Chapter 26: Damn, I

Since entering the Heavenly Book Academy, everything has been fine…

I thought it would be hard to make friends in a short time, but after I bullied a few, they instantly became much closer…

Kuangcheng became the Top Graduate, and he wants me to become the Abbot—I’ve inquired, and the Abbot doesn’t take direct disciples, but he’s lived over three hundred years; I might not outlive him…

Let it be this way—live well, and Young Master will return home when he has time.

After replying to Qiu Zhong’s letter, Ji You left the Emerald Water Lake Elegant Garden and joined Lu Qingqiu and the others.

They weren’t just six people—Ban Yangshu and another outer academy disciple named Ji Qirui were also there; Ji Qirui’s family had been longtime friends with Lu Qingqiu’s, and he had some connections with the Heavenly Book Academy’s administrators.

He had never met Ji You before, but he’d heard of the commotion Ji You caused in the outer academy, and his eyes brimmed with curiosity.

“Is this the one who read the Heavenly Book?”

“That’s right.”

Ban Yangshu nodded, gazing at Ji You.

The day before, he’d heard Ji You didn’t take elixirs or use spirit stones, yet had already condensed five spiritual lights—he felt deeply impressed.

He himself had been stuck at the Upper Realm of Tongxuan since entering the inner academy, unable to merge with the Dao, but this Ji You possessed such immense resolve—he might go further than him.

A peasant self-cultivator, truly defying heaven itself.

In a few words, the group traveled by spiritual energy and arrived at Hongding Tower in Dongcheng.

This tower was famous in the capital, claiming to be the number one tower in the world; only descendants of immortal sects and imperial clan members were allowed entry.

Both the shopkeeper and waiters were cultivators of the Lower Three Realms—this level might be unremarkable in the Heavenly Book Academy, but it was impressive among commoners.

After seating themselves, the banquet featured singing courtesans and dancing girls, pleasing to the eye and ear.

Bai Ru and Qian Yunxiao were thrilled, thinking they’d come to the right place—this was exactly when their Dao hearts became most lucid!

But for some reason, Ji You’s mind conjured an image of a fragrant, pale, delicate foot kicking him hard—and suddenly, the women before him seemed like common, vulgar beauties.

Dammit, could I really have an unusual preference?

Ji You couldn’t help but down his cup of wine—it felt sharp.

Ban Yangshu had been observing him all along, and now he couldn’t help but sigh softly.

Even before ascending to immortality, his mind was already free of distractions—he didn’t even care for beauty. No wonder he could sense the Heavenly Book.

Such a lucid Dao heart proves this young man is truly extraordinary.

Soon after, the dishes arrived and the banquet officially began; Lu Qingqiu, as host, spoke some polished, formal words.

Her family ran spirit mine businesses and wished to befriend those with exceptional talent, especially someone like Ban Yangshu.

Though the Ban family of Youzhou was once a prominent clan, it had long declined; if Ban Yangshu didn’t improve further, he’d have to leave the academy on his own—and even if he returned home, he’d achieve nothing. Naturally, he’d choose to join another faction.

The Upper Realm of Tongxuan might mean little in the Heavenly Book Academy, but outside, it still marked a top-tier expert.

Lu Qingqiu’s voice was beautiful—soft, gentle, melodious, like a spring breeze brushing the face, making everyone at the table smile.

Only Ji You listened for a while, then felt a sudden thud in his chest.

Dammit, I really don’t like gentle women…

Beyond formalities, Lu Qingqiu also asked a question that intrigued Bai Ru, Qian Yunxiao, and the others: what exactly was the inner academy like?

At this, Ban Yangshu’s face lit up with pride.

“The inner academy has five halls: Zizai, Jixiang, Changsheng, Buchen, and Wuyu. I’m in Zizai Hall, and Brother Ji is too.”

“The inner academy has instructors with profound Dao arts, but direct disciples are taught personally by the hall masters.”

“Currently, Zizai Hall and Jixiang Hall already have direct disciples, so things are peaceful—but the other three halls are in constant competition, just like the outer academy.”

“Last year’s junior disciple who entered the inner academy had great ambition—he chose Changsheng Hall and declared he’d claim a direct disciple spot. This year…”

Ban Yangshu glanced at Ji You, thinking: this year’s inner academy spot probably belongs to him alone.

Ah, Young Master Ji really focuses intently when eating.

Ji Qirui was more interested in another matter and raised his cup to Ji You: “Young Master Ji, I’ve heard many stories about you in the inner academy—I heard you not only sensed the Heavenly Book, but also cultivate both martial and Dao arts?”

When rumors about Ji You spread through the Heavenly Book Academy, they always included two phrases: peasant self-cultivator and martial-Dao dual cultivation.

To create contrast, to prove his extraordinary talent.

It’s like saying: “He spends all day at internet cafés, yet always ranks first in his grade—aren’t you annoyed?”

Ji You looked up and replied: “Correct. I know a bit of fistwork.”

“But martial arts are minor arts. With your exceptional talent, why waste time on them?”

“It’s just a personal hobby.”

Ban Yangshu said: “Pure Dao cultivators are mostly in the north, but in the south, martial-Dao dual cultivators are common. The ‘Jian’ in Lingjian Mountain was changed precisely because the former Abbot was a sword fanatic.”

Lu Qingqiu, Bai Ru, Qian Yunxiao, and others listened carefully, nodding—but inwardly, they agreed more with Ji Qirui’s view.

The south has many small states with frequent conflicts; martial training has been passed down for a thousand years.

But habit is habit—no matter what, martial arts ultimately offer no help to Dao cultivation.

Brother Ban is famous in the inner academy for his skill in speaking—he always says things people love to hear.

As time passed, the banquet dishes dwindled, and the night outside grew deeper.

The previously unfamiliar individuals now chatted merrily—even Ji You occasionally joined in. Lu Qingqiu invited them to visit the Lu family estate in Yunzhou, and all agreed.

This was Lu Qingqiu’s purpose in hosting.

If she couldn’t enter the inner academy, she wouldn’t stay long in the Heavenly Book Academy—but inviting a few people home was still a gain.

The city tower struck the third watch, and the group left the tavern.

The night outside was utterly dark. The streets held no people, only a few cultivators with spiritual energy gathered to ward off the cold passing by.

Shengjing was the center of the mortal world; it was common for the Seven Immortal Sects to send outside envoys who weren’t bound by curfews—nothing unusual.

But as they reached Yong’an Gate, Ban Yangshu and Ji Qirui suddenly stopped, glancing around.

Then Ji You frowned, staring into the dark, unlit space ahead.

For some reason, they’d just sensed a malevolent aura drifting nearby—but it vanished instantly.

Lu Qingqiu had only two Xuan lights; naturally, she hadn’t noticed anything.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Probably…”

As Ji You was about to answer, his body moved without thought—he shoved Lu Qingqiu forward.

Then he leaned sharply back, his feet surging with spiritual energy as he retreated a full zhang.

In that instant, a pair of crimson eyes emerged from the darkness—the attacker was wrapped in murderous aura, radiating evil, moving like lightning, fingers curled into claws as he lunged downward.

Seeing the two evade, the evil shadow darted forward and snatched Bai Ru and Qian Yunxiao.

“Evil spawn?”

“How could an evil spawn appear in Shengjing?”

Ban Yangshu and Ji Qirui were horrified, instantly drawing their swords and slashing at the evil spawn with ringing blades.

Just as they were about to cut him down, a muffled boom came from the darkness on the other side—they turned instinctively and saw a white bolt of lightning strike like a thunderclap splitting a mountain.

“Merged Dao realm?!”

“Retreat! Don’t fight directly!”

Ban Yangshu pulled Ji Qirui back—the ground instantly bore a charred black scar, and the stone tiles beneath them exploded into shards with a loud bang.

But the opponent didn’t stop after the lightning strike—he gathered more thunderous energy in his palm, stepped forward with violent winds, and slammed his palm forward.

Ban Yangshu and Ji Qirui rolled aside, then launched forward with fists, their martial intent fierce as roaring thunder.

But the opponent remained one realm higher—he blocked effortlessly, then punched forward, striking both their shoulders like a heavy iron hammer.

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(End of chapter)