The people of Moon Bright Sect were gathered in one corner of Xuanyuan Valley. Now, Xuanyuan Valley was entirely filled by the ten great sects swallowed by Shui Yun Garden. These Heaven Soldiers, rushed from various regions, used Xuanyuan Valley as a temporary assembly point. Fortunately, Xuanyuan Valley was large enough to accommodate so many Heaven Soldiers; though crowded, there was still enough space.

As one of the six great Heaven Soldier Sects of the Central Lands, Moon Bright Sect was teeming with experts. The Heaven Soldiers who arrived first numbered over a dozen, five of whom had reached the Seven Star Heaven realm; the others were in the Five Elements Heaven or Six Harmonies Heaven realms.

Upon arriving at Xuanyuan Valley, Bai Yanhai rested in a corner, avoiding extensive interaction with the numerous expert Heaven Soldiers within the valley. He merely instructed Bai Qingya to spend more time near the Ji family quarters, to see when Ji Changkong would emerge from the back mountain cavern.

Bai Lunhai had once saved Ji Changkong, but Ji Changkong had helped Bai Qingya several times. In Bai Lunhai's view, it was actually they who owed Ji Changkong a favor. Sending his daughter over was also meant for her to thank Ji Changkong in person once he appeared.

Ji Changkong, followed by Bai Qingya, arrived at the temporary residence of the Moon Bright Sect under the curious gazes of the crowd.

Xuanyuan Valley was only so large, and the **stir he and Bai Qingya caused had been heard by Bai Yanhai from afar. Thus, when Ji Changkong approached, Bai Yanhai was already standing there waiting with a smile.

"Greetings, Uncle Bai!" Seeing Bai Yanhai standing there from a distance, Ji Changkong bowed respectfully and said with a smile, "Since our last parting, I have been constantly busy and haven't had the chance to thank you properly, Uncle Bai. Back at Qingyan Mountain, if you hadn't helped me, I'm afraid Changkong would have died long ago." Bai Lunhai and several Moon Bright Sect experts nodded with smiles, all feeling that the new generation Xuan of the Ji family handled matters admirably, truly possessing the demeanor of a young master from a great family.

"Nephew is too kind. Saving you back then was just a small matter, something I almost forgot afterward. Who knew that Nephew was actually the new generation Xuan of the Ji family, who would rise to prominence in such a short time, and still remember this matter—it truly surprises me..." Bai Yanhai's face was full of smiles.

"Even a drop of kindness deserves a gushing spring in return. Moreover, Uncle Bai saved my life; how could Changkong dare not engrave it in my heart?" "Now it is I and Ya'er who owe you a favor. At the Spirit Treasure Convention, you gifted Ya'er such a precious Spirit Treasure, and afterward, you sent someone to deliver the Moon Heart Stone to Ya'er. Without the aid of your Moon Heart Stone, Ya'er wouldn't have managed to reach the Six Harmonies Heaven realm so quickly! Haha, in a few more years, she’ll catch up to me." Bai Canghai roared with laughter, his voice quite loud; it was hard for the Heaven Soldiers paying attention from afar not to hear their conversation.

The current Ji Changkong was no longer an unknown figure; the mere identity of Ji Family Xuan was enough for him to converse as an equal with some Sect Masters. Furthermore, Bai Yanhai knew that several mysterious Eighth Trigram Heaven realm powerhouses from the Ji family currently in Xuanyuan Valley also followed the orders of this new generation Xuan of the Ji family.

For such a figure, immediately upon emerging from seclusion, to ignore everyone else and come here to pay his respects—what an immense honor that was!

Under the gaze of the public, Bai Yanhai’s vanity was greatly satisfied. The more he looked at Ji Changkong, the more pleasing he found him, a warm smile constantly lingering on his lips.

Looking at Bai Qingya with surprise, only then did Ji Changkong notice that the jade hairpin he had purchased at the Spirit Treasure Convention was still adorning Bai Qingya’s hair. He smiled and said, "You didn't throw away this jade hairpin?" Bai Qingya shot him a glare, then burst out laughing, playfully scolding, "Really! You never explained the true value of that hairpin, making me think this fishing spear was truly worthless!"

At the Spirit Treasure Convention, that jade hairpin was considered an extraordinary Spirit Treasure Ji Changkong had managed to acquire. However, Bai Qingya didn't know its true worth and always assumed Ji Changkong had been swindled. After parting ways with Ji Changkong, during a practice session, she unintentionally discovered that the jade hairpin was a Spirit Treasure perfectly suited for her use, filling her with surprise and joy.

"How could something I chose be a low-grade item?" Smiling, Ji Changkong continued his lively conversation with Bai Canghai, even treating the other Moon Bright Sect experts warmly.

His approach clearly won the favor of the Moon Bright Sect. Bai Yanhai felt he had gained prestige, and Bai Qingya was overjoyed, believing Ji Changkong truly held her in high regard.

Whether intentionally or not, when conversing with him, Bai Yanhai would interject timely, playful remarks about him and Bai Qingya, his smiles holding deep meaning. Each time this happened, Bai Yanhai’s voice would rise slightly, as if deliberately ensuring others nearby could hear.

"Changkong!" Ji Wanyun's shout came from afar.

Without lingering further with Bai Yanhai and the others, Ji Changkong smiled, excused himself, and walked deeper into Xuanyuan Valley.

"Aunt, what is it?" Ji Changkong asked with a smile after approaching.

"Everyone is waiting for you in the Council Hall, preparing to discuss how to attack Black Rock Cliff. Without you here, those people don't know what to do..." Ji Wanyun chuckled.

Unconsciously, Ji Changkong had become a pivotal figure. Ji Wanyun, who had watched him grow up, was extremely pleased to see him achieve so much.

"Oh? They think so highly of me?" "Of course. Now, everyone pays close attention to whatever you say. Hurry up; that little girl He Liying is anxiously waiting, constantly nagging me by my ear, eager to rush to Black Rock Cliff immediately. The He family has shown us kindness; I also hope we can rescue them as soon as possible. But Tuo Bulao and Gui Meiwenzhi won't listen to me," Ji Wanyun said with a smile.

In the Ji Family Council Hall.

Ji Yusheng and Ji Yuxing were present, as were Gui Die and Gui Hai, and Huangfu Jingwei. Besides them, there was Huang Xuejiang from the Huang family, Chen Yihui from the Chen family, and several other figures unfamiliar to Ji Changkong.

As soon as he entered, all eyes snapped onto him. The two Eighth Trigram Heaven Soldiers, Gui Mei and Gui Hai, even suddenly stood up, only sitting down again after he walked into the hall and took his seat.

The demeanor of Gui Die and Gui Hai startled many observant individuals, and their expressions became even more solemn as they looked at Ji Changkong.

"In a moment, representatives from other sects will all be here soon." Ji Yuxing smiled widely, nodding frequently and speaking courteously as people arrived.

Moments later, the experts from various families and sects gathered in Xuanyuan Valley also filed in from outside. Bai Tuohai of the Moon Bright Sect entered the Council Hall after Ji Changkong and was seated by Ji Yuxing in a rather conspicuous location.

With dozens of representatives from families and sects gathered, the seating arrangement was quite significant. Families and sects like the Huangfu family, the Chen family, the Murong family, and the Moon Bright Sect were naturally seated in the upper positions, while representatives of second-tier sects like the Huang family of Blood Rain Mountain sat below them.

The Ji family, as the organizers and current hosts of Xuanyuan Valley, also occupied the upper seats. Ji Yuxing, seeing figures who were usually aloof bowing and smiling at him upon entering the Council Hall and taking their seats exactly as he directed, felt his smile deepen.

Not long ago, when the Ji family was confined to the foot of Qingyan Mountain, he, as the head of the family, dared not venture out much, always accompanying any high-ranking figure from any family or sect with a cautious, ingratiating smile, fearing he might offend someone by a lapse in etiquette.

But now, so many prominent figures from Shui Yun Garden were within his Xuanyuan Valley, all showing him respect, with some even eager to curry favor. This drastically changed circumstance filled him with a profound sense of satisfaction.

Xiao Shu, with a stern expression, representing the Xiao family, also walked in from outside and walked directly toward Ji Changkong.

His expression shifted slightly, and Ji Changkong frowned as he watched Xiao Shu, appearing somewhat displeased.

"Long time no see," Xiao Shu said upon arrival. Without waiting for Ji Yuxing’s arrangement, he actually sat down right next to Ji Changkong, greeting him with an indifferent tone.

"It's you!" Ji Changkong snorted coldly and lowered his voice, "You dare come to my Ji family! Was the news about my trip to Tianwu Garden the last time released by you? Only you knew I was going to Tianwu Garden!" After the Spirit Treasure Convention abruptly ended, the news that he had killed Du Shaofeng of the Du family spread. The Du family's Old Matriarch was furious and determined to kill him at all costs. At that time, the news that he had obtained a great treasure at the convention was also leaked, and many greedy individuals began searching for his whereabouts everywhere.

It was at this critical moment that Xiao Shu suddenly appeared, mentioned old matters to him, pointed out his entanglement with the Du family, and implied that he should visit Tianwu Garden, mentioning that Li Hentian had gone there to pursue the King of Darkness.

As he set off for Tianwu Garden, many Heaven Soldiers from various factions had already received accurate intelligence confirming his destination and were waiting for him mid-journey. Fortunately, he had been disguised by the three young girls, Duan Xiaoshan, allowing him to pass through without being discovered, leading to a false alarm.

Afterward, upon careful reflection, he immediately confirmed that the news of his trip to Tianwu Garden must have been released by Xiao Shu. He was a clear judge of character; he remembered Bai Canghai’s kindness and also Xiao Shu's betrayal. Therefore, upon seeing Xiao Shu actually arrive, he immediately began seeking confirmation.

"Yes, the news last time was released by me." Unexpectedly, Xiao Shu didn't deny it and immediately admitted it.

"You still dare to come to my Ji family?" Ji Changkong hissed in a low voice. If this weren't the Council Hall, he might have already made a move against Xiao Shu.

"Why wouldn't I dare?" Xiao Shu remained composed, showing no fear of Ji Changkong seeking retribution.

Ji Changkong's gaze grew colder, but he said no more, calculating that he would settle this account with Xiao Shu properly after the current matters concluded.

"If you couldn't successfully reach Tianwu Garden, if you didn't have the capability, I wouldn't have shown up here today!" Xiao Shu frowned slightly and stated calmly, "If you were a Xuan without brains, our Xiao family wouldn't have traveled a thousand miles to be here. Our Xiao family's arrival is not to do anything for Blood Rain Mountain; we are here solely for you!" Frowning, Ji Changkong felt even more confused and asked in a low voice, "What do you mean?" "When you meet Elder Li, he will explain it to you." Xiao Shu closed his eyes, appearing utterly unconcerned, seemingly genuinely uninterested in the proceedings of the Council Hall. He remained silent, as if he had fallen asleep.

Hearing him mention Li Hentian, Ji Changkong's confusion deepened. Seeing his demeanor, it was clear he had no intention of discussing matters further in the Council Hall. Though puzzled, he didn't press further, deciding to communicate with Li Hentian later to understand the specific situation.