Among Han Xuanji's many Disciples, only Lu Fan walked a different path.
Others could seclude themselves to Cultivate and comprehend the Great Dao, but Lu Fan, walking the Path of the Human Emperor, had to gather the hearts of the people and accumulate Luck. It was impossible for him to constantly stay in the Myriad Phenomena Garden under Han Xuanji's protection.
Fortunately, Lu Fan had ventured outside for many years and had made quite a name for himself.
He was quite pleased with his progress, thinking that upon his return this time, he would surely impress his Master, Senior Brothers, and Junior Brothers.
However, the moment he stepped into the Myriad Phenomena Garden, feeling the Chaos Qi within—which was far denser and purer than before, even containing a trace that greatly shocked him—the expression on his face turned strange.
When he had left, the Cultivation environment in the Myriad Phenomena Garden was already excellent; now, it was vastly superior even to the Secret Realm where he usually secluded himself to Cultivate.
"Master's methods are as grand as ever."
Lu Fan pondered silently.
Where his gaze landed, he first saw Li Taiqing and Han You discussing the Dao beneath the dragon blood profound yellow tree.
The latter's face was quite unfamiliar to him, but he guessed this must be Han Xuanji's newly accepted Fifth Disciple, Han You, who was rumored to have an extraordinary background.
Seeing this now, Lu Fan was secretly shocked; the aura emanating from the other party gave him a subtle sense of pressure, clearly indicating that their cultivation was no weaker than his.
Li Taiqing's aura was harmonious and restrained. He was also at the Taiyi Golden Immortal Realm, and the aura around him surprised Lu Fan somewhat.
"Senior Brother Li, long time no see. And this must be Fifth Junior Brother?"
Lu Fan couldn't help but speak.
"Junior Brother Lu, you're back. This is Fifth Junior Brother Han You. This should be the first time you two have met."
Li Taiqing smiled gently and nodded.
Han You, meanwhile, looked Lu Fan over curiously. Although he had never met Lu Fan, he knew of this Third Senior Brother's deeds from others. Lu Fan held a significant reputation outside, hailed as the future Human Emperor, making the other Human Emperor Candidates seem dim in comparison to his brilliance.
Lu Fan's arrival quickly caught the attention of the others, who came forward to see him.
Lu Fan looked around at everyone, astonished in his heart.
It wasn't just Li Taiqing; the auras of Lin Potian and Nangong Wenjian also felt both familiar and strange to him.
Just then, Lin Potian's signature loud voice rang out:
"Haha, Brother Lu is back! Come take a look at Old Lin's physique!"
Lin Potian strode forward, his Blood Qi vast like a Dragon, his muscles glowing with Chaos Treasure Light. That powerful Physique made Lu Fan secretly gasp.
Although he hadn't yet stepped into the Taiyi Golden Immortal Realm, he was certainly close. This Physique was likely enough to rival a True Dragon.
Immediately afterward, Su Ming and Jiang Hao also appeared.
He also knew that Jiang Hao, this famous Prodigy, had already become Han Xuanji's Disciple and was now his Junior Brother.
What astonished Lu Fan the most was that he sensed a familiar "flavor" from every Senior Brother and Junior Brother—the same as his own Chaos Physique. There was no mistake!
"Chaos Physique... You, you mean you all..."
Lu Fan's gaze swept over the crowd, his voice slightly hoarse.
He had gone through immense hardships to luckily forge the Chaos Physique, believing himself unmatched among his fellow Disciples. Who knew... Jiang Hao looked at his shocked appearance and couldn't help but laugh:
"Senior Brother Lu Fan, it seems you've been cut off from news outside. We were all graced by Master's favor, allowing us to Reshape Fundamental Bones and luckily achieve the Chaos Physique."
Xiaobai, meanwhile, leaped up onto Lu Fan's shoulder, poked his face with a paw, and teased:
"Xiao Fanzi, dumbfounded, aren't you? Did you think you were the only Child of Heaven? Now, around here, the Chaos Physique is the minimum standard."
"That's what you get for messing around outside."
The minimum standard... Lu Fan's mouth twitched slightly, the shock in his heart immeasurable.
He looked at everyone: Li Taiqing, Nangong Wenjian, Lin Potian, Jiang Hao, Su Ming... even Xiaobai had somehow become a Chaos Physique.
And perched on the dragon blood profound yellow tree, a red figure, with just one glance, made his mind tremble, and he dared not look further.
"So, was I just messing around by becoming the Human Emperor?"
Lu Fan shook his head with a wry smile,
"It seems my trip outside was a bit like looking at the sky from the bottom of a well. Congratulations, Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers!"
Although he was astonished, he felt more joy than anything else.
The stronger the Myriad Phenomena Garden was, the better, naturally.
Everyone in the garden exchanged smiles, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
Lu Fan's return and the external information he brought back broadened everyone's knowledge considerably.
"The Chaotic Lands Outside of Heaven?"
Jiang Hao's eyes flickered, and he said without hesitation:
"Are there any Prodigies there?"
"Of course there are."
Lu Fan replied with a smile:
"Have you heard the name Yun Wuji? He is now a Grand Unity Golden Immortal and holds a considerable reputation in the Chaotic Lands Outside of Heaven."
Back in the Human Race Ancestral Land, Lu Fan had met him once. Furthermore, due to Han Xuanji, Yun Wuji had actively sought him out to ask for news about Han Xuanji.
Later, when he went to the Chaotic Lands Outside of Heaven, Yun Wuji defeated many strong experts of the same Realm, leaving a deep impression on Lu Fan.
"Yun Wuji, huh..."
Jiang Hao muttered to himself, seeming to have found another goal.
Surpassing Han Xuanji wasn't very realistic; he should defeat others first.
This Yun Wuji seemed like a good target... After Lu Fan finished catching up with everyone, he cautiously approached the pavilion where Han Xuanji resided.
Han Xuanji was not surprised by Lu Fan's return. The boy carried a Supreme Treasure that Shields Heavenly Secrets; even powerhouses of the Hunyuan Realm would find it difficult to divine his location.
Of course, Han Xuanji was the exception.
With the Double Pupils combined with the Eyes of Destiny, plus his Primordial Chaos Late Stage Realm, very few people in the world could hide from his gaze.
"Come in."
Han Xuanji's voice echoed in Lu Fan's mind.
In an instant, the scene before Lu Fan shifted, and he found himself inside the familiar quiet room.
The Chaos Qi here was hazy like mist, so dense it was almost liquid, and its purity far exceeded the outside world.
In the center of the vast quiet room, Han Xuanji sat upon the Thirty-Six Grade Chaos Green Lotus, his aura merging with the Great Dao. It was as if he were the source of the Great Dao, the absolute Dominator of this world.
His face appeared indistinct within the halo of Chaos light.
Lu Fan's heart tightened. He instantly gathered all stray thoughts, not daring to be negligent in the slightest, and respectfully knelt down, performing a Grand Bow of Reverence:
"Disciple Lu Fan pays respects to Master! Thanks to Master's concern, this Disciple has successfully completed his mission and returned from the Chaotic Lands Outside of Heaven."
His voice was steady, carrying genuine respect.
Even though he now bore nine Human Dao Marks and had secretly condensed the Human Emperor Mark, before Han Xuanji, he remained the Disciple who had to look up to his Master.
Han Xuanji looked at him calmly, nodded slightly, and his voice seemed to come from beyond the eternal timeline:
"Rise. You have done well these past years."
It was a simple statement, yet it caused ripples in Lu Fan's heart.
As expected, Master had already seen through everything about him; all his various encounters were likely clear in Master's mind.
"All achievements are due to Master's guidance in the past. This Disciple dares not take credit."
Lu Fan rose, still bowing slightly, maintaining a humble demeanor.
He hesitated for a moment but couldn't help asking:
"Master, upon my return, I saw that all the Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers have Undergone a Complete Transformation and achieved the Chaos Physique..."
Han Xuanji nodded:
"That's right. I did it all."
Lu Fan gave a wry smile, feeling inexplicably disheartened.
He felt like all his hard work and toil had truly been a pointless endeavor.