Immediately after, Han Xuanji's gaze swept across his seven Personal Disciples, his tone solemn:
"Now that Lin Feng has entered my sect, as his Senior Brothers, you should look after him more, help each other, and cultivate together. Do not lose face for my Xuantian Dao Palace."
"This Disciple will keep Master's teachings in mind!"
Everyone bowed in unison and answered, their voices loud and clear, echoing throughout the entire Xuantian Hall.
As soon as they finished speaking, a chorus of congratulations rang out within the hall.
Li Taiqing was the first to step forward, cupping his hands and smiling at Lin Feng:
"Congratulations, Junior Brother Lin. From now on, you are a legitimate Personal Disciple of our Xuantian Dao Palace. On the future path of cultivation, let us help each other and comprehend the Great Dao together."
Jiang Hao also patted Lin Feng's shoulder, his tone hearty:
"Not bad, not bad. I have another Junior Brother now. Don't cry if you lose a match in the future; your Senior Brother won't show any mercy. But if anyone dares to bully you, I'll be the first to disagree!"
The other Personal Disciples in the hall also gathered around, offering their blessings one after another with sincere tones.
Little Lin Feng bowed deeply to everyone, his voice still carrying a hint of lingering sobs, yet it was incredibly firm:
"Thank you, Master. Thank you, Senior Brothers."
Watching this scene from the side, Chen Yan's eyes were filled with envy. He also hurriedly took a step forward, knelt on both knees before Han Xuanji, and respectfully kowtowed three times, his tone earnest yet carrying a hint of trepidation:
"Lord Celestial Venerable, this Junior, Chen Yan, has yearned for the Xuantian Dao Palace ever since meeting Brother Lin. I also long to follow Lord Celestial Venerable and cultivate diligently. I implore Lord Celestial Venerable to take me in. I am willing to enter the Xuantian Dao Palace; whether in the Outer Sect or the Inner Sect, I will surely be industrious, strictly abide by the sect rules, and never disgrace the prestigious name of the Xuantian Dao Palace!"
Han Xuanji looked down at Chen Yan. He wasn't surprised by the other's actions. After thinking for a moment, he didn't refuse him, though he did not take him as a Personal Disciple.
"You have a sincere Heart-Nature, a heart that seeks the Dao, and your skeletal structure is acceptable. Since you are determined to enter my Xuantian Dao Palace, then enter the Inner Sect to cultivate first. I hope you do not fail your original intention."
Hearing this, Chen Yan was overjoyed. He bowed again, his voice trembling with excitement:
"Thank you, Lord Celestial Venerable! This Junior will certainly go all out!"
Once the commotion in the hall had subsided slightly, Han Xuanji slowly raised his hand. The gentle aura around him gradually retracted, replaced by a sense of majesty.
His gaze slowly swept across all the Personal Disciples in the hall, his tone heavy as it echoed through the Xuantian Hall:
"The reason I summoned you all here today, besides holding the entry ceremony for Qingxuan, is that there is a matter of vital importance I must inform you all about."
Upon hearing this, everyone composed themselves and bowed to listen quietly. Even the usually restless Xiao Bai lay obediently at Han Xuanji's feet, no longer chirping.
Han Xuanji remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking, his tone carrying a hint of indiscernible solemnity:
"Undercurrents are currently surging within the Chaos. You should have felt it as well. Various ancient forces in the Chaos are stirring, and our Xuantian Dao Palace has already been regarded as a thorn in the side by many Chaos forces for certain reasons."
"Before long, the Xuantian Dao Palace may become the public enemy of the entire Chaos. At that time, countless Chaos Powerful Experts will swarm here, viewing every Disciple of the Xuantian Dao Palace as an enemy. At best, your cultivation will be completely crippled; at worst, your Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, falling into eternal damnation."
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall instantly fell into a dead silence, as if even the air had frozen.
Lin Feng was deeply shaken. He had never imagined that just after becoming a Disciple under Master, he would face such a fatal crisis.
However, although he was shocked, he felt no fear.
The other Disciples were the same; their expressions were serious, but they showed no cowardice.
Han Xuanji looked at everyone's expressions and softened his tone slightly, yet it remained solemn:
"This matter is dangerous, and I do not have absolute certainty in protecting your safety. You are all Prodigies; if you do not get involved in this catastrophe, you will surely become Chaos Great Powers in the future. Therefore, I do not require you to defend the Xuantian Dao Palace to the death. If anyone wishes to leave the Xuantian Dao Palace, I will never stop them."
"You must know that there are many Powerful Experts in the Chaos. Take the Demon Ancestor, for example—do not think the Demon Ancestor's strength is weak. His true body is a Supreme Titan, a hegemon of the Chaos. Furthermore, there are many ancient Chaos Demon Gods eyeing us greedily within the Chaos, including many Powerful Experts whose Realm is even above mine."
As soon as Han Xuanji finished speaking, Li Taiqing was the first to take a step forward and kneel on both knees. His tone was incredibly firm, even carrying a hint of a sob:
"Master! Are you trying to drive us away? Ever since this Disciple entered your sect, I have long regarded the Dao Palace as my home and Master and my Junior Brothers and Sisters as my own family!"
"Now that the Xuantian Dao Palace is in trouble, how can I flee? Even if what lies ahead is a Chaos catastrophe, I am willing to follow Master and live or die with the Xuantian Dao Palace, never retreating a single step!"
"Master, I am also unwilling to leave!"
Jiang Hao also hurriedly knelt. The usually hearty tough guy was also a bit choked up at this moment.
"I owe my current cultivation and achievements entirely to Master's meticulous guidance. Now that danger is approaching, I am willing to face the peril with Master and everyone. Even if my Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, I will never be an ungrateful person!"
Yun Wuji and the other Personal Disciples also knelt one after another, each of their voices becoming choked with anxiety:
"Master, I am willing to live and die with the Xuantian Dao Palace!"
"Master, we will never leave! Even if we become public enemies of the Chaos, we will always follow by Master's side!"
"Master, do you not believe us? Our loyalty to Master can be witnessed by Heaven and Earth, and proven by the Sun and Moon!"
The group of Disciples felt as if they had been insulted; it was the first time they had spoken to Han Xuanji with such intense tones.
However, they were using the harshest tones to say the softest words.
Lin Feng also hurriedly knelt, every word powerful and resonating:
"Master, I have just entered your sect and have yet to repay your great kindness and the care of my Senior Brothers. Now that the Xuantian Dao Palace is in trouble, how can I shrink back?"
"Even if facing thousands of troops and horses, I am willing to fight side by side with Master and my fellow Disciples, sharing life and death!"
Even Chen Yan, caught up in the atmosphere, knelt along with them and spoke his thoughts all at once:
"Lord Celestial Venerable, although I have just entered the Xuantian Dao Palace, I also know to repay kindness. Since the Xuantian Dao Palace has taken me in, I am willing to survive or perish with the Xuantian Dao Palace and will never flee!"
Even Xiao Bai jumped up, his tone carrying a bit of grievance and determination:
"Master, Xiao Bai isn't leaving either! Xiao Bai wants to stay with Master. Although my strength isn't great, please don't despise me!"
At this moment, Xiao Bai was the most panicked. Among everyone, he was the weakest. Surely he wouldn't really be driven away when the time came?
Thinking of such a possibility in the future, Xiao Bai no longer had the demeanor of "Master Bai" and was extremely humble.
Looking at the Disciples kneeling in a row before him, some even with tears streaming down their faces, Han Xuanji's heart jolted. A flash of surprise crossed his eyes, and he felt somewhat moved.
He had actually only mentioned it casually. Firstly, he didn't want to force his Disciples into the catastrophe, and secondly, it was a subconscious test. He had never expected the Disciples to have such a fierce reaction.
The human heart is unpredictable, but Han Xuanji could see that these Disciples were completely sincere. He didn't know if they would change in the future, but at least for now, they were absolutely loyal and wouldn't question him even if he told them to die.
Han Xuanji hurriedly raised his hand, gently helping them up one by one, his tone carrying a faint hint of apology:
"Alright, alright, everyone get up. It was Master's fault."
He rubbed Xiao Bai's tiger head and looked at the reddened eyes of the Disciples. His tone softened considerably:
"Master knows your loyalty. I have never doubted you. I only said that because I didn't want you to lose your lives in vain due to the Xuantian Dao Palace's peril."
It was the first time the Disciples had heard Han Xuanji use such a tone. The grievance in their hearts instantly vanished, and they wiped the tears from the corners of their eyes, bowing as they responded:
"We understand Master's painstaking efforts! It's just that we truly aren't people who fear death."
Han Xuanji nodded slightly and waved his hand:
"There is no need for further formalities. Although this matter is dangerous, with such loyal Disciples as you, I have the confidence to protect the Xuantian Dao Palace and every one of you."
"The catastrophe has not yet arrived; we still have time to cultivate diligently and improve our strength. There is no need for excessive anxiety."
After the Disciples had completely calmed their minds, Han Xuanji's gaze swept across them again. His expression suddenly became somewhat playful, and his tone lightened significantly, breaking the heavy atmosphere in the hall:
"Alright, let's not talk about these heavy matters anymore. I have a question I want to ask all of you. Among you, has anyone ever had the slightest thought about the position of the Heavenly Emperor?"
"No need to hide it; just speak truthfully."