Half a Year Later (Happy January 3rd)

Stars Hall Water Manor, the Stars Hall is a self-contained space, naturally exceptionally vast.

Beneath the stars, Ji An sat cross-legged on the ground, his Blood Refining Divine Weapon, the Universe Sword, lying horizontally on his lap.

He closed his eyes tightly, carefully sensing the Dao contained within the Stars in the Stars Hall.

At this moment, Ji An was surrounded by eight different forms of metal energy that shared the same origin. This represented all of Ji An's insights into the Metal Dao.

These are the Eight Metal Minor Daos he has already traversed to the Domain Stage level.

In Ji An's perception, eight of the Stars hanging high in the Stars Hall seemed to have transformed into these Eight Metal Minor Daos themselves.

At this moment, Ji An was drawn to the Daoist aura emanating from them, continuously comprehending it and allowing it to permeate Ji An soul.

The Universe Sword also emitted a low, buzzing sound.

The light emanating from the sword was constantly changing.

"Buzz-!"

Suddenly, a profound Daoist aura erupted from Ji An's body.

The Universe Sword on his lap suddenly sank, its brilliance subsiding as if it bore the weight of a thousand pieces of gold.

"He's succeeded? He's mastered an entire Dao!" The Black Old Ox, who had been lying in front of the thatched hut in the distance, seemingly dozing but actually watching Ji An closely, suddenly widened its eyes and exclaimed in a low voice, "Only three months—this kid has already Metal Element Dao!"

1

Talent, it's simply unreasonable!

Ji An did not open his eyes. The completeness of this Metal Dao was merely the completion of a small piece of the puzzle of the Metal Element Dao.

Another month or so has passed.

A sharp clang of a sword echoed throughout the Stars Hall.

The Universe Sword in Ji An's hand suddenly became blurry, and strange ripples spread around the sword. Each tremor caused subtle folds in the surrounding space, and the sword exuded a sharp and fierce aura.

"This—this is the second one already perfected?!" The Black Old Ox suddenly stood up, his eyes filled with shock. "Too fast—he's not just comprehending the Dao, he's practically—grabbing the Dao and shoving it into his brain!"

Ji An remained motionless, only a barely perceptible smile seemed to curve at the corner of his mouth.

As time went by, the day when Ji Ning would go to the Black-White College for the assessment drew closer.

Ji An slowly opened his eyes.

"Clang!"

The Universe Sword emitted an unprecedentedly clear and resonant cry!

The sword's radiance instantly split into countless tiny golden rays.

Under Ji An's control, these tiny points, like precise machine parts, combined according to mysterious trajectories.

It coalesces into a golden lotus, the edges of its petals swirling with the Sharp Metal —billions of minute changes, each part of the lotus perfectly interpreting the true meaning of a small Minor Dao of gold.

"Disperse!"

Ji An said softly.

The golden lotus vanished instantly.

The brilliance of the Universe Sword faded, returning to its previous appearance, but the feeling it gave was still different from before. It was as if a golden world was still evolving within the sword.

"The third one is complete!" The Black Old Ox was no longer shocked; it was numb.

"In just six months—only six months—you've advanced three minor golden Minor Dao from the Domain Stage to the complete realm. Ji An, kid, your comprehension—in all my billions of years, I've never seen another person as unreasonable as you."

It's important to remember that Ju Hua only mastered nine Daos back then, while Ji An has already mastered six. And how long did Ju Hua cultivate back then?

How long has Ji An been cultivating?

It hasn't even been seventeen years yet, all told.

Moreover, Ju Hua's insights into the Grand Dao back then were not as profound as Ji An's.

But don't underestimate Ju Hua's talent. In the millions of years since the Loose Immortal of the Loose Immortal, only one like her has appeared in an entire era of the Great Xia World!

Upon hearing the Black Old Ox's voice, Ji An raised his head, a gentle smile appearing on his face. He looked at the Black Old Ox and said, "Senior, you flatter me. It was merely a matter of accumulating knowledge and experience before making a breakthrough, and a stroke of luck. The Stars Hall is filled with guidance from the Dao; if I were to make no further progress, I would truly be ashamed."

Moreover, it's not just the guidance in the Stars Hall. The Stars Hall can only be a guide at most. If you don't have your own accumulation, you won't make any progress no matter how long you stay here. But the "Universe" in his Sea of Consciousness is different!

For Ji An, as long as he reads the True Meaning of the Dao in "The Universe" again and again, it will continuously become the Dao he comprehends. This also makes his understanding of the Dao of Gold and the Grand Dao of Heaven and Heaven and Earth change every day.

He even had some understanding of the Time Grand Dao, but because he was fully focused on comprehending the Grand Dao of Metal 'One Path and Heaven and Heaven and Earth,' he was only distracted by a little bit, which is why he hadn't reached the True Meaning of the Dao yet. However, Ji An felt that as long as he had some time, he would be able to reach it!

Therefore, he would feel ashamed if he couldn't comprehend the three minor Minor Dao within six months.

Ji An and the Black Old Ox were talking, the space in the center of the hall suddenly rippled.

Buzz!

Amidst the spatial fluctuations, two figures appeared.

It was Ji Ning, who had just returned from the Divine Ability Hall, and the Yellow Big Bear that had brought him back.

At this moment, the Yellow Big Bear's face showed a rare expression of excitement and satisfaction.

Standing next to it, Ji Ning's face was slightly pale and tired from the test he had just experienced at the Divine Ability Hall, but his eyes were surprisingly bright.

As soon as Ji Ning appeared, his gaze fell upon his elder brother Ji An, who was sitting cross-legged. "Brother! I did it! I got the 'Star Seizing Hand'!"

He paused, then, remembering that Ji An didn't know what the Star Seizing Hand was, continued, "It's that 'First Divine Ability'."

A relieved smile appeared on Ji An's face. He stood up, sheathed the Universe Sword, walked up to Ji Ning, and patted his younger brother on the shoulder.

"Good!" Ji An said, "I knew you could do it, Xiao Ning, make good use of it from now on!"

He looked at the Yellow Big Bear and continued, "Senior, it seems you have also fulfilled one of your wishes."

The Yellow Big Bear shook its head. "We still have to wait for him to become Heavenly God. But! After waiting for so many years, we've finally found a true successor. Little Ji Ning, you're very good. The master's legacy has finally been inherited."

Ji Ning's heart was still surging with excitement.

He looked at Ji An, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Brother, without you, I could never have obtained the Star Seizing Hand. I will cultivate this Star Seizing Hand diligently and will not let this opportunity slip away!"

Ji An smiled slightly. Although he knew that Ji Ning would have obtained this opportunity in the Water Manor even without him, he had given up this opportunity in this timeline, so he felt he couldn't accept Ji Ning's gratitude.

The Black Old Ox then joined in, circling Ji Ning and marveling, "Good lad! You really did it! Impressive! Tell me, what's the Divine Ability Hall like? And what exactly is the 'Star Seizing Hand'?"

When Immortal Juhua became Violet Palace God-Demon, he was already past the age to enter the War God Hall, so he had never entered the War God Hall and had no idea what kind of supernatural power the "Star Seizing Hand" was, so he was naturally curious.

Ji Ning, "This divine ability is called the Star Seizing Hand, and its cultivation method is known as the 'Six Cycles of Star Seizing.' It consists of six revolutions, each requiring a powerful divine or demonic body as a foundation."

He spread his hands, revealing the Star Seizing Divine Mark in his palms. "Only when the Godfiend Body Refinement reaches the Violet Palace Myriad Phenomena level can one cultivate the first stage; at the Primordial Spirit level, one can attempt the third stage... and so on. Only after each major breakthrough in the Godfiend Body Refinement can one cultivate the next stage. This divine ability places an extremely terrifying burden on the divine body; if the foundation is unstable, one simply cannot withstand the power unleashed by this divine ability."

"Senior Xiong said that this supernatural power is among the top ten of all the supernatural abilities and methods since Pangu Heaven Opening!"

"The top ten..." The Black Old Ox gasped, muttering, "If Ju Hua had obtained it back then..."

Ji An already knew of the Star Seizing Hand's power. He nodded slightly and looked at Ji Ning, saying, "Little Ning, unleash your full power and attack me."

"What? Big brother?" Ji Ning was taken aback, somewhat hesitant.

Ji An said calmly, "Let me see just how powerful this Legend Star Seizing Hand really is. Go ahead and use your full strength."

Hearing Ji An's words, Ji Ning nodded. He knew that with his current strength, even with the Star Seizing Hand, it would be impossible for him to hurt Ji An.

"Alright! Be careful, big brother!"

Ji Ning no longer hesitated.

With a thought, he channeled the Crimsonbright divine power into his hands. At the same time, the "Star Seizing Divine Mark" lit up on the palms of his hands, radiating a domineering aura!

He brought two fingers together and thrust them forward with lightning speed, aiming straight for Ji An.

This attack has already surpassed the limits of ordinary Violet Palace Gods and Demons!

Faced with this attack, which was enough to kill an ordinary Myriad Wanxiang Adept, Ji An's expression did not change in the slightest; he simply raised his right hand casually.

"Puff!"

A dull thud was heard.

Ji Ning's full-force Star Seizing Hand, which was enough to kill an ordinary Myriad Wanxiang Adept, was easily received by Ji An with just one palm.

Ji Ning felt as if his two fingers had pierced a Heaven Rank Magic Treasure, and the recoil made his arms feel slightly numb.

His attack was completely neutralized by Ji An's palm.

The difference is like night and day!

"Not bad." Ji An slowly withdrew his palm and commented, "Xiao Ning, the power of your finger strike... is enough to kill an ordinary Myriad Wanxiang Adept in one blow. This Star Seizing Hand truly deserves to be one of the top ten great divine abilities in the Three Realms!"

"Even a Qi Refining cultivator at the Myriad Phenomena Perfection might not be able to escape unscathed if you got close. This Star Seizing Hand truly lives up to its name. Even at its first stage, it possesses such power in your hands; its future is promising."

Hearing Ji An's words, Ji Ning nodded heavily.

"Let's go," Ji An said. "Half a year has passed, and it's almost time for the Black-White College to recruit disciples."

Upon hearing this, a hint of anticipation flashed in Ji Ning's eyes.

Although he learned from his elder brother that the Black-White College was a top sect in Anchan Commandery with extremely strict requirements for recruiting disciples, he felt no apprehension.

These past six months have been a transformative period for him!

Not only did he obtain the Legend "Top Ten in the Three Realms" great divine power "Star Seizing Hand", he also cultivated "Law of Heaven and Earth" and "Blood God Body" to the first level, making his physical strength far exceed that of Violet Palace Cultivators of the same level. Furthermore, because he studied the book "Thunderfire World" written by his elder brother Ji An, which contains the complete Thunderfire Minor Dao, his understanding of the Thunderfire Dao advanced by leaps and bounds.

If someone with such profound knowledge and experience still cannot pass the test of the Black-White College, then the academy's entry requirements must be incredibly high.

"Yes, brother!" Ji Ning replied firmly.

Ji An didn't delay any longer, and a thought began to stir in his mind.

The space of the Water Manor Stars Hall rippled, and the two figures instantly disappeared from their original positions.

Before they refined it, they could only enter and exit the Water Manor by using the Yellow Big Bear. Now, with Ji An's refinement, they can enter and exit on their own.

The next moment, ripples appeared in the air above Winged Serpent Lake, and Ji An and Ji Ning's figures emerged, standing in mid-air.

Ji An's gaze swept over the Winged Serpent Lake beneath his feet, and he stretched out his hand, beckoning downwards.

"Buzz-!"

An invisible spatial fluctuation enveloped the entire Winged Serpent Lake.

Beneath the lake, in another hidden space, the Water Manor trembled slightly, then burst forth with spatial radiance.

The massive Water Manor rapidly shrank into a streak of Flowing Light, instantly crossing the lake and disappearing into Ji An's palm.

The Water Manor hidden at the Winged Serpent Lake is now carried by its new master, Ji An.

"Let's go. After settling things with the Ji Clan, we'll head to Anchan City." Ji An said, grabbing Ji Ning and taking a step, disappearing directly onto Winged Serpent Lake.

Just a moment.

Whoosh--

The two had already arrived at the Ji Clan West Prefecture.

For the past six months, Ji An has been in seclusion, but Ji Ning has not. Two days ago, Ji An had Ji Ning tell Ji Jiuhuo, Granny Shadow, and Ji Liuzhen that they had come to the Ji Clan West Prefecture.

Soon the two returned to the Ji Clan home. Under Ji An's Divine Consciousness communication, Ji Yichuan, Yuchi Xue, Ji Jiuhuo, and Granny Shadow...

Ji Liuzhen, Ji An, and Ji Ning arrived at a quiet hall.

"Boom--"

The palace doors closed.

All six looked at Ji An. They had been notified in advance to come, and now even the palace doors were closed, so there must be something important to discuss.

"Dear elders, after today, Xiao Ning and I will be heading to Anchan City."

"Haha, this is a good thing," Ji Jiuhuo laughed. "But Ji An, you also know that with your help, the Ji Clan's strength has increased by leaps and bounds, and we are now beginning to expand."

Ji An nodded.

After obtaining Ju Hua's treasure, Ji An left a small portion of it to Ji Yichuan. Therefore, the Ji Clan's methods are no longer the same as before, which were so powerful that even the myriad Myriad Phenomena could not be achieved.

In addition to the magic method, Ji An also left the Ji Clan with Essence Liquid and spiritual pills. Although they were nothing to Ji An, they were an enormous fortune for a small family like the Ji Clan.

Of those present, apart from the brothers Ji An and Ji Ning, all were cultivators at the Violet Palace Complete. There were also more than twenty other Violet Palace Cultivators, meaning that almost all the Xiantian Lifeform of the Ji Clan had become Violet Palace.

Naturally, expansion had to begin.

"Expansion is good, but didn't Snow Dragon Mountain already move away?" Ji An asked doubtfully.

The Black Dragon Daoist of Snow Dragon Mountain was quite self-aware; a few days after Ji An returned, he moved the forces of Snow Dragon Mountain back.

As for the six men from Dong Ziqi, he didn't inquire about them. Naturally, the Ji Clan could only make the best use of them and let them serve their purpose.

"It's from the Demon Race. For some reason, a Myriad Phenomena demon of all forms has come. Since he doesn't know of your existence, he thinks my Ji Clan has some kind of opportunity. He's saying that if we don't hand over the opportunity, he'll kill every member of the Ji Clan he sees," Ji Liuzhen explained.