Chapter 247: Heavenly Mechanism Art

Five battles, five victories; he sheathed his sword and left the arena.

Within the Human Race Dao Arena, countless people stood up subconsciously, staring toward the circular platform, watching as Ji You stepped down from the high platform. They looked at one another in silence; it was completely quiet.

Only the sound of pens scratching rapidly across paper was like the whistling of a sword, until it snapped with a 'Crack!', and the worn-down nibs fell to the ground with a 'patter'.

Gongshu Chou was panting heavily, sweat beading on his forehead; he actually appeared more exhausted than Ji You, who had fought the match.

"The top of the Profound Understanding Realm rankings..."

"You actually managed to do it..."

Returning from the Human Race Dao Arena to the Rusheng Garden, although Cao Jingsong's chest swelled with pride—a sight that made Pei Ruyi and Wen Zhengxin feel a hint of envy—his mind still couldn't keep up for a long time.

Because locking in the top spot felt quite different from truly becoming the top of the Heavenly Dao Assembly.

Looking at his wayward disciple at this moment, he could always recall the moment he first saw him in Yuyang County; it felt like a lifetime ago.

In the West Courtyard opposite the East Courtyard, behind layers of elegant scenery, many Spirit Sword Mountain disciples also stood in front of and behind their houses, quietly watching the direction of his residence.

Although the one who took the top spot was not a Spirit Sword Mountain disciple, Ji You's sword strikes in the later matches actually carried the charm of Spirit Sword Mountain's sword Dao.

Coupled with the fact that he was already world-renowned for his Spirit Sword Mountain sword Dao, everyone felt extremely conflicted about him obtaining the top ranking.

Regardless of sect or family background, the strong will always command admiration.

And on the second floor of the small building, watching that figure sitting upright in the residence, were also Ding Yao, Zhuo Wanqiu, and Yan Shuyi.

"The son-in-law has taken first place..."

"Did the Appraisal Master see through the son-in-law's potential at a single glance back then, which is why she specifically chose him?"

"I just thought he was interesting, different from the people I've known before."

Yan Shuyi murmured, then suddenly put on a stern face and looked at Zhuo Wanqiu, thinking to herself that he was just a stranger she had met a few times, what 'specifically chose him'.

She was the Little Appraisal Master of Spirit Sword Mountain; she wouldn't specifically do anything for a man.

Seeing her own Appraisal Master's forced cold arrogance, Zhuo Wanqiu lowered her head, thinking to herself that when they followed him back to Yuyang a while ago, she didn't know who it was that couldn't suppress the corners of her mouth upon hearing the words "Ji family's wife".

He Lingxiu, Shi Junhao, and the others were also in the courtyard at this time, looking at this scene in silence.

The events of the Heavenly Dao Assembly were like a blow to the head, waking them from the dream that "The Heavenly Tian Shuyuan is the best in the world, and I, coming from the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan, must also be a peerless genius." But having a true number one in the courtyard was a feeling that was indeed hard to swallow.

Their attitude toward Ji You previously had always been condescending.

Because no matter what Ji You did, his background could not be changed, so they always had a sense of superiority stemming from their Immortal Sect and noble family bloodlines.

They assumed on their own that Ji You actually wanted to integrate and become someone like them, which was why they kept trying to recruit him.

But when they were defeated on the Heavenly Dao Assembly arena, and Ji You reached the summit alone, this inherent impression shattered in an instant.

Yes, they were not in the same realm.

But they clearly knew that even if they were placed back in the Profound Understanding Realm, facing opponents like Yan Hao or Zhu Yao, they could not possibly do what Ji You did—sweeping through the competition.

After their inherent impressions shattered, they finally understood that Ji You had never thought about being like them; he just worked hard at his cultivation in his ordinary life, went home to farm and harvest when the season came, and then took the top spot in passing.

And now, it was their turn to hope to become like Ji You.

Wen Siyuan actually felt a bit at a loss for words; his fellow disciples worked from dawn till dusk every day, gathering information on opponents for the other seven, yet they still lost.

Only he slept until he woke up naturally every day, went to follow Ji You to the duels when the time came, and had nothing to do after winning and returning.

Ji You looked at Wen Siyuan at this moment: "Where is the Abbot staying now?"

"Uh, he is also staying in the courtyard, but in the Ascending Immortal Tower at the very back."

"Now that I've taken first place, am I qualified to request an audience with the Abbot?"

Wen Siyuan was stunned for a moment, pondered for a long time, and then said: "I'm not sure about this, because the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan hasn't produced a top-ranked student in many years..."

Ji You's mouth twitched, and he straightened his back: "Then I'll trouble Senior Brother Wen to pass on a message for me, saying that Ji You requests an audience, wishing to inquire about how the old gentleman's health is."

"Ji Shidi, you don't actually need to specifically go see the Abbot; he must have watched your duels, and he likely already has a deep impression of you in his heart."

"That's different; he watched me, but I haven't watched him yet."

Hearing this, Cao Jingsong suddenly began to tidy his clothes: "Well, count me in when you pass the message."

Wen Zhengxin, Ban Yangshu, and Pei Ruyi also began to sit upright, changing from their previous leisure and laziness.

Wen Siyuan stood up after hearing this: "Alright, then I will go pass the message for Ji Shidi Ji."

"Sorry for the trouble, Senior Brother Wen."

"It's only right."

Cao Jingsong watched Wen Siyuan leave, then looked at his wayward disciple: "You must be solemn when seeing the Abbot; don't ask for money the moment you open your mouth. The quota for the Sages' Holy Land is far more precious than those worldly riches."

Ji You frowned at him: "I am a serious person; I just want to go and inquire about his health."

Wen Siyuan himself wasn't qualified to see the Abbot, so he went to find Qin Zhangshi. Qin Zhangshi pondered for a long time after hearing this, and then headed toward the Ascending Immortal Tower.

The five Hall Masters of the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan lived near the Ascending Immortal Tower. After hearing Qin Zhangshi's report, You Yingqiu nodded slightly, told him to wait here, and then stood up and headed into the tower.

Soon, Wen Siyuan returned to Ji You's residence: "Ji Shidi Ji, the Abbot said that if you can reach the Responding to Heaven Realm by the time you come out of the Sages' Holy Land, he will call you to see him."

"Responding to Heaven Realm, why?"

"I don't know."

Cao Jingsong also found it strange, thinking to himself why the timing had to be so strict, but then he was slightly stunned, and his mouth gradually began to open wide.

Ji You saw his abnormality and couldn't help but open his mouth slightly: "What's wrong?"

"It seems that one can specialize in our Heavenly Tian Shuyuan's Heavenly Mechanism Art at the Responding to Heaven Realm."

"Heavenly Mechanism Art...?"

Chai Hu, Zuo Qiuyang, Fei She, and Lu Fengchuan were still drinking tea in the tea pavilion, and couldn't help but gaze at the small tower of their Abbot Master.

The Heavenly Mechanism Art was the most profound technique in the Qingyun world, and the requirement to practice it was to reach the Responding to Heaven Realm. Cao Jingsong could think of this, and naturally, they could too.

It was just that the Heavenly Mechanism Art was the most difficult; after all, sensing the Heavenly Dao was already no easy task, let alone wanting to gain insight into the Heavenly Mechanism.

Among their five Hall Masters, only You Yingqiu had been passed this art, but it was only as a secondary practice.

Most importantly, this Heavenly Mechanism Art was the foundation of the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan and the basis upon which the first Sages established the academy.

You Yingqiu was in the tower at this time, looking at the little old man dressed in loose clothing: "Does Master want to let Ji You practice the Heavenly Mechanism Art?"

The little old man stroked his long beard and looked at the night sky outside: "It is that the Heavenly Mechanism is becoming increasingly unclear. I don't know which one to move, nor can I calculate what will happen after moving it, but I think that what is meant to come is coming soon."

Cao Jingsong was telling Ji You about the Heavenly Mechanism Art at this time, boasting extravagantly: "You wayward disciple, once you enter the Sages' Holy Land, you must practice well. With your aptitude, coming out at the Responding to Heaven Realm shouldn't be a problem. That Heavenly Mechanism Art is the supreme Daoist technique of this Qingyun world!"

"Really?"

"That's what I heard. However, as the foundation of our Heavenly Tian Shuyuan, it must be a supreme Daoist technique. What doubt is there about that?"

Ji You looked at him, thinking to himself that this was embarrassing; he couldn't even cross the threshold of the Merging with the Dao Realm, so asking him to reach the Responding to Heaven Realm was just nonsense.

However, the Heavenly Dao Assembly had finally ended.

The Sages' Holy Land was said to have extremely rich spiritual energy, which should also be of great help to his body refinement. He didn't dare think about the Responding to Heaven Realm, but a better body was something he could imagine...

The results of the Merging with the Dao Realm came out earlier than those of the Profound Understanding Realm.

It was just that because the momentum of the rural private cultivator sweeping through the competition was too shocking, it did not trigger large-scale discussion.

Chen Luo of the Chen Immortal Clan took first place, his sister Chen Xi took second, third was Zhuang You, fourth was Yan Shujing, and as for fifth, it was Chai Ze of the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan; his performance was quite impressive, and he actually managed to save some face for the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan.

However, there was one more person who made Ji You feel surprised.

That was Fang Ruoyao's elder brother, Fang Ruoming, who took sixth place in this Heavenly Dao Assembly.

When they met at the Immortal Gathering Banquet, Ji You had once told Xiang Kuangcheng that Fang Ruoming's physique was very strong, and coupled with the fact that he had been fighting with the army for years, it was normal for his combat power to be impressive. However, taking sixth place without making a scene was still surprising.

Because Jiang Chenfeng and Huo Hong also entered the top ten, but were both ranked behind him.

After the list was announced, the ten from the Merging with the Dao Realm and the ten from the Profound Understanding Realm were summoned to the Taiping Garden.

The Sages' Holy Land had now been opened, and the results of the Heavenly Dao Assembly were out. The people from the Immortal Supervision Bureau invited them over just to inform them of the time to enter the Sages' Holy Land and some precautions.

For example, although the Sages' Holy Land had been repaired, it was still fragile inside.

They could practice within it, but they must absolutely not engage in private fighting.

In addition, Ji You and Chen Xi also received the route map to the very center of the Sages' Holy Land, as well as jade plaques that could bypass the barrier.

After returning from the Immortal Supervision Bureau, Lu Qingqiu and Lu Hanyan wanted to host a banquet to celebrate Ji You taking the top spot.

These two were little rich women; the cost of living in the Central Prefecture was simply painless for them.

The invitation was sent by Lu Qingqiu, but what made her strange was that after Ji You looked at the invitation, he unfolded it and gathered it in front of the window.

Also receiving invitations were Cao Jingsong and the other three, plus the Long Xiandi. Free food was too delicious; they decided to go without the slightest hesitation.

"Elder sister, I also want to invite Sister Caiwei from the Pill Sect to attend the banquet together."

"?"

Lu Qingqiu put on a printed, chest-high pleated skirt, outlining her full curves. Hearing her sister's voice, she narrowed her eyes slightly.

The rule in the Qingyun world was that if one wanted to be a concubine, one needed the consent of the first wife, so many women had to build a good relationship with the first wife before entering the door.

She looked at her sister Lu Hanyan, thinking to herself that her previous guess was indeed true.

If she had really married Ji You back then, this plastic sister of hers would sooner or later have crawled into her brother-in-law's bed.

Yuan Caiwei went to the banquet after receiving the invitation. She wore an embroidered ru skirt and a jade hairpin on her head, looking dignified and generous.

After taking her seat, Lu Hanyan toasted her frequently, and she responded politely with a faint smile.

She thought the Lu family wanted to buy elixirs; after all, the Lu family's spirit stone business had been impacted by the Snow Region demon stones, so it was not strange for them to seek new development.

But as time passed, she realized that the Lu sisters had never mentioned the word 'elixir', but instead tried their best to show politeness and cuteness, especially Lu Hanyan, who even whispered 'sister' a few times until the end of the banquet.

Ji You was right next to them at this time, studying the route map of the Sages' Holy Land with Cao Jingsong and the others, lamenting that this Sages' Holy Land was really big.

And when he heard this lowered-voice 'sister', he couldn't help but turn his head, looking at his wayward disciple with a vigilant face.

Yuan Caiwei also understood the Lu second young lady's careful thoughts as if by divine inspiration, thinking to herself that I still have an elder sister above me...

After the banquet, everyone dispersed.

Cao Jingsong and the others lived in an inn in the city, in the opposite direction to where they were returning.

Ji You returned with the three warbling and twittering women, following the darkening sky back to the Sages' Garden.

Because the Lu sisters lived in the Lianxing Garden, they parted ways with them on the white jade path and left first.

Seeing the two leave, Yuan Caiwei couldn't help but look at the wound on the corner of Ji You's mouth.

In fact, she had seen this wound earlier, and she also knew it was bitten. In her heart, she couldn't help but think of what Yuanchen had said before, that she should strive to be more competitive.

"What's wrong?"

Ji You discovered Yuan Caiwei was distracted and couldn't help but ask, but before the last word was even spoken, he was pushed into the pitch-black path.

The daughter of the Pill Sect was always sensible and reasonable, making people think she wouldn't do anything overstepping, but this push caught Ji You off guard.

When he came out again, the left corner of Ji You's mouth had a slight red mark.

His physical body was extremely tough; Yan Shuyi was able to bite through it because she used spiritual energy, but unfortunately, the daughter of the Pill Sect didn't have that much strength. Her mouth didn't bite through, and she softened in his arms, as obedient as a rabbit.

When boys go out, they really have to protect themselves.

Ji You looked at Yuan Caiwei, wanting to know if her teeth hurt.

And Yuan Caiwei had a layer of pink on her face, reaching out to block behind her.

Her teeth didn't hurt, but being spanked twice on the bottom just now, it actually hurt a little...

At this moment, a woman walked into the courtyard, with an oval face and a horse-face skirt, looking around.

And when she saw Ji You and Yuan Caiwei, she immediately ran over and stuffed a letter into his hand.

Seeing this scene, Yuan Caiwei couldn't help but look at him, thinking to herself that the young master was really a magnet for bees and butterflies. He had just received letters from so many women at noon, and she didn't expect there to be one in the middle of the night. No wonder the Little Appraisal Master sister watched him so closely.

But thinking of this, Yuan Caiwei was suddenly stunned, discovering that she seemed to be a butterfly too...

The sky was already very dark at this time. Ji You clutched the letter without looking at it, and after parting with Yuan Caiwei, he returned to the Rusheng Garden.

As a result, the moment he opened the door, he saw the stunning Little Appraisal Master looking at him with a proud face.

Ji You wasn't afraid at all; he had already reported it when he went out, so he stepped over. As soon as he sat down, he saw a pair of snow-white feet coming toward him, bringing a fragrant wind, and he immediately waved his arms to block.

With a 'bang', the energy force made the tea on the table spill over.

However, as they fought, the Little Appraisal Master's bottom was spanked several times, and her cold, proud, pretty face was slightly flushed as she was blocked by the other party into Ji You's arms, her round and full bottom sitting on his lap.

"Why is the Appraisal Master so angry?"

"Afraid that you, this stranger, will bully my good sister, giving you a little warning."

Ji You felt that Yan Shuyi's loss was that her little mouth was too hard; she never 'ying-ed' at him, and she couldn't say it directly when she was jealous, having to find some messy reasons.

If she had 'ying-ed' earlier, the Lu sisters wouldn't have not known who the first wife was, and they wouldn't have been the only ones not to invite him.

The Little Appraisal Master looked at Ji You's expression at this time and suddenly bit over, but was first bitten on the lips by Ji You, who sucked for a long time.

And as Yan Shuyi gradually rose, her snow-white feet without shoes or socks couldn't help but curl up, and her momentum instantly became much smaller, but her eyes were wide open, refusing to show weakness.

Before long, as a hand left her waist, the Little Appraisal Master couldn't help but shrink together, her eyes carrying even more ferocity, but she was very obedient and didn't stop him.

"Which one do you like?"

"What do you mean which one do I like?"

Yan Shuyi was released from her little mouth, and after panting a few times, she asked him: "My sister, and those Lu sisters, they are all quite lovely. Which one do you like the most? Say it out and let this Appraisal Master give you some advice."

Ji You pondered for a long time: "I like the one who is timid the most."

"?"

"Alright, let's talk about business. I really have something I want to ask the cold and moving Little Appraisal Master Highness for advice on."

Yan Shuyi instantly straightened her back, her eyes cooperating extremely proudly: "Speak, what has happened to you, this stranger, that you need this Appraisal Master's guidance?"

She was clearly still sitting in Ji You's arms, her roundness had been felt through, but she still looked like she wasn't familiar with him.

Ji You pondered for a moment upon seeing this: "The Appraisal Master also knows that I am not young anymore, and dragging it on is not a thing, so after I come out of the Sages' Holy Land, I plan to have a baby. Please, Little Appraisal Master, give me some advice."

The Little Appraisal Master squeezed his collar, instantly becoming a bit nervous: "I'll beat you to death..."

Ji You looked at her expression, thinking to himself that tsundere ghosts are like this, saying they are timid themselves, but hitting others hard: "You said you would give me advice."

Yan Shuyi squeezed her fists after hearing this, feeling that he was just talking, but actually didn't dare, but the next moment she found that she was a bit higher again, and her eyes couldn't help but widen.

In a moment, a flash of spiritual light appeared under those snow-white jade feet, and Yan Shuyi disappeared rapidly from the residence with a 'whoosh'.

Ji You's mouth twitched, and he couldn't help but turn his head to look at the shoes and socks on the side.

At this time, Yan Shuyi had already arrived on the second floor opposite, standing in front of the door for a long time: "Bathe..."

Ding Yao: "?"

Cui'er came later, picking up her Appraisal Master's clothes layer by layer, and found that there were no underpants this time. Not only were there no underpants, but the shoes and socks were also gone, her eyes carrying confusion.

At this moment, Cui'er picked up the bright yellow bellyband on the ground, her expression suddenly slightly stunned, and she opened her mouth slightly looking at the position on it that seemed to be about to come off the line.

Ding Yao looked at Cui'er's stiff back at this time: "What's wrong?"

"Ah? No, nothing..."

Cui'er hid the bellyband in her clothes, her red lips slightly pursed, thinking to herself that the Appraisal Master has a sweetheart.

She should be the first to know this secret, and in the future, the Appraisal Master will definitely cultivate her into a confidante.

However, what made Cui'er curious was who the other party was, actually having the guts to bully the Appraisal Master, who was so cold and arrogant that she was somewhat alienated from the world, like this.

(Seeking monthly tickets)

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 248 =====