He slowly extended them, clasping one hand over the other, forming a strange hand seal. This was his self-created Hidden Needle Seal, a technique considered part of the Innate Martial Skills.

The Zhenqi within him circulated along fixed pathways, passing through several meridians. Then, his palms puffed out slightly, and two streams of energy shot forth like flying arrows.

These two streams were no longer silent and colorless; they carried a faint crimson glow, accompanied by a sharp sound of air being ripped apart, as they suddenly darted forward.

Their speed was so incredible that even He Yiming himself only caught a fleeting glimpse of red light flashing before his eyes.

His mouth opened wide in astonishment, and he looked forward with a gaze tinged with terror.

Before him lay the stone wall of the valley. Now, inexplicably, there were two fist-sized deep holes carved into the rock face. Within these holes, there was a scorched black color, and a wisp of thin white smoke curled upward.

He swallowed hard, even he himself was beginning to doubt whether this result had truly been wrought by his own hands.

Taking a deep breath, He Yiming straightened his arms again. His Zhenqi flowed slowly, moving from his Dantian, through his internal meridians, and transmitting into his arms.

A trickle of Zhenqi gradually spread out from his palm, and from his palm, a strange, reddish object seemed to sprout abruptly.

He Yiming’s expression was intensely grave; all his focus was fixed upon this peculiar appendage.

He knew very clearly in his heart that this was Zhenqi—the Zhenqi from within him, specifically energized using the Blazing Fire Art.

With a sudden movement, he vanished from his spot. In the next instant, he was before the stone wall. With a gentle sweep of his arm, the wall immediately gave a rustling sound, showering down countless specks of dust.

When He Yiming focused his gaze, a deep, sunken trench had appeared upon the surface.

This was the damage caused by Zhenqi after it had left the body.

The greatest difference between the inner strength (Neijin) of a cultivator and their Zhenqi is that no matter how powerful the Neijin, it cannot harm others when separated from the body. Even the strongest Neijin, once it leaves the body, will dissipate without a trace, even if it travels just an inch away.

For a Houtian (Post-Celestial) cultivator to inflict damage across a distance, there were only two methods. The first was to cultivate a type of Innate Martial Skill similar to the Sky Splitting Palm or the Hidden Needle Seal. Only those with extraordinary talent and successful cultivation could achieve remote striking.

The other method was simpler and was used by the vast majority of Houtian cultivators: employing hidden weapons. Whether it was needles as fine as ox hair, or the use of bows and arrows, or even at the peak of the Tenth Level Houtian, using falling leaves as projectiles—all could inflict damage from afar.

However, no matter the method used, a medium capable of bearing the Neijin was required. Beyond these means, a Houtian cultivator could not achieve the goal of remote injury.

But Xiantian Zhenqi was distinctly different. This power, even when leaving the body, could, under the control of the internal Zhenqi, interact with the surrounding Heaven and Earth Qi, thus achieving the goal of remote striking.

Although He Yiming’s Zhenqi was still shallow at this moment, preventing him from achieving the optimal effect, this was nevertheless a qualitative leap, signifying that from this moment on, He Yiming had officially stepped into the Xiantian realm.

Taking a deep breath, He Yiming circulated his internal Zhenqi ceaselessly. His figure darted swiftly around the area, his hands waving continuously. His two palms seemed to be adorned with twin crimson light-swords, each two feet long.

These two light-swords appeared utterly real; anything they touched would instantly be reduced to ash.

The sheer power unleashed by the Zhenqi from the Blazing Fire Art instantly filled He Yiming with an incomparable, surging confidence.

Xiantian versus Houtian—the gap was truly that immense. Even a Houtian expert at the peak of the Tenth Level probably wouldn't withstand a single move from him.

Before reaching the Xiantian realm, one could never truly comprehend the actual disparity between the two stages.

Suddenly, He Yiming, who had been leaping about like an agile ape, stopped. He frowned slightly, and the twin light-swords on his hands vanished.

While manifesting two light-swords extending from his hands looked magnificent and achieved excellent results, the consumption of Zhenqi was terrifyingly high. For He Yiming, who had just entered this realm, this was a burden he could not sustain for long.

Although having become a Xiantian expert meant he could absorb a certain energy from the outside world to quickly replenish lost Zhenqi, this replenishment speed had its limit. If the rate of expenditure far outpaced the rate of replenishment, he would be unable to employ such techniques.

He spent an entire day in the valley, practicing every martial technique he had mastered.

He could now definitively confirm that Houtian techniques remained Houtian techniques; even in the hands of a Xiantian expert, they could not exert the might of Innate Martial Skills.

As for Innate Martial Skills, the Hidden Needle Seal was an Innate cultivation method he had secretly learned, so that went without saying. As for the Thirty-Six Styles of Mountain Splitting, upon advancing to Xiantian, he had managed to cultivate a full four stances at once.

Though he desperately wished to continue practicing, he found himself stuck at the seventeenth stance.

The diagram for the seventeenth stance was extremely comical, resembling a person flying a kite, and it demanded a level of Zhenqi that was terrifyingly high—far beyond what He Yiming could currently exert.

He tried it forcefully once, resulting in his Zhenqi surging wildly upwards, nearly destroying his meridians completely.

At this point, He Yiming confirmed that starting from the seventeenth stance, these techniques were beyond his current capability.

However, even with just four stances, He Yiming was thoroughly satisfied, because the might of any one of these stances far surpassed any Houtian technique, and each could draw upon a trace of Heaven and Earth Qi to enhance its power.

He was confident that if he encountered another Golden Crown Python now, he would no longer need to resort to that mutually damaging final move that depleted all his Neijin.

Simply using these four newly mastered stances would be enough to easily slay the spirit beast on the spot.

After a day of experimentation, He Yiming had gained an initial understanding of the Xiantian realm. Of course, this was all discovered through his own groping; there was still a long road ahead before he could truly grasp it.

His figure flickering, he left the valley and headed towards Yingfeng City.

At the same time, he made a decision in his heart: once the Long-Armed Badger finished making that set of undergarments, it would be time for him to depart.

※※※※

At the Xie Residence, the place was already bustling with distinguished guests.

Those qualified to be present were all core members of the Xie family, along with the leaders of the other three great families who stood alongside the Xie family in the Fire Crow Nation.

After Prince Ting Minghe of the Royal Family arrived, the masters of the other two great families also made it a point to come personally.

Like Ting Minghe, they had all assumed that Elder Xie Zhi'en of the Xie family had broken through the limit barrier and entered the Xiantian realm. However, when they learned the truth, the shock felt by every single one of them was profound.

Subsequently, they tacitly agreed to stay at the Xie Residence, a request the Xie family naturally could not refuse.

Currently, the small courtyard where Xie Mingjin resided had been completely tidied up. Aside from a massive skylight cut into the ceiling of the meditation room and scattered marks left by scuffing stones nearby, it was virtually identical to how it was before.

Xie Mingjin himself occupied this courtyard, but he had set aside the best room for someone else.

He felt a touch of unease, as he had no way of confirming whether He Yiming would actually return here. Although he knew a Xiantian expert would surely honor his promise, he couldn't help but feel anxious and apprehensive.

Suddenly, a clear, hearty laugh echoed from the courtyard: "Brother Xie, why are you the only one here? Did you send all the servants inside away?"

Xie Mingjin sprang up from his chair and rushed out of the room, his heart’s heavy stone instantly lifting when he saw the refreshed and smiling He Yiming.

"Brother He, you have finally returned," Xie Mingjin sighed with immense relief.

He Yiming turned and glanced toward a specific courtyard. "Brother Xie, who is residing over there?"

Xie Mingjin gave a wry smile. "They are the powerhouses from the other three great families of our nation." He paused, a flicker of reverence in his eyes. "Master He, they have all come to pay their respects to you."

"Master He?" He Yiming could not help but smile wryly. "Why are you calling me Master He?"

Xie Mingjin's expression grew solemn. "In our Northwest Principalities, any powerhouse who has stepped into the Xiantian realm is honored with the title of Master. Wait... you didn't know?"

He Yiming shook his head blankly. Having lived in Taicang County, he had absolutely no opportunity to encounter Xiantian experts; how could he know such things?

Xie Mingjin stared at him for a moment, completely speechless. "Master He..."

He Yiming waved a hand. "Brother Xie, though we have known each other only a few days, we are kindred spirits. Let us address each other as brothers."

Had he been a few years older and gained more worldly experience, he might have calmly accepted the change in address from Xie Mingjin. But ultimately, he was still a fifteen-year-old boy, and he truly held Xie Mingjin in high regard, so being called Master He made him inherently uncomfortable.

A flash of excitement crossed Xie Mingjin's eyes; he understood the significance of those words.

Nodding deeply, he said, "Very well, Brother He. Among these guests, it doesn't matter whether you meet the patriarchs of the Mu family and the Luo family or not. However, it would be best if you could spare some time to meet Ting Minghe from the Royal Family."

He Yiming paused slightly and asked, "Why? Is it because of the Royal Family?"

"No, the Ting family may be royalty, but that is not why I suggest you meet him," Xie Mingjin said, trying to keep his tone even. "In our Fire Crow Nation, there is a Xiantian realm expert stationed in the capital."

He Yiming’s eyes immediately brightened. He asked gravely, "Is he a member of the Royal Family?"

"That's right; it is Master Ting Shiguang of the Royal Family," Xie Mingjin nodded gently, his voice filled with respect. "According to Great-Uncle, Master Ting Shiguang is already one hundred and fifty years old—a figure of an even elder generation than Great-Uncle. Ever since he advanced to the Xiantian realm, he has served as our Fire Crow Nation's Guardian Master."

Xie Mingjin’s tone betrayed no concealment of his respect for this veteran Xiantian powerhouse.

He Yiming's heart stirred slightly, and he asked, "Brother Xie, in our Northwest Principalities, does every nation have a Xiantian realm expert?"

Xie Mingjin hesitated for a moment. "Basically, every nation does, but not all Xiantian experts make public appearances. So, even if some nations don't have a Guardian Master, no one dares to provoke them lightly."

He Yiming nodded slowly. Although he didn't know if the Tianluo Nation had a Guardian Master, he now understood that the Tianluo Nation certainly had hidden experts in the Xiantian realm.

His thoughts shifted. "When you ask me to meet Ting Minghe, does that mean Ting Shiguang wishes to see me?"

"Precisely." Xie Mingjin looked at He Yiming with surprise, impressed that he had grasped the truth in such a short time.

He Yiming pondered for a moment, then made up his mind. "Very well, Brother Xie, please help me introduce them."

"Them?" Xie Mingjin asked in astonishment.

"Yes, if meeting one means meeting them, then meeting three is the same—there's no need to separate them," He Yiming said casually.

Xie Mingjin immediately understood. He shot He Yiming a grateful glance and led the way out of the courtyard.

Meeting one person was certainly different from meeting three. Moreover, the request for introduction carried an obvious implication—how could he not be grateful?

Within this courtyard, although there were no servants, outside its confines, no fewer than dozens of pairs of eyes were fixed intently on the area.

The news of He Yiming’s reappearance spread as if on wings to the ears of the Xie Nuanhang brothers.

When Xie Mingjin led He Yiming into the main hall, the two brothers had already arrived ahead of time and ordered the representatives of the three great families to assemble.

A moment later, the three walked in side-by-side into the Xie Residence's main hall.

He Yiming’s gaze swept over them, instantly taking in the appearance of the three.

One was a refined, scholarly middle-aged man; another was a burly, robust man; and the third was quite unexpected—a middle-aged woman whose charm had not faded with age.

As the three entered the main hall, their gazes immediately fixed upon He Yiming, and expressions of profound shock and disbelief crossed their faces.

Xie Nuanhang had merely told them that his family had gained a friend, but he had not mentioned He Yiming’s age. They had assumed this person would be either a highly respected elder or, at the very least, a vigorous middle-aged man.

Yet, looking at He Yiming’s features and demeanor, he seemed like a young man, or perhaps even a boy.

A thought suddenly struck them: Could this not be the powerhouse who had broken through to the Xiantian realm?

However, in the main hall, besides the Xie brothers, there was only Xie Mingjin.

They were not unfamiliar with Xie Mingjin. For them to believe that Xie Mingjin had reached the Xiantian realm would be less believable than the army of the Great Shen Nation marching down tomorrow to annihilate the entire Northwest Principalities.

When the three entered, the Xie Nuanhang brothers had already risen, and Xie Mingjin had not sat down at all. As for He Yiming, he remained casually seated in the grand armchair, glancing over only once before making no further movement.

Yet, it was precisely this arrogant attitude that made the three uneasy and their suspicions deepen.

Xie Mingjin cleared his throat lightly, took a step forward, and said, "Brother He, this is His Highness Prince Ting Minghe of our Fire Crow Nation's Royal Family. This is Lord Mu Yuan, the current head of the Mu family. And this is Madam Luo Xin, the current head of the Luo family."

As Xie Mingjin spoke, the three immediately confirmed their suspicions. For figures of their stature to be introduced last, while the young man remained completely unmoved, there was only one possible explanation.

A Xiantian expert—only a Xiantian expert could disregard secular rites and stand above worldly power.

However, what surprised and baffled them was that Xie Mingjin referred to that person as "Brother He." What exactly was the relationship between them?

In that instant, the status of this Xie family young master, who hadn't been highly regarded, soared in their minds.

He Yiming inclined his head slightly toward them, his gaze lingering a moment longer on Luo Xin.

For a woman to overcome men and become a family head was exceedingly rare. At least, in He Yiming's memory, she was absolutely the only one of her kind.

Luo Xin wore a respectful smile. If any other brash youth had dared to stare at her so carelessly with a look of surprise, she would have, without a second thought, dug out his eyes.

But facing He Yiming, she dared not entertain such a thought, not even a flicker of it.

Xie Mingjin turned and said, "To the three uncles, this is my good friend, Master He Yiming."

A look of astonishment flickered in the eyes of Ting Minghe and the other two. This indeed was a powerhouse who had attained the Xiantian realm, but unexpectedly, he was Xie Mingjin's personal friend.

Consequently, Xie Mingjin's standing in their eyes rose continuously, immediately reaching parity with Xie Nuanhang, perhaps even surpassing Xie Nuanyi.

"Greetings, Master He," Ting Minghe and the other two said in unison, bowing deeply to the ground.

Facing a Xiantian powerhouse, no amount of reverence was too much.

He Yiming hesitated for a moment before returning the courtesy. His good upbringing since childhood made him unaccustomed to being treated with such profound respect by elders.

However, this return salute unequivocally exposed his inexperience, causing all three old foxes to ponder internally. Even though they had indeed witnessed the strange phenomena in the Xie Residence, a sliver of doubt crept in—could this youth, clearly unfamiliar with the ways of the world, truly be a Xiantian expert?

He Yiming keenly captured the trace of suspicion in their eyes and could not help but frown slightly, a powerful aura naturally emanating from him.

Ps: Another chapter in two minutes ^_^