"Answer my question first."
Han Xuanji asked with a smile.
Han Yun took a deep breath. Realizing the other party likely harbored no ill will, he replied frankly,
"I simply don't want to delay my cultivation because of these matters. Of course, if my cultivation reaches a point where it's difficult to improve further, I would get involved in other things."
"Not bad. You have a clear plan for your future."
Han Xuanji nodded, feeling that this boy was indeed a talent worth nurturing.
Seeing that Han Xuanji seemed satisfied with his answer, Han Yun also breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that he had passed the test.
He was somewhat puzzled. Why would an existence this powerful—someone who might even be above a True Immortal or a Profound Immortal—seek out an unremarkable Ascender like him?
In the current Immortal Realm, there were far more Ascenders than in the past.
The probability of producing good prospects was not small, but most people still ended up as the lowest-level Disciples or even slaves and servants in the Immortal Realm.
He was lucky. The Spirit Realm he belonged to seemed to have always received deliberate care; he wasn't reduced to a slave and was guaranteed a place to cultivate within a Sect.
This was also thanks to Han Xuanji. Because of his existence, not only did the Lingxu Heavenly Palace benefit, but even the Grand Void Spirit Realm received special treatment. Ascenders from other Spirit Realms were not so fortunate.
Han Xuanji took in all his shifting expressions and naturally detected that faint aura deep within his Sea of Consciousness. He spoke calmly:
"Is there a Soul Spirit within your Sea of Consciousness? His lapse into a deep sleep was no accident; he simply cannot yet adapt to the environment of the Immortal Realm and needs time to awaken."
As soon as these words were spoken, Han Yun's face changed drastically, his eyes filled with shock:
"Senior... how could Senior know?"
This mysterious Senior before him had seen through his secret at a glance. His strength was evidently unfathomable.
At the same time, he recalled the scene of his Ascension—at that time, because Han Shou could not find a suitable Physical Body, he could only ascend with him in a Divine Soul state. However, upon arriving in the Immortal Realm, Han Shou fell into a deep sleep and had been recovering within a Soul Treasure in his Sea of Consciousness ever since, never waking up. He had been constantly worried about Han Shou's condition.
Han Xuanji smiled and did not answer directly. He simply waved his hand, and an invisible force entered Han Yun's Sea of Consciousness.
That force was gentle yet majestic, without the slightest hint of aggression. It instantly enveloped an altar-shaped object deep within the Sea of Consciousness.
Immediately, Han Yun felt a wave of comfort in his Sea of Consciousness, and his entire body felt warm.
In an instant, that dormant Soul Treasure suddenly glowed with a faint light. Following that, a weak but increasingly clear Divine Thought fluctuation came from the object—it was Han Shou, who had been asleep for a long time.
Han Yun's body shuddered. He hurriedly inspected his Sea of Consciousness and saw an illusory middle-aged figure slowly condensing within the Soul Treasure. It was indeed Han Shou. At this moment, he was opening his eyes blankly. Though his aura was still somewhat weak, he was finally awake.
A surge of immense joy instantly overwhelmed Han Yun. He could no longer restrain himself and kowtowed heavily to Han Xuanji, his voice choking with gratitude:
"Senior's great kindness is something this Junior will never forget!"
"To me, Han Shou is like a second father. Senior saving him is the same as saving my life. This Junior does not know how to repay such kindness!"
As he kowtowed, his heart was filled with apprehension.
He knew very well that he had no connection to this mysterious Senior whose strength was unfathomable. Why would he lend a hand for no reason?
There was no such thing as a free lunch; the Senior must have a request.
Han Yun made a silent resolution: as long as it did not violate his cultivation principles or involve harming the innocent, he would go all out to fulfill whatever the Senior commanded to repay this debt of gratitude.
Within the Sea of Consciousness, Han Shou slowly woke up, his eyes still carrying a hint of confusion. His voice rang out in Han Yun's mind:
"Kid? Where is this? Did you succeed in your Ascension?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he felt the majestic and terrifying aura outside Han Yun's Sea of Consciousness. Following Han Yun's perception, he saw the figure in the green Daoist robe in the herb garden. Han Shou was instantly dumbfounded, his Divine Soul trembling violently, and even his mental transmission became a stutter:
"K-Kid! Wh-who is that?"
"This aura... this is absolutely a peerless powerhouse! How did you get to know such a great figure?"
Han Yun smiled bitterly in his heart and replied,
"I don't know Senior's origins either. He suddenly appeared in the herb garden, saw through your slumber at a glance, and even took action to wake you up."
"I'm also wondering why Senior is helping us... By the way, how are you feeling? Any discomfort?"
Han Shou was silent for a while, making Han Yun feel a bit uneasy.
A second later, Han Shou said,
"My condition... it couldn't be better. Furthermore, my Soul Power is several times stronger than it was at my Peak, and even my past hidden injuries have completely healed!"
"I'm still getting stronger. This... this is a monumental stroke of luck!"
Han Shou could sense that his Divine Soul was being nourished by a mysterious force. His soul was still expanding; in the time it took to speak, he felt his Divine Soul grow stronger once again.
Listening to Han Shou's words, Han Yun's heart was also filled with envy, and his admiration for Han Xuanji's methods grew even deeper.
With such casual ease, he had not only awakened Han Shou but also bestowed a great fortune upon him—or perhaps the fortune was just a byproduct of the healing. Such methods were simply miraculous. Just who was this Senior?
A moment later, Han Shou couldn't wait and transformed into the illusory figure of an old man, floating out of Han Yun's Sea of Consciousness. He hovered before Han Xuanji and knelt respectfully to perform a grand salute, his tone overflowing with gratitude:
"Thank you, Senior, for saving my life! Thank you, Senior, for bestowing this fortune! Senior's great kindness cannot be repaid even by ten thousand deaths!"
Looking at Han Shou performing such a grand salute, the smile on Han Xuanji's face remained gentle as he lightly waved his hand:
"There is no need for such ceremony. This is actually what you deserve."
Han Shou was stunned, the gratitude on his face freezing into a look of complete bewilderment. He had never met this Senior before, so how could it be 'deserved'?
But in the next second, as he looked at the contours of Han Xuanji's features and the faint dao-rhythm surrounding him, a sense of familiarity suddenly surged in his heart. Memories sealed for many years came flooding back, and a long-buried figure from his memory gradually overlapped with the person before him.
Han Shou trembled all over. He raised his head shakily, his eyes filled with awe and disbelief. His lips quivered, unable to speak for a long time. Finally, he squeezed out a sentence in a voice so faint it was almost inaudible:
"Are you... that Lord?"
By the time he finished, he had used almost all his strength. His heart was both excited and terrified, fearing he had recognized the wrong person and offended this terrifying existence.
Han Xuanji looked at his nearly hysterical excitement. With that same gentle smile, he slowly nodded. He didn't say much, but he had already given the answer.
Despite having already guessed it, the moment it was confirmed, Han Shou could no longer contain his excitement and cried out:
"Lord! It really is you! I did it! I did not fail your entrustment! I did not violate the promise I made with you!"