Chapter 117: An Embarrassing Scene
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
At dawn, Ji You opened his eyes on the bed. The morning light seeped through the window lattice, casting soft illumination on the ground.
He drew in his aura, and the Sword Qi that lingered around him gradually dissipated. After freshening up, he stepped outside to find Ding Yao waiting in the courtyard.
As always, Ding Yao’s expression was calm and neutral. Upon seeing Ji You ready, she simply stepped forward and led him towards Mystic Sword Peak. When they reached the corridor bridge, the view opened to reveal a large crowd already gathered on the Immortal Gazing Platform.
Today marked the final battle in the Heavenly Script Academy’s challenge at Spirit Sword Mountain. You Bu Yu was to face Zhuang You of Heavenly Sword Peak. Like the day before, it would be a best-of-three match.
“You know the location of the Sword Forest. Go there by yourself today. I’m staying to watch the battle,” Ding Yao said abruptly as they reached the midpoint of the corridor bridge.
Unlike Zhuo Wan Qiu, who would have waited for half a day on the mountain, Ding Yao’s patience was clearly limited. She only played the role of a docile attendant in the courtyard out of respect for Yan Shu Yi. There was no need for such pretense in front of Ji You.
Ji You didn’t insist on her accompanying him. He gave a light nod and continued alone, ascending the mountain path towards the higher peaks. After all, the path of the sword was a solitary endeavor. Even if Ding Yao had followed, she would only have waited outside the forest, serving no real purpose.
He rarely relied on the assistance of servants. It was Yan Shu Yi who insisted that someone accompany him. Perhaps she feared he’d be tempted by the voluptuous female sword cultivators of Spirit Sword Mountain?
Meanwhile, the disciples of the Heavenly Script Academy had all gathered on the Sword Gazing Platform. A few of them noticed Ji You ascending the mountain alone, his white robes fluttering in the soft morning light. They quickly guessed he was heading for the Sword Forest again.
“At a time like this, he still goes to the Sword Forest?”
“Let him be. He’s a wandering rogue cultivator, after all. Unlike us descendants of esteemed clans, his heart is centered on himself. He cares little for the Academy’s honor.”
“If he’s so fond of the Sword Dao, why doesn’t he join Spirit Sword Mountain?”
“If he passes the first-layer bamboo forest with sixteen swords, Spirit Sword Mountain might actually accept him…”
“I overheard Senior Brother You mentioning that this Ji You is insubordinate and reckless. When we return to the Academy, he plans to petition the Hall Master to expel him…”
“That would just make him a wandering rogue cultivator again, wouldn’t it?”
Amid the murmurs, You Bu Yu, who had already arrived, pressed his hands onto his knees and growled, “Even if I win this match, it would only level the score with Spirit Sword Mountain. Go and bring Ji You down here. Don’t let him embarrass us any further!”
Two victories could naturally earn some boasting rights, and the humiliation of a single disciple could be overlooked. However, if the outcome was one win and one loss, it would demand a more subdued demeanor.
Wang Yue and Fang Lin Chao understood this unspoken rule. Knowing they couldn’t afford any disruptions at this moment, they dispatched Fang Qing to pursue Ji You up Heavenly Sword Peak.
As this unfolded, You Bu Yu rose and solemnly stepped onto the Sword Gazing Platform.
The previous day’s defeat of He Ling Xiu had briefly shaken his confidence, but it had since been restored. He believed Zhuang You was unlikely to surpass him. If Zhuang You were truly stronger, why would anyone have dared to ambush him in the mountains that night?
As a Direct Disciple of the Auspicious Hall, You Bu Yu’s aura surged outward the moment he took the stage. The swirling mystic radiance enveloped his body, roaring like thunder. Waves of Qi surged, and myriad techniques accompanied him, reminiscent of He Ling Xiu’s display the previous day.
His opponent was another man clad in black combat robes. Although not yet thirty, his long hair flowed freely, and his sharp gaze gleamed like a sword. He was none other than Zhuang You, a Direct Disciple of Heavenly Sword Peak.
Zhuang You stood composed on the platform, his surroundings exuding only a pure and elegant Sword Intent that lingered without end.
Frowning slightly, You Bu Yu thought the man seemed familiar, as though they’d met before. But with the battle imminent, he dismissed the thought and raised his sword in salute. A surge of battle intent ignited between them.
“Make your move,” said Zhuang You calmly.
“Please,” replied You Bu Yu.
The sharp exchange of words had barely faded when a fierce sword chant erupted, dominating the air with its resonance. In an instant, the two combatants became streaks of blurred shadows, clashing together with such force that sparks danced wildly where their iron swords met.
Zhuang You’s sword intent exuded a chilling aura, pressing down like crashing waves. The surging sword qi seemed to pierce the heavens. This was the hallmark of Spirit Sword Mountain’s Sword Dao, identical to what Yan Shu Jing had displayed the day prior—razor-sharp and unrelenting, its murderous intent radiating in every strike.
You Bu Yu’s pupils contracted sharply. Immediately, various techniques encircled his blade, their profound radiance erupting with his boiling battle fervor. Amid the chaos, the two figures dueled furiously atop the elevated platform. Even a mere blink risked missing several rounds of their blistering exchanges.
You Bu Yu’s overwhelming momentum projected an unparalleled battle spirit that seemed to eclipse his opponent. Even those observing from a distance could sense its suffocating weight. As a cultivator at the Dao Fusion Stage, the second level of the Upper Five Stages, his prowess was undeniably extraordinary.
Yet, in that moment, a brilliant sword light suddenly soared to the sky. The swirling wind defense around You Bu Yu was cleaved apart in an instant, and Zhuang You’s long sword came hurtling forward. With a muffled “puff”, the strike landed like a falling heavenly radiance, shaking the platform as if it would shatter.
A thunderous force, imbued with the essence of lightning, surged downward with unparalleled might. In response, You Bu Yu’s sword abruptly accelerated, slashing out with remarkable speed.
“This swordplay…”
“It’s not mere swordsmanship,” someone observed keenly. “It’s a Thunder Technique, channeled through the blade to unleash the ferocity of ten thousand pounds of force.”
Wen Zheng Xin and Ban Yang Shu, among others, watched the battle intently, their brows furrowing and relaxing in turn as tension built and dissipated. Meanwhile, the Son of the Demon Emperor, seated on the elevated platform, finally displayed some interest. His gaze, however, remained fixed solely on Zhuang You.
With a resounding explosion, the two fighters separated for the first time. At that moment, a radiant glow momentarily blinded the spectators. When their vision cleared, You Bu Yu had retreated two steps, a fresh blood trace now visible on his arm.
The crowd collectively held their breath at the sight. You Bu Yu clenched his teeth, his expression rigid. Despite the defensive techniques of the Heavenly Script Academy, which allowed wind to be condensed as a protective shield, Zhuang You’s lightning-fast sword had breached his guard. He had underestimated the blade’s lethality.
Drawing a deep breath, You Bu Yu’s body radiated an intense, luminous energy. With a sudden motion, his sword lashed out, sending a devastating surge of energy rippling across the battlefield. Streams of radiant light scattered in all directions.
“This will be a bitter struggle,” Ban Yang Shu murmured, frowning at the ever-calm Zhuang You. Although the latter had landed a strike, Ban Yang Shu did not believe You Bu Yu would lose. After all, this was merely the first bout. Neither had yet unleashed their true killing moves.
From the earlier exchanges, it was evident that their power levels were relatively even. This initial skirmish would likely evolve into a prolonged battle, demanding endurance and resilience.
As the intense waves of energy and dazzling sword light intertwined on the battlefield, the atmosphere grew ever more oppressive. Though You Bu Yu’s mind teemed with distractions, his cultivated realm was solid. His techniques surpassed those of He Ling Xiu in ferocity, momentarily allowing him to suppress Zhuang You.
Zhuang You, on the other hand, repeatedly dodged and repositioned. His long sword strikes were disrupted time and again.
Ding Yao, unable to look away, tightly gripped the hem of her skirt. Her focus was so absolute that she seemed to forget the passage of time, only blinking when her eyes began to ache.
Just as she paused to rest her gaze, a brilliant sword light caught her attention. Zhuang You, after evading multiple times, suddenly raised his sword high. A ferocious sword strike erupted, laced with violent and unyielding fury, as it slashed downward with immense force.
This single strike elicited countless gasps from the audience, their astonishment echoing across the platform.
The wind summoned by You Bu Yu had initially bound his sword strikes as if caught in a swirling vortex, but now it seemed to falter entirely. In an instant, he was slashed through the air, blood blooming from his shoulder, before crashing heavily outside the dueling arena.
A muffled groan echoed, and disbelief filled the face of this direct disciple of the Hall Master.
He was You Bu Yu, born proud and endowed with exceptional talent. Even after He Ling Xiu suffered a loss earlier, his confidence in achieving victory had not wavered much. True, he anticipated a hard-fought battle, knowing victory would not come easily, but never had he imagined being sent flying by a single strike.
If Zhuang You was truly this formidable, why had Spirit Sword Mountain sent a Heaven Resonance stage elder to ambush him under the cover of night? It made no sense!
Meanwhile, Ding Yao struggled to suppress the smirk threatening to curl her lips, thinking, “This time, the Heavenly Script Academy might truly lose face entirely.” She rubbed her aching eyes and glanced into the distance, spotting two figures heading down the mountain.
Leading the way was a disciple of Heavenly Sword Peak, likely named Huang Hui, hurrying toward the forest where the swords were tested. After watching carefully, she saw him approaching the nearby elder Yan Ye, whispering urgently in his ear. Yan Ye frowned deeply, waved his hand dismissively, and sent the disciple back up the mountain without further concern.
The other figure was a disciple of Heavenly Script Academy, who bypassed the corridor bridge to return to the Sword Gazing Platform. Observing You Bu Yu, blood staining his robes, this disciple seemed unsure whether it was a win or a loss and dared not inquire.
“Where is Ji You?” demanded You Bu Yu, barely masking his growing fury.
“Reporting, Senior Brother, I could not find him,” the disciple stammered.
“Twice now! You can’t even locate one person! What difference is there between you and trash?!” he roared. Having suffered a defeat, You Bu Yu’s frustration burned as fiercely as his temper. Even Wang Yue, his loyal lackey, would not escape scathing insults if he failed to meet expectations.
“Wang Yue! Go! If he refuses to return, break his legs and drag him back!”
“Yes, Senior Brother,” came the reply as Wang Yue swiftly departed.
Seated nearby, Wen Zheng Xin and Pei Ru Yi exchanged glances before rising and following toward Heavenly Sword Peak, dread etched across their faces.
[This is going to be humiliating…]
That thought loomed heavy in their minds. After all, once one reached the Dao Fusion Stage, the Heavenly Script Academy’s techniques were anything but weak. Whether in the Heavenly Dao Assembly or the Immortal Wandering Gathering, their battles, though restrained, had never ended in such disgrace. Could Spirit Sword Mountain’s Sword Dao truly be so profound that it rendered them invincible against peers of the same stage?
Unable to dwell further on the thought, they focused only on finding Ji You and bringing him down the mountain. If You Bu Yu suffered another defeat, the academy would have no choice but to leave in disgrace. Leaving Ji You unaware and stranded on the mountain would be even more dangerous. Even if he escaped being left behind, wandering the sword forest would undoubtedly lead to consequences upon his return to the academy.
Meanwhile, Ding Yao, who had stood quietly beside the Sword Gazing Platform, also ascended the mountain. Her concern wasn’t for Ji You being left behind after the academy’s defeat. Instead, her loyalty leaned toward the Dao Seeking Sect. The Mirror Master’s favoritism was far too blatant, leaving little attention for others. If Ji You were to perish on this mountain, the Mirror Master’s obsession might finally shatter, a result she wouldn’t mind in the slightest.
But her ascent was prompted by something else: Huang Hui, the earlier disciple, had returned once more. Again, he approached Elder Yan Ye, murmuring softly. This time, Yan Ye’s frown deepened. After scanning the arena, he hurriedly followed Huang Hui up the mountain, his pace equally brisk.
Seeing this, Ding Yao found it strange. During this Dao-seeking competition, Elder Yan Ye was present as a representative of Heavenly Sword Peak to maintain order. It was understandable for her to leave yesterday, as the opponent was Second Miss of Mystic Sword Peak, but today’s battle involved Heavenly Sword Peak’s own direct disciple. Why would she depart midway?