Han Xuanji stood in front of the palace gate for a moment, suppressing the surging emotions in her heart.
Receiving so many awards, it would be amazing if someone didn't laugh.
Although the rewards for signing in were very tempting, he knew very well that there was still one last step to take.
He straightened his robes and strode toward the depths of the main hall.
The interior of the Ten Directions Immortal Hall was even more secluded than it appeared from the outside. As his footsteps sounded, the lights on both sides lit up one after another, casting swaying shadows on the lapis lazuli floor tiles with warm yellow flames.
The hall was extremely quiet, so quiet that he could clearly hear the echo of his own footsteps.
After walking about a hundred paces, the view suddenly opened up, and a high platform appeared at the end of the main hall.
On the high platform, a figure stood with his hands behind his back.
The figure was not tall, and could even be described as thin. He wore a faded blue Daoist robe, and his hair was casually tied up with a single wooden hairpin.
With his back to Han Xuanji, he was looking up at the huge star map on the ceiling of the palace.
On the star map, countless points of light flowed slowly, as if the entire Starry Sky had been contained within this grand hall.
Han Xuanji paused, not continuing forward, but instead stood ten steps below the platform and bowed to the figure with his hands clasped in greeting.
"Junior Han Xuanji greets Senior Zhou."
The man didn't turn around, but simply hummed in a calm voice.
After a few breaths, he slowly turned around.
Han Xuanji looked up and saw that, compared to the benevolent incarnation of the Eighth Heaven, the Ten Directions Holy Lord in front of him looked younger and had a more restrained sharpness. In particular, his eyes were extremely bright, as if thousands of stars were rising and falling in them.
He looked at Han Xuanji with undisguised admiration in his eyes, and even a hint of inexplicable relief.
"You've come."
The Ten Directions Holy Lord spoke, his voice not loud, yet it lingered in the empty hall for a long time:
You're the first person to get here.
"I was just lucky."
Han Xuanji said frankly.
"You fought very well in that battle."
The Ten Directions Holy Lord's gaze fell on Han Xuanji, his tone carrying a deeper meaning that Han Xuanji failed to discern:
"You won fair and square, and it was the most difficult victory."
This was something even Han Xuanji didn't know; facing Li Xiaoyao's projection for the first time was the most difficult.
As long as you Undying, the second challenge will be easier.
However, you can only attempt it a maximum of three times.
In other words, there are three levels of difficulty: the first is hard, the second is medium, and the third is easy.
Only when facing Li Xiaoyao for the first time will one encounter a spiritual Li Xiaoyao, who also possesses a divine power of his own.
Han Xuanji was the only one who won in a single battle.
It's no wonder that the benevolent incarnation of the Ten Directions Holy Lord in the Eighth Heaven allowed Han Xuanji to pass the level so easily.
"..."
Han Xuanji was slightly taken aback.
He didn't know the difference, but he could guess something, so he immediately cupped his hands and said:
"I was fortunate."
There was no room for luck.
The Ten Directions Holy Lord shook his head, his gaze fixed intently on him:
"Throughout my life, I have competed with countless geniuses, but only he made me feel like I had lost. Today, you have been able to avenge this regret for me, and I must admit that you are more outstanding than I was back then."
Han Xuanji remained silent for a moment.
He could hear the relief in the Ten Directions Holy Lord's tone, and there was no resentment whatsoever.
He hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didn't say anything humble or polite, and only said seriously:
"You flatter me, senior. I was able to win that battle because I stood on the shoulders of giants."
"Without the legacy and insights left behind by our predecessors in the Ten Directions Immortal Hall, I would not have been able to win."
That wasn't entirely a compliment.
Without the previous check-in, based on Han Xuanji's previous preparations, his chances of defeating Li Xiaoyao were not high.
Upon hearing this, the Ten Directions Holy Lord couldn't help but feel delighted.
This kid is not only exceptionally talented, but also incredibly adept at interpersonal relationships...
"Everyone else went through the first six levels just like you, but no one else has made such great progress. That's your skill."
The Ten Directions Holy Lord was quite frank; the insights and legacy he left behind were beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.
He didn't beat around the bush anymore and said it directly:
" Han Xuanji, you've reached this point through your own abilities. I can pass on the Immortal Palace's legacy to you."
But before that, I have two conditions.
Han Xuanji did not rush to agree, but nodded slightly:
"Please speak, senior."
The Ten Directions Holy Lord raised one finger:
"First, I owe too many people in my life, especially the Zhou Household. They didn't receive much help from me back then. After you leave, please take care of the Zhou Household for me. I don't ask you to protect them for generations to come, I only ask that you lend them a hand when they face annihilation."
Zhou Yuan isn't a bad person; I feel at ease knowing he's on good terms with you.
Han Xuanji nodded solemnly:
"I will remember this. Zhou Yuan has been kind to me, and even if you hadn't said anything, I would have helped him."
The Ten Directions Holy Lord nodded, then slowly raised his second finger:
"Secondly, I don't force you to follow in my footsteps or inherit my name, but if one day you can go to the Dragon Terrace Sacred Banquet and bring back the champion..."
He paused, his gaze suddenly becoming distant, as if traversing countless ages to land in a place extremely, extremely far away:
"If you don't have the chance, but if you can surpass Li Xiaoyao one day, then my last wish will have been fulfilled."
The Ten Directions Holy Lord originally planned to reach the Saint King Realm Stage before Li Xiaoyao and then fight him at the Saint King Realm Stage, but he unexpectedly perished, which is a pity.
Han Xuanji felt a mix of emotions after hearing this.
These two conditions are increasingly unlike conditions.
Taking care of the Zhou Household was something he had always wanted to do. As for surpassing Li Xiaoyao and winning the Dragon Terrace Sacred Banquet, even if that wasn't mentioned, Han Xuanji had never intended to be second to anyone.
He has been cultivating himself for so long, walking this path, all to see what lies at the end of that road.
These requests from the Ten Directions Holy Lord were less like conditions and more like a solemn entrustment of the path he himself had always intended to take to him.
"Senior."
Han Xuanji raised her head, her gaze calm and resolute:
"I agree to these two conditions. I will take care of the Zhou Household."
If I have the opportunity, I will definitely attend the Dragon Terrace Sacred Banquet.
" Li Xiaoyao, I will defeat him in person one day, in the name of the Ten Directions Lineage."
The Ten Directions Holy Lord looked at him without speaking for a long time.
Then he slowly raised his hand and pointed out with one finger.
A point of extremely bright blue light flew from his fingertip, piercing the darkness in the hall and disappearing straight into Han Xuanji's brow.
Han Xuanji did not dodge. He felt a vast and gentle power surge into his sea of consciousness like a galaxy pouring in from behind. It contained the last bit of True Intention of the Great Dao that the Ten Directions Holy Lord had devoted his life to.
That glimmer of True Intention, along with his previous insights into the Great Dao and the Ten Directions Return to Origin Instruction, resonated with him, stirring up a silent transformation within his sea of consciousness.
The Ten Directions Holy Lord withdrew his hand, and his figure began to become transparent.
He glanced at Han Xuanji one last time, a relieved smile on his face:
"Go. The Ten Directions Lineage is now in your hands."