He Yiming chuckled. He looked around, and even his uncle, He Quanxin, was listening intently, awaiting his response.

Though he knew that if he stood firm, even his grandfather, He Wude, couldn't force him. Yet, upon seeing his mother’s expectant gaze, which seemed to touch the softest chord in his heart, He Yiming’s thoughts took a sudden, fresh turn.

Moreover, he understood perfectly that if he didn't agree, his esteemed mother would nag him incessantly, never letting the matter rest.

Smiling faintly, He Yiming said, "Mother, you needn't trouble yourself over this matter."

Lin Wenyu's expression turned serious. "How can that be? You are drifting about constantly; there must always be someone at home to look after things, otherwise your branch of the family will truly fall into ruin sooner or later."

He Yiming sweated internally. In recent years, his family had allocated him a considerable amount of land and housing. Rumor had it that even his grandfather and uncle possessed less farmland and property in Hejia Village than he did. Truthfully, however, He Yiming had no concept of such things.

Currently, within the space under his control, he was undoubtedly immensely wealthy; any single heavenly treasure taken out could likely be exchanged for far more land and housing than he currently owned.

With a soft sigh, He Yiming said helplessly, "Mother is correct, but I already have a suitable candidate in mind."

Lin Wenyu’s eyes immediately lit up. She exclaimed excitedly, "You have someone suitable?" She glanced towards the outside, as if hoping to see the future daughter-in-law standing there. "Which family's child is she?"

A trace of pleased smiling touched He Yiming's face. "Mother, you have met her."

A flicker of suspicion crossed Lin Wenyu’s eyes. In recent years, she and her son had spent more time apart than together. Every time they met, He Yiming would soon depart on another journey, and in her memory, she truly couldn't recall any young lady he had been close with over these past few years.

He Quanxin’s brows relaxed, and he suddenly stated, "Is it Miss Yuan?"

He Yiling also laughed, "It must be Lixun." She turned and exchanged a look with her husband; the two smiled at each other, clearly very pleased with Yuan Lixun from the Yuan family.

The Fourth Sister, He Yiling, was already married to the legitimate eldest grandson of the Yuan family, Yuan Liling. The couple was deeply devoted, so they naturally held considerable expectation for Yuan Lixun.

Lin Wenyu hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Yiming, as long as you favor her, your mother won't object. But where is Miss Lixun now?"

He Yiming said solemnly, "Lixun is currently cultivating the Martial Way in the Northern Frontier Ice Palace and should have achieved some success. My purpose in coming this time is precisely to ask someone to go to the Ice Palace to formally propose marriage."

Lin Wenyu’s expression grew more suspicious.

She turned to look, and the gazes of the surrounding relatives and friends were equally bewildered.

They all knew the true relationship between Yuan Lixun and He Yiming. Years ago, the Yuan family had already offered Yuan Lixun to He Yiming as a concubine. If that was the case, why the need for a formal proposal?

At this moment, everyone present was secretly speculating whether the Yuan Lixun mentioned by He Yiming was someone else entirely.

He Yiming swept his gaze across everyone, taking in their reactions. He said seriously, "Mother, Lixun is now a true powerhouse. I intend to bring her into the family with full ceremony and proper rites, which is why I wish to invite a person of stature to return to the Ice Palace to propose marriage anew."

A look of sudden realization dawned on everyone’s faces, though they were also intensely envious of Yuan Lixun.

To be so cherished by He Yiming truly made someone a fortunate soul.

Lin Wenyu nodded, "Yiming, since it is Miss Yuan, she is not an outsider. However, let’s forgo this proposal ceremony again. It might be difficult for the in-laws to accept otherwise."

He Yiming gave a dry laugh, "Mother, please rest assured. If Uncle Yuan knows of Lixun’s current cultivation, he absolutely won't have any objections."

In the past, Yuan Chengzhi had personally betrothed Yuan Lixun to He Yiming. If a proposal were made elsewhere now, it would indeed cost the Yuan family some face. However, He Yiming had a clear understanding of Yuan Chengzhi. Revealing Yuan Lixun's current cultivation—that of a Five Qi Grand Venerable—was guaranteed to keep Yuan Chengzhi free of complaint; in fact, he might even wish for He Yiming to make a bigger fuss.

"Caw..."

A strange bird cry drifted in from outside the window, and then a magnificent bird, about the size of a ten-year-old child, flew in.

Upon seeing this strange bird, no one panicked. They were clearly accustomed to it, having seen it often.

The strange bird flew to the top of Chu Haozhou’s head, tucked in its wings, and perched steadily on his shoulders.

He Yiming exclaimed in surprise, "The little fellow has grown so big! Brother Chu, what miraculous elixir did you feed it?"

The last time he left, the descendant of the Black Vulture King was only the size of a featherless chick. Now, it had grown so majestic, its feathers slick and glossy, utterly different from the featherless chick in his memory.

Chu Haozhou reached out and gently patted the Black Vulture twice. He said with satisfaction, "The elixir you gave me, I let the little one share with Dongfen. It’s perfect timing that you are back; refine a few more batches for me."

He Yiming shot him an annoyed glance but offered no real objection, and he finally understood why this little bird had grown so quickly.

Seemingly grasping the meaning of the conversation between He Yiming and Chu Haozhou, the little Black Vulture let out a few excited calls, nodding toward He Yiming as if trying to curry favor.

Although they had been separated for nearly a year, the little creature’s memory was clearly good; it hadn't forgotten He Yiming. Of course, this was also because He Yiming and Chu Haozhou were the best of friends and He Yiming could continuously supply elixirs. Otherwise, the little Black Vulture wouldn't remember him so vividly.

Chu Haozhou seemed to recall something and asked, "Little Brother, you mentioned that sister-in-law has achieved success in her cultivation. I wonder about her current level?"

He Yiming hesitated for a moment. "Lixun already possessed Xiantian Realm cultivation when she joined the Northern Frontier Ice Palace four years ago. Now, under the guidance of Lord Bing Xiaotian, she has naturally achieved a further breakthrough."

The expressions on the faces of Chu Haozhou and Deng Yichen stiffened simultaneously, and they asked in unison, "Who is guiding her?"

The others in the hall exchanged bewildered glances, not understanding why these two were so agitated.

It should be known that although these two were not members of the He family, they held incomparably high status in Hejia Village. Even He Wude and Yao Daoren, upon descending from Hengshan, would show them the respect due to disciples.

One a Venerable, the other a Five Qi Grand Venerable—such powerful beings meant that no one in Hejia Village dared to challenge their authority.

Thus, these two had always presented themselves as detached and serene, able to resolve any issue with ease.

In the minds of all the He family members, they were practically equivalent to the protective deities of the He family.

However, for these two to suddenly show such expressions while inquiring about one person naturally led the crowd to much speculation.

He Yiming smiled faintly, "Lord Bing Xiaotian."

The two powerful Venerables simultaneously sucked in a sharp breath, an indescribable envy flashing in their eyes.

Deng Yichen sighed deeply, "Sister-in-law is truly fortunate to receive guidance from such a powerhouse. Her progress must be swift; she has likely advanced to the Yixiantian realm by now."

As he said this, he sounded somewhat uncertain.

Martial cultivation is a matter of gradual accumulation. To advance from the Xiantian Realm to the Yixiantian realm in a mere four years would already be quite remarkable.

Of course, He Yiming, the anomaly, was an exception. But Deng Yichen firmly believed that in this entire world, there could only be one such freak.

He Yiming shook his head slightly. "Brother Deng, you underestimate Lord Bing Xiaotian."

He Quanxin hesitated for a long time before finally asking, "Yiming, which master is Lord Bing Xiaotian?"

Although He Quanxin had now become a master of the Xiantian Realm, his travels had never taken him beyond the Tianluo Kingdom, so he naturally knew nothing of the wider world's affairs.

He Yiming pondered for a moment. "Lord Bing Xiaotian is the Sect Master of the Northern Frontier Ice Palace. His status among the cultivators of the world is equivalent to that of Lord Di Shitian."

He Quanxin’s eyes immediately widened, his heart filled with shock.

As a Xiantian Realm cultivator of the Northwest, he might not know the Northern Frontier Ice Palace, but there was no way he wouldn't know the Sect Master of the Tianchi lineage.

Mulling over the immense power of this Lord Bing Xiaotian, He Quanxin couldn't help but mutter internally.

Perhaps only He Yiming could truly manage Yuan Lixun in her current state.

Deng Yichen and Chu Haozhou exchanged glances; they too were deeply shaken. Could sister-in-law also be a rare cultivation genius, not only breaking through to Yixiantian in just four years but also condensing a tangible flower?

With a light cough, Chu Haozhou asked, "Brother He, has sister-in-law’s martial cultivation reached the tangible flower realm?"

He Yiming chuckled, still slowly shaking his head.

Chu Haozhou frowned deeply. "Stop joking. She couldn't have suddenly cultivated to the Five Qi Grand Venerable realm, could she?"

This last sentence carried a strong hint of jest, as Chu Haozhou couldn't believe that another monster like He Yiming could exist in this world.

He Yiming rubbed his nose, his face a mask of surprise. "Elder Brother is truly skilled; you guessed correctly in one go."

The smile on Chu Haozhou’s face instantly froze. He looked intently at He Yiming, finally discerning the truth in his eyes.

"Impossible..." Chu Haozhou stated without hesitation. "Is her cultivation talent the same as yours?"

He Yiming had leaped from a cultivator who had condensed Three Flowers to the pinnacle of the Human Dao in just over four years. If Yuan Lixun could jump from the Xiantian Realm to the Five Qi Grand Venerable realm, then their respective talents would indeed be difficult to rank.

Shaking his head slightly, He Yiming offered a wry smile. "Brother Chu, you will understand some things later. But Lixun has indeed successfully enlightened the Ice Ling Mirror, the Northern Frontier Ice Palace's foremost imitation Divine Artifact."

Chu Haozhou inhaled deeply: "..."

Deng Yichen’s eyes grew faintly vacant: "..."

Everyone in the hall exchanged bewildered looks, unable to comprehend why these two powerful figures, so central to the He family, were struck dumb.

P.S.: Five chapters today, requesting monthly tickets and recommendation tickets...