"When Her Ladyship's true body can completely mend the rift and successfully retreat... that is not something this Minor Immortal can know. This matter is one of the highest secrets of the Heavenly Court, and few know the details. Your Majesty once said that this is a great act of Karma for Her Ladyship, and also where the Heavenly Court is indebted to her."
Li Haokong's tone carried obvious reverence:
"Currently, the one presiding over affairs in the Jade Pool is the Holy Mother's Disciple."
Such matters were not considered secret, so Li Haokong naturally spoke everything he knew.
"So that's how it is. Sacrificing oneself to suppress the Devil, the Karma is immeasurable."
Han Xuanji nodded slightly, indicating understanding, and did not press for further details.
He had only asked casually; getting a general answer was enough.
No wonder he hadn't seen her figure; so this was what had happened.
(T/N: So when is this dude gonna get laid. Bro it's been about 450 chapters and not a single female lead. )
However, if the Jade Pool Golden Mother's action succeeded, it would count as Karma for Mending the Heavens, and even if she couldn't use it to advance to the Limitless Primordial, she would still gain considerable benefits.
Seeing Han Xuanji silently observing the scenery, Li Haokong assumed he was comprehending the dao-rhythm, so he stood quietly to the side, saying no more, demonstrating excellent cultivation.
In reality, Han Xuanji had gained a lot and was secretly delighted. Although it wasn't as earth-shattering as what he got from the Hall of Miraculous Mist, these were all tangible good things.
"As long as Great Heavenly Venerable is satisfied."
Li Haokong observed his expression, saw that Han Xuanji intended to leave, and continued:
"May I ask if Great Heavenly Venerable wishes to visit the 'Heavenly River' to view the stars and scenery next, or perhaps... to see the 'Peach Garden of Immortality'?"
He offered several options, all famous locations in the Heavenly Court rich in dao-rhythm.
Han Xuanji pondered briefly. Naturally, he wanted to see them all.
"Let's go see the Heavenly River first. I've heard that the Heavenly River Weak Water cannot float a feather, and Immortals and Gods find it difficult to cross. I must witness it for myself."
Han Xuanji quickly made his choice.
The Heavenly Court has a river of Weak Water, abbreviated as the Heavenly River, which guards the Heavenly Court. It is also another important line of defense outside the Heavenly Court's Zhou Tian Star Array. Furthermore, many great treasures are nurtured within this Heavenly River, and countless Mighty Beings have come here to comprehend the Great Dao.
"I respectfully obey Great Heavenly Venerable's Decree."
Li Haokong bowed in response, immediately leading the way. He secretly thought that this Great Heavenly Venerable was surprisingly interested in the dangerous area of the Heavenly River.
The two left the Jade Pool, rode Auspicious Clouds, and headed toward the Heavenly River.
Han Xuanji seemed to be enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Heavenly Palace along the way, but in reality, he was already anticipating the gains from the next check-in point.
Li Haokong, meanwhile, gave a thorough introduction, speaking appropriately, both showcasing the Heavenly Court's heritage and subtly highlighting Han Xuanji's respected status.
Li Haokong naturally had his own little schemes. The news that the Heavenly Emperor was choosing a successor had long since spread, and a trusted confidant of the Heavenly Emperor like him naturally knew about it early on.
He needed to plan a retreat for himself. He didn't know who the next Heavenly Emperor would be, but it certainly wouldn't be him.
He had no confidence whether the next generation Heavenly Emperor would trust him.
Li Haokong thought it wouldn't hurt to get on familiar terms with this person.
He already had some bold speculations in his mind. The position of Heavenly Emperor was difficult to hold; the next Heavenly Emperor would either have strength unmatched through the ages or have powerful backing.
And anyone who could support someone into the position of Heavenly Emperor must definitely be a Limitless Primordial existence.
If Han Xuanji intended to cultivate his own Apprentice, the Heavenly Emperor might just do him a favor.
Of course, these were all Li Haokong's own musings, which he had not shared with anyone.
Although Han Xuanji couldn't guess exactly what Li Haokong was thinking, he didn't need to.
Upon reaching the Limitless Primordial Realm, the perspective on things changes.
Others might think the position of Heavenly Emperor was very important, but in his view, it wasn't worth spending too much effort on.
Let whoever wants it take it. If none of his Disciples were interested, it might even be easier.
Seeing Han Xuanji's peaceful expression, Li Haokong felt slightly relieved and said:
"Great Heavenly Venerable, the Heavenly River is not far ahead. The Heavenly River is vast, running through the Heavenly Court, and is one of the Heavenly Court's important barriers."
Before long, an ineffably vast sight came into view. A boundless, brilliant River of Light stretched across the sky, its source unknown, its end unseen.
The river water was not ordinary flow, but was condensed from endless Stellar Essence, Chaos Spiritual Charm, and Innate Water Origin Law. As it flowed, there was no rushing sound of water, but a deep Dao Sound, like the operation of a hundred million mile Star River—profound, magnificent, and cleansing to the mind.
The river water emitted a soft yet bright star radiance, illuminating the surrounding Void Realm. Countless tiny specks of light floated and vanished within the river.
This was the Heavenly River, the boundary-protecting river of the Heavenly Court, and a supreme spectacle connecting the Star Power of all heavens and gathering energy!
It was precisely because the Heavenly River existed that the Innate Qi within the Heavenly Court was so dense, making it suitable for cultivation, a method far superior to the Heaven and Earth Immortal Spirit Veins and Blessed Lands of the Immortal Realm.
What was eye-catching within the Heavenly River was a distinctly different area: that stretch of water suddenly became deep as ink, swallowing all light and sound, resembling a realm of eternal, silent death—it was the dreaded Weak Water Area.
This was countless times more terrifying than the Weak Water he had seen in the Lower Realm before. If an ordinary Cultivator below the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm extended their Divine Sense into it, it would likely be swallowed and eroded instantly.
"Great Heavenly Venerable, the Heavenly River Weak Water is right ahead."
Li Haokong's voice sounded at the appropriate time, saying:
"This stretch of Weak Water is eighty thousand miles wide and immeasurably deep. It is an anomaly generated by heaven and earth, and also a crucial barrier protecting the Heavenly Court."
"In ancient times, several Primordial Devil Emperors led billions of Devil Soldiers attempting to force a crossing, but they were all ultimately buried in the Weak Water, their Divine Souls extinguished."
Han Xuanji nodded slightly, his gaze sharp, already seeing through the essence of the Weak Water somewhat.
The dao-rhythm here was unique and concentrated, making it an excellent check-in location.
[Eight-Star Sign-in Location "Heavenly River Weak Water" detected. Initiate Sign-in?]
The System's prompt arrived as expected.
"Sign-in."
Han Xuanji silently recited this in his heart, while observing the eerie, dark waters with great interest, and said to Li Haokong beside him:
"This is the Weak Water? It truly lives up to its reputation; its dao-rhythm characteristics are quite extreme."
Li Haokong respectfully replied:
"Great Heavenly Venerable is wise."
"The Weak Water is an Anomalous Water generated by heaven and earth. Its nature is both extremely soft and extremely rigid, extremely clear and extremely murky, specializing in countering all tangible and intangible Spiritual Essence, Magic Power, and Divine Soul."
"In ancient times, the Heavenly Court used this section of the Heavenly River as a natural barrier, supplemented by Formations. Ordinary external devils and evil spirits simply couldn't cross it."
"Even our Immortals and Gods of the Heavenly Court dare not easily enter the Weak Water Area without a specialized 'Water Crossing Talisman'."
[Congratulations, Host, for successfully signing in at the Eight-Star Sign-in Location "Heavenly River Weak Water." You have received one portion of "Heavenly River Weak Water Origin Essence."]
Following the prompt, Han Xuanji felt something extra in his system space.
It was a seemingly inconspicuous black water droplet, quietly suspended, yet emitting a sinking dao-rhythm that made the Divine Soul feel suppressed.
This was the condensed Origin Power of the Heavenly River Weak Water's core, its value far exceeding ordinary Weak Water Essence, and it was Materials for refining top-tier Water Element supreme treasures.
Even for Cultivators in the Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal Realm, it held great value.
"Not bad, a good start."
Satisfied, Han Xuanji continued the check-in.
On the surface, he remained calm and composed, standing on the cloud with his hands behind his back, gazing at the magnificent yet dangerous stretch of Weak Water, as if merely appreciating the strange sight and comprehending the dao-rhythm within.
[Congratulations, Host, for successfully signing in at the Eight-Star Sign-in Location "Heavenly River Weak Water." You have received one "Heavenly River Weak Water Grand Formation Diagram."]
An abstruse Formation Diagram covered in dense Dao Patterns was imprinted into his mind.
This Formation uses the Weak Water as its core, constructing a peerless fierce Formation that integrates "trapping," "killing," "prohibiting," and "grinding"!
If successfully deployed, its power would be no less than many Ancient Killing Formations. It is an excellent choice for protecting a Daoist Sanctuary Mountain Gate, capable of blocking any existence below the Limitless Primordial when fully activated.
[Congratulations, Host, for successfully signing in at the Eight-Star Sign-in Location "Heavenly River Weak Water." You have received ten thousand catties of "Weak Water Profound Crystal."]
[Congratulations, Host, for successfully signing in at the Eight-Star Sign-in Location "Heavenly River Weak Water." You have received ten thousand catties of "Heavenly River Star Sand."]
...