Jiu Wuji, accompanying Huangfu Jingwei, was already plotting something deep within Yin Mountain. Upon learning that Nie Yuanshan and Shao Kang had reached the summit, Jiu Wuji and Huangfu Jingwei immediately stepped out to await them in the spacious training grounds of the Jiu family.

Nie Ruolan was restrained, sitting defiantly on a smooth, polished millstone. Her beautiful eyes burned with towering rage, glaring hatefully at the passing members of the Jiu family.

Huangfu Zhu, who had accompanied Huangfu Jingwei, observed Nie Ruolan with keen interest, occasionally tossing out barbed remarks. The young master’s insulting words only fueled Nie Ruolan’s fury, but alas, her body was held fast, temporarily stripping her of the ability to shout; all she could do was express her wrath through her gaze.

As Jiu Wuji and Huangfu Jingwei approached Nie Ruolan, the monstrous anger in her eyes intensified. She fixed Jiu Wuji with a look of such hatred that if that fury could materialize, Jiu Wuji would likely be reduced to nothing more than ash.

Huangfu Jingwei glanced at Nie Ruolan, frowning slightly. "This girl seems to hate you fiercely. If she ever manages to cultivate to a profound realm one day, she’ll probably stop at nothing to cause you trouble."

Jiu Wuji shook his head, giving a strange, dry chuckle, and scoffed, "If she possessed Lingxue’s innate talent, perhaps I’d take her seriously. What a pity…"

"That is true," Huangfu Jingwei conceded with relief, nodding with a smile. "Without exceptional talent, even the deepest hatred can never be fully expressed. Heh heh, in fact, hatred might just plant the seeds of your own demise."

Jiu Wuji maintained his jovial demeanor, but the look he cast toward Nie Ruolan held a sliver of sinister calculation. "Your Highness, although this girl is stubborn beyond measure, she is undeniably attractive. Her fiery temperament sets her apart from ordinary women. What do you think?"

A spark ignited in Huangfu Jingwei’s mind, and his smile suddenly turned suggestive, nodding with profound meaning. "Indeed, she possesses a unique flavor. Once Nie Yuanshan yields the City Lord position, his standing within the Nie family will plummet. At that point…" "Everything rests upon your decision, Your Highness," Jiu Wuji agreed with a low chuckle. Nie Ruolan's hatred deepened.

Heavy footsteps sounded softly, the wearer deliberately making each step weigh ten thousand jun. Whether this was dictated by his state of mind or held some hidden intent, Jiu Wuji and Huangfu Jingwei ceased their conversation, their gazes turning toward the imposing figure of Nie Yuanshan.

"Pardon the intrusion during the City Lord’s busy schedule, I truly apologize…" Jiu Wuji stepped forward with an air of false embarrassment. "However, Ruolan’s disobedience has grown too excessive. Only the City Lord can make her compliant, so we were forced to trouble you to come here. I hope the City Lord can understand."

"What is going on?" Nie Yuanshan’s face darkened. He glanced at his daughter, still completely subdued. His expression grew even uglier. Suppressing the rage in his heart, Nie Yuanshan sternly continued, "My daughter may have a willful temper, but she is still young. Using your Yuan Power to restrain her body—isn't that going too far?"

A Master of the profound Heavenly Master realm using his power to subdue a low-level Heavenly Master—if his Yuan Power slipped even slightly, it could inflict irreversible damage on the other’s body. Nie Yuanshan knew at a glance that there was a binding force within his daughter that did not belong to her. Had the circumstances not been so dire, given his usual disposition, he might have attacked instantly.

"City Lord, it is not that we have gone too far; it is simply that Ruolan has been excessively presumptuous," Jiu Wuji replied with a strained smile. "Her injuring a few of our Jiu family’s less-than-competent boys might have been overlooked, but she cursed and even tried to strike the Young Prince! Given the Young Prince’s noble status, we were left with no choice but to resort to this measure. We implore the City Lord’s understanding." "This girl has a terrible temper; she even dared to curse me and tried to touch me…" Huangfu Zhu chimed in knowingly.

Taking a deep breath, Nie Yuanshan walked slowly toward Nie Ruolan, intending to first lift the restraints on her body.

Huangfu Zhu, standing right next to Nie Ruolan, suddenly stepped forward to block Nie Yuanshan as he approached. "Slow down. If you remove the restraints on her, what if she goes berserk again?" "Young Prince, she is my daughter. I know how to make her listen!" Nie Yuanshan snapped through gritted teeth, commanding heavily, "Zhu'er, move aside." Huangfu Jingwei gave a lazy instruction, a hint of veiled mockery playing on his lips, seemingly eager to watch how Nie Yuanshan would manage to undo the bonds on his daughter. Huangfu Zhu obediently stepped aside, also wearing a strange smile, ready to watch the spectacle.

Nie Yuanshan reached Nie Ruolan, extending his large right hand to rest lightly on her shoulder. He secretly channeled his Yuan Power; a sudden flash of Starlight erupted and surged into Nie Ruolan’s body.

Nie Yuanshan’s power only swept through Nie Ruolan once before his face turned incredibly grim. He glared at Huangfu Jingwei and demanded in a low voice, "The Huangfu family’s Yuan Qi Lock! Ruolan has no feud with your Huangfu family, yet you use the very restraint reserved for major criminals against her!?" "Can you undo it?" Huangfu Zhu asked with a strange laugh.

"No choice. Your daughter was too presumptuous; don't blame me for being ruthless," Huangfu Jingwei smiled nonchalantly, showing no guilt or sense of having done wrong. As a member of the Huangfu family, he held little regard for Nie Yuanshan.

Nie Yuanshan’s face was contorted in rage, struggling with the impulse to fight Huangfu Jingwei regardless of the consequences. However, his daughter was still bound by the Yuan Qi Lock; if he acted now, he would inevitably harm Nie Ruolan.

His imposing frame trembled for a moment, and Nie Yuanshan fiercely suppressed the fury overwhelming him. His tiger eyes reddened slightly. "Then, would Your Highness mind removing the Yuan Qi Lock from my daughter?" "Your daughter shouted abuse at my son. As her father, you owe him an apology," the prince said without haste or urgency.

"Could Your Highness perhaps remove the restraints from my daughter first, so I can ascertain the situation before discussing apologies?" Nie Yuanshan had never suffered such a profound insult. He teetered constantly on the brink of explosion. If the Yuan Qi Lock on Nie Ruolan were not held by others, Nie Yuanshan might have abandoned his title as City Lord long ago to fight. Huangfu Jingwei shook his head.

"You!" Nie Yuanshan pointed at him, breathing heavily. After a moment, he spoke through clenched teeth, "My daughter is willful; it is my failure in instruction. I apologize to all of you. Upon returning, I will discipline her strictly. I trust Your Highness will be magnanimous and not hold it against her." Silently, tears welled in Nie Ruolan's beautiful eyes.

"If you cannot even manage your own daughter, how can you govern an entire city?" Huangfu Jingwei’s expression hardened, his demeanor arrogant. "I think we don't need to wait four days. You can hand over the City Lord position right now." Jiu Wuji’s eyes suddenly brightened.

"Fine!" Nie Yuanshan roared, nodding repeatedly in sorrow and indignation. "Don't you just want me to abdicate? I will leave the City Lord’s residence immediately upon returning. I will ensure all official documents are handled properly and leave Qingyan City to someone more capable." Nie Yuanshan shot a resentful glance at Jiu Wuji.

Jiu Wuji burst into laughter and quickly persuaded the prince. "Your Highness, Brother Nie keeps his word; his oaths are always binding."

Up until this moment, Jiu Wuji had referred to Nie Yuanshan as "City Lord." Yet, the instant Nie Yuanshan declared his intention to relinquish the City Lord position, Jiu Wuji immediately switched his address to "Brother Nie."

"That is excellent, hehe. Nie Yuanshan, you are voluntarily resigning your post as City Lord. You should know how to draft the official decree," Huangfu Jingwei’s smile grew deeper.

"The decree will certainly not mention Your Highness’s name. At this moment, this has nothing to do with anyone else; it is purely my belief that my abilities are inadequate to continue serving as the City Lord of Qingyan City," Nie Yuanshan said bitterly.

Nie Yuanshan knew better than anyone that Huangfu Jingwei and his group had gone to such lengths precisely to force him to step down voluntarily. Although Huangfu Jingwei was a Prince of the Shuiyun Kingdom, he lacked the authority to change a city’s leadership. Huangfu Jingwei wished to avoid escalating the situation, lest the Huangfu family reprimand him, which was why he employed this strategy. "That’s more like it…" Huangfu Jingwei laughed heartily and slowly walked toward Nie Ruolan, now intending to release the Yuan Qi Lock binding her.

Shao Kang sighed inwardly, knowing that with Huangfu Jingwei and Jiu Wuji’s maneuvering, Nie Yuanshan would inevitably step down. Once stripped of the City Lord title, Nie Yuanshan would be no match for the Jiu family within Qingyan City; only flight remained an option. "What a dramatic turn of events."

An ill-timed voice suddenly echoed in everyone’s ears. Ji Changkong, chewing idly on a blade of grass, appeared silently and strangely right behind Huangfu Zhu.

The faces of Huangfu Jingwei and Huangfu Zhu instantly paled. Huangfu Zhu recoiled from Ji Changkong as if seeing a ghost, clearly terrified of a sneak attack from behind, crying out, "Why are you here?"

"Changkong, this is none of your business. Return to the City Lord's residence first, and we can talk later," Nie Yuanshan's face also changed. He worried this matter would implicate Ji Changkong and addressed Huangfu Jingwei preemptively. "He has nothing to do with this. Don't trouble him." Huangfu Jingwei’s expression immediately turned grim as he stared at Ji Changkong without speaking.

Nie Yuanshan’s heart sank. He quickly pleaded, "He merely passed by here accidentally; he is truly an unrelated party. I have agreed to all your terms; what more do you want?"

Huangfu Jingwei remained silent, seemingly oblivious to the chattering Nie Yuanshan, focusing his somber gaze solely on Ji Changkong.

"Such arrogance!" Ji Changkong smiled faintly, looking at Huangfu Jingwei, then at the shifty-eyed Huangfu Zhu, and spoke with a strange cadence. "Members of the Huangfu family actually dare to abduct someone in our Qingyan City!" "Changkong, silence!" Nie Yuanshan grew frantic, afraid Ji Changkong’s offense would bring calamity upon the entire Ji family. Ji Changkong merely smiled calmly, meeting Huangfu Jingwei’s gaze with ease.

"What do you want?" Huangfu Jingwei asked, his face sullen and displeased.

Glancing sideways at the oddly behaving Jiu Wuji, Ji Changkong mocked, "You think you can become the City Lord of Qingyan City based on that? Ridiculous!" "Ji Changkong, this doesn't concern you!" Jiu Wuji, having learned bits and pieces about the events on Blood Rain Mountain through Huangfu Jingwei, dared not rashly antagonize Ji Changkong. "The Ji family and your Jiu family have always been at odds…" Ji Changkong walked toward Jiu Wuji step by step, his expression suddenly serious. "Today, on behalf of the Ji family, I challenge you!" "Insolent!" Jiu Wuji could no longer remain calm, shouting, "If a fight must happen, your grandfather should step forward! You are not qualified!"

"Qualification isn't for you to decide. Try me, and you’ll know if I’m qualified," Ji Changkong replied with a casual smile, showing no anger. "You are the elder; it is proper for me to make the first move, right? Heh heh, then I shall not be polite!"

Five-colored light descended from the void. Within the brilliant curtain of light, a soul-bewitching force leaked out, causing not only Jiu Wuji but also the nearby Huangfu Jingwei and Nie Yuanshan to feel their spirits stir restlessly, slightly beyond control.

Shao Kang, who had kept his head slightly lowered, suddenly saw his eyes brighten intensely. He looked at Ji Changkong in disbelief. In his eyes, Ji Changkong now appeared somewhat unfamiliar, so strange that one might believe the person standing before him had transformed into someone else entirely.

Nie Yuanshan was also filled with astonishment. As a Seven-star Heavenly Master, he keenly recognized the terrifying power latent within that five-colored halo—a power capable of gravely wounding him. Heavens! Since when did he possess such terrifying strength! Nie Yuanshan exclaimed inwardly.

The memory of that frail but incredibly determined youth climbing Qingyan Mountain felt like yesterday. In the blink of an eye, the youth devoid of any power had transformed into someone who made even him tremble. This vast disparity was difficult for Nie Yuanshan to process instantly.

Jiu Wuji’s expression changed drastically. He finally realized that the current Ji Changkong was no longer the same frail youth from the foot of Qingyan Mountain.

Jiu Wuji became grim, treating the situation as a great enemy. A wave of icy, chilling wind rose behind him, and within that wind, countless silver needles, too fine to be seen by the naked eye, shot toward Ji Changkong like blood-sucking mosquitoes.

"Changkong!" Nie Yuanshan cried out involuntarily. He hadn't expected that in the span of a few words, Ji Changkong would strike so recklessly. Nie Yuanshan recognized the fine silver needles within Jiu Wuji's dense, chilling wind. He knew those needles were divine weapons cultivated using Jiu Wuji’s life essence, forged from the Yin energy of Yin Mountain, combined with various cold, sinister metals and refined with Yin blood. They were not only extremely effective against defensive energies but could also silently wound the soul—utterly malevolent. Even if Nie Yuanshan were fighting Jiu Wuji, upon seeing these life-bound needles unleashed, he would have to evade their sharpness, which was why he urgently issued his warning.

"No matter," facing the threat of Jiu Wuji's silver needles raining down, Ji Changkong still had the leisure to turn back and smile at Nie Yuanshan.

Fist-sized cyan heavenly lightning bolts spontaneously condensed beside him. Fine, interlaced strands of lightning flowed within the cyan bolts, spinning around him rhythmically. Boom, boom, boom!

As soon as Jiu Wuji's incoming silver needles drew near, those cyan heavenly bolts suddenly exploded. A fierce storm of thunder, laced with electrical sparks, formed a tangible Thunder Field around him, the booming sound continuous as the field expanded outward from Ji Changkong.

The dense swarm of fine silver needles was instantly vaporized into silver dust by the thunderous explosion, becoming invisible to the naked eye. In just a moment, Jiu Wuji spat blood, his eyes filled with terror.

Huangfu Jingwei suddenly stepped forward, attempting to assist Jiu Wuji in jointly handling the threat of Ji Changkong’s heavenly thunder.

"Huangfu Jingwei, this is a private matter between my Ji family and the Jiu family. You had better not interfere!" Ji Changkong shot Huangfu Jingwei a cold glance, openly issuing a threat. "Have you forgotten about the Xuanyuan Valley incident? You don't have so many Seven-star Heavenly Masters from the Huangfu family accompanying you today. Even bringing that spike from the Huangfu family along, it wouldn't be too difficult for me to kill you!" Huangfu Jingwei, who was just about to strike, immediately stopped.

"That's right. The Huangfu family is not entirely dictated by you. I imagine Huangfu Tong won't risk offending our Ji family because of you, especially since this entire affair was your personal decision. If this truly escalates, you are very likely to face severe punishment from her," Ji Changkong smiled and nodded, adopting the demeanor of someone instructing obedience.

Nie Yuanshan and Shao Kang exchanged baffled glances, unable to comprehend why Huangfu Jingwei, a Prince of the Shuiyun Kingdom and a direct expert of the Huangfu family, would hesitate over a few words from Ji Changkong, seeming almost fearful of him.

Nie Ruolan, whose eyes had been filled with tears, now saw them replaced by starlight as she stared unblinkingly at Ji Changkong, her heart surging with emotion. "Your Highness!" Jiu Wuji roared. Although the initial exchange had just begun, Jiu Wuji already knew he might not be a match for Ji Changkong, so he urgently called for rescue.

"I am not fully aware of the origins of the long-standing disputes between the Jiu and Ji families, but let us settle them today," Ji Changkong sighed softly.

The five-colored light circle abruptly shrank, enveloping Jiu Wuji entirely. Simultaneously, Ji Changkong ghosted into the light circle. The sound of surging water and the roar of thunder appeared together. Before anyone could clearly see what was happening, Jiu Wuji let out a sharp cry as his body violently exploded, flesh and blood scattering everywhere. "Father!" Jiu Wuji's son screamed from afar and charged over recklessly.

Frowning slightly, Ji Changkong casually summoned a cyan heavenly bolt the size of a head. The bolt merged into the son’s chest, and another explosion erupted from within him. Like his father, the young man was instantly reduced to bloody pulp.

"The Jiu family cultivates using the Yin Qi of the dead from Yin Mountain—they are demonic heretics among Heavenly Masters and should not exist in this world." Ji Changkong roamed the area with palpable disgust. Anyone from the Jiu family who relied on the Yin Qi of Yin Mountain received a cyan heavenly bolt from him. In a short while, over a dozen more sounds of flesh exploding echoed.

Huangfu Jingwei and Huangfu Zhu stared at his frenzied actions with looks of utter horror, as if regarding a monster.

Nie Yuanshan and Shao Kang were also dumbfounded, staring blankly as he seemed determined to eradicate the Jiu family entirely. Watching him slaughter with such detached indifference, their minds struggled to process the scene. Was this truly the sunny youth they had known a few years ago—humble and physically weak?

Only Nie Ruolan, still bound by the Yuan Qi Lock, had eyes full of sheer satisfaction. Ji Changkong's violent actions perfectly aligned with the revenge she had longed for but could never enact.