The martial arts contests of the first day concluded, and He Yiming and the others returned to their courtyards.

The Grand Opening Competition was certainly no trivial matter and could not possibly conclude in a single day. However, during this first day, the Hengshan lineage had indeed achieved considerable success. Particularly notable was Che Wenjun, favored by Zhu Baqi, who fought through successive rounds, winning three consecutive matches with unstoppable momentum, showing every sign of breaking into the top ten.

After the evening meal, Yu Jinglei instructed everyone to rest before taking He Yiming, Elder Yao, and Yu Xichen to the rear courtyard.

Yuan Lixun also had a room here, but for the most part, she did not reside in it. Instead, she had been taken by Li Mingxuan to the branch residence on the main peak of the Northern Frontier Ice Palace to cultivate her unique techniques.

Although He Yiming was curious, due to his less-than-friendly relationship with Li Mingxuan, he had never gone to observe.

At this time, it was precisely when Yuan Lixun was engaged in her cultivation, so she was also absent.

As for the one hundred and eighth person who also had permission to be here, he had long since retreated to his dedicated, shadowy room, remaining hidden like a ghost.

When He Yiming arrived, he was carrying a white pig, about the size of a small dog. It was snuffling its nose, seemingly fast asleep, yet no one present dared to underestimate it.

Even if this spirit beast possessed no actual fighting strength, merely being the most beloved spirit beast of the Ancestor of Tianchi Mountain was enough to grant it a status beyond the common understanding.

Yu Jinglei looked at He Yiming and let out a wry smile. "Elder He, you truly have a remarkable connection with this treasure pig."

He Yiming gently placed the treasure pig by the table and sat down close beside it.

"Elder Yu, perhaps it is fate," He Yiming replied with a smile, his gaze briefly sweeping over the pig’s snowy white coat, utterly devoid of blemishes.

It was strange; this little creature darted about all day, traversing even muddy ground without issue, yet its body always maintained a pristine cleanliness. However, if it weren't for this miraculous ability, He Yiming and the others wouldn't have taken such a liking to the little fellow.

"A pity," Elder Yao suddenly shook his head.

"A pity about what?" He Yiming asked in surprise.

Elder Yao's gaze was fixed on the treasure pig. "I inquired. Although this treasure pig appears small, it has genuinely lived for five hundred years."

He Yiming and the others paused, then a feeling of awkward amusement washed over them.

"Elder Yao, you jest," He Yiming said helplessly. "Even if we disliked this little creature, I doubt anyone would dare set their sights on it."

Elder Yao nodded slightly. "I know. That is why I said a pity... Ouch."

He suddenly jumped up, clutching his thigh and crying out in pain.

Just a moment before, a white shadow had flashed past like lightning, striking his thigh with swiftness beyond human perception.

Everyone exchanged glances, only then realizing that the sleeping treasure pig had woken up at some unseen moment. And with a speed that even He Yiming and Yu Jinglei couldn't track, it had slammed into Daoist Yao.

Turning to look, the treasure pig on the table was standing up, its snout wrinkled as if in anger. A hostile gleam shone in its small eyes as it glared fiercely at Elder Yao.

He Yiming frowned slightly. His relationship with Daoist Yao was extraordinary. With a wave of his hand, he commanded, "Go on, go play with One Hundred and Eight."

The treasure pig grunted in displeasure a few times, then with a leap, it vanished. Yet, none of them could imagine how the gloomy, ghost-like One Hundred and Eight, who was almost indistinguishable from a wooden dummy, could possibly play with the treasure pig.

Yu Jinglei watched the direction the treasure pig had gone. "Elder He, is the treasure pig always that fast?"

"Yes," He Yiming nodded. "In fact, its top speed is much faster than that just now."

Having spent several months with the treasure pig, He Yiming knew well that this little creature was definitely not simple.

If someone were truly foolish enough to slight its strength based on its weak appearance, they would undoubtedly receive an unforgettable lesson.

However, just how formidable its true power was, even He Yiming, who had spent months with it, could not be certain. After all, given its identity, He Yiming had no opportunity to truly test it with his Great Guan Blade or the Five Elements Rings. Their relationship had simply deepened through long association.

Elder Yao was still rubbing his thigh, indicating the immense pain the impact had inflicted.

Yu Xichen suddenly laughed. "Senior Brother Yao, if that little thing had hit you a little higher, you'd be in real trouble."

Elder Yao sucked in a cold breath, muttering curses and vows. "The next time I meet that beast, this old man swears revenge."

Yu Jinglei laughed helplessly. "Forget it. If you hadn't been coveting its inner core, it wouldn't have bothered you." He paused, then added, "This treasure pig is famous within dozens of miles around Tianchi. If it truly sets its sights on you, that is no small matter."

Elder Yao hesitated for a moment, finally nodding slightly and falling silent.

He Yiming felt rather awkward. "Elder Yao, if you are still upset, let me capture that creature and let you beat it up to vent your anger?"

Elder Yao waved his hand dismissively. "Elder He jokes. Do you think this old man, at my age, would really quibble over a spirit beast?"

He Yiming chuckled dryly. He knew that if the treasure pig were killed and its inner core given to Elder Yao, the elder would unhesitatingly use it for alchemy. But to actually beat the pig severely—the old man genuinely lacked the interest or the shamelessness for that.

Clearing his throat, He Yiming asked, "Elder Yu, what did you summon us here to discuss?"

Yu Jinglei slapped his forehead. "I almost forgot the main point." He shook his head. "Gentlemen, I called you here because there is a matter for discussion."

His gaze settled on He Yiming and Daoist Yao. "Actually, this matter concerns the two of you."

Before He Yiming could speak, Daoist Yao said solemnly, "If it benefits the sect, please, Martial Uncle, make the decision."

He Yiming blinked. Although Yu Jinglei hadn't stated the issue yet, Daoist Yao seemed to have guessed it. His heart stirred. "The Youth-Preserving Pill (Zhuyan Dan)?"

"Exactly, the Youth-Preserving Pill," Yu Jinglei stated seriously. "Elder Yao, the Youth-Preserving Pill is not something belonging to the Hengshan lineage. It is a treasure you acquired by chance before entering the sect. The method for refining this pill is known only to you. While it is of little use to us old folks, to those who need it, it is a truly priceless treasure."

Daoist Yao smiled slightly. "Priceless might be an overstatement. Moreover, I am not the sole possessor of this formula."

Yu Jinglei’s expression immediately changed. "Impossible. If someone else possessed this formula, how could Zhang Zhongjin, a man from the Da Shen Lingxiao Palace, fail to find it?"

Daoist Yao chuckled, his gaze lingering on He Yiming.

Yu Jinglei, being who he was, understood immediately and managed a wry smile. "So, Elder Yao gave the formula to Elder He. Well, that explains it."

He was perfectly aware of the relationship between He Yiming and Daoist Yao.

Having no children of his own, Elder Yao had treated He Wujin and He Wude as his own sons, and he regarded He Wude’s grandson, He Yiming, with even greater favor than a direct grandson. Only because He Yiming’s martial cultivation had advanced had they been forced by the ancestral rules of Hengshan to address each other as Elders. But if there was anything truly precious to be passed down, Daoist Yao would naturally think of He Yiming first.

"If only the two of you know it and haven't leaked it, then the problem isn't too large," Yu Jinglei said slowly after a moment of thought.

Daoist Yao hesitated. "Martial Uncle, what did Senior Zhang Zhongjin say?"

"Zhang Zhongjin seems determined to obtain this formula," Yu Jinglei said gravely. "However, judging by his tone, if we had finished pills, he would be willing to pay an extremely high price to exchange with us."

"Finished pills are absolutely out of the question," He Yiming refused without a second thought.

After seeing the formula, he knew that gathering all the required medicinal ingredients would be an immense undertaking. He might not succeed even if he dedicated his entire life to it. Furthermore, there was the risk of failure during the refining process—success meant joy, but failure meant wasting a lifetime of effort. Thus, not only was a finished pill impossible to produce, but even if one existed, it could not be traded.

Hearing He Yiming’s resolute answer, Yu Jinglei was momentarily stunned and looked towards Daoist Yao.

Daoist Yao’s lips moved slightly, as if calculating something. After a long pause, he let out a sigh of resignation. "Martial Uncle, I just calculated. Even if I gather all the required materials to refine it, the chance of success is less than one in ten. But collecting the ingredients for ten Youth-Preserving Pills is almost a fool's dream. Therefore, finished pills are definitely impossible."

Only then did Yu Jinglei relax, though his brow furrowed slightly.

He Yiming’s mind raced. "Elder Yu, what condition did Zhang Zhongjin offer that makes you so troubled?"

Yu Jinglei gave a bitter smile. "The terms he offered are too generous. Although this Youth-Preserving Pill is not mine, I find it hard to refuse outright."

He Yiming’s curiosity peaked. "Tell me."

Yu Jinglei held up a single finger. "They promised that if they obtain the formula or a finished pill, they will exchange it for a Golden Core of Innate Heaven (Xiantian Jindan)."

He Yiming looked dubious. "Elder Yu, are they only willing to trade for one Golden Core of Innate Heaven?"

Since He Yiming joined Hengshan, they had acquired quite a few Innate Golden Cores, so Hengshan was no longer in the previous state of scarcity. If it were only for a single Golden Core of Innate Heaven, why would Yu Jinglei be so troubled?

Yu Jinglei slowly shook his head. "As long as the Lingxiao Palace remains standing, they will escort one Golden Core of Innate Heaven every ten years, continuing this for five hundred years."

He Yiming and the others simultaneously drew a sharp breath, sighing inwardly—what an extravagant offer!