Recalling the protagonist Ling Feng's schemes, Ji Chang frowned deeply.
In his previous life as a reader, he had found Ling Feng's actions novel, unique, and intriguing.
But now, he saw things differently.
Ling Feng was undoubtedly a ruthless protagonist who would rather betray the world than be betrayed by it. Once such a person matured, he would become truly terrifying.
The original Ji Chang had already been a genuine villain, but Ling Feng's nature was far more sinister.
He sacrificed his foster mother, his master, his fellow disciples, and even the woman who had shared life and death with him—all to achieve his goals.
In the end, to destroy the Ji Clan, he even collaborated with foreign Demon Races, orchestrating a coordinated beast tide from within and without...
This human scum could not be allowed to live!
He had to be killed as soon as possible!
Ji Chang refused to suffer the same fate as in the original story—appearing triumphant at first, only to meet a tragic end, his body and soul utterly annihilated...
As these thoughts raced through his mind, the aura around Ji Chang grew increasingly ethereal and unstable.
***
Across from him, Luo Nichang stood silently before the jade bed, draped in light gauze. Though her expression remained calm, her heart grew increasingly anxious.
She couldn't understand why Ji Chang, who had specifically requested her presence, had suddenly fallen silent despite her offering herself so readily.
The Clan Head of the Ling Clan—her Dao Companion—had died eight years ago.
As the Clan Head's widow, she held the nominal title of Clan Matriarch, but real power was wielded by the Council of Elders, led by the Great Elder.
Fortunately, her adopted son, Ling Feng, had risen dramatically in recent years. His cultivation advanced rapidly, and he unexpectedly gained entry to the Divine Dao Sect, allowing her to regain some influence.
Otherwise, what right would a Dao Companion from an outsider clan, with only late-stage Qi Refining cultivation and the Clan Head's second wife, have to interfere in clan affairs or claim the Ling Clan's resources?
She was deeply grateful for having treated Ling Feng as her own son since his childhood.
She had believed life would continue this way—that as Feng'er's cultivation grew stronger in the Divine Dao Sect, her own fortunes would improve. The news of Ling Feng reaching the final round of the Inner Sect Grand Competition had sent the entire Ling Clan into a frenzy of joy.
But, to her surprise, the good times didn't last long. Surrounding factions began to ostracize the Ling Clan. If Ji Chang hadn't exposed himself, the Ling Clan and she might have perished without ever knowing who had provoked them.
For the sake of the entire clan and its members, the Ling Clan's elders sacrificed her without hesitation.
Though they didn't resort to brute force, but rather appealed to reason and emotion, the outcome remained unchanged.
Just as she resigned herself to her fate and set off for the Divine Dao Sect, her adopted son, Ling Feng, appeared before her.
She initially believed there might be a chance for a turnaround, but subsequent events plunged her heart into the abyss.
Mother, the Ji Clan holds immense power, and Ji Chang hasn't acted openly. Even the Divine Dao Sect can't intervene directly. I feel deeply ashamed!
But the situation is irreversible. I must ask you for one more favor. This poison was obtained by chance during an expedition. Only a Golden Core True Person can neutralize it. If Ji Chang's poison activates during the final match, I can defeat him!
When I become a True Inheritance Disciple, I will certainly seek justice for you and the Ling Clan, wiping away our humiliation. Our clan will no longer be a mere bottom-tier Foundation Establishment family. I will obtain more Foundation Establishment Pills to help you and other clan members achieve Foundation Establishment.
***
Luo Nitang's face paled slightly as she recalled Ling Feng kneeling before her, weeping and pleading with her to understand the gravity of the situation, then stubbornly pressing the poison into her hand. But quickly, as if to steady her Dao Heart, she began to murmur to herself:
"Foundation Establishment... I must achieve Foundation Establishment! Only then can I control my own destiny!"
While Qi Refining cultivators possessed some magical abilities beyond ordinary mortals, Foundation Establishment marked true entry into the Dao. Their lifespan extended to three hundred years, elevating them to the ranks of accomplished cultivators. Even in top-tier sects, Foundation Establishment cultivators were no longer mere cannon fodder but vital pillars of strength, their lives protected from arbitrary execution.
Luo Nichang had never hated her past self—the one who relied solely on external forces—so fiercely. She had depended on her rogue cultivator master, her Dao Companion, her clan, and even her adopted son, only to end up in this predicament...
With this thought, the beautiful, veiled woman subtly glanced at the man ahead.
*If only I had his talent...*
The Ji Clan's Qilin Son!
Born with double pupils, his birth was heralded by celestial Daoist music.
A mutated, top-tier Thunder Spirit Root.
At twelve, his innate aptitude solidified, allowing him to enter the Dao. He achieved Qi Sensation in a single day, broke through to Qi Refining Stage 1 in three days, and reached the mid-stage of Qi Refining in a month...
The myriad legends surrounding Ji Chang had made him an insurmountable obstacle for the younger generation of the Western Wilderness.
Ling Feng's chances of victory in the final match against him were undeniably slim.
Yet even with such an overwhelming advantage, Ji Chang resorted to such despicable tactics, even threatening Luo Nitang, his nominal foster mother, all to destabilize Ling Feng's Dao Heart and prevent him from performing at his full potential.
Her current predicament was entirely Ji Chang's fault!
As this realization dawned on her, her gaze unconsciously turned toward the meditation cushion, now tinged with resentment.
"Hmph~ You ignorant fool!"
Unbeknownst to her, Ji Chang's innate double pupils granted him observational abilities far surpassing those of ordinary cultivators.
Recalling the future character arc of this foster mother from the novel, a mysterious smile curled at the corner of his lips.
*Let me add fuel to the fire.*
*Boom!*
The aura of his Foundation Establishment cultivation erupted, the overwhelming pressure of his life essence forcing the bewildered Luo Nichang to her knees.
Ji Chang slowly approached, his fingers lightly lifting her smooth chin.
"Did you really think I cared about you?"
"Consider it a bite from a dog! Who gave you the audacity, you Qi Refining ant, to provoke a Foundation Establishment cultivator like me?!"
As he spoke, his gaze lingered on her alluring face before he ruthlessly struck her.
*Slap!*
The force of the blow sent her sprawling to the ground. Her hairpin, a symbol of her status as a married woman, fell to the side, and her dark hair cascaded loosely around her shoulders. The trickle of blood from the corner of her mouth and the faint glimmer of tears in her peach-blossom eyes would have stirred pity in any observer.
Unfortunately for her, Ji Chang, who knew the future plot developments, was not among them.
"I never imagined Junior Brother Ling would be even more ruthless than I thought. It makes my own methods seem rather shallow. To willingly sacrifice the woman who raised him—how intriguing!"
"You!"
"What are you saying?!"
Luo Nichang, sprawled on the ground, her pupils contracted and her body trembling uncontrollably.
*Impossible!*
*How could he know?!*
*I came to the Divine Dao Sect in secret, and my meeting with Feng'er lasted only two hours. There was no one else present, and the soundproof barrier gave no warning. It's impossible, absolutely impossible! Ji Chang is just bluffing!*
But no matter how she tried to reassure herself, Ji Chang's next words plunged her into an icy abyss.