Hongmeng Dao Palace, Taishang Palace.
The spiritual pearls on the surrounding walls shimmered, and a Yin-Yang Bagua diagram hung above the dome, with flowing light rotating within it.
At this moment, several figures sat cross-legged inside the hall, with the Saint King Xiaoyao seated in the north, his figure enveloped in a beam of azure light.
At that moment, he suddenly opened his eyes and said lazily:
"Interesting."
When these three words came out of the mouth of the Saint King Xiaoyao, it was like a withered leaf falling on still water in autumn, sudden and unexpected.
The light from the spiritual pearl in the hall flowed slowly, casting a play of light and shadow on the several figures sitting cross-legged.
The Saint King Xiaoyao kept his eyes closed, the pale blue Daoist aura surrounding him like smoke and mist, making his face appear blurry and distant.
This youngest Saint King in the Hongmeng Dao Palace rarely spoke, but his words this time carried an unknown significance.
The Saint King Zhenyi, sitting to his left, slowly opened his eyes.
This current leader of the Hongmeng Dao Palace has snow-white hair, but his face is as gentle as a baby's, and his eyes seem to hold the lights of ten thousand homes and the rise and fall of countless ages.
He turned his head to look at the Saint King Xiaoyao, his voice calm and slow:
"Xiaoyao, what's wrong?"
The Saint King Xiaoyao didn't open his eyes, but a very slight smile curved his lips, as if he had thought of something interesting:
" The Sacred Court has produced an extraordinary young man."
The Saint King Zhenyi's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.
He had been in charge of the Hongmeng Dao Palace for many years and had dealt with the Sacred Court both openly and secretly. Although the Sacred Court had been recovering in recent years, he really couldn't think of anyone who could be the "extraordinary young man" that the Saint King Xiaoyao had specifically mentioned.
He spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry:
How does it compare to Qingwei?
Upon hearing this, another figure in the hall, Hanguang Dao Lord, the leader of the Nine Dao Lords, opened his eyes without making a sound.
He was slender with an ancient and unsophisticated face, and a long, silvery beard. Even just sitting quietly, he exuded an air of authority without anger.
Qingwei was his last disciple and was also recognized as the number one prodigy of this generation in the Hongmeng Dao Palace.
The Saint King Xiaoyao usually doesn't comment much on his juniors, but now he suddenly brought up some "remarkable young man," which explains why the Saint King Zhenyi would compare him to the Qingwei Dao Child.
The Saint King Xiaoyao remained silent for a moment, as if he were carefully considering his words, or perhaps recalling the impression he had just made from that single glance.
After a moment, he spoke, his tone still languid, but his words made Hanguang Dao Lord's hand holding the whisk tighten slightly:
" Qingwei... I'm afraid he's not as good as him."
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Hanguang Dao Lord did not speak, but his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and he ultimately did not utter a rebuttal.
He knew the temperament of the Saint King Xiaoyao; this man seemed carefree, but in reality, he had an extremely sharp eye and never spoke without purpose.
Since he said that Qingwei was inferior, then it is most likely true that he was indeed inferior.
But the more this happened, the stronger Hanguang Dao Lord's curiosity became.
What kind of person has emerged from the Sacred Court that Li Xiaoyao would give such an evaluation?
Unfortunately, the Saint King Xiaoyao did not intend to continue.
He closed his eyes again, and like an old monk in deep meditation, he said nothing more. The azure aura around him also gradually calmed down.
Seeing that he was unwilling to say more, the Saint King Zhenyi did not press him further, but simply said:
"It's said that the Sacred Court is also going to reopen the Dragon Terrace Sacred Banquet. I suppose in a few days, I'll be able to see the young man that Xiaoyao mentioned in person."
Since that battle years ago, the Sacred Court has lost many top experts. This time, it is hosting the Dragon Terrace Sacred Banquet in order to enhance its reputation and rebuild its glory.
Meanwhile, in the Seventh Heaven the Ten Directions Immortal Hall, Han Xuanji was naturally unaware that his performance had alarmed a Saint King powerhouse, and that his reputation had even reached the ears of the bigwigs of the Hongmeng Dao Palace.
He had just emerged from a tough battle, and the lingering energy within him gradually subsided like ripples.
After exhausting its last bit of power, Li Xiaoyao's projection dissipated like wisps of smoke onto the white jade platform.
His final gesture of cupping his hands in greeting still lingered in Han Xuanji's mind; it was a tacit understanding and respect that only true powerhouses possess.
Han Xuanji was secretly surprised. How could this projection have such high intelligence, just like True Person?
He still feels a little uneasy after that last glance.
"If the opponent isn't a projection, the outcome is uncertain."
Han Xuanji thought to himself.
This exclamation was not an expression of self-deprecation on his part.
Li Xiaoyao's move had a flavor of proving the Dao with force and ruling the heavens with technique.
If it weren't for the accumulation of knowledge and experience over the previous six heavens, and the integration of the ten insights into the Origin of Heaven into his fist, he would probably have had to use the trump card of the Shengxin Tribulation today.
But in the end, they won; they defeated this once-unparalleled genius.
Han Xuanji was adjusting his breathing when he suddenly saw a circle of light golden ripples spreading in the void in front of him.
A semi-transparent figure slowly solidified, like a humanoid form formed from countless stardust particles. Its body shimmered with iridescent light, its face blurred yet exuding an indescribable ancient aura, while at a glance one could immediately recognize it as a "person."
It is the Spirit of the Sacred Domain.
Han Xuanji's eyes flickered slightly, and he clasped his hands in a fist salute, saying:
"So it was Senior Spirit of the Sacred Domain."
"Good, you're very good."
The Spirit of the Sacred Domain no longer spoke calmly; instead, it carried an indescribable solemnity.
Its gaze fell on Han Xuanji, and after a long silence, it continued:
Do you know who your opponent was in that battle just now?
Han Xuanji looked up, calmly gazing at the Spirit of the Sacred Domain, and slowly nodded:
"He must be an unparalleled genius from countless ages ago."
He naturally knew that Li Xiaoyao had an extraordinary background, but for the Spirit of the Sacred Domain to make a special appearance, the other party's background might be even greater than he imagined, or rather, his victory would be of great significance.
The Spirit of the Sacred Domain circled him halfway, like an old fellow who had finally found some amusement:
That name, placed before countless ages, dominated an entire era.
"Now he is the renowned Saint King Xiaoyao. Back then, at the Dragon Terrace Sacred Banquet, he competed against the Holy Lord on the same stage..."
The Spirit of the Sacred Domain spoke calmly and deliberately, its last sentence heavy as a mountain, yet clearly tinged with a hint of joy:
"If you can defeat him, you have already earned the qualifications to stand shoulder to shoulder with the ancient Saint King."
Han Xuanji's pupils contracted slightly.
Is Li Xiaoyao now the Saint King?
No wonder even the Spirit of the Sacred Domain dared not reveal his true name; such a powerful being could likely sense it simply by uttering his name.
Could it be that during the final battle, the opponent's true form sensed this fight?
Han Xuanji pondered to himself, feeling that it was very likely true.
He didn't say anything in the end, but simply exhaled softly, and his heart calmed down.
Han Xuanji was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked:
"Back then, who won between the Ten Directions Holy Lord and him?"
The Spirit of the Sacred Domain paused slightly, then said softly:
"It ended in a draw, but His Holy Lord later said that he actually lost that battle."
Li Xiaoyao didn't use his full strength in his final move, while the Holy Lord had already given his all. In the end, the saints felt that the two were evenly matched and that continuing the fight was pointless, so they declared a draw.
"Of course, in hindsight, it is very likely that the powerful figures of the Hongmeng Dao Palace did this on purpose, not wanting to stand out too much, and also to save face for the Sacred Court. After all, in that battle back then, the Sacred Court lost countless powerful figures, and the various forces of the Eternal Continent also owe them a debt of gratitude."