He was intimately familiar with every top sect in the current world; aside from the Western Dark Alliance, he had visited them all, or at least loitered around their perimeters.

Yet, in his memory, there had never been a renowned sect called Ling Lang.

However, judging by the man’s expression, this Ling Lang sect was certainly no obscure minor power, or he wouldn't have dared prefix his name with "Ling Lang."

Several thoughts spun in his mind as he covertly commanded the Divine Puppet in his mindscape to bring Mu Zilong to this location. Whether these three were friends or foes, at least parity in numbers was necessary to avoid being disadvantaged.

Simultaneously, his hands did not slow their movements. He spoke, "A great honor, a great honor."

Ma Yu let out a wry chuckle. "I have been in this place for five hundred years; that name is likely known to no one now." He shook his head with deep emotion. "Brother He, I wish to inquire about something."

He Yi Ming quickly smiled, "Brother Ma, please speak your mind."

"Brother He comes from the outside world; I wonder how the Ling Lang lineage fares now?" Ma Yu asked in a deep voice.

He Yi Ming offered a wry smile. "Brother Ma, please forgive my ignorance; I have truly never heard of the Ling Lang sect."

Ma Yu’s expression shifted slightly. "The foundation of the Ling Lang sect spans the breadth of the land, second only to the Five Elements Gate as the Eastern world's largest sect. Since you are a Divine Dao expert, how could you not know?"

He Yi Ming touched the bridge of his nose, sighing helplessly, "Brother Ma, the situation outside is complicated now; it’s not what it used to be."

Ma Yu watched He Yi Ming quietly, and a chilling depth entered his gaze.

Although this chill was different from the frigidity of the Death Creatures, He Yi Ming felt considerable pressure. He inwardly stiffened; this person’s cultivation was unfathomable, and he felt a sudden inability to match his power.

"No matter how the outside situation has changed, the foundation of the Ling Lang sect should not have completely collapsed within five hundred years." His voice grew cold. "May I ask, Brother He, which sect is currently considered the second largest in the East?"

He Yi Ming thought seriously for a moment. "The second largest sect in the East should be the Grotto-Heaven Blessed Land."

Ma Yu paused, exchanging a look with the woman beside him; both wore expressions of deep doubt.

"And the largest?" The Twin-Winged White Tiger suddenly interjected, asking with evident interest.

He Yi Ming offered a slight smile. "The first in the East is the Ling Xiao Treasure Hall."

"Ling Xiao Treasure Hall?" Ma Yu exclaimed involuntarily. "The mere Ling Xiao Treasure Hall is just a recent upstart; how could it possibly surpass the Five Elements Gate in five hundred years?"

He Yi Ming coughed lightly. "Brother Ma, the Five Elements Gate fractured five thousand years ago. The Grotto-Heaven Blessed Land rose powerfully after inheriting the Five Elements Gate's Dao lineage, becoming the second largest sect in the East. That's quite respectable, all things considered."

The two and the beast exchanged glances. The impact of He Yi Ming's words on them was indescribable.

"Five thousand years?" The woman finally spoke for the first time.

He Yi Ming meticulously explained the distinction between inner and outer time, and candidly recounted the scarcity of Heaven and Earth power outside, leading to the cessation of new Divine Dao ascensions.

Each time He Yi Ming relayed this information, it elicited the same stunned expression from them.

Letting out a long sigh, Ma Yu said, "So five millennia have passed outside; it’s no wonder the Ling Lang lineage has vanished." As a Divine Dao expert, he quickly regained his composure after his initial shock. "Brother He, this is my humble wife, Yuan Juan; she was a disciple of the Southern Border Glazed Cave Sect. I wonder if the Glazed Cave still exists."

He Yi Ming repeatedly nodded. "The Glazed Cave is now the foremost sect in the Southern Border. The current Sect Master, Ancestor Liu Changju of the Glazed Cave, has also entered this place."

Yuan Juan's eyes flickered, a hint of a smile crossing them. "Ancestor Liu Changju."

He Yi Ming couldn't help but smile wryly. This woman appeared to be middle-aged, but her actual age must have been staggering. While Liu Changju could be called an Ancestor outside, that title here would likely have to change hands.

"Brother He, since the fertile ground for Divine Dao growth is gone outside, the dimensional fluctuation a few days ago must have been caused by you," Ma Yu suddenly stated.

He Yi Ming nodded without concealment. "Indeed, it was a fortunate breakthrough of mine to the Divine Dao."

A trace of surprise appeared on Ma Yu’s face. "Brother He, to achieve advancement to the Divine Dao within mere days of entering this place, your innate talent is extraordinary. There is a high probability you could even advance to the Pseudo-God Realm later."

He Yi Ming quickly offered humble retorts, a flicker of joy crossing his eyes as he instinctively glanced towards a certain direction.

Ma Yu was momentarily taken aback, then immediately released his spiritual sense far out. His expression shifted slightly. "Brother He’s Divine Sense is remarkably powerful; I am truly ashamed in comparison."

Both the Twin-Winged White Tiger and Yuan Juan displayed shock. Having spent so long with Ma Yu, they had never witnessed him admit defeat so readily.

He Yi Ming waved his hands repeatedly. "Brother Ma misunderstands. Among those who arrived, one is my puppet, which is why we were able to detect them in advance."

Ma Yu relaxed, his mind settling. If someone who had just stepped into the Divine Dao already possessed a stronger Divine Sense than him, that would indeed be miraculous.

Not long after, the Divine Puppet and Mu Zilong arrived.

Ma Yu smiled faintly. "So, Brother Mu and Brother He have already met."

Mu Zilong looked at the two people and the beast, a smile mixed with awe on his face. "It turns out this is Brother Ma and his esteemed wife, and Brother White Tiger. Seeing the three of you together, something significant must be happening."

Ma Yu smiled proudly. "Nothing much, really. My wife and I plan to accompany Brother White Tiger to the Death Creatures' lair to see what’s what, hoping to slay a few of those golden monsters before their reinforcements arrive. It will make things easier to handle later."

Mu Zilong nodded slightly, a hint of envy in his eyes. He exchanged a significant look with He Yi Ming. "Brother He, Brother Ma and Brother White Tiger are both powerhouses who have reached the Pseudo-God Realm, and Madam Ma is quite famous even within the Virtual God Realm, possessing top-tier might. I am truly inferior."

He Yi Ming's gaze sharpened, inwardly startled. No wonder he had felt such a strong urge to show weakness before Ma Yu; this man’s Divine Might was indeed beyond his current reach.

Ma Yu nodded to the two of them. "Let us part ways here." The majority of their focus—Ma Yu, Yuan Juan, and the beast—was fixed upon the Divine Puppet. Though they all sensed the puppet was extremely strange, they did not press for detailed inquiries.

He Yi Ming’s heart stirred slightly. "Brother Ma, I also wish to view the monsters' lair. I humbly request permission to accompany you."

Ma Yu hesitated, but before his wife could speak, the Twin-Winged White Tiger roared, "There are countless golden monsters inside the monster lair, and we might even encounter some mutated ones. If you don't possess Pseudo-God Realm capabilities, don't follow along and slow us down."

Although the aura of this divine beast was slightly weaker than the Divine Dragon guarding the passage entrance, its sheer imposing presence was equally magnificent and hard to resist.

Ma Yu and his wife remained silent, clearly hoping He Yi Ming would take the hint and retreat.

Only Mu Zilong’s expression was rather strange. Upon seeing the situation, he immediately understood that the three of them were viewing He Yi Ming as just an ordinary Divine Dao expert who had recently broken through.

But having spent a short time with He Yi Ming, Mu Zilong knew this young man absolutely could not be judged by conventional standards.

He Yi Ming chuckled, shrugging his shoulders as if unconcerned. "Oh, if the place is so dangerous, it was indeed my oversight." He cupped his hands in a formal salute, his smile warm. "In that case, please proceed, esteemed sirs. I wish you all swift success."

Ma Yu smiled faintly. "Brother He, if you train here for a few hundred years, you might have a chance to reach the Pseudo-God Realm. Once you reach that stage, unless it’s the once-a-century monster convergence, the world here will be vast enough for you to explore freely."

He Yi Ming nodded with a complacent