He was startled at first, then overwhelmingly overjoyed. He let out a loud roar, proclaiming, "Brother He, long time no see!"

Although he was offering greetings, his tone carried an undisguised, intense killing intent, as if an irreconcilable hatred existed between them, making him wish to tear the other apart immediately.

He Yiming's backward movement in mid-air paused, and he immediately stopped steadily.

Since he had been recognized by the other party, he abandoned the idea of leaving quickly.

Although the aura emanating from that Yu Family Ancestor was powerful, seemingly no less imposing than the Yellow Spring Ancestor, knowing what kind of puppet he was, a trace of curiosity welled up in He Yiming's heart. He wanted to test whether this puppet truly possessed the strength of the Human Dao pinnacle.

"Heh heh, what a coincidence to meet Brother Hao here," He Yiming said with a cold laugh.

Hao Xue offered a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Indeed, a remarkable coincidence. My primary purpose in coming to the Southern Border this time was precisely to visit Brother He. I never expected my wish to be fulfilled before even setting foot in the Southern Border. Heaven truly smiles upon me."

He Yiming’s gaze suddenly turned cold. Hao Xue’s words had made it abundantly clear: he had come to the Southern Border to cause trouble for He Yiming—the kind of major trouble that would only end with one of them dead.

Glancing away, He Yiming looked straight past Hao Xue toward the Yu Family Ancestor.

The old man, whose eyes had opened, possessed a pair of crimson pupils that shimmered with a sinister light, sending a chill down the spine. In those eyes, which clearly did not belong to a human, there was nothing but deep red and not a trace of emotion. Even when looking at He Yiming, the one who had killed him before, there was no flicker of feeling in those depths.

Only then did He Yiming believe that the Yu Family Ancestor was indeed as Hao Xue claimed—he had lost his wisdom and become a mere puppet capable only of obeying commands.

"If I am not mistaken, this must be the Yu Family Ancestor," He Yiming stated coldly.

Hao Xue lifted his chin proudly. "Brother He is not mistaken; this is indeed the Yu Family Ancestor. However, he has now pledged allegiance to the Yellow Spring Gate and serves as one of its elders."

He Yiming silently observed the expressionless Yu Family Ancestor, murmuring to himself.

If it weren't for the strangeness in his eyes and the surging life force within him, based purely on the stiffness of his expression, perhaps only Number One Hundred and Eight could rival him.

He withdrew his gaze. He Yiming circulated his True Qi. Facing this puppet-like figure above the vast, boundless sea was undoubtedly the most suitable setting.

A sharp gleam suddenly shot from his eyes. He Yiming said, "Since Brother Hao came to the Southern Border seeking me, what counsel do you offer?"

A cold smile played on Hao Xue’s lips as he looked at He Yiming as if watching a man on the verge of death.

The Yu Family Ancestor possessed the strength of the Human Dao pinnacle, and on this boundless ocean, He Yiming could absolutely not seek aid from the Dragon Snake. Thus, the outcome of this encounter was predictable.

However, a thought crossed his mind, recalling the words of the Yellow Spring Ancestor, and the killing intent on his face immediately subsided. "Brother He, where is your White Horse Sacred Beast? Why not have it come out to meet us."

He Yiming snorted, not hesitating. "Lightning is not near me. You wouldn't want to see it anyway."

He was telling the truth. Currently, the White Horse Lightning was like a stick of dynamite ready to explode; not to mention Hao Xue, even He Yiming himself dared not approach it.

Yet, this statement made Hao Xue even more ecstatic. His only thought was that this was a heaven-sent opportunity that absolutely could not be missed.

Hao Xue raised his head and burst into loud laughter, no longer concealing his sheer delight and the satisfaction of impending revenge. "He Yiming, I came to the Southern Border seeking you precisely to take your life."

He waved his hand, and the blood-red iron token reappeared in his grasp. Pointing it at He Yiming, Hao Xue gritted his teeth and commanded, "Kill him!"

Those three words carried an extreme, chilling coldness, revealing the depth of hatred He Yiming inspired in Hao Xue’s heart.

As soon as the command was given, the Yu Family Ancestor behind him moved.

It seemed as if he hadn't moved his legs at all; merely a slight shift in his body brought him before He Yiming.

Without any divine weapon, the Yu Family Ancestor used the most direct method, bringing his fist down in a brutal smash.

He Yiming’s ears registered a piercing, shrill whistle. Although the speed of the punch wasn't the fastest, the sheer force behind it was unbelievable, causing successive sonic booms that made his scalp tingle.

With a wrist flick, a patch of five-colored light appeared in He Yiming’s hand.

Even facing the Yu Family Ancestor, He Yiming chose not to evade. He wanted to test exactly how powerful this puppet’s true strength was.

True Qi continuously poured into the Five Elements World, and the fivefold amplification of power erupted completely at that moment. Simultaneously, a strange force took shape.

Ever since studying the original Five Elements Reincarnation manual, He Yiming had gained a new understanding of the Great Five Elements Reincarnation Flower. This seemingly reckless clash was, in fact, a test of his own accomplishments.

Instantly, the Yu Family Ancestor’s fist and the five-colored light in He Yiming’s hand collided violently.

The Yu Family Ancestor’s power was robust and aggressive, like a massive steel spike, heavily piercing through He Yiming’s five-times-amplified five-colored light.

The five-fold amplification, considered invincible among masters of the same level, was forcibly broken by sheer force against a stronger opponent.

The Yu Family Ancestor’s hand suddenly flashed with a blood-red radiance—the ultimate manifestation of the Blood Condensation Technique. This light carried a ferocious and vicious aura, and after penetrating the five-colored light, it struck ruthlessly toward He Yiming’s heart.

However, behind the five-colored light was a colorless vortex of power.

This vortex appeared small but possessed an incomparably strong suction force. After struggling twice, the crimson light of the Blood Condensation Technique released by the Yu Family Ancestor was entirely drawn into the vortex.

The blood-red eyes flickered once. The Yu Family Ancestor took a step forward, thrusting his fist straight into the center of the vortex.

A massive sound instantly exploded at that location, and a powerful airflow rushed outwards in all directions. That immense, unimaginable impact blasted open the third deck of the sea vessel...

The entire ship shook violently, and the faces of everyone aboard turned deathly pale.

Although no one knew exactly what had happened, such a sudden event certainly foretold no good, and recalling the vanished island, most eyes were filled with uncertainty and terror.

Amidst the falling fragments of wood, He Yiming’s figure flew out like a kite with a broken string.

But at this moment, a trace of smug satisfaction played on his face.

The power of the Human Dao pinnacle was indeed overwhelmingly strong. Even his five-fold amplification could not resist it.

In such a pure contest of strength, if one side was clearly at a disadvantage, the final result would likely be severe injury. Yet, He Yiming was unharmed, not even a hair damaged.

The contents of the Five Elements Reincarnation Book were truly wondrous. The Five Elements Vortex capable of absorbing divine weapons also possessed extremely powerful defensive capabilities. Even when shattered by an opponent using superior force to break skill, it was enough to allow He Yiming to retreat unscathed. Moreover, the vortex continued to exert other effects, leaving the Yu Family Ancestor unable to concentrate on anything else.

At this moment, the Yu Family Ancestor’s robes suddenly billowed outward. The five-element vortex he had just forcibly dispersed began to circle around his body, showing signs of reforming.

This was the true power of the Great Five Elements Reincarnation Flower; the power they generated together was ever-changing and unpredictable, certainly not a martial art that allowed one to dominate the world with mere five-fold strength amplification.

However, the Yu Family Ancestor’s expression remained unchanged, and the same five-colored light suddenly surged from his body.

In just an instant, the five-colored light coalesced into a set of True Qi armor, tightly enveloping his body.

The continuously swirling five-colored airflow seemed to meet immense resistance, spinning a few times before completely dissipating.

He Yiming, suspended in mid-air, saw his expression change. He then remembered that after consuming the Sarira, the Yu Family Ancestor had transformed into a Five Elements Body. While his Great Five Elements Reincarnation Flower was powerful, many of its skills would lose their intended effect when faced with the Yu Family Ancestor, who possessed the same Five Elements Body.

Clad in armor, the Yu Family Ancestor shifted slightly and immediately flew off the ship's cabin, launching a fierce pursuit toward He Yiming.

His speed was far greater than He Yiming’s, charging like a cannonball with overwhelming momentum.

He Yiming’s face darkened. The five-colored light on his body also condensed, and soon, a layer of five-colored armor appeared on him as well.

However, this suit of five-colored armor lacked the imposing majesty compared to that of the Yu Family Ancestor.

Red light erupted once more. The Yu Family Ancestor’s Blood Condensation Technique, combined with his Five Elements Body, unleashed the full extent of his potential might.

Yet, his surging punch failed to connect with He Yiming, because a hand with a metallic sheen clamped tightly onto his fist.

Number One Hundred and Eight, after leaving the Treasure Pig behind, had also ascended into the air. At the moment the Yu Family Ancestor charged, he managed to intercept the punch.

A massive roar erupted again, and Number One Hundred and Eight tumbled backward through the air.

The immense force had even forcibly broken his arm.

He Yiming’s expression shifted slightly. With a movement of his body, five-colored light exploded outward, striking heavily against the Yu Family Ancestor’s chest during the instant they clashed.