A light breeze drifted by, and at that moment, He Yiming’s body, along with the formidable Great Saber strapped to his back, seemed to lose all weight, carried aloft by the current.

He closed his eyes slightly, meticulously sensing the residual aura lingering in the air.

Lu Xinwen had escaped as if nothing had happened after losing an arm. Others might not have noticed, but He Yiming clearly perceived that the vast, nearly overflowing life essence within Lu Xinwen had been completely severed by that single strike.

The power of that blade light had reached an astonishing level; even He Yiming himself had not anticipated it.

Of course, had Lu Xinwen not already engaged in a protracted battle with He Yiming beforehand, and had he not expected He Yiming to possess such a terrifying trump card, He Yiming could not have struck him down in a manner close to a sneak attack.

He held deep admiration for the old man.

Setting aside everything else, the mere fact that he could still cling to a vibrant spark of life and flee at an unparalleled speed, despite his physical functions being entirely extinguished, was far beyond the imagination of ordinary people.

Perhaps only such tenacity, such quality of will, allowed him the qualification to ascend to the Innate Realm.

A moment later, He Yiming’s eyes fluttered open; he had already sensed the direction of Lu Xinwen’s escape through the lingering energy. Moreover, he noticed this sensation growing stronger, indicating he was gradually closing the distance.

Naturally, the suffocating scent of death pervading the air was also intensifying, which meant Lu Xinwen could not hold on much longer.

With a slight shift in thought, the Innate Qi within He Yiming surged like great waves.

Threads of True Qi rolled through his meridians and acupoints like flowing water. As this True Qi circulated, an incredible transformation began to manifest on He Yiming’s body.

The muscles on his face rapidly withered, and his limbs became as rigid as wooden stakes. At a glance, the man appeared entirely changed.

The Xu family’s Withered Wood Technique became even more miraculous upon reaching the Innate Realm. When the Innate True Qi circulated according to this technique, He Yiming’s body was virtually indistinguishable from a dead log.

A vast amount of aura radiated from him, yet this aura seemed entirely different from human presence; it blended perfectly with the surrounding mountain forest environment.

If a blindfolded Innate expert approached him at that moment, ninety percent of them would mistake him for a dense, thousand-year-old ancient tree.

When Lu Xinwen paused, he had used his final surge of True Qi—a final burst of life—to scan the surroundings.

He felt secure leaving his origins and the parchment to Fan Hao, primarily because he had no one else to trust in that place, and more importantly, because he was certain He Yiming would not pursue him.

It was already remarkable that He Yiming mastered both Earth and Water element techniques. Thus, the True Qi Lu Xinwen sensed for was focused on detecting Earth element fields and Water element powers. If He Yiming were close, the Water and Earth auras surrounding him would be a hundred times stronger than elsewhere.

When He Yiming activated the Withered Wood Technique, the Wood element aura around him shone intensely, like a lamp. However, no matter how Lu Xinwen speculated, he would never have guessed this belonged to He Yiming.

At the moment of his death, Lu Xinwen found it incredible that He Yiming could cultivate multiple different elemental techniques simultaneously, but precisely because of this, he was even less likely to believe He Yiming could also cultivate a Wood element technique.

Since he sensed no anomaly in the presence of those elements, Lu Xinwen concluded that He Yiming must have given up the pursuit.

Yet, Lu Xinwen remained unaware that He Yiming mastered not just Earth, Metal, and Water True Qi, but possessed the body complete with all Five Elements.

Therefore, as He Yiming slowly, incrementally drew nearer, Lu Xinwen and the other individual remained completely oblivious.

Indeed, after activating the Withered Wood Technique, He Yiming even ceased breathing, suppressing his human life signs to an extreme degree—a feat that even the Breath Holding Art could not easily achieve.

Stealthily hiding a hundred meters away, He Yiming extended his True Qi, allowing it to travel through the energy of the surrounding foliage. In this dense jungle, any increase in the Wood element energy between heaven and earth would not arouse suspicion.

As he concentrated, he took in every word of their conversation.

Initially, He Yiming remained calm, especially after hearing Lu Xinwen advise Fan Hao against immediate revenge; he had decided to spare them both. However, he never anticipated the vicious oath Fan Hao would swear once Lu Xinwen died, leaving him alone.

He vowed to annihilate the entire Yuan and He families, ensuring He Yiming would live in eternal suffering.

If Fan Hao were to succeed, He Yiming’s remaining life would indeed be steeped in the misery Fan Hao desired.

The thought ignited a fierce killing intent within He Yiming.

Even when he had heard the Xiao brothers plotting to have Lu Xinwen eliminate the He family, his resolve to kill had never been as absolute as it was now.

Especially after hearing Fan Hao’s resounding words, He Yiming understood that only one side—either the He family or Fan Hao—could survive; this hatred could never be resolved.

With a slight shift in posture, he moved, springing forward like a wooden stake.

Mid-air, the Withered Wood Technique within him morphed into the Wavy Ripple Technique, flowing and meandering like a stream.

The muscles on his body swelled rapidly, and within just a few movements, he had reverted to his original appearance. If he changed his outer garment now, absolutely no one would connect him to the withered figure he had been moments before.

Despite the change in technique, He Yiming landed silently.

Having confirmed Lu Xinwen’s demise, He Yiming naturally relaxed his caution; he no longer needed to tread so carefully.

Fan Hao, merely at the peak of the Seventh Layer of Internal Strength, was not worth such great apprehension.

Rounding a corner, he arrived outside the shallow depression where Fan Hao was digging, clearly intending to bury Lu Xinwen on the spot.

He Yiming sighed softly, channeling strength into his arms.

This sigh produced no audible sound, yet Fan Hao, who was digging, paused as if sensing something. His movements stiffened abruptly, and then he slowly turned around.

When he saw He Yiming standing before the depression, the flush of excitement on his face vanished instantly.

Then, his eyes flashed with viciousness, filled with a chilling resentment that made one’s blood run cold.

Under his gaze, He Yiming frowned slightly; he intensely disliked that look.

“You actually came. I never thought you could deceive even esteemed Uncle-Ancestor,” the voice sounded as if spat out between clenched teeth, dripping with audible hatred.

Since He Yiming had tracked him, he must have heard his final words. Knowing his intentions, Fan Hao understood He Yiming would certainly not let him go.

“Yes, I came,” He Yiming said softly, looking at the now closed eyes of Lu Xinwen. “Truthfully, he didn’t have to die. If your Fan family hadn't coveted the Yuan family’s estate, then he, his three disciples, your father, and you… wouldn’t have needed to die.”

For some reason, an overwhelming sense of melancholy welled up in He Yiming’s heart. It felt suffocating if he didn't speak these words aloud.

Perhaps it was related to an Innate expert dying by his hand.

The once glorious Fan family, because they coveted what did not belong to them, could not escape the fate of annihilation, even with the aid of an Innate expert.

Although He Yiming was young, during his time with Yuan Chengzhi, he had learned some things.

If Yuan Chengzhi were to spare the Fan family, it would be easier to see the sun rise in the west.

Given Yuan Chengzhi’s character, he would not only seize all of the Fan family’s assets but likely not spare even their remnants.

However, this was all of their own making; even He Yiming could not interfere.

All they could do was rightfully claim their share in this grand feast.

An unnatural red tinge appeared on Fan Hao’s face, and he sneered, “Our Fan family was strong, the Yuan family weak, and we even received the handles and excuses. Why shouldn't we seek their foundation? We simply didn't expect the Yuan family to invite someone like you…”

Hearing Fan Hao’s naked, undisguised explanation, He Yiming’s heart suddenly turned cold.

Was today’s Yuan family not the He family of tomorrow?

No matter how prosperous the He family appeared today, if they were ever to weaken, other families would surely attempt to take their place.

At that moment, a new goal faintly formed in He Yiming’s mind: he absolutely had to make the He family a great lineage that endured for a thousand years, like the Lin family of Linlang or the Xie family of Huo Wu.

Only families with such intricate networks, deeply entrenched influence across various regions, and boundless reserves of heritage could possibly deter and handle the challenges posed by waves of newly rising clans.

Though Fan Hao mocked him verbally, his body dared not move an inch.

Even facing certain death, he was unwilling to perish immediately. Thus, he dared not move, lest he trigger a misunderstanding from He Yiming, which would leave him unable to withstand even a single move.

Fan Hao’s gaze drifted downward, settling on his chest.

There rested a parchment scroll, given to him by Lu Xinwen just before his death. The old man’s final wish was for his unique techniques to be inherited, and if they could not last forever, they must not end with him.

But Fan Hao’s sole thought now was how to destroy this map without leaving a trace.

He knew he was doomed, but even in death, he could not let this map fall into He Yiming’s hands, nor allow him to find that cave dwelling and claim Lu Xinwen’s last possessions.

His eyes darted about rapidly, and a trace of sweat appeared on his brow. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. “Master He, I know I must die today and dare not beg for mercy, but please allow me to finish digging this pit, properly inter Master Lu, and then take my own life.”

He Yiming paused for a moment before replying, “Very well.”

Fan Hao bowed, turned, picked up a rough stone strip, and jumped into the half-dug pit to continue digging.

He subtly glanced toward He Yiming, pretending it was unconscious, and saw that his gaze remained fixed on Lu Xinwen, seemingly contemplating something beyond his comprehension.

He rejoiced inwardly, then turned to block He Yiming’s view, deftly reaching into his robes.

With his Seventh Layer Internal Strength, a firm squeeze would completely destroy the map, ensuring that even if it fell into He Yiming’s hands, nothing useful could be salvaged.

However, the moment his fingers brushed against the parchment, the look of relief, twisted malice, and smug satisfaction on his face froze instantly.

Because he suddenly realized he could not move. Not only was his Internal Strength paralyzed, but his body refused to obey any command.

He Yiming’s figure emerged from behind him, looking at him openly. “Since Brother Fan knows he is doomed, the map Brother Lu gifted you must be useless to you now. Therefore…” He sighed softly. “This map shall be preserved by me. I will fulfill Brother Lu’s wish and prevent his lineage’s learning from dying out here.”

Fan Hao’s face turned ashen. His body slumped limply; only his mouth could move. His eyes bulged with rage, his face swollen like a piece of red-hot iron, stubbornly biting his thin lower lip with his well-maintained white teeth. If looks could burn, He Yiming would surely be engulfed in flames now.

“You—you would even steal from Uncle-Ancestor! May you die a terrible death.”

He Yiming let out a dry laugh. “Brother Fan, didn't you just say the Yuan family was weak and the Fan family strong, thus you were naturally entitled to take over? Now, you are weak, and I am strong. Why shouldn’t I take over?”

Fan Hao started, his lips trembling a few times. Two streams of bright red fluid suddenly burst from the corners of his eyes. Then he burst into loud laughter, the sound carrying far until his throat grew hoarse and unpleasant, like grinding stone and metal.

Finally, his laughter subsided, and he muttered faintly, “Retribution. Retribution. We face retribution; you will surely face it too.”

His voice faded, and with a sudden spasm, he spat out half of his tongue. A large volume of bright red blood gushed from his mouth.

He Yiming did not intervene, merely showing a flicker of pity in his eyes as he watched silently on the spot.

Not long after, Fan Hao’s body convulsed a few times and then lay still forever.

He Yiming shook his head slightly and reached out, picking up the crude stone strip Fan Hao had dropped. He jumped into the pit and took over Fan Hao’s work, quickly digging a deep hole.

Beyond the He family lands lay the wilderness of the endless mountain range, so He Yiming knew that burying corpses in the forest required digging deep pits. Otherwise, wild beasts would drag the remains out and devour them until not even bones remained.

Although Lu Xinwen was dead, he was, after all, a top-tier Innate expert, and his body could not be left exposed in the wilderness.

Even if the current conditions were insufficient, he deserved a proper burial.

As for Fan Hao, although the Fan family deserved their downfall, after this incident, He Yiming understood a principle.

The strong survive, the weak perish—this is the sole truth of this world. The Fan family acted as they did in pursuit of establishing their eternal foundation.

Only through absolute personal strength could one avoid being replaced by other clans.

In their actions, were they truly wrong?

Moreover, there was a forbidden area in He Yiming’s heart—a question he dared not ask, nor dare he dwell upon.

Forty years ago, Old Master He Wude, armed with a Great Saber, and He Laibao established the He Family Village together.

In the process, how much blood must have been spilled? How many small families were utterly destroyed for their sake?

Or perhaps, could they have established the He Family Village without harming others?

Though he respected his grandfather and Master Bao immensely, and knew their power was formidable in Taicang County, achieving such a feat likely exceeded their capabilities.

Therefore, he refused to consider or touch upon these matters. If he could live as a turtle hiding in its shell, he would gladly do so for a lifetime.

After digging the pit deep enough, he placed the corpses of Lu Xinwen and Fan Hao inside and buried them deeply.

The depth of the pit he dug exceeded two meters; ordinary beasts would not be able to unearth them.

Of course, before burying them, He Yiming searched their bodies and took anything that might be useful.

Since they were about to be interred, these items held no value to the dead; it was better for him to keep them, perhaps they would serve some purpose.

Lu Xinwen’s body yielded nothing significant, but He Yiming found some good things on Fan Hao.

Besides the specially made parchment scroll, there were several gold ingots and a bottle of pills.

Uncorking the bottle and inhaling the scent, He Yiming’s expression changed slightly. Inside were Essence Golden Pills—five of them in total.

He Yiming immediately realized these pills likely did not belong to Fan Hao but were taken from Lu Xinwen.

No wonder an Innate expert carried nothing on him—he had already been looted once. It was just that Fan Hao, despite obtaining the golden pills and the map, would soon follow Lu Xinwen’s footsteps, never getting the chance to enhance his strength.

Collecting all his spoils, He Yiming spread out the parchment scroll.