"It's hard to say."
Li Taiqing frowned, sensing that Han Xuanji probably wouldn't meddle in other people's business.
Su Ming also deeply agreed, and said:
"Senior Brother Han already informed Brother Lu of the dangers of this trip, so he probably won't interfere."
After he finished speaking, he added:
"But if something really happens to Lu Fan, I feel like my senior brother wouldn't just sit idly by."
He almost died back then, and it was Han Xuanji who saved him. He felt that although Han Xuanji was low-key and somewhat indifferent, he was not a heartless person.
I will help with anything I can.
"In any case, I hope Lu Fan doesn't forget his original aspirations."
Jiang Hao sighed.
Born into a prominent family and having experienced a series of events, he was more sensitive to changes in people's hearts.
Even the dozing Little White perked up its ears, a hint of surprise flashing in its golden eyes.
I never expected that Lu Fan would make such a name for himself.
He thought the other party would soon slink back, after all, the Immortal Realm realm was full of geniuses, unlike the lower realm.
However, Little White wasn't envious, muttering to himself:
"Why should this kid suffer like this?"
But considering that if Lu Fan becomes the Human Emperor, then Han Xuanji will also be the Human Emperor's teacher, and as the Human Emperor's teacher's spirit pet, Han Xuanji's status doesn't seem bad either.
It's worth mentioning that a hundred years later, Little White finally broke through to become True Immortal. However, he found that he couldn't catch up with the others at all. Little Gold was almost at the Late True Immortal, and the others were even trying to break through to the Mystic Immortal realm. He couldn't help but have the idea of giving up again.
Han Xuanji naturally didn't bother to cultivate the other party's ambition and let him develop on his own.
He was quite satisfied with Little Gold's performance. Xiao Jin devoted himself to cultivation almost every day and did not slack off despite his great talent. For this, he specially bestowed many treasures as a reward.
Han Xuanji heard the discussions of the crowd, but he was not surprised.
This was almost identical to the information in the simulation, but others were unaware of it, and even the sect was alarmed.
They all knew Lu Fan's identity; he was Han Xuanji's disciple.
The Spirit Void Heavenly Palace did consult Han Xuanji.
Han Xuanji naturally had no objections. He had no intention of getting involved anyway; what use was the position of the Human Emperor?
He knew from the future that Lu Fan's easy rise to the Human Emperor was partly due to the Heavenly Emperor's assistance.
To put it bluntly, although the Human Race was favored by the Heavenly Dao, the Human Dao Fortune has long since declined and is no longer what it used to be. It is no longer possible for them to stand on equal footing with the Heavenly Emperor. Now they can only be used as a pawn of the Heavenly Emperor.
This relationship between the two has caused some people in the sect to have other ideas. If Lu Fan can become the Human Emperor, the Spirit Void Heavenly Palace may advance even further.
However, a large number of people were not willing, after all, the struggle for the Human Emperor was a matter of great importance, and if not handled carefully, even Spirit Void Heavenly Palace would not dare to invest easily.
In the end, it was a Daluo Ancestor from the Spirit Void Heavenly Palace who made the final decision: to wait and see how things unfolded.
They won't support anyone else, nor will they strongly support Lu Fan, since Lu Fan's current performance is still not enough for the Spirit Void Heavenly Palace to go all in.
Of course, Han Xuanji was, after all, Dao Child the sect, and the sect indicated that it would give Lu Fan more attention and support as appropriate.
Myriad Phenomena Garden.
The crowd had been discussing it for quite some time.
Su Ming, fanning himself with a folding fan, concluded:
"Nowadays, when people mention Lu Fan from our Spirit Void Heavenly Palace, everyone praises him as a rising star. They say that although his background is not as prestigious as those of the direct descendants of ancient clans, his potential is limitless, and he is a dark horse not to be underestimated!"
The crowd was abuzz with discussion, some genuinely happy for Lu Fan's achievements, while others subtly felt a sense of pressure.
Having both come from the same Myriad Phenomena Garden, Lu Fan has already shone on a broader stage, and they naturally do not want to fall behind.
"Senior Brother Li, I've mastered a new Swordsmanship. Let's have a match!"
A glint of light flashed in Nangong Wenjian's eyes.
"Um."
Li Taiqing nodded, his fighting spirit also ignited.
Seeing the two Sword Dao fanatics start sparring again, Little White shook his head, lay down under the Dragon Blood Black-Yellow Tree, and closed his eyes.
On the other side...
Deep within the Human Emperor Palace, in a secret hall that is not open to the public.
Chu Wuya stood with his hands behind his back. He was tall and handsome, but the sharpness of a young prodigy between his brows had been suppressed, replaced by a deep and unfathomable calmness, and the wisdom and indifference in his eyes that had witnessed countless vicissitudes of time.
The memories belonging to the Holy Emperor are constantly merging with his consciousness in this life, allowing him to see things from a perspective that has long surpassed that of ordinary geniuses.
Footsteps sounded from behind, light and rhythmic, carrying absolute respect.
"His Majesty."
Three figures appeared silently in the hall and bowed in greeting.
Among the three, one was a masked youth dressed in black, with an aura as deep as the sea. He was Chu Ying, the head of the Great Chu Divine Dynasty's secret guards, and also a descendant of Chu Wuya's close friend from years ago.
The other was a scholar with a handsome face but sharp, eagle-like eyes; this was Wen Zhong, Chu Wuya's chief strategist.
The last one was a beautiful woman dressed in palace attire, still possessing a captivating charm, named Zhou You, who managed Chu Wuya's most secretive intelligence network.
They were all Chu Wuya's absolute confidants, even knowing the secret of his reincarnation Holy Emperor, and were his assistants in carrying out all his plans.
Chu Wuya did not turn around; his voice was calm and even, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.
"Now that you're all here, tell me, have the others been behaving themselves lately?"
Wen Zhong stepped forward and respectfully reported:
"Your Majesty, the one from the Eastern Splendor Immortal Domain recently obtained an High Antiquity inheritance in the Desolate Domain, which has greatly increased his prestige and the number of his supporters is growing."
The one from the Northern Darkness Zhang Household seems to have reached some kind of agreement with the ancient beings of Northern Darkness, and his fortune is showing signs of burgeoning.
And then there's the last one, from the Spirit Void Heavenly Palace, but he seems to have no background. He's probably a lucky one chosen by Heavenly Dao, but he's recently caused quite a stir, so we should be wary of him."
"Um."
Chu Wuya nodded.
Zhou You replied, her voice soft yet tinged with coldness:
"Your Majesty, some ancient Aristocratic Clan and sects that were originally neutral or had ambiguous attitudes have recently been making frequent contacts, seemingly observing Your Majesty and waiting for the right price to offer themselves."
Upon hearing this, Chu Wuya's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile, a confident expression of having everything under control.
"The tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease. The throne of the Human Emperor involves far too many interests; some are unwilling to remain idle, while others want to profit from the chaos—all of this is to be expected."
He slowly turned around, his gaze sweeping over his three trusted confidants. His gaze was calm, yet it sent a chill down their spines, as if it could see through all pretense and reveal the true nature of things.
"Now that I have returned, this throne will not be allowed to be seized by others. A few petty clowns are not worth worrying about, but we must not allow them to grow too powerful, lest we introduce unnecessary complications, especially with the Ancient Road of Trials about to open..."
"Your Majesty, should I send someone...?"
Chu Ying spoke in a deep voice, slightly hoarse.
He made a cryptic gesture, the meaning of which was self-evident.
Chu Wuya did not speak, but nodded slightly.
"These Human Emperor Candidate have not yet gained momentum, as well as those who waver between the two sides, all need to be dealt with."
"You must remain hidden and not reveal your identity."
A fierce glint flashed in Chu Wuya's eyes.
According to the rules, now that the nine Human Emperor Candidate have been selected, the Human Emperor will be born from among them, and there will be no other changes.
His failure to become the Human Emperor was due to underestimating someone back then, who unexpectedly rose to prominence quickly, leading to his defeat.
This time, he will not repeat the same mistake.
"Yes, sir."
Chu Ying clasped his hands in a fist salute.
Wen Zhong wanted to speak up and dissuade him, but Zhou You stopped him.
She knew full well that this was Chu Wuya's decision, and it would not be changed by anyone else, nor would it be allowed to be changed.