Chapter 140: Huntechnique

In mid-June, the fifth day after Liqiu, and also the fifth day of the Autumn Duel, the outer courtyard of the Heavenly Book Academy suddenly filled with people.

Among them were sons of aristocratic families from the capital, wandering cultivators active in Shengjing, and family members of outer courtyard students.

Such an event—inviting outsiders to observe the Autumn Duel—had never occurred in the Heavenly Book Academy’s history; it was said to be done under the direction of the Managing Court.

The Heavenly Book Academy had just suffered twin defeats against the Spirit Sword Mountain; though not openly attacked, rumors had already spread widely behind the scenes.

The claim that the Great Xia Holy Sect was all show was frequently heard from wandering cultivators of other sects in Shengjing.

Thus, for the Managing Court, nothing could better restore the academy’s reputation than inviting everyone to watch the Autumn Duel.

Yet when making this decision, the three managing elders’ moods were deeply strange.

Because Ji You was the one who had preserved the last shred of the academy’s dignity during the Wu Dao failure.

And now, to reclaim that dignity, they still had to rely on a duel in which he participated.

Soon, the White Jade Ascension Platform was packed with people.

Many outer courtyard students stood at the perimeter, unable to resist glancing inward, their eyes first falling on the west side.

“Look, it’s He Shijie, the direct disciple of the Free Palace from the inner courtyard.”

“I’ve been at the Heavenly Book Academy for three years and have never seen an inner courtyard direct disciple pay attention to an outer courtyard duel.”

“That’s not surprising; in past years, there were never three Qi Refining cultivators competing for inner courtyard slots.”

Among them, He Lingxiu, the direct disciple of the Free Palace from the inner courtyard, stood gracefully, surrounded by a large group of inner courtyard students, most of whom had participated in the Spirit Sword Mountain Wu Dao.

After returning from the Spirit Sword Mountain, upon learning Ji You had shattered the Sword Grove, she had longed to witness his sword art.

So she could not miss this duel.

Besides these, the watching students also spotted the Chongwang Prince, the Princess of Changle, Wei Li and his group, and several imperial clan members, all seated on either side of the high platform.

Behind them sat the wandering cultivators permanently stationed in Shengjing.

Among these wandering cultivators, the most conspicuous were the Spirit Sword Mountain disciples dressed in sword robes.

This attention stemmed not only from the Wu Dao incident but also because one of them held paper and brush, seemingly preparing to take live notes—no one knew what he was doing.

Looking toward the center, one saw the two patriarchs of the Liangzhou Bai family and the Yunzhou Du family.

Du Zhu had entered Qi Refining and was eligible to compete in the Autumn Duel, but his chances were slim at best—merely a side dish.

Bai Ru had not even entered Qi Refining and could not participate in the duel.

Thus, their families’ patriarchs attending in person left many students puzzled.

Yet even more attention was drawn by the guests from Youzhou’s Chu family, seated on the eastern side of the White Jade Platform, with Chu Xiong, the Chu patriarch, at the very front.

He wore a black brocade robe embroidered with cloud patterns, cradling a delicate porcelain teacup, radiating silent authority, his aura profound and unfathomable; behind him stood an elderly servant pouring tea, already at the Ying Tian realm.

“I’ve long heard the Chu patriarch has reached the Divine Wander realm, just one step from completing the Upper Five Realms; now seeing his aura, it’s true.”

“Those who complete the Upper Five Realms are few even among the Seven Immortal Sects; the Chu family truly deserves its title as the Eighth Immortal Sect without a formal lineage.”

“The Seven-Orifice Linglong Body is naturally attuned to the Dao—perhaps that’s why they’ve endured so long.”

Amid the clamor, the White Jade Platform gradually filled until the crowd stretched endlessly.

Ban Yangshu, Wen Zhengxin, and Pei Ruyi arrived shortly after; the Long Xiandi had already secured their seats: “This year’s rules seem to use the defending-challenger format.”

Ban Yangshu sat down and looked up: “Defending-challenger?”

“Yes. In past years, at most two students from the outer courtyard entered Qi Refining; any format would do. But this year, there are three, so the Managing Court plans to decide the final winner through defending-challenger matches.”

Pei Ruyi frowned upon hearing this, a bad premonition stirring in her chest: “Who’s defending? Not Ji You, is it? First let Du Zhu exhaust him, then let Chu He launch continuous assaults?”

Bai Ru opened his mouth: “It can’t be that low.”

“The Managing Court has never done anything decent...”

“I think under such public scrutiny, if they truly acted so unfairly, they’d be slapping their own faces—and the academy cares more about its own dignity than whether Chu He enters the inner courtyard.”

Wen Zhengxin glanced at him: “What dignity does the Heavenly Book Academy even have left?”

Bai Ru: “...”

Beneath brilliant sunlight, all waited eagerly for the defender to ascend, murmuring among themselves.

They also believed Ji You was highly likely to be the defender.

After all, he had no aristocratic background and was the easiest to “arrange”; the Managing Court’s favoritism toward Chu He was no secret.

So if Ji You were indeed defending, the first challenger would surely be Du Zhu, followed by Chu He.

Yet unexpectedly, the one who stepped onto the platform to meet their expectations was not Ji You.

He wore splendid brocade robes, his jade crown carved from priceless purple crystal, his garments woven entirely with golden threads depicting the image of ascending to heaven at noon; his gaze was calm and profound, standing proudly beneath the sun.

“It’s Chu He defending?”

Ban Yangshu looked surprised.

Wen Zhengxin frowned: “Has the Managing Court actually done something decent this time?”

Pei Ruyi’s brow furrowed slightly: “Then who’s challenging—Ji You or Du Zhu?”

As the question arose, another figure stepped onto the platform, arriving before Chu He, his expression grim.

He was the challenger, gripping a long blade, entirely black, clearly no ordinary weapon.

“Du Zhu? Then Ji You is last?”

Ban Yangshu widened his eyes: “Did Ji You bribe someone?”

Bai Ru shook his head: “Impossible. Ji Brother even uses my money to buy things—I’ve never seen him spend on anyone else.”

On the high platform, Chu’s elderly servant’s face darkened, glancing toward the Managing Court, equally confused—why was Chu He defending first, and Du Zhu challenging?

For the past two months, he had personally overseen the young master’s cultivation and naturally held confidence.

The patriarch and the eldest son had told him: with the second young master’s current state, even a beginner in the Fusion Dao realm couldn’t easily defeat him.

Yet confidence and expecting an easy win weren’t contradictory, so he’d quietly arranged some favors—but now he didn’t understand why they’d failed.

The three managing elders were present, observing many puzzled glances, their expressions also strange.

Ji You’s performance at the Spirit Sword Mountain had made it impossible for them to act unfairly again; they had resolved to stop sabotaging him—but the Chu family’s bribe was simply too generous...

Besides, everyone in the academy said Ji You was strong; adjusting the match order wouldn’t hurt much.

So during the draw, they used a box that blocked spiritual sense, placed three slips inside—all marked “defender”—and had Ji You draw first.

In their view, if Ji You drew the defender slip first, all would be settled.

But they hadn’t expected Ji You to swallow the slip he drew, then watch as Chu He pulled the second defender slip...

Ji You smiled pleasantly at them and asked if they still wanted to draw the third slip to see who the challenger was.

He added that cultivation was inherently a game for wealthy families; as a lone self-taught cultivator from the countryside, he had to be cautious.

Thus, the final match order became this arrangement.

The Heavenly Book Academy’s Dao always emphasized harmony, and Chu He showed no displeasure, so they accepted it.

As the three managing elders recalled this, they suddenly felt a wave of malevolence rushing toward them; the atmosphere atop the White Jade Ascension Platform erupted violently, a vast, turbulent spiritual light surging in all directions, startling them.

Hum—a sword flashed.

Though he had studied sword art for a few days under Master Wang, his strike now bore no trace of technique.

It was the most naked, direct thrust, carrying a force that roared forward.

The blade’s surface was wrapped and entwined with primal purple-red energy; thunder and wind howled within its aura, swift and ferocious.

Clang!

As the sword descended, the iron blade, brimming with immense spiritual energy, met it head-on; the collision sent gales swirling.

Even this simple metal clash sent Du Zhu stumbling back three steps, a chilling coldness piercing deep into his bones.

In the next instant, Chu He leapt into the air, purple-red energy swirling around him, spiritual energy raging, the sword surging forth like a torrent.

In the swordlight, Chu He’s eyes were icy, his aura brimming with murderous intent.

“?!”

Outer courtyard students felt a chilling coldness pierce their bodies; most inner courtyard students, stunned by this strike, rose abruptly.

For those of lower realms, Chu He’s aura naturally imposed pressure—it was normal.

But inner courtyard students were all above Chu He’s realm, yet still felt their scalps prickle.

Looking again, Chu He was now wrapped in deep crimson, as if a hurricane clung to him, his aura surging far beyond anyone’s expectations.

Clang! A blazing swordlight, straight as the Spirit Sword, slashed down, widening everyone’s eyes.

“It’s the Chu family’s Huntechnique!”

“So strong...”

“Chu He is only Qi Refining—he can only observe the Dao, not fuse it; even with family transmission, how could he wield such power?”

Beneath the swordlight, the wind howled.

Du Zhu gathered all his spiritual energy into his blade’s edge, fighting desperately; his immortal robe was torn apart by the howling force.

He hadn’t expected Chu He to strike so brutally—he thought Ji You should have been his target.

Then came a violent tremor of metal; a haughty aura erupted from the White Jade Platform, spreading instantly across the entire arena.

Purple-red energy, like lightning, roared skyward; as the iron blade slashed again, the sword’s howl echoed wildly.

Even He Lingxiu could not help but change expression, feeling a chilling unease from the purple-red technique’s aura.

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(End of chapter)