Having found the tracks left by the Snow Fox, Ji Mofan Shu immediately forbade everyone from flying again.
The Snow Fox possessed exceptional eyesight, able to observe conditions in the sky from vast distances; anyone flying overhead would certainly not escape the notice of that cunning little creature.
Thus, Bai Lingba and the Divine Path Coagulation Man descended from the air and followed behind He Yiming and the others on foot, moving onward.
However, the sudden arrival of Bai Lingba, who directly announced he had located the Snow Fox, naturally bred suspicion in both Ji Mofan Shu and Di Shitian.
Di Shitian coughed lightly. "Brother Ji, have you discovered the Snow Fox's trail?"
Ji Mofan Shu’s gaze flickered as he looked at Bai Lingba, stating gravely, "I can be certain that we are drawing nearer to the Snow Fox, but I have yet to pinpoint its exact location."
Di Shitian frowned slightly. "Even Brother Ji hasn't found it..."
His implication was crystal clear: if even Ji Mofan Shu, the so-called foremost assassin in the world, could not find it, how could Bai Lingba have managed to detect it first?
He Yiming managed a wry smile; he certainly trusted Bai Lingba.
Perhaps in current strength, Bai Lingba still lagged slightly behind the peak of the Human Path Ninth Heaven, but when it came to the 'Thousand Mile Eye Vision,' even true Divine Path practitioners might have to yield in admiration.
"Brother Di, Brother Bai cultivates a rather unique technique, allowing him to see much farther afield," He Yiming asserted confidently. "Since he has found the Snow Fox's track, it must be true."
Di Shitian and Ji Mofan Shu exchanged a look. Though lingering doubts remained in their hearts, He Yiming’s strong assurance left them little choice but to believe him.
Moreover, miraculous arts and secret techniques abound in this world; even they could not master them all. Therefore, it wouldn't be surprising if some singular marvel possessed such potent effect.
"How far is the Snow Fox from us?" Ji Mofan Shu asked solemnly.
"About ten li away," Bai Lingba replied calmly.
Di Shitian and the other inhaled sharply. Despite their considerable composure, upon hearing that distance, they couldn't help but exclaim internally, That guy can see that far? Is he even human?
After a long pause, Di Shitian inquired with suspicion, "Mr. Bai, may I ask what cultivation technique you practice?"
Bai Lingba answered seriously, "I cultivate the Scientific Technique. I ask for guidance from the Sect Master."
Di Shitian smiled affably. "So, it is the Divine Science Technique. I have long heard of it." While speaking of having 'long heard,' in that instant, he mentally filtered through every cultivation method he had ever seen or heard of in his life, yet sadly discovered he had never encountered this so-called Scientific Technique.
A large question mark also hung in Ji Mofan Shu's eyes, yet he was intensely interested in such a technique.
After all, for an assassin, detecting an opponent's trail even a moment sooner was invaluable; but conversely, being discovered ahead of time could spell utter ruin.
Gazing at Bai Lingba, who showed no trace of vital life energy, Ji Mofan Shu secretly lamented—such talent; this truly was the making of the future King of Assassins.
"Mr. Bai, my lifetime learning is rather broad, containing no small number of peak techniques. If you are interested, perhaps we might explore them together?" Ji Mofan Shu proposed with great hope.
Given his status and power, such an offer would normally elicit overwhelming joy.
However, Bai Lingba was simple and direct, responding without hesitation, "Not interested."
"..." Ji Mofan Shu froze for a moment, then offered a bitter smile. "Mr. Bai, I wish to exchange my secrets for your Scientific Technique manuals. I wonder if you would consent."
Bai Lingba finally became serious. He scrutinized Ji Mofan Shu from head to toe, his jewel-like eyes suddenly gleaming brightly.
He Yiming was greatly alarmed, cursing inwardly—wasn't Bai Lingba afraid of being exposed by acting this way?
Unexpectedly, however, Ji Mofan Shu and Di Shitian looked entirely normal, showing no surprise at the reaction.
In truth, these two were already deeply shaken. But they could never conceive that Bai Lingba was not human. Instead, upon seeing the 'brilliance' in Bai Lingba's eyes, they became even more convinced that this person must have mastered some unknown, specialized technique.
The ability for the eyes to glow was proof!
At this moment, a rare wave of realization washed over them: there truly were strange people and marvelous techniques in this world that they remained unaware of.
"You cannot learn it," Bai Lingba’s gaze, sharp as if materialized, swept over Ji Mofan Shu, and his calm voice sounded again.
"Why?" Ji Mofan Shu asked grimly. Since successfully advancing to the peak of the Human Path, this was the first time someone had outright rejected him.
"Because your constitution is inadequate," Bai Lingba stated with regret. "In truth, I also wish to find a partner in this world capable of learning Science, but I have yet to discover one."
Ji Mofan Shu snorted coldly. "Though I am untalented, I possess confidence in my own physique. I wonder where it falls short of Mr. Bai's estimation?"
Bai Lingba seemed not to register the undercurrent of hostility in the words, remaining calm. "To learn the Scientific Technique, one must possess a Silicon-based Constitution. Therefore, you fundamentally cannot learn it."
"A Gimmick?" Ji Mofan Shu’s eyes widened. He opened his mouth, desperately wanting to inquire what this 'Gimmick Constitution' was, but after a long pause, he couldn't bring himself to ask.
Di Shitian also looked puzzled. A Gimmick Constitution? This sort of physique sounded truly bizarre.
He Yiming rolled his eyes. Though he didn't grasp the 'Gimmick Constitution,' he knew absolutely that humans could not possess such a trait.
At the very least, humans couldn't transform into weaponry or turn the back of their heads into a screen capable of seeing ten miles away.
Bai Lingba carried too many secrets. If they continued this conversation, suspicion from the other two was inevitable.
He Yiming coughed lightly. "Brother Di, Ancestor Huangquan, since we have found the Snow Fox's trail, we should commence the operation."
Both Di Shitian and Ji Mofan Shu instantly focused. Though they deeply coveted this battle art called 'Science,' given their standing, they could hardly shamelessly cling to him and press the matter.
Following He Yiming’s prompt, they reluctantly shelved the thought for the time being.
"Brother Di, Brother He, I shall infiltrate now. You two secure the perimeter. If I fail, it will depend on whether you can successfully intercept," Ji Mofan Shu nodded slightly to them, then his form shimmered momentarily, and he vanished into the earth.
He Yiming sensed the conditions underground, but quickly lost the trace of Ancestor Huangquan.
He was secretly astonished. The Divine Power absorbed by the old assassin was clearly not Earth element power, yet his application of the burrowing technique had reached an incredible level. It was evident that this elder far surpassed ordinary men.
Di Shitian seemed to read He Yiming's mind and sighed softly. "Brother He, I know you and Sect Master Ji Mofan have some enmity, but in my view, it's best to let it go."
He Yiming's face darkened slightly. "Brother Di, do you think I currently fear him?"
Di Shitian waved a hand. "Brother He jokes. But in this era, Ji Mofan Shu is indeed a talent second only to you. It would be a true tragedy if you engaged in a fight to the death."
He Yiming let out a disbelieving laugh. "There are nearly ten experts at the peak of the Human Path in this era. Ji Mofan Shu is merely one of them. I don't see his martial attainment surpassing anyone else. Brother Di, you overpraise him."
Di Shitian smiled noncommittally. "Brother He, do you know of the Nine Nether Region (Jiu You Zhi Di)?"
He Yiming nodded. "It is the sect established by Ancestor Huangquan of the Nine Nether Region, renowned across the Eastern Continent."
"Correct. The Nine Nether Region was founded by Ancestor Huangquan himself; before that, the sect did not exist," Di Shitian stated gravely. "While our advancement to the peak of the Human Path is certainly related to strength and luck, the influence of a sect is indispensable. If we hadn't originated from these super sects and obtained unimaginable cultivation resources, we might not have achieved what we have today. But when Ji Mofan Shu was young, he obtained only the supreme text, The Coagulation Scripture, and all his subsequent achievements were gained through solitary, arduous cultivation."
Though Di Shitian’s words were few, they struck He Yiming like thunderbolts, sounding a clear alarm.
Ji Mofan Shu was different from the other Human Path peaks; he succeeded in reaching the zenith of the Human Path without any support from a faction behind him.
Such perseverance and innate talent were truly admirable.
Correspondingly, when facing such a figure, one could not afford the slightest carelessness. At that moment, He Yiming began to genuinely consider their relationship.
Perhaps, without letting Ji Mofan Shu know he had executed Hao Xue, maintaining a neutral distance might be the better course.
His gaze suddenly fell upon the Divine Path Coagulation Man waiting last. A bitter smile touched He Yiming's lips. As long as this fellow remained, it was likely Ji Mofan Shu would never let the matter rest.
Di Shitian shook his head. "We should move now," he said solemnly.
He Yiming raised his head as if waking from a dream, then suppressed the stray thoughts in his mind. He nodded firmly, cradling the Treasure Pig, mounting the white horse Thunder, and leading Bai Lingba and the Divine Path Coagulation Man away in a wide circle.
Watching his figure disappear, Di Shitian first shook his head helplessly, then his eyes filled with fighting spirit.
This hunt must succeed...