When Ji Changkong first lacked the power of the Fang Li, he had already heard Mo Yunyi speak of the Xuanyuan legend and the Blood Dragon Nine Forms secret technique. For generations, the Xuanyuan of the Ji family had relied on the Blood Dragon Nine Forms to dominate the world—unrivaled and peerless. The Blood Dragon Nine Forms was a cultivation secret technique tailor-made for the Ji family’s Xuanyuan lineage.

Once a Ji family Xuanyuan mastered the Blood Dragon Nine Forms, their intrinsic power would immediately double!

The Blood Dragon Nine Forms had been passed down through the Ji family for generations. After the previous Xuanyuan vanished, this technique disappeared with him. Mo Yunyi had always obsessed over the Blood Dragon Nine Forms but could not find even a shred of a clue regarding it.

No one anticipated that this secret technique, most perfectly suited for the Ji family Xuanyuan, would instead be in the hands of the Xiao family.

“Changkong, follow me.” Xiao Xing was unsurprised by his shock; he understood the significance of the Blood Dragon Nine Forms to the Ji family Xuanyuan.

Ji Changkong’s heart surged with emotion, but only for a moment before settling. The astonishment in his eyes gradually faded.

While the Blood Dragon Nine Forms was indeed marvelous, the Tai Xu Secret Record hidden in his mind was undoubtedly more precious. If he added the profound principles from the Aoluo Divine Cult, the collection of wondrous scriptures in his mind was considerable. Thinking this way, while obtaining the Blood Dragon Nine Forms was certainly his great fortune, its absence seemed unlikely to impede his future achievements.

This thought naturally diminished his uncontrollable excitement.

However, his demeanor registered with Xiao Xing, prompting a secret admiration. Xiao Xing had expected Ji Changkong to be ecstatic upon learning the Blood Dragon Nine Forms was with the Xiao family, perhaps even urgently demanding every secret of the technique. He had not anticipated that Ji Changkong would show shock, only to calm down so quickly.

Shu’er was correct. To maintain such a steady state of mind at a moment like this proved he was truly a figure of substance! Xiao Xing mused inwardly, raising his estimation of Ji Changkong even further.

Ever since learning that the Ji family Xuanyuan had reappeared, Xiao Xing had intended to place his bets on Ji Changkong. However, if this generation’s Xuanyuan possessed only astonishing strength but lacked commensurate wisdom and composure, Xiao Xing might not feel secure entrusting the Blood Dragon Nine Forms and the future success or failure of the Xiao family into his hands.

Observing Ji Changkong, so young yet utterly unfazed by either favor or slight, Xiao Xing felt secretly reassured, and the smile on his face deepened.

Xiao Xing turned and led Ji Changkong away, heading directly toward the Xiao family ancestral hall. The ancestral hall housed the memorial tablets of the Xiao family ancestors. Since Xiao Qi’ao, the founder of the Xiao family, was also an ancestor of Ji Changkong, Xiao Xing considered Ji Changkong half a member of the Xiao family. Partly to adhere to the wishes of his forebears and partly to build a connection with Ji Changkong, he held nothing back and brought him straight to the ancestral hall.

After Xiao Xing brought Ji Changkong into the ancestral hall, several days passed without either emerging. Near the ancestral hall, several high-level experts of the Xiao family stood guard with wary expressions, barring all outsiders. Even the direct disciples of the Xiao family were strictly forbidden from approaching the area.

As for Chu Shanxin and Zhuang Yan, their purpose in coming to the Xiao family was to extract a promise from Xiao Xing. Unfortunately, he had initially rebuffed them, claiming he was still in seclusion for cultivation. Now that Xiao Xing had finally emerged from seclusion, he had sequestered himself within the ancestral hall. Chu Shanxin and Zhuang Yan sent repeated requests to see him, but they were all turned away by the Xiao family guards.

“Xiao Ying, why has your Family Head confined himself within the ancestral hall?” Outside the Xiao family grounds, near the clear lake, Chu Shanxin gazed with a winning smile at the notoriously fickle Xiao Ying, her tone laced with probing curiosity.

The moment Xiao Ying saw Chu Shanxin approaching, he turned and fled as if he had seen a ghost. Xiao Ying was known as a notorious rake in this area; upon seeing the stunningly charismatic Chu Shanxin, he should have clung to her relentlessly. Yet, something Chu Shanxin had done made him fear her to the point of avoiding her like the plague.

Whether Xiao Ying genuinely feared Chu Shanxin or simply refused to answer her question, he departed with swift decisiveness.

However, since there were many young men of the Xiao family in this vicinity, some still hoped to ingratiate themselves with Chu Shanxin and actively approached her, volunteering whatever scraps of information they knew.

These individuals did not know much, but they revealed one critically important piece of news: Xiao Xing was currently with that mysterious young man.

They did not know who Ji Changkong was, only that upon his arrival at the Xiao residence, Xiao Xing personally greeted him and quickly escorted him to the ancestral hall, where he remained.

These men were not direct descendants of the Xiao family, and their own strength was not particularly profound, disqualifying them from knowing the Xiao family’s deepest secrets. They could only glean fragments of information from hearsay.

“Thank you all for your kind efforts, sirs.” Chu Shanxin’s lips curved into an intoxicating smile. Leaning in close to the collateral Xiao family disciples, her crimson lips moved, breathing out words of thanks like orchid fragrance.

Her mesmerizing almond eyes were full of mirth, and as her gaze lingered upon them, the Xiao disciples flushed beet-red, each vying to shower her with compliments on her unparalleled beauty, exhibiting extreme excitement.

They were aware of Chu Shanxin’s status. They believed that if they could just earn her favor, they could achieve great things both within the Xiao family domain and in the Great Chu Garden, forgetting entirely their own standing.

After thanking them, Chu Shanxin dismissed their praise without a second thought, offering a bright, artificial smile before returning with Zhuang Yan to the stone tower.

The moment they entered the stone tower, the smile vanished from Chu Shanxin’s face. “Who exactly is that person? Why does Xiao Xing value him so highly? Will his presence influence Xiao Xing’s judgment?” Zhuang Yan’s face was grim as she lightly shook her head. After a pause, Zhuang Yan said, “Miss, I took a tour as you instructed and made contact with individuals from the surrounding sects and families. These people… are clearly terrified of our Chu family. Although they usually show reverence for the Xiao family, they are obviously unwilling to share in the Xiao family’s misfortune over this matter.” “Excellent. As long as the surrounding sects and families do not cause me trouble, I will then contact the Qingpai and the Yu Chi family. Once we apply pressure together, if they still refuse to comply, they will either have to leave this place forever, or…” As Chu Shanxin spoke these final words, the coldness in her eyes intensified.

The Xiao Family Ancestral Hall.

Ji Changkong held the Blood Dragon Nine Forms in his hands, his entire body churning with violent blood energy. His face was flushed crimson, and he felt his vital energy surging like ten thousand wild horses raging through his meridians. Beside him, Xiao Xing watched with a solemn and grave expression, utterly astonished by the sight of Ji Changkong, who had been sitting on the ground for days.

This boy had only acquired the Blood Dragon Nine Forms for a few days, yet he could already control the Xuanyuan bloodline within him with such practiced ease. If this were to spread, how world-shaking would it be? Why was this generation’s Xuanyuan so different?

Ji Changkong’s complexion was fire-red, his neck appearing stained with a chilling, blood-like crimson.

Only now did he truly understand that the Blood Dragon Nine Forms was indeed one of the most suitable secret techniques for his cultivation. This technique could govern the Xuanyuan blood within him and unleash its full power.

There were countless Heaven Master secret techniques in the world, but he knew that the Blood Dragon Nine Forms was absolutely the most potent offensive secret technique suited for his path.