To He Yiming’s suggestion, Ao Minxing naturally raised no objection. His gaze shifted, and he said, “Brother Ao, if these dear friends of mine wish to accompany me, may I ask if you would permit it, Brother He?”

Ao Minxing frowned deeply. “Brother He, it is best that as few people as possible know about this matter.”

He Yiming forced a bitter smile. “Brother Ao, the relationship between you and me is hardly excellent. If I were to go alone, I fear they would not feel at ease.”

Ao Minxing snorted coldly. “You do not trust this old man.”

He Yiming thought to himself, Of course I don't trust you. Yet, he hurried to explain verbally, “Brother Ao, where is this coming from? It’s just that Brother One-Hundred-and-Eight possesses an independent nature, and Piggy and Lightning are bound to me through life and death—it is simply impossible to part with them.”

Ao Minxing’s face darkened. He knew that He Yiming was merely speaking off the cuff. If they truly could not be separated, then they would not have been able to part ways upon entering the Land of Death.

However, he also understood that while the relationship between the Five Elements Gate and He Yiming was not one of mortal enmity, it certainly wasn't built on mutual trust either. If He Yiming went alone, he probably wouldn't risk it.

With a long sigh, Ao Minxing conceded, “Very well. They may accompany you, but two of them must remain outside the grand formation with Bo Rui. You may only bring one into the Crystal Palace to retrieve the Divine Medicine Immortal Fluid with me.”

He Yiming was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly in agreement.

He had initially assumed Ao Minxing would flatly refuse. Traveling alone indeed made him hesitant. He hadn't expected Ao Minxing to be so agreeable, not only granting permission but also promising to leave Ao Bo Rui and two others outside the Crystal Palace.

With Ao Bo Rui’s strength alone, how could he contend against two Divine Beasts? This essentially served as a hostage situation. Moreover, Ao Minxing inviting him along to inspect the Divine Medicine Immortal Fluid indicated no trace of deceit. Otherwise, if Ao Minxing merely claimed no Divine Medicine Immortal Fluid had been generated, He Yiming would have no grounds for complaint.

After all, the transformation of Heaven and Earth's power over these five thousand years had been immense; no one could be certain whether such a potent elixir still manifested within the Crystal Palace.

Once Ao Minxing and he reached an agreement, both felt a wave of relief. However, Ao Minxing emphasized repeatedly that until the Divine Medicine Immortal Fluid was secured, they must not disclose this matter to anyone. Even Hundred-and-Eight and Piggy were to remain silent until they had exited the Crystal Palace.

He Yiming pondered deeply before finally assenting.

Following this, Ao Minxing invited He Yiming to be a guest at the Five Elements Gate. Observing the old man’s wary eyes, He Yiming knew he was afraid He Yiming might pull some stunt or leak the information.

After a moment of consideration, He Yiming accepted the invitation. After all, if the roles were reversed, he suspected he would be even more anxious than Ao Minxing.

Returning to the valley within the Grotto-Heaven and Blessed Land, Ao Minxing commanded that four more immortal fruits be presented. He Yiming distributed the fruits to Piggy and the white horse, Lightning, instructing them to savor the taste. He stored his own and Hundred-and-Eight’s fruits within the Five Elements World.

The opening of the Crystal Palace was absolutely the most critical matter for the Five Elements Gate, even a hundred times more important than the Divine Tree bearing fruit.

Although the fruits borne by the Divine Tree possessed quite magical effects, for high-level cultivators, they offered little utility beyond sampling their exquisite flavor.

Of course, these divine fruits were invaluable for cultivating a large contingent of mid-level experts, such as those at the Venerable level.

However, the Divine Medicine Immortal Fluid within the Crystal Palace was the treasure used to nurture the absolute top-tier powerhouses.

If the quantity accrued—one drop per century—were to be conserved for a single individual, then as long as the designated future Sect Master of the Five Elements Gate possessed sufficient natural talent, they could certainly be nurtured into the Divine Dao, or perhaps even the Pseudo-Divine Realm. If this continued, the Five Elements Gate would never see an end to its Divine Dao lineage.

For such a colossal sect, only the apex power provided truly limitless deterrent capability.

The reason Ao Minxing disclosed this matter to He Yiming, even paying the price of secret manuals and a drop of the Divine Medicine Immortal Fluid for his assistance, was precisely to reopen the Crystal Palace. Otherwise, knowing such a treasure lay in wait yet being unable to use it would surely drive a person mad.

At the location of the Western Temple, brand-new structures soared high into the sky.

Although this place had suffered an unimaginably vast catastrophe three years prior, destroying one-third of the city’s land and lives.

Yet, the Temple had ruled the West for tens of thousands of years; its foundation was incomparably deep. After only three years, the former atmosphere of dejection had been swept clean, replaced by boundless vitality, transforming it into a thriving city.

In the distant sky, a tiny black speck suddenly appeared, flying through the air, yet it emitted no divine weapon radiance whatsoever.

A booming sound, like thunder tearing through the heavens, suddenly resonated: “This is the location of the great Temple. Esteemed Sir of the Divine Dao…”

This voice abruptly ceased, as a massive eagle shot out of the Temple, emitting a joyous, long cry, soaring toward the distant black speck at the fastest possible speed.

Witnessing this, even an idiot would know that the black speck was undoubtedly a friend, not an enemy, and one with a very good relationship with the Temple, otherwise the Temple’s guardian sacred beast, the War Eagle, would never have flown out to greet it with such delight.

The person approaching from afar was naturally Edwin, who had already advanced to the Divine Dao. After his journey through the Eastern World, he had intended to engage He Yiming in a decisive battle. But at the critical moment, he heard the voice of the White Whale from the depths of the distant ocean, immediately recalling the words spoken to him by the masked man upon their parting.

He was supposed to wash away this humiliation in front of all the powerful figures of the East and West. Therefore, he immediately halted his attack and retreated, establishing an agreement with He Yiming.

Having settled these matters, he naturally returned to the Western Temple. However, before even reaching the Temple, he heard the booming sound approaching. Merely this massive roar, capable of shaking even his spirit, signified the presence of a Divine Dao expert. Yet, no matter how Edwin pondered, he could not recall who within the Temple could possibly have reached the Divine Dao.

The Temple War Eagle arrived beside him in an instant, circling him and crying out happily.

A smile finally broke through Edwin’s grim expression. He gently stroked the War Eagle’s neck and placed his feet upon its back.

Among the new generation of young powerhouses, Edwin was undoubtedly the foremost figure in the Temple, and his relationship with the War Eagle had always been the closest. Otherwise, the Temple's guardian sacred beast would not have rushed out immediately upon seeing him.

Moments later, the War Eagle landed within the Temple, where an old man with white hair and beard, surrounded by dozens of people, came forward to greet them.

Edwin immediately bent deeply at the waist, respectfully announcing, “Your Holiness Pope Reith, Edwin has returned.”

Reith’s face was filled with deep relief and joy. He also bowed deeply. “Sir Sacred Knight Edwin, welcome back.”

“Sir Sacred Knight Edwin, welcome back.”

Behind the Pope, dozens of the Temple’s most distinguished figures simultaneously bowed, speaking with the utmost respect and piety.

Edwin felt a surge of overwhelming emotion. Although he had attained the Divine Dao, he had not climbed there steadily, step by step, within the Temple.

When he had left the Temple to venture out to the outer seas, the leading figure of the new generation within the Temple had only been a newly advanced Venerable.

This status commanded a certain level of respect within the Temple, but above him were more than ten beings at the Venerable and Five Qi Great Venerable levels. Facing His Holiness the Pope and so many seniors, he still harbored reverence and trepidation.

But now, seeing the Pope and numerous preceding experts bowing to him with even greater deference, his heart remained profoundly unsettled.

“Respected Sir Sacred Knight Edwin, His Eminence Leopold requests your presence,” Pope Reith stated in a deep voice.

“His Eminence Leopold?” Edwin paused. The name seemed terribly familiar, yet for a moment, he could not recall it at all.

“Yes, the great His Eminence Leopold has stepped down as Pope and is now the Temple’s most revered Grand Archbishop of Holiness.” Reith’s face showed unmasked respect.

Edwin’s eyes suddenly lit up; he finally recalled that legendary name within the Temple.

He stammered for a moment, murmuring, “His Majesty Leopold has returned?”

“Yes, His Eminence has returned safely.”

Reith nodded slowly, unsurprised by his shock. A figure who vanished five thousand years ago returning would elicit such a reaction from anyone.

If it weren’t for Leopold’s status as a Pseudo-Divine Realm expert and his profound, inscrutable cultivation of Light power, it would have been impossible for the current assembly to acknowledge him.

However, Reith and the others felt no rejection toward this suddenly appearing Pseudo-Divine expert, because upon his return, Leopold had not only immediately resigned the position of former Pope but had also diligently guided all the Venerables within the Temple, causing their cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds in a short time.

No one could refuse the presence of a Pseudo-Divine expert who neither vied for power nor sought advantage, but was solely dedicated to enhancing the Temple’s strength.

Moreover, Reith and the others had vaguely heard that Luke, the Chairman of the Dark Council, and another Divine Dao expert, Sydney, who vanished in the same era as Leopold, had also returned simultaneously. Even if only to prepare for a potential attack from the Dark Council, they had no choice but to accept Leopold’s status.

“So that’s how it is…” Edwin muttered.

He finally understood where all those Divine Dao experts he encountered in the East had sprung from.

It turned out that the Divine Dao powerhouses who had vanished five thousand years ago had descended upon the mortal realm once more.

“Edwin, you may enter now.”

A voice, ancient yet filled with majesty, sounded from within the Temple. Although this voice lacked the crackling thunder of the initial roar, it still commanded instant obedience.

Edwin’s grip tightened. He raised his head proudly and stepped into the Temple…

Ps: Many thanks to my brothers for their support, thank you… At this crucial time at the start of the month, I continue to ask for votes!