Chapter 215: Settled

The third match of the second battle of the Profound Understanding Realm, Yu Shiliu's ring defense ended.

The air currents swirled around her body; as she brandished her sword, she was as graceful as a startled swan, and with a flick of her delicate long sword, she knocked her opponent off the stage.

Unlike the simple and crude sword slashes Ji You had used, Yu Shiliu had clearly begun to come into contact with spell inheritances. Although she had not yet reached the Merging with the Dao Realm and her divine power was not prominent, the mysticism in her movements was highly aesthetic.

Coupled with her naturally good figure, she attracted thousands of gazes.

The following day, the Merging with the Dao Realm also reached the final match of the third battle.

The opponent Chai Ze encountered was named Feng Chunqiu, tall and sturdy, full of momentum, with a straight-edged long saber blooming with dazzling Profound Light.

Every swing of his long saber was imbued with profound techniques, stirring up layers of wind and waves, making those watching under the stage feel a surging pressure rushing toward them, pressing down until dust rolled around the Bai Yu Platform.

Chai Ze was still young and had entered the Inner Court directly because he was the Hall Master's nephew, looking somewhat like a weak scholar.

During the first two battles, Chai Ze still lacked combat experience and responded somewhat clumsily.

However, relying on a mystical finger technique, he suppressed the entire field, causing the ground to tremble violently, using absolute strength to compensate for his lack of combat awareness.

By the fifth match, his performance was already effortless.

Hum!

A subtle trembling sound rang out; Chai Ze swung his fingers like the wind, suddenly shooting out a ray of finger light across the field. The light quickly vanished into the air, disappearing without a trace.

Many disciples of the Outer Court saw this scene with confusion, not understanding, only feeling a wave of pressure rushing toward them.

But Feng Chunqiu, who was attacking fiercely with his saber, had his momentum instantly suppressed.

Then, Chai Ze's figure whistled, both palms striking out, and the powerful force forced Feng Chunqiu's fierce offensive back.

Feng Chunqiu attacked again, and Chai Ze pierced out with another finger. This finger had astonishing power, causing the iron saber in Feng Chunqiu's hand to tremble wildly, forcing him to switch from offense to defense.

Chai Ze immediately followed up with a single-handed mountain-splitting momentum, his palms glowing with light, directly striking the iron saber until it clanged, causing Feng Chunqiu's blood to surge.

After several collisions, Feng Chunqiu narrowly lost, and amidst his panting, he revealed a hint of intense unwillingness.

But looking at the opponent's effortless expression, he finally sighed lightly and turned to leave.

In fact, this Feng Chunqiu was no nameless person; he had also amazed the Outer Court back in the day.

Many people, especially the disciples of the Administrative Pavilion, remembered that the speed at which he sensed the Heavenly Books back then far exceeded that of his predecessors, and he had even placed in the Youxian Assembly held by the Southern Three Sects.

Wu Zhen, who had been the first to attack Ji You's ring, was of the same period as him.

Just as Wen Zhengxin was to Pei Ruyi, this Feng Chunqiu was the most unreachable genius in Wu Zhen's eyes, but unfortunately, he still lost in the end.

With five matches completed, Chai Ze secured his spot with ease.

Yu Shiliu also completed her winning streak in the subsequent three matches, defeating three Inner Court disciples with a cold and arrogant posture amidst the sound of whips.

The battle process was considered a close call, but it was indisputable, so much so that the Elder Pavilion's green-tinged complexion gradually looked better after many days.

The last ring defender of the Merging with the Dao Realm was He Lingxiu. Compared to the duel at Spirit Sword Mountain, the various methods imbued in her body were clearly more complex and mystical.

Although she had just entered the Upper Realm of Merging with the Dao, her temperament was quite similar to Chai Ze's. In terms of aura alone, she was actually more astonishing than Shi Junhao and Xiao Hanyan.

Moreover, her popularity was quite high; the number of disciples watching was half again as many as the others, mostly men.

The first to fall into her hands was a disciple named Song Qian, of the Inner Court Merging with the Dao Realm.

Following that were You Hanliu and Wei Wan.

In fact, they had all been firmly remembered by some disciples of the Outer Court, but unfortunately, they were nothing before a direct disciple.

And in the fourth battle, it was Zhengxin Xianzi Zhengxin who took the stage.

Both used Dao swords; after the gong sounded, the surging spiritual energy collided instantly, and the two graceful figures clashed continuously amidst the violent wind and waves.

Wen Zhengxin also followed the path of imbuing various methods, her aura very thick, causing He Lingxiu to reveal a solemnity unlike before.

After several exchanges, the two fought back and forth, the sound of metal clashing continuously.

But as the battle progressed, some gaps began to slowly emerge.

Zhengxin Xianzi Zhengxin's imbuement of various methods was far less powerful and complex than He Lingxiu's, and multiple defenses showed no effect.

And He Lingxiu's spell-casting that moved with her body had already far exceeded what Chu He had used back then, looking even more magnificent in momentum.

Amidst the clanging sounds, Zhengxin Xianzi Zhengxin drove her spiritual energy to roar continuously on the Ascending Immortal Bai Yu Platform, repeatedly applying powerful force, accompanied by thunder and fire, yet still unable to cut through the wind dance surrounding her.

He Lingxiu pressed forward step by step, her offensive becoming increasingly swift. Her Dao sword, wrapped in rosy light, pressed down shockingly, and with a hum, a purple thunderstorm suddenly bloomed, and the sound of the collision stopped abruptly.

Wen Zhengxin looked deeply at He Lingxiu, wiped the fragrant sweat from her forehead, and pursed her pink lips together while panting.

And the subsequent challenger, Cai Dongchen, had an encounter similar to Zhengxin Xianzi Zhengxin's; after several failed attacks, he was forced off the stage by He Lingxiu's powerful momentum.

Although this direct disciple of the Zizai Hall had just broken through her realm, her combat prowess was indeed extraordinary...

At the same time, countless noble families and Immortal Sects in the Azure Cloud World also received news about the Heavenly Dao Assembly pre-selections, and the names of those who secured spots were spread one by one.

Some sect travelers and noble family travelers specifically collected information across the Nine Provinces, exchanging it, making the matter the talk of the town.

Noble families had fewer spots, so even with more cautious decisions, the results came out faster than those of the Immortal Sects.

Therefore, long before the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan had determined its results, the other participants had already sparked a wave of discussion, so much so that even the bottom-tier people like tavern and teahouse owners could talk about it after hearing enough.

After all, those who could participate in the Heavenly Dao Assembly pre-selections, whether losers or winners, were not nameless people.

"Zhengxin Xianzi Zhengxin's previous battle was already very strong; it's not a pity to lose."

"That is natural. If I could also get the resources a direct disciple can get, I certainly wouldn't have lost today. So strictly speaking, I still won that duel."

Wen Zhengxin was currently sitting in a tavern in Shengjing City, not feeling depressed after failing to attack the ring, but rather feeling a sense of sudden enlightenment.

Because she had anticipated this result beforehand; this battle was just to seek peace of mind.

Moreover, those with extraordinary talent back then who were trapped by their background were not just her alone.

Ban Yangshu nodded upon hearing this: "Thinking about it this way, it is also reasonable."

Cao Jingsong held the menu, flipping through it continuously, then pointed to two dishes after a long time of hesitation, and then closed the menu and looked at the waiter.

The waiter was stunned after taking the menu: "With so many people... you only want two dishes?"

"No, don't want these two; I want everything else."

"?"

Ji You was sitting in the seat next to him, killing intent constantly bursting from his eyes.

However, because he had promised Senior Sister Wen beforehand that he would treat her to a meal if he lost, he had no choice but to endure, his teeth clashing and making a hospitable "creaking" sound.

And sitting at the same table for a free meal were Xiang Kuangcheng, Wei Rui, as well as Bai Rulong and the Lu sisters.

Hearing that Ji You was treating in this "only in, never out" manner, Emperor Rulong ran over without even looking at his own butt; after all, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Ji You cursed them for being spineless for such behavior.

Wen Zhengxin turned to look at Ji You: "Ji Shidi Ji, now only you are left. You must bring back the top spot, go see what the place where the sages attained the Dao looks like, and come back to tell us."

"Then if I lose, do you have to treat me to a meal?"

Lu Hanyan straightened her waist, the word "treat" immediately about to slip out, but she was stopped by the gazes of the people around her.

Ji You had a strange train of thought; he could be lured away by throwing a few pieces of silver on the road. He really might deliberately lose just to get a free meal—in that case, he might as well sell the spot.

Cao Jingsong put on the expression of a strict master: "This is just the beginning. You had best not be arrogant or impatient. Know that the Seven Great Immortal Sects have many talented people and countless geniuses; you must be cautious."

Ban Yangshu glanced at Cao Jingsong: "With Ji Shidi's strength, there is no need to be too cautious."

"It is better to be cautious. Who knows what kind of monsters will appear in other Immortal Sects or noble families?"

"Even if they are monsters, they shouldn't be as much of a monster as Ji Shidi."

Hearing this, Cao Jingsong pondered for a long time and finally had to nod in agreement.

He had once said in Yuyang County that Ji You was extraordinary, feeling he could enter the Inner Court, but he hadn't expected him to be able to walk this far.

A private cultivator from the countryside trying to gain a foothold in the cultivation world filled with noble families has been rare throughout history.

Cao Jingsong looked at his rebellious disciple and found that he had been drinking in silence, not participating in the previous topic at all, and his brow couldn't help but wrinkle: "You've already secured a spot for the Heavenly Dao Assembly; is there anything else bothering you?"

Ji You sighed: "Wang Jiaoxi, don't ask anymore. No one would understand if I said it."

Xiang Kuangcheng looked at Ji You for a long time, pondered for a while, and couldn't help but open his mouth: "He probably thinks that if he gets drunk, he won't have to pay. Brother Ji is always like this, with quite a few little tricks."

"?"

During the Great Heat solar term, it didn't rain in all of Shengjing, and it was sunny every day.

Only at dusk would the heat slightly decrease.

During this time, He Lingxiu won five matches, taking the last Merging with the Dao Realm spot, while the last spot for the Profound Understanding Realm was taken by Gu Zetao.

The Ascending Immortal Bai Yu Platform of the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan's Outer Court was already shattered beyond recognition, with dense cracks like spider webs extending from the center to the edges, including two deep pits.

One was stomped out, and one was slashed out by a sword.

Without the roaring sounds of battle and the arrays of Profound Light from spell collisions, the Outer Court disciples were somewhat unaccustomed to it.

Some felt regret, while others felt unfulfilled.

Subsequently, disciples from the Administrative Court brought new white jade stones from outside, cleaned up the broken bricks, filled the pits, and began to repave it.

And the three managers of the Administrative Court wrote the battles of these consecutive days into a file, submitted it to the Inner Court, and after receiving a reply, had disciples transcribe it, posting it on the bulletin board on a sunny afternoon.

Although they had watched the whole process and already knew the outcome, the notice still attracted many onlookers.

Looking at the names on the list, all of which were of high status and extraordinary family background, many people were actually somewhat dazed, wondering if this was truly fair.

The results on the list were fought battle by battle, each of which they had seen with their own eyes, but when these names were listed together, they still couldn't help but mutter.

The distribution of resources in the Azure Cloud World is uneven; this was the first time some young students felt it intuitively.

Especially some Outer Court disciples from small noble families, and those students who entered the academy with spots from Fengzhou.

They stood in front of the bulletin board, recalling the excitement they had joined in for so many days, and suddenly realized that this matter might actually have nothing to do with them, whether now or in the future.

Because behind every name on it represented a force they couldn't climb up to.

Until their eyes continued to wander and they saw the last name in the Profound Understanding Realm column.

This was the first ring defender of the Profound Understanding Realm, but it was placed last; they didn't know where this stubbornness came from, but it suddenly made the list look much more pleasing to the eye.

Especially the disciples from Fengzhou who entered with spots, as if they saw a ray of light reflecting into their own pupils...

Along with the reflection came the figure of white clothes fluttering and the Dao sword rising and falling.

At this time, students had already begun to transcribe the list against the bulletin board, intending to send it home to report the news.

Thus, in the two days after the list was announced, countless heads could be seen in front of the Shengjing post station, filling the entire long street, so much so that the threshold was almost trampled flat.

The official in charge of the post station looked at the people in front of him, his head aching, muttering for the immortals not to be anxious, for the immortals to be magnanimous, and then busily processed the letters.

The noble families in the capital were the first to receive the participant list; one was placed in the back garden pavilion of the Chong Prince's Mansion, and the Immortal Supervision Bureau also had one.

At this moment, the Chong Prince had a feeling of losing more and more, as if he had lost something, making him feel very irritable.

Some people can see their whole life from their noble family background; this has always been the standard for judging people in the Azure Cloud World, and it is very accurate.

Because there are many things in this world, such as elixirs, spirit stones, and opportunities, that do not belong to whoever has the stronger talent, but only to whoever has the stronger background to get more.

However, he encountered an exception.

Back then, the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan had three people who had perfected the Lower Three Realms: the daughter of the Lu family, the young master of the Chu family, and the last one was treated by him as an interlude, but he hadn't expected this interlude to be so long.

At the same time, the Lu sisters also sent a letter home.

They didn't need to queue at the post station because the Spirit Stone Chamber of Commerce had set up many private post stations in the Azure Cloud World, with three in Shengjing alone, just to facilitate the transport of spirit stones.

This letter was quickly sent to the main hall of the Spirit Stone Chamber of Commerce; the head of the Lu family and the head of the Ding family already knew about this list.

The Lu family had been promoted to a century-old noble family in the past few years and already had a spot to participate in the Heavenly Dao Assembly, but after picking and choosing, they always felt they couldn't bring it out.

When they put their Lu family's list together with this Immortal Sect list, the difference between heaven and earth became even more obvious.

And what they cared about most was the name Ji You.

In the Azure Cloud World, business and cultivation have always been separate.

Immortal power is always the highest, and it will not change.

When they first met that private cultivator from the countryside at the Immortal Supervision Bureau, everyone's identity was closer to that of a merchant, and as they confronted each other, Ji You looked like a junior who didn't know the height of the sky and the depth of the earth in their eyes.

But seeing this list now, they realized that this was a ruthless person.

The power levels within the Immortal Sect are layered and complex.

The Elder Pavilion, the Five Great Halls, and countless noble families rooted here were all calculating these fifteen spots, yet one was still forcibly taken away.

And besides them, the three major outsider Immortal Manors currently in Fengzhou also received the news.

Because the matter involved the face of the Elder Pavilion, the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan did not allow anyone to talk about it everywhere.

So many people only knew the result, but did not know the specific twists and turns of the forbidden sword, drawing the sword, Dharma robes, conceding, etc.

But those cultivators who couldn't stay in their original lands knew best that the distribution of resources in the Azure Cloud World had never looked at individual strength.

And the spots for the Heavenly Dao Assembly were also a kind of resource.

Because unlike other immortal assemblies that only give a false name, the Heavenly Dao Assembly has actual benefits; after all, the winner can enter the place where the sages attained the Dao and listen to the clearest Heavenly Sounds.

For these people in the Fengzhou Immortal Manors, they didn't even have the qualifications to watch the assembly, let alone participate.

Yet a private cultivator from the countryside in Fengzhou secured a spot under the close watch of countless people, which made many people feel dazed.

Between the rotation of the stars and the moon, the night changed to morning.

Ji You got up early to wash up, then went to the Immortal Food Workshop, showing the people who were also having breakfast the serious consequences of body refinement, and by the way, hurt his wallet again.

Next month is far away, and Wang Jiaoxi Cao temporarily cannot get a new monthly salary and cannot rob it for his disciple.

Emperor Rulong went home to visit relatives and hasn't returned yet, not knowing what he was held up by.

He hadn't found a new client yet, feeling like he was about to eat himself into bankruptcy.

Lu Hanyan wanted to support him, but Ji You was afraid of taking people's food and being soft-mouthed; if she really wanted to assault the master, he wouldn't be able to refuse.

Ji You returned from his meal, and before he could return to his small courtyard, he saw Wen Siyuan of the Administrative Court waiting on the only path, summoning him to the Qingfeng Hall for a meeting.

It was called a meeting, but in Ji You's view, it should be to explain the Heavenly Dao Assembly.

Because in recent days, various Immortal Sects and noble families had determined their participants, and those of the same realm all had the possibility of becoming opponents.

Ji You sent Wen Siyuan away, then changed his clothes and stepped out, walking along the mountain road toward the back of the Purple Bamboo Zen Forest, walking through a place of lush green grass, toward the Qingfeng Hall.

He was not the only one summoned here; there were also He Lingxiu and the other seven spot winners, while the six Elders who had experienced it once or multiple times did not need to come.

The seven people were chatting at this time, discussing the opponents they had encountered on the stage, talking and laughing, already possessing the immortal style of their elders.

Ji You walked in while listening to the discussion, and saw everyone's smiles stiffen, stopping their talk.

The Heavenly Dao Assembly pre-selections had seen many mystical spells, making the watching disciples marvel, and although they had profound expressions, they were actually extremely satisfied deep down.

Before becoming an immortal, cultivators are also trapped by the seven emotions and six desires and cannot be exempt from the vulgar; this is natural.

But no matter who it was, whatever spell they used that day, whether gorgeous or magnificent, was actually not as shocking as the four simple sword strikes Ji You left behind.

So discussing the previous battles in front of him made everyone feel uncomfortable, as if they couldn't speak.

"Ji Shidi, here."

He Lingxiu raised her hand and waved at him twice.

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 216 =====