The news of He Yiming’s return spread like wildfire once more, just as it had every time before, quickly encompassing all the surrounding nations.

Within the He Family Estate now were not only guards arrayed like an army but also princes and grandsons from various countries. They mingled and socialized within the estate, forming a distinct and special sight.

The third generation of the He family was steadily growing, and through their interactions with these royal scions, they amassed a considerable network. Via these connections, the He family’s reputation and commerce were disseminated throughout all the Northwestern nations.

As if by rising tide lifting all boats, vast sums of money flowed into the He Family Estate. Yet, He Quanxin and his peers were no misers; they channeled the earned wealth into constructing and further expanding the estate. In merely a few short years, with the covert or overt support of various royal houses, the He family’s influence could be found, to varying degrees, in every nation save for the territory of the Kai Rong Kingdom.

Like a snowball rolling downhill, the He family’s financial power and influence grew at a geometric rate.

If the Tianchi lineage was unquestionably the foremost faction in the Northwest, then the second greatest power was no longer the traditional three great kingdoms, but the He Family Estate, which could always count on the presence of at least one Venerable expert.

This peculiar phenomenon would be utterly impossible to replicate in any future era, for there would never again be another peer to He Yiming—a super-genius who advanced in martial arts as easily as plucking common vegetables.

Ever since He Yiming revealed Yuan Lixun’s cultivation level, Chu Haozhou and Deng Yichen raised no further objections to He Yiming’s cautious handling of the matter. Instead, they offered suggestions, anxious to ensure they showed every courtesy and did not slight Yuan Lixun, who possessed an equally peerless talent for cultivation.

He Yiming deliberately omitted mentioning the assistance of six Dao Zenith masters and a top-tier Sacred Beast who jointly helped Yuan Lixun break through her bottleneck, as the affair was of immense consequence and connected to the Thousand-Year Ice Island. He had no desire for the details to become common knowledge.

Since Chu Haozhou and the others had already formed their own assumptions, he saw no need to deliberately correct them.

On this particular day, several fast horses arrived before the gates of the He Family Estate’s castle. The two riders in the lead pulled hard on their reins, causing their magnificent steeds to rear back with sharp whinnies before stopping abruptly.

The horsemanship displayed by these two was so refined as to be almost supernatural, immediately drawing loud cheers from the castle battlements above.

The leader of the estate guards on the wall was no stranger to these two. They were His Highness the Crown Prince of the Tianluo Kingdom, Yu Xiaoyi, and the renowned Xue Lie of Tianluo.

For the past several years, these two had made it a tradition to visit the He family every year as the New Year approached, representing the Lord of Tianluo and the Shuixuanjin lineage from the capital. Their visit was unfailing, regardless of whether He Yiming was present or not.

Although they arrived several days early this year, nobody found cause for suspicion.

The gate guards respectfully ushered the two into the city. He Quanxin personally came out to greet them. However, after only a few brief exchanges, they expressed their desire to pay their respects to He Yiming.

He Quanxin inquired with surprise, only then learning that their early arrival was due to a messenger He Yiming had sent via disciples stationed nearby from the Tianchi lineage.

Since He Yiming had summoned them, He Quanxin naturally offered no obstruction. He led them to the back courtyard and discreetly excused himself to avoid creating awkwardness.

Currently, aside from the three Venerable-level powerhouses who resided there, only Huo Dongcheng possessed the freedom to move in and out of the He family’s back courtyard. Although He Quanxin was the true master of the He Family Estate now, he dared not lightly enter that sacred space for fear of displeasing those two mighty Venerables.

Huo Dongcheng brought them into a simple structure within the rear compound.

It was an ordinary wooden house, containing nothing more than a bed, a desk, and four chairs.

Nonetheless, the mere invitation to enter He Yiming’s private chambers filled Yu Xiaoyi and Xue Lie with immense honor.

They had not seen each other frequently over these years, and He Yiming’s martial cultivation had rocketed upward as if riding a literal rocket. This had caused both Yu Xiaoyi and Xue Lie some worry as to whether He Yiming still remembered the bonds of their past fellowship.

Yet, meeting him here, within his personal quarters, they finally understood: He Yiming was still the same He Yiming, not having forgotten them simply because he now possessed the status of a Dao Zenith powerhouse.

He Yiming was seated in a chair, lounging comfortably, flipping through a sheet of the finest Xuan paper, seemingly savoring the content inscribed upon it.

“Sit…”

Though he did not look up, He Yiming seemed to have absorbed their every movement. With a gentle wave of his hand, he instantly dissolved the sense of unfamiliarity that typically accompanies such a meeting.

“Thank you, Protector of the Nation Master (Martial Uncle).”

He Yiming finally raised his head. He made no deliberate attempt to correct their form of address.

Shuixuanjin had been his close confidant and had died on his behalf. If Xue Lie wished to borrow his name, He Yiming certainly did not mind.

“Xue Lie, how have things been?” He Yiming asked casually.

Xue Lie perched halfway on his chair, quickly bowing low. “Reporting to Martial Uncle, everyone is well, though we long for you to return to the capital soon.”

He Yiming placed the paper flat upon the desk. Though Yu Xiaoyi and Xue Lie were intensely curious about its contents, they remained seated upright, their gazes fixed straight ahead—eyes on nose, nose on heart—never daring to glance at the paper.

“How is the Tianluo royal family? Have you encountered any troubles?” He Yiming continued his inquiry.

Yu Xiaoyi responded promptly, “Thank you for your concern, Protector of the Nation Master. Tianluo has enjoyed favorable weather this year, with surrounding minor states offering tribute. We face no internal or external threats.”

Their question was brief, and their answer was even more concise. Both Yu Xiaoyi and Xue Lie understood He Yiming’s temperament; a lengthy discourse here would surely leave a terrible impression upon him.

While Xue Lie was perhaps more secure, Yu Xiaoyi was still the Crown Prince. Offending He Yiming could easily jeopardize his position.

He Yiming nodded slightly. “You have done well. I am very satisfied.”

The two immediately bowed, speaking in unison, “It is all thanks to your grace.” This statement was utterly sincere; without He Yiming signifying his position, the Tianluo Kingdom, even if spared foreign invasion after the death of Shuixuanjin, would have fragmented internally. It would never enjoy the current prosperity.

Currently, Tianluo’s influence in the region was growing steadily, even subtly beginning to eclipse that of the Kai Rong Kingdom.

Of course, given Kai Rong’s present strength, they were like a camel that had starved but was still larger than a horse. Relying on the lingering prestige of the Northwest’s former Three Great Experts, no one dared to easily provoke them.

He Yiming smiled faintly. “Brother Shui entrusted the Tianluo Kingdom and his descendants to me in the past, but I have been engrossed in martial practice and unfortunately neglected this duty.”

Yu Xiaoyi and Xue Lie quickly protested that they dared not suggest such a thing. In truth, with the power He Yiming now displayed, a mere hint from him would ensure no one dared challenge Tianluo lightly. Therefore, the two had never expected any additional aid for Tianluo.

He Yiming flicked his finger, and the paper on the desk instantly flew up, landing squarely in Yu Xiaoyi’s hand.

The Crown Prince of Tianluo paused for a moment before examining it closely. Instantly, his expression shifted drastically, his eyes flashing with brilliant light.

Xue Lie found this deeply peculiar, unable to fathom what inscription on the paper could cause Yu Xiaoyi such a powerful reaction.

Placing the paper respectfully back on the desk, Yu Xiaoyi bowed deeply, saying, “The favor of the Protector of the Nation Master is a debt my Yu family can never repay. Should the Tianluo Royal House ever be needed in the future, we will commit everything, and we will not break our promise.”

He Yiming chuckled softly. “That statement should properly come from your father.”

Yu Xiaoyi’s face flushed. Indeed, only the true authority figure of the royal family could utter such a vow.

However, He Yiming paid it no mind. To others, the Yu family of the Tianluo Royal House appeared a colossal entity, but in He Yiming’s current view, they were still exceedingly small fry.

Xue Lie’s gaze finally settled upon the paper. His face changed instantly, then broke into ecstatic joy.

On the paper was written a decree: ordering Zhan Tianfeng, the foremost expert of the Kai Rong Kingdom, to lead the royal family into retirement and surrender all their territory. The signatory below was unfamiliar, identifying himself only as the ‘Cave Dweller of the Mountain Peak.’

If this document had been presented by anyone else, Yu Xiaoyi and Xue Lie would have dismissed it instantly. For the Kai Rong Kingdom to acknowledge such an inexplicable decree would be utterly fantastical. But the one presenting it was He Yiming, the supreme figure second only to the Sect Master and the Great Diviner within the Tianchi lineage.

Thus, the importance of this document was self-evident.

At the very least, it represented He Yiming’s will, and that alone was enough to command profound respect from anyone.

He Yiming slowly retrieved the paper, saying in a measured tone, “When Brother Shui was alive, his greatest wish was to see the Tianluo Kingdom become one of the Northwest’s Three Great Powers. I had reservations before, which is why I delayed. But now, all the obstacles before us have vanished…” He paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes, “…it is time to demand what is rightfully ours.”

When Zhan Xuan and the Cave Dweller of the Mountain Peak were alive, He Yiming had refrained from producing this; but now that the Kai Rong Kingdom had no Venerable to guard it, he felt unrestrained.

Though Yu Xiaoyi could not grasp the full context, he followed He Yiming’s words without question. He said excitedly, “Protector of the Nation Master, shall this junior send someone to deliver this letter to Zhan Tianfeng? Surely they would not dare to destroy it.”

He Yiming waved his hand gently. “I shall make the trip myself. I summoned you merely to give advance notice. Prepare yourselves so you are not caught flat-footed and made a laughingstock.”

Yu Xiaoyi forcibly suppressed the excitement surging within him, bowing deeply, his heart overflowing with gratitude.