Chapter 348: A Son-in-Law to a Dragon?
On a bright autumn day, the morning light was faint, and the distant sky was a misty white.
Ji You sat on a bluestone on the cloud-shrouded cliff, having quietly entered a meditative state, his chest rising and falling slightly, in sync with his breathing rhythm.
At this moment, the Spiritual Qi scattered around the cloud-shrouded cliff began to continuously flow into his body.
With a slight movement of his Divine Thought, the vast spiritual sea within him ignited, starting to circulate through his limbs and Meridians, constantly crashing within his Meridians.
After many days of recuperation, his body had almost fully recovered.
Thus, Danyang Zi suggested he begin to absorb Spiritual Qi, combining it with the effects of Medicinal Pills to promote the recovery of his Meridians.
At this moment, as the powerful spiritual fire continuously surged within him, sparks began to erupt from his body.
A formidable power instantly surged forth, coalescing into a scorching Physical Body that roared out.
Amidst the magnificent Qi, the soil on the cliff began to tremble.
He had a Breakthrough.
Ji You couldn't help but murmur.
When he entered the ruins with the Six Great Immortal Sects, his Body Refining level had only reached the third stage, and according to his previous analysis, this Physical Body Realm should have nine stages.
After returning from the ruins, he was first in a coma, then recuperating, and only dared to use Spiritual Qi to ensure he didn't put pressure on his body. But when he resumed Body Refining, he found that he seemed to have crossed a major threshold, which was what he was supposed to encounter at the fifth stage.
If judged purely by combat strength, he should now be close to the Boundless Realm Upper Stage.
This kind of thing sounded unexpected, but it wasn't too surprising.
The battle in the altar almost cost him his life, and the amazing Sword Array had also been incredibly tempering for him. It wasn't strange for his Physical Body to achieve a Breakthrough under extreme conditions.
He could probably beat that tsundere now.
Wouldn't he be able to make her lie down when he wanted her to, kneel when he wanted her to, spread her legs when he wanted her to, and admit she was a little water tiger when he wanted her to?
Ji You gently raised the corner of his mouth, then slowly exhaled a mouthful of turbid Qi from his body, stood up from the bluestone, and turned to walk towards the pavilion behind him.
Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu were waiting for him in the pavilion at this time, and both stood up when they saw him finish his Body Refining.
After Ji You's mobility recovered, he gradually didn't need them to be by his side. Although the three of them often went out to wander and chat, it felt somewhat boring.
In summary, a conscious Young Master was not as fun as an unconscious Young Master.
"Young Master."
"It's over, let's go back and rest."
Ji You took the brocade handkerchief Zhuo Wanqiu handed him to wipe his sweat, and sat on the wheelchair that Ding Yao was holding.
Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu pushed him down the mountain: "Kuang Gongzi came this morning. He has already written a plan for the circulation of grain and spiritual seedlings in Feng Province, and asked when Young Master will return to Feng Province."
"In five days. Elder Danyang Zi said I won't need to take Medicinal Pills after five days."
"Then when we go back, I'll send someone to inform him."
The disaster was over, the tsundere was safe, and Ji You's injuries had almost recovered.
So he decided to return to Feng Province, to continue the path he had planned before, and lead the poor common people to make money.
It was true that the Barbarian were still moving south, but he couldn't do much by himself, so he might as well do what he could.
In fact, things were much better now than before. Ji You had no grand ambitions; when he first came to Qingyun World, he only wanted to join a private cultivation stronghold and be a bandit.
Ji You was contemplating when he heard Ding Yao's voice beside him: "Young Master, your Senior Sister came again this morning, and also sent a lot of Medicinal Pills."
"Senior Sister He?"
"Yes, she's been here five times in these three days, and the He Family Head also came with her today. It's a bit too proactive."
After Ji You woke up, he couldn't stay in his room and often went out for walks, so the people in the academy were well aware of his awakening.
He Lingxiu did visit frequently, showing great concern.
However, in Ji You's opinion, his Senior Sister, who had the world in her heart, did this primarily because, after experiencing the Human Race's great calamity, she suddenly had the idea of trying to win him over to her Family's side through marriage.
In fact, he was right, but the object was wrong.
This time, He Lingxiu wanted to introduce him to a marriage not with the Qiu Family's young lady, but with herself.
It was already the hour of Yi, and the sun was warm.
In the third house of the first row of immortal residences in the Inner Courtyard, He Lingxiu sat upright at the tea table in the courtyard.
Her father, He Ye, and several Elders of the Family sat opposite him, drinking tea and conversing.
Tianshu Academy had a new Celestial Book Institute Head Teacher, which was a very significant event for the Sects attached to Tianshu Academy. They naturally had to come to offer congratulations, and the He Family was no exception.
At this moment, the aroma of spiritual tea continuously wafted through the courtyard, mellow and rich.
"After the campaign, all the great Sects suffered heavy losses. Even two Divine Soul Realm Old Ancestors of my He Family perished in that battle. An existence with outstanding combat power like Ji You must absolutely not be let go."
He Ye's voice echoed in the courtyard, causing everyone, including He Lingxiu, to fall silent.
Because of her father's words, the image of Chu Xian falling and Ji You standing with his sword propped up flashed in her mind, and her eyelashes trembled slightly.
When the Tiandao Conference ended that year, Ji You entered the Xianxian Holy Land for cultivation but did not achieve a Breakthrough, which led to much discussion among the people of the world.
But later, some said that Elder Fang constantly avoided him, and the sword injury he sustained in the Dongping Mountain Range might have been inflicted by him.
However, rumors were just rumors, and not many believed them.
Especially He Lingxiu, who had been in seclusion all last year and was not very clear about these rumors, always felt that Ji You had hit a Bottleneck and would probably no longer have any glory to his name.
It wasn't until this campaign that they truly saw Ji You's combat power.
Punching an Innate Realm Evil Seed to death, blocking a Divine Soul Realm demon's attack with his sword, contending for Divine Soul with the Heavenly Dao, and killing Chu Xian amidst Evil Qi.
All these events along the way made people tremble with fear.
He Ye now looked at his daughter: "Lingxiu, be more active in Tianshu Academy in the future, and you must recruit him as a son-in-law into our Family."
He Long frowned upon hearing this: "He has a private relationship with the daughter of the Dan Sect; he might not agree."
"Although the Dan Sect is an Immortal Sect, it cannot cultivate the Immortal Dao and can only seal its mountain before major events, which already explains a lot. Especially since Ji You's Body Refining technique does not require much Medicinal Pill, it can be seen that she is not a good match for him."
He Ye rotated his teacup and continued: "Especially the Dan Sect's sealing of the mountain, which may be related to the Six Great Immortal Sects' exploration of the ruins."
He Long was slightly taken aback: "There's more to this?"
"The ruins have always been under the supervision of the Six Great Immortal Sects and were never opened. Yet when disaster struck, they had already been opened. In my opinion, the Six Great Immortal Sects must have secretly harbored greed. There were also Alchemists involved in the Qi Ridge disaster back then. Don't you think the timing of the Dan Sect's sealing of the mountain is too coincidental?"
"The Family Head means that the Six Great Immortal Sects once forced the Dan Sect to lend Alchemists to help them explore the immortal destiny, and the Dan Sect sealed the mountain out of fear?"
He Ye nodded: "Exactly. So, although the Dan Sect appears glorious on the surface, it is actually an existence that cannot enter the core of power, and its attraction to Ji You will not be that great."
He Long nodded after hearing this: "That's true."
"Sect marriages are for mutual leveraging of power. Marrying into my He Family is not a loss for him. Once Lingxiu bears him children, the second child can take his surname. As for the other women around him, we can largely turn a blind eye."
He Ye raised his teacup: "The Dan Sect needs a marriage that is loyal to them, and their control over a son-in-law is very strict. I don't think they will offer such good conditions."
Hearing this, He Lingxiu couldn't help but frown slightly.
After being rescued by Ji You during the campaign, she did develop feelings for this Junior Brother.
Especially during this period of calm after the disaster, every night, the figure holding a sword and guarding the front would stealthily enter her dreams with the wind, leaving her in a sweat.
But some things, for her, were not easy to accept.
Bearing children for Ji You and letting the second child take his surname was not a problem, but turning a blind eye and allowing him to have other fleeting romances was something she strongly resisted.
The He Family was one of the few millennium Sects remaining in Qingyun World, and even had marital ties with the Tianshu Academy's Palace Lord, holding a high status.
He Lingxiu herself was also about to enter the Innate Realm. A woman with such cultivation was hard to find in this world.
She had her own pride; even when she had considered Chai Ze and Shi Junhao before, she had never thought of allowing them to take concubines.
"Lingxiu?"
He Lingxiu's eyelashes trembled slightly upon hearing the call, and she slowly came back to her senses, looking at her father: "I was just thinking about something. What are your instructions, Father?"
"What do you think of what I just said, my child?
"I can accept the former, but asking me to turn a blind eye to the women around him is somewhat difficult for your daughter."
He Ye patted her shoulder: "For thousands of years, marriages among Qingyun Sects have always been like this. It's not unheard of. I know such conditions might be a bit unfair to you, but as my eldest daughter, you should consider the Family."
He Lingxiu thought for a long time and then reluctantly nodded: "Let's go with what Father said for now. We can discuss things after Junior Brother Ji marries in. How to manage my husband is ultimately up to me."
"In that case, let's find a suitable time to formally invite him to a banquet. This matter will be in my name."
"All as Father wishes."
The discussion ended, and He Ye and He Long stood up and left He Lingxiu's courtyard.
They were not Disciples of Tianshu Academy, and according to the academy's rules, unless they were invited distinguished guests, others were not allowed to stay overnight in the courtyard.
Especially now, with undercurrents surging in Qingyun World and constant open and secret struggles, this was even more so.
He Lingxiu saw the two off from Tianshu Academy, and when she returned to the mountain, she involuntarily looked in the direction of Jixiang Hall.
However, as she looked, she suddenly paused.
Because on the mountain path, full of golden-yellow trees, she saw many Senior Sisters and Junior Sisters from prominent families in the academy walking back and forth on the mountain path.
Some of them clearly did not belong to Jixiang Hall.
Among them, there was even Yu Shiliu, with whom she had a good relationship.
Ji You had already returned to Jixiang Hall and was currently with Cao Jinsong and others who had come for a routine visit, looking at a pile of invitation cards in front of them.
This was similar to when he first entered the Inner Courtyard and when he won first place at the Tiandao Conference, but the identities of the senders were vastly different.
When he entered the Inner Courtyard, the invitations he received were mostly from century-old Sects. This time, most were from millennium Sects.
"This truly shows how times have changed! Look, there's even a personal letter from an Elder of the Chen Clan!"
Cao Jinsong picked up an interesting one and unfolded it: "My Family has a great-granddaughter, eighteen years old, gentle and virtuous. What do you think?"
Ji You, sitting at the tea table, said: "I dare not look."
"?"
"My backyard has never been something I can decide."
Cao Jinsong nodded in agreement after hearing this.
If it were in the past, Old Cao would definitely advise him to marry quickly.
But after knowing that his main one was the Young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain, they dared not speak carelessly.
If someone wanted to enter the Disciple's courtyard, his agreement was useless; the most powerful one had to agree.
Moreover, those millennium Sects, priding themselves on their deep backgrounds, all wanted him to marry into their families. If the Young Master Jian saw them, let alone entering the courtyard, they would probably be thrown into a mountain ditch with broken legs.
"The world bustles for profit, and the world scrambles for profit. After the campaign, Junior Brother Ji's true combat power emerged, so naturally his door would be crowded. Even my Family sent an invitation, completely mismatched."
Wen Zhengxin took out a warm invitation from his Pregnant, subtly handing it to Ji You.
Ji You took it, thinking, "Senior Sister, don't pretend."
You and the Lu Family Sisters have clearly already arranged your order without my knowledge.
After looking at the Wen Family's invitation, Ji You reached out and opened several other invitations.
Although he said he dared not look, curiosity was inevitable.
Among those who sent invitations this time, besides the Chen Clan's Elder with a different surname, the ones with the deepest backgrounds were undoubtedly the He Family and the millennium Yu Family, to which Elder Yu of Tianshu Academy belonged.
Most of them hoped for Ji You to marry into their families and promised many things.
Actually, as an outsider, although Ji You lived in the current environment, he didn't deeply understand the importance of Sect alliances until the numerous invitations started pouring in, which finally gave him some insight.
A lone private cultivator from the countryside, no matter how high his combat power, could only be taken as a son-in-law in the eyes of some high-and-mighty Immortal Cultivation Sects.
How could individual combat power compare to a large Sect?
So, even if they promised things like a second son changing his surname or not pursuing outside romantic entanglements, it was still a matter of becoming a son-in-law.
In contrast, that proud girl, from the moment they met until she started calling him ‘husband’ sweetly, never once mentioned wanting him to become a son-in-law of Lingjian Mountain, nor did she say that if she truly became pregnant, the child must bear the Yan surname.
Yuan Caiwei was the same.
She had given herself to him, but never mentioned this matter on Dan Mountain.
Unconditional intimacy means that no matter what the future holds, she will walk with you.
And these relationships, full of conditions, you can hear the taste of transactional exchange just by listening.
“Your Highness Chong Wang, long time no see.”
“Is that Sect Master Xu? It’s been many days since we last met, please come in quickly!”
“Thank you, Your Highness Chong Wang. I have some matters to attend to in Shengjing and need to stay for a few days.”
“Sect Master Xu, you are too polite. Stay as long as you wish, and feel free to instruct my mansion’s servants with anything you need.”
“I happen to have some invitations I wish to send to Tianshu Academy; I would appreciate Your Highness Chong Wang’s trouble.”
In the following days, Chong Wang received many guests from afar, including the Xu Family from Yong Province and the Jiang Family from Yu Province.
All these Sects were invited by Chong Wang and stayed at his residence, and they all entrusted him with sending their invitations to Tianshu Academy.
Chong Wang initially didn't know who these invitations were for or why, until the attendant who went to Tianshu Academy said that all these invitations were for Ji You.
Indeed, Ji You had frequently appeared in the mountains these past few days, and news of his recovery gradually reached some Sects with close ties to Tianshu Academy.
This stirred the hearts of many prominent families, who wished to recruit Ji You as a son-in-law. Even some who had previously held grudges against him, constantly calling him a private cultivator from the countryside, quietly lowered their stance.
Punching to death a Boundless Realm Evil Seed and deflecting a Divine Travel Realm Barbarian’s killing blow with a sword—such combat power was enough to spend everything to recruit him.
And even more terrifying was his recovery ability.
In just over three months, he went from critically wounded to fully recovered, truly a monster.
After a great disaster, all these Sects suffered heavy losses, with less than one in ten Divine Travel Realm Old Ancestors remaining. Facing turmoil and competition concerning the Family's hundred-year prosperity, an existence with monstrous combat power could decide many things.
It's no exaggeration to say that Ji You's participation could very likely determine how much of the 'cake' these Sects would receive, as well as their rise and fall for the next hundred years.
“During the heavy snow of the New Year, I remember this Xu Family even came to Tianshu Academy to force a decision. How come they’ve brought their legitimate daughter now?”
“In Qingyun World, where is there true enmity? Everything is but profit.”
“What exactly did Ji You do during the expedition?”
“It is said that he punched three Innate Realm cultivators and one Boundless Realm cultivator to death, and even repelled a Divine Travel Realm cultivator.”
Whether it was Sects backed by Tianshu Academy or those from other provinces, they all came with young women from their families, sending invitations to Ji You. Even a fool could understand what they were doing.
Thus, discussions and rumors filled the teahouses and taverns.
Some even mentioned Princess Changle of Prince Chong's Mansion.
When Ji You defeated Chu River and entered the Inner Courtyard, Prince Chong's Mansion changed its previous attitude, and Princess Changle quickly sent a letter wanting to get close to him, but was subsequently rejected.
And now, these women were one more noble than the last, even surpassing the princesses of secular dynasties.
However, after several days of commotion, no one saw Ji You appear at any banquet, nor did any Sect receive a single word of response.
“The son-in-law’s aura is getting stronger and stronger.”
“Hmm, it looks like he’s almost fully recovered.”
As the evening glow filled the sky, Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu still remained in the pavilion, drinking tea and waiting.
Ji You, as usual, sat on the cloud-shrouded mountain cliff, using Body Refining to fill his Meridians, accelerating his body's recovery, and simultaneously exploring higher thresholds, until the spiritual fire engulfed his entire body.
This was his last dose of Medicinal Pill. The soreness from his swollen Meridians had clearly subsided, signaling that he had finally recovered completely.
After a long while, he retracted his Qi into his body and stood up, walking towards the pavilion.
“Remember to pack your things tonight. Tomorrow, we’re going to Feng Province with Instructor Cao and the others.”
“Replying to the son-in-law, the luggage is already being prepared.”
Ji You nodded upon hearing this and stepped into his wheelchair.
You know, once you get used to this thing, sometimes you really don't want to just throw it away.
“Today, many more people came to deliver invitations, quite a few from Tianshu Academy as well,” Ding Yao said as she pushed him towards Jixiang Hall, just as she did every day.
“Before we leave tomorrow, give those invitations to the Master's Courtyard Disciples and ask them to help return them.”
“The son-in-law isn’t keeping any?”
Ji You looked back at her: “Why don’t you two keep a few for me, show them to your Master Jian, and ask for her opinion.”
Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu exchanged glances: “Then our Lingjian Mountain will surely be full of jealousy.”
The three chatted as they descended the mountain, gradually arriving at the intersection of the five peaks, near the Purple Bamboo Zen Forest.
At this moment, Ji You felt a gaze, so he slightly turned his head.
At the edge of the Purple Bamboo Zen Forest, He Lingxiu, Yu Shiliu, and others were drinking tea. Seeing him descend the mountain, they also turned to look.
After a long gaze, Ji You gently nodded to the two, politely and respectfully, making He Lingxiu and Yu Shiliu’s eyes become very complex.
The invitations had been sent several days ago, and he had long known their contents. Yet, when they met in the academy these past few days, Ji You always seemed not to notice them, never responding, leaving them with a heavy, unresolved feeling.
This was the flaw of going straight to the point without prior probing.
In the past, their meetings were quite comfortable, but after the idea of marriage arose, things seemed to become a bit strange.
Especially since Ji You kept not responding, still treating them with courtesy, which made them feel a sense of oppression, as if waiting to be chosen.
However, for Ji You, this was fine, as he was returning to Feng Province. With time, this matter would naturally fade away.
Ji You retracted his gaze and, pushed by Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu, returned to Jixiang Hall, packed some things he needed to take back, and went to bed early.
“Young Master, it’s raining.”
“Indeed, where a Dragon walks, there is rain; where a Tiger walks, there is wind.”
On the morning after a peaceful night's sleep, Ji You dressed neatly and walked out from the back hall of Jixiang Hall.
Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu were standing at the hall entrance, looking at the falling rain. Hearing footsteps, they quietly turned their eyes: “Son-in-law, are you sure you don’t want to go to Lingjian Mountain first? Although Master Jian doesn’t say it, I bet she misses you.”
“I’ll go after I finish things in Feng Province. The weather is humid now, and grain is not easy to store. Besides, after the corpse tide, large areas of fertile land were destroyed, so there will probably be many refugees.”
The two women nodded, then took out a small parcel and handed it to him: “These are Young Master’s original things.”
When Ji You was unconscious, they had been taking care of him personally. His own storage gourd, including those he had taken from others, had all been kept by them.
Taking the parcel, Ji You put away the items inside, then picked up a black ring among them, observing it against the light for a long time, his eyes gradually showing confusion.
“What is this?”
“?”
Ding Yao leaned over to look: “It was taken off when we cleaned Young Master before. It was on your index finger. Isn’t it Young Master’s?”
Ji You frowned slightly: “Why don’t I remember having a ring like this?”
“The material looks pretty good. Could it be someone else’s? This is Jixiang Hall, maybe it belongs to that Head Teacher You.”
“Good material? Then it must be mine.”
“?”
Good things are in my hands, so they must be mine.
Ji You didn't think deeply. After grasping the ring, he walked down the mountain, while Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu held up umbrellas and followed behind him, walking down the mountain together.
Two large carriages were already parked in front of the gate, waiting quietly in the rain.
Ji You lifted the curtain, leading Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu into the carriage, and saw Cao Jinsong and the others already seated neatly inside.
Whoosh—
Raindrops fell on the carriage roof, gathering into trickles that dripped continuously along the canopy.
Ji You stepped into the carriage compartment and looked out of the half-open window at Tianshu Academy again.
After the disaster, many major events had occurred in Qingyun World.
The earth dragon overturned, and plagues ran rampant—these were all things Ji You had heard about after waking up.
Then the Celestial Book Institute Head Teacher Ascended, and after his Ascension, all the turmoil seemed to be subsiding.
Vaguely, Ji You felt that this world was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.
Especially since the Old Head Teacher had once visited him as the old doctor, but deliberately concealed his identity.
Coupled with the Legacy of the Night Watcher and the old man from the opera troupe's story about the Night Watcher being harmed by the Immortal Sects, everything left him full of doubts.
However, with the current complex situation, he could only take one step at a time.
Under the falling rain, the carriage slowly started, rolling over clear puddles and heading towards the north city gate.
He Lingxiu and Yu Shiliu stood on Ni Mountain, the Xu Family and Jiang Family in Prince Chong's Mansion, and some onlookers in the teahouse.
In the misty drizzle, countless gazes gradually retracted as the carriage left the city.
“He’s going back to Feng Province?”
“Yes.”
“To do what?”
“Farming, I suppose. The Worry-Free Commerce in the city was just renovated a few days ago, it looks like they plan to reopen.”
Although Worry-Free Commerce was near Chunhua Alley, and was not shattered when the Linxian Realm Barbarian attacked the mountain, the grey tiles of the front shop were still broken by splashing debris.
Craftsmen came to repair it a few days ago, and many people had seen them.
After the great disaster, Ji You's reputation soared, and countless Sects wanted him as their son-in-law, sending numerous invitations.
Yet, at this moment of potential rapid advancement, he left Tianshu Academy and was returning to Feng Province to farm.
Everyone couldn't help but recall Ji You before the Tiandao Conference finals. At that time, everyone was preparing for the final battle, while he took a break to go home and harvest wheat.
At this thought, countless people fell into silence, unsure why he was unwilling to choose even the daughters of these prominent families.
Who exactly did he want to choose?
In the Inner Courtyard teahouse pavilion, under the rain, He Lingxiu turned expressionlessly, using Spiritual Qi to dispel the raindrops, and walked towards Zizai Peak.
She thought the conditions offered by the He Family were excellent, enough to be enticing, but she never expected to receive not even a single word of response.
No response meant rejection, but it was also very different from a direct rejection.
Because a rejection could still be negotiated, but no response meant absolutely no room for negotiation.
“Lingxiu.”
He Lingxiu looked up at the sound, and saw Zuoqiuyang, the Hall Master, standing at the Zizai Hall entrance, looking at her as she ascended the mountain with calm eyes: “Uncle—”
“Your Dao Heart is in disarray, you’ve begun to fall into self-doubt. Tell Uncle what happened?”
He Lingxiu’s eyelashes trembled upon hearing this: “My Family intends to recruit Junior Brother Ji as a son-in-law, so they sent an invitation, but received no response. I believe I am not inferior to anyone, and I cannot understand why, so my mind is somewhat muddled.”
Zuoqiuyang stroked his long beard gently after hearing this: “You should have discussed it with me beforehand. I wouldn’t have let you act so rashly.”
“Uncle means that you already knew he wouldn’t respond, and would have told me not to even consider it, but why?”
“He already has a main wife, isn’t it normal for him not to respond?”
“Are you referring to Yuan Caiwei of Dan Sect?”
“No, it’s the Young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain.”
“?”
He Lingxiu was stunned at the sound, and after a long while, she looked up, incredulously, at her uncle.
(The ending was changed slightly, please vote for monthly tickets)
