As Yu Xiaoyi and Xue Lie respectfully withdrew their bows, a figure flashed, and Chu Haozhou appeared in the room.

"Little brother, are you going personally?" he asked suspiciously.

He had been in the Northwest for about a year now, and although he hadn't focused intently, he had gathered some understanding of the relationships and standing of nations like the Kai Rong Kingdom and the Tian Luo Kingdom here.

In his estimation, with He Yiming's current strength as a peak Human Dao powerhouse, there was no need for him to make the trip himself. He could simply dispatch an envoy to deliver the letter to Zhan Tianfeng.

If Zhan Tianfeng was sensible, he would arrange for the Kai Rong royal family to exit the stage of history, and in return, they would honor the old agreement and spare the Zhan family. However, if Zhan Tianfeng acted rashly, ignored the letter, or simply destroyed the document, then He Yiming would have a just cause. He could then wipe out the Kai Rong royal family completely, and have the Tian Luo Kingdom send troops to take over their territory, achieving the optimal result.

Moreover, this approach would truly cut the weeds and dig up the roots, ensuring no future trouble, and without violating any pact.

Yet, He Yiming's intention was to go in person. In the presence of this mighty peak Human Dao expert, Chu Haozhou could hardly imagine Zhan Tianfeng gathering the courage to resist.

He Yiming smiled faintly. "Old Brother Chu, do you still remember that cavern beneath Penglai Immortal Island?"

Chu Haozhou nodded repeatedly; how could he forget that place?

"Not only did I obtain a divine weapon and the inner elixirs of five top-tier Saint Beasts there, but I also acquired a Divine Dao Sarira," He Yiming stated in a deep voice.

A flash of horrified light shot from Chu Haozhou's eyes.

He Yiming had always guarded the matter of the Divine Dao Sarira closely, telling no one. He knew that anything related to "God" was bound to incite intense covetousness. If he had advertised this fact recklessly when his strength was insufficient, the outcome awaiting him would certainly have been unpleasant.

But things were different now. He had ascended to the peak of the Nine Heavens within the Human Dao, making him the most powerful in the world. Furthermore, he had merged the Powers of Light and Darkness, and the force unleashed with every gesture was unrivaled. Even a peer expert like Ao Borui dared not confront him in battle. With the aid of White Horse Lightning and the Divine Dao Coagulated Blood Man, there was virtually nothing left in the world that could make him truly apprehensive.

"A Divine Dao Sarira?" Chu Haozhou mused for a moment, a strange expression crossing his face. "You succeeded in refining a Coagulated Blood Man?"

Chu Haozhou naturally knew that the primary use of a sarira was refining a Coagulated Blood Man. Since He Yiming mentioned it with such gravity, the purpose of this Divine Dao Sarira was evident.

He Yiming nodded slightly, detailing from beginning to end the entire sequence of events that transpired after he left He Family Village for the Central Capital City.

This was the first time he had revealed everything without reservation, and upon finishing, he felt a sense of relief wash over him.

Chu Haozhou was utterly stunned. Although he had heard from Deng Yichen that He Yiming had successfully advanced to the realm of the Nine Heavens of the Peak Human Dao, and had even battled the Pope of the Western Temple while riding White Horse Lightning in the Southern Frontier, those accounts paled in comparison to everything He Yiming was recounting now.

Letting out a long breath, Chu Haozhou finally said, "I understand. You want to test the Divine Dao Coagulated Blood Man."

He Yiming inclined his head. "Precisely. After all, the Divine Dao Coagulated Blood Man contains a Divine Dao Sarira and can wield the power of heaven and earth. In this age, that is truly unique..." Here, He Yiming paused involuntarily as a vague, ethereal term suddenly surfaced in his mind: the Overseas Divine Island. Who knew if that mysterious place also held the existence of Divine Dao experts? However, based on what that Outer Sea Saint Beast King had implied, it seemed almost certain. Regaining his composure, He Yiming continued, "The Divine Dao Sarira is not an ordinary sarira. I can feel the immense power contained within it, and I even suspect whether the memories of its previous owner might reside inside."

Chu Haozhou's expression shifted slightly. "That's impossible."

He Yiming offered a wry smile. "I know it's impossible. After a human has been dead for at least several thousand years, there shouldn't be any residual self-awareness. But when I control this Divine Dao Coagulated Blood Man, there is always a strange sensation—it seems capable of a degree of independent judgment."

The puppet of the Yu Family Ancestor, whether in Hao Xue's hands or Garfield's, had operated with rigid adherence to routine. But once the Divine Dao Sarira entered the Yu Family Ancestor's body and He Yiming gained control, its reactions and intelligence increased miraculously.

Yes, the feeling He Yiming got from the Divine Dao Coagulated Blood Man was that it possessed a certain wisdom, and its judgment of the environment and situation was remarkably accurate. Although he could still control it through his thoughts and the tragedy of losing control had not yet occurred, He Yiming knew this Divine Dao Coagulated Blood Man was definitively different from the former Yu Family Ancestor.

Chu Haozhou frowned for a moment before finally asking, "You want to use the Divine Dao Coagulated Blood Man to probe the Kai Rong Kingdom?"

He Yiming nodded affirmatively. "If we are not mistaken, the current royal family of the Kai Rong Kingdom are the descendants of this ancient Divine Dao expert. If this Divine Dao Sarira truly possesses self-awareness, perhaps it can sense something."

Chu Haozhou gave a bitter laugh. "What if this Divine Dao Coagulated Blood Man truly regains its consciousness?"

He Yiming's expression darkened momentarily, but after a brief pause, his eyes hardened with resolve.

"Brother Chu, if it genuinely recovers its consciousness, then I will have no choice but to resort to any means necessary to eradicate it." His words were spoken with absolute finality, devoid of hesitation, demonstrating the immense resolve he had already settled upon.

"What a pity..." Chu Haozhou shook his head, speaking regretfully.

A sharp glint flickered in He Yiming's eyes. "I know it's a pity, but there is no alternative. If it regains its former memories, then regardless of whether it knows I am causing trouble for its descendants, it will no longer be usable by me."

Chu Haozhou nodded, unsurprised. He deeply understood this point.

If He Yiming hadn't reached the Venerable Realm back then, he wouldn't have crossed oceans to settle at He Family Village. And those of the Divine Dao were inherently arrogant beings; in their eyes, everyone below the Divine Dao were mere ants. Would a Divine Dao expert willingly take orders from an ant?

Therefore, as soon as the Divine Dao Sarira regained its consciousness, regardless of He Yiming's wishes, he would have only one path: to find a way to destroy it. Who knew what the Divine Dao Sarira might conceive? If, in the future, it harbored resentment instead of gratitude for He Yiming restoring its existence, cursing him for using the Divine Dao Sarira to refine a Coagulated Blood Man, then even He Yiming might not be able to easily withstand the attacks of the Divine Dao Coagulated Blood Man.

Chu Haozhou suddenly started, then laughed dismissively. "Little brother, this matter hasn't happened yet; we don't need to be so pessimistic. In my view, the possibility of the Divine Dao Sarira recovering its memories is infinitesimally small, practically impossible."

He Yiming also chuckled wryly. Old Brother Chu was right. The Divine Dao Sarira had been dead for so many years; if it could so easily restore its memories, then these Divine Dao practitioners wouldn't just have stepped onto the Divine Dao, they would have truly become gods.

After joking for a while, Chu Haozhou agreed with him: they would travel to the Kai Rong Kingdom together in three days. This matter wasn't monumental, but it was quite troublesome, and they needed to resolve it before the Spring Festival arrived. Whether the Zhan family would still be in the mood to hold their Spring Welcome Ceremony after receiving the news was beyond their concern. As for He Family Village, with Venerable Deng Yichen presiding, it was absolutely impregnable; no one would dare to attack casually.

Just as the two settled their serious plans, a black shadow flew in through the window—it was that adorable little Black Vulture. Although this small flying creature was far from fully grown, its physique was already considerable; when flapping its wings, it no longer possessed that previous shaky appearance.

A white figure flashed, and Precious Pig instantly followed in hot pursuit, moving as swiftly as lightning, even a notch faster than the little Black Vulture. Before the little Black Vulture could reach Chu Haozhou, Precious Pig leaped out like a hungry tiger, its front hooves pinning the Black Vulture down and forcefully knocking it off course.

For an ordinary bird, such an attack would likely result in immediate evisceration and death. But the little Black Vulture was, after all, the offspring of a Saint Beast, and throughout its growth, it had been consuming the Golden Elixirs refined by He Yiming, making its physique remarkably tough. Even after being pounced upon by Precious Pig and slammed onto the ground, it sustained no visible injuries. However, its beak would not quiet down, and in an instant, it turned the silent room into a cacophony.

He Yiming frowned. "Old Brother Chu, what is going on here?"

Chu Haozhou spread his hands. "Precious Pig likes the little Black Vulture, and it’s not good for this little guy to be too comfortable in the village for too long. So, I asked Precious Pig to teach it a few lessons on survival."

Listening to the indignant and humiliated cries of the little Black Vulture, a smile touched the corner of He Yiming's lips. Although the little fellow was being badly bullied by Precious Pig, its calls were full of unyielding fighting spirit, completely undeterred by its current predicament.

He Yiming sincerely praised, "Brother Chu has excellent methods. This little one will undoubtedly be a remarkable asset in the future."

Chu Haozhou stroked his gradually growing beard and laughed heartily. "Xiao Hei's potential is absolutely limitless." His eyes were filled with pride, and his expression radiated vigor.

He Yiming sighed inwardly. This was all destiny. If that Black Vulture King knew this in the afterlife, he surely would no longer blame Chu Haozhou.