Chapter 215: Settled

The third match of the third round in the Tongxuan Realm, Yu Shiliu completed her defense of the Lei.

Spiritual currents swirled around her as she wielded her sword, dancing like a startled swan; with a flick of her slender longsword, she sent her opponent flying off the stage.

Unlike Ji You's earlier crude and direct sword slash, Yu Shiliu had clearly begun engaging with arcane transmission techniques; though she had not yet reached the Rongdao stage and her divine might was not overt, the subtlety of her movements was extraordinarily captivating.

Added to her naturally graceful figure, this drew countless eyes.

The following day, the final match of the third round in the Rongdao Realm commenced.

Chai Ze's opponent was Feng Chunqiu, a tall, burly man radiating formidable presence, his straight-bladed longsword glowing with dazzling xuan light.

Each swing of his sword was infused with arcane arts, stirring up successive waves of wind that made spectators on the sidelines feel a crushing pressure bearing down upon them, churning dust into swirling clouds around the White Immortal Platform.

Chai Ze was still young, having been admitted directly into the Inner Court due to being the Master's nephew, and looked somewhat like a frail scholar.

In his first two matches, Chai Ze lacked combat experience and responded with noticeable awkwardness.

Yet through a mysterious finger technique, he dominated every match, causing the ground to tremble violently, compensating for his lack of combat awareness with absolute power.

By the fifth match, his performance had become effortless.

Hum!

A faint vibration sounded as Chai Ze flicked his fingers like wind, suddenly shooting a finger-light into the arena; the light swiftly vanished into the air, becoming invisible.

Many Outer Court disciples, seeing this, wore expressions of confusion, unable to comprehend it—only feeling a crushing pressure rush toward them.

Yet Feng Chunqiu's slashing attack was instantly suppressed.

Then Chai Ze's figure surged forward, both palms striking out simultaneously, overpowering force forcibly repelling Feng Chunqiu's fierce assault.

Feng Chunqiu attacked again, and Chai Ze fired another piercing finger; this one carried astonishing power, making Feng Chunqiu's iron blade tremble violently, forcing him to shift from offense to defense.

Chai Ze followed with a swift palm strike like a mountain-splitting blow, his palm wrapped in radiant light, directly smashing the iron blade into a clanging din, causing Feng Chunqiu's qi to churn violently.

After several exchanges, Feng Chunqiu narrowly lost, breathing heavily with unmistakable resentment.

But seeing his opponent's calm, composed expression, he finally sighed softly and turned away.

In truth, Feng Chunqiu was no ordinary figure—he had once stunned the Outer Court.

Many, especially disciples of the Office of Affairs, remembered how his speed in sensing the Heavenly Book far surpassed previous seniors, and that he had even earned a ranking at the Immortal Gathering hosted by the Three Southern Sects.

Wu Zhen, the first to challenge Ji You, had been his contemporary.

Just as Wu Zhen viewed Pei Ruyi as an unreachable prodigy, Feng Chunqiu had been the one Wu Zhen could never catch up to—yet he still lost.

With five victories, Chai Ze secured his spot with effortless ease.

Yu Shiliu then won her next three matches in succession, her whip cracking through the air as she defeated three Inner Court disciples with a cold, haughty demeanor.

The battles were tense but uneventful, and undeniably decisive—so much so that the elders' green-faced disapproval gradually eased.

The final defender in the Rongdao Realm was He Lingxiu; compared to her duel at Lingjian Mountain, her array of infused arts was now far more complex and arcane.

Though newly entered into the upper Rongdao Realm, her aura bore striking resemblance to Chai Ze's—and in terms of spiritual presence alone, she was even more astonishing than Shi Junhao and Xiao Hanyan.

Moreover, her popularity was immense; the number of spectators watching her far exceeded those for others by half, mostly male disciples.

The first to fall to her was a disciple named Song Qian, from the Inner Court's Rongdao Realm.

Then came You Hanliu and Wei Wan.

In truth, they too had been firmly etched in the memories of many Outer Court disciples—but before a direct disciple, they meant little.

The fourth challenger to ascend was Zhengxin Xianzi.

Both wielded Dao swords; as the bronze gong rang, their spiritual energies collided instantly, their slender forms locked in fierce combat amid violent winds.

Zhengxin Xianzi also followed the path of infused arts, her spiritual aura deeply substantial, causing He Lingxiu to display a gravity unlike before.

Yet after several exchanges, they traded blows evenly, the clash of metal ringing continuously.

But as the battle progressed, subtle disparities began to emerge.

Zhengxin Xianzi's infused arts were nowhere near as powerful or complex as He Lingxiu's; her repeated defenses proved ineffective.

Meanwhile, He Lingxiu's arts, moving seamlessly with her body, far surpassed what Chu He had once used, appearing even more majestic.

Amid a chorus of clanging sounds, Zhengxin Xianzi summoned spiritual energy to howl across the White Immortal Platform, repeatedly unleashing powerful force imbued with thunder and fire—yet still could not pierce or break through He Lingxiu's swirling wind dance.

He Lingxiu pressed forward step by step, her assault growing ever faster; her Dao sword, entwined with radiant light, descended with terrifying force—there was a sudden hum, and purple lightning exploded brilliantly, the collision sounds abruptly ceasing.

Zhengxin Xianzi gazed deeply at He Lingxiu, wiped the sweat from her brow, and pressed her pink lips tightly together as she breathed heavily.

The next challenger, Cai Dongchen, met the same fate as Zhengxin Xianzi; after several failed attacks, he was forcibly driven off the stage by He Lingxiu's overwhelming assault.

Though this Zizai Hall direct disciple had only just broken through, her combat prowess was truly extraordinary…

At the same time, countless noble families and immortal sects across Qingyun Tian received news of the Heavenly Dao Assembly's preliminary selection, and the names of those who secured spots spread widely.

Some itinerant nobles and sect wanderers deliberately gathered information across the Nine Provinces, exchanging and disseminating the news, turning it into a heated topic.

Noble families held fewer spots; even with the most cautious decisions, their selections were finalized faster than those of the immortal sects.

Thus, even before the Heavenly Book Academy's results were decided, the other contestants had already sparked widespread discussion—even lowly tavern and teahouse owners, having heard enough, could recount several stories.

After all, anyone who qualified for the Heavenly Dao Assembly's preliminaries, whether victor or vanquished, was no ordinary person.

"Zhengxin Xianzi's previous battle was already very strong; losing isn't regrettable."

"Naturally—if I had access to the resources available to direct disciples, I wouldn't have lost today. Strictly speaking, I was the one who won."

Zhengxin Xianzi sat at a tavern in Shengjing City, showing no despair after her defeat, instead feeling a sense of clarity.

She had anticipated this outcome; this match was merely for inner peace.

Moreover, she was not the only one whose extraordinary talent had been stifled by her origins.

Ban Yangshu nodded upon hearing this: "That perspective makes sense."

Cao Jinsong held the menu, flipping through it repeatedly, then after much hesitation, pointed to two dishes, closed the menu, and looked at the waiter.

The waiter took the menu and blinked in surprise: "So many of you… only two dishes?"

"No—don't bring those two. Bring everything else."

"?"

Ji You sat beside them, his eyes constantly flickering with murderous intent.

But since he had promised Master Wen earlier that he'd treat everyone to a meal if he lost, he gritted his teeth, forcing out a falsely hospitable "clack-clack" sound.

Also joining them for the meal were Kuangcheng, Wei Rui, Bai Ru, and the Lu sisters.

Word had spread that Ji You's kind of "only-take, never-give" meals were so rare that even Bai Rulong had rushed over without even glancing at his own buttocks—it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Ji You silently cursed them for being so base.

Zhengxin Xianzi turned to Ji You: "Ji younger brother, you're the last one left—you must win the top spot and go see what the ancient sages' path to enlightenment looks like. Come back and tell us about it."

"What if I lose? Will you all treat me to a meal then?"

Lu Hanyan straightened up, the word "yes" already on her lips—but was silenced by the glares of those around her.

Ji You's mind works strangely—he can be lured away by a few silver coins tossed on the road; he might deliberately lose just to get a free meal. In that case, he might as well sell his spot.

Cao Jinsong put on a stern-teacher expression: "This is only the beginning. Don't grow arrogant. Remember, the Seven Immortal Sects are filled with extraordinary talents and prodigies—you must be cautious."

Ban Yangshu glanced at Cao Jinsong: "With Ji younger brother's strength, there's no need to be overly cautious."

"Still, caution is better—who knows what kind of monsters might emerge from other sects or noble families?"

"No monster could possibly be more extraordinary than our younger brother."

Hearing this, Cao Jinsong pondered for a long while, then reluctantly nodded in agreement.

He had once said in Yuyang County that Ji You was extraordinary, believing he could enter the Inner Court—but he never imagined he'd reach this point.

A rural self-cultivator establishing himself in a cultivation world dominated by noble families was exceedingly rare throughout history.

Cao Jinsong looked at his unruly disciple and noticed he had been silently drinking, completely uninvolved in the conversation; his brow furrowed: "You've secured your Heavenly Dao Assembly spot—what's troubling you?"

Ji You sighed: "Master, don't ask. This kind of thing can't be understood by anyone."

Kuangcheng stared at Ji You for a long while, then after much thought, couldn't help speaking: "He probably thinks if he gets drunk enough, he won't have to pay. Ji brother always does this—he's full of petty tricks."

"?"

During the Great Heat solar term, not a single drop of rain fell over the entire Shengjing capital; every day was blazing sunshine.

Only at dusk did the heat slightly subside.

During this time, He Lingxiu won five matches, securing the final Rongdao Realm spot, while the last Tongxuan Realm spot went to Gu Ze Tao.

The White Immortal Platform of the Heavenly Book Academy's Outer Court was shattered beyond recognition; a dense web of cracks spread from the center to the edges, with two deep craters.

One was stamped out by a footstep, the other carved out by a sword slash.

Without the thunderous clashes of battle or the dazzling flashes of arcane arts, Outer Court disciples felt strangely unsettled.

Some felt regret; others felt unsatisfied.

Then disciples from the Office of Affairs dragged in new white jade stones, cleared away the broken rubble, filled the craters, and began relaying the platform.

The three Office of Affairs directors compiled the days of duels into official records, submitted them to the Inner Court, received their reply, then dispatched disciples to transcribe them and posted them on the notice board on a bright, sunlit afternoon.

Though everyone had watched the entire event and already knew the outcomes, the notice still drew a crowd.

Seeing the list filled with names of high-status, noble families, many felt dazed, wondering whether this was truly fair.

The results on the list were earned match by match, each duel witnessed firsthand—but when these names were listed side by side, doubts still crept in.

The uneven distribution of resources across Qingyun Tian was, for many young students, their first direct encounter with this reality.

Especially among Outer Court disciples from small noble families and those who entered the academy via quotas from Fengzhou.

Standing before the notice board, recalling how many days they had spent watching the spectacle, they suddenly realized this event had nothing to do with them—neither now nor in the future.

Because behind every name on the list stood a power they could never aspire to.

Until their eyes drifted further, landing on the final name in the Tongxuan Realm column.

This was the first defender of the Tongxuan Realm, yet it was placed last in reverse order; they didn't understand this stubbornness—but suddenly, the list felt much more pleasing to the eye.

Especially among those who entered the academy via Fengzhou quotas, it felt as if a beam of light had shone into their pupils…

Along with that light came the image of a white-robed figure, Dao sword rising and falling.

At this moment, some students had already begun copying the list from the notice board, planning to send word home.

In the two days following the announcement, countless heads crowded before the Shengjing Postal Relay, filling the entire long street, so thick that the threshold nearly wore through.

The postal clerk in charge stared at the crowd, his head throbbing, muttering, "Immortals, please be patient, immortals, have mercy," as he frantically handled the letters.

The aristocratic families of the capital were the first to receive the contestant list; one copy sat in the pavilion of the rear garden of Chong Wangfu, another in the Office of Immortal Supervision.

At this moment, Prince Chong felt an increasing sense of loss, as if he had misplaced something, leaving him deeply agitated.

Some people's entire lives could be foreseen from their family background—this had always been Qingyun Tianxia's standard for judging others, and it was remarkably accurate.

Because in this world, many things—such as elixirs, spirit stones, opportunities—do not go to those with greater talent, but to those with stronger backgrounds.

But he had encountered an exception.

Years ago, Tianshu Academy had three cultivators at the peak of the Lower Three Realms: the Lu family's daughter, the Chu family's young master, and the last one he had dismissed as an afterthought—but he never imagined this afterthought would last so long.

Meanwhile, the Lu sisters had also sent a letter home.

They did not need to queue at the postal relay, for the Spirit Stone Guild had established numerous private relay stations across Qingyun Tianxia, three alone in Shengjing, solely to facilitate spirit stone transport.

This letter reached the Spirit Stone Guild's main office swiftly; both the Lu family patriarch and the Ding family patriarch had already learned of the list.

The Lu family had risen to the status of a century-old aristocratic house several years ago and had earned a slot for the Dao Assembly—but after careful consideration, they still felt their list was unworthy.

When placed beside the immortal sect's list, the difference between them became even more glaring.

But what concerned them most was the name Ji You.

In Qingyun Tianxia, business and cultivation had always been separate.

Immortal authority was always the highest, and it never changed.

When they first met that rustic private cultivator at the Office of Immortal Supervision, both sides had been closer to merchants, and in their confrontations, Ji You had seemed to them like an ignorant upstart.

But now, seeing this list, they realized he was a ruthless one.

Power hierarchies within the immortal sects were layered, intricate, and entangled.

The Elder Council, the Five Halls—countless entrenched aristocratic families were scheming for these fifteen slots, yet one had still been forcibly taken.

In addition to them, the three major external immortal estates in Fengzhou had also received word.

Because the matter touched the Elder Council's honor, Tianshu Academy forbade anyone from spreading rumors.

So most people only knew the outcome, unaware of the twists and turns involving the forbidden sword, the drawn sword, the robe of law, and the surrender.

But these cultivators, driven from their homelands, knew best: Qingyun Tianxia's resource allocation had never depended on individual strength.

And the Dao Assembly's participation slots were a resource too.

Unlike other immortal gatherings that offered only empty titles, the Dao Assembly delivered real benefits—after all, the victor could enter the Sacred Grounds of the Ancients and hear the clearest Celestial Tones.

For these people from Fengzhou's immortal estates, they could not even qualify to observe the Assembly, let alone compete.

Yet a rustic private cultivator from Fengzhou had seized a slot under the watchful eyes of countless others—a fact that left many dazed.

As stars and moon turned, night gave way to dawn.

Ji You rose early, washed up, then went to the Immortal Dining Hall, where he demonstrated the severe consequences of body tempering to those sharing the morning meal—and once again damaged his own purse.

Next month was far off; Instructor Cao could not yet receive his new monthly stipend to pass on to his disciple.

Long Xiandi had returned home for a visit and was temporarily unreachable.

He had not yet found a new client and felt he was about to eat himself into ruin.

Lu Hanyan wanted to support him, but Ji You feared accepting her food would bind him—should she truly wish to take him as her master, he would find it hard to refuse.

After finishing his meal, Ji You had not yet returned to his small courtyard when he saw Wensiyuan of the Administration Office waiting on the path ahead, summoning him to the Clear Wind Hall for a meeting.

Called a meeting, but in Ji You's view, it was likely just an explanation about the Dao Assembly.

For in recent days, each immortal sect and aristocratic house had finalized their contestants; those of equal realm now stood as potential rivals.

Ji You saw Wensiyuan off, then changed clothes and stepped out, following the mountain path toward the rear of the Purple Bamboo Chan Grove, crossing a stretch of lush green grass toward the Clear Wind Hall.

He was not the only one summoned; He Lingxiu and the other seven slot holders were also present, while the six elders who had already experienced one or more rounds had no need to attend.

The seven were chatting casually, discussing the opponents they had faced on stage, their laughter light and carefree, already bearing the aura of senior immortals.

As Ji You entered and listened to their chatter, their smiles froze, and their conversation halted.

Many wondrous techniques had appeared in the Dao Assembly preliminaries, leaving onlookers in awe; though they now wore expressions of profound mystery, deep inside they were deeply satisfied.

Before becoming immortals, cultivators were still bound by the Seven Emotions and Six Desires—this was natural.

But no matter how dazzling or grand the techniques others had used that day, none had shaken people as profoundly as Ji You's simple four swords.

Thus, discussing their past battles before him made them all uneasy, as if words stuck in their throats.

"Younger brother, over here."

He Lingxiu raised his hand and waved twice.

(End of Chapter)