Kidnapped Back

Ji You left the Jade Garden of Bingshui Lake, walking across a stone bridge brimming with spiritual energy, his white robes dancing in the autumn wind, his sleeves fluttering.

Seeing this scene, all eyes in the Dao Comprehension Ground turned towards him.

Many people had indeed heard about the investigation into the ancient ruins.

After all, in the past few days, over a dozen flying swords as large as immortal ships had streaked across the heavens above the Inner Court, filled with disciples from the Affairs Management Courtyard.

Subsequently, rumors about the investigation list began to circulate.

Some said Ji You was on the list, and it was highly likely he would venture deep into the ruins, facing a nine deaths, one life scenario.

Faced with such news, everyone's thoughts varied.

This rogue cultivator from the countryside was already an anomaly within the Immortal Sect, yet shone so brightly it made others uncomfortable.

He had stepped on Chu He's comprehension of the Heavenly Tome, saved two senior brothers from the Inner Court with one person and three swords, and left his peers far behind, causing countless progeny of noble families to lose face.

But just then, the situation took a turn.

Chu He was on the verge of breaking through, and Du Zhu had gathered four mystic lights, showing signs of catching up.

And he, at this moment, was being sent out of the Celestial Academy, likely to miss out on a spot in the Inner Court.

People like Bai Rulong and Qian Yunxiao, who had cursed their mothers at noon today, now saw him approaching gracefully, their faces filled with worry.

Du Zhu, however, sat among the crowd, slightly raising his eyes. Four mystic lights suddenly appeared above his forehead, and his expression revealed mockery.

As for Chu He, he did not open his eyes, still comprehending the Dao, his aura terrifying, already showing signs of Profound Comprehension.

But everyone still remembered what Chu He had said at noon today when he first learned of the news.

"Even if I stay, can a mere rogue cultivator from the countryside contend with me?"

Lu Qingqiu's emotions were the most complex among them, as she believed Ji You had been infatuated with her for a long time.

But everything was unfolding as she had predicted; Ji You, despite his exceptional talent, was still from a poor background.

What had always limited disciples from humble beginnings was never a lack of talent.

However, at this moment, everyone noticed that Ji You, not far away, suddenly froze, as if he had seen something.

He had been walking towards the Dao Comprehension Ground, but now he abruptly changed direction, his expression growing increasingly surprised as he headed towards the Ascending Immortal White Jade Platform.

What's going on...

Am I seeing things?

Ji You recalled the chopsticks he had borrowed from the Immortal Cuisine House and wondered if he had driven himself mad.

Lu Qingqiu, Bai Rulong, Qian Yunxiao, Chu He, Du Zhu, Fang Ruoyao, Lou Siyi... a group of Outer Court disciples all turned their heads, looking in his direction, their eyes gradually widening in astonishment.

Because on the White Jade Platform stood only that Fairy of unparalleled beauty, standing gracefully under the setting sun, her hair gently rustled by the autumn wind, her skirt slightly lifted.

And Ji You was walking towards that Fairy exuding an immortal aura, getting closer and closer.

"What is he trying to do?"

Qian Yunxiao couldn't help but speak, "Men always like to admire beauty..."

Du Zhu sneered, "He's just walking over like that? He's far too bold."

"He probably can't tell that the brocade dress the woman is wearing is worth a thousand gold pieces, yet it's the cheapest thing she owns."

"Sometimes, the ignorant are truly fearless."

In recent times, with one person after another soaring ahead, some had suffered damage to their Dao Heart and sought a Dao Companion to mend it, which was not uncommon.

But Ji You's target evoked a sense of delusion in everyone's hearts, as if he were dreaming.

With that woman's temperament and family background, what ordinary man would dare approach her?

But what they couldn't see was that the Fairy on the White Jade Platform was also looking at Ji You at this moment, her clear, cold eyes seeming to hold a trace of unease.

Cultivation was tedious, day after day, year after year, but suddenly one day, a carefree man appeared by your side.

And this person, once you saw him for a long time, you would inevitably become curious.

Coincidentally, you descended the mountain and wandered the martial world aimlessly. Suddenly, on a whim, you wanted to know more about him, to see what he was like in his daily life. But when you actually met him, you weren't quite sure if it was him.

Ji You had the same thought, gazing at her for a long time, hesitant to acknowledge her.

Void Mountain, whether it was within the Heavenly Tome or beneath the high heavens, was not in the mortal world, so this felt more like a dream.

Yan Shuyi... the woman from his dreams appeared in reality, standing so vibrantly before him.

Ji You couldn't help but hesitate, and then couldn't help but stare for longer.

At this moment, Yan Shuyi's brow began to furrow, a killing intent brewing. She felt that coming to see him like this was indeed too abrupt, so she thought about saying she had mistaken him for someone else. But then she felt it would be too embarrassing, and that it would be better to just get rid of the person in front of her.

"Uh..."

"I almost didn't recognize you when you put on your shoes..."

Ji You's awkward words blurted out, and his heart immediately sank, thinking, It's over.

It's over, it's over, it's over. My reputation as a fierce bandit who wields one person and three swords is ruined.

As expected, Yan Shuyi was startled by his words, then her eyes widened, and a flicker of killing intent flashed in her beautiful eyes.

Facing such an impudent man, she would usually silence him with her sword. But to her surprise, her subconscious urge was to kick him.

After hesitating for a long while, Yan Shuyi realized this wasn't the place below the mountain; there were other people watching. Thus, she reluctantly gave up the idea.

Ji You breathed a sigh of relief, yet felt a pang of regret. Soon, however, he heard her voice by his ear.

"You scoundrel, you lied to me."

"Hmm?"

Yan Shuyi looked at him and said, "You're a disciple of the Celestial Academy, that's true, but the name you gave me was fake."

Ji You held his breath, picturing a beautiful maiden searching Shengjing for Ji Bochang. "Since you wanted to find me, why didn't you say so in advance?"

"I thought that knowing you were at the Celestial Academy and knowing your name would make finding you easy. I didn't expect you wouldn't tell the truth, so I could only wait here."

"When you came, didn't you consider what you'd do if you couldn't find me?"

Yan Shuyi dismissed it with a wave of her hand, "It was just a whim. If I couldn't find you, I would have just gone back."

Ji You's lips twitched slightly. "You truly have a big heart, miss."

"You're not allowed to evaluate a fairy so casually."

Yan Shuyi narrowed her eyes and glared at him. Then, she paused for a moment, feeling her tone was a bit strange.

She wasn't usually like this; she was typically serious and never spoke with such a spoiled tone. Yet, when she saw him, she felt like a different person.

Was it because they had cultivated together in private for a period?

Back then, she felt no one knew her, so she could do as she pleased, perhaps revealing a sliver of her true nature that was different from her usual self?

She didn't feel like her usual self at all, rather a bit spoiled. Thinking of this, Yan Shuyi felt a bit vexed.

Ji You smiled. "It's not convenient to talk here. Would you like to come to my courtyard for a bit?"

Yan Shuyi raised her eyes. "You only know my name, but aren't you curious who I really am?"

"There's only one sect in Lingzhou; I know that much."

Seeing Ji You turn and walk ahead, Yan Shuyi pursed her lips and couldn't help but glance outside the Celestial Academy.

She had intended to take one look and leave, not wanting to linger.

After all, she and he had only spoken a few times as fellow cultivators, and she was merely a little curious.

At this moment, Ji You turned his head and looked at her with a questioning gaze, as if asking why she wasn't leaving.

Yan Shuyi opened her mouth, unsure why she suddenly wanted to change her mind. After a moment of hesitation, she said, "I'm a little hungry."

"Then I'll take you to eat first."

I'll eat and then leave, Yan Shuyi thought.

Their conversation held a sense of familiar strangeness, difficult to pinpoint, much like meeting someone online for the first time. They didn't know what to say, yet the feeling was intoxicating.

Meanwhile, the people at the Dao Comprehension Ground were still waiting for the scene of the fairy killing the impudent man. They suddenly froze, noticing that after their hushed conversation, the fairy actually followed him away from the White Jade Platform, heading towards Jade Garden of Bingshui Lake.

As they passed the Dao Comprehension Ground, they could briefly see the woman's expression.

They noticed that although she seemed annoyed, she wasn't as cold as before, and she followed him step by step, looking quite well-behaved.

However, on a downhill section of the path, the fairy seemed to raise her fist and quietly aim for Ji You's head.

Seeing this, everyone at the Dao Comprehension Ground was utterly confused. Even Chu He, Du Zhu, and Lu Qingqiu couldn't help but frown.

How could this aloof fairy seem like a completely different person, just being led away like this?

"What's going on?"

"They seem to know each other..."

Lu Qingqiu turned to look at Fang Ruoyao, only to find her staring blankly at the scene as well.

The most bewildered were Bai Rulong and Qian Yunxiao. They had just seen Ji You walk towards the fairy and exclaimed that Brother Ji truly had a clear Dao Heart (and a bold, lecherous spirit)!

But they never imagined that after Brother Ji went over, he would directly lead her away.

Is Brother Ji's extraordinary nature truly extraordinary in every aspect?

At the same time, Ji You and Yan Shuyi had already crossed the stone bridge over Bishui Lake, one after the other, and met Cao Jinsong right at the bridgehead.

Seeing Ji You approaching with the woman, Cao Jinsong was stunned.

Earlier, when he saw the crowd of disciples surrounding a woman at the White Jade Platform, he had declared that Ji You would never act like that.

Well, he didn't disappoint. He didn't go to watch; instead, he directly took her back