At the peak of the Heavenly Ladder, a gentle breeze blew. Xiao Yan still leaned against the railing, but his gaze drifted toward the Five Elements Altar from time to time.
Within the area shrouded by the five-colored light screen, light flickered faintly, but the specific situation inside could not be seen clearly.
"Uncle Wang, how far do you think he can go?"
Xiao Yan suddenly spoke.
Wang Chong's figure emerged from the shadows. Standing with his hands behind his back, his gaze also fell upon the altar.
"It's hard to say. Since this boy could summit the Heavenly Ladder so calmly, his comprehension of the Way of the Five Elements is likely no weaker than yours."
"If he can settle his heart and contemplate the Dao characters, he might even be able to comprehend them all."
"All of them?"
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Uncle Wang, you have a high opinion of him."
Wang Chong smiled, his tone calm.
"It's not a high opinion; it's simply the truth. You weren't nearly as relaxed as him when you first climbed the Heavenly Ladder back then."
Xiao Yan fell silent for a moment and did not deny it.
When he braved the Heavenly Ladder, although he successfully reached the top, he felt significant pressure after the three-thousandth step. He had practically gritted his teeth to endure the final 150 steps.
But as for Han Xuanji... That composed stride and calm expression were still etched in his mind.
"Mhm... Han Xuanji's talent and comprehension are indeed far beyond that of ordinary prodigies."
Xiao Yan spoke again, his tone carrying a hint of relief.
"However, the Saint Legacy of this Five Elements Altar is obscure and difficult to grasp. Even I spent a hundred years back then to barely comprehend it fully. Given his composure in summiting the Heavenly Ladder today and his unique insights into the Five Elements Dao Laws, perhaps he can also fully comprehend this Saint Legacy—maybe even better than I did."
Wang Chong was noncommittal, saying plainly:
"That's right. To comprehend the essence of this Saint Legacy, talent alone is far from enough. One also needs sufficient accumulation and depth in the Way of the Five Elements."
Pausing, he added:
"Though his talent is high, he seems quite young to me. His accumulation might not be sufficient. How much he can comprehend depends on his own fortune."
Xiao Yan nodded slightly upon hearing this and said no more. The two fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts. Before long, ripples suddenly appeared on the five-colored light screen at the altar's entrance, and a figure stepped out.
Xiao Yan's gaze narrowed. The figure was indeed Han Xuanji, and doubt couldn't help but arise in his heart.
He hadn't expected Han Xuanji to come out so quickly.
How much time had even passed?
This was far too perfunctory.
The moment Han Xuanji looked over, Wang Chong shifted slightly, hiding his form in the shadows. He withdrew his aura completely, as if he had never existed.
The methods of a powerhouse in the Saint Realm were naturally extraordinary; Han Xuanji had never noticed his presence.
Xiao Yan straightened up and went to meet Han Xuanji, a faint smile appearing on his face as he took the initiative to strike up a conversation.
"Brother Han, out so soon?"
"I assume you've already gained something from this Saint's Legacy, Brother Han?"
Han Xuanji looked up and saw Xiao Yan. He nodded slightly, his expression calm.
"Mhm. I took a look around inside, didn't realize anything, so I plan to head down."
"Didn't realize anything?"
The smile on Xiao Yan's face froze instantly, and a clear look of surprise flashed in his eyes.
He sized Han Xuanji up from head to toe. Confirming that the other party wasn't joking, his brow couldn't help but furrow slightly.
"Brother Han, did you encounter some difficulty?"
Han Xuanji shook his head.
"Not really. It's just that those Dao characters don't align with what I need. Forcing it would only be detrimental."
Xiao Yan was silent for a moment, then spoke carefully.
"Brother Han, if I may say one more thing, the Dao Glyph Legacy of this Five Elements Altar is inherently obscure and difficult to understand. Even I contemplated it for a long time before gradually gaining some insight."
"Trying to comprehend everything right from the start is perhaps a bit too hasty."
He paused, his tone sincere.
"With your understanding of the Way of the Five Elements, Brother Han, even if you can't comprehend all the Dao characters, you would surely gain something."
"Why not stay for a while longer and contemplate slowly? Even if you only comprehend a dozen or so Dao characters, you can still receive rewards from the Five Elements Tower. Those rewards are all genuine treasures—whether it's insights into the Five Elements Dao Laws or cultivation resources, they would be of great benefit to you. It would be a pity to give up like this."
Hearing this, Han Xuanji felt a slight stir in his heart. He naturally knew Xiao Yan meant well.
It was just a pity...
He truly didn't need them.
Those Dao Glyph legacies—the Saint-level Cultivation Techniques and secret arts—he had already obtained through the System.
As for the rewards?
Even if he passed the trial and comprehended all the Dao characters, he estimated there would only be some technique legacies. Other treasures had likely long been taken by the Ancestral Master of the Five Elements Tower; otherwise, the Ancestral Master wouldn't have risen so quickly to become a powerhouse of the region.
Although the environment of the Five Elements Altar indeed helps with cultivating the Five Elements Dao Laws, he possessed top-tier Heaven And Earth Treasures like Five Elements Spirit Marrow and five elements origin crystal core. His cultivation speed far exceeded meditating here, so he had no need to rely on this slight environmental advantage.
He needed a private space more.
But he couldn't say that out loud.
Han Xuanji shook his head, his tone calm yet firm.
"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Xiao. However, my understanding of the Five Elements Dao Laws has reached a certain level, so I don't need to be restricted to this place."
He looked up at the bustling scenery in the distance and gave a faint smile.
"There are thousands upon thousands of paths in cultivation; the Way of the Five Elements is but one. If one becomes too obsessed, it would instead be an inferior approach."
Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback.
Han Xuanji's words sounded like an excuse. If anyone else had said them, he would have viewed it as a forced explanation for failing to comprehend anything. But coming from Han Xuanji, it was different; upon careful reflection, there was a unique logic to it.
If one didn't specialize in the Way of the Five Elements, then there truly was no need to have a great desire for this Saint Legacy.
Han Xuanji meant that the Way of the Five Elements was merely a stop on his path of cultivation, not the destination.
Such a mindset...
Xiao Yan was thoughtful, his gaze toward Han Xuanji becoming a bit different.
"I have learned something."
He cupped his hands slightly, his tone sincere.
Han Xuanji quickly returned the gesture.
"Brother Xiao, you flatter me. It was just a few humble insights."
Meanwhile, Wang Chong, hidden to the side, watched Han Xuanji's figure and marveled inwardly.
"This boy's state of mind is truly otherworldly; he possesses great wisdom."
Had it been him in his youth, faced with an Opportunity like a Saint Legacy, he would have surely exerted all his effort to comprehend it and would never have given up so decisively.
With such a Heart-Nature and such a vision, he will surely achieve great things in the future.
Xiao Yan shook his head and said solemnly, "To be able to remain clear-headed before a great Opportunity and not be trapped by immediate interests—I am ashamed to say my state of mind is inferior to yours."
He paused, then suddenly laughed.
"If you're not in a hurry to leave, Brother Han, why not stay for a few more days? It would be good for us to exchange more ideas."
Han Xuanji pondered for a moment, his mind quickly calculating.
Staying a few more days...would be fine.
Xiao Yan had an extraordinary status, yet his temperament was unexpectedly sincere. Having one more friend was always a good thing.
It also happened that he could head down later to avoid the spotlight.