Within the great hall, Zhuo Wanlian and He Yiming sat facing one another. Beside He Yiming, Yuan Lixun sat with undeniable grace, the aura of chill emanating from her seeming to intensify with every passing moment.
Only powerful figures like He Yiming, and the master of the Ice-elemental True Qi, Zhuo Wanlian, could remain utterly unperturbed by it. Beyond them, let alone the ordinary Houtian disciples, even a typical Xiantian expert like Medicine Daoist, who cultivated Fire-elemental techniques, hesitated to remain near Yuan Lixun for extended periods.
Though it presented certain inconveniences, He Yiming understood this was due to Yuan Lixun’s Ice-elemental True Qi progressing at an astonishing, near-daily pace.
The more intense the cold radiating from her, the greater the contentment in He Yiming’s heart.
The Grand Competition had concluded for the day, and some smaller factions had already begun to depart from the main Heavenly Pool lineage. Naturally, the most significant guests, including those from Great Shen and the Northern Frontier, had yet to leave.
“Brother Zhuo, you truly are a rare sight,” He Yiming said sincerely. “After being on the mountain for so long, this is only the second time you’ve graced my Humble Mountain Courtyard.”
Since Zhuo Wanlian’s initial visit with Li Mingxuan, he had never sought them out again. It wasn't just him; among all those from the Ice Palace, only Yuan Lixun had ever made the trip.
A wry smile touched Zhuo Wanlian’s lips. “Forgive me, Brother He. It’s not that I didn't wish to come, but Martial Aunt Li has imposed a strict confinement order, forbidding us from leaving without authorization.”
He Yiming paused slightly, glancing towards Yuan Lixun.
Zhuo Wanlian quickly waved his hands. “Brother He, surely you don't believe Martial Sister Yuan is under the same restrictions as us.” He paused, a flicker of envy crossing his expression. “Martial Sister Yuan is deeply favored by Martial Aunt Li. If we step outside the main courtyard without permission, we would certainly face severe punishment from her. For the ordinary disciples, it’s entirely possible Martial Aunt Li would kill us on the spot. Yet, Martial Sister Yuan spends at least one day in three by your side, and Martial Aunt Li simply turns a blind eye, pretending not to notice.”
He Yiming chuckled inwardly. When he first met Zhuo Wanlian, the straightforward man had left a profound impression. Yet, it was surprising that even he had someone to fear.
Seeing his timid demeanor before Li Mingxuan—like a mouse caught by a cat—revealed the true stature of the old woman in his heart.
Zhuo Wanlian finished his complaint. “Brother He, I came today because I need to discuss a matter with you.”
“Please, Brother Zhuo, speak freely.”
“Now that the Heavenly Pool Grand Competition is over, we have been away from the Ice Palace for nearly a year. Martial Aunt Li has decided it is time to return soon.”
“Leaving so soon, Brother Zhuo? What a pity,” He Yiming said, though his heart held no sense of regret whatsoever.
Zhuo Wanlian’s gaze settled on Yuan Lixun. “Brother He, Martial Aunt Li wishes for Martial Sister Yuan to accompany us back to the Ice Palace.”
He Yiming’s expression immediately cooled slightly. “Brother Zhuo, you must know Lixun is my wife. Are you suggesting we live separated?”
Zhuo Wanlian let out a light sigh. “Brother He is an intelligent man; surely you understand the implications of this decision?”
He Yiming’s face turned colder. “Though the Seven-Colored Ice Palace of the Northern Frontier Snowfield is formidable, it may not necessarily hold dominion over the Northwest. While I might not be an enemy to the Ice Palace Venerables, the main peak of Hengshan Heavenly Pool shares a single lineage. I believe the Venerables there would not stand idly by.”
Zhuo Wanlian was momentarily taken aback, managing a wry, helpless laugh. “Brother He, what are you implying? No matter how unreasonable our Ice Palace is, we wouldn’t go so far as to force such a difficult situation upon you.”
He Yiming’s expression finally softened. “In that case, what is your actual purpose, Brother Zhuo?”
Zhuo Wanlian’s demeanor turned serious. “Brother He, do you know the lifespan granted to a cultivator?”
After a moment of contemplation, He Yiming vaguely grasped the implication of the question, a mix of shock and joy stirring within him. He glanced at the expressionless Yuan Lixun. “Xiantian experts possess a lifespan of two hundred years. Those at the Yixiantian realm are roughly around three hundred. As for Venerables…” He paused. “It is rumored that once one achieves Apex Condensation, they can merge with the power of heaven and earth, gaining a five-hundred-year lifespan.”
At this point, even his eyes betrayed a trace of longing.
Five hundred years of life was practically divine immortality to ordinary people.
However, his thoughts immediately turned to the hidden Venerable in the Kai Rong Kingdom and the Ice Palace Venerable, Li Mingxuan, bringing a sudden, massive headache.
Zhuo Wanlian nodded deeply. “Precisely. Once a cultivator advances to the Venerable realm, they immediately attain five centuries of life.” A sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he cupped his hands toward He Yiming and asked loudly, “Brother He, may I ask directly: are you capable of ascending to the Venerable realm?”
If this question had been posed to anyone else, even powerful figures at the Three Flowers realm like Yang Hao or Zhou Datian, they would never dare give a definitive affirmative answer.
The Three Flowers realm and the Venerable realm were separated by only a single step, yet crossing that step was undeniably fraught with immense difficulty.
However, when directed at He Yiming, this seemed to be a question that required no thought at all.
“Brother Zhuo, though I am humble, I possess the certainty of reaching the Venerable realm in this lifetime,” He Yiming stated, word for careful word.
Though he deliberately avoided heavy emphasis, this calm declaration instilled a powerful sense of conviction in the listener.
Zhuo Wanlian sighed deeply, a wave of emotion washing over him.
He Yiming’s pace of progress was terrifying. Zhuo Wanlian had long abandoned any notion of rivalry. But seeing him now, having condensed the Three Flowers and poised to challenge the peak, the Apex Condensation Venerable, still left Zhuo Wanlian with an indescribable sense of bewilderment.
Shaking his head, he dismissed the strange feeling and stated solemnly, “Brother He, once you successfully ascend to the Venerable realm, you will enjoy five hundred years of life. But what about Martial Sister Yuan then? She is currently only at the Xiantian realm, not even touching the edge of Yixiantian. How will you manage her situation?”
He Yiming was instantly rendered speechless; this point had struck his core weakness.
His expression shifting several times, He Yiming finally looked up, locking his gaze onto Zhuo Wanlian. “Brother Zhuo, if Lixun accompanies Senior Li to the Ice Palace, is there an absolute guarantee she will ascend to the Venerable realm?”
Zhuo Wanlian immediately straightened his back, like a proud rooster crowing at dawn.
“Rest assured, Brother He. Our Northern Frontier Ice Palace’s exploration and mastery of Ice-elemental True Qi is unequivocally the finest in the world today. If even we cannot help Martial Sister Yuan reach the Venerable realm, then no one under the heavens will be able to achieve it.”
He Yiming raised his eyebrows slightly; he did not doubt this statement. Although his own physique was unique, it offered no direct assistance to Yuan Lixun’s advancement.
Given Yuan Lixun’s current constitution, perhaps only the Seven-Colored Ice Palace in the entire world could offer her the greatest aid.
Several thoughts flashed through his mind rapidly. The resolute look that had been in He Yiming’s eyes vanished, replaced now by a tinge of confusion and hesitation.
Zhuo Wanlian cleared his throat lightly. “Brother He, I understand the deep affection between you and your wife… However, sometimes a short separation is merely for a longer reunion in the future. If you hesitate now and miss this crucial opportunity, I fear you will regret it immensely later.”
He Yiming turned his head, meeting Yuan Lixun’s gaze directly.
In her eyes, clear as pure water, He Yiming perceived a profound tranquility.
There was no exchange of words, yet they had already understood each other’s meaning. Yuan Lixun had placed the decision entirely in his hands.
As if a heavy responsibility had suddenly settled upon his heart, He Yiming let out a long breath, and a sharp, piercing light suddenly flashed in his eyes.
“Brother Zhuo, there is one point I do not understand and wish to inquire about.”
“Please ask, Brother He.”
“Both the Heavenly Pool main lineage and the Seven-Colored Ice Palace seem to regard Lixun with special attention. I know this relates to her Extreme Cold Physique, but I refuse to believe that this reason alone compelled Venerable Li Mingxuan to travel thousands of miles from the Northern Frontier, striving so hard to take Lixun as a disciple and to ensure she reaches the Venerable realm.” He Yiming’s voice was low and powerful, yet laced with an edge of sharpness. “I wish to know the true reason. Please do not try to fob me off with the ridiculous excuse of cherishing talent. Though I may not be brilliant, I am not stupid enough to accept that.”
Zhuo Wanlian was momentarily stunned speechless, and after a long moment, his expression became unpredictable.
He Yiming extended his hand in a distant salute. “If Brother Zhuo believes you cannot answer, then please depart for now. When someone capable of providing me with a perfect answer arrives, then I shall reconsider this matter.”
Zhuo Wanlian stood up helplessly, returning the salute to He Yiming, and left without another word.
Yuan Lixun watched him go, then suddenly asked, “Yiming, why did you come to this conclusion?”
He Yiming gave a cold smile. “Li Mingxuan’s attitude toward you and me are starkly different, especially when she sees you—that manner is certainly not how a master treats a disciple. I am certain that their efforts to appease and cultivate you are because they need you, having attained the Venerable realm, to perform some task.”
Yuan Lixun considered this. “That’s very likely. But without their assistance, can I truly reach the Venerable realm?”
He Yiming fell silent. He had wanted to forcefully say yes, but as he looked into Yuan Lixun’s increasingly ethereal and pure eyes, eyes that seemed capable of reflecting the truth of one’s soul, the lie would not pass his lips.
A moment later, He Yiming finally grasped one inescapable fact.
No matter what task those old Venerable monsters intended for Yuan Lixun, they would first have to cultivate her into a Venerable in her own right.
This was not a conspiracy; it was an open scheme—a blatant yangmou—and even if He Yiming saw through the trap, he had no apparent way to dismantle it. To make Yuan Lixun ascend to the Venerable realm, they had to accept their terms; there was no other path.