When Zhuo Lian saw the person before him clearly, and personally sensed the intensely pure chill emanating from Yuan Lixun, his shock was immense. He was rooted to the spot as if struck by a paralyzing spell, his eyes wide with disbelief.

He stood there as if stunned, seemingly devoid of sensation. He could no longer trust his eyes or his feelings.

Not long after Zhuo Lian had turned into a statue, two more figures arrived.

The gazes of these two swept over He Yiming and the others, instantly revealing expressions of delight.

He Yiming nodded towards them and asked with a smile, “Martial Uncle Yu, Elder Lu, why have you come down the mountain?”

These were none other than Yu Jinglei and Lu Zhengyi of the Hengshan lineage.

Yu Jinglei laughed heartily, his gaze fixed on He Yiming twinkling with an inexplicable light. He spoke loudly, “Elder He, congratulations, congratulations.”

He Yiming paused, then immediately understood that Yu Jinglei was congratulating him on his advancement to the Yixiantian realm.

“Impossible, this is impossible…”

A faint murmur escaped from Zhuo Lian, who was still petrified. He seemed not to notice He Yiming, nor Hundred and Eight, focusing all his attention solely on Yuan Lixun.

Influenced by his reaction, Yu Jinglei and Lu Zhengyi finally turned their attention to Yuan Lixun. Then, their eyes slowly widened as well.

When Yuan Lixun first arrived at Hengshan, while her martial arts cultivation was not particularly high—Inner Strength Level Six was common there and drew no attention—her other identity was one that no one within Hengshan dared to slight.

As He Yiming’s concubine, and the only woman consistently by his side, even Yao Daoren, the master of Lingyao Peak, treated her with a warm, fatherly smile.

Yu Jinglei and Lu Zhengyi held esteemed positions on Hengshan and had met Yuan Lixun a few times. Out of respect for He Yiming, they had naturally committed her to memory.

However, in their recollection, when He Yiming brought her down the mountain, Yuan Lixun’s martial cultivation should have been below even the seventh layer of Inner Strength. Yet, less than a year had passed since their separation…

Lu Zhengyi rubbed his eyes, finally confirming that he hadn't misjudged. It was indeed this woman, the young companion who had always been by He Yiming’s side on Hengshan.

But then, Lu Zhengyi shivered violently. He felt the extraordinary chilling air surrounding them.

This was the chilling True Qi emanating from her, yet this cold was so overwhelmingly powerful that even he found it unbearable. A tingling, bone-chilling numbness spread from his limbs, sparking a sudden, instinctive urge to turn and flee.

Although this impulse was immediately suppressed, it offered a glimpse into the sheer magnitude of his inner shock.

Suddenly, Yu Jinglei waved his wide sleeve, and a potent force of life erupted fiercely.

This was the pinnacle power cultivated by the old man over two centuries. Given his status, he shouldn't have bothered contending with Yuan Lixun, but sensing such formidable chilling True Qi ignited a spark of pure curiosity within him. He wanted to see just how far Yuan Lixun had progressed.

Zhuo Lian finally regained his composure. After Yu Jinglei unleashed his potent Wood element life force, he hesitated but ultimately chose not to intervene, instead watching the confrontation closely from the sidelines.

He Yiming released Yuan Lixun’s hand, gave her an encouraging look, then stepped back, leaving her alone to face Yu Jinglei.

Yuan Lixun was startled at first, but then, as if understanding He Yiming’s intent, she bit her lip lightly. As her eyes shifted, an unprecedented aura of martial spirit flowed forth.

When a person’s strength improves drastically, emotions like timidity and fear gradually diminish or vanish entirely. Even when facing figures who were previously unattainable, they reveal a steadfast side. He Yiming was like this, and so was Yuan Lixun.

Under Yu Jinglei’s powerful aura, she unleashed her entire True Qi without reservation.

Immediately, everyone present seemed to experience a peculiar illusion. Around Yuan Lixun was the harshest cold; the world was a blinding expanse of ice and snow, devoid of any trace of vitality in all creation. A power representing death spread outwards, centered on her.

Zhuo Lian’s eyes glittered, holding a strange luminescence as he looked at Yuan Lixun, as if gazing upon an uncarved piece of jade—filled with anticipation and appreciation.

Not far from Yuan Lixun stood Yu Jinglei, radiating vibrant life force from head to toe. He had cultivated the Wood element technique for over two hundred years, supplemented by several moments of enlightenment. His mastery in this element was so profound that even He Yiming could only aspire to match it.

Of course, given different constitutions, He Yiming might not grasp the Wood element as deeply as Yu Jinglei, but if the two were to engage in a fight using only Wood element techniques, the victor would remain uncertain.

Although it was the bitterest part of winter, intensified by Yuan Lixun’s influence, the location was already bitterly cold. Yet, around Yu Jinglei, a thread of robust vitality persisted stubbornly, slowly expanding outward, seemingly grasping for a wider sphere of influence. Within this zone, the desolate silence seemed to vanish, replaced by an atmosphere brimming with vitality.

In a trance, the onlookers seemed to see a towering ancient tree standing firm amidst the ice and snow, growing ever larger and taller, threatening to pierce the very heavens, intent on turning this frozen plain into its domain.

Zhuo Lian’s eyes finally showed a hint of alarm. Although he resided near Yu Jinglei, they had never truly fought, merely exchanging introductions. After all, at their level of cultivation, each represented a strong force or faction behind them; thus, Yixiantian experts would not engage lightly unless possessing absolute certainty of victory.

The reason Zhuo Lian had acted against He Yiming previously, under the guise of avenging his junior brother, was his absolute confidence in defeating He Yiming, who had just entered the Yixiantian realm. However, He Yiming’s techniques were too strange and elusive, causing Zhuo Lian to suffer a minor setback.

In Zhuo Lian’s estimation, Yu Jinglei, though powerful, likely wasn't overwhelmingly stronger than himself. But now, as Yu Jinglei released his formidable aura, Zhuo Lian realized this elder’s strength truly surpassed his own by a wide margin. At that moment, he deeply questioned whether the elder’s true strength had already reached an even higher echelon.

Yet, what truly stunned everyone was not Yu Jinglei’s might, but the chilling True Qi emanating from Yuan Lixun.

The disparity in their power was apparent. Even the mightiest Baisantian expert could not be compared to an Yixiantian. But when Yu Jinglei unleashed his Wood element field, exceeding the scope of Baisantian power, he could not suppress Yuan Lixun’s chilling energy in the slightest.

That coldness was so dense it was utterly insoluble; the two forces could only stalemate, unable to truly determine superiority. Everyone present knew that if Yuan Lixun’s power were comparable to Yu Jinglei’s, Yu Jinglei would likely already be frozen solid.

A thought struck everyone’s minds: What kind of chilling energy was this, that it possessed such an unreasonable level of might?

Suddenly, a figure flickered. He instantly appeared before Yu Jinglei.

One punch...

That punch, like a thunderclap on a clear day, instantly tore through space, aimed directly at Yu Jinglei’s forehead. Simple, with no trickery, relying only on speed and weight. Fast as lightning, heavy as Mount Tai!

Yu Jinglei’s expression finally shifted. Although his aura contest with Yuan Lixun felt fierce, both had held back, neither intending to fight to the death. But this punch was different; when it was thrown, he felt the sensation of facing death itself.

Instantly, the old man’s skin contracted at an incredible speed, shriveling in less than the blink of an eye. Simultaneously, he raised his hand, positioning it perfectly to block the trajectory of the incoming strike.

Xiantian Kumugong (Innate Withered Wood Art)...

With a sharp crack, disbelief flashed across Yu Jinglei’s face. Intense pain shot up his arm. The force of the punch far exceeded his imagination. Even with his strength, after blocking it, the pain pierced to the bone; even his mastery of the Innate Withered Wood Art could not entirely negate the damage this immense power inflicted upon his flesh.

He cast aside all concern for face, pushed slightly off his feet, and retreated like a great bird. While Yu Jinglei’s lightness skill couldn't compare to He Yiming, who understood the true essence of wind power, even the least capable Yixiantian expert would not be too poor.

However, just as he recoiled, the figure pursued him like a maggot clinging to bone, moving shadow-like. Another punch, the same punch, struck again like lightning.

A sharp gleam flashed in Yu Jinglei’s eyes as he took a deep breath. The shock he felt was far beyond description. He had felt agonizing pain from just one exchange, yet this person seemed utterly unaffected by the recoil of his Innate Withered Wood Art. Who was this person...?

His thoughts churning, he retreated past the spot where Zhuo Lian stood.

The Yixiantian master from the Northern Frontier Ice Fields was lost in thought, gazing blankly at Yuan Lixun. Suddenly sensing a drastic shift in Yu Jinglei’s aura beside him, and seeing him fly past like a rocket, while a metallic-hued fist swung boldly toward him.

Though the punch wasn't aimed at him, he snorted in anger and raised a hand vertically, intending to intercept it. Perhaps there was a streak of pride in him; he wanted to prove something with this single block.

His internal chilling True Qi surged wildly. Although qualitatively it seemed far inferior to Yuan Lixun’s sharp and vast chilling energy, its sheer quantity far surpassed it. Over a hundred years of cold energy concentrated into one palm—he was firmly confident that even if his True Qi couldn't match the opponent's sharpness and scale, the chilling energy assistance would surely make the attacker suffer a heavy loss.

But the moment fist met palm, his face changed drastically. He let out a strange cry and was thrown backward even faster than Yu Jinglei. The sheer force of the opponent’s blow was unimaginable, shattering everything he had seen and heard. Even his own master might not possess such terrifying raw power. Furthermore, his cherished chilling energy had absolutely no effect on this person. The attacker’s movement showed no pause; the overwhelming cold energy that washed over him could not even delay his actions by half a beat.

The two Yixiantian experts, suspended in mid-air, felt a sudden chill deep within. A synchronized thought crossed their minds: This person... cannot be fought!

But in the next instant, they watched as the attacker stepped forward, raising both hands simultaneously.

Two fists... one punch for each of them—striking toward them as they flew back!

The entire exchange lasted only the span of a single breath. Yet, in that fleeting moment, the two supreme Yixiantian masters were forced away from their positions, retreating backward without any semblance of dignity.

Lu Zhengyi, watching from the side, was struck dumbfounded, his entire body cold, daring not to move. If even Yu Jinglei and Zhuo Lian were forced back repeatedly by this person, wouldn't rushing forward be suicidal?

However, at that very moment, they heard He Yiming’s urgent voice, laced with disbelief: “Stop.”

“Huuu…”

Time, it seemed, froze in that instant. The moment He Yiming commanded them to stop, those two fists halted precisely in mid-air. The owner of the fists had been striding forward aggressively, his feet having lifted off the ground during his rapid movement. Yet, at that command, his body froze unnaturally in mid-air. It was as if an invisible wall had abruptly barred his path. His body paused abruptly in the air, then he descended straight down, his feet landing steadily on the snow.

This action was equally simple, devoid of any flourish. But precisely because of this simplicity, everyone looked upon this person with a terror akin to seeing a ghost. Even the two Yixiantian masters felt the same way upon witnessing this. That mid-air halt was utterly inconceivable. While pursuing the two experts, the man’s speed was in no way slower than their full-force retreat. This ability to slam to a stop instantly filled everyone with deep dread. His control over his body had reached an extreme, a level they had never heard of.

For a moment, the two flying Yixiantian experts looked ashen-faced. They simultaneously considered the same question: If this man had decided to kill them without restraint, could they have blocked him? Could they have escaped?

It was only then that they managed to consider who this person might be. The man wearing a bamboo hat who had been standing quietly behind He Yiming was gone, and the one who had forcefully thrown those punches wore a large, somewhat comical bamboo hat. But as the onlookers’ eyes fell upon the hat, not a trace of amusement could surface in their hearts.

He Yiming moved slightly and appeared beside the man in the hat. He said with dissatisfaction, “Brother Bai, why did you have to intervene and spoil things?”

Hundred and Eight replied coldly, “I must ensure your safety.”

“We are safe now,” He Yiming stated emphatically.

However, Hundred and Eight insisted, “They harbored hostility and possessed the strength to kill your wife.”

He Yiming fell silent, looking up at the sky, overwhelmed by a feeling of utter speechlessness…

The confrontation between Yuan Lixun and Yu Jinglei was a standoff between the powers of "Life" and "Death," a clash between Ice element True Qi and Wood element True Qi. Even though neither held the intent to kill the other, once True Qi of opposing attributes collided head-on, an intensely antagonistic atmosphere would spontaneously arise, creating a situation akin to a life-or-death struggle. Hundred and Eight mistakenly assumed Yu Jinglei intended to kill Yuan Lixun, and bound by his duty, he acted without hesitation to crush this perceived threat in its infancy.

He sighed deeply, truly unsure how to explain their relationship to this human weapon, Hundred and Eight.

“Brother Bai, listen carefully: they are my friends. Do not act rashly. Only intervene if we face genuine life danger, or if I specifically instruct you to,” He Yiming said sternly.

“Understood,” Hundred and Eight replied cleanly and concisely.

“Do you truly comprehend?”

“Yes.”

He Yiming nodded slightly, though even he couldn't be certain if Hundred and Eight truly grasped the nuance.

Yu Jinglei and Zhuo Lian landed sequentially. They exchanged a glance, then cautiously advanced a few steps, instinctively maintaining a safe distance from this inexplicably materialized supreme master.

“Elder He, what should we call this gentleman?” Yu Jinglei asked, still shaken.

“Martial Uncle, this is a good friend I made on the road; his name is Hundred and Eight,” He Yiming improvised smoothly.

“Hundred and Eight?”

The three Congenital masters exchanged glances. The name was certainly unique, yet they had no recollection of any powerful figure bearing such a distinct name. At that moment, they considered aliases. However, rack their brains as they might, they could not match this person to any known expert from their memories. Furthermore, observing the manner in which He Yiming interacted with him and their conversation only deepened their internal astonishment as they tried to decipher the nature of their relationship. This mode of friendly interaction was certainly too peculiar.

Suddenly, an equally powerful aura arrived, rushing forward like a flying arrow from afar. In a moment, Zhan Tianfeng appeared before them.

In the territory of Kaixing, the four Yixiantian masters were finally gathered in one place…