Chapter 56: The Siege of the Heavenly Script Academy at Spirit Sword Mountain
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
Deep within the ruins of the Qiling Mountain Range rose a towering peak shrouded in mist. Ji You and Yuan Chen ascended halfway up the mountain when a sudden rumble of thunder echoed through the heavens, accompanied by the flickering of ominous Killing Qi emanating from the mountain’s depths. At the same time, the Sensing Jade Plate in their possession glowed brighter, indicating the right direction.
“Brother-in-law, I’ll pay you extra for this.”
“You’re a perceptive one,” Ji You remarked, gripping his sword tightly as he led Yuan Chen over a small hill. They navigated the rugged mountain path toward the towering peak.
This was their prearranged plan: to avoid well-trodden routes and the lurking disciples of hostile sects. Their aim was to find their target and escape swiftly through the mine tunnels.
Yet, their chosen route revealed an unexpected discovery. Hanging along the bend of the mountain cliff ahead were several carriages. Relics of the ancient remnants filled the area, but this was the first familiar sight they had encountered.
Yuan Chen stumbled forward eagerly, examining the carriages. Disappointment soon replaced his excitement. He had thought these might belong to Pill Sect, used for transporting elixirs. However, Ji You’s expression darkened as he inspected a banner atop one of the carriages.
It bore the insignia of the Wild Goose Relay Station.
If Luo You’s wife’s words held truth, these carriages were used to transport infants here. Yet Ji You couldn’t fathom why the sect would bring so many abandoned children, mostly from impoverished families, to such a place. What purpose could such an act serve?
“Brother-in-law, look! Cultivators are fighting down there!” Yuan Chen exclaimed, snapping Ji You out of his thoughts.
Ji You turned to see intense combat at the mountain’s base. The sounds of clashing swords and spiritual chants filled the air, and waves of spiritual energy rippled outward.
Upon closer inspection, it became clear: two groups of disciples from different sects were jointly attacking a third group. To Ji You’s shock, the beleaguered ones were none other than disciples of the Heavenly Script Academy. Ban Yang Shu, Bai Ru Long, and their leader Wen Zheng Xin were among them. Even the Chief of the Outer Court, Pei Ru Yi, was present, blood streaming from her lips and wounds covering her body.
“Hand over your valuables!”
“We’ve already surrendered the Vermilion Fruit, yet you continue this? Spirit Sword Mountain’s actions are intolerable!”
“Your Spiritual Stones too! Surrender them all!”
The Heavenly Script Academy disciples were being driven back, encircled by enemies whose numbers were twice their own. Half of these adversaries, clad in blue robes, hailed from the Dao Seeking Sect, while the other half, more familiar, belonged to Spirit Sword Mountain.
At the forefront stood Ding Yao, her gaze icy and domineering. Though not the highest in cultivation, her close upbringing alongside the Mirror Master gave her authority even over Dao Fusion Stage disciples. Her connections ensured the Dao Seeking Sect’s cooperation, and together, they had encountered the Heavenly Script Academy disciples at the mountain’s base.
This area’s Killing Qi heavily restricted spiritual essence circulation, requiring large quantities of Spiritual Stones for recovery. Thus, both celestial treasures and Spiritual Stones had become precious resources. Pei Ru Yi, having prepared an ample supply, inadvertently revealed her wealth and now faced robbery.
Nearby, disciples from other sects, such as Mountain and Sea Pavilion and the Chen Clan of Immortals, were observing and recovering their energy in preparation for the central mountain ascent. Witnessing the scene, murmurs arose among them.
“The Heavenly Script Academy only has one Dao Fusion disciple, but the other side has three.”
“Is Spirit Sword Mountain truly severing ties with the Heavenly Script Academy?”
“In the face of such an opportunity, alliances mean little. If they obtain this fortune, the Azure Clouds Dominion might no longer see the seven sects as equals.”
“The celestial fortune is stirring!”
Their eyes turned to the central mountain, where a radiant pillar of celestial light pierced the heavens. Hearts burned with ambition.
Amid the discussion, the Heavenly Script Academy disciples were forced to the brink of annihilation. Only Wen Zheng Xin, Ban Yang Shu, Xu Jin, and Pei Ru Yi—despite being an Outer Court disciple—had any strength left to resist.
Wen Zheng Xin held her ground against a Dao Fusion Stage disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect. Her blade radiated thunder, crackling with each strike as lightning illuminated the shattered stones. Ban Yang Shu and Xu Jin fought together against another Dao Fusion cultivator but struggled under the opponent’s refined techniques and superior essence. Pei Ru Yi, however, faced the worst.
Her lower cultivation and lack of support left her battling a Dao Fusion Stage opponent alone. While the Killing Qi somewhat bridged the gap, it also drained her spiritual reserves, leaving her vulnerable.
With a resounding crash, her opponent’s sword struck, forcing Pei Ru Yi to release her spiritual essence in defense. The impact sent her crashing into the cliffside, shattering stone.
“Ru Yi!”
“Senior Sister!” Ban Yang Shu and Wen Zheng Xin shouted, but before they could act, a second sword strike descended upon Pei Ru Yi.
[It’s over. My dream of immortality ends here.]
Pei Ru Yi had no strength left to resist. Her sword slipped from her grasp as despair filled her heart. She recalled her humble origins in Feng Prefecture, where no immortal sects flourished. Her entry into the Heavenly Script Academy had been her family’s hope. Every day, she had trained tirelessly, determined to change her fate. Yet despite her efforts, her lack of noble lineage relegated her to dangerous missions like this.
[All my efforts, yet it still wasn’t enough.]
Around her, onlookers sighed in pity, believing her end was near. However, at the very moment the enemy’s blade was about to strike, he abruptly paused, raising his sword in defense.
All eyes turned to the source of the disturbance. From the mountainside above, a long sword brimming with spiritual energy flew toward the battlefield, roaring like a tiger and shimmering with unparalleled Sword Intent.