He Yiming’s figure moved like lightning. In an instant, he zipped past the structure separating the two courtyards.

When he returned to this spot, the first sight that greeted him was Xie Mingjin, his face etched with guilt, mingled with a trace of panic. Moreover, a nearly inaudible sob reached He Yiming’s ears.

Had he not possessed the wondrous skill of 'Wind Listener,' he might not have clearly discerned the sound now.

The source of the sound was the room where Yuan Lixuan resided. It was clear that upon returning, she had immediately retreated there, weeping in secret.

He Yiming’s gaze shifted, immediately locking onto Xie Mingjin.

Xie Mingjin looked up and stated in a deep voice, "Big Brother, I apologize."

As shadows flickered, Shui Xuanjin and Ting Shiguang appeared simultaneously. They exchanged a glance, and Ting Shiguang said coldly, "Mingjin, what exactly happened?"

Xie Mingjin ground his teeth and recounted the events that had just transpired. He did not embellish or exaggerate; he stated the facts plainly.

And precisely because his account was so true, He Yiming and the others felt as if they had been there themselves. Especially when he mentioned that he had already yielded the main thoroughfare, yet the knight on horseback still lashed out. A strange surge of anger rose in everyone’s hearts.

Shui Xuanjin and Ting Shi both frowned slightly. To act so brazenly within the capital city of Kai Rong Kingdom, the perpetrators surely were not simple figures. If they turned out to be members of the Kai Rong royal family, the situation would become even more complicated.

The time they had spent together allowed everyone to understand He Yiming’s deep regard for Yuan Lixuan.

Although Yuan Lixuan was nominally just one of his concubines, anyone observing their interactions would discard that notion immediately.

Thus, upon learning that Yuan Lixuan had been injured by the blow, they all became instantly worried.

Two pairs of eyes focused simultaneously on He Yiming’s face. Unexpectedly, however, He Yiming’s expression remained utterly blank, as if he hadn't heard the news at all.

The two exchanged a look, and a strange chill arose within them.

Xie Mingjin hung his head and repeated, "Big Brother, I apologize."

He Yiming stepped forward and gently patted Xie Mingjin’s shoulder. "You did well. It is not your fault."

As he spoke, a gentle power flowed from He Yiming’s hand into Xie Mingjin’s body.

This was a power symbolizing 'Life.' As it coursed through his system, the injured spot immediately flared with a burning sensation. In the blink of an eye, this feeling spread throughout his entire body.

Despite his efforts to restrain himself, Xie Mingjin couldn't help but emit a sound that was almost a moan. Though he stopped immediately, his face flushed instantly.

Yet, only moments later, when He Yiming lifted his hand, Xie Mingjin was astonished to find that the intense pain caused by the injury had completely vanished. Although there was still a slight obstruction as his internal energy circulated, he knew his injuries were fundamentally healed. With a period of rest and careful recuperation, he would fully recover.

Xie Mingjin looked gratefully at He Yiming, a peculiar determination flickering in his eyes.

After this incident, he had fully prepared himself to face He Yiming’s blame, perhaps even endure his boundless fury.

If a powerhouse of the Xiantian realm were to lose his temper over such a matter, few would dare to intervene, even if He Yiming struck him down instantly. At the very least, he was certain that Ting Shiguang and his family would absolutely not risk offending He Yiming on his behalf.

But He Yiming’s reaction upon meeting him truly moved him. It was a feeling that defied verbal description yet existed undeniably.

He Yiming calmly surveyed everyone, his expression still placid. "Everyone, I will go inside and check on Lixun."

Saying this, he approached Yuan Lixun’s door and gently knocked a few times.

However, unlike usual, Yuan Lixun did not open the door this time. Only the suppressed sound of weeping from within the room grew slightly fainter.

A strand of Zhenqi slowly seeped from He Yiming’s palm. The latch inside the room seemed to be manipulated by an invisible hand, slowly clicking open.

Pushing the door open, He Yiming quietly closed it behind him and stepped into the inner chamber.

In the inner room, Yuan Lixun sat quietly in a chair, her face turned away. Though only half her face was visible, tear tracks were clearly apparent; she had clearly been crying for some time before slowly composing herself.

He Yiming said nothing, simply walking up to her.

Yuan Lixun instinctively tried to turn her face away, but He Yiming gently cupped her chin.

His movement, though tender, was firm and powerful. Yuan Lixun struggled slightly, then finally seemed to surrender, turning her face as he guided her.

On her face, starting from the root of her ear, a horrific scar, shaped like a centipede, slashed straight down to the corner of her mouth. While it wasn't torn flesh, the jagged line was profoundly shocking to behold.

Yuan Lixun lifted her gaze, seemingly searching for something in He Yiming's eyes.

After a moment, the fear, worry, and anxiety slowly subsided. She had not found the look of hatred or disgust she dreaded in He Yiming’s eyes.

In those dark pupils, all she saw and felt was a tenderness—a gentleness so captivating she longed to drown in it.

At that instant, she felt transported back to that nameless valley, where they shared a secret—a world belonging only to the two of them.

A faint smile touched He Yiming’s lips. His hand hovered lightly around the wound, where strands of exquisitely refined Wood-element Xiantian Zhenqi flowed rapidly, causing a tingling sensation in Yuan Lixun, a feeling that seemed to penetrate to the deepest recesses of her soul.

Under his gaze, Yuan Lixun seemed to find unspoken solace, a feeling far more moving than any words could convey.

She mustered her courage and asked, "Young Master, does it look very ugly?"

"Ugly?" He Yiming tilted his head, appearing to ponder the question with utmost seriousness.

Yuan Lixun’s heart immediately jumped, and her expression flickered.

A few breaths later, He Yiming suddenly leaned in, pecking lightly next to the wound on her face with speed faster than lightning.

This quick peck was like a dragonfly skimming water. He then swiftly returned to his spot, rubbing the back of his head and looking at her with a sheepish grin.

Yuan Lixun’s face flushed crimson. Although the whip mark looked particularly horrifying due to the rush of blood, He Yiming seemed utterly oblivious, his expression unchanged.

Yuan Lixun’s heart finally settled completely. In all their time together, intimate gestures had been rare. Now, He Yiming was answering her question in his own way.

He Yiming reached into his robe and, as if by magic, produced a small medicine bottle. "Lixun, this is an ointment personally refined by Elder Yao. It has a miraculous healing effect on external wounds like this. Let me apply it for you."

Yuan Lixun quietly agreed, letting He Yiming smear the ointment onto her face.

A cool sensation spread across her skin. Yuan Lixun hesitated, then asked, "Young Master, will this leave a scar?"

He Yiming murmured softly, "Don't worry, I will handle it." Seeing the lingering doubt in her eyes, He Yiming raised his eyebrows and thumped his chest, "Do you still not trust me?"

Only then did Yuan Lixun relax. "Of course, I trust you, Young Master."

He Yiming nodded with satisfaction, pulling her into his embrace, and whispered tenderly, "That’s right. Trust me, everything will be fine. Everything will be fine…"

His voice seemed imbued with a comforting power. In that warm embrace, amidst those gentle words, Yuan Lixun felt as if she had returned to her mother’s arms, completely enveloped by an inexhaustible warmth.

A moment later, Yuan Lixun, cradled in He Yiming’s arms, gradually drifted off to sleep, her breathing soft and even through her nose.

He Yiming gently scooped her up, removed her soiled outer garments and shoes, and laid her on the bed, covering her with a thin quilt.

Every movement was extraordinarily delicate, assisted by Zhenqi, ensuring that Yuan Lixun, though newly asleep, was not disturbed.

Afterward, He Yiming stood up. He gazed deeply at Yuan Lixun, his eyes sweeping across the whip mark on her face. His expression finally changed. For the first time since entering the room, a hint of pain flashed in his eyes.

He had already discerned that the person who delivered the whip strike had used a cunning force, leaving a wound that would be difficult to heal, as if cut by a saw blade.

Superficially, it looked like an ordinary whip mark, but due to the complexity of the laceration, the chance of complete recovery was slim to none.

He took a deep breath, then lifted his foot, leaving the inner chamber without making a sound, and quietly closed the door behind him.

Outside the main door, several people had already gathered. Besides the two Xiantian powerhouses, Shui Xuanjin and Ting Shiguang, even Zhao Rupei was waiting quietly.

When the door opened silently, all eyes turned toward He Yiming.

At this moment, He Yiming appeared expressionless; no one could discern what he was thinking. However, upon seeing him, regardless of whether they were Xiantian experts or not, everyone involuntarily shivered. In their eyes, they seemed to perceive something terrifying.

To them, He Yiming resembled a volcano, not yet erupting, but the very process of accumulating power was increasingly unnerving.

He Yiming stepped out of the room and gently closed the door.

"Snap…"

The moment the door shut, a fierce, long-suppressed rage boiled up from He Yiming’s heart like a violent storm.

Like the unleashing of the apocalypse, that surging fury completely drowned his spirit.

He Yiming had transformed.

His face changed, his eyes changed, his entire aura changed. It was as if, in that instant, he had become another person entirely.

His face was as ferocious as a demon’s; his gaze, as sharp as a blade; and a massive killing intent, reaching toward the heavens, emanated from him.

Everyone present, including the three Xiantian experts, clearly sensed that the person before them no longer seemed human, but rather a god of destruction risen from the Asura Blood River, emerging covered in the mist and blood of countless slaughters.

Unwillingly, every heart was filled with dread. Even the three Xiantian masters felt a chill run through them, nearly causing them to tremble uncontrollably on the spot.

Only then did they realize how terrifying He Yiming was when truly enraged.

"Mingjin, do you know who those people were?"

A chilling voice issued from He Yiming’s lips, a coldness that pierced the bone and instilled primal fear.

However, upon hearing this voice, Xie Mingjin showed no fear; instead, a fierce, ruthless glint appeared on his face. After the blow he suffered today, this straightforward man was filled with an emotion reaching the peak of anger. If possible, he would not hesitate to seek the strongest retaliation for the day’s events.

"Big Brother, although I do not know the origins of those men, I memorized their faces. If I see them again, I will certainly recognize them."

He Yiming’s brow furrowed slightly. There were countless people in the capital of Kai Rong Kingdom. While riders galloping down the main avenue were certainly people of great standing, finding them amidst the vast crowds would be extremely difficult.

He looked up, gazing into the distance, and suddenly called out, "Brother Shui."

"Brother He, what is it?" Shui Xuanjin replied quickly, daring not to delay under these circumstances.

"Please inform Master Mao Lieguang for me, and ask him to locate those individuals." He Yiming’s voice was low and powerful, carrying an irresistible force.

"Understood." Shui Xuanjin agreed without hesitation.

"Big Brother," Xie Mingjin suddenly raised his eyebrows, "those two carriage drivers seemed to know something."

He Yiming’s eyes instantly sharpened. Drivers assigned to the carriages of the Master’s Hall were certainly local figures of influence; it would be strange if they knew nothing at all.

Nodding slightly, He Yiming strode forward with great purpose.

Though he wasn't moving swiftly, every step was immensely weighty, sharply contrasting with the Wind power he usually commanded.

The others exchanged glances and immediately followed.

Moments later, the group exited the embassy district. He Yiming’s gaze swept the area and immediately spotted one of the drivers.

The man stood silently beside his carriage in front of the district. Upon seeing He Yiming and the others emerge, his face instantly changed. He glanced around cautiously and silently began retreating backward.

He Yiming’s expression remained unchanged. He took one step, instantly closing the distance, and appeared before the man.

The man was just about to flee when his vision blurred; He Yiming stood before him, ghost-like and demonic.

The driver shuddered, forcing a slight curve of his lips, and said mournfully, "Master He."

Although He Yiming was not the National Protector Master of Kai Rong Kingdom, after the second battle involving Cheng Fu and Mao Lieguang, the name He Yiming was already household knowledge in this city. This driver was a cultivator himself and certainly could not be unfamiliar with it.

"Speak. Who are they…" He Yiming said expressionlessly.

Though his question was abrupt, the driver understood perfectly. His lips trembled several times. "This humble one—n-n-n—this humble one knows. That was His Highness, the Fourth Prince of Tu Fan Kingdom."

The man had initially intended to say he didn't know, but the moment the word "no" left his lips, he felt a force of extreme peril bearing down on him, an pressure so immense he could barely breathe. Furthermore, before he could change his words, this pressure intensified, and he had the distinct feeling that if he had uttered the three words "I don't know," the result would surely be being crushed to death by this pressure, suffocating him.

Once he revealed the man's identity, the weight, heavy as Mount Tai, that had nearly suffocated him vanished without a trace.

The driver collapsed to the ground, pressing one hand to his chest and the other to the earth, staring at He Yiming with sheer terror.

In his mind now, He Yiming was no longer a man, but a demon.

Indeed, how could a mere human emit such ferocious, violent, spirit-crushing pressure?

He Yiming turned, his gaze deep and unfathomable, fixed on a distant direction.

Shui Xuanjin and the others followed his gaze to that spot.

There, known to all, stood a manor—a peculiar place where even the National Protector Masters of the Kai Rong Kingdom’s Master’s Hall might hesitate to act rashly.

This was because eight Xiantian experts resided there, one of whom was known as the foremost master among the 'Hundred Loose Heavens.'

He Yiming took a deep breath, his gaze growing resolute.

Seemingly sensing something, Shui Xuanjin said gravely, "Brother He, please reconsider your actions."

He Yiming let out an indifferent smile. "I thought I wouldn't have to clash with him so soon, but man proposes and heaven disposes. It seems I must fulfill Mao Lieguang's expectations after all."

Saying this, he laughed several times and strode forward.

Suddenly, Xie Mingjin’s voice rang out.

"Big Brother, take me with you. I recognize their faces; I would know them even if they were turned to ash."

A few people muttered inwardly that recognizing someone turned to ash would be truly miraculous, but no one dared voice the thought then.

He Yiming’s silhouette shifted, and the next moment, he and Xie Mingjin shot into the distance.

The remaining group exchanged glances, particularly the three Xiantian experts, who stared blankly, unable to make up their minds.

Finally, Shui Xuanjin stomped his foot fiercely. "Brother Ting, Brother Zhao, gather everyone and let’s go together."

Ting Shiguang hesitated briefly. "What if they refuse?"

"If they refuse…" Shui Xuanjin’s voice also turned cold, "Think about Brother He's age. Ask them to look at the long term."

Ting Shiguang and Zhao Rupei exchanged glances, and finally made their decision.

And just as they were hesitating, the great gate of the distant manor suddenly exploded outward, followed by a sound like thunder splitting the sky:

"Bu Xingcong, come out and meet your death!"

P.S.: Tomorrow is the day of the true battle. He Yiming will be fighting, and Bai He will also be fighting. (Hè - Crane) friends who still have monthly tickets, please cast them now. Thank you...

If you don't vote for him, He Yiming will lose and die due to despair, hmph!!!