At the summit of the Heavenly Ladder, a gentle breeze blows.
Xiao Yan remained leaning against the railing, but his gaze kept drifting towards the Five Elements Altar.
Within the area enveloped by the five-colored light curtain, faint light flowed, but the specific situation inside was unclear.
" Uncle Wang, how far do you think he can go?"
Xiao Yan suddenly spoke.
Wang Chong emerged from the shadows, standing with his hands behind his back, his gaze also fixed on the direction of the altar:
"It's hard to say. This kid was able to climb the Heavenly Ladder so easily, so his understanding of the Dao of the Five Elements is probably no less than yours."
If one can calm down and dedicate oneself to studying the Daoist texts, one might be able to comprehend all of them.
"All?"
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, " Uncle Wang has a high opinion of him."
Wang Chong smiled, his tone calm:
"It's not just a high evaluation; it's the truth. When you first climbed the Heavenly Ladder, it wasn't as easy for you as it was for him."
Xiao Yan remained silent for a moment, but did not deny it.
When he climbed the Heavenly Ladder back then, although he successfully reached the top, he felt obvious pressure after the third thousandth step, and he almost gritted his teeth to get through the last one hundred and fifty steps.
And Han Xuanji...
That composed gait and calm expression are still etched in his mind.
"Hmm... Han Xuanji's talent and comprehension are indeed far beyond those of ordinary prodigies."
Xiao Yan spoke again, his tone tinged with relief:
"However, the Sage's legacy at the Five Elements Altar is obscure and difficult to comprehend. Even I spent a hundred years before I could barely fully comprehend it. With his composure as he ascends the Heavenly Ladder today, and his unique understanding of the Five Elements Dao Principle, he might be able to fully comprehend this Sage's legacy, or even do better than me."
Wang Chong remained noncommittal and said calmly:
"That's right. To truly grasp the essence of this Sage's legacy, talent alone is far from enough; one also needs sufficient accumulation and understanding of the Dao of the Five Elements."
He paused, then added:
"Although this person is highly talented, he seems quite young, and his accumulated knowledge may not be sufficient. How much he can comprehend depends on his own destiny."
Xiao Yan nodded slightly upon hearing this, and said nothing more.
The two fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts.
Before long, the five-colored light curtain at the entrance of the altar suddenly rippled, and a figure walked out from it.
Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened; the figure was none other than Han Xuanji, and a sense of doubt arose in his heart.
I didn't expect Han Xuanji to come out so quickly.
How much time has passed?
That's far too perfunctory.
The instant Han Xuanji looked over, Wang Chong slightly turned his body, concealing himself in the shadows, his aura completely hidden, as if he had never existed.
A powerful being at the Sage Realm Stage naturally possesses extraordinary abilities, and Han Xuanji had never discovered his existence.
Xiao Yan straightened up and went to greet Han Xuanji, a faint smile on his face, and took the initiative to start a conversation:
"Brother Han, you're out so quickly?"
"I suppose Brother Han has already gained something from the legacy of the Sage?"
Han Xuanji looked up and saw Xiao Yan, nodded slightly, and remained calm.
"Well, I looked around inside but didn't figure anything out, so I'm going down now."
"Didn't you figure it out?"
Xiao Yan's smile froze instantly, and a clear look of surprise flashed in his eyes.
He looked Han Xuanji up and down, and after confirming that the other party was not joking, he couldn't help but frown slightly.
"Brother Han, have you encountered any difficulties?"
Han Xuanji shook his head:
"Not really, it's just that those Daoist texts don't suit my needs, and forcing them would be counterproductive."
Xiao Yan remained silent for a moment, then carefully considered his words before speaking:
"Brother Han, let me add something. The Daoist inscriptions of the Five Elements Altar are inherently obscure and difficult to understand. It took me a long time to comprehend them before I gradually gained some understanding."
"You're trying to understand everything right away; that's too hasty."
He paused, his tone sincere:
"With Brother Han's understanding of the Dao of the Five Elements, even if he cannot comprehend all the Daoist texts, he will surely gain something."
Why not spend more time slowly comprehending it? Even if you only comprehend a dozen or so Dao characters, you'll still receive rewards from the Five Elements Pavilion. Those rewards are all truly valuable items, whether it's insights into the Five Elements Dao Principle or Cultivation Resources, they will all be of great benefit to you. Giving them up like this would be too much of a waste."
Upon hearing this, Han Xuanji's heart stirred slightly.
He naturally knew that Xiao Yan meant well.
Unfortunately...
He really doesn't need it.
He had already obtained those Daoist inscriptions and Sage- level Cultivation Method and secret arts through the system.
As for the rewards?
Even if he passes the test and comprehends all the Dao inscriptions, he will probably only inherit some Cultivation Method. The other treasures have probably already been taken by the founder of the Five Elements Pavilion. Otherwise, the founder of the Five Elements Pavilion would not have risen to become a powerful figure in such a short time.
Although the environment of the Five Elements Altar is indeed helpful for cultivating the Five Elements Dao Principle, he has top-tier heavenly materials and earthly treasures such as the Five Elements Spirit Marrow and the Five Elements Origin Crystal Core, and his cultivation speed is far faster than meditating here. He doesn't need to rely on this environmental advantage at all.
What he needs most is a private space.
But he couldn't say that outright.
Han Xuanji shook his head, his tone calm yet firm:
"Thank you for your kind offer, Brother Xiao. However, my understanding of the Five Elements Dao Principle has already reached a certain level, so there's no need to be bound by it."
He looked up at the bustling scene in the distance and smiled faintly:
"There are countless paths to cultivation, and the Dao of the Five Elements is only one of them. If one is too attached to it, one will fall into Lower Vehicle."
Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback.
Han Xuanji's words sounded like an excuse. If anyone else had said these words, he would have thought they were just making empty promises because they couldn't understand them. But when Han Xuanji said them, it was different. Upon closer examination, they made a lot of sense.
If one does not specialize in the Dao of the Five Elements, there is indeed no need to have too much desire for this Sage's inheritance.
Han Xuanji meant that the Dao of the Five Elements was merely a stop on his path of cultivation, not the final destination.
This kind of mentality...
Xiao Yan seemed to be deep in thought, and his gaze towards Han Xuanji took on a different meaning.
"Been taught a lesson."
He bowed slightly, his tone sincere.
Han Xuanji quickly returned the greeting:
"Brother Xiao, you flatter me. These are merely a few humble opinions."
Wang Chong, who was hiding to the side, watched Han Xuanji's figure and was secretly amazed:
"This child's State of Mind is truly extraordinary, possessing great wisdom."
If he were young, faced with such fortuitous opportunity as inheriting the legacy of Sage, he would have certainly devoted all his efforts to comprehending it, and would never have given up so decisively.
With such a mindset and such vision, he is destined for great things in the future.
Xiao Yan shook his head and solemnly said, "To be able to remain clear-headed in the face of great fortuitous opportunity and not be swayed by immediate gains—I am ashamed of my own lack of such State of Mind."
He paused, then suddenly laughed:
"Brother Han, if you're not in a hurry to leave, why not stay a few more days? I'd like to have more time to talk with you."
Han Xuanji pondered for a moment, quickly making a decision in his mind.
Stay a few more days...
That's alright.
Xiao Yan was a man of extraordinary status, yet his nature was surprisingly sincere. Having another friend is always a good thing.
He should also slow down and lay low for a while.