The Blood Dragon Nine Styles must have been a secret Heavenly Scholar technique specifically cultivated for those with the Xuan Liang bloodline. Most people who obtained the Blood Dragon Nine Styles might not even be able to cultivate it; only someone like him, a so-called Xuanyuan whose blood contained a tyrannical power, could release the inherent strength within his blood through the Blood Dragon Nine Styles.

The experts from the Luo Hong Blood lineage, with their unique methods for controlling the blood of others, might potentially be able to mobilize the Blood Dragon Nine Styles using their own blood if it differed from the norm. It was no wonder he was so fixated on the Xuanyuan blood and the Blood Dragon Nine Styles.

Most Heavenly Scholars, upon reaching the Three Talents Heaven realm, could utilize Yuan Force to generate blood. This meant that even if severely injured and having lost a massive amount of blood, they could recover quickly as long as their Yuan Force reserves were deep enough.

However, blood generated by Yuan Force, once formed, was merely blood—sufficient to maintain normal bodily functions but incapable of forming an additional offensive capability.

He was different. His blood inherently carried an incomparably tyrannical power, a force always hidden within it. Even if his Yuan Force was completely exhausted, he could still rely on the vitality within his blood to strengthen his body and mount a considerable attack.

Previously, he could sense the power within his blood and utilize some of it, albeit minimally. This utilization of blood power could only enhance his physical robustness. In close combat, because the blood bolstered and fortified his body, he often exhibited strength surpassing his actual realm.

But the method he stumbled upon for using his internal blood power only served to strengthen his physical form, and his understanding of his own blood was too shallow; he could only unleash a very small fraction of its potential.

The Blood Dragon Nine Styles, however, were different. By cultivating them, he could maximize the power contained within his blood. Furthermore, the Blood Dragon Nine Styles complemented his Yuan Force, allowing him to integrate the blood's power into his Yuan Force during an attack, forging moves that were both tyrannical and ferocious.

For Ji Changkong, whose blood contained such strange power, the Blood Dragon Nine Styles were practically a bespoke secret technique. In fact, the Blood Dragon Nine Styles were truly created specifically for the Xuanyuan lineage.

At the Xiao family ancestral home, he began to seriously delve into the mysteries of controlling his internal blood power as detailed in the Blood Dragon Nine Styles, and over these past few days, he had indeed gained considerable insight.

To truly cultivate the Blood Dragon Nine Styles, one had to profoundly grasp the secret of its blood control. Only by mastering the power of the blood at will could one practice the nine powerful attack forms recorded within.

Time slipped by quickly. Under Xiao Xing’s cautious and meticulous care, he cultivated for over ten days.

Ten days was merely enough to scratch the surface. At this point, he could only command the blood power in his limbs. It would take more time before he could fully mobilize the blood power throughout his entire body.

"Hah," Ji Changkong slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, opening his eyes with a smile. He glanced at Xiao Xing, noticing the man watching him with intense focus. Ji Changkong stretched his neck, "Thank you for your care these past few days, Uncle Xiao." Xiao Xing’s face broke into a wide grin. "Changkong, you are too polite. Treat the Xiao family as your own home from now on. Also, if cultivating the Blood Dragon Nine Styles requires any special materials, don't hesitate to ask, Changkong. Although the Xiao family doesn't venture out often, we spare no effort in collecting cultivation materials and should be able to assist you in that regard." Shaking his head with a smile, Ji Changkong remained somewhat perplexed by Xiao Xing’s eagerness. Although there were ties between the Ji and Xiao families, those were ancestral connections. After so many years, for Xiao Xing to treat him so openly gave him an almost flattered sense of confusion about his true intentions.

"Uncle Xiao is too kind. Cultivating the Blood Dragon Nine Styles doesn't require any special materials." Slowly flexing his limbs, the reddish hue on his body gradually faded. He walked towards the memorial tablets dedicated to the Xiao ancestors, bowed respectfully, and then smiled at Xiao Xing, "Thank you for your trouble these past few days, Uncle Xiao. I have obtained the Blood Dragon Nine Styles, but achieving full mastery in a short time is unlikely. It makes no difference where I cultivate, so I believe it is time for me to depart." "Changkong, stay a few more days at the Xiao family estate. We have people searching for news of your father; we might have something in a while. If you stay longer, you can get the updates on your father the quickest," Xiao Xing advised.

At these words, Ji Changkong froze for a moment, then nodded numbly, "Very well." However, he did not remain within the Xiao family ancestral home. After agreeing to stay temporarily, he left the ancestral hall, intending to breathe some fresh air in this secluded paradise after being cooped up cultivating the Blood Dragon Nine Styles for a while.

Chu Shanxin had remained at the Xiao family estate, waiting for Xiao Xing to emerge from the ancestral hall. When she suddenly spotted Ji Changkong outside, she was quite surprised. Yet, she did not immediately seek out Xiao Xing to discuss dealing with the Northern Barbarians together. Instead, she feigned nonchalance and approached Ji Changkong.

Under the gaze of the watching Xiao family youths, Chu Shanxin smiled charmingly, her beautiful eyes lingering on Ji Changkong. She spoke first, "Young friend, you possess extraordinary bearing. Where do you hail from?" Although Chu Shanxin was exceptionally beautiful and carried an inherent captivating aura, she was slightly inferior to Ayiguli. Given Ayiguli’s natural allure combined with her charm arts, it was difficult to unsettle him without her going all out; Chu Shanxin was naturally far less capable.

Ji Changkong shot her a glance over his shoulder and smiled casually, "Does where I come from matter?" Chu Shanxin paused, then let out a slightly coquettish laugh, her ample chest trembling softly. The surrounding Xiao youths, whether brazenly or furtively watching her, had their gazes glued to the full curve of her swaying bosom, long forgetting the hardship Xiao Ying had recently inflicted upon her by her.

"It doesn't matter, not at all," Chu Shanxin shook her head, her rounded hips swaying gently as she curiously moved next to Ji Changkong. She pursed her lips into a smile, "I wonder what business brings you to the Xiao family? Hehe, I am very curious about you. Would I be so fortunate as to know your identity?" A faint, almost imperceptible wave of divine soul energy emanated from Chu Shanxin, silently washing over Ji Changkong.

Frowning lightly, Ji Changkong retracted his divine soul and replied coolly, "Big Sister is clearly not a member of the Xiao family. I don't believe I have any obligation to report to you." Chu Shanxin’s soul energy struck Ji Changkong’s mind only to rebound violently, as if hitting a solid wall; no information was obtained.

A flash of astonishment crossed Chu Shanxin’s eyes, but the smile on her lips remained. She gazed deeply at Ji Changkong and nodded, saying nothing more, proceeding directly toward the main hall of the Xiao family.

That stone tower—Zhuang Yan appeared on the windowsill at some unknown time, frowning as she scrutinized Ji Changkong, her expression thoughtful.

Zhuang Yan's gaze fell upon Ji Changkong, who sensed it. He looked up to locate the source of the observation, instantly spotting the cold-faced Zhuang Yan. He offered a polite nod and a smile.

Zhuang Yan’s aged face registered surprise, and she returned a strange smile, though it seemed laced with mockery.

Eight Trigrams Heavenly Scholar! Ji Changkong assessed her true realm with just a glance. He knew Zhuang Yan must be allied with Chu Shanxin. Chu Shanxin was only at the Manifestation Heaven realm, yet this Zhuang Yan possessed the cultivation of an Eight Trigrams Heaven. He wondered what business these two had at the Xiao family estate.

Pondering his questions, he began searching among the Xiao family youths. The dissolute Xiao Ying seemed to sense his need to inquire and actively approached, grinning, "I heard Big Brother mention you. You are Ji Changkong, right? Hehe, although I rarely leave the Xiao estate, I’ve heard of you..." With a friendly smile, Ji Changkong looked in the direction Chu Shanxin had departed and casually asked, "What important business brings them to the Xiao family?" Xiao Ying’s lips curled with disdain. He glanced toward Zhuang Yan, who had slipped into the stone tower, and quietly explained, "Chu Shanxin is from the Chu family of the Great Chu Garden. Despite her young age, she has reached the Manifestation Heaven realm. Because of her outstanding aptitude and formidable capabilities, she is highly favored in the Chu family. She came to our Xiao family seeking assistance; they want us to send experts to help deal with the pressure from the Northern Barbarians. However, our Xiao family is outside the jurisdiction of the Great Chu Garden and is not bound by their demands or those of the Chu family." Xiao Ying summarized the situation simply.

"What is Xiao Shu’s relationship with her?" Ji Changkong hesitated, a slightly odd smile playing on his lips.

Xiao Ying chuckled softly, his voice very low, "My elder brother was once fond of that woman, Chu Shanxin. But she rejected him—she thought my brother was too old, and perhaps felt his cultivation realm wasn't high enough. Heh, it’s been so long, I don’t know if Big Brother has finally given up."

Ji Changkong found it unexpected that a man as cold and unyielding as Xiao Shu would actually take a liking to a woman like Chu Shanxin. He couldn't help but chuckle internally, thinking that in this era, truly anything was possible.

While he was speaking with Xiao Ying, Chu Shanxin, who had proceeded to the Xiao family main hall, returned with a deeply furrowed brow and an unhappy expression.

The perpetual smile on Chu Shanxin’s face vanished completely. As she approached Ji Changkong and Xiao Ying, her gaze swept over Ji Changkong with a strange intensity. She said faintly, "So you are the new generation Xuanyuan of the Ji family." Upon hearing this, Ji Changkong immediately realized that someone from the Xiao family must have revealed his identity. He made no move to hide it, meeting her gaze with a frank smile, "Ji Changkong greets Big Sister Chu." "We will meet again soon," Chu Shanxin stared at him for a moment, then suddenly looked up toward the stone tower and called out, "Let's go." Zhuang Yan silently reappeared, floating down as lightly as air to stand beside Chu Shanxin. The two women then walked straight out together.