On the other side.
A figure appeared outside the Nine Mysteries Palace.
"We really need to thank Brother Han properly."
The moment Zhou Yuan emerged from the Ten Directions Saint Realm, he felt completely refreshed.
He had already Eternal True God Middle Stage. After years of seclusion in the Saint Realm, he finally succeeded in comprehending the legacy left by the Old Ancestor Shifang. Not only did his cultivation level increase significantly, but his foundation also became several times more solid than before.
At this moment, Zhou Yuan stood Nine Mysteries Palace, took a deep breath of Spiritual Qi, and felt that the sky was high and the earth was vast, and even the wind was free.
His first thought after leaving the pass was to find Han Xuanji.
If it weren't for Han Xuanji guiding him all the way, he wouldn't have even received the ancestral inheritance, let alone gotten his admission fee; it's hard to say whether it would have been a waste.
He remembered this kindness, and now that he had emerged from seclusion, he naturally wanted to share the good news with Han Xuanji as soon as possible.
But the more he traveled, the more uneasy he felt.
The official road was bustling with people, several times more lively than usual, with many cultivators excitedly discussing that Young Venerable Han had returned.
" Young Venerable Han... do you mean Brother Han?"
Zhou Yuan secretly wondered when Brother Han had acquired such a prestigious title.
When he arrived at the Nine Mysteries Palace, he was even more taken aback.
A huge black and gold banner hung above the gate, embroidered with the four characters " Dragon Terrace Champion". Lanterns and decorations were everywhere in the city, and spirit lanterns were hung from the top of the city wall all the way to the end of the street.
Zhou Yuan scratched his head and muttered to himself:
Who throws such a big wedding?
He had been in seclusion for too long, and after emerging from the Saint Realm, he was on his way and didn't have time to inquire about news from the outside world.
However, this did not stop him from going to see Han Xuanji.
He took out a jade talisman from his pocket, a token left to him by Han Xuanji, with Dao's Extremity Principle pattern engraved on it.
At the entrance of the Nine Mysteries Palace, the gatekeeper examined his token and his attitude immediately became exceptionally warm.
"Are you a friend of Young Venerable? Please come in, please come in!"
The young monk led the way solicitously, asking questions as they went.
"You've come to welcome the Young Venerable, haven't you? The banquet has already been set; you've come at the perfect time."
Zhou Yuan opened his mouth and subconsciously hummed in agreement.
He wasn't really sure what was going on, but when asked like that, he felt embarrassed to admit he knew nothing.
He followed the young cultivator through several palaces. Along the way, the cultivators they encountered, upon hearing that he was Han Xuanji's friend, all nodded to him, their eyes filled with curiosity and envy.
Zhou Yuan felt extremely uncomfortable under their gaze, but he could only grit his teeth and keep walking forward.
The monk led him to a spacious platform, which was already set up with tables and chairs, where many guests were seated.
Zhou Yuan glanced around and suddenly spotted two familiar figures.
Chi Yuan and Liu Wanxu.
His heart tightened suddenly, and he instinctively tensed his entire body.
What are these two people doing here?
Chi Yuan and Han Xuanji were mortal enemies back in the Ten Directions Sacred Hall. Although Chi Yuan eventually withdrew, the grudge was still formed.
Did they come today to cause trouble because there are so many people and so many eyes around at the banquet?
Zhou Yuan secretly gathered his true essence, his gaze fixed on the two people, intending to make a move immediately if they made any unusual actions.
He's now at the Eternal True God Middle Stage, so he can at least offer some help.
Chi Yuan seemed to sense something and turned his head to glance at Zhou Yuan.
Their eyes met, Chi Yuan was slightly taken aback before nodding at him.
There was no hostility in that nod; it even carried a hint of inexplicable goodwill.
Zhou Yuan was taken aback, but he remained vigilant.
Who knows if it's fake?
He withdrew his gaze, intending to wait for Han Xuanji to arrive before speaking.
Soon, a flying boat emerged from the sea of clouds in Nine Mysteries Prefecture and quickly arrived above Nine Mysteries Palace.
Before he even landed, Han Xuanji could hear the commotion in the city.
The streets and alleys were bustling with noise, lanterns hung high, and decorations were everywhere. Even the city walls were adorned with huge banners woven from black and gold silk, fluttering in the wind.
As the airship swept overhead, the crowd below looked up and erupted in cheers.
Han Xuanji stood at the bow of the boat, watching this scene, but his heart remained unmoved.
His master had also told him in advance that a "welcome ceremony" would be held for him at the airport.
The flying boat landed on a platform outside the Nine Mysteries Palace.
As soon as Han Xuanji disembarked, he saw a large crowd surging towards him.
Li Taiqing walked at the front, followed by Yun Wuji, Nangong Wenjian and a group of his disciples, and then his old friends, including the Immortal Ancestor, the Supreme Dao Venerable, and the Sect Leader Tongtian.
Li Taiqing strode forward, bowed deeply, and spoke with barely suppressed excitement:
"Congratulations, Master, on ascending the Dragon Terrace and achieving sainthood on the spot."
The crowd behind him offered their congratulations in unison, their voices loud and clear.
Han Xuanji nodded to them and raised his hand to indicate that there was no need for formalities.
His gaze swept over the familiar faces, and he noticed that everyone was staring at him.
He was familiar with that gaze; it contained awe, admiration, and an inexplicable sense of distance.
Li Taiqing was alright, after all, he was the eldest disciple and had been by his side the longest.
I've come a long way in my life.
But the Immortal Ancestor and the Supreme Dao Venerable, who had once been his peers in the Chaos, now looked at him with a more cautious and respectful gaze.
Han Xuanji knew that this change was inevitable.
With each step he rises in status and power, those around him become more distant.
This is something that must be experienced on the path of spiritual practice; it cannot be forced.
He was exchanging pleasantries with the others when he suddenly sensed several familiar presences.
He turned his head and saw several figures behind the crowd. The leader was a young cultivator in a blue robe with a handsome face and a long sword hanging at his waist.
Han Xuanji recognized him; it was Ling Cang.
He was Sword Dao cultivator who had fought against him at the Thousand Souls City Principle Conference; Sword Dao genius from the Ling Household.
Ling Cang was followed by two other people, both familiar faces from the Principle Conference back then: Zhou Yunhe and Song Tiancheng.
Han Xuanji also greeted the group, signaling them to come over.
As the group approached, they bowed deeply to Han Xuanji, their posture extremely humble, their tone revealing a hint of restraint and awkwardness.
"Han... Young Venerable Han."
Ling Cang spoke, his address changing from "Brother Han" to " Young Venerable Han ".
He paused, as if wanting to say something, but ultimately just gave a wry smile.
"I never imagined that you would end up like this after that battle."
The two people behind him nodded repeatedly, their faces full of emotion.
When they fought Han Xuanji at the Principle Conference back then, although there was a gap between them, it wasn't as vast as the difference between them.
But now, a thousand years later, Han Xuanji is the champion of the Dragon Terrace Sacred Banquet, Eternal Sage, the spokesperson of the Sacred Court, and there are even rumors that he is valued by the Saint Emperor and may be a candidate for the next Saint Emperor.
But they are still struggling with the Eternal True God.
Such a disparity would seem unreal to anyone.