The Blood Pool Secret Technique was indeed extraordinary, possessing a magical power to influence the blood within the human body. Luo Huaxue, the Sect Master of the Blood Sun Branch, one of the sects of the Eastern Sea Heavenly Master circle, was a renowned figure. An Eight Trigrams Heavenly Master—in any location, no one dared to look down upon him.
Seeing him descend aggressively from the sky with a grave expression, Ji Changkong regarded Luo Hongxue as the most terrifying kind of enemy.
Luo Hongxue, however, did not seem to take Ji Changkong very seriously. In his estimation, the young Ji Changkong could not possess much power—a common failing among many experts of the older generation. As Luo Hongxue descended, he neither summoned his Natal Divine Weapon nor immediately sought to kill.
Evidently, he did not regard Ji Changkong as an opponent of equal standing.
Luo Hongxue was complacent, but Ji Changkong would not be. Before Luo Hongxue even drew near, Ji Changkong channeled the power of the Tianwu Bead into his arms, his internal blood boiling as he continually urged his potential forward.
His two arms, saturated with too much terrifying Heaven and Earth Primordial Force, had their sinews faintly twitching. His hands trembled slightly, and a muffled roar of heavenly thunder sounded deep within his chest.
Blood Zero arrived silently, the air thick with a pungent, bloody stench, carrying a formidable, soul-stirring aura of slaughter.
Luo Hongxue materialized within the blood mist, his body enveloped by it. From afar, he appeared as if bathing in blood, with droplets seemingly rolling off him. His eyes, in that instant, turned a terrifying, blood-red hue.
A streak of blood-light shot out from the mist, moving as if possessing a life of its own, its trajectory constantly shifting in the void. Although aimed at Ji Changkong, it did not travel in a straight line, but moved in unpredictable curves.
Luo Hongxue’s blood-red pupils coldly fixed on Ji Changkong from within the Blood Zero, seemingly manipulating the trajectory of the incoming blood-light.
The rush of hot blood in his chest suddenly reacted to an inexplicable suction, causing his expression to contort in shock. Ji Changkong, who had already prepared to unleash his full power the moment Luo Hongxue advanced further, was forced to momentarily halt, his Divine Soul peering inward to observe the anomaly in his chest blood.
The serpentine blood-light beside him danced, causing the blood in his chest to seem to follow its movements. Luo Hongxue's control over blood was somewhat reminiscent of the Five-Colored Light Sphere Ji Changkong himself released—both could influence others and cause confusion.
The difference was that the Five-Colored Light Circle, fused with the power of the Five Elements, affected the Divine Soul, whereas the blood-light released by Luo Hongxue only influenced the physical blood.
Compared to the Divine Soul, blood was less important and less controllable.
His heart clear as a mirror, Ji Changkong used his Divine Soul to survey his body, letting his will guide his actions. He managed to divert a thread of his will to suppress the aberrant blood in his chest, letting out a soft breath. The calming power of the Tai Xu Secret Record took effect, and the abnormal blood in his chest gradually stabilized.
This was not the first time Luo Hongxue had attacked him this way. With the experience gained from the previous encounters, Ji Changkong was becoming increasingly adept at handling Luo Hongxue’s blood control power, slowly grasping its method.
In front of him, the blood-light continued its meandering flight, yet the blood within Ji Changkong’s body remained steady.
“Not bad,” Luo Hongxue, suspended nearby in the frozen void, grinned with blood-red eyes and offered a faint commendation.
In an instant, hundreds of blood blades, their Qi surging heavenward, shot out from the blood mist swirling around him, slicing towards Ji Changkong from every direction.
Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!
Whether due to excessively strong blood energy or the extreme sharpness of the blades, a strange sound emanated from the air as the hundreds of blood blades rushed in.
Dozens of azure heavenly thunders materialized around Ji Changkong without warning. These thunders, small as pigeon eggs and large as fists, burst forth like some bizarre, fruiting crop around him.
The hundreds of blood blades released by Luo Hongxue were intercepted by these azure heavenly thunders before they could even reach Ji Changkong.
For a moment, earth-shattering thunderous explosions sounded beside Ji Changkong. Streams of blood Qi dissipated, and heavenly thunders burst. Not a single one of the hundred blood blades released by Luo Hongxue ultimately managed to land on Ji Changkong.
With the burst of surrounding heavenly thunders, Ji Changkong ceased his passive defense. He simultaneously unleashed the Tianzhou Strength and the Tidal Ebb Art, occasionally tossing out a Five-Colored Light Sphere condensed from the power of the Five Elements, immediately engaging Luo Hongxue in fierce combat.
The sound of thunder, the crash of surging waves, and the fierce clash of blood-light converged, as Ji Changkong and Luo Hongxue fought to a standstill.
On the other side, Murong La, who was fighting Lan Rouguo and Lan Lin alongside Huangfu Jingwei, glanced down toward Xuanyuan Valley with malicious speculation.
The valley was in chaos.
The Heavenly Master sects from Blood Rain Mountain—the Chen Family of Shuiyun Nation, the Moon Splendor Sect, the Murong Family, the Huangfu Family, and others—were locked in combat with the people from the Manichaean Cult, Luodu Island, Liuyun Sand, and the Ten Thousand Poisons Gate. The battle below raged fiercely, with casualties on both sides.
Murong Tu's gaze swept slowly across the valley until, finally, he spotted the person he had been looking for.
A strange light flashed in his eyes. Murong Tu’s movements suddenly slowed. He froze mid-air, staring down in disbelief at Ji Changkong, who was currently grappling with Luo Hongxue.
Within Xuanyuan Valley, Ji Changkong and Luo Hongxue were engaged in a desperate battle, yet Ji Changkong showed no sign of defeat. Not only was he not merely dodging, but he was daring to meet Luo Hongxue head-on.
The sight of their battle falling into Murong Tu’s vision caused him to recoil instantly, a monstrous wave crashing in his heart.
A mere Six Harmonies Heavenly Master was actually capable of fighting an Eight Trigrams Heavenly Master without being suppressed! Even Ji Jiashengyuan should not possess such miraculous ability, right?
Murong Tu was stunned dumbfounded.
In that instant, he finally realized that Ji Changkong’s earlier audacity to confront him directly, even uttering arrogant words, was not entirely because he had formidable figures like Li Hentian and Gui Rong backing him.
Li Hentian, Gui Rong, Gui Hai, and an Eight Trigrams Heavenly Master from the Aoluo Divine Cult—these four figures, while formidable, possessed limited room for future growth. In Murong Tu’s estimation, with his connections, finding a few Eight Trigrams Heavenly Masters to deal with the Ji Family should not have been an issue.
As long as the four were tied down, the Murong Family could easily wipe out the Ji Family. Murong Tu believed that if he could extinguish the Ji Family in a flash, the other four, seeing the situation settled, would probably not pursue an endless feud with the Murong Family.
Only now did he realize he had misjudged.
A youth, at the Six Harmonies Heavenly Realm, possessed the strength to contend with an Eight Trigrams Heavenly Master. How boundless would his potential be in the future?
Possessing the strength to resist an Eight Trigrams Heavenly Master, such a person, if cautious, would be nearly impossible to kill. As long as he lived, how terrifying would such a figure become once he matured?
For the first time, Murong Tu felt regret—regret for having completely offended the Ji Family before the situation was clear.
“Zheng Jieshi, you are courting death!” A sharp screeching cry, capable of tearing silk, arrived from a distance.
Zheng Jieshi, who was already in a precarious situation under the attack of Li Hentian’s Blazing Sun Wheel, felt his heart sink to the bottom, his face a mask of horrified disbelief.
Screams erupted continuously from outside; the hidden Manichaean Cult and Luoxia Island Heavenly Master experts lurking around Xuanyuan Valley were being swiftly cut down.
Huangfu Jingwei, who had united the power of seven Seven Star Heavenly Masters to urge on the “Golden Heaven-Shattering Cone,” suddenly beamed with joy. His expression lifted, and streams of starlight poured into the cone, making its power increasingly sharp.
Above the dark clouds, the Dark Lord, the Lord of the Ram Cult, and others had drastic changes in expression. They all abandoned their opponents and cried out, “Retreat from Xuanyuan Valley!”
Luo Hongxue, fighting Ji Changkong, shot the latter a resentful glare before resolutely turning his head and soaring towards the sky. Ji Changkong did not pursue; he merely looked up, his eyes lingering on Luo Hongxue for a few seconds.
An Eight Trigrams Heavenly Master could fly in the air. Although Ji Changkong possessed strength comparable to one by borrowing the power of the Tianyuan Bead, he still could not soar in the void, forced to watch Luo Hongxue depart.
Even though he couldn't fly using the Tianyuan Bead's power, he understood why the Dark Lord and the others were retreating in such haste—more experts were arriving.
The newcomers were two Eight Trigrams Heavenly Masters!
Because he possessed strength comparable to an Eight Trigrams Heavenly Master, and Huangfu Jingwei was forcing Lan Lin into a difficult spot with the “Golden Heaven-Shattering Cone,” the arrival of these newcomers, though imposing, did not immediately grant them absolute superiority.
At this moment, the arrival of two Eight Trigrams Heavenly Masters could tip the scales of victory in this battle!
Seeing that they could not achieve a satisfactory outcome in Xuanyuan Valley and risked heavy losses, the Dark Lord and his forces quickly ordered a retreat.
The experts from the major sects within Xuanyuan Valley had suffered severe casualties in a short time. Seeing the enemy attempting to withdraw from the valley and potentially turn to pursue them, those who had been at a disadvantage suddenly felt their courage surge, realizing the situation favored their side.
The Manichaean Cult and Luoxia Island members, having lost the will to fight and realizing the shift in circumstances, followed their leaders’ command to pull back. With one side surging forward and the other focused only on escape, the experts of the major sects in Xuanyuan Valley managed to secure some gains.
Ji Changkong was among them.
Seven Star Heavenly Realm enemies, upon hearing the command from above, were the first to fly away. Those who remained on the ground were all below the Seven Star Heavenly Realm. Facing Ji Changkong, who was comparable to an Eight Trigrams Heavenly Master, these stragglers met a terrible fate, being struck down by his Heavenly Thunder Force.
In a short time, he easily claimed over a dozen lives.
Seeing a pool of corpses surrounding him and no more enemies in sight, Ji Changkong stopped, choosing not to pursue the fleeing enemies further.
With seven Eight Trigrams Heavenly Masters providing protection, those who escaped were not completely defenseless. Pursuing them too far at this moment would not benefit his own side.
Frowning deeply, he looked up toward Murong Nian, who was speaking with Huangfu Tong. Luo Hongxue’s descent earlier was entirely due to Murong Tu giving way. Ji Changkong had clearly seen the moment Murong Tu did not intervene to stop Luo Hongxue. He understood that Murong Tu’s inaction was intended to allow Luo Hongxue to strike at him.
Although Murong Tu’s action was despicable, since he hadn't personally attacked the Ji Family, Ji Changkong, though deeply vexed, couldn't vent his anger immediately. Still, that suppressed resentment churned in his chest, constantly seeking an opportunity to be released.
The newcomers were Huangfu Tong and Liao Zhenshu. Fearing Murong Tu might cause trouble upon arriving at the Ji Family residence, and seeing that matters on Tianshan would not be resolved quickly, they had conferred with Liu Qing and others. Chen Qisen and Chen Qilin remained at Tianshan, while the two rushed over.
Upon reaching Xuanyuan Valley, they immediately spotted numerous figures hidden in the periphery. The sounds emanating from within the valley instantly alerted them that the situation in Xuanyuan Valley was grim.
Huangfu Tong and Liao Zhenshu showed no mercy to the Manichaean Cult members, beginning a massacre from the outside.
With the addition of two Eight Trigrams Heavenly Masters, Huangfu Tong and Liao Zhenshu, the Dark Lord realized the gravity of the situation and had no choice but to retreat swiftly to avoid unnecessary casualties.
Although Murong Tu was at odds with the Ji Family, his relationship with the Huangfu Family was decent. As soon as Huangfu Tong arrived, Murong Tu’s spirits lifted. Hoping to leverage the Huangfu Family’s power to suppress the Ji Family, he immediately approached Huangfu Tong, intending to whisper suggestions in her ear.
“Enough nonsense, go to Black Rock Cliff!” Li Hentian, high above in the sky, shouted impatiently toward Murong Tu, who was incessantly chattering to Huangfu Tong.
With Zheng Jieshi and the Dark Lord’s group now in full retreat, this was the perfect moment to strike at Black Rock Cliff and secure victory. Li Hentian was fully aware of the unfolding situation and did not wish to waste any more time in Xuanyuan Valley.
Huangfu Tong seemed quite respectful of Li Hentian. Upon hearing him speak, she immediately stopped conversing with Murong Tu and called out loudly, “Those who can fly, gather! Let’s go to Black Rock Cliff together and rescue the people imprisoned on Blood Rain Mountain!”
Huangfu Tong was the former Empress of Shuiyun Nation and held considerable prestige in that country and among the Heavenly Master sects of Shuiyun Nation. When she spoke, the Seven Star Heavenly Masters within Xuanyuan Valley all nodded, and one by one, they soared into the sky.
Ji Changkong looked up, a wry smile on his face. Despite being able to utilize the Tianyuan Bead’s power, he could not fly. Watching the Seven Star Heavenly Masters stand proudly in the void made him somewhat gloomy.
Just then, Mulou God appeared beside him unnoticed. Two bloody claw marks adorned his chest. He respectfully said to Ji Changkong, “Sect Master, shall I send you up?”
“Mm.” Ji Changkong nodded.
“Mulou is an evildoer from the Aoluo Heretic Cult, just like the Manichaean Cult—both are evil sects from the Western Regions. They must not be allowed to remain.” As Mulou spoke, Murong Hui of the Murong Family, high above, seemed to find a target. He pointed at Mulou and aggressively asserted to Huangfu Tong and Liao Zhenshu, “Madam, that person is indeed from the Aoluo Heretic Cult. He is not one of our Central Plains people, nor is he from Shuiyun Nation. They remain on Blood Rain Mountain with unknown sinister plots.”
Huangfu Jingwei hurriedly nodded in agreement to Huangfu Tong, “Aunt, that person is truly from the Aoluo Heretic Cult. He is not one of our Central Plains people, nor is he from Shuiyun Nation. Whatever their conspiracy is on Blood Rain Mountain.”
Before Huangfu Tong arrived, Murong Hui and Huangfu Jingwei had kept a very low profile. Once she appeared, the two suddenly found their courage bolstered.