The rising sun streamed through the window, accompanied by the loud, crisp chirping of waking birds.

The room door opened silently, not emitting the slightest creak.

He Yiming stepped out. The moment his feet crossed the threshold, Xie Mingjin appeared before him: "Mr. He, you are up."

Xie Mingjin's face no longer held the arrogance he displayed when they first met in the jungle. After learning that He Yiming had single-handedly slain both Long-Armed Hairy Beasts, he—along with his seven attendants—now regarded He Yiming as a celestial being.

According to Xie Nuanyi, only the combined strength of the three Tenth-Layer Internal Strength cultivators in the Xie family could manage a draw against those two Long-Armed Hairy Beasts. Did that not imply that He Yiming alone could neutralize the family’s top three masters?

Faced with such overwhelming martial might, Xie Mingjin had absolutely nothing left to be proud of.

Glancing at him in surprise, He Yiming smiled. ".Brother Xie, you are up quite early. You weren't waiting here specifically for me, were you?"

Xie Mingjin's complexion flushed slightly. "Mr. He, my father sent me to await your esteemed arrival here."

"Where is Mr. Xie?"

"My father is in the main hall, awaiting you for breakfast."

He Yiming nodded slightly and followed Xie Mingjin forward.

After dispatching the two Long-Armed Hairy Beasts in the dense woods and acquiring the Sapless Berries, He Yiming had descended the mountain with Xie Nuanyi and the others.

With guides familiar with that section of the forest, they spent just over a day emerging from the woods, then rode hard for another day, arriving at Yingfeng City, the capital of the Fire Crow Kingdom, late last night.

This Yingfeng City was naturally incomparable to the small county town of Taicang. Not only were its walls fifteen meters high, but its area was vast. It was said that the permanent population reached over three hundred thousand, swelling to nearly four hundred thousand with the transient population.

The Xie family owned an enormous manor within the city, housing two to three thousand people, making them one of the four renowned aristocratic families of the Fire Crow Kingdom.

Xie Nuanyi held an extremely high position within the clan, possessing his own independent courtyard branch. Because they arrived late into the city, they made no announcement, quietly returning to their respective quarters to rest.

He Yiming was naturally assigned the best guest room. After three months traversing the wilderness, this was the first time he had slept in a proper bed. However, the very next morning, he was awakened by Xie Mingjin who had arrived outside.

Although Xie Mingjin had tried his best to tread lightly—indeed, his steps were almost utterly silent—how could he possibly evade the current He Yiming?

Since he sensed someone waiting outside, He Yiming was not so impudent as to ignore them. Seeing the sky was just beginning to lighten, he decided to rise.

The two walked side-by-side, yet Xie Mingjin positioned himself slightly forward by half a body length. However, his body was angled slightly toward He Yiming, giving the appearance of guiding the way.

All the servants and attendants along the path rubbed their eyes upon seeing this, hardly believing what they witnessed.

In the Xie family, the patriarch, Xie Nanhang, devoted his life to martial pursuits and never married. Xie Nuanyi was the Second Master, but his son, Xie Mingjin, was the Eldest Young Master of the Xie family. Although this Eldest Young Master, due to his overly straightforward nature, was not the top choice for the patriarch's succession, he was deeply cherished by both Masters and held an arrogant status within the Xie family. Thus, seeing him adopt such a humble demeanor was unbelievable to everyone.

Before long, they arrived at the main hall.

The moment He Yiming walked in, Xie Nuanyi stood up and spoke loudly, "Brother He, did you rest well yesterday?"

He Yiming nodded slightly and smiled, "It's been a long time since I slept in a proper bed. Thank you so much for your hospitality, Mr. Xie."

Xie Nuanyi laughed heartily and waved his hand lightly; attendants immediately brought out the breakfast. The Xie manor's breakfast consisted of small pastries, various porridges, and broths, comprising an astonishing eighteen different dishes, which greatly broadened He Yiming's horizons.

He recalled that while the He Family Manor offered more than eighteen types of dim sum and porridge, they only provided five choices daily at most. Compared to this display, they were severely lacking. Furthermore, the casual manner in which Xie Nuanyi and the others ate indicated this grand spread was not specially arranged due to his arrival.

He Yiming ate heartily, trying every one of the eighteen items. Though he didn't completely clear the table, his bulging stomach caused the attending servants to secretly gasp in astonishment—and contempt. They simply could not fathom how the Second Master, such a heroic figure, could have brought back such a brute who clearly looked like a country bumpkin.

Xie Nuanyi and his son accompanied He Yiming cheerfully, occasionally picking up a bamboo chopstick to take a bite, though their eating was far more refined. Only after He Yiming patted his stomach and signaled his satisfaction did the father and son put down their chopsticks, indicating that they had only just finished eating themselves.

Though it was a small gesture, it had already earned He Yiming considerable goodwill.

After finishing breakfast, Xie Nuanyi waved his hand again, and the servants swiftly cleared the bowls and chopsticks, retreating quickly.

Xie Nuanyi nodded slightly, and Xie Mingjin immediately stood up, bowing deeply to He Yiming: "Mr. He, my father and I have a matter we need to request of you."

He Yiming smiled wryly. "Brother Xie, please speak freely if you have something on your mind."

Xie Mingjin’s expression tightened slightly, but he persisted, "Mr. He, regarding the matter of us hunting the two Long-Armed Hairy Beasts yesterday, we ask that you do not publicize it widely."

He Yiming nodded without hesitation. "Very well."

The father and son exchanged surprised glances. They had expected persuading He Yiming would require much persuasive talking, or perhaps even some form of compensation, but they hadn't anticipated such an immediate agreement.

Little did they know, He Yiming had a profound understanding of how wealth and valuables move the human heart. The He Family Manor had captured a Golden Crown Python; they too had acted furtively, afraid to let any news leak out.

Xie Mingjin bowed deeply to the ground. "In that case, thank you for your understanding, Mr. He."

He Yiming reached out and helped him up. "Brother He, there is no need for such courtesy." Then, he turned his gaze to Xie Nuanyi, saying seriously, "Mr. Xie, I have a request of you."

Xie Nuanyi grew solemn. "Mr. He, please state your need. As long as the Xie manor can fulfill it, we will spare no effort."

"I wish to learn the Xie family's pill refinement techniques. I humbly request Mr. Xie's consent," He Yiming stated sincerely.

Xie Nuanyi paused slightly. "Brother He, let me check if my elder brother has woken up. If he is awake, I will inform him of your arrival and your request, and he can make the final decision?"

He Yiming nodded deeply. "I trouble you." After a pause, he added, "I only wish to learn the method for refining inner elixirs; I have no other intentions. I ask Mr. Xie to convey this clearly." Since the Xie family specialized in medicine, the art of alchemy was naturally paramount. It was only right that the family head should decide whether to pass on the knowledge.

A look of understanding dawned on Xie Nuanyi's face. "I see. Then Mr. He can rest assured. My brother likely will not refuse."

Saying that, he gave a slight bow, signaled Xie Mingjin with a look, and turned to leave.

Although Xie Mingjin was naturally upright, he was no fool. He immediately had someone diligently prepare fine tea and began making conversation.

"Mr. He, this is Cloud Mist, a famous tea passed down from the Great Shen Kingdom. Legend says it grows only where the mountain peaks are perpetually shrouded in mist, making its plucking extremely difficult. After transport to the Northwest, it is valued far higher than gold of equal weight," he gestured invitingly. "Please taste it, Mr. He."

He Yiming's curiosity was greatly piqued. He had drunk tea at the He Family Manor, but to him, the act of drinking tea was like a bull chewing on peonies—he couldn't discern any true flavor. Now, picking up the delicate tea cup, which looked like a work of art, he inhaled twice; indeed, there was a faint, delicate fragrance. However, after taking a small sip, he realized the taste was virtually indistinguishable from the strong tea brewed in the large pots back home; at least, he couldn't tell any difference.

Xie Mingjin also took a small sip, then looked over with an expectant gaze.

Their eyes met for a long moment. Then, Xie Mingjin suddenly smiled sheepishly. "Mr. He, although I have studied the way of tea a little, I am still completely ignorant of its subtleties. Please forgive me."

He Yiming's eyes immediately lit up, and he laughed. "Brother Xie speaks the truth. Although this Cloud Mist tea smells somewhat fragrant, when you drink it, it's no different from the coarse tea we grow in big bowls in our hometown."

Xie Mingjin's mouth fell open in surprise. Slowly, an inexpressible smile surfaced in both their eyes. Despite their differences in status, strength, personality, and upbringing, inexplicably, at this moment, they felt an immediate kinship. They slowly began to converse, soon exhibiting the classic sign of lamenting meeting too late.

The conversation with Xie Mingjin was exceedingly harmonious, and He Yiming could clearly feel that this rapport stemmed primarily from their compatible personalities. In contrast, although his past conversations with Lin Taoli of the Lin Family in Linlang had been entirely amicable, He Yiming knew that if Lin Taoli hadn't been maneuvering to win his favor, he never would have been so warmly intimate.

While Xie Mingjin might initially have intended to use his father's position to win He Yiming over, as their discussion deepened, He Yiming could not deny that his own favorable impression of him was rapidly growing.

Of course, the speed with which He Yiming accepted him was also greatly influenced by Xie Mingjin's decision in the dense forest that day—to rush back and face life or death alongside his father, without regard for his own safety. This decision, seemingly rash and likely frowned upon by the leaders of established aristocratic houses, was clearly a move toward self-destruction. However, from He Yiming's perspective, he would rather forge brotherhood with such a reckless man than associate with those so-called gentlemen who calculated every detail for the sake of the 'greater good.'

※※※※

In the main courtyard of the Xie family, a man whose features were refined and who appeared several years younger than Xie Nuanyi suddenly twitched his eyebrows, spinning around with lightning speed. As he moved, a chilling aura abruptly expanded, making even Xie Nuanyi, standing before him, feel a slight shortness of breath. However, the man’s imposing presence was instantly reined in; after a surge of intense emotion, he regained perfect control.

"Second Brother, were those two Long-Armed Hairy Beasts killed?"

"Yes, Eldest Brother," Xie Nuanyi replied. "I even brought back their corpses."

This man was Xie Nanhang, the contemporary head of the Xie family, one of the four great aristocratic houses of the Fire Crow Kingdom, renowned for its medical arts and a lineage spanning a thousand years. Though his appearance was youthful, he was a full ten years Xie Nuanyi's senior, already nearing seventy.

"What was the man's name?"

"He Yiming, he is from the Celestial Net Kingdom."

"He Yiming?" Xie Nanhang murmured the name, yet he had absolutely no recollection of it.

"Exactly, He Yiming," Xie Nuanyi praised without restraint. "This He Yiming has not only grasped the true essence of the Metal Element cultivation method and comprehended the Way of Truth for this element, but he also possesses the peak strength of the Post-Heaven Tenth Layer, and he wields a set of Pre-Heaven battle skill saber techniques."

Xie Nanhang raised a hand, interrupting his younger brother's torrent of praise. "Second Brother, although the Celestial Net Kingdom is a thousand miles from us, I have heard of prominent figures there. If there were truly such a master who grasped the Way of Truth and wielded Pre-Heaven battle skills, how could he be completely unknown?"

Xie Nuanyi smiled wryly. "Eldest Brother, looking at He Yiming’s age, he is not yet eighteen this year. Naturally, he cannot have gained widespread fame yet."

In truth, he was unaware that He Yiming was already quite famous in Taicang County; it was merely the deliberate suppression by the Lin Family of Linlang that prevented his name from spreading rapidly.

Xie Nanhang started in shock. If his earlier reaction was merely surprise, this was now astonishment. An cultivator in his late fifties or early sixties achieving such a level was rare enough, but a youth under eighteen achieving it was truly staggering. If these words had not come from his own younger brother, and if he had not personally seen the corpses of the two Long-Armed Hairy Beasts, he would never have believed it.

After a long silence, he asked in a deep voice, "Did you inquire about this person's background?"

"No, but I estimate he must be an entry-level disciple of some secluded sect," Xie Nuanyi sighed lightly.

Xie Nanhang nodded slightly. "If he achieved this much at such a young age, he must be an inner disciple of a secluded sect, and one of the core disciples cultivated using the sect's abundant resources." He then sighed again. "It is a pity; talent cultivated so intensely will surely become a Pre-Heaven Realm expert in the future, making him unavailable for the service of our Xie family. Moreover, we cannot afford to offend his master's sect."

Xie Nuanyi first nodded in agreement, then smiled gently. "Eldest Brother, while he cannot join our Xie family, maintaining a good personal relationship with such an individual would be a great asset to us."

Xie Nanhang's eyes brightened slightly. "Second Brother, are you confident you can befriend him?"

Xie Nuanyi’s expression became grave. "This person is extremely curious about alchemy and wishes to learn our Xie family’s techniques. However, his demands are not excessive; he only asks to learn the method for refining inner elixirs."

Xie Nanhang frowned slightly, seriously weighing the pros and cons.

Xie Nuanyi hesitated a moment before stepping forward. "Eldest Brother, during this trip to the dense forest, Mingjin accompanied me. Although I was extremely disappointed when he retreated during the confrontation with the Long-Armed Hairy Beasts, it seems to have garnered He Yiming's goodwill, and his attitude toward him is clearly different. If you permit, I hope to have Mingjin host him."

Xie Nanhang looked up at Xie Nuanyi with profound meaning. After a long moment, he finally nodded. "Second Brother, the technique for refining inner elixirs is merely a side branch of our family's medical heritage. If he wishes to learn, open the direction of Inner Elixir Medicine to him. Furthermore, I will instruct Seventh Grand-Uncle that he may allow He Yiming to observe while he refines the elixirs."

This time, it was Xie Nuanyi's turn to be slightly astonished. He took a deep breath, bowed low, and said, "Thank you, Eldest Brother."

Xie Nanhang helped his brother up, his expression stern. "Second Brother, I understand your intentions. If Mingjin is truly fortunate enough to gain the support of a future Pre-Heaven Realm expert, then taking control of the Xie family will certainly not be an issue. However, if he fails to gain He Yiming's support, or if He Yiming still hasn't broken through to the Pre-Heaven Realm before my passing, then the future of the Xie family absolutely cannot fall into Mingjin's hands."

Xie Nuanyi humbly lowered his head. "Yes, I will abide by everything Eldest Brother commands."

※※※※

In the Xie family's inner hall, He Yiming and Xie Mingjin were chatting merrily. Even at the He Family Manor, He Yiming had never felt this sense of open camaraderie with any sibling. The He Family Manor had been established too recently; every younger generation member was fully immersed in cultivation. Although the bonds between siblings were deep, they lacked the opportunity for this kind of conversation. Nevertheless, He Yiming only genuinely connected with those of comparable age whom his heart deemed worthy.

Suddenly, a servant hurried to Xie Mingjin's side, handing him a letter and a token. Xie Mingjin opened it and was instantly overjoyed. Waving it excitedly, he exclaimed, "Brother He, the Eldest Uncle has agreed! Moreover, he has issued the Golden Token. With this token, we can freely enter and exit the pharmacy and the pill refinement rooms. Heh heh, you carry considerable weight! Not only can you review all the Inner Elixir Medicine prescriptions, but Great-Grand-Uncle even permits you to observe while he refines!" He looked up abruptly. "Brother He, when you go to watch the pill refinement, you absolutely must take me along!"

After half a day of conversation, their forms of address had unconsciously changed. At the very least, Xie Mingjin would no longer call him Mr. He.

He Yiming laughed heartily. "Of course, but I want to see the Inner Elixir Medicine prescriptions right now."

Xie Mingjin waved the Golden Token in his hand. "That's simple, let's go now."

Ps: Another chapter in two minutes ^_^