"Ah?"
Han Xuanji feigned surprise and said:
"I was lucky; I wasn't attacked."
"That's good."
Xuanyuan Po carefully observed Han Xuanji's expression and, seeing that the other party showed no sign of blaming him, felt somewhat relieved and continued speaking:
"Speaking of which, your disciple Lu Fan was also rumored to have been attacked. Fortunately, at the critical moment, some powerful figure intervened remotely, allowing Junior Brother Lu to escape danger. However..."
His tone was somewhat complicated:
"However, Chu Wuya wasn't so lucky. According to the latest confirmed information, he... has already perished."
When he spoke of the word "fallen," Xuanyuan Po lowered his voice, carrying a chilling sense of shared sorrow.
Chu Wuya was the biggest obstacle on his path to becoming the Human Emperor. At first, he was naturally pleased by Chu Wuyai's sudden death, but after a while, he was soon overcome by a fear stemming from the unknown.
"Previously, rumors circulated that Chu Wuya was secretly targeting the other candidates. Now it seems we were all wrong, or perhaps there's an even more terrifying force at play, stirring up trouble behind the scenes."
Xuanyuan Po's tone was solemn. This was the consensus reached after analysis within the Xuanyuan Aristocratic Clan. It was precisely because the situation was so unpredictable that he had recently been asked by the Lineage to act cautiously and was almost under house arrest.
Previously, when Chu Wuya attacked others, the Human Emperor Palace wouldn't interfere. As long as it wasn't due to interference from foreign races or causing too much trouble, these were considered minor squabbles. After all, what kind of Human Emperor would he be if he couldn't even overcome this kind of calamity?
But this time, even the Human Emperor Palace didn't know who did it... To be able to eliminate a Human Emperor Candidate so cleanly and efficiently without revealing any information, even the powerful figures who supported Chu Wuya were completely baffled. The power behind this made him feel a chill down his spine just thinking about it.
"Their goal is most likely to seize control of the Human Emperor's throne!"
Xuanyuan Po, with a mysterious expression, drew a conclusion.
ah?
I want to control the throne of the Human Emperor?
It makes him seem like some kind of major villain.
Han Xuanji was speechless.
According to Xuanyuan Po, he was probably made a scapegoat for something Chu Wuya did before.
However, he didn't take it to heart and wasn't afraid of causing trouble for others.
Anyway, nobody knows it was him who did it.
"You should get away with this kind of nonsense in the future."
Han Xuanji thought to himself.
It's alright now, but if I make too many moves, I'll eventually be exposed.
No wonder it is said that when a great calamity occurs, one is not in control of one's own destiny. Even if one does not enter into the calamity, it is easy to be soft-hearted and enter into the calamity along with those around him who are suffering from it.
Seeing Han Xuanji deep in thought, Xuanyuan Po showed a sincere apology on his face:
"Brother Han, to be honest, I only just confirmed this information myself."
When I invited you here, I never expected the situation to suddenly become so tense, and I had no intention of putting you in danger.
This was due to my oversight; I hope Brother Han will forgive me.
His words were delivered in a humble manner, serving as both an explanation and a probe. He wanted to know how much Han Xuanji knew about the current perplexing situation and what her attitude was.
Han Xuanji listened to Xuanyuan Po's apologetic and probing words, but his face remained calm and composed.
"Fellow Daoist Xuanyuan, you flatter me."
Han Xuanji spoke calmly, instead offering words of comfort to Xuanyuan Po:
"Life is unpredictable, and troubles arise of their own accord. What does it have to do with you? I have come here as agreed, and I have my reasons."
This reaction made Xuanyuan Po even more perplexed.
This composure is something that ordinary geniuses cannot possess, and even surpasses that of many seasoned veterans.
Xuanyuan Po a chill run down his spine and quickly nodded, saying:
"Brother Han, I admire your magnanimity. This is not the place to talk. Please follow me to the Lineage residence, where I will take good care of you."
Han Xuanji nodded slightly.
Led by Xuanyuan Po, the two left the plaza shrouded by the ancestral tree and headed deeper into the inner city.
The further they went, the more ancient and magnificent the surrounding buildings became, and the more powerful the patrolling guards became. Han Xuanji sense the terrifying nature of the formations here; even ordinary Daluo would find it difficult to act recklessly in this place.
Passing through several archways and corridors that shimmer with a dark gold glow, a mansion that is not conspicuous but exudes an incredibly profound sense of history comes into view.
The mansion's main gate was not made of gold or jade, but of some kind of dark bronze-colored sacred wood. Its natural patterns seemed to outline the contours of mountains and rivers. Above the gate hung an ancient plaque with two large characters written in ancient immortal script: Xuanyuan.
Simply standing in front of this mansion, one can feel a heavy pressure.
"Brother Han, please."
Xuanyuan Po stopped in front of the door, his expression solemn, and made an inviting gesture.
The gate slid open silently, and no guards were seen, but the aura emanating from within was even more unsettling than the heavily guarded outside.
Stepping into the mansion, the view suddenly opened up.
It is not an extremely luxurious pavilion or tower, but a garden that appears natural but actually conforms to the rhythm of Heavenly Dao.
Strange rocks stand tall, springs gurgle, and ancient trees reach for the sky; the placement of every plant and tree contains profound principles of formation.
It is rich in Spiritual Qi, not much different from Han Xuanji's Myriad Phenomena Garden.
Occasionally, one can see members of the Xuanyuan clan walking among them, some meditating in meditation, others exchanging skills; each one exudes a calm aura and possesses profound cultivation.
These are the future of the Xuanyuan Household.
Han Xuanji clearly sense that several powerful divine senses swept over him from the depths of the garden, lingering on him for a moment with scrutiny and inquiry, but then quickly retreating like dragonflies skimming the water, without any act of offense.
The masters of these divine thoughts are at least at the Taiyi realm, and some have even reached the Daluo.
At the same time, Han Xuanji also secretly investigated the situation of the Xuanyuan Household.
"Among the three Daluo experts, one is Seventh-Turn Daluo Golden Immortal. His foundation is quite extraordinary, stronger than that of the Spirit Void Heavenly Palace."
Han Xuanji nodded secretly.
There are currently two Daluo Golden Immortal presiding over the Spirit Void Heavenly Palace, the strongest of whom is Fifth-Turn Daluo Golden Immortal, the ancestor of the Sword Lineage.
Han Xuanji only revealed his Golden Immortal cultivation level in public, but no one looked down on him.
Xuanyuan Po led Han Xuanji along a path paved with five-colored divine stones, towards a pavilion deep within the garden.
The pavilion, named " Gathering of Worthies Pavilion " (Gathering of Talents Pavilion), features flying eaves, bracket sets, carved beams, and painted rafters. Surrounded by Spiritual Qi aura, it served as a place for the Xuanyuan Household to entertain guest ministers and young talents.
"The reason I invited Brother Han here is to discuss an important matter."
Xuanyuan Po kept everyone in suspense and didn't explain in detail.
Even before stepping inside the pavilion, one could hear faint sounds of laughter and philosophical discussions emanating from within.
Upon entering, one finds the pavilion spacious and elegantly furnished, with twenty or thirty young cultivators already there.
These cultivators, both male and female, were all radiant and possessed extraordinary auras. Their cultivation level was at least that of Golden Immortal, with many being Taiyi Golden Immortal. They were all powerful figures from various factions Xuanyuan Po had painstakingly cultivated or befriended over the years through his own abilities and connections.
Upon seeing Xuanyuan Po personally leading the group, all eyes in the pavilion turned to them, filled with curiosity and scrutiny.
Those who could receive such solemn guidance and personal accompaniment from Xuanyuan Po were no ordinary people.
Xuanyuan Po smiled slightly and introduced in a clear voice:
"Everyone, let me introduce you. This is Fellow Daoist Han from the Spirit Void Heavenly Palace."
There was initial silence inside the pavilion, followed by a low murmur of discussion.
" Spirit Void Heavenly Palace, surnamed Han, I don't think I've ever heard of them..."
"You're really ignorant. Although he's not well-known, his status in the Spirit Void Heavenly Palace is quite extraordinary..."
"Oh? I've heard that this person has a connection with another prince. Brother Xuanyuan, you invited this person here?"
Some people in the room had never heard of Han Xuanji, but others were well-informed and, although they may not have met Han Xuanji in person, they had heard some rumors about him.
His master-disciple relationship with the rising star Lu Fan, in particular, adds to his mystique.
Regardless, as honored guests of Xuanyuan Po, they naturally couldn't greet them coldly.