Chapter 55: Search Him!
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
Night crept in, and the depths of the Ruins of Sun and Moon grew colder and darker. Within the crumbling remnants of the ruins, three bonfires crackled, occasionally sending embers into the still air. By the central fire sat Yuan Chen and his hired bandit brother-in-law. To the left were Zhuo Wan Qiu and three other disciples of the Spirit Sword Mountain Sect, their presence motivated by the duo’s seemingly directed movements. To the right huddled seven or eight cultivators whom Ji You had rescued along the way. They clung to the fire, sleepless and visibly shaken.
To Yuan Chen, his brother-in-law seemed an odd mix of contradictions. Despite constantly mumbling about avoiding treasures to elude disaster and advising against drawing attention, the man couldn’t stop himself from saving others in peril.
“These low-level disciples obviously didn’t come here willingly,” the bandit declared. “They shouldn’t die here just because someone else is chasing immortality.” He sighed heavily, appearing thoroughly torn.
Yuan Chen brought out the Sensing Jade Plate from the gourd on his hip, watching its faint glow flicker. Relief washed over him; it meant he was nearing his sister’s location. For the first time in a while, he allowed himself to relax, shutting his eyes for a brief respite until dawn.
By the next day, the group resumed their journey toward the High Mountain of Surging Celestial Radiance. The closer they drew, the heavier the killing qi grew, suppressing spiritual energy almost entirely. Some cultivators who had exhausted their reserves during skirmishes with disciples from rival sects the previous day found their spiritual energy barely half-restored after a full night’s rest. This weighed heavily on Zhuo Wan Qiu and her fellow disciples, who began contemplating retreat.
In contrast, the Heavenly Script Academy disciple who had saved them, Ji You, exhibited an unrelenting supply of spiritual energy, as if he had a second core. This discrepancy left the others baffled.
As they reached a mountain hollow, Ji You suddenly halted. The three swords strapped to his back flew into the air, gleaming with spiritual energy.
“Someone’s coming,” he said tersely.
Everyone tensed, unsheathing their weapons. In recent days, tensions had escalated between the sects. The deeper one ventured, the more signs of bloodshed and death were visible—a constant reminder of looming peril.
Soon, five figures emerged from the woods. Upon recognizing the Spirit Sword Mountain Sect and Dao Seeking Sect attire, Zhuo Wan Qiu let out a soft sigh of relief and sheathed her weapon.
Among the newcomers, three were Spirit Sword Mountain Sect disciples, led by the coldly aloof Ding Yao, who carried her sword in a reverse grip. The other two were disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect, with Min Cheng, an inner disciple, leading them.
“It’s Senior Sister Ding Yao from the inner sect,” Zhuo Wan Qiu explained to Ji You. “You can lower your swords.”
Ji You cast her a skeptical glance. “A beginner at the Mystic Enlightenment Stage leading two mid-stage cultivators? Odd.”
Zhuo Wan Qiu hesitated before explaining, “Senior Sister Ding Yao is our sect master’s personal appraiser’s maid, granting her a unique status within the sect.”
Ji You snorted. “And the two men? Are they her maids as well?”
Zhuo Wan Qiu quickly shook her head. “No, Senior Brother Min Cheng has admired Senior Sister Ding Yao for years. He’s trustworthy.”
Unmoved, Ji You finally lowered his swords. “The Dao Seeking Sect’s direct disciples fancy your appraiser, and now one chases after her maid? How cozy.”
“The Spirit Sword Mountain Sect and Dao Seeking Sect have always been allied,” Zhuo Wan Qiu said, puzzled by his disdain.
Their conversation was cut short as Ding Yao’s party drew near. They too reacted cautiously, their swords flashing into their hands before Zhuo Wan Qiu hastened to greet them.
“Senior Sister Ding Yao, I am Zhuo Wan Qiu, an outer disciple of Spirit Sword Mountain,” she introduced herself with a bow.
Ding Yao regarded her coolly. “What brings an outer disciple here?”
“We’re searching for missing disciples last seen in Qing Prefecture,” Zhuo Wan Qiu explained.
Min Cheng, recalling recent rumors, asked sharply, “Was Junior Sister Yan among those you accompanied to question the Chen Clan of Immortals?”
Zhuo Wan Qiu nodded. “She was.”
“Where is she now?” Min Cheng demanded. “Senior Brother Shang Xi Yao has been worrying over her daily.”
“She’s investigating elsewhere,” Zhuo Wan Qiu replied, pressing her lips together.
Ding Yao interjected smoothly. “Rest assured, Senior Brother Min Cheng. Junior Sister Yan and I are like sisters. Should she return to the mountain, I’ll personally send word to the Dao Seeking Sect.”
Min Cheng nodded. “Then I’ll leave it in your capable hands.”
Ding Yao smiled sweetly before turning to Zhuo Wan Qiu. “Have you discovered anything of value?”
Zhuo Wan Qiu produced a single fruit. “Only this Vermilion Fruit, found by chance.”
Ding Yao’s eyes lit up, and she quickly took the fruit. “Any more?”
“Just the one,” Zhuo Wan Qiu replied with a shake of her head, thinking of the near-fatal battle they endured to obtain it.
Min Cheng’s gaze shifted toward Ji You’s group. “Could they have more?” he mused aloud.
After a moment’s thought, Ding Yao ordered her two mid-stage companions, “Search them.”
Zhuo Wan Qiu paled. “Senior Sister, they are our companions!”
“Relax,” Ding Yao replied dismissively. “The strongest among them is merely a peak lower-stage cultivator. They won’t resist.”
The two disciples moved toward Ji You, who stood motionless as they rifled through his belongings. Zhuo Wan Qiu felt paralyzed, torn between gratitude toward her rescuer and loyalty to her sect. She could only clutch her sword nervously as a storm of emotions churned within her.
Yet Ji You offered no resistance, his calm demeanor unnerving Zhuo Wan Qiu. His swords had displayed a sharpness that spoke of mastery, and his Sword Intent was impossibly focused. Why, then, did he allow such indignity?
When the search yielded nothing, the disciples returned empty-handed.
Ding Yao turned to Zhuo Wan Qiu. “Come with us. The Spirit Sword Mountain Sect’s disciples are gathering in the hollow to press onward. We must claim the greatest celestial fortune before any rival sect.”
Zhuo Wan Qiu hesitated. “But we’re still searching for our comrades.”
“And if a few disciples are lost? Should this celestial fortune fall into another sect’s hands, how will we maintain our dominance in the Azure Clouds Dominion?”
Ignoring her protests, Ding Yao marched off, the others trailing behind.
Yuan Chen glanced at Ji You, visibly upset. “Brother-in-law, they touched us head to toe. You’re just going to take that?”
Ji You smirked faintly. “What else? They’re disciples of the Spirit Sword Mountain Sect. I’ll let it slide for now. When we meet their appraiser, I’ll search her in return.”
Yuan Chen gaped, thinking his brother-in-law’s audacity bordered on lunacy. “She’s the fastest Heaven Resonance Stage cultivator in the Azure Clouds Dominion! Stare too long, and she might strike you dead.”
Ji You said nothing, his gaze following Ding Yao’s retreating figure. Then, with a casual motion, he shouldered his sword and headed deeper into the forest.