Cloud Dream City, Haoxuan Palace.
The city is suspended above the sea of clouds, bathed in rosy light all year round. The city gate is cast from a single piece of Azure Divine Stone, engraved with array patterns at the level of Saint King. From a distance, the entire city looks like a giant beast lurking in the clouds.
Haoxuan Palace is located in the very center of the city, covering a vast area with continuous halls and pavilions, exuding the elegance and solemnity that only the core power of the Sacred Court possesses.
Chi Yuan walked through the palace complex, guards and servants bowed to him along the way, but today these courtesies seemed to carry an inexplicable strangeness in his eyes.
No one spoke out, no one gossiped, but he felt that everyone's gaze was as if they already knew he had just slunk away from the Ten Directions Sacred Domain.
That gaze wasn't sharp, but it felt like a thorn in my back.
Of course, how much of this is psychological is unknown.
Chi Yuan did not stop until he reached the main hall of the Haoxuan Palace.
The palace doors opened automatically to both sides, and an indescribable aura emanated from the palace, as if the entire world had suddenly pressed down on his shoulders.
He took a deep breath and stepped inside.
The hall was extremely quiet, so quiet that Chi Yuan could almost hear his own heartbeat.
The Saint Venerable Haoxuan sat upright in the main seat. He was a middle-aged man who looked to be about forty years old. He had a handsome face, a few long wisps of beard on his chin, and wore a black robe with cloud patterns. His eyes were half-closed, as if he was resting.
He didn't exude any aura, but when Chi Yuan walked to within ten feet of him, he felt the flow of spiritual energy within his body slow down by half a beat.
Even with 99% of its pressure suppressed, a being at the Saint King level was still like a blazing sun obscured by thin clouds; just standing there was enough to make anyone who approached feel insignificant.
Moreover, Saint Venerable Haoxuan is no ordinary Saint King level expert; even if the opponent is at the Saint King Realm Stage, he has already covered a considerable distance.
"You're back."
The Saint Venerable Haoxuan did not open his eyes, but his voice came from inside the hall, neither loud nor soft:
"I am already aware of the matter concerning the Ten Directions Immortal Hall."
Chi Yuan bowed deeply, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a tone that was more subdued than usual:
"This disciple is incompetent and has disappointed Master."
I wouldn't say I'm disappointed.
Saint Venerable Haoxuan finally opened his eyes. His eyes were extremely deep, like two bottomless ancient wells. He only glanced at Chi Yuan and saw through his thoughts.
" The Ten Directions Immortal Hall is no ordinary trial. Throughout history, there have been many disciples of Saint King who have failed. I do not blame you."
However, your trip here is probably not to apologize, is it?
Upon hearing this, Chi Yuan raised his head and met Saint Venerable Haoxuan's calm gaze. He couldn't help but tremble and almost backed down.
However, thinking of the humiliation of Han Xuanji stepping on his head to reach the top, he still gritted his teeth and told him about his experiences in the Ten Directions Immortal Hall in detail.
The entire process, from the feud between Mystic Hue Valley and Han Xuanji Ten Thousand Immortals Association, to the repeated setbacks of the Wanxian Society in the Immortal Palace, to Han Xuanji's triumphant advance and the disintegration of the Ten Thousand Immortals Association, and finally his withdrawal from the trial, was told without any concealment.
Towards the end, although he tried his best to suppress his emotions, he still unconsciously raised his voice:
"I have fought him, and his strength is beyond belief. Most importantly, how could he have passed through ten levels of the Heavenly Realm in just a few years? I believe that the Nine Mysteries Holy Lord must have tampered with his authority within the Saint Realm."
Chi Yuan was mentally prepared to be punished, after all, he had no evidence and was just making wild guesses.
Saint Venerable Haoxuan did not interrupt him, but listened quietly until the end.
After Chi Yuan finished speaking, the hall fell silent for a moment.
Saint Venerable Haoxuan did not rush to express his opinion. After pondering for a moment, he spoke slowly and deliberately:
" The Ten Directions Sacred Domain is presided over by the Spirit of the Sacred Domain. Although the Nine Mysteries Holy Lord guards the Nine Mysteries Saint Realm, he has no authority to interfere with the trial rules."
It's no easy feat for him to bypass the Spirit of the Sacred Domain and pave the way for Han Xuanji.
However, the Ten Directions Sacred Domain also exists based on the rules of the Nine Mysteries Saint Realm. The Nine Mysteries Holy Lord is the ruler of the Nine Mysteries Prefecture, and the Nine Mysteries Saint Realm has been under his rule for many years. If he really wanted to do something, it's not entirely without an opportunity.
After all, the being who truly created the Nine Mysteries Saint Realm was also inextricably linked to the Nine Mysteries Holy Lord.
However, he naturally couldn't tell Chi Yuan this, and as he spoke, his gaze became deep and unfathomable:
"I will have someone investigate, but some things cannot be blown out of proportion. Han Xuanji is the personal disciple of the Nine Mysteries Holy Lord, and the Nine Mysteries Holy Lord is the disciple of the Holy Venerable Tianming."
You should know what this means.
Chi Yuan was startled, then understood.
Within the Sacred Court, the four Saint Venerable jointly assist the Saint Emperor, appearing to be of one mind, but in reality, they each form their own faction.
Although there was no public conflict between the Saint Venerable Haoxuan and the Holy Venerable Tianming, at this level, the struggle was no longer about temporary gains or losses, but about the inheritance of the Daoist lineage and the right to speak for the Sacred Court.
Moreover, at their level, it's naturally impossible for them to personally engage in combat.
Unless a world-shattering war breaks out that changes the landscape of the Eternal Continent, in most cases, the performance of disciples and confidants can indirectly gain them a voice and prestige.
But that's all. Even if the Nine Mysteries Holy Lord's actions this time were biased, in the end, he could only minimize the damage.
After all, at this level, this "scandal" is a minor matter and not enough to shake his position as Saint Venerable.
Of course, in other words, even if no problems are found, it's not a serious blow to them; it's just a bit embarrassing on the surface.
"This disciple asks for little, only to prove himself."
Chi Yuan's voice was firm, as if he already regarded Han Xuanji as the main villain.
"Um."
A faint warmth crept into Saint Venerable Haoxuan's voice.
Regardless, Chi Yuan is still his disciple. If he really suffers unfair treatment, he, as his master, cannot remain silent. Otherwise, it would be a blow to his prestige if word got out.
At this point, the struggle for face may sound trivial, but it's not insignificant either.
"If there was truly any overstepping of boundaries, then the opponent's victory was also dishonorable."
The Saint Venerable Haoxuan asked calmly:
How confident are you about this?
Chi Yuan felt slightly relieved, knowing that his master was using this as an excuse to make a scene. However, when asked how confident he was, he could only answer truthfully:
"This disciple dares not speak presumptuously, but I have... a 30% chance of success."
"..."
Saint Venerable Haoxuan felt a slight headache, thinking that Chi Yuan was very confident.
This 30% certainty is likely just a vague guess, mostly fueled by jealousy and resentment.
"You..."
Saint Venerable Haoxuan sighed.
Upon hearing this sigh, Chi Yuan knelt down with a thud and whispered:
"It was my recklessness, but there's definitely something wrong with Han Xuanji."
"Um..."
Saint Venerable Haoxuan finally nodded.
The important thing about the internal affairs of the Sacred Court is not the truth, but who can seize the opportunity to get dirt on others first.
The more extraordinary Han Xuanji's actions seemed, the more others were willing to believe that he had "another fortuitous opportunity." Even if no evidence was ultimately found, that round of questioning was enough to give the Nine Mysteries Holy Lord a headache for a long time.
Furthermore, even the Saint Venerable Haoxuan wasn't entirely convinced that Han Xuanji's battle record was genuine.