After Han Xuanji stepped into the Eighth Heaven, he was in no hurry, as if he had really become an inner disciple of the Ten Directions Sacred Palace.
He wanted to try signing in, but unfortunately, this place was indeed a false illusion, not reality, and therefore had no spiritual energy, so he couldn't sign in.
However, this does not mean that this layer of heaven is useless.
On the contrary, Han Xuanji was able to use his identity in this illusion to access information and learn some High Antiquity techniques.
After all, the Ten Directions Sacred Palace is Holy Lord- level power, and its heritage is quite impressive.
The Spirit of the Sacred Domain witnessed all of this.
Unlike the previous seven heavens, it wasn't tense throughout. Instead, it was like an old man with nothing to do, hiding in a void, observing Han Xuanji's every move in the Ten Directions Sacred Palace with great interest.
After the sect competition began, it only glanced at it a few times before giving up, because the outcome was already predetermined.
Han Xuanji's strength, compared to those former disciples who had transformed into humans, was so exceptional that even calling him a crane among chickens would be an exaggeration.
What truly interested it was Han Xuanji's character as displayed during the competition.
The young man never used any earth-shattering methods; he simply used his standard longsword, one strike at a time, calmly and patiently, to defeat his opponents one by one.
In my spare time, I also use my position to better cultivate myself.
"That's a good mindset."
The Spirit of the Sacred Domain murmured to itself, a hint of admiration in its eyes.
This first level of heaven appears peaceful, lacking the bloodshed and danger of the previous seven levels, as well as the life-or-death struggles of the Seventh Heaven. Yet, it is precisely in such seemingly tranquil trials that the true nature of people's hearts is revealed.
When the Ten Directions Holy Lord established this realm, they said that cultivation begins with cultivating the mind.
Those who can pass the Seventh Heaven have impeccable talent and combat strength. If they cannot even be at ease with the "daily life of disciples" here, then their Dao heart is still flawed and they will not become great.
Seven people had previously passed the Seventh Heaven, but two of them revealed their weaknesses here and ultimately lost because of their own restlessness and disdain.
But Han Xuanji did not.
He seemed to be born to live this kind of "slow and steady" life. He practiced swordsmanship, meditated, listened to lectures, and even socialized with his fellow disciples. He did everything in a lukewarm manner, yet no one could find fault with him.
This State of Mind made even the Spirit of the Sacred Domain linger for a while longer.
After the competition concluded, Han Xuanji emerged victorious, ranking first.
The bell in the hall rang three times, and he was led into the main hall to pay his respects to the benevolent incarnation of the Ten Directions Holy Lord, who sat regally on the cloud bed.
The benevolent embodiment of the Ten Directions Holy Lord had no sharp edges, and his eyes and brows were gentle, like a schoolteacher who had lived in the mountains for a long time.
When he met Han Xuanji, he didn't say any of the usual pleasantries about the trials, but instead inquired in detail about the several hurdles Han Xuanji had encountered in his cultivation.
Han Xuanji answered truthfully, occasionally asking a few questions in return.
The two engaged in a question-and-answer session, and their conversation grew increasingly profound.
The embodiment of benevolence possessed profound knowledge, sometimes quoting scriptures and sometimes casually drawing a few lines of Principle in the void, resolving some of the long-standing doubts in Han Xuanji's heart one by one.
He had previously only grasped some of the principles through systemic understanding, without truly understanding their underlying meaning. He needed more time to absorb and digest them, but now, with the intervention of the benevolent being, these principles were revealed in just a few words, and he felt enlightened.
The Dao of the Ten Directions Holy Lord was so similar to his own, and the other party treated him without any reservations, as if he had found a student who had been waiting for many years.
Before they knew it, the sky outside the palace had turned from dawn to dusk.
The embodiment of goodwill paused, smiled at Han Xuanji, and said:
"You're great; I see another possibility in you."
As soon as he finished speaking, a warm jade talisman floated to Han Xuanji's front.
Han Xuanji stood up, bowed respectfully to the figure on the bed, and called out, "Master."
This call was natural and heartfelt.
Although the other party was merely a wisp of good intention transformed into an obsession, there was still a master-disciple relationship in this trial, and Han Xuanji had received guidance from the other party, so there was no problem in acknowledging this master.
The embodiment of goodwill did not respond, but simply nodded with a smile, and its form slowly dissipated into the golden light of the hall like morning mist.
The illusion shattered, and a teleportation array leading to the Ninth Heaven appeared in front of Han Xuanji.
The passage through the checkpoint went exceptionally smoothly, even surprising Han Xuanji.
The Spirit of the Sacred Domain remained silent for a long time in the depths of the void before letting out a soft sigh.
Although Han Xuanji's cry of "Master" was not heard by the Ten Directions Holy Lord, it still fulfilled a destiny that transcended time.
This person is indeed somewhat different.
Perhaps, the Holy Lord's legacy will finally fall upon the other party.
At the same time, Han Xuanji did not linger and stepped into the light array, heading towards the Ninth Heaven.
The moment Han Xuanji stepped onto solid ground, the first thing that rushed into his nostrils was an extremely rich floral and fruity fragrance, sweet but not cloying, mixed with the refreshing scent of herbs and spiritual spring water, which immediately soothed his mind and spirit.
He looked around and saw a vast garden before him, with lush flowers and trees, and verdant vines. A path paved with white jade stones meandered from his feet into the depths, with various spirit fruit trees planted on both sides, bearing golden fruits and blooming with seven-colored flowers that never fade.
Colorful butterflies fluttered through the woods, deer carried grass in their beaks, and several small, talking animals perched on branches. They weren't afraid of Han Xuanji; they simply tilted their heads to examine him, then shouted at the top of their lungs:
"Someone's coming! Someone's coming! Someone's trying to pass the test!"
Han Xuanji paused, and then heard the sound of hooves "patter patter" coming from the depths of the garden. A small, snow-white beast came running out happily.
The creature looked like a half-grown mink, but it also had two short antlers. Its body was silvery-white, and its tail was a fluffy ball of fur. When it ran, its four short legs barely touched the ground; it was light and airy, as if it were walking on the wind.
What's most eye-catching are its large, grape-like eyes, black and bright with a hint of purple. They are currently scrutinizing Han Xuanji, its mouth slightly open, revealing two round little front teeth.
Han Xuanji was slightly taken aback.
Is this the Guardian of the Ninth Heaven the Ten Directions Immortal Hall?
This image is so out of place with the carnage he has encountered along the way.
He had assumed the Guardian of the Ninth Heaven would be a ferocious beast with an overwhelming aura, but it turned out to be a tiny creature that wasn't even as tall as his calf.
The way it looked at me didn't seem hostile; it was more curious.
[ Zixiao: The Eternal Holy Lord, Variant Purple Lightning Heavenly Mink, born in the Thunder Sea deep within the Primordial Sea. It is an innate being born alongside a wisp of lightning essence from the Eternal Divine Tree. When the Ten Directions Holy Lord was young, he was training deep within the Primordial Sea when he discovered the newly born Zixiao in Thunder Pool surrounded by countless Hongmeng Variant. The Ten Directions Holy Lord rescued it, and from then on, Zixiao followed him. The Purple Lightning Heavenly Mink Sable feeds on countless lightning bolts and particularly enjoys devouring lightning-attribute heavenly materials and earthly treasures. A single wisp of " Zixiao Divine Thunder " within its body can destroy Sage. After the Ten Directions Holy Lord's fall, Zixiao entered the Nine Mysteries Saint Realm, guarding the Ninth Heaven for the Holy Lord for countless years.]