Inside the valley’s sole tavern, Clear Brook Spring, Ji Changkong, Li Hentian, and their party sat leisurely sipping wine. Yi Jia and Yi Rou, two young girls, occupied another table, their bright, watery eyes secretly observing Ji Changkong’s group, exchanging quiet words every now and then.

The Clear Brook Spring wine served at the tavern was fragrant and smooth, easy on the lungs, unlike the fierce, overpowering Dragon Fire Brew. It suited both men and women. Even Ayiguli, who typically abstained from alcohol, couldn’t resist the scent of Clear Brook Spring and poured herself a glass to savor slowly.

The Tagan brothers, who had never tasted such light wine, incessantly praised it in their Western Regions dialect. In this tranquil and beautiful valley, they pictured themselves as refined scholars, sipping the wine in tiny increments, paying no mind to the conversation between Ji Changkong and Li Hentian.

“Changkong, we part ways here. Your grandfather and aunt are both cultivating at Blood Rain Mountain; there’s no need for you to return to Clear Rock Mountain,” Li Hentian said, his face grave as he delivered instructions without touching the Clear Brook Spring wine.

According to Li Hentian, he had urgent matters to attend to and needed to make arrangements for several other affairs for Ji Changkong. Furthermore, due to his sensitive status, he could not accompany Ji Changkong to Blood Rain Mountain. Since they were immediately entering the territory of the Water Cloud Kingdom, parting here was timely.

Tuoba Lie was also required to accompany Li Hentian and could not travel with Ji Changkong to Blood Rain Mountain. Li Hentian instructed him that if any trouble arose at Blood Rain Mountain, he should seek out He Haoran directly; He Haoran would undoubtedly exert his utmost effort to assist him.

Only when addressing Ji Changkong would Li Hentian shed his reserved and taciturn demeanor, becoming quite conversational, much like an elder deeply concerned about a descendant, ensuring every detail was explained clearly, lest Ji Changkong overlook something.

“You must make proper arrangements for Mu Luo and the Tagans. They are, after all, from the Western Regions, and that area around Blood Rain Mountain harbors an extreme dislike for outsiders. It’s best not to let Mu Luo and the others show themselves unless absolutely necessary, to avoid inviting unforeseen disaster.” Li Hentian recalled the great slaughter he had once wrought at Blood Rain Mountain, where the Heavenly Masters of the Southern Yi were drowned in rivers of blood. He knew better than anyone the inherent prejudice those Heavenly Masters held against people from other nations, which was why he emphasized this warning.

Ji Changkong nodded in understanding and said with a smile, “Rest assured, Elder Li. Once we reach the Ji family at Blood Rain Mountain, I will ensure Mu Luo and the others remain discreet. Please attend to your matters; I know what I’m doing.”

Hearing this, Li Hentian finally relaxed. Through their time together, he had noticed Ji Changkong gradually growing more mature and steady. For now, Ji Changkong’s strength was not yet overwhelmingly potent, and the Ji family lacked the necessary power to openly challenge the great houses, which was why Li Hentian advised him to return to the Ji family temporarily.

After conveying these instructions, Li Hentian and Tuoba Lie did not linger in the Secluded Valley and departed briskly.

In the small tavern, only Ji Changkong, Mu Luo, and the other Western Regions men remained. Beside them, the two young girls, Yi Jia and Yi Rou, secretly observed Ji Changkong. After Li Hentian left, the two girls approached Ji Changkong’s table with bright smiles. Yi Jia sat down without ceremony and said sweetly, “You’re heading to Blood Rain Mountain? Hee hee, that’s perfect! Our Yi family is located at the easternmost edge of Blood Rain Mountain, right by the East Sea. We need to go home too, so we might as well travel together.”

Ji Changkong finished the wine in his cup, stood up with a smile, and studied Yi Jia and Yi Rou thoughtfully for a moment before asking, “Now that you are back in the Central Lands, no one is troubling you anymore. Why do you still wish to follow me?”

“Didn’t you say you’d take us as your maids? What, are you backing out now?” Yi Jia teased with a laugh.

Her remark startled Ji Changkong, but his smile then became even more intriguing. Near this Secluded Valley, he had once saved these two little girls. Afterward, instead of showing gratitude, they had attempted to retaliate against him in Black Water City.

The past events flashed clearly in his mind. Ji Changkong laughed heartily, “Since you are so eager to be my maids, what reason would I have to refuse? Very well, you may follow me. The area around Secluded Valley isn’t entirely peaceful; if you leave alone and were seized by some ill-intentioned person, I would truly be heartbroken.”

Yi Jia and Yi Rou’s expressions flickered slightly. They suddenly recalled a recent incident, and the images of that repulsive, burly man who made them grit their teeth made their pretty faces instantly fall.

Chuckling inwardly, Ji Changkong felt a great sense of satisfaction watching the girls’ current demeanor. Even now, these two still didn't know that the one who had whipped their bottoms was Ji Changkong himself, yet they were actively asking to follow him—this amplified his internal glee.

The sky had darkened, though the moon had not yet climbed high. In an ordinary inn in Gaoyang City, Ji Changkong, Ayiguli, and Mu Luo sat around a round table, using a brush to draw the unique ancient characters of the Oro Sect.

Since leaving the Oro Sect’s Grand Temple, Ji Changkong had never stopped studying the Oro Sect’s script. Under Ayiguli’s meticulous tutelage, his progress was remarkably fast. Once a practitioner of the Way of the Heavenly Master achieved a cultivated Divine Soul, learning these scripts and languages became exceedingly easy.

Those who had refined their Divine Souls possessed comprehension far superior to ordinary people, along with the ability to remember everything they saw. Ji Changkong himself was naturally intelligent, and his focused study over these past days had yielded significant results.

“Thousand Nether Shadow Trace is a profound secret technique of the Oro Sect. When Mu Luo fought Yao Lian previously, he materialized a hundred shadowy phantoms, moving like ghosts around Yao Lian—that was the use of ‘Thousand Nether Shadow Trace.’”

“Thousand Nether Shadow Trace incorporates both movement techniques and offensive methods; it can generate numerous phantoms. These phantoms are not illusory; they actually possess striking power. After witnessing Mu Luo execute the ‘Thousand Nether Shadow Trace’ on Flower Orchid Street last time, Ji Changkong had conceived the idea of learning it.”

The “Thousand Nether Shadow Trace” displayed by Mu Luo was missing the profound essence of the last three variations of the attack. Yet, even this incomplete secret technique was capable of repelling a master of Yao Lian’s caliber, demonstrating how truly marvelous and extraordinary “Thousand Nether Shadow Trace” was.

The complete cultivation method for the “Thousand Nether Shadow Trace” secret technique was now in his mind. Through this period of study, guided by Ayiguli, he had finally deciphered the meaning of the ancient characters for “Thousand Nether Shadow Trace,” obtaining its most comprehensive method of cultivation.

Within his mind were about ten profound mysteries of the Oro Sect’s cultivation. Apart from the most magical mystery, the "Star Cloud Soul Refining Art," “Thousand Nether Shadow Trace” was the second Oro Sect secret technique he had mastered.

“Mu Luo, your ‘Thousand Nether Shadow Trace’ mysteries are missing the last three variations, aren’t they?” Tearing up sheets of waste paper, Ji Changkong looked up at Mu Luo with a faint smile.

The usually impassive Mu Luo’s expression suddenly shifted, becoming somewhat agitated. He looked at Ji Changkong with anticipation and nodded gently.

“Yes, the complete cultivation method for the ‘Thousand Nether Shadow Trace’ profound mysteries is here with me.” Pointing to his own head, Ji Changkong promised, “Once we return to the Ji family at Blood Rain Mountain and get you settled, I will teach you the last three variations of ‘Thousand Nether Shadow Trace.’ You can cultivate peacefully within my Ji family.”

“Thank you, Sect Master!” Mu Luo’s face trembled faintly, and he suddenly knelt before him.

“Rise,” Ji Changkong gestured, saying plainly, “I am quite interested in this Heavenly Master secret technique, ‘Thousand Nether Shadow Trace.’ Since I have nothing to do now, please explain the preceding profound mysteries to me in detail.”

At this, Mu Luo appeared troubled. After hesitating for a moment, he said, “Sect Master, forgive my bluntness, but since the Heavenly Master Secret Art you cultivate is not from our Sect, starting with ‘Thousand Nether Shadow Trace’ might not be entirely appropriate.”

“Sect Master, you should first cultivate our Sect’s ‘Oro Divine Grace Grand Completion Art,’ and only after achieving some success in that, understanding our methods for circulating Yuan Power, can you truly unleash the full power of ‘Thousand Nether Shadow Trace,’” Ayiguli also persuaded from the side.

“Sect Master, you have already cultivated another Heavenly Master Secret Art. Cultivating the ‘Oro Divine Grace Grand Completion Art’ now might cause a conflict. Heavenly Master secret techniques can be cultivated concurrently, but the Secret Art is the foundation for Yuan Power application—you must treat this matter with caution. In my opinion, perhaps you should focus on cultivating the ‘Oro Divine Grace Grand Completion Art’ first?” Mu Luo tentatively suggested.

“It’s fine. Just explain the profound mysteries of ‘Thousand Nether Shadow Trace’ to me thoroughly.” Waving his hand to stop Mu Luo’s persuasion, Ji Changkong said casually.

Having cultivated the Supreme Void Secret Record for so many years, he deeply understood its benefits; how could he abandon it based on Mu Luo’s words?

Moreover, the Supreme Void Secret Record was one of the most powerful Secret Records in the world; even Li Hentian acknowledged this. The Supreme Void Secret Record explained the character "Melt," which could fuse various Yuan Powers and secret techniques seamlessly. He certainly would not discard such a uniquely marvelous Secret Record.

In his view, having cultivated the Supreme Void Secret Record, he could practice “Thousand Nether Shadow Trace” even without the foundation of the “Oro Divine Grace Grand Completion Art,” which is why he persisted.

“Since the Sect Master insists, I will explain the method for applying the initial powers of ‘Thousand Nether Shadow Trace.’ Since the Sect Master possesses the complete cultivation method, you should know how to practice it. If you encounter any difficult questions, you can ask me directly. I have cultivated ‘Thousand Nether Shadow Trace’ for many years and can offer some advice in this area,” Mu Luo replied submissively, no longer insisting.

Subsequently, Mu Luo ceased his objections. After organizing his thoughts for a moment, he slowly began explaining his understanding of “Thousand Nether Shadow Trace” to Ji Changkong. Ji Changkong listened intently, immediately asking questions whenever he encountered an unclear point. Ayiguli leaned closer, also listening carefully to Mu Luo’s exposition.

As the explanation deepened, Mu Luo’s expression grew increasingly astonished. He suddenly realized that Ji Changkong, who had never been exposed to the Oro Sect’s techniques for circulating Yuan Power, possessed an extremely profound understanding of “Thousand Nether Shadow Trace.” He grasped the difficult concepts immediately without needing extensive verbal clarification.

He had initially worried that Ji Changkong wouldn't comprehend some of the more esoteric aspects and had prepared a simpler set of explanations, but these proved completely unnecessary.

Even Ayiguli, who had practiced “Thousand Nether Shadow Trace” for years, lacked his depth of understanding in certain areas. This filled Mu Luo with shock, compelling him to admit that there truly existed a ‘cultivation genius’ in this world!