Chapter 164: I Truly Cannot Sense the Heavenly Book

Every year, the new students' enrollment day is extremely lively; from the mountain slope looking down, one can see countless white robes fluttering in the courtyard.

Some junior sisters, raised since childhood with ample nourishment, skip and jump about, looking delightfully lively.

Others have long legs and slender waists, Fenbai faces, and love to paint a golden immortal mark on their foreheads—exquisitely beautiful.

Ji You stood on the mountain slope, observing solemnly, his heart-mind clear and bright.

Looking again, there's nothing wrong—being plump and round is precisely meant to be seen, isn't it?

These new students are all newcomers, unfamiliar with their own appearances, so no rumors could possibly spread about Ji You standing on the mountain slope, leering at junior sisters, let alone be recorded by some overzealous outsiders and carried to someone's ears.

But soon, his expression stiffened slightly as he scanned around.

On the Ascension White Jade Platform, a man in a flowing white robe stepped forward, carrying seven swords like a peacock spreading its tail, his expression indifferent as he strolled through the outer academy, stopping to chat with any junior sister with a plump rear.

"Junior sister, you've just entered the academy—have you found your dormitory? Would you like Senior Brother's help?"

"Ah, you… seven swords? Are you…?"

"Shh, junior sister, no need to say more—I came to the outer academy just to stroll, and at first glance, you struck me as perfectly to my taste."

"?"

"Bai Ru Long, I'm xxx!"

As the junior sister before him gazed at him with sparkling eyes, Bai Ru Long suddenly felt a chill crawl up his back—but it didn't reach his head; instead, it surged toward his chest.

Not his heart's position—his money pouch's position…

This commotion lasted until evening, as nightfall slowly rolled in.

The Enlightenment Ground already held many students seated in meditation, attempting to sense the Heavenly Book, when a scream rang out from the nearby dense forest.

But even louder was the noise along the path from the Divine Way to the White Jade Platform, for since sunset, sedan chairs adorned with pearls and jade had been arriving in droves.

At this moment, the wine houses of Shengjing were filled with clamor, cups clinking, songs and dances swirling, illuminating the long streets with bright lanterns.

Princess Changle of the Chong Prince's mansion, Lu Qingqiu of Yunzhou, and other nobles from the capital had all gathered on the second floor of Hongding Pavilion.

The second floor of the pavilion had been cleared out since the Shen hour; the usual square tables had been replaced with long ones, laden with rare delicacies and exotic meats; the spirit wine brewed from immortal herbs and plants remained unopened, yet its fragrance had already begun to drift faintly.

The Tian Shu Academy students invited arrived one by one, bowing and exchanging pleasantries with smiling faces.

"I heard past students were always invited to dine at the Chong Prince's mansion?"

"This year is different—it's said this banquet is hosted jointly by Miss Lu of Yunzhou and Princess Changle."

"Do the Lu family of Yunzhou and the Chong Prince's mansion have old ties?"

"Not exactly—just some business dealings. Princess Changle initially seemed reluctant to join forces with Lu Qingqiu for this banquet, but for some reason, she eventually agreed…"

"That's quite unusual."

The Lu family is far away in Yunzhou, a thousand li from Shengjing; the Chong Prince's mansion only has occasional spirit stone transactions with them, not familial entanglements.

If this banquet aims to cultivate more connections with Tian Shu Academy students, yet the two hosts aren't even from the same faction, it feels awkward.

Is this Lu family's olive branch—or should we owe the Chong Prince's mansion a favor?

After murmuring among themselves, unable to fathom the banquet's true purpose, they saw Fang Jincheng and Pu Yangxing glide up the stairs in white robes, and realized no further speculation was needed.

Because whether one owed the Lu family or the Chong Prince's mansion, it wasn't their concern.

After all, the true stars of this banquet were Fang Jincheng and Pu Yangxing—they were both contenders for the inner academy slots.

The Pu family, like the Lu family, hailed from Yunzhou; over the years, the Lu family had cultivated connections everywhere, and this banquet surely aimed to strengthen ties with Pu Yangxing and his family.

As for Fang Jincheng, it was even more so.

He had already gathered three spirit lights, progressing far faster than Pu Yangye and Lu Hanyan; his chances of entering the inner academy were the greatest.

To the Chong Prince's mansion and the Lu family, such a person was unquestionably the ideal candidate to court and ally with.

Of course, Lu Hanyan also belonged to this group, but since she was born a Lu, she naturally didn't need such considerations.

"Miss Lu, please take the main seat."

"Princess Changle, you're too kind—I'll sit beside you."

After exchanging pleasantries, Princess Changle took the central seat, while Lu Qingqiu sat to her left.

They had met once before, at their families' request, regarding the new Great Xia reforms and the influx of demon spirit stones into the Nine Provinces; they shouldn't have been distant.

But upon meeting again, both felt an inexplicable urge to avoid each other.

At this moment, Pu Yangxing and Fang Jincheng were seated opposite, slightly toward the center of the long table, while Lu Hanyan sat shoulder-to-shoulder with her elder sister.

Then came Xiang Fu, Liu Jian'an, and Cong Yi—the three students from Fengzhou.

The social hierarchy of Qingyun World had always been sharply defined.

Commoners ranked below officials; officials ranked below immortals.

Thus, though all three were from official families, raised in luxury, they still felt awkward among the sea of aristocratic youths.

Their cultivation wasn't top-tier, their backgrounds negligible, yet they'd been seated right next to Pu Yangxing and Fang Jincheng.

Only after them came the disciples from various provinces and prefectures who had reached the Condensation Realm.

Dou Yuan Kong, son of Minister Dou, was among them; after taking his seat, he glanced at the three students drawing the most attention: "Prince Pu Yang, Prince Fang, and Miss Lu—have any of you tried sensing the Heavenly Book since entering the academy?"

"Yes."

"What were the results?"

Fang Jincheng glanced at Pu Yangye and Lu Hanyan, then smiled faintly: "I've had a faint sense of insight—it seems I'm destined to connect with the Heavenly Book."

Dou Yuan Kong opened his mouth: "You sensed something on the very first day?"

"It's vague, still elusive—but as Dou Brother said, it's only the first day; I'm not in a hurry."

Fang Jincheng had delayed his enrollment by a year; he'd already gathered three dark lights, so his insight naturally far surpassed Pu Yangye and Lu Hanyan.

In the outer academy, there had long been a saying: sensing the Heavenly Book meant one foot was already through the inner academy's gate.

Though the Tian Shu Academy never officially required sensing the Heavenly Book to enter the inner academy, in thousands of years, there had never been an exception.

"Prince Fang, are you confident about entering the inner academy this year?"

"With my current cultivation, no one can stop me."

Pu Yangye couldn't help speaking up: "I'm eager to test myself against Fang Brother."

Fang Jincheng raised his cup, his gaze sharp: "You should've delayed your enrollment—then you'd be my junior. If you enter the inner academy, I'll recommend you as a direct disciple of the Elder of the Longevity Hall."

Hearing this, the aristocratic youths at the banquet couldn't help whispering among themselves.

The words were polite, yet brimming with arrogance.

Delaying enrollment meant forcing others to yield to his path; the latter remark revealed the Fang family's deep ties within the Tian Shu Academy.

Many present knew that Fang Jincheng's great-grandfather was now an Elder in the Longevity Hall, and his two cousins also served there—his roots ran deep.

Guests at the table murmured, many turning to glance at Princess Changle Zhao Yunyue and Miss Lu of Yunzhou.

In their eyes, one of them must now offer an olive branch.

But surprisingly, both seemed distracted, their eyes fixed on the staircase.

So others began to follow their gaze.

At that moment, footsteps echoed on the stairs, and Ji You, clad in white, stepped up—capturing every eye.

Silence fell over the upper floor; Zhao Yunyue and Lu Qingqiu stared at him for a long while, no one speaking.

"Apologies—I was delayed by personal matters."

Ji You bowed, glanced around, and took a seat on the right, near the Fengzhou disciples.

He'd just taken Bai Ru Long to a silver house in the western city to collect his monthly stipend, hence his tardiness; now he picked up his chopsticks.

Since I'm late, should I punish myself with two dishes?

Only these capital aristocrats and this year's Fengzhou newcomers could recognize his face.

Everyone else knew his name but not his appearance.

Thus, some around the table still wore confused, searching glances, glancing at each other.

Zhao Yunyue and Lu Qingqiu held their cups, lips slightly pursed.

Ji You had returned to Fengzhou under the guise of recruitment, then came back to the academy after tax collection began, and had rarely left the inner academy since.

Even Lu Qingqiu was seeing him for the first time now.

Inner academy disciple of the Tian Shu Academy, twenty-one years old, Tongxuan Realm.

Swordslashed a Rongdao expert, returned as the sole native patriarch on Fengzhou soil…

Both watched as he reached for his chopsticks, their expressions momentarily dazed.

Xiang Fu was also staring at Ji You, then glanced at Zhao Yunyue and Lu Qingqiu, and involuntarily held her breath.

Because on recruitment day, she'd heard the Governor say many women wanted to bear his children after the Autumn Duel—including today's two hosts—but none had received a reply.

At that moment, Lu Qingqiu leaned close to her sister's ear: "This is your senior brother—go offer him a drink."

"?"

Lu Hanyan opened her mouth, looked up at Ji You, and though unsure why, rose and raised her cup: "Yunzhou Lu Hanyan, new student this year, Lu Qingqiu's younger sister—greetings, Senior Brother."

"Greetings, junior sister."

Ji You raised his cup and drank, thinking: Even her sister is this grown.

Zhao Yunyue also raised her cup, her eyes cold as she stared at him: "My lord, the elusive gentleman who ignored all my invitations—now to chance upon you here is truly my honor. I toast you, my lord—please accept this cup."

Princess Changle, born of the imperial clan, had a different disposition from Lu Qingqiu, a spirit stone merchant's daughter.

Just as she once slipped a hairpin into her letter to Ji You, while Lu Qingqiu dared send him her worn undergarment—deep down, she was still more conservative.

So after rumors spread that Ji You had ignored her, she had always harbored resentment.

That's precisely why, upon learning Lu Qingqiu planned to invite Ji You, she insisted on coming to see him.

Ji You looked up at her now, hearing the sarcasm in her tone.

That sarcasm stemmed from her earlier attempt to form a marital alliance with him—and his silence in response.

Beauty as a curse...

Ji You harshly belittled himself in his heart, but then furrowed his brow, feeling those four words didn't quite fit.

He'd barely met the Princess of Changle; it made no sense to blame his looks for drawing attention—better to say it was because he entered the Inner Court, founded a noble house, trained his body to be rock-hard, or perhaps because the Outer Court had long whispered about his so-called lineage and physical constitution.

In Qingyun's world, all marital alliances seemed this way—always formed for profit.

What nonsense—innate stallion sacred body...

But since this feast was hosted by others, he shouldn't insult their face, so he lifted his cup in return.

Meanwhile, among the newly admitted students around him, all except the three from Fengzhou wore expressions of confusion.

Earlier, they'd assumed Pu Yangxing and Fang Jincheng were the guests of honor, but the Princess of Changle and the Lady of the Lu family both seemed distracted.

Only when this man arrived did the Lady of the Lu family have her sister offer a toast, then the Princess of Changle herself raise her cup—like stars circling the moon—leaving everyone stunned.

At that moment, everyone suddenly realized: though Fang Jincheng and Pu Yangxing appeared the hosts, the true center of attention was this man.

So whether it was jointly organizing this banquet, or Lu Qingqiu and the Princess of Changle's earlier distraction, it was all because they were waiting for him.

"This must be one of our Tian Shu Academy's Inner Court senior brothers..."

"No wonder—he's an Inner Court senior brother."

The newly admitted students whispered among themselves, suddenly feeling a flash of understanding.

Given the status of the Lu family of Yunzhou and the Princess of Changle, such repeated toasting could only mean he was an Inner Court senior brother.

Fang Jincheng, overhearing the murmurs, couldn't help but tighten his brow.

It wasn't unusual for Inner Court disciples to appear at noble feasts—he'd already met several upon arriving in Shengjing, introduced by his family.

But since he was the guest of honor tonight, he felt this man shouldn't steal the spotlight.

Also, he thought Lu Qingqiu and the Princess of Changle's behavior was odd.

If this Inner Court senior brother had come to the feast, he must have been close to you all already—why then the back-and-forth toasting, ignoring the actual guests?

In stark contrast was Pu Yangxing.

He too confirmed from the attitudes of the Lu family's eldest daughter and the Princess of Changle that this man was an Inner Court senior brother, but his first thought was to seize the chance to make acquaintance.

"Pu Yangxing of Yunzhou, newly admitted, fully cultivated in the Lower Three Realms—greetings, Senior Brother. May I know your name?"

Ji You turned to him, cup suspended midair: "Ji You of Fengzhou."

"?"

Pu Yangxing froze, then his pupils shrank sharply, his heart jolting violently.

Fang Jincheng also widened his eyes, straightened up abruptly, and joined the other students in turning toward this spot—eyes filled with shock.

An Inner Court disciple of Tian Shu Academy was indeed a title that commanded respect.

Tian Shu Academy Inner Court disciple Zhang San.

Tian Shu Academy Inner Court disciple Li Si.

Any name, when prefixed with those words, was enough to signal his distinction.

Because in any immortal sect, those who entered the Inner Court were prodigies.

But some names needed no prefix—just the name alone was enough to leave people speechless.

Ji You was one such name.

Entered from a rural self-cultivator, broke the second son of the Chu family's hand bones, slew eighteen Tongxuan cultivators in Yecheng Mountain, crossed realms to slay a Rongdao with his sword, founded Fengzhou's first noble house.

Such a name needed no "Tian Shu Academy Inner Court disciple" prefix.

But this... seemed wildly off from their expectations.

They imagined Ji You as a green-faced, fanged monster, quick to draw his sword at the slightest provocation—or cold, brooding, ruthless in slaughter.

They never expected him to be as refined as a scholar, harmless as a lamb.

Lu Hanyan stared for a long while, then turned to Lu Qingqiu: "Sister?"

Lu Qingqiu looked at her: "How does your daytime genius compare to him?"

Lu Hanyan suddenly understood why they'd toasted earlier—she rose instantly, lifting her cup again: "Senior Brother, please teach me how to sense the Heavenly Book!"

At her words, every newly admitted disciple widened their eyes and held their breath—even Fang Jincheng and Pu Yangxing.

Yes—the Heavenly Book was the real goal.

Reputation, fame—they sounded thunderous, but meant little to them.

The only thing that mattered was that he was last year's sole disciple to sense the Heavenly Book!

Ji You lifted his gaze slightly, glancing at Lu Hanyan and Lu Qingqiu, thinking: Of course—except for my dragon-like brother, no one ever attends a feast for free.

He gently set down his chopsticks: "To sense the Heavenly Book, you must seek upward."

"Senior Brother, how do I seek upward? Where exactly? What kind of faint light am I looking for?"

Lu Hanyan blinked, her eyes shimmering.

All present were noble scions—they already knew the phrase "seek upward, glimpse a faint light."

But since ancient times, everyone said it—and no one gave details. Lu Jier's question aimed to extract those details.

Ji You fell silent, pondering long before speaking: "I only know you must seek as high as possible. Beyond that... I don't know."

"?"

At his words, everyone stared in disbelief.

Before Lu Hanyan could speak, Fang Jincheng frowned first: "Senior Brother, how could you not know?"

"I truly don't know."

"This..."

The disciples exchanged glances, their expressions shifting rapidly.

Someone who sensed the Heavenly Book claims he doesn't know how? Who'd believe that?

So they reasoned: he was withholding it out of selfishness.

Fang Jincheng scoffed coldly, losing interest entirely—thoughts: if you won't tell, just say so. Why play games?

His great-grandfather was an Elder of Tian Shu Academy—he knew some details about sensing the Heavenly Book; he didn't need this man's guidance.

Enough—let's eat.

Everyone's enthusiasm had suddenly waned; voices grew quieter.

"The roast goose is quite tasty..."

"The wine isn't bad either."

"The fried spirit beans are perfectly fried—perfect with this jar of spirit wine..."

Lu Qingqiu stared at Ji You for a long time, her gaze strange.

Because she knew Ji You—he wasn't the type to hoard secrets.

He'd already entered the Inner Court; no competition with Outer Court disciples. Even if he taught, it wouldn't harm him.

Was he waiting for payment?

At the third watch, the large wine jar was empty. Outside Hongding Pavilion, thunder suddenly rumbled.

A student by the window opened it—rain fell from the heavens, drifting softly.

These past days, Qingyun's realm had seen much rain—bright sun by day, clouds by night.

Seeing the feast nearly over, everyone rose to leave the pavilion.

Ji You also stood to descend, but hadn't taken a step when Lu Hanyan called from behind.

"Senior Brother, wait."

Ji You turned to Lu Hanyan: "What is it, Junior Sister?"

Lu Hanyan pressed her lips, bowed with clasped fists: "Senior Brother has entered the Inner Court—you no longer need to compete for a spot. Please teach me how to sense the Heavenly Book."

She knew Fang Jincheng's progress toward Tongxuan far outpaced hers, and her family elders still held posts in the Academy—she was desperate.

At that moment, the Princess of Changle, Dou Yuankong, and other Jingzhong scions also paused, turning to look.

They too assumed Ji You was withholding—but hadn't expected Lu Jier's blunt nature: she not only brought it up again, but openly exposed his silence.

Zhao Yunyue, already resentful toward Ji You, couldn't help but smile faintly, eager to see his response.

Lu Qingqiu glanced at her sister, reproachful: "Hanyan, don't you realize how rude that was?"

"But Sister—"

Lu Qingqiu cut her off: "Even if Ji Gong knew, why should he teach you? You're not his sister-in-law. Is this empty plea enough?"

Zhao Yunyue turned, astonished—how could this Yunzhou eldest daughter imply he was hoarding secrets?

Lu Hanyan's eyes lit up—she understood instantly: "If Senior Brother teaches me, I'll repay you handsomely—I won't let you down."

"If I knew, I wouldn't withhold it."

Ji You looked at Lu Qingqiu: "You know I love silver—but I haven't even mentioned it. That proves I truly don't know."

Lu Hanyan furrowed her brow, still unconvinced: "Senior Brother sensed the Heavenly Book—how could you not know how?"

Dou Yuankong, who'd always disliked Ji You but couldn't beat him, now chimed in: "Ji Brother, hoarding secrets like this is pointless. You're fellow disciples—what's there to hide?"

Ji You turned to him, lips curling: "Feeling tired of life?"

Dou Yuankong narrowed his eyes: "Not at all."

"Even if I told you, it wouldn't help—this method only works for me. Ask other Inner Court disciples."

"Why?"

"Because that night, it wasn't me who sensed the Heavenly Book—it was the Heavenly Book that sensed me."

At his words, Lu Qingqiu froze instantly; Lu Hanyan's lips parted slightly.

Zhao Yunyue, who'd been waiting to see him fumble an excuse to the Lu sisters, now turned sharply—eyes filled with shock and bewilderment.

(End of chapter)