Under the scorching flame of the Fire Dragon Burn, Ji Changkong sweated profusely, his bare upper body rippling as wisps of faintly foul-smelling smoke drifted off his skin. The Yuan Power within him boiled, surging chaotically through his frame, threatening to escape his control.

In that moment, Ji Changkong felt as though he were enduring both scalding heat and freezing depths, his mind perhaps even dulled by the potent liquor.

Focusing his mind, Ji Changkong found it incredibly difficult to enter the 'Realm of Nothingness'; he could only ride the current, boiling along with the wine, striving only to guide the Yuan Power to scour the impurities from his body.

After what felt like an age, the intense internal boiling finally subsided slightly, but his entire body was drenched, reeking of sweat and odor.

What a ferocious kick the liquor had!

With a great roar, Ji Changkong shot to his feet, only to discover a sensation of clarity and refreshment, as if boundless, inexhaustible strength now resided within him. His mighty shout echoed through the Poison Dragon Pool.

In the next instant, he keenly sensed the profound effect those few mouthfuls of liquor had wrought upon his body—it felt as if his physique had just been reforged anew by the wine, every bone, every sinew, every patch of flesh rendered tougher, imbued with greater power!

Taking a deep breath, Ji Changkong settled back down onto the ground, cross-legged beside the Poison Dragon Pool. He continued to sip the Fire Dragon Burn, now concentrated over a dozen times stronger, allowing the searing liquid to boil within him, volatilizing the foulness from his body through sweat.

For three full months, Ji Changkong dedicated all his time to drinking and cultivating, save for the brief hours around midnight when he roasted meat for the ferocious beasts of the Poison Dragon Pool. The three jars of Fire Dragon Burn were, unnoticed, finally depleted.

Over these three months, Ji Changkong again experienced that wondrous feeling of profound transformation; it seemed the liquor had elevated his physical being to a new zenith. Not only had his internal Yuan Power deepened significantly, but his agility had grown, and his senses—his sight, hearing, and smell—had become strikingly acute.

After three months of relentless, sweat-drenching cultivation, Ji Changkong could drink the Fire Dragon Burn without breaking into a heavy sweat. Not only was the lingering stench gone from his body, but a pleasant, faint fragrance now emanated from him...

Ji Changkong set aside the remaining two jars of Fire Dragon Burn, choosing not to drink them yet. He planned to use them later when returning to the Ji Family, deep within the cold pool of the Ice Cave for further cultivation. Vaguely, he felt that harnessing the power of this intensely potent liquor—more than ten times stronger—would allow him to genuinely withstand the chilling force of the Cold Pool, propelling his strength to yet another level.

...

The night was dim, the breeze soft. Ji Changkong was washing himself with joyful abandon in a clear pool, completely naked, feeling elated and full of vigor.

An unknown little fish swam around his ankle, and he could distinctly sense the creature's innate desire for the marvelous essence radiating from his body...

Suddenly, he stilled. The Yuan Power in his body flowed naturally into his mind, sharpening his gaze and enhancing his hearing.

A marvelous wave of life emanated from the small fish under his foot. With a flicker of thought, the Yuan Power in his mind seemed to flow out magically, reaching further still. He clearly sensed the life vibrations of insects hidden in tree hollows, several nimble squirrels, and even a hawk soaring overhead.

In that instant, the entire Yunmeng Marsh seemed to explode with vibrant life. Every creature possessing a life-force fluctuation, no matter how deeply concealed, was perceivable to him within a certain radius.

Yuan Power overflowing into the mind, sensing the spiritual entities of Heaven and Earth—this crucial threshold of the Two Instruments Heaven realm, he had passed without any significant obstacle, breaking through with surprising ease.

...

In the Two Instruments Heaven realm, Yuan Power must be capable of being released through the hands and feet, the skin's pores, and the mind. Having spent nearly two years in the Yunmeng Marsh, Ji Changkong had miraculously achieved mastery in all three, reaching the peak of the Two Instruments Heaven realm. Just one more moment of true enlightenment, and he would ascend to the Three Talents Heaven realm!

Even Ji Changxiao, renowned as the foremost genius among the Ji Family's third generation, had only reached this stage after years of arduous training, perpetually unable to surpass his own limits and severely suppressed by Jiu Lingxue of the Yinshan Jiu Family!

...

Retrieving the bamboo basket he had prepared earlier, Ji Changkong first placed the remaining two jars of Fire Dragon Burn inside. He then gathered some rare, exotic flowers and grasses from around the Poison Dragon Pool, placing them in the basket. Ji Changkong let out a resounding cry: "Great Wind!"

The Heavenly Roc Wyvern leaped out of the Poison Dragon Pool, swooping down beside Ji Changkong, allowing him to mount its back while carrying the basket.

"Great Wind, head north. I am going home," Ji Changkong patted the Wyvern's terrifying massive head, brimming with spirit.

The fierce beasts of the Poison Dragon Pool—the Green-Eyed Venom Scorpion, the Nine-Headed Bird, the Three-Eyed Dragon Python—all emerged from the dense undergrowth. Perhaps sensing Ji Changkong’s departure, they gazed at him pleadingly, seemingly... reluctant to see him go.

"Qingyan Mountain is close by. I will come back again later. Don't look at me so mournfully!" Ji Changkong laughed casually, tapping the Heavenly Roc Wyvern again, urging it: "Let's go, Great Wind, take me north!"

The Heavenly Roc Wyvern let out a low growl, reluctantly taking to the air. Its immense, fleshy wings beat, whipping up a howling gale, carrying Ji Changkong soaring straight toward the direction of Qingyan Mountain.

The Nine-Headed Bird, the Flying Blood Snake, and other airborne beasts followed far behind the Wyvern, chasing after it, only to be left further and further behind as they could not match its speed...

Riding on the Wyvern's neck, Ji Changkong kept looking back. He didn't know why, but these savage, vicious beasts, which he once viewed with apprehension, now seemed endearing. Watching them send him off in their own way, filled with lingering attachment, Ji Changkong's eyes felt slightly moist.

Few people in these past years had treated him kindly, but these fearsome, legendary strange beasts had genuinely accepted him as a friend.

"Great Wind, you can go back first. Whenever I have time, I will return to the Poison Dragon Pool. For me, the Poison Dragon Pool is another home!" Upon reaching their destination, seeing the Wyvern still lingering close, Ji Changkong waved goodbye with a hint of sadness, then turned his back and left the Yunmeng Marsh, heading towards the nearby Qingyan Mountain.

After traveling a considerable distance up Qingyan Mountain, Ji Changkong finally saw a colossal shadow let out a low roar before turning and departing.

...

Qingyan Mountain, Ji Family Residence.

The moment Ji Changkong stepped into the Ji Family compound, he walked directly toward the quarters belonging to Ji Wanyun, without pausing for anything else.

When he had left the Ji Family that day, Ji Wanyun was in seclusion cultivating with the aid of the Black Jade Yuan Crystal. He hadn't managed to see her, and he didn't know if the four scars on her face had healed. For over a year spent diligently cultivating the Grand Void Secret Record in the Yunmeng Marsh, Ji Changkong had fiercely suppressed any distracting thoughts to maintain his focus.

Now that he had reached the peak of the Two Instruments Heaven realm and achieved some success, he was eager to tell Ji Wanyun, and even more eager to see if the four scars on her face had completely vanished.

Creak!

Ji Changkong pushed open Ji Wanyun's door unceremoniously, just as he always did.

"I've said it a hundred times, I will never marry Jia Rongfeng, it's useless for anyone to come!" Ji Wanyun shouted angrily, storming out from the inner room, only to suddenly gasp in surprise: "Changkong, when did you get back?" (Computer Novel Site://.)

Her long hair was tied up high in a silk ribbon bun, fully revealing her cheeks. Her face was smooth as jade; the four hideous, terrifying scars had vanished without a trace, leaving no mark behind.

Without the disfigurement of the scars, Ji Wanyun's complexion was rosy, making her appear dignified and captivatingly beautiful.

"Ha, Aunt, your facial scars... they're all gone?" Ji Changkong exclaimed with genuine delight.

"They're gone! All gone!" Ji Wanyun smiled sweetly, and the perpetual sadness that had shadowed her face seemed to have vanished along with them.

After a pause, Ji Wanyun laughed lightly, "Well, now that the scars are gone, your Second Grand-Uncle and the others are practically desperate to marry me off again quickly. I thought those two, the Zhao surname and the Luo surname, were coming as negotiators just now. Those two accepted gifts from the Jia family and constantly try to persuade me. Hmph, the Jia family holds significant power in Qingyan City, as if I don't know they want to use that mighty backing to resist the pressure from the Jiu family! Sacrificing me? Never!"

"If some people are too presumptuous, you cannot afford to be polite to them! Two years ago, they tried to use Big Brother to steal your Flame Yuan Pearl. This time they try to persecute you again. It seems they truly believe we are easy to bully!" Ji Changkong's face turned cold, and he muttered resentfully.

"Don't worry about them. I won't agree, and they can't force it! Changkong, it's perfect timing that you're back. In a few days, the Triennial Trial is due again, and the City Lord will be here. Three years ago, you didn't achieve a good ranking; this time, you must strive hard and beat their sons!" Ji Wanyun urged fiercely.

"Don't worry, Aunt. I will definitely give them a surprise!" Ji Changkong said confidently, a hint of chilling disdain coloring his smile.

...