A Living Mortal One, All Factions Converge on Kunwu City
A Living Mortal One, All Factions Converge on Kunwu City
“Countless years have passed since the Founding Ancestor disappeared. If Chuyue had not heard his summons this time, we likely still would not know that he is trapped within Kun Mountain.”
“All these years, we believed the Founding Ancestor had perished. We truly never imagined that he was still among the living, trapped within Kun Mountain, enduring torment.”
“As his descendants, we knew nothing of this. We are truly ashamed, with no face to meet our Ancestor Shengchu.”
Inside the Ji Family’s great hall, the banquet had reached its midpoint. With quite a bit of wine in their bellies, some of the Elders and clansmen had flushed faces, their emotions stirred, and they spoke with some shame.
Gu Changge sat at ease, smiling faintly. “Senior Ji Shengchu’s cultivation is profound. That he has been trapped in Kun Mountain all these years without passing away in meditation already says everything.”
“If we can rescue Senior Ji Shengchu this time, would that not also be a meritorious deed for the entire Beyond?”
Hearing these words, everyone in the hall trembled, delight surfacing on their faces.
They naturally understood what this meant.
One had to know that the Beyond was currently vexed by the calamity of the Absolute Yin Heaven, with no solution in sight.
Their Founding Ancestor was, after all, an existence once venerated as the Mortal One. Once he recovered to his peak, the Ji Family could simply sit back and wait for the various Dao Lineages and great sects of the Beyond to come pay their respects.
What a glorious scene that would be?
Just imagining it a little, they could not help but feel their hearts surge with excitement.
“Young Master Changge speaks truly. With our Founding Ancestor present, why would our Ji Family worry about failing to restore our ancient glory?”
The Head of the Ji Family, Ji Hao, had downed several cups of wine, and a rare trace of joy appeared on his dignified face.
As he spoke, he glanced at Su Qingge and Ji Qingxuan, the two women standing in attendance behind Gu Changge.
Looking at them like this, it was truly difficult to tell who was the elder sister and who was the younger.
His heart stirred, and he could not help asking, “What does Young Master Changge think of this girl Qingxuan?”
In terms of status, although he was Ji Qingxuan’s uncle, he had rarely cared for her over the years, let alone looked after her in any real way.
But at this moment, he certainly had to put on the appearance of a proper uncle, fearing that Gu Changge might think he had mistreated Ji Qingxuan all these years.
“Qingxuan is quite clever and quick-witted. Very likable.”
Gu Changge smiled faintly as he spoke, glancing at Su Qingge beside him.
Su Qingge’s eyes were lowered, appearing very quiet, not saying much, currently playing the role of “Ji Qingxuan.”
Delight surfaced on Ji Hao’s face, and he hurriedly nodded. “This girl Qingxuan has indeed been clever since childhood. She handles matters with reason and method, crisp and decisive.”
At this moment, the other Elders also could not hide the joy on their faces.
Although Su Qingge was Gu Changge’s maid, she ultimately did not bear the Ji surname. In their hearts, she was no different from an outsider.
But Ji Qingxuan was different. She was a direct-line disciple of the Ji Family, raised in the Ji Family since childhood.
If she could, like her sister, catch Gu Changge’s eye, it would naturally be a great boon for the entire Ji Family.
In the current Beyond, was there a more reliable thigh to cling to than Gu Changge?
“Chuyue, Yaoxing...”
Subsequently, Ji Hao called up his pair of children, Ji Yaoxing and Ji Chuyue.
Although the two had previously had contact with Gu Changge,
this time, with his sudden arrival at the Ji Family, they had yet to come pay their respects.
So in Ji Hao’s view, they might as well take this opportunity to build a good relationship with Gu Changge.
On the other hand, Ji Hao, the Head of the Ji Family, had his own little calculations.
In terms of appearance alone, his daughter Ji Chuyue was in no way inferior to Ji Qingxuan or Su Qingge.
Ji Qingxuan was, after all, only his niece, while Ji Chuyue was his own daughter.
Ji Chuyue wore a pale yellow dress, her figure tall and slender, her face breathtakingly beautiful, her crystalline eyes gleaming with a sly wit. Her whole being seemed to gather the spiritual essence of heaven and earth, like an elf.
“Chuyue greets Young Master Changge.”
She blinked her eyes and curtseyed toward Gu Changge.
Beside Ji Chuyue, Ji Yaoxing wore golden robes, his expression composed, but at this moment he also cupped his fists. “Yaoxing greets Young Master Changge.”
Back in the Purple Mountains, they had offended Gu Changge by concealing from him their search for the Tower of World Domination.
Later, they had voluntarily offered up the Wheel of World Domination, which the Ji Family had obtained with great difficulty, and only then was that trouble resolved.
“You two need not be so courteous. Speaking of which, back in the Purple Mountains, it was thanks to you two that I was able to find the Tower of World Domination.”
Gu Changge nodded slightly, a smile on his face.
Hearing this, both Ji Chuyue and Ji Yaoxing felt somewhat unnatural, appearing a bit embarrassed.
Back then, if Chen Ning’er had not been secretly following them, the Restrictions outside the Purple Mountains would not have been so easily broken by Gu Changge.
Of course, that matter was also largely thanks to Jiang Chen at the time.
“Young Master Changge is magnanimous, not holding my sister’s and my past offenses against us, and is now even willing to act to help our Ji Family.”
“It truly fills Yaoxing with boundless shame.” Ji Yaoxing’s face carried a trace of guilt as he spoke.
“A trivial matter, no need to dwell on it.”
Gu Changge waved his hand, appearing very casual, not minding at all.
In his view, Ji Yaoxing was someone capable of accomplishing great things, very clever.
From how he had unhesitatingly abandoned Jiang Chen back then, one could glimpse a thing or two.
Such a person knew even better when to do what.
As for the position of Head of the Ji Family, even if Gu Changge did not speak up, Ji Yaoxing would choose to step aside when the time came, voluntarily yielding it to Ji Qingxuan.
In the following days, the news that the Ji Family’s Founding Ancestor Ji Shengchu had not perished spread as if it had grown wings, suddenly sweeping through the many territories surrounding the Eastern Rising Heaven, stirring enormous waves and sensation throughout the Beyond.
Many Cults of Immortality and Supreme Dao Lineages felt shock and disbelief at first.
One had to know that the Ji Family’s Founding Ancestor Ji Shengchu was a figure from countless years ago, once venerated as the Mortal One, who later single-handedly founded the Ji Family.
Such a figure was extraordinarily brilliant even in that era.
It was only later, for unknown reasons, that he suddenly vanished without a trace. Many believed he had passed away in meditation, which led to the Ji Family’s gradual decline.
Now, suddenly hearing the news that the Ji Family’s Founding Ancestor had not perished but was merely trapped within Kun Mountain,
countless people were instantly stunned, their eyes wide, unable to believe it.
Calculating it this way, just how many years had the Ji Family’s Founding Ancestor been trapped?
It had likely spanned several epochs.
This news was utterly authentic, spoken personally by the Ji Family’s old antiques. It was earth-shattering, quickly shaking all the heavens of the Beyond.
At this moment, virtually no force or Dao Lineage could sit still. After all, the Ji Family’s Founding Ancestor was a peerless figure from countless years ago, standing at the very pinnacle of the Beyond.
All these years, he had actually been trapped within Kun Mountain.
Did that not mean he had been clinging to survival within Kun Mountain for several epochs, or even longer?
As for how the Ji Family’s Founding Ancestor came to be trapped in Kun Mountain, no one knew.
Whatever the reason, the mere news that the Ji Family’s Founding Ancestor was still among the living was horrifying enough. After all, he was an existence once venerated as the Mortal One.
As this news swept through the various heavens of the Beyond, the many Cults of Immortality and Supreme Dao Lineages also reacted immediately.
Some forces and Dao Lineages that had feuds with the Hidden Ji Family could hardly sit still either, deeply worried that once the Ji Family’s Founding Ancestor escaped, he would begin settling accounts with them.
Then, another matter caused even greater shock: the Ji Family intended to rescue their Founding Ancestor, dispatching many experts toward Kun Mountain.
However, before they even drew near Kun Mountain, they encountered inexplicable Array Patterns and rules in its vicinity, and were all reduced to dust, vanishing into nothing.
This made many of the Dao Lineages and forces watching the matter tremble.
The dangers of Kun Mountain went without saying. Even Sacred Emperor Realm beings dared not venture there lightly, and there were many accounts of True Daoists perishing in bloodshed there.
For the Ji Family to rescue their Founding Ancestor was, as it now appeared, no simple matter.
“The Ji Family’s Founding Ancestor Ji Shengchu is a figure who rendered great merit to all living beings of heaven and earth. For the other forces and Dao Lineages to stand by idly at a time like this...”
“I reckon it won’t be long before the Cults of Immortality and Supreme Dao Lineages of all the heavens of the Beyond gather here.”
“After all, within Kun Mountain lives a genuine Mortal One...”
In the ancient cities everywhere, Cultivators and living beings were discussing, the clamor unceasing, everyone voicing their own views.
In their eyes, Ji Shengchu was not merely the Ji Family’s Founding Ancestor, but the Mortal One in the eyes of countless living beings of the Beyond.
Now that he faced crisis, trapped within Kun Mountain, those forces and Dao Lineages that had once received his grace would absolutely come to his aid.
Moreover, from another perspective, if Ji Shengchu were rescued, the calamity of the Absolute Yin Heaven currently facing all regions of the Beyond might very well be resolved with ease.
Harboring such thoughts, many forces and Dao Lineages were watching and waiting, wanting to know the Beyond’s current attitude toward the Ji Family Founding Ancestor’s predicament.
During this period, the Ji Family’s members also mobilized their own strength one after another, requesting help from forces that had been on good terms with the Ji Family in the past.
Especially those forces that had received Ji Shengchu’s care.
Subsequently, another piece of news spread from the Ji Family, quickly shaking all parties and stirring enormous waves.
Gu Changge intended to lead the many experts of the Gu Family to assist the Ji Family in storming Kun Mountain and rescuing the Founding Ancestor Ji Shengchu.
This news shook many Cults of Immortality and Supreme Dao Lineages, leaving them somewhat incredulous.
By all reason, the Longevity Gu Family and the Ji Family did not have deep ties. For what reason, exactly, would Gu Changge do this?
Could he truly be warm-hearted and chivalrous? Or did he merely wish to help the Ji Family’s Founding Ancestor escape?
But this differed greatly from the Gu Changge they knew.
On the other hand, however, upon seeing the Ji Family gain Gu Changge’s help, quite a few forces hostile to the Ji Family quietly reined in their sharpness.
With such backing, the Ji Family gained the assistance of many forces and Dao Lineages, and began calling upon their foundations, preparing for the first assault on Kun Mountain.
For a time, the entire Beyond surged with wind and clouds once more, as many Dao Lineages and forces turned their gazes toward Kun Mountain.
Although Kun Mountain was an extremely famous Life Forbidden Area of the Beyond,
viewed from outside, it was a stretch of verdant green, with steaming clouds and rosy mists, exuding an air of antiquity and vicissitude.
Clouds and mist rose, colored haze swirled, a scene of splendor. Towering, terrifying divine peaks and Devil Mountains stood in its depths, their momentum vast, as if they had existed since the very creation of heaven and earth.
Around Kun Mountain, there was even a layer of chaotic fog that simply would not settle, surging endlessly.
Within it, faint traces of blood-red interwove and reflected, as if proclaiming to the world that some horrifying, bloody event had once occurred here.
True Daoists had perished in bloodshed; even True Immortals could not cross!
At the foot of Kun Mountain stood an ancient city called Kunwu City, spanning a million miles of territory, grand and prosperous, magnificent and vast, extremely ancient, having existed for ages.
During this period, Kunwu City teemed with crowds, and every day one could see streaks of divine rainbows sweeping in from all directions.
Many Cultivators and living beings, upon learning that the Ji Family’s Founding Ancestor was trapped in Kun Mountain, rushed over from all regions, sensing that something momentous would soon happen at Kun Mountain.
A living Mortal One was actually trapped within Kun Mountain.
The sensation caused by this news could be called earth-shattering; no force could remain calm.
Besides the sect masters and Elders of the great sects arriving on clouds and mists, even many of the younger generation gathered in droves, intending to witness the affair.
Kun Mountain was also called Immortal King Mountain, where fortune and crisis coexisted.
Someone had once plucked a small, entirely crimson grass outside Kun Mountain. After consuming it, their cultivation soared, advancing ten thousand miles in a day, and they later even became a Quasi-Emperor existence.
Some said that little grass had absorbed Immortal King blood. Though it was likely only a hundred-millionth of a drop, it was still incomparably rare, its value beyond estimation.
Divine objects like this were not few in number.
Every day in Kunwu City, one could see Cultivators heading to the outskirts of Kun Mountain to scavenge for overlooked treasures. Even some oddly shaped stones contained special Dao charm and were worth a fortune.
Some merchant alliance forces had even specially set up Stone-Gambling Stalls within Kunwu City.
Those rare and exotic stones were all transported from around Kun Mountain, some even hauled out by powerful existences risking their lives, their value immense and unimaginable.
Among those exotic stones, some had even cut out supreme scriptures and rare immortal ores... There was even a sealed drop of blood, whose mere emanating aura caused the sky within ten million miles to violently change, making the stars beyond the domain tremble.
That drop of mysterious blood was ultimately purchased by a certain force at a sky-high price. It was said they even molded a peerless prodigy from it, though he later vanished without a trace for unknown reasons.
In short, Kun Mountain contained all manner of profound fortunes. Even some True Daoists had extended their lives thanks to divine objects from within Kun Mountain, alleviating their Five Immortal Decays.
Weng weng!!
The sky trembled. One after another, dazzling, resplendent Ancient Battleships and divine chariots arrived from afar, descending upon Kunwu City like little suns, causing no small commotion.
“That’s the Divine Son of the Taiyin Divine Sect, Tian Jiuyin...”
Someone was startled, quite shaken, recognizing the young man who walked out of the Ancient Battleship. He looked very feminine, but behind him there seemed to be round after round of bright moons rising and sinking.
“Rumor has it he’s a man with a woman’s features, possessing the Taiyin Divine Physique. He’s already at the Intermediate Sacred Noble Realm, sweeping all before him, invincible.”
“A while back, I heard he easily slew a Sacred Lord Realm beast. His Taiyin Divine Physique has already reached minor completion...”
Many Cultivators within Kunwu City discussed in low voices, staring at the young man ahead.
Kunwu City was now a den of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, with Young Prodigies of various races descending almost every day.
Aside from those elusive sect masters of the great sects, these Young Prodigies drew the most attention.
Hong!!
At that moment, from another direction, a fluctuation came. A very tall white-jade flying vessel sped over, descending toward this place, an ancient and grand aura spreading out.
“That’s someone from the Hidden An Clan...”
“I hear this generation’s successor of the Hidden An Clan is very mysterious, never having walked the world, but their personal strength is unimaginable.”
“I wonder if we’ll get to see that successor of the Hidden An Clan this time.”
The place immediately erupted into no small commotion. Many Cultivators were shocked, fixing their eyes tightly on that white-jade flying vessel.
Besides the Hidden An Clan, quite a few Young Prodigies had already shown themselves earlier. Even the likes of the King of Six Crowns and the Phoenix Lady had revealed their traces.
It could be said that this affair at Kun Mountain had drawn the gaze of the entire Beyond, and many of the younger generation had flocked to Kunwu City.
Many Cultivators and living beings were waiting in anticipation, feeling that before the great Dao Lineages rescued the Ji Family’s Founding Ancestor, a great collision would occur among the younger generation gathered here.
“Eh, did any of you notice that the girl in green who walked in from outside the city just now looked a bit familiar?”
At this moment, a Cultivator suddenly spoke, his eyes widening as he looked toward the city gate.
However, that green-clad girl’s figure only flashed past, quickly vanishing from sight, as if he had hallucinated it.
“She looks like that little princess of the Gu Family... I never thought she’d come too...” Another Cultivator nearby said, somewhat astonished. “Looks like Kunwu City is going to be very lively this time.”