"What if he's a True Disciple? Daoist Friend Li, your talent in the Dao of Alchemy is outstanding. In time, you won't be any worse than him, will you?"
An Inner Sect Disciple next to him spoke up.
"Exactly!"
Someone immediately chimed in, as if they had found an outlet for their frustrations.
"In our Dan Meridian, it's ultimately about the mastery of Alchemy! This person has been here for ten years, yet we haven't seen him take on any Alchemy tasks, nor have we heard of any Great Master of Alchemy taking him as a Disciple. What kind of future can he have just by cultivating in seclusion? He's probably famous in name only."
For a time, various remarks, some out of jealousy, some out of disdain, and some simply for self-comfort, began to buzz.
Their faces were flushed, and they appeared indignant, as if they had been treated unfairly.
All sorts of expressions appeared on their faces.
Initially, they were merely surprised by the news, but upon reflection, this True Disciple had nothing to do with them. Li Qianluo, standing before them, was the one worth befriending. Not to mention, he wasn't without a chance to become a True Disciple himself. Since they were beholden to him, they naturally wouldn't praise Han Xuanji.
Moreover, they were ultimately scions of Upper Realm Families, and they looked down on those who Ascended.
But what they said and what they thought were not necessarily the same; only they themselves knew the truth.
That person, as an Ascender, could directly be listed among the True Disciples and was receiving attention from the Sect Leader. He was probably no simple character.
Li Qianluo listened to everyone's words, neither agreeing nor stopping them, a complex and unreadable look flashing in the depths of his eyes.
Although the Heavenly Palace was incredibly vast, the number of Disciples was also considerable, and even with abundant resources, there wasn't enough to go around.
Opportunity had to be fought for!
He had his own pride and calculations in his heart.
At this moment, another person lowered his voice and said mysteriously:
"Actually, I heard from a Senior Brother in the Hall of Deacons that this True Disciple Han's move into Myriad Phenomena Garden seems to be a huge misunderstanding!"
Everyone immediately asked:
"What do you mean?"
"It's said that the deacon in charge of managing Immortal Caves mistakenly took him for a Prodigy from the Jiang Family, which is how he managed to snag the spot."
"There was such a reason?"
Upon hearing this, everyone was first stunned, then burst into a round of laughter with unclear meaning, as if this explanation greatly relieved the imbalance in their hearts.
Jiang Yuan, upon hearing this, frowned and looked at those who were laughing, his expression turning somewhat cold:
"These are all just rumors, there's nothing good to say about them. Let's end today's discussion here. Daoist Friend Li, I have an urgent matter, so I must thank you for today's banquet and take my leave."
As his words fell, Jiang Yuan also left in a hurry, as if he truly had some urgent business. Some people at the banquet, including those who were with him, were surprised and then a little embarrassed. They hadn't expected Jiang Yuan's reaction to be so strong, that he would leave without even a hint of etiquette.
Jiang Yuan didn't know why his mood suddenly turned sour. He just suddenly felt that perhaps Han Xuanji's mindset was more suitable for cultivation.
Li Qianluo was also a bit awkward. He hadn't expected Jiang Yuan to leave like that. Why was his reaction so strong? Could it be that Han Xuanji and Jiang Yuan had an unusual relationship?
In reality, he didn't have much of a thought when he inquired about this news; he just wanted to see who could directly become a True Disciple.
And what he was lacking.
He admitted he couldn't compare to the Prodigies of the Jiang Family, but was he still inferior to an Ascender from the Lower Realm?
"Alas, Senior Brother Jiang has left, so we shall also depart. Senior Brother Li, we'll see you another day."
"Oh, and let's not spread today's events too much, lest it cause misunderstandings."
Among the few people accompanying Jiang Yuan, a tall young man stood up, sighed, and prepared to take his leave.
Li Qianluo cupped his hands and said:
"Junior Brother is right, but everyone here is a sensible person and won't cause trouble. Please tell Junior Brother Jiang not to worry."
The young man nodded, then left.
...
Myriad Phenomena Garden.
Spiritual Qi condensed like mist.
Han Xuanji opened his eyes and suddenly looked towards the horizon:
"I keep feeling like someone is talking about me… Chanting my true name won't grant eternal life."
This feeling came out of nowhere, but Han Xuanji didn't think it was a hallucination.
It was said that the true names of those great Immortal Dao powers should not be easily spoken, or else they would be sensed by others.
Although Han Xuanji's cultivation had not reached such a Realm, his Physique was special, and he had a perception far exceeding that of ordinary people. He knew that as a True Disciple, it was impossible for him to remain as obscure as he was in the Lower Realm, but he should not have made any enemies either.
"The only possibility is that Jiang Yuan mentioned me, or perhaps the Elder mentioned me earlier?"
Han Xuanji thought silently to himself; it wasn't hard to guess.
After all, since joining the Sect, he had met very few people.
"Forget it. In life, it's impossible not to incur any Karma. As long as it doesn't make me unhappy or put me in danger, I don't care."
Han Xuanji restrained his aura, closed his eyes, and was about to cultivate.
While a sudden Epiphany and further advancement in the Dao of Alchemy were certainly pleasant surprises, the cultivation Realm was the fundamental aspect.
Suddenly, a certain communication jade token stirred.
His heart moved; this was not the Lingxu Heavenly Palace's Sect jade token.
"It's Sword Without Dust… I wonder what the Taixu Spirit Realm is like now?"
A trace of reminiscence flashed in Han Xuanji's eyes.
At the time of his Ascension, Sword Without Dust had given him this jade talisman, saying they might be able to contact each other in the Upper Realm. He kept this favor in his heart.
But it was only today that he received news.
Presumably, the other party had also finished his business in the Lower Realm and returned to the Upper Realm.
He slightly exhaled his immortal essence, activating the jade token.
"Daoist Friend Han?"
Han Xuanji smiled faintly and responded with his Divine Thought: "Daoist Friend Wuchen, it's been a long time. I am well, and I have successfully arrived in the Upper Realm. You suddenly sent a message; have the matters in the Taixu Spirit Realm been settled?"
There was a moment of silence from the other end of the jade token, as if Sword Without Dust was organizing his words.
"Daoist Friend Han, rest assured. I am sending this message precisely to inform you of this matter.
The Demon Race menace in the Taixu Spirit Realm has been completely eradicated by me!
The spatial rifts that those Demon Race relied on have also been sealed and reinforced.
Your Disciples and your friends are all safe and sound. Their cultivation progress is remarkably fast. They asked me to tell you not to worry; they will Ascend very soon."
Then Sword Without Dust asked tentatively:
"With Daoist Friend Han's abilities, you will certainly be able to establish yourself in the Upper Realm. However, which Sect have you joined?"
Han Xuanji did not conceal it, stating frankly: "I have now joined the Lingxu Heavenly Palace."
"Lingxu Heavenly Palace?"
Sword Without Dust's Divine Thought stirred slightly, and his voice in the message suddenly rose, filled with shock and joy.
"Good! Excellent! Daoist Friend Han, you truly… you truly soared into the sky!
To be able to join such a Sect, your future on the Great Dao is promising!"
His joy was heartfelt, but then, inevitably, a trace of complex disappointment seeped in:
"Alas, it's just a pity… a pity you couldn't come to my Azure Cloud Sword Palace.
However, with your talent in the Dao of Swords, even in the Sword Lineage of the Lingxu Heavenly Palace, which is filled with Prodigies, you would probably have a place."
Han Xuanji could feel the sincerity of the other party's emotional change and said:
"Daoist Friend's sentiments, I, Han, appreciate them.
The Azure Cloud Sword Palace is a Holy Land of the Dao of Swords. If I have the Opportunity someday, I will certainly visit.
I, Han, also thank Daoist Friend Wuchen on behalf of the Taixu Spirit Realm."
"It was my duty, nothing to mention."
Sword Without Dust laughed heartily, then his Divine Thought conveyed a hint of anticipation and eagerness.
"Daoist Friend Han, since you are already in the Lingxu Heavenly Palace, perhaps the day we meet again is not far off!"
"Oh? How do you mean?"
"Upon my return to the Azure Cloud Sword Palace, my cultivation has improved. My Master has already allowed me to represent the Sword Palace soon and attend the Lingxu Heavenly Palace Sword Lineage's century-old 'Sword Trial Assembly'!
At that time, we shall drink and discuss the Great Dao again!"
Sword Trial Assembly?
Han Xuanji's heart stirred slightly; he had not yet heard of this matter.
This should be an internal Disciple competition of the Sword Lineage.
"So that's how it is. Then I, Han, will await your esteemed presence in the Lingxu Heavenly Palace."
"Good! It's a deal! Daoist Friend Han, take care!"
"Take care."
The light on the jade token slowly dimmed, returning to calm.
Han Xuanji held the jade token, his gaze distant.
"Sword Trial Assembly… Perhaps I can go and watch it then."