The Source! Having swallowed that piece of bone, the missing bones and meridians in his body seemed to be instantly replenished.
Although the body was still pocket-sized, it was complete—a sparrow might be small, but it has all the necessary organs.
Now, it had everything it needed, missing no component compared to anyone else. "Small eyes, small nose, small mouth," The facial organs were clearly visible, undeniably so.
There was an absolute similarity to Ji Changkong’s appearance.
Anyone else would have immediately connected him with Ji Changkong.
Even Ji Changkong himself was dumbfounded, staring blankly at the transformed Primal Poison and muttering in confusion, "Little Poison, your appearance is really so much like mine.
Looking at you, I feel like I’m looking in a mirror.
What on earth are you up to?" Ling stood suspended before Ji Changkong’s chest.
The Primal Poison tilted its head back, its face full of disdain. "I only recognize you.
Naturally, after my appearance is fully reformed, I’d use you as a reference point.
What’s so strange about that?" Ji Changkong was silenced. "Um, Young Master Ji, this...
this entity—what exactly is it?" Chen Hongji asked, thoroughly bewildered and brimming with questions.
He had truly seen the Primal Poison emerge from Ji Changkong’s body; he had witnessed its original form; and he had seen the transformation after it devoured that bone.
All of this was completely beyond his comprehension.
To him, even though the bone’s origin was mysterious, the Primal Poison was equally baffling and incomprehensible. "A strange beast capable of assuming human form.
Nothing to be astonished about," Ji Changkong replied, unwilling to reveal the Primal Poison's true identity to Chen Hongji, lest he cause alarm.
This mysterious creature, brought forth by the founding ancestor of the Myriad Poison Sect using esoteric methods, was the very source of ultimate venom.
Its existence posed a threat almost equal to that of the Ghost Demon King.
Letting Chen Hongji know its identity might plunge him into endless anxiety and nightly fear.
Chen Hongji clearly understood that Ji Changkong was brushing him off.
Though his curiosity was killing him, he didn't press further. "Little Poison, that bone—do you know its origin?" "It fell from the Dead Star Domain! What’s there to guess about? Most things that don’t originate in this world descended from the endless Star Domains above.
Honestly, you ask me about everything.
Annoying!" The Primal Poison huffed proudly, head held high. "You little thing, you still dare to put on airs in front of me?" Ji Changkong grumbled, amused and exasperated.
He stuck out his index finger and flicked it sharply against the poison's forehead.
Slap! The Primal Poison was flicked away, tumbling several somersaults in mid-air before finally staggering to a stop, glaring furiously at Ji Changkong. "What? You displeased? You consumed what I provided, you benefited from me, and you still dare to talk back to me!" Ji Changkong huffed back.
The Primal Poison pouted dismissively, "I didn't take your stuff for free.
If I hadn't helped you last time, you’d have been crippled by the Ghost Demon King!" Chen Hongji’s pupils constricted, the fat on his cheeks bunching up in sheer astonishment. "Get back in here! Stop your incessant whining!" Ji Changkong laughed and cursed.
For some reason, looking at the poison’s resemblance to himself, he couldn't bring himself to be too harsh, feeling that treating it too fiercely would be cruelty to himself. "I’m not going in! The Ghost Demon King is almost here.
You’ll need to summon me out soon enough for comings and goings, and I’m not having it!" The Primal Poison looked utterly reluctant.
A sudden chill ran through him.
Ji Changkong glared fiercely at the poison and roared, "What did you just say?" As bizarre entities that shouldn't exist in this world, they shared an uncanny connection.
The Primal Poison’s soul mastery was profound, granting it an innate sense for similarly evil and strange beings—a perception potentially more useful than even Ji Changkong’s keen Divine Soul Glimpse.
Chen Hongji was aghast, nearly jumping out of his skin.
He cried out, "What? The Ghost Demon King is coming? What are we to do? What should we do?" "I can sense it.
He is lurking nearby and should arrive soon," the Primal Poison stated calmly.
His expression instantly changed.
Ji Changkong whipped his head towards Chen Hongji and demanded, "What is the situation with East Heaven Peak? If the Ghost Demon King arrives, who is responsible for defending it?" "The Yi family!" Seeing Ji Changkong’s sudden tension, Chen Hongji immediately realized the Primal Poison might be telling the truth.
He hurried to explain, "For years, the Yi family has been responsible for the defense of East Heaven Peak.
They take a levy from all the cultivators and shops on the peak, and their duty is to protect East Heaven Peak from external forces." "I'm going to the Yi family!" Ji Changkong shot the Primal Poison a resentful glance and roared, "You little thing, go back inside first! You are only permitted out later!" The Primal Poison seemed somewhat afraid of him.
After a bit of grumbling, despite its deep reluctance, it obediently burrowed back into Ji Changkong’s body. "There is a young man outside named Yi Yuan; he is a third-generation member of the Yi family.
I will notify him and have him take you to meet the Yi elders," Chen Hongji, understanding the urgency, promptly opened the door, abandoning further questions about the Primal Poison and the bone. "Grandpa, why are you out so soon? Are the discussions finished?" Chen Bao’er poked her head out, seemingly having been eavesdropping by the door.
When Chen Hongji suddenly pulled the door open, she stumbled, nearly falling over. "Is that young man Yi Yuan still around?" Chen Hongji didn't scold her, urgently inquiring instead. "He’s in the main hall, still complaining loudly.
Saying our Spirit Treasure Pavilion is biased, that jerk!" Chen Bao’er huffed indignantly.
Nodding, Chen Hongji wasted no more words.
He rushed to the main hall at his fastest pace and called out loudly, "Young Master Yi Yuan, I need a word with you!" "See that? See that?" Yi Yuan’s expression lit up as he boasted to the cultivators gathered in the main hall to purchase spirit treasures. "I told you! Given the Yi family's status on East Heaven Peak, we deserve respect.
Heh! Now the owner of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion is seeking me out.
Do you all know how important I am now?" Those who had been wishing he would just shut up kept nodding vigorously, hoping Chen Hongji would quickly usher him away so they could select their treasures in peace. "Ahem," Ji Changkong looked at Chen Hongji and coughed lightly.
Chen Hongji understood; discussing the Ghost Demon King here, with so many people around, would cause the news of the lurking demon to explode, likely sending everyone on East Heaven Peak scattering in panic.
Gathered together, they might have a chance to cooperate against the Ghost Demon King.
Once scattered, they would be picked off one by one until none could escape. "Young Master Yi Yuan, this young master here has quite a connection with your Yi family.
Would you be so kind as to...
introduce him to your elders on behalf of your family?" Chen Hongji, however, dared not speak to Yi Yuan alone.
He knew Yi Yuan was vain and prone to bragging, and his mouth was untrustworthy. "A connection with my Yi family?" Yi Yuan smirked contemptuously, shaking his head. "What do you take our Yi family for? Should every stray kitten or dog that comes to us get an audience with my elders? Wouldn't my grandfather and the others have to stop cultivating just to waste their time meeting random people?" Yi Yuan already disliked Ji Changkong’s looks, and now he had an opportunity to intentionally make things difficult—it was simply his style.
Chen Hongji gave Ji Changkong a helpless, wry look, unsure what to do.
Ji Changkong felt a surge of anger, thinking, I'm trying to help your Yi family out of a tight spot, and what am I getting for talking so much with this brat? Thinking this, Ji Changkong laughed despite his rage. "I might be a stray kitten, but catching you would still be as easy as turning over my hand." Yi Yuan’s face turned icy, and he spat out hatefully, "You little punk think you are Ji Changkong of Xuanyuan Valley? Daring to speak such nonsense!" Ji Changkong, who was just preparing to make a move, suddenly found himself amused and exasperated; he had forgotten to strike.
Chen Hongji and Chen Bao’er, standing nearby, exchanged strange looks.
Chen Bao’er even stuck out her tongue, giggling, "Hey, Yi Yuan, you really have eyes but fail to see Mount Tai! The person before you is the very Ji Changkong you admire! Honestly, where did you grow your eyes?" "He is Ji Changkong?" Yi Yuan pointed at Ji Changkong and burst into laughter. "If he's Ji Changkong, then I'm Cao Xuanqi!" Some of the onlookers secretly nodded, believing Chen Bao’er was just joking with Yi Yuan.
They couldn't fathom this man being the notorious ruthless figure from Xuanyuan Valley.
With every word from Yi Yuan and Chen Bao’er, Ji Changkong was truly left laughing and sighing.
He hadn't expected this Yi Yuan to be one of his admirers—what strange turn of events! "Ji Changkong of Xuanyuan Valley is over two meters tall, broad-shouldered and wide-waisted, with eyes like bronze bells.
Even his breath sounds like thunder," Yi Yuan sneered, looking at Ji Changkong with contempt, mimicking Chen Bao’er by using the exaggerated rumors to mock the real person.
Pfft! Chen Bao’er couldn't contain her giggles, recalling her earlier antics.
While laughing, she added fuel to the fire, looking at Ji Changkong with a slanted eye, jumping and gesturing wildly. "Yes! Legend says Ji Changkong has three eyes, and his nose is as big as an alligator’s!" Damn it! Where did that even come from? Ji Changkong could only smile wryly.
Seeing Chen Bao’er having too much fun and Yi Yuan eagerly contributing to the ridiculous descriptions, Ji Changkong could hold back no longer.
He reached out a large hand, clamped firmly onto Yi Yuan’s shoulder, and lifted him into the air.
He growled menacingly, "I came here to seek revenge on your Yi family! Move! Lead the way for me!" Ji Changkong didn't need Yi Yuan to lead.
With his shout, the scattered cultivators from all corners of the world, who had originally come to watch the fun, all pointed in one direction, shouting excitedly. "The Yi family is over there, not far! Hurry up!" "Yeah, yeah, we're bored anyway! Ha! It’s rare to see someone dare provoke the Yi family.
This will be quite interesting!" "Let me lead the way, young master! Follow me, and I’ll take you to the Yi family!" These people, seeming to relish chaos, or perhaps simply tired of Yi Yuan's arrogance, cheerfully streamed out of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion.
Some pointed the direction for Ji Changkong, while others took the lead straight towards the Yi residence.
Ji Changkong naturally accepted; carrying the flailing Yi Yuan, he strode towards the Yi family.
His procession drew many curious glances, and several people who had been listless joined the crowd, following with smiles.
Chen Bao’er munched on melon seeds, a delighted grin plastered on her face, trailing close behind Ji Changkong and shouting, "Everyone come see! The spoiled young master is being taught a lesson by a ruffian! This is a true clash of titans! If you miss this show, you won't find any better entertainment on East Heaven Peak! Come one, come all, don't miss out!" Chen Hongji shot Chen Bao’er a distant glare.
Since the Spirit Treasure Pavilion required his management, he didn't follow.
Chen Bao’er was unafraid of her stout grandfather.
She continued her excited announcements, drawing an even larger audience to Ji Changkong.
Ji Changkong was speechless, unsure how to address the mischievous Chen Bao’er, so he simply let her have her way. "Little Sister Bao’er, what new show are you putting on?" "Haha, Bao’er is causing trouble again." "Bao’er, Bao’er, I love you, love you to the bone." Many people on East Heaven Peak seemed to recognize the mischievous little girl.
Hearing her calls, they came out laughing.
Several young girls of a similar age, equally fond of stirring up trouble, shouted Chen Bao’er’s name and gathered around her. "Sisters, you’ve come to the right place today! Let me tell you, that guy is infamous! People fear him, and ghosts run from him!" "Bao’er, stop beating around the bush, who exactly is he?" A girl slightly older than Chen Bao’er, dressed in a fiery red training uniform and looking spirited, interrupted her eagerly. "Haha! I’ll tell you! He is the one you all admire—the Young Master of Xuanyuan Valley!" Chen Bao’er declared proudly. "Tch!" The girl in red scoffed, glancing at Ji Changkong. "This kid is so handsome, how could he be that person? Legend says the Young Master of Xuanyuan Valley is more robust than a ferocious beast!" "That's right, that's right, it can't be him.
Ha! But it’s truly satisfying to see that pretty boy Yi Yuan being taught a lesson! Hmph, this pretty boy has been bothering my sister every day recently, making it impossible for me to have fun.
He deserves a beating." The girls gathered with Chen Bao’er were all at an age where they loved mischief.
Together, they formed a unique spectacle on East Heaven Peak, their bright, youthful chatter drowning out other shouts and drawing even more attention.
Under the gaze of the cultivators from all over East Heaven Peak, Ji Changkong, face set, carried Yi Yuan.
He moved seemingly slowly but with great speed, arriving at the Yi family gates. "Young friend, please set my child down.
Whatever the matter, we can discuss it calmly." Yi Qu had already received word and waited at the Yi family gates.
Before Ji Changkong got close, he called out loudly.
Several Yi family members also stood at the entrance, looking oddly at Ji Kong, who held Yi Yuan aloft.
Yi Yuan dangled high in the air, kicking and struggling constantly.
Unfortunately, with only the cultivation base of the Three Talents Heaven Realm, even exerting his full strength, his attacks had no visible effect on Ji Changkong.
To outsiders, his futile efforts looked merely comical.
The onlookers, including Chen Bao’er, grew even more excited when they saw Yi Qu appear, shouting loudly, wishing for a grand battle between Yi Qu and Ji Changkong.
Ji Changkong smiled faintly, sweeping his gaze over Chen Bao’er and the spirited young women, then cast a slightly threatening glance at Chen Bao’er before casually tossing Yi Yuan forward.
Chen Bao’er flinched back, giggling foolishly.
Her dimples reappeared, suggesting she was momentarily afraid Ji Changkong might come after her next.
Once free, Yi Yuan started shouting again, attempting to charge forward, but his father, Yi Qu, grabbed him firmly.
He grunted, "Haven’t you been disgraced enough?" "Father, it was all him! He attacked me first!" Yi Yuan cried out in protest.
Yi Qu’s face was grim. "Get back inside!" Yi Yuan clearly feared his father.
He shot Ji Changkong a resentful look before reluctantly retreating into the Yi residence. "Young friend, what business brings you here that required you to hold my son hostage?" Yi Qu, possessing the cultivation of the Seven Stars Heaven Realm, recognized a certain gravity in Ji Changkong’s aura and demeanor, realizing this action was not taken lightly. "Let’s talk inside," Ji Changkong frowned slightly.
With so many onlookers, releasing the news of the lurking Ghost Demon King could immediately throw East Heaven Peak into chaos.
Yi Qu proved himself astute.
Hearing this, he nodded, bent down, and gestured him in. "Very well, please come in and speak." "Hey! Hey! What's the big secret? Why talk inside? Haven’t we seen enough?" The red-clad girl standing with Chen Bao’er immediately complained loudly, worried the show was ending. "Yeah, yeah! We haven't had our fill! Just settle it outside the door, and we can act as witnesses!" The other girls chimed in, all eager for more drama.
Ji Changkong ignored the clamoring girls, smiling calmly as he strode into the Yi residence.
As soon as Ji Changkong was inside, Yi Qu immediately ordered the gates shut, blocking the view from outside.
Chen Bao’er’s demands to enter were also denied.
The excited crowd eager for entertainment was suddenly cut off, but they were surprisingly patient; instead of dispersing, they clustered outside, chattering incessantly.
The willful young women surrounded Chen Bao’er, pressing her for details about the dispute between Ji Changkong and Yi Yuan. "Bao’er, tell us honestly, are these two fighting over you?" The girl in red asked with a gossipy air. "That scoundrel Yi Yuan has been running to the Spirit Treasure Pavilion every day; everyone knows he’s taken a shine to you recently.
Him getting beaten up must have something to do with you!" "That’s right, that’s right, Sister Bao’er, who is that unfamiliar young man? He dares to stir up trouble with the Yi family for you—he must be a courageous hero! Heh! If you aren't interested in him, why don't you introduce him to me? I think he's quite something!" A slightly older admirer, her face full of longing, sighed, "Two men vying for attention—what an enviable situation! Why don't I ever encounter such happy events?" Chen Bao’er puffed out her pigeon-sized, soft chest proudly. "Of course! These two aren't able to control themselves because of my breathtaking beauty! My appearance—capable of making the moon hide and the fish sink—isn't just for show!" "Go on, go on!" The girl in red laughed and scolded, then asked seriously, "Bao’er, what is that guy’s background? He seemed quite strong; Yi Yuan didn't even put up a fight.
That was shocking!" "Yeah, Bao’er, which family is he from? Could he be a disciple from another major family? A genius like Murong Yan or He Zhizhang?" The admirer asked curiously, sparkling eyes fixed on the scene. "Murong Yan? He Zhizhang?" Chen Bao’er huffed dismissively, tilting her head back. "Are such small fry worth me chasing out here personally?" "Shh!" Chen Bao’er made a furtive gesture, beckoning everyone closer before whispering conspiratorially, "I’ll tell you a secret: he is the true master of Xuanyuan Valley, the new generation's Xuanyuan—Ji Changkong!" "Ha! You're joking again!" "Honestly, stop hiding things!" "Bao’er, if you keep this up, we won't hang out with you anymore!" The young women complained, scolded, or threatened playfully. "Ji Changkong! You bastard, why are you at our house!" Just then, a startled shriek echoed from inside the Yi family gates.
The group of young women who had just been teasing Chen Bao’er froze, their faces slack with shock.
Inside the Yi residence.
Yi Jia had rushed over after hearing the commotion, intending to see who dared cause trouble.
Her eyes landed immediately on Ji Changkong, standing there composedly.
Yi Jia and her sister Yi Rou had a prolonged history of conflict with Ji Changkong, and seeing him suddenly appear caused them to shriek uncontrollably. "Ah!!" Yi Yuan let out a sound like a tortured pig, pointing and gesturing incoherently at Ji Changkong in disbelief. "You...
you...
you are...
you are him? How—how is that possible? What—what is going on?" The Yi family members who had been preparing for a fight were also stunned into silence. "Young Master Ji, what performance is this?" Yi Qu asked with a wry smile.
The name Xuanyuan Valley was now known throughout the world.
After it had overthrown the Huangfu family, and even repelled the Ghost Demon King, who would dare look down upon Xuanyuan Valley? As its most dazzling figure, Ji Changkong commanded immediate respect from any family he visited.
The Yi family was certainly no exception.
I had no choice but to resort to this measure, Uncle Yi; I hope you can forgive my presumption! Ji Changkong bowed deeply, then turned to Yi Yuan with a smile, saying, “Brother Yi, I only did this because you doubted my true identity.
My apologies!” “No, no, it’s fine, to be captured by you is, is my honor,” Yi Yuan stammered in astonishment.
He quickly recovered, a hint of genuine pleasure surfacing in his demeanor.
“Young Master Ji, please come in, I will fetch my father right away,” Yi Qu stepped aside, opening the way, then called out sharply, “We have a distinguished guest! Everyone, treat them with the utmost respect!”