One Year Later

"Let's go home!"

Ji An and his group swooped down towards the Ji Clan West Prefecture below.

The outline of the Ji Clan became clearer and clearer. Soon, the group arrived above the Ji An, where two figures from the Ji family sat facing each other under a tree.

"An'er! Ning'er!" Yuchi Xue, with her sharp eyes, was the first to spot her two sons descending from the sky and called out in delight.

She stood up instantly and headed towards the two of them.

Although Ji Yichuan didn't say anything, his usually calm eyes were now stirred with emotion, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly. It was clear that he was extremely happy to see his two sons return.

He sensed the aura emanating from his youngest son and was slightly shocked. He hadn't expected that his youngest son's cultivation level would surpass his own after only three years away.

In the past few years, relying on the resources left by Ji An, he had already cultivated to the late stage of the Wanxiang Adept level. He even killed the Myriad Phenomena Demon King, who posed a threat to the Ji Clan back then.

But now, in his perception, this youngest son's level of cultivation is far superior to his own.

As for the eldest son?

He couldn't feel it anymore when he was ten years old.

He naturally noticed the burly, crimson-clad man Zhu Yan and the green-clad girl Xiao Qing following closely behind. Although they were strangers, he wouldn't ask any questions since they were brought back by his sons.

"Father! Mother!" Ji Ning landed and rushed to his parents in a few steps, his voice filled with emotion.

This was the first time he had been away for so long, and he was naturally excited to return. As for Ji An?

Ji An walked steadily to his parents with a smile on his face, "Father, Mother, we're back."

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!" Yuchi Xue held one of her sons in each hand, looking at them from left to right, unable to get enough of them.

She is now radiant and no longer the sickly woman she once was; even her cultivation level has reached the early stage of the Myriad Phenomena.

"Quick, come inside! Who are this strong man and young lady?--?" She then looked at Zhu Yan and Xiao Qing.

In her perception, Xiao Qing's cultivation level was much higher than hers, but she could still sense it. However, this crimson-clad giant looked like an ordinary mortal, but given his appearance, he couldn't possibly be an ordinary person.

"Mother, this is Zhu Yan, a fellow Daoist I met while traveling. He's currently staying with me." Ji An introduced him simply, without revealing Zhu Flame God.

Zhu Yan bowed slightly and said, "Greetings, Master Ji and Madam Ji." His humble posture made Yuchi Xue and Ji Yichuan feel quite flattered.

"This is Qing Qing, my spirit beast partner," Ji Ning introduced.

"Good, good! We're all family, please come in!" Yuchi Xue greeted them warmly, and Ji Yichuan also nodded to Zhu Yan and Xiao Qing.

The family entered the familiar hall, reunited after a long separation, and naturally had countless things to say.

Although Ji An's clone had always been there, it had been dormant for many years and naturally had not told its parents about the two of them being away.

Ji Ning excitedly recounted his experiences cultivating at the Black-White College, while Ji An only occasionally added to the story. Zhu Yan listened quietly, and Xiao Qing curiously observed everything around them.

The family chatted and laughed inside the hall. However, this tranquility did not last long.

The news of Ji An and Ji Ning's return home spread instantly, causing a stir and cheers throughout the entire Ji Clan.

Soon, people like clan leader Ji Jiuhuo, Ji Youyang and Ji Honghua from Western Prefecture, arrived with some of the most talented young people from the Ji Clan in recent years.

"This is Immortal Zhu Yan." Just as everyone finished exchanging pleasantries, Ji An introduced Zhu Yan, who had been sitting and drinking tea nearby.

"An immortal!"

Ji Jiuhuo and the others were all somewhat bewildered.

The Legend immortal had actually appeared before him.

It should be noted that, according to the books Ji An brought back three years ago, even immortals in Anchan City were considered to be extremely powerful beings.

"From now on, Zhu Yan will remain stationed at the Ji Clan West Prefecture," Ji An said. "If you need any guidance, you can consult him."

Zhu Yan is, after all, a Void Returning God-Demon. While he might not be much of a threat to Ji An, he's more than capable of teaching the rest of the Ji Clan. As for why he's stationed at the Ji Clan West Prefecture?

Within the Ji Clan, Ji An's primary concern is naturally his own family of four, followed by Uncle Bai and Uncle Hei, and then the rest of the Ji Clan. As for Zhu Yan, there's no need to say anything more.

Ji Jiuhuo, Ji Liuzhen, and Granny Shadow were, after all, cultivators. Although they were still shocked, they quickly learned to accept it. As for the reason why they could not stay in Myriad Swords City, they all understood.

Next, Ji Ning took out his Yinglong Guard Token and had Ji Youyang refine it and hang it on the city wall. In this way, the Ji Clan West Prefecture, like Myriad Swords City, was an "absolutely safe" place.

"Ji An, Ji Ning, how long will you be staying this time?" Ji Jiuhuo asked.

"From now on, we'll both be living at the Ji Clan West Prefecture for the long term, except for the occasional missions we go out to carry out with the Yinglong Guard and when Xiao Ning needs to return to Anchan City to see his master Immortal Dian Cai," Ji An said. "We'll spend most of our time here."

For Ji An, it didn't matter where he cultivated. He went to Anchan City not only to accompany Ji Ning, but also to deal with the treasures of Immortal Juhua.

As for Ji Ning, while some disciples of the Black-White College resided within the palace, allowing them to frequently study the Black and White Diagram and discuss Dao with their fellow disciples, Ji Ning was different. The Immortal Dian Cai only occasionally offered guidance, and the Black and White Diagram provided him with limited assistance, only requiring occasional glances—he possessed the far more powerful Water Manor Stars Hall.

In addition, since his parents lived in the Ji Clan West Prefecture, Ji Ning would choose to stay there for an extended period, whether to accompany his parents or for other reasons.

"Good, good!" Ji Jiuhuo nodded repeatedly. "With Ji An and Ji Ning here for a long time, and with this Senior Zhu Yan here, the strength of my Ji Clan will increase dramatically. With such strength, the territory of my Ji Clan should also become even stronger!"

"Yes, now my Ji Clan has one Primordial Spirit Daoist and four Myriad Wanxiang Adept, not to mention Ji Ning is also on the verge of Primordial Spirit! My Ji Clan's current territory is far too small!"

The Ji Clan members were also looking forward to it.

Ji An did not reveal his current level of cultivation.

Therefore, they did not know that Ji An had already broken through to the Void-Returning Earth Immortal. However, for them, the Primordial Spirit was something they had never dared to dream of before!

As for why they didn't include Zhu Yan when they talked about it, it's because in their view, Zhu Yan was only staying temporarily at the Ji Clan West Prefecture.

In the past Ji Clan was weak and naturally dared not ask for too much; but now Ji An and Ji Ning are powerful, and there are also three Myriad Wanxiang Adept, namely Ji Yichuan and his wife and Ji Ning's Snake Demon, and they also have the Black-White College behind them. With such a foundation, the Ji Clan is destined to prosper.

If Snow Dragon Mountain can establish strongholds in various parts of Anchan Commandery, then the Ji Clan can certainly do the same!

"No need for such trouble." Ji An shook his head. "My Ji Clan ultimately lacks sufficient resources. The Yan Mountain region is already enough. As for the issue of vital energy, I will invite a formation master to set up a gathering formation. Then, the resource issue will be resolved."

The Ji Clan doesn't have many Violet Palace Cultivators, so setting up strongholds everywhere like Snow Dragon Mountain is beyond their capabilities.

Ji Yichuan nodded; this was also what he had in mind.

Although Ji Clan Ji An is not yet the clan leader, everyone knows that he is still the one who calls the shots in the Ji An Ji Clan. Now that Ji An has said this, even Ji Yichuan, who is capable of persuasion, has nodded in agreement, so they naturally won't say anything more.

"Alright, let's do as An'er says." Ji Jiuhuo and the others nodded. "But what about the forces in the surrounding regions?"

The arrangement of the Qi-gathering formation will naturally affect other surrounding areas. For example, the Qi in the area around Anchan City is about the same as that in the Yan Mountain area.

Ji An shook his head. "Don't worry about them. Xiao Qing, you can lend a hand later."

"Leave it to me." Xiao Qing nodded. "I don't even consider the few forces around Yan Mountain Xiao Qing!"

"Ha ha--"

The Ji Clan members all laughed.

Ji An and Ji Ning lived in the Ji Clan West Prefecture for a long time, and the happiest people were naturally Yuchi Xue and Ji Yichuan.

This greatly encouraged everyone in the Ji Clan.

Ji An and Ji Ning also gave some pointers to the geniuses who had emerged in the clan in recent years, but these so-called geniuses were ultimately just talents from Yan Mountain, and few of them could impress Ji Ning.

Ji Ning quickly understood. Not to mention his elder brother, even his fellow disciples were all from the Black-White College —how could these junior geniuses in the tribe compare?

After reuniting with their parents, Ji Jiuhuo and his family stayed at the Ji Clan West Prefecture for a few more days. After a few days, the Ji Clan finally calmed down completely.

Time flies. A year has passed in the blink of an eye.

Ji An sat cross-legged on the Nine Netherworld Water Jade Bed in the quiet room of the Water Manor, his body radiating Daoist energy as deep and boundless as the ocean.

He slightly opened his eyes, and it seemed as if rivers and mountains appeared in them.

In one year, he comprehended one minor Minor Dao of water element and one minor Minor Dao of ten elements, and by then he had mastered the minor Minor Dao of five elements.

Over the past year, Ji An personally went to Heavenly Treasure Mountain in Anchan City and spent a fortune to hire thirty-six array masters to set up the "Circumferential Spirit-Gathering Formation" on the Yan Mountain land.

This formation covers the Ji Clan's territory and tens of thousands of miles around, drawing upon the earth's primordial energy to gather the scarce energy. Once the formation is complete, the Yan Mountains...

The concentration of vital energy in the earth doubled.

However, this move also drained the vitality of neighboring regions, drawing complaints from powerful forces in the surrounding area.

Several months ago, several major surrounding forces joined forces to attack the Ji family, but before they even entered the Ji Clan's territory, they were routed by a loud Zhu Yan, who was stationed at Yan Mountain.

From then on, the surrounding forces dared not cause trouble again, and were instead glad that the Ji Clan had only taken their vital energy and not their territory.

Ji An stood up, and his figure quickly disappeared from the quiet room, appearing in the courtyard of the Ji Clan West Prefecture.

As soon as I looked up, I saw Ji Ning standing side by side with a woman in a light blue Daoist robe under a peach tree, chatting and laughing.

The woman was none other than "Nine Lotus," a senior disciple of the Black-White College, who came from the prestigious Dongyan Clan.

A year ago, Ji An and Ji Ning had just returned when she and Luo Qing chased after them to Yan Mountain, ostensibly for "traveling," but Luo Qing had been gone for almost nine months, and Nine Lotus was still there.

Ji An had read the original novel and already knew the plot.

These two are both interested in each other, but they're just too shy to say it.

Although Ji Ning didn't say much, his eyes changed every time he talked about the Nine Lotus with Ji An, clearly showing that he was interested.

At this moment, the two discussed Lotus Spell, and Ji Ning demonstrated his Water-Fire Lotus.

Nine Lotus chuckled softly, "Junior Brother's progress is so rapid, he's probably about to surpass his senior sister."

Ji Ning scratched his head and chuckled sheepishly, his ears turning slightly red.

Ji An approached slowly.

Nine Lotus and Ji Ning naturally saw Nine Lotus bow and said, "Greetings, Universe Adept."

Born into a prominent family, she naturally had little fear of a Primordial Spirit Daoist, even if that Primordial Spirit Daoist was comparable to an immortal.

Ji Ning asked with delight, "Big Brother has emerged from seclusion?"

Ji An nodded.

He didn't care whether the two were together or not, and even if Nine Lotus later made the same decision as in the original story, it didn't bother him.

The fact that the two of them are willing to become Daoist partners is their own business. Even if it fails, it is Ji Ning's own challenge, and he naturally won't say anything more.

Yes, in his view, their relationship would still fail just like in the original story, and it wouldn't change because of him as an older brother. After all, the two of them are not the same kind of people.

Despite these thoughts, Ji An's expression remained unchanged. After exchanging a few words with the two, he went to the main hall to find his parents.

Upon entering the main hall, he saw his mother, Yuchi Xue, sitting in the main seat brewing tea. Seeing him, she smiled and greeted him, "Mother." Ji An respectfully.

"An'er has arrived." Yuchi Xue smiled gently, her eyes full of affection. "Sit."

"Where's Father?" Ji An asked casually as he sat down.

"Your father went to Myriad Swords City," Yuchi Xue explained. "Several promising juniors in the clan are cultivating there, and he went to guide them for a few days. The clansmen are all diligently studying the inheritance jade books and Daoist scriptures you left behind, and Yi Chuan also frequently goes to answer their questions."

Ji An nodded. The Ji Clan's foundation was gradually stabilizing, and it was only right for his father, Ji Yichuan, to take on the responsibility of teaching the younger generation, as he was one of the strongest members of the family besides Ji Ning and Ji An.

After a few casual words, the mother and son naturally turned to Ji Ning and Nine Lotus.

With a smile in her eyes, Yuchi Xue looked at Ji An: "Did you see that Miss Nine Lotus in the courtyard just now? She's quite the ethereal fairy. She and Ning'er were discussing Daoism under the tree, and they seemed to get along very well."

Ji An smiled slightly but did not reply.

Seeing this, Yuchi Xue's smile deepened, and she said softly, "Even your younger brother, with his temperament, is about to have a Daoist partner—An'er, as his elder brother, you should also pay more attention to your own life's important matters. I don't expect you to do anything immediately, but you should at least keep an eye out for some suitable fairies, shouldn't you?"

Upon hearing this, Ji An felt a wave of helplessness wash over him.

Even though he is now Void-Returning Earth Immortal, and his strength can even rival that of Heavenly Immortal, capable of causing ordinary immortals to be scattered with a wave of his hand, in his mother's eyes, he is still the son whose "life's most important matter" needs to be worried about.

It seems that no matter how powerful one becomes, being pressured to get married by one's mother is always unavoidable.

Ji An shook his head with a wry smile, "Mother, my Grand Dao is not yet complete, and my heart is entirely focused on cultivation. Romantic ties are best left to fate; forcing them is futile. Besides," he paused, "The matter between Ning'er and Nine Lotus has only just begun, and their future is uncertain. You don't need to worry about me too much."

Yuchi Xue sighed softly, "You child—alright, alright, I can't argue with you. It's good that you understand. Come, try the spiritual tea I brewed—"