The Ji Clan was in an uproar! No one could have predicted that Ji Changkong would suddenly burst onto the scene during this year's Trial Assessment. Not only did he claim the top spot in an overwhelmingly dominant fashion, but he had actually managed another breakthrough, directly reaching the Three Talents Heaven Realm!

Overnight, Ji Changkong's feat spread throughout the entire Ji Clan. Everyone, from the main branch to the collateral lines, was discussing him in hushed tones. Ji Changkong had never shone so brightly!

Ji Yuxing, Ji Haohong, Ji Haoguang, the Zhao family, the Luo family, and others seemed to suddenly settle down. Their attitude toward Ji Yusheng and Ji Wanyun shifted subtly, becoming... considerably friendlier.

It was obvious to everyone that Ji Changkong’s future prospects were limitless! Breaking through three major thresholds in just two years to enter the Three Talents Heaven Realm—this speed was, as Nie Yuanshan had put it, horrifying! The future rise of the Ji Clan depended on the third generation.

Ji Changkong’s sudden change provided the Ji Clan with a faint glimmer of hope. No matter how much Ji Yuxing and the others had previously looked down on Ji Changkong, the current situation forced them to change their strategy and re-evaluate their relationship with him. Indeed, for several days, Ji Changkong remained deep in a wondrous state, unawakened.

Those who had never given him a second glance before—Ji Yuxing, Ji Haoguang, Ji Haohong, the Zhao family, the Luo family—would frequently visit the peak of Green Rock Mountain. Whether sincere or feigned, they performed the act of offering warm inquiries with due diligence. It was as if the previous estrangement had never existed.

…… Seven days later, Ji Changkong slowly awoke, only to find himself surrounded by members of the Ji Clan. "Changkong, you must be hungry. I’ve prepared some pastries for you; would you like to have some first?" Madam Luo, Ji Haohong’s wife, asked sweetly, her face split in a warm smile.

"Uh..." Ji Changkong stared blankly at Madam Luo, his mouth agape, unable to react immediately. After a long pause, he stiffened his expression and replied coolly, "Thank you, but I'm not hungry!" He stood up, took a deep breath of the fresh air, smiled at Ji Yusheng and Ji Wanyun beside him, and said, "Grandpa, Auntie, it seems I need to go to the Scripture Repository to choose a Heavenly Scholar Secret Art to cultivate." "Second Brother, is this within the rules?" Ji Yusheng, his old face full of relief, did not answer immediately. Instead, he grunted as he glanced at Ji Yuxing beside him.

"No trouble, no trouble at all. Changkong was first in the Trial Assessment. Although the time slot for entering the Scripture Repository has passed, it hardly matters.

Go ahead, choose a Heavenly Scholar Secret Art carefully. The prosperity and decline of the Ji Clan in the future will rely on you and Changxiao!" Ji Yuxing no longer made things difficult for Ji Changkong, even managing a slightly awkward smile. —He had never smiled at Ji Changkong before!

"Thank you, Second Grand-Uncle," Ji Changkong responded flatly, showing no warmth, but also not causing him embarrassment. After a brief, quiet exchange with Ji Yusheng and Ji Wanyun, he left the mountain with them, heading toward the Scripture Repository. "Changkong, you must choose your Heavenly Scholar Secret Art with caution.

It would be best to listen to Granny Mo’s advice! Your current realm is sufficient, but you need a matching technique to maximize the potential of your internal Yuan power. Granny Mo has an exceptionally discerning eye in this regard; what she says is rarely wrong!" On the path, Ji Yusheng repeatedly cautioned him.

Only upon reaching the exterior of the Scripture Repository did he stop. "I understand, Grandpa." Ji Changkong nodded obediently, smiled at Ji Wanyun, and then stepped toward the Scripture Repository. …… "Good!

Good! Good!" As soon as Ji Changkong entered the Scripture Repository, Mo Yunyi let out three loud exclamations of approval. An unusual radiance shone across her wrinkled face as she fixed her gaze upon him without blinking.

"Granny Mo, may I cultivate a Heavenly Scholar Secret Art now?" Ji Changkong was neither arrogant nor impatient; he first bowed respectfully before speaking with a smile. "You may! Of course, you may!" Mo Yunyi had clearly learned of his performance on Green Rock Mountain.

She nodded heavily. "Two years! The Three Talents Heaven Realm!

Even those with the Xuanyuan Bloodline do not progress this fast! Changkong, your future will certainly outshine your father’s!" She suddenly grabbed Ji Changkong’s arm and led him directly up to the top floor. Without a word, she pulled him into her small, solitary room at the summit before releasing his arm.

She began rummaging through the many cabinets lining the small, spotlessly clean space. The room was not large; besides a meditation cushion, it held neatly arranged cabinets and chests of varying sizes. These chests had an ancient look, suggesting they were quite old.

Mo Yunyi seemed to have been prepared; after just a brief search, she carefully retrieved two scriptures from a corner cabinet, handing them to Ji Changkong with a pleased smile. "One is the 'Surging Waves Art' (Jing Tao Jue), and the other is the 'Heavenly Thunder Force' (Tian Lei Jin). These two Heavenly Scholar Secret Arts were collected by Ji Clan ancestors long ago.

The Surging Waves Art is yielding yet firm; those with sufficiently deep Yuan power can use it to manifest wave-like fluctuations, each stronger than the last." "I recommended the Surging Waves Art because I see the profound depth of your internal Yuan power. Those other Ji Clan brats selected their Secret Arts too early, while they were still in the One Element Heaven Realm, so I didn't place the Surging Waves Art on the first floor—they wouldn't have been able to cultivate it at their level anyway!" "The Heavenly Thunder Force is rather special. Unless one’s strength reaches the Four Symbols Heaven Realm, they cannot communicate with the Azure Dragon Holy Beast, making it difficult to fully unleash the power of the Heavenly Thunder Force.

Furthermore, the Heavenly Thunder Force imposes harsh requirements on the cultivator's body; if the physique isn't strong enough, the body simply cannot withstand the process of converting Yuan power into lightning power. I heard you can pierce Green Rock Stone with just five fingers, which is why I thought the Heavenly Thunder Force might also suit you!" "You may choose one of these two techniques to cultivate. The Surging Waves Art shows immediate results, while the Heavenly Thunder Force can only have its true power unleashed after reaching the Four Symbols Heaven Realm and communicating with the Azure Dragon Holy Beast.

The choice is yours!" Hearing Mo Yunyi’s explanation, Ji Changkong felt hesitant. Both Secret Arts sounded excellent, almost tailor-made for him. However, he knew that when first cultivating a Heavenly Scholar Secret Art, one could not be greedy; only after mastering one technique completely should another be selected for practice.

"Granny Mo, I'm not sure which one to cultivate right now. Perhaps I should take both back..." After hesitating for a moment, Ji Changkong tentatively asked. "It’s not a major issue for you to take both back to examine, but you must remember, you can only choose one to practice.

You can only begin cultivating the second after completely mastering the first. Well, your nature is intelligent, and I am reassured, so I won't say more," Mo Yunyi nodded. "Go back now.

If you have any questions, ask your auntie and Third Grand-Uncle first. If they are unsure, you can come find me in the Scripture Repository anytime." "Thank you, Granny Mo, for taking such trouble." He understood that these two Heavenly Scholar Secret Arts were recommended only after Mo Yunyi’s careful selection, and judging by the look of things, these were treasures Mo Yunyi kept hidden. Ji Changkong secretly noted this profound kindness.

"You are a dutiful child, much better than your father! ... In the future, the Ji Clan will depend on you people," Mo Yunyi sighed softly, then gently stroked Ji Changkong's head.

After a moment of hesitation, she said tenderly, "Changkong, although your Second Grand-Uncle and the others were rather distant and difficult with you before, ... they are still family, after all. Don't hold onto the resentment forever; they have their own difficulties, which you will gradually understand later." "Changkong, you must learn to be more forgiving, more magnanimous, do you understand?" Mo Yunyi spoke earnestly.

"Granny Mo, this... I cannot do it yet. Seventeen years of hatred are not something that can be forgotten in a day or two..." Ji Changkong lowered his head in silence.

After a long while, he murmured softly. "I understand. Just remember that they are members of the Ji Clan, and you are too...

that is enough!" Mo Yunyi sighed lightly. "Go now, return and cultivate diligently. The future of the Ji Clan rests on youngsters like you!" Without saying anything further, Ji Changkong turned and left the Scripture Repository, holding the two Secret Arts.

Only after Mo Yunyi had closed the repository door again did Ji Changkong mutter to himself, "The Ji Clan, the Ji Clan... though they are one family... they are not of one heart!" ……