The He family, having spared no expense this time, was naturally fully prepared beforehand. Especially regarding the proper handling of the spirit beast after it was hunted, they had long since made plans.

However, what they hadn't anticipated was how incredibly difficult it would be to slay the Golden-Crested Python. Fortunately, with the sudden emergence of He Yiming and his inexplicable strike that felled the behemoth, otherwise, they might have suffered a double loss today.

But since the Golden-Crested Python was already dead, the remaining tasks no longer required He Yiming’s concern. By the time everyone managed to deal with the giant serpent, He Yiming’s internal energy had recovered substantially.

Yet, what filled him with deep frustration was the strict order from Old Master He: under no circumstances would he be allowed to walk; instead, He Quan and Xin had to fashion a simple stretcher so he must lie upon it. After futile resistance, He Yiming obediently submitted, riding the stretcher back to the family home at the foot of the mountain under the watchful eye of the Old Master.

Just as no one knew when they left, the same held true for their return. Although the sky was now bright, those present had already given clear instructions to their trusted stewards before departing.

Under the stewards’ careful management, it was ensured that no commotion would arise. Of course, they did not enter the estate all at once, but in batches, channeling the massive serpent into the He family manor’s secret underground chamber.

Having completed all this manual labor without alarming any outsiders, the family members reconvened in the Old Master’s main hall. At this juncture, He Yiming could no longer endure the pretense, leaping straight off the stretcher.

Meeting the concerned gazes of the assembled group, he threw a palm strike into the air without a word. He did not deploy his Ninth Layer internal energy for this strike, using only the Eighth Layer, yet the sharp, almost jarring sound of the air splitting made it instantly clear to everyone that this was not something an injured person could casually unleash.

He Wude let out a long breath. “Yiming, are you truly completely recovered?” “More or less, yes,” He Yiming asserted confidently.

“One more day of rest at most, and I will be fully healed.” Indeed, the inexplicable expenditure of all his internal energy this time had caused tremendous strain on his meridians. For anyone else, even if they hadn't died, they would have been severely wounded.

But He Yiming possessed a peculiar physique, and his Water Element technique, the Ripple Art, continuously flowed and nourished his meridians silently. By his estimation, he would undoubtedly return to normal by tomorrow at the latest.

Relief finally dawned on He Wude’s face, replaced by an expression of nothing but deep satisfaction as he looked upon his grandson. “Yiming, did you just activate all your internal energy in one instantaneous burst?” He Quanyi, who had kept this question close to his heart, inquired now that everything was settled.

“Yes,” He Yiming replied, recalling the scene; it was indeed so. “How did you manage that?” He Quanyi’s eyes lit up as he asked.

At these words, every gaze refocused on He Yiming. They all desperately wanted that answer, for the simultaneous ignition of all one’s internal energy was almost unimaginable.

He Yiming’s brow furrowed immediately. He scratched his scalp, recalling that in that moment, he had acted almost entirely on instinct.

His internal energy had been evenly divided into three streams, running concurrently, converging simultaneously, and erupting at once. As for why it became like that, and how he achieved it, truthfully, even he was hazy and unclear on the mechanics.

Shaking his head, He Yiming finally spread his hands wide. “Third Uncle, I saw Grandfather seemed to be in danger, so I got carried away and jumped out, and then…” He let out a wry smile.

“I honestly don’t know how I did it.” He Quanyi pondered for a moment. “Can you do it again now?” Just as He Yiming was about to try, He Wude’s voice boomed out angrily, “Quanyi, what nonsense are you speaking?

Yiming, expelling all your internal energy at once grants immense power in an instant, but the burden it places on the body is enormous. You must never attempt such a feat lightly.” He Quanyi’s face flushed with profound embarrassment, and his gaze toward Yiming carried a sincere trace of apology.

His entire focus had been on that earth-shattering strike moments ago; he had completely forgotten the ramifications, and he felt truly guilty. He Yiming smiled at his Third Uncle, signaling that there were no hard feelings, and then said, “Grandfather, your grandson understands.” He Wude nodded slightly.

“Yiming, your potential still lies far beyond my imagining; you have a boundless future ahead of you. Therefore, remember this: unless you face certain death, never attempt such a thing again.” He paused, then continued gravely, “It is fortunate that you are unharmed this time.

If you had suffered injury for the sake of this old body of mine…” He Yiming quickly interjected, “Grandfather, what are you saying? Your grandson is absolutely fine.” He Wude smiled broadly.

“Good, good, let’s not speak of it.” He let out a soft sigh, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. “Everyone, remember this: what transpired today must never be disclosed.

If outsiders learn that our He family slew a spirit beast, it will undoubtedly invite endless trouble.” Everyone readily agreed; this principle was universally understood, and naturally, they would not speak of it. Turning back around, He Wude pointed toward the center of the hall.

There, resting against the wall, was a massive, long-handled great saber—the favorite weapon Old Master He had used in his youth. However, aside from the Old Master himself, no one else had ever wielded it.

After all, not everyone favored such a long and heavy weapon, nor was everyone born with immense natural strength. “This great saber is my old comrade.

After reaching the Eighth Layer of internal energy, it accompanied me through decades of harsh seasons. The successful establishment of the He family owes much to it.” The elder stepped forward, picking up the saber and gently stroking its surface, his movements exceedingly tender, as if it were not an inanimate object but a cherished relative.

Indeed, for a cultivator, a weapon used for decades was practically kin. Because in the true crucible of life and death, the only companion one could truly rely upon was their favored blade.

After a long moment, the old man raised his head, his gaze suddenly sharpening. “Yiming, today, when I watched you wield this great saber, the power you exhibited surpassed even mine.” With that, He Wude shook the saber in his hand, producing a sharp, clanging resonance.

“Yiming, from this day forward, this saber belongs to you.” He Yiming’s heart jumped. Although he greatly admired the saber, he never once considered taking someone’s most cherished possession.

He too was a martial artist and naturally understood what decades-long personal weaponry meant to a warrior—it was a symbol of their converged spirit, energy, and will. To describe it as 'flesh from the heart' would not be an overstatement.

To seize another’s weapon was akin to stealing their wife or daughter; such a grudge was irreconcilable. Many warriors, even upon death, insisted on being buried with their personal weapons, let alone willingly gifting them while alive.

“Grandfather, this is your weapon; your grandson dares not accept it,” He Yiming stated without hesitation. He Wude shook his head slightly.

Though his voice held a trace of melancholy, it was overlaid with much greater contentment. “Yiming, forty years ago, I arrived in Taicang County alone, carrying this saber,” He Wude declared, striking the blade with bold, heroic spirit.

“It was with this heavy saber that I established this vast foundation of the He Family Estate over several decades. I long ago decided this weapon would be passed to the most outstanding descendant of the He family, to witness the glory of our lineage.” He looked up, smiling.

“If I could use this blade to carve out the He family’s foundation, Yiming, can you use it to expand and guard this inheritance?” He Yiming opened his mouth, gazing at his grandfather’s expectant eyes. His heart surged with emotion.

He respectfully extended both hands and solemnly accepted the incredibly heavy great saber from his grandfather’s grasp. Looking at the gleaming blade, He Yiming felt that what he held was not merely a saber, but a responsibility—a responsibility he, as a member of the He Family Estate, would carry for his entire life.

A strange sensation welled up in his heart. Perhaps this would be the tether and burden of his existence, but it would also be the very source of motivation for his lifelong striving.

Meeting his grandfather’s gaze, He Yiming nodded firmly, his voice ringing with conviction: “Grandfather, I will not fail this saber.” There were no grand boasts or eternal vows, yet in the locked gazes of grandfather and grandson, both understood that He Yiming would fully honor his promise today throughout his life. He Wude laughed heartily.

“Yiming, I actually know that your achievements in life will never be confined merely to Taicang County. I am not asking you to stay home forever; I only hope you can lend support when the family faces peril.” He Yiming looked at the Old Master in surprise, not quite understanding why he would say such a thing now.

The Old Master sighed softly. “I am a bit tired.

You all may leave now.” He Quan, He Xin, and the others exchanged glances and simultaneously responded before departing. In the main hall, only the Old Master He and He Laibao remained.

“Master, you do not intend to entrust the He family to the Sixth Young Master?” He Laibao asked with confusion. Old Master He shook his head slightly.

“The foundation of the He family is in Taicang County, but Taicang County is simply too small. If Yiming is to truly realize his potential, he absolutely cannot be trapped in this little pond.” He Laibao hesitated.

He too recalled that astonishing strike from earlier and understood the implication; thus, he was not at all surprised by the Old Master’s decision. He Wude gazed into the distance, his eyes sparkling brilliantly.

“Yiming will surely advance to the Xiantian realm. When that time comes, I will take him to Hengshan.

I want to show those who looked down on me that the He family has a genius, one they can never hope to reach…”