Han Xuanji took his leave and his figure gradually disappeared at the end of the corridor outside the courtyard.
Xiao Yan stood at the door, watching his retreating figure, his gaze lingering for a long time.
Is it worth it?
Wang Chong's voice came from behind, tinged with a hint of helplessness.
Xiao Yan didn't turn around, and said calmly, "What's this about whether it's worth it or not?"
Wang Chong walked to his side and sighed:
"If you wait a thousand years, you know many people in the Holy Dynasty will be dissatisfied with you. Staying here too long isn't a good thing."
Xiao Yan's lips curled slightly:
"Come on, come on. It's not like we haven't been invited before."
Wang Chong choked, knowing what he meant.
When the Holy Dynasty sent people last time, Xiao Yan used a powerful weapon and almost killed them. In the end, it was Xiao Yan who intervened and prevented the situation from escalating.
"A thousand years—too many variables."
Wang Chong spoke earnestly.
"What if the Holy Dynasty issues a death order then?"
Xiao Yan turned around and looked at Wang Chong, his tone calm yet firm:
"We'll talk about that later."
Wang Chong opened his mouth, but ultimately swallowed the words that were about to come out.
He knew Xiao Yan too well.
This kid is the type who won't listen to either soft or hard tactics.
Once a decision is made, no amount of persuasion will change it.
Even when Emperor Sheng himself spoke up, he couldn't change his mind; how could he possibly change his mind now?
"Alright, whatever you say."
Wang Chong sighed, his tone full of helplessness.
"But let me make this clear from the start: if something really goes wrong, I can't cover for it."
Xiao Yan smiled and patted Wang Chong on the shoulder, " Uncle Wang, when did you become so timid?"
Wang Chong glared at him, clearly annoyed.
"I'm not being cowardly, I'm just worried about you!"
Xiao Yan didn't speak again, but turned around and looked again in the direction where Han Xuanji had disappeared.
The future is full of uncertainties, and he really can't make up his mind, but he feels he will definitely regret it later if he misses this opportunity.
"I don't want to think about it anymore. I should break through to the Eternal True Lord Realm as soon as possible. I shouldn't linger any longer."
Xiao Yan chuckled inwardly, thinking to himself, "Don't blame me for using my cultivation level to suppress you later."
Han Xuanji left the quiet courtyard and slowly descended the heavenly ladder.
He made no effort to conceal himself; his steps were unhurried, and his expression was calm.
His swaggering behavior quickly alerted the Five Elements Pavilion disciples guarding the foot of the Heavenly Ladder.
"Look! Someone's coming down the Heavenly Ladder!"
The other disciples looked over upon hearing the sound, and when they saw Han Xuanji, none of them dared to delay for even a moment.
One of the disciples immediately bowed and said urgently to his fellow disciple beside him, "Quick! Go and inform the elders and the sect leader! Tell them that the one who reached the top of the Heavenly Ladder is descending!"
The news spread like wildfire throughout the Five Elements Pavilion.
Within moments, several powerful auras emerged from the depths of the Five Elements Pavilion and converged towards the Heavenly Ladder.
What's even more shocking is that the current owner of the Five Elements Pavilion, who usually lives in seclusion and rarely concern himself with the affairs of the tower, was alarmed by the news and rushed over in person.
Han Xuanji saw several figures approaching from afar, and he quickened his pace to get down, where he met the Five Elements Pavilion members who had been waiting for a long time.
The leader was a burly man with long, fiery red hair like burning flames. His face was rugged yet dignified, and his aura was as heavy as a mountain. According to the system's detection, he was a Peak Eternal True God.
This person is none other than the current master of the Five Elements Pavilion, the True God Chitian.
Standing beside him were Fang Xuanhe and several other elders whose auras were not weak. Each of them looked at Han Xuanji with a mixture of curiosity and admiration.
"Young friend Han, you've finally come down."
Fang Xuanhe spoke first, his smile warm and his tone tinged with concern:
"I thought you would spend a long time meditating at the altar, but I didn't expect you to come out so quickly. How was it? Did you gain anything?"
Han Xuanji stopped and bowed to the crowd, his expression calm:
"Greetings, Lord of the Tower, Elder Fang, and all the elders."
"I have indeed gained something from the altar, and my understanding of the Dao of the Five Elements has deepened. However, my knowledge is limited, and I have not been able to comprehend the entire inheritance. Therefore, I dare not linger any longer and must take my leave now."
Upon hearing this, the elders exchanged glances, each with a different expression.
Something was gained, but not everything?
That's a perfectly watertight statement.
The True God Chitian's gaze swept over Han Xuanji, but several thoughts were swirling in his mind.
This child climbed the Heavenly Ladder to the top and emerged from the altar in no more than a few dozen days.
Even for those with exceptional talent, it would take a hundred or even a thousand years to fully comprehend the eighty-one Daoist inscriptions in the Five Elements Altar. Many people have even spent ten thousand years without fully understanding them.
They emerged after several dozen days, either having only grasped a few of the principles before giving up, or... simply looking down on the inheritance.
The True God Chitian, however, felt that Han Xuanji belonged to the latter category.
He's lived for countless years; what kind of people hasn't he seen?
Some exceptional individuals appear humble on the surface, but are actually quite arrogant at heart.
Although Han Xuanji spoke respectfully, his calm and composed demeanor clearly showed that he did not care much about the altar's inheritance.
"This young man has probably already met that important figure..."
The True God Chitian thought to himself.
Xiao Yan had stayed at the Five Elements Pavilion for many years. Although he did not know the other party's specific identity, he knew that the other party was accompanied by a terrifyingly powerful Sage Realm expert. It was obvious that the other party was no ordinary person.
Han Xuanji spent several days with Xiao Yan at the top of the Heavenly Ladder, but what happened between them remains unknown to him.
Having considered this, the True God Chitian had already made up his mind.
After saying that, he gave Fang Xuanhe beside him a wink.
Fang Xuanhe immediately understood, stepped forward, and said to Han Xuanji:
"Young friend Han, you are welcome to study and practice the inheritance within this Five Elements Altar at any time. No matter how much you learn, it is all fortuitous opportunity for you."
However, there is one thing I urge you to remember: the teachings within the altar can only be practiced by you personally. Do not pass them on to others, or you will be making an enemy of the Five Elements Pavilion.
Han Xuanji nodded without hesitation:
"Of course. This junior swears that he will never divulge even a fraction of the Five Elements Pavilion's inheritance. If he breaks this oath, may his Dao heart crumble and his cultivation be completely destroyed."
He made a vow on the spot, decisively and without any hesitation.
Fang Xuanhe nodded in satisfaction and turned to look at the True God Chitian.
The True God Chitian sized up Han Xuanji, then suddenly burst into laughter, a loud and boisterous laugh:
"Excellent! Young friend Han is indeed straightforward!"
He stepped forward, his eyes fixed intently on Han Xuanji:
"I have a suggestion; I wonder if you would be willing to listen?"
Han Xuanji bowed slightly. "Please speak, Master."
"I see that you have a talent for the Dao of the Five Elements, and you also have an affinity with my Five Elements Pavilion. How about... you stay in my Five Elements Pavilion and become True Disciple of my sect?"
The True God Chitian paused, then continued:
"And I will personally teach you."