The next morning, as He Yiming stepped out of his room, gazing blankly at the sunlight overhead in the courtyard, the door to Jin Zhanyi’s room across the way finally opened.
He had spent the entire night poring over the secret manual He Yiming had given him, and after a night of deep contemplation, he had already grasped a few insights.
“Brother He, this manual of yours is extraordinary,” Jin Zhanyi praised in his opening words upon meeting. “It must be quite fortunate that you stumbled upon this manual on the corpse of a Westerner.”
He Yiming chuckled, “Just a stroke of luck.”
Jin Zhanyi nodded vigorously in agreement. “I truly cannot fathom what kind of pig brains those Westerners possess, to carry a secret manual to such a perilous place as Ghost Cry Ridge. Weren’t they afraid of any potential mishap?”
He Yiming’s smile stiffened slightly. Gabri hadn’t been brainless; he had simply been too unlucky.
Fortunately, Jin Zhanyi did not press the matter further and instead stated directly, “I reviewed the entire thing last night. This manual describes a peculiar method for cultivating vital essence, and what’s more, this technique can only be practiced by a Venerable.”
He Yiming’s expression shifted slightly. “How is it cultivated, and what are the effects?”
“After a Venerable has completely refined and absorbed a Divine Weapon into their body, it is nurtured within the Dantian. This cultivation method involves combining one’s own True Qi with the aura of the Divine Weapon, forming a new vital essence stored in the Dantian,” Jin Zhanyi said, his face full of envy. “While this vital essence might not be of much use normally, it can unleash tremendous divine efficacy during combat.”
He Yiming instantly recalled an incident. He had once used the Thirty-Six Forms of Mountain Splitting to crack Gabri’s shield. Under normal circumstances, even Gabri himself would have required ten days to half a month of nurturing with True Qi to fully repair it.
Yet, Gabri had used some special ability to restore the shield to its pristine condition in mere seconds.
This miraculous ability had filled He Yiming with envy. Now, hearing Jin Zhanyi explain it step-by-step, He Yiming’s heart pounded with excitement. Could his luck truly be this incredible?
“Brother Jin, does this divine efficacy you mention allow for the complete repair of damaged Divine Weapons in an extremely short time?”
Jin Zhanyi looked at He Yiming in astonishment. “How did you know?”
He Yiming chuckled, “Brother Jin, you underestimate me too much. Your younger brother has also read ten thousand scrolls; guessing this point is hardly surprising.”
Jin Zhanyi hummed in acknowledgment, not suspecting anything. He Yiming was correct; if one had read relevant material previously, it would indeed be easy to deduce.
With a soft sigh, Jin Zhanyi continued, “Although this method of cultivating and storing vital essence is excellent and highly practical, it is a pity that neither of us can utilize it.”
He Yiming paused slightly. “Why is that?”
Jin Zhanyi replied helplessly, “Brother He, combining True Qi and a Divine Weapon is easy enough, but condensing the vital essence and separating it from the Divine Weapon—that is difficult. At least in our Eastern Great Shen, there are virtually no individuals who can achieve this.”
He Yiming’s eyebrows moved slightly. “Then how did the Westerners manage it?”
“In the West, there are special cultivators who grow up from childhood within the Church, dedicated to practicing a peculiar form of sonic wave technique. This sonic wave technique possesses the miraculous effect of stripping away vital essence,” Jin Zhanyi stated seriously. “After Western experts condense their vital essence, they go to the church and pay a certain price to ask those special practitioners to employ their sonic wave technique, thereby achieving the goal of extracting the essence.”
He Yiming finally understood, and a wave of disappointment washed over him.
Jin Zhanyi offered a slight smile. “Brother Jin, there is no need for you to be so disappointed. Although the vital essence cannot be stripped away, this cultivation method still offers some benefits to Divine Weapons, and it can extend stamina during combat. In battles between peers of the same rank, it can sometimes play a crucial role.”
He Yiming responded with a smile, realizing he had been too greedy just now...
The two walked side-by-side into the high tower and soon arrived outside Venerable Hao Tong’s room.
As soon as they reached the doorway, the door swung open without anyone touching it, and Hao Tong strode out like a shooting star.
The anxiety and sorrow etched around his brows had completely vanished, replaced by an expression dominated by deep smiles.
Seeing him, He Yiming and the other concluded that there was no need to inquire about Senior Brother Zhang’s condition; judging by the elder’s demeanor, Zhang Zhongjin must be doing better than ever.
Indeed, before they could even speak, Hao Tong stated directly, “Yiming, Junior Nephew Jin, Zhongjin has awakened.”
The two exchanged glances and respectfully congratulated him with smiles: “Congratulations, Martial Uncle Hao (Brother Hao).”
Hao Tong made no attempt to hide his joy, laughing heartily for a long time. “Yiming, come, I will take you to the Armory.”
Under the guidance of the elder, the three made their way towards the Armory.
Originally located on the second floor of the Pagoda Reaching Heaven, the Armory had been moved to the fifth floor following the intrusion by assassins from the Yellow Spring Sect last time.
Both the Weapon Repository and the Library were overseen by a Venerable.
Hao Tong naturally led He Yiming and Jin Zhanyi into the Library.
Inside, an old man heard the sound of the door opening. His gaze swept casually over them, but upon clearly recognizing the visitors, he sprang up as if his backside were fitted with springs. His usually composed face was instantly covered with sincere smiles.
“Martial Brother Hao, how could you come in person?” He paused, then added, “If you wish to look at any book, just send a junior martial nephew to give a word, and this humble one will personally deliver it to you.”
He Yiming glanced at him and immediately recognized his old acquaintance, Zhuo Shengfeng, the one who had nearly exposed him last time. Of course, at this moment, he had to pretend not to know him.
Hao Tong nodded slightly. “Junior Brother Zhuo, your senior brother has not come today to borrow books.”
Zhuo Shengfeng’s gaze shifted to He Yiming, and he smiled. “This humble one understands. You have brought him here to read the collection, haven’t you?”
Hao Tong confirmed, “I trouble Junior Brother Zhuo to open the library and allow him free reading access.”
Zhuo Shengfeng blinked slightly and hesitated. “Martial Brother, I naturally dare not defy your words, but according to regulations, one must possess at least the level of a Venerable to enter the Library.”
Although he had guarded the Martial Repository for many years, he was not unfamiliar with He Yiming. After all, he had heard whispers of the great battle with the Qilian Twin Devils last time, and Jin Zhanyi had brought He Yiming here before, so he recognized him instantly. In his estimation, a mere Flowery Three expert could never have advanced to the Venerable realm in just about half a year.
Hao Tong smiled faintly. “Yiming, show Junior Brother Zhuo.”
He Yiming paused briefly, then understood the elder’s meaning. He couldn’t help but smile slightly, extending one hand. The next instant, dense mist churned, transforming into a Five Elements Ring shimmering with golden light.
Zhuo Shengfeng’s expression instantly became extraordinary. He stared at He Yiming, dumbfounded, as if doubting his own eyes.
A moment later, his gaze finally settled on Jin Zhanyi, then swung back to He Yiming, before finally asking, “Junior Nephew Jin, is this He Yiming from the Northwest Heavenly Pool?”
Jin Zhanyi announced loudly, “Martial Uncle Zhuo, this is Brother He.”
Zhuo Shengfeng’s expression grew even stranger. “Since it is He Yiming, how could he possibly have advanced to Venerable?”
This question was profoundly impolite, yet both Hao Tong and Jin Zhanyi wore identical expressions.
He Yiming shook his head, unable to laugh or cry. “Brother Zhuo, is it impossible for this junior brother to advance to Venerable?”
His tone was less than courteous, and a trace of dissatisfaction flickered in his eyes.
Zhuo Shengfeng hastily waved his hands. “Brother… ah, Brother, if this old man remembers correctly, the last time we met, you hadn't even solidified your third Manifested Flower, right?”
He Yiming replied bluntly, “Brother Zhuo, my cultivation speed is just slightly faster; surely that isn't strange?”
Zhuo Shengfeng froze, then offered a wry, bitter smile. “Not strange at all.”
However, both he, and Hao Tong and Jin Zhanyi, thought inwardly: Not strange? It’s utterly unbelievable...
He Yiming flicked his wrist, and the Five Elements Ring dissolved back into mist, vanishing without a trace.
At this moment, Zhuo Shengfeng’s attitude toward He Yiming had undergone a massive shift. He no longer regarded him as a junior, but treated him with complete parity.
He Yiming had become a Venerable at such a young age. Regardless of his current cultivation level, his future prospects were undoubtedly limitless. It wasn't even inconceivable that he might one day stand as the foremost figure beneath the Divine Path.
Given this, any person with a modicum of perception would avoid offending him.
Entering the Armory and beholding the tens of thousands of volumes, He Yiming felt his head swell.
He considered for a moment. “Brother Zhuo, your junior brother wishes to read introductions concerning the world’s rare treasures and exotic objects. I request your guidance.”
Zhuo Shengfeng was still hesitating when he heard Hao Tong say, “Junior Brother Zhuo, open the Inner Repository and fetch the Record of Worldly Treasures for Yiming.”
Zhuo Shengfeng pursed his lips and hesitated. “Martial Brother, the books in the Inner Repository may only be read by disciples of our sect...”
Hao Tong waved his large hand. “Yiming is not an outsider. I take full responsibility; you need not worry.”
Zhuo Shengfeng immediately relaxed and quickly agreed.
It was only then that He Yiming realized that the Lingxiao Treasure Hall was also divided into an Inner and Outer Repository.
It was fortunate that Hao Tong had brought him personally this time; without the elder stepping forward, he would never have been able to view the contents of the Inner Repository.
Soon, Zhuo Shengfeng returned, carefully carrying a large case in his hands. He placed the entire box before He Yiming. “Brother He, this is the Record of Worldly Treasures. You may read to your heart’s content.”
Looking at the massive box, He Yiming was momentarily stunned. He opened it casually, revealing neatly stacked layers of books—there must have been over a thousand volumes in total.
He Yiming looked up blankly, realizing just how many rare treasures existed in the world, and how truly ignorant he was.
Ps: Many thanks to all the brothers for the enthusiastic support. Bai He is deeply grateful. On Saturday and Sunday, Bai He can only guarantee three updates, but on Monday there will definitely be fifteen thousand words! Thank you...