A deafening series of firecrackers exploded within the He Family Village, a thunderous barrage laced with the cheers and congratulations of countless people.

The He Family Village had become an indispensable and colossal force throughout the Northwest. This was not solely due to He Yiming having earned such immense renown, but also because two Venerable-level powerhouses permanently resided within the village.

In the Northwest, even the former Three Great Kingdoms could boast only one or two Venerables at most. At this time, only the most powerful sect in the Northwest, the Tianchi lineage, could truly keep the current He Family Village in check.

However, the pride of the He Family Village, He Yiming, was now a disciple under Tianchi himself, meaning that instead of conflict, the two entities were as close as one family.

Today was the first day of the New Year, a time when the ancestor of the He family, He Wude, would return from Hengshan, accompanied by all the Innate experts from the Hengshan branch. Thanks to He Yiming, the Hengshan lineage had also become famous, leading all the Tianchi branches.

When He Wude led the numerous family members in a grand banquet within the specially constructed massive pavilion to host guests from all directions, the spectacle was absolutely immense, a veritable microcosm of the entire Northwest.

Not only had emissaries from all the Northwest kingdoms arrived to offer congratulations, but every single Tianchi branch had sent powerhouses at the Innate level or above.

Seated at the main table, He Wude, Chu Haozhou, Deng Yichen, Yu Jinglei, and several other figures of the highest prestige were clustered together, including Yu Rupei, the Lord of Tianluo Kingdom. Yet, even he lacked the standing to sit at the seat of honor.

This was a world where martial prowess was the ultimate measure. When an individual or a force commanded more military strength than the state apparatus, such a situation was no longer surprising.

Amidst the booming firecrackers, a flicker of gloom suddenly crossed He Wude's face.

Chu Haozhou, seated beside him, possessed eyes sharp as electricity and spoke gently, "Village Master He, this is a day of great joy; what troubles weigh on your mind?"

Before departing, He Yiming had entrusted the entire He Family Village to Chu Haozhou. Though Chu Haozhou could hardly be called wholly dedicated, he was undeniably a pillar of support for the He family. Seeing the ancestor troubled on such a joyous holiday made him wonder.

He Wude quickly replied, "Senior Chu, this junior is merely concerned about Yiming; I have no other worries."

Chu Haozhou paused slightly, a wry smile touching his lips. If He Wude had any tangible issue, he wouldn't hesitate to step in to resolve it for the sake of He Yiming. But worrying about He Yiming...?

He Yiming had already achieved the pinnacle of martial arts, a figure almost divine whose whereabouts were naturally ephemeral. Even Chu Haozhou had no means of locating him. Moreover, individuals of such cultivation favored secluded places for closed-door practice, and no one could determine when they might emerge.

The faces of He Quanxin and his two brothers, along with the second-generation disciples of the He Family Village, mirrored this same expression. They were deeply concerned for the kinsman who had elevated their village from a small mountain hamlet to the unrivaled premier estate in the Northwest.

Whether this concern stemmed from public duty or private affection, one thing was certain: no one wished for anything untoward to happen to him. Because if He Yiming were to suffer misfortune, the entire He Family Village would collapse instantly, with no hope of survival.

Hearing the ancestor’s words, the atmosphere grew somewhat subdued.

Those privileged enough to enter the newly established main pavilion today were either figures holding immense prestige and power in the Northwest or true masters possessing at least the Innate level. Their numbers exceeded a thousand, but the moment He Yiming’s name was mentioned, absolute silence fell; no one dared to speak recklessly.

He Wude shook his head. "Yiming has been away from home for two years now. He didn't return last year. If he doesn't return this year either, it will be over two full years."

Chu Haozhou frowned slightly. "Venerable He, a true man's ambition lies in exploring the four corners of the world. Brother He is still young; this is the optimal time for him to venture out and cultivate the martial way. To remain idle at home now would be a complete waste of his talent."

Everyone secretly glanced at this Five Qi Venerable. Although there were over a thousand distinguished figures present, Chu Haozhou was likely the only one entitled to address He Wude with such a tone.

Aside from him, even Deng Yichen, a fellow Venerable, and Yu Rupei, the Lord of Tianluo, could not. This was not only because of Chu Haozhou's profound martial cultivation but also because his relationship with He Yiming was extraordinary—almost indistinguishable from true kinship.

He Wude sighed softly. "I know that principle, but being old, I naturally miss my little Lin’er."

Chu Haozhou laughed heartily for a moment, raising his wine cup with boundless spirit. "Village Master He, eagles soaring thousands of miles across the sky—that is what befits Brother He's talent. As for this short-sighted sparrow, let you and I suffice, how about it?"

He Wude paused, then broke into a knowing laugh, raising his cup to meet Chu Haozhou’s. They clinked and drank deeply.

He had merely been overcome by a momentary feeling; the intervention by this senior master, Chu Haozhou, had eased his mind considerably.

"Report! Village Master, the Sect Master of Tianchi and the Divine Calculator have arrived in person to offer congratulations!" A voice sounded from afar, carrying clearly from the distant city walls to their location.

He Wude's eyes brightened, and he stood up immediately. "Everyone, please accompany me to welcome them!"

He wasn't referring to everyone present, but only the dozen or so individuals seated at the main table. After all, with so many people, an outpouring of over a thousand would surely cause chaos.

As for the arrival of these two esteemed figures, all the guests looked on with inexpressible envy. Of course, beneath this deep envy lay a strong sense of awe.

In fact, this was not the first time the Tianchi Sect Master and the Divine Calculator had visited during the New Year; they had both come in person to offer congratulations the year before. This year marked their second visit. Last year, they had sent a Venerable. This level of honor alone was unprecedented in the entire history of the Northwest.

If not for this, the He Family Village could never have risen in the past three years to become one of the foremost powers in the Northwest, possessing unparalleled influence.

He Wude and the others hurried to the city gate entrance, where they immediately saw Di Shitian, draped in long robes, and behind him, the white-haired, immortal-like figure of the Divine Calculator.

He Wude, Yu Jinglei, and the others stepped forward at once to pay their respects; as disciples of the Tianchi branch, greeting them as such was appropriate.

Di Shitian waved his wide sleeve and sighed lightly. "I had truly thought Yiming would certainly return before the New Year, yet it seems I have run a fruitless trip again."

The expressions of He Wude and the others instantly became somewhat awkward. They knew well that if Di Shitian himself had made the journey, it was not merely for congratulations; it was for He Yiming. Otherwise, sending a single Venerable, as they had last year, would have been enough to show the He Family Village proper respect.

However, no one dared to express the slightest dissatisfaction at Di Shitian’s directness. Merely considering the identity of the man before them was enough to calm their feelings.

Chu Haozhou also offered a respectful bow from a distance. But in his eyes, there was a faint trace of excitement.

A Five Qi Great Venerable was no ordinary person. The moment he saw Di Shitian, he sensed the unfathomable aura emanating from the Sect Master of the Northwest.

This bearing was far superior to what it had been during their meeting two years prior. Connecting this to the various rumors circulating throughout the world, he finally confirmed his suspicion.

But precisely because of this confirmation, his heart surged with emotion.

The Divine Path, lost to the world for five thousand years, had truly returned!

Simultaneously, deep within his heart, a wish that he shared with no one else took root: perhaps one day, he too could advance to the Divine Path.

"Sect Master, the banquet is prepared. We await your presence," He Wude invited respectfully with a strained smile.

Di Shitian nodded slightly, and under the guidance of the group, he proceeded to the newly erected pavilion.

When this figure, already legendary in the Northwest, took his seat, the entire pavilion fell into a silence so profound that one could hear a pin drop. No one dared to raise their voices in his presence, not even to whisper.

Di Shitian chuckled softly. "All of you, please eat and drink freely; there is no need to mind this old one."

The crowd quietly resumed their seats. Though Di Shitian had said as much, only a fool would actually act upon it.

He Wude clapped his hands twice, and the pre-arranged song and dance performance immediately began, slowly bringing a livelier atmosphere to the gathering.

In truth, they had been waiting for the envoy from the Tianchi lineage; otherwise, the performances would have started much earlier.

"Divine Calculator, you miscalculated this time," Di Shitian teased with a smile. "Yiming has not yet returned; I suspect he won't be home this year either."

The Divine Calculator bowed slightly, replying respectfully, "Sect Master, the day is not yet over; it is too early to draw conclusions."

The eyes of He Wude and the others instantly lit up. They focused intently on the Divine Calculator.

This elder’s reputation was not just renowned throughout the Northwest; as the foremost master of divination in the entire mortal realm, his personal deduction meant that He Yiming would very likely return today.

This news spread like wildfire across the entire pavilion. Many were deeply moved. He Yiming was always elusive, rarely staying in the Northwest. Most people here had never met him. The prospect of potentially seeing this legendary powerhouse, on par with Di Shitian, instantly invigorated them.

Though well-prepared performances were outside the pavilion and fine wine and delicacies were within, for some inexplicable reason, the guests found little taste for their food. They exchanged knowing glances, seeming unable to wait any longer.

Of course, this intense anticipation was solely due to the prediction offered by the Divine Calculator; had it been someone else’s deduction, no one would have paid it much heed.

Suddenly, Di Shitian, seated firmly at the head, looked up at the sky, a look of profound significance spreading across his face. He murmured softly, "He has come..."

Ps: Sigh... The next two days are Saturday and Sunday. White Crane can only manage three chapters; please forgive me. But since it's the last two days, White Crane shamelessly asks for monthly votes. Thank you...