“Seventh Prince, is it really him...?” someone exclaimed in shock.
Although many people hadn’t lived in Phoenix Wing City for years, they had still heard plenty about the legendary Seventh Prince Ji Jiucheng.
Compared to the other royal princes born from the empress and raised in the palace, Ji Jiucheng was a child of a concubine. He had been born in an ordinary village of commoners.
It was said that back then, Ji Yunzou had not yet ascended as emperor. On a mission to the south, he encountered a woman.
Their feelings blossomed in a misty, rainy land, known for its fertile fields and flowing rivers.
Later, Ji Yunzou left Jiangnan and eventually inherited the imperial throne. The woman, unwilling to affect his reputation, quietly left with her newborn child.
From then on, there was no trace of them.
...
Over a decade later, a young man named Yue Jiucheng began to make a name for himself across the Phoenix Perch Empire.
In the deep sea lived a nine-meter-long water dragon that often preyed on nearby fishing villages.
The youth Yue Jiucheng, armed with a spear, slew the beast in a sea of blood. He drew out its tendons, peeled its bones, and cooked its meat before the villagers.
On an unnamed mountain, the Yin-Yang Cult practiced sinister dual-cultivation techniques, sacrificing the essence blood of virgin boys and girls while pillaging and murdering around Phoenix Cry City.
Yue Jiucheng climbed the mountain alone, massacred the cult, bathed the mountain in blood, and left no corpses behind. His spear pointed the way.
As a teenager, he traveled across the Phoenix Perch Empire, visiting 36 cities, acting with chivalry and honing his martial arts.
Later, when the Heretic God Cult rose, he joined forces with Tranquil Prince and fought bravely in battle.
He once infiltrated the Heretic God Cult alone and killed the cult leader’s son.
Even when chased by three cultivators of the Imperial Meridian Realm, he turned the tables mid-escape and made a name for himself across the empire.
His courage, talent, and character were one in a million. Many called him the strongest of his generation in Phoenix Perch.
Eventually, Ji Yunzou learned of his identity and recognized him as his son. Yue Jiucheng changed his name to Ji Jiucheng.
He officially became the Seventh Prince of the Phoenix Perch Empire.
His story was pure grassroots success. Even without recognition from Ji Yunzou, he would have carved out his own path.
...
As Ji Jiucheng stepped forward, the younger generation of the Wenren Clan fell silent.
They had heard his name, of course, and none dared to claim a guaranteed win.
“Are you going up?” Ji Jiucheng asked Wenren Tianming.
“I already fought once,” Wenren Tianming replied calmly. “If I go again, it’ll look like the Wenren Clan has no one else.”
Ji Jiucheng didn’t insist. His gaze swept across the crowd and he chuckled, “Anyone willing to teach me a thing or two?”
The Wenren side went quiet. The score was currently one win and one loss.
The third match now carried significant weight.
No one had the confidence to defeat Ji Jiucheng, and no one wanted to take responsibility if they lost.
“I’ll go if no one else does,” Wenren Suo muttered in frustration.
“You? He’ll beat you like a drum,” Xu Zimo shook his head.
“Better than hiding like a coward,” Wenren Suo shot back.
Xu Zimo smiled, shook his head, and calmly stepped forward.
“Grandfather, let me give it a try,” he said to Wenren Jingshi with a smile.
Wenren Tianming glanced at Xu Zimo with a deep look but said nothing.
Wenren Jingshi seemed disappointed with the Wenren juniors, but finally nodded.
“Be careful. Winning isn’t everything.”
“Who is this young man? A branch member? Doesn’t look like the main family,” people whispered.
Ji Yunzou looked at Xu Zimo with interest.
“You’re from the Wenren Clan?” Ji Jiucheng asked Xu Zimo.
“My mother is Wenren Yun. What do you think?” Xu Zimo replied.
“You’re from the True Martial Sacred Ground,” Ji Jiucheng immediately realized.
Over the years, the imperial family had kept close tabs on the two great clans. When Wenren Yun married the Vice-Lord of the True Martial Sacred Ground, it caused quite a stir in the Phoenix Perch Empire.
The True Martial Sacred Ground, home to four emperors, was a force that even the entire empire couldn’t match.
Even among the four great regions of the Middle Continent, few could rival it.
...
“I’ve always wanted to test myself against prodigies from other continents, especially one from the True Martial Sacred Ground,” Ji Jiucheng smiled.
With that, he exuded a powerful aura and stepped onto the stage with great presence.
Xu Zimo remained calm and slowly walked onto the stage.
“Father, who do you think will win?” asked Yue Chang, son of Tranquil Prince.
“I don’t know the young man across from Jiucheng, so I have no opinion,” Yue Yunfei replied. “But Jiucheng is the most outstanding young man I’ve seen in recent years.”
Ji Jiucheng had once fought alongside Yue Yunfei in the war against the Heretic God Cult, so he was well aware of his strength.
“There’s more than just the Northern Continent, you know. You’ve never been to other continents, Father,” Yue Chang protested. “There might be even stronger prodigies out there.”
Yue Yunfei simply smiled and said no more. His attention remained fixed on the stage.
...
On stage, Xu Zimo stood lazily in a purple robe, clearly not taking the match too seriously.
Ji Jiucheng, in his yellow robe adorned with six-clawed serpents, stood firm as his hair billowed without wind. His aura rose steadily.
Even without attacking, cracks had already formed across the stage beneath him.
“Please,” Ji Jiucheng said, bowing slightly toward Xu Zimo.
“If I make a move, you probably won’t even have a chance to resist,” Xu Zimo said with a smile. “Go ahead and use your strongest move. Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance. Otherwise, you’ll have no excuse when you lose.”
“You’re confident, Xu,” Ji Jiucheng replied with a light laugh, unfazed.
As he spoke, the space around him began to ripple.
A spear appeared from the void.
It was two meters long, deep red in color, with a silver tip and ancient inscriptions carved along the shaft.
As Ji Jiucheng grasped the spear, its intent surged like a mighty river crashing into the Eastern Sea, piercing through the sky.
The spear hummed with joy.
“When I journeyed through the thirty-six cities, it was with this spear in hand,” Ji Jiucheng said calmly. “Today, I will strike only once. If you can take it, I’ll admit defeat.”