Chapter 138: He Must Be Injured
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
The academy often spoke of the myriad paths of the Great Dao, infinite in number, with each cultivator comprehending different facets of its mysteries.
Yet, after centuries of exploration by the cultivators of the Human Race, those from esteemed clans with deep foundations naturally developed their own mystical arts and techniques to be passed down through generations.
Over time, these inherited teachings formed structured systems of cultivation. Among them, the Huntian Spell was the signature technique of the Chu Clan.
The issue was that the Mystic Enlightenment Stage was merely the entry point into the profundities of immortal arts. Very few could fully grasp and wield such techniques at this level. Even though Chu He was exceptionally gifted in comprehending the Dao, the sheer power of his spell was astonishing.
“That was merely his first move, not even his full strength.”
“Ji You is in trouble…”
Ban Yang Shu, Wen Zheng Xin, Pei Ru Yi, and the others rose from their seats, hands clenching at their sides.
This battle lacked true intensity for Du Zhu. Perhaps it was because he knew he was merely an appetizer before the main course.
Thus, this was not the exhilarating clash many had anticipated—it felt more like a performance of technique.
Yet, the sheer might Chu He displayed had surpassed everyone’s expectations.
Ever since his return to the academy, there were murmurs of his imposing aura, but no one had seen him in action. Now, his strike truly unveiled the depths of the Chu Clan’s power.
“He hasn’t even gone all out yet.”
Wen Zheng Xin’s expression turned grim.
Ban Yang Shu agreed. “Du Zhu had no intention of winning to begin with. But even if he had, I doubt he could withstand that strike.”
Bai Ru Long, who was below Chu He in cultivation, found it difficult to comprehend the power displayed and couldn’t help but exclaim, “Is he really this strong?”
Pei Ru Yi pursed her lips. “I’ve spent the longest time in the Mystic Enlightenment Stage, yet even those at the Higher Mystic Enlightenment Stage wouldn’t dare claim victory against him.”
“Can Ji You defeat him?”
“That… is difficult to say.”
“How did he grow this much in just two months after returning home?”
Amidst the murmurs, Chu He’s aura remained overwhelming, his spell-infused energy surging around him, cascading from the White Jade Terrace like a tidal wave.
Clang!
A sharp piece of metal flew toward the audience, narrowly missing a spectating disciple who dodged just in time.
Upon closer inspection, it was a broken blade tip.
The audience turned back to the stage, only to see Du Zhu hurled through the air. His tightly gripped longblade had shattered into countless fragments, scattering across the arena. His immortal robe was torn to tatters by the residual energy, leaving him in a wretched state.
That pitch-black blade had been of extraordinary quality—its sheer material spoke of its remarkable durability. And yet, it was now reduced to shards.
A single clean cut would have left only one break. However, the fact that the blade had shattered into countless fragments indicated that it had been completely annihilated by an overwhelmingly destructive spell.
A stunned silence blanketed the entire arena.
Du Zhu slowly climbed to his feet outside the ring, his gaze locking onto Chu He, burning with deep unwillingness.
“Do you still wish to continue?”
“If you do, you’ll need a new weapon.”
Qin Rong, a steward of the academy, descended gracefully onto the stage. He glanced at Du Zhu’s hands, finding no visible injuries. His brows furrowed slightly, yet he still adhered to protocol and posed the question.
The Ring Defense Match consisted of three rounds. Just like the famed battle on Spirit Sword Mountain, winning two rounds secured victory.
However, unforeseen circumstances such as death, surrender, or incapacitation could determine the outcome after just one match.
At that moment, a slip of paper was passed from the Clan Chief of the Du Family to Du Zhu, who read it and shook his head lightly. He forfeited the chance to retrieve a new weapon and re-enter the fray.
The spectators were still processing Chu He’s stunning display, only realizing much later that Du Zhu had left the stage.
But no one found his departure surprising.
After all, no one had ever considered Du Zhu a true contender for the Inner Court. From the very beginning, he was expected to serve as an obstacle, meant only to exhaust either Ji You or Chu He.
Now, everyone’s focus shifted to the crucial question—
Could Ji You still defeat this Chu He?
Ever since Ji You comprehended the Heavenly Tome, this question had lingered in everyone’s minds, evolving through many twists and turns.
At first, Chu He, as the second son of the Chu Clan, was considered a guaranteed entry into the Inner Court.
But Ji You, with his sword in hand, had steadily shattered that certainty.
His triumphant return from Spirit Sword Mountain was his peak moment—then, the majority believed he had already secured his place within the Inner Court.
Yet today, Chu He’s overwhelming strength had forcefully tilted the scales back in his favor.
Even Pei Ru Yi, Ban Yang Shu, and Wen Zheng Xin wore grave expressions unlike ever before.
As the academy disciples cleared the White Jade Terrace, the crowd’s focus was drawn to two new figures stepping forward.
Leading the way was a man in white robes, effortlessly drawing the gaze of countless onlookers.
Among those standing behind the imperial clan, a disciple of Spirit Sword Mountain, who had remained still all this time, suddenly began scribbling furiously.
“For days now, many have urged you to enter the Inner Court, speaking of the countless benefits it offers. Though you are unruly by nature, you should already understand this well.”
“But now, I want you to forget all of that.”
“Forget your ambitions of establishing a great clan in Feng Prefecture. Forget the wealth and offerings granted to Inner Court disciples. Forget the hundred spiritual stones from your instructor.”
“Draw your sword. Fight without reservation.”
Cao Jin Song’s expression was somewhat somber, yet he still feigned ease, brushing the dust off Ji You’s shoulder.
He, too, had noticed the unusual aura surrounding Chu He. Though the sight filled him with astonishment, with the battle imminent, there was little else to say.
Ji You straightened his robes and asked, “Do I look dashing?”
“Your bearing is no lesser than mine in my younger days.”
Taking a deep breath, Ji You stepped onto the White Jade Terrace and stood firm.
These past days, countless discussions had swirled around the Inner Court selection, many believing this duel to be of utmost importance. Yet, for Ji You, every battle he had fought had been crucial.
The punch he had delivered at the magistrate’s hall in Yuyang County, the three sword strikes on the streets of the capital, the trials at Qiling and Sword Forest… Born in a remote, impoverished land, he had to risk his life for even a couple of silver taels. There was never an unimportant battle for him.
Thus, his mind remained unfettered—just as Cao Jin Song had said moments earlier.
Draw the sword and fight to one’s heart’s content.
At that moment, Chu He turned his gaze towards Ji You, his aura, which had calmed after the previous battle, suddenly surging once more.
Purple-red energy coiled around him, his lone hand gripping his sword, his eyes burning with killing intent.
“A wandering rogue cultivator…”
Chu He’s voice was low, but those four words carried clearly through the crowd.
The spectators suddenly realized that this title—one which had once been synonymous with Ji You—hadn’t been spoken of for quite some time.
Yet, from Chu He’s perspective, born into a prestigious clan and the subject of great attention since entering the academy, being repeatedly outshone by a mere wandering rogue cultivator was unforgettable.
And now, returning from You Prefecture, perhaps this battle was the vengeance he had long awaited.
Boom!
On the White Jade Terrace, Chu He stomped his foot and raised his sword. A formidable surge of energy erupted, stirring a violent tempest.
It was evident that he had held back against Du Zhu earlier. But now, this strike came infused with raw power, a spellwoven force rushing directly towards Ji You.
Clang!
Ji You met the strike head-on, his sword instantly vibrating from the sheer force, sending him skidding to the edge of the White Jade Terrace. The blade trembled ceaselessly in his grip.
Yet, without hesitation, he turned his sword back, meeting another oncoming slash.
Chu He’s aura had reached its peak, vastly surpassing Ji You’s. Even disciples from afar could feel an oppressive weight in the air, suffocating and overwhelming.
Yet, Ji You’s expression remained unchanged. With a surge of spiritual energy, he swung his sword in retaliation.
Clang! Clang!
The sharp clangs of colliding steel echoed across the terrace, sending sparks flying. But Ji You’s plain iron sword, for some unknown reason, lacked the seamless flow of Chu He’s spell-imbued blade.
Each of his counters narrowly missed, leaving him exposed to Chu He’s relentless assault.
Boom!
A heavy impact sounded as the stone tiles beneath Ji You’s feet shattered. Forced into a backward spin, he steadied himself with his sword before slashing forward, cutting through the oncoming energy wave!
Yet in the next instant, his sword veered slightly off course. It was as if Chu He had foreseen his move, evading effortlessly while channeling energy into his left hand—an invisible force slamming across the battlefield in an unstoppable arc.
“Huntian Spell.”
“A spell of the All Methods Accompany the Self school.”
“When a cultivator’s sword clashes with the opponent’s aura, their technique becomes ensnared, disrupting the sword’s trajectory. The blade no longer follows intent but is instead thrown off course.”
Deep within the vast forest sea, atop the mist-shrouded peak of the clouds, five Masters of the Inner Court Halls observed from the mountaintop, taking in every detail unfolding on the Ascension White Jade Terrace.
For cultivators of the Upper Five Realms, watching the Outer Court disciples was normally of little interest.
Yet today, all had gathered here, their gazes fixed intently upon the duel.
Among them, Hall Master Chai Hu, whose primary cultivation method bore resemblance to the techniques of the Chu family, immediately recognized the danger Ji You was facing.
“An Outer Court disciple capable of unleashing such spellwork… it has been many years since I’ve seen such a thing.”
Lu Feng Chuan, Hall Master of the Hall of Detachment, could not help but mutter in acknowledgment.
Boom!
Ji You, still mid-spin from his last attack, had his blade barely miss its mark. Seizing the opportunity, Chu He’s spell-imbued fist struck directly into Ji You’s back, shrouded in the force of Huntian Spell.
This was no mere martial arts strike but the sheer force of spellcraft. The impact exploded upon contact, sending Ji You staggering three steps backward, his footing barely stable.
A wave of exclamation rippled through the crowd atop the White Jade Terrace.
Most lacked the ability to discern the finer points of battle, yet they could see one thing clearly—
In this first exchange, Chu He remained unscathed, while Ji You had taken a direct blow.
And the force of that impact had been immense, shaking the very air itself.
After all, Chu He’s energy had been potent enough to shatter Du Zhu’s treasured blade. A strike to the back—who could possibly withstand such a blow?
“He’s hurt… Ji You is definitely injured…”
“That punch—anyone would be!”
“The academy has been singing praises of Ji You’s swordsmanship for days. How is he already falling behind?”
“Maybe it’s a footwork issue. Ji You’s blade can’t even touch Chu He.”
“This is Sword Dao? I think he’s overhyped. Even I could do better.”
“No… I’ve seen his swordplay before. It shouldn’t be this lacking.”
Ji You, still gripping his sword, turned to look at the swirling purple-red aura coiling around Chu He, his expression thoughtful.
He was not from a prestigious clan. No one had passed down techniques to him. His knowledge of spellcraft was limited.
But as he fought, as his sword rose and fell, he could feel something—
The aura surrounding Chu He was peculiar.
Each time he slashed, some strange current intercepted his blade, like slicing into water, forcing his strikes to deviate by inches, allowing Chu He to evade with ease.
But after several exchanges, Ji You had begun to understand—
This was the spell surrounding Chu He.