Dispatch List

The enemy attack came swiftly and vanished just as swiftly, leaving only evilspawn corpses strewn across the mountains. They were like tools deliberately arranged to sow chaos; now that their purpose had been achieved, they had been casually discarded.

The Celestial Academy disciples rode flying swords back into the city. Looking at the lanterns that had burned out before dawn and the tranquil Shengjing, they all felt as though they were in a daze.

The first day of the new year should have been auspicious and peaceful.

They had even agreed to visit the lantern festival together, yet what was now branded into their hearts was the thick fog and Killing Intent beyond the city walls.

Then came an unbroken stream of news that shocked them even further.

Besides the catastrophe that had struck the Alchemy Sect, massive numbers of evilspawn had appeared throughout Central Province, Liang Province, and You Province.

A batch of spirit pills the Celestial Academy had purchased for Inner Court cultivation had been seized, while countless people had been killed or injured at the spirit mines under its control.

What could be confirmed was that these evilspawn were clearly being controlled by someone. Moreover, by some unknown method, they were able to remain outside the Ancient Ruins for extended periods.

Evilspawn themselves were not frightening. What was frightening was the possibility that one immortal sect—or several immortal sects—was plotting behind the scenes against the others. If so, this was merely the beginning.

This was nothing new.

Over the past years, almost every disciple capable of touching the threshold of the upper five realms had suffered assassinations that left no clues behind.

Heavenborn spirit herbs often appeared in the Northern Plains, drawing countless deaths and injuries. The war between the Witch Barbarians and Great Xia had begun because of this.

There was also the formation master lineage from a century ago. They had developed the Astonishing Immortal Formation, capable of countering the Immortal Approaching Realm. Just as they were about to rise to prominence, their entire sect had been slaughtered.

The Alchemy Sect had likewise endured its darkest, most humiliating era. At that time, nearly all its disciples had been abducted and kept in captivity, forced to refine pills day and night without rest.

Spirit Sword Mountain once had a Master Appraiser who had been lured into an Ancient Ruins site. Even now, no one knew whether he was alive or dead. From then on, Spirit Sword Mountain had cut off all dealings with the other immortal sects.

After long peace came chaos.

Now, someone truly could no longer endure the loneliness.

The clues they currently possessed were scattered and fragmentary, but one thing was certain: the evilspawn were connected to ruins.

Thus, the Celestial Academy dispatched countless disciples in succession, using Shengjing as their starting point to search outward and investigate whether the surrounding ruins showed any abnormalities.

Though the disciples of the Steward's Pavilion did not dare venture deep into unknown ruins, they could still determine the source of disaster from traces of trampled grass and trees.

"According to the many days of investigation conducted by the Affairs Management Courtyard disciples, the problematic ruins are located in Qiling Town of Central Province, Yuhe Town of Liang Province, and Beisha Town of You Province."

"The evilspawn are not frightening, but the manipulators behind them include upper five realm experts of the Dao Integration Realm and Heavenly Response Realm. That means they have an even greater scheme."

"A portion of the Inner Court disciples have already been dispatched to seal off these three ruins. The Outer Court disciples must also take part."

"This is the list the three of us have discussed and drawn up."

"Qingyun World has lain quiet for far too long. Most disciples have hidden away in the mountains for secluded cultivation. The time has come when they are needed."

Within the Affairs Management Courtyard, the three stewards who had returned from Wanzhuo Mountain stood with their hands behind their backs, laying out the stakes of the matter.

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

It was quite reasonable.

The names on the list belonged to disciples with relatively weak Aristocratic Clan backgrounds but considerable cultivation.

Sending out such disciples meant their survival abilities were strong enough, and if they died, it would not provoke criticism from great clans.

The Seven Great Immortal Sects, peaceful for a thousand years, had always conducted themselves this way.

Cao Jinsong studied the list closely. His expression suddenly froze when he spotted a name that should not have been there.

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

Steward Qin turned at the sound of his voice. "Ji You is extraordinarily talented and cultivates both martial arts and the Dao. The brilliance of his swordsmanship is plain for all to see. With him there, this matter will surely succeed."

Cao Jinsong frowned. "Steward Qin, this is inappropriate. Ji You is currently breaking toward the upper five realms. He needs to remain at the Celestial Academy and cultivate with single-minded focus!"

"Must one cultivate only at the Celestial Academy? Inner Court disciples can answer the call in a crisis; how can Outer Court disciples refuse?"

Cao Jinsong said nothing after hearing this, but his expression gradually chilled.

Though Steward Qin's argument was sound and well-founded, from his perspective, he still suspected this was deliberate targeting.

After all, the half year following the new year was of crucial importance for breaking through a realm.

Ji You had no pills and no spirit stones. His only support was his resonance with the Celestial Scripture.

Now the Affairs Management Courtyard intended to send him to investigate ruins. Setting aside the danger for the moment, it would certainly delay his cultivation progress. Anyone could understand that.

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

"Do not forget that Chu He is currently just one step away from the upper five realms. He has the greatest chance. Why fuss so much over something that will bear no fruit?"

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

Cao Jinsong looked at him and gave a cold laugh. "Could it be that you have long been in collusion?"

"How presumptuous!"

Steward Qin slammed his palm against the table and rose to his feet. Staring at him in uncontrollable fury, he said, "I submitted this list to the Inner Court, and Hall Master Fei of Wuchen Hall nodded his approval. Do you think Hall Master Fei is secretly colluding with us as well?"

Cao Jinsong's brow furrowed tightly after hearing this. "Has Hall Master Fei not been in seclusion, attempting to break through to the Immortal Approaching Realm?"

"The evilspawn matter has thrown the world into chaos and greatly damaged the Celestial Academy's prestige. It enraged Hall Master Fei enough to leave seclusion early. Do you think I would deceive you?"

Fei She, master of Wuchen Hall, was the Hall Master of the Celestial Academy closest to the Immortal Approaching Realm. Among the Five Hall Masters, his position was also the highest.

The headmaster had lived in seclusion for many years without involving himself in academy affairs, so Fei She made most decisions.

Previously, when Ji You and the others were attacked in the streets, Steward Qin had once ordered someone to bring the unconscious Ji You over for questioning. Hall Master You had later answered with a single word: "Get lost."

If Hall Master Fei had not spoken up this time, how would he have dared add Ji You to this list?

"Inner Court slots are of utmost importance to Outer Court students. I believe everyone here understands that clearly. But compared to that, uncovering the truth of this matter is the top priority!"

"Furthermore, I hope Instructor Cao can clearly see reality."

"Ji You may comprehend the Dao at the Celestial Academy every day, but up to now, he has only condensed six strands of Mystic Light. Even if he remains, can he really overtake those ahead of him?"

"On the contrary, Ji You's bravery is the finest weapon for preserving the Celestial Academy's prestige."

"Even if he cannot enter the Inner Court because of this, would the Celestial Academy truly treat him unfairly?"

"This matter is settled. Go now. Return and inform the disciples under your charge, and have them prepare over the next few days."

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

It had nothing to do with bravery, nor did it have anything to do with Inner Court slots. Ji You's only fault was his impoverished birth and lack of a Lineage background.

Instructor Cao had once naively believed that since Ji You had resonated with the Celestial Scripture, even if his household was humble, the academy should have treasured him as a jewel. But he had still been wrong.

Many people did not care who would ultimately claim the Inner Court position. They cared only whether the matter would benefit them.

The Chu family was a great cultivation clan of the age. Especially after Chu Xian became a disciple of the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion, its prestige had risen even higher.

Apart from being unable to control a Dao lineage, the people of You Province even called the Chu family the eighth great immortal sect.

The Seven Great Immortal Sects might dismiss the Chu family with disdain, but how could people like them dare not heed the Chu family's expression?

Under such circumstances, the choice was naturally crystal clear.

The cultivation history of Qingyun World had always been an iron slab forged from Aristocratic Clan entanglements and alliances. There had never been an exception.

Because exceptions like Ji You had all died.

They died in assassinations, died under the targeting of Aristocratic Clans.

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