Of course, Han Xuanji was not discouraged; this was all within his expectations.
Shallow waters cannot produce a True Dragon. The prodigies of the Eternal Continent undoubtedly had a starting point countless times higher than "natives" like them. It was only logical that they would achieve greater accomplishments.
However, with the support of the System, Han Xuanji was not necessarily inferior to the prodigies of the Eternal Continent.
Given enough time, Han Xuanji was confident he could reach the peak of the Eternal Continent.
However, reaching the Eternal Continent would likely not be easy. According to the Soul Ancestor, crossing the Hongmeng Sea was extremely dangerous. Along the way, there were not only wandering Primordial Chaos Spirits but also powerful Loose Cultivators who plundered resources. Any slight lapse in caution could lead to disaster.
Seeing the Soul Ancestor's expectant gaze, Han Xuanji did not answer directly but instead asked:
"Are you saying you have a way to return to the Eternal Continent?"
Hearing this question, a flash of light instantly crossed the Soul Ancestor's eyes.
She nodded quickly, her tone becoming more certain:
"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist. Although I fled in a wretched state back then and lost many things, I have already found the thousand spirits vessel, the vessel I was piloting at the time. As long as it is repaired and we leave Chaos, I can activate the flying boat to locate the coordinates of the Eternal Continent and find the route back."
"I see."
Han Xuanji nodded and said:
"Then, do you need my help to repair the thousand spirits vessel?"
The Soul Ancestor shook her head and said:
"Thank you for the kind offer, but it won't take long before the repairs are complete."
At this point, her expression became excited again:
"With the thousand spirits vessel escorting us, the risks of crossing the Hongmeng Sea will be greatly reduced."
"This was a gift from my father for my promotion to the Eternal Dao Lord Realm; it is a battleship close to the True Master level."
This was also the Soul Ancestor's trump card. If this Eternal-level battleship were used within Chaos, it would be enough to sweep through everything.
Han Xuanji was also somewhat shocked. He hadn't expected the Soul Ancestor to have such a trump card; one truly could not underestimate the people of the world.
Within Chaos, there were crouching tigers and hidden dragons.
There might be other existences similar to the Soul Ancestor.
Although Han Xuanji didn't know exactly how strong an Eternal Dao Lord or an Eternal True Lord was, he still had self-awareness.
In the Late Stage of cultivation, the gap of a major Realm is difficult to bridge.
Even the most Heaven-Defying treasure must be usable to be effective.
At this point, the Soul Ancestor's expression became solemn again as she slowly stated her conditions:
"Fellow Daoist Xuantian, I can take you back to the Eternal Continent with me, sharing the coordinates and the route, and I will use the thousand spirits vessel to ensure your safety."
"But I have two small conditions. First, during the crossing of the Hongmeng Sea, you must not interfere with my actions, and you will need to help me overcome difficulties midway and take over piloting the thousand spirits vessel. Second, after arriving at the Eternal Continent, if it is convenient for you, could you return to my Family with me?"
Hearing this, Han Xuanji's brows furrowed slightly. He had no objection to hitching a ride with the Soul Ancestor to the Eternal Continent.
After all, he currently only had the method for Transcendence from Chaos but lacked the specific path to the Eternal Continent. Even with the help of the System's simulation function, it might not necessarily work.
The Soul Ancestor's proposal was undoubtedly the most convenient choice.
However, he was somewhat reluctant to join the Soul Ancestor's Family. It wasn't that he disdained joining a Family, but rather that there was currently too little information about the Soul Ancestor's Family. He had no idea what the Hun Family was like—whether they were a virtuous clan or an ambitious, calculating power.
If he joined rashly, he would inevitably fall into a passive position and might even affect his path of cultivation, which was not what he desired.
How clever was the Soul Ancestor? She saw through Han Xuanji's concerns at a glance and quickly explained, her tone carrying a hint of sincerity:
"Fellow Daoist, you need not worry. I am not trying to force you to join my Family."
"To tell you the truth, my Hun Family is a prestigious clan on the Eternal Continent and an affiliate of the Holy Court, one of the Nine Supreme Powers. We govern a province in the southern part of the Eternal Continent, with a solid Foundation, and we never lightly provoke trouble."
She paused and continued with a detailed introduction:
"My father is the current Clan Chief of the Hun Family, and his cultivation reached the Eternal Saint Realm long ago. He has many children, with over a hundred descendants on the surface. The most outstanding among them have joined the Holy Court and have already stepped into the eternal true god realm. They are more than capable of sheltering you and allowing you to gain a foothold on the Eternal Continent."
Seeing that Han Xuanji's expression still hadn't softened, the Soul Ancestor added:
"Furthermore, I don't intend to make you join the Hun Family. I just want you to consider settling down at the Hun Family first after reaching the Eternal Continent."
"After all, you will be a newcomer and completely ignorant of the environment and powers of the Eternal Continent. Staying with the Hun Family will allow you to avoid unnecessary trouble and slowly familiarize yourself with the rules of the Eternal Continent."
"If you wish to leave in the future, I will never stop you, nor will I use any means to bind you."
At this point, the Soul Ancestor continued listing the benefits:
"Our Hun Family has operated on the Eternal Continent for countless ages and possesses many channels and connections. We can help you quickly make a name for yourself, allowing more powers to know of your talent, and also help you come into contact with the Nine Supreme Powers, striving for an opportunity for you to enter a supreme power. This will undoubtedly be of great benefit to your development on the Eternal Continent."
The Soul Ancestor's words were extremely sincere. She provided enough sincerity without any hint of coercion. Clearly, she truly hoped Han Xuanji would return to the Eternal Continent with her and also wanted to use Han Xuanji's talent to gain more opportunities for herself and the Hun Family.
Han Xuanji was silent for a moment. His brow gradually relaxed, and the concerns in his heart dissipated somewhat.
He knew that the Soul Ancestor's proposal was indeed very tempting. Especially for someone unfamiliar with the Eternal Continent like him, the Hun Family was undoubtedly an excellent landing point. It could both avoid risks and allow him to quickly integrate into the environment of the Eternal Continent, saving a lot of trouble.
Aside from anything else, an outsider reaching the Eternal Continent would likely be an "illegal resident," which would be quite dangerous. Even if not expelled, surviving would likely require some effort.
"Very well, I can agree to your conditions, but I also have one requirement."
Han Xuanji nodded, though he didn't speak too explicitly.
Hearing Han Xuanji agree, the Soul Ancestor was overjoyed: "Please speak, Fellow Daoist."
Han Xuanji said slowly:
"Tell me more information about the Eternal Continent, and I need to know one Eternal Realm cultivation method you possess."
"Fine."
The Soul Ancestor agreed very straightforwardly. These things might be extremely precious to a creature of Chaos, but to her, they were not very important.
Once on the Eternal Continent, Han Xuanji would learn about them sooner or later anyway.
By telling Han Xuanji now so decisively, she could also gain his goodwill.
Quickly, without wasting words, the Soul Ancestor condensed a wisp of Divine Thought at her fingertip, which shot toward Han Xuanji's brow like a stream of light.
Han Xuanji's mind stirred. Sensing no danger, he absorbed the wisp of Divine Thought. Instantly, an ancient and profound cultivation method clearly appeared in his mind, named the 'Sacred Flame Dao Codex'.
This 'Sacred Flame Dao Codex' was not some top-tier technique; it was a common cultivation method used in the Sacred Flame Domain. It had lowered many thresholds, and the descriptions of the Realms within it were extremely detailed, completely recording all Breakthrough methods and cultivation insights from the Chaos Realm to the Eternal Realm, perfectly matching Han Xuanji's current needs.
..............
For those who find it a pain going to the auxiliary chapter here is a brief explanation of the cultivation realms.
Eternal Continent Realm Settings: Seven Great Realms.
Eternal True Realm: Eternal Dao Lord, Eternal True Lord, Eternal True God
Eternal Saint Realm: Eternal Saint, Eternal Saint Master, Eternal Saint King
Eternal Supreme Realm.