[Sage Xuan Du: Celestial Golden Immortal Perfection, the first Disciple of Grand Supreme Dao Venerable, one of the first batch of the Human Race in the world. He carries the great Luck of the Human Race and once supported several Ancient Human Sovereigns. He is a figure akin to an ancestor of the Human Race. Usually, he cultivates bitterly in Tushita Palace to seek the Grand Dao, indifferent to worldly affairs, and only takes action if the Human Race faces extinction. He has come out of seclusion due to your arrival.]
Han Xuanji silently observed Sage Xuan Du, thinking that in this cultivation world, one's background and origins really mattered.
As a Disciple of a Dao Venerable, even the Heavenly Emperor could do nothing to him and had to treat him with courtesy.
Meanwhile, other Heavenly Court Emperors, even those at the Celestial Golden Immortal Realm, did not enjoy such freedom.
A look of curiosity appeared in Sage Xuan Du's eyes as he spoke:
"The Dao Venerable's strength is as vast as a sea of stars, and your aura contains the profound mystery of creation and destruction. It is truly something I have rarely seen in countless years. If Fellow Daoist is not also a practitioner of the Dao of Alchemy..."
He paused and made an unexpected decision. He stepped aside from the gap in the palace gates and offered a sincere invitation:
"The dao-rhythm outside the palace is but a lingering echo. Since the Dao Venerable has such a fated connection with our lineage, I wonder if you would be willing to step inside the palace for a conversation?
Although my Master has not yet returned from his travels, I have a few difficulties and might be able to ask for some guidance from you."
Li Haokong stood to the side, listening in dumbfounded silence.
He hadn't expected the usually aloof and indifferent Sage Xuan Du to be so bold. Although the Sage held a high status in the Heavenly Court and interacted with the Four Imperial Emperors as peers, Han Xuanji was even more extraordinary. His status was on par with the Heavenly Emperor's. Even if his strength might not match those ancient Dao Venerables, he was certainly not someone below the level of a Dao Venerable could compare to.
Hearing this, Han Xuanji felt a stir in his heart. Tushita Palace, the dao-field of Grand Supreme Dao Venerable! Since ancient times, how many immortal gods and mighty beings had the honor of stepping inside?
Most importantly, Han Xuanji could sense that there was a hidden mystery within Tushita Palace.
The sign-in rewards shouldn't be limited to just this.
Although he was delighted, Han Xuanji showed nothing on his face. After a brief moment of contemplation, he nodded and replied:
"Since it is Archmage Xuan Du's kind invitation, it would be disrespectful to refuse."
Sage Xuan Du did not actually have a clear Daoist name because Grand Supreme Dao Venerable had not bestowed one. He was called the Great Archmage of Xuan Du because he once guarded Xuan Du City and pioneered the Xuan Du Grand Dao. Later, because he saved the Human Race many times, he was honored by the entire race as the Sage.
This address of 'Archmage Xuan Du' served to bring the two closer.
Li Haokong's heart was filled with envy; people with status and background were indeed different.
They had become acquainted almost as soon as they met.
And as for Sage Xuan Du, when had he ever seen him treat someone like this?
"This way, Dao Venerable!"
Sage Xuan Du looked pleased and personally led the way.
Li Haokong did not follow them inside but waited outside the palace.
Following Sage Xuan Du, Han Xuanji stepped through the palace gates that symbolized the highest Holy Land of the Immortal Realm.
The moment he stepped through the gates, it felt as if he had crossed an invisible boundary, replaced by an indescribable dao-rhythm of pure tranquility and non-action.
The scene inside the palace was not extravagant; it was simple and ancient, yet it faintly exuded an extraordinary air.
Beneath his feet was a warm purple jade floor, with the Spiritual Qi of Earth Fire faintly flowing through it. The corridors were dark purple with mysterious cloud patterns. The fragrance of pills in the air was even purer. Looking up, the ceiling revealed a slowly rotating phantom of a taiji diagram, with purple-gold flames flickering at the eyes of the Yin and Yang fish, as if explaining the fundamental principles of heaven and earth.
Sage Xuan Du led Han Xuanji through several corridors and courtyards that seemed simple but contained spatial mysteries. Suddenly, the view opened up.
It wasn't a more extravagant or grand palace; instead, it appeared even more like a return to nature.
In the center of a courtyard filled with a faint purple mist sat a daoist palace that wasn't very tall. On the plaque were three ancient daoist characters: "Eight Views Palace." The handwriting was of the same origin as the plaque on the Tushita Palace gates, but it added a sense of harmony and freedom.
In front of the palace were several Ancient Enlightenment Trees. Under the trees were stone tables and stools. On the table was an unfinished game of Go, with naturally warm black and white pieces that faintly radiated the dao-rhythm of Yin and Yang.
Beside the palace, a clear spring bubbled, and several rare Spiritual Plants, hard to find in the outside world, grew leisurely by the spring.
This place was called Eight Views Palace, the former residence and preaching grounds of Grand Supreme Dao Venerable. Sage Xuan Du usually cultivated in Eight Views Palace as well. There were also a few of his Disciples here; though few in number, they were all people of profound cultivation and talent.
Compared to the solemnity of Tushita Palace, this place felt more like the Dao follows nature.
The walls of the corridors were not made of brick or stone, but a Chaos-colored jade capable of carrying dao-rhythm. There were no carvings, yet countless subtle Alchemy runes and traces of creation naturally emerged on them. These were the natural imprints left by the dao-rhythm when Grand Supreme Dao Venerable practiced Alchemy and comprehended the Dao over the long ages.
Walking through it, Han Xuanji felt as if he were strolling along the river of the Laws of the Dao of Alchemy.
"Dao Venerable, this is Eight Views Palace, where my Master and we usually reside."
Sage Xuan Du introduced, his tone carrying the relaxation of returning to a familiar place.
"The furnishings in the palace are simple; I hope the Dao Venerable doesn't mind."
Han Xuanji's gaze swept across, and his heart stirred. This place seemed simple, but every blade of grass, every tree, every stone, and every spring blended perfectly with the surrounding heavenly dao-rhythm. It was as if they were meant to be there; any more would be redundant, any less would be a deficiency.
Especially that unfinished game of Go; the interplay of black and white seemed to faintly illustrate the principles of the waxing and waning of Yin and Yang.
Indeed.
This place was the true sign-in location. Although the Tushita Palace outside was extraordinary, it was merely a place for Alchemy and receiving guests.
This place was the true dao-field of Grand Supreme Dao Venerable, where he usually cultivated and preached, containing the majority of the dao-rhythm.
Han Xuanji was delighted; he had indeed made the right choice.
If he hadn't bothered to interact with Sage Xuan Du, he might have missed this Opportunity.
Eight Views Palace was hidden very deeply; even he would have found it difficult to detect without careful investigation.
At this time, several young Daoists in the distance also looked over curiously. Seeing that it was a guest personally accompanied by their Master and possessed such an extraordinary bearing, they all bowed respectfully.
Sage Xuan Du introduced them simply:
"These are my unworthy Disciples. They usually serve the lineage here and look after the palace grounds."
There was a hint of affection in his words. Han Xuanji nodded slightly as a greeting. He could see that these people were all from the Human Race, with extremely solid Foundations and pure Heart-Natures. Their future achievements would be limitless. The lineage of Grand Supreme indeed had deep roots.
As Han Xuanji was reflecting, the System prompt sounded.
[Detected 8-star sign-in location "Eight Views Palace". Would you like to sign in?]
"System, sign in."
Han Xuanji's thoughts raced. It was still an 8-star sign-in location, but his heart was full of anticipation.
[Congratulations to the Host for successfully signing in at the 8-star sign-in location "Eight Views Palace". You have obtained the supreme treasure "Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Pagoda".]
The first reward sent a shock through Han Xuanji's heart. Another supreme treasure! Previously, he had obtained many of Yuanshi Dao Venerable's treasures through signing in. This time...
He could not miss out on Grand Supreme Dao Venerable's treasures either.
Since he was here, Han Xuanji decided to empty out Grand Supreme Dao Venerable...