Er Qu let out a light shout. The entire Yi family instantly erupted into an uproar; young and old rushed forward, making a fuss over Ji Changkong. All the servants became busy, hanging lanterns and festive decorations. It was a scene of great liveliness.

"Hi! Big Brother Ji, I never thought it would be you. Your coming to our Yi family is truly our Yi family’s great honor." Yi Yuan eagerly led the way, shamelessly stating, "From the moment I saw Big Brother Ji, I knew you were no ordinary person. Ha! That little thief Chen Bao'er certainly has sharp eyes. Big Brother Ji, are you here to discuss an alliance or something similar with our Yi family?"

Yi Yuan seemed ecstatic, yet utterly shameless. It was as if Ji Changkong’s earlier coercion felt like nothing more than a friendly jest between two comrades.

Ji Changkong wore a faint smile, nodding frequently at Yi Yuan's questions. He inwardly acknowledged that this young man was quite a character. Courage and martial spirit were certainly necessary for a man in this world, but the ability to bend and recover was even harder to achieve.

Yi Jia pouted, clearly displeased with her family member’s fawning attitude. She grumbled along the way, casting looks of disdain toward Yi Yuan.

"Hey, 'Jiajia,' where is your younger sister, Xiao Rou?" Ji Changkong made small talk, asking casually.

"'Jia' Jiajia?" Yi Jia’s starlike eyes snapped open. Hands on her hips, she pursed her lips, "Are we that familiar?"

"Hey! How can you speak like that, Jia! Big Brother Ji calling you that means he thinks highly of you!" Yi Yuan’s face stiffened, and he lectured with a slight snort.

"Tch!" Yi Jia looked utterly contemptuous, highly dissatisfied with her brother. Then, suddenly remembering something, she glared suspiciously at Ji Changkong, saying coldly, "Why are you asking about my sister? Hmph! Don't you dare have any ideas about my sister! I know all about the rumors surrounding you scoundrels. If you dare harbor any ill intentions toward my sister, I definitely won't spare you!"

"What are you talking about?" Yi Yuan scolded lightly, then turned to Ji Changkong with a somewhat ingratiating smile, "Rou'er is currently staying in our Yi family's forbidden ground these days. If Big Brother Ji wishes to see Xiao Rou, you just need to stay a few more days at our Yi family's estate."

Does he perhaps like Xiao Rou? If he truly had designs on Xiao Rou, that might actually be a good thing, Yi Yuan thought secretly.

The strength of Xuanyuan Valley was renowned throughout the land now. Xuanyuan Valley was not too far from East Heaven Peak. During this ** era when the Ghost Demon King wreaked havoc in all directions, if the Yi family could establish a tacit understanding with Xuanyuan Valley, it would be a blessing for both East Heaven Peak and the Yi family.**

As the true masters of East Heaven Peak, the Yi family bore responsibility for the safety of the major shops and the rogue cultivators on the peak. Only if East Heaven Peak remained peaceful would those people feel secure staying, paying the required quota of Origin Stones monthly.

Under the terrifying threat of the Ghost Demon King, everyone was on edge. Few sects or families in the world could stand firm against the Ghost Demon King's attacks; Xuanyuan Valley was proof of its enduring power. Moreover, Xuanyuan Valley was extremely close to East Heaven Peak; should one side face trouble, the other could offer support.

Securing Xuanyuan Valley's support was akin to clinging to a towering tree—that was how Yi Yuan saw it, and Yi Qu thought the same way, which was why the Yi family became so warm once they learned of Ji Changkong's identity.

Upon arriving at the Yi Family Esteemed Guest Pavilion, before even finishing a cup of hot tea, Yi Qu ushered in three white-bearded old men.

Each of the three old men looked seventy or eighty years old, with long, flowing beards and serene expressions. It was immediately apparent that these were the people who truly held the reins of power in the Yi family.

The foremost elder had his left cheek covered in scattered pockmarks. His slightly narrowed eyes swept over Ji Changkong once before he immediately stated in a deep voice, "I am Yi Kui. Young Master Ji, have you come to our Yi family to discuss a matter of business?"

Yi Kui was the grandfather of Yi Rou and Yi Jia, and the father of Yi Qu—the current head of the Yi family. His personal appearance signaled that he regarded Ji Changkong as a figure of significant standing.

Seeing Yi Kui arrive, Ji Changkong immediately stood up, performed a junior's salute, and then spoke earnestly, "I was merely passing through East Heaven Peak on this trip and did not intend to cause any disturbance. However, there is something I know that I must convey, which is why I have imposed upon you. I hope Elder Yi will forgive my intrusion."

Yi Kui nodded slightly, quite satisfied with Ji Changkong’s demeanor, and waved a hand, "Sit down and talk."

Ji Changkong sat down without pretense. Under Yi Kui's questioning gaze, he spoke solemnly, "The Ghost Demon King is lurking near East Heaven Peak and will likely descend upon us before long. I urge the Yi family to prepare accordingly."

The moment these words left his mouth, every member of the Yi family’s faces paled in shock. Several Yi family members who had just sat down instantly sprang back up, their expressions utterly stunned.

"What?" Yi Qu exclaimed, his face losing all color, looking utterly incredulous. He mumbled, "With the might of our Yi family, does the Ghost Demon King actually dare to come?"

Yi Yuan, Yi Jia, and the other juniors were filled with panic and alarm. The Ghost Demon King’s notoriety had grown too fierce recently; he was feared by all who heard his name.

Yi Kui, however, did not react with Yi Qu's dramatics; his expression remained remarkably calm. Under Ji Changkong’s gaze, he slowly nodded and stated gravely, "The Ghost Demon King has already purged the great Heavenly Master sects and families of Lan Rou Kingdom. Now, not only is the Ghost Demon King personally formidable, but he has also gathered numerous evil ghosts and demons. It seems he is now confident enough to confront our Yi family."

"Father, does that Ghost Demon King possess intelligence?" Yi Qu asked in surprise.

Yi Kui's face was grave. He let out a long, soft sigh and murmured mournfully, "To sweep through Lan Rou Kingdom in such a short time, attacking relentlessly since his appearance—this Ghost Demon King is absolutely not a simple-minded creature. Whatever he is, it is clear he possesses strategy and wisdom!"

Indeed, he is the master of the Yi family, Ji Changkong praised silently, such insight is rare. He then spoke, "I am quite familiar with the Ghost Demon King. I fought them back in the Gray Mountain Range, and I can state with certainty that the Ghost Demon King's intelligence is absolutely no less than yours or mine!"

Seeing the increasingly pale faces of the Yi family members, Ji Changkong felt helpless but spoke the truth plainly: "Furthermore, as time passes, the Ghost Demon King's intelligence only grows higher! These creatures lack the emotions that humans possess; their very existence seems dedicated to destroying cultivators like us! They will show no mercy when dealing with us!"

"Because our divine souls are the main source for their evolution and strength! Our divine souls, passed through the hands of the Ghost Demon King, can become ghosts and demons that obey only him!"

The crowd gasped in horror!

"I knew the Ghost Demon King would eventually come for our East Heaven Peak, but I did not anticipate they would arrive so quickly." Yi Kui’s expression was solemn. Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he fixed his gaze on Ji Changkong, asking, "Young Master Ji, by what method did you learn the Ghost Demon King was returning?"

All the Yi family members were intensely curious as well.

"I have dealt with the Ghost Demon King many times; I understand him well. Within a certain range, I can sense his presence," Ji Changkong replied, giving only half-truths and omitting mention of the Origin Poison.

"I see..." Yi Kui nodded. "Thank you for the warning, Young Master Ji. Our Yi family will not forget the kindness shown by Xuanyuan Valley."

"You are too kind. Since the Yi family is not far from my Xuanyuan Valley, we should interact more. Ah, it's a pity I only learned of the Ghost Demon King’s news by chance this time; otherwise, I could have sent someone to Xuanyuan Valley to summon aid for East Heaven Peak." Ji Changkong sighed helplessly. "The Ghost Demon King always strikes with extreme speed; it would likely be too late to summon help now."

"If Young Master Ji is not in a hurry, please stay at our Yi family estate first. My humble residence is simple; I hope Young Master Ji will not mind," Yi Kui said sincerely.

"Elder Yi is too polite. Since the Ghost Demon King is coming, I naturally must stay," Ji Changkong quickly replied humbly. "Perhaps you are unaware of the Ghost Demon King’s weaknesses; I have some experience in that area. I shall be presumptuous and first explain in detail how to deal with the Ghost Demon King to everyone."

"Listen closely! Not a single word must be missed!" Yi Kui commanded sharply. All the Yi family elders and juniors sat up straight, concentrating intently on the methods and tactics Ji Changkong described for combating the Ghost Demon King.

"Chirp! Chirp!"

Just as Yi Kui and Ji Changkong were speaking, a vague sound came from outside. An old man, clad in tattered rags and holding a cricket cage, shuffled past the doorway, stooped over, his face vacant.

The old man was clearly advanced in years, his hair a chaotic mess like a bird's nest, yet it retained a glossy black sheen. Though his gaze was dull and foolish, his eyes were extremely bright. He was bent over, holding a thin stick, completely engrossed in coaxing the cricket in his cage.

The old man was very thin, barely reaching 1.5 meters, shorter than an average woman. He looked like a mad, wandering beggar.

However, on his back, he carried a long, thick object. This object was taller than he was, broad and massive, dragging from above his head all the way to the ground. As he moved, the object scraped against the stone floor, creating a harsh, metallic grinding sound.

"Old Grandpa Hui, don't wander off. We have guests today," Yi Rou's voice suddenly called from outside. She was running after the crazed old man, calling softly.

Passing the main entrance, Yi Rou caught sight of Ji Changkong inside, his face a mask of surprise. Yi Rou gave a startled jump like a startled fawn, her mouth agape as she stared at Ji Changkong. After three seconds of frozen shock, she continued chasing after the erratic old man.

"Who—who is that senior?" After Yi Rou and the rambling old man departed, Ji Changkong hesitated before asking Yi Kui.

A flash of surprise crossed Yi Kui’s eyes. "Young Master Ji, why are you curious about him?"

"Nothing, just asking casually," Ji Changkong smiled.

Yi Kui looked momentarily bewildered, then gave a weak, dry laugh. "He is a senior member of our Yi family. It’s just that… he has been insane for many years…"

Ji Changkong was stunned. After a long pause, he muttered softly, "That is truly a pity…"

Fifty li west of East Heaven Peak, within a vast, rootless forest, the towering trees formed a canopy, stubbornly blocking the scorching sun's light.

In the blazing summer, the forest remained cool, even carrying a hint of chill!

Hazy, grayish shadows drifted beneath the trees, releasing wisps of icy cold air from their forms. These grayish shadows clustered together, subtly enclosing one person in the center.

The Ghost Demon King’s expression was icy. His body seemed weightless, suspended in mid-air, swaying gently with the breeze.

A pair of cold, inhuman eyes gazed toward the cloud-piercing East Heaven Peak ahead. Wisps of sinister, cold light contracted within his pupils, matching the chill in the air.

A grayish shadow flew in from the outside, suddenly halting before the Ghost Demon King. This shadow twisted and morphed for a moment before taking the shape of a tall human figure. A dry voice immediately rose: "Master, the people from the Shadowless Sect did not arrive."

The Ghost Demon King’s evil pupils constricted suddenly, emitting sharp needle-like cold light. He asked in a flat, indifferent tone, "What about the Huangfu family?"

"They didn't come either. They joined forces with the Shadowless Sect and headed toward the East Sea," the grayish shadow replied.

The Ghost Demon King remained still for a moment, his eyes glittering with thought. After a long while, his silhouette suddenly shot up several feet into the sky. "We wait no longer. To East Heaven Peak."

Those grayish shadows suddenly began to sway rapidly, trailing behind the Ghost Demon King as they flew straight toward East Heaven Peak.

On the other side, on a desolate islet in the eastern sea waters of East Heaven Peak, Huangfu Yue and Wang Pai stood alongside the Sect Master of the Shadowless Sect, Huang Mu, and his Great Protector, Luo Tieqiang, and their entourage.

At this moment, Huangfu Yue, Huang Mu, and the others clearly breathed a sigh of relief. The Huangfu family looked at Wang Pai and asked, "Did those things chase you?"

Wang Pai shook his head. "No. Their target is East Heaven Peak. They should be heading there now."

"I hope we never see them again. The current Ghost Demon King is no longer something we can handle. Entangling with them means sooner or later, we will all be turned into ghosts and demons by him!" Huangfu Yue was visibly shaken, regretting their decision to cooperate with the Ghost Demon King initially.

The Shadowless Sect Master, Huang Mu, also offered a wry smile and murmured, "We severely underestimated the intelligence of these creatures. We thought we could control them, but it seems we were all wrong! Fortunately, we managed to break away; otherwise, we truly would have all been assimilated, turning into those abominations that are neither man nor ghost."

"East Heaven Peak is doomed. We should leave that area soon, or the Ghost Demon King will eventually target us," Huangfu Yue fretted, sighing heavily. "Though the world is vast, I wonder if anything exists that can destroy such a creature. Ah, it truly is something everyone fears. There seems to be another one in the East Sea; I truly don't know what to do."

"Let's head to the East Sea. I'm well acquainted with the people on Luoxia Island. If we go to the East Sea, we can temporarily escape the Ghost Demon King here. The one over there has no direct ties to us, so at least he won't specifically target us," Huang Mu suggested.

"I hear Li Hentian is also cultivating in the East Sea. The three grand elders of Kunlun apparently went to the East Sea specifically for Li Hentian. There is also someone calling himself the Blood Emperor who has emerged in the East Sea, someone even the Ghost Demon King cannot handle," Wang Pai considered for a moment, proposing, "We should seek out the Blood Emperor. The Blood Pool, from which the Blood Emperor originates, has an irreconcilable feud with the Ji family. We can join forces with the Blood Emperor to deal with Xuanyuan Valley!"

"Then let's go to the East Sea," Huangfu Yue agreed, and Huang Mu had no objections. Thus, this group of self-inflicted sufferers settled on their plan.

I have updated with ten thousand characters for three consecutive days, continuing to build good karma. Little Ni hopes to live up to everyone’s expectations this month! My relative passed away last month, resulting in sluggish updates, for which I am truly sorry and too ashamed to say much.

This month, I hope to compensate everyone as much as possible, that is all.

(To be continued.)