Chapter 25: Ruined—Not Into the Gentle Type
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Since entering the Heavenly Script Academy, everything had gone relatively smoothly.
At first, I thought it would be hard to make friends in such a short time, but after defeating a few people, familiarity grew almost immediately.
Kuang Cheng emerged as the top scholar and wanted me to become the Headmaster, but after inquiring, I discovered that while the Headmaster has no direct disciples, he’s lived for over three centuries. I might not outlast him…
Well, let it be. Just live well. Young Master should make time to return home.
After replying to Old Qiu, Ji You left the Elegant Garden by Azure Lake and joined up with Lu Qing Qiu and the others.
More than six people had arrived, including Ban Yang Shu and another Outer Court disciple, Ji Qi Rui, who was an old family acquaintance of Lu Qing Qiu. Ji Qi Rui also had ties to the Inner Court steward of the Academy.
Although Ji Qi Rui had never met Ji You before, he’d heard about Ji You’s exploits in the Outer Court, and his gaze brimmed with curiosity.
“So, this is the one who observed the Heavenly Tome?”
“Indeed.” Ban Yang Shu nodded, fixing his eyes on Ji You.
He had recently heard that Ji You avoided using spirit pills or spiritual stones, yet had already condensed five celestial auras, a feat he deeply admired.
Since entering the Inner Court, Ban Yang Shu had been stuck in the Mystic Enlightenment Stage, unable to progress to Dao Fusion. But this Ji You, with his astonishing willpower, might surpass him.
A humble wandering rogue cultivator, defying fate to rise—astounding indeed.
After a few casual exchanges, the group flew on spiritual qi, heading for the Grand Cauldron Tower in the Eastern City.
This establishment was renowned across the capital, self-proclaimed as the world’s premier tower, open only to descendants of Immortal Sect lineages and imperial relatives. Even the stewards and waitstaff were Lower Three Stage cultivators—mediocre by Academy standards, yet exceptional among mortals.
Once seated, they were entertained by singing courtesans and graceful dancers, a feast for the eyes.
Bai Ru Long and Qian Yun Xiao were ecstatic, thinking, [This is it! Moments like this are when one’s Dao Heart becomes clearest!]
However, Ji You, for some inexplicable reason, kept picturing a pale, fragrant jade foot kicking him squarely. The women before him seemed clumsy and vulgar by comparison.
[Uh-oh. Could it be that my tastes have… deviated?]
He downed his drink to suppress the thought, the sensation oddly thrilling.
Ban Yang Shu had been observing Ji You all along and sighed softly at this moment.
[Not yet an Immortal, yet already so unshakable—even beauty holds no sway over him. No wonder he could sense the Heavenly Tome.]
Such clarity of the Dao Heart marked him as extraordinary indeed.
As the dishes arrived, the banquet began. Lu Qing Qiu, the host, spoke with charm befitting the occasion.
Her family dealt in spiritual ores and sought connections with talented individuals like Ban Yang Shu. Although the Ban Clan of You Prefecture was noble, its decline had left Ban Yang Shu with little hope. Without significant progress, he’d likely be expelled from the Academy. Returning home wouldn’t change his fate; joining another faction was his best bet.
While the Mystic Enlightenment Stage meant little in the Academy, it was formidable outside.
Lu Qing Qiu’s voice was sweet and melodious, like a spring breeze caressing the heart, eliciting smiles from all present.
Yet Ji You, after a while, couldn’t help but think, [Uh-oh. I don’t seem to like gentle types…]
Besides polite formalities, Lu Qing Qiu asked a question that piqued Bai Ru Long’s and Qian Yun Xiao’s curiosity: what was the Inner Court truly like?
Ban Yang Shu, brimming with pride, explained:
“The Inner Court has thousands of disciples divided into five halls: Hall of Tranquility, Hall of Auspiciousness, Hall of Longevity, Hall of Purity, and Hall of Detachment. I belong to the Hall of Tranquility, as does Brother Ji.”
“There are also instructors with profound expertise, though the Hall Masters personally teach direct disciples.”
“The Halls of Tranquility and Purity each have direct disciples, maintaining peace. But competition for the other halls remains fierce, much like the Outer Court.”
“Last year, a junior entered the Hall of Longevity with ambitions of becoming a direct disciple. He vowed to claim the position. This year…”
Ban Yang Shu glanced at Ji You, thinking, [This year, the Inner Court slots are likely his to lose.]
[Ah, Junior Brother Ji truly eats with focus.]
Ji Qi Rui, however, raised a toast to Ji You and asked, “Junior Brother Ji, I’ve heard much about you in the Inner Court. Rumor has it that not only did you sense the Heavenly Tome, but you also pursue martial arts alongside cultivation?”
In the Academy, Ji You’s reputation was inseparable from two phrases: wandering rogue cultivator and dual cultivation of martial and Daoist arts. The stark contrast served as proof of his exceptional talent.
It was as if someone habitually lounged in internet cafes yet consistently aced every exam—a frustrating kind of brilliance.
Ji You looked up and replied, “Indeed, I have some knowledge of martial arts.”
“But martial techniques are ultimately minor pursuits. With your immense talent, why waste time on them?”
“Just a personal interest.”
Hearing this, Ban Yang Shu said, “Pure Daoist cultivation is common in the north, but the south has many who practice dual cultivation. The name Spirit-Mirror Mountain even comes from its former Sect Master, an avid swordsman.”
Lu Qing Qiu, Bai Ru Long, Qian Yun Xiao, and the others nodded, though inwardly they agreed more with Ji Qi Rui’s sentiment.
Southern regions, with their frequent conflicts, had practiced martial arts for millennia. Yet regardless of tradition, martial arts offered little to cultivation.
[Brother Ban has a knack for saying the right things—his words always please.]
As the night deepened, dishes dwindled, and the group grew closer, with even Ji You occasionally joining the conversation. Lu Qing Qiu invited them to visit her clan in Yunzhou, and they readily agreed.
This was her goal as host. If she couldn’t enter the Inner Court, her time at the Academy would be short-lived. However, building connections was still worthwhile.
When the city’s bells tolled the third watch, the group left the Grand Cauldron Tower.
The capital streets were desolate, save for cultivators warding off the chill with spiritual qi. The city often saw sect envoys roaming freely, unbound by curfews.
Upon reaching the Everpeace Gate, Ban Yang Shu and Ji Qi Rui suddenly stopped, scanning the surroundings.
Ji You frowned, staring into the darkness devoid of light. A malicious aura had briefly lingered nearby before vanishing.
“What’s wrong?” Lu Qing Qiu asked, unaware of the anomaly due to her weaker cultivation.
“Nothing, perhaps just—”
Before Ji You could finish, his body instinctively pushed Lu Qing Qiu aside and retreated a full zhang on a wave of qi.
At that instant, crimson eyes emerged from the shadows. The assailant, shrouded in malice, struck like lightning, claws aimed to kill.
Having missed, the malignant being lunged forward and seized Bai Ru Long and Qian Yun Xiao.
“A malignant being?!”
“How could one appear in the capital?!”
Ban Yang Shu and Ji Qi Rui, startled, unsheathed their swords, their strikes ringing sharply in the air.
Just as their blades neared the being, a sudden thunderclap erupted from the night, and a white lightning arc blazed toward them.
“A Dao Fusion Stage cultivator?!”
“Retreat! Don’t engage directly!”
Ban Yang Shu pulled Ji Qi Rui back as the ground scorched and shattered under the lightning strike.
But the assailant didn’t relent, channeling more lightning energy into a crushing attack. Although Ban Yang Shu and Ji Qi Rui dodged, their enemy’s superior strength overwhelmed them, hammering their shoulders with relentless force.