As the conversation deepened, Fang Xuanhe suddenly set down his teacup. He gave Han Xuanji a meaningful look, stroked his beard, and smiled.
"Does my young friend know that many Disciples in the tower have been discussing you since your arrival today?"
Han Xuanji's expression remained unchanged. He picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and said indifferently,
"I've heard some rumors."
Seeing how composed he was, Fang Xuanhe couldn't help but laugh, his voice tinged with emotion.
"I've heard some of those words myself.
Something about getting in through the back door, not living up to your reputation, relying entirely on luck... Tsk tsk, they spoke with such vivid detail that even I almost believed it."
He shook his head, his tone shifting to one of slight disdain.
"But meeting you today, I realize those rumors are pure nonsense."
Han Xuanji was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected this Elder, who looked so sage-like, to speak so bluntly. Fang Xuanhe didn't mind his reaction and continued on his own.
"I've lived a long time and seen too many so-called Prodigies. Some talk a big game but falter the moment they take action; others are praised to the heavens, but when it's time for an examination, they can't even show thirty percent of their power."
His gaze fell on Han Xuanji, his eyes full of appreciation.
"But you are different, young friend.
Discussing the Dao with you just now, your understanding of the Way of Laws was clear and your insights unique. You are far beyond those who only know how to talk. Although I wouldn't claim to have seen everyone, I still have this much discernment."
Han Xuanji cupped his hands and said,
"Elder Fang overpraises me."
"Overpraise?"
Fang Xuanhe laughed loudly. "At my age, I don't need to flatter a Junior. I'm simply telling the truth."
He paused, sighed, and said earnestly,
"Young friend, let me say one more thing.
On this path of cultivation, there will never be a shortage of gossip. The more outstanding you are, the more people will envy you.
Those who say you rely on luck or the back door are simply incompetent themselves and can't stand to see others do well."
He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and said calmly,
"If you truly believe those words and feel you don't live up to your reputation, then you've fallen into their trap. A cultivator should maintain their Heart-Nature. Once you've heard the idle gossip of the outside world, let it go; there's no need to take it to heart."
Hearing this, Han Xuanji felt a stir in his heart and nodded seriously.
"This Junior has learned much."
Fang Xuanhe waved his hand and smiled.
"It's not about learning, just a bit of experience from someone who's been there.
Alright, let's stop talking about that and get to business."
He set down his teacup, his expression gradually becoming serious as he looked directly at Han Xuanji.
"You wish to comprehend the Five Elements Dao laws. I wonder, do you have any specific plans?"
Having reached a pleasant point in the conversation, Han Xuanji no longer hesitated and slowly stated his request, his tone sincere.
"Elder Fang, I have one more presumptuous request today. I have heard that the Five Elements Tower has a core Forbidden Land called the Five Elements Altar. It was a place where the Five Elements Tower Master used to go into seclusion for years. Not only is the dao-rhythm there the most profound, but it also contains the core Legacy of the Five Elements Tower Master. This Junior earnestly requests that the Elder allow me to go to the Five Elements Altar to observe the dao-rhythm and comprehend the Five Elements Dao laws."
Upon hearing the words "Five Elements Altar," the smile on Fang Xuanhe's face slightly faded, and his expression became solemn. He pondered for a moment before slowly speaking.
"Little Friend Han, to be honest, the Five Elements Altar is indeed the core Forbidden Land of my Five Elements Tower. It was built by the Five Elements Tower Master with countless efforts back then. It contains not only his place of seclusion but also his lifelong insights into laws and his core Legacy. It has never been open to outsiders; even Core Disciples of the Five Elements Tower only have the chance to earn the qualification to enter."
Han Xuanji's heart sank slightly, but he did not give up, still speaking sincerely.
"This Junior knows that this matter is of great importance and is aware of the significance of the Five Elements Altar.
It is just that I wish to use the Tower Master's dao-rhythm to condense the Five Elements Dao laws as quickly as possible. I hope Elder Fang can make an exception."
Fang Xuanhe looked at the determination in Han Xuanji's eyes and recalled their conversation just now. After thinking for a moment, he slowly nodded.
"Very well. You are an S-Rank Prodigy introduced by the Hun Family and have quite a fate with our Five Elements Tower. Furthermore, the Five Elements Tower and the Hun Family have been friends for generations. I will make an exception this once."
Hearing this, a flash of joy appeared in Han Xuanji's eyes, and he quickly stood up to give his thanks.
"Thank you, Elder Fang, for granting my request!"
Fang Xuanhe nodded and said slowly,
"However, you must also know that reaching the Five Elements Altar is no easy task. You must first cross the Five Elements Heavenly Ladder."
"The Five Elements Heavenly Ladder?"
A hint of confusion flashed in Han Xuanji's eyes as he asked softly.
Fang Xuanhe slowly explained,
"Indeed. The Five Elements Heavenly Ladder is the only path to the Five Elements Altar. There are a total of three thousand six hundred and fifty steps, and each step is set with a Law Restriction. It is not easy to successfully step across them and ascend."
"Moreover, this Five Elements Heavenly Ladder has two Restrictions: first, one's cultivation must be below the level of an Eternal True God; second, the stronger the cultivation, the greater the pressure faced. To climb the staircase, one needs not only powerful cultivation but also a very deep understanding of the Way of Laws. One must be able to trigger their own Dao laws to merge with the dao-rhythm of the staircase to move forward steadily."
Pausing, Fang Xuanhe added,
"Since the founding of the Five Elements Tower, those who have successfully climbed the Five Elements Heavenly Ladder and reached the Five Elements Altar can be counted on one's fingers. They were all exceptionally gifted individuals. No one in the current generation of my Five Elements Tower has been able to do it."
Hearing this, Han Xuanji was thoughtful and nodded gently.
So there was such difficulty in reaching the Five Elements Altar. However, this only made him look forward to the Five Elements Altar even more. The more difficult it was, the more profound the dao-rhythm of the Five Elements Altar would be, and the Sign In rewards would likely be even more abundant.
More importantly, this Five Elements Heavenly Ladder might also be a good Sign In point. Even if he couldn't climb the staircase for the time being, he could still comprehend the Dao laws on the staircase and then Sign In.
As for the other places in the Five Elements Tower, Han Xuanji already had a judgment in his heart. The dao-rhythm in those places was bound to be much shallower than that of the Five Elements Altar and the Five Elements Heavenly Ladder. For him now, they wouldn't be of much help, and there was no need to waste time signing in there.
At this point, Han Xuanji didn't think any further. He looked up at Fang Xuanhe with a determined expression.
"Elder Fang, I understand. No matter how difficult the Five Elements Heavenly Ladder is, I am willing to try. Please lead me to the Five Elements Heavenly Ladder, Elder."
Seeing Han Xuanji's determined expression and the lack of fear in his eyes, Fang Xuanhe's appreciation grew. He nodded.
"Good! You have spirit! With a Heart-Nature like yours, you will surely achieve something in the Way of Laws in the future. Since you have decided, I will take you to the Five Elements Heavenly Ladder now."
After saying that, Fang Xuanhe stood up, straightened his robes, and led the way out of the hall. "Young friend, please follow me."
Han Xuanji followed closely behind, his gaze firm and his heart prepared.
Anyway, whether he could successfully climb up or not, he wouldn't lose out!
Don't ask why; the answer is that he has a cheat.