Chapter 40: Taken Away
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Ji You departed from the Elegant Garden by Azure Lake, his white robes flowing gracefully in the autumn breeze as he crossed the stone bridge of Azure Lake. His silhouette, framed by the serene waters and lush aura of the lake, captured the attention of all at the Field of Enlightenment.
Word of an investigation into the Ruins of Ancient Times had already spread, with many having seen massive flying swords akin to celestial ships soaring above the skies in recent days, carrying disciples from the Office of Affairs. Soon after, rumors of a list of participants had circulated, with whispers suggesting Ji You’s name among them. It was said that this journey into the ruins promised great peril—a life-and-death gamble.
Reactions to this news varied. Ji You, an outsider—a wandering rogue cultivator—had always been an anomaly among the Immortal Sect’s disciples, yet his brilliance couldn’t be denied. From treading the Chu River to comprehend the Heavenly Tome, to saving two Inner Court senior brothers with three swords, he had outshone many scions of noble families, leaving them bitter and humiliated.
But now, the tide seemed to have turned. Chu He was on the verge of breaking into a new realm, and Du Zhu had already manifested four strands of Profound Light, signaling a potential rise to prominence. Meanwhile, Ji You was to be dispatched from the Heavenly Script Academy, potentially missing his chance to secure an Inner Court spot.
Disciples like Bai Ru Long and Qian Yun Xiao, who had cursed loudly at noon upon hearing the news, now watched him with mixed worry and resentment. Du Zhu, sitting amidst the crowd, briefly glanced up, revealing the four luminous strands on his forehead, his expression mocking. As for Chu He, he remained immersed in Dao Enlightenment, his aura terrifying, exuding a hint of Profound Comprehension.
Most striking was a comment Chu He had made earlier upon learning of Ji You’s impending departure: “Even if he stayed, how could a mere wandering rogue rival me?”
Among the crowd, Lu Qing Qiu felt the most conflicted. She believed Ji You had been infatuated with her for a long time, but as fate would have it, no matter how talented he was, a poor commoner like him would inevitably fade into obscurity. It wasn’t talent but the barriers of birth that restrained him.
Yet at that moment, Ji You’s expression suddenly froze as though he had seen something astonishing. Initially heading toward the Field of Enlightenment, he abruptly changed direction, his steps quickening toward the White Jade Terrace of Ascension, a platform paved with white marble.
Lu Qing Qiu, Bai Ru Long, Qian Yun Xiao, Chu He, Du Zhu, Fang Ruo Yao, Lou Si Yi—all the Outer Court disciples turned to look, their expressions increasingly bewildered.
Standing on the terrace was a celestial beauty. Under the setting sun, her gown fluttered lightly, her hair dancing in the autumn breeze. Her presence exuded an ethereal charm.
Ji You ascended the terrace, heading straight for the celestial fairy.
“What is he doing?”
Qian Yun Xiao couldn’t help but speak. “Men always appreciate beauty, don’t they?”
Du Zhu sneered. “He’s approaching just like that? How audacious.”
“Does he not realize the cloud-brocade gown she wears is worth a fortune? And it’s the cheapest thing on her.”
“Ignorance is fearlessness sometimes.”
In recent days, some Dao hearts faltering under the pressure of others’ progress had sought companionship to restore their spirits. But Ji You’s bold move left everyone feeling as though they were witnessing a delusional dream.
Such a woman, with her aura and background, was not someone an ordinary man dared approach. What they failed to notice, however, was the fairy’s gaze fixed on Ji You. Beneath her cool demeanor, there was a faint trace of unease.
Cultivation was a monotonous path, a daily grind of years and decades. But suddenly, when a certain irreverent man appeared, a curiosity inevitably sprouted. She had wanted to know more about him, to see how he lived beyond the secluded moments they shared. Yet when she saw him now, she wasn’t sure if this was truly the same man.
Ji You, equally unsure, stared at her for a long time. [Could this really be her? This feels unreal.]
The Void Mountain had always seemed like an otherworldly dream. But here she stood, vivid and alive before him. Ji You hesitated, staring longer than he should have.
Yan Shu Yi’s brow furrowed slightly, her demeanor shifting to a sharper edge as if she were ready to silence him for mistaking her identity. But after a brief pause, she held back, remembering the onlookers.
Ji You exhaled in relief, though a hint of regret lingered. Before he could speak, her voice reached him.
“Scoundrel, you lied to me.”
“Huh?”
Yan Shu Yi’s gaze was steady. “You are indeed a disciple of the Heavenly Script Academy, but the name you gave me was false.”
Ji You’s heart skipped a beat as he imagined a stunning maiden wandering the streets of the capital, searching for “Ji Bo Chang.” “If you wanted to find me, why didn’t you tell me beforehand?”
“I thought knowing your academy and name would suffice. I didn’t expect your deceit, so I could only wait here,” she replied plainly.
“What if you couldn’t find me?”
“It was a whim. If I failed, I would simply return.”
Ji You’s lips twitched. “What a carefree attitude.”
“You’re forbidden from speaking so casually about a fairy.”
Her sharp retort surprised even herself. She rarely spoke in such a tone, but seeing him brought out an unfamiliar side of her, almost coquettish. Perhaps it was because they had trained together in a place where neither had to uphold pretenses. But now, her unusual behavior irked her.
Ji You interrupted her thoughts. “This isn’t the place for a conversation. Why don’t we return to my residence?”
Yan Shu Yi raised her gaze slightly. “You only know my name. Aren’t you curious who I really am?”
Leading her away, Ji You answered, “There’s only one sect in Ling Prefecture. That much, I know.”
“I’m hungry,” she suddenly remarked.
“Then I’ll take you to eat first.”
The crowd, still expecting the celestial fairy to strike Ji You down, stared dumbfounded as the two whispered and walked away together. Passing through the Field of Enlightenment toward Azure Lake, they noticed her expression softening. Though a trace of annoyance lingered, it was no longer icy. She followed Ji You step by step, her demeanor unexpectedly docile.
On a downward slope, the fairy even raised her fist as if to strike Ji You’s head but stopped halfway.
Witnessing this, the onlookers grew increasingly puzzled. Even Chu He, Du Zhu, and Lu Qing Qiu furrowed their brows. The icy, untouchable fairy seemed completely transformed, willingly following Ji You.
“What just happened?”
“The fairy seems to have come specifically for him…”
Lu Qing Qiu glanced at Fang Ruo Yao, who was equally stunned by the scene. But most perplexed were Bai Ru Long and Qian Yun Xiao. Moments earlier, they had praised Ji You for his calm Dao heart. Now, they watched in disbelief as he led the fairy away.
[My brother Ji’s extraordinary nature truly knows no bounds!]
As Ji You and Yan Shu Yi crossed the stone bridge of Azure Lake, they encountered Cao Jin Song. Seeing Ji You with the celestial beauty, Cao Jin Song froze. Moments earlier, he had claimed Ji You would never act like those who ogled at beauties. He hadn’t been wrong; Ji You didn’t just watch—he had taken her with him.