Chapter 41: Brought Back

Ji You left the Yayan Garden by Bishui Lake, walking across a spirit-rich stone bridge, his white robes fluttering in the autumn wind.

At this sight, every gaze in the Awakening Ground turned toward him.

Many had already heard rumors about the investigation into the Ancient Relic.

After all, these past few days, over a dozen giant flying swords—each as large as celestial vessels—had flown high above the nine heavens, filled with disciples from the Inner Court.

Soon after, rumors spread about the list of investigators.

Some claimed Ji You was on that list, and likely to venture deep into the relic—nine deaths, one chance of survival.

Facing such news, everyone’s thoughts differed.

This rural self-cultivator was always an oddity among immortal sects, yet dazzling enough to unsettle others.

He had cultivated the Heavenly Book by the Chu River, saved two Inner Court senior brothers with one man and three swords, leaving all peers far behind and shaming countless aristocratic youths.

But then, just then, fate took a turn.

Chu He was on the verge of breaking through; Du Zhu had gathered four mysterious lights, already surging ahead.

Yet he, right now, had been dispatched from the Heavenly Book Academy, losing his chance at an Inner Court slot.

Like Bai Rulong and Qian Yunxiao, they had cursed outright at noon; now seeing him stroll toward them, their expressions were filled with concern.

Du Zhu sat among the crowd, lifting his eyes slightly, four mysterious lights suddenly appearing on his forehead, his expression dripping with mockery.

As for Chu He, he had not opened his eyes—he still meditated, his aura terrifying, already hinting at transcendence.

Yet everyone still remembered what Chu He had said at noon, upon first hearing the news.

“Even if I stayed, could a rural self-cultivator possibly rival me?”

Lu Qingqiu was among those with the most complex emotions, for she believed Ji You had long harbored feelings for her.

But in the end, as she had expected, Ji You—born in poverty—no matter how exceptional his talent—remained a man of humble origins.

What restricts sons of poor families has never been limited talent.

But just then, everyone noticed Ji You suddenly froze, as if seeing something.

He had been walking toward the Awakening Ground, yet now he turned abruptly, his expression growing increasingly astonished as he headed toward the Ascension White Jade Terrace.

What’s going on…

Did I imagine it?

Ji You remembered the pair of chopsticks borrowed from the Immortal Kitchen and wondered: Did I train myself mad?

Lu Qingqiu, Bai Rulong, Qian Yunxiao, Chu He, Du Zhu, Fang Ruoyao, Lou Siyi—all Outer Court disciples—turned their heads at once, watching his path, their eyes slowly widening in shock.

For only one celestial maiden stood upon the White Jade Terrace, poised gracefully beneath the slanting sunset, her hair gently stirred by the autumn breeze, her skirt fluttering slightly.

And Ji You was walking straight toward that ethereal maiden, drawing nearer.

“What is he doing?”

Qian Yunxiao couldn’t help speaking: “Men always enjoy admiring beauty…”

Du Zhu sneered: “He just walked right over? How bold.”

“He probably doesn’t realize that the cloud-silk robe she wears is worth a thousand taels—yet it’s the cheapest thing on her.”

“Sometimes, ignorance truly is fearless.”

In recent days, as one after another surged ahead, many with damaged Dao hearts had sought companions to mend their cultivation—nothing unusual.

But Ji You’s target stirred in everyone a feeling akin to delusion.

With her demeanor and lineage, who among ordinary men would dare approach her?

Yet what they couldn’t see was that the celestial maiden on the terrace was also watching Ji You—her cold eyes holding a trace of unease.

Cultivation is dull, day after day, year after year—but suddenly, one day, an eccentric man appears beside you.

And once you’ve seen him long enough, curiosity inevitably arises.

Just as you descend the mountain, wandering aimlessly through the mortal world, you suddenly feel like learning more about him—seeing how he lives. But when you finally meet him, you’re unsure if it’s truly him.

Ji You felt the same—he stared at her for a long time, hesitant to recognize her.

Xuwu Mountain was either within the Heavenly Book or beyond the heavens—but certainly not in the mortal world, so this felt like a dream.

Yan Shuyi—the woman from his dream—was now standing before him, vivid and alive.

Ji You hesitated, unable to look away.

At that moment, Yan Shuyi’s brow slowly furrowed; a killing intent began to brew. She thought coming to see him was too impulsive, so she considered claiming she’d mistaken him—but then felt that would be humiliating. Better to just eliminate him outright.

“Uh…”

“I almost didn’t recognize you with shoes on…”

Ji You’s nonsense slipped out; instantly, his heart sank—he knew he was done.

Done, done, done—my reputation as the one-man-three-swords outlaw is ruined.

As expected, Yan Shuyi froze, then widened her eyes, a flash of killing intent darting through her beautiful gaze.

Normally, she’d silence such insolent men with her sword—but to her surprise, she instinctively wanted to kick him.

Yet after a long hesitation, she realized this wasn’t beneath that mountain—others were watching—and reluctantly gave up.

Ji You exhaled in relief, yet felt a pang of regret—until he heard her voice beside his ear.

“Lecher, you deceived me.”

“Huh?”

Yan Shuyi looked at him: “You are indeed a student of the Heavenly Book Academy—but the name you gave me was false.”

Ji You held his breath, picturing a stunning girl wandering the capital searching for Ji Bochang: “If you wanted to find me, why not tell me beforehand?”

“I assumed knowing you were in the Heavenly Book Academy and knowing your name would make finding you easy—but you lied, so I had no choice but to wait here.”

“When you came, didn’t you consider what you’d do if you couldn’t find me?”

Yan Shuyi dismissed it: “It was just a whim. If I couldn’t find you, I’d just go back.”

Ji You’s lips trembled slightly: “Your heart is truly vast.”

“Don’t casually judge a celestial maiden.”

Yan Shuyi narrowed her eyes and scolded him—then paused, realizing her tone sounded strange.

She was never like this—usually solemn, never so haughty—but somehow, seeing him changed her entirely.

Was it because they had cultivated together in a space with no one else?

Back then, they didn’t know each other, so they let slip a little of their true selves?

She didn’t feel like herself anymore—almost spoiled. Thinking this, Yan Shuyi grew annoyed.

Ji You smiled: “This isn’t a good place to talk. Would you like to sit in my quarters?”

Yan Shuyi lifted her gaze: “You know my name—yet you’re not curious who I really am?”

“Lingzhou has only one sect—I know that.”

Watching Ji You turn and walk ahead, Yan Shuyi pressed her lips together, glancing toward the Heavenly Book Academy’s outer gate.

She had planned to glance once and leave—no intention to stay.

After all, she and he were merely fellow cultivators who had exchanged a few words—nothing more than curiosity.

Now Ji You turned back, looking at her with a questioning gaze—as if asking why she hadn’t followed.

Yan Shuyi opened her mouth, unsure why she suddenly changed her mind, then hesitated before speaking: “I’m hungry.”

“Then let me take you to eat first.”

I’ll leave after eating, Yan Shuyi thought.

Their conversation carried a familiar strangeness—unclear, undefined, like an online romance turned real: unsure what to say, yet utterly captivating.

Meanwhile, the Awakening Ground crowd still waited for the sword-slaying drama—yet now they froze, stunned to see the celestial maiden follow Ji You off the White Jade Terrace, heading along the path toward Bishui Lake.

As they passed the Awakening Ground, they caught brief glimpses of her expression.

Though slightly annoyed, she no longer looked icy—instead, she followed step by step, appearing almost docile.

Yet on the downhill stretch, the celestial maiden raised her fist, secretly glancing at Ji You’s head.

Seeing this, everyone in the Awakening Ground was baffled—even Chu He, Du Zhu, and Lu Qingqiu frowned.

How could this aloof celestial maiden be led away like this?

“What’s going on?”

“They seem to know each other…”

Lu Qingqiu turned to Fang Ruoyao and saw her staring, equally stunned.

The most bewildered were Bai Rulong and Qian Yunxiao—they had watched Ji You approach the maiden and cried out: “Brother Ji! Truly, your Dao heart and courage are boundless!”

But they never imagined that after approaching her, he simply led her away.

Is my brother Ji truly extraordinary in every single way?

Meanwhile, Ji You and Yan Shuyi had crossed the stone bridge over Bishui Lake, just meeting Cao Jingsong at the bridgehead.

Seeing Ji You approach with the woman, Cao Jingsong froze.

Earlier, when he’d seen a crowd of students gathered around the woman on the White Jade Terrace, he’d declared Ji You would never do such a thing.

Well, he didn’t disappoint—he didn’t gawk, he just straight-up kidnapped her…

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(End of chapter)