Chapter 307: Deep and Unfathomable Mr. Schemer

Upon meeting Gao Tianming and his wife, Ji Yuan had a few new thoughts. After accepting their gift, he smiled and addressed them.

"Excellent, there's no need for such formalities. It's fortunate to meet you both here."

Ji Yuan gestured to the side, introducing his companions. "This is Sir Yan Fei, and this is Niu Batian, who is also a demon."

Gao Tianming and his wife cupped their hands towards the two. "Greetings, both of you!"

Niu Batian and Yan Fei quickly returned the greeting, thereby making a brief acquaintance.

Gao Tianming was greatly surprised and pleased to find Ji Yuan here. At the Dragon Lord's birthday banquet years ago, he hadn't even had a chance to speak with Ji Yuan, so being able to chat with him on the streets of Ghost City now was a welcome opportunity.

"Mr. Ji, do you also know Xin Wuya? Were you invited by him to his celebration?"

"Xin Wuya? Is that the name of the Ghost City Lord?" Ji Yuan pondered for a moment before replying.

Gao Tianming's immediate deduction was that Mr. Ji was not well acquainted with the Ghost City Lord.

"So City Lord Xin didn't invite you? Did you come voluntarily to congratulate him then?"

Gao Tianming's surprise was evident on his face, while internally, he couldn't help but wonder, 'Does this Xin Wuya truly command such respect that Mr. Ji would personally come to congratulate him?'

"Hmph, what congratulations are you talking about?" Niu Batian scoffed, explaining the real reason for Ji Yuan's presence. "Mr. Ji and I discovered a cartload of bewildered living people had accidentally entered Ghost City. We came in to find and rescue them. Otherwise, with all these ancient ghosts around, wouldn't they just eye living people like fresh meat?" He also used the opportunity to assert his familiarity with Mr. Ji.

"Oh? Is that so? If that old ghost Wuya behaves this way and Mr. Ji finds out, he'd better obediently hand over those people. I don't believe he'd dare commit evil in front of Mr. Ji!"

This was quite revealing. Just moments ago, it was "City Lord Xin Wuya," but upon hearing of a potential conflict with Mr. Ji, he immediately became "old ghost Wuya."

Given that Gao Tianming and his wife, Xia Qiu, possessed considerable demonic energy and were specifically invited to the celebration, it was clear they had a friendly relationship with the Ghost City Lord and acknowledged the city's standing by their presence. Yet, under these circumstances, as soon as they heard Mr. Ji's reason for being there, they immediately and unhesitatingly declared their support for him. This further reinforced Niu Batian and Yan Fei's understanding of Mr. Ji's profound power.

Ji Yuan nodded. "The Ghost City Lord likely isn't aware of this yet. To my knowledge, those individuals were captured by a ghost named Black Envoy and are to be presented to the City Lord during the celebration. I was still contemplating the best way to rescue them, but since you and your wife are here, there might be a diplomatic path. You could try requesting their release."

Gao Tianming squinted, glancing towards the deeper parts of the city. "Please rest assured, Mr. Ji. I will handle this matter. I know this old ghost Wuya, and I doubt he would dare refuse to hand them over!"

As he spoke, Gao Tianming smiled again, bowing slightly as he gestured towards his carriage. "Mr. Ji, please take a seat. We'll go find that old ghost Wuya together!"

It appeared Gao Tianming was well acquainted with the Ghost City Lord, which greatly relieved Ji Yuan. Avoiding conflict was always the best option. However, Ji Yuan had no desire to ride in the seemingly damp carriage; the aquatic creatures' sense of aesthetics left much to be desired.

"No, thank you. I prefer to walk. You two may ride."

"In that case, I will also walk alongside Mr. Ji!"

After Gao Tianming spoke, he waved towards his carriage. The procession resumed its movement, but this time the carriage was empty. The individuals the procession was meant to serve were walking beside it, chatting and laughing with the white-robed gentleman and his companions.

Ji Yuan politely exchanged a few words with Gao Tianming and his wife, mainly discussing matters related to the Old Dragon. After that, he mostly listened and didn't speak much. It wasn't that he was intentionally aloof, but rather that they simply lacked common ground for conversation.

Gao Tianming, despite his strong desire to build a good relationship with Ji Yuan, understood that one should not be overly forward in the presence of such an esteemed individual. Seeing that Mr. Ji simply listened calmly, occasionally offering a polite smile, he quickly took his cue. He had a maid, who was a water ghost in disguise, bring a plate laden with dried fruits, pastries, and other treats to Ji Yuan's side.

"Please help yourself, Mr. Ji. I'll go greet our other two friends."

"Mm," Ji Yuan responded with a faint sound and casually picked up a dried apricot, acknowledging the gesture of hospitality.

Gao Tianming subtly winked at his wife, Xia Qiu, then smiled and fell back a few steps. He naturally approached Niu Batian and Yan Fei, cupping his hands slightly as he spoke in a low voice. "My apologies, gentlemen. I became quite absorbed in my conversation with Mr. Ji."

Yan Fei and Niu Batian quickly returned the polite greeting. The latter, swallowing a mouthful of red bean paste cake, replied with understanding, "No worries, no worries. Old Niu understands completely. After all, it's not every day one gets to meet Mr. Ji!"

"Brother Niu is absolutely right! By the way, how did Sir Yan and Brother Niu come to know Mr. Ji?"

Yan Fei, with a resigned smile, held his sword. "Lord Gao, you flatter me. I am but a humble mortal martial artist; I don't deserve the title of 'Sir' from you. I was saved by Mr. Ji over a decade ago, and then again just recently. There's no 'friendship' to speak of, only the profound gratitude for my life being spared!"

Hearing this, Gao Tianming dared not be neglectful, nodding. "I see. So, Sir Yan and Mr. Ji have been acquainted for over a decade. For a mortal, that's quite a long time! And you, Brother Niu?" As for Yan Fei's protest against being called "Sir," Gao Tianming simply ignored it. If Mr. Ji used the title, how could he possibly address him as "Little Yan" or "Little Fei"?

"Oh, me, Old Niu, hehe, it's actually similar to Brother Yan's story. I was being pursued by a formidable adversary, but unexpectedly, they caused trouble for Brother Yan midway, which then involved Mr. Ji. As a result, that wretched woman was scared out of her wits after recognizing Mr. Ji..."

Old Niu briefly recounted the events of that day, leading Gao Tianming to repeatedly exclaim "How fortunate!"

Having said all this, Niu Batian glanced at Ji Yuan ahead, then took a step closer to Gao Tianming and whispered, "Brother Gao, what exactly is Mr. Ji's background? How powerful is he?"

Gao Tianming instinctively looked towards Ji Yuan's back. Even in this Ghost City, observing him still conveyed a unique sense of lightness and tranquility. "Mr. Ji's identity is exceptionally mysterious, and I, Gao, don't know much myself. If you truly want to know, perhaps only the Dragon Lord understands. I first met Mr. Ji at the Dragon Lord's millennium birthday banquet. Back then, countless aquatic beings traveled great distances to offer their congratulations. And it is said..." Gao Tianming lowered his voice further. "I only heard the Dragon Prince casually mention it, but it's said that back then, the Dragon Lord nearly missed his own birthday banquet because he spent several years searching for Mr. Ji, wanting to invite him to the celebration. Of the thousands of aquatic beings who traveled from across the realm to congratulate the Dragon Lord on his grand birthday, not one held as high a regard in his heart as Mr. Ji alone..."

A sharp intake of breath...

Niu Batian's scalp tingled, and Yan Fei felt goosebumps erupt across his skin. It wasn't fear, but rather an inexplicable surge of excitement. A millennium birthday for the Dragon Lord? Thousands of aquatic beings from across the realm attending? Just hearing it allowed them to imagine the grandeur. In comparison, this so-called Ghost City celebration probably wasn't even worth mentioning.

The more Gao Tianming observed Niu Batian and Yan Fei's reactions, the more he understood that they were indeed not very familiar with Mr. Ji. However, given that Yan Fei was a mortal, it was natural that Mr. Ji's temperament wouldn't lead him to discuss such matters often, and it seemed Old Niu had only recently made Mr. Ji's acquaintance.

"As for Mr. Ji's abilities," Gao Tianming continued, "I estimate he is at least on par with a true immortal!"

"A true immortal!" Niu Batian instinctively exclaimed, realizing that this truly was a legendary figure.

"Indeed! At least a true immortal! I am acquainted with the Dragon Lord's son, Prince Ying, and while not many outside of Dazhen know of it, from what I understand, Mr. Ji's most formidable skill is his sword mastery. Next is his command over decrees, and he can also bind spirits, demonstrating the marvel of words becoming reality." At this point, Gao Tianming's enthusiasm grew, and he quickly added, "Other things are harder to explain, but Mr. Ji's sword arts are extraordinarily profound, even terrifying. I heard he possesses a sword art called 'Heaven-Toppling Sword Stance.' As the name suggests, when the sword is drawn, it carries the might of a collapsing sky. If one cannot withstand the power of the heavens falling, then they cannot resist the Heaven-Toppling Sword Stance. When I first heard of it, I couldn't imagine such a scene, but Prince Ying told me to imagine standing alone on the ground with the sky collapsing above my head..."

At this description, even Yan Fei could envision the might of such a celestial art. Niu Batian and he instinctively looked up at the sky, both unconsciously swallowing. However, Niu Batian found it strange that he hadn't heard any mention of Mr. Ji's fire-controlling methods. While perhaps not as formidable as a collapsing sky, surely it wasn't so insignificant as to not even warrant a mention? Last night, merely visualizing that fiery aura had nearly cost him his life.

"Uh, Brother Gao, what about Mr. Ji's fire-controlling arts? Could you tell us about that remarkable technique too?"

Niu Batian's aim was to gain more insight, but he noticed Gao Tianming's bewildered expression.

"Well, I haven't heard of Mr. Ji possessing any profound fire-controlling techniques, nor have I ever heard of him using such arts. Brother Niu, have you witnessed it?"

"No way? You haven't heard of it?"

"Truly, I haven't. Brother Niu, do you know something?"

Niu Batian paused, then, for some inexplicable reason, felt a surge of pride, though his face remained serious as he spoke in a low voice. "Actually, Old Niu hasn't seen the full extent of it either, but Mr. Ji clearly possesses fire-controlling abilities, and his divine power undoubtedly exceeds your imagination, Brother Gao. Last night, Mr. Ji used just a breath of fire to help me, Old Niu, eradicate that sorceress's wicked spell. It was merely a single breath of fire..." Old Niu's words carried a hint of fear as he revealed the image he had perceived. "Although I didn't physically see it, my spiritual perception, Old Niu, is exceptionally keen. When that breath of fire entered my body, I could faintly sense an boundless, raging sea of fire behind it. Such fierce flames would surely incinerate everything..."

Niu Batian took a deep breath, intentionally and genuinely creating a sense of tension before continuing, "I once asked Mr. Ji about the source of that fiery energy. He said it was the true fire he had refined, a secret known to no other in this world. It is the Heart Lord's Divine Fire transformed into the True Fire of the Elixir Furnace, the essence of extreme Yang transformed into the Fiery Yang True Fire, and the essence of extreme Yin transformed into the Chilly Yin True Fire. These three are combined and refined to be born, named... Samadhi True Fire!"

Gao Tianming merely listened, and already cold sweat was breaking out. As an aquatic being, water and fire were mutually destructive elements, and just hearing this explanation filled him with extreme dread.

While Yan Fei didn't feel the same profound impact hearing about Samadhi True Fire as he had with the Heaven-Toppling Sword Stance, Old Niu's words reminded him of something else. He then interjected, "Brother Niu, you forgot one more thing: Mr. Ji's Golden Armored Warrior!"

"That's right, that's right! Brother Gao, you didn't mention this technique either! Mr. Ji can use a piece of yellow paper to summon a golden-armored guardian general with a mere call, known as a Golden Armored Warrior, also referred to as a Yellow Turban Warrior. I asked Mr. Ji, and he said it's a protective art. Although I've never seen this warrior in action, observing his disdain for all but Mr. Ji's authority, I'm certain he must be incredibly powerful!"

Gao Tianming wholeheartedly agreed. How could any spell wielded by Mr. Ji be anything less than extraordinary? Yet, at the same time, Gao Tianming shook his head in resignation. "Indeed, I have never heard of this technique either..."

At that moment, as Niu Batian and Gao Tianming looked at Ji Yuan again, the sense of his unfathomable depth and awe-inspiring presence became even more pronounced. Gao Tianming felt that perhaps the next time he met the Dragon Prince, he would have a conversation topic that would elevate him slightly above the prince.

"By the way, Brother Gao," Old Niu remarked with a somewhat mischievous tone, "what if the Ghost City Lord refuses to hand them over?" Hearing this, Gao Tianming gave a chilling smile.

"Heh heh, then he would be courting death. From what I know, while Mr. Ji treats all sentient beings equally, he utterly despises those who are malicious and evil...!"