Huo Leqing was not only a Innate expert but also his biological grandfather; the old man would certainly not deliberately crush his confidence. Thus, upon receiving this assessment, he immediately felt disheartened. Even the prior assurance from He Yiming that he could advance to the Innate realm, perhaps even surpass it, he now found hard to believe.

He Yiming frowned slightly, let out a cold snort, and said, "Brother Huo, my view differs somewhat from yours." He got straight to the point: "In my opinion, Dongcheng’s talent is exceedingly rare, perhaps one in ten million. However, the way he currently cultivates is fundamentally flawed, preventing him from unleashing his unique potential. Repeatedly striking the fifth layer's barrier, yet not a single success. Heh heh…"

His eyes held an **unadulterated, undisguised look of disdain.

Huo Leqing and the other two exchanged glances. Zhang Hetai was an old family friend of the Huo lineage, so he was not unfamiliar with Huo Dongcheng’s history, knowing that the youth had experienced a loss of control while practicing the third layer of the water-attribute cultivation technique.

While uncommon, this phenomenon was not rare; among ten people who had cultivated for several years, one or two would exhibit a similar situation. This suggested his physique was not entirely suited for that specific technique.

Consequently, he switched to the fire-attribute technique, but after reaching the peak of the fifth layer, he stagnated once more.

Zhang Hetai had examined the boy at Huo Leqing's invitation but found nothing conclusive, leading them all to unanimously conclude that Huo Dongcheng’s physique and talent were ill-suited for martial cultivation.

Though Huo Dongcheng appeared exceptionally diligent, they still felt a sense of regret.

But now, hearing He Yiming’s tone, it seemed the issue was not Huo Dongcheng’s physique, but rather a failing in their instruction.

The complexions of the two Innate experts slowly darkened. He Yiming’s statement was undeniably blunt, tantamount to a direct slap to the face.

After a moment, Huo Leqing managed a strained smile. "Brother He, might you tell us precisely how unique Dongcheng's constitution is?"

He Yiming shook his head slightly, without hesitation declaring, "I have already decided to introduce Dongcheng to the tutelage of a close friend. As for the specifics of Dongcheng's constitution, that will be up to him whether he chooses to inform you."

Huo Leqing's eye twitched slightly, but thankfully, his composure was excellent. Furthermore, before grasping the full extent of He Yiming's power and backing, he was unwilling to offend such an unfathomable Innate expert.

"Brother He, Dongcheng is, after all, my grandson. If your friend truly intends to take him as a disciple, please have him visit in person," Huo Leqing stated, taking a deep breath. His voice hardened: "As long as he can withstand a single move or two from me, Huo will permit Dongcheng to take a master."

The expression in He Yiming's eyes was peculiar, laced with a hint of mockery.

In his mind, a vision immediately materialized: Huo Leqing confronting Chu Haozhou.

Yet, what caused He Yiming serious doubt was that even if Chu Haozhou didn't use the Dragon Whip, Huo Leqing likely couldn't withstand even a single one of his moves.

With a light cough, He Yiming alluded subtly, "Brother Huo, the master I am recommending for Dongcheng is formidable in martial cultivation, certainly no less capable than myself. If you wish to engage him..."

Though he left the sentence unfinished, the implication was clear enough that only an absolute fool would miss it: you are likely unqualified.

Huo Leqing laughed through his rising anger. He abruptly stood up. "Brother He, I am deeply grateful for you saving my son. Brother Zhang mentioned that your own cultivation is unfathomable; perhaps you could instruct me in a few moves?"

Huo Hongsheng's face also shifted subtly. He Yiming was his savior, but Huo Leqing was his father, and He Yiming’s tone moments ago had made him deeply uncomfortable. He lowered his head, daring not to look.

He Yiming paused for thought. "Very well."

Huo Leqing stepped back. "Brother He, let us move our contest to the back mountain."

A full-force bout between Innate experts caused tremendous environmental devastation if they were evenly matched. Since this was the Huo family courtyard, Huo Leqing naturally preferred not to spar here.

He Yiming let out a soundless laugh and gently shook his head.

Huo Leqing’s expression flickered, then he gritted his teeth. "Since Brother He is unwilling to relocate, we can compete here."

He retreated several paces further. "Hongsheng, Dongcheng, you two step back."

Though worried, Huo Hongsheng and the other knew they had no standing to speak in such a confrontation. As they meekly turned to leave, He Yiming's voice slowly drifted out.

"No need for such trouble, Brother Huo. In my presence, if you can cause them even the slightest injury, I concede defeat."

Everyone present froze. Then, the entire room fell into a silence so profound a pin could be heard dropping.

Zhang Hetai’s face changed color, anxiety gripping him.

He had probed He Yiming on the ship, but even using seventy percent of his True Qi yielded no reaction; he couldn't gauge He Yiming's depth at all. Hearing He Yiming's bold claim now sent a chill down his spine. Could He Yiming’s cultivation have reached the Celestial Apex?

Huo Leqing also sucked in a sharp breath. The anger he had felt moments before vanished as if doused by a bucket of cold water.

He gazed deeply at He Yiming, hesitated for a moment, then bowed respectfully and deeply, "I humbly ask Brother He for guidance."

He Yiming casually waved a hand. "You make the first move."

Looking at He Yiming sitting so carelessly in the chair, Huo Leqing suddenly realized he could not muster even a shred of anger. The man looked so young; if he truly was a Celestial Apex expert, his future would be limitless—hardly someone he could afford to antagonize.

However, with the confrontation imminent, he cast aside all other thoughts and extended both hands.

A crimson hue suffused his palms, and even the surrounding space seemed to exhibit faint, subtle red variations.

He cultivated the fire-attribute technique, which possessed formidable offensive power among the Five Elements.

He Yiming continued to smile at him, his casual demeanor instilling a strange feeling in everyone present. It was as if Huo Leqing was vigorously executing a martial display while He Yiming, a seasoned master, was merely observing and ready to point out flaws at any moment.

Zhang Hetai shook his head, trying to dismiss the absurd notion.

Yet, in the next instant, he sensed something was profoundly wrong. Frowning deeply, he watched the relaxed, unconcerned He Yiming, contrasted sharply with the poised, fully charged Huo Leqing. Suddenly, he understood the anomaly.

Huo Leqing was an Innate expert he had known intimately, and he had now condensed his fire-attribute True Qi to its absolute peak. Under normal circumstances, this sheer aura alone would be unbelievably powerful, enough to crush Huo Hongsheng and the other boy, forcing Zhang Hetai himself to exert maximum defense.

But now, not only did he feel no oppressive pressure, but Huo Hongsheng and Huo Dongcheng also remained perfectly composed, seemingly unaffected.

Swallowing hard, he finally believed why He Yiming had allowed the two Huo boys to stay: his strength was too immense; compared to him, Huo Leqing was merely a mantis trying to stop a chariot, a moth flying into a flame.

He was about to speak, but catching sight of He Yiming’s faintly smiling eyes, he immediately choked back his words, daring not to utter a sound.

Huo Leqing noticed nothing strange in his surroundings; his True Qi was fully gathered. Since He Yiming was so arrogant, he would certainly not hold back.

With a sharp cry, he took a swift step forward, slamming both palms toward He Yiming’s chest.

He Yiming remained seated, completely still, allowing the palms to strike his chest without showing any reaction whatsoever.

Huo Hongsheng and Huo Dongcheng cried out simultaneously. In their minds, no matter how powerful He Yiming was, he could not withstand Huo Leqing’s full-force strike with just his chest. Even if Mr. He survived the blow, he would surely be gravely injured.

What followed, however, left them utterly dumbfounded: as Huo Leqing’s palms connected with He Yiming’s chest, his face rapidly cycled through colors—from red to white, then to pale blue, then purple, then black, before finally reverting to the original red.

This bizarre display of facial shifts lasted only two quick breaths before Huo Leqing pulled his hands away from He Yiming’s chest.

On He Yiming’s chest, everything remained perfectly intact, not even a wrinkle mark left on the fabric, as if the previous moment had never occurred.

He Yiming maintained his gentle smile. "Brother Huo, thank you for holding back."

Huo Leqing’s body trembled. He quickly stammered, "Brother He... Mr. He must be joking. My paltry technique is hardly worthy of your esteemed attention."

His attitude had executed a complete one-hundred-and-eighty-degree reversal. His face was now wreathed in smiles, and his posture subtly lowered. More importantly, he had proactively changed his address; he no longer dared call He Yiming 'Brother,' opting instead for the deferential 'Mr. He.'

He Yiming nodded with a smile, not disputing the new form of address. "I plan to travel through Donghai for a time before returning to take Dongcheng away. Do you have any final instructions for me, Brother Huo?"

Huo Leqing quickly replied, "It is Dongcheng’s fortune to be favored by Mr. He; I am deeply moved."

He Yiming nodded in satisfaction. Though Huo Leqing’s cultivation wasn't high, he possessed some insight and reacted quickly. To maintain the prosperity of a great family in an environment like Penglai Immortal Island, luck clearly played no part.

"I am tired and wish to rest," He Yiming stated calmly. "Dongcheng will stay behind. Although my close friend is absent, I can still impart the basic knowledge of martial arts to you."

Huo Dongcheng was overjoyed, immediately kneeling down to kowtow his thanks.

A flicker of happiness also crossed Huo Leqing’s eyes. "Dongcheng, you will remain here henceforth to serve Mr. He." He paused, then added, "It is a blessing beyond measure that Mr. He has taken notice of you; you must never disappoint Mr. He."

Huo Dongcheng responded with a heavy affirmation, resolving internally that he absolutely would not let this opportunity slip away!