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Chapter 226 Rigorous Reasoning

As the sun rose higher, Chai Ze and Xiao Hanyan came out of their rooms one after another. Seeing that they were all gathered around the tea table, they came up to them.

As they sat down, they all noticed Ji You's swollen lips and the strangely positioned seat.

Wang Gaocen and Gu Zetao, who arrived later, did the same thing, as if they thought Ji You, sitting alone in the corner with his hands on his lap, was a nice sight.

Drinking tea and chatting.

The summer heat in Zhongxing County is still a bit muggy, but the Xianxian Garden is truly a masterpiece. Even with lush vegetation, there is a constant breeze that brings coolness to the courtyard.

The young appraiser of Lingjian Mountain kept flashing past the window, startling the group of people who arrived later.

However, before the astonishment could last long, a powerful sword aura suddenly rose from the west courtyard, instantly drawing everyone's attention to the area below the small building.

At this moment, He Lingxiu, a disciple of the Zizai Hall, suddenly became serious, and her gaze instantly turned sharp.

It was a figure practicing swordsmanship, slender and tall, wearing a sword robe from Lingjian Mountain, with sword energy soaring to the sky.

Upon seeing this figure, Chai Ze and the other two Dao Fusion Realm cultivators opened their mouths, instantly finding He Lingxiu's reaction unsurprising. However, the disciples from the Elders' Pavilion, Wang Gaocen, Yu Shiliu, and Gu Zetao, were unaware of this and couldn't help but show puzzled expressions.

"Senior Brother Chai, who is that person?"

Chai Ze glanced at He Lingxiu: "Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask."

He Lingxiu then came to her senses and looked at Wang Gaocen, who had asked the question: "There's nothing I can't say. That person is Yan Shujing, a direct disciple of Xuanjian Peak in Lingjian Mountain."

Upon hearing this, those at the Transcendent Realm instantly understood why Chai Ze had stopped speaking earlier.

The Heavenly Academy's challenge at Spirit Sword Mountain was something many disciples were reluctant to mention, because they fought two rounds and lost both, suffering a crushing defeat.

He Lingxiu was defeated by Yan Shujing, a disciple of Xuanjian Peak.

How could one possibly talk about something so disgraceful, especially when the person directly involved was present?

As Ji You listened to the discussion, he couldn't help but look up and gaze at Yan Shujing, who was faintly visible behind the bushes.

He and Yan Shu were cousins, but although they were close, they were not intimate.

Because his father-in-law, Yan Jingxiang, the peak master of Xuanjian Peak, did not have high cultivation talent, much worse than his younger brother Yan Jingrui.

The position of peak master of Xuanjian Peak should have belonged to Yan Jingrui, but later, because the spirit mirror automatically chose Yan Shuyi as its master, and the father became noble because of his daughter, the position of peak master fell to Yan Jingxiang.

Such things are not uncommon in Qingyun Tianxia; they are almost the same as using marriage to elevate the status of aristocratic families.

Ji You had met her once in the sword forest of Tianjian Peak, but they had never crossed paths. However, he sensed a familiarity in her swordsmanship.

[New willow color on Xiaochong Mountain]

[Returning home, my thoughts are pure and innocent]

He Lingxiu put down her teacup and looked at Yan Shujing's figure, saying, "Actually, I knew she was going to participate in this year's Heavenly Dao Assembly. Besides the quota for the Holy Land of Sages, I came here to avenge my humiliation against her."

Yan Shujing was a cultivator at the Fusion Dao Realm, with extremely keen senses. Perhaps sensing everyone's gaze, she suddenly turned around.

After seeing them clearly, Yan Shujing's gaze fell on Ji You. After a slight hesitation, she suddenly raised her hand and gently cupped her hands towards Ji You's position.

"?"

Upon seeing this scene, everyone was stunned for a long time before turning to look at Ji You, who was sitting not far away.

He had moved the stone bench several times while the shadows flickered by the window, almost to the back of the house, quite far from them, sitting alone with no one else around.

Therefore, they could easily deduce that Yan Shujing's cupped hands were actually meant for Ji You.

Ji You was also slightly taken aback, but probably guessed the meaning behind her actions, so she stood up and politely returned the greeting. Then she saw Yan Shujing sheathe her sword, turn around, step into the house, and disappear from everyone's sight.

The sun was already setting, and Ji You patted the dirt off the stone bench he had just moved and decided to go back inside to continue his Taoist practice.

As he entered the house, the seven people present couldn't help but exchange glances.

"Junior Brother Ji, it seems he went out this morning."

He Lingxiu glanced at Shi Junhao: "How did you know?"

Shi Junhao put down his teacup: "I was bitten by mosquitoes last night and didn't sleep well at all. But the point is, I always thought that Ji You's secret learning of swordsmanship at Lingjian Mountain was a bit strange, and now I understand it a bit."

"?"

Shi Junhao put down his teacup: "Have you ever considered whether the Sword Forest, which no one has broken through for so long, was really so easy for him to conquer in just three days?"

Xiao Hanyan looked up at the sound: "You mean to say that the sword forest wasn't broken by him?"

Shi Junhao shook his head: "He must have broken through the Sword Forest, otherwise why would the Spirit Sword Mountain look so grim? I just felt that he hadn't comprehended the sword path, and now it seems that it's really possible."

He Lingxiu opened her mouth after hearing this: "You mean, someone personally taught him how to use the sword in the Sword Forest so quickly?"

Shi Junhao nodded: "It seems that Yan Shujing has some unclear relationship with him."

"This... there's no reason for it."

"Who can say for sure about matters between men and women? Our Junior Brother Ji has the reputation of having fiancées all over the land. If I'm not mistaken, he went to meet one of them this morning. Junior Sister Xiao, do you remember how strange that elder from Spirit Sword Mountain was to him?"

After pondering for a long time, Xiao Hanyan raised her head slightly and asked, "Are you talking about Yan Chuan?"

He Lingxiu turned to look at them: "Who is Yan Chuan?"

Xiao Hanyan spoke up upon hearing this: "When we were dispatched to the Snow Region, there was a Boundless Realm elder in Spirit Sword Mountain named Yan Chuan. He once protected Ji You. It seems that he was asked to do so by someone else."

Shi Junhao continued, "And those qualified to ask a Boundless Realm elder for help are certainly not ordinary disciples. Look at Yan Shujing, think about it carefully."

"Hey, you know what, I really think that ever since we arrived at Lingjian Mountain, Ji You's eyes have been glued to the West Courtyard."

"Is there any?"

“It’s been like this since last night; I’ve seen it several times.”

A group of participating disciples from the Heavenly Academy were sitting around solving the case, feeling as if some bright lines were becoming clearer.

Shi Junhao, in particular, became increasingly convinced that his reasoning abilities were not a problem.

When he arrived yesterday, Ji You inexplicably came to his room and said some nonsensical things, definitely breaking his mosquito stove in the process!
The reason he did this was to disrupt his cultivation, fearing that Yan Shujing would be defeated by me!

Yu Shiliu couldn't help but mutter to herself, thinking that if that were really the case, then Ji You's talent wasn't as terrifying as the rumors suggested, but rather seemed somewhat opportunistic.

Moreover, it seems he was beaten.

When I came back, the corners of my mouth were swollen.

Currently, all the high-level cultivators are in the Sage Garden. There are no powerful figures in Zhongxing County City. At most, they are at the Fusion Dao Realm. Everyone says that he has a strong physique and can fight barbarians hand-to-hand. So that's how strong he is.
Yu Shiliu turned her head and exchanged glances with Gu Zetao and Wang Gaocen.

The preliminary rounds of the Heavenly Path Society do not involve battles between members of the same sect, but the finals are different.

Ji You's great reputation has always put a lot of pressure on them, making them feel somewhat inferior.

However, if everyone's aptitude is similar, then their strength may not actually be that different.

Wu Zhen and Liu Qichen weren't anything special in their eyes; if it were them, it would only take a little longer.

As they talked amongst themselves, they suddenly gained more confidence and realized that Ji You wasn't as mysterious and frightening as they thought.

"His lip looks like it's been slapped."

"He has many enemies, so it's not surprising that he was beaten."

"I really thought he was invincible..."

Wang Gaocen stood up to bid them farewell: "I'm going back to cultivate. The Heavenly Dao Society must win the top spot for my Heavenly Academy!"

At this moment, Gu Zetao suddenly felt a surge of pride: "Everyone, I'm going too!"

He Lingxiu watched the two leave one after the other, and couldn't help but chuckle and shake her head.

The group then began to talk about the Gathering of Immortals and the people they would be visiting together at the gathering.

He Lingxiu also arranged for Qiu Hanyue, the young lady from the Qiu family, to meet during the Gathering of Immortals.

Shi Junhao's reasoning was indeed rigorous and credible, but she felt that it was too naive of these young disciples from the Elders' Pavilion to look down on Ji You based on that.

Even if Yan Shujing really is one of his fiancées, and he secretly taught the sect's swordsmanship for the sake of his children's love, is the swordsmanship of Lingjian Mountain something that anyone can learn at will?

Even without such high regard, Ji You's comprehension and talent are absolutely top-notch.

The elders felt that it was rather hasty to conclude that Ji You wasn't that strong simply because they knew he wasn't that powerful.

However, there is a problem that is giving He Lingxiu a headache.

If Yan Shujing is indeed Ji You's fiancée, then she is qualified to compete with Yuan Caiwei for the position of the legal wife, which complicates matters. Yuan Caiwei is as docile as a rabbit in front of Ji You, but Yan Shujing may not be.

Therefore, He Lingxiu felt that she should ask someone to clarify this matter. Perhaps she was not his fiancée, but Yan Shujing, who admired his swordsmanship talent and was both his teacher and friend.

After all, in He Lingxiu's eyes, the possibility of winning the heart of a peak master's personal disciple was still very small, because the difference in their status and position was too great.

Just as he was pondering, a series of footsteps suddenly came from the west courtyard. Everyone looked up and saw that the person who came was disheveled and looked like a rough man, walking towards Ji You's room.

Xiao Hanyan and Shi Junhao knew him; they knew he was Gongshu Chou, a Dao Realm expert from Lingjian Mountain, since they had previously traveled to the Snow Region together.

Gongshu Chou arrived at the East Courtyard and walked to Ji You's door.

After listening to Ji You's account of "My Fate is in My Own Hands, Not in the Heavens" yesterday, he was deeply moved and immediately decided to go back and write it down. He felt that stories heard from others could not compare to those experienced firsthand, and were easily forgotten.

But to his surprise, he was summoned and questioned by Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu as soon as he returned to the West Courtyard.

After some questioning, many details became unclear.

His memory wasn't really that short-sighted; he actually remembered the storylines very well. However, some of the wording wasn't the exact words Ji You had said, which made it feel a bit off.

As a strict and excellent creator, he would be stuck for half a day if he couldn't think of a single sentence, which is why he came here to ask for advice a second time.

However, sensing the surging spiritual energy, Gongshu Chou knew that he was cultivating Taoism.

Disturbing someone's spiritual practice is immoral.

After hesitating for a while, Gongshu Chou did not knock on the door, but turned to look at He Lingxiu and her group in front of the tea table.

"Fellow cultivators of the Heavenly Academy, how long will it take Ji You to cultivate?"

He Lingxiu looked up at the sound: "Do you need to see Junior Brother Ji?"

Gongshu Chou nodded: "There are some things, but seeing that he is cultivating, it's not good to disturb him."

He Lingxiu glanced at him and said, "How about this, when Junior Brother Ji finishes his cultivation, I will inform him that there is a gathering of immortals tonight, and I will ask him to come and find you."

Gongshu Chou clasped his hands in thanks and said, "Then thank you very much, fairy."

Everyone looked at He Lingxiu strangely, wondering why he was being so kind to a disciple of Lingjian Mountain. Then they heard He Lingxiu's voice ring out again.

"Fellow cultivator from Lingjian Mountain, I have a question. May I ask you?"

Gongshu Chou nodded: "Of course."

He Lingxiu poured him a cup of tea: "We were just talking about what relationship Junior Brother Ji has with Yan Shujing, a direct disciple of your Xuanjian Peak?"

Gongshu Chou looked at He Lingxiu strangely: "Relationship?"

He Lingxiu pursed her lips: "Just now, Fairy Yan bowed to my junior brother Ji, which made us all speculate and feel quite curious."

Gongshu Chou pondered for a long time, thinking to himself, "Junior Sister Yan took the initiative to bow to Ji You? That's really strange."

Junior Sister Yan is a sword fanatic who doesn't care about anything else. Apart from the Master of Appraisal, whom she always looks up to, everyone else is no different from a block of wood in her heart.

The only connection between the two was in the Sword Forest, when Ji You planned to cut through three or four layers of forest in one go, and Yan Shujing was right next to him...

Thinking of this, Gongshu Chou suddenly understood something, and then sat down with an air of authority, revealing a smile.

He's a professional storyteller, and coincidentally, he hadn't told a story for several days, so his lips were itching to do it...

Around noon, Gu Zetao and Wang Gaocen came out of their houses one after another.

After some reasoning, they suddenly felt a sense of vastness and boundless power. As soon as they stepped out, they looked towards Ji You's house, feeling an urge to challenge him.

However, when they reached the tea table, they found that He Lingxiu and the others had very strange expressions.

Especially junior sister Yu Shiliu, whose previous high spirits have now turned into gloom.

The two were puzzled: "What's wrong?"

He Lingxiu glanced at them: "How's your cultivation going?"

Wang Gaocen raised the corners of his mouth: "I'm still quite confident in taking the top spot."

"It's good to have confidence. Anyway... no matter what your ranking is, the top spot in the Profound Realm will always belong to my Heavenly Academy."

"What does this mean?"

Yu Shiliu couldn't help but glance at them: "Isn't Yan Shujing Ji You's fiancée?"

Wang Gaocen was slightly taken aback: "Then why is Yan Shujing exchanging glances with him?"

"That bow was because Yan Shujing believed that Ji You was her swordsmanship teacher and that she should bow to him."

"?"

“Someone from Lingjian Mountain just came by and said that after Ji You broke through the Sword Forest, the remaining disciples all learned his method to get there, including the peak master’s personal disciple.”

Actually, this is not Gongshu Chou's original wording; his original words were much more vivid.

On that day, Elder Qi of Lingjian Mountain set up a sword forest on Tianjian Peak. Yan Shujing made the fastest progress in breaking through the forest, and everyone thought she would be the first to break through.

However, she got stuck in the last layer of the forest and made no progress for several days.

It wasn't until the disciples of the Heavenly Academy came to ask questions, and Ji You began to break through the forest, that they realized that their previous methods of breaking through the forest were all wrong. Yan Shujing also learned Ji You's method from that time and was able to break through the forest again.

You guessed wrong.

The peak master was not Ji You's swordsmanship teacher, but Ji You was her swordsmanship teacher.

Shi Junhao also fell silent at this moment, deeply beginning to doubt his own reasoning ability.

That mosquito stove couldn't have been made by Ji You; I must have deduced wrong.

He Lingxiu sat idly drinking tea, her mood extremely complicated.

However, after the speculation was overturned, many things seemed to become illogical again.

For example, why did Elder Yan Chuan of Lingjian Mountain, whom they just mentioned, protect Ji You? And then there's the Jingling Pill.

He Lingxiu led the disciples of Tianshu Academy to Lingjian Mountain to seek the Dao, but Yan Shujing shattered the "All Laws Accompanying the Body" technique, causing a backlash that made the spiritual energy in her body turbulent and constantly impacted her meridians.

At that time, no one could find the Tranquilizing Pill except Ji You, who managed to get one from Lingjian Mountain. This is why He Lingxiu always harbored feelings for Ji You.

But why he held such a favor in the hearts of the Lingjian Mountain disciples remained a question in her mind.

As He Lingxiu pondered, she suddenly noticed that Yu Shiliu was looking at the small building across the street again.

She thought it was the young master of Lingjian Mountain wandering over again, so she turned her head to look, only to find that there was no one in front of the window.

"What is Junior Sister Yu looking at?"

"Senior sister, have you noticed? It seems like the junior appraiser of Spirit Sword Mountain hasn't appeared for a long time."

"How could we possibly meet someone of the sect leader level so easily? We are in the same academy as her, and it is an honor to have met her so many times."

"But the last time I saw her was when Ji You said she was going back to her room to cultivate, and then the young appraiser never appeared again."

"?"

Ji You finished her body training after Shen Shi (3-5 PM), and the soreness was still not there. After she took a bath, a knock on the door sounded from outside.

He thought Yan Shuyi had seized the opportunity to come and see what he should see, but when the person outside the door spoke, he realized that it was Wen Siyuan, the disciple in charge of the affairs, who had come to call him to the Gathering Immortals Banquet.

Ji You got dressed, pushed open the door, and saw that others had already gathered outside, looking at him with complicated expressions.

One reason is because of Yan Shujing's matter; he was called a master of swordsmanship, and all his disciples learned from him.

In addition, there's the last sentence Yu Shiliu said.

No one believed the speculation, thinking it was too far-fetched to be true, but even such a "speculation" made everyone's hearts tremble slightly, and they dared not think about it anymore.

That is the future leader of Lingjian Mountain; to make such a speculation is actually a great disrespect.

Looking at everyone's expressions, Ji You couldn't help but reach out and touch her hair.

Yan Shuyi had already taken off the crooked braid that he had tied for him while he was taking a bath. He didn't understand what these people were looking at.

"Let's go, everyone, isn't the banquet about to start?"

"Let's go... let's go."

(End of this chapter)