At Ji Yuxing's command, the young men of the Ji family surged toward the summit of Qingyan Mountain like stampeding wild horses.

Ji Changxiao, last year's champion, took the lead. His movements were as agile as a monkey's; a light tap on a protruding crag would launch him a zhang upward. Then, by gripping another rock with both hands and pulling forcefully, he’d boost himself another zhang. In mere moments, he had left everyone else in his dust.

Ji Changsheng, Ji Changle, and Ji Yueqing followed closely behind. Though not as nimble or powerful as Ji Changxiao, they were still masters among the younger generation of the Ji clan. Channeling their Yuan Power into their limbs, these three could grip the stone with hands and feet, supporting their entire weight with just one hand and one foot, maintaining a steady position just behind Ji Changxiao.

Trailing the trio of Ji Changsheng, Ji Changle, and Ji Yueqing were the descendants from the collateral branches of the Ji family. Most of these had only managed to circulate Yuan Power through their flesh, sinews, and internal organs, but being naturally tall, broad-shouldered, and long-armed, they kept pace rapidly under the influence of their inner energy.

Compared to the leading quartet—Ji Changxiao, Ji Changsheng, Ji Changle, and Ji Yueqing—the latter group exhibited uneven breathing, and sweat began to bead on some of their foreheads, a clear sign of insufficient depth in their Yuan Power cultivation.

Evidently, the direct lineage disciples of this generation held a distinct advantage in overall strength over the collateral members.

Ji Xiaolian, only fifteen and participating in this trial for the first time, also performed respectably. As she climbed, she couldn't help but giggle, seemingly finding the dangling rear ends above her immensely amusing.

Even so, she didn't fall too far behind. Laughing lightly all the way, the first-time participant stuck close to Ji Yueqing, separated by only about ten zhang.

Every single young member of the Ji family pushed themselves to the limit, desperate to charge toward the peak of Qingyan Mountain. Having cultivated diligently for years, their passion was fully ignited by the prospect of spending three days within the Scripture Pavilion, and they scrambled upward in a frenzy.

Among them, Ji Changkong, who had been left far behind, appeared jarringly out of place. Compared to Ji Changxiao’s lightning-fast ascent, his speed could only be described as "snail-crawling."

At a particularly treacherous, steep section, Ji Changkong gripped a boulder with both hands, his veins bulging from the exertion. After securing his position, he cautiously tested the next protruding rock with his foot. He then took a deep breath, carefully shifted his weight onto the supporting foot, and freed his hands to find another handhold for leverage.

...It was through this cautious, steady method that Ji Changkong "crawled" his way up Qingyan Mountain, one slow step at a time.

Even the weakest of the Ji youths was dozens of zhang ahead of him.

While Ji Changkong was still inching along like a snail, the fastest, Ji Changxiao, was already nearing the summit.

At the foot of the mountain, Nie Yuanshan, Ji Yuxing, Ji Yusheng, Ji Wanyun, and others gazed upward at the clansmen scrambling up the slopes.

Seeing his grandson Ji Changxiao leading the charge and close to the top, Ji Yuxing’s mouth curved into a satisfied smile. He then glanced at Ji Changkong, who was moving like a snail; having only covered a dozen or so zhang, he was already drenched in sweat and still lingering near them. Ji Yuxing frowned, suspecting Ji Changkong was deliberately humiliating the Ji family in front of Nie Yuanshan.

After a moment of contemplation, Ji Yuxing said with some impatience, "Changkong, if you truly can't manage it, better come down early. You've been frail since childhood; this level of trial really isn't suitable for you!"

"I'm fine, Uncle Nie is watching over me anyway," Ji Changkong called back from a short distance above, sparing a moment from his arduous, hand-and-foot climb, ignoring the cold sweat trickling down him.

"He's not much of a Ji family man!" Ji Haoguang muttered quietly to himself. "Ji family men are broad and sturdy, tall and wide—all true he-men. But he's so scrawny and fair-skinned, constantly sick. I truly wonder if Haotian picked him up from some random place and tossed him onto our family..."

"Haoguang!" Ji Yusheng roared. "What did you say? Changkong was personally handed to me by Haotian; do you think I can't tell my own grandson?"

"Third Master, please calm your anger, I was just speaking carelessly." Seeing Ji Yusheng erupt in fury, Ji Haoguang was startled and quickly tried to smooth things over with a wry smile, though he didn't seem overly intimidated by the elder's rage.

"Anyone who dares to spread more rumors, I will not spare them!" Ji Yusheng snorted, glaring darkly at Ji Haoguang before sweeping his gaze over Madam Luo and Madam Zhao nearby.

City Lord Nie Yuanshan, standing beside them, frowned slightly, clearly displeased by Ji Haoguang's remark. However, judging it an internal Ji family affair, he refrained from interfering.

"Grandpa, I'm here!" Just then, a robust shout echoed from the summit of Qingyan Mountain: Ji Changxiao had arrived. While Ji Changle and Ji Changsheng were barely two-thirds of the way up, Ji Changxiao had already conquered the peak.

Hearing this, Ji Yuxing stroked his beard with a smile, nodding with satisfaction. "This child Changxiao hasn't slacked off these past three years. His agility is nearly double what it was three years ago, and his summit speed is much quicker."

"Indeed," chuckled Ji Haohong. "To contend with that girl from the Jiu family, Changxiao has reached the point of forgetting to eat or sleep while cultivating!" As the father of such a successful son, he naturally felt immense pride.

Seeing the father and son so pleased with Ji Changxiao, Nie Yuanshan’s mouth curved into a look of disdain. He spoke coolly, "Half a month ago, I was visiting the Jiu family in Yinshan and met that girl, Jiu Lingxue. If my judgment is correct, that girl Jiu Lingxue has already broken through to the Three Talents Heaven Realm!"

The smiles on the faces of Ji Yuxing and Ji Haohong froze instantly. Their complexions turned ashen, as if they had swallowed flies, revealing undisguised horror, bitterness, confusion, and tension...

"I hear Ji Changxiao lost to Jiu Lingxue two years ago. Heh, I know a bit about the grudges between your Ji family and the Yinshan Jiu family. I won't offer an opinion on that matter. However, if Ji Changxiao truly wants to measure himself against Jiu Lingxue, his current strength is likely still quite lacking..." Nie Yuanshan stated flatly.

Ji Changxiao was still hovering at the Two Forms Heaven Realm, while his counterpart had already reached the Three Talents Heaven Realm—a full realm difference. If they were to fight again, his defeat would be certain!

The gap between realms was a chasm. For a martial artist in the Two Forms Heaven Realm to defeat one in the Three Talents Heaven Realm was not simply 'difficult'; it was almost unthinkable!

"Three Talents Heaven... Three Talents Heaven... She must only be seventeen this year, how is that possible? Two years ago, she had just reached the Two Forms Heaven Realm, and in just two years, she broke through again! This... this is truly a despair-inducing distance..." Ji Haohong muttered dazedly, utterly disheartened.

Ji Yuxing’s face had lost all trace of a smile; he looked utterly humiliated.

"In this world, there are people called peerless prodigies! That girl Jiu Lingxue is one of them!" Nie Yuanshan delivered the final verdict.

...

"Master, come and see this." Just as Ji Yuxing and Ji Haohong lapsed into silence, Shao Kang, the steward who had accompanied Nie Yuanshan, suddenly waved at him from a distance.

Nie Yuanshan was startled. He offered Ji Yuxing and Ji Haohong an apologetic smile and walked toward Shao Kang. Approaching his steward, Nie Yuanshan asked with confusion, "What is it? What could surprise you so much?"

Others might not know Shao Kang's true strength, but Nie Yuanshan certainly did. Although both were Six Harmonies Heaven Masters, Shao Kang's actual power surpassed that of the Ji Family Head, Ji Yuxing! Shao Kang had thoroughly mastered the outer three harmonies—eyes, hands, body—and the inner three—essence, energy, spirit. If he could nurture a Divine Weapon using his own blood essence, will, and soul, Shao Kang could advance further to the Seven Star Heaven Realm!

Besides his superior strength, Shao Kang's composure was something Nie Yuanshan greatly admired. Ordinarily, Shao Kang never made a fuss over anything, so his proactive call naturally struck Nie Yuanshan as highly peculiar.

"Master, look," Shao Kang exhaled softly and pointed upward.

His controlled exhalation indicated a slight ripple in his otherwise steadfast state of mind. Having known Shao Kang for years, Nie Yuanshan understood what this small gesture signified; Shao Kang rarely lost his composure these days. This made Nie Yuanshan even more perplexed, and he instinctively followed the direction of Shao Kang's finger.

The spot Shao Kang indicated was precisely the starting point where Ji Changkong had begun his ascent!

From there, moving upward, just past the ten-odd zhang mark where Ji Changkong was still struggling, Shao Kang’s pointing finger moved upward, passing the still-climbing Ji Changkong, pausing briefly, and then continuing its upward trajectory until it rested directly upon the summit of Qingyan Mountain.

As Shao Kang’s finger moved, Nie Yuanshan’s eyes followed. Initially, he hadn't paid much attention, but when Shao Kang’s finger stopped momentarily upon Ji Changkong, Nie Yuanshan seemed to register something significant. His expression tightened, and he began calculating silently in his mind, his face suddenly becoming grave...

: We are only one spot away from the new book ranking, just a few hundred recommendation votes short. I hope my brothers can cast their votes to lend me a hand. Come on, let's see some passion!