The Ancestral Hall of the Hengshan lineage. Like those in other sects, only those who achieved significant renown during their lives earned a place here after death.
The opening of the Ancestral Hall was an event of considerable importance for the entire Hengshan line.
However, for Yu Jinglei and He Yiming, who stood at the very pinnacle of Hengshan power, gaining entry to the Ancestral Hall was hardly a difficult matter.
Yu Jinglei arrived before the imposing structure, bowing deeply to the solemn edifice before leading He Yiming through a smaller side door.
As the vital heart of the Hengshan lineage, the Ancestral Hall was naturally attended by dedicated personnel.
At any given time, a peak expert at the tenth level of Inner Strength—a Houtian master—resided here, alongside more than a dozen disciples responsible for sweeping, tending incense, and other duties.
As they stepped inside, they encountered a young disciple in the act of lighting incense. Upon seeing Yu Jinglei and He Yiming, the disciple immediately dropped everything in his hands and prostrated himself respectfully on the ground.
In the minds of these ordinary disciples, the Grand Elders of Hengshan were scarcely distinguishable from deities.
Yu Jinglei merely waved his hand, and the disciple respectfully withdrew. Once outside the Ancestral Hall, he hurried to a room in the rear courtyard to rouse the tenth-level Inner Strength master guarding the hall’s security.
This Houtian powerhouse was Yu Minchao, a direct descendant of the main peak’s Yu family. Now past eighty, his cultivation had stalled at the tenth level of Inner Strength, marking the ceiling of his martial path; without a miracle, achieving the Xiantian realm in this lifetime was impossible.
Upon hearing that Grand Elders Yu Jinglei and He Yiming were at the Ancestral Hall, he rushed over immediately. Yet, he felt a degree of surprise, wondering precisely when Grand Elder He Yiming had returned to Hengshan.
Most Hengshan disciples were unaware of He Yiming's departure from the mountain, and even if they knew, they were ignorant of his purpose. But for the core members at the tenth level of Inner Strength, the full context was understood.
Now that Grand Elder He Yiming had returned, the fate of the Totem Tribes could be easily foreseen.
Though Yu Minchao had never met Shui Xuanjin or any of the Totem Tribes personally, he felt a natural affinity for Shui Xuanjin. Consequently, he was quite pleased to see misfortune befall the Totem Tribes.
Hastening into the Ancestral Hall, his eyes immediately fell upon Yu Jinglei and He Yiming, the two Grand Elders, standing silently before the portrait of Hengshan’s founding ancestor in the hall's center.
The one entrusted with stewardship of the Ancestral Hall was naturally a man of steady temperament. Yu Minchao immediately quieted his steps, moving soundlessly to stop behind them, standing silently and waiting for instructions.
Though Yu Minchao made no sound, his arrival was hardly missed by the two elders; they simply did not give it any notice.
He Yiming’s gaze flickered toward him. Yu Minchao stood there, his face grave, not daring to draw a full breath.
Yu Jinglei’s demeanor was even calmer, as if oblivious to the presence of another person behind him, treating the matter as unseen.
He Yiming sighed inwardly. An expert at the tenth level of Inner Strength would be treated like an emperor in a place like Taicang County, but within an ancient hidden sect spanning millennia, such a rank meant almost nothing.
His gaze shifted to the portrait in the center of the chamber.
The image appeared quite ancient, crafted from some unknown material. Although the edges bore the distinct marks of time’s passage, the integrity of the overall painting remained largely unaffected.
The portrait depicted an old man carrying a sword. Whether through the skill of a master painter or sheer luck, the man’s features and expression were rendered with such vividness that they almost seemed ready to step from the canvas.
After a moment, Yu Jinglei let out a long sigh. “Elder He, this is Yu Cihang, the founding ancestor of our Hengshan lineage.”
He Yiming nodded slightly, though he found it strange. During the last grand opening of the Ancestral Hall, Yu Xichen and the others had already introduced him.
He not only knew Yu Cihang’s name but had also heard countless tales of the old man’s life.
He Yiming was far from unfamiliar with the founder, having formed a deep impression of him. That was why he wondered why Yu Jinglei was bringing up old history.
Yu Jinglei turned. “Elder He, please follow me.” With that, he nodded toward Yu Minchao. “To the rear hall.”
Yu Minchao kept his head bowed, responding in a low tone. He asked nothing, simply leading the way. As he walked, his body angled slightly, his expression exceedingly deferential.
He Yiming walked inward, his mind filled with suspicion. He had never heard of anything worthwhile hidden in the Ancestral Hall’s rear chambers before. But judging by the demeanor of the two men now, He Yiming vaguely suspected that something significant was concealed there.
They soon arrived at the rear hall. Yu Minchao did not pause but gently pressed a spot on the wall. A faint mechanical grinding sound echoed from beneath the floor. Moments later, a dark, gaping opening was revealed.
Yu Minchao stepped into the recess, picked up a torch left near the entrance, and after waving it a few times, ignited it. The torchlight was limited, yet here, it shone like a beacon, casting a ruddy glow upon their faces.
Inside the opening descended a flight of steps, steep and straight. Yu Jinglei and his companion, clearly having been here before, descended without hesitation, soon reaching the end of the passage.
This led to a stone door, notable for the two massive keyholes carved into its surface.
Yu Jinglei flipped his wrist, producing a uniquely shaped key. Yu Minchao, in turn, produced the second key. They stepped forward together, each stationing himself before a keyhole, exchanging a look, and inserting the keys almost simultaneously.
A sound of internal mechanisms engaging echoed from within. Yu Jinglei smiled faintly and nodded.
Yu Minchao retreated several steps, bowing deeply once more, then leaving the torch behind, he slowly backed away.
“Elder Yu, what exactly is this place?” He Yiming asked curiously.
“This is the library left behind by the founding ancestor of our Hengshan lineage,” Yu Jinglei stated solemnly.
He Yiming was slightly startled. He hesitated. “But don’t we already have the Inner and Outer Libraries on the main peak?”
“The Outer Library on the main peak is for the study of ordinary disciples. The collection in the Inner Library is already in the realm of Xiantian knowledge. But here…” A flicker of proud disdain crossed Yu Jinglei’s face. “If one’s cultivation has not reached the realm of Yi Xiantian (First Line of Heaven), they would not even dream of setting foot inside.”
He Yiming nodded slowly. Many events had transpired immediately after he broke through to Yi Xiantian, and now that everything had finally settled, Yu Jinglei brought him here.
Yu Jinglei pointed toward the door. “Elder He, the ancestors left a strict decree: the first entry into this place must be achieved through one’s own strength. Though you have already condensed the Twin Flowers, the ancestral instruction cannot be ignored. I ask you to open the door yourself.”
He Yiming blinked in slight surprise, then let out a soft, wry laugh. He stepped forward, placing one hand flat against the great stone door.
Vast true qi surged out, and the massive stone door slowly ground open.
He Yiming’s application of force was exquisitely controlled, as if he were enveloping and pushing the door open rather than invading its structure with raw energy to shatter it.
Yu Jinglei watched from the side, nodding slowly. He Yiming’s performance already gave him a sense of inadequacy, a feeling that was rapidly deepening.
He sighed internally. When he first met He Yiming, the young man was merely an ordinary Xiantian expert, and even when using his ultimate technique—the Five Elements Merged Great Saber—Yu Jinglei had managed to break through it. Yet, in the span of just a few years, He Yiming had grown to a height that forced even him to look up.
The strangeness of the world was thus clearly demonstrated.
He Yiming stepped through the opening and glanced inside, momentarily pausing.
He had expected a vast repository of scrolls, but upon opening the door, he realized the collection was far smaller than his initial estimate.
Although the interior space was considerable—no smaller than any other library he had seen—the vast majority of the rooms were empty. Books were only housed in two chambers.
One room held a decent number, perhaps over a hundred volumes, but the other contained a pitifully small selection, barely ten books in total.
However, He Yiming felt no disappointment. After all, it was universally acknowledged that the higher the rank of a martial manual, the scarcer its numbers.
Even for an outstanding figure like the founder of Hengshan, leaving behind two or three sets of cultivation notes in a lifetime was remarkable. Such manuals, once studied by someone of comparable cultivation, would surely yield immense benefit.
Yu Jinglei surveyed the room, a faint shadow of remembrance crossing his eyes. “Every time I enter, I recall the emotion I felt upon my first visit. Nearly a century has passed, and yet it remains the same.”
After a brief moment of reflection, he explained, “Elder He, the larger room contains the cultivation insights left by the lineage’s ancestors who reached the Yi Xiantian level.” He then pointed to the smaller room, his expression intensely serious. “Throughout Hengshan’s history, we have produced only three true masters who reached the pinnacle of the Three Flowers Gathering level. Their insights are kept here.”
A look of mingled surprise and joy flashed across He Yiming’s eyes. He stared unblinkingly at the small room; those mere ten books of varying thickness suddenly held a value beyond ten thousand pieces of gold in his eyes.
Yu Jinglei gave a wry smile. “Elder He, strictly speaking, with your Twin Flower cultivation, you should not be permitted to view the manuals and notes in that small room. However, your situation is unique. This Wind-Fire Fusion Flower defies all logical explanation, and the power of your Tangible Flower far surpasses our own. Therefore, you may peruse these texts here in the hope you can uncover the mysteries within.”
He Yiming turned and bowed deeply. “I thank Elder Yu for his consideration.”
Yu Jinglei shook his head. “Your uncle, He Quanxin, has now reached the mid-stage of the tenth level of Inner Strength. At most, within another year, he may reach the peak, at which point he can use the Xiantian Golden Elixir. To avoid disrupting his progress, Elder He, it is best not to disturb him for the time being.”
He Yiming regarded him with gratitude. Without the support of this dominant figure, who held absolute sway in Hengshan, his uncle’s talent would never have allowed such swift progress.
He retrieved a jade vial from his person and placed it gently on a table. “This contains the Grain Cessation Pills I obtained from Elder Wen Yao. Peruse them at your leisure here. When you wish to leave, simply push the door open.”
He Yiming nodded sincerely. “Thank you.”
The great door closed slowly. He Yiming’s gaze immediately fell upon the small chamber.
Inside lay ten silent books. To him, these ten small volumes, thick and thin, were priceless treasures.
While the collection in the larger room was also precious, in terms of immediate allure, it could not compare to the recorded insights of experts who had reached the Three Flowers Gathering level.
Yet, after a moment of hesitation, He Yiming finally turned and entered the larger room.
Though he desperately wanted to examine the insights of top-tier masters immediately, he forcefully suppressed the impractical urge. He went to the large room and began to peruse the notes left by the Yi Xiantian experts.
This chamber held no specialized True Qi techniques or combat skills; only cultivation notes and peculiar observations made by these Yi Xiantian masters during their travels.
To He Yiming, the value of these cultivation notes was even greater than that of ordinary Xiantian manuals, captivating him to the point of intoxication, plunging him into their depths.
Within these notes were often mentioned specialized minor cultivation tricks. These tricks were usually only useful to Xiantian experts who cultivated techniques of the same affinity and possessed similar strength. But for He Yiming, this presented no obstacle; no matter how stringent the requirement of the recorded technique, he could easily meet it.
Furthermore, these Yi Xiantian masters offered unique perspectives on the Dao of the Five Elements and the cultivation methods of other affinities.
Although their understanding varied greatly due to the differing paths they pursued, when cross-referenced with He Yiming’s own comprehension, they yielded profound insights. At times, halfway through reading a passage, he couldn't help but slap his thigh in appreciation.
He didn't know how much time had passed before he finished reviewing all hundred-plus cultivation insights in the large room.
He Yiming drew a long breath, closed his eyes within the chamber, and the knowledge he had absorbed flowed through his mind like running water.
While he could not instantaneously integrate everything, the vast amount of material provided immense guidance for the future direction of his martial cultivation.
After a long while, he exhaled slowly, rose, and strode out of that room.
The small chamber held only those scant ten books. As He Yiming entered, the agitation in his heart surpassed that of before.
The predecessors at the Yi Xiantian level had already benefited him greatly; what wonders would these three super-masters who achieved the Three Flowers realm reveal?
He picked up the thickest book and gently turned the first page, reading word for word with immense reverence.
He assumed that every character within must be a gem, or very nearly so.
But after reading just a few lines, an irrepressible look of astonishment washed over his face.
What was recorded here were the cultivation insights of a senior expert from the very beginning of his journey—not even at the Xiantian stage, but during his initial breakthroughs at the first level of Inner Strength.
Though He Yiming held profound respect for the sect’s elders, the cultivation path at the first level of Inner Strength was something he knew intimately, thoroughly. Moreover, there were no shortcuts in this fundamental training; diligence was the sole required quality for low-level cultivators.
Only by establishing the most solid foundation could future soaring become possible.
He Yiming’s movements grew faster until he finished the thickest volume. The wry smile on his face deepened.
It turned out that this book recorded the cultivation insights of a senior during his Houtian period.
If this volume had fallen into the hands of the former He Family Estate, it would undoubtedly have been considered priceless. But to him now, it was practically useless—a morsel too small to satisfy, too large to discard.
After flipping through the remaining nine books, He Yiming selected three.
These three volumes detailed content relating to the transition between the Xiantian and Yi Xiantian stages. The other books recorded insights from the Houtian realm or the realm beyond Three Flowers Gathering. For He Yiming at this juncture, this material was either inapplicable or too profound... incomprehensible.
And then there was the volume personally authored by Yu Cihang, whose content was even more abstruse, so He Yiming dismissed it without a second thought.
Only after selecting these three most suitable books did he finally settle down and begin to read with concentration.
The content recorded in each book differed. Even among Three Flowers Gathering masters, their areas of focus were not entirely the same.
After all, besides He Yiming, no one else could possibly possess the ability to cultivate all Five Elements simultaneously.
For them, thoroughly mastering the two or three affinities they controlled was already a formidable achievement.
When Yu Jinglei studied in this room, he too selected only those insights relevant to his own affinity; although he glanced over the rest, he dared not delve too deeply.
But He Yiming was entirely different. Regardless of what technique the author specialized in, He Yiming read with rapt attention, sometimes beaming with excitement, sometimes furrowing his brow in deep thought. If not for the awareness of his location, he would have already started attempting to cultivate the methods described.
Thus, He Yiming remained in the two rooms, the large and the small, for a full month.
The day he finally pushed open the door, the entire aura surrounding him seemed to have undergone an exquisitely subtle transformation…
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