When Han Xuanji and the others returned to the White Jade Altar, there were still more than a dozen people in the square who had not left.
They gathered in twos and threes at the edge of the altar; some sat cross-legged to regulate their breathing, some talked in hushed tones, and some simply gazed at the thunder dragon statue in a daze.
Most of these people had already gained something from the Thunder God Hall and remained where they were, waiting.
When they saw Han Xuanji and his group of four returning from the direction of the eastern temple, almost everyone stopped what they were doing and their eyes turned to them.
Han Xuanji's expression remained unchanged, revealing no emotion, but Zhou Yuan, Lan Miao, and Li Fu, who were following behind him, could not hide the joy on their faces.
Zhou Yuan smiled, and his steps were lighter than usual.
Lan Miao held her head high and puffed out her chest, as if she had just won some big prize in front of everyone.
At this moment, Li Fu also had a smile on his lips that he couldn't suppress.
Anyone with eyes can see that these four people have just experienced something good.
But the more this was the case, the more curious everyone became.
They saw Han Xuanji lead his men towards the temple on the east side; they must have been looking for trouble with Chi Yuan.
They collided from both sides, yet a fight didn't break out?
Judging from their appearance, these people not only didn't suffer any losses, but seemed to have just won a great victory.
"Could it be that they've shaken hands and made peace?"
"How could that be? The Ten Thousand Immortals Association suffered such a huge loss, and they're still willing to negotiate? That's not like Chi Yuan's style."
"Who can say for sure? Maybe the legacy of the Ten Directions Holy Lord is just that attractive."
"But why haven't we seen Chi Yuan and the others?"
The crowd discussed it animatedly, each with their own opinions.
"Seriously, what happened? Could it be that Chi Yuan has already lost? That's impossible. If he really lost, there would be more to him than a few visible injuries."
The wiry cultivator behind Jiang Hanzhou muttered in a low voice, nudging his companion with his elbow.
His companion rolled his eyes at him and gestured in Jiang Hanzhou's direction, the meaning of which was crystal clear.
We'll give him face, so let him ask.
Several of Jiang Hanzhou's confidants huddled together, exchanging knowing glances, none of them willing to speak first.
On the contrary, Jiang Hanzhou felt the burning gazes of his mischievous friends behind him and sighed inwardly.
As the leader of the association, he couldn't just cower like them at a time like this.
Jiang Hanzhou straightened his robes, put on a perfectly timed smile, and took the initiative to greet Han Xuanji, cupping his hands in greeting:
"Brother Han, how have you been? I wonder what's going on with Chi Yuan...?"
He carefully chose his words, keeping his tone extremely polite, not wanting to appear too presumptuous, yet unable to suppress his curiosity.
Han Xuanji didn't beat around the bush, glanced at him, and said in a calm tone:
" Chi Yuan has already gone out."
"They went out?"
Jiang Hanzhou was slightly taken aback, then realized the meaning behind those three words, and his pupils involuntarily contracted.
He opened his mouth, as if he wanted to ask a few more questions, but Han Xuanji's nonchalant attitude said it all.
Jiang Hanzhou then turned his gaze to Li Fu, seemingly hoping that this big mouth could give a more detailed explanation.
As expected, Li Fu grinned and said:
"Master Jiang, stop guessing. Chi Yuan and his gang aren't very capable; they were taken down easily."
He naturally wouldn't reveal the details, and this ambiguous answer only made everyone more curious.
Zhou Yuan chimed in at the opportune moment. His worship of Han Xuanji had become almost blind, so he naturally wouldn't let go of this opportunity to make Han Xuanji famous.
He deliberately downplayed the situation and said:
" Chi Yuan initially exchanged a couple of blows with us, but he couldn't even withstand one punch from Brother Han."
"Of course, it's not that Chi Yuan is too weak, but that Brother Han is too strong. With Chi Yuan defeated, the others are naturally not a threat."
He said this with a hint of pride, yet without losing his composure. He didn't embellish it much, but every word struck a chord deep within people's hearts.
Lan Miao chuckled upon hearing this, and added:
"Sigh, I thought I could have a really good fight with Chi Yuan."
Junior Brother Han, next time there's an opportunity like this, don't try to steal all the limelight.
The group chatted amongst themselves, making the "battle" they had just witnessed sound effortless, as if Han Xuanji had truly uprooted the Ten Thousand Immortals Association without lifting a finger.
But to everyone else, it was like a thunderclap from a clear sky.
Everyone knows who Chi Yuan is. He is the personal disciple of the Saint Venerable Haoxuan. He has been operating in the Ten Directions Sacred Domain for many years, and the Ten Thousand Immortals Association is a huge mountain weighing on the hearts of all Rogue Cultivator.
And yet, such a person was defeated just like that.
They don't even have the courage to perish together with Han Xuanji?
Is the gap between the two really that big?
But judging from the expressions on their faces when they said this, it didn't seem like they were making it up.
Moreover, if it's really fabricated, it will only damage their own reputation. When Chi Yuan and the others show up, wouldn't they be making a huge fool of themselves?
Jiang Hanzhou remained silent for a long time, then slowly straightened up and looked at Han Xuanji with a complicated expression.
He had actually anticipated that Chi Yuan would fail, after all, Han Xuanji had already demonstrated extremely strong combat power when he snatched the Profound Origin Fruit, and later he even defeated the Ten Thousand Immortals Association, making a great name for himself.
But he hadn't expected Chi Yuan to lose so decisively.
The other cultivators looked at each other, some shaking their heads and sighing, others chuckling bitterly.
They had considered the possibility of the Ten Thousand Immortals Association's downfall, but when that day actually arrived, they couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy.
But then I thought, if Han Xuanji could even force Chi Yuan to withdraw voluntarily, what could these people possibly do?
For a moment, the gazes of the crowd toward Han Xuanji became more complex, filled with awe and a deeper meaning.
Perhaps this time, the inheritance of the Ten Directions Immortal Hall truly belongs to him.
Han Xuanji might be the biggest rival.
This idea naturally arose in Jiang Hanzhou's mind as well.
Despite the absence of Chi Yuan, a formidable enemy, he wasn't as happy as he had imagined.
Because this means that the new opponent will be even more terrifying, and judging from the looks of it, much more terrifying than Chi Yuan!
"Why don't we take this opportunity to join forces with others and drive him out?"
The next second, Jiang Hanzhou rejected the idea.
That's unrealistic.
Han Xuanji bestowed favors upon the people and wielded the immense power to destroy the Ten Thousand Immortals Association.
Few on the field would dare to oppose him.
Are they really a match for Han Xuanji and his group with just their strength?
Jiang Hanzhou wasn't very confident either. Even if he won in the end, it would probably be a Pyrrhic victory, and he would only be doing the work for someone else.
"This situation is unsolvable."
Jiang Hanzhou shook his head to himself, his eyes filled with melancholy.
It evokes a sense of "Why did Han He have to be born if Jiang is already here?"
Han Xuanji was unaware of Jiang Hanzhou's inner turmoil and thought that the sudden loss of Chi Yuan as an opponent left her feeling somewhat empty.
After all, sometimes your rivals may know you better than your friends.
Without deep-seated hatred, temporary adversaries can sometimes become future friends.