He knew better than anyone how powerful the Hun Family's influence was in Qianhun City.
But Hun Jiuge was merely a Disciple of the Hun Family; could he really act so recklessly in the Five Elements Tower?
Perhaps this was his chance to prove himself. Zhang Dayuan felt that if he showed such loyalty, the Sect would surely place him in an important position later, so he steeled himself and said:
"This... Young Master Hun, isn't this against the rules?"
Though his voice was trembling slightly, his tone was firm.
Hun Jiuge glanced at him indifferently:
"Rules? Brother Li is a distinguished guest of my Hun Family, yet you want to exile him to the Nine Mountains Mining Area to supervise for a hundred years—are these your 'rules'?"
Distinguished guest.
These two words were like a heavy hammer smashing into Zhang Dayuan's chest.
His face turned from blue to pale, then from white to red—a truly spectacular sight.
He looked at Li Tiantong, his mouth opening and closing repeatedly, unable to utter a single word for a long time.
Although he desperately wanted to ask how this Li Tiantong had become a distinguished guest of the Hun Family, he felt that asking would only bring further humiliation.
Hun Jiuge wouldn't lie to him about something like this.
And Li Tiantong was also stunned.
Distinguished guest?
When did he become a distinguished guest of the Hun Family?
He barely knew anyone from the Hun Family.
Hun Jiuge noticed Li Tiantong's surprise and cleared his throat, saying:
"Brother Li, Young Master Han asked me to send his regards."
After saying that, he bowed slightly to Li Tiantong, his tone very respectful.
"If you have time, please come with me. Of course, if you have any needs right now, just give me your orders."
"Which Young Master Han?"
Li Tiantong asked subconsciously.
Hun Jiuge was also a bit surprised, but quickly replied:
"Naturally, it is my Hun Family's Han Xuanji, Young Master Han. He is the face of our Hun Family."
Han Xuanji.
The S-Rank Prodigy of the Hun Family who had reached the top of the Five Elements Heavenly Ladder, and the most prominent member of the younger generation in Qianhun City in recent years. It was said that even the Tower Master of the Five Elements Tower had personally offered to take him as a Disciple, but he had politely declined.
In the city's taverns and teahouses, there were countless legends about him. Some said he was the closed-door Disciple of some reclusive old monster, some said he came from an ancient place, and others said he was an Anomaly who had achieved Transcendence from the Primordial Chaos...
Even those arrogant Prodigies of the Hun Family were completely convinced by him.
Wait.
Li Tiantong's pupils constricted slightly.
It was said that the other party was also someone who had achieved Transcendence from the Primordial Chaos; this rumor was also widely circulated among the public.
"Young Master Han... is looking for me?"
Li Tiantong tried his best to keep his voice calm, feeling that his thoughts were a bit far-fetched.
In the current Eternal Continent,
Transcendents were rare, and the probability of coming from the same place was incredibly small. Hun Jiuge didn't notice his abnormality, or perhaps he noticed but pretended not to see.
He nodded, his tone carrying unconcealed reverence:
"Young Master Han said that he is an old acquaintance of Brother Li's. He sent me to offer his regards and to ask how Brother Li has been faring, and if there is anything he needs help with."
Old acquaintance?
He had no old acquaintances in the Eternal Continent, and it was even more impossible for him to have any connection with a Prodigy of the Hun Family. Unless...
Unless that person also came from the same place, or was even related to him.
"Young Master Han... he..."
Li Tiantong's voice was a bit dry. He wanted to ask something but didn't know where to start.
Hun Jiuge smiled slightly:
"Young Master Han said that once you see him, you will naturally understand."
He turned to look at Zhang Dayuan, the smile on his face fading slightly. His tone was neither heavy nor light, yet every word was clear:
"Deacon Zhang, from today onwards, Brother Li will no longer be subject to the Outer Sect mission assignments of the Five Elements Tower. I have already spoken to the Elders of your tower about this. If you don't believe me, you can ask Elder Fang Xuanhe yourself."
Elder Fang Xuanhe.
A Core Elder of the Five Elements Tower, a great figure he couldn't even speak to.
To be able to speak with Fang Xuanhe, what did that imply?
It meant that the Hun Family's level of importance placed on Li Tiantong was far higher than he had imagined.
"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare."
Zhang Dayuan waved his hands repeatedly, his voice even trembling.
"Since it is Elder Fang's wish, I shall comply. As for Brother Li's matters, I will never interfere again."
After saying that, he and his lackeys scurried away, not even daring to look back.
The corridor fell silent. Hun Jiuge took out a dark purple token from his sleeve and presented it to Li Tiantong with both hands:
"Brother Li, Young Master Han asked me to hand this to you. By holding this token, you are a distinguished guest of the Hun Family."
Li Tiantong looked at the token and remained silent for a long time.
"Young Master Han... where is he now?"
Li Tiantong looked up, his voice raspy.
Hun Jiuge shook his head:
"Young Master Han is currently in seclusion, but he said you can go find him at any time."
Li Tiantong nodded and tucked the token into his robes, his fingertips repeatedly rubbing the ancient "Hun" character pattern on the token, his heart churning with indistinguishable emotions.
There was doubt, of course, but even more so, there was gratitude. Having drifted in the Eternal Continent for so many years, he knew all too well the fickleness of human nature in this world. There was no hatred without reason, and certainly no love without reason.
Someone he had never met had suddenly blocked the assignment to the Nine Mountains Mining Area for him; there must be a reason behind this.
He just couldn't figure out what that reason was.
"Brother Li, you're really not being a good friend!"
Zhang Yi, who was nearby, approached and slapped Li Tiantong on the shoulder, his eyes full of disbelief.
"You know Han Xuanji? That Han Xuanji of the Hun Family? The one who reached the top of the Five Elements Heavenly Ladder? Why didn't you ever mention it?"
Zhang Yi was one of the few people in the Outer Sect who had a good relationship with Li Tiantong. Although they weren't close friends, Zhang Yi had helped him quite a bit over the years.
"I..."
Li Tiantong opened his mouth, an awkward expression on his face. "I actually don't know why he's helping me. To be honest, I don't even know what he looks like."
Zhang Yi's eyes widened, clearly not quite believing it, but seeing that Li Tiantong's expression didn't seem faked, he scratched his head:
"That's strange. A big shot helping you for no reason? Could it be that you saved his life in the past and forgot about it?"
Li Tiantong gave a bitter smile and shook his head. He had indeed helped many people in Chaos in the past, but none of them should have been named Han Xuanji.
Li Tiantong took a deep breath, suppressing the stray thoughts in his heart. No matter who Han Xuanji was or why he was helping him, everything would come to light once they met.
"I'll trouble Young Master Hun to lead the way; I wish to see Young Master Han."
Hun Jiuge waved his hands repeatedly:
"Brother Li, don't call me Young Master Hun, you're flattering me too much. Just call me Jiuge, or Xiao Jiu, either is fine."
"By the way,Do I need to intervene with this Steward Zhang??"
"No."
Li Tiantong shook his head, not because he was soft-hearted.
Rather, he wanted to settle his own scores without relying on others.
After leaving the Outer Sect of the Five Elements Tower, a vehicle was already waiting at the entrance. The carriage was spacious with exquisite interior decor, pulled by an artificial Spirit Beast that was pure white with a silver mane, looking incredibly lifelike and clearly very expensive.
The Beast carriage started moving, its wheels rolling over the bluestone pavement with a rhythmic sound.
Inside the carriage, the aroma of tea drifted. Hun Jiuge sat opposite him, unable to hide the excitement on his face. He had successfully completed the task he had fought so hard to get, and he would finally be able to see that peerless Genius, Han Xuanji.
One had to know that this person lived in seclusion, and seeing him was no easy feat.
Even some highly influential Elders within the clan had only seen him once or twice.
Consequently, Han Xuanji became increasingly mysterious, and his reputation grew more and more legendary as it spread.
...