Ji Xia followed Zhao Wu into the Zhao Summoning Clan's residence, passing through lavish pavilions and lush gardens. They encountered harmless spirit beasts wandering freely within the gardens before finally reaching the central area of the residence—a modest house.
Compared to the grand structures of the Zhao Summoning Clan, this house could only be described as plain. Its flat roof, square shape, and simple appearance epitomized the words "modest" and "practical."
"Great Ancestor is already 180 years old," Zhao Wu explained, pointing to a pond behind the house. "He has endured countless hardships in Da Fu and detests extravagance. This house was built entirely by his own hands, brick by brick.
"He also enjoys fishing the most. Despite his fiery temper, it's the one activity that calms him."
As they walked, Ji Xia chatted with Zhao Wu and learned more about this Great Ancestor. Back in the Six Princes' palace, Ji Xia had heard of a powerful figure named Zhao Yuan, who had cultivated an 83-zhang spiritual fetus and withstood a heavenly lightning tribulation to forge a Lightning Body.
This formidable Zhao Yuan was none other than the Great Ancestor of the Zhao Summoning Clan and Zhao Wu's great-great-grandfather.
Ji Xia had always been fascinated by such powerful figures. Taicang's martial heritage was shallow, and records of cultivation levels beyond the Divine Path stage were scarce. He didn't fully understand what an 83-zhang spiritual fetus represented or the strength of the Lightning Body.
"I'll soon find out just how powerful someone who withstood heavenly lightning truly is," Ji Xia thought as he followed Zhao Wu to the house.
Within three zhang (meters) of the house, the Great Sun Spirit-Suppressing Furnace inside Ji Xia's body began to tremble uncontrollably. A wave of urgent, almost uncontrollable excitement surged from the furnace into Ji Xia's mind.
This reaction was even more intense than when he had first entered Yanxiang Mansion and absorbed tens of thousands of sacrificial spirits.
"Could this Zhao Yuan, like Ji Ning, also be a devotee of Yin Divinity?" Ji Xia suppressed the furnace's disturbance and pondered.
Zhao Wu tidied his clothes, smiled, and knocked lightly on the door.
There was no response.
He sighed, knocked harder, and finally heard a frail voice from within: "Enter."
The voice sounded weak and lifeless, as if it belonged not to a spiritual powerhouse but to an elderly man nearing the end of his days.
Zhao Wu and Ji Xia entered the house. Inside, an elderly man with white hair sat slumped before an intricately crafted furnace.
The furnace emitted a glowing rune, and its roaring flames illuminated the entire room in a fiery red hue, creating a stifling heat. Despite the warmth, the old man wore a thick, black fur cloak and sat curled up as if shivering from the cold.
"Great Ancestor, I've come to visit you," Zhao Wu said, his face beaming as he approached the furnace.
"Mm? It's little Zhao Wu," the old man murmured, lifting his head. His face was deeply lined with wrinkles as he glanced at Zhao Wu and Ji Xia.
"Great Ancestor, it's me. Today, I've brought Brother Qin to see you. You've often mentioned wanting to meet this young prodigy."
Zhao Yuan shifted his gaze to Ji Xia, and their eyes met. Despite Zhao Yuan's withered frame, his eyes gleamed with sharp vitality, untouched by age.
"Such condensed spiritual energy, so dense it's almost tangible. Truly a young prodigy. Are you Qin Ji?"
Ji Xia clasped his hands and bowed politely. "Qin Ji greets the elder."
"Excellent," Zhao Yuan said with a faint smile. "I've heard Zhao Wu praise you, and the clan members speak of how, at the Six Princes' banquet, you subdued ten Divine Path cultivators with ease.
"I'm old and frail now, my body inexplicably weakened. Seeing young talents like you reminds me of my youth, when I rode through the land, singing and conquering the world!"
Ji Xia was puzzled and asked, "Elder, a Spirit Commander cultivator can live to 300 years. Why would your body weaken without cause?"
Zhao Wu's expression changed, fearing his great ancestor would take offense.
Zhao Yuan seemed startled, then chuckled. "You are the first youngster to ask me this. Most assume I'm sensitive about my condition and avoid words like 'old' or 'weak' around me."
Ji Xia shook his head. "I've heard much about you since arriving in Da Fu. Everyone hails you as the greatest under the King of Runes. Your body withstood heavenly lightning. How could it deteriorate so suddenly?"
Zhao Yuan's expression darkened, and an oppressive wave of spiritual energy radiated from his frail body, enveloping the room.
"What have you noticed?" he asked.
Ji Xia remained composed. "Since you ask, I assume you've also sensed something amiss."
Zhao Yuan's face grew grimmer. Lightning flickered across his body, restoring some vitality. His white hair darkened slightly, and his wrinkles smoothed out a bit. Though still aged, he looked far better than moments ago.
Zhao Yuan straightened his frail body and walked to Ji Xia. Ignoring Zhao Wu's astonished gaze, he said, "Three years ago, I noticed my body beginning to change. At first, I only felt weak. Later, I became increasingly decrepit.
"I cultivated the Thunder Abyss Body, a technique that allows me to withstand a Spirit Commander's might. My lifespan far exceeds ordinary Spirit Commanders. Why would I suddenly weaken?"
He clenched his fists, his tone growing volatile. "I investigated my diet, the people around me—everything! But found nothing!
"So, I've feigned near-death, meeting young elites under the guise of seeking company. I spread word of my frailty, hoping that if anyone harbored ill intentions, they'd expose themselves when they thought I was vulnerable.
"You are the first to notice something amiss. Your eyes tell me you know something."
Zhao Yuan's sharp gaze bore into Ji Xia. "What have you discovered?"
After a moment's silence, weighing the risks, Ji Xia replied, "I have suspicions, but I'll need to examine further."
"Examine further? How?" Zhao Wu asked, puzzled.
Ji Xia did not reply. His eyes gleamed, and two golden suns rose within his pupils as he focused on Zhao Yuan.
On Zhao Yuan's back, a shadowy entity clung tightly, continuously siphoning his essence, spirit, and vitality to nourish itself.