Ji Yusheng, Ji Wanyun, Ji Haoguang, Madam Zhao, Ji Yueqing, and others were all waiting outside the cave, poised to retrieve their respective charges once the appointed time arrived.

“Uncle Han, is everything alright inside the cave?” Ji Wanyun still held a trace of worry, fearful that Ji Changkong, who had only just managed to gather Yuan Power, might not withstand the biting cold of the Ice Cave.

Han Hai shook his head, smiling. “It’s quiet in there, no disturbances. If those two lads couldn't take it, they would have knocked on the door long ago.”

By today, three days later, the news of Ji Changkong’s ability to gather Yuan Power was no longer a secret.

The moment Ji Wanyun returned from Qingyan City, she immediately sought out Ji Yusheng, recounting the general events of the Wushan journey. After Ji Yusheng received confirmation from her account, he made no effort to hide his excitement, loudly sharing the news with every member of the Ji family!

Whether they were direct descendants or collateral branches, they all received this piece of information from Ji Yusheng instantly.

“It’s good that he’s fine, truly good,” Ji Yusheng nodded, unable to contain his own surging excitement. He had visited the entrance of the Ice Cave more than once these past few days, leaving only after quietly confirming there were no unusual sounds from within.

“The time is up. Uncle Han, can you open the door now?” Madam Zhao was impatient. Checking the time, she immediately clamored.

Han Hai gave a soft “Mm,” stepped forward, and shifted the heavy stone door aside. As a pale, misty cold billowed out, he called loudly into the darkness, “The hour has come. You two young masters can come out now.”

...

The sound of footsteps echoed from within the Ice Cave. Ji Changle emerged, his face ashen, exhausted by the ordeal. His steps were heavy, and his physical condition was clearly poor.

“Le’er, Le’er, are you alright?” Madam Zhao, upon seeing his state, was instantly overcome with heartache and rushed forward, gripping his arm.

Ji Changle’s expression was somewhat strange; he covertly glanced at Ji Wanyun, urging, “Let’s go. We should head back first.”

“Second Brother, walk slowly. Remember what our two brothers discussed inside, won’t you? Heh heh. This Ice Cave is quite a place. We brothers never had a real chance to get close before; finally, we could have a proper, pleasant conversation,”

Ji Changkong’s light laughter drifted from the cave. A moment later, Ji Changkong walked out, looking energetic and unhurried. Seeing the tense figures of Ji Yusheng and Ji Wanyun, Ji Changkong bowed respectfully and said quietly, “Grandfather, Aunt, you must have worried.”

Ji Yusheng and Ji Wanyun stared in stunned silence. In their view, if Ji Changle looked so drained and pale, Ji Changkong must be utterly ravaged. Yet, the Ji Changkong emerging showed not even a hint of fatigue; in fact, he appeared more vigorous than before entering the cave. This was clearly beyond their expectation.

“Oh!” Han Hai at the cave entrance suddenly exclaimed. After scrutinizing Ji Changkong for a moment, he clapped his hands and burst into laughter. “Changkong, excellent, truly excellent! I have guarded this Ice Cave for so long, and this is the first time I’ve seen someone at the Initial Yuan Realm stay three full days and still walk out full of spirit. Even your father back then wasn’t quite like this…”

“Ahem…” Ji Yusheng coughed softly, interrupting Han Hai before he could finish his sentence.

“Changkong, your aunt made you nourishing old chicken soup. Hurry back and replenish your strength,” Ji Wanyun first offered a bright smile before stepping forward to take Ji Changkong’s hand. Then, her brow furrowed as she glanced toward Madam Zhao beside her, speaking low, “If anyone wants something, find your own way to get it. Don't resort to despicable tricks; they only harm your own child and bring you no benefit.”

At these words, Madam Zhao’s face soured. She let out a cold snort of resentment and dragged Ji Changle away.

“Let’s go, Aunt. We’ll head back,” Ji Changkong smiled, casting a meaningful, playful glance at Ji Changle being pulled away by Madam Zhao.

...

At the foot of the mountain, in Ji Changkong’s small wooden hut.

“Changkong, was everything alright in the Ice Cave?” Ji Wanyun served him a bowl of soup, waiting until he had finished one bowl before she spoke.

“Fine,” he shook his head. Ji Changkong looked at Ji Yusheng, who had accompanied him, and murmured, “Grandfather, I have Yuan Power.”

“Good. Remember to practice diligently; do not slacken for a moment. You started much later than others; you must work even harder!” Ji Yusheng nodded, his expression stern.

“I understand,” Ji Changkong replied obediently.

“Extend your hand. Let me draw a drop of blood to check,” Ji Yusheng hesitated, then suddenly said.

“Father, are you still obsessed with that matter?” Ji Wanyun chided sharply, displeased. “When Changkong was brought back by my brother back then, didn't you already test him? His blood is red, not purple. Just give up trying!”

“Let’s try once more. Perhaps this generation of Xuanyuan is different. Counting the time, Changkong was born right at the tail end of the six-hundred-year mark. If the Xuanyuan legend still holds true, it must be within him. This concerns whether our Ji family can rise; it is the hope of everyone in the Ji family. We cannot afford to be careless!” Ji Yusheng insisted, his face alight with anticipation.

“Forget it. I truly don’t know what you are all thinking, obsessing over something that clearly has no hope,” Ji Wanyun snorted softly, then told Ji Changkong, “Extend a hand for your grandfather so he can finally put this thought to rest.”

Ji Changkong obediently extended his left hand. Ji Yusheng took out a silver needle and pricked it. Seeing a drop of crimson blood well up, he finally let out a soft sigh, murmuring to himself, “Alas… it’s truly gone. I never thought it would vanish with our generation. The vengeance of the Ji family, I fear, can never be repaid…”

“What vengeance?” Ji Changkong frowned suddenly, asking.

“Nothing,” Ji Yusheng stood up, gazing deeply at Ji Changkong for a moment, then softened his tone. “Changkong, it doesn't matter if you don't have the Xuanyuan bloodline. Your father reached profound realms even without it. Do not be discouraged. As long as you strive, you can still bring glory to the Ji family.”

“I will,” Ji Changkong nodded.

...

That evening, carrying three jars of Fire Dragon Brew, Ji Changkong once again arrived at the Ice Cave.

“Eh? Changkong, what are you doing here again? You just got out. Don't tell me you were punished and sent back in?” Han Hai, guarding the entrance, exclaimed in surprise seeing Ji Changkong return so soon after leaving.

“No, I just think the Ice Cave is a good place, and I want to cultivate here for a while,” Ji Changkong replied with a smile.

“Oh?” Han Hai’s expression shifted. He looked at the young man with interest and asked, “You can withstand the cold inside? Heh heh, many Ji family members have voluntarily asked to cultivate in the Ice Cave over the years, but I’ve never seen anyone who just gained Yuan Power dare to attempt it like you.”

“Don't worry, Uncle Han, I can handle it. If I really can't endure it, I’ll naturally come out.”

“Very well, go in then. But don’t push yourself; the moment you feel unwell, come straight out.” Han Hai, seeing that he wasn't joking and after a brief pause, nodded and helped him open the stone door to the Ice Cave.

...

A blast of cold air washed over him, the misty white fog carrying a bone-piercing chill that instantly enveloped Ji Changkong.

First, he utilized the Yuan Power within him to resist the biting cold. Ji Changkong walked step by step toward the depths of the Ice Cave. The further he went, the heavier the cold became, until he spotted the churning, white-misted frigid pool in the distance. After testing the intensity of the cold air there, he settled cross-legged twenty zhang away from the pool.

He opened a jar of Fire Dragon Brew and took several large swigs, feeling the fiery liquor burn inside his body. Ji Changkong gradually relaxed, secretly circulating the Yuan Power within him, directing it toward the marrow below his waist.

In an instant, Ji Changkong once again entered the "Realm of Selflessness."

The white mist rising from the nearby frigid pool seemed drawn by a magnetic force, drifting out from its depths again, gathering densely around him.

In just a short while, the thick white mist enveloped him tightly, like a massive snowball. The mist seeped slowly into his body through his nose, mouth, ears, and skin pores. As he circulated his Yuan Power, the cold energy and the Fire Dragon Brew in his stomach silently transformed...

Gradually, it permeated every limb, every part of his flesh and bone, every organ.

When cultivating in the Ice Cave, aided by the cave’s chill and the potent Fire Dragon Brew, Ji Changkong could clearly sense changes in his body every time he awoke from the “Realm of Selflessness.”

He couldn't explain exactly how these changes occurred, but he knew that under this condition, his body was becoming stronger and more robust. Though he still appeared lean, he felt an increasing, latent power even without using Yuan Power. He felt invigorated, as if he possessed inexhaustible energy.

It was as if, under the dual influence of the Fire Dragon Brew and the cold energy, his body was being tempered again and again, like a weapon beaten and refined a thousand times, granting him a miraculous feeling of rebirth and transformation.

He realized profoundly that this state would be exceedingly beneficial for his future cultivation, because every time he surfaced from the “Realm of Selflessness,” he could sense that his body could now hold more Yuan Power, and with a mere thought, the flow of Yuan Power within him accelerated significantly.

Three months—a full three months. Ji Changkong spent all his time cultivating silently in the Ice Cave, under the combined effects of the chilling air and the Fire Dragon Brew, venturing out only when starvation forced him to gorge on food.

When the last jar of Fire Dragon Brew was finished, Ji Changkong found that without the wine, he no longer feared the icy white mist of the Ice Cave. His body seemed to have completely adapted to the cavern’s profound cold.

As if... he himself had become a part of the Ice Cave’s white mist.