Li Taiqing was the first to break the silence. As the Senior Brother, he had always been steady and composed. Now, he nodded solemnly.
"What Master says is absolutely right. Although the Demon Race's invasion was resolved thanks to Master's Divine Might, it highlights our own insufficient cultivation. If a Demon Tribulation returns one day, Master might have an even grander plan; how can we trouble Master with everything?"
"Returning to practice diligently is the right path."
He did not have such grand ambitions as Lu Fan; his greatest goal was to share Han Xuanji's burdens. Thus, whenever something happened in the Sect, Li Taiqing would handle it, unwilling to let such trivial matters disturb Han Xuanji.
"Senior Brother is right. Master raised us; we cannot let Master down."
Jiang Hao nodded, deeply agreeing.
He was no longer the arrogant Prodigy of the past, knowing full well that there is always someone better. Now, he only wanted to stay by Han Xuanji's side and Cultivate. After struggling outside for so long, to be honest, no status could compare to being Han Xuanji's Disciple.
"Hahaha!"
Su Ming laughed loudly upon hearing this and patted Jiang Hao on the shoulder.
"It's truly not easy to get a guy like you to say that, but..."
His tone shifted as a burning fighting spirit ignited in his eyes, and he looked around at everyone.
"Senior Brother blocked this tribulation, giving us time to breathe and grow."
"We cannot let this protection go to waste."
"Why don't we see who can step into the Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal Realm first? When that time comes, perhaps we can share some of his burdens!"
His proposal immediately livened the atmosphere and stirred the competitive spirit in everyone's bones. Everyone wanted to be the first to Breakthrough to the Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal Realm so they could perform in front of Han Xuanji.
Jiang Hao raised an eyebrow and looked at Su Ming, his tone somewhat teasing.
"You fellow, do you really think that because you have the Aptitude of a Chaos Demon God, you're guaranteed to win?"
Su Ming chuckled, being quite frank.
"Brother Jiang, stop making fun of me. What Chaos Demon God? I only learned a little bit from Senior Brother not long ago, and I'm still confused myself."
He paused and looked at Lu Fan, Li Taiqing, and the others with clear and determined eyes, hiding nothing.
"Besides, didn't Senior Brother also help you reshape your Foundation? I don't think yours is much worse than mine. As the Human Emperor, Brother Lu might be the first to Breakthrough."
Hearing himself mentioned, Lu Fan shook his head.
"I am distracted by the affairs of the Human Emperor. Regarding cultivation speed, I'm afraid I can't compare to you all, who can often listen to Master's teachings."
That being said, Lu Fan intended to Cultivate fiercely and strive to be the first to Breakthrough. Nangong Wenjian, who had been relatively silent, also spoke slowly.
"I pursue the Peak of the Dao of the Sword, but I will not neglect my cultivation. Count me in for this competition."
Lin Potian gave a simple smile and rubbed his hands together.
"Hehe, this body of mine wasn't trained for nothing. Don't be surprised when the time comes!"
Han You's aura was deep. He smiled slightly and didn't say much, but his calm gaze indicated his stance. For a moment, a sense of healthy competition filled the air. They all understood that it was no coincidence Master had gathered them and granted them such opportunities.
Future Demon Tribulations might require them to face it together, without needing Han Xuanji to act...
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Deep within the Myriad Phenomena Garden, in a Quiet Room of a pavilion undisturbed by the outside clamor.
There were no extra furnishings in the room, only a Chaos Green Jade Lotus Pedestal placed in the center. Chaos Qi billowed around it, manifesting the imagery of Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind.
Han Xuanji sat cross-legged on the lotus pedestal, while Little Red stood quietly opposite him, eyes slightly closed. Under the nourishment of the extremely pure and peaceful Chaos Qi in the Quiet Room, the injuries from the previous clash with the Great Heavenly Demon had fully recovered, but the wounds deep within the Dao Foundation were still like maggots in the bone, not easily cured by ordinary means.
"Concentrate and calm your mind; do not have distracting thoughts."
Han Xuanji spoke, his voice sounding even clearer in the silent room.
Little Red followed his words, completely relaxing his mind and exposing his Nine Nether Devouring Phoenix Origin without reservation.
It was a terrifying power, incredibly profound and filled with an aura of devouring, but now it was extremely docile before Han Xuanji.
Han Xuanji held his fingers like a sword. No light was visible at his fingertips, but a point of extremely condensed aura quietly emerged.
His gaze was like lightning, instantly perceiving every injury on Little Red's Origin.
"Go."
He gave a soft shout, and that point of aura split into nine, turning into nine jade-white threads as thin as silk, accurately piercing into the nine key nodes of Little Red's Origin. This aura seemed extremely weak, but the power contained within was beyond words. To put it without exaggeration, this single point of aura was enough to crush a world.
"Ngh..."
Little Red's body trembled slightly, and he let out a muffled groan.
This was not pain, but an indescribable, extreme pleasure.
Wherever the nine threads of light passed, the damaged Origin was repaired at a speed visible to the naked eye, even becoming tougher and more translucent.
The originally somewhat extreme and overbearing devouring trait quietly gained a touch of harmony and endless vitality.
The entire process lasted only about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
When Han Xuanji withdrew his finger, Little Red's body shook violently, and an aura even more condensed than his Peak state burst forth, only to be instantly retracted into his body.
Little Red opened his eyes, the light in them brilliant and clear. There was no longer any sign of lethargy; instead, a hint of progress was visible.
"The Dao Wounds are gone, and your Origin is firmer. You should have new insights into your own Dao."
Han Xuanji nodded slightly and said softly:
"Go down and comprehend well, consolidating what you have gained."
"Thank you, Master, for the grace of remaking me!"
Little Red's voice carried gratitude from the depths of his heart, knowing full well how much time Han Xuanji's seemingly simple action had saved him.
If there had been even a trace of dissatisfaction deep within Little Red about being a servant, it had completely vanished after this.
After bowing, he quietly retreated from the Quiet Room, not daring to disturb him in the slightest.
Tranquility returned to the Quiet Room.
Han Xuanji sat alone on the lotus pedestal, his eyes reflecting the birth and death of Chaos Qi, looking incredibly deep. In reality, he was looking at the System panel.
[Host: Han Xuanji]
[Cultivation: Limitless Primordial First Layer]
[Simulation Count: 100]
[Cultivation Technique: "Xuantian Chaos Primordial Scripture"...]
[Divine Ability: Nine Tribulation Immortal Execution Sword Formation, Xuantian Dharma Domain...]
"...In the System's definition, he was only at the first layer; there was quite a bit of room for improvement."
"It would be a lie to say Han Xuanji wasn't anxious at all."
"After breaking through to the Limitless Primordial Realm, he began to ponder the cultivation method for Limitless Primordial."
"At his current Realm, every bit of progress was as difficult as reaching the heavens. He needed to trace back to the Origin of Chaos, understand the ultimate of the Dao, and finally reach the Realm above the Dao."
"And with the Demon Ancestor ahead, it was undoubtedly the strongest enemy he had ever encountered."
"Although today's clash was just a brief encounter, one could see from it that the opponent's Foundation was profound and he was definitely not an easy foe."
"I need to find a way to improve quickly..."
Han Xuanji thought to himself.