Ji Changfeng paused, his gaze lingering on the scene before him.
He already knew what lay hidden beneath this wall.
The Infatuation Curse—a malevolent spell that harmed both others and oneself!
Ji Changfeng removed the Infatuation Bell from his waist and pressed it against the button.
Click—
He gently turned the bell.
In an instant, the mechanism within the wall activated.
Words began to appear on the wall, seemingly describing some kind of cultivation technique.
"Nine Nether Yin Spirits, Gods and Demons of the Heavens…" Lu Xueqi read softly.
Boom—
But at that moment, a ferocious surge of sword intent erupted.
Lu Xueqi and the others started in shock.
They turned to see Ji Changfeng abruptly draw his sword and slash, reducing the wall inscribed with the cultivation technique to rubble.
"Hmph!" Ji Changfeng snorted coldly, sheathing his sword with a slow, deliberate motion. His tone was indifferent. "Such a vile, demonic technique that harms both self and others—it's better not to let it spread."
Lu Xueqi looked at him, bewildered.
Though she didn't understand why he acted so decisively, she said nothing.
Whatever you decide, I'll follow.
Qi Hao and Zhang Xiaofan had no objections either.
"Let's go," Ji Changfeng said.
The treasures and opportunities of the Blood-Dripping Cave had been claimed or seen. There was no reason to linger.
"Alright," Qi Hao and the others nodded.
The group retraced their steps, exiting the Blood-Dripping Cave and returning to the surface of the Heartless Sea.
To avoid encountering the Black Water Serpent again, they summoned their treasures and flew directly back to the Ten Thousand Bats Ancient Cave.
As they left the cave, they didn't encounter the disciples from Tianyin Temple or Incense Valley, who had likely already returned to their sects to report.
"Junior Brother Ji, what's our next move?" Qi Hao asked.
Ji Changfeng pondered for a moment before replying, "We'll find a place to rest and recover, then head to Jieshi Mountain."
"Jieshi Mountain?" Qi Hao blinked, surprised.
"Exactly." Ji Changfeng nodded, taking the Mountain and River Fan from his waist and giving it a gentle wave. His tone was calm. "There are rumors that Ancestor Fengyue has defected to the demonic sects. We'll go investigate and see if it's true."
Investigation, he said.
But in his heart, Ji Changfeng had already sentenced Ancestor Fengyue to death.
"Uh…" Qi Hao opened his mouth, at a loss for words.
Investigate?
Just the four of them?
"Junior Brother, maybe we should head back and discuss this with Sect Leader Shizun first?" Qi Hao suggested tactfully.
Ji Changfeng gave him a sidelong glance, then patted his shoulder lightly. "Senior Brother Qi, a man must achieve great things. There's a saying—'With great power comes great responsibility!'"
"But first, you need to make a name for yourself, right?"
"Once you've achieved something, it proves your capability. And with capability comes greater responsibility…"
Dropping the pretense, Ji Changfeng said earnestly, "Senior Brother Qi, I see in you the makings of a peak leader. Will you join me in accomplishing something grand?!"
Hiss— Qi Hao sucked in a sharp breath, his expression turning resolute. "Junior Brother Ji, purging evil and upholding justice is our duty!"
If you don't mind, Hao is willing to call you Righteous Father!
"Well said!" Ji Changfeng nodded with a faint smile. "I knew I wasn't wrong about you, Senior Brother Qi. You're truly a leader among men!"
"No, no, Junior Brother Ji is the true unparalleled talent of our Qingyun Sect…" Qi Hao said with a beaming smile.
It's official!
From today onward, there's only one sun in Qi Hao's heart—Junior Brother Ji!
Loyalty! Devotion!
Xiao Yicai? Who's that?
Sorry, don't know him, not familiar.
Don't come looking for me—I'm afraid Junior Brother Ji will misunderstand~
At that moment, Lu Xueqi and Zhang Xiaofan stood frozen, dumbfounded.
What are they talking about?
Why does it feel like I can't follow?
Zhang Xiaofan was utterly confused.
Lu Xueqi glanced thoughtfully at Ji Changfeng and Qi Hao but said nothing.
Her temperament was cold, but that didn't mean she was clueless.
When it came to Ji Changfeng, she had only three words in her heart: I'll follow you.
The group of four flew on their swords, leaving Kongsang Mountain behind.
They headed to a nearby place called Xiaochi Town to rest and recover before continuing to Jieshi Mountain.
"Xueqi, I'll teach you all a sword-flight technique later. Otherwise, you're just too slow," Ji Changfeng said softly.
Lu Xueqi blinked, recalling Ji Changfeng's terrifying sword-flight speed, her eyes widening slightly.
In a small voice, she asked, "A sword-flight technique? Did you create it yourself?"
Qi Hao and Zhang Xiaofan subtly turned their attention to him.
"Yes," Ji Changfeng said with a smile and a nod.
The three were stunned.
Zhang Xiaofan was used to it by now.
Seventh Senior Brother is just that incredible!
The group arrived in Xiaochi Town and found an inn. After a simple meal, Ji Changfeng taught them the sword-flight technique.
"Thank you, Junior Brother Ji, for sharing your technique!" Qi Hao bowed respectfully, deeply admiring Ji Changfeng's willingness to set aside factional divides.
Though they were all Qingyun disciples, differences between the peaks often led to rivalries.
Yet Ji Changfeng didn't care in the slightest.
Lu Xueqi gazed at him with tender eyes, her gratitude unspoken but clear.
Zhang Xiaofan scratched his head.
Seventh Senior Brother's greatness needs no words.
"No matter," Ji Changfeng waved dismissively. "Go practice the sword-flight technique. We'll head to Jieshi Mountain tomorrow."
Jieshi Mountain was nearly ten thousand miles away.
Without the sword-flight technique, Qi Hao and the others would take ages to get there, practically skating on their swords.
"Alright," Qi Hao and the others nodded.
They returned to their rooms to familiarize themselves with the technique.
But Ji Changfeng didn't stay at the inn.
Instead, he left quietly.
He exited Xiaochi Town alone, arriving at a small grove.
The entire grove was shrouded in mist, visibility reduced to a mere one or two meters, with a faint trace of demonic aura flickering within.
"Xiaochi Town, fox demon, Mysterious Fire Mirror…" Ji Changfeng murmured to himself.
He glanced at a certain figure in the grove but didn't enter. Instead, he spoke calmly toward a direction behind him, "You've been following me for so long. Don't you plan to show yourself?"
As his words fell, a green-clad figure slowly emerged from a corner, accompanied by a black-clad woman with a veiled face, her starry eyes gleaming brightly.
___
If you want to support me and read advanced 100+ chapters and also other stories: patreon.com/Caluem