They whispered amongst themselves, especially when they saw the gatekeepers behaving with utmost respect towards Han Xuanji.
"Who is that? Why is Senior Brother Chen personally leading the way?"
"See that? He's holding the Soul Household's token!"
" The Soul Household? It seems to be a direct descendant of the Soul Household."
"But he looks unfamiliar."
Han Xuanji ignored them and followed the gatekeeper disciple with a calm expression.
As Han Xuanji approached the main building entrance, a young cultivator dressed in an expensive brocade robe came out and met him face to face.
The young cultivator was taken aback at first, then frowned and stared at Han Xuanji for a long while, as if trying to recall something.
"You... you are..."
He muttered to himself, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.
Han Xuanji recognized the other party; wasn't this Hun Hao from before, the Soul Household disciple who was rated A-level?
He nodded slightly as a greeting, and then prepared to continue walking.
"Ah! I remember now!"
Hun Hao suddenly clapped his hands, his voice rising several decibels:
"You're the S-Rank Heaven's Chosen who was exceptionally admitted to the Soul Household, right? I almost forgot the Soul Household even had someone like you."
Han Xuanji was speechless.
This guy's inversion is pretty convincing. How could someone at this level have a bad memory? It's obvious he did it on purpose in front of everyone.
However, as soon as Hun Hao said this, the cultivators and disciples of the Five Elements Pavilion who were walking by in a hurry immediately stopped and surrounded him, their eyes all falling on Han Xuanji with different expressions.
There was curiosity and doubt, after all, while Han Xuanji might have some fame within the Soul Household, very few people in Thousand Souls City knew him.
"I remember now, it's rumored that the Soul Household has gained an S-Rank Heaven's Chosen, but he's been in seclusion ever since, and many people say he's unworthy of the title."
"It's said that he was personally appointed by the head of the Soul Household and didn't undergo any testing."
"Tsk tsk, what good luck! Without any affiliation or sect, yet he's gained the favor of a noble Soul Household, which is why he enjoys such treatment today. Perhaps he doesn't have any real skills? Otherwise, why doesn't he clarify things?"
The surrounding chatter rose and fell, and the gazes that fell on Han Xuanji were filled with scrutiny, mockery, and a touch of schadenfreude.
Listening to the crowd's discussion, Hun Hao's face revealed a smug expression, as if he had uncovered some secret, and his tone became increasingly sarcastic:
"See? I told you so! Stop pretending. If it weren't for Hun Qianling, would you be where you are today? I bet even if you get in, you won't comprehend any Dao essence. It would be a complete waste of your opportunity."
Faced with the questioning and ridicule of the crowd, Han Xuanji remained calm and composed, as if the discussions around him had nothing to do with him.
Han Xuanji merely glanced at the young Soul Household cultivator without speaking, then turned to the gatekeeper beside him and said:
"Lead the way, don't delay our business."
Unwarranted mockery.
He's not the protagonist of some action-packed anime, why is he making trouble to prove himself?
Getting into a conflict with him would only waste his time.
Upon seeing this, the gatekeeper disciple quickly responded:
"Yes, sir."
Although he heard the discussions, he dared not say anything. After all, Han Xuanji was a distinguished guest of the Soul Household, and no matter what the rumors were, it was not something he could comment on. He could only quickly lead Han Xuanji through the crowd and into the Five Elements Pavilion.
The onlookers didn't dare to stop them, but the chatter continued unabated.
Seeing that Han Xuanji remained unmoved, Hun Hao felt somewhat embarrassed, but he quickly became interested in Han Xuanji's actions. Originally intending to leave, he followed Han Xuanji inside.
He guessed that Han Xuanji came to the Five Elements Pavilion for the fortuitous opportunity left behind by the Five Elements Pavilion Master, but he didn't believe Han Xuanji achieve it.
The test for a top-tier Eternal True God who cultivates the Dao of Principle is not so easy.
At the very least, he failed.
"I want to see just how capable this S-class genius really is."
Hun Hao murmured to himself, and also told some of his friends about it.
It wasn't that he was targeting Han Xuanji, but rather that he was extremely disgusted by this kind of backdoor behavior. In his view, even he, as a direct descendant of the Soul Household, hadn't used backdoors, so why should an outsider be able to?
Led by the gatekeeper disciples, Han Xuanji passed through layers of corridors and went deep into the core area of the main building of the Five Elements Pavilion Tower. The surrounding noise gradually dissipated, and pieces of Five Elements Spirit Jade were inlaid on the walls on both sides of the corridor, emitting soft light of various colors, making the entire corridor look like a dream.
These spirit jades not only provide illumination, but also form part of the defensive restrictions of the Five Elements Pavilion.
Before long, the two arrived at an elegant courtyard. The gatekeeper stopped and bowed, saying:
"My lord, Elder Fang is waiting for you in the hall. Please wait a moment while I go and inform him."
Han Xuanji nodded slightly, and the gatekeeper disciple quickly turned and went inside to report.
A moment later, a gentle yet deep voice came from inside the hall:
"Distinguished guest, you have come from afar. We are so sorry for not greeting you properly. Please come in!"
Han Xuanji stepped into the courtyard. The courtyard was not large, but it was decorated very elegantly. There was a pond in the courtyard with crystal clear water. Five-colored koi carp swam leisurely in the pond, and several lotus flowers floated on the surface of the water, with faint spiritual light flowing on the petals.
Inside a pavilion by the pond, an elderly man with white hair and a youthful face sat upright, holding a scroll of bamboo slips, seemingly reading it.
The old man was dressed in a blue robe, with a thin face and a peaceful yet profound aura that defied comprehension.
It was Fang Xuanhe, an elder of the Five Elements Pavilion, and a Peak Eternal True Lord, just one step away from stepping into the realm of Eternal True God.
Fang Xuanhe raised his head, his gaze falling on Han Xuanji. A glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes. Then, with a smile, he stood up, put down the bamboo slip, and said gently to Han Xuanji:
"Young friend Han, I've heard so much about you."
Qianling had already informed me that S-Rank Heaven's Chosen from the Soul Household was coming, and I've been waiting for quite some time now."
Han Xuanji bowed slightly in return, her tone respectful:
" Elder Fang, you are too kind. I am Han Xuanji. I have come today to comprehend the Five Elements Dao Principle. I hope Elder Fang will grant my request."
He didn't waste any pleasantries and directly stated his purpose, his expression sincere and neither humble nor arrogant.
Upon hearing this, Fang Xuanhe burst into laughter, his eyes filled with even greater approval:
"What a straightforward young friend! The path of cultivation should be this decisive and efficient, without any hesitation or fuss."
Young friend, your Dao of Principle cultivation and your desire to comprehend the Five Elements Dao Principle are commendable; I am naturally willing to grant your wish.
The two took their seats as host and guest, Fang Xuanhe ordered his disciples to serve tea. He then began to chat with Han Xuanji, and the conversation mostly revolved around their insights into the cultivation of the Dao of Principle.
Although Han Xuanji's cultivation time was not very long, his understanding of the Dao of Principle was extremely unique. His occasional insights even made Fang Xuanhe's eyes light up, and he couldn't help but nod frequently.
The two chatted amiably, from their basic understanding of the Five Elements Dao Principle to their insights into the cultivation of the Dao of Principle, finding themselves increasingly compatible as they talked.
Fang Xuanhe became increasingly convinced that Han Xuanji was not as undeserving of the rumors; his talent truly deserved the title of S-Rank Heaven's Chosen, and even far surpassed that of many direct descendants of the Soul Household.