Chapter 319: The Failed Tiandao Conference
In fact, after witnessing Ji You's single sword strike that suppressed the Elder of Lingjian Mountain, many things seemed to make sense.
For example, why Xiang Fu was able to enter the Inner Courtyard, and why his seat at the Youxian Assembly was at the main table.
Even, why the Five Great Immortal Sects remained completely still.
The higher a person's combat power, the greater the influence they can exert, and the deeper their Foundation; even an Immortal Sect cannot silently kill them, and will treat them cautiously.
At this moment, different scenes appeared in everyone's minds.
There was Elder Fang's 'Forget it' amidst the wind and snow, and Fang Jincheng's hasty escape from the Drunken Immortal Tower.
"His combat power—"
"It seems he didn't gain nothing from his trip to the Xianxian Holy Land; in fact, he might have gained the most."
He Long recalled the matter of dividing Feng Province among everyone at the Juxian Banquet, and his heart trembled slightly.
As arrogant as he was then, that's how terrified he was now.
And hearing the words 'gained the most', everyone couldn't help but look at the twin direct Disciples of the Chen Clan, Chen Luo and Chen Xi, who were wearing embroidered Golden Immortal robes, also looking at Ji You.
At first, they had thought these two direct Disciples were the ones who had gained the most.
But as they watched, they suddenly remembered something.
When they left the Xianxian Holy Land, everyone was saying that Ji You hadn't advanced a single step, and rumors spread throughout the world, but only these two direct Disciples remained silent:
Even when someone went to verify, these two did not say a single word.
Now that they thought about it, those who were on the periphery of the Holy Land only saw the superficial.
Only Chen Luo, who was with Ji You in the center of the Holy Land, truly saw something from him, which is why he remained silent.
"Tianshu Academy recruited a Disciple in Feng Province this year, a Junior Third Realm Completion who was admitted exceptionally before reaching adulthood."
"A rural rogue cultivator, just a minor interlude."
In the evening, the sky was red with sunset clouds, and Ji You and Cao Jinsong left the observation tower.
Lu Hanyan's injuries were not too serious, but after she woke up, she looked at Ji You with a bit of a strange expression.
Then came the finals.
Grand Spiritual Qi continuously collided, and the attacks of spell techniques roared like tigers.
Ji You had been in Tianshu Academy for many years and could be said to have offended every cultivable Sect he could, so not only Yan Hao, but other Sects also had the idea of teaching him a lesson during the duels.
After all, many of the Disciples sent by Tianshu Academy to this Youxian Assembly were closely related to him.
But ever since that Dao Sword appeared, slicing through the barrier, everyone abandoned that notion; under its shock, no one dared to move, and they even held back significantly against Tianshu Academy Disciples.
A powerful being is terrifying, but a powerful being who never adheres to rules is even more terrifying. As one match after another continued, everyone's thoughts were drawn back to the participating cultivators.
Ji You's move was indeed astonishing, but the rumors had spread for more than half a year, so everyone was somewhat mentally prepared.
However, the Immortal Sect's Disciples, who were profoundly high in Realm yet unbelievably young, made them increasingly silent.
It was not strange for a few Prodigies to appear in one generation, but they had never heard of them emerging like mushrooms after rain.
"That Elder Chen Feng—"
"Chen Feng?"
"Two years ago, I met him a few times; back then he was only in the Initial Yingtian Realm, but seeing him again today, he is already in the Boundless Realm, which is truly shocking—"
Cultivation in the Upper Five Realms becomes increasingly difficult the further one progresses, and many people even spend their entire remaining lives fruitlessly in a certain Realm.
But they had truly never heard of sudden breakthroughs in Realm.
However, even if some people vaguely began to feel that this matter was extraordinary, they didn't know where to begin to speak of it.
Even the Immortal Sect's outer Disciples, even if they had been in the Inner Sect for many years, were filled with doubts and a sense of incomprehension when facing the rapid advancement in cultivation of their Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters.
After the finals ended, the East Courtyard where Tianshu Academy was located was utterly silent.
Zhengxin Fairy failed to reach the end, and although Xiao Hanyan barely secured a spot for the Tiandao Conference, she was also seriously injured.
As for Yu Shiliu, Wang Gaocen, and others, they were eliminated in the third round, sitting silently while drinking tea.
They had also lost at the Tiandao Conference back then, but this time the feeling was particularly different.
Even if they lost back then, they were still considered rare Prodigies, but this time, they vaguely felt like they were about to be submerged in the crowd.
There were too many people younger than them yet of similar Realm, and they all felt that they no longer possessed any special qualities.
"Where did it go wrong—"
"Could it be that in this world, there truly is a method to ascend to the heavens in one step—"
Xiao Hanyan began to fall into self-doubt, constantly muttering to herself while clutching the porcelain cup in her hand.
On the eve of summer, the sky was ablaze with red clouds.
Countless carriages and chariots galloped along Rihua Avenue, the Spiritual Qi they pulled together forming a river, weaving a silver-blue curtain beneath the dome, flowing turbulently towards the gradually darkening west.
After passing through a dense forest, everyone arrived at the incomparably vast Human Race altar.
Looking into the distance, the periphery of the altar was surrounded by towering walls that reached the sky, displaying their grandeur and magnificence to the surroundings under the gradually encroaching night.
Ji You also arrived by carriage and disembarked in front of the crowded high wall.
The magnificent bronze gate was already open at this time. He glanced at the two characters 'Ganmen' above the archway, then walked into the pitch-black archway, heading upwards.
Behind him followed Cao Jinsong, Wen Zhengxin, and Ban Yangshu, the four of them together.
The Lu sisters actually wanted to come with them, especially Lu Hanyan, but they were ultimately pulled by Lu Xiong and his wife to Kun Gate. His enmity with the Five Great Immortal Sects was not a rumor, and even with his astonishing combat power, for others, getting too close to him was still not a suitable choice.
However, the good thing was that ever since Ji You took his seat at the Immortal Sect's main table, and after he cut down the Elder of Lingjian Mountain with his sword, Lu Xiong and his wife never brought up the matter of arranging a marriage for them again.
At this moment, Ji You ascended the tall city wall surrounding the altar amidst the strong headwind.
Looking down from above, the altar was high in the middle and low on all sides, like an inverted jade bowl, with countless intricate patterns carved upon it, connected by lines, resembling a star map.
"Is this the Human Race altar?"
"That's right. When the altar is ignited, the Immortal light will resonate with the Heavenly Dao. Cultivators who enter meditation here will have a chance for their Dao Heart to resonate with the Heavenly Dao."
"How much of a chance?"
Cao Jinsong shook his head after hearing this: "That depends on the cultivator himself."
Ji You turned to look at the Instructor: "Depends on one's talent?"
"It depends on the Dao Heart. In Qingyun's thousand years, there have been many instances of those with poor talent but Dao Hearts that align with the Heavenly Dao, who gained much after the Tiandao Conference, soaring to great heights as if enlightened."
"So that's how it is."
As they spoke, figures began to appear in the four people's line of sight. The hundred or so people who had achieved rankings in the Youxian Assembly entered one by one, then sat down along the center of the altar, soon filling the central area.
Then, an old man dressed in grass clothes and with his face painted with oil came to the very center and sat down with them.
This was the old priest who had been passed down for generations within the Human Race altar. When the altar was activated, the old priest would meditate with them, guiding their Divine Souls through chanting.
After all, the Heavenly Dao was as vast as the sea and incomparably profound. Without guidance, they might very well become immersed in the Heavenly Dao and never be able to return.
So, what this old priest played was an anchor.
Night gradually descended, and starlight began to fill the sky.
Cultivators stood scattered on the eight city walls, continuously observing the very center, seemingly waiting for something.
Among them were some young people who had been in secluded cultivation at home and had never participated in the Youxian Assembly. Seeing this scene, they couldn't help but feel puzzled, thinking, 'Is this all there is?'
In their view, the Tiandao Conference should be grand and magnificent, not so calm and peaceful.
However, amidst their confusion, everyone suddenly felt a Sword Qi whistle up, and a graceful figure soared into the clouds.
The Young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain, dressed in a luxurious Immortal robe and wearing a glazed Immortal crown, instantly stood high in the sky, like a goddess descending, with an ethereal and beautiful posture.
The Human Race altar cannot be opened by ordinary people; it requires the permission of the wielder of the Sacred Artifact and the Origin of the Sacred Artifact as a guide.
Over the years, the Seven Great Immortal Sects had taken turns presiding over the altar, and now it was Lingjian Mountain's turn.
High in the sky, the Young Master Jian, enveloped in Immortal light, gently opened her hand, and a stone spirit mirror floated in her palm. Instantly, a vast and boundless aura emanated from the altar.
Then, a beam of Immortal light shot out from the spirit mirror in her hand, landing in the very center of the altar.
In an instant, the entire altar seemed to be ignited, and endless Immortal light surged out from the intricate patterns.
The Young Master Jian's red lips slightly parted as she silently chanted. The Immortal light then began to surge violently into the sky, gathering around her entire body, and then, with a wave of her hand, it shot straight into the heavens.
Watching this scene, a hint of awe appeared in everyone's eyes.
During the Youxian Assembly, they had seen too many cultivation Geniuses.
Seventeen-year-old Profound Realm, twenty-five-year-old Integration Realm; their hearts were filled with shock.
But it was not until this moment that they suddenly remembered that the Young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain, who was in the Profound Realm at ten and already in the Boundless Realm at twenty-two, was the most astonishingly talented one, even Ji You, with his strange combat power, could not compare.
And now, seeing her holding a Sacred Artifact, summoning Immortal light, and drawing in heavenly light, their hearts were even more deeply shaken.
Above Kun Gate, Cao Jinsong, Ban Yangshu, and Wen Zhengxin were also looking up, gazing at the ethereal and beautiful Master Jian, then couldn't help but look at Ji You, their expressions dazed.
Such a Fairy, yet she was from his Rebellious Disciple's family.
Who could he complain to?
As the Immortal light soared into the sky, the altar was awakened, and the spirit mirror slowly disappeared high above. At the same time, that captivating figure also flew away.
The people of Lingjian Mountain were currently standing in the direction of Zhen Gate, eagerly awaiting the return of their Master Jian, but they waited for a long time and saw no one.
Upon seeing this, Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu couldn't help but exchange glances, thinking that Master Jian had probably gone to find her husband again.
Facts proved that their thoughts were correct.
Cao Jinsong and the other two turned their heads to the west, and in their line of sight, the little Master Jian, who had just been holding the artifact in mid-air, had now landed on their side of the city wall, her immortal robe dancing in the wind.
The lofty little Master Jian was a bit clingy.
Wen Zhengxin muttered to himself, then realized Ji You was gone, and when he looked again, the little Master Jian's figure had also disappeared.
On the high tower on the west side of the altar, Yan Shuyi sat on the edge of the tower, looking at the rising immortal light, then suddenly turned to look at Ji You, noticing that the unfamiliar man had been staring at her.
"Little Tianshu Academy Disciple, why do you keep staring at me?"
"Nothing, it's just that when I think of the one high in the sky just now being mine, I feel like I've taken a huge advantage."
Ji You muttered, reaching out to pinch her cold and arrogant cheek.
Yan Shuyi had been a bit ill-tempered these past few days, her cold and arrogant Empress persona firmly established, but upon hearing Ji You say she was his, she didn't refute: "Do you know that before coming to the Human Race altar, the important figures from various Sects had already left?"
"Returning to the Sect?"
"They went to several other ruins that haven't been opened yet."
Ji You frowned slightly after hearing this, thinking it was no wonder he hadn't seen any direct Disciples on this trip: "To go to the ruins without even attending the Tiandao Conference is too eager."
Yan Shuyi gazed at the constantly floating immortal light and parted her red lips: "The effect brought by the Dao Fruit has surprised the Immortal Sects, so naturally they are impatient. Even the Elders of my Lingjian Mountain are eager to move, including those under my Xuanjian Peak."
"So you're going back to the mountain?"
"The opening of the ruins is a big deal. Although the Sect Master of Lingjian Mountain is still Yan Zhong, he can't make decisions without me. But if I don't return to the mountain, then it's a different situation."
Ji You peeled a spirit sunflower seed and brought it to her mouth.
Yan Shuyi opened her mouth to eat it, her eyes slightly narrowed: "One more."
"You wouldn't eat it yesterday when I fed you."
Ji You peeled the next one and fed it to her, then suddenly noticed Yan Shuyi narrowing her eyes, with a sharp murderous intent. Well, what he wanted to feed her yesterday wasn't a spirit sunflower seed.
The little Master Jian opened her mouth and ate the spirit sunflower seed from his fingertips: "Kuang Cheng and the others are still on the mountain. Why don't you come back to the mountain with me and be my direct Disciple?"
That would truly make him a Rebellious Disciple who betrayed his master. You can't say it like that if you want to bring your husband back to the mountain.
Ji You glanced at her: "After traveling and practicing, listening to music, and investigating the ruins, I haven't returned to Feng Province for a long time. I need to go back first, and then I'll come find you."
"Going back to Feng Province?"
"I cultivated spirit seedlings in Feng Province during spring plowing, and I imagine there's a harvest now. I want to go back and see. Also, the news of the Five Great Immortal Sects jointly hunting me down has probably spread throughout the world. Many people are eager to move on Feng Province. If I don't show up, those Immortal Villas in Feng Province might have ideas again."
Ji You had said before that if the ruin's fruit was not a disaster, then he would no longer care about the matter.
At this moment, his thoughts had returned to Feng Province, to farming.
The successful cultivation of spirit seedlings could earn back a portion of the tax from the Immortal Sects, making money while also improving the lives of people in the world.
Yan Shuyi lightly chewed the spirit sunflower seed at this time, gently stroked her lower abdomen, and simultaneously turned to look at Ji You with a cold gaze.
Although she didn't speak, the subtext was obvious.
The little Tianshu Academy Disciple was useless; after so many days here, he still hadn't gotten her pregnant.
The next second, with a crisp "slap," Yan Shuyi, whose bottom had been spanked, narrowed her eyes, her gaze drifting around: "You may withdraw."
Ji You looked at her: "How about we leave tonight?"
"??"
"Regarding the Dan Sect matter, I killed five Boundless Realm Elders. The Five Great Immortal Sects may not let it go. They are leaving first now, so there might be an ambush. I can't leave with Old Cao and the others, so I plan to detour through Liang Province and then return from Qing Province."
Yan Shuyi looked at him after hearing this: "Although we are not familiar, you have indeed worked hard for me regarding the ruins. I can certainly take you part of the way."
Ji You thought to himself, if it weren't for your reluctance, would I need to detour to Liang Province to go back? So he gently raised his palm.
However, when he saw Yan Shuyi motionless, her eyes constantly wary of his hand, he didn't let it fall.
The lofty little Master Jian, she wouldn't also like spanking, would she?
Ji You leaned in and gently kissed the small mouth that was always meeting him by chance, but was met with a chase and bite, his tongue almost bitten off. So he lightly released her and walked down the city wall.
Upon seeing this, Yan Shuyi trotted after him.
The Master Jian's carriage was parked in the Immortal Garden. The two did not go to retrieve it, but instead hired a carriage and left Rihua County, heading south along the Mist River.
This journey passed through the Great Barren Forest. After arriving, the two went to take another look and found that, apart from the guardians, no one was entering or leaving the forest.
This meant that, except for the difficult-to-enter central area, the other regions of the Great Barren Forest ruins should have been emptied.
Liang Province was not too far from Liang Province. Passing through the Great Barren Forest was considered crossing the border.
After entering the border, they arrived at Biran City in northern Liang Province and paused at a branch of the Sword Forging Pavilion.
Ji You had damaged many spirit swords in the Dan Mountain battle, so he bought many here.
The development of Feng Province had also earned him a lot, and he was no longer as short on money as before. His spending was much more generous, and he even bought some beautiful but useless ornaments for the tsundere.
Then the two parted ways in Biran City, one continuing south, and the other detouring through Qing Province.
Only Yan Shuyi was left in the galloping carriage, causing the atmosphere to suddenly become silent.
However, the lofty little Master Jian naturally wouldn't reveal such emotions. She remained calmly in meditation, as if she had only parted with an insignificant person.
But soon after entering meditation, she suddenly opened her eyes, her beautiful Phoenix eyes slightly narrowed.
She had been so engrossed in walking with the unfamiliar man that she only now remembered she seemed to have forgotten to bring two maids, and Ru Ru, who was with the two maids.
At the same time, many Sects in Rihua City also set off one after another, traveling south and north.
In this Youxian Assembly, these Sects lost badly, with only a few scattered individuals obtaining qualifications to participate in the Tiandao Conference. Naturally, they were unwilling to stay longer.
After returning home, the losers were unwilling to accept defeat and continued to cultivate diligently.
Some who were injured began to recuperate and heal.
When the Youxian Assembly was mentioned, some people were still discussing the many Immortal Sect Prodigies who had emerged, feeling puzzled.
On the night of the Summer Solstice, Rihua County, Human Race Altar.
Immortal light surged for many days, like an eternal sacred fire swaying. In the very center, pairs of eyes gradually opened.
Not long after, Xiao Hanyan also opened her eyes, her expression dazed.
There was no Heavenly Dao feedback, not even a sense of immersion.
Could it be that her Dao Heart was not in harmony with the Heavenly Dao?
She had already been deeply affected by this Youxian Assembly. Now, unable to receive Heavenly Dao feedback, her Dao Heart was even more difficult to calm.
She didn't understand why she had been regarded as a Prodigy for over twenty years, always considered a candidate for the Palace Master's direct Disciple within the academy, yet suddenly one day she was inferior to others in every aspect.
Under the dark night, in the altar where immortal light surged, Xiao Hanyan clutched her chest. Amidst her mottled Dao Heart, desires that had been suppressed for years due to cultivation began to resurface repeatedly, causing her to become increasingly agitated.
However, at this moment, she observed the situation of those around her by following the immortal light, but suddenly discovered that under the dark night, the Great Priest, whose face was covered in paint, was also awake, and her eyes couldn't help but widen slightly.
Because she knew that this priest's responsibility was to pull out cultivators who received feedback, preventing them from dissolving into the Dao due to immersion.
Among these hundreds of people, even if only one person was in harmony with the Heavenly Dao, he had to enter meditation with that person.
Could it be that no one here was in harmony with the Heavenly Dao?
Xiao Hanyan stood up and looked around, only then realizing that those who had not yet opened their eyes also had slightly furrowed brows.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Hanyan's gaze returned to the Great Priest, and she noticed that he seemed to be trembling constantly.
Since ancient times, the Human Race sages established this altar and set up the position of priest, enlightening them to generations and managing the Tiandao Conference for thousands of years without exception.
But no one knew that, in fact, at the very moment this Tiandao Conference began, this old priest had already discovered something was wrong.
He couldn't see the sky, nor could he feel the guidance of the Heavenly Dao.
Moreover, when he chanted the sacrificial song, he felt an involuntary tremor in his heart.
But he didn't dare to speak, and had been pretending for several days.
Because for so many years, their clan had relied on the position of priest to be extraordinary in the world. They couldn't let others know that they were useless. The Great Priest now looked up at the high sky, for the first time in his life no longer finding it bright, but rather feeling it was as unfathomable as a whirlpool.
Because the priest remained silent, and the inability to obtain feedback also happened occasionally, not many people in the Human Race Altar noticed anything amiss.
At the same time, west of the ancient stone official road in Qing Province,
Ji You, holding a long sword, moved through the dark deep forest. The scorching aura made the falling rain steam with white mist as he ascended the mountain.
In front of his pursuit, an Evil Seed with crimson eyes was rushing through the mountain stream.
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