The feast began once more. However, compared to just a short while ago, the atmosphere had undergone a subtle shift.

Everyone’s deference toward the He family had grown even more profound and humble, especially after learning that the Celestial Pool Sect Master himself had personally delivered the plaque proclaiming "Number One Under Heaven." This act propelled the prestige of He Family Manor to its zenith.

Although Di Shitian entered the rear courtyard of the He family immediately after presenting the plaque and did not reappear in the main hall, the news spread like wildfire among all who heard it, with the combat achievements of He Yiming in the West being recounted without reservation. For a time, the renown of He Family Manor seemed poised to rival that of the Northwest Celestial Pool lineage itself.

Yet, the foundation of He Family Manor remained too thin. To truly secure a status equal to that of the Celestial Pool line, it would require the painstaking efforts of several generations.

A few days later, Yu Rupei, the Sovereign of the Tianluo Kingdom, announced that Zhan Tianfeng of the Kaiyang Kingdom had abdicated his throne, yielding governance, and the entire territory of Kaiyang was absorbed into the domain of Tianluo. Correspondingly, the Tianluo Kingdom would replace Kaiyang as one of the three great powers of the Northwest.

This upheaval spread rapidly throughout the Northwest. Everyone understood that the Yu family had achieved its current ascendancy entirely because He Yiming stood firmly behind them. Upon remembering the four gilded characters of "Number One Under Heaven" now hanging above the gates of He Family Manor, no other nation dared to cause trouble for Tianluo.

He Yiming had completely fulfilled the final wish of Old Brother Shui, finally setting his heart at ease.

However, the Tianluo Kingdom had reached its peak territorial strength. Should it attempt further expansion, it would surely brush against the boundaries set by the Celestial Pool lineage. Thus, the highly perceptive Yu Rupei reined in his ambitions, slowly integrating the national strength of Kaiyang into his own domain.

Decades later, the Tianluo Kingdom finally became a legitimate member of the Three Great Powers.

Within the rear courtyard of the He family, He Yiming and the others gradually entered.

The Celestial Pool lineage had sent three individuals this time, while the He Family Manor boasted an equal number of experts at the Venerable rank or higher. It was clear that the Divine Calculator had put considerable thought into balancing the number of guests.

In the courtyard, aside from Huo Dongcheng and a few servants assigned to menial tasks, no one below the Venerable rank was permitted entry. He Wude had personally designated this area as forbidden ground for the residence of Chu Haozhou and Deng Yichen.

At this moment, all servants, including Huo Dongcheng, were dismissed. Even Chu Haozhou and Deng Yichen were led aside by the Divine Calculator and Ai Wenbin. As seasoned veterans of the martial world, they instantly recognized that Lord Di Shitian desired a private audience with He Yiming, so they gracefully withdrew.

The rear courtyard was thus left in absolute tranquility.

Seated in the pavilion, admiring the expanse of pure white snow and ice in the rear garden, He Yiming’s mood slowly settled into calm.

The plaque proclaiming "Number One Under Heaven" had indeed sent a massive shockwave through him, but beneath the frenzy of elation, a subtle unease lingered in his heart. Although he was confident in his ability to defeat any expert at the peak of the Human Dao, the Outer Sea held a mysterious location—a place that felt like a massive stone pressing down upon his spirit.

Picking up the wine pot roasting over the small fire, He Yiming poured a cup for Di Shitian across from him.

“Brother Di, you have traveled a great distance from the main peak of the Celestial Pool. You have bestowed upon this humble He such immense honor; I must ask your purpose,” He Yiming said gravely. “If it is within my capability, I will exert every effort.”

Though this was his first meeting with Di Shitian, He Yiming knew that the Sect Master of the Celestial Pool lineage would never visit without serious cause. Given his stature, even if he recognized He Yiming’s achievements, he would never so publicly present a plaque as grand as "Number One Under Heaven." More significantly, he had deliberately chosen this auspicious day when countless people had gathered at the He Family Manor to broadcast He Yiming's victories to all. If all of this were coincidence and not orchestrated by the Divine Calculator behind the scenes, He Yiming would never believe it.

Di Shitian gave a wry smile. “I knew I couldn't hide it from you.”

He Yiming raised the wine cup before him in a salute, draining the hot liquor in one gulp. A surge of warmth spread from his belly, wonderfully comforting. This wine was some kind of tribute brew brought by Yu Rupei; although He Yiming didn't know its origin, it was truly excellent.

Di Shitian also took a sip. He made no attempt to mask his intentions, getting straight to the point: “Brother He, I have come this time to verify something with you.”

“Please speak,” He Yiming replied, a flicker of strangeness crossing his face before it instantly returned to normal. Di Shitian looked remarkably youthful, perhaps not many years older than He Yiming himself, yet referring to himself as 'old man' felt undeniably peculiar.

“The South Frontier's Flying Eagle sent a dispatch reporting that Garfield’s corpse was discovered on a desolate island.”

“That is correct. The Dark Speaker perished in the South Frontier.”

Di Shitian’s eyes brightened slightly. “As I understand it, the island where the body was found was originally one contiguous landmass, yet this time it was miraculously split into two.”

He Yiming paused, sensing vaguely that Di Shitian was inquiring about the Blood-Coagulating Man of the Divine Path. He couldn't fathom why the Celestial Pool Sect Master was so concerned; did he intend to return the Blood-Coagulating Man to the Ancestor of the Yellow Springs? Shaking his head, He Yiming dismissed the absurd notion.

Seeing He Yiming lost in thought, Di Shitian continued, “The day before yesterday, a disciple of our sect in the Kaiyang Kingdom sent terrifying news. In broad daylight, a monstrous fiend arrived over the capital of Kaiyang and used demonic arts to shroud the sky above the city in darkness, churning up sand and stones.” He paused. “This fiend ultimately unleashed supreme demonic power, cleaving the entire city in two, just like that island in the South Frontier.”

A shade of embarrassment crossed He Yiming’s face. Di Shitian had laid his cards on the table; further concealment was futile. He nodded slightly, then considered his words before speaking seriously: “Brother Di, to be frank, while I was in the South Frontier, I inadvertently acquired a puppet.”

“A puppet?” Di Shitian frowned, asking with surprise.

He Yiming recounted in detail his encounter with Jimo Fanshu, their subsequent alliance to confront the two Human Dao peak experts in the West. The two supreme dark powerhouses from East and West had clashed fiercely over the puppet, leading to a fight to the death. However, the outcome was unexpected: the puppet was ultimately consumed by the Blood-Coagulating Man He Yiming had refined. This newly empowered puppet then stirred the very forces of heaven and earth, unleashing an incredible, world-shattering might that shattered the famed combined light and dark technique of the two Western experts, ultimately leading to Garfield’s demise.

Although He Yiming held back some details and omitted Garfield’s final words, Di Shitian listened, deeply moved. In his long life filled with countless battles, this peak Human Dao expert had never witnessed the might of heaven and earth, and he naturally yearned for it. Moreover, the fall of a Human Dao peak expert during this engagement left him sighing with emotion.

Moments later, Di Shitian suddenly asked, “Younger Brother He, upon my return from the North Frontier, I encountered Jimo Fanshu on the road. That old assassin also mentioned that the Five Elements Body puppet he meticulously crafted had met its end at sea. Could that be your puppet?”

He Yiming nodded slightly, a cold smile touching his lips. “The Ancestor of the Yellow Springs relentlessly hunted me when I had nowhere to turn. If he is not satisfied, he is welcome to pay a visit anytime.”

Di Shitian waved a hand lightly. “I doubt that fellow will trouble you again.”

He Yiming was momentarily perplexed. “Why is that?”

Di Shitian stated seriously, “Jimo Fanshu is known as the foremost assassin under heaven. His personal philosophy is: if the first strike fails, retreat a thousand miles. That day on the desolate island, his fierce battle with Garfield was likely because he could not bear to lose that puppet. Now that you possess it, he absolutely will not provoke you again unless he is certain he can assassinate you.”

He Yiming felt a measure of calm return. Given Di Shitian’s status, his words were unlikely to be idle boasting. Hearing that the old assassin would likely cease pursuing him brought He Yiming unexpected relief. While he no longer feared Jimo Fanshu’s strength—and felt confident he might even manage to keep the assassin pinned down if they met again—He Yiming had worried that if he failed to hold him, the assassin might turn his wrath upon his family. Despite Chu Haozhou and Deng Yichen permanently residing at He Family Manor, He Yiming doubted they alone could withstand Jimo Fanshu.

Di Shitian hesitated slightly. “Brother He, is your puppet here? Would you permit this old man a look?”

He Yiming readily agreed. He swiftly issued a mental command for the entity in his mind to manifest there. The instant the command was issued, almost as He Yiming raised his head, a faint whisper of wind flowed into the pavilion. Given the composure of the two men, neither showed panic, but the speed and uncanny stealth of this arrival still startled Di Shitian inwardly.

Glancing at the woodenly standing Blood-Coagulating Man of the Divine Path, a look of sudden surprise flashed across Di Shitian’s face. “The Old Ancestor of the Yu Family?”

He Yiming chuckled. “Indeed, it is he. However, the one who refined him into a puppet was not me, but the Ancestor of the Yellow Springs.” He Yiming was unsurprised that Di Shitian recognized the Old Ancestor of the Yu Family; given their shared eminence, they must have crossed paths. If Di Shitian had shown ignorance, that would have truly chilled He Yiming.

Brilliant light flashed in Di Shitian’s eyes. He said in a deep voice, “Brother He, was it the Old Ancestor of the Yu Family who possessed the might of heaven and earth?”

He Yiming clearly observed the look of anticipation in the Sect Master’s eyes, which sparked a tremendous curiosity within him. “Yes, it was this very individual.”