Wei Jinshun’s complexion had completely returned to normal. Although he had sustained a minor injury just moments ago, such a wound would pose no threat whatsoever to a Pseudo-God Realm expert.

"Sect Master, please rest assured," he stated gravely. "This current indignity may well turn out to be a blessing in disguise for this old man."

Ao Minxing slowly nodded, a faint smile touching his lips.

Just as Wei Jinshun had said, having recently advanced to the Pseudo-God Realm, his self-confidence had swelled to an unsustainable degree, making him appear ready to sweep aside the world and disregard everything. Facing the centennial counterattack from the death creatures with such a mindset was, in fact, dangerously precarious.

Although Ao Minxing and he shared an extremely close relationship, and he had offered counsel before, it hadn't taken proper effect. Today's battle, being defeated by another Pseudo-God Realm expert as a Pseudo-God Realm master himself, had thoroughly shattered the unhealthy arrogance brewing within him.

"Ancestor, He Yiming utilized our sect's ultimate art, the Five Elements Grand Reincarnation Flower," Ao Borui declared, his eyes gleaming brightly. "This cultivation technique possesses the power to challenge those of a higher realm, yet why is there no record of it in the ancient texts?"

Wei Jinshun's expression shifted slightly. "Sect Master, Borui speaks the truth. The cultivation technique you practice is also the Five Elements Grand Reincarnation Flower, but when you were in the Void God Realm, without employing the Five Elements Ring artifact, I fear your might might not have been enough to suppress He Yiming."

Though these words contained a subtle hint of underestimation, Ao Minxing didn't mind.

Having spent over five centuries together, their bond was truly like that of brothers; there were no longer subtle maneuvers between them, and their conversations were direct and unvarnished.

With a soft sigh, Ao Minxing explained, "My Five Elements Physique is not truly innate; it is an acquired physique tempered by secret methods. While it allows me to cultivate the Five Elements Grand Reincarnation Flower, its power cannot compare to that of a congenital Five Elements Physique." He shook his head. "The Five Elements Grand Reincarnation Flower was a technique the Ancestor fully perfected only after ascending to the Pseudo-God Realm. In the Void God Realm, the old man dominated his peers wielding the Five Elements Ring artifact, but he never challenged a Pseudo-God Realm expert. By the time he reached the Pseudo-God Realm, although he created the Five Elements Grand Reincarnation Flower, it was merely gilding the lily."

The two men beside him slowly nodded. They finally understood why Ao Minxing had appeared so assured before the engagement; even he himself had not known that this divine art, when pushed to its absolute limit, possessed the strength to challenge higher realms.

Indeed, before advancing to the Pseudo-God Realm, Ao Minxing had clashed with Pseudo-God experts before, but the result was utter defeat. However, at that time, he had only recently ascended to the Void God Realm and had not yet gained the recognition of the Five Elements Ring artifact. Only decades later, after his cultivation base stabilized and he mastered the Five Elements Grand Reincarnation Flower to a certain level, did the artifact acknowledge him.

Even so, he dared not provoke a Pseudo-God Realm expert lightly again.

It was precisely because of this past precedent that Wei Jinshun had been so confident, yet the final outcome left him quite disheartened.

Ao Minxing turned his head, his gaze falling into the distance. He murmured, "Congenital Five Elements Physique..." He pondered for a long time before asking, "If he truly achieves the True God Realm, could he possibly seal that passage?"

Wei Jinshun’s body stiffened, and he looked up sharply. "Sect Master, the passage cannot be sealed."

"We cannot, but a True God Realm entity might," Ao Minxing sighed deeply. "I have been here for over five hundred years. If I could return for just a glance..."

A glimmer sparked in Wei Jinshun’s eyes, but after a moment, he shook his head. "Sect Master, that Divine Dragon will not permit it."

Ao Borui finally spoke up. "Ancestor, what is the origin of that Divine Dragon? I noticed it seemed quite favorable toward this disciple."

Among everyone who had arrived here, only he had been deliberately guided by the Divine Dragon to the presence of his own sect's elder. No one would believe this was accidental.

"That Divine Dragon is an ancient divine beast, said to have had some connection with our sect’s founding Ancestor. It is not surprising, therefore, that it shows slight favoritism toward our sect," Ao Minxing stated casually.

Ao Borui then understood, but his admiration for the past Five Elements Ancestor was now absolute; knowing he could befriend such a powerful divine beast was a testament to the old man's immense strength.

In the sky, a rumbling sound suddenly exploded forth.

"He Yiming, I have a matter I wish to discuss with you." The Dragon's massive voice echoed through the air.

Ao Minxing and the other two exchanged a glance, pausing instantly. Although they did not know why the Divine Dragon sought out He Yiming, they had no intention of getting involved.

※※※※

In the distance, Liu Mu and the others smiled broadly. The power He Yiming displayed far exceeded everyone's expectations.

To be able to challenge those of a higher realm while still in the Divine Path Realm was simply unbelievable. Even the legendary two human powerhouses in the True God Realm, who were said to be invincible against all comers, only earned their reputation as unmatched after advancing to the Pseudo-God Realm.

Just then, the sound of the Divine Dragon drifted down from the heavens.

He Yiming raised his head, a faint, uneasy premonition stirring within him.

Liu Mu coughed lightly. "Yiming, you should go. Brother Dragon is the foremost divine beast in the world, the most powerful existence in the Divine Path. If it seeks you out, it must be of great importance."

A chill ran through He Yiming's heart. He immediately grasped the implication of Liu Mu's words: the Divine Dragon’s strength was paramount, surpassing even the most formidable human experts. This was why Liu Mu had chosen to hint at it in this manner.

He nodded heavily, his expression serious. "This disciple understands."

Divine power surged around him as he ascended, flying toward the distance. He had resolved that in the short term, or at least while in the Void God Realm, he absolutely would not provoke this Dragon. However, once he advanced to the Pseudo-God Realm and managed to transform both the Five Elements Ring and the turtle shell into divine artifacts, things might be different.

He moved with incredible speed. Along the way, he even spotted Ao Minxing's group below, but he harbored no desire to engage them here. He merely glanced over and noticed that Wei Jinshun had fully regained his composure. This result surprised him somewhat, causing him to regard them with increased apprehension.

In the distance, he finally saw the immense Divine Dragon once more. Although its length had shrunk to less than ten zhang, it remained a colossal presence to him.

"Lord Divine Dragon, you summoned this junior here. May I ask what your command is?" He Yiming asked directly.

The Dragon’s massive head swung over. "He Yiming, I heard you possess the rough mold of the Five Elements Ring. May I have a look?"

He Yiming felt suspicious, but after only a slight hesitation, he produced the Five Elements Ring.

This divine weapon was, after all, his life-bound divine weapon. He possessed absolute confidence in his control over it, so even if this Dragon harbored malicious intent, he could certainly react appropriately.

With a flick of his wrist, the Five Elements Ring transformed into a streak of light and flew before the Dragon's massive head.

The Dragon's eyes narrowed, and the Five Elements Ring was instantly locked in mid-air. He Yiming’s face changed instantly, his divine power roiling, nearly spilling out.

In that moment, the shock in his heart was beyond description.

The power this Divine Dragon possessed was too incredible.

The strength of its mental will was as boundless and endless as the cosmos itself. The moment this vast mental force enveloped the Five Elements Ring, He Yiming felt a strange sensation—as if his life-bound weapon was about to be ripped from his control.

His expression flickered rapidly several times. The Five Elements Ring was his core asset, not only because it housed the divine artifact Nine Dragon Furnace but also because it contained a massive stockpile of resources within the Five Elements World.

It could be said that ever since discovering the Five Elements World, he had stored everything within it; his two spatial accessories had become mere props.

A thin sheen of cold sweat broke out on his back as his mind raced furiously.

If this Divine Dragon truly intended to seize the Five Elements Ring, how should he respond?

Slowly, the connection between him and the Five Elements Ring seemed to weaken, while the Dragon's mental power surrounding it grew ever stronger.

He Yiming clenched his fists tightly. If he hadn't known clearly that facing the Divine Dragon with his current strength offered no hope of victory, he would have already struck out in a desperate gamble.

After a long pause, the Dragon's voice sounded again: "The Nine Dragon Furnace divine artifact is indeed in your possession."

He Yiming let out a long breath. The Dragon's consciousness had directly penetrated the Five Elements World without his permission. This was a considerable insult and blow to him. His greatest and most prided strength was utterly fragile in the eyes of this being, and the most pathetic part was that he possessed no means to resist.

"Lord Divine Dragon, this is purely the result of this junior's luck," He Yiming said calmly, forcibly suppressing the rage in his heart.

"You truly have quite a few good things on you," the Dragon chuckled. "You even managed to collect all four top-tier Inner Cores of the Sacred Beasts. Oh, the Five Elements Ring already contained the wood-element core. Hmph, I see you planned to forge it into a true divine artifact."

He Yiming smiled wryly, no longer bothering to explain. This Dragon's power had already exceeded the scope of what he could handle.

However, just as he was racking his brain trying to figure out how to navigate the current situation, the Dragon's eyes suddenly flew wide open, as if it had witnessed something utterly terrifying. It murmured, "Impossible, how do you possess this thing..."

Ps: Seeking monthly passes and recommendation tickets, sigh...

Recommendation tickets are about to fall out of the weekly rankings; fellow comrades with tickets, please lend some support.

Two more chapters tonight.