After hearing what Li Taiqing had to say, a knowing smile flickered in Han Xuanji's eyes.
"The Four Heavenly Demons..."
He spoke indifferently, his tone calm, yet it carried an air of having already seen through everything.
"Though this person is a personal guard under the Demon Ancestor, he has never been one for blind loyalty. He has avoided combat in several major battles and held back in secret; this seat has seen it all."
Li Taiqing was slightly taken aback, not expecting his Master to be so well-informed about such matters.
"Master is wise. This Disciple also observed that his Heart-Nature is acceptable, but the Immortal Realm has long held a grudge against the Demon Race. Taking him in abruptly might stir up controversy."
Li Taiqing said as much.
"Controversy?"
Han Xuanji gave a light chuckle.
"The Xuantian Dao Palace stands in this world to judge people by their Dao Heart, not to judge good or evil by their Origins."
"The Four Heavenly Demons have not harmed a single person of our Immortal Realm and have taken the initiative to surrender; thus, he is a usable person."
There was one more thing he didn't say: taking in the Four Heavenly Demons would undoubtedly be a massive blow to the Demon Race.
Han Xuanji thought for a moment and said:
"Go and reply to him:"
"Xuantian Dao Palace accepts all spirits and does not reject those who turn back."
"Let him lead his troops into the Outer Sect and be temporarily under your jurisdiction. Let him atone for his crimes through service, while you observe his Heart-Nature and conduct."
"If he truly seeks the Dao and abides by the rules, this seat will not be stingy in granting him a path to the Great Dao."
Li Taiqing's heart steadied as he bowed and replied:
"This Disciple obeys Master's decree!"
He also understood this layer of meaning from Han Xuanji's words, feeling that his Master was truly a person of great benevolence, whose Realm was far above his own.
Han Xuanji looked at this eldest Disciple, who worked hard without complaint to support the entire Xuantian Dao Palace, and his tone softened slightly:
"Taiqing."
"This Disciple is here."
"All these years, the large and small affairs within the palace have been weighed down on your shoulders alone, delaying your own cultivation. This seat has been negligent; are you exhausted?"
He could see that compared to the other Disciples, Li Taiqing's cultivation had fallen behind. On one hand, it was a matter of Aptitude, but on the other, he had indeed been delayed by these affairs.
Hearing this, Li Taiqing's heart stirred, and he quickly bowed:
"This Disciple is not tired! To be able to share Master's burdens is the greatest wish in this Disciple's heart!"
Han Xuanji shook his head slightly and brushed his hand. A clear light containing insights into the Origin of the Great Dao gently fell into Li Taiqing's forehead.
"This is a wisp of dao-rhythm I obtained from the Sea of Great Dao Origin to help you polish your dao foundation."
"From now on, you need not handle every trivial matter in the palace personally; you can delegate them to other Disciples. You must remember—you are my, Han Xuanji's, eldest Disciple. You are one who will step into the Limitless Primordial and reach the pinnacle of Transcendence in the future. Do not let too many mundane affairs trap your Great Dao."
Li Taiqing's whole body shook. He felt an immeasurable bright light explode in his Sea of Consciousness, and the Bottleneck that had troubled him for years suddenly loosened. Trembling with excitement, he immediately knelt on the ground:
"Disciple... thanks Master for the generous gift! This Disciple will certainly not fail Master's expectations!"
Han Xuanji lightly raised his hand, and an invisible force lifted him up.
"Rise."
"The Demon Ancestor's retreat is by no means an admission of defeat, but rather he is waiting for an opportunity. Next, you must stabilize the Xuantian Dao Palace; this seat is going into seclusion for a period of time."
Li Taiqing stood with a bow, the excitement in his eyes not yet faded. He bowed deeply to Han Xuanji once more, his tone respectful and firm:
"This Disciple will keep Master's teachings in mind and will certainly stabilize the Xuantian Dao Palace while awaiting Master's emergence from seclusion!"
He was also secretly shocked; Master must have gained some other great harvest.
Sometimes he couldn't help but think that Master's Breakthrough speed was even faster than theirs.
It was said that cultivation only gets harder the further one goes. After speaking, he cautiously bowed and withdrew, stepping out of the Xuantian Hall with light steps, for fear of disturbing Han Xuanji, who was about to enter seclusion.
The moment he stepped out of the Xuantian Hall, the gratitude in Li Taiqing's heart surged like a tide.
Ever since he joined Han Xuanji's sect, he had kept his Master's orders in mind, working hard to support the Xuantian Dao Palace's affairs without a single complaint. Yet he never thought that his Master would always be mindful of him, not only sharing his burdens but even bestowing such precious dao-rhythm to help him break through his Bottleneck and advance his Great Dao.
"Master treats me with kindness as heavy as a mountain; I must not fail Master's expectations."
Li Taiqing clenched his fists and made a silent vow in his heart.
He delayed no longer and walked quickly toward the Outer Sect of the Xuantian Dao Palace to find the Four Heavenly Demons who were waiting for news.
Since Master's decree had been issued, he needed to spread the news as quickly as possible and properly settle the Four Heavenly Demons and their followers.
Inside the Xuantian Hall, Han Xuanji watched Li Taiqing's departing back and nodded slightly.
Li Taiqing was originally a talent worth molding. With the addition of that wisp of Origin dao-rhythm, it shouldn't be long before he could break through his current Realm and catch up with the other Disciples.
Once the hall was completely silent, Han Xuanji waved his hand. An invisible barrier enveloped the entire Xuantian Hall, isolating it from all outside prying and interference, leaving only pure Chaos Qi swirling around him.
He slowly closed his eyes, and with a thought, he took the Chaos Origin power out of the System space.
This item was formless, colorless, and odorless; only those who had reached a certain Realm could perceive its existence.
Han Xuanji also used the System's concealment function to completely hide its aura. Otherwise, if this item were taken out, it might directly wake up the will of chaos.
This item was the Origin of a portion of Chaos. With this Origin as a foundation, plus a drop of water of eternity, Han Xuanji felt he could even open up a new Chaos.
Of course, he naturally wouldn't do such a thing.
One's own power was the true foundation.
Then, he summoned the great dao pagoda. The pagoda's body was ancient, with nine layers of dao-patterns flowing, emitting a pressure that suppressed heaven and earth.
He first channeled a wisp of Chaos Origin power. That wisp of Origin flowed into his Sea of Consciousness like a stream of light. This incomparably pure Origin power poured into his body with remarkable smoothness, without the slightest sense of stagnation.
Han Xuanji suspended the great dao pagoda in front of him. The pagoda's body turned slowly, and strands of profound power overflowed from the pagoda, merging into his body to assist him in refining the Chaos Origin.
Within his Sea of Consciousness, streams of light flew as the Origin power merged with his limitless dao fruit, gradually condensing into a phantom of a Perfected dao foundation. His Realm also slowly loosened, steadily climbing toward a higher level.
"A thousand years of discussing the Dao, plus these rewards—this seclusion will surely break through the shackles and reach a higher level."
Han Xuanji thought to himself, completely settling his mind and devoting himself entirely to refining and cultivation.
Inside the Xuantian Hall, the Origin aura became increasingly dense, and the laws of the Dao flowed ceaselessly.
...
On the other side, Li Taiqing quickly arrived at a palace outside the Xuantian Dao Palace. From afar, he saw a tall figure with a restrained aura, his expression carrying a hint of nervousness and expectation.