Ji Changkong had indeed returned. Upon hearing Tuoba Lie's roaring shout, he glanced towards the main council hall entrance and saw the Southern Yi Heavenly Soldiers occupying high ground outside the Ji family residence, bows drawn and aimed inward.

With the Heavenly Soldiers armed and the Brutal Flame Beasts already inside, he immediately understood that Zhongli Jingyi and the others had arrived at the Ji manor. 1 Novel à.1κ.０ Text Version First Release Tuoba Lie, Chen Yihui, and He Haoran, seeing that someone dared to trespass upon the Ji family grounds, all strode out of the hall.

Ji Yuxing, Ji Yuxing, and the others, whose seats were barely warm, quickly followed suit, nervously eyeing the intruding Southern Yi Heavenly Soldiers, unsure of what to do. The two of them were acutely aware that the Southern Yi Heavenly Soldiers carried precious Southern Yi treasures, and the myriad of vicious figures gathered from all corners of the realm were all eyeing these plump targets.

Their arrival at the Ji family meant bringing all those predators here as well; no wonder they were tense. "Ji Changkong!" Yu Ziling’s clear, pleasant voice carried from a distance.

Behind her, Zhongli Jingyi and Zhongli Hui, wearing wry smiles, scanned the assembled Ji family members for Ji Changkong. Seeing him truly present, Zhongli Jingyi hurriedly explained, "Changkong, we truly didn't intend to cause trouble for the Ji family, it’s just that…" "Enough, enough, why say so much?

We are friends with Ji Changkong. Since we’re here, as the host, he should certainly entertain us." Yu Ziling cheerfully interrupted Zhongli Jingyi’s explanation, moving toward Ji Changkong and teasing him, "Earlier, at the foot of Qingyan Mountain, I saw a shadowy figure sneaking down.

I thought the silhouette looked familiar, and sure enough, it was you! You rascal, why were you trying to avoid us?" Truly troublesome, Ji Changkong offered a wry smile.

"The Cloud Dream Ferocious Beasts refuse to leave Cloud Dream, and I am alone, with others plotting against us in the rear. Avoiding you was precisely because I didn't want to bring you trouble." He looked at Zhongli Jingyi.

"Brother Zhongli, since you're here, you're here. We'll figure out the situation with the outsiders together." Seeing that Ji Changkong held no resentment, Zhongli Jingyi felt a surge of gratitude and urged quickly, "Forget it.

Knowing this was your home, we never would have come. Changkong, I know you are warm-hearted, but I don't want to bring you unwanted problems.

It’s best if we leave the Ji family immediately!" The elders and younger members of the Ji family, still reeling from the shock, were now filled with fresh astonishment, scrutinizing Ji Changkong with peculiar looks. They couldn't fathom how this previously obscure youth of seventeen years had suddenly turned the tables, not only knowing the three experts from the Shuiyun Kingdom—Chen Yihui, He Haoran, and Tuoba Lie—but also being familiar with the envoys from the Southern Yi.

"Changkong, you know them?" He Haoran paused for a moment before frowning and inquiring. Nodding, Ji Changkong replied, "I do.

They are among my very few friends." He Haoran pondered for a moment. "If that's the case, it seems this calamity for the Southern Yi envoys is due to end." He glanced at Chen Yihui, then at Tuoba Lie, and asked, "What do you two think?" Chen Yihui and Tuoba Lie both nodded in agreement, sensing the unusual turn of events.

"It’s about time. It’s their good fortune that these Southern Yi envoys recognize Changkong.

It seems this journey of theirs might actually succeed," Chen Yihui said with a knowing smile. "Are you three…?" The sinister old man from the Southern Yi approached, glancing at the trio.

His face suddenly lit up with joy, and he rapidly inquired in slightly awkward Central Plains dialect. "Enough of this nonsense, you guys got lucky!" Tuoba Lie huffed impatiently.

"Stop wasting time, stay put and don't move. We will handle the rest!" The Southern Yi elder paused, his expression of delight deepening, but he offered no further words.

"I'll go out and settle things," He Haoran suddenly announced, giving Ji Changkong a smile before stepping out of the Ji residence. He Haoran was quick to leave and just as quick to return; in less than fifteen minutes, he was back inside the Ji family hall.

No one knew what he had said outside, but every single Heavenly Soldier surrounding the Ji residence retreated with a sense of resignation. In a short time, not only had the Heavenly Soldiers around the manor vanished, but even those remaining on Qingyan Mountain dispersed.

It was as if this bloody feast had concluded right then and there... When He Haoran returned, everyone inside the Ji family was bewildered, unsure what had transpired.

According to established custom, even after the Southern Yi envoys entered Qingyan City, this bloody spectacle would usually continue until they reached Blood Rain Mountain. This year, it had ended not only far too soon but also in a profoundly inexplicable manner.

"You will rest here at the Ji family for five days. Five days from now, the three of us will escort you to Tianshan!" Chen Yihui stated.

"Thank you very much!" The Southern Yi elder bowed deeply, then instructed his envoys to cease their heightened state of alert and rest temporarily at the Ji manor. Although Ji Yuxing couldn't grasp the exact circumstances, he knew that given the status of Chen Yihui, He Haoran, and Tuoba Lie, every extra day they spent at the Ji residence brought immense prestige to the family.

"I will make the arrangements!" Ji Yuxing, beaming, busied himself with setting everything in order. ...

Over the next two days, the City Lord of Qingyan City, Nie Yuanshan, the master of the Yinshan Jiu family, Jiu Wuji, and the old patriarch of the Jia family, Jia Pingchao, upon hearing the news, personally arrived at the Ji residence to pay their respects to Chen Yihui, He Haoran, and Tuoba Lie. Nie Yuanshan stayed only briefly, leaving with an odd expression.

Jiu Wuji, who had always been at odds with the Ji family, only offered pleasantries to the three distinguished guests before departing swiftly as well. However, the old patriarch Jia Pingchao, when he arrived, showed no thunderous anger over Jia Rongfeng having his little finger severed by Tuoba Lie.

Instead, he brought Jia Rongfeng, along with numerous valuable gifts, and apologized to the Ji family members in the presence of He Haoran, Tuoba Lie, and Chen Yihui. His sincerity suggested he had no intention of pursuing the matter concerning Jia Rongfeng further.

Aside from Nie Yuanshan, Jiu Wuji, and Jia Pingchao, nearly every notable figure in Qingyan City made a ceremonial visit to the Ji family. The Ji residence, usually quiet and deserted, suddenly became bustling with constant traffic, a flurry of activity that left the elders and younger members somewhat disoriented.

Most of these visitors were unaware of the true situation; they simply assumed the Ji family had secured three formidable patrons in He Haoran, Tuoba Lie, and Chen Yihui, leading to a sudden warmth and friendliness toward the Ji household. Only those who had personally witnessed the demeanor of He Haoran’s group toward Ji Changkong vaguely realized the immense role this young Ji family member played in this entire sequence of events.

The attitudes of Ji Yuxing, Ji Haoguang, Ji Haohong, Madam Zhao, Madam Luo, and other Ji family members toward Ji Changkong underwent a drastic reversal. Their sudden warmth and enthusiasm left Ji Changkong dumbfounded, forcing him to keep his distance, fearful that he might be frightened away by their transformation.

For several days, Ji Changkong, as the host, remained entirely with Zhongli Jingyi, Zhongli Hui, and Yu Ziling. The four, who were not close initially, found themselves chatting amiably, and amidst toasts and conversation, their bond rapidly deepened.

They discussed the unique customs of the Southern Yi, Northern Barbarians, Western Regions, East Sea, and Central Plains, the powerful Heavenly Masters from various locales, and the labyrinthine distribution of powers. Having grown up entirely within the confines of the Ji family, Ji Changkong became intensely curious about the outside world through their narratives, developing a strong desire to travel extensively.

Five days later, escorted by He Haoran, Tuoba Lie, and Chen Yihui, Zhongli Jingyi and Zhongli Hui, along with the leading Southern Yi elder, Bian Buhui, departed the Ji residence for Tianshan. Before leaving, Zhongli Jingyi quietly cautioned Ji Changkong that Yu Ziling's identity was mysterious, suggesting she might have altered her appearance, and that the current Yu Ziling was certainly not her true self, urging him to be mindful.

However, before Ji Changkong could pay much heed, Yu Ziling also departed quietly without saying goodbye, leaving only a message written on the floor of the room she had occupied. "Changkong, I'm leaving.

Don't miss me too much, okay? Oh, and Xiao Hui really likes you, you dense idiot—you better seize the opportunity!" ...

: Thank you all for your patience; I've been swamped these past few days. Starting tomorrow, I will resume posting two chapters a day!