"When Her Majesty will be able to completely mend the rift and retire gracefully... is beyond my knowledge. This matter is one of the Heavenly Court's top secrets, and very few know the details. His Majesty once said that this is Her Majesty's great merit, and also something the Heavenly Court owes Her Majesty."
Li Haokong's tone carried a clear sense of respect:
"The one currently in charge of affairs in Jade Pool is a disciple of the Holy Mother."
This wasn't exactly a secret, so Li Haokong naturally told him everything he knew.
"I see. Sacrificing oneself to suppress the demon is Wuliang."
Han Xuanji nodded slightly to indicate that she understood, and did not ask for further details.
He had only asked casually, expecting a general answer.
No wonder he didn't see the other person; it turns out there was such a thing.
However, if the Golden Mother of Jade Pool the West succeeds in this endeavor, she will have the merit of mending the heavens. Even if she cannot advance to the Hunyuan Wuji through this, she will still gain considerable benefits.
Seeing Han Xuanji silently observing the scenery, Li Haokong assumed he was comprehending the Dao, so he stood quietly to the side without saying anything more, demonstrating his good manners.
In reality, Han Xuanji reaped a considerable harvest and was secretly delighted. Although it was not as earth-shattering as what he had obtained from the High Heaven Hall, it was all genuinely good stuff.
" Great Heavenly Venerable is satisfied, then so be it."
Li Haokong, observing Han Xuanji intended to leave and continued:
"I wonder if the Great Heavenly Venerable intends to go to the ' Heavenly River ' for stargazing and sightseeing, or perhaps... to visit the ' Peach of Immortality Garden '?"
He offered several options, all of which were famous places in Heavenly Court with profound Daoist influences.
Han Xuanji hesitated for a moment, then decided he wanted to see them all.
"Let's go check out the Heavenly River first. I've heard that the Heavenly River Weak Water that even a feather can't float on it, and even immortals and gods can't cross it. I'd like to see for myself."
Han Xuanji made her choice quickly.
The Heavenly Court has a river called the Weak Water River, or simply the Heavenly River, which protects the Heavenly Court and is another important line of defense outside the Heavenly Court 'Circulating Heavenly Stars Grand Array. Within this Heavenly River, many great treasures have been nurtured, and countless powerful beings have come here to comprehend the Great Dao.
"I will obey the decree of the Great Heavenly Venerable."
Li Haokong bowed in response and then led the way, thinking to himself that he hadn't expected this Great Heavenly Venerable to be interested in the perilous Heavenly River region.
The two left Jade Pool, rode on auspicious clouds, and headed towards the Heavenly River Way.
While Han Xuanji appeared to be admiring the magnificent scenery of the Heavenly Palace along the way, he was actually already looking forward to the rewards at the next checkpoint.
Li Haokong, on the other hand, gave a thorough introduction, using appropriate language that not only showcased the Heavenly Court's profound heritage but also subtly highlighted Han Xuanji's esteemed status.
Li Haokong naturally had his own ulterior motives. The news that the Heavenly Emperor was going to choose a successor had already spread, and as a close confidant of the Heavenly Emperor, he naturally knew about it very early on.
He also needed to plan for his future. He didn't know who the next Heavenly Emperor would be, but it certainly had nothing to do with him.
He wasn't sure if the next Heavenly Emperor would trust him.
Li Haokong thought it wouldn't be bad if he could become a familiar face to this person.
He already had some bold guesses in his mind: the position of Heavenly Emperor was not easy to be. The next Heavenly Emperor would either have unparalleled strength throughout the ages or have someone backing him.
The person who can support the Heavenly Emperor to the position must be a being of Hunyuan Wuji.
If Han Xuanji intended to train his own disciple, the Heavenly Emperor might do him a favor.
Of course, these were all things Li Haokong figured out on his own; he hadn't told anyone.
Han Xuanji couldn't guess what Li Haokong was thinking, but she didn't need to.
Once you reach the Hunyuan Wuji Realm, your perspective on things changes.
Others might think the position of the Heavenly Emperor is very important, but in his view, it doesn't require too much effort.
Let whoever wants to take the role do it; if none of his disciples are willing, then things might be a bit easier.
Seeing Han Xuanji's calm expression, Li Haokong felt somewhat relieved and said:
" Great Heavenly Venerable, the Heavenly River Way is not far ahead. Heavenly River vast, runs through the Heavenly Court, and is one of the Heavenly Court's important barriers."
Before long, an indescribably vast scene came into view.
A boundless, dazzling river of light stretched across the sky, its source and end unknown.
The river water is no ordinary stream, but is formed from the endless essence of stars, Chaos spiritual energy, and Innate Water Element Principle. Its flow is not a rushing sound, but a deep, profound, and magnificent sound, like the movement of billions of miles of starry river, cleansing the mind and spirit.
The river water radiated a soft yet bright starlight, illuminating the surrounding void, with countless tiny points of light rising and falling in the water.
This is the Heavenly River, the protective river of the Heavenly Court, and an unparalleled spectacle that connects the Tianxing forces of all heavens and gathers energy!
It is precisely because of the existence of the Heavenly River that the Innate Qi within the Heavenly Court is so abundant, making it suitable for human cultivation. Compared to the celestial veins and blessed lands of the Immortal Realm Earth Immortal, its methods are far superior.
What is striking about the Heavenly River is a completely different area, where the water suddenly turns as dark as ink, swallowing all light and sound, like an eternally silent dead zone—the very area of the Weak Water that inspires fear.
This is countless times more terrifying than the Weak Water he encountered in the lower realm. Divine Sense below the level of Daluo Golden Immortal would likely be immediately devoured and consumed if it were to penetrate it.
" Great Heavenly Venerable, the Milky Way and the Heavenly River Weak Water lie ahead."
Li Haokong's voice rang out at the right moment, saying:
"This section of the Weak Water is 80,000 li wide and unfathomably deep. It is an anomaly in the creation of heaven and earth and an important barrier protecting the Heavenly Court."
In High Antiquity times, several Hunyuan Devil Emperor led billions of demon soldiers in an attempt to cross the river, but they all perished in the Weak Water, their souls and spirits annihilated.
Han Xuanji nodded slightly, his gaze sharp, having already seen through the true nature of Weak Water.
This place has a unique and concentrated Daoist atmosphere, making it an excellent spot for signing in.
[The eight-star sign-in location " Heavenly River Weak Water " has been detected. Sign in now?]
The system notification arrived as expected.
"Check-in."
Han Xuanji silently recited to himself, while observing the chillingly dark waters with great interest, and Li Haokong beside him:
"This is the Weak Water? It truly lives up to its name; its Daoist characteristics are quite extreme."
Li Haokong respectfully replied:
" Great Heavenly Venerable, please bear witness."
The Weak Water is a unique water formed by heaven and earth. Its nature is both extremely soft and extremely hard, extremely clear and extremely turbid. It is specifically designed to overcome all tangible and intangible spiritual substances, Law Power, and divine souls.
In High Antiquity, the Heavenly Court used this section of the Heavenly River as a natural barrier, supplemented by formations, so that ordinary demons and evil spirits could not cross it.
Even the celestial beings of my Heavenly Court would not dare to easily venture into the Weak Water region without a specially made 'water-crossing talisman'.
[Congratulations, host, you have successfully checked in at the eight-star check-in location " Heavenly River Weak Water " and have received one " Heavenly River Weak Water Origin Essence ".]
Upon receiving the notification, Han Xuanji sensed that something had appeared in his System Space.
It was a seemingly insignificant black droplet, quietly suspended, yet it exuded a somber, oppressive aura that even the soul could not help but feel.
This is the condensation of the most essential primordial power of the Heavenly River Weak Water, and its value far exceeds that of ordinary Weak Water essence. It is a material for refining top-grade water-based treasures.
It has great value even to cultivators at the Hunyuan Realm.
"Great, a successful start."
Han Xuanji was satisfied and continued signing in.
On the surface, he remained calm and composed, standing with his hands behind his back on the clouds, gazing at the magnificent yet dangerous section of the Weak Water River, as if he were merely admiring the spectacular scenery and comprehending the profound meaning within it.
[Congratulations, host, you have successfully checked in at the eight-star check-in location " Heavenly River Weak Water " and have received one " Heavenly River Weak Water Grand Array Diagram ".]
A profound array diagram covered with Daoist patterns was imprinted in his mind.
This formation, centered around the Weak Water, is an unparalleled and deadly array that combines "trapping," "killing," "restriction," and "grinding" into one!
If successfully deployed, its power will be no less than many High Antiquity killing formations, making it an excellent choice for protecting the temple gates. At full strength, it will be enough to stop beings below the Hunyuan Wuji.
[Congratulations, host, you have successfully checked in at the eight-star check-in location " Heavenly River Weak Water " and have received 10,000 jin of " Weak Water Profound Crystal ".]
[Congratulations, host, on successfully checking in at the eight-star check-in location " Heavenly River Weak Water " and receiving 10,000 jin of " Heavenly River Star Sand ".]