However, the Supreme Divine Venerable was a bit displeased.
"Afraid?"
The Supreme Divine Venerable spoke sharply, his raspy voice carrying the frustration and unwillingness of countless years.
"Back then, I dared to prove my Dao through strength, achieve Transcendence from Chaos, and clash head-on with the will of chaos. When have I ever been afraid of anything?"
He took a sudden step forward, and a pressure far exceeding the Limitless Primordial swept out. It wasn't directed at Han Xuanji, but rather carried an intense sense of venting, causing the entire Sea of Great Dao Origin to tremble.
What he feared was never the strength of the will of chaos, but rather repeating his past mistakes—fearing that after giving his all, it would still end in nothing, fearing that he wouldn't even have the qualification to seek revenge.
Han Xuanji stood quietly in place, easily blocking that pressure. His expression remained calm and indifferent, as if he had long expected this reaction. He slowly added:
"Of course you aren't afraid, Senior. I was merely speaking casually."
"It's just that you have been in hiding for hundreds of millions of years, Senior. Are you truly willing to remain in such silence?"
"Are you willing to watch the will of chaos continue to control all living beings, watching those who, like you, harbor the ambition for Transcendence, repeat your mistakes?"
These words were soft yet firm, giving the Supreme Divine Venerable a way out while once again poking at his sore spots and obsessions.
The reason he was heavily injured by the will of chaos back then was that failure and seclusion had gradually worn down his edge, but they had never extinguished the unwillingness in his heart.
The Supreme Divine Venerable's aura gradually calmed down, the anger in his eyes fading, replaced by a deep complexity.
He stared at Han Xuanji for a long time. This Junior before him, though young, had a boldness that surprised him. He had the courage to face the will of chaos directly, yet possessed clear-headed planning. More rarely, his Dao Heart was clear, appearing without much calculation.
Especially Han Xuanji's phrase, "I wish for the living beings of the Myriad Worlds of Chaos to have the right to freely seek the Dao," caused the Supreme Divine Venerable's heart to stir.
After a long time, the Supreme Divine Venerable slowly closed his eyes. When he opened them again, there was no longer any hesitation. The pressure belonging to the Perfection of the Limitless Primordial was composed and heavy.
"You brat, you certainly know how to provoke me."
The Supreme Divine Venerable's voice was raspy, but it had gained a bit of heartiness, no longer possessing the previous sense of age and loneliness.
"I admit, I did indeed shrink back just now. After all, I don't want to experience the heavy injuries of that year again."
"But you are right. I have hidden for eons not to survive ignobly, but to wait for an Opportunity—an Opportunity for revenge and to break the shackles."
He took a step forward, his eyes burning as he stared at Han Xuanji, his tone solemn and every word forceful:
"You want to protect your Lineage and suppress the petty figures of Chaos? I will help you! From now on, as long as I am here, no one in Chaos will dare to easily move against your Lineage, and no one will dare to block your path!"
Pausing for a moment, he raised his hand to brush over the crack between his eyebrows, a fierce light flashing in his eyes as his tone became even more determined:
"As for the will of chaos... what it owed me back then, and what it owes the living beings of Chaos, I will eventually reclaim it! If that day truly comes, I will fight side by side with you. Even if my dao foundation is destroyed and my Divine Soul is annihilated, I will never retreat another step!"
Seeing this, a flash of joy crossed Han Xuanji's eyes. He bowed slightly, his tone becoming more respectful:
"Thank you for your help, Senior! With your words, I no longer have any worries."
"When the day comes to face the will of chaos, I will surely stand beside you, Senior, to break the shackles of Chaos together and return the right to freely seek the Dao to the living beings of the myriad worlds!"
Han Xuanji calculated secretly. With the assistance of an old-timer at the Perfection of the Limitless Primordial like the Supreme Divine Venerable, their side's combat power instantly soared.
He was far from reaching the Realm of being invincible in Chaos. Regardless, it was always good to have one more powerful ally now.
As for the Supreme Divine Venerable, looking at Han Xuanji's steady appearance, his heart became increasingly certain.
He had not chosen the wrong ally.
This Junior might truly be able to lead the living beings of Chaos to break the shackles of the will of chaos, and perhaps truly allow him to fulfill his dream of Transcendence within his lifetime.
The Supreme Divine Venerable waved his hand, and the billions of Dao laws and flowing lights of the Sea of Great Dao Origin slowly gathered:
"You, Junior, have a clear Dao Heart and heaven-defying Luck. More rarely, you possess a heart of great kindness; your potential is limitless."
The Supreme Divine Venerable spoke slowly, his tone full of praise.
"I have meditated in this Sea of Great Dao Origin for eons, observing the birth and destruction of the three thousand great daos. If you have time, stay here with me to comprehend and discuss the Dao. It can be considered not wasting the fate of our meeting today."
Hearing this, Han Xuanji immediately cupped his hands in a salute:
"Thank you for your favor, Senior! To receive your guidance would be of great benefit to me; it is more than I could ask for."
He knew well that although the Supreme Divine Venerable mocked himself as a failure, he was still an old-timer Powerful Expert at the Perfection of the Limitless Primordial. Having been immersed in the Sea of Great Dao Origin for countless years, his vision and insights were not lacking.
Even though his talent was extremely high, he still lacked in his comprehension of the Great Dao. Being able to discuss the Dao with the other party was also an Opportunity.
The two stood in the Sea of Great Dao Origin like that, exchanging words, discussing the birth and destruction of Chaos, the evolution of the Great Dao, the cultivation of the Dao Heart, and the method of Transcendence.
The Supreme Divine Venerable also taught everything he knew, telling Han Xuanji all of his insights and experiences from over the countless years.
Han Xuanji also held nothing back, sharing his insights on the path of Transcendence and his understanding of the three thousand great daos with the Supreme Divine Venerable.
After an unknown amount of time, ripples rose across the Sea of Great Dao Origin. Both laughed at the same time, a flash of realization and joy appearing in their eyes.
The Supreme Divine Venerable looked at Han Xuanji, his eyes full of unhidden praise and affirmation, his tone solemn:
"I have lived for so many years and seen countless Prodigies of Chaos, yet I have never seen anyone like you. Your potential is far beyond mine back then."
"If it is you, in time, you will surely break the shackles of the will of chaos and step into the Grandmist."
This evaluation could not be considered low.
But the Supreme Divine Venerable was not speaking falsely; he truly saw infinite potential in this Junior.
Han Xuanji bowed slightly, his tone humble:
"Senior, you overpraise me."
He knew in his heart that after this discussion, the relationship between him and the Supreme Divine Venerable had already surpassed that of "allies" and was more like that of master and disciple or fellow seekers of the Dao.
Moreover, the benefits of this Dao discussion for him were not small; his Realm was loosening again.
Han Xuanji thought to himself, gave a slight salute to the Supreme Divine Venerable, and spoke sincerely:
"I have gained much from this Dao discussion and benefited greatly. However, I still have many mundane matters to attend to and should not stay here for long. I will take my leave now."
In any case, he had to go and secretly digest the System rewards; he couldn't do such a thing in front of the other person.