At the beginning, Ran Jingri thought Ran Gutong had fallen into demonic ways and couldn’t possibly be the true form of Dao Mother.
However, after reviewing the Dao scriptures, he believed there was still a possibility, as Dao and demon originally came from the same source, just one was pure and the other impure.
He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the bloodstain in front of him, his mind filled with countless thoughts.
Li Qingxun is the successor of Taishi Palace.
Doesn’t she want to see Tai Shang enter the world? Why doesn’t she respect Tai Shang? If she were willing to help me, would things have ended up like this? Complex emotions intertwined in his heart, and Ran Jingri’s brows showed a mix of annoyance and hatred.
“What does senior brother plan to do?” Wang Shenyu’s tone was gentle, with obvious concern.
Seeing Ran Jingri lost in thought, she added, “Are you going to keep Gutong here?” Ran Jingri’s eyes flickered at her words, and he slowly said, “Now she is the Ji Yue of the Demon Sect, a demon seed highly valued by the Demon Sect.”
Wang Shenyu said, “But after all, she is a Ran Family woman.
If senior brother takes action, it would be justified.
It’s just a matter of how to lure her here.”
Ran Jingri smiled, hiding the sharpness in his eyes, and said warmly, “Isn’t there that Ji Family girl? Would an ordinary person be safe after being captured and taken to the Southern Border? Even if not for the Ji Family girl, she probably wouldn’t let me have my way.”
Wang Shenyu sighed, frustrated, “This child…”
In Jingzhi Courtyard, spiritual energy surged, and the clear air was abundant, making it an excellent Daoist site.
The Ji Family of three was arranged to stay here, with care from the Ran Family in all aspects, but they were not free.
Ji Mingcheng stood under the big tree in the courtyard with his hands behind his back.
The scene was familiar, yet his state of mind was completely different from before.
“Alright, stop sighing and disturbing others’ moods.” Ning Huaizhen frowned, glancing at Ji Mingcheng coldly, “How did you end up with the Ran Family?”
Ji Mingcheng gave a bitter smile, “You shouldn’t be concerned about me.”
Ning Huaizhen nodded, “Indeed, but now that we’re here, what’s the use of dwelling on it?” Ji Mingcheng was at a loss for words, unable to refute, and simply said, “The way to avoid the oath was actually a trap set by Ran Jingri.
After knowing him for so many years, I didn’t expect him to have such a nature.” He shook his head, “I misjudged him.”
Ning Huaizhen didn’t speak, silently agreeing in her heart, “Isn’t that so?” It wasn’t just Ji Mingcheng who was confused, but herself as well.
Turning to Ji Yutang, who was sitting quietly, she softened her tone, “Mother won’t let them force you.
If you don’t want to, you don’t have to do it.”
Ji Yutang looked up at Ning Huaizhen, smiling softly, “Thank you, Mother.” But she knew very well in her heart.
Ran Jingri had gone to such lengths, collaborating with Taiyuan Dao Palace to “force a marriage,” and even drugging her wasn’t out of the question.
A few days later.
Ran Guzhu appeared at the courtyard gate, dressed in white like snow, her expression cold and proud.
“Why are you unwilling?” Ran Guzhu’s tone held a hint of confusion.
Ji Yutang frowned at Ran Guzhu, wondering if she knew about the “Tai Shang’s return.” But she didn’t ask further, only saying coldly, “Didn’t I make it clear to you before? You’re just not worthy.”
“But you have no choice now.” Ran Guzhu said calmly.
As long as it didn’t contradict her “Dao,” she didn’t care what means Ran Jingri used to achieve his goals.
After a moment, she asked, “What do you want me to do?”
Swallowing back the words “nothing will work,” Ji Yutang looked steadily at Ran Guzhu, “First, get me some Mingyue Pearls.”
Ran Guzhu frowned, puzzled, “Mingyue Pearls? They’re just decorative trinkets.
What use do they have?”
Ji Yutang sneered, “I practice dragon skills.
Is there a problem with liking Mingyue Pearls?”
Ran Guzhu didn’t ask further, nodding in agreement.
Seeing Ji Yutang turn away, she let out a light laugh and left as well.
After all, as the eldest daughter of the Ran Family, buying some “Mingyue Pearls” wasn’t something she would do personally.
Instead, she sent someone to buy them, and soon a bag of Mingyue Pearls was brought to Jingzhi Courtyard.
Ji Yutang lazily tossed the bag aside without even looking at it, then made new requests to Ran Guzhu’s people—requests that seemed incomprehensible to Ran Guzhu but were easy to fulfill.
After several days of this, Ning Huaizhen was the first to be speechless.
She looked at Ji Yutang and said softly, “Doing this won’t help.
You can’t even annoy her.”
Ji Yutang lowered her eyelashes, speaking softly, “She’s not worth my attention.”
Ning Huaizhen’s eyelids twitched, frowning, “Are you waiting for someone’s news?”
Ji Yutang remained silent.
After parting with Li Jingyu that day, she guessed that Li Jingyu hadn’t left Tianshui City, and a faint sense of anticipation and longing emerged in her heart.
In the inn’s hidden space, Li Jingyu indeed received a lot of information related to the Ran Family, especially the movements of Ran Gutong’s confidants.
After pondering for a while, she decided to use this “confidant” to enter the Ran Family.
“Aren’t you afraid it’s a trap? It could be something Ran Jingri deliberately set up for you to see.” Shi Qingchen looked disapproving, knowing that although the previous battle had cost the Ran Family several Nascent Soul stage cultivators, with the support of Taiyuan Dao Palace, Ran Jingri could now stand tall.
“Ran Jingri wouldn’t pay attention to those mundane trinkets.
I still have the formation map.
To set up the Thunder Beads, I have to go there anyway.” Li Jingyu scoffed, unconcerned.
She propped herself up and said nonchalantly, “Even if it’s a trap, I have to go.
After all, someone is waiting for me.”
Shi Qingchen glanced at Li Jingyu helplessly, sighing, “Fine.” After a pause, he added, “Should we have the Tianhai Demon Sect cultivators target the Ran Family’s estates and businesses?”
Li Jingyu nodded.
Ran Jingri seemed quite idle, so she naturally had to find some things for her “good father” to do.
After the fall of Wolong Mountain Dragon Vein, Tianshui City experienced turmoil, affecting all the cultivation families, with some even losing all their disciples.
In a sense, the Demon Sect’s strategy was successful, as these family disciples were also part of the Immortal Sect.
Their mutual consumption, especially the fall of Nascent Soul stage cultivators, caused a surge in heavenly energy, reducing the calamity.
On the surface, the death of Immortal Sect disciples seemed to increase the clear energy returning to the world, making it more uncontrollable.
However, the world has its own balance, and since the killing calamity hasn’t fully arrived, keeping them alive might return more clear energy to the world in the future.
The Ran Family, with its vast wealth, wasn’t much affected by the Demon Sect cultivators destroying some of their businesses.
But upon learning that Nascent Soul stage cultivators were involved, Ran Jingri couldn’t sit still.
“How is Jingzhi Courtyard doing?” Ran Jingri asked Wang Shenyu.
Wang Shenyu replied gently, “A Zhu goes there almost every day, bringing many trinkets for Yutang.
Their attitude seems to be softening.” After a pause, she added, “After all, it’s for the great plan of our Immortal Sect.
They should understand.
If Senior Sister Jin had been more considerate before speaking, it wouldn’t have turned out so ugly.”
Ran Jingri smiled with satisfaction, stroking his beard in response.
The wind rustled the grass and trees in the courtyard, the leaves brushing against each other with a soft rustling sound.
That day, Ran Guzhu came to “deliver gifts” herself.
Ji Yutang originally intended to brush her off with a few words, but when she caught a glimpse of a grass-woven mark in her sleeve, her expression suddenly froze.
She quickly hid the surprise in her eyes, pursing her lips in silence.
“May I come in?” Ran Guzhu blinked, speaking softly.
Ji Yutang smiled slightly, “This is your own courtyard.
Who can stop you?” Ran Guzhu’s eyes flashed with a gleam at her words, and she happily stepped into the courtyard.
Ji Mingcheng and Ning Huaizhen were not present, knowing the importance of their cultivation.
Even though this place was their prison, they couldn’t interrupt their cultivation.
Ji Yutang followed Ran Guzhu, sitting across from her at a stone table.
Neither spoke, and after a cup of tea’s time, Ran Guzhu got up to leave.
Just before leaving, she suddenly stepped forward and held Ji Yutang’s hand, then quickly let go.
After she left, a figure quickly ran to Wang Shenyu to report their “harmonious interaction.” With Ran Jingri busy with Demon Sect matters, the “marriage” between the two families was left to Wang Shenyu to oversee.
Seeing Ran Guzhu gradually “entering the house” and softening Ji Yutang, she breathed a sigh of relief, confident that the marriage would succeed.
Half a month later, the Ji Family finally relented.
Cultivators are not bound by customs, so there wouldn’t be the six traditional wedding rites like in the mortal world.
The Ran Family built an altar to honor the Supreme Dao Ancestor in their residence.
As long as Ran Guzhu and Ji Yutang signed the “marriage contract” on the day of the “wedding,” it would be considered complete.
Although the process was simple, the Ran Family decided to host a banquet, eager to announce the event widely.
Among the Eight Great Immortal Sects, those familiar with Ran Jingri knew about the old agreement between the Ran and Ji Families.
As for Ran Guzhu’s elopement, they hadn’t heard of it, assuming the two families had simply found the right time to fulfill the “old agreement,” and they came to offer their congratulations.
“Qin Nephew, you mustn’t cause trouble today.” Jin Biyou, aware of Qin Ruoshui’s past actions, admonished him sternly.
Qin Ruoshui respectfully agreed, “Yes,” but inwardly he was quite dismissive.
Cultivators are not bound by love, and although Junior Sister Ran once said she had no interest in “marriage,” could she have changed her mind now? It was probably due to parental orders.
In the past, she could avoid it under the name of Dao Palace, so why couldn’t she now? He felt something was odd, but under Jin Biyou’s stern gaze, he suppressed his restless thoughts.
In the courtyard.
Ji Yutang wore a lotus jade crown, her hair tied up, and changed into a black robe.
The crane and flowing cloud patterns on the hem of her robe fluttered with her movements, and the Primordial Qi around her circulated, making her seem shrouded in mist.
“If it’s for us, there’s no need to go this far.” Ji Mingcheng frowned at Ji Yutang, actually disagreeing with this course of action.
Trapped in the Ran Family’s courtyard, as long as his cultivation wasn’t destroyed, there would eventually be an opportunity to escape, rather than using his “daughter” to gain freedom.
Ji Yutang turned her gaze, looking steadily at Ji Mingcheng and Ning Huaizhen, speaking softly, “I know.”
Whether or not Li Jingyu was involved, if they wanted to escape, they could only wait for a change, and the only change would occur at the “wedding.” Ji Mingcheng wanted to say more, but Ning Huaizhen patted his shoulder, giving him a look.
When the front courtyard was in chaos, they needed to find a chance to escape.
On the day of the grand celebration.
The Eight Great Immortal Sects and wandering cultivators mingled, toasting and exchanging pleasantries, creating a lively and prosperous scene.
There were many guests, and at a glance, most were at the Golden Core stage, but several were clearly elders of the Eight Great Immortal Sects, though they concealed their cultivation.
They were familiar with Ran Jingri, occasionally conversing with him, and no one inquired about Ji Mingcheng and Ning Huaizhen’s whereabouts, as if they had no place in this joyous occasion.
At the front of the banquet was a Tai Shang altar, with only a statue and an offering table.
On the table, the “marriage contract” emitted a gentle glow, waiting for Ran Guzhu and Ji Yutang to imprint their names.
As dusk approached, the sound of bells and chimes seemed to come from the clouds, echoing in the air.
Ran Guzhu and Ji Yutang approached from two directions, walking along the red carpet towards the altar.
Ji Yutang’s steps were steady, her expression calm.
She glanced at Ran Guzhu, suppressing the emotions swirling in her heart.
Once their names were imprinted on the “marriage contract,” the “oath” would truly be sealed.
Her future would be bound to the Supreme Dao Ancestor, becoming the resource for birthing “Tai Shang.” When Ran Jingri’s voice came, she hesitated.
It wasn’t until Ran Guzhu decisively released a drop of blood essence that her calm demeanor showed a hint of surprise.
“Why?” Ji Yutang mouthed silently, her lips moving without sound.
Her brows furrowed slightly, filled with doubt.
Wasn’t Ran Guzhu already secretly captured? Could he have escaped again? But the aura before her was clearly Li Jingyu.
During their previous divine communication, there was no mention of taking this step.
As Ran Jingri’s urging voice came again, Ji Yutang took a deep breath, deciding to trust the other party this time.
However, she remained cautious, directly communicating with Gao Miao’s Path, imprinting her true name on the contract with Dao rhythm.
This was the true infinite Dao, even if the Supreme Dao Ancestor were to descend again, it wouldn’t start at the highest level.
If the birth and assimilation of the Supreme Dao Ancestor were to be executed through this contract, it likely wouldn’t succeed.
After the true name was imprinted, boundless mysterious energy surged like steam.
Behind Ji Yutang appeared a Dao book entwined with starlight, infinite mysteries and truths swirling within, separating the false from the true.
Ran Jingri frowned, but the guests from Taishi Palace suddenly stood up, looking at Ji Yutang in shock, “The Daode Heavenly Book?” Moments later, he laughed heartily, “Good, good! My Supreme Dao Ancestor is destined to return!”
“Is that so?” A mocking voice came from Extreme Heaven, interrupting the laughter of the Taishi Palace Daoist.
A crack appeared in the sky, countless fierce winds swirling within, forming a violent storm.
The murky tide surged downward, several figures stepping out from the rift.
Waves of energy rolled around them, the storm continuously rotating, finally forming a dragon that fiercely smashed towards the Tai Shang altar.
Ran Jingri waved his hand, a page of a book suspended above the Tai Shang altar.
He stepped forward calmly, smiling slightly at the demonic cultivators treading on the murky air, “You all came just in time.”
“The Ran Family is Ji Yue’s maternal family, how could we not come on such a joyous day?” Song Wanzhao stood tall, laughing as he looked at Ran Jingri.
Ran Jingri said in a deep voice, “And the unfilial daughter?”
“Ji Yue is the jewel of our Demon Sect, how could you see her whenever you want?” A demonic cultivator laughed, his eyes turning as he continued, “But today, Ji Yue will witness the downfall of your Ran Family, she will come eventually.”
Ran Jingri responded with a hum, everything was within his expectations.
To seek revenge, one must show themselves, otherwise, how could worldly karma be resolved? He placed one hand behind his back, his gaze casually shifting until he saw Shi Qingchen and a familiar figure approaching side by side, then he smiled contentedly.
The person in the clouds wore red, their eyes cold and filled with murky energy.
How could such a demon recognize a “father”?
“Dare to come to my Ran Family, are you prepared to die?” The only response to Ran Jingri was Song Wanzhao’s blade light.
The energy and momentum stirred by the cultivators of the Nascent Soul realm made it impossible for lower-level cultivators to move, but this scene only lasted a few breaths.
The Immortal Sect cultivators on the seats suddenly surged with momentum, clearly anticipating the Demon Sect’s “attack.” Once they joined the battle, the Demon Sect cultivators’ advantage vanished.
Ran Jingri and Song Wanzhao’s figures gradually disappeared, clearly having ascended to the high heavens.
Wang Shenyu looked at “Ran Gutong,” her eyes filled with eager anticipation.
She seemed to have forgotten the past tense standoff with “Li Jingyu,” now playing the role of a “loving mother,” softly saying, “Ah Tong, turn back.”
Standing in the clouds, “Li Jingyu” was like a statue, expressionlessly looking at Wang Shenyu.
Wang Shenyu sighed, as if only this could express the endless depression in her heart.
“Forget it.” She spoke softly, taking out a precious pearl from her sleeve, given to her by Ran Jingri before the ceremony began.
It contained a familiar aura, clearly from the Tai Shang lineage’s refining method, likely refined by the Taiyuan Dao Palace.
This artifact, named “Return to Me,” used on the Ran Family sisters, could unify them, becoming the originally calculated “primordial fetus.” This had been prepared since Li Qingxun gave birth to twin daughters.
“Didn’t expect the Tai Shang lineage to be so calculating.” Shi Qingchen sneered, releasing the Golden Bell Wrap in her hand, the white ribbon as sharp as a blade, the golden bell’s sound rolling continuously.
Wang Shenyu flicked the “Return to Me,” then released her sword to fight Shi Qingchen.
She wasn’t worried about the artifact failing, as it was refined by a cultivator of the Celestial realm, once used, it couldn’t miss.
“Return to Me,” reshaping the primordial fetus, couldn’t possibly use Li Jingyu as the main consciousness, but rather refine her original consciousness.
As the artifact descended, a sharp scream was heard, light flickering, a consciousness wrapped in the Big Dipper’s starlight was instantly captured by the artifact.
As the consciousness left the body, the rigid body fell softly to the ground, and Shi Qingchen didn’t even look back, seemingly unconcerned with “Li Jingyu’s” life or death.
Wang Shenyu instinctively felt something was wrong, glancing in that direction, her expression changing dramatically!
A chilling force enveloped Wang Shenyu, she hadn’t even had time to cry out when a “boom” sounded from behind.
The Tai Shang altar was destroyed by the rampaging thunder river, the surrounding Divine Firmament Pure Dragon Thunder containing terrifying power, the surrounding Dao rhythm overshadowing the Dao Ancestor statue’s aura.
“Surprised?” Li Jingyu raised an eyebrow, smiling at the shocked Wang Shenyu.
She had been able to impersonate Ran Guzhu in the past, so she could do it now as well.
They underestimated her mother, under her mother’s arrangements, was there any place in the Ran Family she couldn’t go? Capturing Ran Guzhu was just a matter of moments.
She hadn’t expected Ran Jingri to be so ruthless and disgusting, after the artifact’s activation, would the two sisters still be considered real people?
“You, you—” Wang Shenyu trembled all over, pointing at Li Jingyu, unable to speak for a long time.
Moments later, seeing the artifact flying towards Li Jingyu, she wanted to stop it but it was too late.
However, not only did Wang Shenyu not want her to be hit by “Return to Me,” but Li Jingyu herself didn’t want to be tainted by the disgusting thing.
She flashed behind Ji Yutang, whispering, “Help me, will you?”
Ji Yutang quickly nodded, her expression solemn.
She held the Daode Heavenly Book in her left hand, Primordial Qi steaming around her.
A golden light shot from the book, fixing the artifact in place.
This artifact, meant to merge two into one, inherently violated the Dao’s principles, and after returning to its origin, naturally scattered a mass of Primordial Qi.
However, with Ji Yutang’s current cultivation, she couldn’t destroy it, only hold it for a few breaths.
Li Jingyu only needed those few breaths, she flicked a drop of blood essence at the artifact, using her power to create an “avatar.” Once the artifact was freed, it collided with the “avatar,” causing a strange transformation.
Li Jingyu didn’t even glance at the polluted “avatar,” directly unleashing several Heavenly Heart Thunders to completely obliterate “her.” During this, a primordial spirit wrapped in Dao rhythm slipped into her sleeve from the explosion’s light.
“An avatar? You’ve reached the Nascent Soul realm?” Ji Yutang asked in a low voice.
Li Jingyu shot her a glance, “It’s not that easy to achieve.” This was a secret method found in the Demon God Dao transmission, this drop of blood essence gone, meant a period of cultivation was wasted, but it resolved the crisis.
She looked at the sweeping energy waves from the sky, then at the chaos on the ground, her brows furrowing tightly.
“Aren’t you going to leave while you can?” Ji Yutang couldn’t help but ask again.
The Ran Family couldn’t be unprepared for demonic cultivators, though it seemed evenly matched now, over time, the Demon Sect cultivators would surely lose.
Of course, those Demon Sect disciples, Li Jingyu likely didn’t care about, only Huoxin Palace might be considered “fellow disciples.”
Li Jingyu raised an eyebrow, “Of course, I’m leaving.” Pausing, she smiled at Ji Yutang, “You look beautiful today.”
Ji Yutang blushed, her gaze wandering, pretending not to hear the comment.
Li Jingyu naturally intended to leave, with the Tianhai Demon Sect cultivators trapped and the Ran Family thrown into chaos, her goal was achieved.
Staying longer would only increase the danger.
Her gaze briefly swept over the Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators blocking her path, many uninformed disciples unable to confirm her identity, merely standing off.
Li Jingyu smiled, the coldness in her eyes suddenly rising.
But at that moment, Shen Zao suddenly rushed out, grabbing Ji Yutang’s wrist, urgently saying, “Junior Sister Ji, come with us!” Behind her, Yan Shouxia, Lin Heng, and Qin Ruoshui followed.
They were true disciples of the Eight Great Immortal Sects, their actions undoubtedly a “weather vane,” causing the remaining people to follow, pursuing behind.
Li Jingyu curled her lips, hiding the killing intent deep in her eyes.
She glanced at Shi Qingchen, who was stalemated with Wang Shenyu, deeply hoping her uncle could succeed, but unfortunately, Wang Shenyu, leveraging the Ran Family’s “advantage,” wouldn’t die easily.
Showing a bit of regret, Li Jingyu turned to look at the Ran Family’s cave heaven, the halls scattered, releasing a talisman from her sleeve.
In the past, her mother left nine marks in the Ran Family’s cave heaven, forming extremely secret underground passages.
She hadn’t had time to use them on her first visit to Tianshui, but now was the time.
After quietly getting Ran Guzhu out, she also left a thousand thunder beads in the passage, now it was time to detonate them!
Explosions sounded continuously, flames and heat waves soaring into the sky, the entire Ran Family cave heaven falling into silence amidst the loud noise, leaving only a mushroom cloud of smoke enveloping it.
Wang Shenyu’s face was horrified, unable to care about Shi Qingchen, frantically rushing towards the cave heaven, even with her Nascent Soul realm cultivation, her sleeve was still scorched by the flames!
Li Jingyu looked at the ruins, an extreme joy rising in her heart.
There was no scene more beautiful than the destruction before her.
“My mother didn’t leave me much.” Li Jingyu sensed Shi Qingchen’s approach, not turning back.
Without waiting for a response, she smiled again, “The remaining path, I should walk myself.”
Not far away.
Ji Yutang was dragged away by Shen Zao and the others, they too heard the loud sound, turning back to see the earth-shattering scene.
The group was shocked, but Ji Yutang was in a daze! Her father and mother hadn’t appeared, they might still be in the Ran Family’s Jingzhi Courtyard! Even with their cultivation, they wouldn’t die, but better safe than sorry!
