Chapter 161: I Truly Cannot Sense the Heavenly Tome
The annual Heavenly Script Academy enrollment day was always a grand occasion. From the mountainside, one could gaze down and witness countless white-clad figures filling the academy grounds.
Some of the junior sisters, nurtured with ample sustenance since childhood, skipped about with an infectious liveliness. Others had long, slender legs, delicate white faces, and some even adorned their foreheads with golden celestial sigils, exuding a breathtaking elegance.
Standing at the mountainside, Ji You observed them with a solemn demeanor, his Dao Heart Clarity unshaken.
[Looking is harmless. After all, aren’t such radiant figures meant to be admired?]
This batch of students were newcomers, unfamiliar with his face. No rumors would spread about Ji You standing on the mountainside lecherously ogling the junior sisters—nor would some overzealous wandering cultivator inscribe such gossip into their records, letting it travel to certain ears.
However, his expression subtly stiffened as he scanned the crowd.
On the White Jade Terrace of Ascension, a white-robed man strode forward with an air of effortless grace. Seven swords were strapped to his back, fanning out like the tail of a peacock. With a nonchalant expression, he strolled around the outer courtyard, approaching any junior sister with a well-proportioned figure.
“Junior Sister, you’ve just entered the academy. Have you found your maiden quarters yet? Do you need help from your senior brother?”
“Ah! You… you have seven swords? You must be…”
“Shh! No need to say more, Junior Sister. As I wandered the outer court today, I was struck at once by your remarkable affinity with my gaze.”
“??”
“Bai Ru Long?! You xxx!?”
Seeing the junior sister’s wide-eyed expression, Bai Ru Long suddenly felt a chill crawl up his spine—not to his head, but straight to his chest.
Not his heart, but his money pouch.
The lively commotion continued until dusk, when the night slowly crept in.
At the Field of Enlightenment, many students were already seated in meditation, attempting to sense the Heavenly Tome. A sudden scream erupted from the distant forest.
However, the most raucous scene unfolded along the Divine Path leading to the White Jade Terrace. As the sun set, a grand procession of jeweled and silk-adorned sedans began arriving.
Meanwhile, the Grand Cauldron Tower in Capital City bustled with activity. Amidst the clinking of cups and the graceful twirls of dancers, lantern light illuminated the bustling streets.
On the second floor of the tower, the noble elite had gathered—Titled Princess Chang Le, Lu Qing Qiu of Yunzhou, and other aristocrats from the imperial city.
The upper floor had been cleared as early as late afternoon. The square tables were replaced with a long banquet table, laden with rare delicacies from land and sea. The spirit wine, brewed from celestial herbs and immortal saplings, remained unopened, yet its fragrance already pervaded the air.
The invited students of the Heavenly Script Academy arrived one after another, exchanging respectful bows and pleasantries, their faces beaming.
“I heard that in past years, the students were invited directly to Prince Chong’s Mansion for such feasts?”
“This year is different. It is said that the banquet is co-hosted by Miss Lu of Yunzhou and Titled Princess Chang Le.”
“Does the Lu Clan of Yunzhou have deep ties with Prince Chong’s Mansion?”
“Not really, just some business dealings. Initially, the Titled Princess seemed reluctant to collaborate with Lu Qing Qiu, but for some reason, she later agreed…”
“How peculiar.”
The Lu Clan of Yunzhou was far from the Capital City, separated by a thousand miles. Their relationship with Prince Chong’s Mansion was mostly transactional, involving spiritual stones, without deeper family ties.
If the purpose of the banquet was merely to forge connections with Heavenly Script Academy students, then it was odd that the two hosts were not aligned in faction.
Was this an olive branch extended by the Lu Clan? Or a gesture of goodwill owed to Prince Chong’s Mansion?
As murmurs spread among the attendees, their curiosity deepened—until Fang Jin Cheng and Pu Yang Xing ascended the stairs in pristine white robes.
At that moment, all speculation ceased.
Regardless of whether they owed favors to the Lu Clan or Prince Chong’s Mansion, it was not their concern.
After all, the true protagonists of this banquet were Fang Jin Cheng and Pu Yang Xing. Both were top contenders for the inner court selections.
The Pu Yang Clan, like the Lu Clan, hailed from Yunzhou. The Lu Clan, in recent years, had built numerous alliances for the sake of business. Hosting this banquet was undoubtedly a move to secure the favor of Pu Yang Xing and his family.
As for Fang Jin Cheng, he was an even greater prize.
Having already gathered three streams of spiritual light, his progress far outstripped both Pu Yang Ye and Lu Han Yan. He was the strongest candidate for entrance into the inner court.
To both Prince Chong’s Mansion and the Lu Clan, he was a prime target for recruitment.
Of course, Lu Han Yan was also considered, but as a daughter of the Lu Clan, she was already bound to her family’s faction and did not need further persuasion.
“Miss Lu, please take the seat of honor.”
“Titled Princess, you are too courteous. Please, you take the main seat. I shall sit beside you.”
After a round of polite exchanges, the Titled Princess assumed the host’s seat, while Lu Qing Qiu sat to her left.
They had met once before at the behest of their families, regarding Great Xia’s new policies and the influx of spiritual stones from the demon clans into the Nine Provinces. Yet, despite their prior meeting, an odd sense of avoidance lingered between them.
At the central part of the long table, Pu Yang Xing and Fang Jin Cheng were seated, while Lu Han Yan sat beside her elder sister.
Further down the table sat Xiang Fu, Liu Jian An, and Cong Yi, all students from Feng Prefecture.
In the world of Azure Clouds, hierarchy was always strictly observed.
Commoners bowed to officials. Officials bowed to immortals.
Despite hailing from noble bureaucratic families and having been raised in luxury, the three individuals still appeared somewhat reserved in this grand gathering of esteemed scions.
Their cultivation was not considered top-tier, nor did they possess significant backgrounds. Yet, they had been placed in seats adjacent to Pu Yang Xing and Fang Jin Cheng. Only after them came the Essence Refinement Stage disciples from various prefectures.
Among them was Dou Yuan Kong, son of Minister Dou. Upon taking his seat, he turned toward the three most discussed students at the table and asked, “Young Master Pu Yang, Young Master Fang, and Miss Lu, after entering the academy, have you attempted to sense the Heavenly Tome?”
“I have tried.”
“And what were the results?”
Fang Jin Cheng glanced at Pu Yang Ye and Lu Han Yan, the corners of his lips lifting slightly. “It seems I have gained some insights. It appears I share a destined affinity with the Heavenly Tome.”
Dou Yuan Kong opened his mouth slightly in surprise. “Gaining insights on the very first day?”
“It is still somewhat unclear, difficult to grasp,” Fang Jin Cheng replied nonchalantly. “But as you said, this is only the first day. There is no need to rush.”
He had entered the academy a year later than usual, having already gathered three streams of spiritual light. His ability to comprehend far surpassed that of Pu Yang Ye and Lu Han Yan.
Within the Outer Court of the Heavenly Script Academy, there was an old saying: those who could perceive the Heavenly Tome had already placed one foot into the Inner Court. Although there was no explicit rule stating that one must sense the Heavenly Tome to enter the Inner Court, history had proven otherwise for centuries—there were no exceptions.
“Young Master Fang, you seem quite confident about entering the Inner Court this year?”
“With my current cultivation, no one can stop me.”
At this, Pu Yang Ye could not hold back. “I must admit, I am eager to test myself against you, Fang.”
Fang Jin Cheng picked up his wine cup, his gaze sharp. “You should have delayed your enrollment. Then, you could have been my junior. If you manage to enter the Inner Court, I could even recommend you to become a direct disciple of a Hall Elder at the Hall of Longevity.”
The words, though spoken with a genteel tone, carried an undeniable air of dominance.
Delaying enrollment would mean avoiding his direct competition, and his last remark subtly revealed the influence the Fang Clan held in the Heavenly Script Academy. Many at the table were aware that Elder Fang, Fang Jin Cheng’s great-grandfather, was a Hall Elder at the Hall of Longevity. Moreover, his two older cousins were also members of the same hall. Their foundations were deep-rooted indeed.
The gathering erupted into murmurs, with many stealing glances toward Titled Princess Chang Le, Zhao Yun Yue, and Miss Lu of Yunzhou, Lu Qing Qiu.
Surely, they would now extend some form of goodwill?
Surprisingly, the two women seemed absentminded, their gazes trailing toward the staircase.
Following their gaze, others began to look as well.
Just then, a set of footsteps echoed from the stairs.
A young man clad in white ascended—Ji You.
The room fell into silence. Zhao Yun Yue and Lu Qing Qiu, seated at the head, gazed at him for a long moment without speaking.
Ji You cupped his fists and offered a polite bow. “Apologies. I was delayed by personal matters and arrived late.”
His eyes swept the hall before he settled into a seat on the right, near the disciples from Feng Prefecture.
Earlier, he had accompanied Bai Ru Long to the Silver Bank in the western part of the city to retrieve his monthly stipend, which had caused his delay. Now, he picked up his chopsticks.
[Since I arrived late, should I punish myself by downing two extra dishes?]
Among those present, only a few noble youths from the capital and the new disciples from Feng Prefecture recognized his face. Most had only heard of him but had never seen him in person.
As a result, some attendees exchanged puzzled glances.
Holding her wine cup, Zhao Yun Yue pursed her lips slightly. Lu Qing Qiu did the same.
Ever since Ji You had accompanied Cao Jin Song under the pretense of recruitment, then returned to Feng Prefecture to oversee the collection of tax tributes, he had remained in the Inner Court, seldom appearing in public.
Even Lu Qing Qiu, at this moment, was seeing him for the first time.
An Inner Court disciple of the Heavenly Script Academy.
A Mystic Enlightenment Stage cultivator at twenty-one.
A man who had slain a Dao Fusion Stage expert with his sword.
The sole head of a local noble family upon his return to Feng Prefecture…
As the two women watched Ji You pick up his chopsticks, their expressions wavered slightly.
Meanwhile, Xiang Fu, too, was staring at Ji You. She then cast a glance toward Zhao Yun Yue and Lu Qing Qiu, holding her breath.
On the day of recruitment, she had overheard Inspector Liu mention that after the Autumn Duel, many women sought to be with Ji You, including the very hosts of tonight’s banquet. Yet, none had received a response.
At this moment, Lu Qing Qiu leaned toward her younger sister’s ear. “That is our senior. Go offer him a toast.”
“??”
Lu Han Yan opened her mouth slightly, lifted her gaze toward Ji You, and, though she did not fully understand the reason, obeyed her sister’s command. Rising to her feet, she raised her cup and said, “I am Lu Han Yan of Yunzhou, a new disciple this year, and the younger sister of Lu Qing Qiu. I offer my respects, Senior Brother.”
Ji You lifted his wine cup and took a sip. [Even her little sister is this grown now.]
At this moment, Zhao Yun Yue also lifted her cup, her gaze cold as she locked eyes with him.
“To think that the honored guest whom countless invitations could not reach would appear here by chance today. What a rare honor. I offer this toast to you, Young Master Ji You. I wonder, will you grant me the pleasure?”
A Titled Princess of the Imperial Family, her temperament was vastly different from that of Lu Qing Qiu, who hailed from a spiritual stone-rich noble clan.
It was much like how she had only enclosed a mere hairpin in her letters to Ji You, whereas Lu Qing Qiu had dared to send him an undergarment she had worn. At her core, she was still more reserved.
Thus, when rumors spread throughout the capital that Ji You had not responded to her, resentment took root in her heart. And it was precisely because of this that, upon hearing Lu Qing Qiu had invited Ji You to a banquet, she insisted on coming along—to see him for herself.
Ji You lifted his gaze to her, detecting the veiled sarcasm in her tone.
That sarcasm likely stemmed from the past, when she had sought to establish a marital bond with him, only for him never to reply.
[A beauty that brings calamity…]
Ji You mercilessly ridiculed himself within his thoughts. But as soon as the thought formed, his brows knitted slightly—perhaps those words were too harsh. After all, he had only met the Titled Princess Chang Le a handful of times. It was illogical to assume she was merely attracting trouble because of her beauty. If anything, it had more to do with the fact that he had entered the Inner Court, founded a Noble Clan, forged a body of steel, and carried with him the rumored Innate Stallion Holy Body that the Outer Court often whispered about.
In Azure Clouds Dominion, marriages were forever bound to interests and power.
[Innate Stallion Holy Body… what a joke.]
But since this banquet was, after all, a generous invitation, it would be improper to rebuff their goodwill. Raising his cup, he returned the toast.
Meanwhile, the surrounding newly admitted disciples, apart from the three from Feng Prefecture, all bore expressions of confusion.
Earlier, they had assumed Pu Yang Xing and Fang Jin Cheng were the central figures of this banquet. Yet both Titled Princess Chang Le and the Lu Clan’s Young Miss seemed distracted. Only when this man arrived did the Lu Clan’s Young Miss have her younger sister offer him a toast, followed by Titled Princess Chang Le toasting him personally—as if stars orbiting the moon. It was enough to leave the crowd astonished.
Only now did everyone suddenly realize that while Fang Jin Cheng and Pu Yang Xing appeared to be the guests of honor, the true focus of this gathering was this man.
So whether it was the joint hosting of this feast, or the absent-mindedness of Lu Qing Qiu and Titled Princess Chang Le, it was all because they had been waiting for him.
“This must be a Senior Brother from the Inner Court of the Heavenly Script Academy…”
“No wonder. So he is an Inner Court Senior Brother.”
Whispers spread among the new disciples, as a sense of sudden understanding dawned upon them.
Given the standing of the Lu Clan of Yunzhou and the Titled Princess Chang Le, for them to repeatedly raise their cups in such a deferential manner, this man was undoubtedly a Senior Brother of the Inner Court.
Seated nearby, Fang Jin Cheng listened to the murmurs, his brow furrowing ever so slightly.
For a disciple of the Inner Court to appear at a banquet of noble scions was not unheard of. He had met several upon arriving in Shengjing just the day before, introduced by his family. But if this was his banquet, why should someone else steal the spotlight?
Beyond that, he found Lu Qing Qiu and Titled Princess Chang Le’s behavior peculiar. If this Inner Court Senior Brother was already close to them, why would they act as if they were trying to curry favor with him at a banquet? It was unbecoming to neglect the supposed guests of honor.
In stark contrast, Pu Yang Xing was of a different mind. Having taken note of the Lu Clan’s Young Miss and the Titled Princess Chang Le’s attitude, he immediately determined that this man was indeed a Senior Brother of the Inner Court. His first instinct was not to feel slighted but rather to seize the opportunity to form a connection.
“Pu Yang Xing of Yun Prefecture, newly admitted, at the peak of the Lower Three Stages. I pay my respects to Senior Brother. May I ask your esteemed name?”
Ji You turned toward him, raising his cup in mid-air, his voice calm. “Ji You, from Feng Prefecture.”
“…??”
Pu Yang Xing stiffened at the response. His pupils shrank sharply as a wave of shock rippled through his heart.
Fang Jin Cheng, too, couldn’t help but widen his eyes, sitting upright in his seat. The other students around the table all turned their gaze toward him, their expressions filled with disbelief.
Being a Disciple of the Inner Court of the Heavenly Script Academy was already an honor that commanded respect.
After all, merely attaching the title Inner Court Disciple of the Heavenly Script Academy to any name was enough to elevate its status.
No matter which Immortal Sect one belonged to, entering the Inner Court meant one was a chosen talent among talents.
Yet there were some names that needed no prefix—no title, no embellishment—only the name itself was enough to leave people speechless.
Ji You was one of those names.
A Wandering Rogue Cultivator from the countryside who had forced his way into the academy. The one who shattered the arm of the Chu Clan’s Second Son. The man who slew eighteen Mystic Enlightenment experts in a single night atop Night City Mountain, crossed realms to slay a Dao Fusion cultivator with his sword, and founded Feng Prefecture’s First Noble Clan.
A name that needed no titles.
Yet, this was far from what they had expected.
For a person of such a legend, surely he should be a fearsome warrior with a visage like a demon, quick to unsheathe his sword at the slightest provocation. At the very least, he should be a cold and ruthless figure, steeped in blood.
And yet, before them sat a man as refined as a scholar, appearing harmless to man or beast.
Lu Han Yan remained dazed for a long moment before turning toward Lu Qing Qiu. “Elder Sister…??”
Lu Qing Qiu regarded her and asked, “The genius you spoke of earlier—how does he compare to him?”
Lu Han Yan finally understood why they had offered him toasts earlier. Immediately, she stood up and raised her cup once more. “Senior Brother, please guide me—how do I sense the Heavenly Tome?”
As her words fell, every new disciple present held their breath, their eyes widening in anticipation—even Fang Jin Cheng and Pu Yang Ye were no exceptions.
Indeed.
The Heavenly Tome—this was the true goal.
Reputation and prestige may sound as grand as rolling thunder, but in truth, they bore little relevance to them.
The only thing that did matter—was that he was the sole person last year to have sensed the Heavenly Tome!
Ji You gently lifted his gaze, glancing at Lu Han Yan and Lu Qing Qiu. He mused inwardly, [As expected, aside from Brother Bai Ru Long, nothing in this world comes without a price.]
Setting his chopsticks down lightly, he spoke, “To sense the Heavenly Tome, one must seek ever higher.”
“Senior Brother, how does one seek higher, and what exactly is that faint glimmer to be found?”
Lu Han Yan’s bright eyes flickered with curiosity.
All those present were scions of esteemed clans. They were already aware of the phrase ‘seek higher to glimpse a faint glimmer’. However, since time immemorial, though many had said it, no one had ever offered concrete details. By asking, the Second Miss of the Lu Clan aimed to uncover those very details.
Ji You remained silent momentarily, contemplating deeply before he finally said, “I only know one must strive to ascend higher, but beyond that… I do not know.”
“??”
As his words fell, everyone was visibly taken aback.
Before Lu Han Yan could respond, Fang Jin Cheng had already furrowed his brows. “How could Senior Brother Ji not know?”
“I truly do not know.”
“This…”
The gathered disciples exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions shifting several times in mere moments.
Someone who had sensed the Heavenly Tome was now claiming he did not know how? Who would believe such a thing?
Pondering the matter, they could only assume he was withholding the knowledge out of selfishness.
Fang Jin Cheng, on the other hand, let out a derisive chuckle, his interest waning. [If he doesn’t want to say it, just say so. Why act so cryptic?]
His great-grandfather was an elder at the Heavenly Script Academy, and he knew some details about sensing the Heavenly Tome. Ji You’s guidance was hardly indispensable.
At this point, it was best to just focus on the meal.
Interest among the crowd dwindled, and conversation lessened.
“The roast goose is quite tasty…”
“The wine isn’t bad either.”
“The fried spirit beans are cooked to perfection—pairing them with this cask of spirit wine is simply ideal…”
Lu Qing Qiu had been quietly observing Ji You for some time now, her gaze peculiar.
Given her understanding of him, she did not believe he was the type to hoard knowledge out of selfishness.
Moreover, he had already entered the Inner Court, where he had no competition with Outer Court disciples. Even if he did pass on the knowledge, it would do him no harm.
[Does he want compensation?]
By the third quarter of Hai hour, the grand wine cask lay empty. Outside Hong Ding Tower, the sky suddenly rumbled with thunder.
A scholar seated by the window pushed it open, watching as raindrops drifted down from the heavens, soft and scattered.
Recently, Azure Cloud Dominion had seen frequent rains—bright sunlight during the day, only for clouds to shroud the night sky.
Seeing that the feast was drawing to a close, everyone rose from their seats and made their way out of the tavern.
Ji You also stood, preparing to descend the stairs, but before he could take a step, Lu Han Yan called from behind.
“Senior Brother, wait.”
Ji You turned back to face her. “What is it, Junior Sister?”
Lu Han Yan pursed her lips slightly, stepping forward with a respectful clasped-fist salute. “Senior Brother, you have already entered the Inner Court and need not compete for a spot. Thus, regarding the matter of sensing the Heavenly Tome, I hope you can impart your knowledge.”
She knew Fang Jin Cheng was progressing in Mystic Enlightenment far quicker than herself, and with his elders still holding positions within the Heavenly Script Academy, she naturally felt a sense of urgency.
Hearing this, Princess Chang Le, Dou Yuan Kong, and several other noble youths of the capital halted their steps, turning their heads.
They, too, had believed Ji You simply refused to speak, but they hadn’t expected this Second Miss of the Lu Clan to be so straightforward—not only bringing up the matter again but even calling him out on it.
Zhao Yun Yue, who already bore resentment toward Ji You, curled her lips into a smirk, eager to see how he would respond.
Lu Qing Qiu shot a sharp look at her younger sister, her expression filled with disapproval. “Han Yan, do you realize how rude your words are?”
“But, Sister—”
Lu Qing Qiu interrupted her. “Even if Ji You knows, why must he teach you? You are neither his wife nor his sworn sister. Why should he instruct you just because you ask?”
Zhao Yun Yue turned in shock, staring at the eldest daughter of the Lu Clan in disbelief. [Did she just imply he was hoarding knowledge?]
Lu Han Yan’s eyes lit up as realization dawned upon her. “If Senior Brother Ji is willing to teach, I will offer a generous reward. I will not let you down.”
Ji You glanced at Lu Qing Qiu. “Your sister knows how much I love silver, yet I haven’t even asked for it this time. That alone should tell you—I genuinely don’t know.”
Lu Han Yan furrowed her brows, still unconvinced. “But Senior Brother, you clearly sensed the Heavenly Tome! How could you not know?”
Dou Yuan Kong, who had long disliked Ji You but dared not provoke him, seized the moment to chime in. “Ji You, keeping such knowledge to yourself is rather distasteful. You are all fellow disciples—why wouldn’t you share it?”
Ji You turned to him, the corners of his lips lifting. “Are you tired of living?”
Dou Yuan Kong narrowed his eyes. “Not quite.”
“Even if I told you, it would be meaningless to you. My method does not apply to others. You’d be better off seeking guidance from another Inner Court disciple.”
“And why is that?”
“Because that night, it wasn’t me who sensed the Heavenly Tome—it was the Heavenly Tome that came to sense me.”
As his words settled, Lu Qing Qiu stood frozen, and Lu Han Yan’s lips parted slightly in astonishment.
Meanwhile, Zhao Yun Yue, who had been anticipating his failure to answer, found herself caught off guard. A flicker of shock and confusion flashed through her eyes.
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
Oh is he exposing the truth?