Chapter 770 Sudden Contact During the Grand Assembly

‘Forget delaying for an hour, even half an hour is an impossible task!’

Ji Ming’s heart sank, but a sweet smile blossomed on his delicate, pretty face. “Is that so?” he said. “How does Senior plan on ‘doting’ on me?”

His voice was crisp and clear. Amidst its boundless innocence, there was a hint of anticipation and a touch of bashfulness, instantly transforming him into a shy young man.

The four people beside him who were familiar with Ji Ming’s temperament all froze. Ximen Jianqiu’s face twitched, almost convulsing. Fan Chengxin and the other two Tai Chi Disciples had a strange light flickering in their eyes, but none of them dared to interrupt.

“Hehehe… Interesting. What an interesting little fellow! When we get back, I must have you brought to me so I can properly, properly dote on you!” Guan Lijuan chuckled, her body shaking with laughter.

“Good sister, why wait until we get back? Why not let your little brother understand how you dote on someone right now?” As he spoke, Ji Ming licked his lips. A cold aura swirled around him, creating a unique sort of temptation.

Ximen Jianqiu: “…”

Fan Chengxin: “…”

The two disciples beside them: “…”

‘Is this really their Martial Uncle Ji Ming, the one who’s as old as a demon? Holy shit, this is completely shattering my worldview!’

As the disciples were having a collective mental breakdown, Guan Lijuan was momentarily stunned. Then, pleasantly surprised, she said, “Oh my, little fellow, how can you be so amusing?”

“If my superiors weren’t in such a rush, I truly wouldn’t have the heart to take you back! I’d hide you away all for myself and dote on you properly!”

Ji Ming’s heart went cold. Her words sealed it: his plan to buy time by selling his looks, or even his very essence, was clearly not going to work. Realizing this, his expression changed in an instant.

One moment, he was all innocence and unique anticipation, his cold aura exuding a strange temptation. The next, his face was like ice as he roared, “Attack!”

Although the four of them had been watching Ji Ming and Guan Lijuan’s strange “flirtation,” none had let down their guard. They had been secretly gathering their power, and the moment Ji Ming roared, all four attacked in unison.

Shuanghua, vines, long swords… and more, all erupted at once.

“Hehehe…” Guan Lijuan covered her mouth with one hand and let out a delicate laugh. A faint fragrance filled the air as the ground beneath her feet suddenly softened, turning into a Flower Swamp.

Sludge swirled around her, but it carried no stench. Instead, it gave off a strange, floral fragrance.

As the Flower Swamp at her feet spread rapidly, it washed over the five attackers in a flash. Their bodies stiffened, and they were all trapped in the swamp’s mire.

“Little ones, I was making my way in the Cultivation Realm before you were even born. I’ve ‘doted on’ more Cultivators than you’ve had battles. You want to engage in Magical Combat with me with just these few tricks? I’m afraid you haven’t lived long enough!”

Guan Lijuan kept the five restricted. She stepped forward gracefully, her feet crossing in a straight line as her lovely figure swayed. Treading upon the Flower Swamp with a strange rhythm, she strolled toward them. The five had now sunk completely into the Flower Swamp, with only their heads remaining above the mire.

…

Zhang Deming’s consciousness, wrapped around the few strands of power he had split off, was pulled by the Dao Mark. He escaped the Spirit Nurturing Space and arrived within the Spirit Species. The Spirit Species quickly stretched and transformed into a miniature person.

The instant he gained Perception, Zhang Deming scanned his surroundings in a flash. There were no traps as he’d expected, no surprise attacks, not even anything else out of the ordinary.

He was currently in a primeval forest, with nothing abnormal in the vicinity. It was as if he had simply tossed this Spirit Species into the wilderness at random back then.

After a brief survey of the area confirmed his temporary safety, Zhang Deming’s expression flickered. He returned to the Spirit Nurturing Space to continue splitting off the rest of his power.

When he returned to the Spirit Species with his full power, he began to carefully examine his surroundings again. This time, what he found stunned him.

It wasn’t for any other reason than this: he finally understood why he had lost all connection to the Spirit Species before, and why he could suddenly link to it again.

The connection to his Spirit Species hadn’t been re-established because of the Dao Mark at all. It was because, at the very edge of the ten-kilometer limit, he sensed the aura of a “signal relay.”

It seemed a disciple from the Celestial Spirit Sect, or perhaps some other Independent Practitioner Disciple, had entered this area by chance. Moreover, this disciple was someone who had once used his Spirit Nurturing Bead for Enlightenment Dao, and had thus become a special “signal base station” for him.

For this reason, the Dao Mark Sealing that permeated the surrounding area was no longer able to interfere with the connection between his Spirit Species and his Main Body.

After understanding the reason, Zhang Deming also understood why the signal had been continuously weakening: the “signal base station” was currently at the very edge of the ten-kilometer range.

In fact, they had even gone slightly beyond it. If the person hadn’t stopped, which in turn stopped the signal from weakening further, Zhang Deming estimated he wouldn’t have been able to make the connection at all.

Sensing this, Zhang Deming’s brow furrowed slightly. Spiritual Light flickered in his eyes as he once again began to carefully observe his surroundings.

He didn’t find any signs of other living people. Well, that wasn’t entirely true.

It seemed a rather large group of people had moved through the area. Although extremely professional Cultivators of the earth and wood paths had meticulously covered their tracks afterward…

…because it hadn’t been long, Zhang Deming’s Tier Three Mastery Level Spiritual Eye could still clearly pick up on numerous telltale signs.

And, whether by coincidence or design, the direction in which these tracks led was precisely toward the “signal relay” he had sensed.