Heaving a sigh along with Chu Haozhou, He Yiming remarked, “Brother Chu, after saving that white horse’s life, you now refuse to take it. You have truly shown benevolence to the utmost.”

However, Chu Haozhou’s face flushed instantly. He coughed lightly and said, “Brother He, there is something you don’t know. Twenty years ago, while I was cultivating the Armored Form, I suffered a qi deviation. The heavenly energies around me became chaotic and restless, alarming those damnable Black Vultures. They took advantage of my inability to move and launched an attack. Just as I believed my end was certain, that white horse suddenly intervened, driving off all the Black Vultures and saving my life.”

He Yiming’s expression grew exceedingly strange. This man and this horse had resided on this desolate island for so long, having saved each other’s lives in turn. Recalling the old man’s earlier desire to take the white horse’s life for its vital essence to forge a weapon, juxtaposed with decades of relentless, drawn-out conflict.

This intricate web of relationships suddenly gave him a splitting headache.

Nevertheless, speaking with the old man had clarified why he had seemed so hesitant just moments before.

After forty years of cohabitation, despite their outwardly combative relationship, the thought of truly taking the other’s life proved too difficult to execute.

Chu Haozhou suddenly looked up and let out a long sigh, as if a great weight had been lifted. He laughed several times, a sound filled with unconcealed joy.

He Yiming looked up inexplicably, unsure what the old man was thinking…

Chu Haozhou swept his large sleeve and declared, “Brother He, please follow me.”

He turned and strode away, disappearing into the deep mountains a moment later, leaving the small hollow behind.

Judging by the direction he was heading, He Yiming knew they were headed toward the cave dwelling where the old man lived.

Though He Yiming had a rough idea of the location, he had never visited, which also restricted the range of movement for Baozhu here. After all, a certain degree of respect was due to a Venerable master.

However, under Chu Haozhou’s guidance, He Yiming dropped all caution.

The cave dwelling Chu Haozhou inhabited was one he had personally excavated. Although the old man didn't demand much in terms of living conditions, after forty years of residency, the cave was quite substantial now.

What truly astonished He Yiming, though, was the small side cavern located behind the old man’s bedroom.

This small chamber was built directly behind the sleeping quarters, a clear indication of how much the old man valued what lay inside.

Only one item was stored here: the Golden Element ultimate treasure he had once gifted to He Yiming—the Profound Iron.

The amount of Profound Iron wasn't vast, perhaps equivalent to the legs of a grown man, but He Yiming knew that refining iron ore using one's own Fire energy to obtain such a quantity of Profound Iron was no simple feat. If he was not mistaken, this represented the old man’s entire savings accumulated over forty years.

Indeed, Chu Haozhou’s gaze lingered over the pile for a few moments. “Brother He, I have been here for forty-two years. Except for the first year, the majority of my time has been spent refining Profound Iron. This accumulation here is the result of forty years of effort.” He raised his head with pride. “To refine Profound Iron, one at least needs a Innate cultivation foundation, but how can an Innate master compare to me? In a mere forty years, I have forged this much Profound Iron. Across the whole world, few besides myself could achieve such a feat.”

He Yiming nodded slightly. His curiosity about the iron ore deposit at the island’s center intensified, yet upon learning it took the old man forty years to gather this much Profound Iron, the burning eagerness in his heart largely dissipated.

He did not have the luxury of time to linger here. Even knowing that a dream-worthy iron mine lay nearby, he simply could not stay for an extended period.

Chu Haozhou abruptly turned. “Brother He, there is something I wish to discuss with you, and I hope you will grant my request.”

He Yiming paused briefly. “Please speak, Brother Chu.”

“Brother He belongs to the Tianchi Sect, and as far as I know, the Tianchi lineage is the preeminent great sect of the Northwest. Its standing across the entire Northwest is comparable to that of the Lingxiao Treasure Hall in Great Shen.” Chu Haozhou’s eyes shone sharply. “If Brother He can procure a suitable high-grade Divine Weapon for me, then all the Profound Iron here shall be yours.”

He Yiming’s eyes suddenly brightened, but he stated gravely, “Brother Chu, I am merely an obscure figure in Tianchi. I cannot make decisions regarding your request.”

Although He Yiming coveted the Profound Iron here and understood its immense value—certainly exceeding that of a Divine Weapon, even a high-grade one—he was also keenly aware that high-grade Divine Weapons were objects of legend even within major sects, entirely beyond his control.

Chu Haozhou smiled faintly. “Brother He, do you know what this is?”

He Yiming replied solemnly, “Though my experience is shallow, I know a thing or two about this Golden Element ultimate treasure.”

Chu Haozhou nodded in satisfaction. His primary concern had been whether He Yiming would fail to recognize the item or misunderstand its worth. Seeing He Yiming’s current expression, he knew the young man was thoroughly informed.

“Brother He, if I were to take all this Profound Iron out for trade, do you think I could exchange it for a high-grade Divine Weapon?”

He Yiming fell silent. After a long pause, he admitted, “To be frank, Brother Chu, considering the sheer volume of Profound Iron you possess, it is more than enough to exchange for a high-grade Divine Weapon. However, as you know, ordinary Divine Weapons are one thing, but securing a high-grade one relies heavily on one's fortune. If luck is not on your side, you might struggle to acquire a weapon that truly suits you.”

A flash of approval crossed Chu Haozhou’s eyes.

He Yiming, upon seeing such a hoard of Profound Iron, had not simply agreed; instead, he analyzed the situation carefully. This indicated that he was genuinely considering the old man’s best interests, not merely plotting to seize the materials and depart.

“Brother He, you are correct. Every Divine Weapon possesses unique inherent properties. A Venerable master like myself, cultivating Wind, Water, and Fire simultaneously, is exceedingly rare even in the entire history of humanity. Therefore, not only is it difficult to find one that suits me among the high-grade Divine Weapons, it’s hard to find one among all Divine Weapons that meets my specific requirements.”

He Yiming nodded deeply, suddenly recalling something. “Brother Chu, you have not been considering this issue for just a day or two, have you? Whatever your plan is, perhaps you should state it plainly.”

Chu Haozhou nodded. “Brother He is indeed a straightforward man. I have long contemplated this matter. The first solution would be for me to forge a Divine Weapon myself. Using the essence of the Profound Iron, the vital essence of a Super-tier spirit beast, and actively feeding it with essence blood during the forging process, the resulting weapon should manifest the characteristics suitable for me.”

He Yiming looked at him in surprise, asking suspiciously, “You actually know how to forge Divine Weapons?”

Chu Haozhou stroked his beard and smiled proudly. “Upon realizing my affinity was for the Wind, Fire, and Water tri-elemental paths, I foresaw the issue of weaponry that would plague me later on. Thus, even during my Post-Heaven cultivation, I began studying the art of forging. While I may not claim to be unparalleled now, forging a Divine Weapon for my own use is well within my capability.”

A look of genuine admiration flashed in He Yiming’s eyes; he was completely won over.

The arts of Forging and Alchemy are professions highly guarded by cultivators. A master Forger capable of crafting Divine Weapons is held in such high esteem that even in massive sects like the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, they are cherished treasures.

To think that this old man he met on a deserted island was, in fact, such a formidable Forging Master.

However, after a moment of hesitation, He Yiming smiled wryly. “Your methods are indeed brilliant, but since you chose to spare the white horse, that path seems to be closed off.”

Indeed, to forge a Profound Iron Divine Weapon, the vital essence of an Over-tier spirit beast was necessary. Besides this white horse, the only other Over-tier spirit beast He Yiming had encountered was the Dragon Snake in Ghost Cry Ridge.

Since Chu Haozhou could not bring himself to kill the white horse, and He Yiming doubted the old man would dare venture to Ghost Cry Ridge to challenge the Dragon Snake, the plan to forge his own Divine Weapon was effectively dead.

“While that method won't work, I do have another option,” Chu Haozhou stated grimly. “Have you ever heard of Divine Beasts, Brother He?”

He Yiming’s heart suddenly tightened. “It would be rare indeed for a martial cultivator never to have heard of Divine Beasts.”

Chu Haozhou nodded slightly. “Brother He, the bodies of Divine Beasts possess an innate ability to communicate with all things. Regardless of their original elemental alignment, their remains—whether after death or shedding their skin—are supreme treasures for forging Divine Weapons. If a Divine Weapon can be forged using these materials, once successful, any expert, regardless of their element, can wield it without hindrance.”

He Yiming’s mouth fell open. “I see. You wish for a Divine Weapon crafted from the body of a Divine Beast.”

Chu Haozhou chuckled dryly. “Divine Weapons forged from the bodies of Divine Beasts, while precious, are mostly high-grade Divine Weapons. They are exceedingly rare, typically only preserved in the largest sects.” He shifted his tone. “However, the value of this Profound Iron is certainly no less than any high-grade Divine Weapon. For the major sects, this quantity of Profound Iron might even be more useful than a single high-grade Divine Weapon.”

He Yiming nodded slightly. A thought struck him suddenly, and raising his eyebrows, he said, “Brother Chu, please wait a moment. I will return shortly.” He turned and vanished in an instant.

Chu Haozhou watched him go, utterly bewildered, his mind filled with uncertainty.

Ps: Tonight will still be three updates, making five in total. Want to know the white horse’s fate? Give me your monthly votes!^_^