Hao Tong's voice seemed to carry from a vast distance, breaking He Yiming's reverie.

He looked up, paused for a moment in a daze, and then replied, "I plan to return to the Northwest."

As he spoke those words, his voice was filled with a yearning emotion; the mere thought of returning home instantly ignited a fervor in his heart.

He Yiming’s initial foray into the world was driven by the singular goal of breaking past his limits and achieving the Venerable realm.

For the sake of that twenty-year pact, he had cast aside everything else. Yet, unexpectedly, everything had proceeded with such astonishing smoothness. Less than a year after leaving the Northwest, he had broken through once again, achieving his intended target.

Speaking of going home, He Yiming could already picture the expressions of Yu Jinglei and the people of the Hengshan lineage upon hearing the news—they would surely be overjoyed beyond measure.

And then there were his grandfather and relatives back home, and Yuan Lixun, who had journeyed to the Ice Palace in the Northern Frontier.

He wondered about their health, and whether Lixun's cultivation in the Northern Frontier was progressing smoothly.

In that moment, he thought of so many people, so many matters, that a desperate urge to return immediately washed over him.

A trace of worry flickered across Hao Tong’s eyes. He pursed his lips and suddenly said, "Junior Nephew Jin mentioned to me that you have a twenty-year pact with the Deep Mountain Totem tribe."

He Yiming’s heart tightened, and he stated in a deep voice, "That is correct."

Although he had now advanced to the Venerable realm, the mere mention of the behemoth that was the Deep Mountain Totem still filled him with considerable apprehension.

Hao Tong nodded slightly. "Yiming, your old uncle has a suggestion."

He Yiming quickly composed himself, bowed deeply, and said, "Please guide me, Elder."

"Although you have become a Venerable, you have only just advanced. Within the Deep Mountain Totem, however, there are powerful Venerables who have ascended decades, even centuries, ago. With your current strength, even if you venture into the mountains, it is not guaranteed that you can emerge safely," Hao Tong said with genuine concern.

He Yiming nodded in profound agreement. He had deliberately omitted the fact that he had slain three Venerables; this was the primary reason Hao Tong had misjudged his strength.

But some secrets, if they could be kept hidden, were better left concealed.

Hao Tong continued, "The Divine Weapon you forged upon advancing to the Venerable realm is a replica of the divine artifact, the Five Elements Ring. Furthermore, you possess the rare innate body capable of cultivating all Five Elements. If, before heading to the Totem, you can comprehend both the Water and Wood Flowers, condensing them into the Flower of Five Elements to control the Five Elements Ring, then you will possess absolute self-preservation capability when entering the mountains."

A sharp glint flashed in He Yiming’s eyes. It seemed this elder was also unaware of the true, immense might of the Five Elements Ring. If he knew, he likely wouldn't have made such a statement.

However, the old man was not wrong. If he could unify the Five Elements, his chances of successfully navigating the Deep Mountain Totem would increase exponentially.

"What is your suggestion, Elder?"

"I hope that over these next two years, you can journey to the East Sea or the South Sea. Go see the magnificent, surging ocean; it might prove beneficial to your comprehension of the power of Water. And two years from now, I hope you can travel to the Realm of Life and Death with Junior Nephew Jin and Junior Nephew Wei."

He Yiming paused slightly. "The Northwest Realm of Life and Death?"

"Precisely."

He Yiming asked with suspicion, "But as far as I know, the Realm of Life and Death is where we fight the Totem tribe in battles unto death. Are we going to war with the Totem tribe in two years?"

Hao Tong looked at him with a mixture of exasperation and amusement, chuckling, "Nonsense. The Realm of Life and Death was painstakingly opened by several Divine Path experts of the previous generation. It is a marvelous space capable of accommodating the forces of all things between Heaven and Earth. The Eastern Realm of Life and Death, much like Heaven and Hell in the West, serves as the finest proving ground for newly advanced Venerables." He paused. "However, in the struggle to claim ownership of the Realm of Life and Death, we and the Deep Mountain Totem tribe have clashed several times, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. It wasn't until more than a century ago that a treaty was established for shared use."

He Yiming suddenly understood, recalling that when the Qilian Twin Demons departed, there seemed to be a pact regarding the Realm of Life and Death; they must have known about this matter.

He abruptly remembered Hao Tong’s earlier words and inquired, "Brother Jin, has Brother Wei also successfully vaporized his Divine Weapon?"

Jin Zhanyi smiled and nodded. "This time, Senior Brother Wei took the Jihuang Pill and finally broke past his limit, successfully vaporizing his Divine Weapon. In two years, he will certainly advance to the Venerable realm smoothly."

Hao Tong’s gaze was deep and inscrutable. "Two years from now marks the opening of the Realm of Life and Death for this cycle. Venerables from the East, Northern Frontier, Northwest, and parts of the Southern Frontier who advanced within the last fifty years will all converge there." He paused, emphasizing his next words, "Including the Deep Mountain Totem tribe; their clansmen who reached the Saint level within fifty years will also appear."

A myriad of thoughts instantly spun through He Yiming’s mind. He turned to Jin Zhanyi. "Brother Jin, what is the trial for the newly advanced Venerables?"

A glimmer of hopeful light shone in Jin Zhanyi's eyes. "Ten thousand years ago, several Divine Path figures in the West joined forces to establish Heaven and Hell. There, they left behind numerous precious items and channeled various attributes of Heaven and Earth's power within. All successor Venerables from the West can gain corresponding benefits there through their own fortune. Thus, the powerful figures of the Eastern Divine Path followed suit, constructing the Realm of Life and Death and leaving behind many rare heavenly materials and earthly treasures. It is rumored that many artifacts once used by those Divine Path experts are also stored there. To those experts, these items were undoubtedly beneath their notice, but to us, they are treasures rarely seen."

Hao Tong sighed softly. "Junior Nephew Jin, you should know what is most strictly forbidden within the Realm of Life and Death."

Jin Zhanyi’s expression shifted slightly. He spoke with sobriety, "Uncle-Master, this junior nephew was wrong."

He Yiming looked at them, perplexed, unaware of what impropriety had occurred.

Hao Tong’s expression grew solemn. "Yiming, although there are relics left by the Divine Path experts in the Realm of Life and Death, those items are invariably situated in extremely perilous locations. Unless by sheer coincidence, do not even think of touching them. If one becomes solely focused on obtaining these items, they might even leave their life behind there. Therefore, if you enter with the mindset of a treasure hunter, you might as well stay outside honestly; at least you can keep your life."

His words were stern and utterly uncompromising.

He Yiming’s heart sobered instantly, and he respectfully acknowledged the advice, committing it firmly to memory.

Only then did Hao Tong sigh heavily. "In truth, what truly attracts people to the Realm of Life and Death is not the leftover treasures of the Divine Path experts, but the sources of the differently attributed Heaven and Earth power. That is the most fundamental thing for all Venerables."

"Source of Heaven and Earth Power?" A vague notion flashed through He Yiming's mind, but it wasn't clear—it vanished as quickly as a momentary flash of inspiration.

Yet, he firmly lodged this phrase in his memory.

"Indeed, the Source of Heaven and Earth Power," Hao Tong stated gravely. "I cannot describe everything there, but when you witness that scene, you will personally experience its profound mysteries. Comprehending all of this is the true meaning of our entry."

He Yiming exchanged a look with Jin Zhanyi. Their minds churned, trying to decipher the underlying secrets, but they came up with nothing conclusive.

Shaking his head, He Yiming pushed these thoughts aside. Whatever mysteries lay within, he would only know once he entered to observe. Overthinking it now would only be counterproductive, potentially unsettling his mind to his own detriment.

Looking up, Hao Tong’s gaze was peaceful yet carried a hint of encouragement. He Yiming's original plan immediately began to waver.

Outside Ghost Cry Ridge, facing the combined assault of three Venerables, he had already realized he could not win in a fair fight. So, what kind of situation would he face when venturing into the Deep Mountain Totem in the future?

He thought of Jin Zhanyi, and he thought of Venerable Xu atop Sky Lake. Both had solemnly vowed to accompany him into the mountains. If only for their sake, he needed to possess even greater strength.

Taking a deep breath, He Yiming finally reached a decision.

Seeing the resolute look in He Yiming's eyes, Hao Tong was extremely satisfied.

Martial cultivation is fraught with hardship. If He Yiming returned to the Northwest and received widespread praise, he might become complacent, which would greatly impede his future growth.

But sending him to the East Sea or South Sea, whether he managed to comprehend the Water Flower or not, at least guaranteed he wouldn't settle into complacency. To ensure He Yiming continued to advance on the path of martial arts, Hao Tong had gone to great lengths.

"Brother Hao, where do you think I should go?" He Yiming asked seriously.

Hao Tong was prepared for this. "The East Sea and the Southern Frontier are both excellent choices. However, comparatively speaking, the foremost sect of the Southern Frontier, the Ten Thousand Feet Glazed Cave, shares extremely deep ties with our Lingxiao Treasure Hall and the Northwest Sky Lake. If you go to the Southern Frontier, you will receive their care, saving a lot of trouble."

He Yiming’s gaze unintentionally swept over his own chest.

The Treasure Pig had retrieved two items from the Dragon Snake Nest in Ghost Cry Ridge: one was the Dragon Snake Horn, and the other was a topographical map. The location marked on the map was Penglai Immortal Island in the East Sea.

Had it not been for this map, He Yiming might have followed Hao Tong’s suggestion and gone to the Southern Frontier.

But since this map had surfaced in his mind, his attitude naturally shifted. Shaking his head, He Yiming stated righteously, "My purpose in going this time is to comprehend the Water Flower. If everything is arranged by others, it won't achieve the goal of true tempering. Therefore…" He Yiming announced loudly, "I will go to the East Sea."

Hao Tong was secretly delighted and repeatedly nodded, showering him with praise.

Even though He Yiming’s thick skin was not what it once was, such effusive compliments from the elder brought a faint flush to his cheeks. He inwardly mused that if the elder knew his choice of the East Sea wasn't for the grand reasons he claimed, perhaps the old man would kick him straight away.

Ps: Tomorrow is Monday, definitely five chapters. Seeking recommendation votes and monthly tickets for tomorrow, thank you…