Amid the struggle for supremacy in the Qian region, he entered Ruzhou, where Zhu intercepted the forces of Ji. Risking his life to save another, he ventured alone to the Temple of the Earth Sage.

"Damn it!"

Looking at the group of people before him, Ji Shi could not help but shout these words.

Three hours earlier...

Ji Shi and Jia Kang had been galloping on horseback toward Ruzhou, intending to visit Master Ou in secret. To avoid leaving tracks, they had chosen a secluded route, mostly consisting of natural terrain rather than man-made roads. After being jostled and jolted on their horses—nearly vomiting up the previous night's dinner—they finally turned onto a smoother main road.

"This should keep us off the radar of that Zhu Shengzhijin... We must remain cautious," Ji Shi said to Jia Kang.

Both men believed their movements were highly concealed, but Ji Shi had ultimately underestimated Zhu Shengzhijin's preparations.

At the Zhu estate, a scout had arrived on a fast horse, reporting that Ji Shi’s trail had been discovered on a certain path.

"Long time no see, the lovely Master Ji!" Zhu Shengzhijin sighed. Although he could not yet enjoy the company of the lovely Master Ji, he was well-informed about his situation. Ji Shi had previously taken Jiang City and Baling, and was now encircling Star City, but the Prince of Zhongshan, Liu Shouke, was no easy opponent. Though Zhu Shengzhijin did not know what kind of talent Ji Shi had gathered in Baling, he remembered the martial arts master, Master Ou, whom he had met when they swore their brotherhood. He knew that if Ji Shi lacked a suitable candidate, he would surely come seeking him.

For this reason, Zhu Shengzhijin had specifically placed scouts around the Donggang Mountain area, just to be alerted the moment Ji Shi arrived.

Fa Kexing, standing to the side, remarked, "Since we know Ji Shi is on his way, why not strike and eliminate him once and for all to avoid future trouble? It would be to our mutual benefit." Ever since their last encounter, Zhu Shengzhijin had proposed an alliance, so she had brought the remaining forces of the Blood Alliance to join him in confronting Ji Shi.

"A brilliant idea. I have recently added many experts to my ranks; this time, I must capture the lovely Master Ji alive!" Zhu Shengzhijin agreed. He then summoned a great general. "Wei Jifan! You are now a peak Void-Entering expert. I want you to lead the entire 'Raincoat Guest' force and capture the lovely Master Ji for me!"

Wei Jifan bowed respectfully, "I shall fulfill the mission, my lord!"

"You’re really sparing no expense, Zhu Shengzhijin..." Fa Kexing exclaimed. The Raincoat Guests were experts recruited by Zhu Shengzhijin at a great price; there were over thirty of them, all in the Void-Entering realm, led by Wei Jifan, who was a half-step Grandmaster. She did not see how Ji Shi could possibly win. But then she recalled Ji Shi’s move, "The Immortal Kneels to the Sword," and she still felt a dull ache in her memory. "Forget it, let Zhu Shengzhijin struggle as he pleases," she thought to herself, then sent twenty-odd Rain-Slicing realm experts to accompany Wei Jifan.

***

"Jia Kang, do you feel that this place is a bit strange?" Ji Shi slowed his pace and asked suddenly.

"Is there a problem?" Jia Kang was puzzled; what was strange about such a sparsely populated area? They were not far from Donggang Mountain now, and he intended to settle things quickly once they met Master Ou.

"I hope I'm just overthinking it..." Ji Shi sheepishly dropped the subject. He had suddenly felt a bad premonition; he couldn't explain exactly what it was, but he felt that things were beginning to go wrong. "No matter. Once we find Master Ou, our safety will be guaranteed; and once I convince him to descend the mountain, Star City will be as good as mine!" Ji Shi thought to himself, intending to pick up the pace.

The two whipped their horses forward, and just as they were about to reach the foot of Donggang Mountain, a group of people suddenly blocked their path.

"Who goes there?!" Ji Shi stopped abruptly, looking at them with vigilance.

"Hahaha, you arrogant little Ji Shi! I am Wei Jifan, the foremost subordinate of Zhu Shengzhijin. Today, I shall devour you alive! Attack!"

***

Wei Jifan? Ji Shi’s expression turned grave. He was surprised that Zhu Shengzhijin was so sharp and had dispatched so many experts. It was going to be a grueling battle... Ji Shi swallowed hard. "Jia Kang, there is no way back for us now. Let’s fight with all we’ve got and hold nothing back!"

With that, Ji Shi drew the Kun Sword from his waist and stepped forward. Sword energy tore through the oppressive silence as he charged. Jia Kang clenched his fists, his body wreathed in energy as if he were ready to unleash terrifying power at any moment. At Wei Jifan’s command, the experts of the Blood Alliance surged forward like a tide. A dense web of fist strikes and kicks, as thick as falling rain, pressed down upon them. Ji Shi moved with agility, the tip of his sword tapping the ground as he vaulted into the air. He unleashed a sword strike, the light arcing like a rainbow, splitting the air and felling several experts in its wake. Jia Kang fought off many, his fists flying with a relentless roar. Dust filled the air, and the battle was intense; the surrounding trees trembled from the shockwaves.

Ji Shi struggled to counter the enemy's attacks while looking for an opening for a fatal blow. Jia Kang punched incessantly, and for a while, the Blood Alliance could not gain the upper hand. Seeing this, Wei Jifan joined the fray.

Ji Shi moved like lightning, his sword light weaving a tapestry of death, each strike whistling through the air, aimed directly at Wei Jifan’s vitals. Wei Jifan used his inner energy to protect himself, his fist strikes howling; every collision caused the air to crack with thunderous noise. The two clashed again and again, sword shadows and fist winds intertwining as if to tear the world apart. Around them, the experts of the Blood Alliance grappled with Jia Kang and the others. The sounds of combat—clashing weapons, metallic ringing, and cries of pain—filled the air. The heat of battle swept through the surroundings, and dust danced wildly under the violent impact.

As the battle dragged on, the Blood Alliance suffered heavy casualties, and Ji Shi and Jia Kang were also slightly wounded. "It should be soon. Just need to take down Wei Jifan..." Ji Shi gasped to the equally exhausted Jia Kang.

"Dream on!" Wei Jifan shouted another order, and thirty more Raincoat Guests appeared. They were all in the Void-Entering realm, launching a fierce new wave of attacks.

"Damn it!" Ji Shi looked at this crowd, unable to hold back his frustration. "Zhu Shengzhijin has truly spared no expense... I’m speechless..." He steeled himself, brandishing both his Kun Sword and his Stir-fry Sword to meet them head-on, while Jia Kang opened his seventh gate to engage in the struggle.

Wei Jifan smiled contemptuously. "A deathbed struggle, that is all! Watch me unleash my power!" Wei Jifan muttered something, then shook his head and roared, "Kun Body Technique: Reverse!"

Ji Shi and Jia Kang had exhausted their lives to dispatch the Raincoat Guests, and upon regaining their senses and seeing Wei Jifan's move, they were deeply puzzled. "What is he doing now?"

Wei Jifan let out a wild laugh. "This is my most prized secret technique. I am now Wei Fanjī, a Grandmaster-level existence! Hahaha..."

Wei... Fanjī... Does just changing your name make you a Grandmaster? Although Ji Shi thought it was ridiculous, the aura Wei Fanjī exuded forced him to believe it. This was trouble... Ji Shi thought to himself.

Wei Fanjī took the initiative, each of his punches carrying the weight of true power. The air seemed to tear under his fist, emitting a sharp, piercing whistle. Ji Shi danced his dual swords, his technique like a woven net, yet he struggled to withstand Wei Fanjī’s storm-like onslaught. He stumbled, his face pale, sweat sliding down his cheeks and dripping onto his tattered robes, which had been shredded by sword energy. The Stir-fry Sword was pushed beyond its limits and shattered by one of Wei Fanjī’s punches.

Seeing the situation becoming increasingly dire, Jia Kang urged Ji Shi to flee alone, but Wei Fanjī gave no such opportunity, charging straight at them again. Ji Shi was in danger!

There was no other way... A look of resolve flashed in Jia Kang’s eyes. He charged at Wei Fanjī and said to Ji Shi, "I will hold him back! You must leave now! As long as the green hills remain, there is no need to worry about firewood!" He finished his words in a blur of speed, then threw himself at Wei Fanjī, grabbing him in a death grip.

"Kun-Me Explosion!!!" Jia Kang shouted with all his might. A cataclysmic explosion followed, and both he and Wei Fanjī were annihilated in the fire. Trees and earth were blasted away by the force, and Ji Shi was caught in the shockwave.

When he finally managed to crawl up from the ground, all he saw was scorched earth. "Jia Kang..." Ji Shi murmured. He had trusted this capable assistant deeply, but now... Ji Shi felt a heavy weight in his heart. He slowly looked up at Donggang Mountain, his gaze gradually hardening. "I cannot let his sacrifice go to waste. I must achieve my great ambition!"

Ji Shi leaned on his Kun Sword and stood up. From here to Donggang, he would go alone.

***

In the Jiangnan Prince’s Mansion, Chen Shui sat on the balcony, drinking tea in silence. Opposite him sat another man, who was kneeling with his head bowed and hands flat, appearing extremely respectful.

Chen Shui continued to sip his tea. He stood up and looked into the distance. If anyone saw him, they would think the Prince of Jiangnan possessed the demeanor of an immortal. But only Chen Shui knew that his mind was in chaos.

He drank tea here for a long time almost every day; it was something he had to do after stepping into the Moon-Breaking realm. But Chen Shui was not satisfied with stopping there; he wanted to pursue the legendary Lone Heaven realm. Although no expert of that realm had ever appeared openly on the continent, Chen Shui had once accidentally caught a glimpse of a peerless master, whose power was far beyond his own, which only strengthened his resolve to move forward.

"Your Highness, I have returned." The "man" suddenly reacted, kneeling halfway in Chen Shui’s direction.

"You've returned... What happened on Ji Shi’s side?" Chen Shui asked indifferently.

This person was none other than Jia Kang, who had perished with Wei Fanjī. He had "resurrected" in this new body through a pre-arranged spell. Jia Kang reported his encounter in detail.

"By the way, Your Highness, after such a long time of observation, I am certain that Ji Shi is..."

"As expected... You may withdraw." Chen Shui dismissed Jia Kang. "Make sure to keep your disguise well during this time, and have your younger brother, Jia Jian, go assist Ji Shi."

"As you command."

Jia Kang then departed. Only then did Chen Shui slowly walk into his study, his expression flickering between shadow and light—it seemed like endurance, yet it held a burning desire. "Ji Shi... do not disappoint me," he thought. He couldn't sit still, so he returned to the balcony and looked toward Jiang City, his heart filled with the longing for the Lone Heaven realm.

***

Kun Saint Temple.

"Kun Saint Temple... I have returned!" Ji Shi finally arrived. He sighed at the difficulty of his journey and felt excited to be able to see Master Ou.

Sure enough, Master Ou was sweeping the floor in front of the temple as he always did. "Master Ou!" Ji Shi called out excitedly. "Oh? Is it little Ji? What brings you here?"

Ji Shi took a deep breath and performed a deep bow, a gesture that made Master Ou pause slightly. "Master Ou, the world is in turmoil, and I wish to turn the tide. But the road ahead is treacherous, and I am in dire need of your guidance and assistance. Please, I implore you to descend the mountain and lend me a hand!" With that, Ji Shi bowed again, as if he would not rise until Master Ou agreed.

"Descend the mountain, eh... Very well, these old bones of mine will help you. It also happens to be a chance to avenge Young Master Zichen." Master Ou pondered for a moment before agreeing.

Hearing the name Zichen, Ji Shi was slightly moved, but he said nothing more, only rising to thank Master Ou for his willingness to help.

And so, the two reached an agreement. Once Master Ou had quickly packed his things, they immediately set off to return to Jiang City to conspire for their great cause.