Huo Dongcheng stole a glance at He Yiming’s expression. Anxiety initially churned in his gut, but slowly, a sense of calm returned.

This was, after all, the back mountain of the Huo family estate. Practicing his skills here every night was hardly a major transgression. His initial nervousness had simply stemmed from meeting He Yiming for the first time.

Now, past the first wave of unease, he finally managed to steady himself.

However, the very next sentence He Yiming spoke sent his heart into another flurry of anxious uncertainty.

“Huo Dongcheng, your talent is considerable,” He Yiming stated softly.

Huo Dongcheng parted his lips, then offered a wry smile. “Senior, you needn’t comfort this junior. Among the direct descendants of the Huo family, anyone who hasn’t broken through to the Sixth Layer by sixteen is generally considered mediocre. They are unlikely to achieve much on the martial path in this lifetime.”

He Yiming let out a dry chuckle. If this were the He Family Village in the Northwest, breaking through to the Sixth Layer of Inner Strength at sixteen would mark someone as a genius of the highest caliber, deserving the family’s full investment. But here, reaching the Sixth Layer of Inner Strength by age sixteen was merely the baseline requirement.

This disparity revealed the enormous gap in martial arts mastery between Taicang County and this place.

Yet, the ambient energy on Penglai Immortal Island was truly dense. Cultivating here offered immense benefits, even for ordinary practitioners. Thus, their respective achievements could hardly be compared.

“I won’t beat around the bush with you, Huo Dongcheng. Let me speak plainly: I have an old, close friend whose cultivation in the martial way is unfathomably deep, no less than mine. Your unique aptitude is perfectly suited to his particular teachings. If you agree, I would like to introduce you to him, allowing you to inherit his mantle. What do you say?”

Huo Dongcheng blinked twice, a flicker of hesitation showing in his eyes.

He was, after all, only seventeen, raised within a family of martial arts practitioners. Even knowing that He Yiming was a master of the Xiantian (Innate) realm, he could not instantly make a decision that would dictate the course of his entire life.

He Yiming shook his head slightly, took a single stride, and somehow materialized behind Huo Dongcheng. He reached out gently, grasped the young man’s arm, and dashed down the mountain.

Huo Dongcheng cried out in alarm. He had no idea what had happened; everything simply blurred before his eyes. His arm was gripped tightly, and he was suddenly soaring down the mountain as if riding the clouds.

Everything in his vision retreated backward at an incredible speed. While the initial sensation brought terror, within moments, he succumbed to the intense exhilaration brought by such velocity.

Of course, this rapid composure was only possible because he instinctively knew He Yiming had no intention of harming him. If that were not the case, he never would have calmed down so quickly.

With just a few leaps, He Yiming had already arrived before the courtyard where Huo Dongcheng resided.

Upon arriving, He Yiming set Huo Dongcheng down and stated, “Follow me. Come inside.”

With that, he entered the courtyard directly. He was confident that after the display he had just given, any individual devoted to the martial path would not pass up such an opportunity.

Indeed, as soon as He Yiming stepped into the courtyard, he heard footsteps that satisfied him.

When He Yiming appeared within the courtyard space, the eyes of the four attendants went wide with shock.

They had been maintaining vigilance around the perimeter, yet they had absolutely no idea how He Yiming had departed, let alone how he had returned with someone in tow.

These four men had served the Huo family for years, being trusted confidants cultivated by Huo Leqing. They naturally recognized Huo Dongcheng, a direct descendant of the family. What was truly unbelievable to them was how He Yiming had managed to leave under their very noses and bring back a Huo direct heir.

He Yiming naturally ignored their astonished gazes. He opened the door and ushered Huo Dongcheng inside as well.

The four exchanged glances, and one of them quietly slipped away.

Huo Dongcheng closed the door and said respectfully, “Senior, this junior wishes to formally request you accept me as a disciple to learn the martial way.”

He Yiming smiled faintly. “What, you don’t trust my esteemed friend?”

Huo Dongcheng’s face immediately flushed red.

Although He Yiming repeatedly asserted that his friend possessed martial cultivation no less profound than his own, Huo Dongcheng had not witnessed it firsthand. However, the lightness skill He Yiming displayed while taking him down the mountain had completely conquered him.

If the opportunity existed, he would naturally have preferred to become He Yiming’s direct disciple.

Gently shaking his head, He Yiming sighed. “Huo Dongcheng, your physical constitution is quite rare; one rarely sees it in ten thousand people. My esteemed friend possesses the exact same constitution and talent as you. If you were to enter under his tutelage, he would be ecstatic and impart all his knowledge to you without reservation. Missing such a wonderful chance would be a true pity.”

A subtle shift in his expression finally revealed a hint of hesitation on Huo Dongcheng’s face. After He Yiming’s repeated assurances, he was finally becoming moved.

“Senior, is your friend also a master of the Xiantian realm?” Huo Dongcheng finally summoned the courage to ask cautiously.

A profound, enigmatic smile surfaced on He Yiming’s face. “His cultivation is far beyond Xiantian.”

Huo Dongcheng blinked twice, asking with a mixture of shock and joy, “Could that Senior possibly be a Yixiantian expert?”

He Yiming was briefly stunned. For a Houtian (Post-Natal) realm cultivator to even know the term Yixiantian—that would be unimaginable in the Northwest.

But considering the geographical differences, He Yiming quickly understood.

In Taicang County, there wasn't even a single Xiantian master in the past. Here on Penglai Immortal Island, however, it was a gathering place for experts from all the Eastern Sea islands, with even more than one Zunzhe (Venerable). Given that context, the information gap between the two regions was naturally vast.

Seeing the fleeting look of contemplation on He Yiming’s face, Huo Dongcheng assumed he had guessed correctly, and his features immediately lit up with happiness.

He took a deep breath. “Senior, if I were to become this Senior’s disciple, would it be possible for me to advance to the Xiantian realm in the future?”

“Xiantian?” He Yiming burst into loud laughter. “Such low ambition! What is a mere Xiantian?”

As he spoke those words, an imposing authority naturally radiated from him—an aura that made one instinctively unable to look directly at him. This spirit of looking down upon the world deeply imprinted itself upon Huo Dongcheng’s heart.

His heart pounded with tremendous excitement.

Did He Yiming’s words imply that his future achievements would far surpass the Xiantian level?

At this point, intense excitement flashed in Huo Dongcheng’s eyes. He nodded emphatically. “Senior, this junior is willing to become a disciple of that Senior.”

He Yiming nodded in satisfaction. “Good. I will be remaining on the Eastern Sea for some time. You wait here at the Huo residence. When I depart, I will naturally take you with me.”

Huo Dongcheng respectfully agreed. He knew that when these Xiantian experts made a promise, they would not go back on their word. Moreover, this opportunity stemmed from He Yiming recognizing his potential, not from him having pestered them relentlessly, so he harbored not a shred of doubt.

He Yiming’s ears twitched slightly. He smiled. “Brother Huo, Brothers Zhang, since you are here, please come in.”

Huo Leqing, his son, and Zhang Hetai, who had rushed over after hearing the news, exchanged glances. Especially the two Xiantian experts, whose eyes held a trace of alarm.

It was not surprising that He Yiming could discern Huo Hongsheng’s footsteps. But both of them had suppressed their presence and breath; even their footsteps were nearly imperceptible. Yet, as soon as they reached the entrance of He Yiming’s courtyard, they had been detected.

Huo Leqing laughed heartily. “Brother He, we intrude upon your contemplation late at night; please forgive our intrusion.”

He Yiming spoke unhurriedly. “No matter. Dongcheng, go open the door and welcome our guests.”

Huo Dongcheng paused in surprise but quickly recovered. He swiftly agreed, went to the outer hall, and opened the main door. “Grandfather, Grandpa Zhang, Uncle, please come in.”

Huo Leqing and the other two nodded slightly, but a strange feeling began to creep into their minds.

Huo Dongcheng was, after all, Huo Leqing’s biological grandson. Yet, this direct descendant of the Huo family now displayed a subtle, yet profound, shift in demeanor that felt distinctly odd to the three elders.

“Dongcheng, bothering Mr. He this late with his seclusion—that is quite inappropriate behavior,” Huo Leqing admonished, his face stern.

Although everyone understood that without He Yiming’s consent, Huo Leqing might not have dared to come here even if he had killed Huo Dongcheng, Huo Leqing still needed to maintain appearances.

He Yiming smiled faintly. “Brother Huo, do not be harsh. Dongcheng and I share a karmic affinity, which is why I allowed him to come here.”

Huo Leqing’s face immediately broke into a look of gratified relief. “So that is how it is. Dongcheng, it seems your destiny is quite significant.”

Whether from excitement or agitation, Huo Dongcheng’s face was completely flushed. He whispered, “Grandfather, Mr. He wishes to introduce your grandson to the discipleship of one of his friends to learn martial arts.”

Huo Leqing was slightly taken aback. “Doesn’t Mr. He wish to take you as his own disciple?”

He Yiming stated calmly, “I have a close friend whose constitution is identical to Dongcheng’s. Therefore, I wish to accept him as my friend’s disciple on his behalf. I ask for Brother Huo’s consent.”

Huo Leqing hesitated for a moment. “Brother He, if you favor my grandson, I naturally have nothing to say. However, regarding your esteemed friend, I know absolutely nothing about him.”

His phrasing was tactful, but everyone understood his reluctance for his grandson to enter the tutelage of a complete stranger.

He Yiming frowned slightly. “Brother Huo, what do you think of Dongcheng’s martial talent, and how diligent is he?”

Huo Leqing’s face reddened slightly, and he sighed. “Among all my descendants, Dongcheng is undoubtedly the most diligent. Not only does he practice assiduously every day, but he also goes to the back mountain alone every night to continue his cultivation.”

Huo Dongcheng looked up in surprise, his own eyes becoming red as he looked at the elder.

He finally understood that although the old man appeared indifferent to him, his efforts had, in fact, been noted by his grandfather.

However, Huo Leqing shook his head. “Although Dongcheng is hardworking, his innate talent is too poor. To this day, he hasn't even reached the Sixth Layer of Inner Strength, alas…”

Ps: Bai He’s family went out today and returned late; please forgive me, everyone. To all my brothers and sisters, Happy Dragon Boat Festival O(∩_∩)O Tomorrow, Bai He will post five chapters; please give lots of support, thank you…