It was as if the very earth trembled. A towering figure rushed toward them from the distance, bearing down rapidly.

He Yiming’s gaze sharpened. Though the approaching figure wasn't of the Wolf Totem or Serpent Totem lineage, he had a distinct premonition that this individual was coming for him.

Below the high platform, the faces of the numerous disciples were alight with interest. Due to the friction between Hengshan and the Totem tribes, most of them had heard tales of the Totem clans but had never actually seen one, leading to a flicker of anticipation in their eyes.

However, the expressions of Ai Wenbin and the others from the Tianchi main lineage atop the platform grew quite grim.

Regardless of why Xiong Wuji had arrived, his appearance at such a gathering was an utter humiliation. If the arrival was not a powerhouse from the Totem clans, they would have certainly moved to subdue this behemoth already.

In just a moment, the figure reached the edge of the massive platform. Upon seeing the newcomer clearly, everyone gasped sharply.

The figure was not one, but two: a man and a bear.

The colossal bear stood three meters high, and when it stood upright, it resembled a fortress, pressing down on the heart with heavy pressure and an indelible shadow.

Upon the bear’s back sat a man with perfect balance.

Reaching the center of the square, the man leaped down from the bear’s back and landed before the great beast.

This man stood about two meters tall, his features chiseled with resolute lines, and his eyes shone with piercing clarity. The entire person exuded exceptional vigor.

Yet, when such a towering figure descended, he did so as weightlessly as a sheet of paper. This single demonstration of light-body skill alone sent many speculating wildly about the nature of the Zhenqi he cultivated.

Xiong Wuji scanned the crowd, his gaze finally locking onto the high platform. He cupped his hands and announced in a clear voice, “Xiong Wuji pays respects to the Venerable of Tianchi.”

Ai Wenbin let out a soft snort. His voice, though not loud, resonated like a massive drum, causing both Xiong Wuji and the enormous bear behind him to shudder slightly. The overbearing aura of his arrival instantly faltered.

“Xiong Wuji, do you know what day this is?” Ai Wenbin demanded coldly.

Xiong Wuji paused, glancing at the immense platform. A trace of confusion flickered in his eyes. But he wasn't a fool; seeing at least ten thousand people gathered on the platform, he immediately grasped that some form of celebration was underway, and he had arrived at the absolute worst time. If the opposing side deemed him a deliberate disruptor, there would be no recourse, even if he were killed for it.

Though his demeanor appeared reckless, his mind was quite astute. At this moment, he bowed deeply. “I beg the Venerable’s pardon. Your junior truly was unaware. If I have caused offense, I hope you will overlook it.”

His voice resonated with sincerity, as if it sprang from the depths of his heart. Hearing these words, the expressions of everyone, from the lofty Ai Wenbin to the ordinary disciples on the platform, softened.

In truth, Ai Wenbin knew he could not use this pretext to strike the man down; his intention was merely to deflate Xiong Wuji’s arrogance.

“Xiong Wuji, today is the day of the Founder’s Grand Competition for the Tianchi main lineage. You are a distant guest; why not ascend and watch the matches?” Ai Wenbin spoke slowly.

Xiong Wuji’s ruggedly strong face registered even greater surprise. “Venerable Lord, if this junior remembers correctly, your sect’s once-a-decade competition should be next year.”

Jin Zhanyi, seated on the high platform, suddenly burst into loud laughter. “A competition of martial skill is an internal affair of the Tianchi sect. Must we dispatch an invitation to you across ten thousand miles?”

Xiong Wuji’s expression tightened as his gaze fixed on Jin Zhanyi, who met the stare with an unwavering cold smirk. The clash of their auras intensified, reaching a point where a single spark could ignite a battle ending in immediate life or death.

Ai Wenbin hesitated, about to speak. Since Jin Zhanyi had stepped forward, he was happy to observe. If the deep mountain Totem clans shifted their focus toward Eastern Da Shen, it would be something Ai Wenbin eagerly welcomed.

After a long pause, Xiong Wuji slowly nodded. “I have long heard that a peerless genius has emerged among those outside the mountains. It appears that is you, sir.”

A hint of surprise flashed in Jin Zhanyi’s eyes. “Do the Totem clans not reside deep in the mountains, preoccupied with their own affairs?”

His tone carried a faint air of pride. Although his fame was nearly country-wide within Eastern Da Shen, this was the Northwest, and the speaker was from the deep mountain Totem clans. The realization that his reputation had reached even this far naturally filled him with a measure of satisfaction.

Xiong Wuji let out an angry snort. “Though our Totem clan dwells deep in the mountains, how could we ignore those who steal totems and slay the Totem Grand Emissaries?”

Jin Zhanyi froze. He instantly realized the other party must have mistaken him for someone else. However, his nature was intensely arrogant; even knowing the bear totem tribesman confronting him was not to be trifled with, the more powerful the opponent, the more interested he became. At this moment, his eyes flashed with brilliance, and he announced, “Bear cub, enough talk. Since today is the competition day, why don’t you and I fight a round first?”

Fierce glints flickered in Xiong Wuji’s eyes, and a trace of cold amusement curled at the corner of his mouth.

Although this smile was utterly chilling, appearing on his ruggedly strong face, it evoked a completely different sentiment.

He Yiming frowned slightly. “Brother Zhang, this matter does not concern your Da Shen. Are you not going to mediate?”

Zhang Zhongjin smiled dismissively. “Junior Brother Jin’s journey north was precisely to seek powerful opponents to spar with. I had originally intended to approach you first-tier figures after the main competition and beg a favor, but now that we have this fellow, it serves two purposes simultaneously.”

He Yiming and Yu Jinglei exchanged bewildered looks. Given Zhang Zhongjin’s status as a merchant of treasures, no one would refuse his request for aid. But for Jin Zhanyi to intentionally seek out a fight was astonishing.

Seeming to sense their doubt, Zhang Zhongjin chuckled darkly. “Junior Brother Jin has already condensed the Three Flowers and achieved the tripod stance. He is merely one step away from consolidating the summit. Therefore, he travels the world seeking masters at the same level to challenge, hoping to gain some enlightenment during the battles that will aid his successful consolidation.”

Yu Jinglei’s expression shifted subtly. “Brother Zhang, isn't that incredibly dangerous?”

Zhang Zhongjin shook his head. “Junior Brother Jin’s cultivation technique is rather peculiar; he excels at breaking through during combat. Thus, challenging the world is a necessary evil for him.”

He Yiming and the others remained silent. They had never heard of such a strange occurrence before. But they now understood that Jin Zhanyi was not an inconsiderate person acting purely on impulse; he had done this intentionally. For a powerhouse of his caliber, once he broke through to the Venerable Realm, offending one Xiong Totem tribe would be trivial—he likely wouldn't spare a thought even if he offended every totem species combined. After all, behind him stood the paramount power of Da Shen: the Lingxiao Treasure Palace.

“Hmph, hmph…”

Two distinct snorts echoed again from the high platform. This sound was incredibly cold, like the sweep of a blizzard, causing the Houtian cultivators below to shiver involuntarily, fear blooming in their eyes.

Xiong Wuji’s expression also grew grave as he looked at Li Mingxuan on the high platform, his heart beginning to pound faintly.

Ai Wenbin’s face flushed slightly. He had intended to watch the fun unfold, but he recognized the sarcasm in Li Mingxuan’s tone. He sighed inwardly. Although he didn't understand why this Ice Palace supreme, Yuan Lixun’s master, still held such disdain for He Yiming, the matter had reached this point; the Tianchi main lineage absolutely could not stand idly by any longer, or they would become a laughingstock.

He stood up. “Nephew Jin, this is an affair of our Tianchi lineage. I appreciate your good intentions, but please take your seat.”

A flash of annoyance crossed Jin Zhanyi’s eyes. He looked back longingly at Xiong Wuji and the great bear behind him. Such a perfect opponent was slipping away, and though unwilling, he was powerless to stop it. He darted a glance toward Li Mingxuan, inwardly cursing, ‘Old hag, ruining this lord’s good time. I’ll settle accounts with you later.’

Of course, this glance was extremely subtle, drawing no attention. Li Mingxuan was a genuine Summit Consolidation Venerable. Jin Zhanyi, though arrogant, was no fool; he would not seek suffering when he knew he was outmatched.

Watching Jin Zhanyi return to his seat, Xiong Wuji’s face registered profound surprise. He asked, “Are you not He Yiming of Hengshan?”

Jin Zhanyi laughed loudly. “I am Jin Zhanyi of Da Shen. Brother Xiong, if you are interested, we can spar anytime once this matter concludes.”

Xiong Wuji glared at him irritably before turning away, completely ignoring him thereafter.

Ai Wenbin smiled faintly. “Xiong Wuji, you came looking for our nephew He Yiming of Hengshan.”

“Yes.” Xiong Wuji cupped his hands. “Senior, this He Yiming stole the Wolf Totem from our Totem Clan and colluded with the Hengshan lineage, gathering allies to attack the Totem Clan’s Grand Emissary, Emissaries, and over a hundred clansmen. Xiong Wuji was sent by the command of the Qilin Saint Lord to apprehend him and bring him back to the deep mountains.”

Ai Wenbin’s face turned terrifyingly somber. Although Xiong Wuji projected such formidable strength, his actual rank was merely that of a Grand Emissary of the Bear Totem Clan. However, Ai Wenbin understood the Totem Clan’s intention in sending him: if they had dispatched a Saint-level Totem expert, it would signal a complete severance of ties with no room for reconciliation.

With a soft sigh, Ai Wenbin said, “Zhu Baqi, you explain the situation.”

Zhu Baqi acknowledged him and stepped forward immediately, recounting everything that transpired on Hengshan. He emphatically stressed two points: that Suoge and the others were not killed by the combined forces of the Hengshan lineage, but that He Yiming pursued and beheaded the culprits alone across ten thousand miles. Furthermore, the fact that He Yiming acquired the Five Elements Ring and that someone framed them were both revealed completely.

He narrated the events tactfully according to his status, leaving the more than ten thousand people on and off the platform utterly silent until he finished, at which point murmuring broke out everywhere.