In the northwest, amidst the sprawling mountain range. The single greatest peak pierced through the clouds.
Heavenly Lake’s main summit had always been the nexus of supreme power in the entire northwest, and to enter the mist-shrouded reaches of its very top was to stand at the apex of the pyramid, not just for the northwest, but for the entire continent.
Here, the Qi of heaven and earth was intensely dense. Those few who qualified to enter were, in the vast tapestry of the living world, almost entirely unknown figures.
Perhaps two or three centuries ago, they were figures who commanded the wind and shook the earth with a mere stomp across the northwest.
But now, they had shed their worldly dust, stripped away the mundane, and retreated into this small, confined space.
When one’s cultivation on the Martial Path reaches their echelon, they generally cease to intervene in worldly affairs. After all, having ascended to this level, the only path laid before them was ceaseless advancement.
Martial cultivation is like rowing upstream against a current—hesitate, and you fall back.
This principle was not merely reflected in ordinary Houtian cultivators; it was even more profoundly true for powerhouses of their caliber.
At the absolute pinnacle of the mountain, there rested a platform of no great size. Upon it sat a stone table and a few stone stools.
Currently, two figures occupied the stools, seated across from each other, with a game in its endgame phase laid out on the stone table between them.
Though the gale howled incessantly, and the world beyond the swirling mist seemed unfathomably deep, threatening a fatal fall at any moment,
let alone ordinary mortals, even peak experts of the Tenth Layer Houtian Inner Strength, or common Xiantian masters suddenly placed in this environment, would tremble, feeling as if they stood on the precipice of utter annihilation.
Yet, these two sat here, exuding an aura as unshakable as Mount Tai. It seemed that even if the furious winds increased tenfold, they could not be affected in the slightest.
Not only that, but the chessboard and simple wooden pieces placed casually before them remained utterly undisturbed.
Should anyone observe closely, they would surely be astonished to find a faint, almost ethereal glow surrounding the stone table.
It was precisely beneath the canopy of this light that the chessboard and pieces achieved profound stability, losing any trace of danger from being swept away by the gale.
Of the two seated on the stone stools, one was clad in a blue robe, possessing a pale, beardless face, appearing as a youth of around twenty.
Although this person seemed young, his bearing was extraordinary, and his eyes were deep and inscrutable. Were He Yiming or the Medicine Daoist present, they would certainly assume he had also partaken of the Youth Retention Elixir.
Opposite him sat an elder draped in a Taoist robe. The elder’s eyes were faintly yellowed, appearing opaque. Yet, seated before the blue-robed youth, he carried a distinct and unusual air, commanding respect that prevented dismissal.
“Pa…”
The blue-robed figure slowly withdrew his hand from the chessboard and chuckled, “Divine Calculator, you have lost.”
The elder sighed softly. “Sect Master stands high and sees far. When you placed your pieces, you already foresaw the outcome. Such breadth of vision and spirit is far beyond what this old man can attain.”
The two enjoying a graceful game at the mountain’s highest point were none other than Di Shitian, the Sect Master of the Heavenly Lake lineage, and the most revered Divine Calculator Venerable within Heavenly Lake.
They were the two most powerful entities within the main Heavenly Lake lineage, and simultaneously, towering figures standing at the absolute zenith of the entire world.
Though they had secluded themselves for several centuries, none of the Venerables who had risen in recent years had managed to shake their position.
The heights are cold; perhaps this was the true reason they most enjoyed visiting the summit.
Di Shitian flicked his hand, and the space before him instantly distorted. A moment later, a deep, dark aperture materialized. Simultaneously, a silver bracelet on his wrist radiated a strange luminescence.
The aperture seemed to possess a magical suction, immediately drawing in the chessboard and the bi-colored pieces from the table.
This entire sequence of actions occurred without a sound; even the resulting spatial fluctuations were contained solely upon the stone table. This subtlety in wielding spatial power was absolutely beyond He Yiming’s reach.
The Divine Calculator Venerable cupped his hands in praise. “Sect Master’s comprehension of spatial power has advanced further. Truly worthy of congratulation.”
Di Shitian waved his hand dismissively. “Spatial power belongs to the Divine Path. Unless one advances to that legendary Divine Path, it can never be truly mastered. Divine Calculator, there is no need to flatter me.”
The Divine Calculator Venerable smiled faintly and nodded, remaining silent, waiting patiently. He knew the Sect Master would not have summoned him to the peak merely for a game of chess.
After a long silence, Di Shitian suddenly spoke. “Divine Calculator, when is the Extreme North Ice Island slated to surface? Have you calculated it?”
The Divine Calculator Venerable offered a wry smile. “Sect Master, although I exhausted all my efforts, I could only calculate a rough timeframe: within fifty years. The Ice Island will surely reappear to the world, but the precise date remains beyond my calculus.” He sighed deeply. “If I could advance to the Divine Path, perhaps I could deduce this once-in-a-millennium opportunity, but alas, that remains but a vain fantasy.”
At this mention, even his face showed a flicker of shadowed dimness.
Di Shitian looked deeply at the Divine Calculator Venerable, his gaze possessing a warmth like the midday sun, pressing against the recipient with a stinging heat.
“Divine Calculator, you need not be so dejected. If this legendary Northern Border Ice Island truly emerges this time, I can take you with me. If we can indeed enter it, and it proves to be as the legends describe…” Though Di Shitian’s tone was level, a faint, sharp glint flashed in his eyes: “…you might yet have your chance.”
A spark of excitement surged across the Divine Calculator Venerable’s face, which settled moments later into a deep sigh. “Sect Master, reaching the Nine-Nine Return to One realm was already the limit of my life; the Divine Path is simply unattainable. However, if you can enter, there might indeed be a sliver of hope.”
Di Shitian’s eyes finally revealed an expectant light. “This humble sect leader has lived so long; there is little left in this world to cling to. The Ice Island… will be for this Master, hehe, it will be the final chance for us old undying ones to advance. When all are gathered, even thinking of it now stirs the heart.”
The Divine Calculator Venerable’s gaze flickered, as if recalling something, and he nodded heavily. “The Millennial Grand Assembly—this will be a true Millennial Grand Assembly. It all depends on whether the Ice Palace Master is willing to open the island freely.”
Di Shitian smiled faintly. “He will certainly open it.”
The Divine Calculator Venerable nodded, yet his expression seemed to hold a hint of schadenfreude.
After another stretch of silence, the Divine Calculator Venerable smacked his forehead as if recalling something crucial. “Sect Master, Chen Weiran reported that your pet, the Precious Pig, has gone missing.”
Di Shitian turned his head. “How long has the Precious Pig been missing this time?”
“It has been a full month.”
“A month?” Di Shitian’s voice carried a note of surprise.
He closed his eyes, and an unseen, almost imperceptible power instantly expanded outward from him in all directions.
In mere moments, this power found its correct trajectory and located faint, minuscule traces.
These traces would have been nearly impossible for most to notice even a month ago, let alone now. But in Di Shitian’s perception, they were unearthed one by one, as if scrutinized under a magnifying glass, revealing not the slightest omission.
Finally, Di Shitian opened his eyes. “The Precious Pig is indeed not within the main peak this time.”
If others had heard this statement, they would surely have been dumbfounded; the knowledgeable might even have worshipped him as an immortal.
The sheer scale and grandeur of the Heavenly Lake main peak were universally known. Di Shitian had only sensed for a brief moment, yet he confirmed the Precious Pig was gone—this ability was genuinely world-shattering and incredible.
However, the Divine Calculator Venerable opposite him seemed accustomed to it. He spoke gravely, “Sect Master, when Chen Weiran reported, he stressed that for the past six months, the Precious Pig has been closely associated with He Yiming. Furthermore, the date of the disappearance aligns almost perfectly with the day he left the mountain. Therefore, it is highly probable the Precious Pig descended the mountain to find He Yiming.”
“Hengshan’s He Yiming?”
“Indeed, this peerless genius, rare in a thousand years.” The Divine Calculator Venerable sighed softly. “The Three Flowers realm attained before the age of twenty—one truly wonders what level of talent is required for such success.”
Di Shitian’s expression shifted slightly. “Have you calculated his past and future?”
“I have tried, but I cannot penetrate it.” The Divine Calculator Venerable managed a string of bitter laughs. “He is shrouded in dense mist. It seems all the powers of the world cling to him, affording me no chance to see through the veil.”
Di Shitian pondered for a moment, then finally said, “Since that is the case, let it be.”
The Divine Calculator Venerable paused slightly, “Sect Master, but the Precious Pig is incredibly important to our Heavenly Lake. To lose it so easily would be too great a price.”
Di Shitian smiled faintly. “The Hengshan lineage is also a branch of Heavenly Lake. It is no loss for the Precious Pig to be with him. Moreover, I look favorably upon this young man. Perhaps…” He paused, “…within fifty years, he too might appear upon the Ice Island.”
The Divine Calculator Venerable’s eyes suddenly widened, though he quickly returned them to normal. This involuntary reaction clearly betrayed his inner turmoil.
Following Di Shitian’s gaze, he looked toward the distance.
Only now did he realize that although the Sect Master had not specifically summoned He Yiming nor offered him guidance, this young man held such a significant position in the elder’s heart.
A question perpetually lingered in his mind.
In fifty years, could he truly attain the stature of the Sect Master?