Han Xuanji followed the voice and looked over. He saw the ethereal Myriad Stars Daoist, who had somehow already quietly turned his gaze towards him. With a slight smile and a nod, the Daoist was walking towards him.
The other's gaze was warm, gentle, and inscrutably deep.
He was a Powerful Expert from the Star Palace.
"Could it be that he has seen through my Stellar Destiny?"
Han Xuanji secretly speculated in his heart. He also hadn't forgotten the many rewards he had obtained from check-ins in the Taixu Spirit Realm, to which the Star Palace had also contributed.
The System's functions were extremely powerful, allowing him to autonomously adjust and conceal certain things. He had hidden his Chaos True Spirit Body and his true Realm, but he had not concealed his Big Dipper Destiny or his Double Pupils.
"Huh?"
Han Xuanji feigned a slight start, pretending not to understand.
Myriad Stars Daoist gave a slight smile, carefully appraising Han Xuanji as if admiring a peerless uncut jade. His voice, carrying a magical power that calmed the heart, transmitted directly into Han Xuanji's ear:
"Young friend, your Foundation is solid. What is even more rare is that you bear the Big Dipper Stellar Destiny, subtly aligning with the celestial pivots of the cosmos. You are a supreme vessel for cultivating the Great Dao of the Stars.
If you are willing to follow this old man in delving deeply into the wondrous methods of the stars, your future prospects are limitless. Setting foot on the path to the Golden Immortal Realm is by no means an empty promise."
The admiration in his words was completely unconcealed, and the promise he offered was enough to drive countless Cultivators of the Upper Realm wild with desire.
The Golden Immortal Realm is not so easily attained.
For example, the great Disciple of Immortal Lord Yunmiao has been at the Profound Immortal Realm for several thousand years, yet still finds it difficult to even glimpse the threshold of the Golden Immortal Dao.
Many prodigies who achieve fame in their youth find it hard to even pass the barrier of the Profound Immortal Realm, let alone the Golden Immortal Realm.
Among the celebrated figures of past immortal dao prodigy ranking lists, less than thirty percent ultimately succeeded in breaking through to the Golden Immortal Realm.
However, Han Xuanji's heart remained as calm as still water.
Whether he could break through to the Golden Immortal Realm was something he himself had a good idea about.
There were many paths he could take in the future, but the path of the stars was not his first choice.
On his face, Han Xuanji appropriately revealed a trace of well-measured surprise, then responded with his Divine Thought:
"Senior, your high regard makes this Junior feel both honored and apprehensive.
However, this Junior has grown accustomed to the environment of his Sect and currently has no intention of changing allegiance or undertaking distant travels for cultivation."
Faced with such a straightforward and decisive refusal, not only was there no displeasure in Myriad Stars Daoist's eyes, but the hint of a smile within them deepened slightly, as if he had already anticipated it.
His tone remained gentle:
"It is of no consequence. The rise and fall of fateful connections each have their own time. Forcing matters would only spoil their beauty."
Despite saying this, Myriad Stars Daoist still flicked a finger.
A Jade Talisman, only half the size of a palm, floated lightly towards Han Xuanji. On its surface, there seemed to be a miniature swirling nebula, emitting a profound and mysterious stellar aura.
"This is this old man's apology for disturbing you, young friend. If you ever develop an interest in the Dao of the Stars, you can activate it.
In the future, if you encounter any dangers, this item may help you avoid some trouble."
Myriad Stars Daoist said with a beaming smile, his attitude as refreshing as a spring breeze.
"Rest assured, accepting it does not mean you must undertake any obligations."
Han Xuanji reached out and took it. He felt its cool, smooth touch and sensed the profound Star Power contained within. Knowing it was a similar item to the Star Palace token, he stored it in his sleeve and cupped his hands respectfully:
"Thank you, Senior."
This item was extraordinary, definitely not comparable to an ordinary token. The difference between it and the Star Palace token he had obtained before was roughly the gap between an Outer Sect Disciple and an Inner Sect Disciple.
It was evident that Myriad Stars Daoist was quite generous, or perhaps it showed how much the other party valued him.
Myriad Stars Daoist nodded, said no more, and his figure slowly faded away as if merging into the starlight.
After he left,
Immortal Lord Yunmiao arrived at Han Xuanji's side. His tone carried a touch of complexity and emotion:
"The Star Palace is mysterious and unfathomable. Those who receive its invitations are invariably peerless geniuses bearing special destinies."
"How does the Star Palace compare to our Sect?"
Han Xuanji asked curiously.
To be honest, he hadn't quite expected Myriad Stars Daoist to openly poach Disciples so brazenly. However, the other party didn't seem to be forcing the issue too much.
He didn't know if it was out of wariness towards the Lingxu Heavenly Palace, or if his value in the other's eyes was simply at that level.
Immortal Lord Yunmiao shook his head and said:
"The origins of the Star Palace are extraordinary. It existed even during the era of the Ancient Heavenly Court, holding authority over the stars. It is a crucial component in maintaining the operation of the myriad Realms' celestial bodies. Its Foundations are unfathomably deep, and the length of its existence is difficult to imagine.
Although our Lingxu Heavenly Palace is also a leader among the Immortal Realm's Sects, when it comes to ancient heritage and the levels it involves, we still fall somewhat short in comparison."
These words were, in fact, somewhat conservative.
Han Xuanji estimated that the Star Palace's strength should far surpass that of "newer" forces like the Lingxu Heavenly Palace. Even though the Lingxu Heavenly Palace had existed for tens of thousands of years, compared to such a terrifying organization that had existed through many Epochs, it was probably still lacking.
Within the Star Palace, Powerful Experts like Myriad Stars Daoist, a Taiyi Golden Immortal, traveled and roamed the various immortal domains. The true foundational-level powerhouses were likely at least at the Great Luo level.
Immortal Lord Yunmiao pondered for a moment before speaking:
"Are you aware that several of our great figures in the Lingxu Heavenly Palace also received guidance from Powerful Experts of the Star Palace in the past? We still maintain some ties of friendship with the Star Palace."
Only then did a flash of understanding appear in Han Xuanji's eyes. So that was it.
No wonder Myriad Stars Daoist was quite familiar with the Lingxu Heavenly Palace and acquainted with his Master.
However, Myriad Stars Daoist had also concealed his depth very well. Clearly a top-tier expert at the Taiyi Golden Immortal level, he had pretended to be an ordinary Golden Immortal.
"The Star Palace is transcendent, but its entanglements run deep. Whether it brings fortune or calamity is unpredictable. It is entirely up to you to discern."
Immortal Lord Yunmiao gave Han Xuanji a meaningful look, offered this piece of advice, and then said no more, turning his gaze back to the increasingly lively arena below.
"Mm."
Han Xuanji nodded.
He understood Immortal Lord Yunmiao's meaning.
The Sect likely did not forbid its Disciples from contacting such forces, but if they incurred great calamity because of it, the Sect might not be able to protect them.
This was quite understandable.
However, he could try making contact to gain more check-in locations.
After all, he wouldn't need to do anything for the Star Palace or come into conflict with anyone.
...
Time passed slowly, and the Seven Peaks Tournament soon reached its final day.
An atmosphere of solemnity hung over the Lingxu Heavenly Palace.
In the Heavenly Immortal Realm, the Lingxu Heavenly Palace occupied three of the top four spots, with Su Ming standing firm till the end.
But when it came to the True Immortal and Profound Immortal Realms, the prodigies from external orthodoxies and ancient clans were incredibly powerful. Many of the Lingxu Heavenly Palace's Personal Disciples were swept off the arena.
"Damn it! If only the Sword Lineage's Senior brother hadn't advanced to the Golden Immortal Realm, he would have surely taught them a lesson!"
"But these prodigies truly live up to their reputation as figures on the immortal dao prodigy ranking list. Each one's strength is no simple matter."
On the Cloud Platform.
A Golden Immortal Peak Master from the Law Lineage shook his head. The one who had just lost was his Personal Disciple, a Law Lineage true inheritor proficient in Fire-type Immortal Techniques.
Yet, facing the Prodigy from the Golden Crow Clan, he was completely outmatched.
Meanwhile, in the deeper parts of the Lingxu Heavenly Palace, several figures materialized, conversing via Divine Thought.
"Losing for a time is not necessarily bad."
Upon hearing this, the other figures also nodded slightly.
"Indeed. The main purpose of this Seven Peaks Tournament is to gauge the intentions of these external forces."
The Upper Realm is vast and boundless, with countless orthodoxies. For the Lingxu Heavenly Palace to pass through this Epoch safely is no easy task.
Drawing too much attention wouldn't be good either.
They did not care much about this single Seven Peaks Tournament; what they cared about was the long passage of time.
"Speaking of which, that Disciple possessing the Double Pupils—did he still not participate this time?"
The speaker was the Chief of the Talisman Lineage. He had recently returned from exploring a shattered Realm. His gaze, carrying a trace of curiosity, fell upon the scene of the Seven Peaks Tournament.