"It seems that the experts from Great Sheng behind Xiao Yan must have intervened in this matter."
It wasn't hard for Han Xuanji to reach this conclusion. Based on his previous interactions with Xiao Yan and the information provided by the System, the other party was also under considerable pressure. If he didn't make a name for himself in the Way of Laws, he would have no choice but to return and inherit the foundation of Great Sheng...
It was likely that Xiao Yan had found the simulated version of him and requested a battle where both gave their all. The outcome wasn't actually the key; the key was the potential Xiao Yan demonstrated.
Evidently, Xiao Yan's performance in their battle had earned the recognition of the Great Sheng experts.
"Will the simulated version of me leave, then?"
Han Xuanji thought to himself. Putting himself in those shoes, if he had the System, he might go; but without the System, he probably wouldn't agree.
Continuing to read, the result was as expected.
[Han Xuanji rejected the invitation.]
"As I thought. The simulated version of me must be thinking about continuing his development. Rashly joining such a major power—Xiao Yan alone probably wouldn't be able to protect him. If he got caught up in a power struggle, he could easily become a pawn to be sacrificed."
Han Xuanji wasn't stupid. Although the talent he displayed was impressive, in a Holy Dynasty like that, it wouldn't necessarily be given much weight.
One had to realize that the strength of the Great Sheng Holy Dynasty was quite formidable even on the Eternal Continent, and Prodigies with the potential of a Saint were countless.
Furthermore, the internal competition within such a royal Family was extremely fierce. Even if Xiao Yan's talent was outstanding, he was only one of the contenders for the throne; moreover, he only had high talent and great potential, which hadn't yet been converted into actual strength.
If real trouble arose, he would struggle to save himself, let alone protect someone else.
Han Xuanji understood his simulated self perfectly and continued reading.
[You also learned of the Great Sheng Holy Dynasty's conditions from Han Xuanji's mouth. Any one of them was far beyond what Qianhun City could provide, yet Han Xuanji still refused.]
[The moment you learned this news, you felt a surge of inexplicable joy, followed immediately by a wave of inexplicable anger.]
[You feel that someone like Han Xuanji will only have his progress slowed by staying in a small place like the Hun Family. The stage for the top Prodigies of the Eternal Continent should be in the wider world outside.]
[You find Han Xuanji and ask him why.]
[He turns around and explains, 'What I need now is time—a place where I can cultivate in peace and take every step forward steadily.']
[After learning his thoughts, you also express your support and tell him that the Hun Family will never stand in the way of his departure.]
[Time passes. After the Law Conference, Han Xuanji's reputation in Qianhun City reaches its peak. Even the Holy Lord Jiuxuan has heard of his name, and the Hun Family has firmly secured the position of City Lord.]
[After the Law Conference, Hun Qianxue uses this opportunity to announce an unprecedented decision at the Family council: Han Xuanji's treatment is to be elevated to the level of an Eternal True God Guest Elder. This is no longer the treatment a talent from outside the Family should have, but not a single elder in the room objects. Even those neutral old fellows know that the name Han Xuanji is now the Hun Family's brand.]
[Years flow silently by; a thousand years have passed.]
[Over the millennium, the Hun Family has grown stronger day by day under Hun Qianxue's management, annexing all the resources and territory left behind after the destruction of the Tianwu Sect. The Family is flourishing with many talents. Meanwhile, Han Xuanji's name has spread from Qianhun City across the entire Shenghui Domain. His attainments in the Way of Laws are now unrivaled among the younger generation of the Shenghui Domain. Every day, people come because of his reputation, wanting to become his disciples, seeking his guidance, or trying to recruit him. He always declines the vast majority of social engagements, living in seclusion and only occasionally seeing old acquaintances.]
[You have also broken through to the Eternal True Lord realm within this millennium. Although your speed is far inferior to his, it isn't considered slow.]
[A thousand years of being together day and night is enough for many things to change quietly.]
[Your relationship with Han Xuanji naturally progresses. There is no grand confession or earth-shattering vow; it is simply that after a regular drink together, he suddenly stands a bit longer and looks at you an extra moment while seeing you out.]
[Another thousand years pass. No grand ceremony is held; only Hun Qianxue and a few close friends are present.]
[The scale of the wedding is completely disproportionate to your reputations, but you don't care. When he sees you dressed in your Phoenix Coronet and Embroidered Robes, a rare moment of daze appears on his usually composed face.]
"So it went in this direction?"
Han Xuanji wasn't too surprised. After all, he was a normal man, and Hun Qianling fit his aesthetic; it was natural for them to end up together.
Without the System, the simulated version of him wouldn't have an absurd cultivation speed, nor would he have such lofty pursuits.
[After the marriage, Han Xuanji remains immersed in cultivation, and you have no plans for children. You are both Cultivators, and the lifespan of a Cultivator is boundless. Furthermore, the probability of Cultivators conceiving offspring is extremely low, so you are in no rush. You know his heart holds a broader path of the Dao, and you have your own Family affairs to manage. Being able to spend every day together and stand side-by-side in this city, you no longer have many regrets.]
[The days flow peacefully like this. Until that day.]
[Abnormal spiritual energy fluctuations appear deep within the Southern Desolate Territory, shaking the ley lines of the entire Qianhun City. Initially, everyone thinks this is normal; after all, over the millennia, Vicious Beast packs have come and gone from the depths of the Desolate Territory. But this time is different.]
[The frequency of the fluctuations grows higher, and the tremors in the ley lines become more violent. Cultivators venturing out go missing one after another. Several outposts near the edge of the Desolate Territory are reduced to ruins overnight, followed by an overwhelming beast tide.]
[This isn't an ordinary pack of Vicious Beasts, but an organized one. Among them are no lack of Eternal True God-level Vicious Beasts, in numbers far exceeding any previous record. At the end of that surging beast tide, the auras of Saint-level Vicious Beasts slowly awaken, like demon gods who have slept for countless eons finally opening their eyes.]
[The heavens have changed.]
[Before you can react, you are swept into this sudden disaster. Under the impact of the terrifying beast tide, the outer cities fall one by one. The beast tide pours into the major cities of Jiuxuan Prefecture like a bursting dam.]
"Such a sudden beast tide?"
Han Xuanji couldn't help but feel suspicious.
When things are abnormal, there must be a cause.
Normally, a beast tide would at most involve some True God-level Vicious Beasts causing trouble, with only a very few Saint Realm Vicious Beasts taking action.
He hadn't expected it to be so turbulent this time; something major he didn't know about must have happened in the shadows.
As far as he knew, the terrifying existences of the Desolate Territory and the powerful Cultivators of the Eternal Continent had an agreement that the supreme powerhouses of both sides would not easily intervene.
In other words, this beast tide would have to be resolved by themselves.