In truth, everything that had just transpired—He Yiming’s departure to meet Yuan Lixun, his entry into Room 108, and his exit—including the passage of that treasured little pig under his feet, had all been observed by the old man. However, even with his immense self-possession, he hadn't felt it appropriate to interrupt He Yiming and the other person.

Yet, upon hearing Zhuo Wanlian’s voice, his brow couldn't help but furrow. While he understood the Ice Palace's intentions and goals, such haste felt excessive.

Approaching He Yiming, Zhu Baqi noticed the subtle displeasure etched on He Yiming’s face and couldn't help but let out a soft sigh. “Brother He, the Seven-Colored Ice Palace is the foremost sect in the Northern Frontier Snow Plains, wielding immense power there, comparable to our Tianchi Mountain’s standing in the Northwest.

Furthermore, the Ice Palace has always been on good terms with us, so I ask for your indulgence, Brother He.” He Yiming nodded slightly, pondering for a moment before saying, “I am enlightened.” He took the lead toward the main gate. By now, the people from Hengshan had already emerged from their rooms, but upon hearing Zhuo Wanlian’s name, they all fell silent.

Their gazes turned towards He Yiming; among so many people present, perhaps only He Yiming could maintain unwavering control over him. The gate opened, and indeed, a figure stood outside—it was Zhuo Wanlian, whom He Yiming had met several times before.

However, this time, when Zhuo Wanlian saw He Yiming, his eyes held an unusual brilliance, completely devoid of the arrogant demeanor from their first encounter. He Yiming smiled faintly.

“Brother Zhuo, I trust you’ve been well.” Zhuo Wanlian cupped his hands with a slight chuckle. “Congratulations, Brother He, on your great progress in martial arts.

Even Zhou Datian of the Three Flowers realm from the Tufan Kingdom fell before your hands.” He Yiming paused, then chuckled in amusement. “I didn't expect this news to have spread so quickly.” Zhuo Wanlian shook his head.

“Our Seven-Colored Ice Palace has deep ties with the Tufan Kingdom. We are also guests at Tianchi this time, so it’s hardly surprising we know of the matter.” Only then did He Yiming understand why these guests from the Snow Plains possessed such prompt information.

His ears suddenly twitched, and his eyebrows lifted slightly. “Which esteemed master, since you are here, why not reveal yourself for a view?” As he uttered these words, He Yiming’s voice carried an unprecedented gravity.

Just now, he thought he had captured a faint sound, but what truly astonished him was that the sound was ethereal, suggesting someone was approaching, yet even he lacked absolute certainty. Since he had heard it, however, He Yiming’s heart stirred, and he decided to test the air with a bluff; after all, the people before him were acquaintances, and even a mistake wouldn't matter much.

Zhuo Wanlian and Zhu Baqi both started, looking around suspiciously, finding nothing. Suddenly, a melodious voice drifted from nearby.

“The Clairaudience Wonder Skill, truly worthy of being one of the world’s renowned secret arts. To think even this old body’s movements could not escape your notice.” Hearing this, the expressions of everyone present shifted slightly.

Zhuo Wanlian even took three steps back, his hands hanging loosely, and bowed respectfully. “Martial Aunt, you have arrived as well.” Zhu Baqi also took a deep breath, bowing deeply; his actions clearly indicated that this greeting was sincere.

With a flash of movement, a beautiful woman appeared before the courtyard gate. This beautiful woman held a peculiar staff, the tip of which was carved with a soaring, spreading phoenix.

In He Yiming’s perception, this phoenix seemed imbued with an unimaginably powerful force; however, until it was truly unleashed, no one could determine what exactly lay within. His eyesight was now remarkably sharp; with just one glance, he perceived that this beautiful woman was undoubtedly a rare, supreme master.

“Senior Li.” Yuan Lixun’s eyes brightened, and she stepped forward respectfully to bow. He Yiming immediately guessed her identity: besides Li Mingxuan from the Northern Frontier Ice Palace, no one else could command such presence.

Carefully sensing the aura radiating from the beautiful woman, He Yiming felt a sense of dread for the first time. Her perceived might did not seem overwhelmingly strong; even Zhuo Wanlian and Zhu Baqi appeared stronger than her.

But this method of concealing her aura could not escape He Yiming. Possessing a special intuition, in his perception, this beautiful woman’s actual strength was absolutely the greatest he had ever encountered.

She was like a peaceful volcano yet to erupt, currently in a stable phase, but if it were to truly explode, the sheer might that made even He Yiming tremble with fear would instantly crush everything before her into dust. He Yiming’s expression was rather grim.

Though they hadn’t truly clashed, in the presence of this beautiful woman, he felt utterly suppressed. His gaze inadvertently flickered towards the Five Elements Ring beneath his armpit and a certain room behind him, only then did a sliver of unease in his heart begin to relax.

A gentle smile touched Li Mingxuan’s face. Although her facial structure was vastly different from Yuan Lixun’s, the exposed skin on her body was remarkably similar to Yuan Lixun’s—that snow-white complexion, yet giving no impression of ill health, skin so delicate it seemed it could break with a touch, was exceedingly rare.

“Lixun, have you made up your mind?” she asked kindly. This expression, while surprising He Yiming, also stirred profound confusion within him.

Given her cultivation in the Martial Dao, why would she speak to Yuan Lixun, who had only just stepped into the Innate realm, in such a manner? Could they possibly be related?

Yuan Lixun shook her head slightly. “Senior Li, I truly apologize, but I have not yet decided.” Li Mingxuan smiled.

“It’s alright; you can take your time to consider, but I still hope you will grant my request.” Yuan Lixun raised her head, a rare glimmer of gratitude appearing in her eyes. Li Mingxuan nodded with satisfaction, then her gaze shifted to He Yiming.

When her eyes landed on him, He Yiming’s body unexpectedly trembled. In his perception, her gaze felt like a mountain, and now that gaze seemed substantive, that mountain was about to press down upon him.

He Yiming was greatly alarmed. He had dueled with quite a few masters, including experts of the Three Flowers realm like the Ghost-Faced Monster and Zhou Datian.

Yet none of them had exerted such immense pressure upon him. He vaguely sensed that this pressure was different from theirs, different from everyone else’s; it seemed to belong to another tier of pressure, one they could not withstand through brute force.

Glancing around, He Yiming suddenly realized that he seemed to be the only one feeling such powerful pressure; the others, though standing with hands lowered, all wore expressions of utmost calm. In an instant, He Yiming understood: this beautiful woman had come specifically for him.

That colossal pressure bore down mercilessly. This nearly irresistible force plunged both his body and spirit into a suffocating strain.

However, at that very moment, a massive wave of humiliation and an unyielding spirit surged from the depths of his heart. This woman was truly overstepping; he had never provoked her, yet she arrived here and initiated an attack focused solely on him—this was simply bullying taken too far.

Vast True Qi swiftly gathered from all parts of his body towards his chest and abdomen. The greater the pressure, the greater the recoil.

He Yiming had never imagined that the speed at which he could marshal his True Qi could reach such heights. Then, he opened his mouth, and two tangible Flowers immediately erupted from his lips.

Zhuo Wanlian’s eyes widened instantly; his mouth gaped open, leaving him speechless for a long moment. In truth, before arriving here, he had contacted Zhou Datian and knew that He Yiming had already condensed two Tangible Flowers.

But hearing it was one thing; the feeling of witnessing it firsthand was entirely different. He recalled fighting He Yiming in the Kai Rong Kingdom just after the latter had advanced to the First Heaven realm.

That experience felt as if it were yesterday, yet in a blink, the young man who once wielded a large tree and drove him around in circles had already become a dual-Flower expert. Even with prior knowledge, he felt as though he were trapped in a dream, one he was unwilling to wake from for a long time.

After those two Tangible Flowers shot out, the faces of Zhu Baqi and Yuan Lixun also changed, for they now realized the two had begun their confrontation without them noticing. The Flower of Wind spun lightly around He Yiming, while the Flower of Fire seemed to gradually enlarge, the immense power contained within it appearing ready to launch the most vicious counterattack at any moment.

However, Li Mingxuan remained still. Apart from her eyes narrowing slightly, there was no other movement.

Yet, this mere narrowing of her eyes caused He Yiming’s head to ache fiercely. The formless pressure in the air suddenly magnified severalfold, even leading him to believe he would ultimately be unable to hold on, no matter how hard he tried.

He knew clearly that in her glance lay some peculiar battle skill or technique, one specifically designed to counteract the opponent’s momentum, otherwise it couldn't have such a pronounced effect. Feeling the opponent's pressure grow like a towering mountain stream, He Yiming suddenly let out a long cry.

The two Flowers before him burst open simultaneously, instantly merging into a strange, crimson-tinged green bloom. This peculiar Tangible Flower floated before He Yiming, radiating an air of supreme majesty.

Under the illumination of this light, all the pressure that had been bearing down on him vanished. He extended his hand, and countless petals coalesced around his fingers, forming a captivating Flower of Wind and Fire.

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