Chapter Thirty-Two: Comparison

  Seven days later, Qingyan Mountain, foot of the mountain.

  The three-year trial of the Hime clan was held on Seigansan again.

  Early in the morning, Ji Yu Xing, Ji Hao Hong, Ji Hao Guang and a group of old and young members of the Ji family were already waiting at the foot of Qingyan Mountain.

  Ji Changkong stood beside Ji Wanyun, silent and expressionless, but his eyes were wandering over Zhao Shi, Luo Shi and several others, lost in thought.

  Ji Chang Xiao, Ji Chang Sheng, Ji Chang Le, Ji Yue Qing, and Ji Xiao Lian, a group of younger ones, were all standing on Ji Yu Xing's side, talking in hushed tones. Every time Ji Xiao Lian saw Ji Chang Kong looking over at her, she would smile coyly and wave at him, greeting Ji Chang Kong.

  Every time this happens, Katsuragi Akane would frown and whisper something to Katsuragi Shirayuki, who would pout in response, seemingly somewhat annoyed.

  After a while, the younger brothers of the Ji family arrived one after another and quietly stood at the foot of Qingyan Mountain, choosing a favorable terrain in advance, hoping to stand out in this trial.

  "Wanyun, where's your father? Today of all days, he can't still be in seclusion practicing his skills, can he? These past two years, who knows what's gotten into him, never seeing him in person!" Seeing the time drawing near and yet Ji Yu Sheng had not appeared, he furrowed his brow, somewhat displeased as he asked Ji Wanyun.

  "He knew the day would come soon." Ji Wenyun said in a low voice, bowing her head.

  "Wanyun, that matter...... how have you considered it?" Ji Yu hesitated for a moment before asking in a low voice.

  "Second Uncle, I don't plan to remarry in this lifetime! In other people's... the days are not easy to pass..." Ji Wanyun lowered her head, a hint of anger flashing in her eyes, and she was very resentful that Ji Yuexing and others had repeatedly used herself as a sacrifice for the sake of the Ji family.

  "Hmph!" Ji Yu Xing let out a low shout, displeased: "The Jia family in Qingyan City is large and prosperous, I also know that Jia Rong Feng has the cultivation of the Five Elements Heaven, his wife died early, and he doesn't despise you, what more are you dissatisfied with?"

  Ji Wanyun lowered her head and didn't say a word, with anger filling her eyes.

  Ji Changkong suddenly raised his head and glared at Ji Yuexing with a hint of hatred, but didn't say anything more.

  "Let Wan Yun handle her own affairs!" Suddenly, Ji Yu Sheng's voice came out.

  It was only an instant, and Ji Yu Sheng suddenly appeared like a flash of lightning. He glared fiercely at Zhao Shi and Luo Shi in the distance, shouting: "It was because we forced Yun Wan to marry the Tu family back then that she suffered so much pain for many years! You don't feel heartache, but I do! This time, whoever dares to force Yun Wan again will have to bear my wrath!"

  "Thank you, Father!" Ji Wanyun suddenly lifted her head, and her eyes were already filled with tears.

  "Third brother, it seems that your cultivation has made great progress during this period. However, don't forget that I am the master of this family! There are things that you can't just do as you please!" Ji Yu Xing's face turned red with anger and he shouted: "The Jiu family has repeatedly come to humiliate us, not putting our Ji family in their eyes. If Wan Yun can establish a relationship with the Jia family, the Jiu family will definitely not dare to be presumptuous again! For the sake of our Ji family, it's worth making some small sacrifices. You should prioritize the bigger picture!"

  "Why is it always Yun who has to sacrifice?!?" Ji Yu Sheng was furious, flinging his sleeve and saying: "If someone must be sacrificed, then sacrifice someone else! In any case, I absolutely do not agree!"

  "Y...". Ji Yu Xing's face turned red with embarrassment, pointing at Ji Yu Sheng but unable to speak.

  "Cough..."

  Just then, a faint coughing sound came from afar, and after a while, three figures gradually emerged.

  Apart from Nie Yuanshan and Guan Jia Shao Kang, there was also a man dressed as Nie Ruolan. She had an air of elegance on her face, wearing a dark green silk long shirt, just like a handsome young nobleman, without any weakness or gentleness that a girl should have.

  Ji Yu Xing and Ji Yu Sheng, who were about to have a big argument, immediately stopped talking when they saw Nie Yuan Shan arrive.

  Ji Yu Xing took another step forward, his face beaming with smiles: "The city master's esteemed presence is truly an honor to the Ji family, and we are once again grateful for your gracious patronage this year."

  "It doesn't matter." Nie Yuanshan's face was indifferent, and he slightly nodded at Ji Yuxing. He then walked directly to this side with Housekeeper Shao Kang and Nie Ruolan, where Ji Yusheng and Ji Wanyun were.

  "Changkong, I heard you can finally gather yuanli? Haha, that's great! Your father was able to roam freely in Qingyancheng back then, and I think you won't be any worse!" Nie Yuanshan arrived here, first greeting Ji Yusheng and Ji Yuanyun, then speaking intimately with Ji Changkong.

  Shaokang's eyes shone brightly as he continuously sized up Ji Changkong. In his opinion, Ji Changkong was an uncarved jade, and three years ago, he had intended to take Ji Changkong as his disciple. Unfortunately, Ji Changkong could not gather his spiritual energy, so Shaokang could only secretly give up on the idea.

  Two years ago, when he heard that Ji Changkong could gather yuan power, he even came to the Ji family in person. He originally intended to have a good talk with Ji Changkong about this matter, but unfortunately, Ji Changkong had been cultivating in Yunmeng Daze all along and never got to see him. This time when he came to the Ji family, he had long planned it out and was just waiting for the trial by fire to end before bringing up the matter with Ji Yusheng and Ji Changkong.

  Nie Shu said, "I don't want to compare with anyone, I just want to do my best!" As soon as Nie Yuanshan mentioned him and his father in the same breath, Ji Changkong, who had never had a good impression of Ji Haotian, shook his head immediately, indicating that he didn't want to be compared with this father.

  He sighed silently in his heart and nodded slightly, without saying much else.

  "Hmph, this little rascal, it's a wonder if he can make something of himself!" Nie Ruolan, who was whispering to Ji Wanyun, glanced at Ji Changkong with disdain and said proudly: "He only has yuan power, and it's hard to say whether he can enter the Two Instruments Heaven in another ten or eight years. He wants to dominate Qingyan City, what a joke!"

  "Yelan, Changkong is not inferior to others! If Changkong had possessed the yuan force early on, that girl from the Yinquan family would never have been able to run amok in the Ji family!"

  Ji Wanyun lightly rebuked him, others didn't know Ji Changkong's current strength, she naturally had a plan in mind, and with extremely high hopes for Ji Changkong, when she heard someone belittle Ji Changkong, her heart felt uncomfortable - even Nie Ruolan wasn't good enough!

  "Wanyun Auntie, isn't that Ji Changyue the one who's always been defeated by Xuelingshuo? I'm not looking down on this little rascal, I'm just telling the truth." Nieruolan pouted, showing a bit of feminine tenderness, and muttered softly: "You only know how to pamper him, you only know how to protect him, what's good about him..."

  Ji Wanyun didn't notice, shook her head and smiled lightly, without saying much. In her heart, she thought: The four scars on my face were collected by someone who risked their life to gather the thousand-year-old toad's saliva. How can I not care about him?!

  "It's not necessarily so!" Suddenly, Ji Yu Xing proudly and lightly said a sentence.

  When he saw everyone looking at him, he pointed to Ji Changxiao, who was expressionless, and proudly said: "A month ago, Changxiao had already broken through to the Three Talents Heaven realm. Once this hurdle is passed, after another period of bitter cultivation, it's uncertain whether Jiulingshuo can continue to surpass Changxiao!"

  As soon as this was said, those collateral descendants of the Ji family were full of surprise and admiration, and they all looked at Jiliang with great excitement and respect.

  The indifferent princess Xiao Xiao suddenly became the focus of everyone's attention. —— People with strong abilities always attract attention!

  Even Nie Yuanshan and Housekeeper Shao Kang couldn't help but look at Ji Changxiao with deep admiration. At such a young age, Ji Changxiao had already broken through to the Three Talents Heaven realm so quickly. Although he wasn't as freakishly talented as Ju Lingxue, he was indeed an extraordinary figure!

  "Good!" Nie Yuanshan praised and smiled: "Qingyan City has another big shot! Your generation is really worth looking forward to!"

  Nie Yuanshan paused, gazing at Ji Changkong with affection and comforted him: "Changkong, work hard, although you started a bit later than others, but with your talent and intelligence, your future achievements... may not be inferior to others!"

  In his view, Ji Changkong, who had only gathered yuanqi for a little over two years, was naturally far from being comparable to Ju Lingxue and Ji Changxiang. He was afraid that Ji Changkong would be stimulated by Ji Changxiang and Ju Lingxue, which would affect his mood and cultivation state, so he emphasized the fact that Ji Changkong had gathered yuanqi too late, making an excuse for him.

  "Alright, Uncle Nie." Ji Changkong smiled calmly, without a hint of frustration or anger.

  "By the way, Long Kong, you should have already reached the peak of Yuanyuan Heaven by now, right?" Ji Yusheng, who had just come out of seclusion, was not clear about Ji Changkong's true strength. In order to regain some disadvantage in front of Ji Yuxing, he pretended to ask casually.

  The princess didn't respond but nodded slightly.

  "Great! In just two years, you've reached the peak of One Yuan Tian. This speed isn't slower than others by much! Some little guys have been stuck at this level for many years!" Ji Yu Sheng shouted loudly, afraid that others wouldn't hear him, and intentionally glanced at Ji Chang Le and Ji Chang Sheng as he spoke.

  Ji Wanyun smiled secretly in her heart. Among so many people, only she knew Ji Changkong's true strength, which had already reached the peak of Two Instruments Heaven!

  "Chang Xiao has already reached the Three Talents Heaven realm, so there's no need to participate this year! You little ones, all stand up straight, the trial is about to begin!" Ji Yu Xing furrowed his brow and interrupted Ji Yu Sheng's spirited and vigorous shout.

  As soon as Ji Yu Xing's words fell, all the young masters of the Ji family who were participating in the trial carefully chose a place to climb and stood still.

  After everyone, including Ji Changkong, stood up, he chose a spot that was the steepest and had no protruding rocks to use as leverage. With a smile on his face and an air of calmness, he stood still.

  Huh?

  Everyone who saw Ji Changkong choose that region was shocked and had a puzzled expression on their faces.

  Because he chose an area that was basically a dead end!

  All the way up, it's all flat cyan rock, with no protruding rocks in between, making it absolutely impossible to borrow force to climb the mountain! Over the years, the Ji family has conducted many trials, but never has anyone dared to choose this absolute path to ascend the mountain!

  What does he want to do?

  ……