The scenes on the Heart Refining Road constantly shifted, transforming into peerless beauties, close relatives and friends, and sworn enemies, attempting to stir his seven emotions and six desires, and disturb his Dao Heart.
The test was whether his willpower was firm and if he could see through the illusions of the Mortal World.
Han Xuanji's gaze was calm and unperturbed, completely unaffected.
He cleared one stage after another, almost all in a matter of breaths.
This was also because Han Xuanji wanted to see what changes would occur on the Heart Refining Road.
"Those few in the Sect even said that this Dao Child's talent wasn't too Heaven-Defying... Have I been out of the world for too long? Are today's Prodigies all this terrifying?"
The Guardian Artifact Spirit muttered, even though the cultivation aura of the young man before him wasn't particularly strong.
Just as its thoughts were turning, on the other side, Han Xuanji finally encountered the most difficult stage in this trial.
In the Void Realm before him, an ancient Dao Discussing Platform materialized.
Vague figures emerged, their auras comparable to Han Xuanji's own cultivation, but they were clearly not simple individuals.
These were projected copies of past Prodigies of the Lingxu Heavenly Palace from the Myriad Laws Refining Heart Path.
The first blurred figure spoke, its voice ethereal and directly addressing the Origin: "What is Dao?"
This question seemed simple but was actually all-encompassing, enough to make ordinary Cultivators fall into confusion, finding it difficult to articulate clearly even with exhaustive words.
Of course, for Cultivators who had already stepped into the Immortal Dao Realm, it was not difficult.
Han Xuanji stood on the platform, calmly responding:
"The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao; that which can be named is not the eternal name. It is the beginning of Heaven and Earth, the mother of all things.
To me, the Dao is beneath my feet, in my heart, in every breath, in every choice. Seeing myself, seeing Heaven and Earth, seeing all living beings—all that is comprehended is my Dao."
This was what a Saint had said, and Han Xuanji's answer was completely impeccable.
The Great Dao is formless, the Supreme is emotionless. Its name is unknown, but it is forcefully called Dao.
The imprint of the ancient Sage was silent for a moment, the Dao rhyme around him subtly fluctuating as if savoring, before slowly dissipating.
This first question tested whether a Cultivator's basic understanding of the "Dao" was clear, and whether they were bound by appearances or scriptures.
Han Xuanji had clearly broken free from the cage.
The second figure appeared, its aura even more ethereal, and asked: "The vast Mortal World, with its seven emotions and six desires—is it an obstacle to the Dao, or a resource for refining the Dao?"
This question was quite tricky, because some people traversed the Mortal World to comprehend the Dao, becoming carefree Immortals, while others wielded supreme power, sitting above the clouds as emperors and kings. Similarly, in ancient times, there were Cultivators who walked the Supreme Emotionless Dao and achieved the Great Dao.
Han Xuanji smiled indifferently:
"Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. Obsession leads to evil, but if the heart is set on the Great Dao, all things in the Mortal World are whetstones for the blade, capable of sharpening one's will and revealing the true self. The key lies in a Dao Heart that is unstained by dust and unyielding through tribulations."
He always felt that in this cultivation world, power and status were merely byproducts of strength.
These questions had no standard answers; rather, they were about asking one's heart and clarifying the Dao.
It was asking about himself, and what he comprehended was also his own Dao.
The second illusory figure dissipated, and soon, the third and fourth appeared... Each illusory figure posed increasingly tricky questions, even involving profound Great Daos such as Yin and Yang, Five Elements, Karma, Reincarnation, and life and death.
However, Han Xuanji's answers were often incredibly sharp, directly hitting the essence, carrying a transcendent Realm of embracing all rivers and integrating all knowledge.
He had already comprehended the Three Thousand Great Daos for many years on the Questioning Dao Cliff, and possessed numerous special Physiques that made it easier to comprehend some unique Daos. Coupled with the "Mortal World Immortal Realm" he had just acquired, his vision and foundation far surpassed that of an ordinary Golden Immortal.
On the Dao Comprehension Platform, the illusory figures of the ancient Sages appeared one by one, then quietly dissipated one by one.
There were no intense debates, no clashes of Dao Laws, only calm questions and answers, and flashes of wisdom.
Han Xuanji consistently stood with his hands behind his back, his green robe slightly swaying, his tone calm, yet he seemed like a young mentor guiding these ancient spirits.
The Guardian Artifact Spirit watched from the shadows, utterly dumbfounded.
"This... this isn't a discussion of the Dao?
This is clearly... imparting the Dao.
How can this child's understanding of the Great Dao Laws be so profound?"
It had existed for countless years and had seen many Geniuses rack their brains and discuss the Dao here.
Never had it witnessed such a relaxed and leisurely scene of passing the trial.
The last illusory figure, with the most ancient aura, remained silent for a long time before speaking:
"Time and space are endless, how does one transcend?"
Upon hearing this.
Han Xuanji pondered for a moment, his gaze distant:
"The past cannot be changed, the future cannot be set.
Only the present is real. Grasping the fleeting moment is eternity. Transcendence is not about escaping, but about control."
This was his comprehension of time, space, and destiny. As he spoke, it seemed to subtly resonate with the surrounding Great Dao Laws.
The figure swayed, as if nodding in approval.
Everyone's Dao is different, and Han Xuanji had clearly found his own path. This was it.
It then transformed into specks of light and dissipated, and the Dao Discussing Platform emitted bursts of Great Dao Heavenly Music, slowly fading away as well.
Subsequently, streaks of clear light converged towards Han Xuanji.
Han Xuanji stood still, feeling a warm and vast power nourishing his Divine Soul and Sea of Consciousness.
This was not a simple Legacy of imparting Immortal power or the like, but rather contained a large amount of pure Dao rhyme and fragments of wisdom, like the sweetest spring water, cleansing and strengthening his Dao foundation. This kind of gain far surpassed ordinary cultivation advancement.
"A rare sight in ten thousand years..."
The Guardian Artifact Spirit's light flickered slightly nearby, once again shocked.
His comprehension of the Great Dao had reached such a profound level, it was unprecedented.
It even began to wonder if the assessment of Han Xuanji's "talent not being too Heaven-Defying" was just those youngsters playing around, or if they were being too modest.
"This child has walked his own Dao. Perhaps the Heavenly Palace will have another Grand Immortal King in the future?"
The Guardian Artifact Spirit couldn't help but think so.
What Han Xuanji encountered on the Heart Refining Road was naturally invisible to the outside world.
Han Xuanji felt his Soul Power increase again and secretly nodded.
He didn't expect such a pleasant surprise.
Not only had his own Great Dao been sorted out, but there was also such a reward.
Just as Han Xuanji was preparing to accept the subsequent challenges, the scene before him changed.
A gate radiating Immortal light appeared directly in front of him.
"Did I pass?"
Han Xuanji immediately pushed open the gate and stepped inside, seeing a Dragon-shaped figure with a complex expression.
Outside, the various Immortal Venerables noticed that Han Xuanji's figure had disappeared from the Myriad Laws Refining Heart Path. Normally, they would slowly advance.
Han Xuanji's speed was already quite fast, far exceeding ordinary people, but his sudden disappearance was a first.
"Master, what is this?"
Immortal Lord Yunmiao had never seen such a situation and quickly asked the knowledgeable Celestial Venerable Yuheng.
"Could something have gone wrong?"
He was a little worried about his Disciple.
"This, this might be that he has already passed the Myriad Laws Refining Heart Path?"
Celestial Venerable Yuheng's expression was also strange. After pondering for a moment, he said:
"The treasury and this Myriad Laws Refining Heart Path are both managed by a Senior of the Heavenly Palace. That individual is the most ancient existence within the Heavenly Palace, also a Guardian God left by the Ancestral Master. He should not make things difficult for Han Xuanji."
At this point, he was also a little uncertain.
Because they had specifically instructed the Guardian Artifact Spirit earlier, requesting that Han Xuanji's test be more difficult.
Could there really have been some mishap?