Now that he had regained control over the Five Elements True Qi, He Yiming’s speed and agility had grown even more remarkable. However, this time, upon entering the dense fog atop the peak, he was immediately discovered.
The commotion he had just caused was simply too significant; it had not only alerted all the Venerables but had also drawn out the attendants, who rarely ever showed themselves outside their respective courtyards.
The peak, once resembling a desolate ghost realm, was now bustling with activity, with people moving about everywhere, though it certainly wasn't a full-blown uproar.
Without intentionally concealing his presence, He Yiming’s return was instantly noticed and reported up the chain of command without delay.
He Yiming paid them no mind, deliberately slowing his pace. Only after the first person entered the great courtyard of the Divine Calculator did he step in himself.
This was not his first time entering this courtyard, yet the reception he received seemed to differ subtly with each visit.
This time, he didn't even require an announcement before proceeding straight toward the main hall. From start to finish, no one dared to intercept or question him; it was as if he were the master of this very estate.
A hearty laugh echoed from within the hall: "I told you long ago that Brother He would return soon, Sect Master Ji Mo. You lost this time."
Ji Mo Fanshu snorted softly. "I have never once won a bet against you." He paused, sounding almost self-deprecating. "If I lose, I lose. No one could possibly beat you, the foremost Divine Calculator in the world."
He Yiming felt a genuine surprise. He had encountered many Great Venerables across the various major sects, yet to his knowledge, all Great Venerables showed the utmost deference toward peak Human Dao experts, maintaining parity in address but never in such an easygoing manner.
Yet, overhearing the conversation between the Divine Calculator and Ji Mo Fanshu now made little sense to him.
The two men were conversing with an almost equal footing—an unimaginable scenario for cultivators living under such a rigid hierarchy.
Three figures emerged from the hall: the three most powerful experts currently associated with the Tianchi lineage.
He Yiming’s divine gaze sharpened, studying the Divine Calculator for a long moment. Faintly, he seemed to detect something peculiar.
The aura surrounding the Divine Calculator had undergone a subtle transformation. While the change wasn't vast compared to before, the trajectory of this shift brought many thoughts to He Yiming's mind.
He blinked twice, then exclaimed with sudden joy, "Metallic Divine Power?"
The Divine Calculator smiled and nodded. "Elder He has sharp eyes. But alas, completing this process is impossible without at least another ten years."
He Yiming laughed heartily, offering his sincere congratulations. "Congratulations, congratulations."
He finally understood why Ji Mo Fanshu had been so exceedingly polite to the Divine Calculator.
It turned out that the Divine Calculator had now comprehended the power of the Gods and had begun absorbing this energy.
In this world, there was only one person who possessed the Chaos Body. He could absorb the divine power directly into his body without any burden because the Chaos Dantian could effortlessly accommodate energies of all attributes.
Thus, even before advancing to the Venerable realm, he had successfully absorbed the potent Earth Element Divine Power into his Dantian.
However, for anyone else, this feat would be utterly inconceivable.
Even if one comprehended this divine power of Heaven and Earth, the process of drawing it into the body to advance to the peak of the Human Dao required an immensely long duration.
The Divine Calculator had managed to successfully absorb a minute trace of the Metal Element Divine Power, but the quantity was far too scarce to help him condense and fuse the Light of all his Divine Weapons. Therefore, he had not immediately advanced to the Ninth Heaven.
But since he had successfully achieved this step, the timing of his ultimate promotion was merely a matter of time.
He Yiming’s gaze shifted to Di Shi Tian. "Brother Di, when we journey to the Northern Border Ice Island this time, will Elder Divine Calculator accompany us?"
Di Shi Tian shook his head slightly and sighed softly. "If we could wait another ten years, Elder Divine Calculator would surely have that opportunity. But for now..."
He shook his head gently, and the meaning was clear to all. A shadow of melancholy crossed the Divine Calculator's face. He was not young anymore. Although his lifespan would be significantly extended upon advancing to the peak of the Human Dao, everyone knew that extension could never last until the arrival of the next millennium's Ice Island.
It was fated that the Divine Calculator would never reach the Divine Dao in this lifetime.
Abruptly, the Divine Calculator chuckled lightly. "Elder He, I appreciate your kind thoughts, but I am entirely content to have reached the peak of the Human Dao in this life."
He glanced toward a certain spot down the mountain and said sincerely, "If not for Elder He and Mr. One Hundred and Eight, I wouldn't have even had the chance to advance to a Five Qi Great Venerable, let alone dream of the Divine Dao."
He Yiming paused, a hint of suspicion flickering in his eyes.
Di Shi Tian smiled. "Elder Divine Calculator has dedicated his life to studying the Dao of Divine Calculation, known as the foremost expert in the world. But precisely because of this study, his path to comprehending Divine Power was restricted. The last time the Divine Calculator fought with One Hundred and Eight, though he lost, it allowed him to see past the limitations of the Dao of Divine Calculation. He subsequently entered secluded cultivation for a year and finally achieved a minor breakthrough."
He Yiming nodded, chastising himself inwardly.
When they had met years ago, the Divine Calculator had actually succeeded in absorbing a trace of the Metal Element Divine Power. But in meeting with them, He Yiming had focused all his attention on Di Shi Tian, thus overlooking the Divine Calculator and others, failing to notice it immediately.
Yet, Old Ancestor Huang Quan had immediately perceived the mystery upon his glance.
If He Yiming hadn't noticed the strangeness in their conversation, he would never have become suspicious and thus would not have uncovered the clue.
This demonstrated that even though He Yiming's martial attainment now surpassed that of ordinary peak Human Dao experts, he was still significantly inferior in terms of worldly experience, such as observing demeanor and discerning intent.
"Brother He, your triggering of the Metal Element Divine Power just now—you must have benefited greatly, right?" Ji Mo Fanshu asked calmly.
He Yiming chuckled dryly. "It wasn't much, really. Just absorbing one more type of Five Elements Divine Power, that's all."
The expressions of Di Shi Tian and the other two shifted slightly, their hearts filled with profound emotion. Perhaps only He Yiming could utter such a statement.
For an average peak Human Dao expert who had not yet reached the Divine Dao, absorbing one type of Divine Power was significant; absorbing two at most was considered extraordinary, placing them above most peers in the same realm.
Yet, judging by He Yiming's tone, he treated it with disdain, implying that the Divine Powers within his body far exceeded just one.
Di Shi Tian shook his head and gave a wry smile. "A Heaven-gifted prodigy cannot be judged by conventional standards."
Old Ancestor Huang Quan and the Divine Calculator both nodded silently. Then, the Divine Calculator asked gravely, "Elder He, when you stirred the Metal Element Divine Power just now, did you sense any adverse effects?"
Di Shi Tian's eyes sharpened, and he also appeared somewhat tense.
He Yiming paused briefly, looking at their serious demeanor. After hesitating for a long moment, he finally answered honestly, "None."
The Divine Calculator breathed a sigh of relief. "Elder He, the Divine Power of Heaven and Earth belongs to the Divine Dao; it is not meant for our current level to control. Although you luckily escaped this time, you must be extremely cautious in the future and never casually provoke such power again."
He Yiming let out a wry laugh. "Elder Divine Calculator, if one cannot provoke Divine Power, then where are you going to absorb the Metal Element Divine Power from?"
The Divine Calculator sighed helplessly. "Elder He jokes. When we absorb the Metal Element Divine Power, we proceed slowly, ensuring we do not agitate the source of this power. Therefore, it raises no ripples whatsoever."
He Yiming raised his eyebrows. He pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded.
The Divine Calculator's expression grew very serious. "Elder He might not know, but the Sect Master of the Northern Border Ice Palace a thousand years ago once triggered the Ice Palace's ultimate defensive power. Although that power was terrifyingly immense, capable of obliterating all enemies in an instant, afterward, that predecessor suffered a qi deviation and exploded, dying instantly."
He Yiming's heart jolted. He immediately thought of Franklin, that Western Pontiff, who had also activated the ultimate protective force of his temple—the Power of Light—and the final result of using that power was also an explosive death. Was there some connection between these incidents?
He forced a strained smile. "Elder Divine Calculator, is this the fate of everyone who triggers the power of Heaven and Earth?"
The Divine Calculator considered for a moment, and under He Yiming's expectant gaze, he slowly shook his head.
He Yiming suddenly felt a huge wave of relief, thinking to himself, Truly, humans scare each other to death. He had just triggered the Metal Element Divine Power, and if the Divine Calculator had told him everyone who did this would die, he would surely be shaking with terror.
However, the Divine Calculator slowly continued, "In the last five thousand years, the number of times major sects have triggered their ultimate protective forces can be counted on one's fingers. Some did it to resist powerful external enemies, while others wished to use the Divine Power to advance to the Divine Dao. But, any who successfully provoked the Divine Power either exploded and died instantly or had their Dantian utterly destroyed, rendering them incapable of cultivating martial arts ever again."
He Yiming’s face instantly became quite grim. This news... did not sound good in the slightest.
Di Shi Tian stepped slightly forward, coming directly opposite He Yiming. His eyes glittered sharply, as if trying to see completely through him.
He said slowly, "Brother He, you clearly provoked the Metal Element Divine Power just now, even reaching the point where your soul departed and your body was forged by divine might. Yet..." His voice rose slightly, laced with infinite doubt, "How did you manage to retreat unharmed?"
Ps: White Crane, the jinx, is here today to announce that I have to attend a parent-teacher meeting again tomorrow. This time, the topic is "How to Study Mathematics Well." Sigh... See you tomorrow!