Chapter 120: They

At dawn, Ji You opened his eyes; the first light had already seeped through the window lattice and fallen upon the floor.

At this moment, he suppressed his aura, and the sword qi swirling around him gradually dissipated.

After washing and grooming, he pushed open the door; Ding Yao was already waiting in the courtyard.

Ding Yao wore her usual indifferent expression; seeing him ready, she stepped forward and led him toward Xuanjian Peak. As they reached the corridor bridge, they saw a large crowd already gathered at the Watch Immortal Platform.

Today was the final match of Tian Shu Academy’s quest for the Spirit Sword Mountain, with You Buyu facing Zhuang You of Tianjian Peak, best two out of three as yesterday.

“You know where the Sword Grove is—go on your own today. I’ll stay to watch the match.”

Midway across the corridor bridge, Ding Yao suddenly spoke.

She was not Zhuo Wanqiu, who could wait half a day on the mountain; she played the obedient girl in the courtyard only because of her Master, and why should she pretend before him?

Ji You didn’t force her to accompany him up the mountain; he simply nodded and followed the mountain path toward the peak.

The sword is cultivated alone; even if Ding Yao came along, she’d only wait outside the Grove—useless.

Ji You never used maids in daily life, yet Yan Shuyi insisted someone follow him—was he afraid Ji You would stare at the bosomy female sword cultivators of Spirit Sword Mountain?

At this moment, all Tian Shu Academy disciples had arrived at the Watch Sword Platform; some spotted Ji You ascending alone, his white robes fluttering in the morning light, and knew he was heading for the Sword Grove again.

“At a time like this, still going to the Sword Grove?”

“Let him go. Country private cultivators are freer—we aristocrats are bound by duty, but he cares only for himself, not Tian Shu Academy’s honor…”

“If he loves sword art so much, why not join Spirit Sword Mountain?”

“He must pass sixteen swords through the first bamboo grove—Spirit Sword Mountain would still have to accept him…”

“I heard Brother You say the other day that Ji You disobeys orders and acts recklessly; after returning, he plans to petition the Hall Master to expel him…”

“Then he’d just be a country private cultivator again?”

Amid the murmurs, You Buyu, already on the platform, pressed his knees: “Even if I win this match, it’s only a draw with Spirit Sword Mountain. Bring Ji You down—don’t let him humiliate us further!”

Two wins could be flaunted, even if a disciple lost face; but one win and one loss demanded restraint.

Wang Yue and Fang Linchao understood this well—they knew now was no time for distractions, so they sent Fang Qing, the same man from earlier, to Tianjian Peak.

Then You Buyu rose, his face solemn, and stepped onto the Watch Sword Platform.

After He Lingxiu’s loss yesterday, he had briefly been unsettled, but now his confidence had returned.

He believed Zhuang You was no match for him—otherwise, no one would have attacked him that night below the mountain.

Thus, as the direct disciple of Jixiang Hall stepped onto the platform, his aura instantly erupted outward.

Simultaneously, swirling dark light surged over his body, thunder rumbling through him, qi waves churning like He Lingxiu’s myriad arts yesterday.

Across from him walked another man, clad in black martial attire, under thirty, hair flowing, eyes sharp as blades—he was Zhuang You, direct disciple of Tianjian Peak.

He stood on the platform, gazing at You Buyu, his body encircled only by a crisp, refined sword intent.

You Buyu’s brow furrowed slightly—he felt this man was familiar, as if they had met before.

But with battle imminent, he gave it no further thought; he drew his sword and bowed respectfully, and a fierce battle aura rose between them.

“Attack.”

“After you.”

Before their words faded, they were drowned by a piercing sword hum.

The next instant, both became blurs as they collided—steel met steel, sparks flying everywhere.

Zhuang You’s sword intent was icy and piercing, descending like stacked waves, sword qi surging straight to the heavens.

This was Spirit Sword Mountain’s sword art—identical to Yan Shujing’s yesterday: razor-sharp, direct, brimming with lethal intent.

You Buyu’s pupils contracted sharply; immediately, his myriad arts encircled his sword, dark light blazing amid the boiling battle aura.

On the high platform, the clash was frenzied, dazzling.

Even a blink could miss several fierce exchanges.

You Buyu’s aura was thick and powerful; the raw battle intent he displayed seemed to overpower his opponent—even distant spectators felt its pressure.

Rongdao Realm—the second of the top five realms—already marked an extraordinary master.

Yet at that moment, a sword light erupted skyward, slicing through You Buyu’s swirling wind shield with ease; a longsword instantly closed in.

Puff—a sound like heaven’s light falling, shaking all four directions.

A thunderclap-powered force of ten thousand jin slammed down; You Buyu’s sword suddenly shot upward in a blinding slash.

“This sword technique…”

“Not a sword technique—it’s a spell, of Thunder Dao, channeled into the blade to unleash ten-thousand-jin killing intent.”

Wen Zhengxin, Ban Yangshu, and others watched the duel intently, their brows furrowing and relaxing in turn.

The demon emperor’s son on the platform finally showed interest, leaning forward—but his gaze never left Zhuang You.

Boom—the two clashed again, then separated for the first time.

As they parted, everyone suddenly felt a glow obscure their vision; then they saw You Buyu stagger back two steps, a bloody gash appearing on his arm.

At this sight, all on the platform held their breath; You Buyu clenched his teeth.

Tian Shu Academy’s myriad arts could gather wind into a shield—basic defense. He knew his opponent’s sword was fast, but he’d underestimated its sharpness.

You Buyu drew a deep breath; dark light erupted from his body, his sword sweeping upward with force like a collapsing mountain, light and aura spraying everywhere.

“This will be a grueling battle…”

Ban Yangshu muttered under his breath, frowning at Zhuang You, whose expression never changed.

Though pierced, he didn’t believe You Buyu would lose.

This was the first match—both were holding back; their killing techniques hadn’t been unleashed yet.

Judging from their earlier exchange, their combat strength was nearly equal; this initial clash likely meant a prolonged battle—and thus prolonged fighting.

Meanwhile, the surging aura and fierce sword light on the field continued to crisscross.

Though You Buyu’s mind was cluttered, his realm was real; his current techniques surpassed He Lingxiu’s—his myriad arts were brutal, almost suppressing his opponent.

Zhuang You, however, kept dodging, his sword strikes repeatedly interrupted.

Ding Yao clenched her skirt, watching intently, as if forgetting time’s passage, until her eyes ached and she blinked.

But before her eyes could rest, her gaze was drawn to a blinding sword light.

On the Watch Sword Platform, Zhuang You, after several dodges, suddenly raised his sword and slashed down—a powerful sword light, laced with violent malice, cleaved downward.

At this single strike, countless onlookers gasped in shock.

You Buyu’s wind current, which had bound his sword swings, suddenly failed—he was slashed backward, blood spraying from his shoulder as he crashed onto the ground outside the platform.

A muffled groan rose; the Hall Master’s direct disciple’s face was etched with disbelief.

He was You Buyu—born proud, exceptionally gifted.

Even after He Lingxiu lost the first match, his confidence in victory hadn’t wavered.

Yes, he’d expected a hard battle, victory not easy—but he’d never imagined being slashed away in one blow.

If Zhuang You was this strong, why had Spirit Sword Mountain sent a Yingtian Realm elder to ambush him at night? It made no sense!

Yet Ding Yao suppressed a mocking smile, thinking: Tian Shu Academy this time will truly lose all face.

Ah, no—eyes still hurt.

She rubbed her eyes and gazed far off—then saw two people descending the mountain.

The one ahead was a Tianjian Peak disciple, seemingly named Huang Hui; his steps were hurried, coming from the direction of the Sword Grove.

She watched closely and saw the disciple reach close, whispering urgently into Elder Yan Ye’s ear.

Then Yan Ye frowned, thought a moment, waved his hand dismissively, and let the disciple return up the mountain.

The other was a Tian Shu Academy disciple—he had circled the corridor bridge back to the Watch Sword Platform; now he stared at the bloodstains on You Buyu’s robe, uncertain whether he’d won or lost, too afraid to ask.

“Where’s Ji You?”

“Report, Elder, I couldn’t find him.”

“Twice now—you can’t even find one person? What’s the difference between you and a useless waste?!”

The same reply as yesterday enraged You Buyu; he’d lost one match, his heart burned with anxiety, his temper now raging.

Not even Ji You, let alone his loyal lackey Wang Yue, would escape a torrent of abuse if they displeased him.

“Wang Yue, go—bring him back, broken leg if he won’t come!”

“Yes.”

As Wang Yue swiftly left his seat, Wen Zhengxin and Pei Ruyi exchanged glances, then rose together and headed toward Tianjian Peak.

They’re going to lose face…

That was the only thought in both their minds.

After reaching Rongdao Realm, Tian Shu Academy’s myriad arts weren’t weak.

Whether at the Heavenly Dao Assembly or the Wandering Immortal Gathering, even if matches were meant to be friendly, Tian Shu Academy had never been humiliated so badly at the same realm.

Could Spirit Sword Mountain’s sword art truly be so mysterious? Could it truly be unbeatable within the same realm?

They no longer had the luxury to ponder such questions; their only thought was to reach Ji You first and bring him down.

Because if You Buyu lost again, Tian Shu Academy would have no face to remain on the mountain—they’d leave immediately.

If the younger brother didn’t know and was left behind, he’d be in greater danger.

Even if he wasn’t left behind, if he didn’t return with the group and remained in their Sword Grove, he’d be punished upon returning to Tian Shu Academy.

Meanwhile, Ding Yao, who had been standing beside the Watch Sword Platform, ascended the mountain.

But she wasn’t worried that Ji You couldn’t descend after Tian Shu Academy’s loss—after all, her heart still leaned toward Wen Dao Sect.

Her Master’s favor was too extreme—he saw almost nothing but him; if Ji You died on the mountain, her Master’s obsession would vanish—why not?

Her reason for ascending now was because she saw the disciple named Huang Hui returning again.

This time, he approached Elder Yan Ye once more, whispering urgently; Yan Ye’s brow deeply furrowed, glanced at the battlefield, then followed him up the mountain, his steps just as hurried.

Seeing this, Ding Yao found it strange.

This time, Yan Ye was representing Tianjian Peak to oversee the contest; if she left yesterday, that was understandable, since yesterday’s match was between the Second Young Lady of Xuanjian Peak.

But today’s match is between their Tianjian Peak’s direct disciples—why would she leave midway?

(To stop updating here is truly deserving of ten thousand deaths...)

(End of chapter)