Chapter 48: Sword Light Beneath the Black Mist
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Emerging from Qiling Town, Ji You followed the thick Killing Qi, heading further into the desolate wilderness. Along the way, Malignant Beings had begun to appear, growing in number as he approached the mountain path leading to the Red Mountain Mine.
To the north, the path wound towards the mine’s entrance, while various unidentified cultivators soared past, cleaving through obstructive Malignant Beings with casual strikes before disappearing into the thick, oppressive mist enveloping the Qiling Mountains. Their indifference to the Malignant Beings and the besieged mine suggested that their goals lay elsewhere, known only to them.
Ji You, gripping his long sword, ventured into the black mist. With a decisive strike, his sword pierced through the hearts of two nearby Malignant Beings. Their instinctual reaction to human presence drew them in quickly, saving Ji You the trouble of seeking them out.
Sword waves echoed through the dense mist, cutting through the encroaching Malignant Beings. After a flurry of strikes, their coal-black corpses lay scattered, and Ji You continued toward the Red Mountain Mine, his steps calm but unyielding.
As he ventured deeper, the number of Malignant Beings grew alarming. Not daring to underestimate the situation, Ji You summoned two additional swords. Just as he had done at the Thousand Marks Mountain, he cleared the path with waves of sword qi, forgoing elaborate techniques and focusing only on efficient kills. Skirting along an arc, he eradicated the Malignant Beings flanking his path.
“This feels like chopping down trees as a pig demon might,” he muttered. “But… there’s no benefit to cultivation here. If one strike brought endless improvement, perhaps I’d be the Headmaster by tomorrow.”
Through repeated skirmishes, Ji You began to sense the rate at which his Spiritual Qi drained and replenished under the mist’s suppression. Soon, his feet surged with Spiritual Qi, propelling him forward like a streak of lightning. Waves of sword qi burst from the silence, glowing like radiant sprays of light amidst the dark fog.
Meanwhile, Wen Zheng Xin, accompanied by five Mystic Enlightenment Stage disciples from the inner court and fifteen outer court disciples, observed the Qiling Mountain Range from the foothills. There, they encountered disciples of the Chen Clan of Immortals, led by two familiar figures: Chen Yu Shan and Chen Wen Liang, both in the Dao Fusion Stage and past acquaintances.
Three years prior, Wen Zheng Xin had bested Chen Yu Shan in a Dao Debate, forcing her off the stage. Their gazes now met, sharp and unyielding.
“I heard you wish to become a direct disciple of the Freedom Hall in the Heavenly Script Academy, yet here you are,” Chen Yu Shan remarked with a smirk.
Wen Zheng Xin’s voice was cold. “And you? Aren’t you in the same position?”
Chen Yu Shan looked toward the misty sky. “Our Sect Master has decreed that if we gain anything within these ruins, we will be granted access to the Wasteland Pagoda for cultivation. Is it the same for you?”
The Wasteland Pagoda, a sacred artifact of the Chen Clan of Immortals, rivaled the Heavenly Tome of the Heavenly Script Academy. Wen Zheng Xin’s expression hardened at the mention of this artifact. For many years, the Heavenly Script Academy’s disciples had not seen the Tome’s true form, making Chen Yu Shan’s comment pointedly derisive.
Their tension was interrupted by a sharp, resonant sword chant echoing in the distance. The rhythmic hum carried an otherworldly allure, drawing their attention. Beneath the black mist, a figure clad in the Heavenly Script Academy’s robes wielded a sword, eliminating Malignant Beings in an area-wide sweep.
His movements were peculiar; one sword unleashed relentless waves of qi, while two other swords hovered protectively around him. Each wave of sword qi struck with precision, devoid of unnecessary flair. He seamlessly alternated between wielding and releasing the suspended swords, advancing deeper into the fog.
“Spirit Sword Mountain?” someone murmured.
Among the Seven Great Immortal Sects, Spirit Sword Mountain disciples were famed for their swordsmanship. Seeing this individual’s mastery, they assumed he belonged to that sect, having encountered some of its disciples earlier in Qiling Town. Yet, the figure’s northern direction puzzled them, as the mountain’s entrance lay southward.
“It’s Ji You,” a voice from the Heavenly Script Academy broke the silence.
“Who?”
An outer court disciple explained, “Ji You, from our outer court. A dual cultivator of martial and Daoist arts, recognized for wielding three swords.”
Wen Zheng Xin paused. “The name sounds familiar…”
“He’s this year’s freshman who sensed the Heavenly Tome,” another disciple clarified.
“Sensed the Heavenly Tome? And now he’s been sent to investigate the ruins?”
The disciple hesitated. “He’s a wandering rogue cultivator, not a clan’s descendant. Besides, someone else progressed faster than him…”
Wen Zheng Xin’s eyes narrowed. “You mean Chu He?”
The disciple nodded. “While Ji You sensed the Heavenly Tome, he still lacks a breakthrough. Chu He, on the other hand, is already on the cusp.”
Wen Zheng Xin sighed. “The Chu Clan’s talents are truly monstrous.”
Chen Yu Shan and Chen Wen Liang, observing Ji You’s relentless sword strikes, furrowed their brows. Despite the Black Qi dampening Spiritual Qi recovery, Ji You’s energy appeared undiminished.
Within the mist, Ji You advanced to the mine’s perimeter. The high walls of the Red Mountain Mine stood as a barrier, keeping the gathered Malignant Beings at bay. Nearby, a destroyed shed lay in ruins, with fragmented corpses strewn about. Ji You’s heart sank at the sight.
[On the night of New Year’s Dawn, miners stationed here likely perished, hoping for a better tomorrow but meeting their demise instead.]
He murmured, “There are too many Malignant Beings. If they escape, the Central Prefecture is doomed. Yet these creatures seem uncontrolled, unlike those in the Thousand Marks Mountain.”
“The Heavenly Script Academy claims to investigate these beings, yet they insist on entering the mountain. Other sects followed… as though something lies hidden within.”
His gaze swept the surroundings. “And this mine? Was its attack merely a diversion? The two entrances are too close together. What are they covering up?”
Suddenly, a commotion broke his thoughts. A group of cultivators battled the Malignant Beings nearby. Among them, a young man—roughly Ji You’s age—scrambled in panic, dodging clumsily while others shielded him. But as the Malignant Beings surged, their formation broke.
Noticing one creature charging toward the unprotected youth, Ji You drew his bow from the Green Jade Gourd and loosed an arrow, striking the creature through the head. The youth, pale and trembling, bowed in gratitude toward Ji You’s direction. Ji You smirked faintly.
[Since you’re helping with the Malignant Beings, I’ll spare your life.]
Yet, as the youth ran toward him, a horde of Malignant Beings followed in his wake. Ji You’s expression darkened.
[He’s using me as a shield?]