The news of the Nine Nether Ancestor's demise spread like wildfire.
Zhang Zheng, once an unknown rogue cultivator, instantly became a celebrity throughout the Southern Domain, with his fame even reaching other regions.
With his Spirit Emperor cultivation, slaying the Nine Nether Ancestor was a feat that cemented him as a legend.
And the legend among legends was the supreme master surnamed Ji, as described by Zhang Zheng.
Everyone speculated about the identity of this mysterious master, but no conclusion was reached.
There were no prominent super-experts in the Xuan Ling Realm surnamed Ji, leading to suspicions that he might have used an alias.
Concurrently, several super-forces secretly launched investigations.
They all knew that the Nine Nether Ancestor possessed the secret of immortality, and now that he was dead, this secret was highly likely to have fallen into the hands of the person surnamed Ji.
Ji Mo, unaware of the uproar outside, was leisurely making his way home.
Little did he know.
A major incident had occurred at home.
It was all due to A'li's excessive playfulness; with Ji Mo away, there was no one to discipline her.
The little girl actually forced Tian Peng to take her along to steal monster eggs.
Tian Peng was initially unwilling, knowing that it was only safe within the courtyard's boundaries.
But ultimately, he couldn't resist A'li and had to yield.
The one-demon, one-person, one-ginseng formed a team, the "Egg-Stealing Trio," and swaggered towards the Tongtian Mountain Range.
Trouble struck halfway.
Someone, along with several Spirit Sages, had set up an ambush and attacked them.
Tian Peng bore the brunt of the attack. Before he could react, he was overwhelmed by the mob and bound into a large zongzi with several demon-binding ropes.
"Yao'er, as I said, there's no need to worry. As long as I act, rescuing A'li will be a simple matter."
A young master, with a face like jade and an elegant demeanor, fanned himself as he slowly emerged from the shadows.
Beside him was Ye Yao.
The young master was named Zhan Zhiming, from the Zhan family, a prominent clan in Mingyue City.
He was here at Ye Yao's request to rescue A'li.
"Release my Wu Ji quickly, or don't blame me for being impolite."
A'li's face was filled with anxiety as she saw Tian Peng bleeding and bound.
This was Brother Ji's guard chicken; if anything happened to it, she wouldn't be able to explain.
"A'li, stop fooling around. Young Master Zhan is here to help your aunt bring you back."
Ye Yao reprimanded A'li and quickly turned to apologize to Zhan Zhiming, "Young Master Zhan, please don't mind. This girl has been mischievous since childhood. I will discipline her properly in the future."
Zhan Zhiming waved his hand, his gaze fixed on A'li, a glint appearing in his eyes. He provocatively said, "Little girl, you speak too boldly. I'd like to see how you intend to be impolite."
He had learned from Ye Yao that A'li had awakened the Human King bloodline and intentionally provoked the little girl to see if it was true.
There had never been a record in the history of the Xuan Ling Realm of a child successfully awakening the Human King bloodline. He was somewhat skeptical, believing Ye Yao's words might not be entirely accurate.
"Just you wait, I'm going to kick your butt."
A'li said indignantly.
Her aunt was scolding her for a pretty boy, and this pretty boy clearly wasn't a good person. A'li was truly angry and decided to teach this scoundrel a lesson.
As soon as she finished speaking, A'li vanished from her spot, appearing behind Zhan Zhiming like a phantom.
"Young Master, be careful."
An old man who had been guarding Zhan Zhiming's side turned pale and moved to intercept.
But the moment they touched, he was sent flying.
It was also A'li's childish nature that prevented her from delivering a heavy blow; otherwise, this person would likely have been dead or crippled.
"How is this possible!"
Zhan Zhiming was utterly astonished. His personal guard, Old Fang, was at the late stage of Spirit Sage cultivation, yet he was no match for a little girl in a single encounter. This was too exaggerated.
"A'li, stop it. Don't act rashly."
Ye Yao hurriedly tried to persuade her.
But it was too late. A'li kicked Zhan Zhiming's backside, sending him flying heavily.
Zhan Zhiming fell face-first into the dirt, instantly losing face. He spat out the mud and sand from his mouth and shouted, "Attack together! Capture this little brat, and I will teach her a good lesson."
The other Spirit Sages received the order and immediately surrounded A'li, attacking simultaneously.
Then, a shocking scene unfolded.
These renowned Spirit Sage experts couldn't catch a mere child. Instead, they were played around with and then all kicked away.
"Hmph, don't think you can bully me just because I'm young. Let me tell you, if you don't release my chicken, don't blame me for bullying the old with the young, and the few with the many."
A'li pointed at the several white-haired Spirit Sages and berated them.
"Half-step Spirit Emperor! Young Master, this little girl has already stepped half a foot into the threshold of Spirit Emperor. We are no match for her."
Old Fang was filled with horror and disbelief.
How old was this child to possess such cultivation?
Even if she had awakened the Human King bloodline, she would still need time to grow, wouldn't she? Why was she so monstrous? It was truly too much!
If in another two years, this little girl became a Spirit Emperor, who among the younger generation would dare to challenge her might?
Perhaps in the future, once she fully matured, the entire Xuan Ling Realm would prostrate at her feet!
The Spirit Sages dared not attack rashly, their faces filled with shock. Before them stood the youngest Emperor-level cultivator in history!
Ye Yao also covered her mouth in shock, unable to speak. Although she knew A'li would be extraordinary after awakening the Human King bloodline, she never expected her to be so monstrous.
To touch upon the Spirit Emperor realm at such a young age, it seemed that achieving immortality was no longer an unattainable feat!
As she was lost in thought, she felt her body go numb. Zhan Zhiming had already taken her hostage, holding a sharp dagger against her fair neck.
At the same time, Zhan Zhiming's voice turned cold and ruthless, "Little girl, surrender obediently, or don't blame me for harming your aunt."
At this critical juncture, Zhan Zhiming directly took Ye Yao hostage to threaten A'li.
Ye Yao looked at Zhan Zhiming, feeling a chill run through her body, not understanding why he would treat her this way.
"Don't listen to him. Your aunt is in league with him. This is a feigned injury; he wouldn't really hurt your aunt."
From A'li's sleeve, the Ginseng King poked its head out, reminding her anxiously.
In this situation, one must not surrender meekly, or they would only end up being slaughtered.
"No, the pretty boy is not a good person. He will definitely hurt Auntie."
A'li stared into Zhan Zhiming's eyes, her gaze seeming to pierce through his inner thoughts.
She sighed and gave up resisting, "Don't hurt my aunt. I'll let you capture me."
"Ten flowers and ten leaves Ginseng King!"
When Zhan Zhiming saw the Ginseng King, his eyes were filled with greed.
Legend had it that the Nine Flowers and Nine Leaves Ginseng King could grant immediate sainthood with just one bite.
If he could take a bite of this Ten Flowers and Ten Leaves Ginseng King, would he immediately advance to Spirit Emperor?
And was A'li's current cultivation due to her having consumed this Ginseng King?
"Hand over the Ginseng King, or else..."
Zhan Zhiming's hand trembled, and the sharp dagger immediately broke Ye Yao's skin, causing a trickle of blood to seep out.