Zhou Yuan didn't keep him in suspense and said directly, "Entering the Ten Directions Immortal Hall is not that simple. One hundred rays of Ten Directions Sacred Light are just the ticket. There is a tall tower in the Divine Tree, built in the center of the Divine Tree, and the entrance is at the root of the Divine Tree."
To enter the Immortal Palace, one must first pass the trials within the tower. These trials consist of three tests: 'Seeking the Heart of the Dao', 'Severing One's Own Body', and ' Breaking Illusion '.
Each trial is tailored to the individual's Dao Path and temperament; there is no fixed way to pass, it all depends on one's own destiny.
Only by passing all three trials can one reach the main gate of the Immortal Palace.
Han Xuanji felt a chill run down his spine.
He had never heard of the names of these three trials: Asking the Dao Heart, Severing One's Own Body, and Breaking Illusion. But judging from the names, they were probably tests of the firmness of one's Dao heart, one's transcendence of self, and one's ability to see through illusions.
He wasn't afraid of these tests.
Zhou Yuan continued, "Entering the Immortal Palace is not a one-time event. Inside the Immortal Palace, there are many trials, and you will also encounter other people, inevitably leading to some conflict."
He paused slightly at this point, seemingly organizing his thoughts, then emphasized his words:
"To begin the final trial, one must also unlock the four major restrictions within the Immortal Palace."
Upon hearing this, Han Xuanji felt inexplicably weary.
He actually just wanted to go and sign in.
These Ten Directions Holy Lord, they left behind a legacy, and they still have to come up with all these fancy and frivolous things.
Of course, despite the complaints, Han Xuanji could understand them.
After all, it represents my life's work, so naturally I cannot easily pass it on.
This is the essence of "better to have nothing than something bad."
At this moment, Han Xuanji also showed a perfectly timed expression of surprise, her sharp gaze fixed on Zhou Yuan, her tone carrying a perfectly timed hint of doubt:
"Brother Zhou, this kind of information probably can't be obtained through ordinary means, can it?"
Zhou Yuan felt a little smug under his gaze.
The sense of accomplishment he felt for Han Xuanji, who was making such a solemn expression, was even stronger than the feeling of killing ten Variant.
He took a deep breath, sat up straight, and his expression was more solemn than ever before.
"Brother Han, to be honest, although I am a member of the Zhou Household of Nine Mysteries City, I also have another identity: a descendant of the Ten Directions Holy Lord."
Han Xuanji looked at him silently.
Zhou Yuan continued:
" The Ten Directions Holy Lord has no known descendants, but in fact, my Zhou Household is a direct descendant of the Holy Lord, though we have never revealed this identity."
The reason why it wasn't stated is quite simple: the Ten Directions Holy Lord didn't actually cultivate any descendants of his Lineage. Before his fall, he did mentor some Zhou Household family, and some members of the Zhou Household also offered suggestions on how to build the Ten Directions Sacred Domain.
After the fall of the Ten Directions Holy Lord, the Zhou Household no longer had any Sage experts, so they naturally wouldn't try to use the name of the Ten Directions Saint Lord to avoid causing unnecessary trouble.
This information was left by our ancestors and has been passed down from generation to generation.
Zhou Yuan, worried that Han Xuanji might overthink things, quickly explained:
"However, Brother Han need not worry too much. Although the Zhou Household are descendants of the Ten Directions Holy Lord, they do not have the privilege of directly obtaining inheritance upon entering the Immortal Palace."
Our ancestors intended to select their successors fairly and impartially, without showing any favoritism to their own descendants. If it were truly that simple, the Zhou Household wouldn't have failed to produce a single Sage in so many years, thus failing to live up to our ancestors' expectations.
Zhou Yuan smiled, a smile tinged with self-deprecation.
He didn't know how many generations of the Ten Directions Holy Lord he was a descendant of; countless generations had passed, and that blood ties had long since faded to almost nothing.
His greatest advantage is simply that he knows more information than others.
Selling this intelligence to people Chi Yuan might yield some resources, but that's about it.
If he told Han Xuanji, he felt that the other party wouldn't treat him unfairly.
Han Xuanji remained silent for a moment, then silently activated the system's detection function in his mind.
You can know a person's face but not their heart, so he naturally had to be on guard.
Zhou Yuan, on the other hand, spoke with utmost sincerity and truthfulness, without a trace of hypocrisy.
Han Xuanji withdrew his probe, and his gaze towards Zhou Yuan held a new sincerity.
He reached out and gently patted Zhou Yuan on the shoulder, his tone solemn and earnest:
"Brother Zhou trusts me, and I naturally trust Brother Zhou in return. Once we enter the Immortal Palace, we will fight side by side, without distinction between us."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan was overjoyed, and the weight that had been pressing on his heart finally lifted.
He had initially worried that revealing his secrets would seem too rash, but now it seems he couldn't have made the right move.
He grinned, his eyes narrowing into slits, and the words he was about to say changed without him even realizing it:
"Brother Han, then I really won't stand on ceremony with you!"
Han Xuanji nodded slightly, acknowledging the title.
The two chatted for a few more minutes, discussing everything from the trials at the Ten Directions Immortal Hall to the movements of various forces in the Sacred Domain, and the atmosphere became even closer than before.
Zhou Yuan felt an increasing affinity with Han Xuanji as they talked. Having spent many years in this Sacred Domain, he was used to the deceit and treachery. Someone like Han Xuanji, who was both powerful and unpretentious, was hard to find even with a lantern.
Han Xuanji suddenly flipped his hand and took out an object, handing it to Zhou Yuan.
In the dim cave abode, the fruit resembled a leaping flame. Its crimson radiance instantly illuminated the entire stone wall, making it warm and bright. The Principle patterns flowing on the fruit's peel seemed to breathe slowly like a living thing, and with each flicker, an extremely pure Daoist charm accompanied by a rich vitality spread out.
It was the crimson Profound Origin Fruit that they had obtained in Mystic Hue Valley.
"Keep this fruit."
Han Xuanji spoke casually, as if he were not offering up a rare spiritual fruit that countless cultivators would fight over.
Zhou Yuan stood there stunned for several moments before he suddenly came to his senses, waving his hands frantically, his voice trembling slightly:
"Brother Han, this is unacceptable! This is the Profound Origin Fruit you risked your life for, how can I accept it! It's too precious, this is truly unacceptable!"
He declined vehemently, but his eyes kept drifting uncontrollably to the crimson Profound Origin Fruit.
That's a treasure ranked on the Spirit Fruit Ranking; just one would be enough for him to lay a perfect foundation when he attempts to break through to the Eternal True God, saving him ten thousand years of arduous cultivation. And Han Xuanji just gives it away like that?
This is no longer a question of being generous or not.
Even if it's known that the other party is trying to win people over, this gesture is still far too extravagant.
Han Xuanji moved the fruit forward another half inch and said calmly:
"It's just a fruit, nothing special."
Since you call me elder brother, please don't refuse.
The stronger you are, the better your chances of entering the Ten Directions Immortal Hall.
In any case, this fruit was dispensable to him; he already had seven, so he wouldn't miss one more.
Zhou Yuan was under a lot of psychological pressure when he confided in him, and recognizing him as his elder brother was actually a way of showing his loyalty.
As the eldest brother, he had to show some appreciation, otherwise he would seem stingy.
Moreover, according to the information provided by the system, the other party is also a person of great fortune. It wouldn't be bad to ride on their luck; there might be something useful to be gained in the future.
In Zhou Yuan's eyes, Han Xuanji was just too awesome.
This crimson Profound Origin Fruit is no ordinary treasure; even disciples of Saint Venerable would covet it, let alone the impoverished Zhou Household.
It's quite pitiful, really. Although he is a descendant of the Ten Directions Holy Lord, Zhou Yuan has never actually seen anything good.