The haystack in the courtyard shimmered with five-colored rays of light.
It was a large pile of eggs.
Some were as small as chicken eggs, while others were as large as a dinner plate, totaling over twenty.
Nearby, Tianpeng cautiously observed Ji Mo's reaction.
Ever since Ji Mo had previously complained about his inability to lay eggs, Tianpeng had felt a sense of crisis. After careful consideration, he finally devised a clever plan.
If he couldn't lay eggs, couldn't he steal them?
Thus, he made an excursion and returned with a hoard of demon beast eggs, all of them premium, top-tier eggs from demon kings.
If his strength had allowed, he would have returned to the Tongtian Mountain Range to retrieve the demon emperor-level snake eggs from the Devouring Python's nest.
"Good, very good. My chicken has finally laid eggs," Ji Mo said with a smile. Then, he looked at Tianpeng with confusion, and then at the plate-sized egg, his face a mask of bewilderment.
How could such a small body produce such a large egg?
Tianpeng realized his mistake and trembled with fear.
However, Ji Mo did not probe further. After all, in this world, even demon beasts could transform into human form, so what else couldn't happen?
"Xiao Hei, you are very good, with a bright future," Ji Mo said, poking Tianpeng's plump belly with satisfaction.
Tianpeng's heart, which had been in his throat, finally settled. He then received a reward from Ji Mo, so excited that he almost fainted.
The reward was a chicken coop.
An ordinary-looking chicken coop, yet extraordinary.
Golden grass, Seven-Star Soul-Returning Vine, branches from an old willow tree…
The raw materials alone were outrageously luxurious, and the completed chicken coop was even more exceptional.
Great Dao runes pulsed, divine chains of order intertwined, and a radiant treasure light shot up, nearly blinding Tianpeng's eyes.
"This chicken coop of mine is probably no less impressive than the legendary Phoenix Nest."
Tianpeng excitedly nestled into the chicken coop, feeling that his life as a chicken was complete.
Ji Mo carried the pile of eggs back into the house and began to research a hundred ways to eat them.
If outsiders were to witness this scene, they would likely be so enraged they'd spit blood.
To eat demon king eggs as if they were mere chicken eggs, wasn't he afraid of heavenly retribution?
Demon beast eggs or younglings could be contracted by cultivators as battle pets, and those of demon king level were priceless. Yet, Ji Mo, this glutton, was consuming them as food.
Who else in the world could be so extravagant, spending the equivalent of several cities on a single meal?
It seemed even heaven could not stand by and watch.
As Ji Mo, with a full belly, played with the eggshells and let out satisfied burps, an anomaly occurred.
Rumble…
The earth shook violently, the intense tremors flipping Ji Mo onto the ground.
As he fell, Ji Mo's eyes widened in surprise. He distinctly heard a heartbeat emanating from deep within the earth.
When Ji Mo held his breath, trying to listen more clearly, the heartbeat vanished.
Simultaneously, the earthquake stopped, as if the tremors were caused by the heartbeat.
"I must be hearing things," Ji Mo said, getting up and dusting himself off.
A heartbeat causing an earthquake, how could that be possible?
In a mysterious cave dwelling, the old man who had duped Huang Guangcai smiled and murmured, "The carnival is about to begin."
Then, thinking of Ji Mo, his expression turned solemn.
In his eyes, Ji Mo was an uncertain factor, uncontrollable. If he were to get involved, it would likely be troublesome.
"It seems I must have Huang Guangcai make a move sooner rather than later to test Ji Mo's depths."
The old man pondered for a moment, formulated a plan, and then his body transformed into a wisp of breeze, drifting out of the cave.
Meanwhile.
Returning to the Xuan Nü Pavilion, Lan Rou, with tears streaming down her face, knelt before Qiao Surong.
"Master, your disciple has caused a great disaster. I fear it will bring ruin upon our sect."
Believing she had offended Ji Mo, and worrying that it would implicate the Xuan Shui Pavilion, Lan Rou was filled with panic.
With Ji Mo's capabilities, if he were to truly target the Xuan Shui Pavilion, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"What exactly happened? Tell your master in detail."
Qiao Surong also began to panic.
If it weren't for a momentous event, her beloved disciple would never have lost her composure like this.
Lan Rou, wiping her tears, recounted the events in detail.
After listening, Qiao Surong was stunned for a long time, as if trying to accept the near-mythical feat of someone casually refining an eighth-grade pill.
As for Tian Xiong becoming a Spirit Emperor, that did not surprise her as much.
"Master, Mr. Ji is already on the side of the Brahma Sect. Now that your disciple has offended Mr. Ji, he might retaliate against us."
Lan Rou was filled with worry, convinced she had committed an unforgivable sin.
However, after much thought, Qiao Surong's expression broke into a smile. She helped Lan Rou up and said gently, "My disciple, you worry too much. Misfortune can be a blessing in disguise; this might just be an opportunity for our Xuan Shui Pavilion."
Lan Rou looked bewildered as Qiao Surong explained her reasoning.
"Although you offended Mr. Ji, Mr. Ji is a recluse, a master of great character. He is not a petty person and will not blame you excessively."
"Moreover, all signs indicate that Mr. Ji values you quite highly. Think about it, he carried you home at great personal risk, and even condescended to save your life. This is the profound care of a senior master for a junior."
"As long as we can resolve Mr. Ji's displeasure, then our Xuan Shui Pavilion will have a tremendous opportunity."
Lan Rou listened, dumbfounded, finding her master's analysis quite reasonable. Her sadness then turned to joy.
Mr. Ji had even affectionately pinched her cheek; he must value her.
With this thought, Lan Rou's eyes regained their brilliance.
"The Brahma Sect has gained immense benefits by aligning with Mr. Ji. If we can gain Mr. Ji's favor, then our rise to prominence will be within reach. In a few days, I will accompany you to visit Mr. Ji. Rou'er, the prosperity of the Xuan Shui Pavilion depends entirely on you."
Qiao Surong placed her hands on Lan Rou's shoulders and said earnestly.
While the master and disciple were discussing how to please Ji Mo, the Brahma Sect also harbored their own subtle intentions.
Lin Zhan had been in high spirits these past few days. The Xuan Shui Pavilion, which had always suppressed him, was now in retreat, and the Heavenly Wolf Gang was so intimidated that they had to remain confined, unable to make a sound.
The Brahma Sect had seized a large amount of territory, and its overall strength had increased by a full thirty percent.
"All of this is thanks to Mr. Ji. I must find time to thank him properly. Most importantly, we must find a way to firmly bind the Brahma Sect to Mr. Ji."
Lin Zhan had already devised a method to secure Ji Mo's support and a smug smile spread across his face.
Lin Zihan, standing beside him, overheard her father's words and misconstrued them, blushing shyly. "Father, what are you planning? I… I'm not ready yet."
What?
Lin Zhan felt utterly confused, then his eyes widened. "What are you thinking? Be dignified, a young lady should be dignified!"
Although he said this, a bold thought couldn't help but surface in his mind.