The sunlight clawed its way up the mountainside, contorting itself into a thousand strange expressions. It glanced at the quartz, and its gaze immediately ignited with brilliance; the dense forest canopy, shimmering in an inky, alluring green, drew its attention, rendering the sunlight mysterious as it observed the leaves.
Beneath the gentle cascade of this daylight, a languid sense of comfort settled over everyone present, a hazy warmth in their eyes.
However, at this very moment, upon a colossal platform near the main peak of Tianchi, more than ten thousand disciples from Tianchi's branch sects, main lineage members, and esteemed visitors from the Eastern Great Shen had gathered.
The sheer immensity of the Tianchi main peak was evident in this gathering; even with tens of thousands assembled on the mountainside platform, the space still felt remarkably open, entirely devoid of any sense of crowding.
What was more, closer to the summit, there stood an even grander, colossal dais. This High Stage was built directly into the mountain’s side, exuding an overwhelming majesty that, viewed from below, could instill a genuine sense of dread. Whoever constructed this platform was surely no ordinary person.
At this time, He Yiming stood alone atop this High Stage, quietly observing the scene below.
The Hengshan lineage had also held similar grand ceremonies for inaugurating a sect, but compared to the imposing atmosphere here, they faded into insignificance.
Only those who had attained the Xiantian realm were qualified to stand upon the High Stage. And those few, perhaps a dozen, who occupied the foremost lines, clearly radiating a superior aura, were the peak experts who had broken through to the Yixiantian realm.
Yu Jinglei and Zhou Datian’s gazes swept over He Yiming from time to time, each harboring distinct thoughts.
Since that late-night conversation, He Yiming had remained completely silent about the Five Elements Ring, acting as if that night had never occurred.
Yet, only Yu Jinglei and Zhou Datian knew that He Yiming, so young, would never simply let the matter drop. They were certain that until he possessed the absolute strength to exact revenge, he would refrain from impulsive actions.
Zhou Datian felt a private surge of satisfaction. His willingness to humble himself, apologize to He Yiming, and bestow upon him a supreme treasure was entirely calculated to drive a wedge between He Yiming and the Kaixing Kingdom. Once conflict erupted between the two, regardless of who triumphed or fell, it would bring immeasurable benefits to the Tufan Kingdom.
Though the Fourth Prince of Tufan, Bu Xingcong, had perished by He Yiming’s hand, the Kaixing Kingdom could not entirely absolve itself of responsibility.
Letting those two devour each other was a fitting way to avenge Bu Xingcong.
He harbored no fear that He Yiming might discern his intentions, because even if He Yiming saw through the scheme, as long as his desire to avenge Shui Xuanjin remained, he would eventually walk the path laid out by Zhou Datian’s plan.
Sensing Zhou Datian's stare, He Yiming turned his head and offered a slight smile. Zhou Datian quickly returned a matching grin.
Observing their seemingly reconciled demeanor brought immense joy to Zhu Baqi and the others.
He Yiming’s gaze drifted upward again, towards the highest point of the High Stage.
There sat four chairs occupied by four individuals. One of them was Ai Wenbin—the only Venerable Master from the entire Tianchi Mountain to attend.
Accompanying him were Li Mingxuan from the Seven-Colored Ice Palace of the Northern Frontier Snow Fields, and Yuan Lixun also occupied a seat.
Given Li Mingxuan’s status, her presence on the stage was expected. But the fact that Yuan Lixun also possessed a seat there immediately drew curious, scrutinizing glances.
However, the moment Zhuo Wanlian announced that Yuan Lixun possessed the Profound Cold Physique, every hint of discontent vanished instantaneously. Even the Yixiantian experts looking at her now held only deep envy and desire, replaced by any trace of defiance.
The final chair was occupied by Jin Zhanyi, though everyone understood his placement was due to the colossal power base he represented.
The Eastern Great Shen’s Lingxiao Treasure Hall—a faction as immense as the entire Northwest—its representative naturally commanded special regard.
Yu Jinglei stepped forward slightly, chuckling beside He Yiming, “Elder He, Senior Ai invited you to take a seat earlier, yet you declined. Now, you won’t have the opportunity again.”
He Yiming chuckled dryly, “Elder Yu jokes. I am not a Juding Venerable. How could I possibly be qualified for a seat up there?”
Yu Jinglei shook his head. “Miss Yuan and Jin Zhanyi are not Juding Venerables either, yet they are seated safely because they are certain to achieve the Juding breakthrough. Your talent far surpasses theirs; you are certainly qualified.” He paused. “Do you lack confidence in reaching Juding?”
A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched the corner of He Yiming’s mouth, a smile brimming with intense self-assurance.
“Brother He, Brother Yu, what are you two enjoying so much?”
A man approached with a gentle smile—it was Zhang Zhongjin, visiting from the Great Shen.
He Yiming and Yu Jinglei exchanged glances. They found it strange, but anyone approaching them now surely had an ulterior motive.
After chatting inanely about the weather, geography, and character for dozens of exchanges, Zhang Zhongjin could no longer contain himself. “Brother He, your decades of effort have finally borne fruit. Advancing to the Yixiantian realm now is truly cause for joyous congratulations.”
He Yiming blinked in surprise, exchanging glances with Yu Jinglei. When had his advancement to Yixiantian required decades of effort?
Yu Jinglei suddenly slapped his forehead, laughing ruefully. “Brother Zhang, you’ve mistaken the man.”
Zhang Zhongjin looked suspicious. “Mistaken whom?”
Yu Jinglei laughed boisterously, raising his voice slightly. “Elder Yao, please come here for a moment!”
In a corner of the High Stage, Yao Daoren and Yu Xichen were conversing animatedly with the Xiantian experts from the main peak and various branches.
Although they were Xiantian experts, they were only entitled to converse at the edges of the High Stage and dared not wander freely upon it like the Yixiantian masters such as He Yiming.
Hearing Yu Jinglei’s summons, Yao Daoren dared not delay. He hurried over. “Uncle-Master Yu, what are your orders?”
Zhang Zhongjin stared at Yao Daoren’s youthful face, then looked at He Yiming’s, his jaw dropping in astonishment for a long moment. Finally, he managed, “Brother Yu, has your Hengshan lineage managed to refine the Longevity-Preserving Pill?”
He Yiming rolled his eyes; he now understood the implication. Zhang Zhongjin had mistaken him for Yao Daoren.
Although Yao Daoren was only a Xiantian expert, he was widely renowned; few Xiantian realm masters in the entire Northwest did not know of him. This was because he had consumed a single Longevity-Preserving Pill, which permanently fixed his appearance at that of someone in his early twenties.
More significantly, Yao Daoren’s surname was He. Thus, Zhang Zhongjin, who had visited the Northwest several times, upon hearing the title ‘Elder He’ and seeing his youthful countenance, immediately assumed he was Yao Daoren.
“Brother Zhang, the Longevity-Preserving Pill is an unparalleled treasure. How could we possibly have refined it? You must be joking,” Yu Jinglei said sternly.
Although the Longevity-Preserving Pill offered little direct benefit to the true energy of Xiantian masters, its property of perpetually preserving youth was enough to make female experts flock to obtain it. If it weren't common knowledge that refining the pill was extremely difficult, and that Yao Daoren had consumed the last existing one, people would surely have descended upon the Hengshan lineage seeking it. This was why Yu Jinglei immediately refuted the claim when Zhang Zhongjin mentioned it—allowing such a false rumor to spread could plunge the Hengshan lineage into endless turmoil.
Zhang Zhongjin shook his head slightly. “Brother Yu, you’re not being very friendly. Two of the Xiantian masters in the Hengshan lineage share such youthful faces. Besides the Longevity-Preserving Pill, is there any other elixir capable of preserving a youthful appearance?”
“Brother Zhang, perhaps you have not yet heard, as you have only just arrived at Tianchi,” Yu Jinglei said, pointing toward He Yiming and smiling proudly. “Elder He Yiming is only nineteen years old this year. Even if he wanted to adopt an aged visage, it would be impossible.”
Zhang Zhongjin’s eyes widened abruptly. He looked at He Yiming as if viewing a rare specimen of the natural world, his expression filled with incredulity.
He Yiming’s brow furrowed slightly. Although he was growing somewhat accustomed to such gazes, it did not necessarily make him feel better.
After a moment, Zhang Zhongjin finally regained his composure. He coughed lightly, masking his earlier lapse. “Brother Yu, I am getting old, and my hearing has been poor lately. What did you just say?”
He Yiming and the others gave him an exasperated look; given his cultivation, claiming deafness was clearly brazen lying.
Yu Jinglei snorted. “Elder He Yiming is nineteen years old this year. Does Brother Zhang have any commentary on that?”
Zhang Zhongjin’s lips moved a few times, finally certain he hadn't misheard. He studied He Yiming intently for a long time, then turned to look at Jin Zhanyi on the High Stage, before finally sighing deeply. “This humble brother once believed my junior martial brother was the youngest Yixiantian expert in the world. Now I realize that in the realm of the Northwest, there exists someone like Brother… He.”
Yu Jinglei swelled with inner pride. Over the years, Zhang Zhongjin had visited Tianchi Mountain with considerable arrogance due to his trading relationships with others, but upon learning He Yiming’s true background, all traces of hauteur vanished from him.
After offering a few compliments, Zhang Zhongjin asked, “Elder Yao, do you happen to have the formula for the Longevity-Preserving Pill in your possession?”
Yao Daoren looked utterly bewildered and flatly denied, “No.”
Hearing him lie so smoothly to his face, He Yiming sighed internally. If his grandfather had witnessed this scene, the lofty image Yao Daoren held in his elder’s mind would surely have collapsed entirely.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Zhang Zhongjin’s face. Although he didn't entirely believe the denial, he couldn't force the issue. After hesitating, he said, “Brother Zhang has long admired Elder Yao Daoren’s mastery of alchemy. Would you be willing to attempt refining the Longevity-Preserving Pill? I will supply all the rare ingredients. What do you say?”
Yao Daoren paused, asking suspiciously, “Senior Zhang, what is your need for the Longevity-Preserving Pill?”
Just as Zhang Zhongjin was about to answer, a loud, long howl suddenly echoed up from the foot of the mountain.
The cry was not piercingly loud, but it resonated continuously like muffled thunder, and within the sound was an unmistakable, powerful current of undisguised hostility.
The crowds on the mountainside exchanged bewildered glances. Even powerful figures like Ai Wenbin and Li Mingxuan felt extreme surprise. This was the main peak of Tianchi, and it was happening during the Grand Sect Competition. For someone to dare challenge them here, and based on the howl, this challenger hadn't even reached the Juding Venerable realm—did this person not know what the word ‘death’ meant?
Moments later, the howling ceased, and a voice matching the muffled thunder responded.
“Totem Bear Wuji pays respects to the Tianchi Venerables…”
Ps: Six chapters updated today. Bai He will continue writing. Tomorrow, two chapters by 8 AM, striving for one chapter by 1:30 PM, and aiming for four chapters tonight. Tomorrow: Seven chapters, 12,000 words… Bai He pleads for monthly tickets! ※※※※ I hear from Xiao Tian that Bai He’s review section has become a battlefield between JJ and Fanqie? Currently, writing takes precedence; I have no time to pay attention to other matters, much less browse the review sections. I implore all readers to show mercy. I am such an honest person; please do not bully me. Please stop posting reviews about other authors or other books. Arguing is unpleasant; truly unpleasant… Thank you, the honest Bai He expresses his gratitude!