Chapter 139: The Autumn Contest of Beginning Autumn

“Chu He has returned; his aura is extremely strong.”

“I heard he was personally trained by Chu Xian, a direct disciple of the Profound Heaven Immortal Mansion—clearly, the Chu family’s depth is not to be underestimated…”

“How strong is ‘extremely strong’? Is he as strong as Ji You?”

“He feels about equal, but I don’t know for sure…”

Chu He’s return to the Chu family before autumn, to participate in the Autumn Contest of the Heavenly Book Academy, was common knowledge.

Yet his aura upon returning now was utterly unlike what it had been when he left—mysterious and profound, leaving everyone stunned.

No one knew what he had endured within the Chu family, but the phrase “No wonder the Chu family” began to be spoken again.

Ji You had never met Chu He and didn’t know the strength of his aura, but he paid it little mind, continuing to refine his body within his chamber.

Ban Yangshu and the others, however, brought him rumors every day, sat in the courtyard gossiping loudly, and always came empty-handed yet drank his tea—making Ji You feel as if under siege.

“My father has come too.”

“Your father?”

Bai Ru long returned from outside, sat down, and took a sip of tea.

Bai Zhengze, head of the Bai family, lost his wife early and remarried; he showed little concern for his eldest son, Bai Ru long—so it was said he rarely even wrote letters.

Moreover, Bai Ru long had neglected his cultivation by spending time watching female cultivators practice swordplay in the Sword Trial Grove, never reaching the Passage to the Profound, let alone qualifying for the Inner Court, and had no intention of entering the Autumn Contest.

Thus, he was deeply puzzled by his father’s sudden arrival at the academy.

Besides his father, Du Zhu’s father—the current head of the Du family—had also come.

His son had surged forward half a year ago, overtaking others, and now stood at the early stage of Passage to the Profound.

Yet before Chu He and Ji You, he had virtually no chance of entering the Inner Court.

Bai Ru long didn’t understand why they were so excited, and with his estrangement from his father, he came here to escape the noise.

Meanwhile, in the neighboring courtyard of the same Bishui Lake Elegant Garden, Lu Qingqiu and several fellow female cultivators were also discussing the matter.

They had seen Chu He yesterday and indeed felt his overwhelming aura—the same aura they had sensed from Ji You.

“Who do you think will enter the Inner Court—Ji You or Chu He?”

“I still think Ji You will.”

“I think Chu He returned with great confidence.”

Amid the clamor, all eyes turned to Lu Qingqiu, who sat quietly sipping tea: “Qingqiu, what do you think?”

Lu Qingqiu snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head slightly: “I don’t know…”

During his time at the Heavenly Book Academy, Ji You had indeed demonstrated extraordinary talent.

But when the Chu family was involved, people still felt he was facing an unknown colossus.

Their confidence in Ji You came from his talent; their confidence in Chu He came from his lineage.

In truth, Lu Qingqiu hoped Ji You would lose.

If Chu He lost, he would return to his family after leaving the academy; but if Ji You lost, he had no family to return to—that was the Lu family’s opportunity.

Even if the legendary lineage's physical constitution was false, Ji You's demonstrated power alone was enough for every major family to treat him as an honored guest.

Lou Siyi couldn’t help speaking up: “Actually, none of us have seen either of them fight—none of us have seen Ji You’s sword art, nor the Chu family’s esoteric techniques. Judging solely by aura is too uncertain.”

Sun Qiaozhi lifted her gaze: “What about Ji You’s reaction?”

“I saw him once at the Immortal Dining Hall—he didn’t seem tense at all.”

After speaking, Lou Siyi looked at Lu Qingqiu: “Will you also enter the Autumn Contest?”

Lu Qingqiu smiled faintly: “It’s just an ordinary match, touch and go—nothing like theirs.”

“Pity—you’re only one step away from Passage to the Profound…”

“No pity needed. Everyone has their own limits of talent—no one is exempt.”

Lu Qingqiu’s Xuan Light had nearly coalesced, yet she remained one step short of breaking through to Passage to the Profound.

She had once focused entirely on Ji You, believing breakthrough was as simple as eating and drinking—natural and effortless.

But only when she tried it herself did she realize how difficult it truly was.

Because the Realm of the Self and the Realm of All Methods are fundamentally different: one requires only refining the self, the other demands comprehension of the Dao—force alone won’t suffice.

Her instructor often spoke of “sudden enlightenment,” yet even now, Lu Qingqiu had not achieved it.

The one who felt the weight of talent’s limits most deeply was Fang Ruoyao, sitting quietly in the corner.

She had taken a long time to awaken her spirit, yet still remained stuck in the Dim Illumination realm, making no progress.

So when she recalled last year in Yuyang County, remembering how Ji You had already secretly reached the peak of the Lower Three Realms, she fell even more silent.

At that time, she had never imagined Ji You might have a chance to enter the Inner Court.

Amid this chatter, the day of the Heavenly Book Academy’s Autumn Contest arrived quietly.

It was the day of Beginning Autumn, yet the heat had not fully faded; even at noon, the air remained stifling.

From dawn to dusk, the White Jade Platform hosted constant duels, swords singing and blades flashing—all departing disciples competing.

“Brother Cao Wei won.”

“Sister Qiao Rong lost…”

Such news circulated daily throughout the academy.

Unlike the three matches for Inner Court entry, these departing disciples’ duels were typically decided in a single bout.

Thus, most spectators were Outer Court disciples; few others paid attention.

Unless someone sought a cultivation partner before leaving, in which case the duels drew more notice—something that made Bai Ru long itch with longing.

Meanwhile, rumors of Inner Court duels occasionally spread, but Outer Court disciples could not enter the Inner Court to watch firsthand.

Ban Yangshu had come to watch several Outer Court duels and couldn’t help whistling.

He had seen Ji You’s sword strikes at every stage of his cultivation, once thinking even the weakest Outer Court disciples couldn’t be that far behind—now he understood the true gap.

By the third day, at the hour of the Snake, the sun blazed high—a time of lingering heat yet autumn winds.

Bai Ru long and Qian Yunxiao arrived before the White Jade Platform and saw Lu Qingqiu, holding a delicate long sword, step onto the platform to face an Outer Court senior sister.

These duels followed a platform format: the winner became the champion, remaining until defeated.

On the White Jade Platform, Lady Lu of Yunzhou summoned swirling spiritual energy, her sword sweeping forward against the senior sister, her blade dancing like wind.

She had trained for much time in the Sword Trial Grove under Master Wang, and her swordplay was quite refined.

The senior sister matched her in realm; their blades clashed repeatedly, ringing out, spiritual energy surging as gentle winds swirled—neither gaining clear advantage.

Yet as the senior sister channeled spiritual energy into her blade, a sudden hum arose from the corner, and another sword shot forth, instantly intercepting the attack.

The next instant, Lu Qingqiu’s blade surged like a wave, following the flying sword in a fierce slash—drawing gasps from the crowd.

“It feels like Lu Qingqiu is deliberately emulating Brother Ji’s fighting style…”

Qian Yunxiao, witnessing this, couldn’t help slightly opening his mouth.

Bai Ru long said nothing, watching a few more strikes before suddenly speaking: “Of course—it’s the same sword Ji You used to save us that day on the street!”

“It seems Ji You’s sword that day left an indelible impression on Miss Lu.”

Lou Siyi, nearby, heard their words and thought: Not just Lu Qingqiu.

Ever since the Sword Grove, even she and Sun Qiaozhi had begged Master Wang to teach them that sword style—because that single strike was unforgettable.

As the sun sank westward, by early afternoon, Lu Qingqiu was drenched in sweat, then bowed and stepped down after facing a Passage to the Profound senior sister.

“How was my sword just now?”

Bai Ru long and Qian Yunxiao clapped immediately: “It looked incredibly familiar.”

Lu Qingqiu smiled faintly: “How is Brother Ji doing now?”

“Same as always—sitting in meditation daily, rarely visiting the Enlightenment Grounds.”

“Tomorrow… the Inner Court Autumn Contest begins…”

As she murmured, Lu Qingqiu suddenly spotted a figure standing beyond the White Jade Platform—it was Chu He.

He seemed preoccupied with tomorrow’s duel, gazing coldly at the platform.

Lu Qingqiu walked over: “Young Master Chu, what brings you out?”

“I grew tired of being indoors, and happened to see Miss Lu’s swordplay—it resembled Ji You’s, somewhat. These tricks look interesting, but are truly dull.”

“Young Master Chu seems very confident?”

Chu He regarded her without expression: “Do you truly believe the Chu family is merely a name without substance?”

Since returning home, he had felt as if he could hold up the heavens; every thought of Ji You filled him with surging battle lust, his killing intent nearly uncontrollable.

His elder brother and father had told him: in today’s cultivation world, no one below the Fusion of the Dao could defeat him.

Even if a Fusion of the Dao practitioner attacked him, killing him would be extremely difficult.

Once he entered the Inner Court, he would soon become a direct disciple of the Hall Master—and Ji You was merely a brief interlude in his life, though this interlude had sung too long in his ears.

Lu Qingqiu watched him, her brow slightly furrowed.

She could not discern his realm or condition, yet she felt the immense aura radiating from him.

The Lu family was also a renowned lineage; though inferior to the Chu family, they were acquainted.

She knew the Chu family possessed many esoteric techniques, but she had never heard of anyone achieving a sky-swallowing aura in just two months.

(The accident report is out—I’m now going to the parking lot to claim my car, assess damage, and arrange repairs. The other party was indeed drunk—blood alcohol level 49. Insurance and the 4S shop call daily, and with the New Year approaching, I’ve been feeling restless and distracted—this has affected my state. Please bear with me.)

(End of Chapter)