In the face of He Yiming's hesitation, Yu Jinglei and the other two offered no hint of urging him.

They all understood that if He Yiming obtained a Golden Core, he would undoubtedly give it to his family.

However, the He family members were, after all, a small fraction compared to the entire Hengshan lineage.

If the Hengshan Sect acquired a Golden Core, regardless of which one, they could select a suitable candidate from among the numerous disciples at the peak of the tenth level of Inner Strength.

But if it were given to the He family, finding a suitable recipient would be much harder.

That cultivation level—the peak of the tenth level of Inner Strength—was like an insurmountable mountain, barring the aspirations of the vast majority.

After a long pause, He Yiming finally extended his hand, tracing the surface of the jade box containing the Fire Element Golden Core.

When he withdrew his hand, the box was gone.

Yu Jinglei smiled and nodded, saying, "Elder He, before you administer the Innate Golden Core to someone, I have one suggestion." He Yiming looked up and respectfully replied, "Please enlighten me, Martial Uncle." "Since arriving at Hengshan, have you noticed any differences here compared to the outside world?" Yu Jinglei asked pleasantly.

He Yiming considered for a moment and replied, "Hengshan is far removed from the clamor of the mundane world.

Especially atop the main peak, the richness of the Heaven and Earth Qi is more than ten times that of the outside world." Yu Jinglei laughed heartily. "Elder He, you should understand my suggestion now." He Yiming nodded solemnly. "Thank you for your guidance, Martial Uncle.

I will certainly bring the person to the summit of the main peak before allowing them to consume the Golden Core." He hesitated slightly, then added, "At that time, I request Martial Uncle's cooperation." The dense Heaven and Earth Qi conferred tremendous benefits upon martial artists' cultivation.

Let alone cultivators reaching the Innate Realm, even those in the Houtian Realm could achieve greater success practicing in the Hengshan region.

Within the Hengshan lineage, although there were only a few Innate Elders, there was no shortage of those whose Inner Strength had reached the peak of the tenth level.

In fact, throughout all of Hengshan, very few relied on consuming Extreme Golden Cores to advance their Inner Strength.

Provided one possessed above-average talent, reaching the peak of the tenth level of Inner Strength here was far less arduous than in the outside world.

This was the most significant difference created by varying cultivation environments.

Of course, those who could cultivate their Inner Strength to the peak of the tenth level in the outside world, especially in large cities, were truly geniuses among talents.

Similarly, if a cultivator attempted to break through to the Innate Realm in this environment, the probability of success would greatly increase.

Suddenly, Yu Jinglei’s expression changed sternly. "Elder He, what you just said is incorrect." He Yiming looked up in surprise, unable to fathom how his words had offended this lofty Supreme Elder.

Elder Lianyi, the master of Hengshan's Wind-Fire Peak, showed his formidable, white teeth—so thick they looked capable of cracking walnuts—as he smiled.

However, although his smile was somewhat unnerving, his voice remained calm and steady: "Elder He, you misunderstood.

Martial Uncle means that the He family is inherently one of the branches of the Hengshan lineage.

Since that relationship exists, coming to the summit of the main peak is entirely natural." Daoist Medicine also nodded cheerfully. "Exactly.

Since we are all one family, there is no need to draw such clear lines." He Yiming looked at these elders with a wry smile, but his heart understood that they were going to great lengths to win him over, hoping he would genuinely integrate into Hengshan.

He nodded deeply. "Martial Uncle, your nephew understands." Only then did Yu Jinglei reveal a smile. "There is still one Golden Core left.

Let us discuss how it should be allocated." He Yiming immediately sealed his lips tightly; on this matter, he would offer absolutely no opinion.

Daoist Medicine considered for a moment. "It is best to preserve it according to the ancestral mandate.

If the main peak Yu family still fails to produce an Innate expert in the future, it can be given to a suitably outstanding disciple of the Yu surname." Lianyi agreed, adding, "That is precisely what should be done." He Yiming was deeply surprised.

The other two were being so generous in yielding the Golden Core to Yu Jinglei, even specifying that a junior of the Yu surname should consume it, all linked to some supposed ancestral mandate.

This turn of events was entirely unexpected.

Yu Jinglei sighed deeply. "I am ashamed.

Since Hong Bing, no Innate expert possessing the dual elemental affinity has emerged from our Yu family.

The last Innate Golden Core in the sect was given to Xichen.

Now, the newly refined Golden Core will likely follow suit.

My Yu family owes too much to the various peaks." Lianyi waved his hand. "Martial Uncle, what are you saying? Ensuring the main peak lineage retains its Innate cultivation is an ancestral instruction passed down from elders of all peaks thousands of years ago.

Now, among the tens of surnames and thousands of people in Hengshan, who doesn't know this, and who would dare defy the ancestral mandate?" He Yiming kept his face impassive, but in his heart he thought: I do not know what is truly going on here.

Elder Yao also nodded. "Martial Uncle, since this is the ancestral mandate of all peaks, it cannot be violated.

You must accept it." Yu Jinglei sighed repeatedly, expressing shame several times, before finally accepting the jade box before him.

Afterward, the group engaged in a little casual conversation before parting ways.

He Yiming’s heart was filled with complex emotions.

When he returned to his residence on Spirit Medicine Peak, he found that not only had Yuan Lixun made all the necessary preparations, but He Wude was also waiting for him personally.

Upon seeing He Yiming, He Wude immediately stood up.

Although the elder said nothing, his blazing eyes revealed his every thought.

He Yiming met his gaze, smiled, and nodded slightly.

The old man’s anxious expression instantly vanished, replaced by one of excitement.

A moment later, He Wude coughed lightly. "Lixun, Yiming and I need to speak privately; you should step out for now." Yuan Lixun responded softly and started to rise.

He Yiming quickly interjected, "Grandfather, Lixun is one of the family; there's no need for secrecy." He Wude paused, and a hint of mischievous amusement gradually surfaced in his eyes.

He Yiming broke into a cold sweat.

No matter how great his achievements, in front of his grandfather, he would always be that diligent young grandson—a fact that would not change despite his rising martial prowess and prestige. "Very well.

Since that is the case, Lixun, you may stay and listen." Yuan Lixun demurely acknowledged the instruction, but excitement flickered in her eyes.

At this moment, she had finally received the recognition of Elder He, and while it was due to He Yiming's influence, what difference did that make? He Yiming took out the jade box and placed it flat on the table.

This Innate Golden Core, enough to make countless people fight desperately and lose their lives, seemed to be treated by him as nothing of consequence.

He Wude extended his slightly trembling hands and gently opened the lid.

A delicate fragrance first permeated the air, invigorating the spirits of the three.

Then, they beheld the marvelous Golden Core, shimmering with faint red threads.

Upon seeing this Golden Core, both He Wude and Yuan Lixun experienced a strange sensation: the core seemed to possess a vitality of its own.

He Wude sighed softly, closed the box, and asked, "Yiming, how do you intend to handle this Golden Core?" He Yiming did not hesitate. "Grandfather, consuming a Golden Core requires reaching the peak of the tenth level of Inner Strength.

Looking throughout He Family Village, only you are qualified to take it, so this is prepared for you." Although there were two other experts at the tenth level of Inner Strength in the village, He Laibao and He Quanxin, their Inner Strength had not yet reached the apex of this threshold, thus rendering them unqualified to consume an Innate Golden Core.

However, He Wude shook his head. "Yiming, I appreciate your kind intentions, but I am already advanced in years and do not wish to take risks, nor do I wish to waste this Golden Core." He Yiming frowned slightly. "Grandfather, how could you be wasting the Golden Core? Your grandson will personally guard you during the process, ensuring your meridians can withstand the impact of Innate True Qi." He said this with absolute confidence, without the slightest hesitation.

When he had just stepped into the Innate Realm, he certainly wouldn't have dared to make such a boast.

But now, after several moments of enlightenment, his strength had reached an extremely high plane.

The three hundred and sixty acupoints within his body felt on the verge of overflowing; at this moment, he stood at the absolute zenith of the Hundred Scattered Heavens stage of the Innate Realm, just one step shy of ascending to the level of a First-Line Heaven expert, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Yu Jinglei.

Although this final step was not easily taken, with his current cultivation, guarding a peak Houtian tenth-level master was more than sufficient.

Unexpectedly, He Wude continued to shake his head. "Yiming, I believe with your strength, you can certainly accomplish that.

But have you considered that I am already over eighty years old? My physical vitality is gradually declining.

Even if I consume the Golden Core, whether I can successfully guide the Innate True Qi into my body remains uncertain.

If I cannot even achieve that, there is no point in speaking of breaking through the limit.

At that point, even if I preserve my old life, this Golden Core will have been wasted." He paused and added with self-mockery, "If I were a dual-elemental affinity expert at the peak of the tenth level of Inner Strength, no matter my age, as long as you were by my side, I would absolutely have to try.

But consuming a Golden Core is still different from breaking through purely through one’s own effort." He Yiming opened his mouth but said nothing.

The old man was correct; for a cultivator past eighty, attempting to advance to the Innate Realm was incredibly difficult.

If He Wude truly consumed the Golden Core, the foreseeable possibility of failure would far outweigh the chance of a successful breakthrough.

However, upon hearing the old man’s words, He Yiming also thought of Old Master Xie Zhi’en, far away in the Fire Crow Nation.

Although that elder was much older than his grandfather, he cultivated both Fire and Wood elements, making the situation naturally different.

He Wude pushed the Golden Core jade box back and said seriously, "Yiming, if you are willing to part with this Golden Core, then let Quanxin take it." He Yiming hesitated. "Grandfather, with Uncle’s current strength, has he perhaps not yet reached the peak of the tenth level?" He Wude nodded solemnly. "It doesn't matter.

I can have Quanxin renounce everything and come to Hengshan to cultivate arduously by himself.

You have seen the cultivation environment here.

With Quanxin's talent and diligence, supplemented by the elixirs gifted by his master, it will take him at most two years to reach the peak of the tenth level, and then he will qualify for the Innate Golden Core." He Yiming considered carefully for a long time, finally nodding, approving his grandfather's proposal.

He stole a glance at the elder and realized with a flash of insight: perhaps the old man had this plan in mind back when he first acquired those two Innate Inner Cores.

However, only after the two Golden Cores were successfully refined did he finally voice this idea formally.

With He Yiming's support secured, He Wude left joyfully.

Judging by the direction he departed, he was clearly going to confer with He Laibao, and Master Bao would likely agree with this plan as well.

Watching the elder depart, He Yiming slowly turned and faced Yuan Lixun, suddenly stating, "Lixun, I will travel the world in the future, traversing all the magnificent landscapes, so our He Family Village must have a true pillar of support.

Even when I am away, I can travel without worry or attachment." Yuan Lixun smiled sweetly. "Young Master, this servant knows.

Your choice of the Eldest Master is also a blessing for the Yuan family." Among the three brothers of the He family's second generation, He Quanxin was undoubtedly the one with the closest ties to the current Yuan family head, Yuan Chengshi.

If He Quanxin became an Innate Master, it would align best with the Yuan family's interests.

He Yiming seemed to hesitate for a moment before finally saying, "Lixun, although the Hengshan lineage lacks Innate Golden Cores, its three-thousand-year heritage means the Medicine Pavilion on Spirit Medicine Peak holds a considerable number of Extreme Golden Cores and Vitality Golden Cores." He paused. "Before I leave Hengshan, I will request some.

Although the majority will be given to my elder uncle for distribution among the clan, I will keep some behind." Yuan Lixun's eyes gradually brightened.

He Yiming’s words were clear enough; if she still couldn't grasp his meaning, she would truly be too dull. "Young Master, are you saying that I also have a chance to reach the tenth level of Inner Strength?" Yuan Lixun asked joyfully.

She harbored no grand ambitions; initially coming to He Yiming’s side was purely for the sake of her younger brother’s future prospects.

But as a young woman, she deeply valued her own appearance.

The stronger the Inner Strength, the slower the aging process.

If she could truly cultivate her Inner Strength to the tenth level, her outward appearance could remain youthful for at least twice as long.

This might mean little to a man, but for a woman, it was an irresistible temptation.

He Yiming shook his head slightly, a smile playing on his lips that Yuan Lixun found inscrutable.

A flicker of disappointment immediately crossed Yuan Lixun's eyes, but it was fleeting.

She managed a strained smile just as He Yiming's soft voice sounded by her ear: "Lixun, you are going to accompany me to travel the world; shouldn't you reach the Innate Realm first?" "Innate?" Yuan Lixun's eyes widened, filled with disbelief.

He Yiming gave a mysterious smile and offered no further explanation.

However, when Yuan Lixun met his gaze, which had become gradually deeper, she instantly filled with confidence in him—as if whatever he said, he was certainly capable of achieving.

Yet, she did not know that in He Yiming's mind at that moment, thoughts were racing: One Innate Golden Core, just one, might not be enough...

The silvery light of the accumulated snow illuminated the world brightly, making the houses look like bas-reliefs carved in white jade.

Although situated among the mountains, the peak still brimmed with the festive atmosphere of the New Year.

Especially on several of the major peaks, people were moving frequently, and joy radiated from every face.

Having lived on Hengshan for several months, even missing the New Year, He Yiming had used this time to map out his surroundings and the distribution of nearby peaks.

Within Hengshan, the Main Peak, Spirit Medicine Peak, and Elder Lianyi’s Wind-Fire Peak were the most prosperous and flourishing, as the three previous major elders resided on these respective high peaks.

In addition, several other peaks housed residents, ranging from a few dozen to over a hundred people.

The predecessors of these people had also once housed Innate Elders, but those lines had since declined.

Nevertheless, they remained members of the Hengshan lineage, and Yu Jinglei and the others treated them equally, without any harshness.

In a massive library pavilion on the Main Peak, He Yiming set down the book he was holding, finally grasping some of the Hengshan lore.

The Hengshan lineage did not appear out of thin air.

The very first ancestor who founded Hengshan was a direct elder of the Yu family, while the various peaks were established by his disciples and successors.

After this founding ancestor passed away, the disciples of the various peaks made a mutual oath: to ensure that the main peak's Yu family would produce at least one Innate Elder in every generation, as a sign of gratitude for the Master leading them to establish Hengshan.

Only then did He Yiming understand the reasoning behind Daoist Medicine and Elder Lianyi's actions that day.

Placing the book recording the major events of Hengshan back in its place, He Yiming pulled out another book and flipped through it casually.

The script within differed significantly from the writing commonly used in the northwest nations today, yet He Yiming had dedicated all his time outside of martial arts and alchemy studies to this pursuit over the past period.

He might not possess significant linguistic talent, but since he was himself an expert in the Innate Realm, his memory far surpassed that of ordinary people.

And learning a new language required memory above all else, so after a period of study, he had made considerable progress.

However...

He turned his gaze towards a corner of the pavilion.

Yuan Lixun was engrossed in reading a biography written in this script, finding it utterly absorbing.

Feeling slightly indignant, he approached Yuan Lixun and asked, "Lixun, can you truly understand this?" Yuan Lixun did not look up. "Young Master, this is the script of the Great Shen from the East.

Although it is complex, the juniors in our family study it from childhood, so it poses no great difficulty." He Yiming’s mouth twitched slightly.

This was the advantage of a prominent family—they even taught the language of Great Shen.

His He Family Village lacked any such resources.

He lightly pressed a spot on his chest, where an odd, indeterminate map was concealed.

And on that map, the script that gave He Yiming such a headache originated from the official script of Great Shen in the East.