Chapter 315: Uneven Dao Fruit

At nightfall, the stars blanketed the sky.

In the vast cultivation ground, red lanterns glowed in rows, the evening breeze accompanying the feast.

Immortal sect disciples and aristocratic families from Qingyun Tian sat in silence, raising cups and lifting chopsticks, heads bowed, eating with focused seriousness, as if blind to all else, untouched by the world around them.

But only between bites did one notice they often unconsciously lifted their eyes toward the latecomer at the Tian Shu Academy's table—watching him eat calmly, expression serene, though his gaze slightly askew, whether innate or not.

Huh-huh—

At the Lingjian Mountain immortal table, Yan Tai, peak master of Tianjian Peak, paused mid-sip of the immortal broth.

Though his face remained composed, his mind had been plotting how to kill Ji You—when suddenly he felt a faint cool breeze beneath the table, one gust after another, making the tablecloth tremble slightly.

In such a formal setting, who was kicking their feet under the table?

He lifted his head, scanning the banquet table, seeing everyone else as inscrutable, especially the young judge—cold as ice.

Surrounded by great immortal sect elders, he dared not rudely release his spiritual sense; after searching in vain, he gave up.

At that moment, Yan Shu also gently opened her lips, spooning a bit of broth into her mouth.

At Xushi, the night deepened; gradually, people in the western quarter began setting down their cups and rising from their seats.

Ji You had also finished eating, grabbed a handful of spirit sunflower seeds, then stood and left.

Seeing him rise, Cao Jinsong, Ban Yangshu, Wen Zhengxin, and others promptly set down their bowls and chopsticks, following his path along the walkway.

They had not seen Ji You in a long time and had many questions needing his answers.

Meanwhile, the young judge of Lingjian Mountain remained impassive, never lifting her eyes, lifting chopsticks, sipping lightly—as if none of it concerned her, as if the departing figure meant nothing.

But soon she could no longer sit still; she set down her chopsticks, sat frozen for a moment, then rose into the shadowed night.

Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu, seeing this, also rose from the disciples' table and followed after her.

In truth, they had put down their chopsticks the moment Ji You left, preparing to depart—knowing their judge would grow restless upon seeing her husband depart.

Yet at that moment, several Lingzhou aristocratic families approached, presenting formal invitations, urging Yan Shu to attend private banquets.

Chen Xi of the Chen Clan also rose, wishing to invite her to his residence for a private talk.

Shang Xiyao, the direct disciple of Wenda Sect, was among those invited by Chen Xi; seeing this, he stood and walked toward Yan Shu: "Last time at the Heavenly Dao Assembly, I was in seclusion and missed you—surely it's been years since we last met. The night is still young; young judge, why not join us for a few words?"

Everyone knew Shang Xiyao admired the Lingjian Mountain young judge, having publicly visited Lingjian Mountain many times—so this scene drew many glances.

"I'm sorry, I'm tired today."

Yan Shu spoke softly, nodded to the few, then walked toward her lodging pavilion.

Seeing this, Shang Xiyao's smile faded.

The current vessel-bearer of Lingjian Mountain was a woman; to continue the bloodline, she must marry—and facing Tianjian Peak, she needed more support, so other immortal sects all had designs on her.

Thus, years ago, Shang Xiyao chose to make a grand show, hoping to claim the title through rumor first.

Over the years, he took several concubines, yet kept the position of principal wife vacant—but despite years of effort, he kept hitting walls.

He frowned inwardly, unable to fathom her thoughts, his Dao heart in turmoil, yet he showed nothing, turning to leave with Chen Xi, Huo Xingzhong, and others.

As figure after figure vanished from the Gathering Immortal Banquet, the Baiyu Ground slowly emptied.

Some young disciples with contests tomorrow returned to their courtyards to rest; most gathered instead at Louwai Lou in Rihua County.

The governor of Rihua County had hired dancers and opera troupes, hosted by local aristocrats, intending to invite them to revel.

But tonight had seen too much—so they had no heart for pleasure, only endless conversation.

"It seems the Wenda Sect direct disciple and the young judge aren't as close as outsiders thought—I thought they were truly betrothed."

"Most people assume that, but in truth, Shang Xiyao has visited Lingjian Mountain many times yet never met the young judge—they're not familiar at all, and the young judge has always hated anyone trying to use her to interfere in Lingjian Mountain affairs."

The patriarch of the Long family of Yongzhou murmured, then blinked: "Still, the judge must marry eventually; she can't lower herself to wed beneath her station—truly, who does she intend to choose?"

He Long, elder of the He family, frowned: "Besides Yuan Caimei of the Danzong, I've heard no word of her being close to any other direct disciple."

"The judge's marriage will be an event that shakes the heavens—how could we, mere mortals, possibly understand? But today, the gap between direct disciples is plainly clear."

Hearing this, several aristocratic patriarchs in the pavilion nodded.

Though all sects, save Tian Shu Academy, had direct disciples who seemed similar to outsiders, the true vessel-bearer carried unmistakable upper-tier aura.

Like Chen Xi, who bowed slightly lower when presenting his invitation.

As they laughed, suddenly Guo Huai, elder of the Guo family, who had been deep in thought, opened his mouth as if to speak.

All fell silent, turning to look at Guo Huai.

They all knew what he wanted to say—yet none knew how to begin.

"Do you think Ji You is here to join the Youxian Assembly?"

With those words, everyone's thoughts returned to Ji You stepping through the Moon Gate, expression serene, escorted by Tian Shu Academy elders to the main table.

He Long shook his head: "His name isn't on Tian Shu Academy's combat roster—he won't be competing."

Guo Huai's expression twisted: "Didn't he offend the Five Immortal Sects? Could that be rumor?"

"The Five Immortal Sects confronting Tian Shu Academy was witnessed by all—it's no lie."

"Then why is he here so openly, with no reaction from the Five Immortal Sects? And why is his seat at the same table as the Hall Master?"

Silence fell. All eyes froze, then sank back into the same quiet as the Gathering Immortal Banquet.

The same atmosphere, the same words, echoed in other conversations.

All night, no one could erase from their minds the image of Ji You stepping into the Gathering Immortal Banquet.

Meanwhile, Ji You was in the eastern courtyard of Tian Shu Academy's lodging pavilion, swaying as he studied the Youxian Assembly's spirit tea.

Behind him, Cao Jinsong, Ban Yangshu, and Wen Zhengxin stared at his back, eyes filled with bewilderment.

"Rebellious disciple, what in the world have you been doing all spring?"

"Cultivating. And listening to some tunes along the way."

Cao Jinsong's lip twitched: "Cultivating until the Five Immortal Sects joined forces to hunt you? I thought you were robbing them at their gates for tolls!"

Ban Yangshu looked odd: "Were those tunes you heard on the bed of an Immortal Sect patriarch?"

Ji You turned: "This story's long."

"Then make it short."

"I killed five Wujiang cultivators."

Cao Jinsong's mind froze; he immediately pressed his temples: "Stop—you—just tell it long. I'm old—I can't take anything too shocking."

Ji You thought: What a nuisance: "It's complicated. You only need to know the Five Immortal Sects hate me because five Wujiang elders died at my hands."

Silence plunged the room. In the dim candlelight, three faces stared in shock.

Wujiang was the fourth of the top five realms—worthy of the title "Great One." Even for immortal sects, Wujiang cultivators were precious combat assets.

For Cao Jinsong and the others, such figures were distant—even Tian Shu Academy's Wujiang elders, they'd rarely seen.

They never imagined Ji You had slain five such Great Ones.

Cao Jinsong stared at him, stunned: "One from each?"

Ji You nodded: "Evenly distributed. None were slighted."

"Why did you kill them?"

"To save someone. No choice."

Ban Yangshu gripped his pant leg: "Danzong people?"

Ji You fell silent, then looked up: "Yes, related to Danzong. The mountain was sealed because of it—but I was in the right, so the Five Immortal Sects dare not act openly against me."

Wen Zhengxin added: "Even so, since the Five Immortal Sects hate you, danger remains. Why come to the Youxian Assembly?"

"Except Danzong, the other six immortal sects are secretly scheming. I sensed something wrong—I needed to see for myself."

"Again Danzong? Again Wujiang? Even Tian Shu Academy is involved? What's really happening?"

"Another ruin has been opened…"

At these words, the three trembled, eyes wider than when they heard he killed five Wujiang.

Cao Jinsong hadn't participated in the Qiling incident, but Ban Yangshu and Wen Zhengxin had—they knew its peril.

They'd thought Zheng's ancestral elder's death ended it—never imagining another ruin had been opened.

Now they finally understood why Ji You had drawn such wrath—and connected it to all the strange movements across Qingyun Tian.

"Do you want to know what happened after another ruin was opened?"

Hearing this, Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu immediately waved their hands and shook their heads.

Cao Jinsong barked: "Rebellious disciple, shut up!"

They couldn't kill Wujiang—they had to stay alive.

Qingyun Tian was never a world of open information; sometimes, ignorance was the only way to survive—they'd long accepted this.

Ji You himself hadn't decided whether to reveal everything—this matter was too grave; sometimes knowing was worse than not knowing.

So when they refused, he dropped the urge to elaborate.

They only needed the gist—to stay wary.

Ji You came back to himself: "The Five Immortal Sects confronted Tian Shu Academy—did the Elder Hall send someone to Fengzhou?"

Cao Jinsong nodded: "Those old bastards did something right—kept Fengzhou's people safe. As for Kuang Shusheng and old Qiu—weren't they taken by Lingjian Mountain?"

"Yes."

"No wonder."

Ji You looked out the window: "Time's up—I'm going out."

Normally, they'd have warned him: It's dark, the Five Immortal Sects are watching you, stay put—but now they said nothing.

Because he knew—the Lingjian Mountain young judge was probably waiting for him.

Several thoughts passed through Wen Zhengxin's mind as he escorted Ji You out—he couldn't help glancing toward the pavilion where the Lingjian Mountain young judge was lodged.