Chapter 160: The Utpala Flower Blooms, the Holy King Returns (Part 1)

Chapter 160: The Utpala Flower Blooms, the Holy King Returns (Part 1)



Soon, the person Master Hong Hu had mentioned arrived on the floor.

Leading them was an ordinary man in a white lab coat with deep-set eyes, appearing somewhat neurotic. Accompanying him were several young and middle-aged Divine Journey Realm cultivators, and an elderly man with a profound and ancient aura, likely the Shackles Realm cultivator Master Hong Hu had spoken of.

Ji Jingqiu pondered for a moment.

Could he, with his middle-to-lower tier Power Body, challenge a Shackles Realm cultivator? As for the other Divine Journey Realm cultivators, he ignored them entirely.

Even considering this question for a second would be disrespectful to those with superior Dao Bodies! In the end, he concluded that it was hard to say.

The Shackles Realm was a realm with an incredibly wide range of power levels, also known as the Supernatural Ability Realm. The combat power of those in this realm largely depended on the supernatural abilities they cultivated.

The superior Power Bodies themselves were already embryonic forms of supernatural abilities.

Of course, they were embryonic forms of top-tier abilities.

The supernatural abilities cultivated by those with superior Power Bodies were also top-tier and elite.

"Ji Jingqiu! You're really back?!" The leader exclaimed with joy, opening his arms as if to embrace the surprise, but Ji Jingqiu coldly rejected him.

He didn't feel embarrassed but instead stared intently at Ji Jingqiu, examining him from head to toe as if he were the world's greatest treasure.

Suddenly, he seemed to remember something and quickly took out a business card from his pocket, offering it to Ji Jingqiu.

"My name is Gao Cheng, and I'm the current head of Future Corporation. I'd like to invite you to be our guest at the company."

Future Corporation?

The name seemed very familiar.

Ji Jingqiu quickly recalled that this company had been one of the leaders in the gene-editing project back then!

"You're still in business?" He blurted out in surprise.

If his memory served him right, most of the companies involved in that project didn't fare well. Not only were they branded as historical criminals by the Federation, but some of their executives were even attacked by furious mobs and died violently on the streets...

He opened his terminal and, without any hesitation, searched for Future Corporation's recent news in front of Gao Cheng. He then discovered a post.

Ji Jingqiu was shocked and looked up, "Do you have a mental illness? Is your family really running out of people, and you're putting a mentally ill person in charge of the company?"

Gao Cheng remained silent for a moment and then said, "In this generation of the Gao family, I'm the only one who's normal. The others don't matter."

Ji Jingqiu quickly understood that in Gao Cheng's eyes, 'normal' included those with mental illnesses.

"We have no other choice," Gao Cheng said sincerely, but his fervent gaze and unconcealed intentions made Ji Jingqiu uncomfortable. "We hope you'll cooperate with us and help us research the cause and solution to Vicious Poison Syndrome!"

"You won't find it," Ji Jingqiu said regretfully, looking at him.

The true origin of Vicious Poison Syndrome lay with the Four Demons of the Wilderness, not with the gene editing itself.

The person before him, even if he searched for a hundred or a thousand years, would never come across this answer.

Within the Federation, only a select few at the very top were privy to this information, and it was strictly forbidden to spread it.

The reason for this secrecy was also due to the existence of the Four Demons of the Wilderness.

One of the Four Demons could absorb the fear, hatred, and various negative emotions of all beings in the world, using them as nourishment and even anchoring itself to a specific location.

Therefore, the Federation had always maintained a high-pressure policy regarding the Four Demons of the Wilderness, prohibiting any dissemination of information. Only those who had reached a certain level of martial prowess were qualified to know the full story.

And those who had reached that level usually weren't afraid because they had often heard certain rumors.

For example, one of the Four Demons had already been captured and sealed by the Federation.

In history, there had been a case of an illegal sect that had caused widespread panic, propagating the terror of the Four Demons. Afterward, the Federation had deployed a Supreme Grandmaster, using their profound foundation, to uproot that sect entirely. They then conducted large-scale mental interventions to erase the public's knowledge of the Four Demons.

So, Ji Jingqiu couldn't tell this man the truth.

Moreover, the Gao family had been kept in the dark back then... They were essentially abandoned by the Federation's higher-ups and made into a target for the Federation's citizens to vent their frustrations.

"You know the inside story?!"

Gao Cheng's pupils suddenly contracted as he sensed something unusual in Ji Jingqiu's expression. Excited, he stepped forward, his eyes burning with intensity.

"I knew it! You must know the reason! Perhaps you've already resolved the root of Vicious Poison Syndrome! How did you do it?!"

Ji Jingqiu remained calm and said, "You're delusional."

Gao Cheng, agitated, said, "That's not important. What matters is that this matter involves the injustice and suffering our family has endured for over a hundred years, and it's our chance to turn things around! You have to tell me!"

Ji Jingqiu, deep in thought, replied, "You truly are delusional. Why don't you appeal to my sense of justice and ask me to sacrifice myself for all the patients suffering from Vicious Poison Syndrome?"

Gao Cheng was taken aback and shook his head. "The hardships and injustices our family has faced were brought upon us by those people. Why should I consider them?"

Ji Jingqiu fell silent.

After a few probing exchanges, Ji Jingqiu had a good understanding of this man, as well as the stance and intentions of his family.

He lost all interest in further interaction.

Gao Cheng took a deep breath, stepped back, and calmly said, "If you're unwilling to talk, it's fine. I'll take you away, and before the forces backing you realize it, I'll extract all the secrets from your body."

"Sorry, but the Gao family's path is at a dead end. Whether left or right, it's all death. It's better to fight with all your might. I know you're a martial arts prodigy, but even a prodigy needs time to realize their potential."

"Take him!"

Two Divine Journey Realm cultivators behind Gao Cheng exchanged a glance, their expressions heavy. Still, they gritted their teeth and stepped forward.

The hallway was narrow, and Ji Jingqiu didn't want to disturb the neighbors, so he instantly unleashed the embryonic form of his dojo. With a few moves, he pressed his hand onto the shoulders of the two cultivators.

The two Divine Journey Realm cultivators felt their inner energy and blood quieten at that moment, suppressed by some force, unable to move, their hearts filled with dread.

Ji Jingqiu calmly said, "You're too weak. Step aside."

The two cultivators could only smile bitterly. Their foundational Power Bodies were only middle-tier, and to Ji Jingqiu, even a complete superior Dao Body was just the tip of the iceberg.

Gao Cheng frowned and glanced at the two cultivators, then turned to the elderly man behind him. "Old Lu, I'm counting on you."

The old man, however, stared at Master Hong Hu behind Ji Jingqiu with a grave expression.

"Is this young man a disciple of the Dragon Tiger Dojo? The Dragon Tiger Dojo is so wealthy and powerful that they send a Mind Mirror Warrior to protect him?"

Hearing this, Gao Cheng was stunned once more, and it took a long time for him to react.

He had calculated and won the bet, managing to corner Ji Jingqiu here, but he never expected Long Tiger Dojo to value Ji Jingqiu to this extent.

Even a Mind Mirror Warrior and a director from a top-tier power in the Federation didn't receive such treatment!

"Your information is too outdated," Hong Hu said calmly, not explaining further. Instead, he spoke without allowing any interruption, "Regarding today's matter, a Heaven Man from Long Tiger Dojo will personally visit your company to discuss compensation."

The old man's expression changed drastically. He wanted to argue, but he could only manage a bitter smile, his face turning somber.

If this matter succeeded, even if Long Tiger Dojo made things difficult afterward or the Federation held them accountable, they wouldn't care. Compared to what they could gain from Ji Jingqiu, what they might lose was not worth mentioning.

Moreover, if the secret hidden within Ji Jingqiu's body somehow interacted with their research progress, allowing them to find a solution to Vicious Poison Syndrome, then even the Federation would have to make concessions!

The value contained within gene-editing technology was far beyond imagination!

However, now that the plan was exposed, there would naturally be a corresponding price to pay.

Gao Cheng suddenly spoke up, "It doesn't matter. Anyway, we don't have anything valuable to offer."

Hong Hu glanced at this young man who was trying to be a scapegoat, and his smile held no warmth as he said lightly, "The dojo doesn't want wealth, but an attitude."

"For example, you will die first."

"Since the Gao family has nothing to fear, then after you, it will be over for them."

Gao Cheng immediately fell silent.

It seemed that Long Tiger Dojo was determined to assert its authority.

The old man from Shackles Realm spoke in a deep voice, "What if we switch? I die, and he lives. How about that?"

Hong Hu remained silent, his gaze fixed on Ji Jingqiu.

The old man suddenly understood that the key to this matter still lay with Ji Jingqiu.

Ji Jingqiu suddenly asked, "I want to know, how did you find out that I'm suffering from Vicious Poison Syndrome?"

This matter had never been publicized. Although Yang Shi and some others had suppressed it, the news hadn't spread.

Gao Cheng didn't hide anything and spoke straightforwardly, "More than three months ago, Jia Weiting from Divine Might Corporation told us."

Ji Jingqiu nodded. He hadn't had the chance to look for this person yet, but now this person had come to cause trouble for him first.

Three months ago...

It was around the time when he had just become famous.

It seemed that the events from back then were indeed suspicious, making this person so nervous.

However, his rise to fame had far exceeded the expectations of Gao Cheng and the others, rendering all their plans and calculations useless.

"Was my family also searched by you?"

Gao Cheng nodded woodenly.

"My parents did indeed research and develop a medicine to suppress Vicious Poison Syndrome," Ji Jingqiu said softly.

Gao Cheng suddenly raised his head, and his eyes once again shone with a strange brilliance.

"But they are suspected to have gone missing under Jia Weiting's interference, and I suspect that some of their research data also fell into that Professor Jia's hands."

Gao Cheng licked his lips and suddenly understood some of the previous puzzles.

"Do you want us to capture him and interrogate him?" Gao Cheng asked, glancing at Hong Hu behind Ji Jingqiu, somewhat guessing Ji Jingqiu's thoughts.

Although Professor Jia Weiting's reputation was tarnished, his connections were still quite good. Moreover, with the backing of Divine Might Corporation, Long Tiger Dojo couldn't openly act against him, and the Federation wasn't just for show; they treated all powers equally and wouldn't allow any top-tier power to run amok.

This kind of dirty work was naturally left to them...

"I was planning to look for him later, but it seems he can't wait," Ji Jingqiu said. "You go and help me capture him. Then, ask him all his secrets. If the information you obtain satisfies me, I can consider giving you the medicine."

Gao Cheng hesitated for a moment and said, "Can't you tell me the real root cause of Vicious Poison Syndrome?"

Ji Jingqiu spoke indifferently, "If I tell you, the Gao family will truly be finished. Do you really think the Federation's higher-ups haven't found the root cause yet? The Gao family didn't have the qualifications to know the truth a hundred years ago, and it won't change a hundred years later."

Gao Cheng finally felt a chill down his spine.

The reason the Gao family and Future Corporation had managed to survive until now, or their biggest reliance all along, was the protection of certain factions within the Federation!

But according to Ji Jingqiu's words, the reason for their protection wasn't old favors, but rather that they were being raised...

His face was taut with tension, and he didn't dare to think further, even though all of this was only one-sidedly spoken by Ji Jingqiu and not yet verified. However, he instinctively believed it, as it could answer many questions.

For example, what kind of old ties could last for more than a hundred years?

"...I understand. We will start with Jia Weiting, and the information we obtain will be passed to you immediately. If Long Tiger Dojo is still worried, they can send someone to supervise us."

Ji Jingqiu was curious, "If I'm not mistaken, that person's status is actually quite high, right? Do you dare to act against him?"

Gao Cheng glanced at Hong Hu and then looked at Ji Jingqiu strangely, saying in a low voice, "I even dared to capture you, so capturing a fake 'celebrity' abandoned by the academic world is nothing."

Ji Jingqiu also fell silent, finding the statement quite convincing.

This guy wasn't acting rashly; he simply had no choice.

Afterward, Gao Cheng wanted to leave, but Ji Jingqiu stopped him and asked him to tidy up the room before leaving.

While Gao Cheng led his men to clean the room, Ji Jingqiu pulled the old man from Shackles Realm aside and chatted extensively, clarifying the current situation of Future Corporation and the Gao family.

No wonder they had to take such a risky move, as they were indeed running out of everything.

"Did you truly cure Vicious Poison Syndrome?" the old man suddenly asked in a low voice. "Among the Gao family's descendants, the majority suffer from Vicious Poison Syndrome, as if cursed. They tried many methods, but no one could endure it."

Ji Jingqiu didn't answer, but the old man felt he had already received his answer.

Because Ji Jingqiu was standing right in front of him.

Early morning.

Ji Jingqiu and Hong Hu headed to Yang Yan Martial Arts Academy together.

Only then did Yang Yao and the others happily learn that Junior Brother Ji had arrived!

This news spread quickly.

Upon learning of Ji Jingqiu's return, several important figures from Tai'an City's City Hall immediately put down their work and personally visited the academy, also to congratulate Old Master Yang, the owner of the academy.

For Taian City on Dong3 Huang Star, Ji Jingqiu's return is no less significant than an ancient small county producing a top scholar or a third-place winner.

Even without considering the somewhat intangible future, Ji Jingqiu's current combat strength is already at the level of being unbeatable in Taian City.

This is the conclusion reached by the mayor of the municipal hall after consulting with the martial arts advisors.

After all, the highest-ranking martial artists currently in Taian City are a few Divine Journey realm practitioners, and the only Shackles realm martial artist is already old and frail.

Non-Superior Power Body Divine Journey martial artists are far too weak compared to Ji Jingqiu, who has now forged a Superior Power Body.

This is a simple and unadorned truth accumulated over ten thousand years in the Federation.

From the municipal hall to the Public Security Bureau, almost all key officials have come, while the Security Bureau has only sent Luo Xi's second brother.

These people, who were once big shots in Ji Jingqiu's eyes, now no longer need to be looked up to, only requiring a calm gaze.

It took some time to send off this batch of officials, and in the end, it was Senior Brother Yang Yao who led everyone to a meal.

Left behind were Ji Jingqiu and his master, Yang Yan.

Yang Yan's appearance visibly became twenty years younger, his spirit and demeanor completely refreshed.

Yang Yan looked at Ji Jingqiu, who was markedly different from a few months ago, and there was a sense of looking down from above, a result of his continuous victories over peers in recent months, cultivating an invincible aura.

Among the most outstanding martial artists in the Federation, the few top ones could all cultivate this aura, eventually integrating it into their martial arts.

Yang Yan said with satisfaction, "Good lad, you've transformed completely in just a few months!"

Ji Jingqiu, who had advanced his power body to the peak of the postnatal stage, truly had no problem being described as transformed completely!

"Is your return related to the opportunity of Reversing Innate?" Yang Yan asked with concern.

Ji Jingqiu nodded without saying much.

"Has Master Yang broken through to the Mind-Spirit realm?" Ji Jingqiu asked curiously.

Yang Yan smiled but did not speak, instead opening his palm, a layer of intangible domain spread out from his body, connecting with the outside world, subduing the spiritual energies of heaven and earth, making them gather around him.

Ji Jingqiu's eyes narrowed.

This was not just a Mind-Spirit realm or a simple law domain, but a combination of both, a true nascent form of a Dao Field!

More complete than Ji Jingqiu's own nascent Dao Field!

The so-called nascent Dao Field, in essence, is the inner world of the body resonating with the greater world outside.

Although Ji Jingqiu had grasped the nascent Dao Field through chance, his inner world was too rudimentary.

Typically, the Mind-Spirit realm completes the unification of the physical body, evolving the inner world to its full potential.

But Ji Jingqiu had done the opposite, using the nascent Dao Field to temporarily achieve the unification of the physical body, enhancing his physical strength and the power of his attacks, making his strength exceed expectations.

So, when Ji Jingqiu first grasped the nascent Dao Field, even in the special environment of the Four Guard Stars, it only barely manifested a trace.

The reason was that his inner world was too weak to support a true Dao Field.

As he gradually grew stronger, his nascent Dao Field would become increasingly complete.

The filling of the Bodhi Tree and the law domain had further expanded and enhanced his nascent Dao Field.

And now, Yang Yan was displaying a true nascent Dao Field, fully connecting the inner world with the outside world.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Yang, you’ve truly ascended in one step!" Hong Hu praised, "Your master-disciple relationship is truly fated. One has glimpsed the power of the Dao Field at the True Seed realm, and the other has spontaneously grasped the nascent Dao Field upon entering the Mind-Spirit realm, surpassing countless Mind-Spirit martial artists."

Hong Hu, being a generation younger than Yang Yan, had met Yang Yan when he first joined, so he addressed him as senior brother.

Yang Yan smiled lightly, "It's also a matter of fate and timing."

Understanding that Hong Hu's mission was to protect Ji Jingqiu, Yang Yan sighed, "You've really made a name for yourself, this treatment is even higher than that of the Dao Sons in the past."

Hong Hu laughed, "Junior nephew Ji is now in the ranks of Radiant Warriors, esteemed by Dragon Master, so he sent me to accompany him, and it's also a good opportunity to hand over some things to Senior Brother Yang."

Yang Yan was taken aback, "He's already a Radiant Warrior?"

"Indeed!" Hong Hu laughed heartily, "Not long ago, Junior nephew Ji consecutively defeated Radiant Warrior geniuses from the Holy Temple and Luofeng Ancient Kingdom. Who dares to say he isn't a Radiant Warrior?"

Yang Yan's eyes widened, unable to resist asking, "The exchange match you mentioned earlier, was it with the Federation and other civilizations?"

Ji Jingqiu nodded honestly.

Yang Yan drew a deep breath. He had already overestimated Ji Jingqiu, but Ji Jingqiu's performance still exceeded his expectations.

"Has the Federation... begun exchanges with other civilizations?" Yang Yan looked at Hong Hu.

The latter nodded, "More than that, we've already found the passage to the world on the other side of the wilderness."

Yang Yan's expression changed. It seemed that many significant events had altered the Federation's situation during his few months of seclusion.

After a brief exchange, which was also Hong Hu's purpose, Yang Yan and Hong Hu did not hide anything from ji j ingqiu. Given the current situation, ji Jingqiu was likely to enter the Nine states before them!

After the exchange, Hong Hu left, leaving the place to the master-disciple duo.

Yangyan asked ji Jingqiu a few more questions about his martial arts progress, then admitted he could no longer teach him.

Ji Jingqiu said, "yang Master, I'd like to ask you about the mental enlightenment when you broke through the Firm Establishment realm."

Yangyan's eyes widened in surprise, "You've only broken through the Meditation realm recently. Could it be that you're about to break through again?"

"just some enlightenment, wanting to verify it with your experience.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end