All around, peaks surged into view. Majestic and vast, one continuous chain of summits stretched east and west, poised atop the world like a silver screen.
Though the New Year had passed, the snows upon the mountains had barely begun to retreat. The already treacherous mountain paths were now nearly lost to the drifts.
On this day, few souls wandered near the main peak of Tianchi.
Gazing upon this silver expanse, He Yiming felt a deep, silent wonder well within him.
Both the Dongtian Fudi and the Tianchi lineage resided within these mountain ranges, yet the environments they inhabited differed vastly. In the Dongtian Fudi to the east, thanks to the presence of the Tree God, lay the renowned Twelve Caves of Paradise, blessed with a climate eternally spring-like, cool in summer and mild in winter.
The soil within their mountains was fertile, even more enviable than the finest paddy fields.
Disciples of the Tianchi lineage, while also mountain dwellers, were far inferior in terms of living conditions.
However, the disparity in their environments forged entirely different spirits. By comparison, the Tianchi disciples were markedly more robust; not only were they generally taller, but their temperament leaned heavily toward fierce aggression, and the proportion of true masters within their ranks far surpassed that of the Dongtian Fudi.
Of course, when measured by sheer population within the mountains, the Tianchi lineage was considerably smaller.
At this moment, a lone figure moved through the world of white like a phantom. This time, coming to the main peak of Tianchi, He Yiming had even left the White Horse Lightning and the Treasure Pig outside.
Though the little Treasure Pig was thoroughly displeased with this decision, with White Horse Lightning and the Hundred and Eight nearby, it dared not raise any significant fuss.
With a few leaps and bounds, He Yiming entered the dense mist clinging to the summit.
Though the fog here was thick, having endured the spectral sea of mist at Ghost Cry Ridge, He Yiming was essentially immune to its effects now.
His movements were swift as lightning, soaring toward the apex. Simultaneously, he extended his consciousness, quietly sensing the surrounding Heavenly and Earthly Force.
Ever since he gained the ability to unleash the Might of Heaven and Earth, He Yiming had become increasingly attuned to these primal energies. He could even distinguish the specific elemental attributes within the very forces he absorbed.
Such a feat had been utterly unimaginable before.
Slowly, He Yiming sensed it: within this swath of mist, the Metal element's power was indeed the strongest.
The Fire Divine Power of the Ten Thousand Zhang Glazed Cave in the Southern Border, the Water Divine Power of the Ice Palace in the Northern Border, the Earth Divine Power of the Tongtian Pagoda at the continent’s center, the Wood Divine Power of the Dongtian Fudi leaning toward the East, and the Metal Divine Power of Tianchi, situated in the Northwest.
In a flash of insight, He Yiming seemed to perceive a mysterious connection threading through them all.
These five most potent forces in the Eastern World were partitioned among five great sects, whose headquarters were all built directly atop these sources of divine power. Furthermore, these sects had employed various means to draw these colossal Divine Powers into their service.
While this represented an ultimate technique, akin to Franklin unleashing the Divine Power of Light, the sheer fact that they could achieve it spoke volumes of these major sects' strength.
Yet, as far as He Yiming knew, the intricate arrays that harnessed these powers were not laid down by the current peak experts of the Human Path, but by the figures of the Divine Path who had long since vanished into history.
Beneath a great tree, one finds cool shade—a classic example of predecessors planting trees for later generations to enjoy. Without the deeds of those former Divine Path masters, these great sects might not stand as enduring as they did.
As he advanced, He Yiming suddenly stopped, his footsteps halting. His ears twitched almost imperceptibly, and a flicker of suspicion crossed his face.
His sensitivity to the Heavenly and Earthly Forces had now reached an astonishing degree.
This perception far exceeded the limits of a typical ninth-tier expert of the Human Path. This profound insight stemmed from his application of the Might of Heaven and Earth, granting him achievements unattainable by peers at the same stage.
Vaguely, He Yiming sensed that at the summit of Tianchi’s main peak, there was not just one peak Human Path expert, but two of that caliber.
One was undoubtedly Di Shitian, but the presence of the second brought He Yiming a measure of surprise. If he was not mistaken, this man was the Ancestor of the Yellow Springs, with whom he had crossed paths twice before.
The thought of this world’s foremost assassin brought a stir of anticipation to He Yiming’s heart.
Though he and the Ancestor had once joined forces against the two great powers of the West, they both understood that their alliance was strictly temporary. Once the objective was met, they would revert to being enemies.
In any other location, He Yiming harbored caution; without certainty of delivering a killing blow, no one willingly provoked the old killer to the bitter end.
But now? He Yiming surveyed his surroundings, and a powerful impulse surged through him.
If he summoned the White Horse Lightning, the Treasure Pig, the Hundred and Eight, and the Blood-Coagulated Man of the Divine Path to ambush here, and if Lord Di Shitian consented to join him, then even if the Ancestor of the Yellow Springs sprouted wings, escape would be impossible.
Even if Di Shitian stood aside, He Yiming could utilize this unique terrain and possess at least a fifty percent chance of slaying the assassin.
While He Yiming’s thoughts churned, Di Shitian’s voice suddenly rang out: “Brother He has arrived. Please ascend quickly.”
He Yiming sighed internally, realizing that his agitated state had caused his breathing to become slightly heavier, thus alerting the Human Path peak expert above.
With a light wave of his arm, He Yiming’s form flickered rapidly, darting upward with a soft shhh.
His gaze swept across the platform at the peak. Indeed, nestled in one corner sat Di Shitian and the Ancestor of the Yellow Springs, facing each other. Judging by their posture, they had likely been waiting here for quite some time.
“Heh heh, I never expected Brother Huangquan to be here as well. What a fortunate encounter,” He Yiming remarked, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.
Ji Mofan Shu studied He Yiming intently, then let out a long sigh after a moment. “Brother He, your aura this time is significantly stronger than the last time we met. Clearly, you have pushed further from the peak of the hundred-foot pole. I offer my hearty congratulations.”
He Yiming paused, thinking to himself that the eyesight of these old veterans was unnervingly sharp; they immediately discerned the increase in his power. However, what troubled him was whether this knowledge was something they had heard through the grapevine.
Di Shitian smiled faintly, gesturing toward an empty stone chair before them, and spoke softly, “Brother He, please take a seat.”
Though He Yiming felt no goodwill toward the Ancestor of the Yellow Springs, he respected Di Shitian’s presence and did not cause an open confrontation.
Approaching them, He Yiming sat down firmly, then asked without hesitation, “Brother Di, do you know who this person is?”
Di Shitian gave a wry chuckle. “This is the Ancestor of the Yellow Springs, Ji Mofan Shu, who single-handedly founded the Yellow Springs Gate and is known as the world’s foremost assassin.”
He Yiming nodded heavily, his gaze laced with threads of undisguised hostility. “When I had not yet reached the ninth tier, I encountered him once, and he showed me great favor by pursuing me for ten thousand miles.”
His words carried a chilling undertone, suggesting that a fight could erupt at any moment over the past grievance.
Yet, Ji Mofan Shu remained as still as a meditating monk, showing no overreaction to He Yiming’s provocative tone and glare.
“Brother He, let me ask you, where was the location of our first meeting?” Ji Mofan Shu inquired calmly.
He Yiming snorted softly. “The Nine Nether Lands.”
“What were you doing during your first encounter?”
He Yiming hesitated briefly, but ultimately answered truthfully, “Pursuing the Old Ancestor of the Yu Family.”
“After I failed to kill you, did I leave immediately?”
He Yiming’s expression grew increasingly grim. “You fought a massive battle with the Dragon Serpent, resulting in mutual injury. Naturally, you departed to recover.”
Ji Mofan Shu smiled faintly and then spoke clearly, “Brother He, if we were in different places, and someone arrived at your He Family Estate to instantly slay a friend you knew well, how would you react?”
He Yiming understood the old assassin’s point, yet he found no legitimate grounds for rebuttal.
The man spoke the truth. If, at this moment, a Grand Venerable of the Five Qi arrived at the He Family Estate and executed someone close to him right before his eyes, regardless of who that Grand Venerable was, He Yiming could not possibly ignore it.
Di Shitian laughed heartily, breaking the tension. “Brother He, I know you and Sect Master Ji have had some misunderstandings, but these are minor friction points. I urge you to prioritize the greater picture and set aside these private vendettas for the time being. If you truly must fight to the death, could you perhaps postpone it until after the Thousand Year Ice Island?”
He Yiming was startled. “Does the Ancestor of the Yellow Springs intend to go to the Ice Island as well?”
Di Shitian nodded slightly. “The Ice Island is the common treasure of all ninth-tier Human Path experts in the world. As long as one possesses that level of martial cultivation, they are qualified to enter.” He offered a conciliatory smile to Ji Mofan Shu. “Sect Master Ji, when we gathered privately before without notifying you, it was a necessary evil. Because you and Garfield cultivate the most powerful dark-elemental techniques, even slight proximity would have significantly impacted Miss Yuan’s martial progress. However, we never anticipated it would lead to so many misunderstandings. Truly, man proposes, and Heaven disposes.”
Ji Mofan Shu gave a wry smile. “Indeed, man proposes, and Heaven disposes. If we had known Brother He’s talent was so immense, my companions and I would never have chosen to make an enemy of you.”
While this statement carried an element of concession, it also reflected his genuine inner thoughts.
He Yiming smiled faintly, yet a surge of fierce pride rose within him. Even the formidable assassin Ji Mofan Shu was yielding before him—what an honor this was. To truly remain unmoved was far easier said than done.
Ji Mofan Shu suddenly let out a soft sigh. “Brother He, actually, the reason I came this time, besides proposing a halt to our internal conflict, was also to offer you my thanks.”