Chapter 267

Under the gloomy sky, icy raindrops were falling in the sky, hitting the forest, causing a rustling sound to continuously emerge from the dense woods.

At the same time, the damp smell mixed with the scent of earth continuously overflowed from the mountain forest.

"The two Bu sons were both in the Initial Realm of Responding to Heaven?"

"It's reasonable; Senior Brother Huo has already touched the threshold of the Realm of Responding to Heaven, and whoever could break his legs must have a cultivation base that surpasses him."

"The Initial Realm of Responding to Heaven after mutating into an evil seed, and there were two of them; they were very fierce."

"That Ji You...?"

"You also feel it's hard to believe? Indeed, how could it possibly be Ji You? Then what level must his combat power have reached...?"

"But Senior Brother Huo and the others have already been released."

"So what if they were released?"

"Those Elders who have been in mountain seclusion for years and whose lifespans are nearing their end are not easy to deal with; usually, just seeing them makes one feel their baleful aura is extremely heavy. If they were lying, they definitely wouldn't have been let off so easily."

"You mean to say that the Elder has already confirmed this news is true?"

In the canyon, the disciples of the three sects—Asking Dao Sect, Mountain and Sea Pavilion, and Spirit Sword Mountain—were talking in low voices.

Regarding the miserable state of Huo Hong and Jiang Chenfeng's group with broken hands and feet, it had actually been spread by people as soon as they were rescued.

Being able to beat nine people in the Realm of Merging with the Dao into serious injuries was already a very terrifying thing.

But what made it even harder for them to imagine was that it was Ji You who took action to suppress and kill those two fierce criminals.

If one were to say that before the Heavenly Dao Assembly began, there were definitely many people who didn't know the name Ji You.

Even up until the third round, there were still people who would ask who this person was when hearing the name Ji You.

But after the Heavenly Dao Assembly ended, there were very few people in the Qingyun world who didn't know him.

At first, the label everyone gave him was the peak of combat power in the same realm, a Heavenly Tian Shuyuan disciple with outstanding talent, and a maverick private cultivator from the countryside.

And after everyone returned from the Sages' Holy Land, he gained a few more labels: someone who faded into the crowd, someone regrettable, someone destined to be obscure, and someone who, as a private cultivator from the countryside, should have been that way.

But no one expected that the next time they heard news of him, it would be him killing someone in the Realm of Responding to Heaven with his sword.

The disciples of the three sects were the first to know that an evil seed in the Realm of Responding to Heaven had been killed, and they had just been discussing that the combat power of the person who took action deserved the title of "Great Ability."

Never would they have thought that what was revealed immediately after was Ji You.

Many people felt that "Great Ability" and "Ji You" really couldn't be linked together.

Because he was too young, and he also had no family background; he had been alone all the way, and it was said that even after entering the inner courtyard, he hadn't been favored.

At this moment, everyone was imagining the scene of Ji You killing the evil seed in the Realm of Responding to Heaven with his sword, their spirits in a trance.

Also silent for a long time due to being in a trance were Administrative Court's Commandant Qin and Commandant Ji.

They had returned following Elder Fang and were standing under the shade of the trees, their expressions carrying a sense of wanting to speak but holding back.

Ji You had been very low-key since returning from the Sages' Holy Land; usually, he only visited Cao Jingsong and then stayed in the inner courtyard's immortal residence, rarely going out.

There were not a few voices discussing him in the academy, but he had never taken them to heart.

Even when he left the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan and returned to Fengzhou, he was exceptionally low-key.

The two Commandants originally thought he was doing it deliberately because he hadn't been able to break through the realm even in the Sages' Holy Land; presumably, he must have felt lonely in his heart, or at least somewhat inferior.

But following what Huo Hong and Jiang Chenfeng said tonight, all their previous guesses and fantasies were shattered.

But hearing this matter in their minds, no matter how many times they thought about it, it still made people feel it was inconceivable.

The problem was that they had already begun to believe from the bottom of their hearts that the person who suppressed and killed those two evil seeds in the Realm of Responding to Heaven was Ji You.

The reason for believing it wasn't that the posture of the person they described was extremely similar to Ji You's, or that his sword-using habits were exactly the same as Ji You's.

It was because the money bags in the bosoms of those who died today and those who died earlier had all vanished.

This kind of thing was too much like his style; neither of them had any other candidates in their hearts at all.

Ji Jingyao lightly twisted his long beard: "This kind of combat power is truly a bit outrageous..."

Qin Rong thought for a moment and then spoke: "I don't know why, but I always feel in my heart that if he weren't like this, it would be abnormal."

"?"

"In the Sages' Holy Land, he shouldn't have come away empty-handed as everyone said."

Ji Jingyao raised his head at this moment: "Although that's the case, Elder Fang specifically instructed earlier that we should send a message back to confirm."

Qin Rong raised his eyes upon hearing this: "Back then, Lu Hanyan and Fang Jincheng were at odds over competing for the inner courtyard quota, which led to him and Ji You forming a grudge, which is why he made things difficult in every way during the Heavenly Dao Assembly qualifiers, so he should be the one who least hopes this matter is true."

Ji Jingyao nodded at this point: "Being targeted by such a person, I think the high-and-mighty Elder Fang is probably also feeling apprehensive in his heart."

"But regardless, since he has given the order, we will do it."

"Then I will go and use the communication spirit platform."

Qin Rong nodded, and after thinking for a while, he added: "I will also have to trouble Brother Ji to send a separate message to Hall Master Zuoqiu about the things that have happened these past few days."

Ji Jingyao nodded and turned to leave.

Not long after, a message ordering the disciples in the academy to confirm Ji You's whereabouts was sent out by the communication spirit platform, arriving in the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan in an instant.

The messages of the Administrative Court are generally divided into four levels: Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow, and this message was marked with the Earth character.

So the disciples remaining in the Administrative Court immediately set off for the inner and outer courtyards.

Some went to look for Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu, some went to look for Lu Qingqiu and Lu Hanyan, and some disciples also went to the Purple Bamboo Zen Forest and the area around Ji You's residence.

And because Wen Siyuan was familiar with them, he was responsible for going to find Cao Jingsong; in addition, another group of disciples went to find Xiang Cheng.

In fact, they were also very puzzled, because Ji You had left ever since he received a message from Shengjing.

Before leaving, he only left a note saying he had something to take care of.

This matter of searching the entire academy for Ji You soon reached the ears of the disciples in the academy, to the point that the disciples in the academy all appeared very puzzled.

Ever since Ji You came out of the Sages' Holy Land and failed to break through the realm, everyone felt that he should be like a transparent person from then on and that not many people would pay attention to him anymore.

But no one expected that the Administrative Court would search for Ji You's whereabouts with such fanfare today.

He Lingxiu, Xiao Hanyan, Shi Junhao, and others were in seclusion in the academy; hearing this, their brows couldn't help but furrow slightly, not knowing what kind of trouble this name, which hadn't been heard for a long time, had caused again.

However, in their view, although Ji You's Realm of Profound Understanding had combat power approaching the Realm of Merging with the Dao, no matter how much he tossed about, he couldn't cause any major events worthy of their attention.

But Fang Jincheng and others who were not in seclusion were discussing it heatedly.

Because they all thought of the matter a few days ago when the Administrative Court sent a message back to send more manpower to the Dongping Mountain Range.

"It seems there really is a natural spiritual treasure appearing in the Dongping Mountain Range. Do you think Ji You was chosen again? Is he going to be sent to compete for the spiritual treasure?"

"Nonsense, the lowest level sent these few times has been the Realm of Merging with the Dao; what can a Realm of Profound Understanding do?"

Fang Jincheng looked at the person who spoke, relying on his status as Elder Fang's grandson, his tone was not polite at all.

That Senior Brother spoke upon hearing this: "That's exactly why they're calling him to go."

"You mean to say, send him to his death?"

"This kind of thing hasn't happened before; I see it must be Elder Fang's order to vent his anger for Brother Fang. We are truly envious."

Hearing this sentence, Fang Jincheng was slightly stunned, thinking to himself, could it really be like this?

Otherwise, why search for Ji You so hurriedly?

This detestable private cultivator from the countryside, I'm afraid he's really going to reach the end of his road this time...

Thinking of this, he suddenly began to look forward to it.

Because Lu Hanyan exists in the inner courtyard, his entry into the inner courtyard has always been seen by others as illegitimate, so he has deep resentment.

And hearing this kind of speculation, he naturally hoped that Ji You would die in the Dongping Mountain Range and even more hoped to see what Lu Hanyan's expression would be like at that time.

At the same time, a team from the Administrative Court sent to Shengjing City hurried over.

The people of the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan didn't know Ji You's whereabouts, but there were people in Shengjing City who knew.

This person was not Xiang Cheng.

In fact, in the note Ji You left for Xiang Cheng, he didn't mention where he was going.

Because this matter involved secret matters that the Immortal Sect didn't want to spread, Ji You was worried that this guy would get hot-headed and bring trouble upon himself.

And the one who truly knew Ji You's whereabouts wasn't a specific person, but the post station located in Shengjing City. Ji You had rented a carriage again, and the coachman who accompanied the carriage had recorded the itinerary after returning.

Ji Jingyao soon received a reply confirming that Ji You had arrived at the Dongping Mountain Range, so he submitted the message to Elder Fang and Elder Ge.

Elder Ge spoke first after reading it: "Could it really be that he came..."

Ji Jingyao said upon hearing this: "Although the post station coachman can prove he arrived nearby, it's unknown what happened after entering the mountains; whether it's him or not, we don't know."

Elder Fang raised his head with a gloomy gaze: "It can't be him; how could a private cultivator from the countryside be capable of this!"

Ji Jingyao nodded: "Elder Fang's words are very true..."

In fact, there is already so much evidence proving that the one who killed the two evil seeds in the Realm of Responding to Heaven with his sword is Ji You; there simply couldn't be any other possibility for this matter.

But just like what Qin Rong said, Elder Fang is the one among them who can least accept this point; it's not unreasonable that he is unwilling to believe it.

Ji Jingyao thought to himself, I'm only getting paid so much, naturally I'm not willing to touch his bad side.

He felt that since Ji You's goal was also the Bu family, then whether it was to kill or to capture, they would definitely meet next time, so he naturally didn't need to waste his breath...

Rustle, rustle, rustle—

A light rain fell, and a series of light, slow footsteps sounded in the gloomy woods.

Jiang Yan arrived at the valley on the east side where the Spirit Sword Mountain disciples were resting.

Her injuries were basically concentrated in her abdomen; after being interrogated, she had been bandaged by a fellow junior sister, and after taking healing elixirs, she had slept for a while.

But because too many things happened today, her sleep was never deep, and she woke up after only a few hours.

After being in a daze for a long time, she decided to come out for a walk and take the opportunity to find someone to talk to.

So after thinking about it, she thought of Yan Qiubai of Spirit Sword Mountain.

The Wilderness, the Snow Region, the Dongping Mountain Range—the two had experienced life and death together several times; although they were not in the same Immortal Sect, they already had a deep sisterly affection at this time.

And they had experienced that slaughter in the valley together, so there were some things that only she could say.

Coincidentally, Jiang Yuerou of the Mountain and Sea Pavilion thought the same, so the two met and also found Yan Qiubai.

She was sitting by a campfire at this moment, having changed into a new dress, her full curves outlined in an exquisite and alluring way.

But the most eye-catching thing was not her undulating figure, but the two black-red and purple finger marks on her neck.

Those were pinched by Bu Yao, and at the moment she was pinched, she truly felt the arrival of death.

In other words, if Ji You's figure hadn't suddenly appeared and killed his way through the entire valley with rainbow-like momentum, she felt she would probably have already perished.

So Yan Qiubai was also unable to sleep, her gaze staring blankly until Jiang Yan arrived and she came back to her senses.

Jiang Yan smoothed her skirt and sat down beside her: "How is Xie Chenyu?"

"Senior Brother Xie's arms are broken, his internal injuries are serious, and he has been coughing up blood. How about Young Master Jiang?"

"His abdomen was pierced, his spiritual essence is damaged, and he is still in a coma; it's hard to say what his situation is."

After the two finished speaking, they looked at Jiang Yuerou in unison.

Jiang Yuerou couldn't help but sigh: "Senior Brother Huo Hong's injuries are very serious; not only are his legs broken, but his spiritual essence also seems to have been burst by the baleful aura, and he hasn't woken up since he passed out in the valley."

The two nodded after hearing this, but didn't show any sympathy.

Because in their view, being able to save their lives now was already a great fortune; besides, this was something he had provoked himself, so there was nothing worth sighing about.

Jiang Yan threw a piece of dry wood into the campfire and, after pondering for a long time, spoke quietly: "I tried to fall asleep just now, but tossing and turning, all I could see in my mind was the figure of Ji You swinging his sword in a circular strike..."

Yan Qiubai and Jiang Yuerou looked at each other, pursing their red lips upon hearing this, thinking to themselves, Big Sister is quite serious; we have already been fiercely chiseled by him in our minds once.

Women admire strength, and cultivators are no exception.

Especially at the critical moment of life and death, seeing a man who descends like a god, one will naturally want to rely on him subconsciously.

Women with the cultivation base of the Realm of Merging with the Dao like Jiang Yan are already very rare in the world.

If one wants to find someone stronger than herself, there is only the Realm of Responding to Heaven.

But the people in the Realm of Responding to Heaven in the world are basically old men, and the younger ones are personal disciples of each sect, not so easy to meet.

Jiang Yan had had thoughts about him in the Snow Region, and the reason there was no follow-up was still because Ji You had been slow to break through the realm.

In her view, Ji You was now completely sufficient.

She poked the campfire twice and looked at Yan Qiubai.

"When we were sent to the Snow Region, we used to joke with each other, saying we wanted to marry him and practice dual cultivation. This Ji You loves the sword extremely much, and his sword Dao inheritance also comes from your Spirit Sword Mountain; Little Sister Qiubai seems to have a very good chance."

After Jiang Yan finished speaking, she couldn't help but speak lightly: "However, if Little Sister isn't interested, Big Sister is going to make a move."

Yan Qiubai was slightly stunned: "Big Sister, don't you recognize the two women who were following Ji You earlier and calling him 'Young Master'?"

"They do look a bit familiar; it seems I saw them once at the Heavenly Dao Assembly. I'm also curious; you all seem to know who they are, but why did no one say anything when the Elder was forcing questions earlier?"

"It's nothing, even if Big Sister doesn't know, it's not a big deal."

Jiang Yan's curiosity had already been piqued; how could she be brushed off by a single sentence from her, so she pursued the questioning.

However, Yan Qiubai had a very tight mouth, talking about other things to avoid the topic, and finally just said she hadn't seen clearly either.

If it were in the past, Jiang Yan definitely wouldn't have believed it so easily, but it just so happened that an Asking Dao Sect disciple hurried over to find her, saying Jiang Chenfeng had woken up.

So Jiang Yan immediately got up and hurried away with that disciple.

After one person was missing, Jiang Yuerou couldn't help but look at Yan Qiubai: "Looking at your reaction just now, I shouldn't have been wrong, right?"

Yan Qiubai spoke after a long silence: "Those two, one is called Ding Yao and the other is called Zhuo Wanqiu; they are the personal maids of my little Hall Master."

The address "Young Master" is very common in the Qingyun world, where intermarriage is the trend; it is basically used by a woman's family or servants to address their own husband.

So the simple words "Young Master" are nothing strange.

But when the identity of the person calling is revealed, it will be endowed with a completely different meaning.

When Jiang Yuerou listened to Yan Qiubai's words, a figure appeared in her mind.

She wears the red and white Hall Master immortal robe, wears a glazed immortal crown, and has a cold and glamorous immortal posture, proud of the world.

Jiang Yuerou spoke slowly after a long silence: "You couldn't have seen it wrong?"

Yan Qiubai's red lips parted slightly: "I am a Spirit Sword Mountain disciple, naturally I have seen them countless times. I am not familiar with Zhuo Wanqiu, but Ding Shijie Ding Yao is too familiar. To tell the truth, although my surname is Yan, in reality, my status is not as high as Ding Shijie Ding's."

"Why is that?"

"Ding Shijie Ding Yao grew up with the Hall Master."

Yan Qiubai recalled the scene of seeing them: "She is like a sister to the Hall Master, so her prestige in the sect is very high, and she is also very arrogant; even the Elders don't dare to look down on her. And yesterday was the most well-behaved I have ever seen her."

This Fairy Qiubai from Spirit Sword Mountain took a very long detour, always talking about how high Ding Yao's status was.

But in reality, Jiang Yuerou knew that what she wanted to express was actually a meaning that could be expressed clearly in one sentence.

Ji You might be the Dao companion of the little Hall Master of Spirit Sword Mountain.

But even though only the two of them were chatting now and no one else around could hear, Yan Qiubai didn't dare to say this sentence easily.

It was just like when they were being interrogated earlier; no matter how the Elders pursued the questioning, those who recognized Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu didn't say a word.

Because this matter concerns the reputation of a future Abbot of an Immortal Sect.

So even though Jiang Yan pursued the questioning for a long time earlier, Yan Qiubai was unwilling to say it.

What one guesses for oneself is what one guesses for oneself, and it is completely different from being rumored by others.

Speaking of this, the two couldn't help but recall the matter that happened in the spring of this year.

Back then, the personal Saint Son of the Asking Dao Sect came to ask about the mountain, and the little Hall Master personally admitted that she had someone in her heart.

After this news spread, many people felt it was unimaginable who the man who could be favored by the little Hall Master of Spirit Sword Mountain would be.

And when a possible candidate appeared, they only had a feeling of their brains buzzing.

Jiang Yuerou was stunned for a long time and then spoke: "I have never heard before that he and the little Hall Master knew each other; besides, isn't the relationship between your Spirit Sword Mountain and the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan always very bad?"

Yan Qiubai looked at her: "You mean to say we heard wrong?"

"I just feel that the little Hall Master has always been cold and proud, and she acts rationally; if it were really like this, it would be a bit too incredible..."

(End of chapter)