Chapter 83: The Path the Master Jian Once Walked

After Ji You and Pei Ruyi left the Heavenly Book Academy for the ruins, Cao Jingsong became far more discreet in his actions outside the academy.

On one hand, he believed Ji You might not return, so he laid the groundwork for Ji You’s supposed death abroad.

On the other hand, he was genuinely terrified for their safety, leaving him restless day and night.

Especially during the night when divine thunder shook the Nine Provinces—he stayed awake the entire time.

Until he received Ji You’s message; now standing on the Ascension White Jade Terrace, he felt as if he had regained twenty years of youth, vibrant and commanding.

“What happened?”

“It seems related to Yu Danzong—everyone’s talking about hot blood and feverish nonsense, it’s creepy…”

“The details don’t matter, but judging by the situation… Ji You is coming back.”

Beneath the night sky, an immortal vessel cut across Nujiang River, its bottom glowing with divine light, converging into a sharp blade that sliced through the oncoming waves.

Ji You returned from Bai Ru’s chamber, clutching a note, then sat cross-legged to cultivate, his aura howling around him.

Since entering the Tongxuan Realm, he perceived everything around him with uncanny subtlety—whether wind stirred or water flowed, even without direct sight, he understood it all clearly.

This realm vastly amplifies a person’s five senses, allowing observation of a more microscopic world, thereby comprehending techniques.

True cultivation of the Dao begins here.

Ji You now sensed spiritual energy flowing ceaselessly, far more vast than before.

After a long while, a tiny whirl of wind seemed to form in his palm—invisible to the naked eye, yet altering the air currents within the room.

During the battle with the Rongdao Realm cultivator in the ruins, no one used techniques, because the Dao of Heaven could not perceive them.

Had it not been for this, crossing realms to kill an enemy would have been impossible.

He exhaled, drawing in his aura; the dispersed wind overturned the paper and brush on the table.

“Tremble, Headmaster of the Heavenly Book Academy.”

“The bandit’s returned…”

Ji You murmured to himself, his old ambition to bully the old man stirring once more.

The letter sent to the Heavenly Book Academy must have been received; returning now, he felt like a man returning home in glory.

Slowly opening his eyes, he looked up to see Zhuo Wanqiu standing at the door, staring at him in silence.

She held her sword, and in her other hand, a warm towel she had prepared in advance.

“Young Master, wipe your sweat.”

“Oh, thank you…”

Ji You took the towel and wiped his brow, thinking: I was supposed to be protecting the Yuan siblings, yet the favoritism from Lingjian Mountain disciples is too obvious.

He suddenly recalled how Zhuo Wanqiu had carelessly called him “Master Jian’s wife.”

Though marrying a wealthy woman was his ideal, he never intended to become a son-in-law.

Soft rice—he always preferred to chew it hard.

“Has your little Master Jian returned to the mountain?”

“Yes, I’ve received the message. Tianjian Peak’s strength has greatly diminished after the ruins; they proposed merging with Wenjian Peak at the Sect Assembly. Wenjian Peak was promised benefits and has already agreed privately. Though Master Jian holds the Spirit Mirror, the position of Lingjian Mountain’s Headmaster still belongs to Tianjian Peak—this infuriates them.”

Lingjian Mountain is divided into three main branches: Tianjian Peak, Xuanjian Peak, and Wenjian Peak.

Tianjian Peak is the strongest and most deeply rooted; Wenjian Peak is the weakest, ranked last.

Now that Tianjian Peak’s strength has been diminished in the ruins, it seeks to compensate by taking from Wenjian Peak.

Human desire has always worked this way—intense, cyclical, rising and falling, continuing for a thousand years.

A thousand years ago, this situation existed too, but it was never this fierce.

It is said that back then, Qingyun’s development centered on the rise and fall of mortal dynasties, while immortal sects were merely secluded retreats hidden atop sacred mountains.

At that time, common folk had heard tales of cultivators’ marvels, but felt no envy, for sitting alone in deep mountains was not something anyone could endure.

Until the Central Plains descended into chaos among warlords, immortal sects, through patronage, became involved—and tasted the sweetness of power, after which they could not stop.

Then came the alliance of noble families, intermarriage among sects, and even Yu Danzong actively sought sons-in-law, steadily consolidating power until they became the colossal force they are today.

The reason? Very few truly achieve ascension, so most care only for the power they hold now.

Ji You handed back the towel, placing his hands on his knees: “How is she on the mountain?”

Zhuo Wanqiu smiled faintly: “Master Jian is extremely authoritative on the mountain—always cold and distant. She is the goddess in the hearts of all young disciples. But no one would imagine how playful she is when with you.”

“She has no friends?”

“Ever since the Spirit Mirror chose her, no one dares call her friend. Later, after the incident with Ding Yao, she deliberately distanced herself, no longer forming close bonds.”

Ji You frowned: “Ding Yao?”

Zhuo Wanqiu nodded: “At first, Master Jian insisted on calling Ding Yao ‘sister,’ saying she hated how others bowed to her. But Ding Yao, the senior sister, grew ever more arrogant, forming cliques within the sect, becoming increasingly erratic…”

“No wonder.”

Zhuo Wanqiu lifted her eyes: “Did Master Jian and you meet by chance?”

Ji You recalled the events on Xuwu Mountain and nodded: “Yes.”

“That’s not surprising. Master Jian hates being arranged for—deep down, she has a…”

“Rebellious streak?”

Zhuo Wanqiu coughed, thinking: She’s yours—you can say it, but I can’t. So she added: “It’s said that as a child, Master Jian never wanted to be Headmaster. She threw the Spirit Mirror away many times—once even sank it into the Xuan Sea, terrifying the entire Lingjian Mountain.”

Ji You imagined a mischievous little girl, barefoot, running to the shore, determined to ditch the Mirror.

“What happened after?”

“Later, Xuanjian Peak disciples were constantly bullied by Tianjian Peak—perhaps influenced by the little Master Jian’s attitude. Everyone assumed that since she so clearly rejected the role, the Spirit Mirror would eventually return to Tianjian Peak.”

Zhuo Wanqiu recalled: “Under this atmosphere, Xuanjian disciples grew despondent, enduring abuse. When Master Jian learned of it, she never again said she didn’t want to be Headmaster.”

“After that, she secluded herself on the mountain, cultivating day and night, becoming the strongest direct disciple of her generation.”

Ji You met Yan Shuyi at the Heavenly Book Academy, but he never truly understood her life or background.

In winter, she once sneaked over to visit and chatted with him, but always claimed she was the great Master Jian, the strongest direct disciple alive, the future Headmaster of Lingjian Mountain.

But in truth, her life was always dull—endlessly cultivating with a broken Mirror.

She knew the entire mountain watched her—even all of Qingyun watched her.

Now, facing Tianjian Peak, she defends Xuanjian Peak; when she becomes Headmaster, she will face other immortal sects, defending the entire sect.

To her, Ji You is a friend she met personally—this makes him different.

“What about the Wenda Sect’s direct disciple? Why does he keep targeting her?”

Zhuo Wanqiu replied: “The Wenda Sect’s direct disciple is named Shang Xiyao. He ranks just after Master Jian and Chu Xian among the direct disciples, and many women admire him.”

Ji You narrowed his eyes: “Handsome as me?”

“He’s slightly less handsome than you, but not by much.”

“That’s impressive—there are men like this in the world…”

Zhuo Wanqiu held her breath, thinking: They truly have the look of a married couple—my Master Jian is just as confident.

Ji You spoke again: “But how does this relate to Lingjian Mountain?”

“Wenda Sect is not far from Lingjian Mountain. To grow stronger, their first choice is to ally with Lingjian Mountain. Little Master Jian strongly opposes this, but it’s said her parents wholeheartedly support it—and Ding Yao has grown extremely close to Wenda Sect.”

Zhuo Wanqiu added: “Lingjian Mountain has never before had a Mirror Holder and Headmaster as separate people. This is extremely dangerous for the sect—Master Jian is growing stronger by the day, and disciples no longer know whose orders to follow.”

Ji You looked up: “If the two branches fully break apart, will Tianjian Peak panic and act recklessly?”

“Exactly. Master Jian is only one person, but Tianjian Peak’s foundation is formidable. Only if Xuanjian Peak forms a marital alliance with Wenda Sect can this be resolved.”

“Even immortal sects are this complicated.”

Zhuo Wanqiu looked at Ji You, wanting to say that her growing closeness to him is extremely risky for her.

But she also felt it inappropriate to say anything now—Master Jian hasn’t said she’ll marry him.

Since childhood, Master Jian has constantly chosen between what she wants and what she must choose—perhaps she, too, once wished to throw everything away.

During the days she stayed in the quiet courtyard, her moods shifted unpredictably—her inner conflict likely stems from this.

“By the way, Young Master, Lady Wen came by earlier and asked you to come down for dinner.”

“Then let’s go.”

The two entered the dining hall, one behind the other. Wen Zhengxin sat at the table, flanked by Ban Yangshu and Bai Rulong, chatting with the Yuan siblings across from them.

At first, they discussed cultivation at the Heavenly Book Academy, then turned to Ji You.

Cultivation was exceedingly dull, but Ji You’s story seemed rich with material.

“Why isn’t Bai Rulong eating? Doesn’t he like the food?”

“Just now, I was robbed by a bandit…”

Wen Zhengxin put down her chopsticks and stared at him: “You were robbed once already—do you still have money?”

Bai Rulong fell silent for a long while: “I wrote an IOU.”

Ban Yangshu grinned, thinking: I don’t even know whether to say your sword feels ashamed to follow you.

At that moment, Ji You entered with Zhuo Wanqiu.

The Heavenly Book Academy members looked up, startled by the sight of them walking together.

Lingjian Mountain disciples had boarded the vessel under the pretense of protecting the Yuan siblings, but it clearly wasn’t the case.

Zhuo Wanqiu rarely stayed by the Yuan siblings’ side; instead, she assigned several disciples to guard them.

She herself often followed Ji You, always keeping watch nearby whenever he was alone.

It felt as if protecting the Yuan siblings was an afterthought—protecting Ji You was the true priority.

Earlier, they had learned that for the past few days, their junior hadn’t been staying alone with them—Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain had been there too.

Was it because their junior had shown mercy to Lingjian Mountain’s people, and now they felt obligated to repay the favor?

Ji You pulled back his robe and sat at the table: “Where’s Pei Shijie?”

Wen Zhengxin couldn’t help speaking up: “She’s in the room, hasn’t come out yet—I’ve already sent someone to call her.”

Ji You nodded, then turned to Bai Ru: “Huh? Ru, why aren’t you eating? Don’t you like the food?”

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(End of chapter)