Ps: I had a technical issue today. Bai He couldn't log into the Qidian author backend starting from 7:15. After trying for a long time, he still couldn't get in. He finally contacted the editor and just managed to resolve the issue and update immediately. My apologies for delaying everyone... Also, still asking for votes, sigh! ※※※※ In the span of a mere month, several pieces of news that shocked countless individuals swept across the entire Eastern world.

The most astonishing among them was undoubtedly the news of the downfall of two top-tier Human Dao Peak Nine Heavens powerhouses from the West.

One of these two perished in the Southern Border, while the other was even more outrageous—slain outright right before the very stronghold of the Western Divine Hall.

When this news permeated the East, it was as if a ladle of icy water had been violently splashed into boiling oil, triggering a monumental reaction.

Nearly every venerable clan with a heritage spanning over a century, and every sect large or small, discussed this matter incessantly.

Although the event sounded like something out of a fantastical tale, hard to believe, few people doubted it this time because the source of the news was the Lingxiao Treasure Palace.

News emanating from the sect proclaimed as the foremost under heaven in the Eastern world was indeed difficult to question.

However, the news that truly stunned everyone was the emergence of one more supreme Human Dao Peak powerhouse in the East, and that the two Western Nine Heavens masters had died at the hands of this newly ascended expert.

A newly promoted Nine Heavens master, possessing such overwhelming might, capable of slaying two peers of the same rank—such an achievement was exceptionally rare, even when surveyed across the entire realm.

Subsequently, an even more exaggerated rumor began to spread throughout the Eastern world, slowly reaching every corner of the realm.

It was said that within the Lingxiao Treasure Palace, the revered ancestor of the Grotto-Heavens, Lord Ao Borui, had sparred with that newly ascended Human Dao Peak Nine Heavens master. However, their battle did not involve shattering the heavens or eclipsing the sun; it concluded within the time it takes for a single stick of incense to burn out.

Undoubtedly, the victor was the legendarily most mysterious newly promoted Nine Heavens master, and the Grotto-Heaven Ancestor conceded defeat wholeheartedly, convinced by the outcome.

This rumor was unquestionably leaked by the few disciples guarding the Western training grounds of the Grotto-Heavens.

In truth, with the martial cultivation levels of He Yiming, Ao Borui, and the others, these ordinary disciples, none of whom had even reached the Innate Realm, could not possibly comprehend what transpired.

Their combat, to these common disciples, was akin to watching a grand fantasy epic; they could not discern who had gained the upper hand. Nevertheless, since Ao Borui personally acknowledged his defeat and Zi Lüli accepted the result, they certainly hadn't misread the situation.

Of course, these disciples never intended to divulge secrets; they merely whispered it stealthily to a few close friends and relatives, boasting slightly in front of others. But unexpectedly, the result spread further and further, becoming impossible to contain.

Initially, not many believed the rumor, especially the masters within the Grotto-Heavens, who dismissed it with disdain.

While they admitted He Yiming was formidable, they held considerable confidence in their own ancestor.

But as time wore on, Ao Borui maintained an unwavering silence, refusing to step forward to refute the tale. Gradually, people unconsciously accepted the rumor.

Following this, the rumors seemed to sprout wings, flying into the ears of every cultivator throughout the Eastern world. The name He Yiming truly became renowned across the land, even being tacitly acknowledged by over half the families and sects as the preeminent powerhouse of the current era.

※※※※ In Zhongjing City, Yu Mufei listened to the report from his subordinate, his face ashen.

The Yu family today was vastly different from the family of just a few months prior. Upon learning of the demise of the Yu family ancestor and their other top-tier experts, the family's ultimate deterrent force had utterly vanished. Although Ao Borui and Zi Lüli had yet to officially designate a new imperial house, any discerning eye could see that the Yu family's reign had entirely collapsed.

Yu Wuchen slammed his hand onto the table before him, surging True Qi erupting outward, shattering the entire massive table into fine powder.

“He Yiming has advanced again. Our Yu family has no hope of rising again.”

From the mouth of this relatively young Venerable master, a sound resembling a mournful cry escaped, yet despair outweighed hatred within that sound.

Receiving the news of He Yiming achieving the Human Dao Peak was like a bucket of ice water poured directly over the head; even the fiercest flame of hatred would be utterly extinguished.

Yu Wuchang sighed deeply, recalling the transaction he, He Yiming, and Jin Zhanyi had made upon the Great Plain of the East in days past. A dull ache resonated in his heart. Had he known this day would come, he never would have engaged in any dealings with him; he would rather have risked his own life to ensure He Yiming remained forever in the Valley of Crying Ghosts.

But now, regret was utterly useless.

“Uncle, what do you suggest we do now?” Yu Wuchang collected his composure and asked in a low voice.

Yu Mufei considered for a moment, his expression softening slightly. “Gather the family members. Tell them to abandon Zhongjing City; we will leave for distant lands.”

Yu Wuchang’s face changed drastically. “Uncle, Ancestor Huangquan once promised us he would help secure Zhongjing City.”

Yu Mufei snorted coldly. “Sentimental fool. Times have changed. If He Yiming were still merely a Great Venerable, Ancestor Huangquan might have persuaded our other two Nine Heavens peers in the Eastern world to show some respect. But now, He Yiming has not only advanced to the Human Dao Peak but has also slain two experts of the same rank in one fell swoop. Across the realm, he is now universally recognized as the foremost master alive. At such a juncture, do you still expect Ancestor Huangquan to speak on our behalf?”

A fine sheen of cold sweat dotted Yu Wuchang’s brow. He naturally understood the logic, yet the Yu family had history in Zhongjing City spanning centuries, and this location was truly the heart of dragon energy. As long as they remained here, there was a chance to rebuild. If they abandoned this place, it meant voluntarily stepping down from the pinnacle of the continent; striving to return later would inevitably demand vastly greater effort.

Yu Mufei’s gaze swept over them, and he sighed heavily. “Since a monster like He Yiming has appeared in this world, it means Heaven has decreed the demise of my Yu family. All we can do now is strive to preserve the Yu lineage, keeping them far from He Yiming’s notice. Perhaps, after several generations, our Yu family might have a possibility of rising again.”

Speaking thus, even Yu Mufei sounded uncertain.

The competition on the Eastern Continent was incredibly fierce; once one stepped outside that circle, re-entering it would demand an unimaginable expenditure of spirit and strength.

But at this juncture, they had absolutely no other recourse.

“Uncle, do we truly have no other way?” Yu Wuchang murmured, his voice weak.

He knew, deep down, that before the current He Yiming, the Yu family had no ground to bargain beyond temporarily avoiding his sharp edge, yet he couldn't help but feel an undercurrent of unwillingness.

To everyone’s surprise, after a long silence, Yu Mufei finally said, “Perhaps, we still have one chance.”

The eyes of Yu Wuchang and Yu Wuchen instantly lit up. They asked in unison, “What chance?”

“The Thousand-Year Ice Island in the Northern Frontier…”

The two Yu brothers exchanged suspicious glances. They knew precisely where that place was, but they could not fathom what connection it had to their current predicament.

Yu Mufei explained slowly, “The Ice Island is the final opportunity for all Nine Heavens experts to advance toward the Divine Path. Since He Yiming has already ascended to the Human Dao Peak and possesses such martial prowess, he certainly will not miss this chance.”

Yu Wuchang’s expression turned grim. “Uncle, if He Yiming achieves the Divine Path, won’t our chances of recovery become even slimmer?”

Yu Mufei gave a cold laugh. “How easily can one attain the Divine Path? Although this Thousand-Year Ice Island represents a genuine opportunity for godhood, no one in this world truly knows what secrets lie hidden within it. If they fail to find the door, just like those previous Nine Heavens experts, so be it. But if they manage to enter by some stroke of luck… hehe… they might not make it out.”

The complexions of the two brothers slowly brightened with excitement. A moment later, Yu Wuchen exclaimed suddenly, “Uncle, what if He Yiming does not enter?”

Yu Mufei waved a hand dismissively. “This time, Bing Xiaotian acted uncharacteristically by gathering the Nine Heavens masters from across the realm at the Ice Palace. To claim they gained nothing, I would die before believing it. I dare say they have at least a fifty percent chance of entering the Ice Island this time.”

“But, will He Yiming go in?” Yu Wuchen asked hesitantly.

He Yiming, according to the rumors, was already the undisputed foremost master under heaven, and he had not been at the Human Dao Peak for long. If he refused to enter, no one could possibly force him in.

Yu Mufei looked at him, a strange light flickering in his eyes. After a long pause, he sighed. “Wuchen, your mind has been obscured by hatred, and you have lost the heart of a martial artist.”

Yu Wuchen’s body trembled slightly. He respectfully stood up and knelt down to kowtow before Yu Mufei. “Yes, thank you for your guidance, Uncle.”

After rising, he did not ask that question again.

For a cultivator, achieving the Divine Path represented an incomparably potent temptation, especially for a Nine Heavens master at the Human Dao Peak—it was essentially the sole objective driving their continued existence.

Therefore, if He Yiming remained ignorant of this matter, it would be one thing. But if he knew, there was no way he could possibly forgo this opportunity.

Yu Mufei looked up, gazing toward the north, muttering under his breath. Although he appeared outwardly confident and composed, his heart remained fraught with apprehension.

If He Yiming truly entered the Ice Island, would he be trapped within forever, or would he achieve divinity and break out?

The Thousand-Year Ice Island was a double-edged sword. It represented a severe test for him, for He Yiming, and for the entire Eastern and Western worlds.

Perhaps, in a few years, everything would finally be revealed.

He lifted his head and softly whispered, a sound audible only to himself, “Ancestors of the Yu family, bless us, let all the Nine Heavens masters perish within the Ice Island, allowing our Yu family to rise again and dominate the East…”

In the sky, a mass of dark clouds slowly drifted over, obscuring the blazing sun overhead.

The entire city was enveloped in gloom, seemingly foreshadowing the arduous future awaiting the Yu family.