Moving in a straight line between two points in an instant—this was a power only mastered by He Yiming after he grasped the true essence of the Wind.

Though he had used it several times, only Yuan Lixun and the One Hundred and Eight knew this secret and lived to tell of it.

It was only upon reaching this final stretch of the pursuit that He Yiming dared truly unleash this maximum velocity.

This was his ultimate life-saving technique, one he never wished any outsider to witness unless absolutely forced.

The great wolf’s speed was breathtaking, particularly within the dense jungle, where it matched He Yiming stride for stride.

As a mountain spirit beast, it possessed profound confidence in its stamina and endurance.

Though the enemy behind it was terrifyingly formidable, the wolf still held the conviction that it could eventually shake off its pursuer.

However, just as it let loose its powerful legs and bolted at its fastest pace, it suddenly sensed an overwhelming aura of extreme danger appearing directly ahead.

Its current speed was already pushed to the absolute limit; changing direction mid-stride was now an impossibility.

With a thunderous impact, the giant wolf slammed headlong into the figure that had materialized abruptly before it.

It was like crashing into a bronze wall, like colliding with a colossal peak that had stood against the world for millennia.

Despite the wolf’s immense ferocity, it was violently sent tumbling, spinning through the air before crashing hard onto the ground.

He Yiming retracted his palms, a hidden shock gripping him.

These two strikes had utilized the powers of both the Earth and Metal elements, ensuring incredible brute force.

Yet, after delivering the blow, though the spirit beast was sent flying, his own palms throbbed with a dull ache.

This demonstrated that the beast’s bone, sinew, skin, and membrane were even tougher than that of the two-headed variant spirit beast.

But the very next moment brought an even greater shock.

The giant wolf, after falling and rolling several times, suddenly leaped back up and veered in a new direction, fleeing away at a speed in no way inferior to before.

This time, however, the wolf’s tail was clamped tightly between its legs.

The status of the enemy behind it had risen to a terrifying level in its mind; it harbored not the slightest thought of defiance anymore.

He Yiming’s eyes snapped wide open.

This wolf, having withstood such a powerful dual palm strike, was escaping as if unharmed—it was simply too unbelievable.

A chill ran down his spine, but his feet were already driving him forward, relentlessly following the fleeing wolf.

This time, He Yiming became far more cautious.

He ceased using his ghost-like ability, instead trailing the wolf like barnacles clinging to a hull.

No matter how the beast fled, he remained attached.

After another half-moment, He Yiming finally allowed himself a sigh of relief.

The giant wolf’s speed, compared to the initial burst, had undeniably slackened slightly.

Though the decrease was minuscule, it was enough to put He Yiming completely at ease.

This indicated that those two palm strikes had indeed taken some effect; at the very least, the wolf was injured.

If he couldn't even manage to wound the beast, there would be no point in continuing the chase—he might as well turn back and get some sleep.

He instinctively touched his back.

He had been too overconfident.

If he had brought his Great Blade along for this outing, that last strike would surely have put the giant wolf down for good.

After traversing a valley, the wolf suddenly stopped.

It twisted its head around, its eyes fixed rigidly on He Yiming, resembling a wounded beast—desperate, yet simultaneously growing ferocious.

He Yiming halted as well, offering a faint smile.

“I know you can understand me.

Spirit beasts are intelligent.

Just follow me back, and I won’t kill you.” His words were imbued with powerful self-assurance.

If this spirit beast were masterless, He Yiming would have killed it without hesitation; obtaining its innate inner core was paramount.

But this creature was clearly one nurtured, or perhaps revered, by the Wolf Totem Clan.

Therefore, while He Yiming held the intent to slay it, he was reluctant to act immediately.

If killing this wolf incurred the eternal enmity between the Wolf Totem Clan and the Hengshan lineage, the cost would far outweigh the gain.

After all, the whereabouts of the six missing disciples of the Hengshan lineage still rested upon this spirit wolf.

The giant wolf seemed not to hear his words.

Its four legs lowered slightly, and an intensely savage aura radiated from its body.

A wounded beast is the most dangerous kind of beast.

And this cornered spirit beast before him was precisely that.

A flash of black light, and the giant wolf sprang into the air.

Its gaping maw revealed teeth glittering with the light of death, and a gust of foul, fetid air washed over He Yiming.

Yet, facing this truly gaping maw, He Yiming remained completely unconcerned.

He clenched both fists, a faint metallic sheen flickering around them.

To injure, or even cripple, this iron-skinned, bronze-boned wolf, he would have to employ the Metal element technique—the most potent attack among the Five Elements.

Taking a single step, He Yiming’s body vanished abruptly.

In the spot where he stood, a thin mist, reminiscent of a lingering drizzle, seemed to materialize.

A sudden gust of wind swept through, and the cloud-mist immediately expanded, completely enveloping the giant wolf.

Simultaneously, within the fog, sounds like massive axes swinging clashed with the shrill, spine-chilling howls of a wolf.

A quarter of an hour later, all the misty rain dissipated.

He Yiming stood calmly in place, hands clasped behind his back, a self-satisfied smile gracing his lips.

At his feet lay a prone giant wolf, though its appearance had undergone a drastic transformation from before.

Its previously glossy black fur was now patchy, with chunks missing here and there.

Its massive head was marred by several large lumps, and its entire body was covered in ragged wounds.

Though still breathing, it was in a state of utter devastation.

Looking down at the unconscious wolf, He Yiming felt a surge of pride.

Eighteen months ago, on his journey to Hengshan, he had encountered a spirit beast of formidable strength.

In that battle, he had exhausted every ounce of his ability, even unleashing the Five Elements Merged Great Blade technique, just to slay the two-headed spirit beast.

But now, facing a giant wolf that was slightly stronger than the two-headed beast, he managed to beat it into unconsciousness with his bare hands.

How could he have possibly imagined such a transformation when he first arrived at Hengshan? After a moment of reflection, He Yiming grasped the giant wolf and departed like a flash of light.

※※※※ By the time He Yiming returned to the main peak of Hengshan with the giant wolf, the area was already in an uproar.

He Yiming’s long laughter, the enraged roar of the Wolf Totem Envoy Yi Shibao, and the echoing shouts from Medicine Daoist and the others had awakened everyone within the Hengshan lineage.

The events unfolding on the main peak spread throughout Hengshan like wildfire.

The leaders of the various peaks, beyond issuing orders for their disciples to maintain vigilance, those with status and standing hurried toward the main peak, eager to gather firsthand intelligence.

He Yiming’s pursuit of the giant wolf had taken slightly longer.

By the time he returned, Medicine Daoist and the others had already arrived and were waiting.

Upon seeing the giant wolf held by He Yiming, Medicine Daoist’s face even showed a trace of shame.

He Yiming paused slightly.

“Elder Yao, did you lose the person you were chasing?” Hengshan housed five Innate experts, and after receiving He Yiming’s guidance, they had pursued together.

According to He Yiming’s calculations, Yi Shibao had been heading directly into their encirclement; the chance of escape should have been practically zero.

Medicine Daoist gave a wry smile.

“Elder He, that person was exceptionally cunning, and possessed a technique to instantly accelerate by stimulating his potential.

We five were momentarily careless, and he slipped through our net.

We are deeply ashamed.” He Yiming shook his head faintly.

“Forget it.

Since he escaped, let it be.

But what about his attendants? Surely they didn’t all get away too.” Medicine Daoist quickly replied, “The six who accompanied him were all Houtian masters whose inner strength reached the ninth or tenth layer.

They also fled down the mountain in groups, just like their leader.

After numerous interceptions by our disciples, we killed one on the spot and captured three alive, but two others, though injured internally, ultimately managed to escape.” Only then did He Yiming nod slowly.

The performance of the Hengshan disciples had been significantly better than that of the five Innate experts.

He tossed the giant wolf onto the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

“This is the giant wolf I captured—also a Natal Spirit Beast,” He Yiming declared proudly.

When a Natal Spirit Beast fights an ordinary Innate Master, the beast usually has a greater chance of victory.

For He Yiming to capture the giant wolf single-handedly naturally made Medicine Daoist and the other four feel embarrassed.

He Yiming pondered for a moment.

“Elder Yao, where are the three men you captured alive? Have you questioned them about why they came to Hengshan?” In fact, He Yiming was the first to discover them, and from their earlier conversation, he understood they were searching for something.

Judging by Yi Shibao’s demeanor, this item seemed to be somehow connected to him, which fueled He Yiming’s curiosity.

Medicine Daoist shook his head.

“Although those men are captured, they are tight-lipped and refuse to speak, no matter what we do.” He Yiming’s brow furrowed slightly, when Xu Chengchang suddenly spoke up.

“Elder Yao, please bring them up.

Perhaps I can try questioning them.” Medicine Daoist looked at him with surprise.

“Brother Xu, these men are from the Totem Clan.

If we use torture on them, I fear…” Lian Yi let out a soft snort.

“Brother Yao, don't forget we have six disciples missing.” Among those six missing disciples, two were from the Wind-Fire Peak, so Lian Yi naturally harbored immense resentment toward these intruders.

Lu Zhengyi also nodded slightly.

“Brother Yao, we have already killed one of their own.

This enmity is certainly forged.

Rather than dragging this out, it is better to question them thoroughly so we can prepare for the future.” Only then did Medicine Daoist nod.

“Since everyone agrees, I also wish to know why they came to cause trouble for the Hengshan lineage.” The gazes of all present fell upon Yu Xichen.

Not only was this the main peak, but Yu Xichen was also the Innate Elder in charge of miscellaneous affairs within the sect.

Since he had personally overseen the confinement of the prisoners, he was the natural person to direct the interrogation.

Yu Xichen wasted no words.

He gave a few instructions, and immediately, disciples from the main peak brought the three men forward.

All three were dressed identically in black robes, their facial markings fierce and terrifying.

Before entering the room, perhaps sensing their grim fate, they had maintained an air of extreme arrogance.

But upon entering and seeing the unconscious giant wolf sprawled on the floor, their faces changed drastically.

One of them even began howling in a language no one understood.

However, the giant wolf on the ground was long past consciousness and could not respond to him.

Xu Chengchang suddenly let out a sharp hum.

“Stop your meaningless noise.

This giant wolf was captured by the Great Elder He of the Hengshan lineage; it’s not some trap.” The man’s gaze sharpened, stubbornly asserting, “The speed of a spirit beast is far superior to that of an Innate expert.

It is impossible for one person to catch it.

You must have used despicable, underhanded means.” He Yiming looked over with surprise.

It turned out this man spoke the common dialect of the Northwest quite fluently.

But at this point, He Yiming understood.

Yi Shibao had fled alone because he had absolute confidence in the giant wolf’s speed.

If he had known that the wolf’s speed might not necessarily surpass his own, he likely wouldn't have abandoned it so readily.

Still, the wolf’s speed was genuinely fast.

Against an average Innate expert, even a top-tier master like Yu Jinglei might have been left far behind purely based on speed.

These members of the Wolf Totem Clan held supreme confidence in the wolf’s speed, and it was not unfounded.

Medicine Daoist let out a long laugh.

“A frog in a well is not worth discussing things with.” The other elders, having witnessed He Yiming’s movement techniques, now showed faint traces of mockery in their eyes.

Xu Chengchang turned back to the captive.

“You people of the Wolf Totem Clan reside within Wolf Mountain, correct? Why have you traveled so far from home to come to Hengshan?” The man, though initially agitated upon seeing the paralyzed wolf, calmed down when questioned by Xu Chengchang.

He spat heavily.

“Kill me, or use whatever skills you have.

See if any of us Wolf Totem Clan members are cowards.” Hearing these words, the brows of the elders furrowed.

They were all men of high standing.

If they were alone, they might resort to torture, but with so many Innate experts present, no one was willing to make the first move lightly.

Xu Chengchang smiled faintly.

“I advise you to speak honestly, or it might be too late.” The man burst into loud laughter, his eyes filled with intense derision.

“My hundred-odd pounds of flesh are right here.

Try and see if you can squeeze anything out of me.” Xu Chengchang’s smile remained gentle.

He murmured, “Good.” With that, he turned and approached the other two prisoners, lightly touching their necks.

Both men immediately closed their eyes and lapsed into unconsciousness.

If not for the steady breathing from their mouths and noses, one might suspect they were dead.

Then, Xu Chengchang turned back, his gaze locking onto the big man.

Despite seeing his companions fall unconscious, this man remained resolute, showing no sign of wavering.

In fact, a subtle hint of disdain flickered in his eyes.

“Innate experts? If you have the guts, go confront the Totem Envoy! Flashing your might here is just for show, like performing for monkeys!” Xu Chengchang chuckled, surprised.

“You seem to have forgotten who fled in disgrace today, and whose spirit beast was captured and brought here.” The man was momentarily silenced, but quickly retorted stubbornly, “You Innate experts outnumber us.

If the numbers were equal, you would all be dead by now.” A strange, unsettling glint appeared in Xu Chengchang’s smile.

“You keep demanding fairness.

Do you then know that the strongest among the six missing disciples of the Hengshan lineage was only at the eighth layer of Inner Strength, and the weakest at the sixth? What were they to you? Why did you target them?” The man hesitated; a flicker of doubt finally appeared in his eyes.

At that precise moment, Xu Chengchang suddenly roared, “Look at me!” This sudden command struck the man like a thunderclap exploding in his mind.

He instinctively turned his head, meeting the brilliance in Xu Chengchang’s eyes, and immediately became dull and vacant.

At this moment, Xu Chengchang’s eyes were filled with a bizarre, mesmerizing color, seeming to expand like a boundless ocean, lulling the spirit into a daze.

He Yiming and the others noticed his gaze and inwardly marveled.

They exchanged glances, finally understanding why Xu Chengchang had been so confident in his ability to extract the truth—he practiced such a formidable mental technique.

However, not everyone was suited to cultivate such a mystical art.

Thus, while Medicine Daoist and the others watched with covetous appreciation, they merely felt joy, knowing they would certainly gain information this time.

He Yiming’s gaze inevitably drifted toward Xu Chengchang more often.

He wondered if this cultivation method would suit him.

Regardless, he had already decided: once the interrogation was over, he would find a way to build rapport and learn this technique openly.

The man’s eyes were like iron filings drawn by a lodestone; even trying to look away was impossible.

His mind slowly clouded over, as if he could no longer remember who he was.

It was then that Xu Chengchang slowly asked, “What is your name, and why did you come to the Hengshan lineage?” This was the simplest question, yet precisely because it required no thought, the man answered without hesitation.

“My name is Angda, a member of the Wolf Totem Clan.

We came outside the mountain this time, following Envoy Yi Shibao to seek the Totem.” “The Totem?” He Yiming murmured softly.

Xu Chengchang made a stopping gesture, and Angda immediately ceased speaking.

Xu Chengchang then spoke seriously, “Every tribe holds a different revered beast, but within every tribe, there must be at least one Totem.

This is the witness to their history, indispensable…”