With hesitation gone, every shred of spiritual power in his soul condensed entirely onto the Tianyuan Pearl, his consciousness snapping inward! The Tianyuan Pearl shot out like a startled hawk, vanishing into his lower abdomen in an instant, dissolving within his body.

As the Tianyuan Pearl entered his core, a sensation of overflowing power immediately surged through him. That lingering aura affecting everyone’s soul vanished the moment the Tianyuan Pearl disappeared.

Taking a deep breath, Ji Changkong suddenly staggered back several steps as torrents of dark azure sword rain descended before his face, kicking up monumental waves in the Dead Water Prison. So close!

Looking up, he instantly spotted Murong Tu, who was enacting a sword art with a raised hand. His attack having failed, Murong Tu’s face was etched with regret, yet he did not press the assault, decisively pulling back.

Huangfu Yue dragged Zhang Yueqin along, sharply barking a command—"Go!"—to Tu Bazi, casting a fierce glare at Ji Changkong before soaring high into the sky. An ice shard materialized in the void.

Crystalline and translucent, it glittered brilliantly, trailing a dazzling, elongated tail light, silently piercing toward Tu Bazi. Slash!

Only at the moment the ice shard sank into Tu Bazi’s spine did a sound emerge. Tu Bazi’s retreating figure froze abruptly, his limbs rapidly sheathed in frost.

The freezing spread across his entire body in a single breath; in just an instant, Tu Bazi became an ice sculpture. His Yuan Force frozen, he could no longer sustain his levitation, plummeting straight down toward the Dead Water Prison below.

Huangfu Yue glanced back, giving the slightest, almost imperceptible shake of her head, then threw all her strength into fleeing. “Hah!” A clear sound echoed through the air.

It wasn't loud, but it struck Huangfu Yue’s chest like a sharp arrow piercing the heart. Her fleeing form abruptly trembled.

Huangfu Yue’s phoenix eyes exploded with a glare of unwilling hatred. Casually tossing Zhang Yueqin’s body aside, she spat out a mouthful of bright crimson blood.

With her complexion momentarily regaining a slight flush, she launched herself back into the sky. The Dragon Blaze Saber streaked through the void like lightning.

From below upwards, it impaled Zhang Yueqin’s body, the hilt connected to her spine, pinning her fiercely against the crumbling stone wall. At that precise moment.

The Ghost Demon King, long bound and imprisoned by the Primordial Poison, writhed violently for a moment before abruptly tearing open a pinhole-sized fissure. Even this tiny gap was enough for the Ghost Demon King; strands of black smoke flashed and darted away, managing to fly out through that needlepoint opening.

“You, what in the blazes are you?” The Ghost Demon King, free from restraint, swelled rapidly upon meeting the air, regaining human form in a breath. A flicker of sheer panic flashed in his extremely icy eyes.

The Primordial Poison twisted and warped, gradually transforming into a palm-sized figure with an indistinct face. The little figure angrily faced the Ghost Demon King and shrieked, “Catch him!

Don't let him escape! This thing is too powerful; even I couldn't kill him!” Gu Ya, who had been preparing to execute the fleeing escapees like Huangfu Yue and Murong Tu, along with Ji Changkong, upon hearing the Primordial Poison’s cry, did not hesitate.

They gathered all their might, turning their attacks toward the Ghost Demon King. “You won’t escape!

Sooner or later, I will devour the souls of all three of you.” The Ghost Demon King’s cold voice gradually faded, and under the gaze of the three, he transformed into wisps of smoke barely visible to the naked eye, swiftly vanishing. As his figure dispersed, all the evil, tyrannical aura suffusing the Dead Water Prison dissipated along with it.

After a moment of stillness, Huangfu Yue, Murong Tu, and the others seized the opportunity to flee the Dead Water Prison without a trace. Gu Ya’s expression was serene; he frowned slightly, and suddenly, numerous figures reflected in his eyes—the images of Murong Tu, Huangfu Yue, and the other escapees flashed one after another within his pupils.

“They won't get far.” Gu Ya looked deeply at Ji Changkong, his eyes filled with profound gratification. “You...

you actually possess such profound strength now.” Looking at the withered yet vigorous old man, Ji Changkong felt a thousand words clogging his chest. He wanted to say something but found himself unable to articulate it.

After stuttering for a moment, he managed to utter just two words. “Maternal Grandfather.” “Good!

Good child! Good child.” Gu Ya nodded repeatedly, his eyes brimming with immense fatherly affection.

Boom! Boom!

Boom! Earth-shattering explosions echoed through the air, interspersed with shouts and shrieks.

“Murong Tu, you cannot escape! Huangfu Yue, as the sovereign of a nation, you dared to conspire against the Heavenly Mountain Sage—you are courting death!” “Changkong!

Changkong! Where are you?” Various sounds erupted outside continuously, including the voices of the Chen Qisen brothers and the anxious calls of Mo Yunyi.

Gu Ya narrowed his eyes, seemingly sensing and perceiving. In just an instant, he understood everything and smiled.

“My child, so you had a contingency plan all along.” “Since they intended to target my grandfather and me, naturally I wouldn't let them off easy. After today, the Shuiyun Kingdom will no longer be ruled by the Huangfu family,” Ji Changkong said with a careless smile.

“The Shuiyun Kingdom was never ruled by the Huangfu family,” Gu Ya replied, raising his chin, his smile enigmatic. Slapping his forehead, Ji Changkong laughed heartily, “Haha, that’s right, the Shuiyun Kingdom was never ruled by the Huangfu family.

Their attempt today against Grandfather was precisely to seize true control.” “Changkong!” Mo Yunyi suddenly appeared, followed by the expressionless Mu Luo. “Granny Mo, I’m fine, don't worry.” With a casual wave, the Dragon Blaze Saber behind Zhang Yueqin suddenly flew out and landed steadily in his palm.

As the Dragon Blaze Saber reappeared, a gray, hazy shadow rose from Zhang Yueqin’s mind; the shadow vaguely resembled Zhang Yueqin. Gu Ya casually snatched it, and the emergent soul of Zhang Yueqin suddenly shattered into pieces, torn completely apart until nothing remained.

A chill ran through Mo Yunyi’s heart, and she retreated several steps involuntarily, looking at Gu Ya with a degree of fear, bowing and murmuring, “Are you… are you the Saint of Gu Ya?” Gu Ya glanced lightly at Mo Yunyi and nodded softly, his tone sincere. “Thank you for looking after Changkong all these years.

I know. Without your help, he would never have reached this height.” “The Saint is too kind,” Mo Yunyi stammered, looking utterly humbled and anxious.

“Changkong is naturally gifted and intelligent, and he is a descendant of the Ji family’s Xuanyuan lineage; even without my guidance, he would still have reached the peak realm.” “In any case, thank you,” Gu Ya did not argue, glancing at Ji Changkong with a smile. “Changkong, will you remain in Xuanyuan Valley from now on, or will you come to Heavenly Mountain?” “Changkong!” Mo Yunyi suddenly grew anxious.

Glancing fearfully at Gu Ya, she hurriedly interjected, “Changkong, you belong to the Ji family’s Xuanyuan lineage; there are responsibilities you cannot evade!” Gu Ya smiled, sparing Mo Yunyi a sidelong glance, and said nothing more. Mo Yunyi felt uneasy, but she braced herself.

“Saint, I know Heavenly Mountain is a place of supreme power in the world, but I believe it would be more beneficial for Changkong’s future development to remain in Xuanyuan Valley. Please… please forgive me!” Waving his hand, Gu Ya dismissed it casually.

“No matter. Let Ji Changkong decide everything for himself.” “Maternal Grandfather, I want to stay in Xuanyuan Valley.

Haha, besides, Xuanyuan Valley is not far from Heavenly Mountain. If I have time, I will visit you often in the future,” Ji Changkong chuckled.

Nodding, Gu Ya did not press the issue, smiling gently. “Good, but remember: if you truly intend to visit Heavenly Mountain often, don't just say it casually, okay?” “I understand.” Ji Changkong nodded obediently.

He thought to himself that Heavenly Mountain was the pinnacle of the world; surely he couldn't return empty-handed after a trip there? As if sensing his intentions, Gu Ya chuckled to himself.

“When you come to Heavenly Mountain, whatever you fancy, just take it and go.” “Great!” Ji Changkong blurted out, then laughed awkwardly. “Actually, I’m not that poor; I was just saying, just saying…” Nodding, Gu Ya smiled warmly.

“Alright. Regarding the matters within the city, discuss the handling with Chen family, Duan family, and the others.

Remember, do not kill the innocent!” “Maternal Grandfather, are you leaving now?” Ji Changkong asked in surprise. “Changkong, I cannot leave Heavenly Mountain for too long,” Gu Ya sighed softly.

“So you must visit me often at Heavenly Mountain; I cannot go chasing you all over the world.” Without asking further, Ji Changkong nodded. “Understood, Grandfather.

I will handle the city affairs properly.” Gu Ya smiled with relief, then glanced toward Mo Yunyi and Mu Luo, saying softly, “This child, I entrust him to your care, everyone.” As the words fell, Gu Ya’s figure gradually blurred, slowly disappearing before everyone’s eyes. Once Gu Ya departed, Mu Luo clearly sighed in relief, his tightly strung nerves instantly relaxing.

He was from the Oro Divine Cult of the Western Regions and had followed Ji Changkong for years. Gu Ya was notoriously ruthless toward outsiders, and Mu Luo had feared that Gu Ya would interrogate him about his origins.

“That fellow, that fellow is terrifyingly strong; you must be careful.” The Primordial Poison swayed in the air, looking deeply shaken. Mentioning the Ghost Demon King, Ji Changkong’s heart sank.

He nodded and sighed, “I didn’t expect the Ghost Demon King to be this formidable now. The Tianyuan Pearl could handle the Ghost Demon King of the past, but this one doesn't even fear the Pearl’s threat anymore, and he even knows how to conceal his true intentions.

It seems his strength has increased, but his intellect has too.” “I’m tired; I need to rest. If you encounter him again, you must be extremely careful.” The Primordial Poison wobbled and suddenly flew toward Ji Changkong, vanishing into his lower abdomen.

“Changkong, just now…” Mo Yunyi frowned, her face full of questions, “What was that little creature?” Mu Luo also looked interested, murmuring, “Master, I have never seen that type of life form. He should… he should not be human, nor is he… a fierce beast, right?” Nodding, Ji Changkong gave a wry smile.

“What exactly he is, even I don't know. But only such a bizarre life form could possibly intercept the Ghost Demon King without being annihilated by his power.” Mo Yunyi and Mu Luo were stunned into silence.

“What about Murong Tu and Huangfu Yue? Did they escape?” Ji Changkong asked.

“Huangfu Yue escaped. Murong Tu and the other assailants were intercepted.

Murong Tu’s body shattered, and his soul managed to slip away, but he is severely wounded; it will take him at least ten years, perhaps eight or nine, before he can cause trouble again,” Mu Luo reported respectfully. “Let’s go.

We’ll clean up the aftermath and, in one concerted effort, uproot the Huangfu family, the Murong family, and those other factions to eliminate their hidden threats,” Ji Changkong stated. (To be continued)