Dispatch List

The enemy attacked swiftly and departed just as quickly, leaving behind only the corpses of Evil Seeds scattered across the mountain. They were like tools deliberately used to sow chaos, their purpose fulfilled, and now discarded.

Disciples of the Celestial Academy returned to the city on their flying swords, gazing at the nearly burnt-out lanterns as dawn approached and the serene Shengjing. A sense of unreality washed over them.

The first day of the new year should have been one of auspicious peace.

They had even planned to visit the lantern festival together, but now, the lingering image in their minds was the dense fog and malevolent aura outside the city.

Then, a continuous stream of news arrived, further shocking them.

Besides the Pill Sect being plundered, large numbers of Evil Seeds had appeared throughout the Central Province, Liangzhou, and Youzhou.

A batch of spirit pills purchased by the Celestial Academy for Inner Court cultivation had been stolen, and their controlled spirit mines had suffered countless casualties.

It was clear that these Evil Seeds were being controlled by someone, and by some unknown method, they were able to leave the Primordial Ruins for extended periods.

Evil Seeds themselves weren't terrifying. What was terrifying was if an Immortal Sect, or several Immortal Sects, were orchestrating this behind the scenes, targeting other Immortal Sects. In that case, this would merely be the beginning.

This wasn't new.

In recent years, disciples who had the potential to reach the threshold of the upper five realms had almost all faced assassination attempts with no leads.

The Northern Plains had frequently seen the appearance of naturally occurring spiritual medicine, which had also led to countless deaths and injuries. The conflict between the Witch Barbarians and Great Xia had originated from this.

There was also the lineage of Formation Masters from a hundred years ago. They had developed the Immortal Suppressing Formation, capable of countering the Immortal Approaching Realm. Just as they were on the verge of rising, they were annihilated.

The Pill Sect had also experienced its darkest, most humiliating era. During that time, almost all their disciples were abducted and kept like livestock, forced to refine pills day and night.

Spirit Sword Mountain once had a Master of Appraisal. He was lured into a Primordial Ruin years ago, and his fate remains unknown to this day. Since then, Spirit Sword Mountain has had no further contact with other Immortal Sects.

As the saying goes, prolonged peace inevitably leads to unrest.

Now, someone truly couldn't bear the quiet any longer.

The clues they currently possessed were fragmented, but it was certain that the Evil Seeds were connected to the ruins.

Consequently, the Celestial Academy dispatched countless disciples, using Shengjing as a starting point to search outwards, investigating the surrounding ruins for any anomalies.

Although the disciples of the Steward Pavilion dared not venture deep into unknown ruins, they could still determine the source of the disaster by observing the traces of trampled vegetation.

"According to the investigations of the Affairs Management Courtyard disciples over several days, the problematic ruins are located in Qiling Town in the Central Province, Yuhe Town in Liangzhou, and Beisha Town in Youzhou."

"The Evil Seeds are not the main concern, but their manipulators are experts in the upper five realms, including the Dao Integration Realm and the Heavenly Response Realm. This indicates they have a larger conspiracy."

"A portion of the Inner Court disciples have already been dispatched to seal off these three locations. Outer Court disciples must also participate."

"This is the list that the three of us have agreed upon."

"The Qingyun World has been silent for too long. Most disciples are secluded in the mountains cultivating. Now is their time to act."

In the Affairs Management Courtyard, the three stewards who had returned from Wanzhuo Mountain stood with their hands behind their backs, explaining the gravity of the situation.

Several instructors from outside the Inner Court were present, looking at the list in their hands.

It was logical.

The list comprised disciples with relatively weak family backgrounds but considerable cultivation.

Sending out disciples like these meant they had a higher chance of survival, and if they died, it wouldn't provoke the ire of powerful families.

This was the modus operandi of the Seven Great Immortal Sects, which had remained stable for a thousand years.

Cao Jinsong examined the list carefully, his expression suddenly freezing as he saw a name that shouldn't have been there.

"Why is Ji You's name on this list?"

Steward Qin turned upon hearing him: "Ji You has extraordinary talent and cultivates both martial and cultivation arts. His swordsmanship is undeniably exquisite. With him involved, success is assured."

Cao Jinsong frowned: "Steward Qin, this is inappropriate. Ji You is currently attempting to break through to the upper five realms. He needs to remain in the Celestial Academy to cultivate diligently!"

"Is cultivation only possible within the Celestial Academy? If Inner Court disciples can accept missions in times of crisis, how can Outer Court disciples refuse?"

Cao Jinsong remained silent upon hearing this, but his expression grew colder.

Although Steward Qin's reasoning was sound, from his perspective, he still suspected deliberate targeting.

After all, the six months following the new year were crucial for breaking through realms.

Ji You had no pills, no spirit stones; his only reliance was his connection to the Heavenly Tome.

Now, the Steward Pavilion wanted to send him out to investigate ruins. Setting aside the inherent danger, it would undoubtedly delay his cultivation progress, a fact anyone could understand.

"Brother Cao, even if Ji You stays, do you truly believe he will definitely enter the Inner Court?"

"Don't forget, Chu He is only one step away from the upper five realms. He has the greatest chance. Why bother yourself with a fruitless endeavor?"

The speaker sat to Cao Jinsong's left, sporting a goatee. He was Chu He's instructor, Ding Ang.

Cao Jinsong looked at him and sneered: "Could it be that you've already colluded?"

"Insolence!"

Steward Qin slammed the table, glaring furiously at him: "I reported this list to the Inner Court, and Hall Master Fei of Wuchen Hall approved it. Do you believe Hall Master Fei and I are also colluding in secret?"

Cao Jinsong's brow furrowed upon hearing this: "Isn't Hall Master Fei in seclusion, attempting to break through to the Immortal Approaching Realm?"

"The chaos caused by the Evil Seeds has thrown the world into disarray and severely damaged the prestige of our Celestial Academy, enraging Hall Master Fei, who broke through his seclusion early. Do you think I would deceive you?"

Hall Master Fei of Wuchen Hall, the Celestial Academy's Hall Master closest to the Immortal Approaching Realm, held the highest position among the Five Hall Masters.

The Sect Master has been in seclusion for many years and doesn't handle teaching affairs, so most decisions are made by him.

Before, when Ji You and the others were attacked in the street, Steward Qin had someone summon him for questioning while he was unconscious, but Hall Master You later told them to "scram."

If Hall Master Fei hadn't spoken up this time, he wouldn't have dared to add Ji You to this list.

"The Inner Court spots are extremely important for Outer Court disciples, and I believe everyone present understands this. However, more important than that is clarifying this matter!"

"Furthermore, I want Instructor Cao to face reality."

"Although Ji You cultivates the Dao in the Celestial Academy every day, he has only condensed six mystic lights so far. Even if he stays, can he possibly catch up?"

"On the contrary, Ji You's bravery is the best weapon to uphold the prestige of our Celestial Academy."

"Even if he doesn't get into the Inner Court because of this, will our Celestial Academy treat him unfairly?"

"This matter is decided. Go, inform the disciples under your charge to prepare themselves for the next few days."

Cao Jinsong remained silent for a long time. Finally, he tossed the list in his hand onto the table and turned to leave the Affairs Management Courtyard.

It had nothing to do with bravery or the number of spots. Ji You's only mistake was his poor background and lack of family connections.

Instructor Cao had once naively believed that since Ji You had sensed the Heavenly Tome, he would be treasured by the academy despite his humble origins, but he was wrong.

Many people didn't care who got the coveted Inner Court spots; they only cared if this incident would benefit them.

The Chu family was a prominent cultivation family of this era, their prestige growing even further after Chu Xian became a disciple of the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion.

Aside from not controlling the lineage, the Chu family was even referred to as the Eighth Great Immortal Sect in Youzhou.

The Seven Great Immortal Sects might look down on the Chu family, but people like them wouldn't dare to ignore the Chu family's influence.

Under these circumstances, the choice was clear.

The history of cultivation in the Qingyun World has always been a united front dominated by aristocratic families; there have never been exceptions.

Because exceptions like Ji You all died.

They died in assassinations, they died targeted by aristocratic families.

(Seeking follow-up reads and monthly tickets!!)