Within a lavish pavilion in the backyard of the Yi family residence, the floor was carpeted with sable fur. A crystal goblet stood beside a red chair. A colossal, exquisite glass lantern hung beneath the conical roof, casting a bright yet gentle light that illuminated the entire pavilion to the finest detail.

This opulent pavilion, usually spotless, was now covered in layers of dust; cobwebs draped the corners. Even the seemingly invaluable crystal goblets and the furniture carved from red sandalwood were coated in grime, ready to reveal the imprint of a hand pressed against their surfaces.

Tattered, expensive garments lay strewn everywhere. A faint, peculiar odor permeated the air, enough to make even those without obsessive cleanliness frown and quickly depart.

A frail old man, burdened by a massive object on his back, sat dazedly on the dusty floor, his gaze fixed on the glass lantern above as if lost in profound contemplation. If not for his utterly vacant eyes, he might have appeared to be pondering the deepest philosophical questions. Alas, his ragged attire and idiotic expression only served to shatter the room’s aesthetic harmony.

Yi Rou entered shortly after, pursing her lips slightly. She silently began tidying the room, muttering softly, "Grandpa Dun, why must you always leave things in such a state?"

The slight old man remained lost in his trance, completely oblivious to her words, until the sweep of her broom brushed against his toes. Startled as if by a sprung trap, he leaped up, his body shooting upwards with astonishing speed.

CRASH!

His head collided with the glass lantern. As if struck by a mountain, the expensive fixture exploded instantly. Shards of glass rained down like a misty drizzle, sharp and keen, striking the ground and bursting into points of starlight.

"Waaah!"

The old man froze in mid-air, then suddenly cried out in strange panic. Without any discernible action on his part, every single shard of descending glass halted abruptly in the air.

Thousands of tiny, dense glass fragments suspended motionless the moment he shrieked.

It was as if time itself had suddenly paused.

In the space between the ceiling and the floor, steps appeared where none existed—a staircase visible only to the initiated. The frail old man trod down these intangible stone steps, descending swiftly to stand before Yi Rou.

A subtle softness, almost imperceptible to an outsider, bloomed within his cloudy, vacant eyes as he silently gazed at her.

"Honestly, you’re so reckless every single time. This can’t go on," Yi Rou pouted, her face a mask of helplessness.

The softness in the old man’s eyes vanished in a flicker, and he quietly resumed his seat, staring blankly at the gaping hole in the ceiling.

Yi Rou offered a wry smile and shook her head, helplessly continuing to clean the mess within the room.

The glass fragments suspended in the air remained fixed in their positions throughout her cleaning, not a single piece falling to the ground, as if an inexplicable force, present from beginning to end, was subtly influencing everything inside the structure.

Outside.

Ji Changkong and Yi Kui both stopped in their tracks, staring dumbfounded at the once-magnificent but now filthy and disordered tower ahead.

Taking a slow breath, Ji Changkong turned to Yi Kui. "The Yi family harbors such a master; it's no wonder the Ghost Demon King rampaged around the Lan Rou Kingdom for so long without ever daring to cause trouble near East Heaven Peak."

"But he's here now, isn't he?" Yi Kui replied with a bitter smile.

Ji Changkong paused, then gently shook his head. "The Ghost Demon King has accumulated power for so long; he must have some confidence this time. However, with such a master guarding the Yi family, I doubt they’ll be easily overcome."

The smile on Yi Kui’s lips grew more strained. He let out a long, helpless sigh. "This senior is an old friend of my father. Before my father passed, he went mad while cultivating a peculiar technique. To this day, he hasn't had a single moment of clarity. Though I know his realm might even surpass mine, what can we expect from a madman?"

Frowning, Ji Changkong expressed his regret. "That is truly a pity."

He could sense that this now-insane old man was the most profound cultivator in the entire Yi family. The density of the Yuan Power within him was only slightly less than that of a Celestial Master in the Nine Palaces Heaven Realm. Even masters at the peak of the Eight Trigrams Heaven Realm, like Li Hentian, possessed less concentrated inner strength than this foolish, dazed elder.

Yet, that wasn't what truly astonished Ji Changkong.

What surprised him was that, despite his soul's peculiar perceptive abilities, he could not ascertain the old man's current realm! His spirit was like chaos—turbulent and disordered, as if rationality could never coalesce. Whenever Ji Changkong tried to probe it with his soul, it felt like stepping into a pitch-black nightmare where nothing could be discovered.

"Elder Yi, what... what realm is this senior truly in?"

Yi Kui shook his head wryly, spreading his hands. "I don't know either. But I know that before he devolved into this state, he was already an Eight Trigrams Heaven Master. After all these years, his realm has become increasingly inscrutable, and his spiritual state is utterly muddled. It truly puzzles people."

Yi Kui hesitated, then added, "When he was still lucid, he once told my father he planned to use this method to enter the Ten Directions Heaven Realm. He once said that when he finally woke up from this condition, he would be a Ten Directions Heaven Master."

"Ten Directions Heaven Master!!" Ji Changkong gasped, utterly shocked.

Currently, the highest known realm in the world belonged to figures like Cao Xuanqi, a Nine Palaces Heaven Master. No one had ever seen or heard of a Ten Directions Heaven Master. Did this man speak such wild words because he was truly insane, or was there some hidden truth?

"My father dismissed it as a joke, and I never believed it either, because, in my view, he will never regain his senses," Yi Kui slowly shook his head. "However, regardless of whether he ever recovers, as long as he lives, our Yi family will treat him well. After all, he was a comrade of my ancestor and once helped the Yi family."

Ji Changkong believed this. Though the old man was mad, the pavilion Yi Kui assigned him was among the finest the Yi family possessed. Ji Changkong could tell just by looking from the outside that the Yi family had not neglected him; he simply lacked the capacity to enjoy it due to his condition.

"Don't think the area is dirty because my Yi family is irresponsible. Initially, we sent people daily to clean, hoping to bathe and change his clothes, wanting him to remain clean even in his madness," Yi Kui forced a wry, helpless smile. "Alas, the servants we sent ended up dead or injured. When he goes mad, he shows no mercy. You know how terrifying his power is. Over time, no one dared to go near him anymore."

After a long pause, Yi Kui continued, "Xiao Rou is truly an anomaly; the child has always been kind. Feeling pity for him, she often came here to play before she was even ten, naively tidying his room for him. Perhaps because she was so innocent and lovely back then, he never struck her, even in his fits of madness. That’s why, over the years, only Xiao Rou has been able to approach him without fear."

"Yi Rou's kindness will be rewarded," Ji Changkong murmured.

Yi Kui smiled faintly. "I hope so."

The scorching sun poured down like molten, red-hot iron, radiating heat from the fierce star that ceaselessly released light and warmth. East Heaven Peak seemed baked by fire; everyone was drenched in sweat, grumbling, wondering what bizarre phenomenon was occurring.

Although it was summer, the temperature in previous years had never been this terrifying. For the last two days, the peak had been brutally hot, as if centuries of accumulated heat were being released all at once.

Even those who had achieved significant cultivation were scurrying for shade, clutching their heads.

In the Yi family’s secluded backyard.

Yi Ying and the Yi family experts stood solemnly, watching as blazing Fire Crystal Yuan Stones were dumped into a massive pit. The pit spanned nearly two mu and was about five meters deep, its floor already covered in fiery Red Luster Stones. Layered upon these were fire-attribute Yuan Stones and various heavenly treasures capable of gathering fire energy and sunlight.

Rolling waves of heat spread from the pit. Some weaker Yi family disciples standing nearby were sweating profusely, their faces flushed crimson.

Younger generations like Yi Jia and Yi Yuan had to slowly retreat as the intense heat washed over them, their curiosity completely incinerated by the thermal wave.

Yi Huoshan, Yi Kui's second brother and Yi Jia's grandfather, cultivated fire energy through his connection with the Vermillion Bird of the Four Symbols Heaven. He radiated bursts of firelight, striking them into the pit, making the temperature within even more astonishing.

Yi Huoshan, only at the peak of the Seven Stars Heaven Realm, could not yet ascend to commune with the blazing sun to draw its essence. Having completed his task, he stood aside and gruffly called out, "Big Brother, it’s your turn!"

Yi Kui nodded slowly, suddenly plunging into the fire pit. Waves of fiery aura emanated from his body. His soul dispersed, gently guiding the hot energy within the pit to flow slowly.

The sunlight, seemingly drawn by the intense fire energy in the pit, converged into fine threads, pouring down from the sky like water, drenching the crater.

With the infusion of sunlight, the heat in the pit became terrifyingly intense. Not only were the Yi family members drenched in sweat, but the slow release of this heat also enveloped the entire East Heaven Peak in searing warmth.

Yi Kui, an Eight Trigrams Heaven Realm master, could commune with the sun; his soul had undergone purification by its brilliance. Using a special method, he could draw down the sun's light and even manifest the Sun Fire.

The actions of Yi Huoshan and Yi Kui made the entire Yi family feel as if they were being roasted. Some Yi family members who didn't understand the purpose muttered inwardly, secretly resentful of Ji Changkong, wondering what scheme he was hatching.

"Ji Changkong, what exactly are you trying to do?" Yi Jia glared at him, gritting his teeth.

Ji Changkong maintained a stern expression, focused on Yi Huoshan and Yi Kui. Only when he saw Yi Jia about to attack did he slowly glance over and say dismissively, "Adult matters are not for children to question!"

Yi Jia lunged at Ji Changkong like a small tiger, baring his teeth and extending his nails, intending to rake Ji Changkong’s skin.

"Stop!" Yi Qu snapped, glaring fiercely at Yi Jia. "Don't cause trouble at a time like this!"

Yi Jia looked aggrieved but was forced to comply under Yi Qu’s gaze, standing sullenly to the side, not daring to move again.

"Young Master Ji, is there anything else we need to do?" Yi Qu, after chastising Yi Jia, eagerly approached Ji Changkong, asking obsequiously.

Ji Changkong, lost in observing Yi Kui and Yi Huoshan drawing down solar essence, turned his head toward Yi Qu with a faint look. "No need for anything else for now. They fear fire; they fear the intense light of the sun. Even if they can move during the day, they will still be wary—it’s instinct."

After a pause, Ji Changkong continued, "They never attack major sects during the height of the sun, which shows that excessively strong daylight greatly impacts their power. Furthermore, their nature is cold, and their souls are utterly frigid; high temperatures must affect them too."

Yi Qu nodded slowly, sighing. "It is fortunate that Young Master Ji came to East Heaven Peak. Otherwise, we might never have found a way to deal with them initially. A direct confrontation would have resulted in disastrous losses."

Ji Changkong smiled but said nothing more.

Soon, Yi Kui continued to draw down the essence of the sun in the pit, causing the temperature in the Yi family compound to rise ever higher. Yi Jia and Yi Yuan, members of the younger generation, could no longer bear the escalating heat and retreated to a safer area.

BOOM!

Fierce flames suddenly erupted within the pit, engulfing Yi Huoshan and Yi Kui. Yi Huoshan looked deeply satisfied, nodding repeatedly, while Yi Kui also let out a great sigh of relief before flying out of the fiery crater.

"The essence of the sun and the Five Elements Fire have merged, igniting the Heavenly Fire. It is finally complete." Yi Kui approached Ji Changkong, faint sweat beading on his forehead.

Ji Changkong nodded with a smile. "Elder Yi worked hard. The self-ignition of the Heavenly Fire is a good omen. I imagine the Ghost Demon King will be hesitant to approach East Heaven Peak now. At the very least, in this area, he won't be able to exert ten-tenths of his strength! His small minions certainly won't dare come near, as this Heavenly Fire is potent enough to burn their souls to ash!"

"Thank you for the reminder, Young Master Ji. Otherwise, we truly wouldn't know how to deal with those creatures." The surrounding younger generation had already moved away. Yi Kui didn't mind being overheard, frankly admitting the Yi family's deficiencies in this area.

"Patriarch, the 'Heavenly Fire Scorches the Plains' formation has also been laid out in several corners of East Heaven Peak. Once the Ghost Demon King arrives, the Heavenly Fire will ignite in those areas too," an old man with white hair and beard suddenly entered and reported grimly to Yi Kui.

"Good! We'll wait for them to approach!" Yi Kui commanded.

The blinding sun would not remain forever. As the evening glow painted the sky, East Heaven Peak was shrouded in a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.

Night slowly descended. For some unknown reason, dense, dark clouds gathered from afar, obscuring the bright moon and plunging East Heaven Peak into moonless darkness.

The scorching heat of the day receded swiftly.

The Celestial Masters on East Heaven Peak, who had been complaining about the heat, noticed the temperature dropping rapidly. By late night, the peak was surprisingly cool, a stark contrast to the oppressive daytime heat.

Those with sensitive perceptions sensed an underlying strangeness and quietly converged toward the Yi family compound.

At that very moment, deep, resonant bell tolls echoed from the Yi family residence. As the alarm sounded, every Celestial Master on East Heaven Peak, regardless of what they were doing, felt a jolt in their hearts and immediately rushed toward the Yi family grounds.

East Heaven Peak was not large, and the Yi family resided in its center. Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, every Celestial Master still on the peak had gathered at the Yi residence.

Everyone looked panicked, discussing the situation loudly. No one knew what had happened to warrant the re-ringing of the East Heaven Peak alarm, silent for ten years.

"What’s wrong? What happened? Why did the Yi family alarm suddenly ring?"

"Did something happen? Could it be that that brat is causing chaos in the Yi family? No, that can't be right... Even if that kid is powerful, could he force the Yi family to sound the alarm?"

"Could it be those fellows from the East Sea causing trouble? I heard things have been unstable over there lately, with bandits running rampant near the Lan Rou Kingdom. Do those people dare to cause trouble on East Heaven Peak?"

Filled with confusion, they clustered near the Yi residence, arguing loudly.

"Bao’er, do you know what’s happening? Is Xuanyuan Valley planning to go to war with East Heaven Peak? That makes sense; Xuanyuan Valley is at its zenith now, and East Heaven Peak might not stand a chance in a fight! Hmph! Yi Yuan really doesn't want to live anymore if he dares to provoke that harbinger of doom, Ji Changkong!" The infatuated girl cursed hatefully, ignorant of the true situation.

The girl in the red dress, her face grim, shook her head. "Impossible! Xuanyuan Valley doesn't act so unreasonably. Besides, the Yi family and Xuanyuan Valley don't have such deep enmity that they would launch a full-scale war."

"Stop guessing. The Ghost Demon King is coming," Chen Bao’er's usual smile was gone, replaced by a sorrowful expression, as if a death had occurred in her family.

The moment the name Ghost Demon King was uttered, not only did the girls often seen with Chen Bao’er’s face change color, but even some masters in the Five Elements Heaven and Six Harmonies Heaven realms nearby grew pale.

Just then, Yi Qu walked slowly out of Yi Kui’s inner chamber, his face shadowed. He scanned the crowd, then sighed. "The Ghost Demon King who ravaged the Lan Rou Kingdom has arrived."

The noisy courtyard instantly fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The complexions of the crowd instantly turned ashen. An aura of fear and despair manifested, spreading silently through their hearts. Everyone was terrified.

Yi Qu’s gaze swept over them, and he sighed inwardly. "There is no need for panic, everyone. My Yi family has a method to deal with the Ghost Demon King. As long as we cooperate, we can surely drive the Ghost Demon King off East Heaven Peak!"

The crowd remained lifeless, their faces the color of dead ashes. They felt no surge of fighting spirit from Yi Qu's words; in their hearts, the Yi family seemed utterly incapable of bearing such a burden.

Yi Qu was helpless and internally cursed them for their cowardice. Seeing his encouragement fail, he turned back, offering a wry smile to Yi Kui, who remained hidden in the inner chamber, seeking his direction.

Yi Kui remained silent, only looking at Ji Changkong with an expression of entreaty. Ji Changkong rose to his feet, emerging from the inner chamber alongside Yi Kui, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Patriarch before the gathered crowd.

"This is an envoy from Xuanyuan Valley, the new generation's number one, Ji Changkong of the Ji family!" Yi Kui introduced them. "Everyone knows that the Ghost Demon King’s only previous defeat occurred at Xuanyuan Valley!"

With these few words, the desperate crowd’s pale complexions gradually regained color. They gazed at Ji Changkong with hopeful eyes, their lost fighting spirit seemingly rekindled. The name "Ji Changkong" carried significant weight! If you wish to know what happens next, please visit , support the author, and support genuine reading!