Chapter 23: Revisiting the Heavenly Tome
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
The days grew colder as autumn deepened, and the verdant trees shed their golden leaves entirely.
Ji You had taken to frequenting the Elegant Garden by Azure Lake and the Immortal Banquet Hall, his routine confined to these two places. Meanwhile, the disciples of the Outer Court became less diligent in their cultivation, and the academy’s scenic spots began filling with pairs of men and women strolling by the lake, crossing bridges, or simply marveling at the falling leaves across the mountains. Of course, these excursions weren’t entirely idle; discussions about the Dao often arose. However, such discussions sometimes led them to vanish into the depths of the forest.
“Shall we stay in the Capital tonight? I’ve booked an inn where we can spend the night discussing the Dao. I’d like to see how well your Dao Heart holds, Junior Sister.”
“?”
Returning from the Immortal Banquet Hall, Ji You saw such a scene and thought, [Well, this ‘Dao Heart’ test is probably more physical than spiritual.]
Cao Jin Song, however, was unfazed by the trend. “It’s a cycle all disciples go through when they join the academy. First, everyone is diligent and wholeheartedly dedicated to cultivation, driven by the belief that they are destined to be exceptional—second to none. Then, a few stand out and surpass the rest, leaving most to doubt their efforts. Finally, some become distracted while others persist, but their Dao Hearts are no longer as resolute.”
He glanced at Ji You. “Right now, you are the one soaring ahead. You’ll likely claim the top spot in the Inner Court Selection, but don’t let it make you complacent. Continue to cultivate with diligence.”
Ji You listened to Cao Jin Song’s grand remarks and replied, “My spiritual sense is too weak; I can only endure three breaths when observing the Heavenly Dao. I’ll need a Soul Nourishing Pill to improve. Do you have the money for one, Instructor?”
“It would ruin me.”
“Why did I end up with such a poor instructor? Couldn’t you learn a thing or two from Instructor Ma? Even during festivals, he receives gifts from prominent families in the Capital!”
“?”
Night descended, stars glittering across the sky. Ji You sat cross-legged, his spiritual consciousness rising beyond his physical form. Countless shooting stars streaked before him, but he ignored their brilliance and delved further into the infinite, boundless darkness of the void. This practice strengthened his spiritual senses. However, his current strength made it risky to observe the Heavenly Dao directly through the Heavenly Tome, as the overwhelming power of the Dao could irreparably damage his spiritual consciousness.
Exploring the deep void proved to be a gentler method of cultivation. Initially, he could only sustain this state for half an hour, but through perseverance, he had extended it beyond an hour. This progress validated his method.
“Half an hour only allows for three breaths of observation. Now I should manage six breaths. Six is safe, but it’s still too short.”
“I’ll push for an hour and a half. Reaching nine breaths safely would prepare me to revisit the Heavenly Tome.”
Ji You steadied his breathing and focused his mind, his golden spiritual consciousness soaring through the starry void. Half an hour passed quickly, but the following minutes tested his endurance. Every time he pushed past his limits, the resulting exhaustion left him utterly drained, making Cao Jin Song suspect he was engaging in “some kind of nocturnal activity.”
This grueling routine continued for five days. With sheer willpower, Ji You finally extended his spiritual flight to an hour and a half.
“I did it,” he murmured. “My mind feels indomitable now.”
After resting briefly, Ji You headed to the Field of Enlightenment, where he sent his spiritual consciousness soaring once more. This time, he pursued the starlight, plunging into the endless void.
Meanwhile, on a desolate highland surrounded by infinite darkness, a breathtaking young woman in a red dress sat barefoot on a rocky cliff, engrossed in meditative enlightenment. The vibrant red fabric of her dress billowed in the wind, adding a striking touch of color—like blood—against the black backdrop.
This marked her seventh day of cultivation in that isolated realm, where she meditated for roughly two hours each day.
Much like Ji You’s predicament, the young girl couldn’t endure the pressure of Heaven’s Will for long and had to alternate between enlightenment and rest. As she opened her eyes, she gently wiped the sweat from her brow. Her snow-white jade feet lightly stepped onto the black stone as she rose, her gaze aimlessly surveying her surroundings.
As her eyes roamed, her focus fell on a stone below her, causing her to frown slightly.
“Was this really an accidental intrusion?” she muttered. “If I’d known, I would have stayed a few more days to have some fun…” She sighed. “Though that fellow seemed a bit lecherous.”
The girl sat back down on the stone, resting her cheek on her hand. Her thoughts drifted to the phrase “national beauty and heavenly fragrance,” and she narrowed her eyes in amusement once again.
Cultivation was an exceedingly dull affair, though the girl had not always thought so. In her childhood, she was enchanted by the majestic mountains of her home and longed to soar through the skies like the cultivators she had seen. But the Heavenly Dao decreed her path—perfecting her cultivation at the tender age of ten, reaching the Fifth Realm the following year, and placing the immense burden of expectations on her small shoulders.
It wasn’t a burden she wanted to carry, but her elders insisted it was one she must bear. Over time, no matter how beautiful the mountains were, they became tiresome to look at.
When she discovered the hidden space in the Spirit Mirror and encountered a stranger within, she found it amusing. But after seven days without seeing him again, she began to realize he might truly have been a fleeting intruder…
Just then, from the darkness of the cave’s recesses, she caught the faint sound of a howling wind. Listening intently, she confirmed it wasn’t an illusion. Her body tensed. If one intruder had found their way here, another might too. The last one had been foolish, but there was no guarantee the next would be the same.
A shadow began to materialize on the black stone below her. As the figure’s features became distinguishable, she froze, then quickly straightened her posture, pretending to be immersed in cultivation.
Ji You opened his eyes to find himself back at the base of Mount Void. Glancing upwards, he saw the girl sitting on a stone cliff. She was stunningly beautiful. Although he had seen her once before, her appearance still took his breath away.
[Beautiful women only slow down cultivation,] Ji You reminded himself, taking a deep breath. He crossed his legs and began observing the Heavenly Dao once more.
His spiritual consciousness, honed through rigorous training, had grown stronger. He could now discern more details and contemplate the meaning of “profound comprehension” within the chaos of the Dao. The Heavenly Dao’s evolution resembled a tangled ball of thread—chaotic, yet intricately intertwined. Though impossible to grasp in its entirety, one could unravel it thread by thread, seeking a single coherent line.
Previously, Ji You could only endure three breaths of observation without finding any clues. Now, after nine breaths, he could vaguely sense a pattern. Slowly, an epiphany began to dawn upon him. Closing his eyes, he entered a meditative state, and his Dao Heart grew increasingly luminous.
“Six sessions of observing the Dao, nine breaths each…”
“I’ve reached my limit,” he thought, bracing himself on the massive stone. Looking to his upper right, he caught sight of a delicate, jade-like foot adorned with a faint blush of pink.
[Huh?]
He wasn’t sure if it was a trick of his eyes, but he thought he saw the dainty foot twitch slightly. Though he knew that beautiful women were a distraction, curiosity was a trait essential to any cultivator’s pursuit of the Dao. Driven by this thought, Ji You rose slowly and approached the girl, just as he had last time.
She appeared to be in a deep meditative state, showing no reaction to his presence. Ji You convinced himself he must have been mistaken—a celestial fairy had no need to feign meditation. As he turned to leave, he noticed her fair face begin to flush.
Before he could process what was happening, a vibrant red sleeve suddenly swept toward him…
In the Field of Enlightenment, the disciples glanced around in confusion as Ji You abruptly emerged from his trance, now sprawled on the ground, gazing serenely at the night sky.
Cultivation was supposed to be an arduous journey, yet Ji You’s expression was one of utter bliss.
[The brilliance of geniuses is terrifying,] thought one of the onlookers.