The reception hall of the He family was grand and imposing, soaring over ten meters high. Eight stone pillars carved with coiling dragons supported the roof. Refined furniture of tan wood and purple sandalwood was scattered about, and the floor was paved with the dark red, smooth rock quarried from the Blood Rain Mountain. Though it lacked ostentatious luxury, it exuded an atmosphere of solemn majesty.

Upon entering, He Haoran waved a hand, signaling the extraneous He family members to withdraw. He chuckled heartily as he led Ji Changkong to a seat in the center of the great hall.

Only after the He family maids had served tea, refreshments, and pastries did He Haoran lean forward with a smile and ask, "Changkong, tell me about your experiences since leaving the Spirit Treasure Assembly. Heh heh, did Elder Li end up traveling with you? Otherwise, you wouldn't know that I've been gathering medicinal herbs for you all these years."

Ji Changkong nodded with a slight smile. He briefly recounted what he and Li Hentian had done at the Du family, but he glossed over his journey into the Western Regions, offering no detailed explanation.

Muluo and his group were all members of the Oulu Divine Cult from the Western Regions. Those within the Blood Rain Alliance harbored a deep-seated aversion to outsiders, and Ji Changkong had no intention of deploying Muluo and the others on the Blood Rain Mountain, wishing to spare He Haoran any difficulty. Thus, he kept this information concealed.

He Haoran harbored no suspicion. He asked no further probing questions, instead steering the conversation toward Li Hentian’s past heroic deeds on Blood Rain Mountain, stating that Li Hentian deserved no small measure of credit for the He family's current status as the most influential power within the Blood Rain Alliance.

Throughout their conversation, He Haoran conveyed immense respect for Li Hentian. Ji Changkong listened, smiling, and occasionally interspersed messages that Shen Tu had relayed from Li Hentian. Host and guest enjoyed a congenial discussion.

"Uncle He, as I was ascending the mountain just now, I overheard something..." After discussing necessary matters, Ji Changkong shifted his tone, smiling as he recounted meeting Baili Xiu at the Star Stone Sect's Hundred Herbs Garden.

"The Star Stone Sect is one of the three paramount powers on Blood Rain Mountain. Yu Luan clearly expended considerable effort to secure their involvement, intending to make a splash during the Sect Grand Gathering. Baili A accepted Yu Luan's offerings and promised to support the Star Stone Sect. Uncle He, just how much profit can be squeezed out of this Sect Grand Gathering for us?"

After a moment of thought, Ji Changkong grinned, "Uncle He, give me a straight answer: how much benefit can you secure for my Ji family?"

"That hinges on the inherent strength of your Ji family. If your Ji family possessed a master at the Eighth Trigram Heaven Realm, I would confidently stake my reputation on securing one of the three cultivation paradises unearthed this time for your Ji family!"

He Haoran chuckled wryly and shook his head. "If Elder Li were openly overseeing your Ji family, a single word from him would silence any dissent from the major sects of Blood Rain Mountain! It's a pity Elder Li cannot come to assist you; his status is simply too—sensitive. Furthermore, your Ji family's overall strength is indeed somewhat lacking. Uncle He can only do his utmost to fight for some cultivation grounds for you after others have made their selections."

"Eighth Trigram Heaven Realm... Eighth Trigram Heaven Realm..." Ji Changkong murmured under his breath.

Muluo was at the Eighth Trigram Heaven Realm, possessing ample strength. The three Tagan brothers were all at the Seven Star Heaven Realm. Including those four, Ji Changkong felt confident confronting any single power on Blood Rain Mountain, including the Star Stone Sect!

However, Muluo and the others had distinctly Western Region features. If he were to deploy those four openly during the Sect Grand Gathering, it would undoubtedly provoke resentment from all sects on Blood Rain Mountain, ultimately proving more costly than beneficial.

Excluding Muluo's contingent, the Ji family's overall strength was indeed rather bleak. Knowing one's own limitations, Ji Changkong felt a sense of helplessness hearing He Haoran state it plainly.

"Changkong, don't be discouraged. Your Ji family lacks nothing in terms of cultivation arts and secret techniques; what you lack is a continuous supply of heaven and earth spirit treasures for advancement. I saw you casually produce the Bone of the Fire Phoenix just now; I estimate you reaped substantial rewards at the Spirit Treasure Pavilion. Heh heh, the Chen family also owes Elder Li a debt of gratitude. If you make a trip to the Spirit Treasure Pavilion, they are bound to offer something in deference."

He Haoran smiled broadly, patting his shoulder, "Changkong, the path of cultivation isn't purely about arduous practice. With sufficient support from heaven and earth spirit treasures, one can rise quickly even without access to a cultivation paradise!"

"Understood, Uncle He, I know what you mean, but I will strive with all my might to secure whatever can be gained!" Ji Changkong nodded, his expression resolute.

"Rest assured, as long as you demonstrate sufficient strength, Uncle He will certainly give you his full support! That minor sect, Zi Mang Yu, thinks it can climb the ranks merely by latching onto the Star Stone Sect; how utterly laughable!" He Haoran displayed the necessary bravado of the He family head, giving him his commitment.

After chatting a little longer, during which Ji Changkong ascertained the precise current location of the Ji family from He Haoran, Ji Changkong bid his farewells.

He Haoran walked him to the doorway. His gaze flickered toward He Liman, who was still sternly admonishing the young men of the He family on the training grounds. He raised his voice and commanded, "Xiao Pan, escort Changkong down the mountain!"

"Why me?" He Li Xuan, who was angrily chastising the grumbling, restless young men of the He family, retorted somewhat reluctantly when she heard the order.

"No backtalk, just go!" He Haoran chided with a laugh, then patted Ji Changkong's shoulder once more. "Changkong, should your Ji family encounter any trouble, come directly to Uncle He. In this region of Blood Rain Mountain, Uncle He’s word still carries considerable weight."

At these words, the young men of the He family were visibly astonished, all staring at Ji Changkong with surprise. These youths were unaware of Ji Changkong's connection with Li Hentian, and seeing He Haoran show such favor to him and the Ji family, they found it utterly incredible.

"Understood," Ji Changkong replied casually, narrowing his eyes, following the sulking He Lipan, who walked down the mountain without haste.

When dealing with He Haoran, Ji Changkong displayed no restraint, acting as naturally as if addressing a friend. He lacked the cautious deference and palpable anxiety expected when a member of a minor family paid respects to the head of the He family, the authority on Blood Rain Mountain. His demeanor was almost distractedly casual.

These minor details caused the young He family members even greater disbelief. In their view, the Ji family held no discernible standing on Blood Rain Mountain. Even if the Ji family head, Ji Yuxing, were to visit Blood Rain Mountain, he would treat He Haoran with utmost respect and circumspection.

Yet, Ji Changkong, merely a third-generation member of the Ji family, showed no awareness of this vast disparity in status. He was relaxed and easygoing, as if He Haoran’s assistance to his Ji family was an expected obligation. This state of affairs left the He family youths bewildered, frozen in place with expressions of shock.

The mountainside was fragrant with blossoms. The tall beauty leading the way, wielding a bull-hide whip, was absentmindedly walking ahead, occasionally flicking the whip against the ancient trees beside her. She paid no mind to Ji Changkong following leisurely behind, acting as if she were simply descending the mountain herself, showing no awareness of her role as a guide.

Ji Changkong was not annoyed. A subtle smile played on his lips, and he remained silent throughout the descent, leisurely looking around. It seemed the ancient trees and flowering plants beside him held far greater fascination than the beauty leading the way.

"What's there to look at in the flowers and grass? Aren't they all the same?" As they neared the foot of the mountain, He Li Xuan finally broke the silence. She stopped, listlessly swinging her bull-hide whip, not turning to look at him, speaking as if to herself, "I heard you couldn't gather vital energy until you were seventeen. How could you possibly cultivate to the Five Elements Heaven Realm so quickly?"

Still gazing at the surrounding flora, Ji Changkong suddenly squatted down after He Li Xuan’s words were spoken. He picked up a small yellow flower, pinching it in his hand, and appeared momentarily infatuated as he smelled it, completely ignoring the beauty ahead.

"Hey!" He Li Xuan strode over on her long, straight legs, looking down at the crouching Ji Changkong. "I'm talking to you. Didn't you hear me?"

"Oh!"

Feigning a start of alarm, she trembled slightly, as if just coming to her senses. She looked up at the tall beauty with an exasperated expression. Ji Changkong pointed to himself and asked with genuine earnestness, "Did you just speak to me, young lady?"

"Is there a third person here besides you and me?" He Li Xuan frowned coldly.

"So you were talking to me even though your backside was facing me? I thought someone new had popped up in front of you!" Shaking his head with a chuckle, Ji Changkong suddenly stood up. His height immediately surpassed He Li Xuan’s, causing him to look slightly down at her instead.

The young men of the Ji family were invariably tall and sturdy. Before he could accumulate vital energy, despite his frailty, his height was considerable. Since he began cultivating the Tai Xu Secret Record, thanks to the nourishment from the "Fire Dragon Burning" technique and his own rigorous training, his entire being had undergone a transformation. Not only had he grown taller, but his spirit and energy were completely refreshed, losing every trace of frailty.

Now tall and robust, he didn't possess the stocky build of the average Ji family youth; instead, he resembled a straight spear—formidable in strength but without excessive bulk.

"You—you—vulgar! He Li Xuan’s face flushed. She had to tilt her head back slightly to meet his eyes. "Ji Changkong, so you are just a common man after all!"

"I am inherently a common man, hehe," Ji Changkong admitted frankly, smiling as he looked at her. He crushed the small yellow flower in his hand and laughed heartily. "Not only am I common, but I also enjoy pretending to be refined!"

He walked past He Li Xuan, striding directly toward the foot of the mountain, gliding away as lightly as a shadow, like something weightless. His voice drifted back from a distance, "I know the way from here, so there is no need to trouble Miss He further..."

Having suppressed his frustration for so long on the journey, he had been waiting for an opportunity to tease He Li Xuan. This woman was quite spirited; she had unreasonably blocked his path when they were at the He family's residence, and now she treated him so coldly. Any man would feel a bit put out, which was why he seized the chance to play a trick on her.

"Crude! Vile! Intolerably vulgar!" He Li Xuan shouted angrily after his retreating figure. Only when Ji Changkong had completely vanished from sight did she let out an involuntary laugh, revealing a set of snow-white teeth. She murmured softly, "He is a bit vulgar, perhaps, but his vulgarity holds a certain interest... An amusing person..."