Chapter 99: Ascending Cinnabar Mountain
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
At dawn, the crowing of the morning rooster signaled the start of a new day. Ji You stirred awake, glanced down at the rooster, and inexplicably puffed out his chest in response.
After washing up and having breakfast, Ji You joined his fellow disciples in a carriage caravan headed toward Cinnabar Mountain in the southwestern part of Xiyang County.
From the mountain’s base, the lush greenery blanketed the high peaks, and seven densely packed pavilions and towers came into view, connected by arched corridor bridges. Their arrangement resembled the constellation of the Big Dipper.
The Pill Sect had long been informed of the Heavenly Script Academy’s visit. At the mountain’s base, numerous alchemists clad in alchemical robes descended to welcome the visitors. Among them, standing at the forefront of the mountain gate, was Dan Qiong Zi, an elder of wiry build who had visited the Heavenly Script Academy before. He was also the direct uncle of the Yuan siblings and the younger brother of the Pill Sect’s headmaster.
The disciples of the Heavenly Script Academy ascended the winding mountain path, marveling at the rare and exotic flora along the way. Their eyes eventually settled on the Pill Sect members who had come to greet them.
“Junior You Bu Yu greets Elder Qiong,” said You Bu Yu with a respectful bow.
“Junior He Ling Xiu greets Elder Qiong,” followed He Ling Xiu, also bowing courteously.
As the leaders of this expedition, it was only fitting for You Bu Yu and He Ling Xiu to take the lead in paying respects. The rest of the disciples bowed as well, though their gazes wandered to the various pavilions scattered across the mountain.
Among the Seven Great Immortal Sects, the Pill Sect was the most reserved and enigmatic due to its unique path of cultivation. The mountain was usually shrouded in clouds and mist, obscuring even its shape. Only those who operated the sect’s relay stations were permitted to traverse the mountain gate at specified times to transport the medicinal pills needed throughout the Azure Clouds Dominion.
For these disciples, this visit marked the first time they had the opportunity to step into the inner sanctum of the Pill Sect.
Dan Qiong Zi’s expression was amiable as he warmly exclaimed “Good!” three times in succession. However, his gaze soon shifted to Ji You among the crowd, his expression momentarily freezing.
Rumors of impending chaos had been circulating since the beginning of the year. The barbaric tribes had retaliated, and the Demon Clan had invaded the borders, further fueling the rumors. In response, the Pill Sect abandoned its usual distance from the other six Immortal Sects, proactively aligning with the Heavenly Script Academy to face the turbulent times together. As part of this alliance, arrangements had been made for Yuan Cai Wei to interact with You Bu Yu.
However, for reasons unknown, Yuan Chen believed that his sister should marry Ji You instead. Under normal circumstances, such musings would be dismissed as mere jokes. Yet the rumors of Ji You’s supposed “transcendent lineage” had spread far and wide, turning what was once a jest into something curious.
Alliances could be a means of mitigating risks, but nothing compared to possessing strength oneself.
At that moment, Ji You’s gaze shifted back and inadvertently locked with Dan Qiong Zi’s.
“Brother Ji, that elder from the Pill Sect keeps staring at you,” Bai Ru Long commented quietly.
Ji You’s face darkened as he muttered, “I noticed. That old man’s eyes are giving me the creeps. Do you think he plans to turn me into a medicinal pill?”
Feeling a shiver of unease, Ji You turned to Bai Ru Long. “Brother Bai, I’m cold. Open your money pouch so I can warm my hands.”
Unaware of the risks of being reduced to a breeding machine, Ji You might have descended the mountain immediately if he knew. Although the idea carried a certain allure, the Pill Sect was rumored to have miraculous pills capable of replenishing both physical and spiritual energy—enabling endless endurance.
While some pleasures were enticing, they could quickly become torment if experienced excessively. Even the sturdiest ox, brimming with boundless strength, would falter upon seeing an endless expanse of farmland.
Dan Qiong Zi’s gaze eventually returned to You Bu Yu, a subtle shake of his head betraying his thoughts. The Chu Clan’s transcendent lineage was something even the Immortal Sects coveted. Yet Ji You, an unmarried cultivator out in the world, showed no intention of safeguarding himself. In ordinary times, this might attract envy and scheming from various clans. Alas, even with such a lineage, a century would be needed to cultivate a legacy. In these chaotic times, no one could afford to wait.
Thus, You Bu Yu was the better choice.
The Hall Master of Auspiciousness was a formidable cultivator at the pinnacle of the top five realms. Such individuals were exceedingly rare in the entire world.
“Everyone, please come in!” Dan Qiong Zi finally said, gesturing welcomingly.
Dan Qiong Zi swept his grand sleeve, leading the disciples of the Heavenly Script Academy deeper into the mountain. Along the winding path ahead, they encountered a colossal alchemy furnace, its design mirroring the emblem embroidered upon their alchemy robes.
However, despite its resemblance to the renowned Hong Furnace, this imitation was purely decorative and lacked any practical function.
Skirting around the bronze furnace, the group ascended a slope and crossed a serene azure lake. Beyond it stood the Jade Balance Hall, one of the seven great halls of the Pill Sect.
The hall was already teeming with people. Among them stood a tall, thin figure whose stature matched Dan Qiong Zi’s, exuding an innate authority without anger. His features bore a striking resemblance to Yuan Chen. Draped in the Sect Master’s sacred robe, this was Yuan Li, the current revered leader of the Pill Sect.
Beside Yuan Li stood Yuan Cai Wei, adorned in a flowing Cloud-Brocade Gown, her beauty accentuated by delicate embellishments resembling fireworks. Her dewy eyes gazed outside the hall. She first noticed You Bu Yu leading the group, but her search continued until her gaze settled upon Ji You.
Clad in her alchemy robe, Yuan Cai Wei’s beauty was striking, yet her demeanor lacked the gentleness of a typical maiden. This moment, however, captured a more captivating allure.
You Bu Yu’s heart quivered slightly before he composed himself and entered the hall, presenting his sword respectfully.
“You Bu Yu, direct disciple of the Auspicious Hall of the Heavenly Script Academy, greets the revered Sect Master of the Pill Sect and Lady Cai Wei.”
He continued with a composed demeanor, “Before my departure, my aunt asked me to convey her regards to both of you. She also mentioned that, given the chance, she would visit in person next time.”
You Bu Yu, arranged by the Heavenly Script Academy to be a suitable match for the Pill Sect’s eldest daughter, naturally commanded attention. As expected, no one in the hall attempted to overshadow him. Thus, he spoke freely about his cultivation progress and relayed his aunt’s greetings, filling the hall with a convivial atmosphere.
Ji You, however, was slightly absent-minded, his thoughts wandering. [If Spirit Sword Mountain could foster such camaraderie, it would truly be remarkable.]
Meanwhile, Yuan Cai Wei had been observing Ji You. Noticing his distraction, a trace of emotion flickered in her eyes.
“Is this Ji You?” Her steady inquiry snapped Ji You out of his thoughts. He looked up at the Pill Sect Master.
“This humble one, Ji You, an outer court disciple of the Heavenly Script Academy, greets the revered Sect Master.”
Yuan Li regarded him with a discerning gaze. “We owe you thanks for rescuing Yuan Chen and Cai Wei from the mountain.”
Ji You replied with a straightforward tone, “I was paid in silver. It was a business arrangement with Yuan Chen. Saving them was merely my duty. There’s no need for such gratitude, revered Sect Master.”
At this, the hall’s attention shifted towards him.
Disciples from the outer courts of any immortal sect rarely drew much notice. Their names were often forgotten, save for extraordinary individuals like Chu He. Yet among the Heavenly Script Academy’s outer court, the most remarkable figure was not Chu He but Ji You, known for his audacious ways.
He was an anomaly, famed for his unpredictable behavior. When Yuan Chen’s direct disciple fled the mountain, only a thousand silver taels were needed to hire Ji You for a perilous mission—a task he completed flawlessly.
Hearing Ji You’s mention of Yuan Chen, Yuan Li couldn’t help but glance at his daughter. He recalled his son’s incessant references to someone he called “brother-in-law.” Initially, Yuan Li assumed this term referred to You Bu Yu, believing his son grasped the political nuances of such an alliance. However, he later discovered that Yuan Chen’s “brother-in-law” was an entirely different person.
The Pill Sect, isolated and dedicated to the Pill Dao, rarely involved itself with the outside world. News from other sects seldom reached them. Yuan Li had since ordered an investigation into Ji You’s background and spent considerable time reviewing it.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Yuan Li asked, “Young Master Ji, how old are you?”
“I’ve just reached my coming-of-age year.”
“Where is your family from?”
“Yuyang County, Feng Prefecture.”
At this, You Bu Yu, who had been sitting upright, couldn’t help but furrow his brow slightly. He considered himself the centerpiece of this gathering, the one with the most significant ties to the Pill Sect—at least in his own mind. Naturally, the shift in attention to Ji You left him displeased.
The Pill Sect Master had earlier engaged in casual inquiries about the internal affairs of the Heavenly Script Academy and the state of its Hall Masters. Though the conversation was largely superficial, the sudden questions directed at Ji You—his age and place of residence—were peculiar.
You Bu Yu mulled over the oddity for a moment but brushed it aside. Perhaps, he thought, it was simply because the reputation of the You Clan was so widespread that no one needed to ask. Ji You, however, was merely a wandering rogue cultivator from the countryside, so questions about his background felt more natural.
At that moment, Yuan Li interjected, “Young Master Ji, how many people are there in your family?”
Ji You mused inwardly, [Why does this feel like a census interview?] Yet, he replied politely, “Fewer than eighty.”
“So many?”
“Wasn’t he supposed to be a wandering rogue cultivator?”
“Didn’t they say his family was wiped out? Where did eighty people suddenly come from?”
“Maybe… he’s just making it up to save face?”
He Ling Xiu stifled a laugh upon hearing this, thinking, [Everyone in the Heavenly Script Academy knows Ji You’s family background. Why would he need to fabricate anything?]
But You Bu Yu openly remarked, “Junior Brother Ji, you must not speak nonsense before the Pill Sect Master. Are you fabricating an entire clan out of thin air?”
Ji You remained silent, offering only a serene smile. [Your mother’s…] he thought, but refrained from saying it aloud.
The Pill Sect Master had no real intention of making Ji You his son-in-law. However, with Yuan Chen’s constant chatter in his ears, curiosity had naturally taken root, leading to these instinctive questions.
Soon after, the formal meeting in the hall concluded, and the Pill Sect Master hosted an elaborate welcoming banquet for his guests. The gathering was divided into three tables, as one could not accommodate everyone.
Ji You, uninterested in sharing a table with You Bu Yu, turned toward the side hall and joined Bai Ru Long and others at the so-called “children’s table.” Wen Zheng Xin, who did not get along with He Ling Xiu, also joined the smaller table.
Left at the main table were You Bu Yu, He Ling Xiu, Ban Yang Shu, Pei Ru Yi, Wang Yue, and Fang Lin Chao, with Yuan Cai Wei accompanying them as a host.
As drinks flowed and conversation sparkled, someone brought up Ji You’s earlier claim of having a family of over eighty. A chuckle escaped, as though mocking the audacity of a known orphaned rogue cultivator attempting to put on airs before the esteemed Pill Sect Master.
“Junior Brother Ji didn’t say he had over eighty people in his family,” Pei Ru Yi calmly corrected them, pausing to pick up a stalk of Immortal Bud from her plate. “He said fewer than eighty.”
The smile on You Bu Yu’s face gradually faded. “Wasn’t he supposed to have lost his entire family? Could the information I heard have been false?”
Ban Yang Shu, unaware of the finer details, looked curiously at Pei Ru Yi.
“You must have heard of how Junior Brother Ji entered the Heavenly Script Academy to protect a six-year-old girl,” Pei Ru Yi explained evenly.
“I’ve heard. The Mystic Origin Immortal Palace has a history of using people for alchemical experiments. That girl caught their attention, didn’t she?”
Pei Ru Yi’s gaze remained calm as she continued, “Indeed. After Junior Brother Ji joined the academy, he adopted seventy-two impoverished children as his godchildren.”
At this revelation, Yuan Cai Wei’s chopsticks paused mid-air. Pei Ru Yi’s voice rang out again, cutting through the quiet.
“In other settings, Junior Brother Ji might claim to be alone in the world. But in situations where rumors could easily spread, he will always assert that he has many family members. Those children are still under his protection, living right under the nose of the Mystic Origin Immortal Palace.”
She took another bite of her dish. “Those children are the clan he guards.”
The table fell silent.
Ban Yang Shu’s thoughts turned to the immortal adage: [To walk the immortal path is to live for the people.] What he once regarded as a mere tale was, in fact, Ji You’s lived reality.
Meanwhile, Yuan Cai Wei recalled her brother’s oft-repeated words: [Born into this world, one must leave behind stories worth remembering.]