Chapter 8

At the foot of the mountain, Shao Kang's eyes shone brightly as he gazed up at Ji Changkong, who was still struggling to climb.

Nie Yuanshan's expression was extremely solemn. Like Shao Kang, he focused his gaze deeply on Ji Changkong, with a thoughtful look on his face.

"Master should have noticed as well," the old steward Shao Kang took a deep breath, calmed his mind, and whispered, "He cannot jump from one rock to another because his body is not agile and strong enough. He absolutely cannot grab and hold onto the rocks in the moment he lands. Therefore, he can only move by finding rocks that are close to him and within reach of his hands and feet."

"Climbing from this angle, the mountain is extremely steep! The protruding rocks are scattered at varying distances, some tightly together, some half a zhang apart! I originally thought that someone who cannot move through the air would have no chance of reaching the top of the Green Rock Mountain, so I assumed that the frail Ji Changkong would soon have to give up halfway because he couldn't find a rock to use for leverage!"

Shao Kang took a deep breath, his expression solemn, and said slowly, "But, I have to admit, I was probably wrong this time!"

After a pause, Shao Kang said in a low voice, "Ji Changkong found a path to the top without using jumps, relying only on the distance between the protruding green rocks! There are no fewer than five thousand protruding rocks on Green Rock Mountain, and the distance between each rock is different. He just took a casual look from the foot of the mountain and found the most correct path! And he is so confident in his method that he is determined to climb to the top! Such keen eyesight and such a strong character, even I, Shao Kang, cannot match!"

Shao Kang glanced at Nie Yuanshan and said decisively, "I have never met the girl from the Ji family, but I can be sure that she absolutely cannot have such keen eyesight!"

Nie Yuanshan's expression was serious as he stared at Ji Changkong, nodded lightly, and said, "Let's keep watching!"

Shao Kang stopped talking, his demeanor returned to calm, but his bright eyes never left the struggling Ji Changkong.

...

Cheers echoed from the top of Green Rock Mountain. In the time it took for Nie Yuanshan and Shao Kang to talk, all the Ji family members, whether from the main or collateral lines, had already reached the top. As with the previous test, there were no significant changes this year; Ji Changxiao still came in first, followed by Ji Changsheng and Ji Changyue in second and third place.

After reaching the top, the Ji family members, either excited or disappointed, returned to the foot of the mountain and stood beside the elders like Ji Yuxing, either boasting of their achievements or seeking rewards, laughing and talking about the dangers they faced during the climb.

Suddenly, the Ji family members who had returned to the foot of the mountain seemed to have discovered something amusing. They all burst into laughter, pointing at Ji Changkong, who had not even reached halfway up the mountain. Seeing Ji Changkong still struggling to move, their faces were full of disdain and mockery, and they began to jeer without restraint.

"Haha, I knew it, this guy will definitely be the last. Look at his clumsy movements, it's so funny!"

"Ugh... He's about to fall, I'm really worried for him, hahaha. Without the necessary skills, he actually dared to participate in the test. I wonder what he was thinking. Does he not know what it means to embarrass himself?"

"Truly foolish, to embarrass himself in front of the City Lord. He won't be able to stand in Green Rock City in the future! Hmph, he has disgraced the Ji family!"

"..."

In the past, whenever this happened, the usually stern Ji Yuxing would be particularly lenient and wouldn't be as strict as usual. However, having just heard that the girl from the Yin family, Jiu Lingsnow, had reached the Three Talents Heaven realm, he couldn't be happy now.

Seeing that all the family members had come down, but Nie Yuanshan was still standing there motionless, Ji Yuxing, with a puzzled look, led his two sons toward Nie Yuanshan.

When he reached Nie Yuanshan, Ji Yuxing looked at him strangely, then at the steward Shao Kang. His expression became even more puzzled, as he couldn't understand why Nie Yuanshan and Shao Kang were both looking at Ji Changkong.

Coughing lightly, Ji Yuxing drew Nie Yuanshan and Shao Kang's attention. Seeing that both were looking at him with displeasure, Ji Yuxing felt a bit bitter and quickly smiled, saying, "The test is over, and the rankings are out. Hehe, it's rare for the City Lord to visit our Ji family, please stay for a simple meal before you leave."

"Isn't there still one person who hasn't come down?" The usually quiet steward Shao Kang pointed at the still climbing Ji Changkong and asked, "Isn't he one of your Ji family members?"

Ji Yuxing's expression was awkward, and he chuckled nervously before explaining, "Changkong is frail. As you can see, he hasn't even reached halfway up the mountain. Without mentioning whether he can reach the top of Green Rock Mountain, at this speed, even if he does, it will probably take several hours. The City Lord is busy with official duties, how can the Ji family dare to disturb you for too long?"

At this moment, Ji Changkong's grandfather, Ji Yusheng, and his aunt, Ji Wanyun, also walked over. After Ji Yusheng arrived, he also felt that it was inappropriate to have everyone wait for Ji Changkong, so he suggested with a stern face, "Why don't you all go have your meal first? I'll stay here and watch this useless guy."

"No need, I'm not busy today, I'll wait!"

To everyone's surprise, Nie Yuanshan did not follow Ji Yusheng's suggestion to have a meal first but instead insisted on staying, frowning.

After saying this, Nie Yuanshan no longer looked at Ji Yuxing or the other Ji family members but, along with Shao Kang, continued to watch Ji Changkong, who was moving inch by inch up the mountain.

Once Nie Yuanshan spoke, even if Ji Yuxing was unwilling, he didn't dare to say anything more. He could only smile bitterly, praise Nie Yuanshan a few times, and then accompany him, waiting for Ji Changkong to complete the long and arduous climb.

Since Ji Yuxing didn't move, all the Ji family members, young and old, had to wait as well. Those who had expended a lot of energy during the test were now hungry, but because Ji Yuxing hadn't given the word, they had to endure, each cursing Ji Changkong in their hearts and watching him move forward like a snail.

"Brother Changkong... Will he fall?" Ji Xiaolian rubbed her little belly and said worriedly in a low voice.

"Don't worry, with the City Lord here, Changkong won't be hurt even if he falls," Ji Wanyun smiled, pinched Ji Xiaolian's little cheek, and said.

Although Ji Wanyun didn't like the Ji Haoguang family, she was an exception for Ji Xiaolian. At only fifteen, Ji Xiaolian was kind, innocent, and very lovable.

"Oh, I almost forgot." Nie Yuanshan patted his head, as if suddenly remembering something, and took out a red pearl from his waist pouch. The pearl was translucent and seemed to have a flame dancing inside. As soon as it left Nie Yuanshan's pouch, the temperature around them rose.

Zhao, who had been standing beside Ji Haoguang with an impatient expression, suddenly opened her almond eyes wide when she saw Nie Yuanshan take out the red pearl. Her eyes lit up, and she stared intently at the red pearl in his hand.

"This Flame Essence Pearl was specially entrusted by my daughter to her aunt to exchange from the Spirit Treasure Pavilion in Tian Shui City. She said it was to thank you for teaching her embroidery and sewing. Hehe, the girl has no mother, so she gets along well with you. Please take care of her more in Green Rock City. She listens to you. She nags me every day when you don't come, and I'm almost driven crazy by her." While laughing, Nie Yuanshan forced the Flame Essence Pearl into Ji Wanyun's hand.

"Heaven, a Flame Essence Pearl! That's a treasure that can enhance communication with the sacred phoenix!" A knowledgeable member of the Ji family's collateral line couldn't help but exclaim. Ji Yuxing, Ji Yusheng, and others all had strange expressions, staring at Nie Yuanshan as he forced the Flame Essence Pearl into Ji Wanyun's hand.

Zhao, Ji Haoguang's wife, seeing Nie Yuanshan force the Flame Essence Pearl into Ji Wanyun's hand, her eyes almost shot out flames, and her greedy gaze couldn't be hidden.

"This is too valuable, I can't accept it!" Ji Wanyun took a step back and quickly avoided it.

Nie Yuanshan's face darkened, and he said, "This isn't from me. It's something the girl Rulan nagged her aunt for days to get from the Spirit Treasure Pavilion in Tian Shui City. If you don't accept it, she'll cause a fuss when she gets home!"

"But... but..." Ji Wanyun waved her hands, not knowing what to say.

"Don't 'but' me! You are at the Four Symbols Heaven realm and are trying to communicate with the sacred phoenix. With the help of this Flame Essence Pearl, you can save a lot of effort." Nie Yuanshan forced the Flame Essence Pearl into Ji Wanyun's hand and muttered to himself, "Rulan has been grateful to you for the past few years. A Flame Essence Pearl is nothing much."

Zhao, on the other side, stared at the Flame Essence Pearl, her eyes almost popping out.

—She, like Ji Wanyun, was at the Four Symbols Heaven realm and planned to communicate with the sacred phoenix. Therefore, she knew better than anyone how much the Flame Essence Pearl could help both of them.

Ji Haoguang tugged at his wife Zhao and glared at her sternly. Under Ji Haoguang's stern gaze, Zhao barely suppressed her greed and stopped looking at the Flame Essence Pearl in Ji Wanyun's hand.

Seeing Ji Wanyun accept the gift, Nie Yuanshan stopped talking and, like Shao Kang, focused his gaze on Ji Changkong.

Nie Yuanshan didn't move, so Ji Yuxing didn't move. Since Ji Yuxing didn't move, the entire Ji family, except for Ji Yusheng, didn't dare to move.

Ji Yusheng, as Ji Changkong's grandfather, would not move at this critical moment.

Therefore, all the Ji family members, whether from the main or collateral lines, dozens of them, stood at the foot of the mountain, waiting with Nie Yuanshan.

... This wait lasted until the sky was filled with the glow of the evening.

Dragging his heavy body, Ji Changkong was drenched in sweat. Under the red clouds of the evening, he relied on his frail body and a strong sense of determination, and with each step, he climbed the Green Rock Mountain with great difficulty!

Clusters of red clouds dyed the sky, and under the glow of the evening, Ji Changkong's figure merged with the sunset on the top of Green Rock Mountain.

Ji Changkong was about to let out a long cry to the sky when he suddenly noticed a crowd at the foot of the mountain. Exhausted and almost fainting, Ji Changkong's face was full of surprise. He looked down carefully and saw the tall and imposing figure of the City Lord of Green Rock City, Nie Yuanshan, in the crowd.

At that moment, Nie Yuanshan gave him a thumbs-up from a distance!

So it's because of him, I thought the Ji family had suddenly changed their attitude. Ji Changkong smiled bitterly to himself.

Looking down at the tiny figures at the foot of the mountain, Ji Changkong suddenly had a wonderful illusion of stepping on the world. Seeing Nie Yuanshan's thumbs-up, a sense of pride and satisfaction welled up in him.

Unable to contain his excitement, Ji Changkong suddenly forgot his own hardships, bared his white teeth in a bright smile, and waved vigorously to Nie Yuanshan at the foot of the mountain!

At that moment, Ji Changkong, who had temporarily put aside his troubles, seemed like a different person. On the top of Green Rock Mountain, his smile was carefree and unrestrained, and his entire being was radiant!

...

This child is truly extraordinary! Nie Yuanshan praised in his heart, amazed by the radiant Ji Changkong at that moment. He felt that this was the true Ji Changkong!

After being lost in thought for a while, Nie Yuanshan regained his composure and said coldly to Ji Yuxing, "It's too late, I need to hurry back to report to Rulan. I won't have a meal at the Ji family today." Without waiting for Ji Yuxing to try to persuade him, he and Shao Kang walked toward Green Rock City.

Ji Yuxing was about to try to persuade him but found that Nie Yuanshan and Shao Kang had already walked several zhang away, leaving him standing there, at a loss.

There were still results to announce and many things to arrange personally. Seeing that Nie Yuanshan really had no intention of having a meal at the Ji family, Ji Yuxing gave up. He stopped chasing and busied himself calling out the names of the family members who had participated in the test, instructing them to go to the scripture hall the next day to choose cultivation techniques and skills.

...

"Master, can Ji Changkong really not gather essence energy?" Shao Kang suddenly asked on the way back.

"Are you thinking of taking him as a disciple?" Nie Yuanshan sighed, looking deeply at the steward Shao Kang, and said, "Changkong's background is a bit special. You should give up on this idea early. Besides, Changkong is already seventeen and still can't gather essence energy. This is enough to show that he cannot become a Celestial Scholar, so don't think about it anymore."

"This child has great wisdom and perseverance, and his talent is the best I have ever seen! Alas, he just can't gather essence energy, what a waste of a good seedling..." Shao Kang also sighed, and on the way back to Green Rock City, he kept looking back at the top of Green Rock Mountain.

At the top of Green Rock Mountain, under the red clouds of the evening, the young man who waved vigorously, the carefree and unrestrained moment, left an indelible impression on Shao Kang!

...

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