Chapter 47: Qiling Town Shrouded in Killing Qi
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
The news of the Spirit Sword Mountain’s Appraiser Master heading to the Chen Clan of Immortals for an inquiry spread like wildfire across the Azure Clouds Dominion. Naturally, such an event piqued widespread curiosity, with many probing into its deeper significance. Among them, the Dao Seeking Sect found themselves in an awkward position. After publicly sending their direct disciples to pay respects, they found no trace of the Appraiser Master, only for her to later surface at the Chen Clan, leaving them in a rather embarrassing light.
On a massive flying sword en route to the Central Prefecture, a group of disciples from the Heavenly Script Academy heading toward an ancient ruin discussed the matter incessantly. Yet, one figure remained aloof: Ji You, who sat at the sword’s forefront, cultivating his spiritual senses and refraining from joining the chatter.
“Brother Ji, have you heard of the Spirit Sword Mountain’s Appraiser Master?” Bai Ru Long, seated at the sword’s tail, could not resist asking. “They say she is stunningly beautiful, with unparalleled cultivation talent. She’s already confirmed as Spirit Sword Mountain’s next Sect Master.”
Bai Ru Long’s gaze fell on Ji You, who bore seven long swords across his back. Bai Ru Long, the Bai family’s eldest son, had once seemed destined for greatness until his younger brother overtook him in fortune. After declining medicinal pills sent from his family, Bai Ru Long found himself added to this exploration team—a sign of his diminished standing. Despite this setback, he did not resist the assignment and seemed indifferent to the potential dangers ahead. In truth, he figured any real peril could be mitigated by positioning Ji You as a shield.
Ji You opened his eyes slightly, hearing Bai Ru Long’s query about Yan Shu Yi, and shook his head indifferently. However, his hand instinctively brushed the green jade gourd at his waist. He didn’t know much about the Appraiser Master’s strength but recalled how her fair, delicate feet were particularly adept at kicking people.
Meanwhile, the disciples’ murmurs shifted toward Chu He and Du Zhu. Some had spotted the two standing at the mountain gate, exchanging faint smiles before their departure. Behind them stood an assembly of well-born scions. The sole designated candidate for the Inner Court had been expelled, leaving them, like Ji You, as uncertain of their futures. Even if they returned safely, many believed Ji You’s chances of entering the Inner Court were all but gone.
Amid this discussion, Ban Yang Shu, who sat ahead, abruptly rose. A veteran of the Inner Court who had made little progress over the years, Ban Yang Shu had also been relegated to this exploration. His solemn expression caught everyone’s attention as he peered down beneath the flying sword. Even Ji You turned to look, his face growing grave.
The Qiling Mountain Range lay in the southeastern part of the Central Prefecture. Initially devoid of settlements due to the presence of ruins and malignant beings, the discovery of the Red Mountain Mine spurred the establishment of Qiling Town by miners. The Heavenly Script Academy assigned disciples to guard the area, supplemented by branches of various noble clans. The ruins, steeped in killing qi, generally confined their miasma to the mountains themselves. However, the killing qi now permeated the surrounding forests, enveloping their designated landing site in a grayish haze.
Ban Yang Shu refrained from ordering an immediate descent. Instead, he lit a signal incense to contact the first group of Inner Court disciples who had arrived earlier. Before long, a gentle female voice responded from the dissipating smoke.
“Ban Yang Shu?”
“Junior Sister Wen, where are you now? Why has the killing qi here become so overwhelming?”
“Descend at the original site,” she instructed.
With the smoke fading, Ban Yang Shu directed the disciples controlling the flying sword to land. As the sword drew closer to the ground, a deathly silent town emerged below, shrouded in an oppressive gloom.
The group of over ten disciples disembarked and soon encountered the earlier arrivals from the Heavenly Script Academy and the Office of Affairs. All wore grim expressions. At the forefront stood Wen Zheng Xin, an Inner Court disciple leading this mission. Though she had joined the academy later than Ban Yang Shu, her exceptional cultivation talent had propelled her to the Dao Fusion Stage. She had once been a contender for a direct disciple position in the Hall of Tranquility but was limited by her Wen family’s status as a lesser noble clan.
“Junior Sister Wen, what’s going on here?” Ban Yang Shu asked.
“Try circulating your spiritual qi,” she replied.
Ban Yang Shu hesitated, then did as instructed, only to find his spiritual essence trembling uncontrollably. Worse yet, his absorption of spiritual qi became agonizingly slow.
“The killing qi here suppresses spiritual essence circulation,” Wen Zheng Xin explained. Her words sparked an uproar among the gathered disciples.
Ji You scanned his surroundings, a glint of thought flashing in his eyes. Wen Zheng Xin continued, “It’s not just spiritual essence suppression. Heaven resonance here is nearly impossible.”
Heaven resonance, the scholarly term for projecting one’s spiritual senses, became nearly unachievable in the miasma’s grip. Cultivation under such conditions was all but futile. Ban Yang Shu, attempting heaven resonance, felt a splitting headache and turned pale.
“The Office of Affairs investigated this area three times. Why didn’t they warn us?” he demanded.
“What do you think?” Wen Zheng Xin retorted coldly, her tone carrying an unspoken truth that drained the color from the disciples’ faces. They had hoped to contribute to the Immortal Sect while avoiding its darker realities but were now faced with the unvarnished cruelty of their mission.
Amid their unease, a new group arrived in the town. Clad in gray robes embroidered with a small tower insignia, they were disciples of the Chen Clan of Immortals. Others followed in inconspicuous attire, their spiritual qi betraying their strength.
Ban Yang Shu’s frown deepened. “We’re not here to investigate malignant beings. The academy has another purpose?”
Wen Zheng Xin shot him a sidelong glance. “Ask no questions. Tomorrow, we’ll head into the mountains to uncover the truth. Afterward, the Hall Master will take over, and we’ll be free to leave.”
“Is there something in the mountains the Immortal Sects desire? The Chen Clan, too?”
“Knowing too much will do you no good,” she replied curtly before heading to the inn.
The remaining disciples turned their gaze toward the seemingly endless Qiling Mountain Range. The oppressive miasma weighed on them heavily, filling them with dread. Though they had joined the academy to seek enlightenment, the mission ahead made them feel like sacrificial pawns. None dared voice dissent or walk away, for their families’ legacies were entwined with the Immortal Sect’s dominion.
Ji You approached Ban Yang Shu. “Senior Brother, return to the inn with the others. I’m going out.”
“Where?”
“The Red Mountain Mine.”
Ban Yang Shu’s brow furrowed. “The mine is at the edge of the mountains, crawling with malignant beings. What can you do there as someone still in the Lower Three Stages?”
Ji You cradled his sword. “Something a Lower Three Stage cultivator can do.”
“You mean to rescue the miners?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know someone at the mine?”
Ji You hefted his sword. “A child’s father, a wife’s husband, an elder’s son.”
Smiling faintly, he slung his sword over his shoulder and headed toward the mine. Reflecting on his path since leaving Yuyang County to join the academy, Ji You had often felt aimless. Dreams of ascending to Sect Master seemed too distant. Yet, faced with this mission, he realized even the weakest cultivator could make a difference.
Once, he had read a tale of a boy saving stranded fish on a beach. When told his efforts were futile, the boy simply replied, “This one cares. So does this one. And this one too.” Ji You now understood: while grand ambitions might linger beyond his reach, he could still bring light to the shadows around him.