Chapter 169: The Land Abandoned by Humanity

Like Long Xiandi, a fine buttock is round and plump, the best of all.

Though Ji You had no such interest, as a man, he certainly didn't find it repulsive.

Normally, he'd merely admire it in passing, never dwell on it—but add a tail, and things changed…

How to attach it, whether to cut holes in clothing, whether it could be controlled as if part of one's own limb.

Curiosity is the noblest quality among all things, for it has always driven humanity forward; some found the Dao because of it, others forged spells—there's no shame in that.

Since the demon race began trading with the Nine Provinces, such exotic beings were no longer rare, but those who came to barter were almost all males; females were exceedingly few.

And after entering the pass, they mostly imitated human clothing—no one knew for sure whether they actually wore anything underneath.

Different regional environments often brought different customs and dress habits.

Ji You had once heard that in ancient times, a certain people's women wore garments with no chest covering, and generations took pride in it.

This, then, was the flourishing diversity of ethnic culture.

But the Snowfield Plain recorded nothing of this; evidently, that swordsman lacked the courage to venture alone deep into demon race territory.

Kuangcheng flipped through the scrolls: "I only found scattered, irrelevant fragments. It seems this blank space requires Brother Ji to fill."

Ji You felt the weight of responsibility: "I will do my utmost."

"I can't help but feel Brother Ji isn't going to Fengzhou for Fengzhou's sake…"

"I'm investigating on behalf of Long Xiandi."

Kuangcheng snapped back to attention: "The details remain unclear, but Brother Ji must remember: the demon race can take beast form, and the barbarian race can enter barbarian transformation—their strength surges and their bodies become immensely tough. Never let your guard down."

Ji You lifted his head: "If they transform, they grow tails?"

"They become powerful."

"?"

"I saw this in the records of the Imperial Spirit Surveillance Office. The barbarian race has stood against Great Xia for centuries, surviving countless deaths—partly because of this barbarian transformation ability. They can turn despair into survival, making them terribly stubborn."

Among all races of Qingyun Realm, humans possess the weakest bodies, yet they are also the closest to the Dao—this is nature's balance.

No race could ever hoard all strength; if it did, all races would perish.

Just as in the Ancient Era, the most perfectly formed Ancient Remnant Race ultimately became a scourge.

Ji You came back to himself: "No issue—if anything happens on this journey, I'll furrow my brow and shield everyone before me. If heaven falls, someone tall must hold it up."

Kuangcheng opened his mouth: "Truly a noble quality."

"By the way, do you have maps of the Northern Plains and the Snowfield? I need to familiarize myself with the route and surroundings."

"Yes, I copied one from the Imperial Spirit Surveillance Office. It's old, so it may not match current conditions, but it's still useful as a reference."

Kuangcheng turned, picked up a stack of documents from behind him on a lacquered red cabinet—among them were maps of the Northern Plains and the Snowfield.

But when Ji You heard "old," he recalled how Kuang the Scholar had gone to the capital for the imperial exams, using an eight-year-old map of Shengjing and ended up staying at a brothel opposite his inn.

This… can't possibly lead straight into the barbarian race's stronghold?

Whatever. Better than nothing.

Rumor says the demon race and barbarian race don't build heavy fortifications or engage in grand construction; though landscapes shift over time, the differences shouldn't be great.

Besides, when we depart, the Zhenbei Army will surely send us a map.

I'm just taking this one early to get a preliminary feel.

Ji You tucked the map away and turned back to the book's account of the lands beyond the Nine Provinces: "The terrain beyond the extreme north seems extremely complex, especially entering the Snowfield—bone-chilling cold. I wonder how the demon race survives. Before we leave, I should buy some cold-weather gear."

"A cultivator has spiritual energy to shield the body, doesn't he?"

"A cultivator can't maintain spiritual shielding constantly, especially in unknown environments—you must keep your energy fully charged at all times. Street performers who claim superhuman strength don't go bare-chested all day."

Ji You looked up: "Besides, the most crucial thing on this journey is discretion. If I openly fly with spiritual energy, I'll become a walking target."

Kuangcheng nodded: "Indeed, stealth is essential."

"Yes, I need to buy a few more spirit swords, and that artifact I liked before—it's said to withstand a full-force strike from a Yingtian cultivator, but I didn't buy it because it was too expensive."

"Also, a spirit communication platform—this is most important. If anything happens, I'll send an immediate message to the city to avoid missing critical timing."

"The journey is long; I should bring some tea—I've taken a recent liking to it."

"Cao Jinsong's birthday is coming up. Pick him a gift—preferably something expensive. Some money shouldn't be saved…"

Kuangcheng couldn't help but raise his head, a flicker of bewilderment in his eyes.

He knew the Heavenly Book Academy had given Ji You silver, but he didn't believe Ji You would spend it on the mission—it made no sense.

Especially tea, and birthday gifts—these had nothing to do with escorting the envoy.

"Brother Ji."

"Hmm?"

"Who are you planning to rob this time?"

Ji You, lost in thought, looked up at Kuangcheng.

At dusk, crimson skies stretched across Shengjing.

A servant from Qionghua Pavilion stepped out, carrying a long bill, heading alone toward the Heavenly Book Academy.

This violated protocol: according to Qionghua Pavilion's rules, unless a guest presented an immortal sect seal, expenses couldn't be charged to an immortal sect.

But the guest had said something dire: that the demon race and barbarian race were about to invade, and his mission was to handle it—if lack of artifacts caused failure, no one would survive.

The shopkeeper seemed to know about this, so he agreed, let the man take the items, and dispatched the servant to deliver the bill.

In the Office of Affairs, Minister Qin held the bill bearing Ji You's name, his eyelid twitching.

Spirit swords, defensive artifacts, armor woven from spirit vines, a heart-protecting spirit mirror—all understandable.

But what he couldn't fathom was why the list included spirit melons, spirit fruits, candied treats, tea, and even carved spirit-stone peaches, hairpins, and belly bands.

Ten thousand taels of gold and three thousand Snowfield demon stones were already a massive sum—many noble families, fearing Ji You wouldn't go, had offered exorbitant prices upfront.

Yet to those raised in silk and jade, these were mere vulgar trinkets, worthless compared to power and status.

Yet Ji You, having taken the money, now demanded more…

The next morning, light bathed the land.

Cao Jinsong and the others stared blankly at the giant spirit-stone peach.

After the demon race brought Snowfield demon stones into the Nine Provinces through trade, their high quality and fair price made them popular; inferior Zhongzhou stones depreciated fastest, so Zhongzhou-stone carvings and trinkets became increasingly common.

But such a large Zhongzhou-stone peach would still be extremely valuable—it was, after all, spirit stone.

"Brother Ji said he was going to the northern border anyway. When he visited the Office of Affairs, he feared the other side would change their mind if he demanded too much upfront, so he took the silver first."

"After getting it, he wanted to equip himself with artifacts but found he couldn't bear to spend it, so he charged it to the Heavenly Book Academy."

"He said since so many wanted him to go, they wouldn't change their minds over a bill—so he asked for more, certain they couldn't refuse."

"He also said even if they refused, the money already paid wouldn't be returned—that's his Dao."

Ban Yangshu repeated Ji You's words, his lips twitching.

Cao Jinsong lifted the massive spirit-stone peach, drew a deep breath: "This kid is extraordinary."

Wen Zhengxin picked up the belly band, stared at it for a long moment, then blushed and spat lightly—but finally realized it was a heart-protecting artifact.

Meanwhile, Bai Ruilong received a large money pouch—bigger than his old one.

Strange. Why give me a money pouch?

My money's already in your pouch. Why do I need another?

"Brother Ji said this pouch is made of spirit vines—indestructible."

"What's its use?"

"He didn't say, but I suppose it's so it won't tear no matter how much you struggle."

"?"

Bai Ruilong glanced at Ban Yangshu, fell silent.

Wen Zhengxin, holding the belly band, looked over: "Ruilong, can't you be more diligent? Channel a bit of spirit and reach Tongxuan. Next time you get robbed, fight him properly."

"Cultivation's exhausting, and Brother Ji's not bad…"

Ban Yangshu chimed in: "He's not bad—he told me the demon race might really have women with round, plump buttocks and tails, but your cultivation's too low—he'll go see for himself, won't take you."

"Huh?!"

Bai Ruilong hurled the pouch onto the table and turned to leave: "This is too much!"

Ban Yangshu blinked: "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to cultivate diligently!"

"…."

Meanwhile, the entire Imperial Spirit Surveillance Office was busy preparing for the mission to the Snowfield.

Kuangcheng, as Head of the Reception Office and having handled demon race trade before, joined the effort.

They compiled information on the barbarian tribes from the Zhenbei Army into manuals and redrew maps of the Northern Plains and the Snowfield.

The Northern Plains section came from Zhenbei Army spies; the Snowfield section came from demon race traders.

Normally, this period was when the Seven Immortal Sects collected tribute from Great Xia; the Surveillance Office had been busy with that—but the Snowfield mission postponed it.

For millennia, collecting tribute had been vital—it ensured cultivators could pursue the Dao without desire.

After all, everything could be obtained from tribute; the labor fell on mortals, whom they saw as ants. Why seek other desires when they enjoyed all?

Yet even this was delayed—clear proof of how seriously humanity took this matter.

After all, the barbarian envoys had already been in the Snowfield for days; if they reached an agreement, humanity would be too late.

During this time, local governments across the provinces were mobilized to tightly control demon race merchants—any demon entering or leaving cities or crossing borders had to register.

After all, if the mission failed, the demons within the realm might rebel—precautions were necessary.

Meanwhile, Ji You was packing his belongings into his storage gourd, including a medicine chest.

This medicine chest was sent by Yuan Caimei and Yuan Chen this morning, filled with countless spiritual herbs.

Among them was a letter, lengthy and detailed.

It roughly said that Ji You's sudden move to Fengzhou to establish a clan had caught them off guard; they only learned of it after the fact and could offer no help.

Thus, upon learning he was heading to the demon clans, they specially prepared many useful elixirs for his unforeseen needs.

Yuan Chen also wrote in the letter that these elixirs were not standard stock of Yu Danzong—they had no inventory on hand.

They had brewed them nonstop for several days and nights, following the recipe, and wished him safe return.

That brat Yuan Chen still harbors designs on his sister-in-law, but he didn't lie.

They truly stayed up countless nights, growing pale and exhausted, until they gathered every last elixir; by the time the furnace cooled, both their Jade Hand alchemists' fingers were numb.

This, perhaps, is the benefit of a beauty bringing ruin…

Ji You reached in and flipped through the manual inside the chest, each page detailing the elixirs' effects.

Hmm, quite practical.

Everyone in Qingyun Realm knows he's poor and has heard he's never taken a decent elixir in his cultivation—heavy on the elixirs, light on the wealth—and the Yuan siblings fear he won't know how to use them.

But he had no time to study them now; most were for healing or replenishment, yet the best choice was still to avoid injury altogether.

Ji You stowed the chest in his storage gourd, then sat cross-legged on the bed.

He would continue his fifteenth Micro Illumination, igniting spiritual fire to forge his body, aiming to complete it before leaving the capital.

All know the barbarians and demon clans are born with formidable bodies, but beyond the troops of Zhenbei Army, no one truly understands the extent of their strength.

Thus, intensified body forging was especially vital for this mission to the Snow Realm.

While physical strength does limit spiritual sense and Dao resonance, survival came first before any such considerations.

Two days later, a scorching aura emanated from Ji You's quarters, seeping beyond the courtyard; many inner-courtyard senior sisters claimed they smelled a soothing, fragrant scent, yet the senior brothers felt nothing.

【Turned himself into a stallion by his own hand】

At this moment, the Imperial Dao Supervision's official decree arrived.

The next morning, over forty towering carriages lined the entire Yonganjie.

Cultivators who had long resided in Chunchi Garden emerged, their aura mysterious, drawing crowds.

Tall or short, fat or thin, male or female, wielding blades, swords, or spears—they all gathered here.

Their presence caused spiritual energy in Jingcheng to surge rapidly from the center of Yonganjie, waves crashing, nearly triggering the Heavenly Book Academy's protective array.

Aside from Yu Danzong, the other six immortal sects appeared harmonious on the surface, but due to clan rivalries or reputational competition, they were all at odds—hence the clashing spiritual pressure.

"Jiang Chenfeng of Wenda Sect…"

"You know him?"

"I heard of him five years ago at the Heavenly Dao Assembly—exceptional talent, but he's been in seclusion ever since. Didn't expect him to be at the Upper Realm of Fusion."

"Who's that one not tying his hair?"

"Huo Hong of Shanhai Pavilion. You know which family runs Shanhai Pavilion? The Huos. But this one seems to be an illegitimate son…"

"And that man standing on the rooftop, looking down on all, as if surveying the world—who is he?"

"Oh, this one's even more formidable—a disciple of Lingjian Mountain, Gongshu Chou. Even when his spiritual power was suppressed by demonic miasma, he fought with unmatched prowess, holding his own against Ji You, the man of seven swords!"

Along Jingcheng's long street, countless people stood by the roadside or atop teahouses and taverns, watching these prodigies, their expressions varied.

Such as Princess Changle, Minister Wei Li, Jingcheng noble youths like Dou Yuankong, students from the Heavenly Book Academy, and sect envoys.

Especially these sect envoys—they knew their senior brothers and sisters inside out.

These people, like Shi Junhao and Xiao Hanyan of the Heavenly Book Academy, would receive great rewards after this mission.

Whether it's a direct disciple slot or supreme immortal elixirs, any reward would make this journey worthwhile.

At this moment, Ji You had also arrived before the imperial palace, reached out to stroke the horse that tossed its head and stamped its hooves, then turned to gaze ahead.

The prodigies from each sect also turned their haughty gazes toward him, pausing briefly on his figure.

"Ji You…"

"That one from the Heavenly Book Academy?"

"Yes."

Qingyun Realm had countless prodigies; Ji You's cultivation base still couldn't match theirs, yet his fame far surpassed theirs.

After all, from outer to inner courtyard, he'd stirred up plenty of trouble—his activity level dwarfed their constant seclusion.

Especially the Fengzhou affair, tied to tax issues, had spread far and wide.

Yet among them were those who'd been in seclusion for years, never stepping out—unaware of him, puzzled why a Tongxuan cultivator was in this delegation, they glanced briefly and turned away.

Only Gongshu Chou stared longer than anyone else, his eyes gleaming.

Ji You was also observing the Lingjian Mountain group—four in total, including Gongshu Chou.

The other two Fusion Realm cultivators were Yan Qiubai and Xie Chenyu.

The last was an Elder from Xuanjian Peak.

Ji You had seen his name on the list—Yan Chuan, a master who had just entered the Boundless Realm, a hundred years old, still young by immortal standards, his hair and beard only streaked white, spirit sharp, brimming with sword qi.

At that moment, the imperial palace emitted the rumble of wheels.

Dozens more carriages rolled out, carrying the envoys, historians, attendants, and the demon clan delegation previously dispatched to Jingcheng—over a hundred people total—heading toward the city gates.

Seeing this, Ji You boarded his carriage.

The other immortal sect masters followed suit, whips cracking through the air.

He Lingxiu stood on the Divine Path, watching until the carriages moved off, then turned back with Fang Licheng, Chai Ze, and Leng Yingying toward the inner courtyard.

Zuo Qiuyang stood in the bamboo grove, watching them return over the mountain, stroking his long beard.

"The delegation has left the capital?"

He Lingxiu nodded: "Shi Shixiong and Xiao Shijie have departed, and Ji You has gone with them. I only hope those ten thousand taels of silver and three thousand demon clan spirit stones won't cost him his life."

Chai Ze, Fang Licheng, and Leng Yingying chuckled: "Not just that—a carved spirit-stone peach, a communication spirit platform, a heart-protecting bellyband, a body-protecting talisman robe, a winter fur coat, boots, and several types of tea."

He Lingxiu: "?"

"You didn't know? He bought these items a few days ago at Qionghua Pavilion, claiming they'd be useful on this journey, and charged them to the Heavenly Book Academy's account."

"This…"

He Lingxiu had seen Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu visit Ji You, thinking they might persuade him.

She hadn't expected him to insist on going—and worse, to demand even more from the inner courtyard.

Originally, this direct disciple of Zizai Hall had greatly admired Ji You; after all, during the Lingjian Mountain incident, he'd supposedly secured the Jingling Pill for himself, halting the backlash after his myriad laws were shattered.

But his current behavior—fixated only on immediate gain—made He Lingxiu feel his vision was even narrower than that of noble youths.

Zuo Qiuyang looked at He Lingxiu, then drew a folded document from his sleeve.

"What's this?"

"A report from the Imperial Dao Supervision to the Heavenly Book Academy. No matter what the demon clans decide, our human race must prepare in advance—the barbarians and demon clans are beyond what Zhenbei Army can handle."

Sending an envoy to the Snow Realm had only two possible outcomes—and thus two corresponding strategies.

Humanity would never place all hope on the envoy; other arrangements were certain.

He Lingxiu opened the document and saw it depicted not the northern border nor nearby Yunzhou, but the vast, barren Fengzhou.

"War zone?"

Zuo Qiuyang nodded: "If Han Tie Pass falls, this will become the new battlefield. In truth, for centuries, Fengzhou has always secretly served this role—since humanity first ruled the Nine Provinces, it has been a place constantly discarded. I suspect Ji You understood this from the start."

He Lingxiu stared long, then suddenly turned toward the direction the delegation had left, her eyes widening slightly.

The other candidate hall masters also frowned, turning to look, recalling Ji You's deep gaze as he boarded the carriage, their expressions momentarily stunned.

"Sometimes a person's weakness is too obvious—it should raise suspicion, for it may not be his true weakness, but a mask hiding what he cannot abandon."

"Imagine if he lacked such an easily exploitable flaw as greed—born in the countryside, yet with such extraordinary talent—what would those who wish to target him use to threaten or coerce him?"

"The peasant family who raised him for three years?"

"The children he barely saved?"

"The scholar who shared life and death with him?"

"A rural self-cultivator, likely on guard since the day he entered the academy—hiding everything behind him, only revealing a stench of copper."

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(End of chapter)