He Yiming's Earth-Drilling Technique instantly gave the three powerful scions a feeling akin to being in a dream.

By all common understanding, only experts at the Venerable level could execute such a mighty divine ability as the Earth-Drilling Technique. Thus, upon witnessing He Yiming's display, their complexions involuntarily shifted.

Jin Zhanyi let out a soft laugh, shaking his head helplessly. Having spent a long time with He Yiming, he had nearly become accustomed to such things. But for those who had never witnessed He Yiming in action, the shock was simply too profound.

With a flicker of movement, He Yiming emerged from the earth. His gaze upon Hao Xue now held a touch of the bizarre.

Having learned from the previous two encounters, He Yiming no longer harbored any trace of underestimation toward Hao Xue.

He had clearly struck the opponent, yet it felt as if he had struck empty air, yielding absolutely no effect. The second attack had even sent a jolt of dread through him.

Had it not been for his incredibly swift reaction time, far surpassing that of ordinary men, he might well have been injured by the other’s hand.

Turning his focus back, He Yiming looked steadily at Hao Xue, a daring notion beginning to brew in his heart.

"Brother Hao, although Brother He possesses the Earth-Drilling Technique, he is not a Venerable. You are mistaken," Jin Zhanyi stated calmly.

Hao Xue and the other two exchanged glances, their belief wavering between acceptance and doubt. They had indeed heard through certain channels of Jin Zhanyi and He Yiming joining forces to defeat the Qilian Twin Devils. However, under the governance of the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, the specifics of the battle had not been widely disseminated, leaving them unaware that a Three-Flower realm expert who commanded the Earth-Drilling Technique now walked this world.

Zhu Guanhao stepped forward, looking intently at He Yiming. After a moment, he finally chuckled heartily, "Since Brother He has mastered the Earth-Drilling Technique, he is naturally in an invincible state. If even the Qilian Twin Devils fell to this supreme skill, then Brother Hao surely cannot defeat you either. Let us call this a draw."

He Yiming’s brow furrowed slightly. He was no longer a novice fresh out of the cradle and could immediately discern the implication in Zhu Guanhao's words. Zhu Guanhao was clearly suggesting that because he possessed the Earth-Drilling Technique, the contest was inherently unfair.

A flicker of unease crossed Hao Xue’s face, yet he remained rooted to the spot, silent, as if awaiting something.

Jin Zhanyi burst into loud laughter. "Brother Zhu, your words suggest something else entirely, do they not?"

Zhu Guanhao maintained his composure. "Brother Jin worries needlessly. I am merely stating the plain truth."

Jin Zhanyi offered a cold smile. "Brother Zhu speaks only of Brother He’s Earth-Drilling Technique, yet you conveniently forget the Hao lineage's inherited Distortion Art? Such a marvelous secret technique, does it not also place one in an invincible position?"

Zhu Guanhao instantly paused. The major noble families of the interior had histories stretching back at least several thousand years. While they did not understand the Distortion Art, they were certainly familiar with it and fully aware of its formidable power; deploying such a technique in combat certainly granted an immense advantage.

Fang Sheng smiled slyly. "Brother Jin, while the Distortion Art is indeed one of the world's rarest and most marvelous secret arts, many have managed to cultivate it successfully below the Venerable realm throughout history. However, I have never once heard of anyone below the Venerable level, aside from Brother He, mastering the Earth-Drilling Technique."

As Jin Zhanyi prepared to retort, He Yiming raised a hand, signaling him to stop. "Brother Fang speaks the absolute truth. I shall refrain from using the Earth-Drilling Technique."

Fang Sheng’s eyes brightened slightly. "Since Brother He is willing to fight fairly, then the two of you may continue."

Jin Zhanyi chuckled darkly. "A fair fight indeed."

The faces of Fang and Zhu showed no change; even when subjected to Jin Zhanyi’s sarcasm, they maintained an expression of entitlement.

Hao Xue bowed slightly, then his body swayed almost imperceptibly, seeming to shimmer faintly under the sunlight.

He Yiming’s eyes sharpened; he thought inwardly, Here it comes again.

It was the same sensation he’d experienced twice before—it seemed Hao Xue's physical form was undergoing some sort of transformation, misleading He Yiming’s vision and his spiritual locking ability, making him believe he had struck the target when it was merely a deception.

Yet, the feeling of being tricked was intensely real; even He Yiming himself could not discern the true cause.

However, one thing he was certain of: the opponent's technique was unique, and it was precisely this peculiar method that had placed him in this awkward predicament where he could neither advance nor retreat effectively.

His ears twitched slightly, and the surrounding sounds of the wind immediately became subtle and nuanced. Through the sound of the wind, he meticulously listened for Hao Xue’s movements.

A flash of extreme astonishment crossed his eyes; his Wind-Listening Marvel, possessing peak potency, had managed to capture something!

The sound of the wind clearly informed him that Hao Xue was indeed right before him, only not at the point his eyes perceived, but nearly half a meter to his side and slightly behind.

A massive, wave-like turbulence erupted within He Yiming’s chest. He had absolutely no idea how the opponent achieved this.

Everything his eyes saw was an illusion. If he had not cultivated the Wind-Listening Marvel and condensed the Flower of Wind to its peak state, he would surely have been completely deceived.

He took a deep breath, and a certain resolution in his heart grew firmer.

With a light shout, He Yiming stamped his feet and rapidly formed a sequence of hand seals, charging directly toward the illusory body of his opponent.

Of course, this time his movements clearly held back some force. To any observer, his posture appeared steady and measured.

Hao Xue sneered. Naturally, he was unaware of the Wind-Listening Marvel He Yiming cultivated. He raised his hands in a defensive stance and charged forward simultaneously.

Their bodies intersected in an instant, and then everyone watched.

He Yiming looked up, suddenly shifting his hand seal, his left hand slamming out a punch with the speed of lightning, instantly striking Hao Xue’s forehead.

This was already a fierce killing move, yet Jin Zhanyi's brow tightened slightly. After being tricked twice, why was He Yiming still so stubbornly focused? Could he still not perceive the true mystery of the Distortion Art?

Fang and Zhu exchanged glances; mockery and surprise flickered in their eyes. But they also wondered secretly if this young man with the Earth-Drilling Technique was truly so dull-witted.

Hao Xue's expression remained placid. He Yiming's punch, upon striking his forehead, behaved like it hit water, rippling with countless layers that spread outward in circles.

And just at that moment, a faint sound of rushing wind struck from He Yiming’s flank.

Unable to employ the Earth-Drilling Technique, He Yiming’s reaction time visibly faltered. He hesitated slightly, failing to evade completely, allowing the blow to land upon his shoulder and back.

A surging, tremendous power flooded into him. He Yiming stood stationary for less than a second before he was flung away like a kite whose string had snapped.

Such a colossal surge of True Qi entered He Yiming’s body, causing his face to contort in pain, even forcing his eyes shut at that instant.

Yet, what no one could have anticipated was that the moment He Yiming closed his eyes, they were filled with an indescribable, immense joy.

The moment he dissolved the hand seals to attack, he had already drawn forth the chaotic power residing in his Dantian.

Although this power was exceedingly bizarre and unusable before he reached the Innate realm, even now, as the situation approached a tripod formation, he could only manipulate a fraction, perhaps one or two tenths.

But even this small portion was sufficient.

This power permeated the area beneath his right shoulder and back. Upon being struck by that massive impact of energy, the chaotic force in his Dantian completely devoured the True Qi surging in from the opponent.

Subsequently, this power receded back into his Dantian like the ebb tide.

However, what truly made him ecstatic was not that his body was unharmed, but that he vaguely sensed a subtle shift within the aura of his Dantian—he seemed to have absorbed yet another mysterious energy.

As for the function of this new power, that would require him to investigate closely later.

As his feet touched the ground, a sharp sound of tearing air came from beside him. Clearly, Hao Xue was pressing his advantage, intending to cripple him outright.

He Yiming’s eyes remained closed, but a strange smile played on his lips.

Since he had endured and partially comprehended the nature of the opponent’s True Qi, he certainly wouldn't hold back any longer.

His ears trembled slightly, and he gained complete mastery over the location from which the attack was coming. He sneered inwardly, then opened his eyes, his sharp gaze fixed forward.

Hao Xue’s movement slowed fractionally once more; that intensely dangerous feeling descended upon him again.

This time, however, his reaction was noticeably a beat too slow. The moment He Yiming’s eyes snapped open, he launched the most ferocious counterattack.

He raised his hand, and immense momentum began to boil around his body.

In an instant, the aura surrounding him swelled to an unbelievable level.

Thirty-Six Forms of Mountain Splitting, the Twenty-Fourth Form.

As this form unfolded, the air around him instantly solidified.

This was not the binding of the three points of power achieved after the tripod formation, but a pure binding force generated by the Metal element technique.

The Thirty-Six Forms of Mountain Splitting—this was a powerful Innate cultivation method capable of challenging opponents of a higher realm. In He Yiming’s hands, this superior art inherited from antiquity was displayed to its absolute peak.

Hao Xue’s face changed drastically. Although he held the initiative, at this moment he dared not press forward. He retreated rapidly, moving like a swimming fish.

Simultaneously, a strange light flashed across his body, causing him to seem to subtly shift for an instant.

He Yiming let out a cold laugh, and the raised palm finally descended like a massive cleaver.

This strike did not land on the figure directly before him but passed through that figure, chasing after Hao Xue’s true body like a meteor chasing the moon.

It cleaved down upon his head...

Ps: There is one more chapter being written; it will definitely be sent out at nine o'clock. Wipes sweat...

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