The downpour vanished with rolling thunder and lightning. Ren Yuanhao flickered, holding the swooning Ji Fu tightly.
At that moment, the other two teams had already controlled the entire Dongfang clan, and the city's power supply had been restored. Looking down again, one could see countless citizens standing below the sky fortress. They only thought it was a strange phenomenon in the sky, unaware it was a battle between esper-users and cultivators.
The city's neon lights intertwined, the sky was dim, and a faint scent of chrysanthemum permeated the air, mixed, of course, with a trace of blood.
The battle had ended. Ji Fu and Ji Xueyan were unharmed, though still unconscious. Dongfang Jing, who had been inhabiting a dog, also had her esper powers restored and, without delay, followed the three women from the apartment straight to the sky fortress.
Meanwhile, everyone was waiting in the conference hall for Ren Yuanhao and Dongfang Ji, who were still conversing on the city wall.
"Old Granny, you are so powerful, and you had seen through Leng Wuhuan's scheme long ago, why didn't you act directly?"
Dongfang Ji gazed at the mountains hidden in the southwest, her voice so low it seemed to have lost all its strength. "This is a long story, boy. Do you know about the Foundation Establishment stage in cultivation?"
"I know a little bit." Ren Yuanhao faced the elderly person who had returned to a hunched posture. He couldn't connect this frail figure with the formidable, king-like aura the old lady had previously exuded, and he couldn't help but feel surprised.
"Actually, during that crucial period, my old bones didn't expect any further progress in cultivation. Yet, fate loves to play tricks on people. At that time, the Dongfang clan was at a critical juncture. I faintly felt that I had triggered the opportunity for Foundation Establishment. This was originally a good thing, but as you know, my age is a factor. Foundation Establishment itself is a good thing, but for me, it was a disaster that could kill me. Therefore, I had to retreat and find a quiet place to prepare to overcome this calamity."
"However, I found that my strength was not progressing but regressing, and I was even on the verge of death at any moment. It was then that I conceived the idea of transferring my wind-element esper power, and coincidentally, I met you."
Dongfang Ji's eyes radiated the kindness of an ordinary elderly person. "You know, the older people get, the easier it is for them to see through someone. Back then, I saw in you a chivalry that modern people have long lost. And you happened to possess a profound internal energy that I couldn't fathom, an unfathomable destiny, and unpredictable potential. So, I decided then to take a gamble, to gamble on you."
Ren Yuanhao nodded, then shook his head. "Sigh, Granny, I can't accept such praise. I'm just a nobody, forced to wander here, utterly pathetic."
"You silly boy, don't be so self-deprecating. I can see how astonishing the power within you is. With time, you will surely become a hero who looks down on the world, standing at the apex of the pyramid."
Dongfang Ji kept her gaze fixed on the hazy outlines of the mountains. Ren Yuanhao knew what she was thinking without her having to say it.
"Since I've been praised so highly by Granny, I'll take care of your granddaughter's matter," Ren Yuanhao suddenly remembered something and respectfully took out the 'Wuji Blade,' which symbolized the full power of the Dongfang clan.
"Granny, please take back your esper power from me, and this sword~"
Dongfang Ji finally glanced at Ren Yuanhao beside her, suddenly smiling. "Boy, tell me honestly, are you reluctant for me to take back these two items?"
Ren Yuanhao scratched his head, then laughed heartily. "That's right, I really like this sword and your esper power. However, a gentleman does not take what others love. Besides, these two items are treasures of the Dongfang family, and I cannot accept them."
"Boy, I appreciate your sincerity. But you're right, these are treasures of my Dongfang family, how can they be casually given to outsiders?"
A sly glint flashed in Dongfang Ji's eyes. Just then, Dongfang Jing, having returned to her true form, leaped onto Dongfang Ji.
"Grandma, you're so stingy! Since you've already given it to little brother, there's no reason to take it back?"
Dongfang Jing smiled at Ren Yuanhao generously, as if suddenly remembering the day of 'grave digging' when the puppy's soul was in her body, and the shameful actions she had committed. A blush crept onto her face.
"That makes sense, but these are still treasures of the Dongfang family~"
"Grandma, little brother is the benefactor of the Dongfang family, so he is naturally part of the Dongfang family, right? You~ sigh~"
Dongfang Jing's words made Dongfang Ji appear as if she had been enlightened, suddenly realizing the truth. "Oh, that's right. As long as you, boy, are part of the Dongfang family, everything will fall into place! Jing'er, is that what you mean? Look at your blushing face~"
"Grandma, what nonsense are you talking about! If you keep talking like this, I won't talk to you anymore!"
Dongfang Jing darted away, leaving the somewhat awkward Ren Yuanhao behind.
"Boy, how is my granddaughter?"
—Holy crap, Old Granny, your tone sounds like you're arranging a marriage! I, Ren Yuanhao, have sworn in my heart that my lifelong mission will be to 'save countless single women.' Marriage or anything like that, I'll pass!
"Uh, she's very good, very good~"
"Then are you willing~"
"Of course not!"
Before Dongfang Ji could finish her sentence, a light exclamation came from a passage at the corner of the city wall!
The arrivals were Shen Lanní, Ye Lan, and Yang Lingxue.
"Uh, who are these three~"
Dongfang Ji suddenly seemed confused.
Ren Yuanhao was about to speak when Yang Lingxue, with her sharp tongue, preempted him, "Fiancée, right?"
After speaking, she glanced at Ye Lan and Shen Lanní, then cast an indignant look at Ren Yuanhao, snorting coldly, like a proud little cat.
Who would have thought that of all people, Dongfang Ji, an old woman, would say something like this: "Oh, boy, you wouldn't mind having one more fiancée, would you? A backup would do."
The four of them rolled their eyes in unison, almost fainting.
...
After a brief and pleasant conversation.
Dongfang Ji was helped back to the conference hall by Ren Yuanhao. Seated on either side were the elites of the four clans.
Dongfang Ji sat on the grand golden chair at the uppermost position, with Dongfang Jing and Ren Yuanhao standing on either side.
Yang Lingxue muttered softly from below, "Hmph, he's already so solicitous before even becoming an in-law of the Dongfang family. If he really marries that little girl Dongfang Jing, his tail will surely be in the sky."
"Don't talk nonsense, Yuanhao isn't that kind of person."
Ye Lan gazed quietly at Ren Yuanhao, her almond eyes flowing. That man was so dazzling, and the more so, the sweeter she felt in her heart.