A strange glimmer flashed simultaneously in the eyes of Hao Xue and the other two. The way they looked at He Yiming instantly held a hint of curious scrutiny.
When they first saw He Yiming, they assumed he was some junior from the Jin Zhanyi lineage. This wasn't due to poor eyesight on their part, but simply because He Yiming's features were far too youthful.
Although generally, once an individual advanced to the Xiantian realm, their appearance rarely aged significantly, achieving this before the age of twenty was truly a rare phenomenon. At least, in the lifetimes of these three, it was the very first time they had encountered such a case.
However, Jin Zhanyi's introduction instantly clarified something for them. This excessively young man was not some junior of Jin Zhanyi; in fact, judging by the introduction, he seemed to be a master of the same caliber.
He Yiming gave the three of them a slight nod and spoke casually, "He Yiming greets you three brothers." It was respectful for Jin Zhanyi to introduce them first, but for him to stand there foolishly waiting for Jin Zhanyi to continue would suggest a profound arrogance. "He Yiming?" The three exchanged glances swiftly, a shade of surprise in their eyes.
Zhu Guanhao let out a hearty laugh. "So this is Brother He who battled the Qilian Twin Devils.
I've long admired your reputation." He nodded towards Jin Zhanyi. "Truthfully, upon meeting Brother Jin, we should have guessed." He Yiming returned his smile, having been subtly observing them all the while.
Their cultivation levels were exceptionally high; though they hadn't clashed, he could already feel the immense, stern pressure emanating from them as if casually released. This was the subtle aura that could only be revealed after condensing the tangible Flower—an undeniable mark among masters of the same rank.
Yet, He Yiming merely glanced at Fang Sheng and Zhu Guanhao in passing. The majority of his attention was focused on Hao Xue.
The reason for this was twofold: not only had Jin Zhanyi introduced this man with particular emphasis, but He Yiming also sensed a faint, almost imperceptible chill emanating from him. Anyone who could evoke such a feeling in him could absolutely not be underestimated.
Cupping his hands, He Yiming declared loudly, "The victory against the Qilian Twin Devils was largely due to Brother Jin's efforts; this junior merely accompanied him through the motions, truly not worth mentioning." Hao Xue suddenly spoke up. "Brother Fang, Brother Zhu, we have actually met Brother He before." The moment this man spoke, He Yiming's heart stirred, especially within his Dantian, which seemed to subtly undulate, as if drawn by some strange power.
Though He Yiming maintained an impassive exterior, inwardly, his wariness of this individual reached its extreme. Based on past experience, his Dantian was usually a chaotic expanse, and such occurrences were rare.
Of course, this situation wasn't entirely unique. A similar tremor occurred when He Yiming first accepted the small green vial thrown by Luomiya and was flash-frozen, and again during his initial confrontation with She Ru when he was bitten by the strange Serpent Stone King.
In both instances, these sudden movements in his Dantian resulted in the absorption of the cold energy from the green vial and the petrification technique of the Serpent Stone King, converting them into his own abilities. But now, Hao Xue merely uttering a sentence triggered a similar response in his Dantian, filling him with profound dread.
He was certain: Hao Xue possessed some kind of miraculous power, and this power was far beyond what Fang and Zhu could rival. He covertly glanced at Jin Zhanyi, wondering if he, too, sensed something, which might explain the subtle difference in his introductions.
Fang and Zhu looked momentarily startled, exchanging a look that held a flicker of suspicion. Hao Xue chuckled faintly.
"Don't you remember? Those three who headed toward the western camp." It was then that Fang Sheng and Zhu Guanhao realized.
Fang Sheng inquired, "Brother Jin, Brother He, did you two perhaps just visit the western camp?" Jin Zhanyi did not conceal anything; the events of the day had already been witnessed by too many people, making concealment impossible even if he wished to attempt it. "Gentlemen, the two of us were quite content in Zhenjin City when suddenly a Thomas arrived to cause trouble.
We couldn't stand for it and taught him a lesson. Thinking that one should not leave a courtesy call unpaid, we paid a visit in return," he stated lightly.
The three felt a secret shock. They knew that while Jin Zhanyi spoke so casually, daring to visit the enemy camp to 'return the favor' and then returning unscathed demonstrated a level of strength none of them could boast.
Even the three of them might not guarantee such an easy return. Hao Xue pondered for a moment, then abruptly asked, "Brother Jin, where is that Thomas now?" Jin Zhanyi gave a cold smile.
"Since he dared to provoke us, he naturally had no way back." Hearing his killing-intent-filled words, the faces of Fang Sheng and the other two subtly shifted. Hao Xue’s expression even developed a peculiar nuance.
"Brother Jin, you didn't intentionally drive this man back to his lair only to slay him right before their tents, did you?" Jin Zhanyi laughed heartily. "He who knows me, knows me well, Brother Hao." This time, the faces of Fang Sheng and Zhu Guanhao truly changed.
Despite their formidable personal strength and the powerful backing behind them, they had never imagined such an incredibly audacious act. Yet, seeing the unrestrained heroism of Jin Zhanyi at that moment, the disciples from the three ancient clans suddenly felt a surge of envy.
Perhaps only someone like Jin Zhanyi would pull off such a stunning spectacle: pressing the enemy ranks and slaying a general right before their formations. Zhu Guanhao clapped his hands together fiercely, lamenting, "A pity, a real pity.
I regret not being there beside Brother Jin to cheer him on." Fang Sheng also sighed deeply. "Indeed, what a great shame.
I wish I could have witnessed it firsthand. Wouldn't you agree, Brother Hao?" Hao Xue nodded silently.
"It is truly a shame, a pity I couldn't have taken his place." Fang Sheng and Zhu Guanhao paused, their smiles stiffening slightly. They exchanged wry smiles, but knowing Hao Xue’s temperament, they could only offer helpless bitterness in return.
Fang Sheng smoothly changed the subject, asking seriously, "Brother Jin, did those powerful figures from the West engage you?" Jin Zhanyi smiled calmly. "They did indeed make a move, but they couldn't harm the two of us.
On the contrary, Brother He struck down over twenty of them with a single palm. They were terrified and could only watch as we returned." This time, the three were genuinely astonished.
After a moment, Fang Sheng burst into laughter. "The Westerners have truly poor judgment!
To send mere ordinary soldiers against the two of you—are they all blind?" Jin Zhanyi continued to shake his head serenely. "Over twenty Xiantian experts, including one or two who had reached the first level of Yixiantian." Fang Sheng’s laughter abruptly ceased.
His mouth dropped open, his expression utterly blank. Zhu Guanhao’s look was hardly better.
Anyone hearing such a battle record would instinctively think it impossible. If Jin Zhanyi hadn't been the one making the claim, and it had been He Yiming, they would have dismissed it with scorn long ago.
But coming from Jin Zhanyi's mouth, no matter how unbelievable, they had to weigh it seriously in their minds. Fang Sheng forced a smile.
"Brother Jin, are you perhaps joking?" Jin Zhanyi curled his lip. "Brother Fang, do you truly believe I would jest about such a matter?" Fang Sheng’s expression immediately turned unsightly, but his gaze toward He Yiming was filled with even greater, uncertain astonishment.
This young man, while appearing unfathomably profound, didn't seem like such an impossibly powerful figure. A thought struck him.
"Could it be that Brother He has already advanced to the Venerable realm?" he murmured, yet he still didn't quite believe it—even a true Venerable couldn't strike down twenty Xiantian masters with a single palm, unless those Xiantian masters were complete fools who charged forward to their deaths en masse. In truth, he had guessed a part of it correctly.
It was only because of the situation where they rushed forward together that He Yiming’s Heaven-Overturning Seal could achieve such a miraculous result. If the situation were different, or if they had been prepared, He Yiming would have considered it a great achievement to directly strike down two or three of them.
"Brother He has not advanced to the Venerable realm," Jin Zhanyi shook his head. "You three might as well stop guessing.
This is Brother He's unique secret technique; I am certainly no match for it." The three were inwardly horrified. They had known Jin Zhanyi for quite some time, yet had never heard him concede defeat in front of others.
Instantly, He Yiming's standing in their eyes soared dramatically. Especially Hao Xue, dressed in his scholar's robes, whose eyes shone with sharp light.
He suddenly said, "Brother He possesses such a divine skill; it is truly admirable. I, Hao, am perhaps presumptuous, but I wish to experience it firsthand.
I ask Brother He to grant this request." Fang Sheng and Zhu Guanhao hesitated briefly but ultimately did not intercede. Perhaps, in their own hearts, they also wished to see what ultimate technique He Yiming possessed that could lead to such an incredibly glorious record.
Jin Zhanyi suddenly interjected with a smiling air, "Brother Hao, after our last battle, it has been over twenty years since we last met, hasn't it?" Hao Xue nodded heavily. "Correct.
Precisely twenty-one years, seven months, and six days." He Yiming finally understood. No wonder the atmosphere between them felt strange; they had fought before.
But based on their current demeanor, it was clear Hao Xue had been the one defeated. Jin Zhanyi swept his large sleeve.
"Brother Hao, since you remember so clearly, you must not have been satisfied with the result. If so, how about we fight another round?" Before Hao Xue could reply, Fang Sheng and Zhu Guanhao both exclaimed, "Absolutely not." Jin Zhanyi frowned and turned to look at them.
Fang Sheng offered an awkward smile. "Brother Jin, upon leaving this time, the Old Clan Patriarch commanded that under no circumstances should we engage in combat with Jin Zhanyi of the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.
Anyone who disobeys will be expelled from the family. So, if you intend to force us, you might as well just kill us outright." In reality, the Fang Family Old Clan Patriarch had said they absolutely must not fight that madman, Jin Zhanyi.
But in Jin Zhanyi's presence, Fang Sheng naturally could not repeat the exact words. Jin Zhanyi let out a cold snort and was about to speak when He Yiming, standing nearby, preempted him: "Since Brother Hao is interested, I, He, shall not decline.
I am only too happy to oblige."