You comprehended?
What did you comprehend?
Han Xuanji held back from asking, maintaining the demeanor of a powerful individual, merely nodding slightly without uttering a single word.
His serene posture was like that of a peerless True Immortal.
Han Xuanji turned, his green robes gently fluttering and rustling in the biting winds at the Peak of Kunlun.
His figure departed unhurriedly under the gaze of countless eyes.
Rolling clouds instantly engulfed his form.
Sword Without Dust leaned on the Purple Cloud Sword, his gaze piercing through space, closely following the direction in which Han Xuanji vanished, as if to brand that figure deep into his Soul.
He clearly realized that in this defeat, he had lost a great deal.
It was not only his comprehension of the "Sword Dao" but also the disparity in their states of mind.
"Perhaps, this is why Master sent me to the Lower Realm to gain experience."
Sword Without Dust suddenly understood many things.
Heavenly Heart Sword Immortal, his Master, had not directly pointed out his limitations, not because of a lack of insight.
Quite the opposite, this Sword Immortal from the Upper Realm deeply understood the principle that those involved are often confused.
Only by experiencing it firsthand could he truly break free and forge his own Heaven-Defying Dao!
Such comprehension far surpassed thousands of direct instructions from a Master.
Because often, even if a Master pointed it out, if the mental obstacle was not removed, he would only turn a deaf ear, or even develop resistance.
Although Sword Without Dust was easily defeated by Han Xuanji in an almost crushing manner, at this moment, no one on the entire Peak of Kunlun dared to mock him in the slightest.
Because everyone understood that Sword Without Dust was by no means too weak!
The formidable Heavenly Heart Sword Dao, with its awe-inspiring might, proved that he was a well-deserved Prodigy from the Upper Realm, whose strength was enough to look down upon all heroes in this realm.
His failure only confirmed one thing—Han Xuanji was too strong, so strong that he defied common sense and overturned all understanding!
An Elder from Purple Cloud Immortal Mountain, dressed in purple robes, stood beside Lingyun Taoist at this moment, looking at the bright-eyed Sword Without Dust, then towards the direction of the cloud sea where Han Xuanji had disappeared, his face filled with surprise and bewilderment, and he sighed to Lingyun Taoist:
"He... who exactly is he?"
"The Lower Realm... when did such a person emerge?"
Lingyun Taoist remained silent, his gaze profound, his lips moving slightly, but he did not speak.
He could not answer this question.
Not only him, but all the knowledgeable old monsters present had the same huge question mark lingering in their minds, yet no one could solve it.
Who said shallow waters cannot produce a True Dragon?
Wind Leisurely Master, on the other hand, was full of pride.
He had exchanged friendly words with Han Xuanji, calling him brother, which also proved his foresight.
Nangong Wenjian stood in the crowd, gripping the hilt of his sword, his knuckles slightly white.
He looked in the direction where Han Xuanji had disappeared, his eyes filled with immense complexity, and memories surged like a tide.
Back then, he too had suffered a crushing defeat under Han Xuanji's seemingly casual sword strike.
And Han Xuanji, too, had been so calm and composed, drifting away.
This kind of peerless demeanor was what he had pursued his entire life!
Seeing it again today, that shock and yearning, not only did not diminish with the passage of time, but became even more deeply etched in his memory.
One day, he too would stand at the Peak of the Sword Dao and discuss swords with Han Xuanji.
...
Deep within the Kunlun Mountains, on an ancient stone path winding through the clouds and mist.
Li Taiqing found Han Xuanji walking slowly and walked alongside him.
Beneath their feet were mottled stone steps, and the strong winds ruffled his robes, but could not blow away the excitement in his heart.
He took a deep breath, suppressed his excitement, and asked in a low voice:
"Master, are you... an Immortal from the Upper Realm who underwent Reincarnation?"
His voice carried a hint of cautious inquiry.
This question had grown wildly in his heart after witnessing that world-shaking sword strike.
If not for that, how could one explain Han Xuanji's terrifying strength, which overshadowed a Prodigy from the Upper Realm?
"No, I don't have such a glorious past life."
Han Xuanji replied calmly.
"That's good!"
Li Taiqing almost blurted it out, letting out a sigh of relief, a smile even appearing on his face.
"What do you mean?"
Han Xuanji did not stop, turning his head slightly to look at his simple-minded Disciple, a hint of imperceptible scrutiny in his eyes.
He didn't understand his foolish Disciple's current jumping thoughts.
Li Taiqing stopped, standing on the stone steps, looking at the surging sea of clouds and the magnificent mountains and rivers below, his expression becoming extraordinarily serious, even carrying a kind of almost devout belief:
"Master, think about it.
That Sword Without Dust is a Prodigy descended from the Upper Realm, with astonishing Legacy, his starting point is terrifyingly high. And you..."
He turned his head, looking at Han Xuanji with burning eyes,
"You rose step by step from weakness, enduring countless battles of blood and fire, relying on your own effort, Comprehension Ability, and unyielding will, to reach this height that looks down upon the world today!
This Disciple feels that such a path is more meaningful! More inspiring!"
He paused, his tone carrying a hint of imperceptible stubbornness:
"If... if Master, you were originally the Reincarnation of a peerless powerful individual from the Upper Realm, then all of this, isn't it... isn't it just like some legends say, all destined? Doesn't it mean that your achievements are actually blessings brought from a past life? In that case, this Disciple feels instead..."
He frowned, seemingly searching for the right words,
"Oh?"
Han Xuanji looked at the almost stubborn seriousness in his Disciple's eyes, the corners of his mouth curving into an arc,
"You feel like it loses that... inspiring feeling?"
"Yes, I feel it's a bit... too realistic, as if it lacks that shock of Heaven-Defying change of fate and rising from the dust, and it also seems to erase your efforts, Master."
Li Taiqing nodded vigorously, as if he had found the most appropriate expression.
He could clearly feel Sword Without Dust's almost innate power and nobility.
If Master Han Xuanji was also a similar existence, then did it mean that in this vast Immortal Cultivation Realm, the so-called Opportunity, effort, and cultivation, in the face of true "destiny" or "origin," all seemed pale and powerless?
Did it mean that the widely circulated legends of Mortals rising to power were actually all destined?
Foolish Disciple.
I also have a cheat!
Han Xuanji complained in his heart, looking at Li Taiqing with a hint of imperceptible complexity.
You yourself are the Reincarnation of that "destined" powerful individual... you just didn't bring your memories with you.
Forget it, it's better not to discourage him.
Han Xuanji resisted spoiling the plot and comforted him:
"You strive for Immortal Ascension, and then you will understand my feelings."
...
Five years later.
A seven-colored glow rose from the endless ocean, radiating brilliantly, astonishing the world.