Chapter 162: The Lone Brave Man
Under the relentless drizzle, the cold of the night deepened.
Most taverns in the Capital City had already closed for the night. Countless scholars, either holding umbrellas or using Spiritual Qi External Defense, stepped into the curtain of rain.
As the rain grew heavier, it swept away the withered leaves upon the mountains, creating a continuous rustling sound throughout the night. Not until dawn did the downpour finally subside.
Thus, at the break of day, an empty mountain lay before the eyes, its landscape painted in the bleak serenity of a fresh post-rain dawn.
Returning to the inner courtyard from Hongding Tower, Ji You did not sleep, for sleep was unnecessary for a cultivator.
Seated cross-legged in his chamber, he was attempting his fifteenth Minor Illumination, the surging Spiritual Qi howling under the cover of night.
This was his daily practice, though success was never guaranteed.
For instance, his fourteenth Minor Illumination had begun before the Autumn Duel and had lasted intermittently until the eve of the Battle of Night City Mountain, spanning over half a month.
This fifteenth attempt had only just begun, and he could already sense that it would take even longer…
At three-quarters past the hour of the Tiger, Ji You opened his eyes, his meridians still coursing with turbulent Spiritual Qi, his entire being exuding intense vigor.
“Even a cultivator at the Dao Fusion Stage might find it difficult to break through my defenses now.”
“This alone would have frightened that Little Mirror Master from Spirit Sword Mountain…”
Clenching his fist, Ji You felt the sheer power of his physical body. Without relying on Daoist Arts, he believed that even some of his Inner Court Senior Brothers could now be considered potential clients.
However, there was a downside.
According to common consensus in the cultivation world, the purpose of Ascension was to cast off the mortal body and forge an Immortal Physique, achieving eternal freedom.
In other words, the stronger the physical body, the harder it was to transcend.
Ji You had never been particularly driven by the idea of Ascension, assuming it wouldn’t be a concern. However, with each Minor Illumination, he had begun to feel a certain restriction.
His body had grown so resilient that it impeded his Spiritual Consciousness, making his attempts to soar in Spiritual Flight increasingly arduous.
“It seems the body truly is the cage of the spirit…”
“I’ll focus on refining my Spiritual Consciousness in the coming days.”
Muttering to himself, Ji You likened his cultivation to kneading dough for dumplings—add flour when the water is too much, and add water when the flour is too much.
What the final result would be, he had no certainty. But in terms of combat prowess, the progress was evident.
When he had debated Kuang Cheng on the Dao, he had stated that the reason the top cultivators of the world held little respect for it was that they longed for Ascension. Their yearning for the Immortal Realm severed their sense of belonging to Azure Cloud Continent.
This sentiment had trickled down, distorting the entire ethos of cultivation for millennia.
As a result, many cultivators, even in the Lower Three Stages, hesitated to temper their physical bodies, fearing they would be unable to shed their mortal shell when the time came for Ascension.
But Ji You had no such concerns. He lived for the moment.
By now, the morning sun had slowly risen, but the temperature barely increased.
The dawn’s light cast a reddish hue across the land, resembling a salted egg yolk hanging in the sky.
Stepping out of his chamber after washing up, Ji You walked towards a gray-tiled, red-walled pavilion nestled halfway up the Inner Court’s mountain, passing a frost-kissed pathway lined with vegetation.
This was the Gentle Breeze Lecture Hall, where Heavenly Script Academy Instructors came to impart their understanding of Heavenly Dao Laws.
These instructors were often Elders belonging to various Great Halls.
Today’s instructor hailed from the Hall of Purity, a man surnamed Ning, and his lecture was on Celestial Phenomena Arts, specifically Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning.
The Hall of Purity specialized in comprehending Phenomena Laws, incorporating them into one’s being to cultivate profound protection techniques.
However, all Inner Court Disciples knew that while certain Phenomena Techniques aided in realm elevation, they contributed little to actual combat prowess.
Such techniques were often deemed esoteric arts, rarely pursued in depth.
Among the four elements of Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning, Thunder Techniques were the most widely cultivated.
The sheer offensive power of Thunderforce made it highly sought after. Even Chu He’s Huntian Spell had incorporated Thunder Laws, boosting his force to the level of half a strike of Little Overlapping Mountain…
This was a direct result of the ceaseless conflict between clans and sects, where raw battle strength determined victory or defeat.
Just last year, in the streets of the Capital, Ji You, along with Ban Yang Shu and Lu Qing Qiu, had encountered a black-robed elder who wielded Thunder Techniques.
The reason? Thunder Techniques were so widespread that using them left little trace of one’s identity.
At this thought, Ji You’s brows furrowed slightly.
Following the Qiling Incident, all calamities had been attributed to Clan Zheng, yet the strange Malignant Beings appearing in the Capital, as well as the Dao Fusion Stage expert involved, remained unidentified.
“Thunder—hidden power within the Heaven and Earth’s Spiritual Qi.”
“It is mobilized through the force of Heavenly Laws, colliding into form. It builds before release, culminating in the manifestation of Thunderforce.”
“Where Yang Qi gathers within Yin, pressure arises, and under extreme pressure, movement ensues.”
“The soft pierces through, the rigid shatters.”
The Third Elder of the Hall of Purity recited these words, his beard and hair floating slightly. Raising his palm, he chanted an incantation, causing Thunder Techniques to converge—violet lightning flickered across his fingertips.
Ji You found a seat, leaned against a wooden chair, and listened attentively.
The teachings in the Gentle Breeze Lecture Hall were based on mankind’s comprehension of Heavenly Dao. Instructors served as guides, but the path of application and transformation into techniques depended entirely on the disciples’ own enlightenment.
Only by comprehending the Laws could one achieve Mystic Enlightenment, and only by manifesting techniques could one reach Dao Fusion.
The Five Great Halls of the Inner Academy each had their unique cultivation techniques, as well as secret teachings reserved exclusively for Direct Disciples.
After an hour, the lecture concluded. Ji You rose and departed.
To be honest… it had been quite dull.
Cultivation is often a test of patience. As Wen Zheng Xin once said, every disciple in the Inner Court who meditates in the deep mountains will utter the same phrase: One must endure to attain.
Yet, things were too peaceful. Ji You scratched his palm, sensing the familiar itch of his old habits resurfacing.
Yesterday, he had robbed Immortal Emperor Ru Long, and today, he was already seeking a new target.
As he walked near the Purple Bamboo Zen Forest, he spotted He Ling Xiu leading a group of people toward the area. When she saw him, she hesitated slightly.
Among those present, Ji You recognized a few: Shi Jun Hao, Fang Li Cheng, Leng Ying Ying, Chai Ze, and Xiao Han Yan—all of whom were candidates for direct discipleship under the Hall of Longevity, the Hall of Purity, and the Hall of Detachment.
Noticing him, He Ling Xiu gracefully stepped toward him.
Every time Ji You saw this senior sister, he couldn’t help but pause and admire her. She seemed to have had some recent revelation, as her aura had grown notably stronger.
“Junior Brother, I heard you returned from Feng Prefecture days ago, yet this is our first meeting.”
“Senior Sister is too kind. I have been diligently cultivating, rarely venturing outside.”
He Ling Xiu raised an eyebrow. “That’s strange, because just yesterday, a certain round-hipped junior sister claimed to have met you and praised your enthusiasm.”
The corner of Ji You’s mouth twitched. “Oh? How wonderful…”
Bai Ru Long, that damned man. Yesterday, he had been forced to bribe Ji You with silver to ensure silence, yet somehow the tale had already spread far and wide.
“No wonder Lu Qing Qiu and Zhao Yun Yue couldn’t catch your eye—you have a very particular taste.”
“Well… they’re actually quite nice too.”
Since Ji You had just enjoyed a meal from them the previous day, he felt compelled to speak in their defense. Their figures were commendable as well.
He Ling Xiu chuckled lightly, then mentioned she was going to seek Dao Enlightenment before taking her leave.
Ever since the Autumn Duel, this senior sister—who possessed a broad and generous heart—had been trying to recruit him into the Inner Court, even promising him direct disciple treatment. But now, upon meeting, she merely jested with a few teasing words and made no mention of it.
It was as if that offer had never existed. Stranger still, Ji You wasn’t even surprised.
…
“That means Ji You is not getting into the Inner Court.”
“What?”
Within the Field of Enlightenment, Fang Jin Cheng had been meditating for hours. As he took a break, he saw Ji You drifting past Azure Lake and made a casual remark that turned many heads.
Even Lu Han Yan glanced up. “He won’t enter the Immortal Halls?”
Fang Jin Cheng smirked. “I don’t need his guidance to comprehend the Heavenly Tome, but had he shared his Resonance Method with us last night, perhaps I could have arranged for him to enter the Hall of Longevity as a direct disciple. Alas, he was too ignorant to seize the opportunity.”
It was no secret that Fang Jin Cheng’s family had elders in the Hall of Longevity, but his claim that he could have arranged Ji You’s direct discipleship was nothing but empty talk.
However, at the mention of last night’s discussion about the Heavenly Tome, Lu Han Yan pursed her lips, recalling Ji You’s final words.
[“I don’t know. I can’t teach you. Because it wasn’t I who sensed the Heavenly Tome, but rather, the Heavenly Tome that sensed me.”]
She lifted her gaze toward her elder sister.
Lu Qing Qiu, who had accompanied her sister to seek Dao Enlightenment, also recalled those words.
For millennia, students of the Heavenly Script Academy had always been the ones sensing the Heavenly Tome—never had it been the other way around. She herself had never sensed it and thus had no way of understanding what it truly meant.
But what truly caught her attention was Fang Jin Cheng’s certainty that Ji You would not enter the Immortal Halls.
And she wasn’t the only one concerned.
…
“Why haven’t you entered a hall yet?”
In a pavilion near the Instructor’s Tower, Cao Jin Song frowned as he watched Ji You wander lazily from the Inner Court.
Since returning from Feng Prefecture, Cao Jin Song had been busy encouraging Xiang Fu and the other disciples. He had not seen much of Ji You until now.
Finally seeing him, he couldn’t suppress his question.
“That matter is probably not happening.”
“??”
Ji You took a sip of tea, his gaze drifting toward the mountain. “The incident at Night City Mountain made the various noble factions in the Inner Court hostile toward me. They don’t say it outright, but I can feel it.”
Cao Jin Song’s frown deepened. “Just because of that?”
“More or less. Since I’ve been back, no hall seems to welcome me. I even wandered into the Hall of Purity, only to be chased out by its disciples.”
“These noble clans are truly petty. The ones sent to Feng Prefecture were those they didn’t even value, and now suddenly they care?”
“It’s not about the people—it’s about face. Having their disciples’ heads put on display in public humiliated them. Even a few Hall Masters now think I’m too much of a troublemaker.”
Back when Ji You was in the Outer Court, he had been ostracized for blocking Chu He’s path and for his identity as a Wandering Rogue Cultivator. He had always been an outsider.
Yet, some in the Inner Court still had a favorable impression of him.
After all, in Azure Clouds Dominion, true prodigies were rare. To take one in as a disciple was an honor in itself.
During Ji You’s time at Spirit Sword Mountain, he had once cut through the Sword Forest during his Dao-seeking trial, an achievement so impressive that even the elders of the Inner Academy envied Cao Jin Song’s exploding milk.
However, after the incident at Night City Mountain, Ji You had made countless enemies within the Inner Academy.
Behind the Immortal Manors stood noble clans, and behind the noble clans were the Immortal Sects. Their relationships were intertwined, whether through blood ties or annual tributes—connections that could not easily be severed nor clearly explained.
Take Luo Ping Shan of Broken Moon Manor, for instance, or Elder Luo from Hall of Tranquility, a figure of great prestige.
According to their reasoning, killing a few was fine, but slaughtering them all and publicly displaying their severed heads was unacceptable.
Such actions, in their eyes, disrupted the rules.
And what were these rules?
No matter how turbulent things were in secret, outward appearances had to remain at least superficially amicable.
Just like how the Chen Clan of Immortals and Mountain and Sea Pavilion never truly waged war, and Heavenly Script Academy merely went to Spirit Sword Mountain for Dao-seeking.
Everyone maintained each other’s dignity, for who knew what hidden ties might exist between them?
Only Ji You, a mere wandering rogue cultivator, had no entanglements with these noble clans and Immortal Manors. Thus, he dared to kill and hang their heads high, shattering the rules.
But to Ji You, there was no choice.
Feng Prefecture needed time to recover and rest. If he did not act with absolute decisiveness, those Immortal Manors would quickly descend into chaos once more.
Cultivators stood above mortals, calling themselves Immortals, their distinction from common folk absolute.
Yet, in the end, they were just like ordinary men—afraid of death.
The consequence of his actions was clear: some came to detest Ji You for his disregard of convention.
And those without ties to Feng Prefecture’s Immortal Manors also grew wary after the Night City Mountain incident, realizing that Ji You, this wandering rogue cultivator, had never been on the same side as them.
[If he is not one of us, his heart must be different.]
To the noble heirs of the great clans, a wandering rogue cultivator was indeed a different breed altogether.
“I really have no experience in this regard…”
Cao Jin Song wished to advise Ji You, but he was powerless.
Feng Prefecture produced few students, and some years, not even one or two were admitted. He had never had a disciple enter the Inner Academy before.
Thinking further, wandering rogue cultivators entering the Inner Academy was nearly unheard of in all the land.
“So, is this how it’s going to be from now on?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I’ll go down in Heavenly Script Academy’s history as the only Inner Academy disciple never accepted by the Five Great Halls. Quite the legendary feat, isn’t it?”
Cao Jin Song’s lips twitched. “You really are optimistic…”
Ji You placed his teacup on the table, his gaze deep as he looked toward the sky. “I’ve always believed that, in this world, everything aside from life and death is a trivial matter.”
“And what about money?”
Cao Jin Song thought, [If everything aside from life and death is trivial, does that mean money is a major issue?]
Ji the Fierce Bandit’s eyes lit up. “Instructor, you already know my intentions? That means you’ve already prepared it! Shall we proceed with the formalities?”
“Get lost, you ungrateful disciple!”
“Instructor, have you considered that I need silver to grease the wheels within the Inner Academy?”
Cao Jin Song couldn’t help but laugh. “I’d sooner believe you’d use the silver to build yourself a nest than believe you’d spend even a single coin on bribes.”
Ji You withdrew his smile, muttered about how boring things were, and turned to leave.
The moment he stepped out, another visitor arrived—Liu Jian An, the son of Inspector Liu of Feng Prefecture. He had brought a fine cask of spirit wine from Capital City, intending to present it to Instructor Cao.
Since Heavenly Tome Resonance was not based on cultivation level, he was hoping to seek guidance on comprehending the Heavenly Tome.
Cao Jin Song stroked his long beard, half-closing his eyes as he gestured toward the table, signaling him to leave the wine there.
Liu Jian An immediately understood and placed the spirit wine down before producing half a roasted pigeon from his robes.
Instructor Cao then glanced in the direction Ji You had gone. See? This was true respect for one’s teacher and Dao!
There were thousands of disciples in Heavenly Script Academy, yet only Ji You dared to rob his instructor for silver!
If that brat had stayed a moment longer, he would have made him witness what a true exemplary disciple looked like.
Then, Cao Jin Song paused in thought.
No, on second thought, better not.
If Ji You had lingered even a moment more, not only would the spirit wine and roasted pigeon have disappeared, but he might have even swiped the wine cup and chopsticks…
—
In the following days, Ji You did not enter the Hall of Enlightenment. He was in no hurry, as his current priority was breaking into the Dao Fusion Stage. Yet, in contrast, rumors about him began spreading wildly.
The Outer Academy instructors, along with certain disciples who had been paying close attention to Ji You, were all discussing him.
“So, Ji You really won’t be entering any of the Immortal Halls?”
“I’ve never heard of such a thing—an Inner Academy disciple being denied entry to the Immortal Halls!”
“In the past, those who entered the Inner Academy were all noble heirs. Ji You’s case was an anomaly. In fact, before the Night City Mountain incident, I heard that several Inner Academy elders actually admired him.”
“Was it a moment of reckless valor that ended his path to immortality? I wonder if he regrets it now.”
Meanwhile, Lu Qing Qiu, who had failed to enter the Inner Academy, had instead shifted her focus to forging connections across the academy.
Characters such as Lou Si Yi, Sun Qiao Zhi, and other disciples of the Outer Court at the Essence Refinement Stage began shifting their perspectives. No longer did they devote themselves entirely to relentless cultivation; instead, they started considering the future of their respective clans.
Thus, many disciples of the Inner Court found themselves frequently invited by their Outer Court counterparts. Banquets became a common occurrence, and information was exchanged swiftly.
Meanwhile, rumors that the Five Great Immortal Manors were unwilling to accept Ji You were now confirmed.
Upon hearing this, reactions varied, yet most believed that, seeing the Inner Court’s response, Ji You would inevitably regret his choices.
Immortality is meant to serve and protect the people.
After the Primordial War, there had been individuals among the human race who harbored such noble ideals.
But in the end, they were all ensnared by the realities of the world.
Without the support of offerings, one could not cultivate in peace. Without strengthening their own clans, they would be swallowed whole and cease to exist…
And it was precisely this hesitation of Ji You in joining an Immortal Manor that caused such a stir. Rumors began to spread—Lu Han Yan and other scholars had sought guidance from Ji You on how to sense the Heavenly Tome, only for him to evade the question and claim ignorance.
Many who heard this found it incomprehensible, with some even lacing their words with mockery.
“Ji You comes from the countryside. He has always had a narrow vision, only knowing how to grasp at petty gains before him, never planning for the future.”
Thus, throughout Shengjing, in tea pavilions and taverns, where cultivators gathered, such discussions became commonplace.
“If I were Ji You, I would have agreed immediately when the Immortal Manors were willing to cede twenty percent of their offerings. Then, by forming alliances with these manors, I would strengthen my own forces and secure an unending legacy for my clan.”
“Indeed. If I were Ji You, I would have taught the method of sensing the Heavenly Tome to the Lu and Fang Clans that very night. The Lu Clan possesses an endless supply of spiritual stones, and the Fang Clan is a noble family with elders in the Inner Court. Securing a direct lineage under an Inner Court Elder would have been effortless.”
“This Ji You… his shortcomings are finally becoming evident.”
“Shortcomings? What do you mean?”
“Those from rural backgrounds always have a limited outlook. They concern themselves only with immediate gains, failing to plan for long-term prosperity. It’s a habit ingrained in them; it’s not surprising that he lacks the necessary foresight.”
“I, however, see it differently.”
“Oh? How do you perceive him, Brother Wang?”
“I believe Ji You’s rise has been too smooth, inflating his ego. Deep down, he likely thinks he doesn’t need allies—that he alone can support an entire clan within the Azure Clouds Dominion.”
“But I heard that Ji You isn’t outright refusing to teach the sensing method.”
“Then why doesn’t he?”
“He said he doesn’t know how to sense the Heavenly Tome, because it was the Heavenly Tome that sensed him.”
“Hah! Hahaha! This man truly enjoys boasting in front of his juniors.”
As autumn deepened, Ji You remained in his secluded chamber within the Inner Court, diligently cultivating.
Following the principle of ‘adding flour when there is too much water, and adding water when there is too much flour,’ he constantly pushed the limits of his spiritual consciousness while tempering his body.
Beyond this, he attended lectures at Gentle Breeze Lecture Hall on the laws of the Heavenly Dao and meditated in the Purple Bamboo Zen Forest, gazing upon the mysteries of the heavens.
During this time, Wen Zheng Xin and Ban Yang Shu visited him.
Pei Ru Yi, now residing in Feng Prefecture, frequently corresponded with Wen Zheng Xin. Updates on the Ji Stronghold and Qiu Ru’s progress in her spiritual awakening were always included in her letters.
According to Senior Sister Pei, Qiu Ru possessed commendable talent but was overly fond of food—though this was hardly a major issue.
When Ban Yang Shu visited, he informed Ji You of a new title given to him at the Heavenly Script Academy—‘The Lone Brave Man.’
The name stemmed from three reasons: First, he refused to take a Dao companion for the sake of legacy. Second, in Feng Prefecture, he slaughtered without mercy. Third, he declined to teach Outer Court disciples how to sense the Heavenly Tome, as though he were determined to support a clan all by himself—bold yet reckless.
Ji You remained indifferent upon hearing this. ‘Handsome men are always misunderstood.’ He then continued to the Purple Bamboo Zen Forest.
There, disciples gathered, all casting sidelong glances at him.
“Did you hear? Yesterday, Ji You told the new disciples that it wasn’t he who sensed the Heavenly Tome—it was the Heavenly Tome that sensed him.”
“Scholars and the Heavenly Tome resonate with each other—we all know this. So while what he said isn’t wrong, using it to mislead the clueless juniors is truly excessive.”
“He always enjoys standing out. First, it was ‘One Man, Seven Swords.’ Then, it was ‘Let Azure Clouds Dominion bow before the Mortal Path.’ Now he’s twisting the truth—I’m not surprised at all.”
“Honestly, his ability to sense the Heavenly Tome was merely a stroke of luck.”
“What do you mean?”
“I once heard the Hall Master mention that on the night Ji You comprehended the Heavenly Tome, the Sect Master happened to be summoning it. Ji You simply seized the opportunity.”
“Is that true?”
By this time, Ji You had already stepped into the bamboo grove, found his bamboo cushion, and sat cross-legged.
He always ignored mockery, though he idly considered turning these people into customers instead.
Yet this rumor about the Sect Master summoning the Heavenly Tome was something he had never heard before.
As he murmured to himself, a sudden brilliance burst forth from the clouds above. Light and shadow swirled in a myriad of changes before surging into his spiritual aperture.
In an instant, his spiritual consciousness soared beyond the Mortal Veil, dancing through the void, before settling within the Mount Void.
The mountain was desolate—no living beings in sight. Only the chaotic forces of the Heavenly Dao ceaselessly unfolded.
Ji You sat cross-legged at the foot of the mountain, his spiritual consciousness gazing upon the heavens. His eyes slowly closed as he entered deep meditation, attempting to attain enlightenment.
A distant wind rose in the void, drawing near.
Before long, a celestial maiden in a scarlet dress, bare-footed, drifted onto the black cliff.
Her skirt was short, revealing long, slender legs—smooth as jade, whiter than snow.
Her features were exquisitely delicate, with long, curled lashes framing deep, luminous eyes. Her lips, untouched by rouge, were naturally crimson.
Yet, an air of frustration lingered about her. Her fine brows arched slightly as she lightly tapped the air with her pink toes, drifting down from the cliff to Ji You’s side. She raised a foot, as if considering whether to step on him.
However, her snow-white foot merely hovered before retracting lightly.
[Do not disturb my cultivation. I will not exit my meditation prematurely again.]
Yan Shu Yi seated herself obediently on a nearby black rock, resting her chin in her hand as she gazed at the meditating Ji You, her lashes fluttering. Before she realized it, a faint pink mist had begun to rise around her.
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)