Chapter 20: Gathering of the Outer Court Disciples
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
At the Hour of Xu, within the Maiden Quarters of the Heavenly Script Academy, Fang Ruo Yao had finally sensed the presence of her True Spirit earlier that morning. With a full night of diligent effort, guided by Senior Sister Pei Ru Yi, she successfully ascended into the Initial Spirit Awakening Stage.
It had taken her ten days from the moment she began studying the foundational teachings of the Dao to finally touch upon the Heavenly Spirit. Though this was only the most elementary state of the Lower Three Stages, she was greatly encouraged.
She knew that Ji You remained stuck in the consummate realm of the Lower Three Stages, unable to progress even a step further. This gave her confidence that the words she had once spoken in Yuyang County were no mere boast: [I may not be inferior to him; I only started later.]
No longer willing to rely on her status as Ji You’s so-called betrothed, she resolved to surpass him.
Just then, she noticed a senior sister rushing past her window in a great hurry. Then came a second, a third, a fourth… Finally, even a disheveled, unkempt senior sister emerged, hastily running out of the Maiden Quarters. Fang Ruo Yao recognized her as Qiao Rong, a disciple who had been at the Academy for four years. Lacking strong Spiritual Consciousness, Qiao Rong had been unable to bear the prolonged cost of consuming spirit pills. Ultimately, she failed to perceive the Heavenly Dao and had ceased advancing. Two years ago, she had abandoned direct attempts at comprehending the Dao and turned her focus to the Heavenly Tome. But as the years passed, her last vestiges of hope dwindled, leaving her to sink into despair.
In six months, she would likely be expelled from the Heavenly Script Academy. Still, expulsion did not equate to destitution. The Academy maintained ties with affiliated sects and smaller clans, akin to the relationship between Immortal Worship Mountain Manor and the Mystic Origin Immortal Palace. Those expelled would return annually for the sect’s grand ceremonies.
For Qiao Rong, whose interests had waned over the years, one matter alone still captivated her: the unattainable. And now, someone had sensed the Heavenly Tome.
Was it Chu He or Lu Qing Qiu?
On reflection, Fang Ruo Yao surmised it must be Chu He. A scion of an esteemed Immortal Clan, Chu He exuded a noble and aloof demeanor, seldom engaging in idle chatter. Within the Outer Court, he garnered the admiration of many female cultivators. For disciples like Fang Ruo Yao, who hailed from humble locales, his presence seemed otherworldly, often the subject of whispered late-night conversations.
[Chu Gongzi truly is a celestial being…]
[It seems this year’s spot in the Inner Court is out of Lu Qing Qiu’s reach.]
Fang Ruo Yao mused for a moment, Ji You’s name not even crossing her mind. Without hesitation, she rose and joined the stream of disciples heading toward the Field of Enlightenment.
Under the night sky, the Field of Enlightenment teemed with a vast crowd. Fang Ruo Yao was astounded to discover just how many disciples resided within the Outer Court. Some, standing upon shimmering lights of Qi, hovered over the lake, craning their necks to peer toward the center of the field.
It seemed that, in every generation, prodigies of unparalleled brilliance emerged, shattering the Dao hearts of their peers. This explained the vast numbers of disciples who remained perpetually stagnant in their cultivation.
Fang Ruo Yao tried to rise onto her tiptoes, but her line of sight was still blocked by the throng. At that moment, someone in the crowd noticed her and, with a brief pause of recognition, whispered to a fellow disciple. Gradually, people began parting to make way for her.
[?]
[What is happening?]
Since entering the Academy, Fang Ruo Yao had faded into obscurity. After all, the Academy revered cultivation and lineage above all else. Her modest origins and minimal progress left her insignificant in the eyes of others. Yet now, this unexpected deference left her both startled and flustered.
Some who were unaware of her identity remained stationary until a few whispered words from nearby disciples prompted them to step aside.
Uneasy and filled with doubt, Fang Ruo Yao cautiously made her way forward. Gradually, the splendor of Heavenly Radiance within the Field of Enlightenment unfolded before her eyes. She halted, her gaze quivering in astonishment.
At the very center of the field stood Chu He, clutching his chest as if gravely wounded. His eyes were unfocused, his expression weathered, as though he had endured unspeakable trials. Near him was Lu Qing Qiu, gripping the hem of her skirt, biting her lip with an expression rife with complex emotions.
Seated in the western section of the field was Ji You. Surrounded by surging Heavenly Radiance, he had entered a state of profound mystery. His brows furrowed slightly as ethereal light flickered faintly upon his forehead. That single furrowed brow was like a sword, piercing the hearts of all who saw it.
For if Ji You had appeared utterly bewildered, it would have signified that he had seen nothing. But this furrowed brow confirmed that he was watching—no, learning!
[The confusion of a peer can lull me to restful sleep. The furrowed brow of a peer will leave me tossing and turning. Such is the reality of the cultivation world!]
“Ji You…”
“The One Who Sensed the Heavenly Tome Was Ji You…”
At that moment, Fang Ruo Yao stood frozen, stunned.
Meanwhile, atop the summit of Mount Ni, two grand halls concealed in the mist suddenly burst forth with radiant light, their brilliance streaking across the heavens with long, fiery tails.
In the next instant, two figures appeared upon the Platform of Enlightenment. One was an elderly Daoist clad in a robe embroidered with golden cloud patterns, while the other was a middle-aged woman adorned with floral hairpins and an elegant eight-layered silk skirt.
Disciples immediately recognized them as Zuo Qiu Yang, the Master of the Freedom Hall, and You Ying Qiu, the Master of the Auspicious Hall. They bowed respectfully, acknowledging their presence.
The Heavenly Script Academy boasted five sacred halls: Freedom, Auspiciousness, Eternal Life, Dustless, and Desireless. Zuo Qiu Yang presided over the Freedom Hall, while You Ying Qiu governed the Auspicious Hall. Their responsibility lay in overseeing the cultivation of Inner Court Disciples, and they rarely ventured into the Outer Court unless an extraordinary event occurred, such as a disciple sensing the Heavenly Tome.
“How long has it been?” Zuo Qiu Yang inquired.
Ban Yang Shu respectfully replied, “Three quarters of an hour.”
Zuo Qiu Yang furrowed his brows. “When did this begin?”
Ban Yang Shu confirmed, “It has indeed been three quarters.”
You Ying Qiu, slightly surprised, turned to look at Zuo Qiu Yang.
The Master of the Freedom Hall contemplated for a moment before asking, “When this disciple sensed the Heavenly Tome, were you present?”
“Yes, Hall Master. I was nearby,” Ban Yang Shu answered.
“Explain it in detail,” Zuo Qiu Yang instructed.
Ban Yang Shu recounted Ji You’s remarkable encounter with the Heavenly Tome, emphasizing how, despite not being in a state of Dao Enlightenment, the Heavenly Radiance had descended upon him.
After listening, Zuo Qiu Yang exchanged a glance with You Ying Qiu, his expression unreadable. The two vanished abruptly.
In the next breath, they reappeared at the summit of Mount Ni, delving deep into the endless sea of clouds.
“Since his passing, it has become exceedingly difficult to resonate with the Heavenly Tome. It has been ages since a disciple could sustain such a connection for so long,” You Ying Qiu remarked.
“Junior Sister You, have you noticed? The duration is not the crux of the matter. The state is,” Zuo Qiu Yang said, folding his wide sleeves behind him, his brows deeply furrowed. “To sense the Heavenly Tome while not in a state of Dao Enlightenment—could it be that the tome is resonating with him instead? This involves the legacy of our Dao tradition, and it troubles me.”
You Ying Qiu was about to reply when she suddenly stopped in her tracks and bowed deeply. Zuo Qiu Yang, caught off guard, followed suit immediately.
“Headmaster.”
Before the towering cliffs of black stone that overlooked both the sea of clouds and forest, stood an elderly man with his hands clasped behind his back. His gray robes billowed in the fierce mountain winds.
This was the Headmaster of the Heavenly Script Academy, who had lingered in the Immortal Domain for over two centuries without ascending.
You Ying Qiu, her nose twitching faintly, caught a whiff of alcohol. She blinked in surprise. “Master, have you been drinking?”
“Just a small flask,” the old man replied with a laugh.
“Didn’t you swear never to drink again?”
The Headmaster smiled warmly at his disciples. “What brings you here from the Outer Court?”
Zuo Qiu Yang promptly stepped forward. “A disciple in the Outer Court sensed the Heavenly Tome without being in a state of Dao Enlightenment. This is most peculiar, so we came to report. Should we monitor him closely?”
“No need, no need,” the Headmaster said, waving his hand dismissively. “It’s only a connection with the Heavenly Tome. Don’t make such a fuss.”
“But sensing the tome without Dao Enlightenment—is that not strange?”
The Headmaster, stroking his long beard, let out a faint hiccup. “I recently called upon the Heavenly Tome to manifest itself. That boy simply stumbled upon an auspicious moment by chance.”
Zuo Qiu Yang’s eyes lit up in understanding. “Ah, so that explains it. It was not his own ability, but Master’s doing.”
You Ying Qiu frowned slightly at this explanation. [Didn’t Master just say he was drinking heavily? How could he have summoned the Heavenly Tome? Strange indeed.]
This venerable figure was the longest-living Human Immortal in the world. After the passing of a certain individual, he had sworn never to drink again—yet here he was.