Chapter 993: Dueling with Swords

The latest chapter of *Lan Ke Qi Yuan*!

It wasn't difficult for Ji Yuan to persuade the major sects with whom he had close ties. However, Changjian Mountain was the foremost immortal cultivation sect of its time, wielding immense destructive power and representing a formidable force that could not be overlooked. Given that there were also traitors among their ranks—whose numbers were unknown but whose status might far surpass the one on Xianxia Island—Ji Yuan knew he had to go there himself.

As Ji Yuan's escape light shifted northwards, Xiezhi flew out from his sleeve, transforming into human form to accompany him.

The ocean below was turbulent. Even at their incredibly fast escape speed, looking down from high altitudes, the sea surface didn't appear to move excessively. However, in this state of sword-flight, the flow of vital energy between heaven and earth was perceived with far greater clarity. Xiezhi could therefore discern that the direction of the converging water spirits deviated only slightly from their flight path.

After flying for more than a month, Ji Yuan stopped over the vast expanse of the ocean. Xiezhi, however, knew perfectly well that despite no land being visible, they were not far from Hengzhou in the Northern Reaches.

“Are we there yet?”

Having said this, Xiezhi pulled an exceptionally fresh-looking large date from his sleeve. He wiped it clean with the fabric, then took a bite, chewing with his mouth closed, reluctant to let even a drop of juice escape.

“Not yet, waiting for someone.”

“Huh? Who? When did you arrange to meet someone? How come I don't know?”

Xiezhi finished the date in a few bites, still holding the pit in his mouth, reluctant to spit it out as he spoke. Ji Yuan, meanwhile, calculated with his fingers before replying.

“I arranged it when we were in the Western Regions. Calculating the time, they should be arriving soon.”

“Who's coming then? It's not Zhao Yu, is it? You're going to take the former sect master of Nine Peaks Mountain to Changjian Mountain?”

Xiezhi finished one date and took out two more, but hesitated for a moment before putting one back. He had been eating so ravenously that he'd already consumed most of his supply within a few months of their departure. The Date Lady seemed to view him with some displeasure, making it potentially difficult to get more next time. He really needed to ration his food.

“You'll know soon enough.”

With that, Ji Yuan sat down on his cloud, pulled out a miscellany written by a scholar who had mastered the art of novel writing, and began to read. Xiezhi grumbled a bit, then settled down beside him to meditate.

About five days later, a speck of escape light appeared in the northern sky, visible to Xiezhi and Ji Yuan's spiritual eyes, and quickly drew closer.

“It really is Zhao Yu, who's beside him?”

Ji Yuan stood up, watching Zhao Yu and Lu Min approach. Before they even arrived, he called out a loud greeting.

“Fellow Daoist Zhao, Fellow Daoist Lu, it's been a long time!”

Upon seeing Ji Yuan, Zhao Yu's expression was a mix of resignation and slight awkwardness. He simply bowed to Ji Yuan alongside Lu Min.

“It's been many years since we last met, and Mister Ji's demeanor remains as impressive as ever. It's just that back then, you asked me to treat Zhuang Ze well, and I failed to do so.”

Ji Yuan also sighed faintly, acknowledging that such was fate; not everything could be resolved perfectly.

“Ah Ze's demonic roots were deeply entrenched; this calamity was bound to happen sooner or later. Even I couldn't guarantee his complete safety. At least Ah Ze ultimately saved Nine Peaks Grotto-heaven from a catastrophe. Let's not dwell on that for now... Fellow Daoist Lu, do you still remember me?”

Lu Min's injuries had not yet fully healed, and seeing Ji Yuan evoked a strong sense of emotion within him.

“How could I, Lu, forget Mister Ji? It's just a pity that Mirror Sea is destroyed, and the braised golden-scaled sturgeon may never be eaten again. But are you truly going to help me this time, Mister?”

“I am helping the righteous path of the human realm, not you, Lu Min.”

As he spoke, Ji Yuan turned to Zhao Yu.

“Fellow Daoist Zhao, as the former sect master of Nine Peaks Mountain, it would be inconvenient for you to accompany us on this journey.”

Xiezhi chuckled and interjected.

“Exactly. Zhao Yu, you'd better exert yourself a bit and run some errands. Your words still carry some weight with the sects in Hengzhou of the Northern Reaches.”

Zhao Yu cast a glance at Xiezhi, as if recognizing him.

“Mister Xiezhi is right. Mister Ji, Fellow Daoist Lu, Mister Xiezhi, I, Zhao, shall take my leave first!”

After exchanging courtesies with Ji Yuan and the others, Zhao Yu immediately turned back towards Hengzhou. The news of the Yellow Springs' return had already reached the region, meaning the prophecies of the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion were surely true.

After seeing Zhao Yu off, Lu Min then turned to Ji Yuan.

“Mister Ji, you said you could help me and the Mirror Profound Sea Pavilion seek justice. How do you intend to do that? I, Lu Min, am currently proclaimed a demonic cultivator by Mirror Profound Sea Pavilion to the whole world, and even Nine Peaks Mountain is unwilling to step forward. What do you plan to do, Mister?”

Before Ji Yuan could speak, Xiezhi chuckled.

“Mirror Profound Sea Pavilion? Heh heh, with its foundation destroyed and no master cultivators presiding over it, what is it worth now?”

“Hmph, I, Lu, still care deeply for my sect!”

Ji Yuan shook his head, and with a flick of his sleeve, the cloud of dharma beneath their feet continued flying north.

“Fellow Daoist Lu, as the aggrieved party, it's natural for you to seek out the perpetrator. We are going to Changjian Mountain.”

“It's really Changjian Mountain?”

Lu Min had actually had a premonition; after all, the Sword Wall had deep ties to Changjian Mountain, and its instantaneous destruction was certainly not something an ordinary demon could achieve.

“Don't be alarmed, Fellow Daoist Lu. We'll go to Changjian Mountain first; I'll explain on the way.”

Lu Min, having endured the calamity of the Mirror Profound Sea Pavilion, naturally understood that a master within Changjian Mountain had betrayed the righteous path. He had simply not expected Mister Ji, who was rumored to be profoundly benevolent and imbued with powerful Daoist energy, to adopt such a firm stance against Changjian Mountain.

Just five days later, Ji Yuan's cloud had reached a point even further north than Hengzhou in the Northern Reaches. In the distance, a towering mountain appeared. Though it possessed only six peaks, they were no shorter than those of Nine Peaks Mountain; in fact, they were even steeper, standing in the sea like six colossal longswords of rock.

Aside from a confusing formation of mist at its base, the entire sect entrance of Changjian Mountain appeared to have no other concealment; it wasn't even hidden within a grotto-heaven. Its sharp, cutting intent could be clearly felt even from a distance. In reality, this sword intent had already separated itself from the mortal world; had Ji Yuan not already approached to a sufficiently close range, an ordinary person would have seen nothing but the vast ocean.

Changjian Mountain, which was extremely difficult for many cultivators to find, was much easier for Ji Yuan to locate than Xianxia Island.

“Ji Yuan, we've reached Changjian Mountain. How do you plan to forcefully eliminate the evil?”

Ji Yuan had previously stated that a sect like Changjian Mountain held itself in high esteem and was notoriously difficult to sway once a decision was made. Ironically, the presence of a scoundrel within their ranks presented a unique opportunity.

“This time, we'll act first and speak later.”

Ji Yuan murmured this, and before Lu Min and Xiezhi could react, he stepped forward, soaring on the wind towards the high point of Changjian Mountain's sect entrance. A thunderous Daoist roar bellowed from his mouth.

“Cloud-shrouded Xianxia Island, peerless sharp intent of Changjian Mountain! I, Ji Yuan, originally believed Changjian Mountain to be a grand immortal sect that upheld the righteous path of heaven and earth. However, it now appears that a master within Changjian Mountain is actually a disgrace to the immortal path. It has been a long time since the incident at Mirror Profound Sea Pavilion, and the Sea Pavilion's Sword Wall was destroyed by something from Changjian Mountain. Are the Daoists of Changjian Mountain truly unaware of this?”

Ji Yuan's voice resonated across the sea and through Changjian Mountain's sect entrance, rumbling like the lingering echoes of heavenly thunder. Though seemingly without fluctuation, his tone subtly carried the majesty of a thunderclap and the sharp edge of sword intent.

Not just Lu Min, even Xiezhi was startled. Ji Yuan's demeanor, from the very first word, was utterly aggressive.

“Hey, Lu, don't look so scared. You're the victim, be angry!”

Xiezhi nudged the somewhat dazed Lu Min with his elbow, making him snap to attention. At this moment, even if he was being pushed into it, he couldn't afford to cower.

Given the habitual arrogance of Changjian Mountain cultivators, such words from Ji Yuan were intolerable. Sure enough, not long after, dozens of immortal lights shot out from the sect entrance, like longswords pointing directly at Ji Yuan and his companions. The overwhelming sword intent rushed towards them, halting only dozens of feet away, making Lu Min feel as though a blade was pressed against his brow.

Ji Yuan didn't retreat a single step. With one hand forward and the other grasping the Green Vine Sword behind his back, he calmly observed the dozens of Changjian Mountain cultivators who had appeared. The leader, an old man with white hair and beard, sized up Ji Yuan for a moment before stepping forward and offering a shallow bow.

“So it is Mister Ji. Though we haven't met, your great name precedes you. Our sect has already sent people to investigate the matter of Mirror Profound Sea Pavilion, and it was the work of Lu Min, a traitor of the Sea Pavilion. Mister Ji, such strong anger could disrupt your five elements and harm your cultivation!”

No sooner had the Changjian Mountain sect master finished speaking than a cultivator beside him angrily interjected.

“Let alone the impossibility of a scoundrel from our Changjian Mountain plotting against Mirror Profound Sea Pavilion, even if there were one, it's not for you, Ji Yuan, to meddle in! Do you truly believe your swordsmanship is unrivaled under heaven? If you have the energy, go find that scoundrel Lu Min!”

Lu Min, who had initially been somewhat worried, was instantly consumed by rage. He took two steps to stand beside Ji Yuan, his eyes wide as he roared.

“Lu Min is here! I, Lu, have protected the Mirror Sea Grand Formation for many years. If someone wanted to destroy Mirror Sea, I would be the first to bear the brunt. That is why I was secretly ambushed by a villain! The Mirror Profound Sea Pavilion's Sword Wall was erected by a master from Changjian Mountain; I don't even know its vital points. For it to be destroyed instantly, someone from Changjian Mountain must be colluding with evil!”

“So you're here? And you dare to slander my Changjian Mountain? Very well, today I'll take your dog's life—”

A sword cultivator, completely disregarding Ji Yuan's presence, exploded into action the moment Lu Min finished speaking. He stepped forward, opening his mouth to unleash a flying sword that gleamed with intense light. This sharp blade flew directly towards Lu Min, reaching him in an instant.

‘So fast!’

Though Lu Min was also a sword cultivator, his severe injuries had not yet healed, and caught by a sudden attack, he had no time to defend. Yet, he knew Ji Yuan would never ignore the situation.

The moment the sword light was almost upon him, Ji Yuan raised his left hand and blocked to his side.

Clack...

Two fingers directly pinched the incoming flying sword, a faint, barely visible trace of lightning flickering across his fingertips.

Hum...

The flying sword vibrated for a moment in Ji Yuan's grip before falling still. The sword energy and sharp edge that had made Lu Min's heart pound dissipated at that very instant.

“I and my companions are here to reason. If the Daoists of Changjian Mountain have nothing to hide, why try to silence someone?”

Some Changjian Mountain cultivators looked at Ji Yuan indifferently, while others showed expressions of shock. Regardless of their outward reactions, all were inwardly stunned by how effortlessly Ji Yuan had seized the flying sword.

The Changjian Mountain sect master scoffed.

“Very well, it seems Mister Ji has come with ill intentions. However, the principles of my Changjian Mountain lie in our swords. It is said that Mister Ji's swordsmanship is divine; today is a good opportunity to verify that!”

Ji Yuan had come prepared for a fight. To unmask the hidden individual within Changjian Mountain, it was best to engage all the high-level cultivators there. As long as they made a move, no matter how well they concealed themselves, the Daoist essence they revealed would allow Ji Yuan to connect them to Shen Jie, Min Xian, and others.

“I, Ji Yuan, have long wished to experience the swordsmanship of Changjian Mountain. I won't use my cultivation to overpower anyone; we'll simply discuss the Way of the Sword. Whoever comes, I will meet them with equivalent cultivation. Or, perhaps you all intend to attack together?”

“You... what do you take my Changjian Mountain for?”

The Changjian Mountain sect master glared at Ji Yuan, barely restraining himself from attacking. Ji Yuan met his gaze. To be honest, this situation was different from Xianxia Island. The hidden individual within Changjian Mountain possessed exceptionally high cultivation. Among their disciples, Shen Jie was already on the verge of entering the Cave Profound realm. Ji Yuan even suspected the Changjian Mountain sect master himself to be the most likely culprit.

“Then I shall experience Mister Ji's swordsmanship.”

A female cultivator with a stern expression was the first to step forward. With a flick of her long sleeve, a longsword flew out, sword light leading, her figure following, as they charged towards Ji Yuan in a flash.

Clang...

The moment she reached Ji Yuan, the female cultivator's hand finally grasped the sword hilt, pointing directly at Ji Yuan's left shoulder. In Ji Yuan's assessment, she still intended to hold back.

‘Not drawing his sword?’

As the female cultivator pondered this, Ji Yuan brought the Green Vine Sword, which he had held behind his back, to the front. Without drawing it, he used the tip of its sheath to tap the side of the incoming longsword.

Clank...

To Ji Yuan, all swordsmanship in the world was a manifestation of the Way of the Sword, with clear trajectories and distinct forms. He didn't merely perceive immortal sword arts and techniques, but rather the transformations of the Dao itself.

The Green Vine Sword in Ji Yuan's hand spun at his fingertips. The moment the female cultivator changed her move, it had already moved like a phantom to her neck. Startled, she turned and drew her sword.

Zing...

The longsword, surprisingly, was a mother-son sword, from which a long string of nine flying sword lights emerged. Guided by the female cultivator's sword art, they circled the sky before all rushing towards Ji Yuan.

However, Ji Yuan never drew his sword. The Green Vine Sword in his hand occasionally spun or pointed, using not an ounce of extra spiritual energy, merely striking to deflect the numerous sword shadows back. He continued to move, walking on the wind without pause.

The female cultivator continuously wielded her sword and formed hand seals, but her body was forced into a steady retreat. She was pushed back among the other Changjian Mountain cultivators, and her sword light ceased.

“There's no need to continue; I've lost!”

“Your swordsmanship has grasped the essence of the Way of the Sword, which is commendable.”

Ji Yuan offered a calm remark. The female cultivator had yet to respond, but the others grew even more furious.

“I'll face you!”

Before the words had fully fallen, someone had already ridden their sword forth, transforming into a sword themselves and charging towards Ji Yuan. Ji Yuan had not yet moved, but the surrounding Changjian Mountain cultivators promptly retreated, clearing space for the battle.