Chapter 311: Allied Inquiry at Tian Shu Academy

Mossy paths slant into the rain, misty streams curl darkly around the city.

In the falling rain of Shengjing, the annual spring outing of noble families' sons and daughters was as lively as ever.

Along the green willow embankment, fragrant carriages and jeweled steeds abounded; clad in brocade robes and radiating immortal grace, they gathered in the springtime capital, drinking wine and debating loudly.

But at that moment, a man arrived in haste clutching a letter, stepping onto the embankment, where he met three others who bowed in greeting.

In hushed whispers, the group grew stunned, then passed the letter to other familiar faces.

This scene resembled the children's pearl game in Shengjing—one pearl struck another, which then rolled on to strike yet another.

Within the span of an incense stick's burn, half the embankment was abuzz with murmured conversations.

The Tian Shu Academy disciples were also present at this spring outing; as noble disciples of an immortal sect, they occupied a place among the most elegant apricot groves.

Among those seated were Yu Shiliu, Gu Ze Tao, Xiang Fu from the inner court, and Lu Qingqiu, Sun Qiaozhi, Pu Yang Xing from the outer court.

Yu Shiliu and the others had come out to ease the stagnation of their dao hearts, weary of their rigid cultivation.

Lu Qingqiu and Sun Qiaozhi sought to strengthen ties with potential allies before leaving the academy.

Their conversations mostly revolved around news from the Tian Shu Academy.

Chai Ze had reached the threshold of the Ying Tian realm and was now in the process of breaking through.

As the nephew of the Master of Changsheng Palace, this direct disciple had always remained obscure, overshadowed by He Lingxiu and the former You Buyu.

But after the Tian Dao Assembly, the situation reversed.

Chai Ze entered the Sacred Ground of the Ancients to cultivate, advancing rapidly far beyond his peers.

If he succeeds in this breakthrough, he may become the youngest Ying Tian cultivator in Tian Shu Academy's recent history.

As for He Lingxiu, Shi Junhao, and other gifted fusion-stage prodigies, none had yet broken through after over a year of seclusion—they were still far behind.

Meanwhile, Yan Shujing of Ling Jian Mountain had already begun her breakthrough, likely matching or even surpassing Chai Ze's timing.

From this alone, many felt Tian Shu Academy was not truly inferior to Ling Jian Mountain.

Also, Fang Jincheng had been seen moving about again these past days, always in a rage.

After a long period of seclusion, Lu Hanyan had reached the threshold of the Tong Xuan mid-realm and had been preparing spirit stones and elixirs to break through.

Everyone speculated on their breakthrough timing, wondering if they would make it in time for this year's Youxian Gathering.

If they did, their post-breakthrough cultivation might restore a tenth of Tian Shu Academy's fading momentum.

Just as the group chatted merrily, Wang Gaocen suddenly rushed up from the southern embankment.

His cultivation had stalled, and he disliked hearing news of others breaking through—he had just been invited by some noble families to watch dance performances.

But when he returned, his face was grim.

"What's wrong?"

"Yu Danzong has sealed its mountains."

"?"

At these words, those seated froze for a moment, then turned pale: "Where did this news come from?"

Wang Gaocen sat down on the wicker chair: "Yu Danzong sent messages to the Six Immortal Sects, the Great Xia court, Qionghua Pavilion, and Wanchun Hall, declaring a mountain seal—no more elixirs will be sent out."

"From the Yu Danzong Patriarch's own message?"

"Correct. Just now, Princess Changle brought a copied version—it's authentic."

Sun Qiaozhi frowned slightly: "Did it say why?"

Wang Gaocen shook his head: "It only stated the mountain would be sealed; the reason was not disclosed."

"What was the reaction of the other immortal sects?"

"The other sects gave no response—they seemed to tacitly accept it."

Hearing this, everyone's hearts sank.

For centuries, Yu Danzong had played an indispensable role in the cultivation world, as it alone could produce elixirs to aid dao comprehension.

Yet no one had ever imagined they would one day seal their mountains.

That meant the annual supply of elixirs was now cut off.

For disciples like Yu Shiliu and Wang Gaocen—figures of high standing in the inner court—this was a thunderclap from a clear sky.

They had long been stuck at the Tong Xuan upper realm, barely sensing the threshold of breakthrough; they had planned to stabilize for a while, then use Yu Danzong's elixirs before attempting to break through. Now, they could not accept this.

They had already felt, during past breakthroughs, how vital a Yu Danzong elixir was for enhancing comprehension during the process.

In short, among the tens of thousands of disciples from the Six Immortal Sects, many would find breakthroughs far more difficult without Yu Danzong's elixirs.

Yet the problem was, Yu Danzong's sudden announcement of a mountain seal, cutting off spirit herb supplies, had not provoked outrage from the other sects.

That was unnatural.

In the drizzling spring rain, as news spread, the rumor of Yu Danzong's mountain seal swept across Qingyun.

For days on end, all of Qingyun buzzed with unrest, the chatter never subsiding.

Even some elder patriarchs of noble families, who had been in seclusion for years, emerged to inquire about the situation.

After confirming the news was true, many flew to Yu Danzong to investigate.

But they halted helplessly at Huichun Town, for Yu Danzong's protective array had fully activated, its vast, deadly aura encircling the mountains and barring all approach.

Moreover, the protective array generated clouds and mist—some could not even glimpse the mountain base.

Soon after, someone remembered Ji You.

Almost everyone in Shengjing knew Ji You secretly carried feelings for the daughter of Yu Danzong.

The mountain seal meant all alchemists were confined, and the daughter could no longer visit him—so at least she would send him a message explaining the reason and duration of the seal.

Thus, countless people came to Shengjing seeking him—even Prince Chong and his daughter sent formal invitations to Wu Lü Trading House, requesting a meeting with Ji You.

The Prince Chong family did not crave elixirs so desperately, but to them, this was an opportunity to court an immortal.

Yet after searching everywhere, they discovered Ji You had long left Shengjing.

"Cultivating in the mortal world?"

"Yes, reportedly he left shortly after the New Year."

"Who said so?"

"Lu Qingqiu."

"If his bedmate said so, it's likely true—but what is he cultivating?"

Before the New Year, many events had occurred across Qingyun; rumors swirled that Ji You's combat power was extraordinary, yet no one had ever seen him fight.

Now that he had suddenly left and not returned, not only those who came to Shengjing seeking him, but even fellow Tian Shu Academy disciples wondered what he was cultivating.

Yet despite their curiosity, what everyone truly cared about was what to do about the elixirs going forward.

Soon after, a howling force surged through the skies above Shengjing, shredding the clouds at midday's slanting sun, landing before Nishan.

From tea houses and taverns, countless eyes turned upward to see five immortal banners fluttering in the wind.

Aside from Yu Danzong, the other five immortal sects had come to Tian Shu Academy to ask the mountain.

This sight left others utterly bewildered.

The five immortal sects acting in unison, arriving with their banners to ask the mountain—such a scene had not occurred in centuries.

"The five sects' purpose must be tied to Yu Danzong's mountain seal."

"If Yu Danzong sealed its mountain, why didn't the five sects go to Yu Danzong? Why did they gather here—at Tian Shu Academy—and with such hostility?"

"No one knows…"

Along Chang'an Street, cultivators in tea houses and taverns stared as the five sects entered Tian Shu Academy with their banners, their hearts filled with unease.

Meanwhile, Tian Shu Academy's inner court disciples stood near the mountain path, watching grimly as the five sects ascended.

Though asking the mountain was not the same as challenging for the Dao—no direct combat was required—it was certainly not a friendly gesture.

They could feel the killing intent radiating from the sect members, spreading all the way to Zizai Hall, chilling their hearts and extinguishing any desire to cultivate.

What had happened?

Yu Danzong sealed its mountain—why had Tian Shu Academy suddenly become the target?

Yu Shiliu, Gu Ze Tao, and the others watched them enter the hall, yet understood nothing of the inner truth.

At dusk, the setting sun cast its final fiery glow before nightfall.

Zuo Qiu Yang, the master of Zizai Hall, stood atop the cliff, arms behind his back, his gaze cold and sharp.

In these years, while the patriarch ignored sect affairs, his younger sister You Yingqiu handled internal matters, and he handled external ones.

Thus, today's visitors from the five immortal sects were received by him.

He had stood on the cliff ever since, silent.

Yet he was not alone; behind him stood Qin Rong, Lang Hetong, Ji Jingyao, the three overseers, along with elders Ge and Peng and others from the Elder Pavilion.

They knew of the opening of the Dahuang Forest ruins and the emergence of immortal fruits from within.

They also knew the five sects had visited Yu Danzong, seeking to borrow alchemists to refine the immortal fate.

In fact, they knew precisely when each of the five sects arrived at Yu Dan Mountain.

But as the discussions on Yu Dan Mountain had noted, the five sects' joint actions were the tide of heaven's will—Tian Shu Academy could not stop them.

After all, for cultivators, dao comprehension was paramount; now that an immortal fate had descended, who could stand in its way? Their only choice was not to add further suffering.