Xuan Yuan Valley. As the Sect Grand Assembly was about to commence, Ji Wanyun, who had been away for a while, returned... "You are finally back."

Returning from Qingyan City, Ji Wanyun was overjoyed to find Ji Changkong already at Xuan Yuan Valley. She held onto him, pestering him with questions, relentlessly demanding a detailed account of everything that had transpired during his absence.

To this aunt, whom he respected above all others, Ji Changkong concealed almost nothing. As long as it wasn't information strictly forbidden by Li Hentian, he recounted every detail to Ji Wanyun.

After hearing his narration, Ji Wanyun shared what she had discovered in Qingyan City with Ji Changkong.

According to her, the Du family had not yet given up on dealing with them. While in Qingyan City, she noticed members of the Du family lurking around Qingyan Mountain. Since the Du family was stationed near the border of the Tianwu Garden, they could not immediately ascertain the situation on this side. Thus, they were unaware that the Ji family had already relocated from Qingyan Mountain to Xuan Yuan Valley in Blood Rain Mountain.

Even some sects on Blood Rain Mountain were oblivious to the fact that the Blood Rain Alliance had gained a new member. Those who were aware of the situation disdained spreading the news. The Du family, ignorant of the facts, could only inquire around Qingyan Mountain, attempting to track the Ji family's whereabouts.

Hong Yuanshan, as the Lord of Qingyan City, could swiftly ascertain the situation regarding those Du family members with just a little investigation.

Ji Wanyun resided in the City Lord’s Mansion, staying with Hong Ruolan. Those Du family members were unaware of Ji Wanyun’s whereabouts, but even if they had known she was within the City Lord’s Mansion, they likely wouldn't have dared to harm her.

"Changkong, we still need to be cautious. The Du family will not be kept in the dark about the Ji family's presence in Xuan Yuan Valley for much longer, especially with the Blood Rain Mountain Sect Grand Assembly imminent. The Ji family will certainly make an appearance then. After the assembly concludes, word of our presence in the Blood Rain Alliance will undoubtedly reach the Du family quickly," Ji Wanyun said with palpable worry.

"Aunt, there is no need to worry. If it weren't for my focus on the Blood Rain Mountain Sect Grand Assembly, I would have rushed back to Qingyan Mountain right now to deal with those Du family members one by one." Ji Changkong's expression chilled, and he sneered, "It's their luck the Du family hasn't come yet. If they dare cause trouble in Xuan Yuan Valley, hmph, they won't leave alive!" "Muluo, the Dali brothers, and Ayiguli are all cultivating in the stone cave behind Xuan Yuan Valley. Muluo is a powerhouse of the Bagua Heaven Realm. Coupled with the Dali brothers present, even if the Du Family's Old Matriarch herself came, she wouldn't gain any advantage! Besides her, how many of those Du family members show up is how many will die!

Last time Yu Luan visited the Scripture Repository, Muluo had noticed him early on. However, Muluo saw that Yu Luan had already left and couldn't be bothered to act, as Muluo knew it was effortless for him to deal with Yu Luan without employing the power of the Tianyuan Orb. Muluo had also sensed Mo Yunyi’s cultivation at the Seven Star Heaven Realm. Seeing Mo Yunyi emerge from the deep valley afterward, Muluo feigned ignorance to prevent Mo Yunyi from growing suspicious. Only afterward did he mention the matter to Ji Changkong.

Ji Changkong naturally adopted an indifferent attitude toward such trivial matters. However, after this incident, he instructed Muluo to pay closer attention to the valley's situation. If anyone dared to cause chaos inside while he was away, he told Muluo not to mind their Western Region identity, nor who they were—capture them if possible, and eliminate them if capture was impossible! Show no mercy!

"Nonsense. With our current strength, how could we possibly deal with the Du family members?" Ji Wanyun did not believe him, her heart troubled.

Ji Changkong smiled, not elaborating further. He took out a large piece of Fire Phoenix Bone and handed it to her. "Aunt, this is the crystal bone from the Fire Phoenix’s body just before its nirvana. It contains an extremely considerable amount of Fire Origin Power. I heard your Five Elements Fire Origin Power can already integrate with the Vermilion Bird Holy Beast. Heh heh, it seems your body has already been tempered once, but this large section of Fire Phoenix Bone can still help you advance further." Generally speaking, once the Five Elements power integrates with a Holy Beast, it signifies that the Five Elements Heaven Realm is nearing its peak. At this stage, the body must have already been tempered by the Five Elements Origin Power. The time required thereafter should be spent on cultivating the Divine Soul.

However, this Fire Phoenix Bone is exceedingly miraculous; it is not merely a storage vessel for Fire Origin Power like Fire Origin Crystals. Because it is the bone of a Fire Phoenix, the bone also contains a trace of the Fire Phoenix's aura. This trace of aura is extremely precious for cultivators of the Five Elements Fire Power and can be merged into the cultivator's very soul!

Ji Wanyun was not polite and happily accepted the Fire Phoenix Bone with a smile. Then, as if remembering something suddenly, she exclaimed, "Oh, right, I did run into that girl, Wu Lingxue, back in Qingyan City. That girl is truly extraordinary, deserving of the title 'Genius.' She should be in the Four Symbols Heaven Realm now, communicating with the Black Tortoise Holy Beast. Judging by her complexion and the spirit in her eyes, she might already be at the peak of the Four Symbols Heaven Realm, with the potential to advance further in a short time!"

"Changkong, when Wu Lingxue saw me, she mentioned wanting another battle with you, didn't she?"

Ji Changkong was surprised, pausing for a moment before shaking his head. "I think it's unnecessary. She is not worthy to fight me yet. Let's talk when she reaches the peak of the Five Elements Heaven Realm..."

Ji Wanyun looked at him deeply, then broke into a smile after a moment. "Though there are many geniuses in the world, my Changkong is the genius among geniuses! If that girl Wu Lingxue truly comes, she will only be humiliating herself!"

"Prepare for the Sect Grand Assembly. Three days—only three more days until the assembly begins."

Two days later.

The members of the Ji family preparing to participate in the Sect Grand Assembly had all made their final arrangements. The valley bustled with activity early in the morning.

The so-called Sect Grand Assembly of Blood Rain Mountain inevitably involved a series of confrontations. According to the established pattern of the Blood Rain Alliance, combat between two families was typically divided into five rounds, with the side winning three or more rounds declared the victor.

To accommodate all aspects and showcase the overall strength of a faction, members from the first, second, and third generations of Heavenly Scholars usually had opportunities to participate.

The rules were set as follows: the five matches corresponded to the five realms: Three Talents Heaven, Four Symbols Heaven, Five Elements Heaven, Great Heaven, and Seven Star Heaven.

...In essence, a faction must select its most outstanding Heavenly Scholar from each of these five realms to compete: Three Talents Heaven Scholar against Three Talents Heaven Scholar, Seven Star Heaven Scholar against Seven Star Heaven Scholar, to ensure fairness.

This arrangement was designed to reveal the true depth of a family's strength; the prowess of the older generation, the middle generation, and the younger generation must all be displayed! Only then could one accurately measure the true power of a faction.

If a faction has numerous masters in the older generation but lacks successors in the second and third generations, that faction might not necessarily secure victory.

Ji Yuxing, Ji Yusheng, Ji Haoguang, Ji Haohong, Ji Wanyun, Ji Changxiao, and others were already assembled in the valley, waiting for Ji Changkong to depart with them.

After waiting for a significant while, they noticed Ji Changkong had still not arrived. Ji Yuxing looked anxious but dared not urge him aloud, only repeatedly querying Ji Yusheng with his eyes about the situation.

"That brat, where did he wander off to at such a crucial time? We explicitly agreed yesterday to leave at sunrise," Ji Yusheng grumbled angrily.

In the past, if Ji Changkong had been this late, Ji Yuxing, Ji Haoguang, and the others would have already launched a major verbal assault. But now, they all wore forced smiles. Though internally frantic, they kept saying, "No worries," "No worries... we can wait..." "I'll go look for him. Xuan Yuan Valley isn't that big; is he afraid he’ll fly right out of the heavens?" Ji Wanyun smiled sweetly and prepared to search the back of the valley.

At her words, Ji Yuxing and the others sighed in relief. It was indeed getting late. The area around Blood Rain Mountain was neither small nor vast, and the journey from Xuan Yuan Valley to Blood Rain Mountain was considerable. Even for those with accomplished cultivation, it would take the better part of a day. The Sect Grand Assembly officially began tomorrow, meaning remote sects like theirs had to arrive a day early. There were also tedious ceremonial preparations in the afternoon; if they were late, they would miss the registration for these stages, and they would surely weep.

"Here they come," Ji Wanyun exclaimed softly after taking only a few steps, her expression somewhat peculiar.

Ji Yuxing and Ji Yusheng's expressions also visibly froze, looking strangely at the three figures emerging from the deep valley.

From the depths of the valley, Ji Changkong walked out with a strained, conciliatory smile, saying something while Mo Yunyi shook her head with a wry, helpless expression, accompanying him. Behind them, the old servant Han Hai followed with a dutiful, faint smile, showing utmost respect.

"Eldest Sister-in-Law, why are you here?" Ji Yuxing and Ji Yusheng rushed forward immediately, calling out loudly and bowing respectfully.

The second and third generation Ji family members who recognized Mo Yunyi also stepped forward to pay their respects, their demeanor deferential yet carrying a hint of scrutiny.

"This old woman can barely walk, and this little rascal Changkong insisted on dragging me along. Really, it seems I can't even expect a few quiet years," Mo Yunyi sighed repeatedly with a bitter smile.

"You audacious boy! By seniority, she is your paternal grandmother! Scoundrel, why aren't you kneeling down!" Ji Yusheng roared in fury, casting aside all other concerns, pointing at him and shouting.

With a wry smile, Ji Changkong tugged at Mo Yunyi's sleeve and quickly said, "The old man is throwing a fit. Grandma Mo, say a few words for me!" "Serves you right! For making a fuss and pinching me!" Mo Yunyi whispered with a smile, then coughed lightly, turning serious. "Changkong asked me to come for my good intentions, so I don't blame him. Little Sheng, stop shouting. My hearing is poor; you're almost deafening me..."

"Little Sheng?" Ji Changkong, Ji Wanyun, and Ji Changxiao exchanged looks, suppressing their laughter.

Ji Yusheng twitched his mouth, his face odd, but he offered no further objection, only nodding helplessly.

"Eldest Sister-in-Law, why did you come?" Ji Yuxing was somewhat unclear about the situation, but the Sect Grand Assembly represented the hope for the Ji family's revival, allowing no surprises.

"Grandma Mo is at the Seven Star Heaven Realm! With her here, we can contend for the three newly excavated cultivation treasures!" Ji Changkong explained.

At these words, everyone except Han Hai was struck with horror. The way they looked at Mo Yunyi completely changed.

"Eldest Sister-in-Law... You... you have cultivated to the Seven Star Heaven Realm?" Ji Yuxing looked utterly incredulous. It seemed he had never been fully aware of Mo Yunyi's status. Over the years, he had only occasionally visited the Scripture Repository, paying little attention to this elder who was effectively retiring there.

"Seven... Seven Star Heavenly Scholar..." "I... Our Ji family actually has a Seven Star Heavenly Scholar..." Ji Haoguang muttered under his breath, acting as if he were hearing this for the first time.

"If the rules of the Blood Rain Alliance weren't so rigid—that without a Seven Star Heavenly Scholar, one cannot participate in the contention for those three newly opened cultivation grounds—why would this brat drag me along?" Mo Yunyi smiled slightly. "I am also a member of the Ji family, and I wish for the Ji family to rise again. Since such a grand opportunity presents itself this time, and I can contribute, naturally, I must do my part."

"Eldest Sister-in-Law, you... you have hidden this from us for so long." Ji Yuxing smiled bitterly.

For so many years, the Ji family had endured continuous bullying. If they had known they had a master at the Seven Star Heaven Realm within their ranks, he wouldn't have been so lacking in confidence when negotiating with others. As the head of the Wei family, Ji Yuxing had suffered the bitterness of this deficiency; learning suddenly that Mo Yunyi was at the Seven Star Heaven Realm left him feeling complex emotions.

"The three newly excavated cultivation grounds... newly excavated..." Ji Yusheng's eyes gradually brightened. Before, they only dared to hope for cultivation spots vacated by others; they never dared to dream of contending for the three newly discovered grounds on Blood Rain Mountain because they believed the Ji family lacked a master in the Seven Star Heaven Realm.

Mo Yunyi's appearance shattered their self-imposed limitations, unveiling a whole new vista for them!

"I think... isn't it getting late?" Seeing the group's eager and excited expressions, seemingly forgetting the sun had already risen, Ji Changkong felt compelled to remind them.

"It’s all your fault, you little brat! Move! Let's go immediately!" Ji Yusheng was suddenly full of spirit, appearing several years younger, and strode out first.

At the foot of Blood Rain Mountain.

Several young people craned their necks, watching expectantly. Upon seeing arrivals, they would promptly and courteously step forward to greet them, smilingly pointing out directions and explaining minor details—these were the third-generation disciples from the He family, Star Stone Sect, and Flowing Cloud Sand, serving as greeters.

"Little Dong, is that boy really as formidable as you claim? I missed quite the show last time when I was in seclusion! Heh heh, he should be arriving with the Ji family today; I'm keen to get a good look." He Zhizhang spoke with a smile to He Lidong beside him.

"What? You want to test him?" He Lidong looked interested, but after a moment, shook his head. "Better not. Your realm isn't much higher than mine; if you fight him, you'll definitely lose!"

He Zhizhang was the foremost figure among the He family's third generation, also the most renowned young master among the youth of Blood Rain Mountain. His title as one of the Three Great Geniuses of Shuiyun Garden in the Five Elements Heaven Realm—it wasn't given in vain.

"Hearing you say that makes me even more interested in him? Xiao Xuan, are you deliberately trying to provoke me into fighting him?" He Zhizhang’s face showed a hint of excitement, though his tone held a touch of confusion.

"I'm truly not provoking you. You are indeed far behind him," He Lidong stated the truth.