The crowd began to whisper even more, especially after seeing the gatekeeping Disciple's respectful attitude toward Han Xuanji.
"Who is that? Why is Senior Brother Chen personally leading the way?"
"Look, he's holding a Hun Family token!"
"The Hun Family? He must be a direct descendant then."
"But he looks quite unfamiliar."
Han Xuanji turned a deaf ear to them, following the gatekeeping Disciple with a calm expression.
As they reached the entrance of the main building, a young Cultivator dressed in expensive brocade robes happened to walk out, coming face-to-face with Han Xuanji.
The young Cultivator was stunned for a moment, then frowned and stared at Han Xuanji for a long time, seemingly trying hard to recall something.
"You... You are..."
He muttered to himself, his brow furrowing deeper.
Han Xuanji recognized him; it was that Hun Hao from before, a Hun Family Disciple who had been rated A-rank. He gave a slight nod as a greeting and intended to keep walking.
"Ah! I remember now!"
Hun Hao suddenly clapped his hands, his voice rising a few notches:
"You're that S-Rank Prodigy who was brought into the Hun Family through an exception, right? I almost forgot the Hun Family even had someone like you."
Han Xuanji was somewhat speechless.
This guy was putting on quite an act. At this Realm, how could his memory be poor? He was clearly doing this on purpose in public.
However, as soon as Hun Hao spoke, the Cultivators and Five Elements Tower Disciples passing by stopped in their tracks and swarmed around. Their gazes fell on Han Xuanji with varying expressions.
Some were curious, others confused. After all, while Han Xuanji might have some fame within the Hun Family, very few in Qianhun City knew of him.
"I remember now. There were rumors that the Hun Family gained an S-Rank Prodigy who stayed in seclusion. Many people said he didn't live up to the title."
"Supposedly, he was personally appointed by the Hun Family Head without undergoing any testing."
"Tsk tsk, what luck. A rogue Cultivator with no sect or school actually gained the favor of a Hun Family noble to get this kind of treatment. He probably has no real skill, right? Otherwise, why hasn't he cleared things up?"
Discussions broke out one after another. The gazes falling on Han Xuanji were probing, mocking, and even a bit gloating.
Listening to the crowd, Hun Hao's face showed an even more smug expression, as if he had exposed some great secret. His tone became increasingly biting:
"What's the matter, did I hit the nail on the head? Stop pretending. If not for relying on Hun Qianling, would you be here today? I bet even if you go in, you won't comprehend any dao rhyme. It's a pure waste of an Opportunity."
Facing the interrogation and mockery, Han Xuanji's face remained rippleless. His expression was still calm, as if the discussions around him had nothing to do with him.
Han Xuanji merely gave the young Hun Family Cultivator a faint glance without speaking. Instead, he turned to the gatekeeping Disciple beside him and said:
"Lead the way. Let's not delay the business at hand."
Such inexplicable mockery.
He wasn't some hot-blooded anime protagonist; why would he go out of his way to prove himself for no reason?
Getting into a conflict with the guy would only waste his time.
The gatekeeping Disciple saw this and quickly replied:
"Yes, Sir."
Although he had heard the gossip, he didn't dare say much. After all, Han Xuanji was a distinguished guest of the Hun Family. No matter the rumors, it wasn't his place to comment. He could only lead Han Xuanji through the crowd and toward the interior of the Five Elements Tower.
The crowd didn't dare block them, but the whispering didn't stop.
Seeing Han Xuanji unmoved, Hun Hao felt a bit snubbed, but he soon became interested in Han Xuanji's actions. He had intended to leave, but instead followed Han Xuanji inside. He guessed that Han Xuanji came to the Five Elements Tower for the Opportunity left by the Tower Master, but he didn't believe Han Xuanji could succeed.
A trial from a top-tier Eternal True God who practiced the Way of Laws was not that easy.
At the very least, he had failed it.
"I want to see just how much ability this S-Rank Genius actually has."
Hun Hao muttered in his heart while also informing some of his friends about the matter. It wasn't that he was targeting Han Xuanji specifically, but he detested this kind of 'backdoor' behavior. In his view, as a direct descendant of the Hun Family, even he didn't get special treatment, so why should an outsider?
...
Under the guidance of the Disciple, Han Xuanji passed through layers of corridors, heading deep into the core area of the Five Elements Tower's main building. The noise gradually faded. The walls on both sides were embedded with pieces of Five Elements Spiritual Jade, emitting soft, multicolored light that made the corridor look like a dream.
These jades were not just for illumination; they were also a part of the Five Elements Tower's defensive Restriction.
Before long, the two arrived at an elegant courtyard. The gatekeeping Disciple stopped and bowed, saying:
"Sir, Elder Fang is waiting for you in the hall. Please wait a moment while I go report your arrival."
Han Xuanji nodded slightly, and the Disciple hurried inside to announce him.
A moment later, a warm and heavy voice came from the hall:
"A distinguished guest has come from afar; please forgive my lack of a proper welcome. Please, come in!"
Han Xuanji stepped into the courtyard. It wasn't large, but it was arranged very elegantly. There was a pond in the center with water so clear the bottom was visible. Five-colored koi swam leisurely, and a few lotus flowers floated on the surface, their petals shimmering with faint spiritual light.
In a pavilion by the pond, an old man with white hair and a youthful complexion sat upright, holding a bamboo scroll as if reading.
The old man wore a green robe and had a lean, refined face. His aura was peaceful yet profound, making it impossible to gauge his depth.
This was the Five Elements Tower's Elder, Fang Xuanhe, a powerhouse at the Peak of the Eternal True Lord Realm, only one step away from the Eternal True God Realm.
Fang Xuanhe looked up, a flash of brilliance crossing his eyes as they landed on Han Xuanji. He then stood up with a beaming smile, set down the scroll, and spoke warmly:
"Little Friend Han, I have heard much about you. That girl Qianling already mentioned to me that an S-Rank Prodigy from the Hun Family would be coming. I have been waiting for quite some time."
Han Xuanji bowed slightly in return, his tone respectful:
"Elder Fang is too kind. I am Junior Han Xuanji. I have come today hoping to comprehend the Five Elements Dao Laws, and I hope Elder Fang will grant me this favor."
He skipped the unnecessary pleasantries and stated his purpose directly, his expression sincere, neither humble nor arrogant.
Hearing this, Fang Xuanhe burst into laughter, the approval in his eyes deepening:
"What a straightforward young friend! The path of cultivation should be just like this—crisp and decisive, without dragging one's feet. You practice the Way of Laws, so wanting to comprehend the Five Elements Dao Laws is a good thing. I am naturally willing to help you."
The two sat down as host and guest. Fang Xuanhe ordered a Disciple to serve tea and then began to converse with Han Xuanji, mostly revolving around insights into the Way of Laws.
Although Han Xuanji hadn't been cultivating for very long, his understanding of the Way of Laws was extremely unique. Occasionally, he offered insights that even made Fang Xuanhe's eyes light up, causing him to nod repeatedly. The conversation was pleasant. From basic insights into the Five Elements Dao Laws to advanced realizations of the Way of Laws, the more they talked, the more they found common ground.
Fang Xuanhe became increasingly certain that Han Xuanji was by no means as unworthy of his reputation as the rumors suggested. His talent indeed deserved the title of S-Rank Prodigy, and likely far surpassed many direct descendants of the Hun Family.