Chen Guan needs to find an Eighth Awakening Celestial Eye Evil Ghost. Ji Liuying agrees to help him, much to the displeasure of her Ji Family escorts. After Ji Liuying defeats a Ninth Awakening ghost, Chen Guan summons his Eighth Awakening Ten Thousand Poison Insect Emperor, which effortlessly kills the Eighth Awakening ghost Ji Liuying lured out. He then reveals his Seventh Awakening panda-like pet, capable of turning defeated spirits into pets.
"This little panda isn’t merely at the seventh sense; even the Secret Realm’s aura has manifested, surely it possesses the eighth sense. With the backing from the Secret Realm, its Spirit Medium power must have received a massive enhancement, enabling it to consecutively utilize Spirit Medium power for transforming the Secret Spirit Pet..." Ji Nan and the others exchanged glances, astonishment evident in their eyes.
It is not unusual for some individuals to be fortunate enough to obtain one or several rare pets.
For a prominent family like the Ji Family, what others perceive as luck or resources is insignificant and easily attainable.
Just as diamonds are extremely precious treasures to ordinary people, with a diamond weighing several carats being considered a family heirloom.
However, for monopolistic diamond mine capitalists, such items are not worth showing off, and anyone flaunting diamonds before them would appear laughable.
Nevertheless, nurturing a little panda to the eighth sense is far from a simple feat.
While obtaining a little panda is effortless for the Ji Family, guiding it to the eighth sense is something even they cannot accomplish.
This endeavor involves not only resources but also technical expertise.
It is akin to how possessing resources like steel and oil is straightforward, but transforming those resources into rockets and utilizing them to launch satellites or spaceships into orbit, ensuring their predetermined operation, requires an immense amount of resources and unique technical support that remains inaccessible to the average person.
To ordinary people, it is merely a little panda.
But to individuals like Ji Nan from these influential families, it signifies the capabilities of Chen Guan behind it.
First, Chen Guan undoubtedly commands abundant resources, otherwise, he would not have invested so heavily in raising a single panda.
Second, Chen Guan possesses strong developmental capabilities, possibly supported by a research team; otherwise, how could he overcome the challenge of raising pandas that even the Ten Great Families have failed to conquer?
If no team exists, it is even more astonishing, pointing to Chen Guan himself being a technical behemoth.
Ji Nan and his companions speculated that if this individual was not affiliated with the Ten Great Families, he was likely a technical titan in his own right.
Little did they realize that Chen Guan had raised the panda purely through resource accumulation, with minimal technological involvement.
Ji Nan and the others remained fixated on Chen Guan, aware that Ji Liuying would not foolishly acknowledge someone from another family as a mentor, yet they still sought confirmation just to be certain.
Observing Chen Guan, who had just subdued the Secret Spirit of the Tianmu Evil Ghost, Ji Nan inquired, "Who exactly are you?"
"Is my identity truly that significant?" Chen Guan, having anticipated this, displayed no surprise and responded calmly.
"We did not intend to target you, but Liuying is a crucial talent for the Ji Family, and any misfortune involving her cannot be afforded. We bear responsibilities to both her and the Ji Family, so would you please reveal your identity?" Ji Nan stated, "Regardless of your identity, we harbor no ill intentions towards you."
"My master is doing well, and he is not from the Ten Great Families," Ji Liuying attempted to vouch for Chen Guan.
"No worries," Chen Guan gave Ji Liuying a reassuring smile and removed his helmet.
"Chen Guan..." Ji Nan and the others, upon clearly seeing Chen Guan's face, were immensely taken aback.
They had never anticipated that Ji Liuying's mentor would actually be Chen Guan.
Upon this realization, Ji Nan and his group felt a sense of relief, quickly followed by elation.
Chen Guan was not a member of the Ten Great Families and indeed had a less-than-friendly relationship with some of them.
The Ji Family, on the other hand, had no significant conflicts with Chen Guan.
Considering Chen Guan's technical prowess and his now-favorable connection with Ji Liuying, it was beneficial for both Ji Liuying and the Ji Family.
Both Chen Guan and Zi Donglai were recognized as individuals with the potential to reach the Celestial King Level someday, and Ji Liuying associating with them would be advantageous for the Ji Family, which had recently lost its own Celestial King.
Naturally, acquiring the technique for raising pandas would be an even greater boon.
"So it is Mr. Chen; no wonder you chose to conceal your identity. We were presumptuous, but rest assured, Mr. Chen, we will not disclose this matter whatsoever. You may remain here peacefully," Ji Nan quickly assured.
They surmised that Chen Guan might be apprehensive, fearing potential trouble from Chief Judge Qi.
However, they were unaware that Chief Judge Qi had already made an attempt to apprehend Chen Guan but ultimately failed.
"Thank you for keeping my secret," Chen Guan offered, without further explanation, placing his helmet back on. He then looked at Ji Liuying, who was staring at him in stunned silence.
Ji Liuying had initially assumed the Ming King was apparently young, but in reality, an ancient entity who had lived for countless years.
She now understood that the Ming King was none other than Chen Guan, the very individual who had confronted the Ancestral Court and achieved a decisive victory in the Southern Heavenly Kingdom.
"He is Chen Guan? How could he possibly associate with a Celestial King? To teach a Celestial King? Is he deceiving me? Or perhaps someone else is instructing the Celestial King, and he is merely connected to that person, thus gaining knowledge of the Secret Techniques and Innate Eight Techniques?"
"Considering his age, it's quite improbable that he has such extensive connections with the Celestial King, not directly. But if he is indeed the one in contact with the Celestial King... then his talent and capabilities must have reached unfathomable heights..."
Ji Liuying's mind churned with a multitude of conflicting thoughts, leaving her uncertain of how to address Chen Guan.
As Chen Guan's gaze fell upon her, Ji Liuying inexplicably felt a peculiar sense of apprehension, causing her to instinctively avert her eyes from his stare.
"Liuying, since you have chosen Mr. Chen as your mentor, you must follow him and learn with utmost diligence, free from arrogance or complacency. Should you encounter anything you do not comprehend, seek Mr. Chen's guidance." Ji Nan and the others, now aware that the Ming King was Chen Guan, became even more convinced of Chen Guan's status as a master of cultivation techniques.
While Chen Guan possessed considerable power within the Grotto Heaven, he still lacked the foundational depth of a Great Cave Heaven. The panda's current level of cultivation undoubtedly stemmed from extraordinary cultivation methods.
Their current hope was that Ji Liuying would rigorously learn from Chen Guan and, ideally, acquire those unique panda cultivation techniques as well.
Given the Ji Family's considerable resources, possessing such techniques would make replicating numerous pandas a simple matter.
The subsequent journey unfolded with unexpected pleasantness.
Initially, Chen Guan's intention was to depart immediately after obtaining the Tianmu Evil Ghost.
However, unable to decline the sincere invitations extended by the Ji Family elders, and considering his nominal role as Ji Liuying's mentor, he felt it improper to leave so abruptly after securing his objective. Thus, he resolved to stay and accompany Ji Liuying in completing the ongoing trial.
Throughout their travels, the Ji Family elders treated Chen Guan with exceptional deference, leading many observers to mistakenly assume that this solicitous attention was solely directed towards Chen Guan.
