That Han Feng turned out to be Han Hai’s father. This news greatly surprised Ji Changkong... For many years, Han Hai had been dutifully residing at the Ji family residence, rarely venturing out. He used to quietly guard the Cold Ice Cave, and after the Ji family relocated to Xuanyuan Valley, he cultivated in the back mountains of Xuanyuan Valley, occasionally chatting with Mo Yunyi.

Within the Ji family, Han Hai only conversed at length with Mo Yunyi and Ji Changkong. Even when dealing with Ji Yusheng and Ji Yuxing, he maintained an air of disinterest. Although Ji Changkong had communicated with Han Hai frequently, he had never once heard him mention Han Feng.

Ji Changkong had assumed that Fu Haibo had no living relatives, never expecting to encounter Han Feng at the Xiao family’s place. The fact that this man was Han Hai’s father genuinely exceeded his expectations.

"It's going quite well. He’s been in Xuanyuan Valley for quite some time recently, haha," Ji Changkong said.

"Xuanyuan Valley?" Han Feng was startled, clearly somewhat surprised. "Hasn't your Ji family always been over by Qingyan Mountain? What happened? Did your family change its cultivation grounds?"

"Yes, the spiritual energy near Qingyan Mountain is too sparse; it’s not a suitable location for a Heavenly Scholar to cultivate. So, our Ji family relocated. We are currently residing temporarily in a valley within Blood Rain Mountain." There was nothing to hide about this, and Ji Changkong frankly relayed the current state of the Ji family.

"Hmph! Not knowing how to utilize resources!" Han Feng shook his head. "The elders of your Ji family truly lack foresight. You were guarding a treasure land yet didn't know how to make use of it. Wasn't the Cold Ice Cave on Qingyan Mountain an excellent place for cultivation? Because of that cave, that rascal Han Hai even disregarded his own father, adamantly claiming it for the Ji family’s use. Who knew you all lacked such vision..." Mentioning the Cold Ice Cave on Qingyan Mountain, Han Feng was clearly indignant, cursing: "The Cold Ice Cave was originally the cultivation grotto of the Old Ancestor Han Bing. Old Ancestor Han Bing is one of our Han family's ancestors. A thousand years ago, he reached the Ninth Palace Heaven Realm. Unfortunately, while soul-wandering in the Great Void, for some unknown reason, his physical body suddenly shattered. His entire cultivation of chilling energy permeated the Cold Ice Cave, forging the cave’s peculiar coldness."

"Although that chilling energy permeated the depths of Qingyan Mountain, even though I cultivate the Ice Profound Art, I cannot gather the cold energies that penetrated deep into the Cold Ice Cave. However, the cold essence infused within the cave causes it to be shrouded in mist year-round. Any cultivator specializing in cold arts who trains diligently there would see miraculous results, achieving twice the outcome with half the effort."

"Even Heavenly Scholars who do not cultivate cold arts, if they can withstand the pain of the cold penetrating their bodies while cultivating inside the Cold Ice Cave, their bones will become incredibly hard, and their meridians exceptionally tough. After that brat Han Hai discovered the Cold Ice Cave, he actually gifted it to your Ji family for use, completely free of charge. Because of this matter, my relationship with him became extremely unpleasant."

Han Feng briefly recounted the situation of the Cold Ice Cave to Ji Changkong. It turned out the Cold Ice Cave was the former cultivation site of Old Ancestor Han Bing, who suffered a deviation of Qi while soul-wandering in the Ninth Palace Heaven, causing his body’s chilling energy to settle above the cave, within the core of Qingyan Mountain, thereby creating the cave's marvel.

After Han Hai found the Cold Ice Cave, instead of keeping it for himself, he gifted it to the Ji family for use. This enraged Fu Feng, and the father and son had a serious falling out over the Cold Ice Cave. However, in the end, Han Feng left, tacitly allowing Han Hai’s decision.

"The Cold Ice Cave. So that’s the story," Ji Changkong nodded silently, a cold stillness descending. He looked at Han Feng and asked, "Um, why did Old Uncle Han become a servant to my Ji family?"

According to Han Feng’s account, Han Hai should not have originally been a servant to the Ji family. His familiarity with them might also stem from the Cold Ice Cave. With Han Feng, a master of the Eighth Palace Heaven Realm, as his father, and Han Hai himself being quite powerful, why would Han Hai willingly remain with the Ji family as a mere servant, especially when the Ji family previously lacked any true experts?

"Has he lost his mind! Even now, I can’t comprehend why he would consent to stay with your Ji family. That’s precisely the reason I’ve always been dissatisfied with him!" Han Feng said coldly, shaking his head. "Although our Han family only consists of the two of us, and although the path of cultivation requires sufficient material support, even if one needed to choose a powerful family to rely upon as a retainer, it shouldn't have been your Ji family."

Hearing this, Ji Changkong could only offer a wry smile. The Ji family had indeed been destitute in the past. Han Hai staying with them provided him with virtually no discernible advantage. It truly was an incredible thing that he chose to stay with the Han family in the first place; no one could figure out his true motive.

"It’s a good thing your Ji family doesn't recognize the profound benefits of the Cold Ice Cave." Han Feng suddenly brightened, though his expression remained stern, his brow was filled with undeniable satisfaction. "Xiao Potian, I shall cultivate in the Cold Ice Cave from now on. While the caves beneath the lake are also suitable for my practice, they lack the intense chilling energy of the Cold Ice Cave. My ancestor's lingering cold energy is still within the depths of Qingyan Mountain. If I can absorb all that energy, my Ice Profound Art might even reach perfection!"

"Fu Feng, what is wrong with being here?! There is cold energy below, and my Xiao family has collected so much cold jade and cold stone suitable for your cultivation over the years—what more do you want!" Xiao Poshan, hearing Han Feng declare his intent to leave, immediately bellowed in agitation.

"My apologies, that place, the Cold Ice Cave, suits me better. I am sorry. Once I manage to absorb the cold energy left by my ancestor within Qingyan Mountain, I will return to the Xiao family then," Han Feng stated.

"..." Han Feng paused. Seeing Xiao Poshan’s face grow increasingly unpleasant, Han Feng hesitated, then added, "How about this: If the Xiao family encounters any trouble during this period, you can send someone to notify me. Given the years the Xiao family spent gathering materials for me, I will still assist the Xiao family."

"You are not allowed to leave! This is the most difficult time the Xiao family has ever faced!" Xiao Poshan roared.

"You, you unreasonable old fool! When I first came to your Xiao family, we had an agreement: as long as I wished to leave, the Xiao family would not complicate matters." Han Feng argued.

"Old Han, can you wait until this matter concludes before departing? Those few families have already left; they might return. If you leave now, we will be in serious trouble." Xiao Xing, seeing the two about to clash, quickly stepped in to mediate. Xiao Xing addressed Han Feng with a more polite tone that was easy on the ears.

Han Feng huffed, his face stern, pondered for a moment, and then finally nodded in agreement.

"You don't actually need to leave the Xiao family at this moment," Ji Changkong interjected with a light chuckle. "Even if you return to the Cold Ice Cave now, it won't do you any good. You might as well stay here and cultivate properly."

"Boy, what do you mean by that?" Han Feng was somewhat confused.

"Because the chilling energy in that Cold Ice Cave is gone."

"What?" Han Feng’s face turned ashen with shock. He immediately shook his head repeatedly, exclaiming: "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! The cold energy in the Cold Ice Cave originates from the depths of Qingyan Mountain. Unless one is a master of cold arts, one cannot even sense the source of that energy. That energy couldn't possibly dissipate after thousands of years, and only those who cultivate cold arts can absorb it. What you are saying is fundamentally impossible!"

"Nothing is impossible," Ji Changkong smiled faintly. "That chilling energy from the Cold Ice Cave... it seems, it seems I absorbed it."

As soon as these words left his mouth, not only Han Feng but also Xiao Poshan and Xiao Xing were stunned, staring at him in astonishment.

Under the gaze of Han Feng, Xiao Poshan, and the others, Ji Changkong’s pupils slowly shifted to silver. Two beams of bone-chilling light shot out from his pupils, their focus landing on the lake Han Feng had revealed. The small lake instantly froze under the illumination of the severe, cold, silver light.

In just an instant, the lake water solidified into a thick, hard sheet of ice, emitting a spectral chill, and the temperature throughout the entire Xiao residence dropped sharply. Some of the weaker Xiao family youths even began to tremble involuntarily.

Han Feng suddenly froze entirely. The pupils of his eyes contracted, staring fixedly at Ji Changkong, his face etched with uncontrollable excitement and fervor. His hands clenched tightly, his body trembled slightly, and even his breathing suddenly grew heavy.

"Boy, this is what my Han family's Old Ancestor left behind. This rightfully belongs to our Han family. Give it back to me!" Han Feng ground out each word.

Having revealed this secret concerning the Cold Ice Cave, Ji Changkong knew he might face this situation. However, due to the relationship between Han Feng and Han Hai, he had not concealed the truth.

Seeing Han Feng truly consumed by greed for the cold energy left by Old Ancestor Han Bing, Ji Changkong remained unfazed, merely smiling and shaking his head: "This chilling energy originates from Qingyan Mountain, and I obtained it unintentionally. Even if it was your Han family ancestor's possession, now that it has become a part of my eyes, I will not give it to you. I apologize." "Xiao Poshan, Xiao Xing, you two lend me a hand. As long as we can extract the cold energy from this boy's eyes, I will remain in your Xiao family permanently. How about it?" Although Han Feng had just been at the bottom of the lake, he was aware that Ji Changkong possessed strength comparable to an Eighth Palace Heavenly Scholar. He was not confident he could capture Ji Changkong alone, hence this desperate tactic.

Xiao Poshan and Xiao Xing both shook their heads.

"Why?" Han Feng looked at Xiao Poshan. "I’ve been in your Xiao family for so many years; you should know my temperament. If you show me kindness, I will certainly repay it. If you help me obtain the cold energy from this brat, no matter what trouble your Xiao family faces in the future, I will offer my full assistance. What do you say?"

Xiao Poshan still shook his head, his expression full of impatience, and roared: "Han Feng, have you gone senile?! You are not even as clear-headed as your son! How old is Ji Changkong? He is currently in the Middle Stage of the Fourth Heaven Realm, yet he possesses strength comparable to an Eighth Palace Heavenly Scholar. He is also the new generation's Xuanyuan of the Ji family. Do you realize the magnitude of his future achievements?!"

"Han Feng, you cannot deal with him now. If you dare to act, once this feud is established, do you believe that in just a few more years, he will possess the strength to crush you?"

"Old Han, I suggest you refrain from acting rashly. Changkong is practically half of our Xiao family. We absolutely will not stand by and watch you move against him," Xiao Xing also advised with a faint smile. "Honestly, even if the Xiao family does nothing, you won’t be able to hold him! Why provoke such a formidable opponent with limitless potential?"

While Xiao Poshan and Xiao Xing busied themselves persuading the avarice-stricken Han Feng, the person at the center of it, Ji Changkong, wore an expression of amused interest, leisurely observing the three without a trace of fear or unease, clearly showing he did not take Han Feng’s threat seriously.