Tian Peng and the others, being considerate, quickly withdrew.
After an unknown amount of time, Tang Xueyi, blushing, released her grip.
Ji Mo's dark face was covered in vibrant red lipstick marks.
Ji Mo felt dizzy. What was going on? They had only met twice, and now they were hugging and kissing again.
And what was with just kissing the cheeks? If you have the guts, kiss the lips!
"Miss Tang, please make yourself comfortable. I'm going to clean myself up first."
Ji Mo was in a sorry state, his entire body covered in the traces of lightning strikes. He felt too embarrassed to invite Tang Xueyi along.
He excused himself, yanked the Ginseng King hanging from his leg, tossed it onto the ground, and went to wash up.
"Greetings, Mrs. Ji. I am a super ginseng with ten flowers and ten leaves. I have shared adversities with Mr. Ji and endured the heavenly tribulation together."
The Ginseng King scrambled up from the ground and introduced itself with a serious expression.
It mistook Tang Xueyi for Ji Mo's wife, hence its extremely respectful attitude. It also specifically highlighted its shared experience with Ji Mo, hoping to forge a connection.
"I am not Mrs. Ji yet."
Tang Xueyi's pretty face immediately turned crimson, filled with shyness.
"Heh heh, it's only a matter of time."
The Ginseng King, having lived for ten thousand years, was as shrewd as a human. It saw at a glance that this young lady seemed quite interested in Mr. Ji.
"What happened when you endured the heavenly tribulation with my master?"
Tian Peng and the others crowded around, their faces full of curiosity.
"Cannot say, cannot say!"
The Ginseng King shook its head, its face filled with apprehension.
It wasn't deliberately trying to build suspense, but rather that the heavenly tribulation involved significant matters, possibly a grand conspiracy, and it truly could not speak of it.
The others didn't press further. After all, Ji Mo was always mysterious, and they dared not harbor any thoughts of prying into his secrets.
"Mr. Ji emerged unharmed from the heavenly tribulation. His true strength is truly beyond our comprehension!"
Hui Neng exclaimed in awe. His previous guess that Ji Mo was seeking enlightenment in the mortal world seemed far too simple.
The others felt the same, their conviction in their past choices strengthening.
"You few are simply too weak. From now on, Mr. Ji is number one, and I am number two. I have faced life and death with Mr. Ji and endured the heavenly tribulation."
The Ginseng King felt transcendent and a bit conceited.
Seeing that Hui Neng and the others were only at the Spirit Venerable realm, it looked down on them and simultaneously wanted to solidify its own status.
A ginseng with ten leaves and ten flowers was unprecedented, truly possessing the capital to be arrogant.
"You want to be second? Are you sure?"
Tian Peng looked at it as if it were a simpleton.
"Of course. In terms of seniority and strength, I am undeniably worthy."
The Ginseng King swayed its ten leaves and ten flowers, its face full of pride.
These mere nobodies in front of it dared to be displeased with it. Truly, they had never seen the world and didn't know how extraordinary it was now. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it the foremost ginseng in the Profound Spirit Realm.
"Alas, you are still too young."
Xuan Ao shook his head, looking sympathetic.
"A mere thousand-year-old Profound Turtle, what is it? Do you have an opinion?"
The Ginseng King put its hands on its hips and spoke in an old-fashioned manner, showing no regard for Xuan Ao.
"Yes, I do have an opinion!"
A childish voice rang out.
But only the voice was heard, not the speaker.
"Hiding your head and showing your tail. If you have the guts, come and fight." The Ginseng King shouted loudly.
Although it was never skilled in combat, it was confident that even facing a Spirit Saint, it would have no pressure. In a short while, even dealing with a Spirit Emperor would not be daunting.
The childish voice did not reply.
But the next moment, the Ginseng King felt a crunching sound above its head.
It looked up and was immediately terrified.
A small, crystal-clear worm was nibbling on its leaves.
"Nine... Nine-Transformation Heavenly Silkworm!"
The Ginseng King trembled all over. How could this legendary, extinct, invincible creature be here?
"Ah, Great, Invincible, Noble, Benevolent Heavenly Silkworm, please forgive this humble one."
The Ginseng King was decisive, immediately kneeling and begging for mercy.
"So cowardly, how can you follow the master?"
The Nine-Transformation Heavenly Silkworm licked its lips, took a few more bites of the leaves, and ultimately did not trouble the Ginseng King, its form disappearing again.
Master?
The Ginseng King was immensely shocked. Mr. Ji was truly unfathomable, keeping the Nine-Transformation Heavenly Silkworm as a pet.
At this moment, it put away its arrogance and said sternly, "It is I who failed to recognize your greatness. Below Mr. Ji, naturally, the most noble and benevolent Heavenly Silkworm is to be respected. Next, it should be my turn. Does anyone have an objection?"
"We have no objections!"
Tian Peng and the others replied almost in unison, but their faces wore playful smiles.
This was quite unnerving!
Something was amiss!
The Ginseng King's body couldn't help but tremble, clearly realizing that things were not that simple.
As expected, a willow branch shot out from the void, striking it and knocking it to the ground.
It was unstoppable, invincible, and it couldn't even react.
The willow branch emanated the power of laws, restraining everything. The terrifying power contained within it made the Ginseng King dare not harbor any thought of resistance.
The willow branch disappeared. The old willow tree by the pond gently unfurled its myriad silk threads, as if demonstrating its significance.
The Ginseng King swallowed hard, no longer daring to speak.
This willow tree was truly terrifying, undoubtedly a先天灵根 (innate spiritual root) of unimaginable quality.
"Old Ginseng, you can continue to rely on your age and seniority. You won't get second or third, but you can still strive for fourth."
Tian Peng maliciously enticed.
"We guarantee that there will be no more terrifying existences," Fan Jingxing patted his chest and promised.
The Ginseng King regained its confidence and was about to speak.
But the next second, nearly a hundred powerful auras descended, each no weaker than a Spirit Saint, immediately forcing the words the Ginseng King was about to utter back down its throat.
"Group fight to determine ranking! You fight us as a group, or we as a group beat you."
Dragon qi steamed from the pond, and dozens of dragonfish leaped out of the water.
In the eyes of the Ginseng King, it saw nearly a hundred flood dragons soaring through the clouds, staring at it menacingly. They could tear it to shreds at any moment.
The Ginseng King was not afraid of a one-on-one fight, but a group brawl? Wasn't that suicidal?
Even a Spirit Emperor would be instantly devoured without a trace when facing this group of ferocious flood dragons.
"Don't attack, please don't attack. Harmony is paramount, harmony is paramount."
Sweat beaded on the Ginseng King's forehead. It finally dared not mention the matter of family ranking anymore.
Then it began to wander around, becoming more and more astonished.
The vegetable patch was fragrant with fruits and vegetables, and the dense life essence was invigorating.
A well in the courtyard radiated with heavenly light, filled with immortal liquid, far superior to the spiritual spring on Tongtian Peak.
The courtyard was filled with spiritual energy, flowing continuously, as if inexhaustible.
No wonder Ji Mo said at the peak of Tongtian Peak that home was the best. It turned out he wasn't bragging, but simply stating the plain truth.
"Alas, I dared to question Mr. Ji before. I deserve to die."
The Ginseng King waved its leaves and slapped itself hard, inwardly reminding itself that from now on, even if it questioned everything else, it must never show any disrespect to Mr. Ji.
Just then, Ji Mo's voice echoed from afar. The Ginseng King listened intently and was utterly devastated.