With the mention of the Flowing Cloud Sea Peak, Liao Zhenshu, Huangfu Tong, and Murong Tu all exchanged strange glances at Ji Changkong. Those from the Blood Rain Mountain, led by Huang Xuejiang, seemed to nod in agreement, appearing somewhat convinced by the Flowing Cloud Sea Peak's assertion.

Under the scrutiny of their expectant gazes, Ji Changkong managed a wry smile, shaking his head. "Don't listen to his nonsense. This is the Blood Rain Mountain. As long as he doesn't deliberately seek trouble with us repeatedly, I have no interest in crossing him. People like him just invent convoluted reasons to justify their own excesses; they're completely untrustworthy." Huang Xuejiang and his cohort clearly favored the Flowing Cloud Sea Peak's account, their expressions growing even more peculiar.

Since arriving at the Blood Rain Mountain not long ago, he had already forced the Yao family to retreat, and subsequently, the Black Rock Cliff and the Blood Moon Sect—anyone who became his enemy met a grim end. Based on his conduct and dealings, Huang Xuejiang felt it was only a matter of time before Ji Changkong clashed with the Flowing Cloud Sea Peak, especially since he was the new generation's Xuanyuan of the Ji family.

Given the string of events, the Flowing Cloud Sea Peak's inability to restrain himself seemed, upon reflection, somewhat understandable.

"Ji Changkong, stop playing the saint. When you used insidious methods to drive back the Black Rock Cliff, and relentlessly pursued the Black Rock Cliff and the Blood Moon Sect, when were you ever merciful? A person like you isn't inherently kinder than I am; you are just as ambitious. You are far more dangerous than He Haoran and Baili Da. I had to act sooner, or I fear I might lose even the chance." The Flowing Cloud Sea Peak glared at him resentfully, retorting without mercy.

"Judging a gentleman by the measure of a petty man—there is truly nothing to discuss with someone like you." Ji Changkong shook his head with a bitter smile, offering no defense.

The Flowing Cloud Sea Peak managed to shift the blame onto him with seemingly solid, detailed arguments, and the surrounding crowd looked wholly persuaded, leaving him genuinely speechless.

"Flowing Cloud Sea Peak, what exactly do you want?" Huangfu Tong felt a growing sense of dread. With He Haoran, Bai Li Ke, and the others already imprisoned, one command from the Flowing Cloud Sea Peak might unleash devastation upon the dense forest, leading to the slaughter of all those held captive on the Blood Rain Mountain.

This was not a result Huangfu Tong wished to witness, nor one she could bear the responsibility for.

"What do I want?" The Flowing Cloud Sea Peak suddenly sneered, pointing at Ji Changkong. "You people kill this boy first, and then we can discuss what should be done!" At these words, everyone’s expression changed drastically. Murong Tu, Huangfu Tong, and the others were at a loss, while Huang Xuejiang and his group could only manage wry smiles.

Li Hentian, Gui Rong, Gui Hai, and Mu Luo quietly took up positions beside Ji Changkong. The formidable experts from the Ghost Sect who had followed Gui Mei also gathered around Ji Changkong in a tacit acknowledgment, centering him.

With four Bagua Heavenly Masters, plus several Seven-Star Heavenly Masters from the Ghost Sect, Ji Changkong, bolstered by the power of the Nong Yuan Orb, possessed strength comparable to a Bagua Heavenly Master.

Huangfu Tong, Murong Tu, and even adding Liao Zhenshu, only amounted to three Bagua Heavenly Masters on their side. Setting aside whether they were willing, even if they harbored the intent, attempting to kill the current Ji Changkong would be nothing short of a fool's dream; success was absolutely impossible.

Clearly, Huangfu Tong understood that this was not the time to antagonize Ji Changkong. Her face was exceptionally grim, and she bit her lip slightly. "Flowing Cloud Sea Peak, with your intellect, you must know this is impossible! There's no need to discuss such a foolish proposal. Let's move on to other terms. For instance, how many spirit stones does your Flowing Cloud Sand require, or what spiritual treasures do you desire? We might be able to find a solution for that." "Although our Flowing Cloud Sand isn't as wealthy as your Huangfu family, we certainly don't lack auxiliary materials for cultivation. Things like spirit stones hold no attraction for me." The Flowing Cloud Sea Peak's face was gloomy as he shook his head in refusal.

"Then what on earth do you want?" Huangfu Tong suppressed her rising fury and continued to negotiate with the Flowing Cloud Sea Peak. "The Flowing Cloud Sea Peak might just be stalling for time. Currently, there are only Luo Hongxue and Lan Lin deep in that forest, but if the Dark King, Zheng Jieshi, and the others arrive, I will be in serious trouble." Ji Changkong’s face was grave, clearly worried.

At this moment, Li Hentian, Gui Die, Gui Hai, Mu Luo, and the Ghost Sect experts had gathered tightly around him, so much so that some onlookers couldn't even see his figure.

Peeking out and glancing into the distance, Ji Changkong said, "I will sneak into the depths of that forest to investigate. I will travel underground; with my skill in concealing my aura, it would be extremely difficult for most people to detect me. Zheng Jieshi, who excels at manipulating earth energy, is not there. If the He family and Star Stone Sect experts are being held, they are likely deep underground. Perhaps I can devise a method, or at the very least, I can ascertain the situation there and retreat safely underground to offer them advice." Hearing this, a flicker of pleasure crossed Li Hentian's eyes, and he silently nodded, tacitly agreeing to the suggestion.

"Continue to have Murong Tu and Huangfu Tong stall for time. I will be back shortly. If I manage to rescue those people deep within, I will signal you; otherwise, I will retreat sooner. Gui Mei, Gui Hai, I trouble you to have the Ghost Sect experts move closer, so my presence won't be easily discovered." Ji Changkong requested.

Gui Mei and Gui Hai nodded together, secretly signaling Gui Lao Qi and the others. Being old foxes, the Ghost Sect members knew exactly what to do, and they quickly converged around him.

With this formation, Ji Changkong, nestled at the center of the circle, was completely shielded from any outside observation. To prevent external suspicion, Li Hentian even used a unique profound meaning to weave a vague layer of gray cloud across the sky, ensuring that those flying overhead could not perceive any activity below.

Seeing everything set, Ji Changkong did not hesitate. He once again merged into the deep earth, suppressing his entire presence, and silently began to slip toward the heart of the dense forest.

Deep down, Ji Changkong grew increasingly certain that the Tai Xu Mi Lu (Supreme Void Secret Record) was the most miraculous Heavenly Master technique in existence. Despite being only at the realm of Six Harmony Heaven, he could move undetected under the very noses of some Bagua Heavenly Masters, and deep within the earth, he had no fear of detection.

Besides the Tai Xu Mi Lu, he had never heard of any other technique capable of achieving this.

Drawing upon his previous experience navigating the subterranean depths of the Black Rock Cliff, this time he quickly traversed a significant distance, arriving beneath the core of the dense forest.

To avoid being spied upon by any Bagua Heavenly Masters, he burrowed exceptionally deep into the earth. He dared not release his divine soul to search for the whereabouts of He Haoran and Bai Li Da, instead relying on the most rudimentary method: moving through the deep earth and sensing the subtle shifts in the terrestrial primal energy.

Soon, an area rich in terrestrial primal energy caught his attention.

Without hesitation, he immediately dove toward that location, and within moments, he positioned himself directly beneath it.

Becoming even more cautious, he dared not release even a wisp of his divine soul to sense the activity above. Slowly, he ascended toward the area above him.

A faint glimmer of light suddenly met his eyes. Looking up stealthily, Ji Changkong’s expression abruptly changed.

Within an immensely spacious subterranean stone chamber, experts from the He family and Star Stone Sect were tightly bound by specialized ropes, suspended upright on pillars of earth. Their faces were ashen, their eyes tightly closed, suggesting they were still unconscious.

Above their heads, a series of vertical, long swords hung poised, their sharp edges aimed directly at their foreheads. Beneath these swords rested an enormous stone slab.

The setup implied that the moment someone above forcefully stepped onto the slab, these swords would instantly plunge into the skulls of the captive Blood Rain Mountain experts, ending the lives of these unconscious figures on the spot!

The Flowing Cloud Sea Peak had spoken the truth. With a single command from him outside, not a single one of these Blood Rain Mountain experts inside would survive. It appeared he had not been engaging in empty threats.

Truly ruthless!

Sighing inwardly, Ji Changkong took a deep breath, his mind racing. His gaze darted between the menacing swords plunging downward and the captured experts held fast by ropes. A high-risk idea suddenly sparked in his mind.

He had to cause this section of the earth to sink significantly deeper before Zheng Jieshi returned. Only then could he guarantee that the experts from the Blood Rain Mountain would be safe from the threat of these deadly swords.

However, even though he had intensively cultivated earth primal energy in the Five Elements Heaven, he had not reached the Bagua Heaven realm like Zheng Jieshi, and his mastery over earth energy likely lagged behind.

He had no absolute certainty he could cause the entire area of earth to subside in one go. If he failed and alerted the guardians positioned on those stone slabs, the captured experts of the Blood Rain Mountain might perish.

After only a moment's hesitation, Ji Changkong resolutely decided to take the gamble.

If the situation remained as it was, once Zheng Jieshi, a master of the Bagua Heaven realm, arrived, they would never have another chance to rescue the Blood Rain Mountain experts. Therefore, he had to attempt this immediately, as quickly as possible.

Once the decision was made, all hesitation vanished from Ji Changkong’s heart.

The power of the Tian Yuan Orb in his body instantly surged through every cell of his limbs and bones, and that marvelous sensation of boundless, inexhaustible strength flooded his being once more.

Relaxing his entire body, he continuously recalled the feeling of cultivating the Five Elements earth primal energy. He attempted to align his state of mind, guided by the Tai Xu Mi Lu, with the terrestrial primal energy deep within the earth. Soon, he found that wondrous connection, beginning to immerse himself in feeling and sensing it.

Suddenly, he seemed to achieve a mystical rapport with all the earth primal energy deep underground. He felt as though he heard the gentle greetings of the primal energy, almost sensing their reliance and trust in him.

Subside!

He suddenly cried out internally. This shout was directed at the earth primal energy deep within the ground. After letting out this cry, he didn't know if it would have any effect, but it felt an overwhelming necessity to release it, following the deepest impulse of his heart, he let it burst forth.

A wondrous event immediately unfolded!

I had family matters today and couldn't secure as many updates as I wanted, which is very regrettable and sorry. If possible, everyone, please still give me those support tokens. Next time, next time, I promise to strive with all my might to obtain them!