"Seriously... this doesn't sound like a joke."
Hun Qianling stared wide-eyed, unable to utter a single word for a long time.
She had considered that Han Xuanji might encounter difficulties within the restrictions, that the two of them would try to comprehend the Dao Principle of Life and Death together in this place, and even considered giving up and abandoning the cultivation of the Dao Principle of Life and Death.
But to her utter surprise, this guy didn't even step into the barrier; he just stood there for a moment, sensing it, and then said he'd had enough.
Is that enough?
What's enough?
What did you feel?
"You... you're not kidding me, are you?"
Hun Qianling repeatedly confirmed whether Han Xuanji was teasing her.
"We came all this way, and the secret realm has only just opened. You didn't even go into the core area before going back?"
Han Xuanji looked at her and nodded calmly:
"Well, we've achieved our goal for this trip; there's no point in staying any longer."
Hun Qianling opened her mouth, as if to ask what exactly she had achieved.
You didn't do anything!
But he swallowed the words back down his throat.
Over the years, she has come to believe that she understands Han Xuanji quite well. She never does anything without certainty, and she certainly doesn't waste time for no reason.
If he says he's had enough, then he really has.
Despite racking her brains, she couldn't figure out what she could gain by standing outside the barrier with her eyes closed for a while.
"Okay."
Hun Qianling took a deep breath, trying to accept this fact.
"Looks like I'll have no choice but to stay here."
Han Xuanji coughed lightly, realizing that what he was doing was indeed not very good, but what could he do when the other party insisted on coming over?
"Aren't you still trying to comprehend the Dao of Life and Death? Don't worry, I'll help you after I come out of seclusion."
Hun Qianling gave a wry smile, clearly feeling that Han Xuanji was truly unreliable this time, but she still nodded:
"Okay, you go first, I'll try out the outer perimeter."
Han Xuanji nodded and took out a jade talisman from his pocket.
That was the " Secret Realm Departure Token " issued by the Soul Household when entering the secret realm. Crushing it allowed you to leave the secret realm immediately.
Each person only has one of these items, and most cultivators would save them for life-saving moments in critical situations. Han Xuanji, who used one as soon as he entered, is probably the first person in history to do so.
Smack
The jade talisman shattered, and a beam of white light enveloped Han Xuanji.
His figure gradually faded in the white light, and before disappearing, Hun Qianling waved his hand:
See you later.
The white light dissipated, leaving only Hun Qianling behind.
Beyond the secret realm, at the valley entrance.
Several elders of the Soul Lineage, responsible for guarding the secret realm, were sitting around a simple array platform, drinking tea and keeping an eye on the situation inside.
Their task is to maintain the stability of the restrictions during the opening of the secret realm, while also dealing with any unexpected events that may occur.
This job was tedious and boring, but it was leisurely, and the elders had long been used to this kind of dull life.
They couldn't monitor the situation in the core area either, as it was influenced by powerful forces.
"Has that Han Xuanji already entered the core area?"
An elder in a grey robe put down his teacup and casually asked.
"How long do you think he can stay in the core area?"
"Yes, we just went in. I don't know if we've found anything yet."
Another white-haired elder nodded, then answered his own question:
"I doubt we'll find anything. I think we'll be out soon."
"After all, this child possesses exceptional talent in the Dao of the Five Elements, but the Dao of Life and Death is another matter entirely. Just being able to enter the Stone Hall is already quite an achievement."
"Yes, the transmission of the Dao of Life and Death requires true understanding of life and death; it's not easy."
Hun Pojun remained silent, sensing that Han Xuanji was not as simple as he seemed.
As the elders were discussing the matter, a white light suddenly shone on the array platform.
As the white light faded, a familiar figure appeared beside the array platform.
Han Xuanji.
The elders were all stunned.
Hun Pojun's teacup stopped in mid-air, somewhat doubting his own eyes.
"Han... Han Xuanji?"
The gray-robed elder was the first to recover, and said helplessly:
"How did you... get out? Did something happen in the core area?"
Han Xuanji spoke in a flat tone:
"I've gained enough from this trip, so I'll head out now."
Is that enough?
The elders exchanged glances, and they all saw the same word in each other's eyes.
That's outrageous.
How long has it been?
What can we expect to gain?
In all their years of life, barring any unforeseen circumstances, this was the first time they had ever seen someone leave so quickly.
"Young Master Han, have you encountered any difficulties?"
Another elder tentatively asked:
"If you're not used to the Daoist atmosphere inside, you can go to the outer areas to get used to it for a few days. There's no need to rush..."
"No difficulty."
Han Xuanji interrupted him, smiling slightly:
Thank you all for your concern.
The elders looked at each other, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.
They went to such great lengths; the patriarch argued vehemently at the clan elders' meeting, opening the secret realm ahead of schedule and expending a vast amount of resources. In the end, Han Xuanji went in, took a quick look, and without even breaking through the barriers, declared, "That's enough."
If word gets out, doesn't it seem a bit too frivolous?
"This... this is utterly absurd!"
One of the elders, known for his fiery temper, couldn't help but mutter something under his breath.
The elder next to him quickly tugged at his sleeve and gave him a meaningful look.
Han Xuanji pretended not to hear and cupped his hands in greeting to the elders:
"Esteemed seniors, I'll be heading back now. I'll leave the secret realm to you all."
The elders quickly forced smiles and returned the greeting with clasped hands.
"Young Master Han, please take care."
Be careful on the road.
Han Xuanji nodded and turned to leave.
Behind him, several elders watched his retreating figure until he was far away, at which point they finally couldn't help but start discussing it.
"Nonsense! Utter nonsense!"
The hot-tempered elder finally couldn't hold back any longer. "How many resources were wasted to open the secret realm for him ahead of schedule? And he came out after only half an hour! Is he playing a joke on us?"
Calm down, calm down.
Another elder advised:
"He's someone the family head values, so it's not appropriate for us to say anything."
"So what if the patriarch values someone? We can't just waste resources like this! I must report this to the patriarch!"
"What are you reporting? The patriarch already said that the cost of this opening will come from the private treasury, not from the clan's money. They're spending their own money, what business is it of yours?"
The elder choked for a moment, opened his mouth, but ultimately kept it closed.
Another elder, however, was more easygoing. He stroked his beard, shook his head, and sighed:
"Perhaps that's what genius is. Just because we don't understand it doesn't mean they haven't gained anything from it."
Think about it, when he reached the top of the Five Elements Heavenly Stairway, who could have imagined it?
This boy's actions are always unpredictable, but every time he has his reasons.
"What logic is there? I think he's just arrogant! He thinks the inheritance in the core area isn't good enough for him, so he's too lazy to go in."
"Alright, alright, that's enough. They've already left, what's the point of saying all this?"
The elders argued endlessly, but ultimately could not reach a conclusion.
On the airship, Han Xuanji looked out the porthole at the receding canyon and gently shook his head.