The four Disciples behind him were even worse; unable to even let out a muffled groan, they froze in place as if under a petrification spell, their eyes hollow, as if their Divine Souls had been extracted.
"You... just who exactly are you..."
The gloomy old man used all his strength to squeeze out a few words from between his teeth, filled with fear and disbelief.
Only now did he understand that what he had kicked was not an iron plate, but a mountain so tall its Peak was out of sight.
Han Xuanji didn't even bother to reply, merely flicking his sleeve casually once more.
It was like wiping away dust.
The gloomy old man, along with the four Disciples he brought, had no room to struggle; their figures instantly became transparent, like strokes erased by a rubber, and then completely dissipated between heaven and earth, leaving not a trace of Qi behind.
Silence!
A deathly silence!
A pin could be heard dropping in the Ascension Hall.
The Ascended were all wide-mouthed, frozen in place.
That powerful Cultivator, who had arrived with such an imposing presence, was just... gone?
Unable to even resist?
What Realm was this Senior in?
Han Xuanji's move served as their second lesson.
Li Taiqing was equally dumbfounded; he knew his Master was strong, but to be strong to this extent, annihilating a True Immortal with a wave of his hand, still far exceeded the limits of his imagination.
"Could it be that there's also a problem with the flow of time between the Lower Realm and the Upper Realm?"
"Am I dreaming?"
Li Taiqing quickly thought of many possibilities in his mind.
Then, Han Xuanji looked at his dazed expression, patted his shoulder, and said:
"Let's go."
"Oh..."
Li Taiqing woke up as if from a dream, but before he could ask.
Han Xuanji took him, stepping across space, and arrived at Lingxu Heavenly Palace.
Li Taiqing hadn't fully recovered, still thinking Han Xuanji had taken him to escape, and felt a lingering fear at this moment.
"Master, will this Jade Spirit Sect come knocking on our door..."
Upon hearing this, Han Xuanji said:
"Come knocking?"
"I'm actually looking forward to them coming knocking."
He was now, after all, a Dao Child of Lingxu Heavenly Palace; what did the Jade Spirit Sect count for?
"Master..."
Li Taiqing's expression was complex as he slowly began to speak.
He had too many things he wanted to say... On the other side.
Jade Spirit Sect.
In the External Affairs Hall, there happened to be an Elder surnamed Zhao, who was the Senior Brother of the gloomy old man who was the leader, and also his direct superior.
When the news that the gloomy old man and others' soul lamps suddenly extinguished simultaneously reached the Sect, Elder Zhao was first astonished, then enraged.
His Junior Brother, along with several elite Disciples, had been instantly obliterated.
"No matter who you are, if you touch someone from my Jade Spirit Sect, you will pay the price!"
Elder Zhao's face was ashen, and he smashed the jade table beside him with a palm.
Moreover, this was clearly a provocation to the Jade Spirit Sect's prestige!
He immediately notified the gloomy old man's Family and used his authority to retrieve the monitoring Formation records from that Ascension Hall.
However, the images of that space-time in the Formation records were a blurry Chaos, as if forcibly interfered with by some incomprehensible power, only vaguely showing a clear light descending, and everything that happened afterward was difficult to ascertain.
"What a technique! To be able to interfere with the Heavenly Dao and erase traces!"
Elder Zhao was both shocked and angry, but a hint of apprehension rose in his heart.
One who could achieve this was by no means an ordinary Immortal.
Soon, he contacted his Junior Brother's Family, and then reported the matter to the Sect.
The gloomy old man, a True Immortal Cultivator, was considered mid-tier in the Jade Spirit Sect, and with his Family having considerable influence within the Jade Spirit Sect, it sparked much discussion for a time.
After all, who didn't know that the Jade Spirit Sect was now backed by the Lingxu Heavenly Palace?
"I don't know where some Loose Cultivator came from, daring to provoke my Jade Spirit Sect."
"They should be severely punished, otherwise, our Jade Spirit Sect's prestige will be completely lost."
The Jade Spirit Sect, from top to bottom, was abuzz with discussion... Han Xuanji brought Li Taiqing to Purple Firmament Peak, and the journey was calm and uneventful.
Numerous powerful Auras rose and fell, the excellent cultivation environment—all of this left Li Taiqing somewhat shocked.
"Is this the power that Master is currently associated with?"
"Mm."
Han Xuanji nodded, not bothering to explain further.
Li Taiqing was thoughtful, feeling that his Master was indeed his Master, able to do well wherever he went.
He knew there were many powers in the Upper Realm, and in his previous life, he was only at the Profound Immortal Realm, not considered a true powerhouse.
Han Xuanji led Li Taiqing into the Myriad Phenomena Garden and ascended the pavilion.
Li Taiqing quickly followed, then knelt down and kowtowed to Han Xuanji.
Han Xuanji did not stop him, graciously accepting his prostrations.
Li Taiqing's expression was complex as he slowly began to speak:
"Master, actually I..."
"Here, you don't need to be concerned about anything; just say whatever you wish. In truth, I generally know everything about you... You may rise and speak."
Han Xuanji said with a smile.
Li Taiqing's pupils contracted slightly, and he quickly rose; he had too many things he wanted to tell Han Xuanji.
Han Xuanji had him sit down, then asked about his experiences over the years. Li Taiqing immediately poured out everything like spilling beans, not deliberately beautifying himself, and spoke of many things.
After a long while.
Han Xuanji asked:
"Do you have any plans for the future?"
"I want revenge..."
Li Taiqing pondered for a long time before slowly speaking.
"Mm..."
Han Xuanji was not surprised.
Li Taiqing had already undergone Fusion with his past life's memories; he was now Li Taiqing, and also the Green Lotus Sword Immortal.
However, he had not transformed into his past self; he had merely gained the memories and inherited the Karma.
Once a teacher, a father for life; he actually recognized Han Xuanji more as his Master.
But his past life's Master, Pure Yang Golden Immortal, had perished because of him, a great vendetta that had to be avenged.
Han Xuanji had long seen the Karma and destiny on Li Taiqing, and knew that the other party's path of revenge would most likely fail.
Because his past life's Master had died at the hands of a Golden Immortal of the Golden Crow God Clan, and that individual had now become a Taiyi Golden Immortal.
Although Li Taiqing's Aptitude was good, normally, even becoming a Golden Immortal would be difficult; his past life's Peak was merely at the Profound Immortal level.
However, so-called destiny and fate are always changing.
With his interference, Li Taiqing's future destiny had become much more blurred.
"And after revenge?"
Han Xuanji asked.
"Naturally, to accompany Master, and together seek the Great Dao."
Li Taiqing said firmly.
"Good."
Han Xuanji nodded.
"There's no need to rush the matter of revenge; the other party is already a Taiyi Golden Immortal, not someone you can offend at your current stage."
"Taiyi Golden Immortal?"
Seeing Han Xuanji utter these four words so casually, Li Taiqing's eyes widened.
Does this mean Master no longer cares about the existence of Taiyi Golden Immortals?
...On the other side.
Elder Zhao seemed to have received some promise, letting out a cold snort, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.
"My Jade Spirit Sect has stood for tens of thousands of years; how can it be a soft persimmon for anyone to squeeze!"
He no longer hesitated, immediately activating his connections cultivated within the Sect for many years, even resorting to some external channels.
Encrypted Divine Thought messages were sent out, attempting to dig up the roots of that mysterious powerhouse.
The reward he offered was extremely generous, enough to tempt many Loose Cultivators skilled in this field, and even the revered figures of some minor powers.
For a time, undercurrents surged.
Han Xuanji immediately sensed that someone wanted to divine him, and found it amusing.
If he wanted to conceal his Karma, these people would die without finding anything.
Perhaps he should reveal a little, and see how they would react.