Yi Zhongtian and Xu Jun exchanged glances. Neither could have imagined that He Yiming's destination would be the Ice Palace.

Xu Jun, as a Patrol Emissary of the Ice Palace, was intimately familiar with the geography of the Northern Territory. His volunteering to lead the way had a hidden motive, yet he possessed immense self-confidence; he was sure he could locate any remote corner.

However, when he learned that He Yiming's destination was the Ice Palace, he couldn't help but be greatly astonished. No matter how hard he racked his brain, he couldn't recall when their sect had ever established contact with such a top-tier master.

With a slight cough, Yi Zhongtian asked in a deep voice, "Senior He, may I inquire about the reason for your journey to the Ice Palace?"

Given the disparity in strength between him and He Yiming, he truly lacked the standing to ask such a question. Yet, as a disciple of the Ice Palace, he felt deeply uneasy without knowing the purpose.

He Yiming maintained a gentle smile on his face. "Didn't I already say? I am going to the Ice Palace to visit a friend."

Yi Zhongtian breathed a sigh of relief. If it was a visit, it certainly wouldn't be hostile. He chuckled awkwardly. "May I ask which Elder of our sect you are acquainted with?"

He Yiming’s eyes brightened slightly, a half-smile playing on his lips. "Brother Yi, are you interrogating my origins?"

Yi Zhongtian’s expression changed drastically. He quickly waved his hands. "Certainly not, Senior, please do not misunderstand."

Zhang Bailin and Chen Linxi exchanged sharp glares with him. The three of them inwardly seethed. Even if you must ask, must you ask now? If you provoke Master He's anger and he casts us all aside, likely no one would say a word in protest.

Xu Jun quickly interjected, "Senior, please calm your anger. Your juniors merely wished to inquire so we could report the good news."

He Yiming chuckled, "There's no need to report any good news. Just take me to the Ice Palace." He paused. "As far as I know, the Sovereign of the Ice Palace has already emerged from seclusion. Are you afraid I might cause trouble within the Ice Palace?"

Yi Zhongtian’s face flushed slightly with embarrassment. "This junior would not dare."

They were indeed worried about He Yiming's purpose in going to the Ice Palace, but they also knew that since Lord Bing Xiaotian had come out of seclusion, the Ice Palace was effectively secured by a peak expert of the Human Dao. Under such circumstances, they naturally wouldn't assume He Yiming was there for revenge or mischief.

He Yiming waved his hand gently. "I wish to rest for a while. If there are no objections, we shall depart tomorrow."

Yi Zhongtian and the others rose simultaneously. Just as they bowed and stepped back, a bundle floated out—the one containing the hide of the Innate Spirit Beast.

Having already obtained the Saint Beast's inner cores and materials on this trip, He Yiming naturally held no regard for the mere possessions of an Innate Spirit Beast.

After offering their thanks, the three of Zhang Bailin took their leave that very day. They had gained considerably from this journey, especially those six Innate Inner Cores, which left them feeling uneasy. Once they were outside Peng City, they returned to the Eastern Great Shen at top speed. Only in their most familiar surroundings did they truly begin to relax.

In the time that followed, they heard countless rumors circulating in the martial world, allowing them to somewhat guess the origin of that unfathomable Master He.

Moreover, they understood why Master He had disregarded the Innate Inner Cores that countless others would fight tooth and nail for: with his status, such trivial things meant nothing to him.

The thought that they had the rare fortune to associate, and even fight side-by-side, with a peak expert of the Human Dao in the Northern Territory filled them with excitement.

For them, this was a glory that would last a lifetime.

※※※※

The next day, when He Yiming opened his door in the early morning, Yi Zhongtian had already been waiting for some time, respectfully reporting that Xu Jun and the others were ready and waiting for him to set off.

He Yiming declined the carriage prepared by Peng City, instead mounting his white horse, Lightning, adorned with beautiful headgear, and traveling swiftly with Xu Jun across the ice-covered plains toward the sacred grounds of the Ice Palace.

Although Xu Jun had a retinue with him, a mere glance from He Yiming was enough for Xu Jun to immediately dismiss everyone, traveling light.

The others grumbled in secret, but none worried about the safety of the two men.

Even though the entire ice plain was currently undergoing mutations due to the beast tide, these two were no ordinary people. Xu Jun himself was an Innate expert, and the other was a mysterious guest capable of slaying a Saint Beast.

With these two traveling together across the ice plain, there was virtually no danger unless they encountered the legendary most powerful Saint Beasts.

However, what those people did not know was that even if they ran into the supreme Saint Beasts, they themselves would be safe; rather, it would be the unlucky Saint Beast facing peril.

The scenery of the ice plain was virtually monotonous, consisting only of rising and falling terrain, and at this season, heavy snow blocking the paths. But this posed little hindrance to He Yiming and Xu Jun. Though Xu Jun’s mount could not compare to White Horse Lightning, it was still a rare fine steed, and their speed along the road was certainly not slow.

The two did not travel late into the night, stopping each day just as the sun began to sink to set up camp, and resuming their journey as soon as dawn faintly broke.

He Yiming did not object to this pace. Moreover, during this process, he didn't need to lift a finger. After realizing the true extent of He Yiming's power, Xu Jun took over all the duties, treating He Yiming with the reverence due to an elder of his own sect.

Of course, along the way, Xu Jun did twice try, in veiled ways, to ascertain which Elder He Yiming intended to visit. But He Yiming always evaded the questions with a smile. After these two failed attempts at probing, Xu Jun wisely ceased asking, dedicating himself instead to meticulously managing all the food, lodging, and arrangements for the journey.

He Yiming had no complaints about the arrangements; this was the first time Xu Jun had encountered such an accommodating 'elder.' However, the only thing Xu Jun found irksome was He Yiming's dislike of entering cities, insisting on resting in the desolate wilds even at night.

Fortunately, Xu Jun was also brave and skilled; otherwise, enduring many more such experiences might have driven even him to collapse.

One day, as the sun was about to set, Xu Jun stopped. He bowed slightly. "Senior He, may we set up camp now?"

He asked this out of habitual politeness, as He Yiming had never inquired about such matters in previous days. This time, however, things were clearly different. He Yiming raised his hand and waved, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings as if he had detected something unusual.

Xu Jun’s expression immediately tightened. He already held He Yiming's strength in the highest regard; if He Yiming had sensed an anomaly, it certainly wouldn't be minor.

After a long moment, He Yiming maintained his original posture, though a flicker of suspicion crossed his eyes.

Xu Jun asked cautiously, "Senior He, did you discover something?"

He Yiming glanced at him and asked in a deep voice, "Do you have the feeling of being followed?"

"Followed?" Xu Jun instinctively looked backward and activated his True Qi, quietly searching the surroundings for any movement. But after only a moment, he gave up. He suddenly recalled that if even He Yiming couldn't confirm it, any further effort from him would be futile.

"Senior, this junior senses nothing," Xu Jun stated gravely.

He Yiming’s brow furrowed silently. Today, a very strange sensation had been stirring in his heart, growing more pronounced as evening approached. However, this feeling did not seem to carry killing intent, yet it still gave He Yiming a distinct chill down his spine.

This was because the malevolence in that energy was too intense—a concentrated, extreme malevolence that had been concealed, not widely leaked. If someone unleashed this level of malevolence openly, even if the observer knew they couldn't be harmed, they would certainly be paralyzed with fear.

He tutted in wonder. The world was vast, full of masters, yet someone possessing such potent malevolence had appeared.

Before this, he recalled sensing something similar only in one creature: the Dragon-Snake of Ghost Cry Ridge. Within the body of that incomparably powerful creature possessing Saint Beast blood, there was indeed the killing aura accumulated over ten thousand years. However, that malevolence wasn't entirely from the Spirit Snake; it was due to the pervasive Yin Malevolence of Ghost Cry Ridge itself.

But this was the first time since leaving Ghost Cry Ridge that He Yiming had sensed someone carrying such an accumulation of malevolence. At this moment, He Yiming felt a slight drumming in his heart. Could someone have already figured out how to harness the power of malevolence?

He shook his head gently, inhaling the fresh air ahead, and said softly, "Xu Jun, there’s no need to pitch the tent today. I need to step out for a moment. You wait here for me."

Xu Jun inwardly groaned and quickly asked, "Senior, where are you going?"

He Yiming snorted, fixing him with a look that suggested mischief. "Do you truly wish to know?"

Xu Jun paused, then quickly shook his head. "This junior does not wish to know."

He secretly thought that these old monsters acted in strange ways. Could there truly be a peer-level expert following them from behind? If so, he absolutely must not interfere; getting caught in a battle of that magnitude would certainly mean certain death.

He Yiming smiled with satisfaction. His figure flickered, and he was already upon White Horse Lightning. With a gentle flick of the reins, a white light suddenly flashed, and He Yiming, cradling the Precious Pig, vanished from the spot on the white horse in an instant.

Watching the direction He Yiming departed, the faint white speck rapidly merging into the horizon, Xu Jun had a vague feeling.

Perhaps someone truly was tracking them from afar.

Glancing around, he swiftly began re-pitching the tent that had already been laid out. In reality, with his cultivation, he was immune to the cold. But at this moment, he was silently praying that the clash between these two super-experts would not escalate into a fight to the death, otherwise being left alone in this place to freeze would be truly awful.