Chapter 204: Sword Pressure

"It's noon now—shall we go into the city for a quick meal before returning?"

"No, Brother Ji, I haven't been home in days and still have matters to attend to—let's reschedule."

After the busy farming season in Fengzhou ended, Ji You and Kuang Cheng returned to Shengjing before Qingming.

The spring sun blazed brightly, bathing the city in radiant light that made the glazed rooftops of Shengjing gleam brilliantly, vibrant and splendid, brimming with vitality, while a gentle breeze drifted through streets and alleys, brushing against the face with soft, lingering warmth, carrying the faint, elegant fragrance of new growth.

As soon as he stepped onto Yong'an Street, Ji You felt an emptiness gnawing at his stomach.

But Kuang the scholar declined Ji You's invitation to dine, insisting he return home first.

Your immortal ladies aren't even in Shengjing, but my Rui'er is right here…

Ji You couldn't hear Kuang Cheng's thoughts, but he could see the longing in his eyes: "You're a man who forgets friendship for beauty."

"When you first came to Shengjing with Miss Yan, you nearly didn't recognize me either."

Ji You spat at him, leapt down from the carriage, and thought: You can't compare to me—you're a proper gentleman, while I'm just a bandit.

"Next time you return to Fengzhou, bring Miss Wei along—when you pass through Guiyun Commandery, take a detour to Xiangshui Lake. Do you know the legend of Xiangshui Lake? It's said that if two people walk around the lake and happen to meet beneath its thousand-year-old locust tree, they'll be inseparable through countless lifetimes."

"Of course I know it."

"Little scholar, you know quite a bit."

Kuang Cheng glanced awkwardly aside, thinking: I'm not the only one who knows this legend—now even the demon princess is about to know it…

The two then parted ways, but Ji You did not head straight for the Heavenly Book Academy—he walked toward Changsheng Street.

The city's peddlers and laborers had all switched to short tunics, hauling loads along the bustling streets, brushing past the servants outside taverns and teahouses who called out to passersby.

Ji You reached the middle of the long street, then entered the Shengjing Postal Relay.

Last time he returned from the Snowlands, he brought no gift—but this time, coming from Fengzhou, he hadn't forgotten.

He prepared some soil from Fengzhou, seeds left over from the spring planting, and small flowerpots fired in a local kiln—divided into three portions to send to Yan Shuyi and the Yuan siblings.

If carefully tended after planting, these seeds should grow into wheat ears unique to Fengzhou—a charming little potted landscape.

Yan Shuyi was quite interested in Fengzhou; during her winter stay at the Heavenly Book Academy, besides kissing him, she loved talking about Fengzhou most.

She asked him about the local climate, temperature, seasonal changes, how heavy the winter snows were, and where Yinma Bridge and Xiangzi Lake were.

Though she repeatedly insisted she was "just curious," it was clear she was seriously considering moving to Fengzhou.

Yuan Caimei was the same—even though she never asked, she always listened with unusual attentiveness.

So this small token would truly please them.

Amazing—I'm such a great warm-hearted guy.

Ji You smiled faintly as he filled in the mailing addresses, paid the silver, and left.

He'd spent too much time recently in the fields—he was covered in dust, and his boots and hem were caked with mud.

Disciples of the Heavenly Book Academy watching him stride down the divine path stared at him with strange expressions.

"The country cultivator's back."

"All that dirt and mud—he really does look like a country cultivator…"

The three heads of the Administration Hall watched him climb Nishan, his robes fluttering as he circled Bishui Lake, and their idle chatter naturally turned to Ji You.

To the immortal sects, Fengzhou's farming and its people were the least worthy of attention.

Some cultivators couldn't even tell wheat seedlings from leeks, and didn't know which crops grew on trees and which sprouted from the ground.

But the Administration Hall handled taxes and tributes every year, so they had to know some basics.

Qin Rong had also heard enough from disciples who traveled outside the academy and roughly estimated Fengzhou's current situation.

Since the Great Xia changed the demon clans' trade routes, Fengzhou is now the demon clans' largest goods exchange point—and Fengzhou's crops happen to be exactly what the Snowlands lack, with the demon clans offering extremely high purchase prices.

So Fengzhou's tribute this year will be extraordinarily abundant—though most others haven't noticed yet.

Thinking of this, Qin Rong recalled again his own identity as a country cultivator.

Had he not been granted entry into the Heavenly Book Academy after reaching full mastery of the lower three realms, he might now truly be tilling the soil, face to earth, back to heaven.

That accident changed so many things.

Chu He, who should have entered the Inner Court, never did—and Fengzhou gained its only immortal clan.

"Is the matter in Fengzhou settled?"

"Settled. Except for farmers who chose to grow special crops, the entire province has entered the off-season." Ji You circled Bishui Lake and sat down in Cao Jinsong's courtyard: "Immortals are truly useful—they plow faster, better, and straighter than any ox or horse, and even the beasts stare in awe."

Cao Jinsong couldn't help clicking his tongue: "Only you would treat immortals like oxen and horses."

"I'm not treating them as beasts—I'm telling them that to live is to live with meaning. Decades of sitting idle in cultivation—even if you ascend, you're still useless to this world."

Xiang Fu, daughter of the governor of Danshui Commandery, and Cong Yi, daughter of the governor of Guiyun Commandery, were both in Cao Jinsong's courtyard. Since Ji You entered, they had been quietly listening, their eyes fixed on him.

As cultivators from Fengzhou, they knew Fengzhou's affairs well.

After arriving in Fengzhou, Ji You investigated stone quarries and detained many people—in Xiang Fu's father's Danshui Commandery, including some scions of clans—and none have been released yet.

They had never much liked attending immortal sect banquets, always feeling like outsiders who couldn't fit in.

But recently, because of Ji You, the sect disciples now had to listen to them speak confidently at banquets.

The one who felt it most deeply was Xiang Fu.

She had been raised since childhood at Luoyue Shanzhuang and had been nurtured since childhood with affection for Fengzhou's outsider immortal estates—this was natural.

When Cao Jinsong first came to Fengzhou to recruit her, she had resented Ji You for wanting to take over Luoyue Shanzhuang, calling him shamelessly greedy while pretending to be noble.

But only after entering the Heavenly Book Academy, truly understanding the relationships among clans, immortal estates, and tribute, and hearing many stories, did her horizons expand beyond her narrow world—and only then did she understand what Ji You was truly doing.

Cao Jinsong had more to ask, but the words caught in his throat—he glanced at Xiang Fu and Cong Yi, who exchanged a look and immediately took their leave.

He waved his sleeve to close the door, then turned to Ji You: "I thought you'd face assassinations from clans after leaving the Heavenly Book Academy."

Ji You lifted his gaze: "Some country cultivators did come—slipped in with refugees migrating from the border—but I took them in."

"You've got guts."

"What can one broken Tongxuan do alone in Fengzhou? Without the Qingyun Immortal Code, I'd be dust by now."

Cao Jinsong looked at him: "You don't need to think so far ahead."

Ji You sipped tea and shoved a pastry into his mouth: "Doing more is always better than doing less—even if it's just a little. Besides, most of those country cultivators come from poor backgrounds—they're far more reliable than the disciples of immortal estates."

Cao Jinsong nodded silently, then remembered something else: "Before Xin Yuan, you feared the immortal estates would cause chaos and block joint reclamation—now that the spirit stone and elixir crisis has passed, the integration process doesn't need to be rushed, and the Tian Dao Assembly can stabilize."

Ever since returning from the Snowlands, Ji You had been preoccupied with reclamation, certain the immortal estates wouldn't cooperate.

Outsiders who had feasted on Fengzhou's tribute for years, now that they'd suffered a year of poverty, held the upper hand—how could they possibly stay quiet?

At the time, Ji You clung to the mindset of gaining even a little more strength, pushing his cultivation relentlessly, barely caring about the Tian Dao Assembly's rules.

Now that this hurdle is past, Cao Jinsong believed that as long as Ji You didn't go wandering, they'd at least have a moment of peace before tribute collection.

He was now an Inner Court disciple—the Administration Hall needed his consent to assign him tasks.

The last time they sent him to the Snowlands, it was for Fengzhou's sake—there shouldn't be another such mission.

But to Ji You, the country cultivator, if he could grow stronger, he still would—just without being overly harsh on himself.

Old Cao was right—at least there'll be a moment of peace before tribute collection.

As long as the Lingjian Mountain people don't come to kill him for biting their master's mouth open.

Cao Jinsong glanced at him: "Have you made any progress on your Ding Dao opportunity?"

Ji You shook his head: "I haven't seriously tried yet—those days, the courtyard had guests, so I put it off."

"Say 'women,' not 'guests'—you make it sound so refined."

"They really were guests."

Cao Jinsong chuckled: "Your guests are entertained with their mouths? Bitten like they've got nails driven in—why haven't I ever hosted guests like that?"

Ji You's mouth had healed before leaving the Heavenly Book Academy, but he'd seen plenty of people before departing.

He'd even heard disciples discussing it, calling him wildly exciting.

Cao Jinsong rolled his eyes back: "You can still seek your Ding Dao opportunity—some find it quickly, others slowly; preparing early is safer, and the process of Ding Dao itself is one of eliminating distractions—it benefits your Dao heart's clarity."

"I plan to start with body refinement."

"Still refining your body?"

"A real man refines his body."

After leaving Cao Jinsong's courtyard, Ji You returned to the Inner Court.

Several light rains had fallen after spring, leaving the room damp—he opened the window for ventilation, then carried out his quilt to dry.

He cleaned the room, then lay down on the bed and slept soundly.

During his time in Fengzhou, though he appeared calm and detached, his nerves had been tightly strung.

Especially with so many country cultivators taken in—he couldn't afford to be careless.

So whenever news came of country cultivators crossing the border, he and Pei Ruyi took turns keeping watch—only now could he sleep well, sleeping straight through until morning, then rising to refine his body.

As the spiritual fire within him ignited, his scorching aura gradually filled his dantian.

In fact, this seventeenth illumination of spiritual light had begun while he was in Fengzhou, and now it was nearly ready to burst through his skin.

Strengthening the body doesn't affect one's realm—this is advantageous in the Tian Dao Assembly, where matches are between cultivators of the same level.

Honestly, Ji You still didn't know the exact rules of the Tian Dao Assembly—he only knew it was combat between cultivators of the same level…

Meanwhile, rain fell steadily over Shengjing for several days.

When the rain lessened slightly, the Administration Hall delivered Lu Qingqiu's message to the Inner Court, inviting him to a banquet at Hongding Tower.

With the Ju Xuan Pill, Lu Hanyan's cultivation path had suddenly smoothed—she had already gathered five spiritual lights, and the sixth was forming, far surpassing Pu Yangxing's three lights and drawing close to Fang Jincheng's six dark lights.

At this rate, Lu Hanyan's chance of entering the Inner Court was extremely high.

The Lu family of Yunzhou built their status on spirit stones and had shallow roots in the immortal sects—they deeply wished their descendants would enter the Inner Court.

Lu Qingqiu had come last year for precisely this reason, but upon seeing Chu He, she realized she'd arrived at the wrong time.

Yet only at the end did she learn Chu He had also arrived at the wrong time—because they'd both encountered Ji You, the country cultivator, surging ahead alone.

And Lu Hanyan has a very good chance of entering the Inner Court—ultimately, she owes it to Ji You.

"That man is Ji You."

"Ji You? Who's that?"

"You don't know?"

"I've been in seclusion for a long time and only came out early because of the Heavenly Dao Assembly. I've never heard the name Ji You. Besides, when has there ever been a Ji family of note in Qingyun?"

On the second floor of Hongding Tower, Fang Jincheng was drinking with his cousin Fang Zhiheng.

His cousin was also a master of the sword path, having visited Lingjian Mountain multiple times to pay respects, wielding a superb blade—so it was said even Elder Yan Ye of Tianjian Peak held him in high esteem.

But his cousin was never one to be bound by rules, his nature wild and unrestrained, so he never joined any immortal sect, once declaring he would forge his own sword Dao.

He came to Shengjing at his family's request, to impart some wisdom to Fang Jincheng.

Lu Qingqiu had assimilated the Ju Xuan Pill—it had placed immense pressure on him.

Cultivation realms can't be rushed, but Fang Jincheng's combat power still has room to grow; after all, Tongxuan is merely the threshold to the Inner Court, and in the Autumn Duel, combat power is what ultimately matters.

So Fang Jincheng must learn his cousin's sword art—just as Chu He had once been pressured by Ji You into returning home to transmit his Dao. Moreover, this decision was also partly because Ji You himself had entered the Inner Court through sword mastery.

At this moment, Fang Jincheng looked across and told his cousin how Ji You had sold the elixir to Lu Hanyan, and how he had once refused to teach him how to sense the Heavenly Book.

After hearing this, Fang Zhiheng turned his head, gazing coldly across the latticed screen.

Lu Qingqiu always threw lavish banquets, and that was why Ji You enjoyed attending her gatherings—but this time, he kept hearing Lu Hanyan find excuses to call him "Master Ji."

"Master Ji, Hanyan greets you."

"Master Ji, drink—Hanyan will pour your wine."

"Thank you, Master Ji, for the elixir. Hanyan will never disappoint your expectations."

Lu Hanyan moved with gentle grace, her eyes luminous, and the words "Master Ji" came out soft and sweet.

It sounded like a tiny kitten's purr—so sweet it made Ji You squirm uncomfortably.

The title "Master" naturally carries prestige, especially since Lu Hanyan entered the Inner Court when Ji You was at the peak of his fame after defeating Chu He and assassinating Rong Dao—enough to inspire her admiration.

And that Ju Xuan Pill had

The Lu family bloodline is exceptional; both Lu Hanyan and Lu Qingqiu have long legs and slender waists, their features exuding an alluring charm, and they typically treat others with cold detachment—but when held, they are truly irresistible.

Several male disciples from the Heavenly Book Academy were also at the table, some of whom had designs on Second Miss Lu.

After all, Second Miss Lu is among the academy's top beauties—noble and aloof, radiating the aura of a wealthy lady.

But they had never heard Second Miss Lu use such a tone before.

Ji You looked up at Lu Qingqiu, thinking, What's going on with your sister? Lu Qingqiu glanced at him, thinking, My sister's taste in men is sometimes just like mine.

At that moment, Ji You suddenly sensed a gust of wind.

A humming blade suddenly struck, instantly flipping several empty bowls and plates, shaking the left screen into a clatter, then the blade's chill hung before him.

To his left and behind, Fang Zhiheng stood proudly, his sword intent surging.

"Ji You of the Inner Court, I hear you're also a master of the sword path?"

"?"

"..."

In the afternoon's Enlightenment Ground, the breeze was slightly cold, the sun sinking toward the horizon.

The Lu sisters arrived first at the Heavenly Book Academy, reaching the Enlightenment Ground, while the Fang brothers followed shortly after.

With the Autumn Duel only half a year away, both Lu Hanyan and Fang Jincheng still had a long way to go before reaching Tongxuan, so they were especially precious with their time, now seated cross-legged on the ground.

"The struggle of the sword path is ultimately a struggle of sword intent; my sword intent is overwhelmingly powerful—many opponents can't even draw their blades under its pressure, which isn't rare."

"Just now he said he didn't bring his sword—that must mean he sensed the gap between his sword intent and mine. His sword heart is still quite perceptive."

At this moment, Fang Zhiheng looked at Lu Qingqiu, feeling inwardly pleased.

Lu Qingqiu glanced at him, then gave a slight nod, offering a polite, faint smile.

Back at Hongding Pavilion, this man had walked away from the neighboring table and suddenly drawn his sword without a word—no manners at all, truly startling them.

But Budebushuo, though he kept muttering, his overwhelming sword intent was indeed powerful—this could not be denied.

The last time Lu Qingqiu saw Ji You's sword, it was no stronger than Fang Zhiheng's today…

"Didn't you come over at noon? Why are you only here now?"

"Someone invited me to dinner; halfway through, I ran into a lunatic."

"Have you been training your body these past few days?"

"I started since Fengzhou; I just finished last night."

Cao Jingsong had never heard of such a continuous half-month body training method; just hearing it made him shudder—he thought, Are you trying to kill yourself? Last time you nearly failed to reach Tongxuan.

But Ji You always felt his body had undergone a qualitative leap—not just in strength, but in overall power.

"Your body training method actually enhances your physical force?"

"Yes, after these sessions, the effect is very obvious—it's not an illusion."

Cao Jingsong furrowed his brow, expressing clear skepticism.

Seeing this, Ji You, seated on the stone bench, set down his teacup, then straightened his back slightly and slowly raised his arms.

Vast spiritual energy surged between his hands, making his sleeves flutter wildly, producing a crisp rustling sound.

In the instant Cao Jingsong watched closely, a mountain-like heavy sword qi erupted violently, shooting straight up through the Training Courtyard, halting the falling rain, silencing the wind, and causing visible ripples to spread through the air—wave after wave, as if the very atmosphere groaned under the weight.

【Dao Sword · Xiao Chongshan】

At this moment, Ji You raised his sword, his aura surging fiercely, almost boiling; a colossal blade of light slowly rose into the sky.

Lu Qingqiu was watching her sister's enlightenment, her gaze fixed on a sword flickering in and out of its scabbard, while Fang Zhiheng's voice droned on about the sword's inscription.

Clearly, he took great pride in his own sword path.

Lu Qingqiu came from a spirit stone family and was a master of social grace; even if she found someone annoying, she never showed it on her face, always responding politely.

Fang Zhiheng was now lecturing on how to cultivate the sword path, causing Fang Jincheng, seated cross-legged, to frown slightly.

Lu Hanyan and Puyang Xing were his rivals—he feared his cousin was speaking too much, letting the opponents learn from him.

At this moment, Lu Qingqiu was about to respond with praise, but her scalp suddenly prickled—then a powerful sword intent surged toward her like a tidal wave; everyone in the Enlightenment Ground gasped and looked up.

Before her eyes, a colossal Dao Sword rang through the sky, making the willows by the lake tremble, forcing the air outward in trembling waves, and a crushing pressure instantly settled upon her shoulders.

"Such strong sword."

"It's Dao Sword Xiao Chongshan."

"Oh, it's Ji You's sword…"

Hearing the disciples' murmurs, a sharp, clashing metallic sound suddenly pierced the Enlightenment Ground; the Lu sisters, Fang Jincheng, and others turned to see Fang Zhiheng's sword trembling violently in his grip, as if uncontrollable—then CLANG, it fell from his hand to the ground.

【Strong Sword Intent Can Suppress a Dao Sword from Being Drawn】

At this moment, countless eyes from the Outer Courtyard corridors, the Administration Hall, and the Purple Bamboo Meditation Grove turned toward them.

Ji You had entered Tongxuan Upper Realm before the New Cycle; back then, his aura was so intense it melted surrounding snow—some had thought him strong, but none knew just how strong.

Now, seeing this sword hovering in midair, everyone couldn't help but freeze in stunned silence.

(End of Chapter)