Jin Zhanyi seemed utterly unable to process what he was seeing. His hand stretched out aimlessly, reaching toward the Five Elements Ring held by He Yiming.

Had anyone else made such a move, or condensed mist into solid form in this manner, He Yiming would certainly have severed that arm. And Jin Zhanyi would never have committed such a suicidal act.

But occurring between the two of them, Jin Zhanyi naturally reached out to touch it, and He Yiming held no intention of causing harm or withdrawing the Five Elements Ring.

When Jin Zhanyi’s hand finally made contact with the Five Elements Ring, feeling its genuine, solid presence, he finally believed the reality unfolding before him.

He turned his head, and a distinct, almost uncanny light entered his gaze directed at He Yiming.

“Good lad, how did you manage that?”

He Yiming rubbed the back of his scalp, thinking deeply before finally admitting honestly, “I don’t know.”

Truthfully, he had no idea. His initial intention had only been to attempt to materialize the Five Elements Ring as much as possible. He never expected to enter secluded cultivation for a full ten days, and within that time, successfully refine the artifact entirely.

Those ten days felt to him like a dream, the most wonderful dream imaginable. But why such an incredible transformation occurred within that dreamscape was beyond his comprehension.

Although he knew his unique physique must be intrinsically linked to it, what precisely transpired during that period remained a mystery.

Seeing the genuine confusion in He Yiming’s eyes, Jin Zhanyi shook his head with a touch of regret.

He Yiming coughed lightly, a hint of awkwardness in his tone. “Perhaps… it has something to do with the black mist in the Ghost Cry Ridge.”

Jin Zhanyi grew even more perplexed. He too had ventured into Ghost Cry Ridge and understood the immense Heaven and Earth Qi contained within its vapors. Yet, he understood even more acutely the profound danger lurking within that dark fog.

Zhang Zhongjin’s current predicament served as the perfect illustration of that peril.

So, when He Yiming mentioned the black mist, Jin Zhanyi’s brow furrowed deeply. After a moment, he said, “Forget it. Later, we’ll go ask Venerable Hao; perhaps the old man can offer us an explanation.”

He Yiming nodded silently. Venerable Hao Dong was the foremost master of alchemy in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, naturally possessing significant authority regarding the black mist of Ghost Cry Ridge.

Studying Jin Zhanyi closely, He Yiming remarked, “Brother Jin, since little brother has returned, you can begin your own seclusion now.”

Jin Zhanyi laughed heartily. “Of course, but not just yet.”

He Yiming paused, slightly surprised. “Why not?”

Jin Zhanyi grew solemn. “When I enter seclusion, I must select an auspicious day.”

Seeing his serious demeanor, He Yiming felt a rush of wry amusement. This fellow still believed in such things…

Moments later, He Yiming’s smile faded, and he asked gravely, “Brother Jin, how is Brother Zhang faring?”

Jin Zhanyi’s expression immediately clouded over. He sighed deeply. “Not well.”

Though He Yiming had anticipated it, seeing Jin Zhanyi’s face nonetheless weighed heavily on his heart.

“Upon his return, Senior Brother Zhang was immediately taken to Venerable Hao. The Venerable handled it personally. While he successfully expelled most of the Yin malevolence from his body, some remains lodged between the brain region and the chest cavity,” Jin Zhanyi stated with grave concern. “These are vital areas of the human body; even Venerable Hao is helpless. Now, he can only use medicine to sustain Senior Brother Zhang’s life. As for whether he can ultimately be saved…”

Jin Zhanyi hesitated before concluding, “We can only do our utmost and leave the rest to fate.”

He Yiming let out a sympathetic sigh. He recalled the trade fair held at the Northwest Heavenly Lake. If Zhang Zhongjin truly perished because of it, many cultivators from the Northwest’s front lines would feel a deep sense of disappointment ten years hence.

Jin Zhanyi seemed to recall something abruptly. “Brother He, we owe you a great debt this time. If you hadn't recognized Senior Brother Zhang, he wouldn't even have this sliver of a chance to live. Venerable Hao has mentioned you multiple times because of this, and commanded me to bring you to see him as soon as you returned.”

He Yiming looked slightly startled. “Venerable Hao?”

Jin Zhanyi nodded emphatically. “Venerable Hao is Senior Brother Zhang’s master. He has taken only five disciples in his lifetime, and Senior Brother Zhang was the only one to reach the Three Flowers Realm and show promise of achieving Venerable status. He was the focus of Venerable Hao’s highest hopes, which is why the old man is so grateful to you.”

He Yiming was stunned, never realizing such a connection existed between Zhang Zhongjin and Venerable Hao.

But then he quickly responded, “Brother Jin, you jest. Have you and Venerable Hao not aided me enough? Without your exchange with Yu Wuchang, I wouldn't have even located three points within the Five Elements Ring, let alone advanced to the Venerable realm.”

Jin Zhanyi chuckled darkly and clapped He Yiming firmly on the shoulder. “Enough idle talk; let’s go see Venerable Hao.” He added in a follow-up, “I need to know why you advanced to the Venerable realm ahead of me. That shouldn't be possible.”

Hearing the note of perhaps indignant curiosity in his tone, He Yiming couldn't help but smile wryly. The two of them immediately headed toward the tall tower.

The Tower of Heavenly Ascent was the most imposing structure in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, and its most critical location. Ordinary people certainly had no right to enter. But Jin Zhanyi was undoubtedly the most famous figure in the entire city, especially since the title of the foremost expert below the Venerable rank had been ringing out loudly over the last two or three decades.

And now, the news that he had successfully materialized his divine weapon had spread throughout the city; everyone knew the Lingxiao Treasure Hall was about to gain another Venerable.

Under these circumstances, let alone him bringing one person into the Tower of Heavenly Ascent, even if he brought dozens, no one would dare step forward to question him.

Once inside the Tower of Heavenly Ascent, Jin Zhanyi’s demeanor immediately became much more serious, and he slowed his pace as they walked.

It seemed a mysterious power permeated the place, instilling it with an aura of profound majesty.

And when He Yiming re-entered the tower, he too felt a strange sensation.

He could sense that the strand of Tower Power within his Dantian seemed to recognize the tower’s presence, causing it to become slightly more active.

However, He Yiming’s Dantian truly lived up to its reputation as the final tomb of all powers; anything that entered it was reduced to chaos.

Though that sliver of Tower Power and the Five Elements Ring were not melted, it was clear they had undergone a degree of merging with the magical force within the Dantian. Thus, after a brief moment of liveliness, this strand of Tower Power settled down.

What made He Yiming’s heart pound with anxiety, though, was that this magical power within the tower seemed to be reacting subtly, apparently drawn by that small strand of power. At the very least, the concentration of this power beneath his feet was far superior to other areas. He Yiming quickly contained his thoughts and sealed his apertures, preventing these energies from surging into his body.

He Yiming vaguely suspected these occurrences were related to his recent ascension to the Venerable realm; the power within the tower seemed to be accepting him more readily now.

Yet, no matter how bold he was, he dared not greedily absorb that power in front of Jin Zhanyi.

Around the tenth level of the tower, Jin Zhanyi stopped. He gently pulled a rope attached to a door.

He Yiming’s ears twitched, faintly catching the sound of a small bell ringing, though the sound was so subtle he almost thought he was hallucinating.

A moment later, the door slowly opened, and Venerable Hao’s voice drifted out from within.

“Nephew Jin, you’ve arrived. And who is the Venerable from the following sect? What business do you have seeking this old man?”

Though the voice was familiar, He Yiming could detect a profound weariness and sense of discouragement within it.

He Yiming instantly understood: this elder had been severely struck by the matter concerning Zhang Zhongjin.

Zhang Zhongjin had been the only one among his five disciples with the hope of advancing to the Venerable realm, yet this incident in Ghost Cry Ridge had caused all his painstaking efforts to come to naught.

Under such circumstances, it would be strange if Hao Dong could still feel cheerful.

“Uncle Master Hao, your nephew has brought the person you specifically requested,” Jin Zhanyi replied with a deep bow, his tone solemn.

“The person I requested?” Hao Dong’s voice finally showed a flicker of emotion. Then, a figure flashed within the room, and Hao Dong appeared before them.

Looking at He Yiming, Hao Dong blinked his eyes noticeably. He finally confirmed that it wasn't just his grief causing him to see things incorrectly. After a moment, he raised his head, pointed at He Yiming for a long moment, and finally asked, “You… what is your current realm?”

He Yiming glanced at Jin Zhanyi, who wore a knowing smile and shrugged helplessly at him.

With a bitter smile, He Yiming knew that no amount of explanation now would likely satisfy this elder, Hao Dong.

He cleanly extended one hand, and the process of the Five Elements Ring condensing from mist to solid form was performed once more.

Hao Dong finally snapped out of his profound shock, a look of inexpressible, wry amusement crossing his face as he murmured, “A miracle, a true miracle…”

His thoughts turning rapidly, he suddenly inquired, “Yiming, how long did it take you to refine the divine weapon?”

He Yiming hesitated briefly before speaking the truth. “Senior, it took this junior about ten days in total.”

Both Hao Dong and Jin Zhanyi’s faces twitched simultaneously.

Although Jin Zhanyi had expected it, hearing the specific duration made him involuntarily let out a low moan.

Hao Dong gazed at He Yiming, the horror and wry humor on his face gradually being replaced by a brilliant light.

“Ten days. Heh heh… this old man truly did not misjudge the person.”

He Yiming bowed deeply to him. “If not for the guidance you, Senior, and Brother Jin provided, this junior would never have taken this step so smoothly.”

He spoke these words with absolute sincerity, brimming with gratitude.