Chapter 608 - 255: Advancing North, Ji Hai Leaves Seclusion (Part 3)

Otherwise, considering that fate had decreed the Ji Family’s eight hundred years of dominion, how could it be that it cannot hold out beyond barely over three hundred years?

Ji Changshou’s face was full of indifference.

He lowered his head, avoiding looking at Ji Tang’s expression.

Ever since the last time the Crown Prince Ji Xuantong left the capital, shortly afterward, the Soul Lamp was extinguished, and he knew that in this game, the Royal Family might lose.

This junior patriarch was truly unreliable.

He even felt, deep in his heart, that this position had become quite intolerable.

The grand ambitions of yesteryear had long vanished without a trace.

It was not by choice that Ji Changshou placed his hopes for a breakthrough on the Secret Technique of mastery over women.

Who would abandon the grand and righteous path to walk a narrow mountain trail?

Though these side-door Secret Techniques offer rapid achievement, they also bring endless troubles.

But even as the Emperor, if one is merely a "puppet," with a Supreme Emperor of a few hundred years ever-present, what else could he do?

If only this Supreme Emperor wasn’t so formidable, and not so autocratic, his days might be more comfortable.

However, quite obviously, Ji Tang was not the kind to relinquish power.

If it doesn’t pertain to matters of cultivation, everything is negotiable; but the moment it involves the rise and fall of destiny, the practices of the Stinging Dragon Scripture, he hogs the meat and does not even spare a sip of the soup.

Who is to blame for the world being in such turmoil?

...

The vast sea stretched far and wide, the archipelagos scattered like stars across the vast expanse of water.

From an unknown distance from Bingli Island, atop a floating cloud mountain, nine majestic peaks pierced the high sky, floating mid-air.

Beneath, the sea raged and billowed, the blue waves rising like peaks.

On the mountains, however, were dense layers of mountain ranges, divine birds flitted by, and exotic beasts roared.

Amidst the swirling mist, grand halls occasionally revealed hints of their eaves.

It was visible on the plaza, in front of the great halls, where some soared into the sky, while others danced with their swords.

The central peak spanned thousands of miles, towering and grand, with halls and palaces stretching across it, their golden tiles and jade walls marking the site of the Nine Demon Suppression Halls Imperial Hall located at Imperial Peak.

Halfway up the mountain, from within an estate spanning several miles, a dragon’s roar suddenly echoed.

All around the estate, a curtain of light rose, faintly emanating a five-colored radiance.

Countless threads of Law appeared in the air, weaving mysterious scenes.

With blossoms falling from the sky, and waves gushing from the earth.

The play of light and shadow mirrored the myriad phenomena of the world, as the sound of the dragon’s roar spread throughout the entire Imperial Peak.

Faintly, several sighs could be heard.

"A Second Grade Dragon Pearl, success slipped through our fingers."

"Still, it isn’t all that bad; forfeiting a True Disciple’s title isn’t in vain."

"What a pity, clearly a seed for a First-Grade Dragon Pearl, yet it formed into a Second Grade Dragon Pearl, the Ancestral Dragon remains out of reach, truly a waste."

"This is indeed better, it leaves room for competition among all, otherwise, if he had seized the chief position, how would that be acceptable?"

...

From all directions, Divine Senses secretly conversed, some were pleased, others regretted.

Some even did not hide their emotions, openly commenting.

Emerging from seclusion, Ji Hai’s face was expressionless, but inside, an ocean of rage was surging.

"That useless Ji Tang, what did he do? He even severed the Dragon Vein... At the critical moment, lacking a segment of Destiny Dragon Power, hence the failure."

Though anger burned in Ji Hai’s heart, he showed no sign of it outwardly.

Looking at the worried expression of the purple-robed woman beside him, he still managed a gentle smile, "Junior Sister, what’s the matter? A Second Grade Dragon Pearl doesn’t mean the path is cut off; as long as more Destiny Dragon Power is acquired later, Refining False and Cultivating True, the Imperial Extreme First Grade Ancestral Dragon Pearl can still be refined."

"But it could have been refined into a First-Grade, yet... yet..."

The golden light on Dragon Maiden Ziyun shimmered faintly, her virtual dragon horns almost completely obscured, her eyes on the verge of tears, her voice carrying a chilling murderous intent.

"It must be Li Xuanji, colluding with the Black Lotus Hall, targeting Great Li all these years; surely, the severing of the Dragon Vein bears his mark. This person is truly ruthless, severing one’s path, an irreconcilable enmity, let me have a bout with him."

As she spoke, Dragon Maiden Ziyun raised her sword, intending to seek trouble with Li Xuanji.

Though she admitted, her cultivation couldn’t match his, this enmity must be avenged, not swallowing one’s pride, risking bloodshed and death.

Watching the strands of white hair floating up from Senior Brother Ji Hai’s head, her heart was gripped with pain.

"Alas... Junior Sister, calm yourself, haven’t I said before? In cultivating the Dao, virtue is foremost; today’s calamity is not to be blamed on others, but rather is due to my lack in virtue."

He gently held Dragon Maiden Ziyun’s hand, softly comforting her: "Even if Li Xuanji meddled, it’s not his fault, rather we should thank him. The path of Dao is perilous, and having him as Senior Brother’s whetstone is indeed a great fortune. If this calamity is overcome, surely there will be no obstacles in soaring to the skies."

"Senior Brother!"

Dragon Maiden Ziyun’s eyes were misty, and the fiery anger she felt earlier was instantly extinguished by Ji Hai’s few words.

When they first met, she felt Ji Hai was born for greatness, destined to ascend the nine heavens someday.

And indeed.

She watched as Ji Hai rose step by step to his current position through the years.

The Imperial Extreme Hall had preemptively designated him as the chief True Disciple, offering him a chance of achieving Daoist Monarch Realm in the future.

She felt, her choice was entirely correct.

Those senior and junior brothers and sisters, even the master...

They did not understand her, clinging to outdated views, failing to grasp her true intentions.

"Come, let’s meet Senior Brother Li; if I Ji Hai have done anything to offend him in the past, let him freely forgive it. The continuation of the Dragon Vein depends on his methods."

Ji Hai appeared devoid of any negative emotions, knowing full well that the fellow True Disciple Li Xuanji had for a hundred years subtly opposed him, creating many detestable troubles on Bingli Island.

But he still believed that Li Xuanji should be a friend, a brother, rather than an enemy.

In truth, less than twenty years after arriving at Imperial Peak, he felt that everyone on the peak was his friend.

Leaving the estate.

They didn’t fly, just walked slowly as if taking a leisurely ride.

Along the way, every Imperial Peak disciple pressed down their clouds, hastily paying respects.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Ji."

"Salutations, Junior Martial Uncle Ji..."

Ji Hai returned each salute, his smile as warm as a spring breeze.

From time to time, he would also take out some Dharma Instruments and Elixirs to gift to the younger ones.

Indeed, the mountain and ridges were full of friends.