At the foot of Dragon Tiger Mountain.
Ji Mo surveyed the two great mountains, Dragon and Tiger, observing their terrain and tracing the earth veins, finally discovering a clue.
These two mountains did not match the surrounding landscape; they were not "original equipment." This meant they were foreign objects, possibly even the Dragon Tiger Mountain from Chinese mythology.
Of course, more evidence was needed before drawing conclusions.
If the mountains were ownerless, he could simply take them. However, there was a Dragon Tiger Mountain sect here. He couldn't just seize their mountain without reason.
"What exactly is this person trying to do?"
Ji Mo's actions were being silently observed by someone.
She was genuinely curious. Were there still people so audacious? They dared to openly probe the earth veins of Dragon Tiger Mountain, weren't they afraid of repercussions from the sect?
What surprised her most was that Ji Mo was unaffected by Dragon Tiger Mountain's protective restrictions and moved freely, indicating his profound mastery of formations.
She murmured, "This person is not simple. Perhaps he is a grandmaster of formations!"
Such a young grandmaster of formations was certainly worth getting to know.
Thus, she emerged from the shadows and walked directly towards Ji Mo.
A faint fragrance wafted, and a captivating figure appeared. A woman, soft as jade and blooming like a flower, radiant and dazzling, suddenly materialized beside Ji Mo and asked, "Young sir, what are you doing? Could it be you're up to no good?"
She said this intentionally, to clearly signal to Ji Mo that she had caught him in the act and to seize the initiative.
Ji Mo was not surprised by the sudden appearance of a stranger beside him. He didn't even lift an eyelid, answering honestly, "That's right, I'm thinking about how to take these two mountains away."
The woman was stunned, momentarily frozen.
Take away Dragon Tiger Mountain?
Was he joking?
Could these mountains even be moved?
And even if he had such thoughts, he should have kept them buried in his heart. Why would he blurt them out directly!
"Young sir, you must be joking."
The woman quickly regained her composure, a dimple appearing as she smiled. She assumed Ji Mo was joking and found him witty and amusing.
Ji Mo looked serious, "I'm not joking."
If he confirmed that Dragon Tiger Mountain was his ancestral property, he would definitely take it back.
He noticed the woman looking astonished again and asked, "What, miss, are you also interested in Dragon Tiger Mountain? Do you want to snatch it from me? But with your delicate frame, you can't possibly compete with me. One punch from me and you'll be whimpering."
"I'm delicate?"
The woman couldn't help but laugh.
It was the first time anyone had described her that way.
Although her appearance was petite and frail, no one who knew her had ever dared to associate the word "weak" with her.
"Girls are meant to be a bit delicate; it makes them more pitiable and appealing," Ji Mo explained, without intending to belittle her.
The woman chuckled again. Did she need others to pity her?
She looked at Ji Mo, a strange feeling stirring within her.
No one had ever spoken to her like this before, so relaxed and at ease.
Most importantly, his gaze remained clear, showing no fluctuation due to her beauty.
"I don't need anyone's pity, and besides, you probably couldn't make me whimper with one punch."
For the first time, the woman felt no aversion towards Ji Mo.
If it were anyone else who dared to say they could make her whimper with one punch, that person would certainly not live to see the next sunrise.
Ji Mo shrugged, noncommittal. As long as she didn't try to snatch Dragon Tiger Mountain from him, there was no need to hit a lady.
"I am Li Xuanji of the Xuanji Palace. May I know your esteemed name?"
The woman announced her name, a subtle smile playing on her lips, her entire being focused on Ji Mo's reaction.
She was truly eager to see his response upon learning her identity.
Would he be dumbfounded, or filled with dread, or perhaps simply freeze in shock?
Xuanji Palace, Li Xuanji!
The fact that a person's name was the same as a sect's name was enough to indicate their extraordinary nature, that they were by no means simple.
And Xuanji Palace was founded by Li Xuanji herself.
Li Xuanji's origins were shrouded in mystery, and her power was immense. Single-handedly, she had dared to establish Xuanji Palace in the dragon-and-tiger-infested Nine Heavens Que, and no one dared to provoke her.
Because anyone who dared to provoke her met a dire end.
Many veteran Immortal Emperor realm powerhouses had even declared Li Xuanji to be the female equivalent of the Great Immortal Xukong, with limitless potential.
There were also rumors circulating that Li Xuanji was a descendant of a deity, possessing astonishing bloodline power.
Therefore, Li Xuanji believed that once Ji Mo knew who she was, he would undoubtedly be deeply shaken.
However.
Ji Mo remained as steady as an old dog, his expression unchanged, and replied calmly, "My name is Ji Mo."
This time, it was Li Xuanji who became unsettled.
This was not right. This was not the expected reaction.
Did this fellow perhaps not know of me? Was he so ignorant?
Li Xuanji's face cycled through a myriad of expressions.
After a while, her expression returned to normal.
Upon closer thought, this was perhaps for the best. If he hadn't heard of me, he wouldn't be constrained by my identity, and our interactions might be more at ease.
She inquired, "Young Master Ji, you are not from the Nine Heavens Que?"
Ji Mo nodded, "Yes, I just came up from below the Thirteen Prefectures."
Li Xuanji thought, so that's how it is. No wonder he hadn't heard of me.
She did not look down on Ji Mo. Instead, her interest in him grew, and she said, "Dragon Tiger Mountain is holding a grand event recently, and I have been invited. Would Young Master Ji do me the honor of accompanying me to witness it?"
Li Xuanji intended to show Ji Mo the might of Dragon Tiger Mountain, lest this foolish boy continue his audacious plan to excavate their mountain.
Ji Mo readily agreed. He was also keen to thoroughly understand the true origins of Dragon Tiger Mountain.
Under Li Xuanji's guidance, Ji Mo smoothly entered Dragon Tiger Mountain.
Their arrival immediately attracted countless gazes.
Li Xuanji had been on the rise recently, her fame resounding far and wide. Many people wished to curry favor and associate with her.
And there were no shortage of "toads" who, coveting the "swan," had designs on Li Xuanji.
After all, obtaining Li Xuanji would not only grant them the entirety of Xuanji Palace but potentially also a divine father-in-law or mother-in-law for free. The thought alone promised immense profit.
But Li Xuanji was notoriously difficult to approach and always kept to herself. How could she now be seen mingling with a pretty boy?
Xu Youqing, seeing this from within the crowd, looked as if she had seen a ghost.
She recognized Ji Mo, the man who had been involved with her brother-in-law. Now, he had apparently shifted his affections and was consorting with Li Xuanji.
"Heavens above, my brother-in-law, you've been cuckolded."
Xu Youqing had previously been a fervent supporter of the Ji Mo and Ying Tianbao pairing. Now, she had completely lost faith in love.
You betray her, and he betrays you. How could human relationships be so complicated?
"Hmph, there are no good men in this world. They are all fickle and change their minds."
Xu Youqing resolved that she would rather remain single for life than ever get involved in romance.