At this moment, the heart of Jimo Fanshu was filled with boundless regret. Having utilized some secret technique to penetrate the sea surface and clearly behold these three figures, sensing the intense auras emanating from them, the greatest assassin in the world felt his heart bleeding in secret.

He had dispatched Hao Xue to the Southern Borderlands and positioned the Old Ancestor of the Yu family, who had reached the pinnacle of the Human Dao realm, by his side. In his estimation, such a combination in the Southern Borderlands was more than sufficient to sweep aside all opposition, leaving no equal contenders.

For ever since the Glazed Old Ancestor departed for the Northern Frontier, no expert at the Human Dao peak had remained in this region. Naturally, no one could possess strength surpassing that of the Yu family's Old Ancestor.

However, he had absolutely not anticipated that not only He Yiming and White Horse Lightning had attained this level, but—even more vexing—the two Heavenly Ninth Layer powerhouses from the West had also arrived at this location. Suddenly, the Southern Borderlands sea area boasted four of the most supreme masters.

That day, while cultivating in the Nine Netherworld, he suddenly felt an anomaly in his heart. Upon careful investigation, he was shocked to discover that the mental link between himself and the Blood Coagulator had been severed by some potent force.

This realization caused him to turn ashen with dread. Since the Blood Coagulator had entered the puppet’s body, the power it could unleash would certainly not be inferior to that of a top-tier Human Dao peak expert.

Although unable to wield a Divine Weapon, against any master below the Heavenly Ninth Layer, it was nearly invincible. Yet now, he could only vaguely sense the puppet’s existence, but the specific connection was severed by some mysterious power tinged with darkness.

Upon making this discovery, his heart was naturally a tempest of shock and fury, causing him to rush towards the Southern Borderlands without a second thought. Moreover, a deeper worry gnawed at him: if even a Human Dao peak puppet could encounter trouble, then what of Hao Xue?

How could he possibly remain unscathed... Upon their initial encounter with He Yiming, it was not that Jimo Fanshu harbored no suspicions.

However, the sensation in his mind confirmed that the Yu family Old Ancestor still existed, yet he was not near He Yiming. Furthermore, he understood that He Yiming was undeniably a newly advanced Heavenly Ninth Layer master.

If he and the White Horse had collaborated to slay the puppet, it would not be surprising. But to capture the puppet and successfully seal its consciousness was likely beyond the scope of He Yiming’s capabilities.

Now, seeing Garfield and the Yu family Old Ancestor truly beneath the seabed, Jimo Fanshu finally believed He Yiming’s words completely. Under the vast heavens, the only one capable of employing such a dark method to sever his mental connection with the Yu family Old Ancestor was likely that immensely powerful Speaker within the Western Dark Alliance Council.

His eyes narrowed slightly. The angrier Jimo Fanshu became, the cooler his demeanor grew.

He submerged himself in the sea, erasing every trace of life aura. He harbored only a single thought: no matter the cost, Garfield must be executed on the spot, to pay for the life of his most outstanding descendant, Hao Xue.

Franklin and the other two ascended into the mid-air, gazing down at He Yiming. Save for the Yu family Old Ancestor, who maintained a perpetually stern, corpse-like expression, the eyes of the other two revealed a hint of utter disbelief.

It had only been a few short days since they parted ways with He Yiming, yet the imposing presence radiating from him now caused these two Heavenly Ninth Layer powerhouses to freeze up entirely. “You...

He Yiming?” Franklin questioned hesitantly. He Yiming laughed aloud, his voice booming: “Venerable Pontiff, you still remember me?

This truly humbles me greatly.” Seeing Franklin’s current expression, He Yiming felt boundless satisfaction welling up. He gently waved his hands, and a five-colored radiance immediately surged around him.

If two people in this world could look exactly alike, the five-colored divine light emanating from the Five Elements Ring could never be possessed by two individuals simultaneously. Upon witnessing this multicolored glow, even if Franklin refused to trust his own eyes, he became certain of this young man’s true identity.

“Impossible, absolutely impossible...” Franklin murmured. “You clearly have not yet illuminated six Divine Weapons, so how could you advance to the Human Dao peak?” He had previously fought He Yiming and knew that this young man possessed unexpected Divine Weapons and Artifacts.

The Five Elements Ring, the Sword of Aurora, and the Black Tortoise Shell had all left a profoundly deep impression on him. While his invitation to Garfield to eliminate He Yiming was partly meant to intimidate the Tianchi lineage, the primary motivation was to seize the Divine Weapons He Yiming possessed.

Especially the Black Tortoise Shell, which could even resist the power of a deity, made him utterly unwilling to let go. However, precisely because they had clashed, he understood that He Yiming was still considerably far from achieving the realm of fully illuminating six Divine Weapons.

Even if He Yiming eventually mastered divine power, reaching the realm of illuminating six Divine Weapons first would require a prolonged period of cultivation. But this current meeting completely overturned his estimations.

Staring at the soaring spirit and surging aura of He Yiming below, the esteemed Pontiff felt a touch of bewilderment, wondering if he was seeing things due to his advanced age and failing eyesight. Garfield’s face also looked quite grim.

He stated in a deep voice, “Pontiff, did he truly not have six Divine Weapons illuminated during our last encounter?” Franklin hesitated, then held up three fingers: “Three.” He Yiming inwardly admired them. As expected of the foremost experts in the West, they had accurately gauged his true strength from their previous engagement.

Yet, they could not imagine that in this world, someone could directly absorb divine power at the ordinary Great Venerable of Five Energies stage without exploding. Similarly, they could not fathom that someone could manipulate divine power to replace the light of Divine Weapons and ultimately complete the advancement.

A sharp glint of killing intent flashed in Garfield’s eyes. This young man, having illuminated only three Divine Weapons during their last meeting, had, after a mere few days apart, ascended overnight to a level comparable to his own.

He was filled with bitter regret. If time could rewind, they would absolutely have stopped at nothing to ensure this person was eliminated forever.

But alas, such thoughts now were nothing more than hindsight. “He Yiming, what business brings you here?” After a brief moment of shock, Franklin finally regained his composure.

The great Pontiff was, after all, no ordinary man; once he settled his mind, he tossed his regrets aside and asked calmly. He Yiming laughed heartily and joyfully, “I heard you esteemed sirs resided here, so I came to pay my respects and ask for guidance.” As he uttered the word 'guidance,' the powerful aura surrounding him was released without reservation.

Even White Horse Lightning displayed faint, visible arcs of bright electricity. This was He Yiming employing a calculated bluff, intending to focus all their attention onto himself.

This way, the Yellow Springs Old Ancestor, hidden in the shadows, would be even less likely to be discovered. Franklin sneered coldly.

“With only your newly ascended Human Dao peak strength, you dare challenge us?” He Yiming patted White Horse Lightning beneath him. “I am one with my mount; do I not yet possess the requisite qualification?” Franklin’s gaze lingered on the White Horse for a moment, then he slowly nodded.

“That is correct. You indeed possess that qualification.” He Yiming’s eyebrows shot up, a look of stern solemnity quickly washing over his face.

“Venerable Pontiff, I request that you summon the Temple War Eagle so we may have a fair battle.” Even with Franklin’s self-possession, upon hearing such an audacious request, he was nearly choked with rage. He Yiming and White Horse Lightning fighting together meant their strengths complemented each other, allowing them to unleash far greater might.

However, the Temple War Eagle, for him—a Heavenly Ninth Layer master at the Human Dao peak—would not only offer no aid but would transform into an inescapable burden. In contrast, he would much rather fight this man-and-beast combination alone than act as babysitter to the Temple War Eagle ever again.

Garfield’s eyes narrowed slightly, and a dry, rasping laugh emerged from his gaunt frame: “He Yiming, allow this Seat to spar with you.” He Yiming paused momentarily. This man belonged to the Yellow Springs Old Ancestor, yet why was he challenging him?

Had he perceived something amiss? Knowing the relationship between the two Western powerhouses, He Yiming refused to believe that the Chairman of the Dark Alliance Council would be kind enough to aid the Temple Pontiff.

Franklin’s brow furrowed. “Chairman, this is a matter for the Temple.” Garfield smiled faintly, and a soft voice, audible only to Franklin, sounded in his ear.

“Pontiff, He Yiming is truly a Heaven-Gifted Prodigy. This time, you must kill him by any means necessary.

If we allow him to grow unchecked, he might actually reach the Divine Dao in the future.” Franklin’s eyelids trembled slightly. Although he was not optimistic about He Yiming’s chances of breaking through to the Divine Dao—thousands of years had seen countless Heavenly Ninth Layer experts aspire to cross that final threshold without success—he could not help but waver in his conviction when considering He Yiming’s legendary youth and his terrifying rate of advancement this time.

Perhaps Garfield was right; He Yiming truly possessed the potential to achieve the ultimate realm yearned for by all cultivators for millennia. Such an enemy absolutely could not be allowed to live.

Nodding subtly, Franklin began to step back. However, during this process, he and Garfield exchanged an intentional glance.

These two ancient rivals, who had been arrayed against each other for centuries, achieved an unprecedented level of accord in that moment. Garfield flew forward, and the Yu family Old Ancestor followed closely behind him, never straying.

From them, immense auras surged skyward. The two powerful Heavenly Ninth Layer masters unleashed their most ferocious attack upon He Yiming without the slightest reservation.