Chapter 6: This Is My New Disciple!
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
After Qiu Ru’s mishap, Kuang Cheng delved into the Great Xia Immortal Edicts, uncovering what he believed to be the key to breaking the impasse: Fang Ruo Yao, the newly inducted disciple of the Heavenly Script Academy.
However, Ji You’s perspective differed entirely.
What he observed was someone who, despite not yet reaching the age of majority, had already achieved perfection in the Lower Three Stages upon entering the Immortal Registry.
He wasn’t truly the “Young Master Ji”; he had no connection to Fang Ruo Yao. Her audacious decision to visit his sickbed and annul their engagement revealed her as unreliable and opportunistic.
If she couldn’t be trusted, Ji You reasoned, why not rely on himself instead?
Ignoring the mounting chaos outside, he locked himself in seclusion, cultivating so intensively that he nearly rendered himself unconscious.
…
Within the desolate courtyard, the ground was littered with fallen chrysanthemum leaves. A hush fell over the assembled crowd until a trembling voice broke the silence. It belonged to Guo Zi Xing, a timid scholar who stammered:
“Sec… secret cultivation…?”
His fragmented words sent a chill down everyone’s spine.
“Commoners secretly cultivating Immortal techniques face the death penalty… don’t they?”
These words jolted Fang Ruo Yao out of her shock. Her eyelids fluttered as realization struck.
Indeed, secret cultivation was a capital offense—an iron law of Great Xia. No amount of celestial prowess could change that. But she was different. As a recognized disciple of the Heavenly Script Academy, her cultivation was sanctioned and legitimate.
Their statuses were worlds apart.
Kuang Cheng, deep in thought, clenched a white porcelain vial resting on the table. His hand trembled slightly.
Meanwhile, Ji You strode briskly into the main hall of the County Magistrate’s Office, exuding an air of confidence.
As he stepped through the threshold, a powerful wave of Fist Intent surged toward him. A rugged, cold face followed the attack.
…
“?”
Startled, Ji You’s expression sharpened. He instinctively activated his Spiritual Qi External Defense, propelling himself backward. The force of the clash sent the potted plants at the door scattering.
[Do cultivators always attack first and ask questions later?]
Finding no way to evade, Ji You raised his arm to counter. His punch thundered forth, shattering the air like a collapsing mountain.
The ensuing collision of fists unleashed turbulent waves of Qi, causing the porcelain vase in the hall to fracture with a web of fine cracks.
This sudden assault wasn’t entirely unprovoked. Moments earlier, in the antechamber, Cao Jin Song had vehemently argued to protect the Qiu family’s young girl, his words sharp enough to be misconstrued as bullying. Bao Yong Sheng, the Grand Commander of the Guards of the Mystic Origin Immortal Palace, wouldn’t be intimidated, not even by the Heavenly Script Academy’s reputation. After all, the Azure Clouds Immortal Edicts strictly forbade interference in another sect’s affairs.
Cao Jin Song, failing to explain the situation, could only resort to posturing, which heightened the tension in the room.
Then Ji You appeared.
When he defeated the constables at the gate earlier, Ji You had yet to grasp how to restrain his aura, inadvertently exuding a menacing Killing Qi. This was like tossing dry tinder onto a raging fire, naturally arousing suspicion.
…
After their fists clashed, both Ji You and Bao Yong Sheng retreated three steps. Ji You grimaced, shaking his hand to alleviate the pain.
Bao Yong Sheng, his blood surging, suppressed the turbulence within. He flexed his fingers into claws, striking at Ji You’s throat. The sharp sound of his Qi resembled the roars of tigers and dragons.
With no combat experience to draw upon, Ji You acted on instinct, swinging his arm horizontally to deflect the claw. The force of the collision sent him skidding back once more, his luminous aura surging wildly like a tidal wave.
The onlookers who had followed from the corridor stood frozen, mouths agape. This was their first glimpse of a true immortal battle.
Even more shocking was that one of the combatants, brimming with celestial energy, was none other than Ji You.
…
After what felt like an eternity, Jia Si Cong and Dong Wei snapped out of their stupor. Glancing around, they noticed that several young ladies in the courtyard were biting their lips, their expressions dazed and dreamy. A twinge of jealousy pricked their hearts.
[At least he dazzled them before his demise,] they thought.
But what followed silenced all their inner grumbling.
The seemingly indomitable Grand Commander of the Guards suddenly stopped mid-attack. His gaze, filled with astonishment, locked onto Ji You.
“You… so young, and already perfected the Lower Three Stages?”
“That’s right!”
Before Ji You could respond, Cao Jin Song leaped to his feet, exclaiming, “Not only has he perfected the Lower Three Stages, but he’s not even twenty yet!”
Ji You froze, bewildered. [Wait, isn’t that my line?]
He’d always concealed his cultivation progress, practicing behind black curtains even within the Qiu family estate. Not even they knew of his advancements, let alone outsiders.
Still, this saved him from having to explain himself. But since it wasn’t his own boast, it felt somewhat hollow.
Cao Jin Song, oblivious to Ji You’s thoughts, was visibly trembling with excitement. He scrutinized Ji You as if seeing a rare treasure.
Moments earlier, the stalemate had seemed insurmountable. Bao Yong Sheng’s unyielding stance on taking the girl had left Cao Jin Song utterly helpless. But just as all hope seemed lost, this young man—brimming with potential—had boldly entered the hall.
Cao Jin Song had investigated Ji You thoroughly the previous night and confirmed his Essence Refinement Stage cultivation. Yet now, in less than a day, he had broken through not one but two realms, achieving perfection in the Lower Three Stages. Such progress was nothing short of miraculous!
Cultivation was a path fraught with challenges. Many spent their entire lives unable to advance a single step. Yet here was someone who could ascend two stages in a single day, reaching perfection at will.
Bao Yong Sheng, meanwhile, alternated his gaze between Cao Jin Song, Qiu Ru, and Ji You. A frown creased his brow.
Taking people to refine medicine requires thorough investigation, especially when the target possesses extraordinary Celestial Aura. That young girl, with her radiant talent, must either be a rare natural prodigy or someone with a powerful Immortal backing her. Acting rashly without understanding the situation could easily provoke disaster.
Considering her young age and her connection to the Qiu Clan’s affair, there could only be one person fitting this description.
“This esteemed guest… might you be Young Master Ji?”
“Indeed, it is him. He has recently joined our Heavenly Script Academy as a new disciple. Hahaha!”
Cao Jin Song, regaining his composure, stroked his long beard with feigned calmness and laughed heartily. “Commander Bao, do you truly believe I would intervene in the affairs of another sect without cause?”
Pei Ru Yi: “?”
Ji You: “?”
Bao Yong Sheng, however, wasn’t buying the old fox’s excuse. He had seen Cao Jin Song’s initial expression of utter shock, and no words could cover it up. Still, he knew one thing for certain—this Young Master Ji’s complete mastery of the Lower Three Stages was genuine.
Thus, he understood that taking the girl today was no longer an option.
Although mastery of the Lower Three Stages wasn’t particularly remarkable—being akin to merely completing preliminary training in the mortal realm—Ji You’s accomplishment of such a feat before coming of age was another matter entirely.
The Seven Great Immortal Sects of Azure Clouds Dominion had long agreed: anyone who reached complete mastery of the Lower Three Stages before the age of twenty would inevitably ascend to the Upper Five Stages in the future. For Immortal Worship Mountain Manor, which followed the Daoist lineage of Mystic Origin Immortal Palace, offending such a promising cultivator for a mere supplementary pill was unwise.
After pondering for a long moment, Bao Yong Sheng turned to Ji You.
“In recent days, there have been rumors in Yuyang County that I seek to use a young girl to refine medicine. Yet, I have never uttered such words. Today, I came to resolve this misunderstanding, but before I could even speak, Young Master Ji appeared.”
Cao Jin Song’s brow twitched. [This cunning old fox.]
Ji You was silent for a moment before a faint smile graced his lips.
“Naturally, it is a misunderstanding. Such incidents occur often.”
“Oh?” Bao Yong Sheng asked with a curious tone.
“Commander Bao might not know, but the other day, while I was begging for food at a tavern, I encountered an old acquaintance. I thought he was there to mock me, but to my surprise, he generously bought me ten baskets of fresh dumplings.”
Jia Si Cong: “?”
Bao Yong Sheng laughed as if genuinely amused. “Indeed, misunderstandings are fascinating. However, Young Master Ji, is it truly necessary for you to join the Heavenly Script Academy?”
Ji You glanced at Cao Jin Song.
“What do you mean by this, Commander Bao?”
“Just now, I observed your robust strength and abundant Spiritual Qi, qualities that align perfectly with the Daoist lineage of our Mystic Origin Immortal Palace.”
“Is that so? However, the Celestial Masters of the Heavenly Script Academy have promised to teach me the finest Immortal Techniques, bestow the most exquisite magical artifacts, grant me premium Spiritual Stones, and even arrange for the most beautiful senior sisters to accompany me in my studies. This places me in quite a dilemma.”
Cao Jin Song: “?”
Bao Yong Sheng clenched his teeth. “Promises are one thing; tangible benefits are another. Young Master, please wait. I will personally request our Manor Lord to present you with a newly acquired Exquisite Spirit Sword.”
Having said that, the five members of Immortal Worship Mountain Manor rose and, without even retrieving their horses, exited the County Magistrate’s Hall in leaps spanning ten zhang.
Ji You was stunned.
He had little understanding of his own worth, but seeing the group depart in such haste left him deeply intrigued.
In contrast, amidst the crowd, Kuang Cheng quietly exhaled and released his grip on a porcelain vase. However, the other onlookers grew increasingly tense, finding the scene utterly incomprehensible.
[Isn’t private cultivation among commoners punishable by death? Then why does it feel like someone just struck gold?]
“Young Master…?” Qiu Zhong, who had been shielding his daughter all this time, finally spoke, his voice trembling.
Ji You turned to him. “The matter is resolved.”
“W-what just happened?”
“A scholar from the neighboring room told me that disciples of the Heavenly Script Academy could help. So, I pulled an all-nighter and became one myself.”
Hearing this, Dong Wei, Jia Si Cong, Fang Ruo Yao, and the others standing near the door felt their lips twitch.
Cao Jin Song, however, immediately stood up, his face alight with joy.
“Young Master Ji, is this true? Have you decided to join our academy?”
“I won’t join the Mystic Origin Immortal Palace. After all, I’m not fond of eating people. However, I’ve just broken through a realm, and my Spiritual Qi seems somewhat unstable. May I return home to adjust my condition and join you in the capital in a few days?”
“Marvelous! Simply marvelous!” Cao Jin Song exclaimed grandly, clasping his hands behind his back. “Step forward, and I shall personally cleanse your Spiritual Essence with my own Qi!”
Ji You hesitated briefly before replying.
“When I left in a hurry this morning, I forgot to extinguish the fire under the kettle after brewing tea.”
Hearing this, Cao Jin Song maintained a composed expression, though his inner thoughts were thrown into chaos. [He broke through in one night and still found time to brew tea? This child’s talent and temperament are extraordinary!]
Ji You smiled faintly, bowed to Cao Jin Song, and turned to leave. As he walked away, a thin line of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, which he quickly wiped away with the back of his hand.
Qiu Ru, small and perceptive, noticed the crimson stain at the edge of his lips and the blood between his teeth. Her eyes widened in alarm.
Seeing her reaction, Ji You forced a smile and shook his head, quietly leading the father and daughter out of the County Magistrate’s Hall. The world before him spun slightly, but he continued forward.