Affairs Management Courtyard

In a secluded, square building outside the Inner Court of Mount Ni, shrouded in mist.

Qin Rong, Lang Hetong, and Ji Jingyao, the three great affairs managers of the Celestial Academy, sat before their desks. Their wide sleeves draped to the sides of their wooden chairs, they listened to a disciple's report with an imposing presence.

After a long while, the report concluded, and the three men exchanged glances.

"There are no ancient ruins around Shengjing, so how could Evil Seeds appear? It makes no sense. And how could those mindless creatures be mixed in with cultivators?"

Qin Rong's brow was deeply furrowed, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Lang Hetong also couldn't help but speak, "With a Dao Integration Realm expert intervening, yet not a single person was injured. This matter is also quite strange."

Ji Jing looked at them, then after a moment said, "Of the eight people attacked this time, three retreated unharmed, and two only sustained minor skin injuries. Let's call them in for questioning."

"That's exactly what I was thinking," Qin Rong nodded.

Lu Qingqiu, Lou Siyi, and Sun Zhiqiao were saved by Ji You the instant they were engaged.

Bai Rulong and Qian Yunxiao had their necks grabbed by the Evil Seeds but were otherwise unharmed. Thus, under the watchful eyes of many Outer Court disciples, they were invited to the Affairs Management Hall on the mountain.

Regarding why the Evil Seeds appeared, they couldn't explain. But as for why there were no casualties, they had plenty to say.

"Ji You is a dual cultivator of martial and cultivation arts, his swordsmanship is astonishing..."

"He did this, then this, and then this..."

"After the second sword strike was taken, that Evil Seed was at a disadvantage. Then the third sword was even more unexpected..."

"Senior Brother Ban and Senior Brother Ji were on the brink of death at the time. It was this third sword that interrupted the opponent's lightning techniques..."

Bai Rulong acted as the physical demonstrator, illustrating the scene with gestures.

Lu Qingqiu, along with Bai Rulong's animated movements, described the scene in its entirety, leaving the three affairs managers in silence.

"The current Immortal Sect's influence spans the world, bringing peace for a thousand years. Even discussion gatherings like the Snow Boiling Convention and Immortal Traveling Convention emphasize stopping at a point of restraint. Before this incident, even I thought martial techniques were beneath notice."

Qin Rong rolled up his sleeves and said, "Until now, that Outer Court disciple, a dual cultivator, with his extreme crowd control, has shown everyone the reason why martial techniques exist."

Lang Hetong listened and then opened his mouth, "Martial Dao."

"What?"

"It was once called the Martial Dao."

Ji Jingyao, without listening to their discussion, frowned slightly and said, "Ji You, I think I've heard that name somewhere before?"

Qin Rong also found it somewhat familiar upon hearing his words, "I think I've heard it too."

Lang Hetong laughed heartily, "Isn't this Ji You the one who was one step ahead of the Chu family and was the first to sense the Heavenly Tome?"

"That scholar from the countryside?!"

"Precisely."

Qin Rong and Ji Jingyao exchanged glances, surprise in their eyes.

A dual cultivator of martial and cultivation arts who had sensed the Heavenly Tome and then used his sword to control the battlefield beyond his level, saving his peers – it was truly unbelievable.

Lang Hetong stroked his long beard and said, "Although this battle is clear, who that Dao Integration Realm expert was, the purpose of the attack on the disciples, and why Evil Seeds appeared in Shengjing – these are the most important questions."

Qin Rong nodded upon hearing this, "Indeed. The disciples searching the city have not yet sent back any news. Let's question the three disciples who participated first."

"Qirui is currently injured and cannot get up, so let's not call him," Ji Jingyao said.

The Ji family of Qingzhou was also a prestigious clan, and Ji Qirui was Ji Jingyao's nephew.

Qin Rong also said, "Ban Yangshu's injuries are also quite serious. We'll ask him later."

He had no familial relationship with Ban Yangshu, but he had a past acquaintance with the Ban family, so he spoke up for him.

In the Qingyun World, cultivation was a tradition of passing down knowledge from the earlier generation of cultivators to the later.

However, the word "later" in "later generation" did not refer to those who came after, but to "descendants," a fact that many misunderstood.

"Then... let's call that Outer Court disciple."

"Yes, since he fought against the Evil Seeds and experienced that Dao Integration Realm expert's lightning techniques, he must have some details that you and I don't know."

Bai Rulong and Qian Yunxiao immediately became anxious. Ji You was their savior, the one who had saved their lives: "Esteemed affairs managers, Ji You's spiritual sense is greatly depleted, and he is currently asleep. It is not suitable to question him."

Lu Qingqiu and the other two women also stepped forward, "Esteemed affairs managers, perhaps we should wait until he wakes up to question him."

"The entire world has heard that disciples of the Celestial Academy were attacked in Shengjing. If we do not investigate and clarify this quickly, it will damage the sect's prestige."

Qin Rong picked up his teacup, "Moreover, depletion of spiritual sense is not an injury. A few simple questions will not harm him."

Ji Jingyao nodded upon hearing this and looked at a disciple beside him, "Go to the Outer Court and summon Ji You for questioning."

"Yes, affairs manager!"

The Affairs Management Courtyard was independent of the Inner and Outer Courts, with the purpose of upholding the might of the Holy Sect, and its actions were quite aggressive.

In their eyes, Ji You was currently just an Outer Court disciple with no high status or background from a noble family, so they naturally wouldn't consider too much.

Even if Ji You were to enter the Inner Court in the future, as long as he didn't become a direct disciple of one of the Five Halls, it wouldn't affect their Affairs Management Courtyard.

Moreover, there were only five halls in the Inner Court, and the direct disciples of the Free and Jixiang Halls were already decided. The other Inner Court disciples were all vying for these spots, and Ji You had no chance.

Their actions all started from the prestige of the Sacred Sect, following the normal procedures. Although it seemed inhumane, it wouldn't be criticized.

Seeing this, Lu Qingqiu, Bai Rulong, and the others felt displeased but knew they had no say.

This must be the humility of coming from a poor family. Even though Ji You cultivated immortality, without the background of a noble family, he would still encounter injustice.

However, at this moment, the disciple who had gone to invite someone hurried back, but he was alone.

"Three esteemed masters, we couldn't get the person."

Qin Rong noticed he was covered in dirt, as if he had rolled around somewhere, and frowned, "He refused to come?"

The disciple hesitated for a long time and said, "He's said to be in his room at the Jade Garden of Bingshui Lake, still sleeping. I didn't go in."

"Did someone stop you?"

"It was Hall Master You from the Inner Court's Jixiang Hall. She was sitting outside Ji You's room. When she saw me come to invite him, Hall Master You told me to get lost." Qin Rong fell silent for a moment after hearing this, "Then... then let him rest well. We can ask him about it when he wakes up."

Ji Jingyao also fell silent for a while after hearing this, "Actually, that's what I was thinking."

Lu Qingqiu, Bai Rulong, and the others were also surprised, not understanding why Ji You, who had only expended some spiritual sense, would attract the attention of an Inner Court Hall Master.

However, before the five could ponder further, they were asked to return.

In the Affairs Management Courtyard at this time, Qin Rong pondered for a long time, "Could it be that Ji You is a favored disciple of Hall Master You?"

Lang Hetong shook his head, "Don't forget, Jixiang Hall already has a direct disciple."

Untroubled, Ji You slept for two days and only opened his eyes at noon.

He felt refreshed after waking up and was puzzled.

Not long ago, in order to observe the Heavenly Tome, he had pushed the potential of his spiritual sense to its limits. Every morning he woke up, he felt a hangover-like grogginess. This time was clearly different.

Just as Ji You was wondering, an old man came in from the outer room with a bowl of water.

The old man wore a white robe, but it looked a bit loose, more like sleepwear than everyday clothes.

Seeing Ji You awake, the old man walked over, took his wrist, and felt his pulse.

"So it's a doctor..."

"?"

Ji You was stunned for a moment and quickly pulled his wrist away from the old man's hand.

His Spirit Core was shattered.

He didn't know if doctors in this world could detect anything, but it was better to be careful.

The old man was slightly taken aback, then stroked his beard and laughed heartily, "Are you still clear-headed?"

"I'm alright, I don't feel anything wrong."

"Then there's no major issue."

Ji You nodded after hearing this, "How is the courtyard now? Were those three people from yesterday caught?"

The old man stroked his long beard, squinted his eyes at him, and said, "I'm just a doctor, how would I know these things?"

"That's right."

"Here, drink some water."

The old man stood up, brought the water from the table, and then looked at the letter he had written to Old Qiu but not yet sealed, "Did you write this letter?"

Ji You drank some water, which tasted a little sweet, "Yes, it's to let my family know I'm safe."

Kuang Cheng became the top scholar, and he wants me to be the Sect Master. I've inquired, the Sect Master doesn't take direct disciples, but he's lived for over three hundred years, and I probably won't outlive him...

The old man looked at this sentence and couldn't help but smack his lips.