"Brother He's Five Elements Great Reincarnation Flower is truly the foremost miraculous skill under heaven," Ma Yu said immediately, his expression becoming amicable the moment he met He Yiming's gaze. This wasn't a deliberate act, but an instinctive reaction.

Yet, it was precisely because of this that when Ma Yu realized what had happened, he suddenly understood that in his heart, He Yiming was no longer merely a Void God Realm expert whom he needed to approach with calculated subtlety. Instead, He Yiming was now an absolute Divine Dao powerhouse fully qualified to stand as his equal.

When He Yiming defeated Wei Jinshun, Ma Yu had been surprised, but the shock he felt then was far less profound than what he experienced now.

After all, Wei Jinshun had only just ascended to the Pseudo-God Realm, and he hadn't even managed to form or perfect the Domain that true Pseudo-God experts possessed. Compared to a Void God Realm expert, he could merely command slightly more Heaven and Earth power within the same timeframe, and his physique was marginally stronger.

In essence, he didn't yet qualify as a genuine Pseudo-God expert.

Of course, given Wei Jinshun's martial cultivation, he would certainly form his own Domain within a year at most; only then could he truly be called a genuine Pseudo-God expert.

However, the battle He Yiming fought today had already displayed the exclusive Domain ability unique to Pseudo-God experts. Although this Domain spanned only about a hundred zhang, and although it wasn't formed entirely based on He Yiming’s innate talent, the mere fact that he could unleash it meant he possessed the capital to contend with true Pseudo-God experts.

At this point, both Ma Yu and White Tiger truly regarded him as an expert on the same level.

He Yiming smiled faintly. He didn't hold much affection for Ma Yu, but currently, among Pseudo-God experts, his enemies far outnumbered his friends. No matter what, he shouldn't invite new enemies, at least not until Ma Yu clearly revealed his designs on the Nine Dragon Furnace. He Yiming was unwilling to antagonize him yet.

"Brother Ma flatters me. I merely rely on the might of a Divine Artifact; how can I be compared to the three of you?"

Ma Yu shook his head gently. "Brother He is too modest. While Divine Artifacts are excellent, it depends on who wields them. Under Brother He’s command, the Five Elements Ring is like a tiger with wings." He paused, then chuckled, "I fear only under Brother He’s control can it unleash its ultimate power."

He Yiming’s heart stirred slightly. Ma Yu’s second compliment seemed somewhat superfluous, like gilding the lily.

His earlobes twitched almost imperceptibly, and He Yiming immediately caught a faint sound. He cursed inwardly: this Ma Yu was truly a smiling tiger, not letting go of any opportunity to sow discord.

He quickly smiled and said, "Brother Ma is truly overpraising me. I can display the Five Elements Ring only because of my innate Five Elements Physique. But the Divine Dao experts from the Five Elements Sect are the true masters who have thoroughly studied the Five Elements cultivation methods."

A rather strange look flashed through Ma Yu’s eyes. He shook his head. "Since these death creatures have retreated, they shouldn't return in the short term. We can head back now."

He Yiming naturally agreed with a smile. As he turned to leave, he saw Ao Minxing and the other two standing expressionlessly behind him from a distance. Although his hearing and sight were sharp, he genuinely didn't know when they had arrived. But upon reflection, he understood—they must have arrived during the moment he unleashed his ultimate secret technique, the Five Elements Great Reincarnation Flower. Because only at that instant was all his focus devoted to controlling the Five Elements Ring to mobilize the Heaven and Earth power, leaving him no time to be distracted.

Nodding slightly toward the three of them, He Yiming prepared to depart.

Although he held no fondness for the members of the Five Elements Sect, it was undeniable that, as long as they were willing, he absolutely wished to maintain harmonious relations with them during this period, even if it was merely superficial harmony.

Should the day arrive when He Yiming advanced to the Pseudo-God Realm, he would have no further reservations.

Ao Minxing hesitated for a moment, then suddenly spoke up: "Brother He, wait a moment."

He Yiming frowned slightly, but then smoothed his expression. "Brother Ao, what guidance do you seek?"

"I observed Brother He using the Five Elements Ring against the enemy just now; your application of the cultivation method was quite ingenious and innovative. Thus, I wished to exchange experiences with Brother He. I wonder if Brother He would be willing to accept?" Ao Minxing pondered for a moment and said slowly.

Ma Yu and his wife both widened their eyes. If they hadn't heard it with their own ears, they would hardly have believed what they were witnessing.

What status did Ao Minxing possess? Not only was he the former sect master of the number one sect under heaven, but with his current martial cultivation, even among all human Divine Dao experts, he was undoubtedly a paramount figure.

If Ma Yu and his two companions had encountered him and a conflict had erupted, the only possible way to win would be through sheer numbers—all three attacking together.

Yet here was this Divine Dao magnate asking He Yiming such a question. If this news spread, it would surely shock all Divine Dao experts.

He Yiming hesitated. The technique he had used to fling out the Five Elements Ring, instantly triggering the Five Elements Storm spanning several li around them, was not something he had researched himself. Rather, it was something he had effortlessly drawn from the insights gifted to him by the Divine Dragon.

Although he had only glanced through that book of insights for one night, the contents recorded within were profoundly vast and deep, benefiting him immensely. Specifically, the several unique methods for utilizing the Five Elements Ring contained within held exceptionally original perspectives.

However, this was penned by the Ancestor of the Five Elements himself. Although the Divine Dragon had said he never passed it on to successive generations of the Five Elements Sect disciples, only now, upon seeing Ao Minxing’s expression, did He Yiming truly believe it.

"Brother Ao, actually, the method for using the Five Elements Ring was not created by me, but derived from an ancient text," He Yiming demurred.

Ao Minxing’s eyes immediately lit up. He had harbored considerable doubt about He Yiming’s ability to devise such miraculous usage methods on his own. Hearing about the ancient text now immediately dispelled that suspicion.

Although He Yiming’s martial cultivation was formidable, he was still a young man barely thirty. Even if this individual possessed unparalleled talent in cultivation, to claim such exaggerated, prophetic understanding and application of a Divine Artifact seemed too monstrously prodigious.

"May I ask which ancient text Brother He saw? Could you lend it for perusal?" Ao Minxing stated gravely.

Wei Jinshun and Ao Borui simultaneously sighed inwardly. Given the strength of their Five Elements Sect, if this item were in the hands of an ordinary person, or even another Void God Realm expert without powerful backing, they would certainly resort to force to reclaim the book. Of course, the Five Elements Ring artifact held by that person would be equally impossible to keep.

But now, after Wei Jinshun’s defeat and witnessing the immense power He Yiming unleashed while wielding the Five Elements Ring, the three of them had undergone a complete shift in perspective. While they weren't quite fearful of He Yiming, they certainly didn't wish to engage in a life-or-death confrontation either.

He Yiming spread his hands. "Senior, please forgive me; I was foolish back then. That ancient text has been lost."

Ao Minxing’s expression immediately soured somewhat. Though Wei Jinshun remained outwardly composed, the cold light in his eyes grew increasingly severe. Ao Borui hastily stepped forward, saying, "Brother He, if Borui wishes to seek guidance from you on the principles of using the Five Elements Ring, would Brother He be willing to point the way?"

He Yiming let out a loud laugh, immediately recalling the ambiguous relationship between the Divine Dragon and the Five Elements Sect.

Though he didn't fully understand why that Divine Dragon regarded him so highly now, he knew that in the eyes of that Dragon, the Five Elements Sect was far more important than he was. Therefore, even if he refused this request, the Dragon likely wouldn't keep it a secret forever.

With this thought, He Yiming's expression instantly became considerably more sincere.

"Since Brother Borui wishes to discuss it, I certainly will not refuse." He paused. Regardless of his inner thoughts, for the sake of the Divine Dragon who had forged his artifact, his expression remained very amicable: "What I saw in the ancient text regarding the usage of the Five Elements Ring indeed gave me some insights, and I was hoping to seek guidance from Brother Borui myself."

The two of them exchanged a few pleasantries while laughing, after which He Yiming immediately took his leave, arranging to discuss matters further upon their return.

After He Yiming and the others departed, the smile vanished completely from Ao Borui’s face.

"Ancestral Master, is the method He Yiming used with the Five Elements Ring truly that important?" Ao Borui asked with a wry smile.

To be honest, if he had the choice, Ao Borui would rather never meet He Yiming in his life. But for the sake of his Ancestral Master's reputation and demands, he had no choice but to proceed.

Ao Minxing nodded slowly. "Did you observe any changes in the Five Elements Ring when He Yiming made his move just now?"

Wei Jinshun and Ao Borui’s faces stiffened. After a long moment, Wei Jinshun stated gravely, "The power was immense. It truly deserves the title of the number one Divine Artifact under heaven."

Ao Minxing gave a wry chuckle. "I also possess a Five Elements Ring artifact, and I have hundreds of years more experience controlling it than he does, yet I could never conceive of such an ingenious idea. Heh heh..." His smile abruptly vanished. "The technique he unleashed was specifically designed for the Five Elements Ring Divine Artifact, and this method seems to carry the shadow of our own founding Ancestor. Therefore, I absolutely must learn it."

Ao Borui’s expression changed. "Could it be that the ancient text he obtained was left behind by our sect's Founding Ancestor?"

Ao Minxing turned his head, his eyes fixing intensely on a certain direction, and said slowly, "That ancient text might very well have been left by the Ancestor, but He Yiming did not obtain it from outside sources."

Wei Jinshun’s face changed, and he urged, "Sect Master, Brother Divine Dragon has always been quite supportive of our Five Elements Sect. Are you suspecting him?"

Ao Minxing hesitated, infinite suspicion surfacing in his eyes.

Having spent centuries together, they were well aware of the Divine Dragon's favoritism. However, it now appeared that the object of this favoritism had undergone a subtle shift.