Chapter 145: Is the Sect Master in Good Health?
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
Ji You had spent the past few days quietly residing in his Elegant Garden by Azure Lake.
The Autumn Duel of the Inner Court had concluded—with his victory.
It had been perilous, yet he had emerged unscathed.
Despite the clamor outside, he was not particularly excited. His mind was fixated on another matter. Thus, on the second day after the duel, he accompanied Cao Jin Song to the Teaching Hall to claim their wager.
Ma Zhi Yuan—one hundred spiritual stones.Ding Ang—one hundred spiritual stones.
These were the losses incurred when both had wagered against Cao Jin Song. Back when they were sensing the Heavenly Tome, Cao Jin Song had promised Ji You half of his winnings. Now, Ji You was merely claiming his rightful share—Ma Zhi Yuan’s portion.
Ji You gently rolled a spiritual stone between his fingers, his expression indifferent. Across from him, Cao Jin Song, whose broad chest rose and fell, sat in silence.
The two meticulously assessed the size, shape, and quality of each stone, striving for an even division.
“Forget about the Demon Clan Stones from the Snow Realm, there’s not even a single Yun Prefecture Stone in here. All of these are just cheap Central Prefecture Stones…”
“Instructor Cao, this one here is of poor quality; it can’t possibly count as a full piece.”
Ji You muttered, casting aside a lower-quality spiritual stone and, without hesitation, picking a better one from Cao Jin Song’s pile.
Cao Jin Song was left speechless for a long moment before finally gritting his teeth. “You’re about to enter the Inner Court, yet you’re still as petty as when you first arrived from Yuyang County. Have you no ambition?”
“Come live in Yuyang County with me. Eat throat-scratching wild vegetables and coarse cornbread for three years. Then you’ll understand.”
The environment could shape a person, especially one of prolonged hardship.
In simple terms—poverty had left a lasting mark on him.
Ji You lifted another spiritual stone, scrutinizing it under the sunlight, admiring its luster and the spiritual energy it contained. Yet, his expression suddenly darkened, and a flicker of regret flashed in his gaze.
Cao Jin Song, noticing this shift, furrowed his brows slightly.
Since the conclusion of the Autumn Duel, he had sensed that Ji You had been somewhat off. Especially that morning, when it seemed as if Ji You had not slept the entire night.
“What’s wrong with you? You won the Autumn Duel, so why do you seem so uneasy?”
Ji You set the spiritual stone down. “During the duel, there was a moment when I regretted something.”
Cao Jin Song paused. “Regretted what?”
“I should have spoken to Chu He beforehand and told him that for ten thousand gold taels, I would discard one of my swords. Then he could have experienced the sheer joy of a pay-to-win player.”
“…?”
Cao Jin Song’s lips twitched violently. “His family took him back, spent two months training him, imparting techniques, and refining his foundation… and yet, they never realized they could’ve just paid for your defeat?”
Ji You’s fingers momentarily paused. His expression turned contemplative.
“That look—don’t tell me you’d actually accept the money to throw the match?”
“Uh, probably not… But I can’t say for certain. Even if I refused outright, I would struggle with the temptation internally. A poor man’s resolve is weak against such trials.”
“And yet you claim he could have spent ten thousand taels to make you discard a sword?”
“I only needed five swords to win. I let two go to waste—that’s twenty thousand taels gone for nothing.”
Having said this, Ji You picked another spiritual stone from Cao Jin Song’s pile. “This one will make up for my twenty-thousand-tael loss.”
Cao Jin Song clenched his teeth so hard they nearly shattered.
Some people—some people were truly not worth worrying about.
Nearby, Pei Ru Yi and others sat at a tea table, watching Ji You and Cao Jin Song meticulously sort spiritual stones, exchanging bewildered glances.
They had heard about Chu He’s crippled hands long before Lu Qing Qiu did.
On the day of the duel, after Ji You stepped off the stage, they had chased after him.
“Chu He’s hands were likely shattered by me.”
“In the final move—Little Overlapping Mountain—I infused my strike with the New Willow Color Sword Intent, slicing through his Huntian Spell, and the force collapsed entirely upon him.”
“You all said it yourselves. The Chu Clan is deeply rooted, and they might have had contingency plans. I was never going to give him a second chance at a rematch.”
That was what he had said that day, leaving everyone dumbfounded.
Soon after, the rumors circulating from all directions confirmed the truth—Chu He’s hands were indeed crippled.
Recalling the sword-wielding demon they had witnessed that day, then comparing it to the miser now squabbling over spiritual stones—the contrast was too stark.
Wen Zheng Xin picked up a spiritual stone and asked, “Junior Brother, if Chu He had survived into the second round with an ace up his sleeve, would you have still won?”
“Yes.”
“Are you certain?”
Ji You pondered for a moment before nodding. “I also had some tricks I didn’t reveal.”
A complicated silence spread among the group.
Before the Autumn Duel, many had said they had never seen Ji You fight and could not gauge his strength.
So when Chu He returned to the Inner Court, brimming with momentum, few dared to predict a winner.
But in that fierce duel, when they saw Ji You’s Seven Sword Little Overlapping Mountain, they thought they had finally witnessed the peak of his swordsmanship.
Yet now, as Ji You spoke, they realized—even Chu He’s Huntian Spell, formidable as it was, had failed to push Ji You to his limits.
They had seen Little Overlapping Mountain and Return and Come during the duel. They had witnessed the cutting edge of New Willow Color Sword Intent in those final seven strikes.
And yet, there were still unknown cards in Ji You’s hand.
Just then, the courtyard door rang with a series of knocks. Pei Ru Yi, the closest, rose to answer it.
Outside stood a senior sister from the Outer Court’s third year, eyes twinkling as she handed over a bulging envelope.
“Brother Ji’s fiancées are growing in number…”
Immortal Emperor Ru Long, witnessing this scene, seethed with jealousy. “If I had known, I would’ve dedicated myself to cultivation!”
Pei Ru Yi gave the envelope a slight pinch, deducing that it likely contained an embroidered undergarment before casually passing it to Ji You—clearly accustomed to such deliveries.
Since last night, such items had arrived incessantly.
Ladies from prominent families, Outer Court disciples, noble daughters from esteemed clans—all had begun swarming toward Ji You.
Rumor even had it that Titled Princess Chang Le, Li Yun Yue, had developed an interest and sent a hairpin along with her letter.
Everyone knew that while Li Yun Yue was not a disciple of an Immortal Sect, she was the personal disciple of an Elder of Spirit Sword Mountain, giving her a standing equal to Ji You’s in the Immortal Registry.
Moreover, relations between the Great Xia Imperial Court and the Heavenly Script Academy had always been amicable.
So, whether within the Imperial Dynasty or the Heavenly Script Academy, the idea of Li Yun Yue and Ji You becoming Dao Companions was widely encouraged.
Miss Lu Qing Qiu of Yunzhou was also considered an excellent choice by many. Since Yunzhou bordered Fengzhou, such an alliance would be of great benefit to Junior Brother Ji in establishing his own esteemed family.
Moreover, Junior Brother Ji had a robust constitution, and Miss Lu was well-endowed, ensuring no concerns regarding lineage prosperity—an essential factor in securing the flourishing of a clan.
However, from their recent observations, it seemed that Junior Brother Ji was more interested in silver than in romantic pursuits.
Within moments, Ji You finished tallying the spiritual stones before storing them inside his storage gourd.
“I’ve struck gold…”
“I’m so elated! Shall we go out for a meal? Ru Long will foot the bill.”
On the tenth day of the seventh month, the rain had just ceased. The continuous downpour of the past two days had washed away the last remnants of summer’s heat in the capital, leaving the air cool and crisp.
The Office of Affairs issued an official decree, announcing Ji You’s selection into the Inner Court.
Thus, on a bright morning, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Ji You followed the mountain path, bypassing the Office of Affairs, and ventured alone into the vast Sea of Ten Thousand Acres of Forest.
Fellow cultivators of his rank, senior disciples who had spent years in the Outer Court, and even the three Sect Instructors from the Office of Affairs all gathered below the terrace, watching as his figure gradually disappeared into the boundless forest.
“So, he truly made it into the Inner Court…”
“In the Autumn Duel, his Seven Swords Return to Their Origin astounded even the five Hall Masters of the Inner Court. Perhaps this is merely his beginning, not his peak.”
“Are you suggesting he could become a Hall Master’s Direct Disciple?”
“It’s not for us to speculate on a Hall Master’s thoughts, but who can say for sure?”
Standing in the White Jade Terrace corridor, Lu Qing Qiu’s gaze shimmered with a trace of emotion.
The previous day, she had sent a letter expressing her wish to become Ji You’s Dao Companion, but she had received no response. Now, watching his departing figure, she could not help but recall his jade-like form and feel a tinge of unwillingness.
She was aware that after the Autumn Duel, many noble ladies had taken an interest in him, yet she had no idea whom he would ultimately choose.
Had she known things would come to this, she felt she should have taken action back when he had rescued her in the streets of the capital.
But at that time, considering his humble origins, she had struck his name off her list of potential husbands.
“Could Ji You have truly chosen the Titled Princess Chang Le?”
“It’s possible… or maybe the Direct Disciple of the Pill Sect?”
“The Pill Sect’s lady’s status is too lofty… That seems unlikely…”
Meanwhile, Ji You ventured deep into the Sea of Ten Thousand Acres of Forest, resisting the urge to inscribe on a tree: “This path is mine; this tree is mine; if you wish to pass, leave a toll.”
Eventually, he emerged from the forest and beheld a grand mountain cliff.
Beyond the cliff lay a sight he had glimpsed countless times amidst the clouds—majestic pavilions and towers. Now, unobscured by mist, they appeared even more imposing.
The Inner Court had its own Mountain Gate, resembling the one in the Outer Court.
Upon passing through, towering peaks unfolded before his eyes. To the left stood three summits, while two grand peaks rose to the right, each crowned with magnificent palaces—the Five Halls of the Inner Academy. At the center loomed the tallest peak, home to the academy’s sacred ground, the Heavenly Tome Hall.
Ji You stood at the convergence of these six peaks. Ahead of him stretched the Divine Path, where many Inner Court Disciples were gathered. Their eyes followed him as he emerged from the forest.
Among the Five Halls, only Auspicious and Tranquility had Direct Disciples. The remaining three—Longevity, Purity, and Detachment—had yet to take one.
Among the disciples of these halls, many aspired to compete for the coveted position of Direct Disciple. Given Ji You’s accomplishments in the Outer Court, he was undoubtedly a formidable threat to them.
As Ji You surveyed his surroundings, he spotted Wen Zheng Xin and Ban Yang Shu approaching with measured steps.
“Junior Brother Ji, welcome to the Inner Court.”
They had volunteered to serve as his guides and soon led him to a small courtyard on the western side of the Purple Bamboo Zen Forest.
This courtyard had been prepared since the start of the year, reserved for newly admitted Inner Court disciples.
Inside, a complete set of Inner Court Immortal Robes was arranged, along with tables, chairs, and all necessary furnishings. Compared to the Elegant Garden by Azure Lake, this residence was not only similar but even more spacious.
After touring the premises, Wen Zheng Xin and Ban Yang Shu seated themselves at the stone table in the courtyard.
“We spoke before about the Inner Court—the main decision you need to make now is which hall you wish to join.”
Ji You, still admiring the courtyard’s flora, turned at the sound of their voices. “Are there major differences between the five halls?”
“Each hall specializes in different arts. Tranquility Hall focuses on Divination of Heavenly Secrets, while Longevity Hall emphasizes Martial Strength… However, most cultivators do not dwell too much on these distinctions.”
“Then what do they consider?”
“They consider the alliances among noble families. Most noble clans from Yunzhou are in Tranquility Hall, while others favor Auspicious Hall. A few prestigious families from You Prefecture also hold influence. The majority of Inner Court disciples align themselves accordingly.”
Ji You gradually grasped their meaning—the factions within the Inner Court were far more entrenched than those in the Outer Court.
For someone like him, a Wandering Rogue Cultivator without a noble lineage, his admission into the Outer Court had already been unprecedented; his entry into the Inner Court was nothing short of shocking.
Thus, he needed to consider his choice carefully.
Just as Wen Zheng Xin and Ban Yang Shu had subtly advised against choosing Tranquility Hall or Auspicious Hall, the reason was clear—it concerned the Direct Disciple position.
While most viewed Ji You as a competitor, Wen Zheng Xin and Ban Yang Shu saw his potential. Given his talent, he was bound to secure a Direct Disciple position.
If he selected a hall that already had a Direct Disciple, it would be a wasted opportunity.
As they conversed, three figures in black Daoist robes descended like drifting clouds.
They were instructors from the Longevity Hall, Auspicious Hall, and Purity Hall, each vying to accept Ji You as their Direct Disciple.
Wen Zheng Xin and Ban Yang Shu were left gaping in astonishment.
They, too, had once ascended from the Outer Court to the Inner Court, yet they had never seen anyone receive such treatment.
However, Ji You did not immediately decide, merely stating that he had just entered the Inner Court and needed time to consider.
The three elders thus departed, leaving only the three of them in the courtyard.
Ji You pondered briefly before asking, “If I become a Direct Disciple of an elder, can I still become a Direct Disciple of the Sect Master?”
“…?
Wen Zheng Xin and Ban Yang Shu had been about to answer when they suddenly froze, exchanging puzzled glances.
At first, they thought Ji You was referring to a Hall Master’s Direct Disciple, but upon reflection, he had clearly asked about the Sect Master’s personal disciple—a distinction as vast as heaven and earth.
Had Junior Brother Ji spoken out of excitement and simply misspoken?
But before they could respond, Ji You’s voice rang out again.
“Where does the Sect Master of the Heavenly Script Academy reside?”
“Uh… The Sect Master resides atop the highest peak—the Heavenly Tome Hall.”
Ji You gazed toward the distant mist-shrouded peak. “Is he in good health?”
“…??”