Chapter 163: How Many Do You Want to Bear?
The myriad Dao and boundless methods of the world hold infinite mysteries, beyond the comprehension of mere mortals.
Yet, should one grasp but a fraction, they may wield the power to shake the heavens and the earth.
Friction generates electricity, accumulated force erupts like thunder, convection births wind, and condensed energy forms rain.
Thus, the higher one’s cultivation, the more profound their impact upon the world, until a mere flick of the fingers calls forth a gentle breeze, and a hundred miles away, storms rage in response.
Seated in deep meditation, Ji You emptied his heart of all distractions. His Dao heart shone with clarity as he began to guide the spiritual qi, causing it to clash and interact. Around him, waves of energy surged and receded.
[It seems that spiritual qi is a universal element, capable of transforming at the cultivator’s will, supporting various spell techniques.]
[That must be why people believe the spiritual qi harbors the might of the heavens.]
[If one wishes to ignite flames, spiritual qi serves as fuel. If one seeks to form ice, spiritual qi becomes water… But the key lies in how the Laws are invoked—that is the crucial aspect of spell mastery for the human race.]
Ji You contemplated deeply, and suddenly, he began to understand the true significance of spiritual qi in this world of cultivation.
This elemental energy was the very foundation of a cultivator’s power, a divine gift of the heavens.
And since spiritual consciousness is innately attuned to the Dao and unshackled by worldly constraints, the mind could perceive and attain insights freely. This was why cultivation emphasized meditation and sudden enlightenment.
However, what the spiritual consciousness conjured remained mere illusions of thought.
A cultivator must observe the Dao with their spiritual consciousness, breaking through the barriers between perception and reality. Using spiritual qi as the medium and spell techniques as the conduit, they could materialize their heart’s intent into tangible forms, wielding countless methods.
As Ji You, now at the Mystic Enlightenment Stage, pondered the path of cultivation, the turbulent energy surrounding him intensified.
—Hmm?
A fragrant breeze?
Who dares to tempt me with food before my eyes?
Ji You murmured inwardly, yet remained immersed in his meditative state, continuously shaping spiritual qi within his subconscious. Thunder roared, waves crashed, the elements clashed violently before him, forming a growing phenomenon.
Yet, as more natural phenomena emerged, the forces within grew increasingly chaotic.
Soon, the elemental torrents began to repel and attract one another. Before long—
Boom!
A muffled explosion echoed, and the tangled mass of illusory celestial phenomena collapsed in an instant.
Ji You remained silent for a long time before slowly opening his eyes.
[The path to enlightenment cannot be rushed.]
His expression remained calm and unshaken, but as his gaze landed forward, a subtle tremor flickered within his eyes, and he froze momentarily.
“…?”
The Little Mirror Master of Spirit Sword Mountain, Yan Shu Yi, was seated sideways upon a high stone beside him. With a face of ethereal beauty, yet cold as an icy peak, she appeared lost in thought, a hint of restlessness furrowing her brows.
Her fair, slender legs dangled off the edge of the stone, and due to the difference in elevation, her delicate, jade-like feet swayed directly in front of him. Ten glistening toes, round and elegant like blooming petals, sparkled under the light.
Ji You held his breath.
At last, he understood why he had sensed the aroma of food earlier…
At that moment, Yan Shu Yi also sensed the withdrawal of his qi waves. Her feet instantly ceased their swaying, her slender waist straightening instinctively. With her eyes narrowed, she exuded an aura of natural authority—an icy beauty untouched by worldly affairs. Yet, despite her composure, a thick pink mist unconsciously wafted around her.
“You broke through so soon?” Ji You asked, somewhat surprised.
Yan Shu Yi did not glance at him, keeping her gaze fixed forward as she responded coldly, “Not yet.”
Her voice was tight, and out of the three words she spoke, two and a half sounded like a soft whimper.
Ji You observed her for a while. “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t leave seclusion until you broke through?”
“My Dao heart lacks tranquility. I kept feeling something moving outside my chamber. But when I went to check, I found nothing. When I returned and finally settled down, I heard movement again. I don’t know what’s wrong… so I came out to clear my mind, only to run into you.”
Since childhood, Yan Shu Yi had cultivated in seclusion without issue.
But in recent days, this practice had become inexplicably difficult.
She believed someone was disturbing her, and the first suspect in her mind was Ding Yao. She scolded her severely, warning her not to wander inside the temple. Yet Ding Yao, feeling wrongly accused, suspected she had been blamed for another’s misdeeds.
Ji You pondered, then asked, “When did this symptom start?”
Yan Shu Yi was silent for a moment before realization dawned on her. “About seven days ago.”
Seven days ago, Azure Cloud World began collecting tax tributes, and Ji You had also returned to Heavenly Script Academy around that time. This was no secret.
So it wasn’t the wind that moved.
Nor was it the clouds that moved.
It was her heart that wavered.
He had been away in Feng Prefecture, unable to meditate at Mount Void. To Yan Shu Yi, this meant she couldn’t kick him even if she wanted to.
But ever since she learned he had returned to Heavenly Script Academy, her state of mind had changed entirely.
She wanted to see him, but previously, she had written letters filled with commanding words, declaring she would not meet him.
Her prideful lips were slightly stiff, so instead, she chose to blame Ding Yao for disturbing her peace by running around her palace.
But in truth—
She simply missed him.
She had longed for him, day and night, yearning to rush to his side and embrace him.
Like a seasoned physician, Ji You instantly diagnosed the cause.
A Beauty Who Brings Ruin…
With such an extraordinary appearance, he had caused the Little Mirror Master of Spirit Sword Mountain to falter in her enlightenment. If left unchecked, it could slow her cultivation, potentially leading to internal strife within Spirit Sword Mountain, which might ripple across the Seven Great Immortal Sects, possibly even affecting the fate of the world itself.
Though Ji You often criticized himself using the phrase “A Beauty Who Brings Ruin”, only now did he truly comprehend the weight of those words.
Damn it! This “plain and unremarkable” Ji Bo Chang!
He could incite worldly chaos merely with his appearance alone.
Not wanting him to perceive her inner turmoil, Yan Shu Yi swiftly changed the topic, asking about the Autumn Duel at Heavenly Script Academy.
Chu He had inherited his family’s Huntian Spell, his body enveloped in profound mystic defenses, his fists and swordplay carrying overwhelming force.
What puzzled Yan Shu Yi was that even with such might, he could only make Ji You’s broad, powerful, jade-smooth, sweat-drenched physique turn slightly red under his blows.
Back in Spirit Sword Mountain, she had already known that this man possessed an indomitable body, yet she never understood how he cultivated it.
Ji You, however, paid no attention to her question. Instead, he gave her a curious look. “Broad and smooth? Covered in sweat? Scorching hot? Weren’t you in seclusion? How do you know so much?”
Yan Shu Yi was momentarily stunned, then held her breath, her gaze shifting away.
She had indeed been in seclusion—but she had sent the best artists and scribes to observe. Right now, there were even paintings of Ji You’s half-naked torso hidden beneath her pillow.
But she would never tell him that.
With a calm, unreadable expression, she said coldly, “I merely heard it from others.”
“Who?” Ji You pressed. “And why so detailed?”
“I told you—it was someone else!”
Ji You slowly lifted his gaze, looking at the space above Yan Shu Yi’s head.
Ever since opening his eyes, he had noticed something—
The pink mist surrounding Yan Shu Yi was thicker than ever before.
Though she did not say it aloud, after such a long separation, her heart must have missed him greatly.
At this moment, however, the pink mist was shifting—first flickering with a yellowish hue, then thickening into dense smoke, coiling like a golden dragon. Ji You watched in astonishment, his heart shaken to its core.
He recalled the scene atop the White Jade Terrace, when Chu He had shattered his white robe with a single strike, exposing his bare chest. The fiery gazes of the female cultivators in the courtyard at that moment resurfaced in his mind, prompting him to turn toward the Little Mirror Master.
“Have you been secretly watching me?”
“I have not!”
Yan Shu Yi found his question irksome. Lifting her crystal-clear jade foot, she intended to kick him, but hesitated. A kick might make her look like she was acting out of flustered anger, proving that she was indeed lying. Thus, after a slight pause, her raised foot landed instead upon his lap.
Ji You glanced at it and instantly dropped the question.
She had already used her foot as a bribe—clearly signaling him to stop pressing the matter.
“A bit cold.”
Yan Shu Yi flushed as he played with her foot. “It’s always like that.”
Ji You gave it a couple of squeezes, but then, she suddenly spoke. “You have yet to tell me about the matter of the flesh.”
“Next time, if you happen to be traveling through Shengjing, and if we happen to meet, I’ll tell you then.”
“Then tell me about Feng Prefecture.”
“Feng Prefecture?”
“The noble family you established.”
Hearing this, Ji You began recounting their journey from Shengjing to Feng Prefecture, from Yuyang County to the Feng Prefecture Capital.
The most significant part of the tale was the Battle of Night City Mountain, but Ji You glossed over it, focusing instead on describing his stronghold and introducing its current inhabitants: Old Qiu and his family, Teacher Chen, and the children under his protection.
Additionally, he mentioned the Crescent Moon Scimitar and the United Harvesting.
Yan Shu Yi listened attentively, forming images in her mind, a flicker of intrigue rising within her.
“When I was building the family, Cao Jin Song told me that to strengthen a noble lineage, one must establish external alliances and continuously expand its population. He also said that for a noble family to endure through the ages, the most crucial factor was an unbroken lineage—so he suggested that I should find a wife immediately and begin the cycle of everlasting growth.”
“??”
Yan Shu Yi turned to look at him, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Ji You, however, straightened his chest, meeting her gaze without an ounce of guilt. After all, these were Cao Jin Song’s words—he was merely repeating them. “I think Old Cao made a valid point.”
The Little Mirror Master remained silent for a long time before finally speaking. “What exactly are you trying to say?”
“Nothing, just sharing my thoughts. I used to believe that with a sword in hand, I could conquer the world alone. But I’ve gradually come to realize that an individual’s strength is limited. Only by establishing a lasting lineage can one truly remain unshaken.”
Ji You continued speaking, pretending to be lost in thought, in order to extend the Yan Kingdom Map a little further. However, he soon noticed Yan Shu Yi merely staring at him without a word.
In her gaze, sword intent surged.
After a long silence, Ji You suddenly asked, “What do you think?”
Yan Shu Yi held her breath. “About what?”
“Everlasting growth.”
“I don’t understand.”
Ji You swallowed. “I mean… how many children do you think we should have?”
The moment the words fell, the entire mountain’s myriad techniques and laws became restless. The golden-pink mist abruptly shifted into an icy hue.
Seeing this, Ji You knew he was doomed. The Yan Kingdom Map was still too short.
A moment later, a fierce force roared toward him from the cliffside.
Ji You countered with a palm strike and was sent flying backward, only to see Yan Shu Yi closing in with lightning speed, her fair little hand carrying the force of a thousand mountains, crashing down upon him.
Heaven Resonance Stage—even without swordsmanship or spellcraft, just her sheer palm strength alone was enough to fill Ji You with an overwhelming sense of terror.
Amidst the surging waves of energy, Ji You bore the strike head-on, then used its force to propel himself sideways.
Seeing this, Yan Shu Yi’s gaze flickered, and the cold aura around her gradually shifted back into pink hues.
[This man… is quite capable.]
Both of them had arrived in this space through spiritual consciousness. Though they did not understand why they could manifest physical forms here, one thing was certain—the strength of their actual bodies meant nothing in this realm.
Yet, after landing her palm strike, Yan Shu Yi realized that Ji You’s spiritual consciousness was astonishingly strong.
Nearly comparable to the Dao Fusion Stage.
“Stop. No more fighting. I can’t beat you.”
Yan Shu Yi abruptly halted, glaring at him. “A mere Mystic Enlightenment Stage cultivator.”
Ji You rose from the dust, brushing himself off. “I’m leaving.”
“Where to?”
“Back to training. I can’t always be weaker than you.”
Upon hearing this, the cold aura around Yan Shu Yi intensified, turning even frostier than before.
Ji You frowned. [What’s going on now? Leaving isn’t allowed either?]
Then, he saw her body flicker forward, her palm slicing through the air like the wind. Her movement was as ethereal as an immortal descending from the heavens.
Moments later, the once-chaotic energy of Mount Void settled into an unnatural tranquility.
Ji You now held Yan Shu Yi in his arms, his hands wrapped around her slender waist. Looking down, he found the fairy-like woman nestled against his chest, her eyes lightly shut, her breath steady.
So, it wasn’t that she didn’t want him to leave. She was upset that, after all this time, he had not embraced her first.
This Little Mirror Master of Spirit Sword Mountain was truly the epitome of pride. She would rather provoke a fight and ‘accidentally’ fall into his arms than admit her true feelings.
But… had she touched him?
Ji You recalled that sudden palm strike from earlier—powerful at first, but then it shifted, grazing over his chest as if… touching him.
At this moment, Yan Shu Yi only feigned slumber, her lashes barely parting as she glanced down at her own abdomen.
[This man I’ve only met three times dares to talk about everlasting growth with me. His audacity knows no bounds—he must have no regard for his own life.]
Though her heart brimmed with murderous intent, the foot resting by the cliffside couldn’t help but curl slightly.
After a long while, Yan Shu Yi suddenly sat upright. “I feel my Dao Heart has calmed. I’m returning to break through. Do not disturb me again. If I do not step into the Boundless Martial Stage, I shall not return.”
“Women of this world truly turn their backs as soon as they get what they want…”
With a light step, Yan Shu Yi vanished into Mount Void, reappearing within her quarters in Spirit Sword Mountain.
She had forgotten to ask him what Yuan Cai Wei had seen…
The Little Mirror Master frowned, momentarily vexed.
Meanwhile, Ji You resumed his Dao enlightenment, his aura surging around him.
Moments later, he slowly opened his eyes, a flicker of realization flashing within them.
[Damn. Turns out, distractions never truly disappear… they merely shift.]
For days afterward, Ji You frequently returned to Mount Void to meditate, yet never saw the prideful fairy again.
One meeting was all she had needed for her Dao Heart to settle.
Perhaps, Yan Shu Yi was just like him—shouldering responsibilities upon herself, always feeling that time was too short.
Next time they met, it would likely be after they both had broken through.
Ji You rose to his feet and began his descent down the mountain.
At the Field of Enlightenment in the Outer Court, Fang Jin Cheng, Pu Yang Xing, Lu Han Yan, and other disciples were deeply immersed in Dao comprehension. Before them lay piles of medicine vials and dimmed spiritual stones, remnants of their efforts.
A large crowd had gathered around, including some disciples from the Inner Court, their brows furrowed in contemplation. The spectacle was even more striking than when Ji You first attempted to sense the Heavenly Tome.
The reason? It was none other than Fang Jin Cheng.
The Fang Clan was a prestigious family in the Azure Cloud World, though not as renowned as the Chu Clan. The Chu Clan, however, had always been closely tied to the Mystic Origin Immortal Palace, whereas their influence within the Heavenly Script Academy paled in comparison to that of the Fang Clan.
Back when everyone was striving to sense the Heavenly Tome, Chu He had only managed to receive guidance from Ban Yang Shu due to his ties with Prince Chong. But Fang Jin Cheng was different. Ever since his admission, disciples from the Hall of Longevity had frequently visited the Outer Court to personally instruct him.
Although the Dao was profound and ineffable, guidance could at least provide a direction. Within just half a month, six Inner Court disciples had meticulously shared their experiences with Fang Jin Cheng.
Yet, despite all this, he had failed to perceive the Heavenly Tome.
Both the Outer and Inner Courts knew of Fang Jin Cheng’s bold claim on the day of his admission—that he had glimpsed a faint light upon his first attempt to sense the Heavenly Tome. This declaration had astonished everyone.
For over a century, the fastest to sense the Heavenly Tome had been Ji You. Many speculated that Fang Jin Cheng would surpass even Ji You, promising an even greater future achievement.
However, as time passed, people began to realize—it had all been empty talk.
Now, Fang Jin Cheng’s expression was grim. He had relied on his family’s prestige to receive abundant guidance from senior Inner Court disciples. He had never considered that sensing the Heavenly Tome would be such an arduous task.
Meanwhile, Pu Yang Xing, who had chosen to bypass the Heavenly Tome entirely and focus solely on cultivation, had already gathered his first Mystic Light, with Lu Han Yan swiftly catching up.
“Could it be that Fang Jin Cheng’s cultivation was all built upon spirit pills, and he actually lacks true talent?”
“That shouldn’t be the case. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have reached the peak of the Lower Three Stages. Perhaps he’s simply not fated with the Heavenly Tome.”
“But, in the second and first years of Tai Wu, no one sensed the Heavenly Tome either.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Junior Brother Pan from the second year of Tai Wu broke into the Mystic Enlightenment Stage purely by his own ability.”
“And Junior Brother Liu, too. Not only did he fail to sense the Heavenly Tome, but he was also admitted a year later. Since none of that year’s students reached Mystic Enlightenment, Junior Brother Liu entered at the Mid-Mystic Enlightenment Stage.”
“I heard that even the Dao Monument of the Chen Clan of Immortals went untouched for two consecutive years.”
“What about the Mystic Origin Immortal Palace?”
“The Sect Master of the Mystic Origin Immortal Palace has been in seclusion for years, attempting ascension with the Mystic Origin Pearl. Naturally, he was unable to guide anyone.”
“Do you think the Heavenly Dao’s fortune is truly dissipating? Otherwise, why are the Demon Clans…”
“Nonsense! It’s clearly a matter of talent. Otherwise, why was Ji You able to sense the Heavenly Tome? His personality may be questionable, but his talent is indisputable.”
Ji You, observing from the sidelines, shook his head.
In recent days, the Hall of Longevity had shown a more lenient attitude toward him. Many Inner Court disciples had even sent spirit wine, subtly implying their desire for him to guide Fang Jin Cheng.
However, while everyone else spoke of perceiving a faint light and pursuing it, Ji You had instead seen a vast celestial sea of stars crashing down upon him. How was he supposed to explain that?
Thus, he chose to remain uninvolved. Let the Outer and Inner Courts speculate all they wanted.
[These aristocratic disciples are all the same—living off the toil of commoners while chasing after the ephemeral Immortal Dao. If there were fewer of them, or if their cultivation was weaker, it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing for the world.]
Under countless watchful eyes, Ji You stepped onto the Divine Path, departing from Mount Ni and heading toward the Capital.
As the sun set over the Spring Blossom Alley, within a small, remote courtyard, a warm aroma filled the southeastern kitchen. The bubbling of a pot resounded as dozens of plump dumplings floated in the rolling water.
Kuang Cheng rolled up his sleeves, lifting the steaming dumplings and bringing them to the main hall.
Ji You sat inside, receiving the dish with ease.
Tonight was the Moon Worship Festival, one of the most significant traditional celebrations in the Azure Cloud World, rivaling even the New Year’s Dawn. By dusk, the streets had already been adorned with vibrant lanterns, illuminating the city in a dazzling display.
Last year on this day, Kuang Cheng had been buried in his studies at the Spring Blossom Relay Station, preparing for the Imperial Examinations, leaving no time for the festival. This year, he had deliberately cooked dumplings to celebrate with Ji You.
“Following the collection of tax tributes, refugees from Cloud Prefecture and Central Prefecture have been migrating to Feng Prefecture in waves. It’s said that several counties in Cinnabar Water Prefecture have seen significant increases in population—mostly families seeking survival.”
Ji You picked up his chopsticks. “For thousands of years, common folk have always struggled to survive, no matter the place.”
Kuang Cheng nodded. “Brother Ji, according to the Azure Clouds Immortal Edicts, you have the rightful authority to reduce tax tributes for the people of Feng Prefecture, but you cannot extend the same protection to other prefectures. Still, if all the displaced sought refuge in Feng Prefecture, it could become a haven for them. Unfortunately…”
“Unfortunately, local officials have started issuing private decrees, forbidding their people from migrating?”
“Brother Ji is indeed insightful…”
Ji You dipped a dumpling into vinegar. “It’s only natural. If their people flee to Feng Prefecture, those officials will worry about meeting their tax quotas next year. To protect their own heads, they have no choice but to enforce such bans.”
Kuang Cheng sighed. “A shame, though. If only all the displaced could seek refuge in Feng Prefecture.”
“Heh, you’re thinking too simply. If that happened, I’d be the one in danger.”
“But Brother Ji once said—‘Since ancient times, who has not perished? May my heart shine through history.’”
Ji You glanced at him. [This scholar is too easily swayed by grand words.]
Kuang Cheng retrieved a wine jar from a cupboard and turned to Ji You. “I visited the Home for Orphans and the Disabled today, bringing food for the children. On the way back, I bought this jar of wine. It’s only grain wine—not as fine as what’s served at noble banquets.”
“Enough talk. Bring it here.”
“It only cost two taels of silver. I worried Brother Ji wouldn’t enjoy it…”
Ji You tore off the paper seal. “Nonsense. This kind of wine is the only one that lets a person drink in peace. Those banquet wines may look clear, but to me, they always seem tinged with blood.”
Kuang Cheng placed two bowls on the table, his gaze curious. “Then why does Brother Ji still attend such banquets?”
“I wasn’t used to it at first. But then I thought—if I don’t drink it, won’t it just be wasted on them? At least when I’m full, I can meddle in a few more affairs.”
“…I never thought of it that way.”
Ji You pointed at the dumplings. “Eat quickly. Later, we two lonely men shall go watch the lantern festival.”
Kuang Cheng hesitated. “Ah… I already made plans with Miss Wei.”
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)