Before Li Jingyu revealed her true identity, there was a clear sense of distance between them, not just from herself, but also from Li Jingyu.
However, once the disguise was removed, Li Jingyu seemed like a different person.
The elegance and calmness were gone, replaced by a bit of willfulness, indulgence, and aggressiveness.
Ji Yutang initially wanted to argue with her, but when she recalled the unconscious actions after transforming into a dragon, her face flushed red, and she couldn’t even speak in defense.
Indeed, she had done that, and there was nothing to argue about.
But now it was different; both she and Li Jingyu were fully conscious! The slightly cool fingertips brushed gently across her face, the soft touch slowly seeped into her limbs, becoming impossible to dispel.
Ji Yutang snapped back to reality, grabbed Li Jingyu’s hand, and tried to look at her with a cold, unfriendly gaze.
“This is Tianshui City!” Ji Yutang gritted her teeth.
“I know,” Li Jingyu replied calmly, the light from the candles falling on her, the silver mask reflecting bright beams. Her expression was hidden beneath the mask, with only her eyes deep like the Great Whirlpool in the Sea Abyss.
Ji Yutang’s grip on her wrist wasn’t strong, and with a little effort, she could break free.
But she didn’t do that; instead, she took the opportunity to get closer to Ji Yutang, planting a kiss on her dragon horn when she wasn’t paying attention.
It was as if an electric current surged up her spine, making her whole body tingle.
Ji Yutang hadn’t expected Li Jingyu to do that, and she felt like she was about to burst into flames from embarrassment.
Her aura suddenly surged, a long dragon shadow resonating with the Jewel of the Rising Tides, and she pushed Li Jingyu with a palm, her eyes hiding anger.
Li Jingyu chuckled softly, her magical power rising as well.
She didn’t directly counter the palm strike; instead, the magical power behind her was like waves, one after another, dissolving the force.
Ji Yutang didn’t intend to hurt Li Jingyu, and after delivering the palm strike, she used the force to retreat quickly, disappearing into the crowd in an instant.
The Jewel of the Rising Tides spun once before entering the Mind Palace.
Li Jingyu pressed a corner of her mask, the smile in her eyes gradually fading.
“Aren’t you afraid she’ll tell Ran Jingri about you?” a voice came from behind.
Li Jingyu turned to look at the person, smiling, “Uncle, she won’t.” After a pause, she added, “Even if she does tell Ran Jingri, so what? I came here to retrieve my mother’s belongings, and that person will find out eventually.”
The white-robed female cultivator referred to as “Uncle” was the junior sister of Huai Wanxiu, the palace master of Huoxin Palace, and a master at the Nascent Soul stage.
Returning to Tianshui City this time, Huai Wanxiu feared Li Jingyu couldn’t handle it alone, so she asked her junior sister Shi Qingchen to look after her.
Shi Qingchen studied Li Jingyu for a while before sighing, “As long as you’re confident.”
“Uncle, how’s the Tianhai Demon Sect doing?” Li Jingyu asked again.
Besides Ran Jingri, the Ran Family had several Nascent Soul stage cultivators.
If she came to Tianshui City during peaceful times, it would be hard to achieve her goal.
The Tianhai Demon Sect’s Demon God Stake had failed twice, angering the elders of the sect, but they finally gave up on fighting alone and revealed their plans to the other three sects.
This time, there was a Demon God Stake near Tianshui City, and the disciples guarding it weren’t at the Foundation Establishment stage but had brought out a Golden Core.
Additionally, cultivators from the Qingtian Sect and Wangqing Sect were involved.
Shi Qingchen smiled, “They… have allied with some families in Tianshui City.
Although they claim to be the true lineage of the Immortal Sect, they’re not unbreakable.”
Such things were within Li Jingyu’s expectations, and she responded with a nonchalant “hmm.”
Shi Qingchen observed Li Jingyu, “I thought you’d be interested in this.”
Li Jingyu replied, “Cultivation families are like this; the infighting among the younger generation is predictable.”
Shi Qingchen noticed the deep disdain in Li Jingyu’s eyes for Tianshui City and chuckled softly.
She said slowly, “But their reason for uniting is related to the Ji Family, just like that person earlier… her Heart of the Great Dao!” Li Jingyu’s eyes sharpened, but the light quickly disappeared.
She gazed heavily at the city lights, responding absentmindedly.
The Heart of the Great Dao was a bridge to communicate with Gao Miao’s Path.
Ordinary cultivators could only approach it step by step, but the Heart of the Great Dao was different; it was born from the Dao itself, a part of the Dao.
Ji Yutang cultivated the Daode Heavenly Book, relying on the Heart of the Great Dao to borrow the power of the Dao.
The dragon lanterns danced in the sky, the heavenly palace reflecting a fiery hue.
The cheers of the people were like a landslide, rolling into an unknown place.
Who would have thought their Dragon Worship Festival would give birth to an evil dragon? The street trees hung with small lanterns seemed to turn into a long line of fiery trees, their branches swaying in the wind, the red light flickering, looking like blazing flames from afar.
Ji Yutang stood under the tree, her face flushed by the firelight.
The dragon horns on her forehead had faded, but the trembling sensation seemed etched in her heart, impossible to dispel.
Her eyes were filled with a thin layer of mist, her tightly pursed red lips shining with a bright hue.
She turned to look back, the crowd flowing, and Li Jingyu’s figure was nowhere to be seen, allowing her to breathe a slight sigh of relief.
But after that breath, her mood sank again.
Li Jingyu appeared in Tianshui… Was she planning to return to the Ran Family? Should she inform them about this? With a heavy heart, Ji Yutang walked home step by step.
“Why do you look so down after going out for a while?” Ning Huaizhen was sitting in the hall, immediately noticing Ji Yutang’s low spirits, her brows slightly furrowed.
She didn’t ask about Ji Yutang’s experiences, just waved her over, “Come, take a look at this robe.”
Ji Yutang obediently walked to Ning Huaizhen’s side, seeing she was alone in the hall, she slightly raised her head and asked, “Mother, where’s father?”
Ning Huaizhen replied indifferently, “Probably drinking with someone, don’t worry about him.” After Ji Yutang ran away from home, she began weaving a robe, and with her magical power, it took nearly two years to complete, capable of withstanding attacks from Golden Core stage cultivators.
Ji Yutang took the robe, gave it a gentle shake, and put it on.
The light on the robe flowed, exuding a mysterious aura, gradually merging with her own aura, leaving no trace.
It still looked like she was wearing the same blue and white clothes.
“What’s with the pendant on your jade pendant?” Ning Huaizhen looked at Ji Yutang with satisfaction, her gaze sweeping down to see the mismatched palace sash.
Ji Yutang thought for a moment, remembering she lost it in Dong’e City, and had been too busy to replace it.
“I’ll make a new one tomorrow.”
“Another grass one, huh.” Ning Huaizhen rubbed her forehead, feeling helpless.
It would be better to leave it bare.
After chatting for a bit, Ji Yutang’s heavy mood from meeting Li Jingyu lightened considerably.
She looked at Ning Huaizhen and asked, “Mother, while I was away, did anyone come to the house?”
Ning Huaizhen raised an eyebrow, “What kind of person are you talking about?”
Ji Yutang hesitated for a moment, then decided to tell the truth.
She recounted the events in the inner city, adding at the end, “He provoked me first, and I already showed mercy.”
Ning Huaizhen’s face darkened upon hearing this, thinking of the Yan Family, her expression turned unpleasant.
When Ji Yutang was discovered to have a Scattered Spirit Body as a child, the clan elders came to persuade them to give up the Heart of the Great Dao, which infuriated them.
Because of this, they had less contact with the clan.
Later, they found out it was the Yan Family instigating.
Seeing Yan Yuzhen constantly mentioning the Heart of the Great Dao, had the Yan Family not given up on that plan? She stared at Ji Yutang, “Even if you kill him, it’s fine, your father and I will back you up.”
Ji Yutang’s eyes were full of smiles, she softly said, “Thank you, mother.” After a pause, she added, “But I don’t want you to suffer for me.
I did it cleanly, the Yan Family won’t find any traces.”
Ning Huaizhen responded, but her tightly furrowed brows didn’t relax at Ji Yutang’s words.
Yan Yuzhen’s words… raised a warning in her heart, what if the Yan Family really planned something? She only had this one daughter, how could she allow her to be bullied by others?
The streets outside were bustling and lively, but inside the small realm of the cave, it was quiet.
That night, Ji Yutang stayed at home.
The spiritual energy coursed through her meridians and then dispersed again, with no progress in her cultivation.
However, Ji Yutang was already used to this scene and took the opportunity to refill the Xuanxiang Pearl.
Even though she had now cultivated dragon skills and could fight without magical power, having the Xuanxiang Pearl gave her an extra advantage.
The next morning, Ji Mingcheng returned home after being out.
As Ji Yutang passed by, she happened to overhear him talking with her mother.
She turned her steps and walked directly into the room.
The conversation abruptly stopped, and the couple’s stern expressions returned to normal.
Ji Yutang felt something was off and furrowed her brows, asking, “What happened?” Ji Mingcheng replied, “Nothing much, just that Wolong Mountain outside the city suddenly collapsed.” Wolong Mountain was a small mountain outside the city, known mainly because of the Zulong Temple at its foot.
Last night was the Dragon Worship Festival, and the people worshipping the true dragon were headed to Wolong Mountain.
The collapse resulted in many deaths.
The lively atmosphere was gone, leaving only chaos.
But this alone wouldn’t alarm the cultivators; it was the discovery of dense turbid evil energy at Wolong Mountain that weighed on Ji Mingcheng and his wife’s minds.
The matter of the Twelve Demon God Stakes had already spread everywhere, and their first thought was that a Demon God Stake had been planted there, disturbing the turbid evil energy and causing the mountain to collapse.
Ji Mingcheng’s tone was obviously dismissive, and Ji Yutang looked at him suspiciously, her brow twitching, “How could it collapse? Did people from the Demon Sect appear?” She couldn’t help but think of Li Jingyu, who had mysteriously appeared there.
Could it have been her doing? With this thought, Ji Yutang’s heart tightened, and the idea from last night resurfaced—should she speak out? Seeing Ji Yutang suspecting the Demon Sect, Ji Mingcheng felt both relieved and emotional.
He exchanged a glance with Ning Huaizhen and decided not to hide it anymore: “No trace of Demon Sect cultivators was found, only the turbid evil energy.”
Ji Yutang blurted out, “Twelve Demon God Stakes!” After saying these five words, her mind relaxed.
During that journey, although she didn’t know Li Jingyu’s purpose, she could see that Li Jingyu didn’t want to see the birth of a Demon God.
She not only killed Demon Sect cultivators but also refined the power of the Earth Mother.
This indicated that Wolong Mountain outside Tianshui City had nothing to do with her; she was only there for the Ran Family.
“Under Wolong Mountain, after years of worship, a Dragon Vein has formed.
If a Demon God Stake is planted there, the Dragon Vein will become turbid and evil, harming Tianshui City’s fortune.” Ji Mingcheng paused and continued, “Ran and I plan to go to Wolong Mountain ourselves.”
Ning Huaizhen frowned, “Is it necessary?” Not to mention Nascent Soul cultivators, even Golden Core cultivators rarely ventured outside, preferring to cultivate in seclusion.
Previously, the Demon Sect only sent Foundation Establishment cultivators for the Demon God Stakes.
“If the Demon Sect planted a Demon God Stake outside the Taiyuan Dao Palace, would they dare to send Foundation Establishment cultivators to guard it?” Ji Mingcheng retorted, smiling, “Although our Tianshui City is far from the Three Supreme Palaces, it is home to several cultivation families.
The Demon Sect wouldn’t just send low-level disciples.”
Ji Yutang nodded, finding Ji Mingcheng’s words reasonable.
She looked at him, her eyes shining with a strange light, “I want to go too.”
“No way.” Ji Mingcheng glared at Ji Yutang, pretending to be stern, “You should just focus on your cultivation.” Ji Yutang said, “But there’s a Dragon Vein down there.” She cultivated dragon skills, and if she could use the Dragon Vein to enhance her body, the dragon core she formed would surely improve in quality.
In peaceful times, she wouldn’t consider the Dragon Vein, but if a Demon God Stake was driven into Wolong Mountain and the Dragon Vein was destroyed, she could try to extract a portion of the Dragon Vein’s essence.
Ji Mingcheng ruffled Ji Yutang’s hair, chuckling, “We’ll talk about it when we return.” Ji Yutang turned to Ning Huaizhen, acting spoiled, “Mother.” Ning Huaizhen disapprovingly glanced at Ji Yutang, not indulging her unconditionally this time, “Listen to your father.” After a pause, she added, “Stay home these days, don’t go out.” Ji Yutang: “…” Within half an hour, someone from the Ran Family came to invite Ji Mingcheng.
This time, those going to Wolong Mountain included Ji Mingcheng, Ran Jingri, and other Golden Core cultivators from various families.
They cultivated in Tianshui City, so they naturally valued “fortune” highly.
If the Demon Sect was causing trouble, they had to drive them out.
In Ji Yutang’s estimation, the cultivators going to Wolong Mountain would return in a day at most.
However, this time, to her surprise, Ji Mingcheng didn’t return even after three days.
She and Ning Huaizhen were worried and sent people to inquire about the situation, but strangely, even those sent to investigate disappeared.
At this point, how could Ning Huaizhen not guess? Her brows furrowed tightly, worried, “None of the people from the families who went out have returned; something might have happened.
There’s something strange about Wolong Mountain!” Ning Huaizhen wanted to fly to Wolong Mountain immediately, but thinking of Ji Yutang, she suppressed the thought.
“Mother, the clan elders have been sending people to inquire about the situation these days.
Normally, they wouldn’t care about our movements.” Ji Yutang said solemnly.
“Something’s off!” Ning Huaizhen decisively said, “Let’s go to the Ran Family!” But just as they were about to leave the Ji Family, a loud explosion sounded like a thousand thunders in their ears, flames burst, and red flames danced.
The Ji Family’s barrier was broken from the outside?! This was impossible in a family unless a Heaven and Earth realm expert acted! Or… someone damaged the formation from within.
With this thought, Ning Huaizhen’s heart sank.
She looked up at the cultivators flying out in front, and upon seeing a familiar figure, her face showed shock and anger! “Sister-in-law, we don’t want to make things difficult for you.
Just have your niece give up the Heart of the Great Dao.” The young cultivator stood with his hands behind his back, squinting at Ji Yutang as if she were merchandise.
Many coveted the Heart of the Great Dao, but previously, the Ji Family couple deterred them, and later, the girl disappeared.
Now that she was back in Tianshui and at such a good time, who wouldn’t say it was heaven-sent? “Don’t even think about it!” Ning Huaizhen scolded, a green light flying from her brow, her Life-Bound Artifact “Zhouliu Tianzheng Ruler.” The green ruler spun in the air, growing to seven feet.
Ning Huaizhen grasped the ruler, her gentle aura suddenly becoming stern and cold.
“Then I apologize.” The young cultivator laughed but didn’t make a move.
His cultivation was only Golden Core, no match for Ning Huaizhen.
He stepped aside, and a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Yan Family appeared, eyes filled with greed, staring at Ji Yutang.
“Find the opportunity to go to the Ran Family.” Ning Huaizhen glanced at Ji Yutang, instructing softly.
There were two Nascent Soul cultivators among the intruders, the rest were Golden Core and Foundation Establishment.
She was confident in holding off the two cultivators; the rest depended on timing.
As her words fell, Ning Huaizhen shouted, summoning the Zhouliu Tianzheng Ruler.
Waves of energy advanced like tides, the room filled with wild winds, roaring like beasts.
Although the Yan Family had two Nascent Soul cultivators, they didn’t underestimate Ning Huaizhen, both taking the attack.
As for the Scattered Spirit Body waste, they signaled to Ji Family’s Thirteenth Young Master.
“Thirteenth Uncle.” Ji Yutang frowned at the person blocking her path.
She had little impression of her clan members, preferring not to show herself unless necessary.
But Thirteenth Uncle was different; in her childhood, he often brought new things to make her happy.
Was it all for the Heart of the Great Dao? “Xiao Tang, Thirteenth Uncle has already found a spare heart for you.
Even without the Heart of the Great Dao, you can live.
If you don’t want to burden your aunt, give up the Heart of the Great Dao yourself.” Ji Shisanlang coaxed Ji Yutang.
Ji Yutang felt disgusted by his face, coldly laughing, she reached out and took down the Falling Moon Bow! A powerful force condensed into an arrow, roaring towards Ji Shisanlang! She was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, and defeating Ji Shisanlang with such a move was impossible! She kept pulling the bowstring, retreating step by step towards the Ran Family as Ning Huaizhen instructed.
She had just put on her magic robe, not expecting to use it so soon to face a Golden Core cultivator’s attack.
Ji Shisanlang saw Ji Yutang resisting, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
The Yan Family member beside him sneered, not even greeting, directly urging fiery energy towards Ji Yutang! The wind roared, hot air clashing with cool water vapor, making booming sounds.
Ji Yutang’s figure floated, using the explosive force to propel herself further towards the Ran Family!
Ji Yutang didn’t want to fight for long; she was extremely worried about Ning Huaizhen.
But for Ning Huaizhen, the greatest help was her safely reaching the Ran Family’s territory! Ji Yutang’s eyes were sharp, her brows filled with intense anger! Besides the arrows turning into green light in the air, thunder flickered behind her, like a true dragon roaring! The magic robe on her body dissipated most of the incoming force, and she dashed towards the Ran Family.
“She’s wearing a magic robe, stop her.” A deep look flashed in Ji Shisanlang’s eyes.
The Yan Family cultivators exchanged glances after hearing his words, and suddenly a black chain shot out from their sleeves, creating a series of whooshing sounds in the air! This was a superior magical artifact, and once it captured a trace of intent, it would strike until its task was complete before returning! The chain broke through the airwaves, shattered arrows, and was about to reach Ji Yutang when a swift light suddenly descended.
With a clang, the spiritual light on the chain was pecked by an inexplicable artifact, instantly losing its spirituality! With a clatter, it broke into several pieces! This artifact was not released by Ji Yutang! “Who is it?!” the Yan Family cultivators shouted angrily, but no one responded.
Following that, nine beads of clear light flew over, and as their power poured down, they formed a flowing river.
Sensing that familiar aura, how could Ji Yutang not know it was Li Jingyu lending a hand? She took a deep breath and fiercely unleashed dozens of “Divine Firmament Pure Dragon Thunder” into the stream! Purple lightning surged through the river, transforming into dozens of purple dragons that suddenly charged upwards.
They moved incredibly fast, reaching Ji Shisanlang and his group in the blink of an eye.
Though they wouldn’t die from being hit, they wouldn’t come out unscathed either! They quickly decided to avoid the rolling river of lightning! Taking advantage of this, Ji Yutang had already flown to the Ran Family.
The Ran Family members were alerted and swiftly stepped out on beams of clear light.
Ji Yutang breathed a sigh of relief, but Ji Shisanlang and his group’s expressions turned grim.
“What do we do?” Ji Shisanlang asked in a low voice.
The Yan Family cultivator glared at Ji Shisanlang and said angrily, “Didn’t you say she was a cripple? How can she use divine powers? And it’s a dragon clan technique!” Ji Shisanlang gave an awkward smile; how was he supposed to know these things? The Yan Family cultivator took a deep breath and said coldly, “First notify the clan, then attack!” The Yan Family only had three cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage, and for the Heart of the Great Dao, their elite forces had already been deployed, so they could only rely on the Demon Sect people.
Not far away, Li Jingyu and Shi Qingchen concealed their presence, watching the scene unfold before them.
“Now that she’s safely escaped to the Ran Family, are you relieved?” Shi Qingchen glanced at Li Jingyu.
Li Jingyu pursed her lips, a dark glint flashing in her eyes, and said in a deep voice, “I want to see them fight.” With Ran Jingri absent, this was the best opportunity to weaken the Ran Family’s strength!
