"Hmm?"
Han Xuanji was slightly taken aback. At first, he hadn't even noticed someone else was at the Peak of the ladder. He looked up toward the sound and saw a tall, slender figure in black standing not far away. The man's face was handsome and sharp like it had been carved with a knife, and his brow carried a natural cold and aloof Qi. His Qi was perfectly restrained, yet it could not hide the sharp edge of a Prodigy in his bones; one could tell at a glance that he was not a disciple raised by any ordinary power.
Noticing the surprise in Han Xuanji's eyes, the man in black nodded slightly, his expression softening a bit as he took the initiative to introduce himself.
"I am Xiao Yan. May I ask your name, brother?"
Xiao Yan showed no hint of arrogance, nor did he reveal anything about his background, giving off a sense of mystery.
Suppressing the surprise in his heart, Han Xuanji responded with equal politeness.
"I am Han Xuanji. Greetings, Brother Xiao."
As he spoke, he quietly activated the System's investigation function, and information regarding Xiao Yan instantly surfaced in his mind.
[Xiao Yan: Eternal Dao Lord Perfection, Divine Son of the Great Sheng Holy Dynasty, descendant of a Sacred King, and an awakener of the Emperor Bloodline. At the age of three, he awakened the Sacred King Bloodline in the Blood Temple, causing a sensation throughout the Sacred Dynasty. Everyone believed he would be a strong contender for the position of the next Sheng Emperor, but shortly after, he secretly perused royal forbidden books and learned that the truly Peak powerhouses on the Eternal Continent did not rely on Bloodlines, but rather on their transcendent comprehension of the Way of Laws. From that moment on, he began to doubt the Way of Bloodline. Upon reaching adulthood, he refused the Bloodline tempering ceremony arranged by his father. The Sheng Emperor was furious and placed him under house arrest. Xiao Yan was eventually released after his mother pleaded for him, and he quietly left the Great Sheng Holy Dynasty. Since then, he has wandered the world, cultivating while searching for like-minded Prodigies.]
"Oh?"
When Han Xuanji saw terms like "Divine Son of the Great Sheng Holy Dynasty" and "descendant of a Sacred King," his heart couldn't help but stir.
He had long heard of the Great Sheng Holy Dynasty's reputation.
In the southern part of the Eternal Continent, there are approximately five hundred great domains, four hundred of which are occupied by various races. The supreme powers of the south naturally cannot occupy every region. The Great Sheng Holy Dynasty is a hegemon that occupies an entire domain, ranking as a first-rate power on the Eternal Continent. It was founded by a Sacred King-level powerhouse and possesses a long Legacy. Moreover, it is not far from the Shenghui Region where they currently are.
He hadn't expected the person before him to have such a background.
Han Xuanji thought to himself that what was even more surprising was that Xiao Yan, as a descendant of a Sacred King, had not followed the path of Bloodline cultivation but instead insisted on the Way of Laws.
"Once a Sacred King Bloodline is awakened, as long as the Legacy is complete, achieving the Eternal Sacred Lord Realm is not difficult. To think he could give up such a smooth path to the heavens."
"In other words, Xiao Yan's pursuit is that legendary Sacred King Realm."
Han Xuanji remained unmoved, his face calm without revealing the slightest abnormality.
He could see that Xiao Yan did not intend to reveal his background. If he were to rashly expose it, it would seem abrupt. It was better to go with the flow and converse with him to see just how capable this Prodigy with a hidden identity really was.
"Brother Xiao seems to have been here for a long time?"
Han Xuanji spoke first, his tone casual.
"Not too long."
Xiao Yan said indifferently, "A hundred years ago, I came to the Peak of this ladder to comprehend the dao rhyme left behind by the Five Elements Tower Master."
Han Xuanji's heart stirred.
"Is this Brother Han's first time at the Five Elements Tower?"
Xiao Yan asked.
"Yes."
Han Xuanji nodded. "I have long heard of the Five Elements Heavenly Ladder's name and came specifically to give it a try."
"To reach the top on the first try."
The corners of Xiao Yan's mouth curled up slightly.
"Brother Han is indeed extraordinary."
Han Xuanji smiled and did not explain.
He couldn't exactly say that he had walked so easily because of the twelve portions of insights he had gained through the System Sign In.
Seeing that he didn't say much, Xiao Yan didn't press further. He simply turned to look at the bustling scenery of Qianhun City in the distance and said calmly:
"Countless people have attempted the Five Elements Tower's ladder. Among outsiders who have reached the top, you are the fourth."
After a pause, he added:
"I was the third."
"Brother Xiao is a great talent."
Han Xuanji said sincerely.
"Hardly a great talent, I just spent a few more years than you,"
Xiao Yan shook his head. "On the contrary, for Brother Han to be so composed on his first attempt, that is true natural talent."
He spoke in a flat tone, without bitterness or flattery, as if he were merely stating a fact.
Han Xuanji's impression of Xiao Yan improved even more.
Although this man had an extraordinary background and a cold personality, he was not at all unpleasant.
The two chatted for a few more moments, and the topic gradually shifted from their insights on the Five Elements Heavenly Ladder to cultivation of the Way of Laws.
Han Xuanji found that some of Xiao Yan's insights were even more profound than those twelve portions of insights he possessed.
Xiao Yan was also quite interested in several questions Han Xuanji raised, and the two actually felt a sense of mutual appreciation.
"Now that Brother Han has reached the top of the ladder, I assume you are heading to the Five Elements Altar next?"
Xiao Yan asked.
"Exactly."
Han Xuanji nodded. "I heard that the Five Elements Tower Master's Legacy remains within the altar, so I came to take a look."
"Then I won't disturb Brother Han any further."
Xiao Yan leaned back, resting against the railing once more.
"The altar is over there. Just follow this path straight ahead."
Han Xuanji looked in the direction Xiao Yan pointed and saw a winding path leading into the depths. At the end, the light of the Five Elements faintly flowed, emitting an ancient and sacred aura.
"Thank you for the directions, Brother Xiao. Our conversation today has been quite fruitful. I will come to chat with you again after I accept the Legacy."
"Good. I'll be waiting for you."
Xiao Yan said indifferently.
"Goodbye."
Han Xuanji cupped his hands in farewell, turned, and walked along the path toward the altar.
Xiao Yan watched his receding back, not looking away for a long time.
"Well? Did you discover anything?"
Uncle Wang's voice came from behind him, carrying a hint of teasing.
Xiao Yan didn't turn around, only saying flatly:
"This person is worth a fight."
"There aren't many people who can make you use the word 'worth'."
Uncle Wang walked to his side, also looking in the direction where Han Xuanji had disappeared.
"However, why didn't you tell him your identity just now?"
"Why tell him?"
Xiao Yan's tone was indifferent. "Making friends is about the person, not their status. If he only associated with me because I am the Divine Son of the Great Sheng Holy Dynasty, then such a friend is better off not having."
"Well said."
Wang Chong nodded, but then changed the subject:
"But are you sure he really doesn't know your identity?"
Xiao Yan was slightly startled.
Wang Chong said softly:
"The first time he looked at you, his expression was a bit too calm, almost as if he had expected it. He didn't have the slightest desire to investigate your identity."
"You mean he recognized me?"
Xiao Yan's brow furrowed slightly.
"I'm not sure."
Wang Chong shook his head.
"It's just a feeling. He seemed not to care about your identity at all. However, if he truly could see through your origin at a glance and remain unmoved, then this person is even more extraordinary than we imagined."
Xiao Yan was silent for a moment, and then a smile slowly spread across his lips.
"Isn't that even better?"
Wang Chong was stunned for a second, then also laughed. "True."
The wind at the Peak of the ladder blew past, making their robes flap loudly.
In the distance, Han Xuanji had already entered the altar area shrouded in five-colored light.