Chapter 191: Unknown Strength

On the snowy peak of Nishan in winter, snow blanketed fallen leaves, and each step produced a soft rustling—the faintest sound of collapse in the world.

The inner courtyard disciples traveling between the five peaks could not help but step out of the grand hall, gazing toward the mountain path.

There, a long trail of footprints stretched from the Purple Bamboo Meditation Grove all the way to the inner courtyard's immortal residence.

Beneath those footprints, the snow had been melted into clear pools of water, hissing as they spread over withered yellow grass, like unfrozen amber.

The Heavenly Book Academy has five immortal halls, and the disciples of Wuchen Hall primarily cultivate the Way of Qi Source.

One theory within the Way of Qi Source, proposed by Elder Jiao, holds that energy never arises spontaneously but is generated through work conversion.

And in certain energy conversions, an unquenchable heat accompanies the process…

After the winter snow of the twelfth month came a mild, sunny day; though the brilliant sunlight could not dispel the chill, it still shone too fiercely to look upon.

At this moment, outer courtyard instructor Ma Zhiyuan and Ding Ang trudged through the snow to the Awakening Ground, exhaling a faint wisp of white vapor.

Though the new year had not yet arrived and the outer courtyard's autumn contest was still far off, they still came every five days to inspect the disciples' cultivation progress.

Now, fewer disciples remained in the Awakening Ground.

Only Fang Jincheng, Lu Hanyan—the younger sister of Lu Qingqiu—and Puyang Xing, along with five scattered disciples, sat in meditation.

This phenomenon mirrored what Cao Jingsong had once told Ji You: when entering, everyone believed they would become a generation's prodigy.

But as the gap widened, many lagging disciples gradually lost their Dao heart.

In the end, only a few remained far ahead, and a handful clung stubbornly to their resentment.

Lu Hanyan, Lu Qingqiu's younger sister, had already gathered her third mysterious light ahead of Puyang Xing, greatly pleasing Instructor Ma.

Puyang Xing was Ding Ang's student, now racing hard to catch up.

As for Fang Jincheng, he was personally recruited by an inner courtyard Elder, yet he still had only five mysterious lights.

"Has Fang Jincheng's progress slowed?" Ding Ang murmured at the edge of the Awakening Ground.

Ma Zhiyuan nodded: "He delayed his entry by a year, yet still has only five mysterious lights—and his pace is slowing further, far behind last year's two…"

"The lower three realms cultivate the self, while the upper five realms comprehend the Dao of Heaven—they are worlds apart. Some have excellent foundations and advance swiftly in the lower realms, yet possess abysmal comprehension, struggling painfully in the upper realms. Nothing new."

Ding Ang stroked his long beard: "It seems Puyang Xing and the Lu family's second daughter still have strong chances."

Ma Zhiyuan nodded, then fell silent, his thoughts growing hazy.

Though they focused on their disciples' progress as usual, they no longer felt the fierce rivalry of past years.

Even when discussing whose disciple excelled, whose talent was superior, their tone was listless, drained of energy.

After much thought, two reasons emerged.

First, there was no fierce rivalry among the outer courtyard disciples themselves.

Last year at this time, outer courtyard disciples fixated on the few who surged ahead, watching their relentless pursuit of one another, drawing covert attention even from the inner courtyard.

But this year, both outer and inner courtyard disciples focused their attention on the inner courtyard.

Coincidentally, no matter how attention shifted, it ultimately settled on the same person.

The second reason lay within themselves: frankly, the rivalry among instructors had lost its fire.

In past years, among these outer courtyard instructors, a fat man's disciples were annually mocked for their abysmal roots.

But since last year, that mockery vanished, replaced by a chest swollen to bursting.

"I heard a few inner courtyard disciples say Ji You broke through again."

Ding Ang nodded: "Yes, I heard. He spent half a month breaking into Tongxuan Upper, surprising many."

Ma Zhiyuan pursed his lips: "Hard to say if that's fast or slow."

Fast and slow are not absolute in cultivation—they are relative.

Ji You reached Tongxuan Upper in one year, which was already astonishing.

Consider that Pan Bin, who entered a year earlier, and Liu Qichen, who entered two years earlier, still remained at Tongxuan Upper.

But "slow" refers to the process of his breakthrough.

To break a minor realm, he spent a full half-month—slower than many outer courtyard disciples, hence the massive debate over "shouldn't cultivate the body."

A few days ago, both inner and outer courtyards held a lecture, and all these outer courtyard instructors attended.

The lecture decreed that exceptionally gifted disciples must not cultivate the body.

But today, the debate over "shouldn't cultivate the body" suddenly faded, apparently due to the evaluations of several Hall Master candidates on Ji You's breakthrough.

Ma Zhiyuan now glanced at Lu Qingqiu, who stood guarding her sister, chatting with her sisters Lou Siyi, Sun Qiaozhi, and others, glancing occasionally toward the outer courtyard.

"They say Ji You's aura is incredibly powerful after his breakthrough."

"Yes, and that he melted the snow in the Purple Bamboo Grove—whether true or not, no one knows."

"But combat power can't be judged solely by aura. Look at the five Hall Masters—they barely emit any aura at all."

"Aura alone isn't a reliable measure of combat power. If he doesn't strike, no one will know how far he's gone…"

Ma Zhiyuan and Ding Ang exchanged words, then looked up at the white, boundless sky.

At this moment, others also frequently mentioned this prolonged breakthrough.

Even some senior and junior sisters in the academy wished to test that heat themselves.

Minor realm breakthroughs are not major events—not even in the Seven Immortal Sects, let alone in backwater mountain hamlets, would they draw such attention.

Ultimately, it's because no one can judge Ji You's current combat power.

In past cultivation circles, combat power was judged almost entirely by realm. But what level is Ji You now, who could repel a Soldier King and slay a Mystic Demon while at Tongxuan Middle? No one knows.

At this moment, Ji You lay in a deep, dark slumber after his breakthrough.

This minor realm breakthrough was indeed difficult, especially at the final stage, where the crushing pressure felt like being wrapped in thick, sticky substance, inducing unbearable suffocation.

Though this sensation was merely illusory—not real suffocation—the panic it caused was identical.

At the moment of breakthrough, exhaustion surged like a tide, dulling his senses.

During this time, a loose, drifting figure glided in, stood for a long while in his room, fiddling here and there, then restored everything to its original state, not even disturbing the dust.

Finally, he pinched his fingers to calculate, then dropped three pieces of charcoal—exactly the number permitted by fate—into the nearly extinguished brazier.

Then, with a gentle flick of his finger, flames leapt up.

Ji You slept as if dead, unaware, only kicking off his blanket as the room's temperature slowly rose.

The loose figure then vanished silently from the room, leaving no wind disturbance, no trace in the snow.

His deep sleep lasted until noon the next day; by then, the winter snow of the twelfth month had ceased, and midday sunlight melted the snow, which dripped from the eaves and gradually froze into hanging icicles by afternoon.

Ji You, upon waking, felt dazed, sat blankly for a long while, then rose and walked toward the instructors' quarters below the mountain.

"Did you make it?"

"Yes, I did."

Ji You, bathed in the midday sun, arrived at Cao Jingsong's courtyard.

His immortal robe had been soaked through with sweat during his breakthrough; now he wore a scholar's robe, draped in a scholar's cloak, his aura restrained, his depth unreadable.

Cao Jingsong brewed tea while studying Ji You, then sat on the stone bench's cushion, his expression slightly dazed.

During Ji You's unconscious days, rumors swarmed the outer courtyard.

Some claimed he melted the snow in the Purple Bamboo Grove; others said he melted the hearts of inner courtyard female disciples, leaving them sleepless with longing; some even claimed his robe burned through entirely, forcing him to return naked.

Of course, whether he was naked because his robe burned or because he was shameless remained uncertain.

After all, dialects varied across the Nine Provinces.

The most extravagant claim went so far as to suggest he could ascend to the Immortal Realm with a single stomp.

But now, Cao Jingsong felt Ji You's presence was far less extraordinary than the rumors suggested.

"Release your aura."

Ji You looked at him, weary: "Why bother? It's tiring."

Cao Jingsong instantly adopted a stern expression: "Do it!"

"How much silver for releasing aura?"

"I've truly summoned a patriarch!"

Cao Jingsong's beard trembled with rage; he pulled out his money pouch and withdrew a silver coin of roughly the right weight.

Ban Yangshu and Wen Zhengxin entered at that moment; they had visited Ji You's room the previous night but found him asleep and left without disturbing him. Now, hearing the news, they rushed over.

Upon entering, they saw Cao Jingsong handing silver to Ji You and gasped.

Was he robbing people right after breaking through? Filial piety indeed!

Ji You accepted the silver, then looked up and saw Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu: "Senior brothers and sisters?"

Cao Jingsong looked at them: "Perfect timing. Sit."

Ban Yangshu waved: "No, I just remembered I have something to do…"

Wen Zhengxin smiled faintly: "I think I left tea brewing in my room…"

"?"

Cao Jingsong then realized their misunderstanding and quickly clarified: it wasn't robbery—he was paying Ji You to release his aura.

Ban Yangshu and Wen Zhengxin sat on the stone bench, thinking: how is this different from robbery?

Then Ji You opened his body's qi orifices, guiding the omnipresent heavenly spiritual energy into his body.

Once the spiritual energy filled him, he clenched his fist and released his aura, which steadily rose.

Soon, a howling wind gathered around him, carrying his scorching aura and spreading instantly through the courtyard, shaking the osmanthus tree inside the room violently.

At this moment, Ji You felt surging qi coursing through his body, especially after his essence, spirit, and vitality were fully replenished—he felt as if he hated heaven for lacking handles and earth for lacking rings.

Yet his arm meridians were not yet fully unblocked; qi flowing through them triggered sharp pain.

He also noticed another effect from his realm advancement: one originating from his physical body.

For just now, as spiritual energy continued filling his body, the spiritual energy released from his shattered spiritual core ignited into spiritual fire under his subtle spiritual awareness.

At this moment, the profound calm brought by the sixteenth micro-illumination seemed to vanish…

Another thing he noticed during his spiritual inspection was that his spiritual core had shattered even more severely.

Cao Jinsong halted him at this point.

Crossing a minor realm does not grant an immortal greater supernatural abilities; the changes are merely increases in spiritual energy and spiritual sense, ultimately translating into enhanced combat power.

Thus, merely observing his qi circulation still could not determine Ji You's current combat strength.

"Half a month? Ji You, do you know even students with worse talent than you never took this long?"

Cao Jinsong couldn't help but sigh.

Though Ji You was his rebellious disciple, he had never worried about his cultivation—except when he guided this unruly disciple during his initial enlightenment of the Heavenly Book; he had never interfered in matters of awakening or realm breakthroughs since.

This wasn't because Cao Jinsong was indifferent—he simply recognized the vast gap in innate talent between them, and feared his own shallow understanding of the Dao might mislead him.

That's why he had never inquired about Ji You's obsession with body refinement.

Only now, when Ji You took far longer than others to break through to Tongxuan, did concern finally arise in him.

Body refinement truly is a waste of cultivation talent—it truly diminishes an immortal's affinity with the Dao.

Ji You picked up his teacup: "I understand your meaning, Instructor. My physical strength does indeed slow my breakthroughs, but combat power has always been my pursuit—I may continue refining my body."

Cao Jinsong pursed his lips: "Even this minor breakthrough was already so difficult. Are you truly not afraid you'll never succeed in merging with the Dao?"

"Man's effort determines fate. I've already come this far—it's just adding flour when the broth's too thin, or water when it's too thick. Besides, I've always believed that as long as I maintain balance between body and spiritual sense, my method isn't necessarily wrong."

"My talent pales beside yours, rebellious disciple—I can't give you much advice. But body refinement? Proceed with caution."

"Don't worry—I'll stop if I sense something's off."

Ji You set down his teacup and murmured softly.

After breaking two realms in one night in Yuyang County, his spiritual core shattered—he should have been unable to cultivate further.

Yet reaching this point now felt to Ji You like a gift from heaven.

Cultivation demands going with the flow. Since things had turned out this way, he felt continuing this path was simply following the natural order.

But as Cao Jinsong said, Tongxuan was only the first step—he would soon face the challenge of breaking into Rongdao.

Ban Yangshu and Wen Zhengxin were both Rongdao cultivators. Seeing Ji You had reached this stage, they shared their own experiences of merging with the Dao.

Tongxuan emphasizes observing the Dao; Rongdao involves integrating the observed Dao into one's being.

Within the Inner Courtyard's five halls, some focus on the Way of Force—strikes like mountains crashing, unstoppable qi; others on the Way of the Four Symbols—thunder roaring, wind as shield; still others on the Way of Light and Shadow, the Way of Blooming Flowers, the Way of Flowing Water—each distinct, reflecting the myriad paths of the Dao.

The key to Rongdao lies in defining one's Dao.

Some define their Dao through mountains and rivers; others through the Mystic Sea; still others through stars.

It is said the broader the defined Dao, the greater the cultivation potential.

Yet the Dao chosen is never a conscious decision—it emerges from the cultivator's deepest inner vision during the breakthrough from Tongxuan to Rongdao, arising from one's fate or an unceasing thought.

Once a cultivator finds this defining moment, they may enter Rongdao.

Thereafter, they may specialize in Force, Light and Shadow, or Heavenly Mechanisms, using the Heavenly Book Academy's myriad arts as a foundation to enhance combat power and gradually elevate their realm.

Within this realm, as the cultivator deepens their understanding of the Dao, the Dao's feedback grows ever stronger.

Thus, what Ji You must now do is stabilize his current realm, continue observing the Dao, then contemplate Heavenly Mechanisms and question his heart and fate.

Wen Zhengxin plainly stated her defined Dao was Zizai Mountain in the Inner Courtyard.

When she entered Rongdao, she was competing with He Lingxiu—and Zizai Mountain was the image that arose in her mind.

Ji You looked up, thinking: Oh no, please don't let me define my Dao as a pair of snow-white feet. After long thought, he turned to Ban Yangshu: "What Dao did you define, Brother Ban?"

Ban Yangshu gently set down his teacup: "A wall."

"But isn't bigger supposed to be better?"

"In my view, defining your Dao may not affect your future path at all—I've felt no such influence. So I believe Rongdao hinges on your understanding of the Dao; defining it is merely a formality—no one ever talks about it in daily life."

Cao Jinsong spoke up: "Not necessarily."

Ban Yangshu looked up: "?"

"Your students' perspective differs from ours instructors. I know of Inner Courtyard disciples whose cultivation surged precisely because of their defined Dao—Chai Ze is one such case."

Cao Jinsong rested his hands on his knees: "For millennia, the Seven Immortal Sects and the Thousand-Year Clans have deeply studied the path to immortality. To us, defining the Dao may seem trivial—but they may have uncovered its secrets, and simply choose not to speak of them."

Ji You clicked his tongue: "Another bloodline monopoly?"

"That's not wrong. Besides Chai Ze, He Lingxiu and You Buyu are the same."

"The Chai family…?"

Cao Jinsong nodded: "The clan of Chai Hu, head of the Longevity Hall. Chai Ze is the direct heir of the main Chai line."

Ban Yangshu and Wen Zhengxin frowned: "So it's like that…"

"Resources in the immortal world are like taxes in Qingyun Realm—never equal. Even within an immortal sect, background and lineage create vast differences. Some things aren't just beyond your reach even if you fight to the death—they're things you might never even learn exist. That's reality."

After a long silence, Ji You spoke: "So what's the best Dao to define? Any hints from the Instructor?"

Cao Jinsong shook his head: "I don't know. But as long as you don't define your Dao as silver, I think you'll be fine."

Wen Zhengxin turned: "Actually, I think Brother Ji might define his Dao as silver."

Ban Yangshu strongly agreed: "When you define your Dao through inner reflection, your vision often reflects your deepest desire…"

Ji You smiled: "Then if Long Xiandi were to enter Rongdao, he'd probably define his Dao as his buttocks."

"Brother Ji speaks truly."

"By the way, speaking of Long Xiandi—why isn't he here? It's been so long since I've seen his money pouch—I miss it."

Ji You's lips curled into a smile: "Could it be he's stuck in a breakthrough and is holed up in seclusion?"

Ban Yangshu glanced at him: "He recently took a Dao companion."

Wen Zhengxin nodded: "After returning, he secluded himself for three days—said cultivation was too tiring, and he didn't want to see that round butt with a tail anymore—so now he's wandering the Outer Courtyard all day."

"?"

As they spoke, Cao Jinsong's courtyard gate suddenly opened.

Long Xiandi entered gracefully, flushed with vitality, as if bathed in spring breeze: "Brother Ji, you've finally broken through!"

Ji You narrowed his eyes, deeply displeased by Long Xiandi's frivolous behavior while he struggled through his breakthrough—he decided to punish his money pouch, his expression turning grim.

Long Xiandi was sharp enough to feel a sudden chill two inches below his chest, where his money pouch rested—he immediately changed the subject, boasting about the woman he'd met today.

He spoke of composing poetry together, strolling arm-in-arm, showing off to everyone.

Long Xiandi turned to Ji You: "Brother Ji, in half a month it's the New Year. The capital will surely have lantern festivals again. Why not invite a few of your fiancées to join us for an arm-in-arm stroll?"

Ji You: "Heh."

Long Xiandi's smile faded—he felt the chill two inches below his chest hadn't lessened; if anything, it had worsened. He grew wary, unsure what had provoked this bandit.

In fact, many cultivators Ji You's age—especially those with no hope of breakthrough—had recently taken Dao companions.

When he descended from the Inner Courtyard, he'd seen someone sneaking into a small grove.

Everyone said he had many fiancées, yet here he was, still alone.

Ji You brushed off his robe and stood: "Let's go—down the mountain."

Cao Jinsong rose at once, his chest swelling as if inflated: "I'll go with you."

"What for?"

"I'm not going down the mountain—I'm just going to the Awakening Grounds. It's been days since I last went—I wonder if Instructor Ma and Instructor Ding miss me, hahaha."

Ji You couldn't help but grin, thinking: Poor Instructor Ma and Instructor Ding—they've really drawn bad luck.

Defining the Dao…

He murmured silently, stepped out the gate, and headed down the mountain.

At that moment, disciples in the Awakening Grounds, Instructors Ma and Ding, and countless eyes from the Outer Courtyard turned toward Ji You—the first time he had appeared after his long seclusion.

(Requesting monthly votes. Also, the winner list will be announced in the next chapter!)

(End of Chapter)