Chapter 62: Ten Days of Tales (Part Two)
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
“When the Young Master Ji descended the mountain, the disciples of the Seven Great Immortal Sects were left in speculation. Why would such a prodigious figure leave the sanctity of the sect?”
“Could it be that the Demonic Clan carried with them an extraordinary celestial fate?”
“Yet only the townsfolk of that small settlement witnessed the truth. They saw him carry Xiu Xiu down and carve words onto the city wall before retrieving a long sword from Ji Bo Chang’s corpse.”
“From that moment on, no Demonic Clan member ever dared cross the border again.”
“The battle was cataclysmic, shaking the heavens and earth. Countless demons perished at the gates of the city. The Young Master’s white robes, once pristine, were soaked in blood, yet he did not retreat a single step.”
“Then, the heavens thundered, and celestial radiance illuminated the land. The Immortal Sects observing from their sacred peaks with great power rejoiced. They knew such brilliance heralded ascension.”
“Indeed, the Demonic Clan brought forth an infinite celestial opportunity capable of granting immortality!”
“But what they did not know was that this was merely a coincidence. The celestial light that filled the skies was because the Young Master Ji had coincidentally reached the moment of ascension.”
“By dawn, under the rising sun, the townsfolk looked up to find the demons had retreated. Yet, on the city wall, a lone figure still stood.”
“For reasons unknown, the Young Master Ji did not ascend but fell in battle, his battered body stubbornly standing tall even in death.”
“The entire town, silent for a long time, finally knelt like a surging tide, bowing repeatedly to that indomitable figure.”
“The Seven Great Immortal Sects sent people to investigate and recorded the incident, labeling it an unsolved mystery. They could not fathom why, despite the celestial resonance signaling ascension, the Young Master Ji failed to ascend and perished instead.”
As Ji You finished narrating, the disciples in the shadowy forest were left dazed, their faces filled with disbelief.
This tale defied the logic of Azure Clouds Dominion and severely challenged their nerves. In a realm where countless cultivators pursued the immortal path and eternal life, how could someone so talented forsake ascension to die for mortals?
Yet, as Ji You described the Young Master standing alone against thousands, roaring for the Demonic Clan to halt their invasion of human lands, the disciples could not help but feel a flame ignite within them.
Wen Zheng Xin hugged her knees, gazing at Ji You. “What did he carve on the wall before his final strike?”
Ji You squinted, his expression deep and wistful. “He carved the Dao he had found.”
“What Dao?”
“The greatest Dao of immortality: to live for the people.”
Hearing this, the disciples were momentarily stunned. A mysterious sensation climbed their spines, as though they were grasping enlightenment yet unable to comprehend its depths. Instinctively, they looked up to the sky, their hearts filled with confusion.
Wen Zheng Xin bit her lip. “Did you make this up?”
Ji You knew he had been caught and casually tossed the serialized tale aside. “A story should be dramatic and exciting. Winning all the time is dull—like my life, utterly boring.”
“But such an immortal could never exist in reality.”
“Exactly. That’s why it’s just a story. Don’t take it seriously.”
Ji You hadn’t intended to awaken a sense of belonging to humanity through a tale. He simply disliked the original plot in the serialized tale and improvised for his amusement. Unexpectedly, he discovered a latent talent for storytelling that could make a living.
“It’s a good story,” Wen Zheng Xin muttered, repeating the phrase “To live for the people” softly.
The disciples knew they were sent here as expendable pawns for the sects. Their mission was to die for their sects. But after hearing the tale, the idea of dying as heroically as the Young Master seemed far more meaningful.
The other disciples also fell into silent contemplation, releasing long sighs without speaking. Something seemed to stir within them, though none could explain what it was.
Wen Zheng Xin suddenly looked up. “Were you reflecting on our current situation in your story?”
“What situation?”
“The Seven Great Immortal Sects’ pursuit of celestial fate is nothing but ignorant arrogance.”
Ji You lowered his voice. “Senior Sister, lead them down the mountain tomorrow. There is no celestial fate here.”
Wen Zheng Xin froze, glancing toward the ruins and the central High Mountain of Surging Celestial Radiance. How could there be no celestial fate when such radiance surged?
Seeing her disbelief, Ji You sat cross-legged. “I’ll prove it to you.”
“How?”
Ji You did not answer. Instead, he closed his eyes, and the surrounding disciples gathered closer, unsure of what he was attempting. Moments later, gasps of surprise erupted as Wen Zheng Xin staggered back three steps, her face pale.
Around Ji You, an otherworldly aura began to emanate. At first, it was a faint wisp, but it rapidly grew into a torrential storm of qi.
“Senior Sister, isn’t this the aura of the Mystic Enlightenment Stage?”
“He’s about to break through!”
Ban Yang Shu stepped forward, his voice heavy with disbelief. “This isn’t possible. The Ruins of Ancient Times are shrouded in killing qi, severing resonance with the Heavenly Dao. Breaking through should be impossible.”
Amid their astonishment, the ethereal aura suddenly dissipated, and the waves of qi collapsed. Ji You opened his eyes. For a fleeting moment, golden light shimmered before turning into a crimson haze filled with ferocity.
“Have you consumed a Vermilion Fruit?”
“No.”
Wen Zheng Xin’s disbelief deepened. “Then just now…?”
Ji You exhaled. “I’ve been cultivating my spiritual consciousness to master swordsmanship. Although my realm didn’t improve, that battle allowed me to push through the killing qi’s constraints.”
Wen Zheng Xin and Ban Yang Shu exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of how to respond. They knew the killing qi suppressed spiritual essence and consciousness, yet Ji You had somehow trained his consciousness to break free.
The Outer Court always hailed Chu He as a prodigy, surpassing even those who sensed the Heavenly Tome, yet now they couldn’t help but feel Ji You’s Lower Three Stages perfection had never been surpassed.
Ji You’s crimson gaze faded. “You’ve misunderstood one thing.”
“Misunderstood?”
“It’s true the killing qi limits spiritual essence and consciousness, but it does not block resonance with the Heavenly Dao.”
Ban Yang Shu frowned. “Impossible. No one here can resonate with the Dao. If it’s not blocked, then what is it?”
Ji You stared at him. “The rumor about a disciple of the Mountain and Sea Pavilion who consumed a Vermilion Fruit and ascended two stages in one day—why was he unaffected by the killing qi? Simply because he ate a fruit?”
“This…”
“Your inability to resonate is not due to the killing qi’s suppression but because there is no Heavenly Dao here.”
For nine days, Ji You had relentlessly honed his spiritual consciousness, pushing past the eerie constraints of the killing qi. Tonight, his repeated breakthroughs allowed him to sense something profound.
As he soared into the void, he discovered a chaotic abyss filled with malevolent energy, its twisted presence distinct from the Dao’s harmonious laws. Those who broke through after consuming the Vermilion Fruit had not resonated with the Dao but with something unknown and sinister.