"Who are you?" Turning around, Jiu Lingxue stared coldly at Ji Changkong with a haughty expression. (This novel is reproduced from Shilu Literature Network)

"Ji family third-generation disciple, Ji Changkong!"

"Changkong, what are you doing?" Ji Wanyun cried out in alarm, stepping forward and abruptly grabbing his arm, trying to pull him back behind her.

Ji Yuxing, Ji Haohong, Madam Luo, and others who had surrounded the spitting-blood Ji Changxiao momentarily paused their actions, looking at Ji Changkong with utter confusion.

"Don't try to be a hero!" Ji Yusheng growled softly, suddenly glaring at Ji Changkong, gesturing for him to quickly stand back.

"Grandfather, please permit me to fight her!" Ji Changkong’s expression was resolute. He spread his right hand, subtly releasing Yuan Power, and a large piece of bluestone in the distance shot up violently.

Yuan Power manipulation, the realm of the Three Talents.

"Oh!" Jiu Wuji let out a soft exclamation, squinting as he studied Ji Changkong for a moment, then suddenly laughed sinisterly, "Boy, you are Ji Haotian’s son, right? I’ve heard of you. Didn't you used to be unable to gather Yuan Power? When did you become a Three Talents Heavenly Scholar?"

"Jiu Lingxue, do you dare to fight?!" Ji Changkong did not even glance at Jiu Wuji, merely staring steadily at Jiu Lingxue, enunciating every word.

Jiu Lingxue offered no reply, instead walking toward Ji Changkong with that same cold arrogance, stopping directly opposite him.

"Changkong!" Ji Yusheng shouted again.

"What, are you scared?" Jiu Wuji sneered, chuckling, "He actively provoked this; don't blame us!"

"Grandfather, let me try. Don't worry, I will be fine!" Ji Changkong’s face was firm, his voice deep.

"It's starting!" Without waiting for Ji Yusheng's response, Jiu Lingxue on the opposite side suddenly let out a sharp, cold cry. She spread both hands, and clusters of snow lotus flowers, carrying astonishing icy energy, suddenly drifted toward Ji Changkong.

The Ice Lotus Art was a well-known Heavenly Scholar secret technique of the Yinshan Jiu family. Because of Jiu Lingxue's inherently aloof nature, cultivating the Ice Lotus Art suited her perfectly; the power displayed when she used it was terrifyingly formidable.

Ji Yusheng had intended to persuade Ji Changkong to stop, but he hadn't anticipated that Jiu Lingxue would move so quickly. At this juncture, it was too late to intervene. He could only softly instruct Ji Changkong, "Changkong, don't stand still like Changxiao. If the situation turns bad, retreat immediately and concede! As long as the green hills remain, there will be firewood to burn. Wait until you have mastered the Surging Waves Art and Heavenly Thunder Force before seeking revenge!"

Ji Changkong paid no attention to Ji Yusheng's words, instead focusing his entire concentration on the drifting snow lotus flowers. The three Heavenly Thunder Fields within his body expanded and contracted rhythmically, and three energy masses circulated rapidly within him like whirlpools.

Previously, he had used the Heavenly Thunder Fields as his power source to unleash the three levels of the Surging Waves Art, which possessed terrifying might but had drained a significant portion of his Yuan Power. Along the journey from Azure Rock Mountain to the Ji family, having merged with Heaven and Earth, Ji Changkong had recovered some Yuan Power, and he was confident he could unleash another strike of the Surging Waves Art.

He was waiting for the optimal moment to strike.

The elders and younger members of the Ji family all looked toward the calm-faced Ji Changkong, their expressions complex.

The elders and youngsters of the Yinshan Jiu family, however, were full of disdain, cold smiles playing on their lips, clearly eager to watch how Ji Changkong would be severely injured. They held absolute faith in Jiu Lingxue's strength and had no concern for her safety.

...

Three snow lotus flowers advanced toward Ji Changkong in a 'pin' formation. Just as they neared his chest, the three lotuses suddenly dispersed. One shot directly toward Ji Changkong’s chest, while the other two changed direction, curving in a wide arc to attack his waist on the left and right sides.

At that very moment!

Ji Changkong abruptly took a step back. Before the three snow lotuses could readjust their trajectory, his chest and abdomen suddenly bulged. His right arm whipped out, launching the surging wave fluctuation of the Surging Waves Palm from his palm.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Crackle! Crackle! Boom!

Amidst the sound of crashing waves was the rumble of thunder. The visibly tangible wave fluctuation violently swept toward Jiu Lingxue. The six snow lotuses blocking the space between them were blasted by this first wave, dissolving into dazzling points of light that scattered everywhere.

The first wave obliterated all blocking snow lotuses, and its remaining force barely halted before reaching Jiu Lingxue.

Jiu Lingxue’s expression shifted slightly, but inwardly, she breathed a small sigh of relief, assuming the attack was over. She spread both hands, preparing to deploy a stronger attack using the Ice Lotus Art against Ji Changkong.

Just then, the second, even fiercer wave suddenly struck. The sound of crashing waves and thunder instantly filled the training ground, as if colossal breakers were truly sweeping in, accompanied by heavenly thunder striking down.

The faces of both the Ji family members and the Jiu family members changed upon hearing such a loud, strange noise; they all stared at Ji Changkong in astonishment.

Jiu Lingxue, standing directly opposite Ji Changkong, looked extremely grave. She spread her hands, and wisps of pale, misty cold energy drifted from her fingertips, intertwining until they instantly formed a giant, crystalline snow lotus flower.

This lotus was five or six times larger than any she had previously conjured, exquisitely beautiful, its icy jade petals imbued with astonishing Yuan Power fluctuations.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

The massive snow lotus that Jiu Lingxue had just materialized was struck by the second wave and instantly shattered into pieces. Petals sliced graceful arcs through the air, vanishing into white dots before they could even land.

After the second wave struck, the force receded back toward Ji Changkong.

An even louder sound of crashing waves and thunder reverberated again, making people’s eardrums ache faintly. The third, more violent wave gathered full momentum and fiercely hammered toward Jiu Lingxue once more.

Her face filled with horror, Jiu Lingxue was clearly flustered. She had not expected that Ji Changkong's single strike would manifest as continuous, triple-layered waves.

And each wave was fiercer than the last!

She could choose to retreat, but doing so would mean admitting she feared Ji Changkong! Therefore, Jiu Lingxue did not back down!

Biting her lip, Jiu Lingxue’s face instantly turned as pale as paper. She extended both hands flatly, yet there was not a trace of color in them. A strange, faint pale light manifested in the textures of her palms.

"Xiaoxue, don't use the 'Nether Absolute Skill'! You haven't mastered it yet!" The Jiu family head, Jiu Wuji, seeing Jiu Lingxue’s paper-white face, grew anxious and shouted a reprimand.

However, he was still a step too late.

Jiu Lingxue, with an eerie demeanor, now possessed a deathly stillness, devoid of any sign of vitality. Her eyes were coldly merciless, giving the illusion that she was inhuman.

The pale light emanating from the texture of her palms carried a chilling sense of coldness and despair.

Jiu Lingxue watched the third wave approach and suddenly struck. The pale light from her palms converged into a beam of cold, desperate white light, which shot fiercely to meet the wave.

Boom!

A tremendous sound erupted between the two combatants. The hard bluestone surface between them fractured into pieces, affected by the impact. Beneath the point where the two forces collided, a sizeable crater formed in the ground.

Blood seeped from the corner of Jiu Lingxue’s mouth, and her body was involuntarily thrown backward, caught just in time by the quick-witted Jiu Wuji.

"Xiaoxue, Xiaoxue! Wake up!" Jiu Wuji cried out in dismay, holding the unconscious Jiu Lingxue.

All the power in Ji Changkong’s body was also exhausted by this strike. He, too, was breathing heavily, collapsing weakly.

"Changkong, Changkong!" Ji Yusheng and Ji Wanyun, both frantic with worry, grabbed him at the same time, shouting in unison, "How are you? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, just overexerted. A day or two of rest and I'll be fine," Ji Changkong smiled weakly, offering reassurance.

"Changkong, are you truly okay?" Ji Yuxing temporarily ignored Ji Changxiao and rushed to Ji Changkong's side, his face still showing disbelief.

Ji Yusheng and Ji Changkong, grandfather and grandson, did not answer, seemingly not seeing him.

"He's fine, he just used up all his Yuan Power at once," Ji Wanyun said with a smile, helping the somewhat awkward Ji Yuxing smooth things over.

"It’s good you’re fine, good you’re fine! That Jiu Lingxue was always so arrogant. This time she was knocked unconscious—I doubt their Jiu family will dare to cause trouble for us Ji family again!" Ji Yuxing, filled with immense excitement and surprise, completely suppressed any anger. He laughed loudly with a voice like a great bell, afraid the Jiu family members opposite couldn't hear him.

"Xiaoxue only fell into a coma because her Yuan Power became chaotic from recklessly using the Nether Absolute Skill; it has nothing to do with that brat!" Jiu Wuji snapped coldly, grumbling resentfully, "Wait until she masters the Nether Absolute Skill—then we’ll see how your Ji family copes! Let's go, we’re leaving!"

Saying this, Jiu Wuji and his group of Jiu family members, carrying the unconscious Jiu Lingxue, retreated sheepishly toward the exit.

"Next time, I will make you lose even more miserably!" Ji Changkong felt the Yuan Power within his body recovering at an astonishing rate. A surge of heroic spirit rose in his heart, and he shouted coldly toward Jiu Wuji's retreating figure.

...

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