Lingxu Heavenly Palace, Purple Firmament Peak, Myriad Phenomena Garden.
Clear springs gurgled, and clouds unfurled, the garden was a picture of peace and tranquility.
Han Xuanji sat calmly on an Enlightenment Futon, his expression serene, lecturing on the Dao to Li Taiqing.
For him, lecturing on the Dao was both a transmission of knowledge and a summary and consolidation of his own Great Dao.
Li Taiqing felt the peaceful atmosphere of these years, cultivating wholeheartedly, seemingly forgetting his hatred.
However, he often thought that Han Xuanji's Qi was ethereal and elusive; looking into his eyes, he felt an unfathomable depth.
"After all these years of secluded cultivation, what level of cultivation has Master reached now?"
Li Taiqing only occasionally had such thoughts but never asked.
He only knew that Han Xuanji held a high position in Lingxu Heavenly Palace; with just a word, he had now become an official Disciple of Lingxu Heavenly Palace.
One day.
Suddenly, the clouds and mist outside the garden automatically parted to both sides, and a clear light descended, revealing an old man with a youthful face and hair as white as snow, dressed in a star-patterned Daoist robe.
The old man's eyes were clear and profound, and the Qi around him subtly aligned with the Laws of Heaven and Earth; he was Immortal Lord Zhixuan of the Celestial Secrets Branch.
Immortal Lord Zhixuan's steps were unhurried, but upon closer inspection, one could discern a hint of subtle solemnity between his brows.
With an Immortal Lord visiting, Han Xuanji naturally went to greet him.
"Is this the Daozi of the Heavenly Palace? From his appearance, he perfectly embodies the face of the Heavenly Palace."
Seeing Han Xuanji's overly handsome face, Immortal Lord Zhixuan thought silently.
Because he handled this matter decisively, he gained trust and learned of Han Xuanji's identity as the Daozi.
However, Han Xuanji did not display too strong a Qi; in Immortal Lord Zhixuan's view, he must have used a treasure to conceal his Celestial Secrets, which was by no means his true cultivation.
He stopped three zhang in front of Han Xuanji, then cupped his hands and bowed slightly, his tone carrying an appropriate respect:
"Zhixuan of the Celestial Secrets Branch, I apologize for my presumptuous visit and for disturbing Your Excellency's cultivation."
This scene caused Li Taiqing's pupils to constrict and his heart to churn with immense waves.
Although he could not discern the old man's specific cultivation, that unfathomable Qi indicated that he was a powerful expert with profound cultivation.
Such a figure was so polite to Master, even... with a hint of apology?
Han Xuanji slowly opened his eyes, his gaze as calm as water:
"Why does Senior say such a thing?"
Immortal Lord Zhixuan gave a wry smile, his tone sincere:
"It is all due to my negligent supervision, which allowed small fry from the outside to recklessly move Celestial Secrets, disturbing Your Excellency.
Although it was dealt with in a timely manner, it was ultimately this humble Daoist's dereliction of duty."
His words did not explicitly state Han Xuanji's identity as the "Daozi," but the protection and apology within them were unmistakable.
As he spoke, Immortal Lord Zhixuan gently flicked his sleeve.
In an instant, the Void Realm seemed to open a rift, and countless dazzling lights poured down.
Only to see a vast sea of Spirit Stones piled up like mountains, emitting an incomparably pure Immortal Qi, various rare Heaven And Earth Treasures, divine metals, and immortal materials suspended in the air, shimmering with colorful light, while medicinal fragrances and treasure glows permeated, illuminating the entire Myriad Phenomena Garden like an immortal realm treasure trove.
The torrential flow of these resources, its immense energy, caused the surrounding Void Realm to subtly twist.
Li Taiqing had never seen so many treasures; it completely exceeded his scope of understanding.
"These are the Jade Spirit Sect's offerings of apology, which I will present on their behalf."
Immortal Lord Zhixuan's tone was calm, as if he were speaking of a trivial matter,
"These meager items are merely to calm Your Excellency's nerves; please do not refuse them."
Li Taiqing was completely numb, his mind a blank.
Meager items?
This... this was the accumulation of a vast Sect over countless years.
Just because Master was offended, how high was Master's position in Lingxu Heavenly Palace?
Han Xuanji looked at the mountain of resources, his expression still as calm as an ancient well, merely nodding faintly:
"Thank Senior for your trouble; since this matter is settled, let it be."
He neither refused nor showed joy, as if he had merely accepted a cup of clear water.
This detachment and composure made Immortal Lord Zhixuan's heart secretly tremble even more.
As expected of our Heavenly Palace's Daozi!
Immortal Lord Zhixuan saw that Han Xuanji was not angry and breathed a sigh of relief, cupping his hands again:
"Since that is the case, I will not disturb Your Excellency's cultivation; I bid you farewell."
A flash of clear light, and Immortal Lord Zhixuan's figure had vanished, coming and going with ease, yet leaving Li Taiqing with an unspeakable shock.
The Myriad Phenomena Garden returned to silence, leaving only the shimmering treasure light emitted by the vast resources, and the dumbfounded Li Taiqing.
Han Xuanji glanced at the torrent of resources, then with a wave of his hand, he collected them into his sleeve, as if merely putting away a few ordinary items.
He turned to Li Taiqing, and seeing his Disciple still looking dazed, he couldn't help but chuckle:
"What? This small display scared you?"
Li Taiqing suddenly snapped back to reality, swallowed, his voice a little dry:
"Ma... Master, you... you in this Lingxu Heavenly Palace, what exactly are you...?"
He wanted to ask what Han Xuanji's identity truly was and why even such a powerful expert was so polite.
This was too far from the image he had imagined of Master struggling in the Upper Realm, so much so that he needed to completely reshape his understanding.
Han Xuanji smiled slightly, not answering directly, but merely patted his shoulder:
"Since you are here, make yourself at home.
You will know in due time.
Now that you have just arrived in the Upper Realm, your immortal foundation is not yet stable; the most urgent task is to consolidate your cultivation and adapt to the Laws of this realm.
These resources are perfect for your use."
"I only hope you can Cultivate steadily first; if you lack resources for cultivation, just ask me."
Li Taiqing looked into Han Xuanji's profound and calm eyes, and all his unease gradually subsided.
This was his Master!
Whether in the Lower Realm or the Upper Realm, he was always so unfathomable.
However, he also heard a hint of loneliness in Han Xuanji's tone.
Thinking about it carefully, he actually didn't understand Han Xuanji at all.
He took a deep breath and nodded forcefully:
"Disciple understands! I will not fail Master's expectations!"
Han Xuanji nodded; he also didn't expect taking a Disciple to bring him any benefits.
It was merely some solace during the process of longevity.
"Cultivate the Sword Dao I imparted to you diligently; once you reach the second level, I will teach you a Divine Ability."
"Mhm."
Li Taiqing immediately smiled, greatly surprised.
Seeing this, Han Xuanji no longer bothered with him and focused on his cultivation.
He had to achieve the Great Luo stage soon to feel at ease... Time slowly flowed, and ten years quickly passed.
One day.
Immortal Lord Yunmiao personally found Han Xuanji and told him a piece of good news.
"Disciple, the Sect has granted you permission to enter the Sect's treasure vault."