Han Xuanji took his leave and departed, his figure gradually disappearing at the end of the corridor outside the courtyard.
Xiao Yan stood at the door, watching his departing figure, not looking away for a long time.
"Is it worth it?"
Wang Chong's voice came from behind, carrying a hint of helplessness.
Xiao Yan did not turn back, saying indifferently, "What's worth it or not?"
Wang Chong walked to his side and sighed.
"Waiting for him for a thousand years... you know, many people in the Holy Dynasty are dissatisfied with you. Staying here too long is not a good thing."
The corners of Xiao Yan's mouth curled up slightly.
"Let them come; it's not like I haven't been 'invited' before."
Wang Chong was at a loss for words, knowing exactly what he meant.
Last time someone from the Holy Dynasty came, Xiao Yan directly used a lethal weapon and almost killed them. In the end, it was only because Wang Chong stepped in to mediate that things didn't reach a total deadlock.
"A thousand years, there are too many variables."
Wang Chong said earnestly,
"What if the Holy Dynasty gives a direct order then? What will you do?"
Xiao Yan turned around and looked at Wang Chong, his tone calm but firm.
"Then we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
Wang Chong opened his mouth but ultimately swallowed back the words he was about to say. He knew Xiao Yan too well.
This kid was someone who responded to neither carrots nor sticks. Once he made up his mind, no one could change it.
Back then, even the Sheng Emperor himself could not make him change his mind, let alone Wang Chong.
"Fine, have it your way."
Wang Chong sighed, his tone full of helplessness.
"But let me give you a fair warning: if something really happens then, I won't be able to cover for you."
Xiao Yan smiled and patted Wang Chong's shoulder. "Uncle Wang, when did you become so cowardly?"
Wang Chong glared at him crossly.
"I'm not being cowardly; I'm worrying about you!"
Xiao Yan did not speak again, but simply turned around and looked once more in the direction where Han Xuanji had disappeared.
The future held too many changes, and he indeed couldn't be certain, but if he were to miss this Opportunity, he felt he would surely regret it later.
"Stop thinking about it. I should break through to the Eternal True Lord Realm as soon as possible; I shouldn't stay here any longer."
Xiao Yan chuckled inwardly; they better not blame him for suppressing them with his cultivation level when the time comes.
...
Han Xuanji left that quiet courtyard and walked slowly down the Heavenly Stairway.
He did not intentionally hide his presence; his steps were composed, and his face was calm.
His blatant actions soon alerted the Five Elements Tower Disciples on guard at the foot of the Heavenly Stairway.
"Look! Someone is coming down from the Heavenly Stairway!"
The other Disciples looked over, and when they saw Han Xuanji, none dared to delay for a moment.
One Disciple hurriedly bowed and said urgently to his fellow Disciples, "Quick! Go report to the Elders and the Tower Master! Say that the one who reached the top of the Heavenly Stairway is coming down!"
The news spread as if it had wings, quickly spreading within the Five Elements Tower.
Within a few breaths, several powerful auras flew out from the depths of the Five Elements Tower, converging toward the Heavenly Stairway.
Even more shocking was that even the current Tower Master of the Five Elements Tower, who had been in secluded cultivation for years and rarely concerned himself with the tower's affairs, was alerted by the news and came in person.
Han Xuanji saw several figures flying in from afar, and he quickened his pace down to meet the Five Elements Tower crowd who had been waiting for a long time. The leader was a burly man with crimson hair like burning flames. His features were rough yet majestic, and his aura was as heavy as a mountain. Under the System's scan, he was impressively a Peak Eternal True God expert.
This person was the current Master of the Five Elements Tower, True God Chitian.
Beside him stood Fang Xuanhe and several other Elders with strong auras, each looking at Han Xuanji with curiosity and appreciation.
"Little Friend Han, you've finally come down."
Fang Xuanhe spoke first with a warm smile and a hint of concern in his tone.
"I thought you would meditate in the altar for a long time; I didn't expect you to come out so soon. How was it? Did you gain anything?"
Han Xuanji stopped and bowed to everyone with his hands clasped, his expression calm.
"Greetings, Tower Master, Elder Fang, and all the Elders."
"I indeed gained something in the altar, and my comprehension of the Way of the Five Elements has deepened. However, my knowledge is shallow, and I failed to comprehend the entire Legacy, so I didn't dare to delay further and took my leave."
Once these words were spoken, the Elders looked at each other with varying expressions.
He gained something, but not everything?
These words were indeed watertight.
True God Chitian's gaze swept over Han Xuanji while several thoughts crossed his mind. It had only been a few dozen days from the time this boy reached the top of the stairs to when he emerged from the altar.
Even for those with extraordinary talent, comprehending the eighty-one Dao characters in the Five Elements Altar fully would take a hundred or even a thousand years; many have not even finished in ten thousand years.
Coming out after only a few dozen days meant either he gave up after comprehending only a few or... he simply didn't care for the Legacy. True God Chitian felt that Han Xuanji belonged to the latter.
He had lived for countless years; what kind of person had he not seen?
Some prodigies were outwardly humble but proud to the core.
Although Han Xuanji's words were respectful, his calm and composed demeanor clearly showed he didn't care much for the altar's Legacy.
"This boy has likely already met that great figure..."
True God Chitian thought to himself.
Xiao Yan had stayed in the Five Elements Tower for many years. Although True God Chitian did not know his specific identity, he was accompanied by a terrifying Saint Realm expert, so anyone could guess he had a significant background.
Han Xuanji had spent dozens of days with Xiao Yan at the top of the stairs; True God Chitian did not know what had happened between them.
Thinking of this, True God Chitian had already reached a conclusion in his heart.
With that, he gave a look to Fang Xuanhe beside him.
Fang Xuanhe immediately understood, stepped forward, and said to Han Xuanji,
"Little Friend Han, you are free to come and meditate on the Legacy in this Five Elements Altar anytime. No matter how much you learn, it is your Opportunity."
"Just one thing, please keep in mind—the Legacy in the altar can only be practiced by yourself; do not teach it to others. Otherwise, you will be an enemy of our Five Elements Tower."
Han Xuanji nodded without hesitation.
"Naturally. I, a Junior, swear never to leak even a bit of the Five Elements Tower's Legacy. If I break this oath, let my Dao Heart collapse and my cultivation be destroyed."
He made a Dao oath on the spot, clean and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.
Fang Xuanhe nodded in satisfaction and turned to look at True God Chitian.
True God Chitian sized up Han Xuanji and suddenly laughed loudly and boldly.
"Good! Little Friend Han is indeed straightforward!"
He stepped forward, his eyes staring intensely at Han Xuanji.
"I have a proposal. I wonder if you're willing to hear it?"
Han Xuanji bowed slightly. "Tower Master, please speak."
"I see that you are quite talented in the Way of the Five Elements and have a destined connection with my Five Elements Tower. Why not... stay here and become a True Disciple of our tower?"
True God Chitian paused and then continued,
"And I will personally teach you."