Zhang Zhongyu and Jin Zhanyi both subtly shifted their expressions. Jin Zhanyi spoke slowly, "Brother He, have you ever heard tell of the miracles surrounding the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda?" "Never," He Yiming replied without hesitation.

Jin Zhanyi’s eyes shifted with inscrutable intent before he finally asked, "Then how did you know this towering structure 'grew' from the earth?" He Yiming answered frankly, "I felt it." Jin Zhanyi and Zhang Zhongyu exchanged a look. Had anyone else said that, they would have scoffed immediately.

But coming from He Yiming's mouth, it instilled in them a feeling of reluctant belief. In that brief moment, a thought actually took root in their minds.

Perhaps this fellow truly could glean some information from the massive tower... "Let's go inside," Zhang Zhongyu said, clearing his throat lightly.

He Yiming glanced around. Before the great gate of the tower stood dozens of guards, most of whose gazes were fixed upon him, and the looks they held were rather peculiar.

Startled for a moment, He Yiming immediately understood. He had spent quite a long time touching the tower, and his expression must have looked utterly lost in concentration.

In the eyes of these onlookers, his reputation was utterly ruined. The rest of the convoy dispersed under the guidance of Fei Tianguo, while He Yiming followed the pair of Zhang Zhongyu and Jin Zhanyi into the tower.

As they entered, the guarding disciples bowed respectfully to both Zhang Zhongyu and Jin Zhanyi. In their eyes, a clear sense of reverence was visible, especially when facing Jin Zhanyi, where this expression became far more pronounced.

Yet, upon sensing their respect, He Yiming was reminded of how the disciples from various peaks on the main summit of Tianchi had looked at him. He sighed inwardly.

Jin Zhanyi had also become a banner for the Lingxiao Treasure Hall; like himself, he absolutely could not afford a single defeat. He Yiming did not know the exact height of the pagoda, nor did Zhang Zhongyu and his companion seem inclined to offer any detailed explanation.

They led He Yiming to a sitting room on the second floor of the tower. Hardly had the three settled down when all their gazes converged on the doorway.

Someone new was standing there. It was an elder wearing a tall crown.

He possessed an overwhelming aura; simply standing there casually, he compelled everyone in the room to unconsciously focus all their attention on him, as if he were the only person present. He Yiming marveled inwardly.

This man could command such a strong presence in others without intentionally releasing his own power. This suggested that the martial arts cultivation he practiced must be truly extraordinary.

"Senior Brother," Zhang Zhongyu and Jin Zhanyi spoke in unison, deferentially. The man waved his hand gently.

"Junior Brothers two, your timing is excellent." His gaze fell upon He Yiming, and a hint of surprise showed in his eyes. "And this must be...?" Zhang Zhongyu quickly introduced, "Senior Brother, this is Brother He Yiming from the Northwest Hengshan." He then turned to He Yiming.

"Brother He, this is Wei Zongjin, the Senior Brother of our Lingxiao Treasure Hall's second generation." He Yiming bowed slightly. "This junior, He Yiming, greets Brother Wei." A flash of realization crossed Wei Zongjin's eyes.

He smiled faintly. "So you are the Brother He from Northwest Hengshan.

I have long admired your name. I did not expect, however, that Brother He has already advanced to the First Heaven—truly cause for congratulation." He Yiming froze, having experienced a similar misunderstanding before, and could only manage a wry smile.

Zhang Zhongyu quickly interjected, "Senior Brother, this is not that Daoist Pharmacist; he is the newly ascended innate Elder of Hengshan." Wei Zongjin’s expression shifted slightly, followed by a spark of delight. "Junior Brother Zhang, has the Hengshan lineage succeeded in refining a new Youth Preserving Pill?" Zhang Zhongyu gave a rueful smile, recalling how he himself had entertained the same thought when he first met He Yiming and the Daoist Pharmacist.

Jin Zhanyi shook his head slightly. "Senior Brother, you misjudged this time.

Brother He is not yet twenty; why would he require a Youth Preserving Pill to maintain his appearance?" Wei Zongjin's eyes instantly brightened. He swept his gaze over He Yiming once more, but this time, the content of his look was far richer.

Simultaneously, the already powerful aura around him grew more violent, as if attempting to crush He Yiming beneath it. He Yiming offered a calm smile and met his gaze steadily, seemingly unaffected by the powerful pressure he was exerting.

Jin Zhanyi also wore a slight smile, appearing equally undisturbed. But Zhang Zhongyu was internally crying foul.

He couldn't help but take a step back before he could barely withstand the sudden onslaught of pressure. A look of unstable surprise flickered in Wei Zongjin’s eyes.

This man before him was a First Heaven cultivator under the age of twenty, yet he remained as calm as still water under the intense pressure of Wei Zongjin’s aura, utterly unmoved. This level of steadfast concentration surpassed even Junior Brother Zhang’s.

To achieve this, one either possessed strength comparable to Wei Zongjin and Jin Zhanyi, surpassing Zhang Zhongyu, or this person was simply thick-skinned, naturally insensitive to external pressure. However, looking at He Yiming’s placid smile, Wei Zongjin faintly suspected the former was more likely.

He retracted his oppressive aura. Although he still radiated a dazzling presence, the deliberate feeling of imposition had vanished.

"I was indeed mistaken. The Northwest Tianchi is truly enviable to possess such an unparalleled talent as Brother He," Wei Zongjin stated with sincere honesty.

As Wei Zongjin said this, he subconsciously glanced toward Jin Zhanyi. Clearly, he shared a similar thought: in the Northwest, there was actually a genius even more monstrous than Jin Zhanyi.

Once the four were seated, Wei Zongjin asked, "Junior Brothers two, was your journey smooth?" Zhang Zhongyu quickly reported, "Senior Brother, everything went smoothly, and Brother He has brought the secret formula for the Youth Preserving Pill." A look of distinct joy flashed across Wei Zongjin's face. He made no attempt to hide his delight and nodded heavily at He Yiming.

"Thank you, Brother He." He Yiming’s face flushed slightly. "Brother Wei is too kind." Zhang Zhongyu explained the terms of the exchange.

When it came to dividing two pills to be given to He Yiming upon successful refinement, Wei Zongjin seemed to hesitate for a moment, but he immediately made a firm decision, agreeing without any lingering indecision. He Yiming felt a degree of respect for his decisiveness; only someone this commanding could keep Zhang Zhongyu and the others in line to become their Senior Brother.

Once the matter of the Youth Preserving Pill was settled, Jin Zhanyi spoke out loudly, "Senior Brother, I heard the Qilian Twin Devils have arrived at Lingxiao Treasure Hall and wish to challenge me." Wei Zongjin's expression immediately darkened. "Indeed.

Junior Brother, you need not concern yourself with them." He snorted angrily. "Those two old wretches have plotted well; wanting to use you as a stepping stone right before their Great Limit—it's an absolute insult." He Yiming mused inwardly that judging by Wei Zongjin's expression, no one within the entire Lingxiao Treasure Hall would approve of such a duel.

Jin Zhanyi smiled faintly. "Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother, but since they challenged me, the decision on this matter rests with me." Wei Zongjin frowned deeply.

"Junior Brother, those two are nearly three hundred years old. If they fail to break through their limit and ascend to the Venerable Realm this time, they are destined to perish.

It is too dangerous for you to engage them now." "Senior Brother, in terms of danger, could it compare to my trip to the West?" Jin Zhanyi waved his wide sleeves, displaying boundless spirit. "During that expedition, I attacked more than ten times, ultimately provoking a Venerable from the West to chase me all the way to the borders of Great Shen.

If I hadn't been lucky enough to comprehend the Art of the Ten Thousand Mile Leisurely Pace amid life and death, I would have surely died at that man's hands by now." A trace of pride shimmered in Jin Zhanyi's eyes; escaping the pursuit of a Venerable was indeed something worthy of boasting. Wei Zongjin seemed ready to argue but finally let out a long sigh.

"Junior Brother Jin, I know the Asura Path you choose requires growth through ceaseless slaughter, but this opportunity is not good; you must think thrice." "Senior Brother, my mind is made up; I ask for your assent," Jin Zhanyi said, bowing slightly. Wei Zongjin’s expression grew difficult, and a wave of intense pressure emanated from his person.

Zhang Zhongyu suddenly interjected, "Senior Brother, although the Venerables are all in secluded cultivation, they must have heard about this matter. What are their thoughts?" A look of helplessness flashed across Wei Zongjin's face.

"The Venerables' consensus is that whatever Junior Brother Jin decides is fine, but our few sworn brothers have discussed it, and we all disagree." Jin Zhanyi laughed heartily. "Senior Brother, you have too little faith in me." Wei Zongjin snorted.

"If there were only one of them, I would not object in the slightest." Jin Zhanyi shook his head. "Senior Brother jokes.

Given the cultivation techniques they practice, if they were separated, would they still have the qualifications to challenge me?" Wei Zongjin fell silent for a long moment before finally sighing deeply. "Very well.

Since Junior Brother has decided, your Elder Brother will persuade you no further. This time, allow me to accompany you and fight alongside you against those two old wretches." When he spoke these words, although there was a hint of reluctance at the start, by the time the last syllable was uttered, his tone was filled with an unstoppable, forward-rushing momentum.

Jin Zhanyi looked at him gratefully. "Thank you, Senior Brother.

However, I have a different plan, so there is no need to trouble you, Senior Brother." Wei Zongjin’s face stiffened. "I can permit you to fight the Qilian Twin Devils, but I absolutely will not agree to you fighting them both at once." Jin Zhanyi chuckled softly.

"Senior Brother, I am not that arrogant. But I already have an ally." Wei Zongjin was momentarily stunned, following Jin Zhanyi's gaze, and his expression shifted to surprise.

"You?" He Yiming held his head high, cupping his fist in a slight salute. "This junior is unworthy, but I am willing to join forces with Brother Jin.

I ask for Brother Wei's approval." Ps: It's only two chapters again today. Bai He just got home and is sending this off immediately after revisions—I am truly sorry...

However, things are mostly settled now. Although the subsequent matters will be troublesome, they shouldn't have as great an impact on Bai He as these last two days have.

I will definitely deliver three chapters tomorrow, and hopefully more the day after, sigh... Also, brothers in the group, please forgive me.

Bai He has to focus on writing tonight and simply doesn't have time to visit the group. Please let anyone who sees this pass on my apologies.

Thank you!