Chapter 131: Wherever You Go, There

The disciples of Shanhai Pavilion and Wenda Zong began descending the mountain in the morning, as if they had come for nothing.

Yet as they were leaving, they saw Ding Yao leading a large group of disciples who had previously entered the ruins, heading toward the courtyard where Tian Shu Academy’s disciples were staying.

Soon after, Pei Ruyi, Wen Zhengxin, Ban Yangshu, and others watched as those disciples bowed to them in apology, their expressions strangely uneasy.

This scene, witnessed by the disciples of both sects gathered at Wangjian Terrace preparing to depart, also carried an ambiguous meaning.

Apology?

Recall that Tian Shu Academy’s inquiry arose precisely because Lingjian Mountain, in collusion with Wenda Zong , had attacked them—and refused to apologize.

Now that Tian Shu Academy has lost its challenge, why is Lingjian Mountain rushing to apologize?

“It’s not Lingjian Mountain yielding—I overheard a few words outside the courtyard. Ding Yao said she acted against the Master’s orders, privately ordering disciples to strike, and now she comes to apologize in her own name.”

“Her own name?”

“Yes. She claims it was personal conduct, unrelated to Lingjian Mountain.”

In fact, not only did Wenda Zong and Shanhai Pavilion’s disciples feel confused—Tian Shu Academy’s disciples did too, finding the apology utterly inexplicable.

Especially those who had been surrounded and attacked earlier, they suspected she was pretending to apologize while secretly sneering and mocking.

Yet what they hadn’t expected was that Ding Yao’s expression was genuinely sincere, with no trace of arrogance.

Coupled with her obedient compliance just days ago when Ji You ordered her to seek herbs, everyone found the whole affair deeply strange.

It felt as if Ding Yao weren’t a servant to the junior Master of Lingjian Mountain, but rather Ji You’s own servant.

“Where’s my younger brother? What did you do to him?”

“Young Master Ji is unharmed. Don’t worry—he simply stayed up late last night and is still resting in the courtyard. He’ll descend soon and rejoin you all.”

Upon hearing Ding Yao’s words, everyone exchanged glances.

Case solved: she’s not a servant—she’s his fiancée.

Otherwise, how would she know Ji’s brother stayed up late last night?

Zhuo Wanqiu, seeing the strange glances around her, quickly spoke: “Rest assured—Lingjian Mountain will not let him come to harm.”

Yet even with her earnest words, Pei Ruyi remained uneasy.

“If Young Master Ji truly is unharmed, he should have descended at dawn to report his safety—why hasn’t he shown himself even as the sun climbs high?”

Zhuo Wanqiu recalled the scene she’d seen when knocking on the door that morning to ask if he wished to eat—perhaps, she thought, the Master had seen him preparing to leave, and though he said nothing, simply refused to let go of him from his arms…

At that moment, a figure in white robes appeared on the mountain path, looking reasonably spirited, though his clothes were slightly disheveled.

A crumpled patch of dampness clung to his chest—now dried—its origin unknown.

Seeing Ji You safe, Tian Shu Academy’s disciples sighed in relief, yet their expressions turned complicated.

“Younger brother, are you alright?”

“I’m fine, Senior Sister. Just my waist and back ache from all the exertion.”

“?”

Bai Ru looked at Ding Yao, thinking: My Brother Ji is truly my Brother Ji—vibrant and alive. He cut through the Sword Forest by day, and by night left his waist aching. Truly, the Dao (of desire), the Dan (of audacity), the Bao (of stamina), the Tian (of endurance)…

Meanwhile, the disciples of Shanhai Pavilion and Wenda Zong had already descended first, missing this moment of Ji You’s arrival.

Precisely because they hadn’t seen it, many felt unwilling to leave, lingering instead in Nanhua City, seeking teahouses and taverns to wait.

Especially Wenda Zong ’s disciples—especially Min Cheng.

Most of them had entered the Sword Forest.

Some with higher realms had even passed the first layer, but abandoned their attempt when facing [Willow’s New Hue], unable to endure its pressure; the third layer was never even considered.

So now they were desperate to know: had Ji You died—or not?

If he hadn’t died, how severe were his injuries? Was he near death?

This matter seemed unrelated to them, yet it mattered deeply to their Dao hearts—especially for those of the same Tongxuan Realm, especially Min Cheng.

If Ji You descended in a state as if dead and unburied, they’d feel a sliver of comfort, convincing themselves the gap wasn’t insurmountable.

During the wait, others began discussing Ji You’s breakthrough in the forest, recounting details far more vivid than the rumors of days past.

Especially the tale of Ji You stretching his arms wide, unleashing seven swords at once, seven waves of [Little Heavy Mountain] crashing over [Return Home], vanishing into the fourth layer amid dazzling light—so vivid it felt as if one had been there in person.

Yet the rumors about the fourth layer were somewhat false, obviously fabricated.

The storyteller had clearly never witnessed Ji You’s sword strike against [Thought Without Evil]—only seen him cut through [Return Home].

At the hour of Wushi, a group of white-robed disciples descended Lingjian Mountain’s path, instantly drawing the attention of cultivators in the city.

Below their pitch-black blades, the figures moving along the mountain path appeared tiny, especially amid the swirling mountain mist.

But with cultivator eyesight, this distance was more than enough to see every face clearly.

At the front of the path walked two disciples carrying a bamboo palanquin, upon which lay a man with a pale face.

His hands hung limp, eyes tightly shut, expression grim.

After all, a direct disciple of Tian Shu Academy’s First Hall descending in such a state was a complete loss of face.

Yet this man only drew fleeting glances from the city’s cultivators—the true object of their wait now emerged from the clouds.

He wore a white robe, radiating vigor, his gaze calm. After descending with the group, he turned toward the city’s inn, then stepped into a carriage and slowly closed his eyes.

[Gentle Breeze, Clear Clouds]

Along both riverbanks, in teahouses and taverns, every gaze now converged.

“He’s not injured at all…”

“Perhaps the injury is hidden beneath his robes.”

“There is a crumpled white stain on his chest—dried water, perhaps washed blood.”

“But his bearing is vigorous—any injury must be minor. The rumor that he barely broke through [Thought Without Evil] was clearly fabricated.”

As these words faded, the crowd in the teahouses and taverns withdrew their gazes from the windows, falling silent.

They had expected Ji You to descend half-dead after breaking the forest—but now, seeing his steady steps and overwhelming aura, they knew breaking the Sword Forest had been effortless for him.

The rural private cultivators who had entered the academy to save others… the outer hall disciples still waiting to be admitted to the inner hall…

“No wonder he held his own against Gongshu Chou in the ruins, trading blows with swords for countless rounds, never yielding, nearly killing Gongshu Chou in the end.”

“Huh? Where did you hear that part?”

“I was chatting with someone last night on Lingjian Mountain—a masked man told it. That detail was tucked inside.”

“?”

Amid the murmurs, the carriage hired by Tian Shu Academy slowly rolled forward, leaving Nanhua City—and taking Ji You, whose calm demeanor now seemed impossibly deep.

Yet before departing, someone saw Ji You quietly open his eyes, gazing deeply at the celestial palace above the clouds.

And within the swirling mountain mist, a fluttering hem of a skirt seemed to stand motionless atop the peak.

Then the carriage headed north, carrying away the disciples who had come to challenge, and Ji You closed his eyes once more.

He wasn’t posing or feigning profundity—he was absorbing spiritual energy.

Yesterday, when he directly clashed with [Thought Without Evil], he ignited the spiritual fire within his body, pushing his flesh to the brink of peak condition. Though his shoulders were torn by sword qi, he immediately felt a surge of exhilaration.

He vaguely sensed that his failed Tenth Micro-Illumination might now succeed.

By nightfall, the moonlight had grown hazy, yet the carriage still raced onward.

Because summer was hot, their carriage had a canopy overhead but no side curtains.

During the journey, many disciples’ gazes kept returning to Ji You’s carriage.

They saw Ji You hugging himself, eyes still closed, his aura continuously spilling outward, radiating intense heat.

“Younger Brother Ji’s aura seems even stronger than when we arrived…”

“Pity—the Wenda Zong disciples hesitated for so long in Nanhua City, never daring to strike.”

“Wenda Zong seeks to maintain good relations with Lingjian Mountain—they won’t attack at the gate. But we haven’t reached Liangzhou yet; we’re still in Lingzhou territory. Vigilance is essential.”

After speaking to Wang Yue and Fang Linchao, He Lingxiu and the two turned back to look at Ji You.

The word “pity” had come from Wang Yue—but he didn’t wish for Wenda Zong to attack them; he wanted to witness Ji You’s sword in action.

For a thousand years, inner hall disciples had always looked down on outer hall disciples—never before had they felt this way.

And their sense of awe arose because, since learning his name, they’d never truly fathomed his depths.

Just as before, You Buyu had subtly signaled the senior students about to leave the academy to attack Ji You.

They had prepared thoroughly—but Sun Bin, upon stepping onto Bai Yu Terrace, was terrified by a single sword strike.

Now, after descending Lingjian Mountain, their first impression was that Ji You’s aura had changed again.

Especially the sharp sword intent he unconsciously radiated—far stronger than before—and his aura’s heat and intensity surpassed even his arrival.

No one could predict how powerful Ji You’s sword would be now—hence the word “pity.”

“It seems Chu He may not enter the inner hall this year after all.”

“Though… still… in any case, Chu He was taken home to receive transmission—he still has a chance…”

(Recommending a friend’s novel, *If You’re Reborn, There Must Be a Perfect Solution*, and thanking everyone for their monthly votes—rank seems to be climbing steadily, deeply grateful!)

(End of Chapter)