"Um?"
Han Xuanji was slightly taken aback. At first, he had not noticed that there was someone else at the top of the Heavenly Ladder. He looked up and saw a tall and slender figure in black standing not far away. His face was handsome and chiseled, and his brows exuded a cold and aloof aura. He concealed his aura very well, but it could not hide the sharp edge of a genius in his bones. It was clear that he was not a disciple that an ordinary force could cultivate.
Noticing the surprise in Han Xuanji's eyes, the man in black nodded slightly, his expression softening, and took the initiative to introduce himself:
"My name is Xiao Yan. May I ask your name, sir?"
Xiao Yan showed no arrogance and revealed nothing about his origins, making him quite mysterious.
Han Xuanji suppressed her surprise and responded politely in return:
"My name is Han Xuanji. I greet Brother Xiao."
As soon as he finished speaking, he secretly used the system's detection function, and information about Xiao Yan instantly appeared in his mind.
[ Xiao Yan: Eternal Dao Master Perfection, Divine Son of the Great Sheng Sacred Dynasty, Descendant of the Saint King, Awakener of the Emperor Bloodline. At the age of three, he awakened the Saint King Bloodline in the Blood Temple, causing a sensation throughout the Holy Dynasty. Everyone believed he would be a strong contender for the next Emperor Sheng, but soon after, he secretly perused the royal forbidden books and learned that the truly powerful figures standing at the pinnacle of the Eternal Continent did not rely on bloodlines, but on their extraordinary comprehension of the Dao of Principle. From then on, he began to doubt the Dao of the Bloodline. After reaching adulthood, he refused the bloodline tempering ceremony arranged by his father, enraging the Emperor Sheng, who placed him under house arrest. Xiao Yan was released at his mother's pleading and quietly left the Great Sheng Sacred Dynasty, wandering the world, cultivating while searching for like-minded geniuses.]
"Oh?"
When Han Xuanji saw the words "Divine Son of the Great Sheng Sacred Dynasty " and "Descendant of the Saint King," his heart stirred.
He had long heard of the reputation of the Great Sheng Sacred Dynasty.
In the southern part of the Eternal Continent, there are approximately five hundred major domains, four hundred of which are occupied by myriad races. Naturally, the supreme power in the south cannot occupy all of these domains. The Great Sheng Sacred Dynasty is the hegemonic power that occupies a domain. It is a first-class power on the Eternal Continent, established by a Saint King- level expert. It has a long history and is not far from their own Sacred Radiance Domain.
I never expected that the person in front of me would have such a background.
Han Xuanji pondered inwardly. What surprised him even more was that Xiao Yan, as a descendant of Saint King, did not follow the path of bloodline cultivation, but instead focused on the Dao of Principle.
" With the Saint King Bloodline, once awakened, achieving the Eternal Holy Lord Realm is not difficult as long as the inheritance is perfected. I never expected that the other party would give up such Tongtian path to heaven."
"In other words, Xiao Yan's pursuit was the legendary realm of Saint King."
Han Xuanji remained calm and composed, showing no sign of anything amiss.
He could tell that Xiao Yan had no intention of revealing his family background. If he were to rashly point it out, it would seem presumptuous. It would be better to take the opportunity to communicate with him and see just how capable this genius who had concealed his identity really was.
"Brother Xiao, it seems you've been here for quite some time?"
Han Xuanji spoke first, her tone casual.
"It wasn't too long."
Xiao Yan said calmly, "A hundred years ago, I came to the top of this Heavenly Ladder to comprehend the Daoist principles left behind by the Five Elements Pavilion Master."
Han Xuanji's heart stirred.
"Brother Han, is this your first time visiting the Five Elements Pavilion?"
Xiao Yan asked.
"Yes."
Han Xuanji nodded, "I've long heard of the Five Elements Heavenly Stairway, so I've come to give it a try."
"Reached the summit on the first try."
Xiao Yan's lips curled slightly.
"Brother Han is indeed extraordinary."
Han Xuanji smiled but offered no explanation.
He couldn't very well say that he made it so easy because of the twelve reflections he submitted through the system.
Seeing that he didn't say much, Xiao Yan didn't press him further. Instead, he turned to look at the bustling scene of Thousand Souls City in the distance, his tone calm:
"Countless people have attempted to ascend the Heavenly Ladder of the Five Elements Pavilion, but you are the fourth outsider to reach the summit."
He paused, then added:
I'm the third.
Brother Xiao is truly talented.
Han Xuanji said sincerely.
"I wouldn't call myself a great talent, it's just that it took me a few more years."
Xiao Yan shook his head. "Brother Han, on the other hand, is so composed on your first visit; you truly possess extraordinary talent."
He said this in a calm tone, without any sourness or flattery, as if he were simply stating a fact.
Han Xuanji's impression of Xiao Yan improved even more.
Although this person came from an extraordinary background and had a cool and aloof personality, he was not disliked.
The two chatted for a few more minutes, their conversation gradually shifting from their insights into the Five Elements Heavenly Stairway Ladder to the cultivation of the Dao of Principle.
Han Xuanji discovered that some of these insights were even more profound than his twelve reflections.
Xiao Yan was also quite interested in several questions raised by Han Xuanji, and the two even seemed to have a mutual appreciation for each other.
"Brother Han has reached the top of the Heavenly Ladder; I presume your next destination is the Five Elements Altar?"
Xiao Yan asked.
"Exactly."
Han Xuanji nodded, "I heard that the Five Elements Pavilion Master's legacy is preserved in the altar, so I came to take a look."
"Then I won't bother Brother Han any longer."
Xiao Yan leaned back, resting against the railing once more.
"The altar is over there; just follow this path."
Han Xuanji looked in the direction Xiao Yan pointed and saw a winding path leading into the depths, where five elements of light faintly flowed, exuding an ancient and sacred aura.
"Thank you for your guidance, Brother Xiao. I have gained a great deal from our conversation today. I will come back to talk again after I receive the inheritance."
"Okay, I'll be waiting for you."
Xiao Yan said calmly.
"Goodbye."
Han Xuanji bowed in farewell and turned to walk along the path towards the altar.
Xiao Yan stared at his departing figure, his gaze lingering for a long time.
"What, did you find something?"
Uncle Wang's voice came from behind, tinged with a hint of teasing.
Xiao Yan did not turn around, but simply said:
"This man is worth a fight."
There aren't many people who can make you say "it's worth it."
Uncle Wang walked to his side, also looking in the direction where Han Xuanji had disappeared.
"But why didn't you tell him your identity just now?"
"Tell him what to do?"
Xiao Yan said indifferently, "When making friends, one should look at the person, not their status. If someone befriends me only because I am the Divine Child of the Great Sheng Sacred Dynasty, then such a friend is better off not being there."
"That's right."
Wang Chong nodded, but then changed the subject:
"But are you sure he really doesn't know your identity?"
Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback.
Wang Chong said softly:
"His expression was unusually calm when he first looked at you, as if he had expected it all along, showing absolutely no desire to investigate your identity."
"You mean, he recognized me?"
Xiao Yan frowned slightly.
"Uncertain."
Wang Chong shook his head.
"It's just a feeling; he seems completely unconcerned about your identity. However, if he can truly see through your background at a glance and remain unmoved, then this person is far more complex than we imagine."
As a top expert of the Great Sheng, at the Sage Realm Stage, Wang Chong was also somewhat curious about Han Xuanji's background, but he didn't think too much about it.
No matter how strong they are, can they possibly be stronger than Great Sheng?
Xiao Yan remained silent for a moment, then a slow smile appeared on his lips:
"Wouldn't that be better?"
Wang Chong was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "That's true."
The wind blowing from the top of the Heavenly Ladder made their robes flutter loudly.
In the distance, Han Xuanji had already entered the altar area shrouded in five-colored light.