So it turns out that beyond the Chaos, there is such a vast world.
After saying this.
Han Xuanji paused and looked at the Disciples before him, his tone gentle:
"During the days I am away, you must Cultivate diligently and not grow slack."
"I am merely leaving for a time, not dying. Once I am strong enough, I will certainly return for you."
Hearing this, the tears in everyone's eyes finally became uncontrollable, yet they forced them back and nodded gently. Their sadness dissipated slightly, but their hearts remained heavy.
They all knew that with Han Xuanji's departure, there was no telling when they would meet again. The last Dao Ancestor to achieve Transcendence had not been heard from for tens of millions of years, and they couldn't help but worry that Han Xuanji would follow the same path.
"From now on, the daily affairs of the Xuantian Dao Palace will be decided by Li Taiqing. When major issues arise, consult among yourselves. Do not act on impulse, and above all, do not engage in internal strife."
Han Xuanji spoke calmly, arranging these matters in just a few words.
"This Disciple obeys!"
Li Taiqing was the first to bow in acceptance, his eyes filled with determination.
"Rest assured, Master. I will not fail my mission. I will guard the Xuantian Dao Palace well and Cultivate diligently while waiting for your return."
The other Disciples also bowed one after another, answering in unison:
"The Disciples obey!"
Han Xuanji nodded slightly, his eyes full of expectation:
"I hope that by the time I return, you will all have made good progress and moved closer to the Limitless Primordial Realm. Perhaps someone might even Breakthrough to Limitless Primordial and become a pillar of the Chaos."
Just then, Xiao Bai couldn't help but pounce at Han Xuanji's feet, raising tear-filled eyes and crying:
"Master, Xiao Bai wants to go with you. Xiao Bai doesn't want to leave you."
Han Xuanji looked at Xiao Bai, shook his head, and said with feigned sternness:
"Nonsense. The journey to the Eternal Continent is too dangerous and full of unknowns. I cannot take you with me."
He knew in his heart that he hadn't even taken Powerful Experts like the Immortal Ancestor or the Supreme Divine Venerable, who were at the stage of Perfected Limitless Primordial, let alone Xiao Bai.
"Be good."
Han Xuanji gently rubbed Xiao Bai's head, his tone softening:
"Stay in the Xuantian Realm and Cultivate well with Taiqing and the others. Once I've established a foothold on the Eternal Continent and increased my strength, I will definitely come back for you and everyone else, alright?"
Xiao Bai looked into Han Xuanji's eyes and knew that no matter how much he pleaded, it would be useless, so he could only nod gently:
"Okay... Xiao Bai will be good. Xiao Bai will Cultivate well and wait for Master to come back for Xiao Bai."
Xiao Jin also approached, gently rubbing against the corner of Han Xuanji's robe. His eyes were full of reluctance, but he said nothing, only nodding silently to indicate he would Cultivate well and wait for his Master's return.
Looking at the Disciples and spirit pets before him, Han Xuanji also felt some reluctance. It had to be said that after so many years of companionship, there was a bond.
However, the matter of going to the Eternal Continent could not be delayed.
Han Xuanji also feared that one day, Powerful Experts from beyond the Chaos would arrive and wipe them all out in one fell swoop.
Only by reaching the Peak after arriving at the Eternal Continent could he truly hold everything in his own hands.
With this in mind, Han Xuanji dismissed the crowd to let them process the news.
As for himself, he continued to Cultivate, becoming as strong as he possibly could.
Before entering seclusion, Han Xuanji had a sudden whim to check on the Han Family descendant, Han Yun.
Unbeknownst to him, Han Yun had already achieved Ascension to the Immortal Realm, becoming the second person from the Han Family to do so. However, unlike Han Xuanji, who had joined a great Upper Realm Sect like the Lingxu Heavenly Palace, he had joined a small Sect in the Immortal Realm. His status was very low, being only a Disciple responsible for planting immortal herbs.
Han Xuanji calculated the other's fortune and had to admit the boy had a bit of his style. He had progressed steadily and ascended within a thousand years. Although much of the credit went to the rising Spiritual Qi in the Lower Realm, the boy's own diligent cultivation was also key.
After some hesitation, Han Xuanji decided to give this Han Family descendant a helping hand.
He split off a Divine Thought Incarnation and headed to the Immortal Realm.
...
At the Nine Immortals Sect, atop an immortal mountain, Han Yun was cultivating in a herb garden. He did not yet have his own Immortal Cave. Before him lay a Herb Field, and the surroundings were filled with Immortal Qi.
Wearing a blue Daoist robe, Han Yun was quite handsome, bearing some resemblance to Han Xuanji, which was rare even in a place like the Immortal Realm.
At that moment, a beautiful female Disciple found Han Yun and said with a smile:
"Han Yun, the Sect's Secret Realm is open. A few of us are planning to go and gain some experience. Do you want to come along?"
"If you always stay in the herb garden, it will be hard for your cultivation to make any progress."
Han Yun didn't even lift his eyelids, decisively refusing in a flat tone:
"No, I still need to Cultivate. There will be plenty of opportunities for experience in the future. Right now, stabilizing my Realm is the top priority."
A flash of disappointment crossed the female Disciple's eyes, but she did not press him, only sighing softly:
"Alright then, I'll go with the others. Take care of yourself."
With that, she turned and departed upon an Auspicious Cloud.
As the female Disciple's figure disappeared at the end of the mountain path, Han Yun also breathed a sigh of relief.
Suddenly, a gentle laugh rang out in the herb garden, carrying a hint of amusement:
"Oh? Quite a composed lad. That female Disciple's cultivation is a notch higher than yours. Going with her to gain experience would broaden your horizons and grant you opportunities. Yet you simply refused just like that?"
Han Yun's heart suddenly tightened, alarm bells ringing instantly. His Spiritual Qi circulated subconsciously as he whipped around to look.
At the entrance of the herb garden, a figure in a green Daoist robe stood quietly. His temperament was gentle, but his face was obscured. His aura seemed plain, yet it was like an unfathomable abyss, leaving Han Yun without even the courage to look up directly, as if the other party could completely crush him with just a thought.
"Who are you?"
Han Yun suppressed the terror in his heart and asked in a low voice, secretly clutching a defensive Talisman in his hand.
Having recently ascended to the Immortal Realm, he knew it was filled with Powerful Experts. This person appearing out of thin air was definitely no ordinary Cultivator; their strength was far beyond his own.
Seeing his guarded manner, the smile on Han Xuanji's lips deepened. He stepped forward slowly, his gaze sweeping over him, and said casually:
"No need to be nervous. I mean you no harm. I was just passing by and saw that you have a bit of my style, so I came to take a look."
Han Yun's brow furrowed even tighter, his confusion growing, yet he didn't dare relax in the slightest:
"Senior must be joking. This Junior has mediocre Aptitude and is just an ordinary Medicine Apprentice of the Nine Immortals Sect. How could I dare to be compared to Senior?"
"I wonder what Senior's purpose is for coming here today?"
As he spoke, he secretly probed the other's aura. But no matter how he pushed his Divine Sense, he could not see through the other's depth. He only felt that the person was like the world itself—everywhere, yet impossible to grasp.