"We each have our own destined paths; there is no need to rush."
Li Taiqing said gently, then keenly noticed a trace of lingering worry between Su Ming's brows.
"Brother Su, you've returned in such haste. Is there urgent business concerning the Nine Nether?"
Su Ming's expression turned serious as he nodded:
"Indeed. A shocking change is about to occur in the Land of Reincarnation, and I must report it to Senior Brother immediately."
He did not elaborate, but his grave tone made everyone present realize the severity of the matter.
"Could it be about the Reincarnation Purgatory?"
Li Taiqing inquired.
"Exactly."
Su Ming did not conceal it either, stating directly:
"Sigh, I must trouble Senior Brother again."
"As expected."
Li Taiqing and the others did not press for details, as they had also learned about the Reincarnation Purgatory from various channels.
Even Lin Potian put away his smile, for he knew full well what this meant.
In the Immortal Realm, there were even rumors that if the Reincarnation Purgatory were breached, the Immortal Realm would perish.
Li Taiqing said solemnly, "In that case, go quickly to see Master. We will wait here for news and are ready to heed any summons if needed."
"I trouble you all."
Without further delay, Su Ming cupped his hands towards the group, his figure flashing as he passed through layers of halls and corridors, arriving at the Xuantian Hall, the very core of the Dao Palace.
The hall doors opened silently of their own accord.
Su Ming straightened his attire and stepped inside.
The interior was not opulently golden, but resembled a scene of the Chaos at its inception. Golden lotuses surged from the ground, purple Qi descended from the heavens, and boundless dao-rhythm materialized into tangible runes floating about, akin to a sacred realm.
Deep within the great hall, Han Xuanji remained seated upon the Thirty-six-petaled Chaos Green Lotus, his eyes slightly closed. The aura around him subtly harmonized with the rhythm of the entire Dao Palace and the broader heavens and earth, as if he were an Incarnation of the Great Dao itself.
"Su Ming pays his respects to Senior Brother!"
Su Ming bowed deeply, his tone reverent.
Upon the lotus pedestal, Han Xuanji slowly opened his eyes.
In that instant, all the wondrous phenomena within the hall seemed to freeze for a moment. Only his profound gaze settled upon Su Ming.
"Primordial Unity, a solid Foundation, and the embryonic form of the Great Dao already present. Not bad."
Han Xuanji gave a slight nod, his voice calm.
"It is all thanks to Senior Brother's guidance and the Nether Lord's devoted cultivation."
Su Ming replied respectfully, not omitting the Nether Lord's contribution. Han Xuanji nodded slightly. This Nether Lord was quite sensible.
In fact, in Su Ming's simulations, the Nether Lord had also treated Su Ming well, cultivating him into a figure of Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal Realm. However, he left a pile of messes for Su Ming, leading to tragedy.
But in reality, the Nether Lord was wholehearted, with fewer schemes.
Not daring to delay, Su Ming got straight to the point.
"Senior Brother, I rushed back because of the matter concerning the Reincarnation Purgatory."
"Oh? Elaborate."
Han Xuanji's expression remained unchanged, as if he had already anticipated it. Steadying himself, Su Ming relayed his perceptions from the Land of Reincarnation and the information provided by the Nether Lord.
"The Nether Lord stated that this matter concerns the very Foundation of the Immortal Realm. Once the Purgatory's Seal is completely breached, countless Ancient Fiend will emerge, Reincarnation will be on the verge of collapse, and it will inevitably impact the entire order of the Immortal Realm. The Demon Ancestor and that forbidden existence within the Reincarnation Purgatory are colluding from within and without, plotting something grand.
I humbly request Senior Brother's decision!"
After speaking, Su Ming bowed deeply once more. To his shame, he was now also a Cultivator at the Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal level, yet he still felt so powerless.
And Senior Brother was forever so composed, as if nothing in the world could trouble him.
After listening, Han Xuanji showed little surprise on his face, given his current level of cultivation.
There might still be hidden matters within Chaos that were difficult to perceive, but within the Immortal Realm, matters great and small could be discerned with but a thought.
Compared to the constant fear and anxiety of the past, having now arduously reached the Peak of the Immortal Realm, Han Xuanji had indeed become much more at ease.
"The Demon Ancestor... what a clever scheme."
Han Xuanji murmured softly, as if deducing the heavenly secrets and connecting Karma.
"Using Reincarnation to disrupt the Immortal Realm... the Demon Ancestor likely has his own plans as well..."
Su Ming stood with bowed head, not daring to disturb Han Xuanji's contemplation.
After a moment, Han Xuanji lifted his gaze, his eyes calm and profound, looking at Su Ming:
"I am aware of this matter. The change in the Reincarnation Purgatory is indeed beyond your ability to hinder."
Han Xuanji pondered briefly, then said:
"Since you have returned, stay in the Dao Palace for now. I shall give a discourse on the Dao for you all, so that you may all step into the Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal Realm as soon as possible."
Su Ming's heart settled greatly.
Senior Brother's stance clearly indicated he already had a well-thought-out plan.
Han Xuanji chatted with Su Ming a while longer before letting him leave.
His own strength had now achieved a Breakthrough, and he was completely unafraid of the Demon Ancestor.
After all, even at the Peak of its power in the Immortal Realm, the Demon Ancestor's avatar was only at the Late Stage of Limitless Primordial. Moreover, its strength plummeted after the great battle with the Heavenly Emperor. Although it has recovered somewhat now, it is still far from its Peak. The Heavenly Emperor is the same; his strength is linked to the Immortal Realm's Luck, and the power between the two remains in equilibrium... Su Ming exited the Xuantian Hall, the heavy weight of worry in his heart having mostly dissipated.
He relayed Han Xuanji's instructions to Li Taiqing, Lin Potian, and the others waiting outside.
Everyone was immediately overjoyed.
After all, every time Han Xuanji gave a discourse on the Dao, they benefited immensely, their cultivation soaring as if cheating.
Even Yun Wuji was quite excited. Previously, a single private discourse from Han Xuanji had directly allowed him to step into the Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal Realm. He never thought he would encounter Han Xuanji's discourse again so soon.
Lin Potian also promptly notified Lu Fan.
For a major event like Master's discussion on the Dao, he couldn't forget his sworn brother.
Lu Fan, far away in the Myriad Manifestations Divine Dynasty of the Immortal Realm, received Lin Potian's notification. After arranging urgent matters, he tore through the Void Realm and hurried back to the Xuantian Dao Palace.
Before long, as the news spread, all Disciples of the Xuantian Dao Palace were extremely excited, sinking into a kind of solemn yet simmering anticipation.
Some among them were barely a thousand years old, having grown up listening to the legends of Han Xuanji.
Xuantian Limitless Creation Great Heavenly Venerable, Ancestral Master of the Xuantian Dao Palace, whom even the Heavenly Emperor treats with courtesy. He saved the Immortal Realm from peril, repelled great enemies from Chaos, truly a supreme figure.
Even though these Disciples had long been admitted to the Dao Palace, they had never seen Han Xuanji's true form. Now, having this chance to glimpse his true visage was a rare opportunity that comes once in a thousand years... Deep within the Dao Palace, outside the Xuantian Hall, immortal mist swirled, and auspicious energy flowed in countless streams.
The Disciples of the Xuantian Dao Palace had all taken their seats in order upon the Prayer Mats below the lotus pedestal.
"Look, that's Junior Martial Uncle Yun Wuji. In his day, he was the number one Prodigy of the Immortal Realm, once sweeping across the entire Immortal Realm, practically invincible."
"And that's Human Emperor Lu, who unified the ten great immortal domains of the Human Race. His glorious achievements have surpassed those of all previous Human Emperors. Under his leadership, perhaps our Human Race can become great once more!"
"That is inevitable. With Grandmaster present, we are destined to usher in a new era."
The Disciples chattered excitedly, their words full of admiration.
To be a direct Disciple of Han Xuanji already bestowed a position of supreme status in the Immortal Realm. Not to mention peers of the same Rank, even the Heavenly Emperor could not ignore them.
Before long, Han Xuanji's voice resounded throughout the Xuantian Dao Palace, saying:
"Primordial Chaos is the beginning of the Great Dao."
"Through this discussion, I hope you all can step into the Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal Realm as soon as possible."