After the battle at Dan Sect, the five great Immortal Sects returned in disarray. Everyone was searching for Ji You and those around him, intending to kill them quickly, but they couldn't find any trace.
It was initially thought that he was afraid of the Immortal Sect's power and had gone into hiding under an assumed name. Moreover, with the current focus on the ruins, the five great Immortal Sects did not launch an all-out pursuit to kill him.
Unexpectedly, he appeared like a ghost near the Mountain and Sea Pavilion.
No one knew his purpose, but they were shocked by his audacity and fearlessness.
In the dense forest at the edge of the Heavenly Pool Ruins, Huo Shun's eyes were dark.
The residual force of that palm strike had dissipated, but the Disciple following him noticed that the bulging veins on his hand remained swollen, and even his wrist was red and inflamed.
The five great Immortal Sects had heard that Tianshu Academy had accepted a rogue cultivator who had reached Junior Third Realm Completion from the countryside, but they only treated it as a piece of interesting news. They even forgot his name after hearing it and didn't take it too seriously.
But no one expected that when they truly saw him, he would already be such an imposing figure.
“Second Young Master, should we send people to pursue and kill him?”
Huo Xingyun pondered for a moment: “The Dao Fruit is paramount. Do not create unnecessary trouble. It's not strange that he, after fighting a bloody battle for a night in Dan Sect, is curious about what the five great Immortal Sects are doing. Strengthen the guards. If he comes again, make sure he doesn't return.”
It was difficult to kill someone with Wujiang Realm combat power, and he currently didn't have enough highly skilled personnel.
Besides, that person could kill five Wujiang Realm cultivators in a row, so sending people to pursue him would not be wise.
High in the sky, Ji You flew away from the Heavenly Pool Ruins.
He had clearly understood the situation there. There was still some time until the Youxian Assembly, so he flew towards Mount Duanhun in Yu Province.
Yu Province was to the northwest of Ling Province and was the only major province Ji You had not yet traveled through.
Compared to other provinces, its architectural style and folk culture were distinctly different.
It was said that this was because the former imperial family, the Qin clan, who established their kingdom there, had once been affiliated with the Lasting Peace Race and were deeply influenced by their aesthetics.
As for Mount Duanhun, it was located in a perilous area in the central-northern part of Yu Province, with numerous natural chasms and complex terrain. Similar to the Heavenly Pool Ruins, on the day the ruins opened, Asked the Dao Sect also dispatched countless personnel to seal off the mountain forest, with three layers inside and three layers outside, making the defense impenetrable.
Ji You used his Physical Body strength to leap over the chasm, restraining his Aura to the extreme before approaching the target location.
Looking from afar through the gaps in the trees, a gloomy mountain range sat amidst a vast, desolate forest, with dark and indistinct mountain entrances filled with figures moving in and out.
In the following days, Ji You continued to observe from within, vaguely noticing a problem.
Although Asked the Dao Sect and Mountain and Sea Pavilion handled the ruins similarly, the number of people entering and exiting the Heavenly Pool Ruins was increasing, while the number of people entering and exiting the Mount Duanhun Ruins was decreasing.
On the first day, there were a hundred people; on the second day, only a few dozen remained.
Five days later, a young man in luxurious clothes and an old man arrived at Mount Duanhun. After being greeted by the Disciples of Asked the Dao Sect, they silently entered the ruins.
When they emerged again, their expressions were extremely solemn.
Seeing this scene, Ji You, hidden on the perilous mountain, narrowed his eyes, gradually becoming thoughtful.
At the same time, in Nishan Heavenly Tome Academy, the Hundred Jade Platform, usually deserted, was now crowded, with constant flashes of saber and sword light.
Just like before the Tiandao Conference, the outside world, unaware, was holding the preliminary rounds of the Youxian Assembly.
Although the Heavenly Dao Offering could not bestow Heavenly Dao feedback on everyone and was less appealing than the Xianxian Holy Land, the Youxian Assembly was larger in scale than the Tiandao Conference.
The reason was that the Tiandao Conference had to consider the Xianxian Holy Land's capacity, as that Realm could not withstand too many strong Auras, so the entire combat was mainly focused on the Tong Xuan Realm and Rongdao Realm.
However, the Heavenly Dao Offering did not restrict Realm or age, and there were more spots than the Tiandao Conference, so more people participated.
Even many people who had reached Junior Third Realm Completion were eager to participate.
Ban Yangshu and Wen Zhengxin had been trying to break through for about a year but hadn't crossed the threshold. They interrupted their cultivation and came to the Outer Courtyard on a spring morning, deciding to participate as Rongdao Realm cultivators.
This approach was similar to those who broke through just before the Tiandao Conference.
By not breaking through, they could fight with their Peak power, naturally having a greater chance of winning within the same Realm.
“This year’s Tong Xuan Realm matches started so quickly. Three matches have already taken place since the announcement.”
“With Ji *Shidi* (Junior Brother Ji) absent, the Tong Xuan Realm matches will naturally be quicker.”
As the two spoke, they couldn't help but recall the previous Tiandao Conference preliminaries.
At that time, Ji You was restricted from using Spiritual Sword Mountain Sword Dao, yet he still dominated the entire Realm, intimidating everyone so much that no one dared to step onto the stage. Now that such a grand spectacle was gone, the appeal of the Tong Xuan Realm battles was even less than the pure Physical Body confrontations of the Junior Third Realm Completion.
As the two were discussing, they saw Cao Jinsong walking from Bi Shui Lake, and their eyes couldn't help but show some surprise.
“Isn’t Cao Instructor about to break through? Why did he suddenly come out of seclusion?”
Cao Jinsong frowned slightly after stopping: “I’m worried about Ji You. My Dao Heart is unsettled, so breaking through needs to be delayed. Have you received any news from him recently?”
Ban Yangshu and Wen Zhengxin both shook their heads upon hearing this: “Since he left Shengjing at New Year, we haven’t received any news from him.”
“What kind of trouble do you think he got into that made the five great Immortal Sects jointly search for him?”
“Although Ji *Shidi* (Junior Brother Ji) has a somewhat eccentric personality, he never acts blindly. I think there are some things he has to do, and besides, Junior Brother’s combat power is astonishing, so even the five great Immortal Sects might not be able to catch him.”
Wen Zhengxin spoke softly, hoping to ease the worried Cao Instructor.
However, without seeing Ji You safe, these reassurances had little effect on Cao Jinsong.
The five great Immortal Sects came together to demand accountability. Did he perhaps run to their Sect's entrance to rob and extort fees? After a long silence, the three of them looked up towards the arena, trying to distract themselves from their unease by watching the matches, only to find that the surrounding Disciples who were about to participate were also looking at the three of them.
The familiar time, the familiar scene; they also, by coincidence, recalled the incident when Ji You suppressed all of the academy's Tong Xuan Realm cultivators.
But this time, they felt that Ji You might not be able to participate in the Youxian Assembly.
With the five great Immortal Sects jointly pursuing him, even the Elders of the Elder Council would be scared out of their wits. What courage would he have to show his Face again?
During the New Year festival, many people saw him strolling in tea houses, markets, and lantern festivals, thinking that perhaps that would be his last public appearance.
After all, having offended an Immortal Sect, no matter how high one's Aptitude, one could only hide from then on, never to be seen again.
Just then, a winner was decided on the arena once more. The loser stepped down, and then a figure slowly walked onto the stage, looking unrestrained and at ease.
Seeing this, Cao Jinsong and the other two couldn't help but squint their eyes: “Fang Jincheng—”
Fang Jincheng, after stepping onto the stage, was also looking at them, a cold sneer on his lips.
Ever since the five great Immortal Sects came together to ask about the mountain, and found Kuang Cheng and then Wei Rui, this Elder's grandson had emerged from the mountain abyss.
He had some understanding of Ji You's strength, but in his opinion, no matter how strong a person was, they had to bow before an Immortal Sect.
Now that the five great Immortal Sects were enraged, Ji You was in danger himself, so he naturally didn't need to hide anymore.
Fang Jincheng drew his saber with a backhand, fighting with the Disciple on the stage—
Subsequently, he won a match, standing alongside Elder's grandsons like Yu Shiliu and Wang Gaocen.
The number of spots for the Youxian Assembly was much greater than for the Tiandao Conference, so these Elder's grandsons naturally didn't need to compete fiercely. They had already agreed that 'kings would not meet kings,' and like the Tiandao Conference, they would each take a spot.
However, some things did not go as planned.
In the following days of the Tong Xuan Realm battles, Lu Hanyan, who had been in seclusion, emerged. She had reached the Tongxuan Middle Stage and participated in the arena matches, facing Fang Jincheng.
At the same time, Xiao Hanyan, who was also in seclusion, emerged like Lu Hanyan. She had not yet crossed the threshold of the Innate Realm,
just as she had done at the Tiandao Conference, she defended the arena as a Rongdao Upper Stage cultivator.
As for He Lingxiu, Shi Junhao, and Chai Ze, they did not emerge from seclusion to participate.
They, along with Xiao Hanyan, had found their opportunity, and breaking through opportunities were always hard to find. For them, the feedback given by the Heavenly Dao Offering was not necessarily more important than the opportunity.
In the following days, the Youxian Assembly preliminaries intensified, attracting many people to watch.
Yu Shiliu, Wang Gaocen, and Gu Zetao won five consecutive matches, securing their spots in the Youxian Assembly.
At the same time, Pan Bin, the great-grandson of Elder Pan of the Elder Council, who was originally slated for a position but was denied because Ji You suppressed the Tong Xuan Realm, finally got what he wished for.
Furthermore, Xiang Fu, who just entered the Inner Courtyard last year, Lu Da, who withdrew from the Tiandao Conference pre-selection, and Puyang Xing, who once competed with Lu Hanyan, also secured their spots.
The results for the Integration Realm were quickly released, and there was no need to question Xiao Hanyan's success.
Besides her, Ban Yangshu and Wen Zhengxin also achieved continuous victories and will represent the Integration Realm.
In addition, Cong Yi, the daughter of the Prefect of Guiyun Commandery in Feng Province, reached Junior Third Realm Completion this year and also obtained a spot in her Realm.
“Tianshu Academy is doing well; Ban Yangshu and Puyang Xing—they are both in.”
“On Lingjian Mountain’s side, Liu Junchi and Cheng Peng also lived up to expectations and stood out.”
“Besides that, the Zhang family and Liu family, who are on good terms with Prince Chong's Mansion, also secured spots for Junior Third Realm Completion in the Mountain and Sea Pavilion.”
As the Tianshu Academy pre-selection drew to a close, spring gradually blended with the scent of early summer.
Above the restaurant in the afternoon, the Young Masters of the pro-Immortal Sect were sitting with Zhao Yunyue, exchanging news about the cultivators they had befriended and supported over the years who had secured spots, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
In their view, their initial investments were now growing stronger day by day, which was the best possible outcome.
Even though the pro-Immortal faction was currently suppressed by the Immortal Management Bureau to the point of being unable to raise their heads, with the growth of these individuals, this situation of being constrained was destined not to last too long.
Chang Yutang, the son of the Minister of Rites, now held a wine cup and looked at the cold and beautiful Zhao Yunyue, uttering many auspicious words.
After Dou Yuankong's incident, his father, Dou Shangshu, had lost interest in court affairs, and the Minister of Rites became Prince Chong's right-hand man, seen by Prince Chong as the candidate to take over the future Immortal Management Bureau.
In fact, this was a fitting choice, because before the Immortal Management Bureau was established, the Ministry of Rites had always been responsible for matters concerning Immortals.
“Yesterday at the Peach Blossom Festival in Yunhe County, I met with the Prince; he seemed to be in high spirits and good mood.”
“Father King has indeed been quite content these past few days.”
“Is it related to our supported Disciples gradually distinguishing themselves?”
“It might be somewhat related.”
Zhao Yunyue responded, then drank the contents of her cup.
Father King had indeed been in a good mood recently, but this mood had actually started even before the Youxian Assembly pre-selection.
So, although Princess Changle answered this way, she knew in her heart that it wasn't the reason.
The reason Father King was in such a bright mood was actually related to the Five Great Immortal Sects' visit to Tianshu Academy.
Over the years, she had always known that Father King had a knot in his heart, which was that he hadn't supported Ji You back then.
After Ji You entered the Inner Courtyard in the Autumn Tournament and took the top spot in the Tiandao Conference, scaring Elder Fang into silence and making it so no one dared to provoke him even when he cut off Spirit Stone supply, Father King's intestines turned green with regret.
Because in Father King's view, if he had abandoned Chu River and fully supported him back then, let alone the Immortal Management Bureau, he could even have aimed for the throne.
It wasn't until the Five Great Immortal Sects came to Tianshu Academy, full of Killing Intent, looking for Kuang Cheng, that Father King's knot in his heart suddenly untied, and he repeatedly rejoiced that he had not befriended Ji You, thus avoiding being implicated like Kuang Cheng and Wei Rui.
In fact, Zhao Yunyue also had similar thoughts, grateful that she had not Dual Cultivated with Ji You.
If she had truly been taken in, the Immortal Sect members, full of Killing Intent that night, would not have been looking for Wei Rui, but for her.
Just as she was thinking, a clattering sound of cups breaking suddenly came from the Hongding Restaurant.
Everyone leaned forward, looking out from the hollowed windows of their private rooms.
In the open wooden door opposite, Fang Jincheng was smashing cups, bowls, and chopsticks with a Face full of Evil Qi, scaring the servants attending him into trembling.
In the Youxian Assembly battle, Fang Jincheng had won four consecutive matches, just one step away from securing a spot, but was defeated by Lu Hanyan with two sword strikes, losing very disgracefully.
As a result, everyone in Tianshu Academy was laughing at him.
Two years ago, he competed with Lu Hanyan for Inner Courtyard Aptitude, secretly injuring her with a Magical Artifact, and finally entered the Inner Courtyard with her.
This matter had always been controversial and made the Disciples in the academy feel that the Elder Council was too biased, not even bothering to hide it.
Now that Fang Jincheng was so pathetic, many people naturally felt a sense of satisfaction.
Just as Zhao Yunyue was considering whether to go and offer some comfort, the eastern private room was suddenly pushed open.
Lu Qingqiu and Lu Hanyan had just finished their meal and walked out of the door with Cong Yi, Xiang Fu, and others, glanced at Fang Jincheng, and then walked towards the stairs.
As she passed through the corridor, Zhao Yunyue watched her for a long time.
After the Five Great Immortal Sects visited Shengjing, everyone knew that Ji You had angered the Immortal Sects, and it was fortunate that the Ling Shi Business Association in Yun Province usually offered many tributes to the Immortal Sects, which prevented the Lu family sisters from being implicated.
However, Lu Qingqiu had to remain in Tianshu Academy after that, rarely showing her Face.
Zhao Yunyue didn't know if Lu Qingqiu regretted giving herself to Ji You that day.
The Lu family sisters now left Hongding Restaurant, bid farewell to Xiang Fu and Cong Yi, and then turned to go to an inn in the city.
Lu Hanyan's breakthrough and participation in the Youxian Assembly pre-selection was such a big event that Lu Xiong and his wife naturally also came to Shengjing.
They had sent a message during their meal just now, asking them to come to the inn to meet.
However, when the two sisters arrived at the inn, they found two young Young Masters, whom they didn't know where they came from, sitting in front of their parents, conversing happily.
Upon seeing the sisters arrive, Lu Xiong immediately stood up and introduced the two parties.
Seeing this, the sisters immediately understood their father's intentions, knowing that this was another arranged marriage.
Lu Hanyan was completely defiant, not speaking a word during the meal, filled with resistance.
Lu Qingqiu had more foresight than her younger sister and was always shrewd and tactful; she conversed with the two men without showing any emotion, not letting them lose Face.
It wasn't until dusk, when the two Young Masters bowed and departed, that Lu Qingqiu put away her smile.
“Father and Mother clearly said before that they would no longer bring up this matter, yet they always waver back and forth like grass on a wall.”
“There are some things your younger sister doesn't understand, but you do, and you should know that what we are doing is for your own good.”
Madam Lu said earnestly, then looked at her husband with a worried expression.
Not long after the Five Great Immortal Sects visited Tianshu Academy, honored guests from an Immortal Sect also arrived in Yun Province to demand an explanation, full of Aura.
It was then that they understood that Ji You had, for some unknown reason, offended the Five Great Immortal Sects.
The whole world was spreading rumors that their two daughters had been taken in by Ji You, so their family naturally became implicated.
However, fortunately, the Ling Shi Business Association usually offered many tributes to the Immortal Sects, sending them many Spirit Cores from their mines, so there was a bond of goodwill, which prevented them from getting into trouble.
But the problem was, if it happened again, they wouldn't be able to bear it.
During the three-province snow disaster, when Spirit Stone transportation was halted, they heard that Ji You had forced Elder Fang to be helpless, which was why they tacitly accepted that both their daughters had lost their virginity to him.
But now it was different; having offended the Five Great Immortal Sects in one go, what good was Ji You's extraordinary Aptitude and powerful combat strength?
The Lu family had relied on years of accumulation to escape one disaster, but they didn't want to suffer a second time, so the couple discussed for a long time and decided that even if they had to offer a Spirit Mine as a dowry, they would marry their daughters off quickly to sever ties with him.
Lu Qingqiu naturally knew what her parents were implying, and she and her sister casually made a few excuses, saying they were not satisfied with the two men, and then left the inn.
“Older Sister, what do you think Senior Brother did? Why would he be targeted by the Immortal Sects?”
“To offend five Immortal Sects simultaneously, it must not be a small matter, and Father and Mother's change in attitude is not without reason.”
Lu Qingqiu looked at her sister, her mood also somewhat heavy.
Those were Immortal Sects, and five of them at that—
Their Lu family was merely a hundred-year-old family that had just been promoted; even in front of other Sect, they had to be subservient.
How could they ever have imagined daring to oppose the Immortal Sects that ruled the entire Qingyun?
Even just thinking about such a thing would make one tremble with fear.
The next morning, the announcement regarding the Youxian Assembly spots was posted by the Master's Courtyard.
And within the various great Sect, news of who would be participating in the Tiandao Conference also spread continuously, and the atmosphere gradually began to warm up.
Unlike the Tiandao Conference, which was fixedly held at the Primordial Dao Arena, the Youxian Assembly was held in Rihua Commandery, southeast of Liang Province.
It is said that back then, when the Seven Great Xianxian pacified the world and the Human Race revived, they calculated this place to be the Central Plains and held the first Heavenly Dao sacrifice here, so it has a long history.
Therefore, from the day of departure, the official road towards Rihua Commandery was filled with continuous dust and waves, and the speeding carriages never ceased.
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