Chapter 13: Within and Beyond the Immortal Court
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
In the heart of the Central Plains, just north of the capital of Shengjing, the scene opened upon a vast expanse of emerald-green forest draping over peaks like a flowing sea. From the vantage of Everpeace Avenue, a divine path could be seen carving its way up the mountainside, cleaving through the terrain like a celestial blade. Halfway up, it led to a gleaming White Jade Gate, standing lofty above the treetops. At the summit, five grand halls rose like sentinels amidst the ethereal clouds.
This was Heavenly Script Academy of the Divine Sect of Great Xia, a bastion of ancient heritage tracing its roots to primordial times.
Two luxurious carriages, resplendent with gems and adorned in brilliance, approached the base of the divine path. From the foremost carriage emerged two figures. One was a silver-haired elder of nearly sixty, yet his ruddy complexion and sharp eyes spoke of enduring vitality. He was draped in a flowing purple robe. The second man was tall and imposing, wearing a brocade robe trimmed with floral patterns, his jeweled coronet and jade sash radiating noble authority.
“Your humble servant, Wei Li, pays his respects to Prince Chong,” the elder said, bowing deeply.
“Grand Minister Wei, rise. Such courtesy is unnecessary between us,” the prince replied, stepping forward to lift the elder with a gracious hand. “I hear His Majesty has been overworked these past days and is not in the best of health?”
Wei Li’s eyes glinted as he chuckled. “It’s nothing but the strain of pondering new reforms to revive imperial authority. His thoughts have become an affliction.”
Prince Chong’s brows rose with faint disdain. “His Majesty, like my esteemed elder brother, still fails to understand that this realm is not his to command. It belongs to the Immortals. What use is royal authority beneath the yoke of celestial power?”
“You speak truth, Your Highness,” Wei Li replied, his gaze subtly shifting. “However, I heard His Majesty issued a secret decree recently, summoning Ye Sheng back from Cold Iron Pass. Might this be tied to those reforms?”
The prince’s expression darkened as he frowned. “Has the war in the Northern Plains been resolved?”
“Word has it that General Ye broke through to a higher realm on the battlefield. Now a pinnacle master of the Lower Three Stages, he slew the enemy commander in one stroke, forcing the Mystic Wilding Tribes into retreat.”
“Hmph. Without a Daoist Lineage, the pinnacle of the Lower Three Stages is the limit of his life’s potential.”
“Indeed, indeed,” Wei Li echoed, his tone deferential. From within his sleeve, he produced a porcelain vial, presenting it to the prince.
The vial contained Blood Pills, alchemical marvels crafted by an elder of the Mystic Origin Immortal Palace, reputed for their power to nurture bones and enhance cultivation. Wei Li personally delivered such pills each month to officials aligned with the Pro-Immortal Faction, solidifying their ties.
Having handed over the gift, Wei Li turned his attention to the divine path leading to the academy. “Your Highness, I’ve been preoccupied collecting levies recently and have yet to inquire—why was the academy’s entry ceremony delayed this year?”
The prince offered a faint smile. “I just learned myself. It seems a prodigious youth, a pinnacle cultivator of the Lower Three Stages and not yet twenty, was discovered in the distant Feng Prefecture and brought to Shengjing.”
“Ah, is that so? Your Highness might acquire yet another formidable ally, then?”
Disciples of the Heavenly Script Academy, if unable to ascend to the Upper Five Stages, were ineligible to receive public offerings. Yet, nobles and officials alike often competed to sponsor them, understanding that any who reached such heights were already beyond the ordinary. Prince Chong, deeply versed in this dynamic, annually lavished vast fortunes upon the academy’s disciples, securing their loyalty. This time, however, he shook his head.
“This one, I will leave to others.”
“Oh? Now this is unusual. In the past, every youthful prodigy of the Lower Three Stages you encountered was swiftly claimed by Your Highness.”
“This one is unlike the others. Not a scion of immortals or a noble family—merely a wandering rogue cultivator from the countryside.”
Wei Li blinked in surprise. “A rogue cultivator?”
Standing with hands clasped behind his back, the prince’s voice grew contemplative. “I sponsor thousands of outer court disciples each year, at a staggering cost. Yet few rise to greatness, for every step beyond the Lower Three Stages demands an unending supply of celestial herbs and spirit pills. Even my resources cannot sustain it.”
“So, Your Highness no longer sees value in them?”
“Not quite. There are two other scholars this year who I am determined to claim.”
A wry smile tugged at the prince’s lips. “Chu He, younger brother of the Sect Master’s direct disciple, Chu Xian—their family’s talents are nothing short of extraordinary. The other? A scion of the Lu Clan of Yunzhou, wielders of countless spiritual ore mines.”
Wei Li’s eyes narrowed. “Your Highness’s ambitions run deep indeed.”
“Such irreverent remarks are unnecessary,” the prince chided lightly. “Come, it’s time to witness the ceremony.”
With that, he strode toward the academy, Wei Li following closely behind. Meanwhile, the Headmaster of the Heavenly Script Academy, accompanied by the five masters of its great halls, arrived at the White Jade Terrace of Ascension by the shores of Azure Lake. Soon, noble families and prominent clans gathered as well, their carriages lined up in splendor.
At the center of the White Jade Terrace stood the youthful prodigies of the Nine Provinces, clad in white celestial robes. They exchanged whispers and curious glances, scanning their surroundings. They had arrived at the academy three days ago, yet the entry ceremony had been repeatedly delayed. Rumors abounded: the academy had unearthed a youth from remote Feng Prefecture, a pinnacle master of the Lower Three Stages, and—most shockingly—a mere rogue cultivator.
To this day, they had yet to meet each other.
Among the crowd, the two most striking figures stood at the very front: a man and a woman.
The man wore a tall ceremonial crown and had a long sword strapped to his waist. Even from a glance, the embedded spiritual stones on the sword revealed its extraordinary value. This was Chu He, the second son of the Chu Clan. His elder brother, Chu Xian, was a direct disciple of the Headmaster of the Mystic Origin Immortal Palace. The entire Chu family was renowned for their frightening cultivation talents.
Because of this, the day Chu He began his cultivation journey, countless Immortal Sects had their eyes set on him, hoping to recruit him into their ranks. Though the Mystic Origin Immortal Palace had the best chance, considering his brother’s ties to the sect, Chu He chose otherwise. Not wanting to live in his brother’s shadow, he surprised everyone by joining the Heavenly Script Academy.
The woman beside him was tall and elegant, her makeup meticulously applied. Despite her immortal robe, which concealed her figure, her slender waist and long legs were impossible to miss. What caught the eye most was the phoenix hairpin adorning her head, crafted from a spiritual core deep within the spiritual veins. This was Lu Qingqiu, a member of the Lu family from Yunzhou. The Lu Clan, with its thousand-year heritage, had built their fortune on mining spiritual veins, amassing wealth beyond imagination. Her father had once been a disciple of the Heavenly Script Academy, so her admission was a continuation of that legacy.
Both were yet to reach their twenties and had already perfected their cultivation in the Lower Three Stages. However, the Heavenly Script Academy only allowed one disciple to advance to the Inner Court each year. This made them direct competitors of Ji You, naturally driving their curiosity to see him in person.
Soon, as all the disciples gathered at the White Jade Terrace of Ascension, Ji You and Fang Ruoyao arrived late with Pei Ruyi. They had set out from Yuyang County, traveled to Everpeace Crossing, and only arrived at Mount Ni during the morning hours. Kuang Cheng, their companion, had left earlier to prepare for exams in the capital. Their delay by two days meant no rest even after their arduous journey.
“Ji You, step forward and stand beside those two,” Pei Ruyi instructed. “Ruoyao, follow me to the rear.”
At her words, murmurs erupted among the crowd, and all eyes turned toward Ji You. Even Prince Chong, Wei Xiang, the noble families of the capital, and the five Hall Masters of the Heavenly Script Academy glanced in his direction.
“Such an unusual aura… truly, he’s perfected the Lower Three Stages.”
“A secret cultivator, reaching this level?”
“It’s true, some extraordinary talents emerge among the common folk, but few would dare train as a rogue cultivator to this extent…”
“Chu He swore upon entering the Academy that he’d break into the Inner Court within a year. Now, it seems he’s gained another rival.”
“Not much of a rival. Advancing to the Fifth Stage requires spirit medicines and celestial herbs. Chu He can afford them, but him? Hardly.”
The Heavenly Script Academy’s entrance ceremony began with the eight Outer Court instructors distributing name plaques, followed by lectures on doctrine and rules from the five Hall Masters. Though it lasted two hours, the attendees were not bored, for this was one of the rare chances to glimpse the Inner Court Hall Masters.
After the ceremony concluded and the Hall Masters departed, it was time for the court officials and noble families to act. Prince Chong had already prepared invitations, presenting them to Chu He, Lu Qingqiu, and five other outstanding disciples, inviting them to his manor for a discussion.
However, Ji You, Fang Ruoyao, and others who had secured their places through alternative means were left standing alone on the White Jade Terrace, their presence contrasting starkly with the grandeur of the occasion. This was the iron hierarchy of Great Xia: even someone as brilliant as Ji You, with unmatched talent, was not their first choice. It was the discomfort of trying to break through the rigid social strata.
“Could this be the most embarrassing Lower Three Stages perfection in the Academy’s history?”
“Chu He’s already collected eight invitations…”
“Miss Lu received seven…”
Where there is comparison, there is injury. Those not from esteemed families, save Ji You, quietly found relief in their lack of such glaring attention.
At that moment, the sound of galloping hooves echoed outside the Academy gates, drawing everyone’s gaze. A soldier clad in armor dismounted, entering the courtyard to search the crowd. Realizing that everyone present wore the same immortal robes, he had no choice but to raise a letter high.
“May I ask, who here is Young Master Ji?” he called out. “My lord, the Divine General of the Northern Garrison, has returned victorious and invites you to a banquet at his residence.”