ji You rubbed his stomach after hearing this: “Instructor, I'm a bit hungry.”
Cao Jinsong narrowed his eyes: “I don't have money to treat you to a restaurant.”
“No need for a restaurant, Immortal Meal Workshop will do.”
“Really?”
“Yes.
Cao Jinsong thought for a moment, thinking that he could afford Immortal Meal Workshop, which was like the Tianshu Academy cafeteria.
But what he hadn't expected was Ji You's appetite at this moment, which completely refreshed his understanding.
“One more serving.”
“This is already the fifth serving!”
Ji You looked at the five empty plates before him: “Still not full.”
Cao Jinsong glanced at him, his mouth twitching: “Evil Disciple, tell me the truth, are you cultivating your stomach?”
“Body Refining is like this.”
Ji You went to ask for another serving, then lowered his head to devour his food.
His current body required a huge amount of heat, which was why his body temperature kept rising.
But the heat within the human body doesn't come from thin air; the best way is through food intake.
Cao Jinsong looked at him and couldn't help but speak: “There's news in the courtyard these past few days that the date for the Tiandao Conference should be set soon.”
Ji You raised his head: “No wonder Senior Sister Wen has been in closed-door cultivation for so long these past few days.”
“Your Senior Sister Wen has her own plans. As for you, you should also consider it. In these few days, quickly seek the Dao with a clear heart, win the Tiandao Conference, and then Breakthrough in the Sage's Wudao Field. With your Aptitude, you should reach the threshold of the Yingtian Realm when you come out.”
Cao Jinsong's face was benevolent: “My Feng Province is actually going to have an Yingtian Realm expert; this is something I never dared to imagine in the past fifty years.”
Ji You's chopsticks paused, and he remained silent for a long time.
Then Cao Jinsong ran off, faster than a rabbit, his plump body displaying an unparalleled lightness in that instant.
It wasn't because of any urgent matter, but simply because Ji You told him he was only half-full at the moment.
Seeing Old Cao transform into an old boy like the wind, Ji You smacked his lips, handed the tray to the window, then turned and went to the Sword Forest, intending to test his fists.
Having crossed the next hurdle in Body Refining, some benefits were clearly perceptible.
But his combat power remained an unknown.
Ji You stepped down the mountain and arrived at the Sword Forest, where he saw Lu Hanyan practicing her sword.
Lu family's Second Miss's basic sword forms were already very proficient. Ji You had arranged for her to practice continuous sword moves a few days ago.
Just like himself back then, she connected and skillfully mastered movements such as point, chop, thrust, scoop, lift, collapse, intercept, slash, wipe, pare,
cloud, and hang, then coordinated them with Spiritual Qi manipulation to form sword moves.
Seeing Ji You approach, Lu Hanyan stopped her sword, then secretly glanced at the wooden sword standing nearby.
Her Elder sister had asked her yesterday how it felt to be spanked by Ji You. She replied that only strict teachers produce excellent students, and if she did something wrong, it was right for Senior Brother Ji to discipline her, and she would not be angry.
Her Elder sister's eyes clearly showed disbelief, and Lu Hanyan immediately retorted, asking if her Elder sister thought she liked it.
In fact, Lu Hanyan genuinely thought she liked this strict teaching method, feeling that Senior Brother Ji taught her very seriously, and she couldn't possibly be angry at Senior Brother Ji because of it; there was nothing else.
But after a few more times, she found that she seemed to actually like it.
Ji You saw her gaze, and the four words “Forbidden Teacher-Student Relationship” couldn't help but appear in his mind.
“Your Sword Heart is a bit restless, and your Sword Intent is unstable. Is it because you just defeated Fang Jincheng?”
“Hanyan knows her mistake. Please punish me, Senior Brother.”
“I came here today to test my fists.”
“Test your fists?”
“Yes, test my fists. You practice well. See you later.”
Lu Hanyan watched Ji You stride deeper into the forest, feeling somewhat enlightened yet still confused. Upon hearing his words about 'later,' she obediently picked up her sword and began to practice the previous sword moves in sequence.
However, just as she was about to start with her iron sword, a massive gust of wind suddenly roared from the depths of the bamboo forest, wave after wave. The powerful aura directly pressed down on her, making it difficult to lift her iron sword, causing Miss Lu Er's eyes to widen gradually.
Other Disciples practicing swordplay in the Sword Forest also looked on in astonishment.
The force of the punch was very strong.
The surge of Qi made the Mountain-Shaking Punch truly possess the power to shake mountains, moving like a thunder formation, even having a destructive force.
But just throwing empty punches was truly not satisfying enough.
Ji You adopted a boxing stance, striking out fiercely. He did not use Spiritual Qi; merely a gust of punch wind caused the entire patch of green bamboo in front to continuously bend. The Qi around him roared like a tiger and a Dragon, gradually subsiding only when the punch wind dissipated.
He still needed to continue Body Refining.
Enlightenment is about seizing opportunities, but Body Refining only requires effort and perseverance.
This was the twenty-fifth time, the twenty-sixth time. He wanted to see when the next hurdle in Body Refining would appear.
Ji You retracted his fist, and after dispersing his boxing stance, he walked out. He watched Lu Hanyan practice her sword for a long time, then reached out, gripped the wooden sword, and gave her bottom a slap, causing Miss Lu Er's delicate body to tremble. She had managed to hold back the previous times, but this time, she couldn't help but let out a soft groan.
"You've practiced well. Here's a reward."
Just after Grain Rain, tea smoke was still misty.
As summer began, the heat started to rise, and temperatures gradually climbed. The midday sun often made it impossible for people to look up. Under Ji You's guidance, Lu Hanyan's unexpected victory over Fang Jincheng had also subsided, and no one specifically brought it up for discussion. With many people in closed-door Cultivation, it seemed quieter than usual.
However, on a certain cloudless early summer day, a golden brilliant light suddenly shot into the sky, instantly scattering the long clouds and drawing countless Disciples to look up. They saw golden inscriptions falling in all directions, constantly buzzing.
As they flew away, golden light shimmered in the sky, scattering with the wind.
Witnessing this scene, the entire Inner Courtyard was abuzz with discussion, with voices rushing to spread the news from early morning until afternoon.
"What happened?"
"An edict from Tianshu Academy?"
"No, it's a joint decree from the Great Immortal Sects for a rescue."
"What happened?"
"The date for the Tiandao Conference has been set."
The date for the Tiandao Conference was jointly decided by the Great Immortal Sects based on the state of the Sage's Dao-proving ground. Cultivators in the Qingyun World had long anticipated this, and now the result was finally revealed.
It would be held three months later. The Tiandao Conference would officially take place. The edict roughly contained these few words, flying with the wind across the world.
Although this matter had little to do with the Candle Institute, it still attracted countless attention.
Of course, the most concerned about this matter were the Disciples of the Inner Courtyard, and the news they received was the most detailed and chaotic.
For example, for this Tiandao Conference, each Immortal Sect had five spots, and Worldly Sect that had existed for over a hundred years also had five. In addition, various Immortal Villas on the approved list each had one.
In fact, this was a common practice of the Tiandao Conference over the years, because if they didn't restrict the number of participants, with so many Cultivators, it would be impossible to finish even if they fought until the next year.
And once the Tiandao Conference restricted the number of spots, the question of who to choose from within the Immortal Sects and Worldly Sect became an issue.
Therefore, after the rescue decree appeared, both the Master's Courtyard and the Elder Council of Tianshu Academy were pondering this matter.
Someone suggested that the participation spots should be decided by recommendation, meaning these high-ranking officials would vote to decide on these five individuals.
Among them, Fang Yan, the chief Elder of the Dustless Hall, was a representative, and he suggested that they should not only consider combat strength but also recommend Disciples who could best represent the Dao practiced by Tianshu Academy.
"Elder Fang is absolutely right, but I wonder which Disciples are truly most aligned with the Dao practiced by Tianshu Academy?"
"Naturally, it should be pure Dao Cultivators who have cultivated the Dao. Those who forcefully enhance their combat strength through Body Refining, violating the Immortal Dao, would only bring shame upon our Tianshu Academy if sent out."
Upon hearing this, the Master-in-charge of the Master's Courtyard, sitting on the right, couldn't help but exchange glances, thinking to himself that if only pure Dao Cultivators could participate, Elder Fang might as well explicitly say that Ji You couldn't participate.
He was not a pure Dao Cultivator; he practiced both Body Refining and sword cultivation. This was clearly targeting him.
At this moment, the three of them couldn't help but recall Ji You teaching Lu Hanyan sword Dao and beating Fang Jincheng until he was looking for his teeth on the ground.
At that time, this Elder Fang did not say anything, only lightly stating that private fights were not allowed in the academy, and since both were first-time offenders, it would not be tolerated again.
At that time, some people in the academy even said that Elder Fang was magnanimous, broad-minded, and fair in public and private matters. Only now did they realize that he had been waiting for this moment.
The most heartbreaking thing was that Elder Fang was not waiting for Lu Hanyan, but for Ji You, who was behind Lu Hanyan.
However, most Elders agreed with Elder Fang's proposal.
Because the spots to participate in the Tiandao Conference were extremely precious, each one represented an opportunity to enter the Sage's Dao-proving ground for enlightenment.
If someone could not participate, leaving an empty spot, it was naturally something everyone wanted to see.
If it had been Chu River who entered the Inner Courtyard instead of Ji You back then, they would not have done this, after all, Chu River had a thousand-year-old Worldly Family backing him, and was hailed as the eighth great Immortal Sect; its foundation and status were unimaginable.
But Ji You had no one to support him, and he acted so erratically. For everyone, it was naturally better not to let him participate.
What reason did a rural rogue Cultivator have to occupy an Immortal Sect spot?
Moreover, this method of recommendation also had direct benefits for them: it added a Tong Xuan Realm spot, and then their own Disciples and family members would have the opportunity to participate. The problem was that the Tiandao Conference was for external competition, not internal conflict.
Qin Zhangshi couldn't help but pour out at this moment: "The Tiandao Conference is a competition between the Great Immortal Sects and the Worldly Sect. The participants most need to have a sufficient win rate. This matter concerns the prestige of our Tianshu Academy, so recommendation might not be appropriate,
I'm afraid there will be some mistakes."
Fang Yan couldn't help but glance at him: "Qin Zhangshi, I disagree with your words. Even if we don't choose those who practice Body Refining or sword cultivation, there are countless Prodigies among our Tianshu Academy Disciples. Are we going to lose to Disciples from other Sects or Worldly Sect?"
"That's not it, I just think that since the goal is to win at the Tiandao Conference, why not set up a martial arts stage in the academy first? The winners can then participate in the Tiandao Conference. Wouldn't that be better?"
"That method is certainly good, but what if some people use other crooked ways to achieve victory?"
Qin Zhangshi looked up upon hearing this: "Thousands of years ago, the Great Sages were like brothers. How can there be any crooked ways?"
Fang Yan's face turned cold: "Then let's just not compete. Since we're all one family, let's just give the spots to others.
Wouldn't that save some effort?"
Lang Hetong and Ji Jingyao couldn't help but glance at him: "Qin brother, why are you speaking so highly of Ji You today?"
"This is for the Sect's prestige, not for anyone."
After Qin Rong finished speaking, he turned to them: "For twenty-five years, five Tiandao Conferences, all handled by me.
Do you know that our Tianshu Academy, as a Sacred Sect, has always ranked third in win rate? Do you really want the world to think that the name of this Sacred Sect is a joke?"
Lang Hetong looked at him: "We are just executors. How can you win against Elder Fang?"
"I don't care who can participate, but the Disciples we send must be the strongest, otherwise, wouldn't it be a laughingstock?"
"In previous years, we never sent the so-called strongest; it was always those who were closest. Our Master's Courtyard is under the Elder Council, and the final decision will still be made by them."
1
Qin Rong naturally knew this and couldn't help but sigh at this moment.
However, just as Elder Fang was about to make the final decision, a series of footsteps suddenly sounded from outside the council hall door.
The edict regarding the Tiandao Conference flashed for an entire day, and news about the Tianshu Academy's preliminary selection rules was posted on the two bulletin boards: the west side of the Wudao Field and the south side of the Inner Courtyard's Purple Bamboo Zen Forest.
So, early in the morning, countless students from the academy gathered around.
This Tiandao Conference preliminary selection would be conducted through a martial arts stage challenge. Disciples of the academy would have three days to register, and the total number of participants would be counted after the deadline.
Martial arts stages would be set up separately for each realm: Tong Xuan Realm, Rongdao Realm, Yingtian Realm, and Boundless Realm, with competitions proceeding in order.
The Tong Xuan Realm and Rongdao Realm were for Disciple battles, while the Yingtian Realm and Boundless Realm were for Elder battles.
The Disciple battles were open to the public and held on the Ascension White Jade Platform, while the Elder battles were held within the Inner Courtyard and not open to the public.
Participants could choose whether they wanted to be the martial arts stage master. Anyone who persevered through five rounds would receive a Tiandao Conference spot.
"A martial arts stage competition? I thought the spots were decided by recommendation from the Inner Courtyard Elders."
"I heard that Hall Master Zuoqiu specifically inquired about it, so the recommendation system was chosen."
"In previous Tiandao Conferences, Tianshu Academy mostly decided on spots through recommendation, but the results were never high. It's not surprising to set up a martial arts stage competition."
"I heard that several other Worldly Sect are also doing the same."
In Shengjing City, there was much discussion about the Tiandao Conference preliminary selection. Many Worldly Sect in the capital hoped that the people they supported and befriended could win, so they discussed it all day long.
Prince Chong's Mansion even held a special banquet at home, inviting all the Disciples they supported and befriended into the mansion.
So, when the registration day arrived, countless people crowded into the Master's Courtyard to sign up for the competition.
However, regarding who would be the first round's martial arts stage master, most students were not very enthusiastic.
Because those who dared to make the first move must have profound combat strength and unparalleled confidence in themselves.
Therefore, most people intended to first observe the combat strength of others, or wait until those who were clearly very strong obtained spots before setting their minds on it.
Meanwhile, Ji You left the Inner Courtyard and went to the Master's Courtyard, naturally to sign up for the competition and become the first martial arts stage defender.
He had been throwing empty punches after Body Refining, and indeed needed a real combat, which perfectly suited his taste.
However, Ji You always knew that many people in the academy didn't like him very much, and the Tiandao Conference spots were so precious that they might not be easy to obtain. Perhaps someone would try to stop him in the preliminary rounds. But to his surprise, the Master's Courtyard agreed.
"Of course you can register. Tianshu Academy has always emphasized fairness and justice."
Upon hearing this, Ji You glanced outside, noticing that the sun had not risen from the west, and thought to himself that this boast was truly deafening.
Qin Zhangshi did not pay attention to his small actions, but looked at the scroll and whispered, "You can participate and defend the martial arts stage as you wish, however—the Elder Council has a condition that you need to agree to."
"I knew it wouldn't be that simple. Go on, what's the condition?"
"The Disciples participating in the Tiandao Conference actually represent the prestige of Tianshu Academy, so they must display the demeanor of our Tianshu Academy students and not glorify other Sects."
"?"
