A'li's body radiated a crimson halo, her Undying True Fire burning fiercely. A terrifying, undying will spread out like a tide.
The little girl spread her hands, shielding Ji Mo.
If anyone dared to lay a hand on Ji Mo, she would fight them with all her might.
The elders present were all struck with fear, feeling their bloodline power being suppressed.
At the same time, the might A'li displayed was actually able to suppress them.
A mere six-year-old girl could suppress them, peak Spirit Emperors who had cultivated for hundreds of years, in terms of aura. It was truly terrifying.
The elders' faces were grim. Their future family head was siding with an outsider, even willing to act against them.
"A'li, what are you doing? We are your elders and kin," Luo Zheng said.
"Everything A'li has, Brother Ji gave it to her. Brother Ji is A'li's closest kin. A'li will not allow anyone to harm Brother Ji."
A'li's small face was set.
If not for Ji Mo, she would have died long ago and wouldn't be here today.
Therefore, in A'li's heart, Ji Mo was more important than anything.
"Who dares to touch Mr. Ji?"
A loud shout echoed, and a horse-faced monk and a stout, fat pig rushed over.
Hui Neng held a scythe in his left hand and a hoe in his right, with a "卍" symbol tattooed on his chest.
This attire was somewhat incongruous, but no one dared to mock him; instead, they treated him as a formidable opponent.
This was because Hui Neng wielded Dream-tier equipment, genuine Emperor Weapons, and even top-tier ones at that.
The "卍" symbol on his chest was even more extraordinary. One could feel the vast Buddhist dharma surging, faintly hearing the chanting of three thousand Buddhas, and a grand Buddhist charm pervading the surroundings.
Just looking at it for a moment made the elders' dao hearts unstable, giving them the urge to lay down their butcher knives and become Buddhas.
Tian Peng, radiating the aura of a peak Demon Emperor, also unleashed his power without reservation, flanking A'li on both sides.
The Ginseng King's blood boiled, and he also wanted to step forward, but his strength was insufficient, and he was not skilled in combat. He could only stand in place with a look of disappointment.
As a result, Ji Mo's side's overall strength, on the surface, was no longer inferior to the Luo family's.
The surrounding Luo family disciples were stunned.
They had thought that with Luo Li, a monstrous prodigy, and the Grand Elder's increased strength, the Luo family was on the path to resurgence.
Unexpectedly, before the family could rise, internal strife was about to erupt.
If a war were to break out, the Luo family would suffer heavy losses and might fall into decline.
"Hmph, as a disciple of the Luo family, you side with an outsider. Luo Li, you are not qualified to lead the Luo family. Until you realize your mistake, this position of family head will be temporarily held by this old man."
Luo Zhenjiang's resonant voice rang out, carrying an undeniable authority.
The elders had no objections, as Luo Zhenjiang held a high position and possessed the qualifications in terms of identity, status, and strength.
A'li's behavior had also greatly disappointed them.
The fight ultimately did not break out.
Luo Zhenjiang had no intention of openly confronting Ji Mo immediately. He retracted his aura and remained silent.
The Luo family elders also shook their heads and sighed, departing one by one.
Luo Family Forbidden Ground.
Inside the cave dwelling where Luo Chaoqun was in seclusion.
Luo Yi was gulping down various heavenly treasures, healing his injuries.
Luo Zhenjiang had not done anything to him; he had clearly rescued him from the Heavenly Steed intentionally.
Perhaps no one in the Luo family would have imagined that Luo Zhenjiang was colluding with Luo Yi.
"Damn Ji Mo, what is his background to be able to invite a powerful figure like the Heavenly Steed?"
Luo Yi cursed, having nearly been annihilated by a single strike.
Even now, he felt a lingering fear and trepidation.
"This old man has never heard of this person, but no matter his background, he will die tonight."
Luo Zhenjiang said sinisterly.
In the center of the cave dwelling, a decaying aura permeated. A withered old man sat cross-legged on a stone platform.
He was extremely aged, his vitality almost depleted, and his physical body was close to decay.
However, within his body, several special organs radiated vital energy, nourishing his broken form and prolonging his life.
Human lifespan was short compared to other races. Even peak Spirit Emperors could not live beyond a thousand years.
Under normal circumstances, Luo Zhenjiang should have died of old age long ago, but he used illicit means to maintain the vitality of his body.
And he had been constantly seeking ways to break through the shackles of the Emperor realm, aiming to obtain a longer lifespan.
He had succeeded halfway, opening the door to the Mortal Immortal realm, but he had never been able to step through.
This was because his body had major problems, containing things that did not belong to him.
"It seems your physical condition is dire. You probably won't last much longer,"
Luo Yi said indifferently, looking at the deathly aura surrounding Luo Zhenjiang.
He actually admired Luo Zhenjiang in his heart. To survive, he had drastically modified his body, replacing his heart with that of a demon and his spine with that of a ghost.
Although he could linger on, he had turned himself into a monstrosity.
Of course, this evil method was something he had provided to Luo Zhenjiang years ago, in exchange for the latter helping him obtain the identity of Luo Yi within the Luo family.
"No, quite the opposite. This old man is finally about to break through!"
Luo Zhenjiang's face showed a chilling smile as he looked towards a corner in the distance.
There, a young girl was tied to a stone pillar – it was Luo Mujin.
"Six years ago, this old man ordered people to steal Luo Li's Innate Dao Bone and implant it into this Luo Mujin. Now, that Dao Bone has completely fused with Luo Mujin without rejection. This proves the method is feasible. If I can seize Luo Li's Human King bloodline and her Phoenix Undying Physique, stepping into the Mortal Immortal realm will be a natural progression."
Luo Zhenjiang's eyes gleamed with madness.
As long as he could enter the Mortal Immortal realm, he would gain an additional five hundred years of life.
Over the years, Luo Zhenjiang had pretended to be in seclusion cultivating, but in reality, he had been trying to prolong his life under the guise of cultivation.
Luo Zhenjiang would go to any lengths to extend his life, even resorting to harming his own kin.
A'li was one of the victims.
"I thought our demon race was terrifying, but I didn't expect you humans to be even more so,"
Luo Yi sighed.
Luo Zhenjiang was not human either. To survive, he had set his sights on his descendants. Even a demon race might not be capable of such actions.
"If one does not look out for oneself, heaven and earth will destroy them."
Luo Zhenjiang sneered, his gaze sweeping over Luo Yi, making the latter's skin crawl.
Luo Yi even had the illusion that if he possessed organs that Luo Zhenjiang needed, he would have already met a terrible fate.
This kind of person was truly terrifying. For the sake of survival, he would do anything.
Not long after, two more figures appeared in the cave dwelling.
They were the Fourth Elder and the Sixth Elder of the Luo family.
It was these two who, under Luo Zhenjiang's command, had maliciously attacked A'li when she was still in swaddling clothes, cruelly digging out her Innate Dao Bone.
The two were somewhat surprised to see Luo Yi unharmed but dared not interfere.
They respectfully asked, "May we know what instructions the Grand Elder has for us brothers?"
"Heh heh, naturally, it is for you to resume your old ways and strike at Luo Li once more," Luo Zhenjiang said with a cold laugh.