"Since you have already sensed the danger to your sect and the Immortal Realm, and are concerned about the calamity facing all living beings, and have conceived the idea of going to your deaths, why do you need to ask me?"
Han Xuanji paused, her voice tinged with a hint of emotion:
"Calamities are like a tide, and where they surge towards is beyond your control. However, when the tide crashes against the shore, whether you drift with the current or stand firm against it all depends on your heart."
After all, it was indeed unlucky for their generation of cultivators to suddenly encounter such a world-destroying event.
Upon hearing this, Li Taiqing was startled.
The Master was not unaware of the dangers of the outside world, nor was he forcing them to withdraw from it; rather, he was waiting for them to make their own choices and verify their Daoist hearts.
"Master..."
Li Taiqing was at a loss for words.
suddenly.
Inside the quiet room, the light shifted slightly. Su Ming, Jiang Hao, and the others, who had been waiting outside, felt their vision blur for a moment, and then found themselves in a quiet room filled with Daoist energy.
The room was spacious, filled with Chaos Qi.
There were not many luxurious furnishings, only a green lamp that burned eternally, illuminating Han Xuanji, who sat cross-legged on the Chaos Azure Lotus, his figure seemingly in harmony with the Dao.
Everyone at Myriad Phenomena Garden gathered together, including Little White, Xiao Hong, and Little Gold.
Upon seeing Han Xuanji, everyone's expressions varied, and they immediately bowed respectfully to Han Xuanji.
"Greetings, Master (Senior Brother)."
Han Xuanji nodded slightly, his gaze slowly sweeping over everyone. His gaze was peaceful and profound, without any oppressive force, yet it seemed to be able to see the most subtle ripples in everyone's heart.
He naturally knew that these chosen ones he had taken in, though gifted and each with their own destiny, were ultimately not clay sculptures.
Faced with such Heavenly Devil calamity sweeping across the heavens, with sects bearing the brunt, it is only natural for people to feel conflicted.
Among the chosen ones he took in, Lu Fan is already the Human Emperor, so he definitely can't escape this calamity.
Others, like Jiang Hao, still have their Lineage in their hearts and cannot easily abandon them.
Su Ming, Li Taiqing, and the others have lived in the Spirit Void Heavenly Palace for so long; it's impossible for them to just abandon them.
Although they were all Daluo Golden Immortal, they never abandoned their emotions.
If the Taishang were truly heartless, Han Xuanji would have no need to cultivate them.
Therefore, Han Xuanji was neither surprised nor disgusted by the people's ulterior motives.
He neither rebuked nor comforted anyone, but remained silent for a moment, letting the dim light of the lamplight flow over everyone.
The soft lighting gradually calmed the disciples' chaotic minds.
After a long silence, Han Xuanji finally spoke, his voice like the gentle tapping of jade, clear and warm:
"I am fully aware of what Taiqing said earlier, and what you are all worried about."
His gaze lingered briefly on Jiang Hao.
"Blood ties and the debt of gratitude for being raised—can these bonds be severed so easily?"
Jiang Hao, you have your Lineage in your heart, so there's no need to force yourself to suppress your true feelings. If you can't even repay the Lineage that gave you life and raised you, how can you talk about repaying your teacher's kindness?"
Jiang Hao's body trembled slightly. He looked up to meet Han Xuanji's gaze, and was deeply moved. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and kowtowed, saying:
"Thank you for your guidance, Master."
He received a distress signal from his Lineage the day before yesterday, and was caught in a dilemma.
Jiang Hao opened his eyes again, and the confusion in them had largely dissipated.
Han Xuanji then looked at Su Ming and the others, and said:
"You have cultivated in the Lingxu for a long time. Every blade of grass, every tree, every teacher, and every friend has become a cause and effect. To sever this connection is to forcibly dry up the lake of your heart and damage your foundation for cultivation. This is not cultivation; it is tantamount to self-destruction."
Su Ming took a deep breath, nodded slowly, and solemnly said:
"What you say is very true, senior brother."
Han Xuanji paused, his gaze sweeping over the disciples. The dim light of the lamp illuminated their faces, making them seem even brighter.
I have heard it said that the highest level of spiritual cultivation is to "forget Taishang emotions".
But what exactly is 'emotion'?
If one can so easily discard the kindness of giving birth and raising one, and the kindness of passing on one's knowledge, how is one different from a stubborn rock or rotten wood?
What they cultivated was not the 'Tao,' but 'desolation,' 'emptiness.'
My disciples, Han Xuanji, do not cultivate this.
His voice remained calm, yet every word was clear and resonated in everyone's hearts:
"Your hearts are filled with attachments, and your thoughts have a place to return to. This is not weakness, but rather clear proof that your faith has not been clouded!"
These words completely dispelled the last trace of self-doubt and guilt in everyone's hearts.
Even the most mischievous Little White listened attentively and dared not utter a witty remark.
Little Gold and Han You seemed to be deep in thought.
Unlike the others, the two of them had no feelings for the sect or any blood ties.
Or rather, Han Xuanji was their father.
To them, Han Xuanji was like heaven itself!
Finally, Han Xuanji's tone became slightly more serious:
"Go ahead and do it, fight!"
Han Xuanji's voice carried an undeniable power, as if injecting all the disciples with the strongest reassurance.
"Yes!"
Jiang Hao, Su Ming, and the others immediately responded, their hearts filled with fervor.
Han Xuanji looked at Xiao Hong, whose strength had recovered somewhat, and gave the instructions:
" Xiao Hong, why don't you go and take care of things too?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Hong nodded, showing no objection.
Having just successfully undergone Nirvana, his strength surged. Although he hadn't returned to his peak, he was still capable of fighting even against beings at the Hunyuan Taiji Realm.
However, Xiao Hong was still a little worried and asked cautiously:
"Master, what if my actions alert the Great Heavenly Devil King of the Devil Race?"
" The Great Heavenly Devil?"
Han Xuanji spoke calmly, mentioning this great demon who shook the immortal Immortal Realm as if it were an ordinary title.
" Xiao Hong, you can go ahead without worry."
The lamplight flickered gently, illuminating his calm, expressionless profile.
Han Xuanji said calmly:
"If he dares to disregard his status, descend in his true form, and interfere in your dispute..."
Han Xuanji paused, his voice still gentle, but brimming with confidence:
"Then it is not your tribulation, but his."
This seemingly casual remark is more chilling than any roar or threat!
Upon hearing this, the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Xiao Hong's pupils contracted sharply, then suddenly brightened!
That's exactly what I was waiting for.
"Yes, Master!"
"Since Master says so, Xiao Hong understands! I will certainly protect these boys and... make that Great Heavenly Devil King think twice!"
Her Xiao Hong eyes sparkled with amusement; Han Xuanji's words were enough!
His crimson feathers became even more brilliant.
Su Ming, Jiang Hao, and the others were all excited.
Han Xuanji's words meant very well: the Great Heavenly Devil was no match for him!
Before coming, Lu Fan had actually shared a lot of inside information with them.
They were initially worried that even if they could withstand the demonic tide, what would they do if the Devil Race disregarded martial ethics and directly deployed beings like the Great Heavenly Devil?
Now they can rest easy.
Seeing the admiring gazes of the crowd, Han Xuanji nodded slightly.
He also had some expectations: could the chosen one he had raised for so long turn the tide and rewrite the ending upon his birth?