The sky was beginning to lighten. The pet pig affectionately nudged the single horns atop He Yiming’s and the white horse Thunder’s heads with its long snout, a sudden show of affection that caught both by surprise.

Only after inquiring with Bai Lingba did He Yiming understand that the pig had been deeply worried about his confrontation with the Qilin Sacred Master. Upon learning that He Yiming had ultimately chosen to leave rather than fight to the death, the pig was expressing its gratitude in this manner.

He Yiming gently patted the piglet’s little head, affecting an expression that suggested he was letting the matter slide for the pig’s sake, though inwardly, his heart was soaring with delight.

His decision to exercise restraint was quite simple: Emperor Shitian had repeatedly cautioned that with the appearance of the Thousand-Year Ice Island imminent, the combat prowess of every peak Ninth Heaven Human Dao expert was supremely valuable. Moreover, there existed unspoken agreements among these powerful figures.

The Qilin Sacred Master had sought him out for a fight alone, and though he ended up taking a silent loss, he managed to suppress the urge to pursue further—a sign that he was intimidated and dared not let other experts of his rank know of the encounter.

What was more, during their recent exchange, the Qilin Sacred Master had never truly unleashed killing moves. It was He Yiming who had pressed the attack, determined to gauge the true might of the intent of baleful Qi, sending the Five Elements Power soaring across the heavens.

However, even at the most critical juncture, the Qilin Sacred Master never employed divine power. This indicated that, genuinely, there was no killing intent in his heart; he merely wished to ascertain the true extent of the legendary power of the convergence of light and darkness in the West.

It was a pity, though, that He Yiming never allowed him to fulfill that wish.

What shocked He Yiming even more was that when he used the Jade Plate to observe, he was detected by both the Qilin Sacred Master and the Qilin Beast. While they hadn't truly pinpointed his whereabouts, they distinctly sensed the existence of the Jade Plate’s mysterious power.

This filled He Yiming with both admiration for them and deep regret. It seemed his plan to use the Jade Plate to monitor experts of the same level was entirely thwarted.

The white horse was exceptionally swift. While He Yiming was pondering these matters, it had already carried him back to their original location.

There, Xu Jun had indeed not set up a tent, but stood waiting silently beside two swift horses.

A flash of white light seemed to ripple before him, and then he felt an intensely powerful blast of wind pressure rushing toward him. Although this pressure was not aimed directly at him, it caused his clothes to snap violently, and he was involuntarily forced two steps backward.

Xu Jun was utterly aghast. He immediately realized that the source of this effect was He Yiming and the magnificent white horse he was riding.

The two other prized horses beside him shuddered several times, almost collapsing onto the ground.

Fortunately, they too were unparalleled mounts capable of covering a thousand li, and they finally managed to withstand this immense pressure.

Gazing at the brilliantly radiant white horse, Xu Jun’s throat bobbed several times. He had long recognized the horse was extraordinary, but only at this moment did he truly grasp its unbelievable nature.

The pressure arising merely from its speed was one thing. But Thunder, the white horse, was in a joyous mood, and in that unconscious state, it had inadvertently released a sliver of a Sacred Beast's aura.

Though no hostility was present, thus causing no harm to Xu Jun or the other two mounts, it was enough to reveal to Xu Jun that this white horse was actually a Spirit Beast, and one whose strength clearly surpassed his own.

Smiling bitterly to himself, Xu Jun mused that not only was He Yiming’s personal strength overwhelmingly powerful, but he also kept a Spirit Beast. He glanced at the pet pig nestled in He Yiming’s arms, silently wondering if this little creature was also a Spirit Beast.

He Yiming dismounted with a slight smile. “Brother Xu, thank you for waiting so long.”

At this, Xu Jun dared not show the slightest disrespect. He quickly bowed. “Senior is too kind; this junior has not waited for a long time.”

He Yiming smiled without speaking. His chase and battle with the Qilin Sacred Master had consumed an entire night, and Xu Jun’s continued humble demeanor pleased him greatly.

However, He Yiming was unaware that this man had once harbored designs against him. Those thoughts had only been extinguished entirely after he stripped the hide of the Sacred Beast Giant Bear.

Seeing that He Yiming seemed to be in good spirits, Xu Jun cautiously inquired, “Senior, did you manage to catch the person you were pursuing just now?”

He didn't ask if someone was behind them, but directly if he had caught the person. This was because he trusted He Yiming’s judgment, perhaps even more than his own.

He Yiming nodded gently. “I caught up, and we even fought a match.”

Xu Jun’s expression tightened. “In the Northern Frontier Ice Plains, there is someone who dares to follow those affiliated with the Ice Palace—truly audacious.”

On the horse Xu Jun was riding, there was a small banner representing the Ice Palace. Though not high, a cultivator's sharp eyesight could discern it even from a great distance. Since that person managed to evade his spiritual sense, he must certainly be a Congenital expert and would have seen the banner. His continued trailing behavior made Xu Jun feel deeply insulted.

He Yiming’s expression was quite strange. The Qilin Sacred Master was a figure of immense stature; not to mention Xu Jun being merely a minor Ice Palace Congenital, even if Ice Palace Master Bing Xiaotian himself had come, the Qilin Sacred Master would not have been afraid.

Xu Jun seemed to recall something and looked up. “Senior, who exactly was that person, and why were they following us?”

He Yiming laughed heartily. “That person has quite the background. The reason they followed us was likely because they couldn't find the way to the Ice Palace, so they trailed us from afar.”

Xu Jun frowned deeply. “The Sacred Land of the Ice Palace is not a place any common person can enter or exit freely. I ask Senior to reveal that person’s identity; this junior will report to the elders of my sect to mete out punishment.”

He Yiming looked at him with a half-smile, his eyes filled with playful mockery.

To ask the Ice Palace to cause trouble for the Qilin Sacred Master? Perhaps only Bing Xiaotian would possess the nerve. But even if Bing Xiaotian were willing to act, he likely couldn't defeat the Qilin Sacred Master. Unless the Qilin Sacred Master abandoned the glorious tradition upheld by the Totem Clan through generations and stopped fighting in a fair 'one-on-one' manner, Bing Xiaotian was certain to lose.

Under He Yiming’s gaze, Xu Jun felt a mix of shame and indignation.

He knew his martial cultivation was far inferior, but within the Ice Palace, there were many seniors. Even if Venerable-level elders were insufficient, there were still Five Qi Great Venerables. With the majesty of the Ice Palace, dealing with a skulking figure would surely be effortless.

However, he saw naked disdain in He Yiming’s eyes—a profound insult to the entire Ice Palace. If it weren't for his lack of sufficient power, knowing he was no match for this old monster who appeared to be just a young man, he might have already issued a challenge.

After a long pause, He Yiming sighed sincerely. “Brother Xu, this is merely a small matter; you needn't concern yourself with it.”

Xu Jun stiffened his neck. “Senior, since that person has come to the Northern Frontier Ice Plains, they must abide by the rules of the Ice Plains. I request Senior to tell me their name.”

He Yiming’s face stiffened. “Are you saying that I, He, must also abide by your rules?”

Xu Jun was stunned for a moment. While his heart naturally wanted to reply with words about equal treatment, he knew that with He Yiming’s cultivation level, comparable to a Five Qi Great Venerable, even if he stepped beyond those rules, no one would trouble him. Even if he struck down some ordinary disciples of the Northern Frontier Ice Palace, it was likely no one would seek a fight to the death with him.

With a wry smile, Xu Jun admitted helplessly, “Senior’s martial cultivation has reached the Zenith Realm; naturally, you are the exception.”

He Yiming glared at him. “That person’s cultivation is no less than mine. You should trouble yourself less about him.”

Xu Jun’s brow furrowed, his expression clearly unconvinced.

He Yiming laughed in exasperation. “Very well. If I don’t tell you that person’s name, I imagine you won’t concede.”

Xu Jun’s eyes immediately brightened. He stared intently at He Yiming, as if trying to see through him completely.

He Yiming said with annoyance, “You must have heard of that person’s name. His name is Qilin Sacred Master.”

“Qilin Sacred Master?” Xu Jun exclaimed, his voice trailing off in surprise.

His expression shifted constantly; clearly, the weight carried by that name surpassed the scope of his imagination.

After a long silence, Xu Jun said with a crestfallen face, “Senior, it was this junior who was in the wrong. Please forgive me.”

Seeing his demeanor, He Yiming immediately understood that he didn't believe his words at all.

Shaking his head slightly, He Yiming knew the matter was too incredible. If their roles were reversed, and someone told him that the person who pursued him for half a day without showing their face was actually a peak Human Dao figure he had never dared to imagine before, he certainly wouldn't have believed it either.

He snorted coldly, dissatisfied. “You insisted on knowing, yet once I told you, you refuse to believe. Hmph…”

Xu Jun’s face changed drastically, and he quickly plastered on a fawning smile, repeatedly admitting he believed. However, He Yiming’s eyesight was so sharp now that with just one look at his eyes, he knew the man was at least half-skeptical. But what did any of that matter to him? In any case, he was too lazy to waste any more words.

He looked up at the sky; the sun was climbing higher. He Yiming took a deep breath. His battle with the Qilin Sacred Master this time had been immensely beneficial. He needed to conclude their journey early today so he could consolidate his gains, especially the power of Thunder Intent, which was absolutely essential.

He gently patted the neck of the white horse Thunder, a faint smile gracing He Yiming’s face.

During the fight, he had taken the ornament from the white horse’s forehead, but once everything was over, he naturally replaced it, concealing Thunder’s single horn once more.

Pointing ahead, He Yiming stated abruptly, “Since it’s morning, let’s be on our way.”

Xu Jun quickly bowed in assent. After ensuring He Yiming was mounted, he rode one horse and led the other, following behind.

Yet, looking at He Yiming’s retreating back, a question flickered in his mind: could everything this young powerhouse had said truly be real?

Several days later, they finally arrived at the Northern Frontier Ice Palace.

Ps: Last three days, asking for monthly votes…