Chapter 129: The Shifting Situation
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
In early May, just after the Grain Full solar term, dawn arrived before the rooster had finished crowing, and the rain lingered even as the frogs’ chorus faded.
At this time, the Barbaric Race continued to probe the defenses beyond Cold Iron Pass, causing relentless battles across the Northern Plains, plunging the region into chaos.
Meanwhile, the only Divine General of the Northern Garrison in Great Xia who had entered the Dao through martial refinement and slaughter had been stationed at Cold Iron Pass for over half a year. His presence alone deterred the lurking mighty figures of the Barbaric Race, preventing them from breaching the gates.
Simultaneously, more and more Demon Clan members began entering the Nine Provinces, engaging in trade, causing a temporary drop in the price of spiritual stones. However, as their presence increased, conflicts inevitably arose.
To the Human Race, the spiritual stones flowing from the Snow Realm were of exceptional quality, and the rare ores mined from the Hundred Thousand Mountains were highly suitable for forging magical artifacts and spirit tools. Yet, while they welcomed the Demon Clan’s goods, they did not welcome the Demon Clan themselves.
These conflicts always ended with the Demon Clan retreating, adopting a submissive stance akin to bowing under another’s eaves. Yet, this did little to ease the suspicion harbored by the noble clans and immortal manors of the Nine Provinces.
“Do not let their silence blind you. The Demon Clan’s patience and concealment today must be part of a greater scheme.”
“Is that even a question? Their ultimate goal is to seize our race’s fortune, just like the Barbaric Race. They merely employ different methods.”
“A few days ago, the shipment of spiritual stones from Cloud Prefecture to the three southern provinces stalled due to the Demon Clan’s merchant caravans taking over Jade Capital.”
“Regardless, one cannot deny the superior quality of their spiritual stones.”
“Speaking of the three southern sects, have you heard about what happened at Spirit Sword Mountain?”
“The Heavenly Script Academy’s disciples suffered a double defeat in their Dao inquiry. The rumors have been circulating for days. But Spirit Sword Mountain has remained unusually quiet, supposedly because an academy disciple managed to break through their Sword Forest.”
“That’s no longer a secret. But I’m talking about something else.”
“Something else? What else happened at Spirit Sword Mountain?”
“Qi Zheng Yang of Heavenly Sword Peak….”
Though the Heavenly Script Academy’s failure in the Dao inquiry was not publicly acknowledged by Spirit Sword Mountain, the presence of Mountain and Sea Pavilion and Dao Seeking Sect on that day made it impossible to suppress. Yet, the two opposing immortal sects appeared to have come to an unspoken agreement, maintaining a strange silence.
The best way to downplay an event’s spread and impact is for both involved parties to refuse participation.
Thus, under this atmosphere, a matter seemingly less sensational than the Heavenly Script Academy’s defeat became the primary topic of discussion among cultivators when Spirit Sword Mountain was mentioned.
That was—seven days after the Heavenly Script Academy’s disciples left Spirit Sword Mountain, Qi Rong, daughter of Qi Zheng Yang, the Sword Dao Chief of Heavenly Sword Peak, formally became a direct disciple under Yan Jing Xiang, the Peak Lord of Mystic Sword Peak.
Like Yan Shu Jing, Qi Rong was accepted as a personal disciple.
But everyone knew that Mystic Sword Peak had not merely gained a direct disciple—they had gained Qi Zheng Yang, a sword master unparalleled in intent.
One must understand, Upper Five Realms Completion cultivators possess the power to move mountains and fill seas. They are considered the foundation of immortal sects.
On the surface, Spirit Sword Mountain had only five cultivators of Upper Five Realms Completion—one in Sword Inquiry Peak, one in Mystic Sword Peak, and three in Heavenly Sword Peak.
Now, with Qi Zheng Yang sending his daughter into Mystic Sword Peak, the power dynamics seemed to shift subtly.
As for why Qi Zheng Yang made such a move, while Yan Jing Xiang was pleased, even he couldn’t fully comprehend it.
One reasonable assumption was that after Qi Zheng Yang’s eldest son perished in the Ruins, he did not hold the Chen Clan of Immortals or the annihilated Zheng Clan accountable. Instead, he placed the blame on Heavenly Sword Peak.
But what remained unclear was—who convinced him to join Mystic Sword Peak?
“This wasn’t a simple matter that could be decided on impulse. Qi Zheng Yang’s status meant this move carried immense implications. It couldn’t have happened without prior discussion.”
“There must have been an initiating factor.”
“This factor must have presented goodwill to Qi Zheng Yang and conveyed sword intent to Mystic Sword Peak, allowing both sides to align. Otherwise, it would have been a one-sided pursuit.”
“But after the Ruins, Qi Zheng Yang never met with anyone from Mystic Sword Peak.”
Early in his years, Qi Zheng Yang entered the sect as the eldest son of the Qi Family, then secluded himself in the mountains to meditate on the Sword Dao, seldom seen except by a few elders of Heavenly Sword Peak.
Yan Jing Xiang had long sought to build ties with him, yet never had the opportunity.
As for his daughter, being the Mirror Master of her generation, she was closely watched by those at Heavenly Sword Peak and naturally had no chance to interact with Qi Zheng Yang.
Thus, the occurrence of this event baffled many.
From the moment Qi Rong was taken in by Mystic Sword Peak, Yan Zhong, the current Sect Master of Spirit Sword Mountain, along with numerous elders, began scouring Qi Zheng Yang’s visitor records.
“These are all elders of Heavenly Sword Peak. When did an outsider ever visit?”
“Then, do you think there could have already been someone within Heavenly Sword Peak aligned with Mystic Sword Peak? My niece is, after all, part of Spirit Sword Mountain’s true lineage.”
“Senior Brother Sect Master, I believe it would be unwise to foster suspicion at this time.”
“But there must have been an initiating factor. Otherwise, this entire situation seems unreasonable. You should understand—when Qi Rong entered Mystic Sword Peak, I observed Yan Jing Xiang’s expression. He had no prior knowledge of the details.”
At this moment, Yan Qing Chi and Yan Ye were also in the Sword Pavilion of Heavenly Sword Peak, listening as the esteemed elders debated. They had no place to interject.
Both had risen to their current ranks through lineage and seniority, handling sect affairs rather than the politics of rival peaks.
Yet, even as they held no right to speak in this dispute, they studied Qi Zheng Yang’s visitor records, their brows furrowing at a particular line:
[Disciple of the Heavenly Script Academy, entered Qi Zheng Yang’s residence after breaking the Sword Forest, and was later expelled by a single strike.]
Ji You—the only outsider listed.
Yan Ye and Yan Qing Chi bore heavy expressions, yet they dared not ponder further, nor voice their thoughts aloud.
They understood that if their conjecture were spoken, it would invite nothing but ridicule. After all, how could a mere Disciple of the Outer Court from the Heavenly Script Academy, one at the Mystic Enlightenment Stage, with such a low cultivation realm and status—despite possessing Sword Heart Enlightenment—possibly be entangled in the internal strife of Spirit Sword Mountain?
Soon after, the seasons shifted, and the oppressive heat of midsummer swiftly arrived.
At Azure Lake within the Heavenly Script Academy, the lotus leaves stretched endlessly toward the heavens, their deep green hues contrasting against the radiant red of the blooming lotuses beneath the sun.
Following their morning meal, disciples emerged from their chambers, stepping onto the White Jade Terrace of the outer court. Some proceeded toward the Field of Enlightenment, but the majority made their way to the Sword Testing Forest.
Among those heading to the Sword Testing Forest, some were drawn by the reputation of a certain Wandering Rogue Cultivator who had once displayed unparalleled might. Yet, a larger portion were compelled by the academy’s humiliating defeat in the Dao Inquiry.
After all, mere admiration for another’s strength is rarely a strong enough motivation, but fear of death—now that is.
Thus, many disciples who had previously been dedicated to Pure Dao Cultivation wavered in their path, reconsidering their approach. Meanwhile, Instructor Wang became the most overworked figure in the Heavenly Script Academy, though his monthly stipend remained unchanged.
“Look, that guy named Cao is here again…”
“Hmm, he comes every day.”
“Instructor Cao’s chest… even I feel inferior.”
As a group of female cultivators passed by Azure Lake, their gazes fell upon the White Jade Terrace, where a male instructor with an extraordinarily proud and imposing chest strolled leisurely, waving and smiling at those around him.
Indeed, he made a habit of taking a grand tour here every day, parading about for half the morning with an air of self-satisfaction.
The female cultivators cast fleeting glances at their own figures, feeling a twinge of inadequacy, before hurriedly departing.
Bathed in the morning glow, Lu Qing Qiu, Lou Si Yi, Sun Qiao Zhi, and Fang Ruo Yao—who followed closely behind them—lingered for an extra glance before continuing toward the Sword Testing Forest.
“Instructor Wang, I wish to learn the sword.”
“Oh? And I wish to resign…”
Sword Dao cultivation demanded immense physical endurance. For female cultivators who had never laid solid foundations in body refinement, wielding a sword proved an arduous challenge.
From dawn until noon, many young women, their round hips swaying, found themselves drenched in fragrant sweat. The delicate sheen of perspiration on their exposed collarbones shimmered faintly under the sun.
But Instructor Wang had no leisure to admire such sights; his eyes were filled only with despair, muttering curses under his breath at a certain someone’s ancestors.
By midday, the sun had begun its westward descent. Lu Qing Qiu and the others emerged from the Sword Testing Forest, freshened up, and made their way toward the Immortal Banquet Hall.
Yet before they reached its entrance, their steps halted abruptly. They stood upon the mountain path east of the Instructor’s Hall, their gazes locked onto a single figure in the distance.
More disciples arriving behind them also paused, their expressions mirroring the same stunned reverence.
On the northern banks of Azure Lake, near the academy’s main gates, stood a young man with an elegant, jade-like visage. His sword-like brows framed sharp, star-like eyes, exuding a natural air of nobility.
Seemingly out for a breath of fresh air, he stretched lazily, surveying the surroundings.
With every movement he made, an aura of boundless intensity radiated from him—burning, formidable, and razor-sharp like an unsheathed blade.
By now, the Grain in Ear season had passed, and it had been over half a month since the Dao Inquiry concluded.
Though the two sects involved had not disclosed many details, rumors spread like wildfire, causing waves of emotion among the Heavenly Script Academy disciples over the past weeks.
First came news of He Ling Xiu’s defeat, which left countless disciples in the academy disheartened.
Then, an even harsher blow followed—You Bu Yu had also been defeated, an outcome even harder for them to accept.
For two full days, even the noble disciples of the capital refrained from hosting banquets for Heavenly Script Academy disciples. Some who traveled into the city for errands even carried themselves more humbly when encountering disciples from other sects.
Such was the weight of sect prestige—the academy had marched forth with high spirits to challenge the Dao Inquiry, only to return in bitter defeat, leaving its disciples unable to lift their heads.
Even the academy’s affiliated villas in the Three Northern Prefectures adopted a more subdued presence.
But then, just two days later, another piece of news arrived, shocking the entire Heavenly Script Academy, leaving many feeling as if their scalps had gone numb.
[Ji You, Direct Disciple of Mystic Sword Peak, Cleaved Through the Sword Forest with Seven Strikes.]
This event had taken place on the same day as You Bu Yu’s defeat, but at first, it was dismissed as mere rumor.
The academy’s disciples in Ling Prefecture had been hesitant to report it, until masked disciples from Spirit Sword Mountain spread the tale far and wide, forcing them to bring it back.
At first, no one believed it.
Yet, following Spirit Sword Mountain’s unexpected silence after their victory, it seemed almost as if they had indirectly acknowledged the truth.
A heirloom physique, an unrivaled Sword Intent…
That very night, many female cultivators of Heavenly Script Academy found themselves tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
Since his return, however, Ji You had immediately entered seclusion, unseen by anyone—until now.
And now, as he emerged once more, his aura had changed dramatically—sharper, deeper, more unfathomable.
This Outer Court Disciple, in but half a month, had risen to rival even the Inner Court Direct Disciples.
“Every time, it is something utterly unexpected, yet I was never there to witness it myself. Had I known, I should have gone to the Dao Inquiry as well…”
Lu Qing Qiu parted her soft, rosy lips, whispering a sentiment shared by many fellow disciples and senior sisters.
The dual defeat of Heavenly Script Academy had been a blow to their pride, but missing the chance to witness Ji You’s legendary Seven Sword Strikes Through the Sword Forest—now that was truly lamentable.
It was often said in Spirit Sword Mountain that swords and youth are the perfect match.
For the young women of the academy, perhaps that sight—the lone figure standing against countless blades—was no less mesmerizing than the allure of a veiled beauty glimpsed through sheer silk by the men of the world.