God of Pets Chapter 859: Taking the Ring

This intense confrontation nearly fractured Chu Hongwu’s martial spirit. Losing itself wouldn't have been a significant blow; the true devastation lay in the sheer humiliation of his defeat. He poured every ounce of his life's learning into battling Ji Liuying, desperately seeking an edge at every turn, only for Ji Liuying to dismantle each attempt with effortless grace. The Innate Eight Techniques, in Ji Liuying's hands, appeared utterly supreme, bending to counter any strategy and neutralizing his power into mere nothingness. Chu Hongwu felt as though he faced not an equal, but a divine entity of unimaginable power. The crushing weight of expending all one's strength, believing oneself to be at the precipice of victory, only to discover the opponent remains as vast and unknowable as the ocean, is an immense psychological blow.

"Impossible... it can't be..." Chu Hongwu's mind reeled, utterly unable to accept that a peer could possess such might, a revelation that shattered his entire perception of the world. He had firmly believed himself to be the vanguard of his generation, never once contemplating the possibility of being so thoroughly dominated by someone his own age. Only when Ji Liuying finally revealed the aura of the Secret Realm, exposing his identity as an Eight Sense cultivator, did the onlookers deem Chu Hongwu's defeat justifiable, considering the one-rank difference.

Yet, Chu Hongwu knew in his heart that the victory wasn't merely due to a superior cultivation rank. Even if Ji Liuying had been a Seven Sense cultivator, the outcome would have been precisely the same. "Ji Liuying, I will not forget this," Chu Hongwu vowed through gritted teeth as he saw the guest depart, his words laced with ambiguity, leaving one to wonder if it was a threat or a veiled promise.

Ji Prodigy, escorting Ji Liuying back, had felt the urge to speak on multiple occasions but ultimately chose silence. He resolved internally that if Chu Hongwu persisted in his antagonism, he would personally guarantee Ji Liuying's safety – the Ji Family could no longer afford any further setbacks concerning her.

Ji Liuying's thoughts, however, were elsewhere. Upon returning home, she could barely contain her eagerness and immediately rushed to Chen Guan's courtyard.

"Master..." Ji Liuying approached Chen Guan, a torrent of words ready to spill forth, yet she hesitated, momentarily at a loss for where to begin.

"Has the matter been settled?" Chen Guan inquired with a warm smile.

"It's resolved... I anticipated a challenging battle... but who would have thought, with the Secret Technique and Secret Skill you imparted, Chu Hongwu was utterly outmatched..." Ji Liuying gushed, the words flowing out in a near-incoherent rush, like a dam that had burst.

At this precise moment, Ji Liuying harbored no further doubts about Chen Guan. She viewed him as an immense benefactor, perhaps even for the entire Ji Family, and undoubtedly the revered teacher spoken of by King Ji. Bringing forth such potent Secret Techniques and Secret Skills to the Ji Family during this critical juncture was a favor more profound than any mountain or sea.

Having grown up without substantial security or support, Ji Liuying discovered a nascent sense of reliance blossoming deep within her heart.

Listening to Ji Liuying's effusive recounting, Chen Guan mused inwardly, "Indeed, she was the optimal choice. Her innate talent and capabilities are exceptional, perfectly complementing the Secret Technique and Secret Skill combination. Provided the Ji family's higher leadership possesses basic discernment, they will undoubtedly prioritize cultivating Ji Liuying. She might very well ascend to become the next Ji Changsheng..."

This outcome aligned perfectly with Chen Guan's aspirations. Cultivating an influential figure within the Ji family who was favorably aligned with him offered far more advantages than detriments.

Events transpired precisely as Chen Guan had foreseen. Ji Liuying rapidly garnered the attention of the Ji family's higher echelon, and following a series of rigorous assessments, she was identified as a prime candidate for intensive cultivation, earmarked as one of the family's future ace disciples.

Chen Guan harbored no apprehension that anyone might surpass Ji Liuying. With the blessing of the Spirit of the Cheerleaders combined with Ji Liuying's inherent talent and the profound techniques left by Ji Changsheng, her destiny was sealed to become a prominent figure within the Ji family.

"It is time to retrieve the ring left behind by Ji Changsheng; I am increasingly curious about what he truly intended for me?" Currently residing within Ji Liuying's residence, under her protection, ensured that no one would investigate his presence – a monumental advantage.

Chen Guan's plan was simple: discreetly acquire the ring, return to Ji Liuying's abode, and remain utterly concealed, even if the entire Ji family city were to be turned upside down.

After meticulous preparations, Chen Guan donned a disguise and ventured out. He released Ming Fei while still a considerable distance from the ring's location.

Ming Fei rarely operated independently, but now, possessing the same Eight Sense, level 71 cultivation as Chen Guan, her actual combat prowess was exceptionally formidable.

Nevertheless, her role as a supporting asset offered greater benefits to Chen Guan, which was why he generally refrained from letting Ming Fei engage in solo combat.

Ming Fei's form was encased in armor that shimmered like starlight gauze, rendering her true features indistinguishable.

Such a singular appearance was rare, making it challenging not to leave an indelible impression.

As Ming Fei drew near the arena's precinct, she immediately captured the attention of the assembled crowd.

Upon recognizing Ming Fei as a Secret Spirit, the onlookers shifted their focus to her physical form, rather than considering any potential actions she might take regarding the ring.

The ring, a legacy from Ji Changsheng, was designated for humans; even Celestial Kings were unable to claim it, so a Secret Spirit certainly stood no chance.

Absolutely no one had foreseen the possibility of a Secret Spirit actually acquiring the ring.

It was common knowledge that Ji Changsheng's ring was intended for the esteemed teacher he had mentioned.

Could it be that King Ji's teacher was, in fact, a Secret Spirit?

Consequently, as Ming Fei approached the vicinity of the ring, the profound significance of the unfolding events escaped everyone's notice.

Despite Ming Fei's face being concealed, her imposing stature and remarkable presence naturally carved a path through the throng.

Ming Fei extended a hand adorned with star gauze, her fingers closing around the ring that appeared immovably suspended in the void.

In the very next instant, to the utter astonishment of all present, Ming Fei slipped the ring onto her finger.

Before the bewildered populace could even process what had happened, Ming Fei pivoted and dissolved into a dazzling cascade of starlight, vanishing without a trace, taking the ring with her.

"The ring... the ring is gone..." The realization dawned on the onlookers, prompting them to surge forward in a frantic rush.

They found it utterly incomprehensible that the ring, which had defied even the might of Celestial Kings, had been taken by a Secret Spirit, all while the identity of the spirit's master remained shrouded in mystery.

Immediately, the entirety of the Ji family city was placed under a stringent lockdown; not a single creature, not even a fly, was permitted to depart.

The presence of the Ten Great Families, tasked with overseeing the area, was not solely for observing who might successfully claim the ring.

Should they themselves fail to obtain the ring, their intention was to confiscate it from whoever managed to succeed.

The invaluable treasure bequeathed by King Ji was certainly not intended to fall into the possession of outsiders.

Naturally, the definition of 'outsider' was subject to varying interpretations.

From the Ji Family's perspective, everyone else was considered an outsider; similarly, for the Ten Great Families, any individual beyond their immediate circle was deemed foreign.

A collective desire to apprehend the ring's thief swept through the city. However, despite the Ji family city being sealed and thoroughly searched, the perpetrator remained frustratingly elusive.

Meanwhile, Chen Guan found himself at Ji Liuying's residence, meticulously scrutinizing the ring adorning Ming Fei's hand.

Due to Ji Liuying's significant standing, no investigators dared to breach the premises.