There was no name, no maturity yet. Chen Qisen and Chen Qilin, the two brothers, were suddenly dumbfounded, staring at each other with vacant expressions.

After a long while, Chen Qisen finally reacted, murmuring, "You brat, don't tell me... don't tell me you developed an attack secret technique on your own?"

Smiling, Ji Changkong nodded. "That's right! It's just that this secret technique is not mature yet—er—to be precise, it's a bit unstable and needs some time to synchronize. Heh, I think once I resolve a few issues, I'll truly be able to utilize it."

The two were speechless.

Though the world was full of extraordinary people, how many could genuinely create a new secret technique? Those who could were invariably the absolute apex powerhouses of the world.

To create a secret technique and ensure it possessed formidable offensive power was an almost impossible feat. Only a select few with monstrous natural talent possessed this capability!

How old was Ji Changkong? Had his experiences over these years been enough to forge a new Heavenly Master secret technique?

Chen Qisen and Chen Qilin did not want to believe it, yet just moments ago, they had both keenly felt the terrifying power contained within that fluctuation. Moreover, the aura imbued within that power was something neither of them had ever seen nor heard of!

What did this mean? It meant Ji Changkong was not joking!

If Chen Qisen and Chen Qilin had previously pinned the future of the Chen family on Xuanyuan Valley because of the Celestial Ancient Abyss, then after this incident, even without the factor of the Celestial Ancient Abyss, they would spare no effort to bind the Chen family tightly to Xuanyuan Valley!

So young, possessing the Xuanyuan identity, and capable of creating a new secret technique—Ji Changkong's future achievements might well surpass even Cao Xuanqi and Guyya today! If the Chen family maintained a good relationship with Ji Changkong now, one day they might reap the friendship of two Nine Palaces Heavenly Masters!

With this stake placed, the Chen family would enjoy stability for at least several hundred years. No matter how the Shuiyun Kingdom changed, the Chen family’s position in it would remain unshaken! Even if changes occurred, they would be advantageous to the Chen family!

At this moment, Chen Qisen and Chen Qilin finally made up their minds. Not only would they lean towards Xuanyuan Valley in this conflict, but if it truly came down to a critical juncture, they would not hesitate to pit the Chen family's strength against the Huangfu family!

"Changkong, I won't waste words. In this fight between you and the Huangfu family, our Chen family will support you without reservation! Even if you aim to replace the Huangfu family and claim the throne in the Shuiyun Kingdom, we will stand firmly by your side!" With almost no hesitation, Chen Qisen, as the head of the Chen family, suddenly gave Ji Changkong such a guarantee.

Ji Changkong was momentarily stunned, unable to process why Chen Qisen would suddenly utter such words. If not for seeing the determination in Chen Qisen's expression, he might have thought the elder was joking. Previously, Xuanyuan Valley and the Chen family had a tacit agreement: the Chen family was only responsible for providing intelligence on the Huangfu family's movements in Tianshui City and offering financial assistance to Xuanyuan Valley.

Originally, the Chen family had not intended to participate directly in the battle, wishing to conserve their strength as much as possible.

However, Chen Qisen was now proactively offering help at all costs, even suggesting the use of the Chen family's trump cards. This left Ji Changkong feeling unexpectedly flattered and unsure how to react.

"Changkong, with your power, you will inevitably rise above the common masses. I only hope that when that day comes and the Chen family encounters trouble, you will step in to protect us!" Chen Qisen paused, revealing his true intention.

"Rest assured. As long as I, Ji Changkong, draw breath, whatever trouble the Chen family faces, I will not stand idly by!" He suddenly realized why Chen Qisen’s attitude had shifted so drastically; he understood that, without realizing it, he had earned the complete trust of the two Chen brothers.

"I don't know why you insist on coming to Tianshui City, but if you truly run into trouble here, remember to seek refuge with our Chen family! When it comes down to it, we old men will fight to the death with you to carve a path out of Tianshui City!" Chen Qisen declared sternly.

"Thank you." Ji Changkong was genuinely moved this time. He hadn't expected Chen Qisen to possess such fortitude!

His words implied that he was betting the lives of the Chen family sons in Tianshui City on Ji Changkong. If Ji Changkong indeed ran into a severe problem here, he and Chen Qilin would help him at any cost, inevitably leading to a full-blown conflict with the Huangfu family!

If that happened, wouldn't the Huangfu family relentlessly suppress the Chen family? How many young men of the Chen family might die because of him?

Ji Changkong’s mood suddenly grew heavy. He realized that his trip to Tianshui City must not go awry. If not for himself, he had to consider those who supported him. He secretly resolved that if that dire moment arrived, he absolutely would not drag Chen Qisen and Chen Qilin into it.

Chen Qisen and Chen Qilin escorted Ji Changkong out of the secluded cultivation chamber of the Chen family.

When Chen Yirong and Chen Yihui, the two sisters, saw their father and uncle personally accompanying Ji Changkong out, they both looked bewildered. They knew how arrogant Chen Qisen and Chen Qilin usually were; in all these years, the only time they had personally seen them off was when the Heavenly Mountain Ancient Abyss had occasionally passed by the Spirit Treasure Pavilion. They had never accompanied anyone else!

Although the two elders had decided to support the Ji family previously, the sisters knew it was largely due to the Heavenly Mountain Ancient Abyss, based on Ji Changkong’s known connection with Guyan. In their hearts, although Ji Changkong was a Xuanyuan of the Ji family, his current strength was insufficient to alter the battlefield situation; deep down, they didn't believe he could turn the tide single-handedly.

However, their sudden change in attitude now seemed to stem from Ji Changkong himself. This left the sisters full of doubt, wondering what had transpired in the secret chamber to cause these two proud elders to become so suddenly enthusiastic.

"You two, remember to help Changkong well! For the next period, halt all operations at the Spirit Treasure Pavilion and dedicate your full effort to gathering the heavenly materials and earthly treasures Xuanyuan Valley requires! Also, whatever difficulties Xuanyuan Valley faces, if our Chen family can assist, we must do so wholeheartedly. If you encounter issues you cannot handle, report to us. Deploy our Chen family experts to support the Xuanyuan Valley side. If it truly reaches the point of a complete falling out, there’s no need to be polite to the Huangfu family!" Chen Qisen commanded, his face grim, addressing Chen Yihui and Chen Yirong.

At these words, Chen Yirong and Chen Yici stood as if struck dumb.

"Enough, just follow these instructions!" Chen Qisen waved his hand, then forced a smile towards Ji Changkong. "Changkong, remember to act cautiously."

The expressions on Chen Yirong and Chen Yihui’s faces grew even stranger. They knew Chen Qisen was always stern and rarely smiled, maintaining a strictly businesslike demeanor with everyone, seemingly never actively showing affection toward anyone!

Yet today, the two sisters realized that he could actually be warm towards people.

"Thank you for your concern. I will take good care of myself. Heh, I doubt anyone in Tianshui City can take my life. Don't worry," Ji Changkong replied with a smile, then walked outly, meandering conspicuously around the Chen family's Spirit Treasure Hall.

"Finally found you! I thought Island Master Ding had already left, you kept me waiting frantically!" Huangfu Zhu, looking like a ghost, immediately rushed forward upon seeing Ji Changkong emerge, grumbling, "These Chen family members are really something; no matter how I asked, they wouldn't tell me where you were. This is still Huangfu family territory, after all."

The Huangfu family likely sensed the Chen family's change of heart, as even Huangfu Zhu had received word, his speech clearly showing growing dissatisfaction with the Chen family's actions.

"My apologies for making the Little Prince wait," Ji Changkong smiled. "I borrowed a secluded spot from the Chen family these past few days to temper a little trinket. I instructed them not to let anyone disturb me—this can't really be blamed on the Chen family." Changing the subject, Ji Changkong asked with a smile, "Little Prince, do you have news?"

"Of course! With me making the request, there won't be any issue with this espionage mission!" Huangfu Zhu puffed out his chest. "Let's go. I'll take you to the Imperial Palace. My aunt said she would personally grant you an audience."

"The Little Prince certainly has influence," Ji Changkong praised with a half-smile, thinking to himself that even without going through him, he could have found anyone else to speak to, and Huangfu Yue would still have granted him a meeting. The Gossip Heavenly Master realm was a status usually reserved for patriarchs of major families; Huangfu Yue herself was only a Gossip Heavenly Master. Especially at a time when the Huangfu family was in desperate need of capable individuals!

Along the way, Huangfu Zhu repeatedly hinted subtly to Ji Changkong about the extent of his contributions to this matter, hoping Ji Changkong would feel grateful and highlight his importance to Huangfu Yue, thereby elevating his status within the Huangfu family.

Ji Changkong naturally played along, readily agreeing to everything.

As the Little Prince of the Shuiyun Kingdom, Huangfu Zhu naturally possessed certain privileges. He led Ji Changkong directly toward the Imperial Palace, and no guard stopped them along the route, allowing him to bring Ji Changkong deep inside.

Under Huangfu Zhu's escort, Ji Changkong quickly arrived inside the palace. Just as they reached the innermost section, a graceful, scholarly-looking middle-aged man approached, laughing heartily. "Little Prince, you truly managed to invite Island Master Ding here?"

"Prime Minister, allow me to introduce you." Huangfu Zhu smiled proudly, pointing at Ji Changkong to introduce him, then gesturing to the other man. "Island Master Ding, this is the current Prime Minister of our Shuiyun Kingdom."

"A long-awaited honor, truly an honor," Ji Changkong laughed heartily, though a cold glint flickered almost imperceptibly in his eyes.