This day.
Purple Firmament Peak, dawn was faintly visible.
The sea of clouds surged like silver waves, filtering the rising sun into countless golden threads, sprinkling them onto the jade platform suspended in the clouds.
Han Xuanji, dressed in a green robe, stood silently at the edge of the platform, his aura subtly harmonizing with the vast sea of clouds and the morning purple Qi.
"Congratulations, Host, for successfully signing in at the Purple Firmament Cloud Jade Platform and obtaining Innate Purple Haze Essence."
"Not bad."
Han Xuanji nodded slightly.
This Innate Purple Haze Essence was an Innate marvel formed by gathering the essence of a peak's Spiritual Qi and the creation of Lingxu Heavenly Palace.
For him, it also held great benefits, capable of enhancing his cultivation, tempering his Immortal Body, and refining his Divine Soul.
Han Xuanji casually traced with his fingertips, without any Immortal Power surging, yet it caused the surrounding subtle Spiritual Qi to flow with it, sometimes like a majestic mountain, sometimes like flowing water, which was a mysterious manifestation of his accomplished cultivation.
"Senior Brother Han."
A clear voice came from the direction of the cloud ladder, breaking the morning tranquility.
Han Xuanji reined in the Concept at his fingertips, turned around, and saw Su Ming, dressed in a simple green robe, arriving on a cloud.
His aura was more condensed than ten years ago, having reached Earth Immortal Seventh Layer, not far from Heavenly Immortal, but the focus and purity in his brows remained unchanged.
One could only say, he truly was a person of great Luck.
Han Xuanji knew that beneath the seemingly ordinary body of the other party, there was actually immense potential hidden, but it was hidden very deeply, and only a very few people could detect it. Jiang Hao must have noticed something in the end; otherwise, if he were truly a good-for-nothing, the other party would not have made this thirty-year agreement.
"You've arrived."
Han Xuanji greeted him with a smile.
Over the past ten years, Su Ming would occasionally come to ask for guidance on cultivation difficulties, and their relationship could be considered harmonious.
Immediately, on this cloud platform.
Han Xuanji guided Su Ming in his Cultivation.
Su Ming wielded an Immortal Sword, his attacks swift and broad, yet skillfully executed.
This Immortal Sword was a Medium Grade Immortal Artifact custom-made for him by Yunmiao Xianjun, and it was the kind that could grow. If nurtured properly in the future, it might even become a Top Grade Immortal Artifact.
At this moment, the more Su Ming attacked, the more helpless he felt.
He could not pose any threat to Han Xuanji, who could easily neutralize all his attacks with just two fingers.
At first glance, he seemed like merely a Mortal Swordsman.
However, in this state, Su Ming actually felt exhilarated. Although he was suppressed, he could use his full strength and unleash his potential. As Han Xuanji lightly broke his sword move with a single finger.
"Alright, the demonstration ends here."
Han Xuanji spoke softly, his tone calm.
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Han."
Su Ming sheathed his sword and quickly bowed.
Han Xuanji's gaze shifted slightly, signaling Su Ming to sit on the blue jade stone beside them.
Su Ming also learned the Supreme Heaven Sword Dao; his Comprehension Ability was terrifying, going from a beginner in Sword Dao to mastering the first layer of the Supreme Heaven Sword Dao in just ten short years.
Of course, this was partly due to his guidance, but also due to the other party's effort and talent.
Su Ming, however, didn't think he was that smart.
The more time they spent together, the more Su Ming realized Han Xuanji's capabilities.
Whether it was Sword Dao, Dan Dao, or cultivation Realm, he knew everything about all the Great Daos, explaining them even more clearly than those Elders with profound cultivation.
He felt that his talent was ordinary, and it was all because Han Xuanji taught him well. In his heart, Han Xuanji had long been a mentor and friend, his status even surpassing that of his Master.
"Why did I lose so badly?"
Su Ming's expression carried a trace of confusion and inquiry.
Han Xuanji did not answer directly, but instead pointed his fingers like a sword, casually drawing a line in the air before him.
There was no dazzling immortal light, no sharp Sword Qi, and it didn't even stir much Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.
However, the moment his fingertips traced, Su Ming's pupils suddenly contracted.
He felt an invisible, formless, yet utterly pure "Concept."
This "Concept" was not a simple Sword Intent; it seemed to contain the profoundness of mountains, the length of flowing water, the freedom of a gentle breeze, the scorching heat of a raging fire…
All sorts of Concepts perfectly transformed, and at the same time, the sky also manifested various celestial phenomena.
This made many Disciples look up and pay attention to this scene.
"What's going on?"
"Is someone comprehending some Great Dao?"
Someone muttered to himself.
Only a very few Sword Cultivators who accidentally stepped into the Dan Meridian area felt the Sword Intent within it.
"What a magnificent Sword Intent!"
A Sword Cultivator reached out, feeling that immense will.
"What kind of Sword Dao is this?"
"Who is comprehending the Supreme Sword Dao?"
"I don't know, but anyone with such a Realm must be an old Senior in the Sword Dao."
...
Many people wanted to know who was responsible for this, but when they tried to calculate the heavenly secrets, they instantly felt a great resistance.
If they continued to investigate, there might be great danger!
On this side.
The Sword Intent displayed by Han Xuanji ultimately transformed into an invisible sword, suspended in the Void Realm. Though it had not yet been unleashed, it already made Su Ming feel that his painstakingly cultivated Sword Intent was like a firefly before the bright moon, trembling slightly, almost on the verge of collapsing on its own.
"The Heart and Sword are one; it is not about forcing the Heart to drive the sword, nor is it about letting the sword conform to the Heart."
Han Xuanji's voice was calm, like a flowing spring.
"The Heart is not the Heart, the sword is not the sword. When you forget the distinction between 'Heart' and 'sword,' and see only the 'Dao,' its Concept will naturally appear."
As he spoke, the invisible Concept Sword silently dissipated, as if it had never existed.
This was the third Realm of a Sword Immortal, and also the third layer of the Supreme Heaven Sword Dao, the "Sword Transforms All Things" Realm.
This was considered the first time Han Xuanji had revealed his power in front of others, though the only audience was Su Ming.
He believed that the other party was not the type to spread rumors everywhere.
Su Ming stood rooted to the spot. Han Xuanji's tone was calm, as if he were talking about something as simple as eating or drinking.
The perception he had just experienced had a tremendous impact on him.
He couldn't comprehend what kind of Realm of Sword Intent that was; he only felt it was vast and unfathomable, and he vaguely gained some insight in his heart.
Could this Senior Brother Han's Sword Dao cultivation have reached such an inconceivable Realm?
He took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, and when he looked at Han Xuanji again, his eyes were filled with awe:
"Senior Brother's Sword Dao has reached the Transcendent Realm… Junior Brother is dull-witted, and although I cannot fully grasp its wonders, I have still benefited immensely.
Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother!"
Simply put, he didn't quite understand, but he felt something.
Han Xuanji calmly accepted his bow, giving a slight gesture of support:
"Just a few words of experience. It's good if they can be of some help to Junior Brother."
"By the way, Senior Brother Han, are you going to the Trial Sword Assembly? I heard there will be many fun places open then."
Su Ming suddenly said.
Han Xuanji thought for a moment and said:
"I'll go take a look then, but don't mind me."
"Oh."
Su Ming nodded thoughtfully.
He knew Han Xuanji's low-key personality, so he didn't press further.
He felt that he had comprehended a lot, and after thanking him repeatedly, he took his leave, his steps slightly hurried, clearly eager to return and digest what he had gained today.
After sending off Su Ming, Han Xuanji looked back at the sea of clouds, his gaze serene.
Guiding Su Ming was merely a casual act for him.
This child had a pure Heart-Nature, and both his talent and Luck were superior. Forming a good connection with him would do no harm.
...
Several months passed in the blink of an eye.
Lingxu Heavenly Palace welcomed a grand event.
The Sword Lineage's "Trial Sword Assembly," held once every three hundred years, was about to begin.
This was a grand Sword Dao event. Not only did Sword Cultivators from within the Heavenly Palace gather, but it also attracted Prodigy Disciples from many renowned Sword Dao Sects and aristocratic families within the Immortal Realm to attend, wishing to discuss and compete in swordplay with Sword Cultivators from all over the world to verify their learning.
For a time, in Lingxu Heavenly Palace, escape lights rained down, and Sword Qi soared into the sky.
Countless figures carrying long swords, with sharp auras, descended, some aloof and stern, others bold and heroic, all of them outstanding individuals.