Xu Jun arrived at this location, moving swiftly through the mountain forest.

This was, after all, the sacred land of the Ice Palace; even as a disciple of the sect, he dared not move about carelessly.

Yet, upon reaching the spot, he was astonished to find Xu Dongshan staring intently in a specific direction, his face grim.

The guardian sacred beast of the Ice Palace shared this gravity, though a faint hint of dread seemed to linger in the snow leopard’s eyes.

Though only at the Xiantian realm, Xu Jun served as an inspection envoy traveling across the Northern Frontier for the sect, granting him exceedingly sharp perception.

A mere glance into the snow leopard’s eyes revealed that trace of terror.

He was deeply shaken internally.

For the snow leopard within the Ice Palace to exhibit such an expression was simply unimaginable.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward one pace.

“Grandfather, your grandson has returned.” Xu Dongshan nodded slightly, his gaze remaining fixed forward, not turning around, his expression growing even more solemn.

Xu Jun looked at his grandfather in surprise.

He knew this expression must be related to He Yiming, who had arrived just moments before.

However, the degree of apprehension his grandfather displayed toward He Yiming still exceeded Xu Jun’s expectations.

After a moment of contemplation, Xu Jun said, “Grandfather, Mr.

He Yiming returned to the Ice Palace with your grandson.” Xu Dongshan’s eyes brightened instantly, and he turned his head.

“You know him?” “Yes.” “How did you meet? Explain in detail.” Xu Dongshan commanded coldly, “Do not omit anything.” Xu Jun nodded without hesitation, recounting his encounter with He Yiming in Peng City, and how he had effortlessly slain the Great Bear Sacred Beast with a single strike.

The snow leopard’s body trembled slightly; with its intelligence, it clearly understood every word Xu Jun spoke.

It turned out that the seemingly unremarkable He Yiming possessed such terrifying power; a Sacred Beast was extinguished as easily as flicking dust away.

Though the snow leopard believed itself far superior to the Great Bear Sacred Beast, it absolutely had no desire to provoke the terrifying entity capable of dispatching such a creature so easily.

Xu Dongshan nodded slowly, his conviction solidifying: perhaps only a powerhouse who had reached that specific realm could accomplish such a feat with such ease.

Xu Jun hesitated for a long moment, then continued, “Grandfather, I traveled with Mr.

He.

On the road, he suddenly turned back, saying someone was tracking us from behind.

He only returned after a night.

When I asked him who was pursuing us, he said…” At this point, Xu Jun abruptly stopped, for he still could not quite bring himself to believe He Yiming’s words were true.

Xu Dongshan frowned slightly.

“What did he say?” Xu Jun gritted his teeth.

“Mr.

He said the pursuer was the Qilin Holy Lord of the Totem Clan, and that they exchanged blows.” Xu Dongshan sucked in a sharp breath of cold air.

At this revelation, every shred of doubt in his heart vanished completely.

After a pause, he asked in a low voice, “Did Mr.

He mention who won?” Xu Jun blinked, his gaze turning somewhat odd.

“Grandfather, he merely said that in passing; your grandson has never seen the esteemed Qilin Holy Lord.” Xu Dongshan snorted coldly.

“What? Do you think he was lying to you?” Xu Jun lowered his head, suddenly too intimidated to look up.

Xu Dongshan shook his head and let out a long sigh.

“Mr.

He was not lying to you.

He must have encountered the Qilin Holy Lord and engaged him in battle.

Hmph.

Lying to you…” Xu Dongshan’s eyes lifted slightly.

“Even this old man does not possess the standing to question him, let alone a junior like yourself.” Xu Jun stared, his eyes wide with horror, drawing deep, ragged breaths.

“Grandfather, could Mr.

He truly be…” He dared not voice the rest of the thought.

Perhaps in his heart, the reality had already settled, but gathering the courage to utter it was an entirely different matter.

Xu Dongshan nodded slowly.

“Did you not hear how the Sect Master addressed him? Human Dao Peak.

Hmph, to think there is another at the Human Dao Peak in this world.” He murmured the words, yet a strange thought suddenly arose in his mind.

What about that White Horse Sacred Beast? Could it also be a top-tier sacred beast, comparable to the Qilin? Xu Jun stared dumbstruck in the same direction they were looking.

Indeed, only an expert of the same caliber would merit being called a sworn brother by the Sect Master.

But recalling his journey with He Yiming, he had to admit that He Yiming displayed none of the overbearing arrogance or aloof demeanor expected of a supreme master.

Furthermore, his strikingly youthful appearance had thoroughly deceived him.

He chuckled bitterly to himself, filled with regret.

To travel alongside such a powerhouse without receiving a single piece of guidance was truly a pity.

Yet, deep down, he was also immensely excited.

To have journeyed with a Human Dao Peak expert—such honor was not something ordinary people could ever enjoy.

In that moment, this Xiantian realm cultivator had involuntarily relegated himself to the ranks of the ordinary.

With light, measured steps, following the gentle guidance of Yuan Lixun’s hand, he walked slowly toward the distance.

Although summoned by the Sect Master, He Yiming felt no urgency to hurry over.

He held Yuan Lixun’s hand, strolling through this expanse of flowers, a landscape starkly different from the outside world.

In this instant, he felt himself to be the happiest man alive.

The arrival of an honored Venerable at the Ice Palace, and the arrival of a Human Dao Peak master—these were two entirely different concepts.

He Yiming was certain that if he had merely been a Venerable, or perhaps even a Xiantian who hadn’t yet broken through to the Venerable realm, the treatment he received upon arriving here would have been vastly different.

If he were merely a Venerable, facing Yuan Lixun, who had already attained the Five Qi Great Venerable realm, he would surely feel ashamed and unable to relax as he was now.

This was the psychological shift caused by a disparity in strength.

Fortunately, He Yiming had successfully ascended to the Human Dao Peak realm, possessing a proven, unparalleled strength in the world.

Not just facing Yuan Lixun, but even when facing other Human Dao Peak experts, he felt an absolute, surging self-confidence.

“Yiming, you have surpassed the Venerable realm now, haven’t you?” Yuan Lixun watched him and asked softly.

The speed at which He Yiming appeared earlier was so extreme that even she couldn't perceive it.

That movement alone was something the Venerable realm could not achieve.

Smiling slightly with pride, He Yiming replied, “I have indeed surpassed the Venerable realm, and even the Five Qi Great Venerable realm.” When facing Yuan Lixun, He Yiming had no desire to conceal anything.

He also knew that the news of his advancement would eventually become public knowledge anyway.

While the distance between Da Shen and the Northern Frontier was vast, and none of the Venerables traveling to the Southern Frontier this time were newly promoted Venerables from the North, the Ice Palace in the North remained unaware of his promotion.

However, this secret could not be kept for long.

Yuan Lixun’s steps halted abruptly, an expression of extreme surprise blooming in her beautiful eyes.

In her estimation, no matter how formidable He Yiming was, reaching the Five Qi Great Venerable realm would already be a monumental achievement.

Yet, the answer he gave far exceeded her expectations.

“You… are already at the Human Dao Peak?” Yuan Lixun asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Before coming to the Northern Frontier, she hadn't truly understood what the words ‘Human Dao Peak’ signified.

But by now, she deeply understood the implications of those four words.

The Human Dao Peak: standing at the absolute apex of the Human Dao, representing the most powerful tier of beings after the disappearance of the Divine Dao.

He Yiming nodded heavily, as if assuring her, and whispered, “I am!” Yuan Lixun’s eyes sparkled with vibrancy; in that moment, her heart swelled with immense pride.

After she had advanced to the Five Qi Great Venerable realm through that peculiar, specialized method, she had always felt a certain tension.

She knew that this method of advancement was non-replicable, achieved at a cost far beyond what any normal person could imagine.

Clearly, He Yiming could never enjoy the same benefits.

Therefore, she had always worried that if, upon meeting him later, he hadn't even reached the Venerable realm, his self-esteem would suffer a devastating blow.

But today, all such anxiety had evaporated, completely vanishing.

He Yiming—he was truly the most outstanding martial arts genius.

In these few short years, he had not only successfully ascended to the Venerable realm but had also shattered its limits to become a Human Dao Peak existence.

By comparison, her own progress seemed negligible.

“How did you achieve it?” Yuan Lixun asked excitedly.

He Yiming paused for a moment, then slowly began recounting everything that had transpired since their parting.

From his narration, Yuan Lixun learned of Chu Hao Prefecture, of the White Horse Lightning, of the Ghost Cry Ridge Dragon Snake, and more.

She even learned of the Divine Artifact Nine Dragon Furnace and Lei Zhen Zi, as well as the unparalleled victories He Yiming had achieved in the Western World.

Unconsciously, their pace slowed, for they were utterly immersed in their own private world.

An unknown amount of time passed.

When He Yiming finally finished his tale, a subtle, proud glimmer shone in Yuan Lixun’s eyes.

In her view, He Yiming remained as peerless and majestic as before; his arm was eternally the warmest place for her to lean upon.

Her gaze drifted past He Yiming’s shoulder to White Horse Lightning.

Sensing the formidable power contained within that supreme sacred beast, a smile of genuine relief naturally spread across her face.

Suddenly, the very first voice seemed to resound clearly near them: “Lixun, can you invite Brother He over now?” Yuan Lixun cried out in surprise, instantly forgetting all the composure she had painstakingly cultivated over years of arduous training.

She grasped He Yiming’s hand and rapidly ascended the path toward the summit.

Her cheeks were flushed crimson, as if she had committed some transgression, her delicate head bowed low, daring not to look up…