As the Sea Clan giant spoke, not only did Zheng Jieshi freeze, but the onlookers were struck dumb. Even Ji Youde was utterly bewildered.

“Do I know you people? Why can I enter your Sea Clan gathering place?” Ji Changkong looked at the scale-armored Sea Clan giant with a strange expression of confusion.

“Don't worry about that. Only you can enter our Sea Clan's forbidden ground; no one else is permitted,” the Sea Clan giant stated stiffly, his demeanor rigid and ancient.

Teng Yang and his group descended from the sky astride their Celestial Pipa Wyverns, landing beside Ji Changkong. Teng Yang had been constantly worried about causing conflict with the Sea Clan, but upon hearing the giant's words, a weight lifted from his shoulders.

“I apologize, I have no desire to enter your forbidden ground. I am only here because I wish to prevent others from entering it. That is all,” Ji Changkong replied with a composed smile.

The Sea Clan giant frowned, uncertain of Ji Changkong's true intentions. After a moment’s thought, he nodded dismissively. “Then suit yourself. Regardless, you can enter our forbidden ground, but nobody else can!” This statement was profoundly stubborn, and as the giant spoke, his gaze swept across Teng Yang's assembled group.

Teng Yang smiled faintly. “We won’t go trespassing. We are here only to ensure that outsiders do not disturb the peace of your Sea Clan.” With that, Teng Yang executed a slight bow, his manner impeccably courteous. “Teng Yang of the Teng Family from the Fret River Sea Domain greets you all.”

“You are from one of the Six Great Families of the Fret River Sea Domain?” A gaunt, skeletal Sea Clan elder suddenly thrust his massive trident forward. A flash of dazzling golden light zipped past, forcing Zheng Jieshi back, before the elder turned his attention to Teng Yang.

“Yes. Excluding the Xuanyuan lineage, the six of us hail from the Fret River Sea Domain; we all belong to the Six Great Families,” Teng Yang said, gesturing to Xue Hai and the others as he introduced them to the elder.

The Sea Clan elder’s expression softened, and he nodded gently. “Good.”

“Elder Bian?” The Sea Clan giant looked back at the elder, seemingly hesitant to speak further.

Waving a hand to silence the giant, the Sea Clan elder looked calmly at Zheng Jieshi, the Island Master of Luoxia Island. “We Sea Clan live deep underwater year-round and rarely interact with the Heavenly Scholars above the Eastern Sea. However, we have heard of Luoxia Island’s reputation. If you, Island Master Zheng, are determined to be an enemy of the Sea Clan today, we will absolutely not let it go unanswered!”

The elder then directed the same warning towards Rakshasa Ghost Hag and several other well-known Heavenly Scholars from the Eastern Sea.

After the elder’s pronouncement, the Heavenly Scholars from the Eastern Sea all knitted their brows deeply, temporarily halting their assault on the Sea Clan. Even the contingent from the Central Lands paused their actions.

No Heavenly Scholar in the Eastern Sea dared to underestimate the Sea Clan’s warning. Though they kept a low profile, the Sea Clan’s strength in the Eastern Sea was undeniable. Any Heavenly Scholar living there who earned the Sea Clan’s enmity would surely find their future days difficult.

The Sea Clan elder’s threat proved highly effective. The faces of several Heavenly Scholars from minor sects showed bitter smiles as they began to hesitate about continuing their fight against the Sea Clan. These minor sect members from the Eastern Sea did not fear threats from the Xuanyuan Valley of the Central Lands or Mount Tian, as they believed the Central Lands’ influence was too distant to reach them here.

But the Sea Clan was different; they were omnipresent. Any scholar wishing to continue life in the Eastern Sea knew that offending them would inevitably lead to endless trouble.

“What’s there to fear?” Zheng Jieshi sneered, his icy gaze sweeping over the Eastern Sea experts. He scoffed, “For us, the Sea Clan’s threat isn't the greatest right now. Don't forget the Ghost Devil King is wreaking havoc across the Eastern Sea! Remember why we came here, and remember the one backing us!”

Rakshasa Ghost Hag also cackled strangely, her voice sharp. “The Sea Clan only has numbers on their side. Don't be afraid. If the Sea Clan really stirs up trouble, someone will deal with them!”

Zheng Jieshi and Rakshasa Ghost Hag seemed to act as the leaders for the Eastern Sea Heavenly Scholars. Under their rallying cries, those who had been wavering gradually settled down, their expressions hardening with defiance toward the Sea Clan.

Zhuang Bufu, Huang Liangxuan, and Cai Mengyuan, the three Elders from the Guiyuan Sect, watched the exchange between the Eastern Sea faction and the Sea Clan like detached observers. Throughout the entire confrontation, the three Guiyuan Sect cultivators remained silent, exhibiting an air of proud detachment, seemingly looking down upon everyone else.

As the most powerful Heavenly Scholar sect in the realm, the Guiyuan Sect had never truly suffered a loss since its founding. Cao Xuanqi’s prestige spanned the world, and no one dared to provoke a member of the Guiyuan Sect lightly. The Guiyuan Sect, indeed, had every right to their arrogance.

“Since you are determined to oppose the Sea Clan and appear fully prepared, I will say no more. I only hope you will not regret this in the future,” the Sea Clan elder sighed softly, glancing at Ji Changkong and Teng Yang’s group before saying, “The few of you, please come this way.”

On the ten-acre square stone ground, the Sea Clan and the Heavenly Scholars from the Eastern Sea and Central Lands occupied separate sides, clearly demarcated. The Sea Clan members clustered near the majestic palace structures behind them—spires of varying heights, presenting an unusually odd sight. The Sea Clan seemed ready for immediate retreat; within a slightly ajar doorway behind the structures, shadows moved indistinctly.

Ji Changkong smiled freely, gently patting the neck of the Celestial Pipa Wyvern beneath him. The Wyvern, swift as lightning even in water, fluttered its fleshy wings once before gliding down to the Sea Clan’s side.

For reasons unknown to them, the Sea Clan treated Ji Changkong with relative friendliness. Teng Yang and his group, the members of the Six Great Families from the Fret River Sea Domain, also seemed to have some prior dealings with these Sea Clan members. Being perceptive, Teng Yang sensed no ill will from the Sea Clan toward them, so upon hearing the elder’s invitation, they moved to the designated area with almost no hesitation.

“The Sea Clan possesses dignity; we can protect our own forbidden ground!” As soon as Ji Changkong and Teng Yang’s group landed among them, the Sea Clan elder sternly proclaimed.

A tremendously violent fluctuation erupted from his body, surging upward through the seawater and instantly pouring into the marvelous protective shield that enveloped everyone overhead.

Brilliant cyan-blue light suddenly shot out from the colossal shield. Simultaneously, waves of dense power radiated from the cyan barrier, coalescing into a single, impossibly vast beam of light that instantly enveloped Zheng Jieshi, Zhuang Bufu, and their entire entourage.

The massive blue beam shone like glazed jade, intensely cyan, as if carved from blue crystal, utterly transparent.

The change occurred so rapidly that Zheng Jieshi and Zhuang Bufu’s group could not possibly anticipate it. By the time they attempted to move, they found the water’s resistance overwhelming, clutching at them like countless tiny hands, holding them fast.

In the end, none of the outsiders facing the Sea Clan managed to escape unscathed; all were trapped within the beautiful azure barrier.

Inside the azure shield, Zheng Jieshi, Rakshasa Ghost Hag, and the others immediately unleashed attacks. Streams of dazzling light erupted from their hands or weapons, slamming against the azure barrier. However, the shield possessed exceptional resilience. Even the attacks of the Eight Trigrams Heavenly Scholars merely left tiny white dots on its surface.

A wisp of blue light traced over these white marks, causing them to vanish instantly, giving Zheng Jieshi’s group no opportunity to break through.

Ji Changkong and Teng Yang’s contingent stood with the Sea Clan, watching Zheng Jieshi and Zhuang Bufu’s group flail within the blue barrier. They observed every technique unleashed, yet the attackers seemed unable to breach the confining power of the blue light.

Observing from the outside, Ji Changkong’s gaze was piercing, his pupils flickering with constant calculation.

Those trapped attacked with full force, displaying the entirety of their power. This immediately revealed the disparity in their cultivation levels. The three elders of the Guiyuan Sect were indeed the strongest among the trapped group; their power intensified continuously, causing the cyan shield to subtly warp under the fierce bombardment.

Next in line were Rakshasa Ghost Hag and Zheng Jieshi. Their attacks managed to etch slightly larger white spots onto the beautiful blue barrier.

Beyond these five, the remaining Heavenly Scholars found their offensive techniques seemingly having no effect on the blue barrier whatsoever. Their efforts appeared utterly futile, leaving no discernible mark.

Gradually, despair etched itself onto their faces, and the frequency of their attacks slowed. Some of the weakest cultivators even gave up their useless struggles, simply standing by and watching the masters continue their futile efforts.

The Sea Clan elder remained solemn, focused intently on those confined within the blue barrier. A mysterious power continuously flowed from him, rapidly channeling through the water into the larger overarching shield above them.

The elder's scales gently rippled, and tiny bubbles emerged from the gaps between them. Whether this was a natural physiological response of the Sea Clan or a sign of executing a specific secret technique, their scales always displayed such peculiar characteristics when performing special arts.

Behind the elder stood about a dozen other Sea Clan masters. Ji Changkong didn't need to release his Divine Soul; judging by the bubbles rising from their scales, he could roughly estimate their cultivation levels.

Similar to those on land, these Sea Clan cultivators followed a system divided into ten realms. Aside from the leading elder, Bian Qi, who possessed the cultivation of the Eight Trigrams Heavenly Realm, the giant who first spoke was also at the Eight Trigrams Heavenly Realm. Those behind them were slightly weaker in comparison, mostly residing in the Seven Star Heavenly or Six Harmonies Heavenly Realms.

It was no wonder Island Master Zheng Jieshi had spoken so boastfully earlier. In his estimation, their combined strength was more than enough to easily slaughter these Sea Clan members. Zheng Jieshi and Rakshasa Ghost Hag were both Eight Trigrams Heavenly Scholars, and the three Elders of Guiyuan Sect were renowned Eight Trigrams powerhouses. Five Eight Trigrams experts should have been sufficient to sweep the Sea Clan aside!

However, there are always variables. Zheng Jieshi never imagined that the Sea Clan elder would employ such a simple maneuver, utilizing the arcane shield system here to trap them all, making escape impossible.

Bian Qi watched them intently for a while. Seeing that Zheng Jieshi’s group was unable to break free from the blue barrier’s restraint, he appeared somewhat relieved, and the power flowing from him subtly diminished.

Finally turning back, the Sea Clan elder first glanced at Ji Changkong, then looked toward Teng Yang, saying lightly, “I am Bian Qi, responsible for guarding this sea area. I thank you for your respect toward our Sea Clan.” As he finished speaking, Elder Bian bowed slightly, offering his respects to Ji Changkong and Teng Yang’s party.

Bian Qi was the guardian of the Sea Clan forbidden ground, holding a significant position within their society. Considering his age, the younger cultivators dared not accept his deep bow; they quickly dismounted their Celestial Pipa Wyverns and returned the gesture to Bian Qi.

Bian Qi’s gaze swept over them, finally resting on the Celestial Pipa Wyverns. He looked at Teng Yang with a hint of confusion. “How are you able to command the Celestial Pipa Wyverns? Though not the most powerful beasts on Bone Island, they have always been notoriously fierce and never willingly approach humans.”

Teng Yang smiled slightly and glanced at Ji Changkong. “We don’t know why, but the Celestial Pipa Wyverns listen to Brother Ji.”

Bian Qi looked at Ji Changkong with surprise, nodding gently. “The Ji Family Xuanyuan, truly extraordinary!”

Ji Changkong let out a quiet laugh. “You Sea Clan members live beneath the waves year after year, rarely venturing out even from the seabed. Naturally, you wouldn't visit the Central Lands. How do you know of the affairs of my Ji Family Xuanyuan?”

“The name of the Ji Family Xuanyuan resounds across the world. Most Heavenly Scholars who possess any significant strength have heard of the fearsome reputation of the Ji Family Xuanyuan,” Bian Qi replied calmly. He seemed to have something more to say but hesitated, ultimately choosing to remain silent.

Ji Changkong did not press the matter, but he became subtly guarded. He knew that the previous generation of the Ji Family Xuanyuan had indeed visited the Eastern Sea and wreaked havoc there in their time, engaging in frequent massacres. Ji Changkong was unsure if the previous Xuanyuan had clashed with the Eastern Sea Clan, but since they recognized him, it was a distinct possibility.

Although the Sea Clan’s attitude toward him was currently placid, he dared not underestimate these beings who rarely left the depths, especially given the current predicament of Zheng Jieshi and Zhuang Bufu.

“How is your grandfather?” Bian Qi shifted his attention away from Ji Changkong, looking toward Teng Yang with a faint smile, as if he knew Teng Yang’s father well.

“I’m not sure,” Teng Yang scratched his head awkwardly, giving a strained laugh. “He… uh… he doesn’t stay home often.”

Xue Hai, Liu Ye, and the others exchanged strange looks upon hearing Teng Yang mention his father, trying hard to suppress their smiles.

Bian Qi’s smile deepened. He nodded slightly. “Yes, with his temperament, he certainly wouldn't stay home and avoid trouble.”

Teng Yang managed a bitter chuckle. “You know about my grandfather?”

“How could I not know?” Teng Yang let out a cold snort, then extended his left arm, pointing to the area near his left elbow. “This patch of scales was pulled off by him. He said he wanted to keep it as a memento.”

“Ah!” The Sea Clan giant looked at Bian Qi with genuine astonishment. “Elder Bian, didn’t you say those scales were lost when you fought the Black Flood Dragon?”

Bian Qi’s expression froze momentarily. He replied blandly, “When did I ever say that? You imbecile, you must have misremembered.”

“Impossible to forget!” The Sea Clan giant shook his head repeatedly, his face serious. “Last time, you clearly told many of us how you fought the Black Flood Dragon, how you slew it, and you showed me your elbow. I remember perfectly clearly.”

Teng Yang, Ji Changkong, and the others stared at Bian Qi with odd expressions.

Bian Qi finally showed a flicker of embarrassment, cursing the giant under his breath before saying calmly, “When one grows old, one sometimes forgets things easily. Pay it no mind.”

The Sea Clan giant was simple-minded and also somewhat fearful of Bian Qi. He mumbled under his breath and stopped nagging.

“Ahem,” Bian Qi quickly steered the conversation away from potential embarrassment. Looking at Teng Yang, he asked, “Why did the six of you come to the forbidden ground?”

“The Ghost Devil King is wiping out entire families across the Eastern Sea, and our Fret River Sea Domain also feels his threat. It is rumored that the Ghost Devil King’s spirit is indestructible, and there is no easy way to completely erase it. After much thought, we believed that the Netherworld Stone here might be a method to deal with him,” Teng Yang briefly explained the situation.

“And how did you end up joining forces with the Xuanyuan?” Bian Qi nodded as he listened, only asking once Teng Yang had finished.

“Brother Ji saved our lives. Also, Brother Ji is quite forthright. Whatever issues our Six Families might have had with the former Xuanyuan lineage, it doesn't affect the friendship we have built with Brother Ji!” Xue Hai spoke up actively before Teng Yang could, declaring his stance.

After Xue Hai spoke, the other five also looked at Ji Changkong and declared their intention to stand and fall with him.

Bian Qi listened quietly. After the six recounted their experiences with Ji Changkong in a rush of words, Bian Qi studied Ji Changkong with a slightly strange look, then stated flatly, “The previous generation’s Xuanyuan visited this place and also entered the forbidden ground.”

“How did he enter? Was he permitted, just like me?” Ji Changkong asked, surprised.

“No,” Bian Qi shook his head, pointing toward Zheng Jieshi’s trapped group. “It was like them. However, the previous Xuanyuan was stronger than all of them; even the ‘Sea God’s Shackles’ could not bind him. He forced his way in!”

“Forced his way in?” The Sea Clan giant cried out in anger and shock. “Elder Bian, didn't you say—?”

Bian Qi shot him a harsh glare and made a gesture forbidding him to speak, then said calmly, “He was the first to force his way in, but he was not the only one.”

“Who else?” Ji Changkong was momentarily stunned, a peculiar sensation stirring in his heart.

“The person you are currently seeking is the second one,” Bian Qi sighed with obvious exasperation. “Where exactly did we offend your Sea Clan? Why must you people insist on breaking into our forbidden ground?”

“Ah!” Ji Changkong gasped, quickly followed by a wry smile. “Then what that fellow just said—he just said I could enter?”

First, the previous Xuanyuan, then Li Hentian—both resorted to extreme measures to forcibly enter the Sea Clan’s forbidden ground. Moreover, both the previous Xuanyuan and the current Li Hentian had profound connections to him. So why didn't the Sea Clan immediately attack him?

“The Ancestor said the forbidden ground permits the Xuanyuan to enter,” the giant muttered vaguely, looking utterly lost.

“There is no such Ancestor!” Bian Qi snorted, his expression instantly dimming. He hung his head, speaking weakly. “It’s because our Sea Clan lost a wager to the previous Xuanyuan. According to the terms of the bet, any place in the Sea Clan is open to your Ji Family Xuanyuan lineage, without restriction, no matter the generation.”

At this revelation, Ji Changkong froze, a flood of bitter amusement rising within him. He realized why the Sea Clan’s attitude toward him was so peculiar—they hadn't attacked, yet their demeanor was cold and utterly unenthusiastic. It was all due to this old history.

The previous Xuanyuan’s conduct was indeed overwhelmingly domineering. Not only did he forcibly breach the Sea Clan’s forbidden ground, but he also secured privileges for future generations. It seemed the Sea Clan must harbor both resentment and fear toward the Ji Family Xuanyuan, explaining their strange mixture of aloofness and lack of immediate hostility toward him.

Ji Changkong scratched his head apologetically. “I am sorry; I was unaware of the actual circumstances.” He paused, then added, “I cannot comment on the actions of those before me, but the way I conduct myself is different from them. You needn't worry too much about that. I stated I would not enter your forbidden ground, and I absolutely will not!”

Bian Qi gazed deeply at Ji Changkong. “According to the wager, you are permitted to enter.”

Ji Changkong smiled and shook his head. “He is he; I am I. Every generation has its own style, and mine differs from his.”

“Is that so?” Bian Qi frowned. After a moment, he conceded, “If you yourself are unwilling to go, then it is none of our concern. We have already stated what we were obligated to by the wager. The final decision rests with you. If you choose not to enter, we certainly won’t force you.”

As he said this, Bian Qi’s expression toward Ji Changkong softened considerably, the stern look of someone demanding payment disappearing from his face.

"Old Fish, you're in trouble," just then, the Origin Poison clinging to Ji Changkong's shoulder suddenly frowned and said this to Bian Qi.

"Old... Old Fish?" Bian Qi froze, his mind taking a moment to catch up. He stared blankly at the Origin Poison and asked, "Little fellow, were you talking to me?"

"Yes, Old Fish, I said you're about to run into bad luck. Aren't you worried?" The Origin Poison spoke with utmost seriousness, not finding its form of address strange in the least.

However, the Sea Clan members, led by that burly man, all had ashen faces, glaring at the Origin Poison with raging fury.

Teng Yang's heart jumped. He quickly signaled to Ji Changkong with meaningful glances, indicating that the Sea Clan members were extremely sensitive—

Although the Sea Clan possessed scales, they had always prided themselves on being the humans of the sea, distinguishing themselves from other sea creatures. In their view, they could live beneath the waves or on land, subconsciously believing themselves to be a higher life form, even above humans.

The Sea Clan had always been arrogant, most hating it when others classified them as mere fish of the sea. Though, in some aspects, they indeed resembled fish, particularly due to their covering of scales.

"Old Fish, what are you spacing out for?" The Origin Poison looked thoroughly concerned. "If you don't exert yourself harder, that blue light shield is going to break, don't you know? Old Fish, Old Fish, what's wrong? Your face looks awful... Old Fish!"

The Origin Poison kept calling him "Old Fish" repeatedly, with a call that sounded strangely intimate, as if he and Bian Qi were old friends.

Bian Qi's face was ashen, grinding his teeth as he glared at the Origin Poison. "Little fellow, if you call me 'Old... Fish' one more time, I'll teach you a lesson!"

The Origin Poison paused, feeling inexplicably confused. He was not one to fear anyone; threats only made him more eager.

"Enough!" Ji Changkong waved a hand and gently tapped the back of the Origin Poison's neck, his tone indulgent. Smiling at Bian Qi, he said, "This little fellow understands nothing. Don't mind him, but you should heed what he says. He is never wrong in his assessments. If he says you are in trouble, you are definitely in trouble."

Saying this, Ji Changkong couldn't help but frown as he looked at the blue light shield. In just this short time, Zhuang Bufu, Huang Liangxuan, and Cai Mengyuan—the three Eight Trigrams Celestial Masters from the Guiyuan Sect—had actually joined forces.

Zhuang Bufu, Huang Liangxuan, and Cai Mengyuan settled into a formation resembling the Three Talents Sword Array. Their divine weapons hovered above their heads: Zhuang Bufu's golden iron staff, Huang Liangxuan's diamond-shaped longsword, and Cai Mengyuan's horsetail whisk. Three beams of light converged, forming an arm-thick stream of blue, gold, and white light.

This tri-colored light continuously condensed, growing brighter and its aura more intense, as if it might erupt at any moment.

Bian Qi could no longer afford to bicker with the Origin Poison.

His expression suddenly changed. He immediately sat cross-legged on the spot, releasing waves of extremely intense vital energy fluctuations from within his body. The power flowed into the water, rapidly surging toward the blue light shield hovering above everyone.

Suddenly, streaks of blue light descended from the sky, all converging onto the massive blue light shield that restrained Zheng Jieshi and his party.

Under the radiance of those blue lights, the crystal-clear blue shield became dazzlingly brilliant, so bright it almost forced people to shut their eyes.

Cai Mengyuan, Zhuang Bufu, and Huang Liangxuan, the three elders from the Guiyuan Sect, maintained expressions of intense focus, gathering more power, making the three-colored light shine even brighter, subtly overwhelming the inherent dazzling color of the shield itself.

"This Old Fish probably won't last," the Origin Poison mumbled lazily from Ji Changkong's shoulder. "Dare to glare at me? I won't care if they live or die!"

"Teng Yang, all of you, get onto the Heaven's Roar Wyverns immediately and be ready to move!" Ji Changkong ignored the poison and sharply commanded.

"Understood!" Teng Yang and the others shouted in unison. Also sensing the danger, they swiftly leaped toward the Heaven's Roar Wyverns.

At Ji Changkong's signal, the three Heaven's Roar Wyverns were already prepared, moving closer to bear the six people—Teng Yang's group—upon their backs.

Ever since Teng Yang had helped Ji Changkong injure the Golden Fur Great Bear, the Heaven's Roar Wyverns, who had previously been cool and distant toward them, seemed to have taken a liking to them and no longer resisted letting the six ride upon them.

Sssshhh!

The azure light shield let out sounds like splashing water. The light condensed by the three figures—Cai Mengyuan, Zhuang Bufu, and Huang Liangxuan—finally broke through the azure shield, piercing the blue barrier.

Bian Qi, who had been desperately using his power, relying on the "Sea God's Shackle" to restrain Cai Mengyuan and the others, suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood the instant the azure light shield shattered. The bones within his body also made continuous, sharp cracking sounds.

Ji Changkong, who had been secretly watching Bian Qi, clearly saw the paleness of his face. The attack by Cai Mengyuan's group seemed to have struck Bian Qi directly when it tore open the azure shield, causing him to be instantly and severely wounded.

"Retreat! Retreat back into the hall!" Bian Qi struggled, spitting blood, as he retreated toward the palace behind him.

"Elder Bian!" The burly Sea Clan man's eyes blazed with hatred. He flew forward, blocking Bian Qi, fearlessly glaring at Zheng Jieshi's party who were approaching with sinister grins, roaring furiously, "Zheng Jieshi, Rakshasa Hag, you who reside in the East Sea and oppose our Sea Clan—you will all pay the price sooner or later!!"

"We might very well pay a price, but you probably won't live to see it," Zheng Jieshi chuckled grimly. He and the Rakshasa Hag moved to flank the burly Sea Clan man, looking as if they intended to deal with him first before killing Bian Qi.

"Zheng Jieshi, Zheng Jieshi, I can almost see the scene of your Sunset Isle surrounded by the Sea Clan, with everyone on the island dying because of you..." Ji Changkong grinned, riding the Heaven's Roar Wyvern and charging abruptly toward Zheng Jieshi. He extended the Dragon's Glory Saber in his hand, and a blood-red beam as thick as an arm shot out.

Aooo!

The Heaven's Roar Wyvern beneath him let out a cry, condensing giant waves into a massive force that also rushed toward Zheng Jieshi.

Zheng Jieshi, who had been about to reach the burly Sea Clan man, saw this and his face suddenly twisted in shock. He immediately abandoned his coordinated attack with the Rakshasa Hag, hastily scrambling to fend off Ji Changkong's assault.

The Heaven Origin Bead had collected a significant amount of soul power last time, and now the Heaven Origin Bead was powerful again...

Furthermore, having reached the peak of the Seven-Star Heavenly Calamity realm, Ji Changkong's mastery over power had become even more profound and thorough. Both his divine soul and body had seen significant progress. Facing Zheng Jieshi again, Ji Changkong felt no fear; instead, he was filled with soaring heroism, confident that he could use his own strength to firmly suppress Zheng Jieshi.

Rumble!

The underwater currents still could not completely mask the sonic shockwave emanating from the impact of the sword light.

The blood-red light fiercely struck the small banner in Zheng Jieshi's hand. That small banner, made of whatever material it was, proved incredibly sturdy and was not shattered by the violent force of the beam.

Zheng Jieshi was pushed back by the current, secretly astonished. He hadn't expected Ji Changkong's power to have increased again in just a few days. Although his small banner had momentarily blocked the impact of the blood-red light, he felt a dull ache radiating up his wrist, and even the Divine Weapon Spirit within the banner was shrieking repeatedly. I must kill this fiend as soon as possible, otherwise, he will surely become a major menace! Zheng Jieshi resolved inwardly, though his gaze flickered uncertainly toward the three elders of the Guiyuan Sect.

Zheng Jieshi had visited the Central Lands and knew some of the history between the Ji family and the Guiyuan Sect. The fact that the three elders had repeatedly joined forces to hunt down Li Hentian back then was known throughout the world; the leaders of major families and sects had vaguely learned some of the truth through their own channels.

Therefore, Zheng Jieshi knew there must be a deep rift between the Guiyuan Sect and Xuanyuan Valley. He calculated how he might subtly influence the three elders of the Guiyuan Sect to deliver a killing blow to Ji Changkong.

"Retreat! Everyone retreat back!" Teng Yang roared, urging the Rakshasa Hag back while riding the Heaven's Roar Wyvern to engage her.

Teng Yang and Hong Ge were both seated on one Heaven's Roar Wyvern. Their cultivation levels were lower than the Rakshasa Hag's; logically, even working together, they shouldn't be a match for her. However, now that they were riding the Heaven's Roar Wyvern...

The Heaven's Roar Wyvern had recognized Teng Yang's group. When they dealt with the Golden Fur Great Bear earlier, the coordination between the two humans and the fierce beast had become seamless. Now, teaming up again against the Rakshasa Hag, they actually managed to force her into continuous evasion, making her appear quite flustered.

Liu Ye and Jin Hao, riding the other two Heaven's Roar Wyverns, blocked in front of Bian Qi, guarding him steadfastly to prevent the three elders of the Guiyuan Sect from killing him. Similarly, these four, who absolutely shouldn't have been able to contend with the three elders of the Guiyuan Sect, could now barely hold their own with the aid of the Heaven's Roar Wyverns...

"Why are you little brats trying to block our path? We don't want to initiate a massacre, so don't be ungrateful!" Huang Liangxuan frowned deeply. "That Li Hentian committed countless heinous acts by killing innocents indiscriminately. Why are you protecting him? As far as I know, your six great families are established, righteous factions in the East Sea. You have always disdained cooperating with heretical ways, haven't you?"

The three elders of Guiyuan Sect today truly had not attempted to strike with lethal intent, though whether it stemmed from mercy or concern over the influence of the six great families in the East Sea was unclear.

"Heretical ways?" Jin Hao retorted coldly. "Aren't Sunset Isle and the Rakshasa Gate considered heretical? I see you all cooperating quite well with them!"

Jin Hao's words hit the nail on the head.

Huang Liangxuan's old face flushed with shame and anger. "You brat shows no gratitude!"

The diamond-shaped longsword flickered in mid-air, deftly weaving around the iron claws swung by the Heaven's Roar Wyvern, and floated lightly toward Jin Hao, intending to give him a proper lesson.

"Be careful!" Bian Qi shouted loudly. The large trident in his hand suddenly flew out, lightning-fast, batting away Huang Liangxuan's diamond-shaped longsword. He stood at the entrance of the palace behind him and roared, "You brats, hurry up and retreat back here!"

Teng Yang and Hong Ge, aided by the Heaven's Roar Wyvern, forced the Rakshasa Hag aside. Hearing this, they withdrew and rapidly flew toward the opened palace door.

Xue Hai and Liu Ye, riding the other Heaven's Roar Wyverns, also flew toward the opened palace gate.

"The door is too small! We can't fit!" Kong Yuan shouted as he neared the entrance.

"You all jump down and come in yourselves; don't worry about the Heaven's Roar Wyverns!" Bian Qi had already retreated to the threshold and yelled back in response.

"No way! You need to open the door wider, or we won't come in!" Jin Hao said with a stern and cold expression. As he spoke, he casually stroked the neck of one of the Heaven's Roar Wyverns.

He maintained this cold, merciless demeanor with everyone, yet toward the Heaven's Roar Wyvern, his movements were incredibly gentle and light, as if afraid of startling the beast.

Bian Qi sighed in resignation and ordered his people to widen the palace door further.

Creak! Creak!

The sound of grinding mechanisms echoed from within the palace, as if numerous iron axles were slowly turning. Under immense power, the palace doors slowly ground open wider and wider, until they were large enough for the Heaven's Roar Wyverns to pass through.

The Rakshasa Hag and Zheng Jieshi, having been forced back by Ji Changkong riding the Heaven's Roar Wyvern, were eager to press forward but were kept at bay by the sharp edge of the Dragon's Glory Saber in Ji Changkong's hand; they dared not directly confront the saber's might.

With every swing, a terrifying blood-red light flashed. Ji Changkong felt his saber techniques were flowing naturally, as if each strike carried the immense will within his heart. With every move executed, he felt liberated and completely at ease.

His state of mind having reached the pinnacle of the Seven-Star Heavenly realm, his understanding of the essence of power deepened profoundly...

"Big Brother Ji, come over!" Xue Hai waved from inside the palace.

Glancing back, Ji Changkong saw that the Sea Clan members and Teng Yang's group had all entered the palace. Only he and the Heaven's Roar Wyvern beneath him were still darting about outside.

The three elders of the Guiyuan Sect did not rush into the palace; instead, they slowly took up positions at the entrance, their gazes fixed entirely on Ji Changkong, as if waiting for him to charge in.

"Kong Kong, be careful. Those three old fellows are waiting for you to willingly walk into their trap," the Origin Poison whispered softly.

"Mmm, I understand." Ji Changkong nodded, no longer paying attention to Zheng Jieshi and the Rakshasa Hag. His eyes fixed on the three elders of the Guiyuan Sect, he said to Xue Hai and the others, "Close the door. Don't worry about me. I'll just wander around outside; they won't be able to catch me."

He knew clearly that if he charged in recklessly, he would fall right into the malicious plan of the three old fellows. Once they formed an encirclement around him, he truly would be in deep trouble. Thus, he decisively held back, refusing to take the risk.

As Ji Changkong intended to fly the Heaven's Roar Wyvern up above the palace, a sudden sense of dread washed over him. He gasped in alarm and urgently looked up at the massive blue protective barrier enveloping the area.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

The giant blue light shield, which had been constantly hovering overhead, suddenly let out tremendous booming sounds. Vast blood-red waves poured down from the sky, actually squeezing and deforming the blue shield that covered the hundred acres of the abyss! These blood waves forcibly broke through the blue shield and rapidly pressed down on the people below.

Blood Emperor!

A name suddenly flashed through Ji Changkong's mind.

Coincidentally, today is Qixi Festival. Wishing everyone sweet love. Whispering quietly, today is also the one-year wedding anniversary for Xiao Ni! Haha.

Those who cast Monthly Tickets today will find their love even sweeter. Sweeter every year than the last, dun ma ne ba mi hua! Sweeter every year.