Chapter 12: Catching the Demon

Immortal Cultivation Academy?

Zhihua’s eyes were filled with longing and envy.

“Humans value the transmission of knowledge and teachings even more than we do. The Immortal Cultivation Academy is the largest institution for imparting the path of immortality in the Kingdom of Xu. Are you going there to restore your cultivation, young master?”

Gu Yi shook his head. “I don’t need to rely on the Academy to rebuild my cultivation. Though there are some worthwhile things there, I merely wish to go to the Academy’s Library of Techniques to verify a few matters.”

If it were the old Gu Yi of the Saintly Realm, no matter where he declared he would go, these little monsters would only find it amusing. But now, Zhihua was somewhat worried.

This required a bit of history.

At the founding of the Kingdom of Xu, those cultivators who transcended worldly affairs refused to obey the emperor’s decrees. They possessed great power and, banding together in sects, became an uncontrollable force. The founding emperor, a man of unmatched ambition, could not tolerate these unruly sects. Upon ascending the throne, he spent a decade employing war and other means to eradicate them.

Afterwards, Xu law forbade the private establishment of sects or similar organizations. During that sensitive period, any cultivator who accepted more than three disciples was considered to be fostering a private power.

In short, under heaven, all land belongs to the king; at the edge of the realm, all subjects belong to the king.

From then on, children wishing to cultivate could do so, but only by entering the Immortal Cultivation Academies established in Luyang and the capitals of various provinces, where they would study both literature and the arts of immortality.

Those who passed were sent to serve the military. After a century of peace, the military no longer needed so many cultivators, and the Academy raised its admission standards.

The tide of history turns. As ordinary children who wished to cultivate could not enter the Academies, memories of the threat posed by sects faded, and the prohibition against privately accepting disciples gradually became mere formality. Official reverence for immortals was restored and recognized.

Yet, the monarchy remained supreme, and the official Academies held the best resources for cultivation. They have always been the brightest avenue to immortality.

This is why Canlian insisted on following him—not only because she saw Gu Yi fly out of the Four Stones Array, but also because, as a commoner, she had few other options given the Academy’s high standards.

Thus, a problem lay before Gu Yi. The Immortal Cultivation Academy in Luyang was more than a school; it was the core of cultivation in the nation. With Gu Yi’s current strength, he was far from the point where he could simply stroll in as he pleased.

Let alone enter the Library of Techniques.

Zhihua was unsure of his plan. “Your cultivation has not yet recovered. If you don’t enter under the guise of a student, how will you gain access to such a restricted place as the Library?”

It was indeed troublesome.

Forcing his way in was out of the question—that would be suicide. But there were always ways; he would try when the time came.

“‘The mortal world is not the Seventh Realm’”—this phrase Gu Yi could not yet comprehend.

But there was another sentence he wished to test, so the Library of Techniques was a must.

“Besides,” Gu Yi smiled, “I’m also entering Luyang to search for traces of Xiao Yiyi. I was annoyed he left me, but after witnessing your wildness last night, I understand him a bit better.”

The little fox knew nothing of embarrassment—she only feared Gu Yi’s blame.

“Maybe… maybe we don’t need to search. If Lord Xiao Yiyi merely entered the city for pleasure, he’ll return soon.”

“Waiting for him to come back is pointless. If he were coming, he’d be back by now.”

Zhihua guessed, “Perhaps he fears punishment?”

“Fear won’t help him. When I find him, he’ll get a sound beating.” Gu Yi narrowed his eyes, his resolve firm.

The little fox stuck out her tongue in fright. Recalling past memories, only one creature had truly been punished. Immortals rarely intervened, but when they did, it was extraordinary—that was a goat, stripped of every hair, one by one.

Perhaps the punishment worked; after the hair was pulled, its strength improved rapidly.

...

The days finally brightened. Gu Yi moved a lounge chair into the courtyard, rocking gently. He also wrote some Spirit-Binding Talismans, just in case he needed to restrain Zhihua should her passions overwhelm her.

A young man must protect himself outside.

It wasn’t difficult; he had written several already. In all the past years, he had never been so leisurely.

He didn’t know how he’d arrived here, nor the identity of this body, only that he’d encountered the childlike Xiao Yiyi.

Xiao Yiyi was not human; he was more like a collection of spiritual energy shaped into a person.

Functionally, he was akin to the “system” in Gu Yi’s conception—any treasure could be drawn from him. But the fellow was stingy; at first, he claimed to remember nothing, and the techniques he offered were poor. Only after they became familiar did he begin to share better things.

He guided Gu Yi in cultivation, answering every question along the way.

Originally, this duo was invincible at showing off. But as soon as Gu Yi reached the Saintly Realm,

Xiao Yiyi vanished—and took all the power from Gu Yi’s body with him.

A sound beating would be too light.

“But, where should I search for Xiao Yiyi?”

Losing such a tool for showing off was a shame.

“The mortal world is not the Seventh Realm.”

On the table beside the rocking chair lay white paper. Gu Yi had written this phrase himself.

Outside the house, yesterday’s pale-faced young lord from the inn lingered uncertainly at the wall, unsure whether to enter. He still remembered Gu Yi—the noisy foreigner who had listened to tales in the inn the previous day. But now… why was he lying in the courtyard on a chair?

Shouldn’t he be lying in bed?

Gu Yi glanced at him from the corner of his eye, naturally gathering up the papers from the table. He asked, “Are you here for Zhihua? She just went out.”

“I am Bailong, Zhihua’s attendant. May I ask, brother… are you a monster?”

Gu Yi: “…”

“Of course not.”

Not a monster? Then why so relaxed, sitting here?

The pale-faced youth was doubtful, murmuring, “That’s good, that’s good.”

At that moment, a loud masculine shout rang out!

“Monster! Where do you think you’re going!”

With a thud, Bailong dropped to his knees before Gu Yi. “Spare me, lord monster! I didn’t bring the demon hunter!”

Gu Yi: “…”

Soon, two figures soared over the courtyard wall—it was Zhihua, and a monk wielding a steel sword and clad in gray robes.

“Master,” Zhihua landed and hurried to hide behind Gu Yi, her flat chest heaving, “This lecherous monk is unreasonable! He insists on capturing me. I’m no match for him!”

“Well now,” the monk waved his hand and arched an eyebrow, “Could it be I’ve stumbled upon a den of monsters? Last night I noticed abnormal spiritual energy here and lay in wait—today, my efforts bear fruit!”

A demon hunter?

He had been lurking, which explained why Zhihua was chased back as soon as she stepped out.

The pale-faced youth sprang up with a goat-like leap, switched the direction of his kneeling, and cried, “Master Ma, save me! I was brought here by them!”

Gu Yi: “…”

Weren’t you the one who entered on your own?

He scrambled over to the monk.

The monk asked, “Such delicate skin—are you a girl?”

“Heh, no, no, I am a pure man.”

“Not a girl? Then get out of my way!” the monk barked with disappointment, then turned his gaze to Gu Yi and Zhihua. “So, you two are the little monsters stirring up all of Quanmen County lately?”

The monk wasn’t tall and thin, but rather short and stout, with a chubby face—who knows how he grew so plump eating only vegetables.

“Master…” Zhihua was worried; her cultivation was inferior to the monk’s, and these demon hunters always had methods to deal with her kind.

Gu Yi was unfazed, only curious. “Xu law stipulates that Buddhist temples are for religion and may not teach methods of immortal cultivation. How did you, a monk, acquire your cultivation?”

The fat monk shook himself, scattering spiritual energy. “Who said I’m Buddhist? I’m from the Immortal Cultivation Academy of Luyang—never learned how to write the word ‘Buddha’!”

“Boasting about ignorance?” Gu Yi was speechless. “If you’re not a monk, why are you bald?”

His remark, made in tension, made Zhihua snicker—now she recalled that his head bore no incense scars.

The fat bald man was furious. “Ha! Hitting where it hurts, how cruel! I see no trace of demonic energy on you; step aside and let me deal with this little fox, then we’ll settle matters!”

“That won’t do. Zhihua is my adopted little fox; you can’t take her.”

“Nonsense! What man would adopt a fox who goes into heat…” At this, the bald man’s expression grew ambiguous. “Oh~ but perhaps you’re wiser than most, brother. Much respect.”

“Regardless, you can’t take her.” Gu Yi refused to waste words. “I’ve set up a Spirit-Binding Array here; don’t move carelessly, lest you get trapped.”

“Spirit-Binding Array?” His beady eyes darted about. “You’re not one of us, and you have no cultivation—how could you write talismans or set arrays? Trying to fool me?”

“Zhihua, run!” Gu Yi grabbed her and turned to flee.

“So you were fooling me!” The fat bald man’s eyes flashed, spiritual energy glowing yellow at his feet as he channeled power. He took two steps—the courtyard remained silent. Relieved, he jeered, “Minor tricks! Today I’ll exorcise monsters and subdue demons—let’s see where you run!”

As he gave chase,

Gu Yi, glancing back at the moon,

wore a wicked smile.