Affairs of Yan Mountain (2)

Winged Serpent Lake, Water Manor Main Hall.

Ji Ning sat cross-legged, his aura surging.

Four years ago, following his elder brother Ji An's instructions when he left Yan Mountain, he came to Winged Serpent Lake after breaking through to the sixth level of the "Crimsonbright Nine Heavens Diagram" and reaching the Xiantian Complete. Upon arriving at Winged Serpent Lake, he was directly teleported to this Water Manor.

At that time, Ji Ning easily passed the Water Manor mission by relying on the sixth level of the "Crimsonbright Nine Heavens Diagram" and the two True Meanings of "Thunderfire" and "Dripping Water".

He finally understood why his brother Ji An had allowed him to reach the sixth level of the "Crimsonbright Nine Heavens Diagram".

Over the past four years, his understanding of the Dao has continuously improved, and just a few days ago, he broke through to the Dao Domain the Dao of Thunderfire and the Dao of Rain and Water.

Through that Black Old Ox, he finally learned about the division of realms of enlightenment.

The more he learned, the more he understood what a genius his brother Ji An was. In other words, it took him four years to reach the level his brother Ji An had reached six years ago when he left.

He had heard the old ox say many times that it would have been so much better if his brother had truly inherited the Water Manor back then.

Although he doesn't understand what this means right now.

And today is the day his "Crimsonbright Nine Heavens Diagram" enters the Violet Palace Mansion!

As Ji Ning comprehended the transformation of Yin and Yang, the two divine runes behind him invoked the two supreme Stars, Taiyin and Taiyang, separated by countless worlds, and immediately sent down Grand Yin True Water and Grand Yang True Fire to his side.

As Ji An activated it, a huge flower of water and fire formed, enveloping Ji Ning Ji Ning, who became the stamen within it.

Just as Ji Ning broke through...

Deep within the Water Manor.

The Yellow Big Bear gazed at the enormous Water-Fire Lotus and sighed, "Finally, he's broken through. Although Ji Ning is also very talented, he's ultimately not as good as his brother."

Although it never appeared before Ji Ning during these four years, it still attached great importance to the people recommended by Ji An. Therefore, it would observe Ji Ning whenever he came to the Water Manor.

It also acknowledged that Ji Ning's talent was good, but compared to his older brother Ji An, he was still far inferior.

"Brother, Ji Ning's talent is already quite good, even surpassing his Lei Zhan back then."

"That's what the Black Old Ox next to me said."

"I think his talent surpasses even that of Ju Hua," the Yellow Big Bear said directly.

"Big Brother—" the Black Old Ox said, "Back then, my master was Loose Immortal comparable to Heavenly Immortal— "

After all, he was his master, even though he was already dead.

"Is Ju Hua's cultivation level as high as Ji Ning's at his age?" the Yellow Big Bear asked directly. "Moreover, in terms of Godfiend Body Refinement, Ju Hua is far inferior to him!"

"Well—" The Black Old Ox wanted to retort, but before he could finish speaking, he stopped.

"If you dare to contradict me again, I'll imprison you in the Water Manor for tens of thousands of years!" the Yellow Big Bear said. "He's gone; he successfully broke through, and I just went to see him."

While the two of them were arguing, Ji Ning had already completed his breakthrough.

"Finally, I've broken through to the Violet Palace." Ji Ning sat there cross-legged and sighed. Breaking through a major realm was indeed not easy. He didn't even spend four years going from the Fourth Layer to the sixth level.

"Congratulations." The Black Old Ox and the Yellow Big Bear suddenly appeared. "Breaking through to the Violet Palace in four years is much faster than I expected."

"I'm still far inferior to my brother," Ji Ning said modestly. "May I ask who this gentleman is?"

"This is my eldest brother," the Black Old Ox introduced, "He is also the spirit of this Water Manor."

"The spirit of the cave." Ji Ning also noticed that the Yellow Big Bear resembled the phantom that had brought him in.

"Ji Ning greets Senior," Ji Ning said respectfully.

"Hmm, although your talent isn't as good as your brother's, your attitude is good," said the Yellow Big Bear. "Come with me, I'll tell you about this Water Manor— "

"Yes, senior." Ji Ning listened attentively.

Soon, he also realized the immense opportunity his brother had given him.

The subsequent introduction was exactly the same as when Ji An came, directly to the Divine Ability Hall, one of the four halls.

The spirits of the two magical treasures stood with Ji Ning before the bronze gate.

"This is the Divine Ability Hall. Including you and Ji An, there are only five people in this Water Manor. Half of them are not qualified to enter."

"There's only one rule: reach the Violet Palace God-Demon Realm before the age of ten."

The Yellow Big Bear, "Of course, this refers to the period starting after one becomes Xiantian Being."

Ji Ning nodded, feeling relieved.

"You only have one chance to enter the Divine Ability Hall, so the stronger you are, the greater your chances of getting in. It's best to enter the Divine Ability Hall when you're ten years old, otherwise you won't get the divine powers if you fail. After all, it's a test, and there are some dangers involved. Carelessness could cost you your life."

"Senior," Ji Ning asked respectfully, "Did my brother Ji An ever enter this Divine Ability Hall back then?"

Although his brother broke through to the Violet Palace back then, he was not yet ten years old, so it's possible that he didn't enter the Divine Ability Hall. That's why he asked this question.

When Ji An was mentioned, the Yellow Big Bear's eyes became complicated, showing a mixture of regret and admiration.

It remained silent for a moment before speaking, "Ji An —he was naturally qualified to enter. Moreover, at that time, he was almost about to obtain the First Divine Ability— "

"But," the Yellow Big Bear changed the subject, his tone filled with regret, "just as he was about to complete the test—"

--He gave up.

"Give up?" Ji Ning was taken aback. "Why?"

"For you," the Yellow Big Bear continued, "the First Divine Ability of this Water Manor can only be inherited by one person in each generation. He gave up that 'most powerful First Divine Ability's that could shake the Three Realms, so that you could obtain it in the future!"

Boom!

This news struck Ji Ning like a thunderbolt!

He never imagined that his brother would give up the true inheritance of the Water Manor for him.

An indescribable mix of sorrow and emotion instantly overwhelmed Ji Ning's heart.

It turns out that my brother made such a huge sacrifice behind the scenes!

For his younger brother, the older brother didn't hesitate to give up this unparalleled opportunity!

"Brother--" Ji Ning's eyes instantly reddened. He clenched his fists tightly.

He recalled his brother's parting words, never expecting his brother to trust him so much.

The Yellow Big Bear looked at Ji Ning's eyes, which had turned red upon hearing the news, and continued, "Because he voluntarily gave up the test, although he obtained the second supernatural power, he failed to obtain the true Core Inheritance of this Water Manor."

Its enormous bear paw gently patted the bronze palace door. "Ji Ning, remember this: only by successfully passing the final test of the Divine Ability Hall and obtaining the First Divine Ability can you truly be recognized by the Water Manor, become my master's Personal Disciple, and inherit everything from the Water Manor! Your brother Ji An gave up this path for you. Now, it's your turn to walk this path."

Ji Ning took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turbulent emotions in his heart.

He raised his head, his eyes resolute, and said to the Yellow Big Bear, word by word, "Senior, I understand."

I will never let my brother down!

Just as Ji Ning broke through, the Winged Serpent Lake.

The extremely turbulent fluctuations of heaven and earth's vitality are just like a stone thrown into water, emitting terrifying fluctuations of heaven and earth's vitality in all directions - waves of fluctuations are like tides, sweeping thousands of miles away, and then spreading farther away.

This is precisely the extraordinary phenomenon of Primordial Spirit Daoist breaking through to the Void-Returning Earth Immortal.

"Ji Ning, your Ji Clan is probably in some trouble. You should go back and check," the Yellow Big Bear said to Ji Ning after explaining the areas within the Water Manor that Ji Ning could now access.

Upon hearing this, Ji Ning's expression changed. He disregarded everything else and bowed to the Yellow Big Bear, saying, "Please, senior, escort me out."

"No problem."

Ji Ning flashed and appeared on the central island of Winged Serpent Lake.

After Ji Ning was sent out of the Winged Serpent Lake Water Mansion, he immediately sensed that the source of the violent fluctuations in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was near Ten Thousand Swords City.

He was extremely anxious and rushed to Myriad Swords City as quickly as possible.

Ji Jiuhuo, Granny Shadow, and their loyal old servant "A Xing" were closest to the city and quickly arrived at the desolate mountains and forests only a thousand miles away from Myriad Swords City.

The three hovered in mid-air, the mountains and forests below appearing normal and without any abnormalities.

To spare the clan leader from danger, A Xing volunteered to be the first to land and investigate. A moment later, he returned and reported: there was a massive amount of Essence Stones underground, which was initially determined to be an Essence Stones vein, and extremely precious high-grade Essence Stones had already been discovered.

"Essence Stones vein?! High-grade Essence Stones?!" Upon hearing this, Ji Jiuhuo was overjoyed.

If this immense wealth falls into the hands of the Ji Clan, their rise to power will be imminent!

Soon, Ji Ning and Ji Yichuan also arrived in Myriad Swords City.

"When I arrived, I only roughly surveyed the area of this vein, and it is more than four thousand li in circumference! If the depth is indeed more than three hundred li!"

"Ji Ning said."

On his way here, he had already conducted a preliminary exploration underground.

Ji Jiuhuo, Ji Yichuan, Granny Shadow, Ji Liuzhen, and the old servant A Xing all gasped in shock.

Their faces showed shock.

More than four thousand miles!

This is almost half the size of the Ji Clan, and the depth of over three hundred miles far exceeds their imagination!

The value of Essence Stones vein of this scale is immeasurable.

If this news had come six years ago, Ji Jiuhuo and the others would probably have been overwhelmed by immense fear – "A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime!"

At that time, the Ji Clan simply couldn't hold onto such astonishing wealth!

This mineral vein brought not blessings, but utter disaster.

However, at this moment, the atmosphere in the quiet room, after the initial shock, did not descend into panic.

After a brief silence, clan leader Ji Jiuhuo, "Good! Good! Heaven blesses the Ji Clan!"

Ji Jiuhuo's voice was excited, not only because of the mine itself, but also because the mine appeared on the Ji Clan's territory, within the Ji Clan's vast domain!

"Over four thousand li, more than three hundred li deep—haha, the rise of the Ji Clan is unstoppable!"

Granny Shadow smiled and said, "Yes, what an incredible opportunity! Moreover, this opportunity is rightfully Ji Clan, and no one can take it away from us!"

"Yichuan has given birth to two wonderful sons."

It's all luck.

Ji Yichuan said modestly, then looked at Ji Ning: "Ning'er, did you discover anything else during your investigation?"

Ji Ning nodded calmly. "When I arrived, I sensed the auras of the five Violet Palace Cultivators from Snow Dragon Mountain. They are rushing towards Myriad Swords City, about two thousand miles away from us. They should also have sensed this tide of Heaven and Earth energy and know that the source is here."

He paused, then added, "However, they seemed hesitant, their speed was not fast, as if they were testing and observing."

"Hmph, Snow Dragon Mountain!" Ji Liuzhen, a glint of cold light flashing in his eyes.

In the past, the arrival of five Violet Palace Cultivators together would have been enough to put the entire Ji Clan on high alert.

During these five years, although Ji An returned the Yinglong Guard Token, since Ji An never came back, Snow Dragon Mountain did not restrain itself much outside of the Ji Clan.

But this opportunity is within the Ji Clan's territory, so what can even the Snow Dragon Mountain do?!

But now?

Ji Jiuhuo continued, "Ning'er's investigation was timely. Liuzhen, you are in charge of mobilizing the Dao Soldiers and preparing for mining. Yinggu, Ning'er, and Yichuan, you two stay with me in Myriad Swords City and wait for those guests to 'arrive'!"

"Yes!" the crowd roared in agreement.

Just as the Ji Clan was taking action in full swing, five streaks of Flowing Light of different colors streaked across the sky and landed on the wilderness not far from Myriad Swords City.

These were the five Violet Palace Cultivators stationed at the Snow Dragon Mountain stronghold in Yan Mountain: Dong Ziqi, the green-haired man, the green-haired woman, the giant, and the cultivator with the cold expression.

Their faces turned extremely grim as they stared at the token hanging high above the gate tower of Myriad Swords City in the distance.

"What a terrifying surge of elemental energy—a mineral vein stretching over four thousand miles!" The green-haired man's eyes were filled with greed, but even more so with apprehension.

"The area is too vast! It's a pity it's only near Myriad Swords City?" The green-haired woman's voice was filled with regret. "Such a treasure is right before our eyes!"

"Hmph, too bad, it's below that token!" the giant gruffly voice said, his eyes fixed on the Yinglong Guard token on the city wall.

They had already investigated thoroughly before they arrived.

Dong Ziqi's face was ashen. He took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Conceal your aura and come with me into the city. Remember, we're here to congratulate the Ji Clan on acquiring the mine. I have a way to get the Ji Clan to relinquish some of their profits."

He specifically emphasized the word "congratulations".

The imposing presence of the Yinglong Guard was like an invisible mountain, making it hard for them to breathe.

Robbery? That's courting disaster!

But what if they offer to deliver it voluntarily?

Moreover, an ordinary Yinglong Guard who has just become Yinglong Guard would not dare to cause trouble, but they have the entire Snow Dragon Mountain behind them.

Moreover, even Primordial Spirit ancestor of a sect would be tempted by this mineral vein.

A moment later, in the Ji Clan's council hall in Myriad Swords City.

Ji Jiuhuo sat in the main seat, with Granny Shadow standing beside him, Ji Ning stood quietly near his father Ji Yichuan's seat.

Faced with the visit of five Violet Palace Cultivators, the Ji Clan family remained unusually calm, their eyes filled with scrutiny.

The five people from Snow Dragon Mountain on the other side didn't waste any words after they entered.

Dong Ziqi, as the leader, first cupped his hands and said, "Clan Chief Ji, we have heard that your clan has discovered a high-grade Essence Stones vein. This is truly a blessing upon the Ji Clan! Our Snow Dragon Mountain has come to offer our congratulations."

Then his tone shifted, becoming threatening. "However, this mineral vein is a gift from heaven, and we should share it. Therefore, Snow Dragon Mountain demands half of the mining rights! Otherwise—"

He looked at the Ji Clan members and said, word by word, "No one from the entire Ji Clan should even think about leaving this place."

He pointed towards the city gate, his tone mocking. "Your reliance is nothing more than someone who has only recently become Yinglong Guard. There are quite a few like that in my Snow Dragon Mountain. Although we cannot make a move within this vast area, you know the consequences!"