Those four words struck everyone's hearts like a heavy hammer. The most affected by far were the Qilian Twin Devils; their eyes had originally been full of confidence. Before the clash even began, the sheer force of their combined presence held a flavor of looking down upon the world. While they showed a degree of respect for Jin Zhanyi's famed battle in Da Shen, their movements clearly betrayed immense faith in their impending victory.

But the moment they engaged, He Yiming's Heaven-Overturning Seal slammed them into confusion.

Although that earth-elemental hand seal stunned everyone present, they were undeniably the ones who felt its impact the most. If not for the protection of the flawless treasure they possessed, they might very well have died on the spot.

Nevertheless, their minds were like rock; they rallied their spirits to battle against Jin Zhanyi and his companion once more. Yet, at this moment, upon witnessing Jin Zhanyi employ the extreme speed only attainable when a Venerable communicates with the heaven and earth, and observing He Yiming's even more pronounced earth-burrowing technique, a sliver of true despair arose within them.

What kind of opponents had they encountered? Were these two still human?

The Five Elements Flower immediately rotated back, enveloping the Qilian Twin Devils within its embrace. They stood back-to-back, deep bitterness etched in their eyes.

With a sudden flash, He Yiming emerged from beneath the ground. The cold, mocking expression remained fixed on his face. But now, everyone looking at him saw a measure of profound fear mixed in. Some recalled the initial slighting attitude they held when they first met him, swiftly lowering their heads, their hearts filled with unease.

Upon seeing He Yiming, the faces of the Qilian Twin Devils shifted slightly. The Great Devil immediately bowed deeply, stating, "Venerable He, sir, we concede."

He Yiming paused for a moment, a feeling of frustrated amusement bubbling up inside him.

Fan Shuo took a deep breath, his gaze gradually turning cold. "Brother Gao, Brother Du, you have gone too far this time."

With that, he took a step forward, and boundless killing intent erupted from his person.

When first encountered, this elder had given an excellent impression, like a genial, easy-going gentleman. However, when he finally revealed the aura that struck fear into everyone, they were reminded that this elder was no mere mortal; he possessed the formidable status of a Venerable.

"Brother He, for the offense committed by my two young disciples, I, Fan, offer my apologies. However, I currently feel restless; how about we spar a round, you and I?" Fan Shuo spoke calmly.

Instantly, the air in the valley seemed to freeze at that moment. This was not the confinement force exerted by a mighty Venerable, but the immense pressure stemming from the hearts of everyone present.

No one could have imagined that today would devolve into a battle between Venerables...

Yet, in the eyes of these onlookers, there was also a sharp glint of excitement. To witness a battle at the Venerable level—such an opportunity was truly unprecedented.

He Yiming stared at him in astonishment, shuddering involuntarily. Without hesitation or room for negotiation, he stated decisively, "I refuse."

A strange thought flashed through his mind: Had this old man gone mad? Any proposal like this, unless he were an utter fool, he would certainly never accept.

Fan Shuo let out several loud laughs. "Brother Gao, is this the Venerable that your Lingxiao Treasure Hall invited? One who only bullies juniors? If this story gets out, won't it make people laugh their heads off?"

Though his mouth was full of laughter, there was not a trace of mirth in his eyes.

In an instant, the faces of the vast majority of Lingxiao Treasure Hall experts flushed scarlet.

Even if they had lost this martial contest, even if Jin Zhanyi had perished right there, it would not have caused them such profound embarrassment.

The Qilian Twin Devils were not Venerables, yet the Lingxiao Treasure Hall side had sent forth an unknown Venerable to compete against them. If this matter truly spread, the immense prestige that the Lingxiao Treasure Hall had accumulated over thousands of years, leading them to the pinnacle of Da Shen, would crumble overnight.

Gao Weiliang shook his head with a grave expression. Although suspicion gnawed at his own heart, and he was cursing Zhang Zhongjin and Jin Zhanyi vehemently in his mind, he understood that hesitation was impossible at this juncture.

He spoke slowly, his clear voice carrying far so that everyone could hear it distinctly: "Brother Fan, you are mistaken."

"Where have I erred, old man?" Fan Shuo asked coldly.

Gao Weiliang's gaze was sharp as lightning, his voice like a knife: "He Yiming is a Three Flowers Realm expert from the Northwest Heavenly Pool. His foundation for achieving the Zenith Pillar has not even fully formed, so how could he possibly have succeeded in consolidating his peak?" His voice paused slightly. "Brother Fan, have you been in seclusion for too long, unable to discern even his aura?"

Although Gao Weiliang's words carried a flavor of biting sarcasm, this unrestrained display of dominance surprisingly made Fan Shuo hesitate.

If Gao Weiliang didn't possess absolute certainty, why would he be so brazen and confident?

Fan Shuo calmed himself and carefully sensed the aura emanating from He Yiming. His expression grew increasingly surprised and uncertain. This person truly felt far from reaching the Venerable realm. Furthermore, Fan Shuo, deep down, could not believe that the Lingxiao Treasure Hall would commit such an incredibly foolish act.

It was just that the Heaven-Overturning Palm he unleashed, coupled with that earth-burrowing technique, felt like two large hands tightly gripping his heart, refusing to let go.

Jin Zhanyi flew to He Yiming's side, and the two stood shoulder to shoulder.

Meeting Fan Shuo’s blade-like gaze, Jin Zhanyi bowed deeply. "Venerable Fan, sir, Brother He and I have traveled together from the Northwest. I stake my life and reputation on this: Brother He has not yet reached the Venerable realm."

Fan Shuo pondered for a moment, the powerful killing intent in his eyes softening. He suddenly asked, "Since he has not reached the Venerable realm, how can he employ the earth-burrowing technique?"

In truth, what he most wanted to ask was how He Yiming managed to unleash that inconceivable Seal of Heaven. But this involved specific combat techniques and cultivation methods; even for him, it was inappropriate to press the issue.

Jin Zhanyi smiled slightly. "Venerable Fan, I am also not a Venerable, yet I have also mastered the Myriad Miles Leisure Walk."

Fan Shuo’s face remained expressionless, but his voice carried a note of questioning: "Young Nephew Jin should understand that the Myriad Miles Leisure Walk and the earth-burrowing technique carry vastly different implications. As far as I know, throughout history, only one person managed to master the Myriad Miles Leisure Walk while still in the Innate Realm." As he spoke, a peculiar light flickered in his eyes, and He Yiming noticed that most others shared the same glimmer of light, indicating that this event was indeed widely circulated.

Innate Realm, Myriad Miles Leisure Walk...

He Yiming found it genuinely difficult to connect those two phrases. A thought flashed through his mind; he recalled Shui Xuanjin, who also grasped the true essence of the Wind Power at the very end of his life. But alas, he did not survive. If he had managed to break through to the First Line of Heaven, would he not have become a similar legend?

Fan Shuo paused, his tone hardening slightly, gaining a severe sharpness: "But in all of history, even the Divine Dao powerhouses of old never heard of anyone mastering the earth-burrowing technique below the Venerable realm." His voice abruptly intensified. "Young Nephew Jin, are you trying to tell me that Mr. He's talent surpasses those former Divine Dao predecessors to such an extent that he is the greatest of all time, without precedent or successor?"

Everyone fell silent, all eyes focusing on Jin Zhanyi.

Yet, his face remained perfectly calm, his eyes holding an ineffable firmness, as if the intense questioning could not stir the slightest ripple in his heart.

He bowed deeply towards Fan Shuo and spoke in a clear, resounding voice: "Venerable Fan, Brother He's talent in the martial path is indeed peerless throughout all time; no one can surpass it."

Fan Shuo was momentarily stunned. Apart from the two Venerables of the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, Zhang Zhongjin, and Wei Zongjin, everyone else couldn't help exchanging glances. The atmosphere in the arena suddenly grew strange.

Fan Shuo’s gaze turned cold. "On what grounds do you claim this?"

Jin Zhanyi held his head high, his voice ringing out: "Brother He has not yet reached twenty years of age this year. May I ask Venerable Fan, among all the past heroes, has anyone achieved such accomplishments at his age?"

Fan Shuo’s expression immediately stiffened. Not only him, but even those few who were already aware of the underlying facts were not faring much better.

The Wind and Fire Dragon displayed by He Yiming, along with his earth-burrowing technique, indicated that he was at least a master of the Three Flowers Realm.

Although experts in this realm could not yet compare with Venerables, the thought of his age caused a peculiar sensation to rise in everyone's hearts simultaneously.

Within this feeling were envy, doubt, admiration, jealousy, and even a strong sense of profound loss.

Fan Shuo looked deeply at He Yiming and asked gently, "Mr. He... may I inquire as to your age?"

A helpless smile touched He Yiming's face. "Nineteen."

At this point, whether he wished it or not, he had to speak the truth.

The muscles in Fan Shuo's face twitched slightly a few times. He sighed deeply. "I was rash just now; I ask for Mr. He's forgiveness."

He Yiming felt a chill run down his spine. For a dignified Venerable to bow and apologize to him in front of everyone—while appearing glorious, it made him feel cold inside. This elder, if not genuinely a noble man, must be a completely unscrupulous scoundrel.

All the bystanders also sighed inwardly, but they had fully accepted the fact that He Yiming was not a Venerable.

To have cultivated to the Three Flowers Realm at such an age, coupled with such miraculous events—what else was there that couldn't be accepted?

Fan Shuo waved his hand grandly. "This match is concluded; we have lost."

Jin Zhanyi's eyebrows arched, and he suddenly interjected, "Wait a moment..."

Ps: Recommending a book^_^ The Rebirth of the Archmage Synopsis: He was an Archmage, once representing the very essence of magic! But five hundred years later, he is reborn into the body of a useless youth devoid of magical affinity. Thus, the youth's destiny begins to change... storming forward, leaving the world astounded! This is a glorious legend of rebirth~