Chapter 380: Danzong Opens Its Mountain

“Gongshu brother, I need to relieve myself—please step aside a bit, don’t let it splash on you.”

“No problem, Ji brother, go ahead and pee.”

After leaving Shengjing, the five immortal sects’ carriages traveled continuously and had now reached the central region of Liangzhou, pausing temporarily along the way for rest.

Ji You was unfastening his belt, preparing to urinate, but was followed all along.

At that moment, Gongshu Chou held a brush in hand, looking intensely enthusiastic, inspiration overflowing beyond control.

Over the past two years, he had been in seclusion to break through his realm, gradually setting aside his love of writing, for as an immortal cultivator, no matter how renowned, one must possess genuine strength.

But this time, accompanying the mountain disciples to Shengjing for the Dao Discourse Assembly, he had quietly picked up this hobby again—even bought better paper and brushes, his creative urge surging.

The reason, ultimately, was that the events of these past two days had been utterly absurd.

Forget about killing with two fingers—the real shock was that he and his own mirror master were soulmates.

Even the wildest imagination in a writer’s mind would dare to pair the junior mirror master of Lingjian Mountain with a rustic self-cultivator? The real world was truly more thrilling than any story!

Gongshu Chou finally understood why, after returning from the snowlands with Ji You, he had been personally summoned by the mirror master—and why, in subsequent elixir distributions, his allotments had always been one grade higher than before.

Fate had already marked the price for you, long before you knew it.

What’s the point of cultivating the Dao anymore? Gongshu Chou felt he could ascend to prominence just by writing Ji You’s biography—who cares if the future sect leader loves reading it.

Ji You, his face dark as ink, halted his motion of unfastening his pants and let his robe fall back into place: “Gongshu brother, I think a literary creator ought to write something cultured.”

“Culture depends on who wants to read it and who doesn’t—culture no one reads has no value.”

“Get lost, or I’ll expel you from Lingjian Mountain.”

“?”

Gongshu Chou’s expression changed instantly—he felt the authority of the sect leader’s wife, thought, “Fine,” and slowly withdrew from the dense woods.

Ji You watched him slink away with a sly grin and thought: This isn’t a writer—he’s a moody little camera, one that automatically embellishes everything.

He still couldn’t forget the demon’s tail incident and remained deeply wary of Gongshu Chou.

Meanwhile, apart from Gongshu Chou, the other Lingjian Mountain disciples were also watching Ji You.

The junior mirror master’s behavior during the Dao Discourse Assembly, and his subsequent constant companionship with Ji You, had left them deeply bewildered and unable to comprehend.

But as Lingjian Mountain disciples, they naturally had to remain silent and refrain from casual judgment.

Only now, far from Shengjing, did they dare to observe Ji You closely—and their hearts grew profoundly complicated.

To be honest, many Lingjian Mountain disciples had always held a very favorable impression of Ji You, the Tian Shu Academy disciple.

After all, over the years, Ji You had brought great renown to Lingjian Mountain’s sword arts, making them, as mountain disciples, feel immensely proud.

But the issue was, they had always regarded him merely as an unnamed fellow cultivator—not as the mirror master’s soulmate.

Over the years, due to the deliberate promotion and glorification by the master of Xuanjian Peak, many had come to believe Lingjian Mountain was closer to Wenda Sect, and most disciples revered the direct disciples of Wenda Sect, always thinking only such noble individuals could be worthy of their mirror master.

In short, in their hearts, even if Ji You was powerful, he still fell far short in lineage and status compared to the direct disciples of an immortal sect.

So when Ji You’s status shifted, they all felt it was ill-matched.

Because the junior mirror master was their spiritual symbol—in their eyes, only another man wielding supreme authority in the world could be worthy of the mirror master.

Hence, they simply couldn’t understand: what on earth had the mirror master seen in him?

After a brief rest, dozens of carriages resumed their journey, turning eastward along the Nujiang Riverbank and entering southern Liangzhou.

At this moment, most eyes inside the carriages were drawn to the scenery outside the windows.

“In just over a year, the official road in southeastern Liangzhou has already begun to show signs of decay.”

“Not surprising. The southwestern industries of Liangzhou relied heavily on medicinal herb trade and elixir sales handled by the Danzong’s in-law families. Since Danzong sealed its mountain, all of it has ground to a halt—this desolation is only natural.”

In sight, wild grasses grew thick on both sides of the road, and tiny wildflowers began swaying in the wind.

Farther from the road, vegetation was even more lush, with ancient trees stretching branches unboundedly onto the path, causing frequent scraping sounds against the carriage roofs.

Though the scene appeared rich with spring, it carried a sense of decay, prompting murmurs among them.

Not long ago, southeastern Liangzhou, where Danzong resided, was teeming with immortal cultivators, countless souls hoping to scavenge supreme-grade elixirs—how could such a scene of rampant chaos ever have arisen?

Soon night fell, darkness looming.

Amid the rumble of wheels, dozens of large carriages veered off the official road, entering a desolate village by the roadside and halting for rest, then departing again at dawn, continuing southward.

For two full days and nights, on the third day at noon, Danshan finally appeared before their eyes.

In the distance, the mountain peaks shimmered emerald green, teeming with vitality; a waterfall roared down its side like a pure white ribbon, endlessly flowing into the encircling Changhe River, natural and harmonious.

Yet above the mountain peak, a mysterious aura constantly circled, its illusory surface rippling intermittently, concealing countless deadly threats.

“It’s still sealed—what’s the point of coming to pay respects now?”

“Naturally, for the Sacred Ground of the Ancients.”

Jiang Chenfeng turned to Jiang Yuerou and his cousin Jiang Yan: “When the heavenly light blazed that day, everyone focused only on what flowed out—but don’t forget the Sacred Ground cracking was a monumental event, and Danzong is the only one in the world capable of repairing it.”

The matter of the Sacred Ground of the Ancients was no secret—after all, the phenomenon that day had been too vast to conceal.

Reflecting on it, one could clearly understand the purpose of this journey was tied to it.

Meanwhile, in the front carriage of the Tian Shu Academy, He Lingxiu, Chai Ze, and Shi Junhao were having a similar conversation, believing today’s visit to Danzong must relate to the Sacred Ground of the Ancients.

“Has anyone ever come to pay respects while Danzong was sealed?”

“Sealing the mountain means cutting off all contact with the outside world—forcing entry during such a time has never happened before,” He Lingxiu said softly.

Chai Ze, upon hearing this, softly clicked his tongue: “Then how can we possibly get in?”

“It must be through Ji You.”

“?”

Chai Ze turned to Shi Junhao, who spoke gravely: “Don’t forget—he has a secret affair with Yuan Caimei. He might have enough influence to beg for the mountain gates to open. Besides, before we came, the high elders of each sect gave him their seals.”

Chai Ze frowned slightly: “A secret affair probably won’t work.”

“I agree,” He Lingxiu couldn’t help speaking up. “Sealing the mountain is a matter of cosmic importance to a sect—a decision made by the entire sect. Yuan Caimei isn’t a direct disciple; this relationship likely won’t persuade Danzong to open its formation.”

The Tian Shu Academy had not participated in the siege of Danzong, and the matter was not honorable—so they were deeply skeptical.

In fact, not just them—even the disciples accompanying Wenda Sect, the Chen Shixian Clan, Shanhai Pavilion, and Lingjian Mountain were all those who had not participated in that event.

These people had been specially selected by the five immortal sects after deliberation—after all, who would want to see the blood feud of mass slaughter reappear on the mountain?

If that happened, not only would the Sacred Ground matter fail, Danzong would likely react immediately.

An hour later, the five immortal sects’ carriages arrived at the foot of Danzong’s mountain, and everyone disembarked one by one.

Looking ahead, they saw their own elders had already gotten out and were standing, watching the carriage ahead, waiting patiently.

Soon, the carriage curtain was lifted, and Ji You leapt down from the driver’s seat, gazing far off at Danshan.

Seeing this, the disciples from the immortal sects exchanged glances.

At that moment, Ji You, after gazing at Danshan, summoned the administrative disciple Wen Siyuan and pulled two letters from his sleeve, handing them to him.

“Danzong is sealed, but there are disciples on rotation guarding the formation base at the mountain gate. Brother Wen, please deliver these letters. Open the first one—it’s written in my own hand; they’ll likely listen to your request. Then ask them to present the second letter to Master Yuan.”

“Understood.”

“Thank you, brother.”

Wen Siyuan hurriedly replied, “No trouble at all,” then surged upward with full spiritual energy.

Seeing this, the disciples who had been exchanging glances began whispering among themselves.

They had just been discussing how to get Danzong to open its gates while sealed—and now, it seemed they had their answer.

“Is Ji You really the one asking for entry? Just because of his relationship with Danzong’s daughter? That’s impossible…”

“The deputy sect leader gave him the seals for a reason—just wait. No need to speculate.”

“Jiang brother, do you know something?”

As the words fell, everyone turned to look—Jiang Chenfeng, Jiang Yan, Yan Qiu Bai, He Lingxiu, Chai Ze, Shi Junhao, Yu Shiliu, and all the Lingjian Mountain disciples fixed their gazes on him.

The man called Jiang brother was known to them—he was the heir of a marriage-linked family of Shanhai Pavilion, nephew of Huo Jin, named Jiang Hua.

His cultivation talent was mediocre, currently only at the Early Fusion Dao realm, but due to his status, his reputation was quite large.

“Of course we can get in—just watch.”

At that moment, Jiang Hua, sensing all eyes upon him, gave a mysterious, knowing smile.

Meanwhile, Wen Siyuan had climbed the mountain path to Danshan.

In truth, he himself was uncertain—Danzong had endured the siege of other immortal sects for a reason, and he truly didn’t know if they’d open the gates for Ji You’s letter.

When he arrived before the formation, the expressions of the mountain guards made his heart sink further.

From their faces, Wen Siyuan saw suspicion, wariness, and hatred—even the formation itself began to hum, its overt hostility making him break into cold sweat.

“Stop! Turn back immediately!”

“Or…”