Chapter 271: This Is the Inspector

The howling mountain forest saw snow melting with a sizzle under heavy footsteps.

The melting snowwater kept flowing, beginning to gather into a stream.

The disciples in the woods watched coldly as Ji You, sword in hand, charged through the encirclement like a beast stalking through the forest, his overwhelming aura rising relentlessly under the night.

After Bu Qirong was slashed away, eight demonic seeds followed him, now rushing forward to attack.

Though they had all suffered limb loss in the earlier assault on the mountain, together they were still not to be underestimated.

Ji You's sword was trembling, its surrounding sword qi surging toward the heavens, yet when the moment came, he did not strike immediately—he flipped his wrist and slammed a punch.

Boom!

The fierce punch wind crashed into the venomous claws, exploding with a shockwave that shook the forest.

The demonic seeds hurtling toward them were flung back as if struck by cannon fire, causing the Immortal Sect disciples in the woods to blink in disbelief.

They had already witnessed the demonic seeds' physical resilience during the earlier assault, so seeing this stunned them.

Jiang Yan, Yan Qiu Bai, and others who had seen it before were less shaken.

Ji You's flesh seemed evenly matched with the demonic seeds, yet it was the demonic seeds that flew back—indicating the power within him was overwhelmingly crushing.

At that moment, the long-prepared sword descended with a circular, sky-encompassing slash, its vast sword qi like a falling moon.

Amid the furious air currents, everyone saw two demonic seeds shriek and collapse.

But the remaining few leapt into the air, their claws descending from above, their sharp spiritual energy shattering the surrounding rocks into dust, leaving white scars everywhere, surging with murderous intent.

In Qingyuntian, the sword had always been a symbol of power, even more renowned than the blade.

This was ultimately because Lingjian Mountain revered the way of the sword, elevating its reputation to its peak.

But everyone in Qingyuntian knew that even Lingjian Mountain's sword art had a weakness—the brief gap when the swordsman retracted his blade.

Yet now no one saw Ji You retract his sword; instead, amid the roaring surges, another blinding sword qi slashed down again…

Meanwhile, even fiercer combat raged on the perimeter.

As the ethereal figure waved her hand, endless immortal light fell from the Lingjian swords, crashing down.

Simultaneously, heavy iron hammers clad in cloaks struck down, shaking the mountains.

On the other side, a murderous aura mingled with iron-fist-generated spiritual winds surged forward, while the dao sword and iron knife, empowered by spells, crashed together like overlapping waves.

At this moment, an Elder of the Chen Clan had his left arm shattered by a punch, bones protruding grotesquely through torn flesh.

Meanwhile, Elder Yan Cang of Tianjian Peak also had a sunken chest, blood spotting his front.

They were the first to be struck by the barbarians, and their wounds were the most severe.

Though the barbarians' flesh could not match the demonic seeds', after barbarization they could still withstand spells—human flesh's frailty was now unmistakable.

Fortunately, the five Shenyou Realm elders, though few, each surpassed the barbarian generals in strength; their gestures summoned thunder and wind, forcing three of the barbarians to bleed from nose and mouth.

At this moment, everyone's spirit was taut.

The barbarians' desire to escape was desperate; the Immortal Sect elders fought with all their might to break through the barbarians' blockade.

At that instant, everyone heard a sword qi rising thunderously from the forest.

Many ancient beings present did not recognize Ji You, but seeing this, they couldn't help but show a flicker of delight.

Bang!

Elder Fang was struck by a powerful iron fist on his blade, his cultivated spell instantly shattered, his body flung backward, his feet carving a deep furrow in the ground.

He now looked toward Ji You, his eyes heavy with gravity.

Seeing Ji You charge forward with a sword that seemed to cleave heaven itself, he too was astonished.

But there was another question he hadn't figured out: why did Ji You insist on killing them?

By conventional logic, he assumed all who entered the mountain sought immortal fortune; he had guessed Ji You wanted to ask something but hadn't dared to, yet he wasn't sure.

At this moment, blinding sword light, like a thunderclap in darkness, tore through the night and slashed down.

Bu Qirong, who had been flung away moments earlier, had been watching from the forest; now, in shock, he lunged forward with his claws.

As the heavy sword qi was intercepted, Bu Qirong felt excruciating pain in his finger bones.

His strength far exceeded his son's, yet even with his razor-sharp claws, he could only grind the sword qi to dust—his finger webs were torn open by horrific wounds.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

In the pitch-black forest, Ji You raged like a beast gone wild.

He paid no heed to spiritual energy depletion or qi loss, his fists and sword roaring continuously.

His entire aura blazed like an ocean of flame, causing every Elder present to turn pale.

"Danger!"

"?!"

Everyone snapped awake—this man wasn't here to capture anyone; his unrestrained sword art was pure murder!

Seeing the tide suddenly turn, Barbarian Gu roared to his feet, his fist power roaring like a tiger's growl and a dragon's bellow, nearly shattering the mountain peaks he passed.

Simultaneously, Elder Fang, face twisted in fury, slashed forward with his blade, cleaving through the dense forest in an instant.

But Ji You, with his back to them, kept hammering Bu Qirong, and with three punches, drove Bu Qirong straight through the cliffside.

He had already decided—he must kill them before they could react.

Otherwise, once the barbarian general and the Immortal Sect elders became alert, he would lose his chance forever.

Seeing this, the disciples in the woods widened their eyes.

They hadn't known Ji You was here to kill—now they felt they were witnessing an inevitable death.

At that moment, two figures in Lingjian Mountain's sword robes soared through the air, their pre-formed sword qi swirling around them like a celestial river, slashing down toward Elder Fang and Barbarian Gu.

The barbarian general's fist was violently blocked by the rushing sword current; Elder Fang's blade, which had sliced through air, was "clang"-ed back.

The two figures landed lightly, their eyes grave…

Lingjian Mountain hadn't just sent people from Tianjian Peak—Xuanjian Peak had sent people too.

Two Elders, named Yan Chuan and Yan De, had said nothing to anyone, drifting along passively.

Because their imperial order was to kill, not capture—but it seemed someone else had already done the killing.

Yan De gripped his sword tightly, glancing at Yan Chuan.

When the Inspector had issued the order, he had instructed them to act covertly.

Because killing those whom other Immortal Sects sought was an act that deeply offended them.

So he had no idea why Yan Chuan suddenly charged out, shouting about "bright horizons," and had no choice but to follow.

But now, with all major Immortal Sects watching them with predatory eyes, he saw no hope ahead.

Most critically, at this moment, with such open confrontation, Xuanjian Peak would inevitably make enemies with other Immortal Sects—something highly disadvantageous to the Inspector.

Everyone else, except the barbarians, felt the same disbelief.

The Heavenly Book Academy wanted Ji You dead, yet Lingjian Mountain intervened to save him—this scene was utterly bewildering.

"Back in the Barbarian Wastes, Elder Yan Chuan had shown him great care; some say they had some other connection."

Jiang Yan, standing among the bushes, murmured softly.

Hearing this, the disciples around her murmured "Ah, so that's it!"—she turned to Yan Qiu Bai.

But what puzzled her was Yan Qiu Bai's strange gaze.

And he wasn't looking at the two Elders—he was staring at the young Inspector, who was facing off against the barbarian chieftain.

At that moment, Ji You's iron fist slammed down.

Bu Qirong, with his sunken chest, did not surrender—he gathered his murderous aura for an instant, blocked the punch, and delivered a crushing counterblow to Ji You.

But then his eyes instantly narrowed, revealing shock.

His claws had pierced the opponent's flesh, yet could not penetrate further—instead, the sheer brute force nearly shattered his own hand bones.

Life and death are like this: one misstep leads to endless errors.

His claw had failed to repel the opponent—now Ji You seized his sword, its qi roaring as the blade trembled violently.

"I know you want immortal fortune too—I'll tell you everything I know!"

"This matter isn't known only to you."

"Only I know it—it's a divine descent, we alone were chosen, and now the Bu family has only me left!"

"Good."

"?"

Ji You's arm swelled with bulging veins, spiritual energy filling the blade; as the sword intent coalesced, the blade shuddered violently and sliced deep into his neck.

Bu Qirong still didn't understand why someone among them had a purpose so different from all others.

But he finally understood one thing: why his son, nephew, and relatives had died one by one. Fear of death ignited a fierce will to live—he clamped both hands onto the blade now embedded in his neck.

"What do you want?!"

Bu Qirong's voice gurgled like a leaky bellows.

Ji You looked at him: "What do you think I want? Longer life, higher realm? No—I have no grand ambitions. I only ever wanted to be a bandit; I joined the Immortal Sect out of necessity."

"I'm asking what you want?!"

"I want to farm."

"?"

"I've endured paying taxes and tribute to immortals—I only hoped you'd stop meddling in useless things. Why don't you understand? I just want to help the people farm well, live better lives."

It was a bizarre answer, since all cultivators craved greater power and longer life.

No one ever said, "I cultivate to farm."

Bu Qirong spat blood: "I don't understand you—but kill me, and neither the Immortal Sect nor the barbarians will spare you. Aren't you afraid of death?"

Ji You's eyes darkened as he drove the sword downward: "Men should die here."

BOOM!

Countless furious energies howled upward at that moment, surging from nearby toward the dense forest where Ji You stood.

Among them, Elder Fang was the first to charge in.

Seeing the severed head, his gaze burned with the desire to reduce Ji You to ashes; he roared as he raised his iron blade, which erupted in a crackling flash of cold light.

At this sight, Ji You instantly raised his sword, his entire aura surging upward like boiling oil.

Along this path of slaughter, the strongest he'd faced was Bu Qirong.

He was a mid-stage Ying Tian cultivator; after demonic transformation, he barely reached the peak of his realm—but this man charging in with the blade was clearly far stronger.

At the same time, Yan De crashed heavily to the ground, his sword qi dissolving in a thunderous burst.

He hadn't stopped Tian Shu Academy's Fang Yan because it had become meaningless—now, with Bu Qirong's energy gone, all the Elders of the Immortal Sects were rushing here, their eyes blazing with fury.

He saw no glimmer of hope ahead, yet he still gripped his Dao sword tightly.

But just then, a beam of immortal light plummeted from above.

Yan Shuyi, her face cold and haughty, abandoned the barbarian tribal king and descended with her Spirit Mirror, unleashing a torrent of immortal radiance that blasted back every approaching figure.

At nearly the same moment, the dark cloud that had seemed ready to crush down upon them slowly parted, retreating swiftly.

Indeed, in Qingyun's realm, those nearing death were not only the old men on the ground.

Others had been waiting for their chance—but none had expected Bu Qirong to be killed in the end.

Seeing the junior mirror master of Lingjian Mountain suppress everyone with her Spirit Mirror, the disciples hidden in the forest were stunned—even Yan De was.

Yan Chuan and Yan De were her senior Elders; it was natural for her to save them.

Moreover, they had both acted under her own execution order.

But to others, Yan Shuyi, as the future Abbess, should have simply taken them away—there was no need to adopt such a confrontational stance against the other Immortal Sects.

With her strength and the protection of the Spirit Mirror, had she done so, no one could have stopped her, nor would anyone dare to.

Especially since the Immortal Sects' hatred lay entirely with Ji You, not Lingjian Mountain.

Yet now, she chose to block every path, standing before the dense forest.

The Elder from Tianjian Peak, whose eyes could no longer open, floated gently to the ground and bowed forward: "Mirror Master, though he uses Lingjian Mountain's sword art, he is in fact a disciple of Tian Shu Academy."

Yan Shuyi replied: "I know."

"I've heard from our disciples that he has always been one who disrespects Immortal rules; this unauthorized action is a grave crime—we should assist Elder Fang of Tian Shu Academy in capturing him!"

Qin Rong and Ji Jingyao had also arrived on the scene, their expressions grave as they stared at the blind Elder of Lingjian Mountain.

They did not wish Ji You harm.

On one hand, Ji You was now the only young cultivator capable of upholding Tian Shu Academy's prestige.

On the other hand, though Elder Fang had earlier told them "evil is not sin; absence is sin," when Bu Qirong's energy vanished, they still unconsciously exhaled in relief.

Ultimately, no matter how finely the Bu family's artifact was wrapped, they still felt deep down it was a calamity.

Seeing the blind Elder now raise his sword and prepare to enter the forest, they could only pray that the junior mirror master might soften her heart—or value talent enough—to intervene.

Ji You possessed extraordinary sword talent; though Lingjian Mountain never spoke of it, rumors said their Elders had greatly admired him for once cleaving through the Sword Forest.

If the junior mirror master truly valued talent, she might just spare Ji You.

In the next instant, a vast beam of immortal light shot from the hovering Spirit Mirror, locking onto the Elder and instantly halting his raging sword intent.

"The Bu family matter is of grave consequence—it should have been handled by capturing and interrogating the culprit to prevent future calamities and restore peace to Qingyun's realm. Yet this youth interfered, rendering all our efforts futile!"

The blind Elder clenched his fist: "You are our Lingjian Mountain Mirror Master—this act will be seen as protecting that Tian Shu disciple, damaging our sect's reputation and inviting accusations of meddling in another sect's affairs."

Yet everyone present knew well: what they truly sought was not cleansing the source of evil.

They sought Immortal fortune—even if it turned them into monsters who devoured men.

But one thing he said struck to the heart: Lingjian Mountain and Tian Shu Academy had always been at odds; her interference did indeed lack legitimacy.

Yet as soon as those words fell, the response from the junior mirror master was a gaze colder than ice.

The blind Elder's hands trembled; his bowed posture sank even lower—but he did not yield.

Yan Shuyi's eyelashes trembled as she gazed into the forest: "This is not your sect affair. This is my family matter."

"?"

At that moment, a deafening roar erupted from within the forest.

As colossal force surged forth, it was as if dozens of mountains collapsed simultaneously—the crushing weight shook the surrounding peaks.

In truth, since Bu Qirong's energy vanished, the sword cries and blade howls within the forest had never ceased.

They realized the swords within were unnaturally fast—each sword qi followed the next without pause, like endless crashing waves.

Until now, a figure flew out from the dense forest.

Elder Fang crashed to the ground with a THUD, a massive wound carved from his shoulder straight through to his chest.

Ji You stepped forward, fifty-plus Dao swords encircling him, each radiating a mountain-like weight, humming ceaselessly in the void.

Once, at Tongxuan Realm, he used Forty-Nine Mountains to repel a Warlord.

Now, at Fifty-Eight Mountains, he repelled an Elder.

But his condition was poor—blood trickled from his lips, his golden gaze flickering dimly, clearly exhausted and internally wounded.

Yet in the eyes of the forest disciples, especially those of Tian Shu Academy, it was Elder Fang who had been flung out—and Ji You who walked out.

"The Bu family cultivated demonic arts, bringing calamity to the Nine Provinces and slaughtering countless lives. Tian Shu Academy disciple Ji You, thankfully, has not dishonored his duty—he has slain them."

At that moment, Ji You raised a hand clutching a pouch embroidered with the character "Fang," gently wiping blood from his lips with the back of his hand.

His physique remained robust, his aura overwhelming; all who watched frowned deeply.

Leaving aside other matters, this was the first time they realized this sword that severed all things was so young…

And the more critical question was…

The Elders present suddenly narrowed their eyes, recalling the junior mirror master's words: "family matter."

Ji You, too, was gazing at Yan Shuyi—then, at ease, he closed his eyes and collapsed with a THUD.

Seeing this, Qin Rong and Ji Jingyao moved to lift him—but paused, glancing instead at the junior mirror master, who was watching them.

After long thought, neither dared to reach out.

Just then, the hovering Spirit Mirror suddenly unleashed a beam of immortal light, blasting outward with a BOOM.

All turned to look behind—and saw the barbarians had fled swiftly.

Qin Zhishi reacted first, sweeping his sleeve and shouting: "Tian Shu Academy disciples—pursue them! This matter is critical—you must find out how they entered the Nine Provinces!"

The northern wall had not been breached—so the barbarians could not have entered unless someone had opened the Immortal-Slaying Array by other means.

Yet precisely now, precisely at this moment.

The Seven Immortal Sects had acted in secrecy; only those involved knew the plan. Yet these barbarians not only entered, but headed straight for Dongping Mountain.

Too many coincidences made it clear: this was no accident.

(End of Chapter)