"Zhao Meilan, Zhao Meilan! Zhao Meilan!!" Ji Changkong gritted his teeth, his face grim, murmuring each word deliberately.

(This novel is reprinted from 1 Literature Network .6.) Suddenly, Ji Changkong lunged toward the street corner Ji Wanyun had indicated, scanning the area, desperate to see what Zhao Meilan looked like. "Changkong!

Come back!" Ji Yusheng roared a sharp command. There was no sign of the woman in his sightline.

Ji Changkong returned sullenly to Ji Yusheng's side. "Grandpa, that woman didn't recognize me, so she shouldn't be any trouble." "Wanyun, do you think that Zhao Meilan just happened to pass by, or has she been following us from the Tu family?" Ji Yuxing inquired.

Shaking her head, Ji Wanyun, tears still tracing paths down her cheeks, whispered, "I don't know, but I am absolutely certain that was Zhao Meilan! Even if she were ashes, I would recognize her!" "Let's go home first," Ji Yuxing said, frowning deeply, his expression heavy.

"Changkong, next time, remember not to be so impulsive. Only when you can finally crush the Tu family underfoot will you truly be able to avenge your aunt!

Until then, your priority must be staying alive!" Ji Yusheng sternly admonished him. Taking a deep breath, Ji Changkong nodded.

... Back at the Ji Residence.

Ji Yuxing, Ji Yusheng, and the other elders were gathered, discussing how to handle the Jia family’s affairs, the trace of Zhao Meilan’s presence in Qingyan City, and the grand expedition of the Southern Yi envoys heading toward Tianshan. Due to his age, Ji Changkong was ineligible to participate in the family council, so he sat alone in silent contemplation before his wooden cabin.

"Wushan Laomu, Lu Yun, Jia Rongfeng, Zhao Meilan..." Names flashed through Ji Changkong's mind. He could not settle his thoughts; his mind was a tangled mess, and a thread of violent energy seemed to be breeding and spreading within him, demanding release.

Restless and ill at ease, Ji Changkong rose under the cloak of night and began walking toward Qingyan Mountain. The moonlight was hazy, and Qingyan Mountain lay silent.

The large pieces of green rock presented varied silhouettes in the darkness, possessing a beauty that surpassed their daylight appearance. In a short while, Ji Changkong reached Qingyan Mountain.

He pulled out a jar of Fire Dragon Brew from his Mustard Seed Pouch and began taking deep swigs under the mountain wind and moonlight. These twenty jars of Fire Dragon Brew were the same as before—not the special batch refined by Luo Tian.

Although stronger than ordinary wine, they lacked the terrifying potency of the five jars Luo Tian had discarded in the Poison Dragon Pool. A graceful silhouette, clad in purple silk, suddenly materialized before Ji Changkong.

"Are you one of the Ji family from the foot of the mountain?" a clear, melodious voice drifted from the figure in purple. Setting down the half-empty jar of Fire Dragon Brew, Ji Changkong’s eyes were faintly red but clear and bright.

He glanced at the girl, whose appearance was utterly unremarkable, and gave a brief, indifferent nod. "I heard the Ji family is very familiar with the Great Marsh of Yunmeng?

Is that true?" The girl became interested, stepping closer to Ji Changkong with sudden eagerness, bending slightly to gaze at him with her captivating, autumn-water-like eyes, full of vibrant curiosity. As she bent her slender waist, the peaks of her chest became strikingly pronounced, and a faint, clean fragrance wafted from her, causing an involuntary tremor in Ji Changkong’s heart.

Maintaining a detached expression, Ji Changkong nodded again, thinking to himself that while the girl’s face wasn't much to look at, her voice, figure, and eyes were truly outstanding. "Wonderful!

Hurry and accompany me to the Great Marsh of Yunmeng!" the girl exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight. "Not interested!" Ji Changkong shook his head, refusing.

He inwardly wondered if there was something wrong with this woman; she hadn't even asked if he agreed, but had simply assumed he would take her to the Marsh. "Hehe, that’s not entirely up to you!" The girl gave a sly smile, suddenly reaching out and clamping down hard on Ji Changkong’s shoulder, lifting him clean off the ground.

She then rapidly dashed toward the Great Marsh of Yunmeng, carrying him. A raw, domineering surge of Yuan Power instantly flooded into Ji Changkong's body.

In that instant, his internal Yuan Power seemed to be firmly suppressed, and he suddenly lost control of his own body, forced to watch helplessly as the shapely girl carried him swiftly down the other side of Qingyan City, heading straight for the Great Marsh of Yunmeng. Unable to move his limbs or speak, Ji Changkong was filled with stifled frustration with nowhere to vent it.

After a while, Ji Changkong suddenly felt a burning, boiling sensation within his blood, and his mind jolted. In a flash, all the foreign force emanating from the girl's grip was violently evaporated by the boiling of his blood.

"Let go!" His hands shot out, gripping the girl’s wrists tightly. Ji Changkong roared, his voice deep.

"Eh? How can you move?" The girl was startled, then suddenly realized something.

Her bright eyes fixed on the wrists firmly grasped by Ji Changkong, and she gasped sharply, "You, you dare touch me, you dare touch me!" Bang! The girl exerted force, flinging Ji Changkong far away into a thicket of dense weeds.

By this time, the two had descended from Qingyan City and reached the edge of the Great Marsh of Yunmeng. Though aching all over, Ji Changkong sprang to his feet instantly.

His Yuan Power surged rapidly through the Three Talents Thunder Fields, preparing to approach the girl with the Thunder Force to engage in a fight. A phantom image of a fiery, scarlet, enchanting great bird suddenly manifested in the void behind the girl.

Surrounding the blazing bird phantom were masses of fiercely burning flames, sending oppressive waves of heat toward Ji Changkong even from a distance. The Sacred Beast Vermillion Bird, combined with the Five Elements Fire Power—an invincible union.

At the Four Symbols Heaven Realm, one could sincerely communicate with a specific Sacred Beast to gain its power. When one advanced to the Five Elements Heaven Realm and chose the corresponding elemental power to temper the body and soul, focusing on cultivating the Five Elements Yuan Power that neutralized the Sacred Beast’s element, they could often release their power to the maximum extent.

The Azure Dragon corresponds to Wood; the Black Tortoise to Water; the White Tiger to Metal; the Vermillion Bird to Fire. A cultivator at the Four Symbols Heaven Realm who primarily communicated with the Azure Dragon, upon reaching the Five Elements Heaven Realm and specializing in Wood Power, would experience not only rapid advancement but also an incredible surge in strength.

Similarly, a Heaven Master at the Four Symbols Heaven Realm who primarily communicated with the Sacred Beast Vermillion Bird, upon reaching the Five Elements Heaven Realm and specializing in Fire Power, would wield terrifying power once cultivated. The Sacred Beast Vermillion Bird phantom behind the girl, encircled by vast flames, was the unique sign of a Heaven Master who primarily communicated with the Vermillion Bird and had cultivated the Five Elements Fire Power!

The girl’s realm was at least the Five Elements Heaven! Ji Changkong froze instantly, halting the Thunder Force he had been about to unleash.

He had only just entered the Three Talents Heaven Realm; he was at least two full realms behind her and stood no chance of winning. The girl gazed at Ji Changkong with keen interest.

Her autumn-water eyes glittered under the moonlight, and she let out a sly, soft laugh. "What's wrong?

Don't want to fight me anymore?" Frowning, Ji Changkong’s expression darkened. "What exactly do you want?" "The Southern Yi envoys will be taking tribute up to Tianshan.

Since so many Heaven Masters have gathered in Qingyan City hoping to take a piece of the pie, I've come to join the fun. In a few days, those fellows will all enter the Great Marsh of Yunmeng.

It’s my first time here, and I’m not very familiar with the place. I need you to guide me." Seeing Ji Changkong’s obvious impatience and lack of interest, the girl threw out a tempting offer, stating proudly, "Don't worry, I won't treat you poorly.

I only want one item from the Southern Yi envoys; I’ll give you everything else I acquire. How about we team up?

Your strength may be lacking, but you know the Great Marsh of Yunmeng well. You point out the most dangerous spots, and I’ll set the traps!" "I don't want anything, but if your traps can help me deal with some people, I can agree right now!" Ji Changkong had intended to refuse immediately, but he inadvertently glanced toward the middle slope of Qingyan Mountain ahead and abruptly changed his mind.

Midway up the mountain, several figures floated down toward the base like willow catkins. Among them were Wushan Laomu and Lu Yun.

Ji Changkong and the girl were hidden in the dense grass at the edge of the Great Marsh of Yunmeng. Looking up from below, they could clearly see the figures on the mountainside, but those figures would likely not be able to spot the pair hidden in the thick foliage.

"Ha, I love setting up trouble! No problem, I agree!

My name is Yu Ziling, and we are partners now." The girl chuckled softly, her bright eyes darting about, seeming to brim with calculated schemes. "Follow me!" Ji Changkong suddenly turned and plunged toward the depths of the Great Marsh of Yunmeng, with Yu Ziling easily keeping pace.

... : Begging for recommendation tickets.

There are very few, brothers and sisters, please help me out and throw your recommendation tickets my way! (^__^) Huhu...