"Lad, how about we strike a deal?" Han Feng proposed, his voice measured as he considered the situation under the sharp gazes of Xiao Poshhan and Xiao Xing. "You hand over the chilling energy you obtained from the Ice Cave to me, and in return, I will pledge my allegiance to your Ji family, just like my utterly useless son—serving the Ji family wholeheartedly. What do you say? Is this acceptable?"

"That chill energy in your hands isn't being utilized to its full potential anyway. If you give it to me, you secure the fealty of a Bagua Celestial Master. For both you and the Ji family, this should be the most profitable bargain, don't you think? Boy, miss this opportunity, and you’ll never have another chance to bring a Bagua Celestial Master into your fold."

To secure the frigid energy held by Ji Changkong, Han Feng exhausted every persuasive word he possessed.

"I apologize, I cannot agree," Ji Changkong replied, spreading his hands with an air of helplessness. "I barely understand how to utilize the chilling energy I got from the Ice Cave, much less how to transfer it to you. Furthermore, I'm uncertain if giving away this energy, which appeared out of nowhere, might affect my sight."

"It’s simple enough. Just direct the chill energy in your pupils toward me, and I have methods to absorb it all. That energy never truly belonged to you, and once it leaves your eyes, it absolutely won't cause you any harm—you can rest assured on that point. I have cultivated the Ice Profound Art for many years; I am quite familiar with what our ancestors left behind," Han Feng urged quickly.

"Han Feng, will something obtained so effortlessly truly benefit you that much?" Xiao Poshhan scoffed. "Every shred of power the Ancestor of the Ice Cave possessed was earned through arduous, painstaking cultivation. Only through such effort does one earn the right to reach the Nine Palaces Celestial realm. If you seek a breakthrough through unearned means, your state of mind will be inferior, which could very well halt your advancement forever!"

"Indeed. Looking at all the peak masters who have reached the Nine Palaces Celestial realm, which one relied on external forces to reach the extreme? Old Han, I suggest you be more practical; don't lose sight of the greater picture over a small gain." Xiao Xing also rushed to persuade him, his words coming straight from the heart.

"In my Ji family, we already have three masters who have reached the Eighth Level of the Bagua Celestial realm... We don't lack one more," Ji Changkong chuckled, shrugging to indicate he didn't hold Han Feng in high regard.

Whether it was Ji Changkong’s remark that took effect, or the persuasion of Xiao Poshhan and Xiao Xing that struck a chord, Han Feng suddenly fell silent, his face dark as he pondered.

After a long pause, Han Feng nodded, his expression returning to its cold indifference. "Forget it. Destiny is predetermined. The fact that you obtained that chill energy might be the will of my Han family ancestors. If I insist on forcing the matter, I would be defying Heaven's will."

"Thinking that way... couldn't be better," Ji Changkong smiled freely.

He gave Ji Changkong a deep look, nodded once more, but said nothing further. Turning, he flew towards the clear lake in front of the Xiao family grounds and slowly sank beneath the surface, appearing to have lost all interest in the Xiao family and Ji Changkong.

"Changkong, Old Han has a rather eccentric temperament; don't let it bother you. While he is perhaps... perhaps a bit too pragmatic, he is an honest man. He has diligently cultivated with our Xiao family all these years and has helped us considerably. If one day you manage to reach the ultimate realm, don't seek trouble with him..." Xiao Xing mumbled, looking slightly embarrassed.

"Uncle Xiao worries too much. Even for the sake of Han Hai, your elder brother, I wouldn't make things difficult for him," Ji Changkong said with a quiet laugh. "Uncle Xiao, if you receive any news about my father, please inform me." Knowing that Xiao Xing and the others had matters to discuss, he didn't linger, turning instead and entering the stone building Xiao Xing had arranged for him.

In the Great Hall of the Xiao Family.

"Uncle Shan, what is your assessment of Changkong?" Xiao Xing asked respectfully, stepping aside to gesture for Xiao Poshhan to take the main seat of the Xiao family patriarch.

Xiao Poshhan paused, not answering Xiao Xing’s question immediately. Instead, he let out a soft sigh. "The Xiao family has walked on thin ice for so many years, diligently accumulating a bit of strength. We absolutely cannot let it be destroyed in our hands. The Chu family, the Yu Chi family, the Upper Purity Sect, and the Non-Action Sect—the four great powers of the Great Chu Kingdom are all eyeing us. Although we forced them to retreat temporarily this time, there’s no guarantee they won't return. If they do, handling them won't be as easy as before..."

Pausing here, Xiao Poshhan glanced at Xiao Xing, then turned to Xiao Shu. "Shu, you’ve been to the Ji family. Do you think the Ji family has any chance of rising again?"

"Nothing can prevent that from happening!" Xiao Shu stated grimly.

A trace of surprise flickered in Xiao Poshhan's eyes, his interest heightening. "Why are you so optimistic about the Ji family?"

"As long as Ji Changkong doesn't die, the Ji family will undoubtedly follow in the footsteps of their ancestors and reach the pinnacle!" Xiao Shu enunciated clearly. He raised his head, meeting Xiao Poshhan’s gaze without fear. "Master Shan, based on my understanding of Ji Changkong these past few months, unless the Guiyuan Sect resolves to eliminate him, he is certain to achieve the Nine Palaces Celestial realm! Given his rapid progress, if the Guiyuan Sect wants to destroy him, they must act immediately. If they delay by another year or two, even for the Guiyuan Sect, eliminating him will become an incredibly difficult task!"

Xiao Poshhan looked stunned.

"In ten years, he will rule the world!" Xiao Shu declared with absolute certainty.

Every member of the Xiao family gasped in shock.

"Excellent! Then let us commit to it!" Xiao Poshhan took a deep breath, a flicker of excitement in his eyes. "Xiao Xing, inform all Xiao family members to pack their bags. If the Chu family won't tolerate us here, then we leave! Within half a month, we will vacate this place. We will select a new cultivation ground near Xuanyuan Valley in the Bloody Rain Mountain. When the Xiao family one day returns to this place, we will cause the Chu Kingdom to change its ruler!"

"What Uncle Shan said is exactly what I intended," Xiao Xing affirmed with resolute determination, having already made this plan.

Instead of being disheartened, all the Xiao family members looked energized.

"Ji Changkong... Changkong, you mustn't disappoint us..." Xiao Poshhan murmured to himself.

Three days later, Ji Changkong, deep in his arduous cultivation, was startled awake by a cough from Xiao Xing. He rose and stepped out of the stone building, smiling toward Xiao Xing. "Uncle Xiao, is something the matter?"

"There is news of your father..." Xiao Xing said, his expression grave, hesitating to continue.

A heavy feeling settled in Ji Changkong's heart, his brow furrowing. "What? Has he... has he passed away?"

"That's not the case," Xiao Xing shook his head, then sighed with a wry smile. "While he hasn't passed, things aren't much better. According to the intelligence gathered by our Xiao family, your father is likely imprisoned within the Guiyuan Sect. Moreover, it seems he has suffered a deviation in his cultivation..."

"Imprisoned in the Guiyuan Sect?" Ji Changkong's voice turned cold and sharp.

"Changkong, you mustn't act rashly!" Xiao Xing quickly cautioned. "The Guiyuan Sect is immensely powerful. Even with the Ji family's growing strength, you are still far from being a match for them. With Cao Xuanqi there, no one in the world can snatch someone from the Guiyuan Sect. Changkong, you are young; if you focus on cultivation, you will eventually reach a level where you can demand your father back from the Guiyuan Sect. But for now, you cannot go there."

The Guiyuan Sect had always been the most dominant sect in the realm. Cao Xuanqi's name was known throughout the world; even the Holy Mother You Lou almost failed to escape his pursuit in her youth. The power of a Nine Palaces Celestial Master was far beyond what he could currently handle.

Taking a deep breath, Ji Changkong's mood grew heavy. "Uncle Xiao, you need not worry. I know my own limits. Without absolute certainty, I would never rashly venture toward the Guiyuan Sect."

"If you think that way, then I am relieved," Xiao Xing nodded.

"Since that is the case, I shall not linger here any longer." Having received news of Ji Haotian, he felt no need to remain with the Xiao family and announced his departure.

"Changkong, our Xiao family will be relocating in a few days. We are planning... planning to settle near your Xuanyuan Valley. What are your thoughts on this arrangement?"

Ji Changkong smiled, his expression filled with genuine pleasure. "That would be for the best. Our families will be close, offering mutual support. I was worried about how your Xiao family would weather this difficulty, especially since the Chu family and those from Yu Chi are not easy to provoke. Uncle Xiao is indeed an extraordinary person to make such a determined decision; Changkong admires that!"

"There's no other choice. The current Xiao family cannot confront them head-on; we can only avoid their sharp edge for now," Xiao Xing said with a wry smile. After a moment, Xiao Xing suddenly added, "Oh, right, Changkong, you have reached the Six Harmonies Celestial realm. At this level, you can begin tempering a divine weapon that belongs solely to you. If you require any materials, please do not hesitate to ask! The accumulations of our Xiao family over these years mean our collection of divine weapon materials is not far behind the Spiritual Treasure Pavilion. Please, do not be polite."

"Thank you, Uncle Xiao. However, I have no immediate plans for that. I will make a trip to the Cloud Dream Great Marsh first, and we can discuss it after I return." Ji Changkong expressed his sincere gratitude.

"The Cloud Dream Great Marsh? What are you going there for?" Xiao Xing asked, surprised.

"There are certain things in the Cloud Dream Great Marsh that seem connected to our Ji family. I intend to see if the Poison Dragon Pool still holds any secrets regarding my Ji family's Xuanyuan lineage."

The Celestial Turtle Wyvern of the Cloud Dream Great Marsh had once retrieved a long saber named Dragon Radiance from the bottom of the Poison Dragon Pool. That saber resonated faintly with his Xuanyuan bloodline. He had felt it when wielding Dragon Radiance back then, but since he didn't know about his unusual bloodline at the time, he hadn't thought much of it. Now that he had reached the Six Harmonies Celestial realm and understood the secret of his bloodline, he sensed a possible connection between the saber named Dragon Radiance and himself. Therefore, he planned to visit the Poison Dragon Pool again to see if he could finally draw the Dragon Radiance saber forth.

"Mmm," Xiao Xing didn't press further, nodding gently.

"After you move to Xuanyuan Valley, go speak with my grandfather and the others. Heh heh, the Ghost Sect also possesses many heavenly materials and earthly treasures from the Grey Darkness Mountain Range, perhaps you can exchange items with them. Once you are settled there, seek out my grandfather and aunt; the Xiao and Ji families should interact often."

"Of course," Xiao Xing replied with a smile.

After chatting with Xiao Xing for a few more moments, Ji Changkong quietly took his leave from the Xiao family.