Hiss! The stone door of the Cold Ice Cave sealed shut again.

Ji Changle sat just outside the entrance, holding a small package, frowning as he appraised Ji Changkong, while silently circulating his Yuan Power to ward off the icy white mist within the cave. “Fourth Brother, you’ve certainly improved.

I didn’t expect you’d dare to fight me head-on. It seems these past few years haven't managed to scare you into submission!” After a moment, Ji Changle suddenly let out a cold laugh, his eyes chilling: “Once we are out of the Cold Ice Cave, I’ll settle accounts with you properly!” All the young men of the Ji family had to utilize their Yuan Power to resist the biting cold inside the Cold Ice Cave upon entry.

Three days was neither short nor long, and for the younger generation whose cultivation hadn't yet reached the Two Extremes Heaven realm, their Yuan Power could barely sustain them for those three days. Therefore, in order to safely endure these three days, Ji Changle had no intention of engaging in a fight inside the Cold Ice Cave.

“Why wait until after three days, Second Brother? You can settle accounts with me right now!” Ji Changkong rose with the situation, casually picking up the jug of Fire Dragon Brew resting beside him.

He took several deep gulps, the liquid sloshing with a gurgle-gurgle sound, feeling the potent liquor rapidly boiling up inside him. He set the jug down and strode purposefully toward Ji Changle.

Ji Changle’s expression shifted slightly, his voice becoming somewhat hurried: “Are you truly insane? Fighting within the Cold Ice Cave benefits no one.

Don’t you wish to walk out alive?” “What’s all the noise! No shouting is permitted inside the Cold Ice Cave!

Ji Changle, if you dare bully Changkong in there, don't blame me for showing no mercy!” Outside the entrance, Han Hai scolded with clear displeasure. Hearing Han Hai’s warning, Ji Changle, who had been slightly worried, secretly felt relieved.

He figured if Ji Changkong acted recklessly and noise escaped the cave, Han Hai would naturally intervene. Thus, seeing Ji Changkong approach with ill intent, he wasn't overly concerned.

While secretly on guard, he sneered dismissively: “My dear Fourth Brother, do you really think you had the upper hand outside? Hmph.

If I hadn't underestimated your sudden burst of Yuan Power and been caught by your sneak attack, let me tell you, you’d already be lying flat. You’ll see when we exit the Cold Ice Cave!” Just then.

Ji Changkong, who had been striding forward, suddenly gave a strange chuckle and accelerated his approach sharply, lunging at Ji Changle once more, just as he had done outside. This time, Ji Changle was prepared.

Seeing his opponent repeat the trick, a cold smile played on his lips, and he drove his tightly clenched fist hard toward the charging Ji Changkong. Bang!

The punch landed squarely on Ji Changkong’s chest. His body halted for only an instant, but immediately afterward, he pressed against Ji Changle desperately, slipping like an eel behind his opponent.

His hands shot out lightning-fast from behind, clamping over Ji Changle’s mouth, ferociously dragging him deeper into the Cold Ice Cave. “Mmmph… mmmph…” With his mouth tightly covered by Ji Changkong’s hands, Ji Changle felt an immense strength.

His body was being dragged uncontrollably toward the cave's depths. Facing away, Ji Changle struggled to punch toward Ji Changkong’s waist and abdomen, but being dragged made it difficult to exert full force; his power was limited.

Is he... really that useless wretch who never fought back or spoke back before?

At this moment, Ji Changle’s eyes were filled with sheer horror. He could never have predicted Ji Changkong would be so reckless!

So audacious! To attack him inside the Cold Ice Cave.

... Within the Cold Ice Cave, everyone suffered the effects of the icy chill.

Upon entering, Ji Changle immediately began circulating his Yuan Power to resist the cold, thus daring not to act rashly inside. However, after downing several large swigs of Fire Dragon Brew, Ji Changkong was astonished to find the liquor's potency could actually counteract the ice-cold air of the cave.

As long as he drank it, he didn't need to consciously use his Yuan Power to fight the cold; his body remained pleasantly warm, his limbs agile, completely unaffected by the chill. Having gained such a massive advantage, how could he allow Ji Changle to continue acting arrogantly before him?

Ji Changle’s punch to his chest, while painful, was only painful! Ji Changle, who inherently needed to use Yuan Power to resist the cold, found his limbs noticeably restricted by the icy air.

His speed, strength, and even the flow of his Yuan Power were distinctly diminished compared to outside. The true power of his punch was severely blunted, unable to truly stop Ji Changkong.

A sense of exhilarating relief flooded Ji Changkong; he felt that never in his life had a moment felt so satisfying. Watching Ji Changle, who had bullied him since childhood, become so utterly helpless under his drag, filled him with genuine excitement.

He dragged Ji Changle back nearly twenty yards from the entrance, ensuring his cries wouldn't carry outside. Only then did he abruptly release the wide-eyed, terrified Ji Changle, kicking him hard from behind against the cold stone wall.

He immediately pounced forward, wrestling with him using both hands and feet. Ji Changkong, completely unhindered by the cave's cold, clashed against Ji Changle, who constantly had to divert Yuan Power to fight the frost.

One was refreshed and surging with momentum; the other was terrified of the deeper cold, eager only to escape. The outcome was immediately clear.

... Thud!

With another kick, Ji Changle, attempting to break past Ji Changkong toward the entrance, was violently knocked back again. Ji Changle slammed hard against the icy stone wall, his grimacing face resembling a ferocious, trapped beast.

“What exactly do you want? Are you trying to die in here together?” Ji Changle roared furiously, glaring at Ji Changkong with hatred.

Ji Changkong offered no reply, simply taking a few more swigs of Fire Dragon Brew. His face was slightly flushed, a faint smile playing on his lips as he stood guard over him.

Exhausted, Ji Changle’s stamina had drastically reduced after this bout of fighting. Coupled with the continuous drain of Yuan Power to resist the cold, he was no longer able to pose a threat to Ji Changkong.

Meanwhile, Ji Changkong remained clear-headed and refreshed, seemingly possessing endless energy. Whenever Ji Changle tried to rush toward the entrance to call for help, Ji Changkong would step forward and kick him right back, then watch him with that half-smile.

Once, twice... After being mercilessly kicked back to his spot multiple times, Ji Changle finally settled down.

Ji Changkong remained silent the entire time, just watching him with that faint, teasing smile. After an indeterminate amount of time, the increasingly weak Ji Changle began to shiver uncontrollably as the cold seeped into him.

The Yuan Power within his body was gradually failing to hold back the chill of the Cold Ice Cave. Ji Changle’s once hateful eyes slowly filled with panic.

When he realized his limbs were frozen and his consciousness beginning to blur, his teeth chattered violently, his voice trembling: “Fourth Brother, do you really intend to kill me? Let me out.

If you keep me here, I’m afraid I’ll actually freeze to death. If I die, never mind Second Grand-Uncle, even Third Grand-Uncle won't let you off!” Ji Changkong still didn't speak, only taking small sips of the Fire Dragon Brew.

“Fourth Brother, we have no feud that cannot be resolved; we are brothers! Just let Second Brother go.

I was wrong before, and I swear I won't dare provoke you again in the future... Fourth Brother, we are family…” “Fourth Brother, I truly cannot hold on anymore.

Second Brother begs you, spare me…” “Second Brother begs you!” “…” After a very long wait, just as Ji Changle was sinking into despair, Ji Changkong finally smiled slightly, his lips curling with mockery, and asked, “Second Brother, are you afraid?” Ji Changle nodded frantically—he was truly terrified! “If you tell me why you, Big Brother, Third Brother, and your mother treated me this way all these years, I will spare you.” Ji Changkong paused for a moment, then finally demanded in a deep voice.

This was a long-standing knot in Ji Changkong’s heart. For years, he had keenly felt the exclusion and coldness from those people.

He could never understand why his own relatives would treat him this way. He had once asked Ji Wanyun, but she always responded with a bittersweet smile, as if holding some unspeakable secret.

After stifling it for more than a decade, he finally had a chance to learn the answer today. Ji Changle hesitated briefly, but under the threat of death, he quickly yielded, his face mournful: “It’s all because of your father.

My mother told me that your father offended many people back then. The reason our Ji family has fallen to this state is largely due to him.

Fourth Brother, it has nothing to do with me! I only bullied you because my mother and the others spoke nonsense.

Just spare Second Brother…” Staring blankly at the fear-stricken Ji Changle, Ji Changkong finally murmured after a while, “You coward!” “Take a drink, and don’t even think about leaving immediately. You’ll stay in here obediently for three days.” Handing the remaining half-jug of Fire Dragon Brew to Ji Changle, he watched as the latter took several swigs, coughed, and then hopped around slightly, energized.

Only then did Ji Changkong carefully snatch the small portion of brew back, sit cross-legged where he was, and begin to ponder. So, it was all because of that father he had never met.

Ji Changkong frowned, wondering what his father had done to cause his own kin to treat him so. ...

“Fourth Brother, just one more sip, please? This wine really works.” After some time, Ji Changle gazed pleadingly at Ji Changkong.

“Beg me!” “Fourth Brother, please, just one more sip.” “Mm.” After another while. “Fourth Brother, I beg you, just one more sip.” After being tormented for so long, he had become much more compliant.

“Mm.”