Chapter 121: It Was Ji You
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
“Huh? Wasn’t that Junior Sister Yan from Mystic Sword Peak?”
“Junior Sister Yan, bare-chested, singing to you mid-air? Dream on! That voice was clearly a man’s!”
“All the disciples have come to witness today’s duel. Who else could still be up on the mountain?”
“Junior Brother Huang Hui is on the mountain. He said he didn’t want to watch the match and went to challenge the Sword Forest early this morning!”
“Huang Hui is only at the Mystic Enlightenment Stage. He couldn’t even withstand New Willow Color; how could he break through the third layer in half a day? Are you dreaming?”
“Oh, right, there’s also Senior Brother Gong Shu Chou. He said watching fights between peers wasn’t of much help to him and hasn’t attended since yesterday.”
“How could we forget Senior Brother Gong Shu? That’s great news!”
“It was Senior Brother Gong Shu? No way! That graceful body doesn’t resemble his at all, and the voice is different too…”
Clouds and mist from Heavenly Sword Peak drifted over, obscuring the figure on the mountain, though the discussions among the disciples on the Sword Gazing Platform from Spirit Sword Mountain couldn’t be silenced.
The noisy chatter rose and fell, even louder than when Zhuang You’s single sword strike defeated You Bu Yu moments ago.
However, what was strange was the expressions of the higher-realm disciples and several elders on the elevated platform. They all looked displeased, as if they had seen something but were unwilling to speak.
When a few younger disciples tried to ascend the mountain to investigate, they were turned back by elders of Heavenly Sword Peak who had arrived ahead of them. This reaction puzzled many. Someone breaching the Sword Forest for the first time should be a cause for celebration. Why conceal it?
Yes, Gong Shu Chou surpassing the direct disciples of Mystic Sword Peak would make them lose some face, but it should be a delightful turn of events for Heavenly Sword Peak. Why keep it secret now?
The disciples of Spirit Sword Mountain continued their chatter, and those from Dao Seeking Sect and Mountain and Sea Pavilion also began whispering among themselves.
Meanwhile, on the elusive Heavenly Sword Peak, where everyone strained to see but failed to penetrate the mist, the scene unfolded differently.
Among the seven swords coiling like dragons, six had already shattered, scattered across the rugged mountain path behind the Sword Forest. Only the one in hand remained straight. However, even though the blade was straight, its edge had chipped, making it unfit for further use.
“A huge loss…”
Ji You murmured softly. He then felt a warm liquid trickle down his arm and realized that the sword qi had torn open his shoulder. Fresh blood dripped from his hand, trickling down the blade to the ground, mixing with the dust of the cliff into beads.
The killing technique Thought Without Evil truly lived up to its reputation as the most lethal move in the Sword Forest, its sword intent pure and singularly focused on cutting through everything.
If not for incorporating the sword intents of Little Overlapping Mountain, New Willow Color, and Return and Come into his final strike, even his body, honed through ten micro-temperings, might not have withstood the attack.
Although it was grueling, he had ultimately endured.
Sadly, time was against him. That purest of killing swords, Thought Without Evil, couldn’t be honed further.
“I’ll focus on mastering these three sword techniques first. Once I’ve perfected them and made a name for myself, I’ll accuse Spirit Sword Mountain of copying me. Then they’ll have no choice but to teach me the rest…”
[Dammit, am I a genius or what?]
At this moment, Yan Ye, Yan Qing Chi, and Yan Shu Jing had already chased him to the forest’s edge and stood atop the high cliff. The impromptu chant, its lyrics uneven and melody unconventional, still echoed in their ears. Their gazes were vacant.
Over the years, Spirit Sword Mountain had taken in countless disciples, each unique in talent. Some had impressive physical potential, others excelled in their affinity for the Dao, and some, though slow, had an undeniable purity.
Among every generation of disciples, there were always a few who garnered exceptional admiration, often praised by the elders of the sect. They would declare that “the sword and the youth are a perfect match,” even claiming that their vigor and spirit were as sharp as Sword Qi itself.
This phrase originated from an elder ancestor who deeply loved swords. It was a tribute to a direct disciple of the Sword Dao, commending his unparalleled clarity of swordsmanship. Over time, the saying became widely used. Yet, many dismissed it as an exaggeration, doubting that anyone’s essence could truly mirror Sword Qi.
That was until now.
As the disciples beheld the young student from the Heavenly Script Academy cleave through Thought Without Evil and rise into the ethereal heavens, they began to understand. In that moment, they grasped why swords and youth were deemed so harmonious, and what it truly meant to embody youthful valor and a crystal-clear Sword Heart.
“Junior Ji You, here to disgrace the Heavenly Script Academy!” he declared.
People had long said he was a natural fit for Spirit Sword Mountain, destined to be one of their disciples.
“They claim he was born in the wrong era… and the wrong place.”
“I can only watch from here, but I’ve never attempted to force my way in.”
The crowd couldn’t look away from his robust, imposing back and the fiery spirit still radiating from him. Echoes of their earlier dialogue lingered in their ears.
At that instant, a woman’s Spirit Sword Mountain Immortal Robe suddenly descended from the distant heavens, draping itself over Ji You’s shoulders. The garment’s gentle fragrance stirred the air, leaving onlookers in awe.
“Whose robe is this?” he muttered, puzzled.
The stark lines of his physique were obscured by the robe, which caused both Yan Ye and Yan Shu Jing to unconsciously furrow their brows, their expressions growing dark.
Before they could respond, a powerful aura surged from the depths of Heavenly Sword Peak, silencing the howling mountain winds. In a blink, Ji You was struck down from the air, swept away into the cloud-shrouded depths of the mountain, and forcibly dragged into a secluded estate.
Chasing after him was a graceful figure, a woman adorned with the Glazed Immortal Crown, soaring through the air. Yet, even her speed fell short by a step.
As the scene unfolded, Yan Ye suddenly came to his senses, his expression turning grim. The Heavenly Script Academy’s attempt at Asking the Dao had led to two losses. What should have elevated the prestige of Spirit Sword Mountain had instead spiraled into unforeseen chaos.
Unbeknownst to them, the academy’s disciple had already outperformed the direct disciples of Mystic Sword Peak, shattering the Sword Forest before anyone else.
The most astonishing part? Ji You’s cultivation was merely at the Mystic Enlightenment Stage.
Now, with emissaries from the Dao Seeking Sect and Mountain and Sea Pavilion watching from the base of the mountain, what had been staged as a proud display for Heavenly Sword Peak had suddenly veered into unexpected territory.
Meanwhile, just outside the second layer of the forest, Wen Zheng Xin, Pei Ru Yi, Ban Yang Shu, and Bai Ru Long found themselves confronted by an elder of Spirit Sword Mountain, who brandished a sword and drove them back to the mountain path.
The elder bore no intent to harm, merely barring their further approach. Confusion plastered across their faces, the four hesitated to leave, unwilling to abandon Ji You. They resolved to wait.
Elsewhere, more cultivators bypassed the Sword Forest, making their way toward the rear mountain. Watching the growing crowd, Ding Yao and Huang Hui were left bewildered.
“Was that Sword Radiance earlier?”
“It must’ve been the forest being breached, its Sword Qi escaping,” Huang Hui replied. Folding his arms, he continued, “In the fourth layer, it should be Junior Sister Yan Shu Jing of Mystic Sword Peak.”
“No wonder so many are heading uphill. It’s a cause for celebration. I think Senior Brother Zhuang’s Sword Chant has stopped too—he must’ve won.”
Indeed, the chant had ceased on the Sword Gazing Platform, though Ding Yao couldn’t discern the outcome. She wanted to go and see but dared not leave her post. Assigned by the Mirror Master to attend Ji You closely, and with the master’s earlier visit, she could not act without permission.
Based on the outcome of the first battle, it seemed almost certain that Zhuang You would triumph over You Bu Yu. However, the bustling figures coming and going, along with the furrowed brows of those gathered, made Ding Yao mutter to herself, wondering if something unexpected had occurred in the competition at the mountain’s base.
Just as she spoke, Elder Yan from Mystic Sword Peak ascended the mountain. This elder had been seated atop the Sword Gazing Platform during the earlier rounds, which immediately caught Ding Yao’s attention.
“Elder Ru, could you tell us the result of the contest below?” she asked.
“The Heavenly Script Academy has lost. The Hall Master’s personal disciple fell unconscious and has been carried back to the academy,” replied Elder Ru.
“So, we did win after all…” Ding Yao exhaled a sigh of relief, her lips curving into a faint smile.
Yet, if Spirit Sword Mountain had secured two victories in a row, why did the elders’ expressions show no sign of joy? Instead, they seemed peculiar. Ding Yao mulled over this, her gaze wandering until she heard the faint rustling of footsteps coming from the forest. Since the end of the first Dao Inquiry Battle at noon, this was the first time someone emerged from the forest rather than heading into it.
She looked up to see Yan Shu Jing stepping out, with Gong Shu Chou trailing behind, lost in thought.
“Ding Yao of Mystic Sword Peak greets the Second Miss. Might I ask if you’ve seen Elder Yan Ye?” Ding Yao inquired respectfully.
Yan Shu Jing glanced at her briefly before replying, “The Sword Forest has been broken. The elders of Heavenly Sword Peak have gone to Elder Qi’s residence. You needn’t wait here; descend the mountain.”
Ding Yao was momentarily stunned, her expression puzzled as she looked at Yan Shu Jing.
“I did not break the forest; it was Ji You of the Heavenly Script Academy who did,” Yan Shu Jing explained, anticipating her confusion. She offered no further words before continuing her descent.
Ding Yao stood frozen in place, her mind buzzing as she stared at Gong Shu Chou in disbelief. “Who… Who did the Second Miss say broke the Sword Forest?”
“Ji You,” Gong Shu Chou replied calmly, standing with his hands clasped behind his back. “That man who once exchanged sword blows with me over several rounds without yielding—he acted before Junior Sister Yan, unleashing seven swords simultaneously to shatter the forest.”
Before Ding Yao could process this revelation, Gong Shu Chou descended the mountain. She saw Zhuo Wan Qiu conversing with four disciples of the Heavenly Script Academy, her words leaving them visibly hesitant. Soon after, Zhuo Wan Qiu ascended the mountain, bowing courteously as she approached, carrying a man’s long robe and a collection of healing pills.
“Has the Young Master not emerged yet?” Zhuo Wan Qiu asked, looking at Ding Yao.
Still reeling from Gong Shu Chou’s words, Ding Yao instinctively asked, “Why are you here?”
Raising the items in her hands, Zhuo Wan Qiu explained, “The Young Master told me earlier that he planned to break the Sword Forest today. He mentioned he might be injured in the process and asked me to prepare these.”
“Break the Sword Forest? But he’s merely at the Mystic Enlightenment Stage! Didn’t it take him sixteen swords to pass Little Overlapping Mountain? You witnessed it yourself!” Ding Yao exclaimed incredulously.
“On our way back after eating roasted sweet potatoes, the Mirror Master said someone else took eight swords to match Little Overlapping Mountain, and that the Young Master likely used sixteen to secretly learn it,” Zhuo Wan Qiu replied.
Ding Yao fell silent, her thoughts filled with the image of Ji You’s figure moving between the mountain and forest these past days. He had never spoken of what transpired within the Sword Forest. Every morning, he would ascend the mountain with his sword and return in the evening to roast sweet potatoes for the Mirror Master.
Everyone had assumed the Heavenly Script Academy’s reputation rested on He Ling Xiu and You Bu Yu. Ji You was considered nothing more than a rule-breaking rogue cultivator. Even when outsiders mocked his use of sixteen swords, he never responded.
Yet, in the end, both He Ling Xiu and You Bu Yu were defeated, leaving Ji You as the one to uphold the academy’s honor. Ding Yao couldn’t deny that Ji You’s talent, regardless of the sect he joined, would make him a celebrated figure. Still, she couldn’t shake her bias—she felt that unless a man was destined to inherit a Daoist lineage, no amount of brilliance could make him worthy of the Mirror Master.
She often thought Ji You’s words were mere flowery persuasion and that the Mirror Master was simply indulging in fleeting admiration for his charm. But now, with Ji You breaking the Sword Forest while still in the Mystic Enlightenment Stage, she began to question her assumptions.
“Back at the ruins, he always acted on his own whims. Why does he care so much about the academy’s reputation now?” Ding Yao wondered aloud.
“The Young Master said the Heavenly Script Academy was losing credibility. If its reputation fell any lower, it wouldn’t even be able to hold sway over the Mystic Origin Immortal Palace’s mountain estates. If things reached such a dire state, he’d truly have no choice but to live as a bandit. And if relations soured that much, the two sects would become mortal enemies, making it impossible for him to ever return to Spirit Sword Mountain,” Zhuo Wan Qiu explained.