Dragon Head Peak's Visitors! Qi Hao's Schemes!

Ji Changfeng led Tian Ling'er and the other two away from Taiji Cave.

Along the way, Tian Ling'er crossed her arms over her chest and pouted, looking as though she did not want to speak to anyone. Whenever Ji Changfeng looked her way—

She would let out a deliberately angry snort.

Ji Changfeng merely smiled without saying anything.

He had always indulged Tian Ling'er over the years because she had been young then, but things were different now.

Little Ling'er had grown into a young woman.

He could not keep spoiling her.

Zhang Xiaofan walked at the very back. Looking at his angry senior sister, then at the carefree Ji Changfeng, he could not help scratching his head...

Seventh Senior Brother and Senior Sister were like this every time.

Uh, no.

It should be said that Senior Sister always acted particularly coy and affected in front of Seventh Senior Brother...

Zhang Xiaofan felt somewhat envious.

He thought Senior Sister probably liked Seventh Senior Brother.

So, a long time ago, he had already buried the feelings he should not have...

Senior Sister was so outstanding and beautiful. Perhaps only Seventh Senior Brother was worthy of her?

Zhang Xiaofan thought silently.

But in truth, Ji Changfeng had never harbored such feelings for Tian Ling'er. From the very beginning, he had spoiled her as if she were his daughter...

It was only that Tian Ling'er had grown up now.

He should not spoil her anymore.

The three of them soon arrived at Shoujing Hall.

Upon entering the hall, they found all the senior brothers of Dazhu Peak eating, along with Tian Buyi and his wife...

"Hmm?"

"Changfeng, you've come out of seclusion?"

Su Ru was the first to notice Ji Changfeng, and delight flashed through her eyes.

Tian Buyi was pleased as well, but unlike Su Ru, he did not show it so openly. He merely said with restrained composure:

"Old Seven, your seclusion is over?"

Ji Changfeng smiled faintly. He cupped his hands and bowed slightly to Tian Buyi and Su Ru. "This disciple, Ji Changfeng, greets Master and Mistress!"

Su Ru looked at him expectantly. "Changfeng, you..."

"How is your cultivation now?"

Four years ago, Ji Changfeng had already reached the Jade Purity Fifth Layer. Four years had passed since then—just how far had his cultivation advanced?

Jade Purity Ninth Layer?

Or perhaps...

Upper Clarity?

Tian Buyi also looked at Ji Changfeng with anticipation in his eyes.

The surrounding senior brothers, including Tian Ling'er, all turned to look at Ji Changfeng. They were all curious about his current cultivation.

Faced with everyone's gazes—

Ji Changfeng smiled faintly. Rather than directly reveal his cultivation, he said tactfully:

"Master, Mistress."

"First place in the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament is already in Dazhu Peak's grasp!"

The moment those words fell—

The surrounding senior brothers were immediately shocked.

"Seventh Junior Brother is already confident he can take first place in the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament?"

"Gasp—"

"There are quite a few favored contenders for this tournament's championship. Without exception, they are at the Jade Purity Eighth or Ninth Layer. Seventh Junior Brother, could it be that you've already..."

Ji Changfeng merely smiled and said nothing.

After four years of arduous cultivation, he had already reached the Upper Clarity First Layer!

Had he not taken time along the way to learn alchemy, artifact forging, Formation techniques, and the like, and often left seclusion to drink and chat with Wan Jianyi and the others at Tongtian Peak...

His cultivation would likely have risen another level.

Perhaps to around the Upper Clarity Third or Fourth Layer?

But honestly—

For Ji Changfeng, his current Upper Clarity First Layer cultivation was already enough...

Combined with his various Sword Techniques—

His combat strength was enough to rival veteran Upper Clarity Experts.

Take the Four Holy Envoys of the Ghost King Sect, for example. In a one-on-one fight, not a single one of them would be Ji Changfeng's match...

Tian Buyi and Su Ru exchanged a glance.

A trace of astonishment appeared in both their eyes.

If Ji Changfeng had truly broken through to Upper Clarity...

Then first place in this Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament would surely belong to Dazhu Peak!

"Mistress, this disciple recently refined a pill. I believe it should suit you quite well..."

Ji Changfeng said with a smile.

"Oh? What pill?" Su Ru asked curiously.

Beside her, Tian Ling'er quietly pricked up her ears.

A pill?

Could it be one of the pills Ji Changfeng had just refined?

Ji Changfeng chuckled. "A Face-Fixing Pill."

With that, he took out the pill and handed it to Su Ru as he explained:

"A Face-Fixing Pill, as its name suggests, can preserve one's appearance and keep it at its most beautiful state. All it takes is one pill..."

"To keep one's appearance unchanged for a hundred years!"

As soon as those words were spoken, Su Ru's beautiful eyes widened.

To preserve one's appearance for a hundred years?!

This...

The surrounding senior brothers all cried out in surprise.

Su Ru held the pill in her hands as though it were a priceless treasure.

If the Face-Fixing Pill truly worked as Ji Changfeng claimed, then... this single pill would be enough to cause a frenzy among female cultivators.

"Ji Changfeng! I want one too!"

At that moment, Tian Ling'er looked over eagerly.

For a female cultivator—

A Face-Fixing Pill was an irresistible temptation!

No woman could refuse it.

Ji Changfeng smiled faintly and teased, "Oh? Little Senior Sister, didn't you just say you wouldn't want it even if I gave it to you?"

"I..."

Tian Ling'er's pretty face flushed faintly as she was about to say something.

"Whoosh—"

But at that moment, a brilliant streak of sword light flashed past in the distance.

Someone had flown their sword directly onto Dazhu Peak?!

"Hmm?" Tian Buyi's expression immediately darkened.

Flying a sword directly into Dazhu Peak?

Was that not a blatant insult to him?!

Among the Seven Meridians of Qingyun, Tongtian Peak had a Formation in place, so aerial flight was prohibited. Because of this, an unspoken rule had arisen among the other six peaks—

Without permission, aerial flight above any meridian's peak was forbidden!

Shoujing Hall was the central area of Dazhu Peak.

Now, someone had directly flown into it through the air. Was that not a violation of the rules?!

"Outrageous!"

Tian Buyi slammed his hand against the armrest, his face filled with fury.

Su Ru furrowed her brows. Even she, who was usually mild-tempered, said nothing now.

"Xiaofan? Xiaofan!"

At that moment, a jubilant shout rang out beyond Shoujing Hall.

Looking over—

They saw a spirited young man barge into Shoujing Hall while holding an Artifact.

"Jingyu?" Zhang Xiaofan looked stunned.

"Xiaofan, it's been a long..." Lin Jingyu had just begun greeting Zhang Xiaofan when a rebuking voice suddenly sounded behind him:

"Junior Brother Lin, this is Dazhu Peak. Do not make such a fuss!"

"..." The Dazhu Peak disciples were speechless.

So you did know this was Dazhu Peak?!

Everyone looked toward the outside of Shoujing Hall, where a young man in white entered respectfully with the Cold Ice Sword in hand.

"Qi Hao, disciple of Dragon Head Peak, greets Uncle Tian, Aunt Su, and all the brothers of Dazhu Peak."

Qi Hao observed every courtesy as he bowed slightly to Tian Buyi.

Only then did Lin Jingyu come to his senses.

He hurriedly bowed to Tian Buyi and Su Ru. "Lin Jingyu, disciple of Dragon Head Peak, greets Uncle Tian and Aunt Su."

At this sight—

Tian Buyi kept a cold face and said nothing.

Su Ru furrowed her brows and raised her eyes to glance at Ji Changfeng, but she said nothing either...

Ji Changfeng understood at once.

He immediately stepped forward and asked Lin Jingyu in an even tone:

"Junior Brother Lin, aerial flight is strictly forbidden around the main halls of the Seven Meridians. Didn't you know?"

"Huh?" Lin Jingyu shook his head in confusion. "I didn't know."

He did not know?

Hearing this, Ji Changfeng narrowed his eyes slightly.

His gaze then shifted to Qi Hao as he said blandly, "Senior Brother Qi Hao, as Dragon Head Peak's chief disciple, did you not tell Junior Brother Lin about this?"

Qi Hao's expression stiffened slightly.

He quickly cupped his hands toward Tian Buyi and Su Ru. "This was my oversight. I ask Uncle Tian to forgive me."

Then Qi Hao turned and rebuked Lin Jingyu:

"Junior Brother Lin, hurry and apologize to Uncle Tian!"

At this sight, Ji Changfeng narrowed his eyes slightly.

What a clever attempt to shift the blame!

He had clearly made the mistake himself, yet he wanted to redirect Tian Buyi's anger onto Lin Jingyu?

Heh~

This Qi Hao was no simple man!

As expected of a grandpa over a hundred years old.

Ji Changfeng could not be bothered to save him face. He said blandly, "If anyone should apologize, it is Senior Brother Qi Hao. Junior Brother Lin has only been in the sect for five years. As his senior brother, you should have taught him certain things, yet you deliberately 'guided' him into making a mistake?!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk."

Ji Changfeng spoke pointedly.

As soon as his words fell, everyone present changed expression.