"Things have come to this; the most important thing right now is to improve our strength."
Han Xuanji changed the subject, his tone becoming serious.
"I see your cultivation is already at the fifth level of the Eternal Dao Lord realm, and your Foundation is solid. You're just lacking in Cultivation Techniques. The legacies in the Five Elements Tower's Outer Sect are too shallow; they don't match your talent."
He took out two Jade Slips from his robes, placed them on the stone table, and pushed them toward Li Tiantong.
"These are the Secret Scripture of Star Soul and the Five Elements Great Dao Secret Canon."
Han Xuanji's tone was flat. "These two techniques complement each other. If you can switch to these, your future progress will be much faster than it is now."
Li Tiantong was stunned.
He looked down at the two Jade Slips on the table, reached out to pick one up, and sent his Divine Sense into it.
In an instant, a vast dao rhyme rushed toward him, ten or even a hundred times more profound than any technique he had ever seen.
"This... this is..."
Li Tiantong's voice trembled slightly.
Any one of these two techniques, if brought out, would be enough to make a second-rate power exhaust everything to fight for it.
And now, Han Xuanji had placed them before him so casually, like giving away two ordinary books.
"Fellow Daoist Han, this is too precious."
Li Tiantong put down the Jade Slip with a solemn expression.
"I have already received too much favor from you, I cannot..."
"Fellow Daoist Tiantong."
Han Xuanji interrupted him, his tone gentle yet firm.
"When I was in the Immortal Realm, I received your Legacy. That was a supreme Legacy even within the Immortal Realm and the endless Chaos. Why bother about these things?"
He picked up his teacup and took a sip.
"Besides, giving them to you to practice is the only way to truly realize their value. If you feel uneasy about it, just help me out more in the future once your cultivation is successful."
Li Tiantong looked into Han Xuanji's calm eyes and remained silent for a long time.
He remembered those years when he first arrived on the Eternal Continent. To earn a single bottle of Eternal Spiritual Liquid, he had to run errands, guard mines, and do hard labor.
For a shallow Cultivation Technique, he had to beg others humbly and endure their ridicule and mockery.
And now, a young man he had just met for the first time was offering him two techniques that would make even an Eternal True God green with envy, with both hands, without any conditions or requirements.
"Fellow Daoist Han..."
Li Tiantong's voice was somewhat raspy. "This kindness and sentiment, I, Li Tiantong, shall engrave in my heart. Such great kindness is hard to thank with words. In the future, if there is ever a place where I am needed, I will never refuse."
Han Xuanji waved his hand and smiled.
"You're overstating it. Just learn the techniques well first and raise your cultivation. With your talent and will, you'll make a name for yourself sooner or later."
Li Tiantong was able to achieve the position of Dao Venerable in the Primordial Chaos and survive the narrow escape of Transcendence; his Heart-Nature and perseverance were definitely not something ordinary Cultivators could compare to.
Given enough time and resources, it wouldn't be difficult for Li Tiantong to grow.
"You will stay here for the time being. I'll have someone arrange a Quiet Room for you."
Han Xuanji stood up and walked toward the depths of the Immortal Cave.
"If you need anything for your cultivation, just tell me."
Li Tiantong stood up and bowed deeply with cupped hands.
"Thank you."
Han Xuanji waved his hand without looking back.
As the twilight deepened, the koi in the pond grew quiet, and the water's surface returned to calm. From Transcendence until now, he had drifted on the Eternal Continent for many years, suffering through cold shoulders and disdain.
Today was the first time he felt that he was no longer alone. Li Tiantong stood for a while before leaving the main Immortal Cave.
A middle-aged manager dressed in a gray robe had already been waiting for some time. He bowed slightly, his attitude respectful in just the right measure.
"I am Zhao Boyong, the manager of the Purple Soul Grotto-Heaven."
The middle-aged manager's tone was gentle.
"Young Master Han instructed me to settle you in. Please follow me."
Li Tiantong nodded and followed Zhao Boyong.
The two walked through several bluestone paths, rounded a rockery, and arrived at an independent courtyard on the outskirts of the Immortal Cave.
The courtyard wasn't large, but it was elegantly arranged and rich in Spiritual Qi.
"Lord Li, this is the residence arranged for you."
Zhao Boyong pushed open the door to the cultivation chamber and let Li Tiantong take a look inside.
"At the beginning of each month, someone will deliver cultivation resources—Spirit Stones, Medicinal Pills, and technique Materials—everything you need. If you have any other requirements, feel free to command at any time."
"Thank you."
Li Tiantong cupped his hands toward Zhao Boyong.
Zhao Boyong quickly returned the gesture, not daring to accept his formality.
"Lord Li is too polite. A guest of the Master is an honored guest of the Purple Soul Grotto-Heaven."
"Please settle in with peace of mind. If you need anything, just instruct the servants to do it."
"If anyone dares to neglect you, please tell me immediately."
After saying this and giving a few more instructions, he took his leave.
The courtyard fell silent.
Li Tiantong looked around, filled with a myriad of emotions.
In the place where he lived before, the Spiritual Qi was pitifully thin.
But here, one could feel dense Spiritual Qi anywhere; it was completely incomparable to his previous environment.
...
In the main Immortal Cave, Han Xuanji sat cross-legged in the cultivation chamber. He took out a pitch-black transmission token from his robes and flipped it twice in his palm.
The token was engraved with dense formation patterns, with a faint light flowing through them.
He had spent most of these years in seclusion and had little contact with the outside world, but every time he emerged, he would contact Hui Feng once or twice.
The other party was also a person of potential; in Han Xuanji's eyes, this person's potential was no less than Xiao Yan's.
He was someone with great simulation value.
Over these years, Hui Feng's growth rate had far exceeded Han Xuanji's expectations.
During their last contact, Hui Feng was already pushing for the ninth level of the Eternal Dao Lord realm, only one step away from the Peak.
According to this progress, breaking through to Eternal True Lord probably wouldn't be much slower than him.
Of course, it was mainly because practicing the Way of Laws was much more difficult than practicing the way of the Physical Body.
"Brother Hui Feng."
Han Xuanji sent a message through the token, getting straight to the point.
"Help me investigate a place."
A moment later, the token lit up, and Hui Feng's voice came from the other side, sounding very surprised.
"You finally contacted me. I thought you'd forgotten about me."
"Stop joking."
Han Xuanji smiled. "Let's talk business."
He quickly gave a brief description of the Daoxuan Secret Realm, which was the place where the Dao Ancestor had disappeared.
"I remember that seems to be an Advanced Secret Realm of the Holy Court..."
Hui Feng pondered for a moment. "It's a bit troublesome, but not entirely impossible. I know a few people in the Holy Court. Although they aren't core figures, I should still be able to find out some news."
"Wait for my news. I'll let you know once I have a lead."
"Good."
Han Xuanji nodded and thanked him.
"I've troubled you."
After the pleasantries, Han Xuanji didn't dwell on it too much.
The priority right now was to improve his strength.
Cultivation is the Foundation. Only by being strong enough can one deal with all the hidden arrows and overt schemes.
Entering the cultivation chamber, Han Xuanji closed his eyes and began to meditate and Cultivate.
Cultivation knows no time; one loses track of years within the cave.
Spring went and autumn came; a year passed quietly.
Soon, the arrival of a piece of news interrupted Han Xuanji's cultivation.