Huangfu Jingwei’s face was ashen. He stood there numbly, his gaze lost and vacant, as if something of immense value had been stripped away.

An uncanny silence fell over the arena. Everyone watched Ji Changkong, then shifted their gaze to Huangfu Jingwei.

Before the duel, no one had anticipated that Huangfu Jingwei, wielding the Huangfu family’s divine weapon, the "Golden Heaven-Piercing Spike," would be defeated. With his Seven-Star Heaven Realm cultivation and a divine weapon in hand, his loss was simply unbelievable.

Yet, Ji Changkong, having only just entered the Six Harmony Heaven Realm and without a finished divine weapon, had dispatched Huangfu Jingwei with such ease. This outcome defied all expectations.

Under the scrutiny of the crowd, Ji Changkong merely shook his head slightly, offering no mocking words toward Huangfu Jingwei. He turned and walked toward the depths of Xuanyuan Valley.

As soon as Ji Changkong departed, Li Hentian vanished just as quietly.

After they were gone, Huangfu Jingwei remained silent. He carefully stowed away the "Golden Heaven-Piercing Spike" and, without acknowledging the onlookers, moved with the other Huangfu clan members toward their resting quarters.

In the stone cave dwelling on the back mountain of Xuanyuan Valley, where Li Hentian was temporarily lodged.

When Ji Changkong arrived, Li Hentian was already inside, accompanied by Xiao Shu.

Li Hentian nodded indifferently upon seeing Ji Changkong enter, then cast a sidelong glance at Xiao Shu. “I know everything about the situation. It was indeed Xiao Shu who leaked your whereabouts when you went to Tianwu Garden. However, Xiao Shu did that as a test for you. The Xiao family is deeply connected to your Ji family—a fact I suspect no one in the current Ji family knows.”

Frowning slightly, Ji Changkong looked at Li Hentian with surprise and confusion, then turned to the inscrutable Xiao Shu. He asked, “What connection do your Xiao family and our Ji family have? Why have I never heard of it?”

“The previous generation’s Xuanyuan’s wife was named Xiao Tianxuan; she was one of my Xiao family,” Xiao Shu stated gravely.

“Oh?” Ji Changkong paused. He hadn't expected a real link between the Ji and Xiao families. “So, does that make her an ancestor of mine, several generations removed?”

“Indeed. She is an ancestor to both your Ji family and my Xiao family. After the previous Xuanyuan disappeared while pursuing the extreme heights of the Ten Directions Heaven Realm, she returned to our Xiao family. By then, she had already reached the peak of the Eight Trigram Heaven Realm,” Xiao Shu explained.

“And then?” Ji Changkong inquired.

Xiao Shu frowned faintly and said seriously, “Before she passed away, she left behind a will and some possessions—things that should belong to you…”

At these words, Ji Changkong’s face twisted in shock. “What? Things left for me? How is that possible?”

“She specifically named the next generation of Xuanyuan from the Ji family to preserve those items, stating that only a Xuanyuan possessing sufficient strength and wisdom would be allowed to glimpse their secrets,” Xiao Shu relayed.

“So that’s it… a wave of relief washed over Ji Changkong, and he chuckled. “I thought she left something specifically for me, Ji Changkong. Turns out it was for the new generation of Xuanyuan in the Ji family. Hehe, even though it’s the same family line, mistaking the intent makes quite a difference.” He paused, then asked, “By the way, what exactly did she leave for me?”

Xiao Shu shook his head. “I do not know. When I arrived, the Clan Head instructed me to request that you visit the Xiao family. There, everything you wish to know will be told to you truthfully.”

“With the great upheaval at Bloody Rain Mountain, I temporarily cannot spare the time,” Ji Changkong admitted, spreading his hands in resignation.

“That is fine. It is not too late for you to visit the Xiao family after the Bloody Rain Mountain affair is resolved,” Xiao Shu stated calmly. “I deliberately leaked the news of your journey to Tianwu Garden to see if you could successfully reach it while being pursued. I needed to know if you met the ancestor’s requirements. From the moment you arrived at Tianwu Garden, we have been monitoring your every move and striving to understand every piece of information concerning you. My appearance before your Ji family signifies that we already recognize your strength and wisdom.” Xiao Shu had personally witnessed him defeat Huangfu Jingwei—such power at the Six Harmony Heaven Realm was unheard of. Even the Xuanyuans of previous generations might not have easily defeated a Seven-Star Heaven expert wielding the "Golden Heaven-Piercing Spike" at that level.

“The Xiao family usually keeps clear of worldly disputes, but I have had some dealings with them, and I know a bit about Shu; what he says should be true,” Li Hentian confirmed.

“If you say so, I naturally believe Xiao Shu has no issues,” Ji Changkong replied. Having heard Li Hentian’s assurance, Ji Changkong had nothing more to object with and nodded. “Very well. Once the Bloody Rain Mountain matter is settled, I will pay your Xiao family a visit.”

“Since our Xiao family representative has arrived at this juncture, we should naturally offer what little aid we can,” Xiao Shu offered.

“Then I thank you,” Ji Changkong smiled, accepting the offer without ceremony.

After this conversation, Xiao Shu took his leave.

Only Ji Changkong and Li Hentian remained in the stone cave.

“If the truly powerful experts don't arrive, it seems impossible for us to attack Black Rock Cliff. Why aren’t they coming?” Ji Changkong frowned, concern etched on his face.

“Their absence now does not mean they won’t come later,” Li Hentian replied coolly, glancing toward the distance from the cave entrance. “After the Bloody Rain Mountain affair concludes, I will first take you somewhere.”

“Where?” Ji Changkong asked.

“You will know when we get there,” Li Hentian said, gazing far away. “Huangfu Tong, the two elders of the Chen family, and the experts from Moon Splendor Sect have likely all gone to Tianshan.”

“Tianshan?” Ji Changkong asked, filled with surprise. “Why go to Mount Wu?”

“The Manichaean Holy Mother, Youlan, is at Tianshan, as are several Great Dharma Kings. While they cannot participate in the battle between Youlan and Gu You, with them present, the Eight Trigram Heaven Realm battles will allow Tianshan to gain the upper hand,” Li Hentian explained.

“Qiankun Sect and Manichaeism?” Ji Changkong questioned.

“The rise and fall of Water Cloud Garden is not solely dependent on this Bloody Rain Mountain front. As long as the Qiankun Sect at Tianshan does not fall, even if this Bloody Rain Mountain area is temporarily seized, a victory in the Tianshan sector will allow them to reclaim it. Their approach is correct—prioritizing Tianshan and temporarily disregarding Bloody Rain Mountain is the wisest course,” Li Hentian stated grimly, shaking his head. Ji Changkong looked helpless. “So, in their minds, the Bloody Rain Mountain section is expendable; only the outcome at Tianshan is what they truly focus on.”

“After the Bloody Rain Mountain issue is settled, the place I am taking you is precisely Tianshan,” Li Hentian looked deeply at him and said solemnly.

“Why go there?” Ji Changkong asked.

“You will know, and you must go. Someone has been waiting for you there,” Li Hentian concluded.