Chapter 318: Perhaps a Good Outcome
It was a bright, sunny day, with a clear blue sky.
On the eighth day of the Tiandao Conference, in the second match, a Disciple of the Zeng Family from Ling Province, Zeng Shun, an Integration Realm cultivator, was defeated by a descending lightning spell. The powerful electric current passed through his body, and he was sent flying.
On the high platform, Chen Le retracted his blade, his eyes filled with disdain, causing the onlookers to fall silent.
A twenty-eight-year-old Integration Realm Middle Stage cultivator—this was considered exceptionally talented even within a Sect.
But the problem was, Chen Le had no prior reputation; he seemed to have suddenly appeared, which left people feeling quite puzzled.
Immediately afterward, Qiao Mo, a Disciple of the Mountain and Sea Pavilion, was sent flying off the arena, spitting blood like mist.
Qiao Mo was not an unknown figure; in fact, he had previously distinguished himself at the Tiandao Conference, battling Chen Shuo, a Disciple of the Chen Clan. If not for a lack of Cultivation Technique methods, reaching the finals would not have been difficult for him.
The Qiao Family from Yong Province immediately rushed forward, helping Qiao Mo to his feet, then turned to look at the stage.
Zhong Hui, a Disciple of the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion, fought bare-handed without a weapon. He was only seventeen years old and in the Profound Connection Realm.
“A Profound Connection Realm cultivator even younger than Huo Zhuoqun?”
“This—how is this possible?”
“Does the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion also have such a Prodigy hidden within their Sect?”
On the viewing platform, countless Sect members were discussing animatedly, their eyes flashing with incredulity.
At this moment, Ji You, who was leaning over the railing, turned to look northeast.
Standing there were the representatives from the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion, including Zhong Ze, the Deputy Head of the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion, and his direct Disciple, the Saint Chu Xian.
However, besides them, there was also a man seated in front of the two.
The man looked very young, with a sallow complexion that made his lips appear strikingly vibrant.
He only had a Tong Xuan Realm cultivation, but his sitting posture was very overbearing; one leg was even propped on the armrest, and he held a bunch of grapes in his right hand, chewing them lightly.
Because his eating habits were too unrestrained, he had only eaten half a bunch of grapes, and the juice had already covered his palm.
The young man seemed somewhat disgusted by this and wiped his hand on Chu Xian’s expensive purple-gold robe.
And where he wiped his hand, there was a not-so-clear footprint on the lower hem of the robe, as if someone had kicked him in the leg.
Despite this, Chu Xian showed no anger, allowing him to wipe his hand, then handed over the teapot he had been holding.
“Useless, I told you to watch the tea, and it’s already cold!”
“Young Master, please calm your anger.”
“Are you dissatisfied? I’m telling you, everything you have today was given by me, your Young Master. What dissatisfaction do you have? How dare you have any dissatisfaction?!”
Amidst the irritable voice, Chu Xian expressionlessly took the teapot, then gathered Spiritual Qi in his palm, causing the water in the teapot to rapidly heat up, and then handed it back.
Chu Xian then straightened his posture and looked back at the arena, his eyes devoid of emotion.
At this moment, the gong sounded, and Zhong Hui won and stepped down from the stage.
Ji You was brought back to his senses by the gong and slowly withdrew his gaze.
And in the following days of competition, similar events continued to happen endlessly.
Sect Disciples who were originally considered favorites to win were successively defeated, while many young Immortal Sect Disciples continuously emerged, quickly advancing to the next round, causing constant exclamations.
Especially in the Integration Realm duels, many familiar faces from the Tiandao Conference were knocked off the stage, replaced by extremely unfamiliar, yet very young figures.
“Have your family’s Disciples all lost too?”
“Lost—the last one was defeated today.”
“How could Qiao Mo be eliminated in the second round?”
“The Disciples sent by the Immortal Sects this year, their cultivation and age are truly unexpected. This outcome is something I never imagined when I came here—”
Sect members gathered in groups, discussing animatedly, their eyes still filled with shock.
The term “talent” in Qingyun World does not refer to Realm, but to speed, and speaking of speed, one must mention time, which is age.
A seventeen or eighteen-year-old Profound Connection Realm cultivator represents a future Boundless Realm, or even Spirit Wandering Realm, capable of dominating a region and controlling its destiny.
If such individuals were as common as they appeared, Qingyun World would likely be filled with Spirit Wandering Realm cultivators by now.
On the ninth day of the Tiandao Conference, in the third match, Ban Yangshu faced Yan Yi, a Disciple from Tianjian Peak of Lingjian Mountain.
There was a seven-year age difference between them, but they were in the same Realm. In fact, Yan Yi had already slightly touched the threshold of the Innate Realm.
The result was no surprise: Ban Yangshu was knocked out of the arena, fortunately without injury.
Afterward, Cao Jinsong and others led Ban Yangshu away from the stage and returned upstairs, standing with Ji You.
In truth, they were also shocked by these individuals whose names they had never heard but who were now showcasing their skills at the Youxian Assembly. However, they were not as bewildered as the other Sects.
Because some things were obvious upon reflection. They looked at Ji You and recalled what he had said upon his arrival: that the Five Great Immortal Sects had opened up the ruins again.
Similar to the Tiandao Conference, even though it was a competition between Disciples, there were also rankings within each Sect.
Mountain and Sea Pavilion advanced with overwhelming force, creating a significant gap. The Chen Clan ranked second, followed by the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion.
Lingjian Mountain, which had been at the top of the Tiandao Conference, dropped to fourth. The problem was that only Yan Shuyi knew that all those who advanced to the next round were Disciples of Tianjian Peak.
As for Asked the Dao Sect, they even ranked behind Lingjian Mountain, and Tianshu Academy directly fell to last place.
This scene almost completely overturned the previous rankings of the Tiandao Conference.
However, even within the Immortal Sects, there were subtle differences.
For example, Lingjian Mountain, in everyone’s eyes, was still quite good, at least stronger than Asked the Dao Sect and Tianshu Academy. But Yan Shuyi knew that very few of their Xuanjian Peak Disciples had made it to the third round.
In the evening, with the conclusion of the third match, Yan Jingxiang, his younger brother Yan Jingrui, and a group of Elders from Xuanjian Peak gathered in the main building of Lingjian Mountain.
At this moment, Yan Shuyi gracefully returned from the viewing platform, her toes lightly touching down as she entered the pavilion.
Glancing at the various Elders, the Young Master Jian stepped into the inner pavilion.
At this moment, Yan Jingxiang stepped forward to follow.
“Shuyi, you must have seen the situation these past few days. The fruit from that ruin is truly an Immortal opportunity. Sometimes, having it is not wrong; not having it is wrong. If we truly don’t take the initiative, it will surely lead to great disaster in the future.”
Yan Shuyi looked at her father with cold eyes: “Is Father here to persuade me to issue an order to open the ruin in Ling Province?”
Yan Jingxiang clenched his sleeve: “Tianjian Peak is already powerful, and now they have obtained the fruit in the Great Barren Forest. If this continues, Xuanjian Peak will be in danger.”
“Father thinks that with just a few small fruits, Tianjian Peak would dare to seize my Sacred Artifact?”
“My daughter, you are confused. Even if Tianjian Peak is temporarily not a problem, can external threats be ignored? The Seven Great Immortal Sects appear benevolent on the surface, but once the balance is lost, the entire Lingjian Mountain will be hard to protect. Dan Sect a few days ago is an example.”
After Yan Jingxiang finished speaking, he stared intently at his daughter’s back.
The Disciples who came to the Tiandao Conference had already astonished everyone; who knew how many of their Elders had consumed the fruit?
If the powers were not balanced, it would be impossible for them to live in peace. Otherwise, why would Dan Sect have been subjected to a night of slaughter, finally being forced to seal their mountain?
Upon hearing Yan Jingxiang’s words, Yan Shuyi’s eyelashes trembled slightly.
Many people thought she was aloof and unapproachable, which was actually because she had faced such choices since childhood.
Perhaps a single word could determine the direction of Lingjian Mountain, and even influence the trend of the entire world.
That’s why she didn't want to be the Master Jian, didn't want to bear such a heavy burden.
That’s why she left the mountain alone that winter, hiding in a stranger’s courtyard, not wanting to leave.
But she knew her father’s worries were valid. When the power of the Seven Great Immortal Sects completely became unbalanced, Lingjian Mountain would fall into endless peril.
Because only a minority of people could Ascend to the Immortal Realm. Countless people were eyeing the limited resources in this world, calculating every single bit. If you had less, I could have more.
“Let’s wait and see.”
“My daughter—”
“Father knows this matter is too significant. I still need to observe.”
Hearing this, Yan Jingxiang remained silent for a long while, then gently waved his sleeve and walked out of the inner pavilion.
When the Old Sect Master quietly departed that year, the spirit mirror chose its Master on its own, selecting his daughter. At that time, Xuanjian Peak was overjoyed, and he constantly marveled at their destiny.
He then confined Yan Shuyi to the back mountain, allowing her to cultivate the Dao wholeheartedly.
His daughter was initially unwilling, wanting to run outside every day, even attempting to sink the spirit mirror into Xuán Hǎi.
In desperation, he could only drag some Disciples injured by Tianjian Peak and throw them before her, telling her it was all her fault, and that only she could change the current situation.
So, from then on, his daughter confined herself to the mountain and never ran outside again.
Of course, she did not disappoint. At ten years old, she reached Tong Xuan Realm, followed by becoming the youngest Integration Realm, the youngest Innate Realm, and now the youngest Boundless Realm.
But this also led to his daughter not being close to anyone, including him.
At this moment, Yan Shuyi stood by the window, gazing out at the night, remaining silent for a long time.
Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu were behind her, trembling with fear, never speaking.
However, they didn't have to wait long before they suddenly noticed that the Master Jian’s previously tense body had relaxed slightly, and her cheeks couldn't help but puff out gently.
So, the two looked out from the adjacent window and saw that in the east, where the Master Jian’s gaze was directed, the Young Master was looking up at them from his window.
Subsequently, the third and fourth rounds began.
Immortal Sect Disciples started to battle, and two individuals who had consumed the fruit appeared on the same arena.
The Six Great Immortal Sects, including Ji You, began to observe with increasing meticulousness.
A two-into-one competition naturally had wins and losses, and situations where participants gave their all, thus revealing more.
“It appears now that those individuals have no issues with either their Realm or Aura. That fruit should be beneficial.”
“Just like Chen Le, who was almost cut down by Xiao Hanyan. Even when furious, he showed no signs of becoming an Evil Seed, and his behavior was quite normal.”
“So, perhaps we were all wrong. This truly is a Heavenly Dao bestowal.”
In a secluded courtyard, a small room glowed with red candlelight.
Ji You spoke softly, telling the Young Master Jian his judgment.
He had seen the Zheng Family Old Ancestor transform into a monster and refine people for Ascension, discovered that some used infants as vessels, and witnessed the Bu family mutate into Evil Seeds. Because of these experiences, he had always firmly believed it was not an immortal destiny but a great calamity.
But when the facts were laid before him, he had no choice but to admit it.
A two-into-one competition would inevitably have a losing side, but neither the losers nor the heavily injured showed any signs of abnormality, which already explained the outcome.
Yan Shuyi looked at him: “But if that’s the case, what happened before makes no sense.”
“Perhaps there’s no Karma between them?”
“Can there truly be things in this world without Karma?”
Ji You peeled a melon seed and fed it to her: “No matter what, this can be considered a good thing, right? At least it won’t cause too much trouble. It’s even better for the Immortal Sects, and people can still live their lives freely.”
The Young Master Jian opened her mouth and ate the melon seed: “Even if the fruit itself isn’t problematic, you also said that the uneven distribution of Dao fruits will inevitably lead to conflict.”
When they were fighting over the Great Barren Forest ruins, Asked the Dao Sect was the most active, and their Disciple was the first to bring out a fruit from the ruins.
However, Asked the Dao Sect’s ranking was extremely low in this Youxian Assembly.
This showed that Ji You’s initial observations and conjectures were correct; there weren’t many ruin fruits in Soul Severing Mountain.
The Shang family naturally couldn’t allow themselves to be inferior to others and would inevitably try to seize more from outside.
Ji You was silent for a moment before suddenly speaking: “We’ll deal with it as it comes. But there’s something else that’s very strange.”
“What is it?”
“There’s a young man in the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion who seems incredibly arrogant. Do you know who he is?”
Yan Shuyi raised her eyes: “Zhong Chen, the biological son of Xuan Yuan’s Sect Master, Zhong Li. A few days ago, there were rumors among the Immortal Sects that Zhong Li intended to let Zhong Chen inherit the Sacred Artifact.”
Ji You was somewhat surprised after hearing this: “Don’t they have a direct Saint?”
“You mean Chu Xian? He is indeed a direct Saint, but it’s obvious that Zhong Li wouldn’t abandon his son and pass the Sacred Artifact to an outsider.”
Thinking of this, the scene he witnessed that day flashed through Ji You’s mind.
No wonder Chu Xian, as a direct Saint, was so respectful to him and dared not refute even when reprimanded. So, this Zhong Chen was the next wielder of Xuan Yuan’s artifact.
“Since he intends to pass it down within his family, why did he choose Chu Xian as a direct Saint in the first place?”
“Zhong Chen’s cultivation talent wasn’t enough. Using a direct Disciple title to shift attention to Chu Xian was naturally to protect him. Now that the ruin fruits have appeared and can infinitely boost cultivation, Zhong Chen naturally no longer needs to lie low.”
Ji You frowned slightly: “Is Chu Xian truly willing?”
Yan Shuyi scoffed: “What can he do even if he’s unwilling? More than two hundred years ago, the Chu family and Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion were still sworn enemies, but the Chu family was ultimately defeated. Chu Xian should know he’s being used. His position isn’t as good as the world imagines.”
“Immortal Sects, Sects, their relationships are truly complex.”
Ji You couldn’t help but murmur.
He had only been in the Qingyun World for a total of seven or eight years and didn’t understand the past events. Only now was he beginning to sort out their interrelationships.
After pondering for a while, Ji You came back to his senses and found Yan Shuyi gazing deeply out the window, a hint of worry in her eyes.
The bounty brought by the Dao fruits was so rich that the people of Lingjian Mountain naturally had their own ideas.
Ji You knew that the proud girl was also facing a choice now.
Just as Ji You had always believed there would be a great calamity, the Young Master Jian also had many doubts and couldn’t yet convince herself.
After watching for a while, Ji You suddenly stepped forward and gently kissed her small lips.
Yan Shuyi came back to her senses, looked at him coldly, and bit his tongue repeatedly.
After being lightly bitten for a moment, Ji You suddenly raised his head, looking at Yan Shuyi with some surprise, only to see the Young Master Jian squinting her eyes involuntarily.
Her period had arrived.
Although Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu had already confirmed that their Master Jian was a husband-slave, the lofty Young Master Jian had always denied it, muttering that a Disciple of the small Tianshu Academy was merely a tool for procreation.
She wasn’t lustful for strange men’s bodies, didn’t enjoy it, and only did it to have a child, holding this as her belief.
But with her period arriving, she realized her previous two negative tests were wrong.
The Youxian Assembly was still ongoing; after the fourth round, it would be the finals.
Ji You, seeing no abnormalities, had gradually relaxed, though he did pay more attention to the interactions between Chu Xian and Zhong Chen.
Although he didn’t think the Chu family were good people, this Zhong Chen was truly despicable, constantly hitting and scolding his subordinates, his face full of malevolence.
In fact, the surrounding Sects had also witnessed this scene, and some, especially those adjacent to Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion, even knew about Zhong Chen.
Seeing this Sect Master’s biological son, who had never appeared before, suddenly show up and represent Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion at the Youxian Assembly, everyone could roughly guess that the Xuan Yuan Sect Master was likely going to let him take over the Sacred Artifact.
Thus, many people’s gazes towards Chu Xian couldn’t help but turn somewhat pitiful.
Ji You now withdrew his gaze and looked down at the stage.
Lu Hanyan’s luck was quite good; she made it all the way to the fourth match. However, she had already appeared quite disheveled in the previous match, and this fourth match would be even more uncertain.
Because her opponent was Yan Hao, the grandson of the Tianjian Peak Lord who had lost to Ji You back then.
Tongxuan Middle Stage against Profound Connection Realm, the chances, if not non-existent, were extremely slim.
However, Lu Hanyan’s mindset was still good. Before going on stage, she saw Ji You and called him Senior Brother, waving lightly upwards.
“Ji You.”
“?”
Ji You turned his head back and saw a plump figure approaching: “Instructor, why are you here?”
Cao Jinsong spoke softly: “Your Senior Sister Wen, and your Lu family’s Second Miss, have matches today. I came to watch.”
“Ah, you shouldn’t say such things carelessly. How can Lu Hanyan be mine?”
“If you did it, you have to admit it!”
After Cao Jinsong finished speaking, he sized him up: “Why do you seem so relaxed today?”
Ji You leaned on the railing: “The Immortal Sects growing stronger isn’t entirely a good thing, but it’s still a relatively acceptable good thing among the bad things.”
“I don’t understand. Stop telling me secrets.”
“Instructor, you’re too timid.”
Cao Jinsong also leaned on the railing: “It’s best not to know. Anyway, if the sky falls, someone taller will hold it up.”
Ji You chuckled after hearing this, then began to watch the match below, the smile on his face gradually fading, then turning into a frown.
The next instant, everyone in the spectator building suddenly felt a surging wave of heat roar up.
Heavy Sword Qi was released, shaking the entire pavilion violently, then it slashed down with a crash.
With a crack, the barrier set up on the arena shattered in response, and the Sword Qi, with undiminished Aura, slashed towards Yan Hao.
In the arena, Yan Hao, who was attempting to deliver a fatal blow to Lu Hanyan, had his eyes wide with rage.
He had been able to enter the top ten of the Tiandao Conference back then but was ultimately cut down by Ji You’s sword. After returning to Lingjian Mountain, he suffered endless ridicule from his fellow Disciples, and a desire for revenge had always lingered in his Dao Heart.
Unfortunately, Ji You did not participate in the Youxian Assembly.
But luckily, his opponent in this battle was rumored to be Ji You’s concubine, so Yan Hao unleashed deadly killing moves.
However, he didn’t expect that as his throat-sealing sword fell, the surrounding barrier shattered with a crack, and only then did he see that wisp of Sword Qi.
Nevertheless, Yan Hao was, after all, the Sect Master’s grandson. As the Sword Qi struck, an Elder from Tianjian Peak had already flown over, clapping his hands together and striking fiercely at Ji You, forcing him to retract his sword.
With a clear sword hum, Ji You gripped his sword and slashed horizontally. Under the wildly dancing Qi, the Tianjian Peak Elder retreated three zhang, his blood Qi surging.
The sudden scene plunged the entire audience into silence. Both Immortal Sects and Sects alike gazed over, their eyes slightly narrowed at the vast and scorching Qi.
Many people had heard that Elder Fang had suffered at Ji You’s hands, and many also knew that he had cut off Spirit Stone supplies, leading to Sects gathering in Shengjing only to return empty-handed, constantly speculating about his combat strength.
Until this moment, some things seemed to be confirmed.
That Elder from Tianjian Peak was a very famous Boundless Realm expert, yet he was subtly suppressed in a single move against Ji You.
In the spectator building, Zhao Yunyue, Lu Qingqiu, and Liu Junchi all looked over, their eyes filled with shock.
But when they turned their heads, they found that many Immortal Sect Disciples had grave expressions but were not surprised.
“Hanyan!”
Lu Hanyan, with blood at the corner of her mouth, vaguely raised her head and saw Lu Qingqiu and the Lu family couple rushing down, helping her up from the ground.
At the same time, the Elder from Lingjian Mountain grunted, also helped up Yan Hao, who had fallen to the ground in fright, gave him a deep look, and then turned to leave.
Seeing this, Ji You reined in his Aura and, facing countless gazes, returned upstairs along the silent staircase.
Too many people here wanted to kill him, and he couldn’t forcibly kill Yan Hao.
Cao Jinsong, seeing him return, swallowed: “Still saying she’s not yours?”
Ji You lowered his head: “You should speak less. My one is looking at me with a face full of jealousy.”
“?”
Cao Jinsong looked towards the west and saw the Lingjian Mountain Young Master Jian’s eyes slightly narrowed, revealing a hint of jealousy.
Yan Shuyi had specifically investigated the “brave defloration” of the Lu family sisters because she was afraid, knowing that those were rumors. Otherwise, her jealousy would definitely be even greater.
As the sun set in the west, the interrupted match continued with the sound of gongs, but the previously lively spectator building remained utterly silent.
Because everyone was looking at Ji You, especially Chong Wang, who, after a long moment of shock, couldn’t help but clutch his chest, feeling heartbroken.
