The sunlight outside the tower was brilliant. The moment He Yiming stepped out of the high tower, he almost believed he had just emerged from the Ghost Cry Ridge.
The greatest realization from this seclusion was that regardless of the location, the instant one emerged from any long period of seclusion, the sensation was invariably similar—a feeling akin to having traveled across vast gulfs of time and space.
Stepping out, He Yiming felt the difference immediately.
Inside the tower, everyone who saw him was utterly deferential. Even those who had never met He Yiming before would instantly change their expression upon sight.
It was a look compounded of deep respect and profound admiration, and in the eyes of most, there was a discernible, blazing intensity.
This sudden shift in atmosphere left He Yiming quite perplexed. However, as a Venerable now, he knew he had to maintain an air of inscrutable depth before these common folk. Thus, with an unwavering gaze, he exited the tower and returned to Jin Zhanyi’s residence.
Yet, when he arrived at Jin Zhanyi’s doorstep, he blinked, utterly bewildered.
Affixed to Jin Zhanyi’s main door was a portrait. No matter how he looked, left or right, the figure depicted was undeniably himself.
He Yiming’s mind raced; he instantly understood the reason for the numerous salutes from strangers along the way—it was all down to this painting.
Still, the Lingxiao Treasure Hall was indeed filled with talent. This portrait captured his likeness with astonishing depth and vitality. Even He Yiming himself felt a moment of startling self-recognition, as if looking into a mirror.
However, having this painting displayed here was certainly not a good thing for him.
He Yiming took a step forward and swiftly tore the portrait from the door, his figure blurring slightly as he entered the courtyard.
His ears twitched subtly, and He Yiming distinctly heard Jin Zhanyi’s voice. It seemed there was more than one person in Jin Zhanyi’s room, but He Yiming could not wait. He spoke in a low, heavy tone, “Brother Jin, what is the meaning of all this?”
Hearing his voice, Jin Zhanyi immediately came out. Upon seeing the portrait in He Yiming’s hand, he burst into laughter. “Brother He, you are finally out.”
He Yiming snorted softly. “Why on earth did you post my likeness here?”
Jin Zhanyi shook his head repeatedly. “I didn’t post the portrait, nor did I paint it.” He said with utmost seriousness, “I cultivate the Dao of Cuisine, not the Dao of Painting. You must not mistake me.”
He Yiming replied irritably, “If you hadn’t consented, who would dare paste a portrait in front of your door?”
Jin Zhanyi laughed heartily. “The one who posted it is in my room. Come in and scold him.”
Seeing Jin Zhanyi’s air of nonchalance, He Yiming grew curious. He entered the room and saw one person reclining on the couch, while a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar stood before the bed.
The moment he saw the reclining figure, He Yiming let a flicker of joy cross his face. “Brother Zhang, you are much better!”
Although Zhang Zhongjin was still confined to bed, the fact that he was allowed out of the Pagoda meant that Hao Tong must deem him largely recovered. Otherwise, given Hao Tong’s affection for him, he would never have been released so easily.
Zhang Zhongjin, still on the bed, cupped his hands in a formal salute. “Venerable He, your life-saving grace is beyond words of thanks. Yifu, kneel and express my gratitude on my behalf.”
The middle-aged scholar beside him immediately stepped forward, rapidly and heavily kneeling down, bowing his head in utmost reverence. “Zhang Yifu pays respects on behalf of my ancestor, thanking Venerable He for the immense grace of saving a life.”
He Yiming could only manage a wry smile and waved his hand. Before Zhang Yifu’s head could touch the ground, he was lifted up by an invisible force.
Though he wished to fulfill his ancestor’s command, under the pressure of this force, he felt as minuscule as an ant, completely powerless to resist.
He Yiming coughed lightly. “Brother Zhang, it was but a small favor; why such ceremony?”
Zhang Zhongjin smiled faintly. “Very well. Great favors require no empty words. Venerable He, now that you have ascended to the rank of Venerable, it is unlikely you would need the services of a useless man like myself. However…” He paused, glancing at Jin Zhanyi, “Junior Brother Jin, we have known each other for over a hundred years. I have a matter I wish to request your assistance with.”
Jin Zhanyi quickly replied, “Senior Brother Zhang, when I was young, I studied under your guidance for ten years. During that decade, you laid the most solid foundation for my martial path. If you command anything, I would never dare refuse.”
It was then that He Yiming understood the root of the deep friendship between Jin Zhanyi and Zhang Zhongjin. Such a shared history, even amidst the millions in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, must be exceedingly rare.
Zhang Zhongjin nodded slightly. “Junior Brother Jin, I wish for you to accompany Venerable He to the deep mountains nineteen years from now.”
Jin Zhanyi let out an amused chuckle. “Senior Brother Zhang, I thought it was something substantial!” He glanced at He Yiming. “This is a certainty, Brother He, would you not agree?”
He Yiming’s lips moved slightly. Though he was now a Venerable, hearing their exchange, especially Jin Zhanyi’s tone of absolute certainty, left an uncontrollable emotion surging within him, as if something had blocked his heart.
He nodded heavily, speaking in a deep voice, “Indeed.”
From Jin Zhanyi’s words, he sensed the man’s unwavering resolve. Having known the fellow for so long, He Yiming knew that once Jin Zhanyi made up his mind, not even nine oxen could pull him back.
If he refused, the only outcome would be Jin Zhanyi heading alone toward the Totem in the deep mountains. If that were to happen, He Yiming would never have a moment of peace. Since that was the case, it was better they travel together, looking out for one another.
Zhang Zhongjin smiled with satisfaction, seeing the bond between Jin Zhanyi and He Yiming brought him genuine happiness.
He Yiming’s gaze fell upon the portrait in his hand, and he suddenly asked, “Brother Zhang, did this portrait come from your hand?”
Zhang Zhongjin laughed. “I am equally ignorant of the Dao of Painting. This work is by Yifu’s brush.”
He Yiming looked over in surprise. Though he knew little of painting techniques, he could certainly distinguish a good piece of art. The portrait Zhang Yifu had painted was undeniably lifelike, a masterpiece of technique. In He Yiming’s memory, perhaps only the landscape painting found in Tianluo City, drawn by some peak Innate expert, could compare.
Zhang Yifu bowed deeply to him. “Venerable He. I had the honor of meeting you once in the Elder Master’s chambers. Since the Master commanded that news of your advancement to Venerable be spread, I painted your likeness so that the disciples of our sect might engrave your face in their memory.”
He Yiming paused slightly. He knew perfectly well that the Elder Master was Hao Tong.
Musing for a moment, He Yiming asked, “Why did Brother Hao wish to spread the news of my Venerable promotion?”
Zhang Yifu bowed again. “It was the Master’s instruction; I merely followed orders.”
Any lingering heat of frustration in He Yiming’s chest had long since dissipated. If Elder Master Hao Tong intended it so, there must be a profound reason behind it, and he needn’t be upset.
A clear, hearty laugh suddenly sounded from the doorway. Hao Tong, having left the Tongtian Treasure Tower at some unknown point, had arrived as well.
Seeing Hao Tong, everyone respectfully performed their greetings.
Hao Tong waved his wide sleeve, pulling He Yiming directly into the room. “Yiming, how have your studies served you these past few days?”
He Yiming replied quickly, “These past days I have been reading the Compendium of Rare Treasures of the World. I am deeply moved by the sheer variety of miraculous creatures and strange beasts existing between heaven and earth.”
Hao Tong nodded slightly. “In truth, not all the rare beasts and marvels are recorded within.”
“Not all?” He Yiming was momentarily stunned.
He had personally flipped through the contents of this secret collection—there were hundreds, if not thousands, of volumes. The notion that this extensive library was still incomplete was almost unbelievable.
Hao Tong spoke with gravity. “Actually, the greatest concentration of miraculous beasts and strange beings in this world should reside on the islands beyond the Great Sea.” He looked toward the distance. “Beyond the sea lie countless islands, large and small, scattered across the ocean. No one knows exactly how many wondrous creatures or powerful experts lie hidden among them.”
He Yiming’s heart stirred. “Have you ever sailed beyond the sea, Elder?”
Hao Tong nodded slowly. “I have put out to sea three times in my life, enduring countless storms. But what I saw and heard made me linger in memory, and I feel it was far from a wasted endeavor.”
A hint of longing flashed in He Yiming’s eyes. He had come to Dashen, he had seen Ghost Cry Ridge, but he had never seen the vast ocean; naturally, he was quite envious.
Hao Tong abruptly shifted the topic. “Yiming, do you know why I ordered your portrait to be widely circulated?”
He Yiming shook his head. “No, I ask for your guidance.”
Hao Tong looked at He Yiming solemnly. “You are only twenty years old, yet you have already advanced to Venerable. Such glory was unprecedented, even among the Divine Path predecessors. I am certain your future achievements will far surpass this… Therefore, I want everyone to know that you achieved the Venerable rank while under the auspices of our Lingxiao Treasure Hall. This honor must remain here, no matter what.” As he finished speaking, a hint of triumphant pride crossed his face. “I do not merely intend to publicize it here; I will ensure your renown spreads across all of Dashen, and even the entire continent.”
He Yiming looked at him, half-laughing, half-resigned. “Brother Hao, do all the Venerables in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall receive this honor?”
“Certainly not,” Hao Tong replied as if it were obvious. “You are the sole exception because you are the first Venerable in history to reach this rank at the age of twenty.”
He Yiming sighed deeply, yet beneath the surface, a thread of secret satisfaction sparked within him.
Fame across the world—wasn’t that something he had once pursued?
For a fleeting moment, memories flooded his mind, his twenty years flashing by like scenes from a turning lantern.
Joy, bitterness, sweet, and sour—it seemed he had tasted the full spectrum within his short two decades of life.
A strange thought suddenly surfaced: was this kind of universal fame truly what his heart desired?
This, he realized, seemed to be an unsolvable question!