Stretching his sight afar, the distance was a swirl of mist and cloud! Through that vapor, the faintly discernible peaks shifted into myriad whimsical shapes; sometimes like scattering celestial maidens, sometimes like staff-wielding elders, sometimes like apes offering peaches, sometimes like wild horses straining at the reins...

In this thin, early morning haze, they flickered in and out of view, seeming both distant and near. Though the paths chosen by He Wude and He Laibao diverged initially, neither had ever expected that they would ultimately converge at some point.

Even though it had been forty years since they last set foot in Hengshan, this place would forever remain etched in their hearts. After several more days of travel, at first, He Yiming had assumed the elders were simply slowing their pace out of consideration for Yuan Lixun, who walked more slowly.

But as their destination drew closer, He Yiming began to perceive that the two old men were actually experiencing immense trepidation. It was not fear, but excitement—a feeling utterly indescribable.

In Taicang County, they had repeatedly declared their intention to return to Hengshan, to astound those who had mocked them forty years prior, saying they would never possibly return to the sect, and to force them to retrieve and swallow every insult they had ever uttered. Yet, as they truly approached Hengshan, they were overcome by a familiar sense of trepidation upon nearing home.

At this moment, the two elders gazed upon that distant expanse of massive, undulating peaks, their expressions having become impossibly complex. He Yiming watched them and finally asked, "Grandfather, have we arrived?" He Wude let out a long sigh.

"Indeed, we have arrived." As if startled awake from some intense emotional state, his spirit lifted, and he called out robustly, "Let us go." He Laibao also let out a hearty laugh. "Go." The two elders strode forward, their bodies ramrod straight as javelins, and beneath their constantly moving feet, there seemed to be the gestation of an ultimate, immense power.

He Yiming watched them, astonished. In this instant, though there were only two of them, they evoked in him a sudden, magnificent sensation, as if facing a vast army of a thousand chariots and ten thousand cavalry.

This feeling should never have manifested in a Houtian realm cultivator, yet at this moment, He Yiming clearly sensed that due to their intense, unprecedented emotional surge, they had undergone a miraculous change with some external force—a change He Yiming could not have possibly anticipated. A frenzied vision of ten thousand horses galloping erupted in his mind.

Although the aura emanating from the two elders was still far from achieving that state, a nascent form of it was vaguely discernible. He Yiming sighed deeply, his eyes shining brightly, as if he had touched upon some crucial secret in his heart.

But alas, this sensation was merely a fleeting glimpse, vanishing instantly and becoming elusive once more. "Young Master, what is wrong?" Yuan Lixun inquired softly.

A subtle sense of tacit communication had already developed between her and He Yiming; merely through his minute reactions, she knew his current mood seemed troubled. He Yiming offered her a smile, his voice lowered as well.

"Nothing. I just recalled a certain cultivation technique, but sadly, I haven't grasped its essence yet." Yuan Lixun comforted him.

"Young Master, I believe you will certainly grasp it." He Yiming nodded firmly, his gaze brimming with strong self-assurance. They walked forward hand-in-hand, keeping pace with the two elders.

※※※※ That stretch of peaks seemed close at hand, but as the party walked on, they discovered the journey was far from short. It took a full half-day, even at He Wude's pace, to reach the foot of those mountains.

The scenery here appeared no different from other places, yet He Yiming spotted a path winding through the forest. This path was quite distinct, clearly trodden out of the mountainside by countless crossings over untold years.

Once they stepped onto this path, the agitation of the two elders intensified noticeably. However, judging purely by their external appearance, their expressions remained utterly calm.

If He Yiming hadn't known them so well and hadn't accompanied them on this entire journey, he might truly never have sensed the surging, wave-like intensity within their hearts. He Wude paused briefly on the small trail, then bent down and inhaled deeply from a wildflower by the path's edge.

He closed his eyes, and in that moment, it seemed his entire consciousness was immersed within the sensation, as he wholeheartedly savored the fragrance of that wild bloom, as if the most tranquil moment of his life was unfolding right there. He Yiming's eyes brightened upon witnessing this; he felt a sensation akin to viewing a peerless masterpiece of painting.

The elder He Wude exhibited a state where he seemed to have merged completely with the surrounding heavens and earth. It was as if he was an intrinsic part of this landscape; if he were removed, a black void would appear in the natural scene, rendering it disharmonious.

He Yiming marveled inwardly. The elder was clearly not a Xiantian realm cultivator, yet upon approaching Hengshan, he displayed one astonishing capability after another—phenomena only observable in Xiantian powerhouses.

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, He Yiming truly would not have believed it. He quietly observed his grandfather, seeming to glean some profound lesson from the old man.

It was a pure feeling, an indescribable sensation. Not only could it not be articulated in words, but even he himself did not know what it truly was.

Yet, he had a distinct feeling that if he could truly comprehend this power, it would provide unparalleled assistance to his martial cultivation. The elder suddenly stood up, glanced ahead, and resumed his journey forward.

The moment he stood, that wondrous sense of integration with the natural world vanished. He Yiming frowned slightly, unable to help but feel a pang of regret.

This was an exceedingly rare opportunity, not just for him, but for his grandfather as well. If the elder could enter this state frequently, even though he was not a dual-element cultivator, he might have a chance to advance to the Xiantian realm.

But this state was purely an accidental byproduct; it was far from easy for a Houtian cultivator to attain. The probability was likely even lower than a Xiantian expert achieving sudden enlightenment.

※※※※ The peak He Wude was advancing toward was the tallest among the surrounding mountains. Halfway up the slope, the path ahead abruptly opened up, and rows of neatly carved stone steps suddenly appeared before the group after a sharp bend.

If the road behind had been a rugged trail through dense woods, what lay before them now was a true grand avenue. Looking up, the path seemed endless.

He Yiming sighed with admiration. It was worthy of a sect with a three-thousand-year heritage to have engineered such a massive structure within the deep mountains and old forests.

He truly wondered how they managed it under these conditions. Did the entire sect join forces so that cultivation became unnecessary?

Just as He Yiming was gazing into the distance, a flash of light shimmered from above, followed immediately by a sharp, piercing whistle that shot toward them like an arrow. A silver arrow tore down along the side of the path with great force, but it wasn't aimed at them; instead, it lodged firmly into the stone steps ten meters to their side.

"Similar to Big Brother He Yitian, Inner Strength Eighth Layer," He Yiming's voice cut through the air abruptly. His voice was not loud, but it was just right for the two elders ahead to hear.

He Wude and He Laibao paused slightly, then watched as a figure sprinted down from the mountain. This person stopped ten meters from them, near the silver arrow.

He was a young man around twenty-five, lean and upright in stature, with a stern countenance. His dark eyebrows spread like an eagle's wings, and the high arch of his brow dipped slightly, shooting two bone-chilling glares from deep-set eyes.

Seeing He Yiming's party, the man murmured to himself. Among this group, there were only elders and a woman, and the only young man seemed far too juvenile based on his looks.

He was inherently cautious, yet at this juncture, he couldn't fathom their intentions. Moreover, in his memory, he had never encountered these people before.

Thus, he maintained a cold expression and stated, "Sirs, this area is a critical zone for the Hengshan lineage. If you have arrived here by accident, I must ask you to turn back." He Wude looked at the young man, exchanged a glance with He Laibao, and finally understood what He Yiming’s remark had meant.

This young man, comparable in age to Yitian, possessed cultivation at the Eighth Layer of Inner Strength—a prodigy among the younger generation, even within Hengshan. However, a hint of astonishment touched their eyes.

When He Yiming made his statement, this person hadn't even appeared yet. How could he have deduced the man's age and cultivation level?

That was truly remarkable. Did every Xiantian Master possess some form of X-ray vision?

Unbeknownst to them, He Yiming did not possess X-ray vision, but he had the 'Wind-Following Ear' divine skill, which was arguably superior to simple sight. Furthermore, aside from Xiantian Masters of the Wind element, it was extremely difficult for other Xiantian powerhouses to learn this arcane secret.

He Wude collected his thoughts and replied amiably, "Young man, we have not lost our way. We have come here specifically for Hengshan." The young man's expression instantly shifted, and his feet parted slightly.

With just that minor adjustment, a powerful, chilling aura erupted from him, sweeping toward them with the slow mountain breeze. He Wude's aged face showed no sign of irritation.

Upon seeing such an outstanding youth from the Hengshan lineage, instead of jealousy, a sense of pride welled up within him. Look, this is the caliber of Hengshan disciples...

Seemingly sensing the goodwill emanating from He Wude, the young man's expression gradually softened. Although he remained vigilant, the oppressive aura around him subsided considerably.

He Wude nodded slightly. "Young man, we mean no harm.

We are here seeking an audience with Daoist Yao of Lingyao Peak." The youth's recently eased demeanor suddenly tensed again. His lips clamped shut, and his imposing aura intensified.

This time, the chilling presence he exuded was even stronger than before. Yuan Lixun shivered slightly, feeling a creeping chill against her body from the impact of the aura.

He Yiming frowned slightly, then waved his robe slightly, letting out a gentle surge of presence. However, this aura hovered only around himself and Yuan Lixun.

Upon encountering the opponent's fierce aura, it acted like a soft, misty wall, gently pushing the hostile energy aside, entirely without fanfare or even making the youth aware of the defense. The ability to manipulate True Qi to this extent demonstrated that his mastery over mist was truly at the stage of complete spontaneity, without the slightest impedance.

The young man's face grew grave. While he wasn't yet panicked, a clear intention to retreat began to surface.

These four looked like two elderly men, a woman, and a young man whose age was clearly less than his own. Yet, under the maximal pressure of his cultivated presence, all four appeared completely unfazed, as if they hadn't registered the powerful aura of an Eighth Layer Inner Strength master like himself.

In that instant, he realized these four were powerful—at least their Inner Strength cultivation levels were not inferior to his own. He took a deep breath.

"You have traveled far, and in principle, I should not obstruct you. However, Daoist Yao of Lingyao Peak is currently refining a spiritual medicine and is likely too preoccupied to receive guests." He Wude paused, considering the situation.

Although there were three other peaks within Hengshan, housing two other elders and the supreme Grand Elder, He Wude had no desire to trouble them. After all, the reason he was expelled from Hengshan in the first place was due to the insistence of those elders; if Daoist Yao hadn't vigorously protected him, he might have lost his entire cultivation base here.

After a moment of thought, he finally asked, "Young man, is He Wujin of Lingyao Peak present?" The young man blinked, a trace of respect coloring his expression. "Senior, you know Ancestor Master He?" A nostalgic look crossed He Wude's eyes.

"I have known him for over seventy years." The young man's expression immediately changed, his imposing aura completely vanishing, replaced by a look of embarrassment. "Senior, since you are acquainted with Ancestor Master He, please rest a moment in the pavilion halfway up the mountain, and allow me to send word?" He Wude asked, surprised, "Wasn't that Welcome Pavilion halfway up the mountain destroyed long ago?

Has it been rebuilt in the last few decades?" Hearing this, the young man was finally certain the elder wasn't speaking lightly. He smiled.

"Senior, the Welcome Pavilion was indeed ruined when I was young, but it was reconstructed ten years ago under the order of Ancestor Master Lian of Fenghuo Peak." He Wude nodded slightly. Accompanied by the youth, the group ascended the steps and, in moments, reached a pavilion nestled around the bend.

This pavilion was simple yet elegant, spacious and bright. Though not luxurious, it possessed an air of imposing dignity.

Along the way, He Yiming and the others had learned that this young man was a grand-disciple of Elder Lian Yi of Fenghuo Peak in the Hengshan lineage. His name was Zibowan.

By He Wude's generation, he and He Yitian and He Yiming were considered martial brothers of the same generation. However, He Yiming was now a master of the Xiantian realm, and even if he were to join the Hengshan lineage, he would be a figure on par with the Three Great Elders, far surpassing what this young man could hope to achieve.

The pavilion even featured a dedicated area for boiling water and brewing tea; the kettle set on the stand was already boiling fiercely. Zibowan served them tea, apologizing slightly awkwardly.

"This place should normally have at least two guards, but in the last decade, very few guests have actually arrived here. So, usually, it's just one person.

Please forgive any discourtesy." He Wude waved his hand. "Young man, you are too polite.

We have traveled far to reach this place; having a cup of tea is more than satisfactory." Zibowan bowed slightly. "May I ask for Senior's proper designation?

I will report to Ancestor Master He immediately." He Wude pondered for a moment. "Tell him, Wude has arrived." Zibowan appeared momentarily surprised, but finally bowed and sprinted away like the wind.

He Yiming watched him go and asked, surprised, "Grandfather, that Senior He Wujin has a name very similar to yours." He Wude sighed softly. "Wujin, like me, was an orphan taken in by our Master when we were young, and we were partners as his medicine boys.

He is the closest person to me in our lineage." He Yiming suddenly understood and asked, "Grandfather, where did our surname come from?" "It came from our Master, of course," He Wude replied gruffly. "Our Master's original surname was He, but having managed Lingyao Peak in Hengshan for so many years, he later adopted the title Daoist Yao." He Yiming nodded slowly.

He finally understood. The reason his grandfather was so attached to and constantly thinking about the Hengshan lineage was because he longed for Daoist Yao, the Master who had taken him in as a child, raised him, and taught him martial arts.

Although He Yiming hadn't met this Daoist Yao yet, he already felt immense gratitude. Without this Daoist Yao, He Wude might have died tragically long ago, and He Yiming himself would never have been born.

The four sat quietly in the pavilion. He Yiming and Yuan Lixun were composed, but the two elders felt as if sitting on pins and needles.

If an outsider had been present, they could have maintained their composure, but now that the outsider was gone, they found it difficult to suppress their complex emotions. After a few more moments, He Laibao stood up and paced slowly within the pavilion.

With his cultivation at the Tenth Layer of Inner Strength, he still appeared restless, illustrating just how agitated his feelings were. He Yiming suddenly smiled.

"Grandfathers, someone is coming." The two elders immediately turned their gaze toward the peak. After a long pause, they saw a figure rushing down like a flying bird, calling out loudly, "Junior Brother, is that you returned..." Ps: We have finally returned to Hengshan, but the monthly votes have been caught up by the seventy-two!

Send a few more to offer encouragement, and let's blast them back!