Meanwhile.
When Han Xuanji stepped into the Immortal Abode again, the scene before him suddenly changed.
However, he did not appear at his original location; instead, he found himself within a magnificent palace.
"Where is this place...?"
Han Xuanji's heart tightened, and he instantly became vigilant, carefully surveying his surroundings.
The hall was vast and empty, with stars seemingly swirling above, and the surrounding walls were smooth as mirrors, reflecting a faint glow. Numerous artifacts were placed in an orderly fashion within the hall.
Pill Furnaces, bookshelves, and various Magic Treasures... each one was a supreme treasure rarely found in the outside world.
"Young friend, there's no need to worry."
A slightly aged voice echoed leisurely through the empty hall.
Han Xuanji found this voice somewhat familiar.
Accompanying the voice, a middle-aged man dressed in simple, ancient robes with a refined countenance appeared out of thin air. His eyes were profound, and he stared at Han Xuanji as if wanting to meticulously uncover the secrets within him.
Han Xuanji's mind raced, and he silently activated the System's detection function.
[Azure Dragon Immortal Abode Spirit: Possesses partial authority over the Immortal Abode, is restricted and cannot harm entrants, has a gentle temperament, and holds goodwill towards Human Race Prodigies with extraordinary talent and resilient Heart-Nature; has witnessed the rise and fall of countless Prodigies, feels extremely surprised and appreciative of your Cultivation of the Grand Beginning Immortal Formula, possesses a strong desire for inquiry, and holds no hostility.]
"Cannot harm me... and no malice..."
The taut string in Han Xuanji's heart immediately loosened by more than half, but he remained outwardly calm, cupped his hands in a respectful salute, his tone carrying just the right amount of confusion and reverence:
"Senior, where is this place? Why did this Junior come here?"
The Immortals cave Spirit smiled slightly, like a spring breeze caressing his face:
"This is the core of the Immortal Abode, the 'Azure Dragon Hall,' and also the former place of tranquil Cultivation for Emperor Lord.
And I am the Spirit that oversees the operation of this Immortal Abode."
"Don't worry, you are the third person to reach this place in so many years."
"Oh."
Han Xuanji appeared enlightened on the surface, but in reality, his heart was ecstatic.
The core of the Immortal Abode, the Emperor Lord's residence, did the Dao Rank of this place even need to be mentioned?
[This is a four-star sign-in location. Does the Host wish to sign in?]
"Sign in."
Han Xuanji silently chanted in his mind.
[Congratulations to the Host for successfully signing in at the Azure Dragon Hall, obtaining the trait "Immortal Embryo Dao Bone."]
[Immortal Embryo Dao Bone]: [Born from the essence of heaven and earth, nurtured by the Great Dao, you possess the purest and most immaculate root bone in the world, inherently close to the Great Dao, standing at the starting point of the immortal path from birth.]
"Another supreme trait."
Han Xuanji's expression brightened, but his face remained calm and unruffled.
He was not in a hurry to fuse the trait.
Meanwhile, the Immortals cave Spirit beside him was stunned when Han Xuanji simply responded with a calm "Oh" after hearing his words, with no further reaction.
This young fellow, his Heart-Nature is terrifyingly steady. This level of composure is far superior to those boisterous ones from back then.
The Immortals cave Spirit proactively broke the silence, asking the biggest question in his heart:
"Young friend, where did you learn your Grand Beginning Immortal Formula?"
"I comprehended it myself."
Han Xuanji answered decisively without hesitation.
He couldn't possibly say the System gave it to him, could he?
As for how the System was obtained, he didn't know.
It shouldn't have been snatched from the Azure Dragon Emperor, right?
"Comprehended it myself..."
The Immortals cave Spirit murmured softly, a hint of disbelief flashing in his eyes, which then turned into deep Feelings.
Emperor Lord indeed left traces of the Great Dao in various places, and might even have subtly planted the seeds of the Grand Beginning Immortal Formula in certain Legacies.
This young man before him, who could achieve such accomplishments in the Immortal Abode within just ten years, perhaps... truly possesses Heaven-Defying Comprehension Ability, and from some clues, forcefully "comprehended" the true essence of this supreme immortal method?
"Remarkable. Truly remarkable!"
The Immortals cave Spirit praised sincerely, his gaze towards Han Xuanji filled with admiration.
"Over ten thousand years, the Immortal Abode has opened countless times, and I have witnessed countless astonishing talents, yet someone like young friend, who comprehended an immortal method and advanced from Body Integration to the Tribulation Transcendence Realm in ten years...
Is truly unique throughout the ages."
"Senior flatters me."
Han Xuanji said humbly, then changed the subject, asking with a hint of curiosity:
"How does that compare to Emperor Lord from back then...?"
The smile on the Immortals cave Spirit's face faltered slightly, and he fell into a brief silence.
Seeing the silence of the Senior Spirit, Han Xuanji had his answer.
He then asked another question he was concerned about:
"Senior Spirit, did Emperor Lord... successfully Ascend to the Upper Realm?"
"Naturally."
The Immortals cave Spirit's tone was firm, with a hint of pride,
"How could Emperor Lord be a Mortal? He has long since transcended this realm and lives freely in the Upper Realm."
"Is he still alive then?"
Han Xuanji was a bit curious.
He didn't know much about the Upper Realm, only that only Ascension Realm powerhouses could transcend this realm and go to the Upper Realm. It was rumored that the Upper Realm had countless powerhouses, and any Cultivation environment there was better than the Lower Realm; one could say every breath of air there was more fragrant than the Lower Realm's.
But then the problem arose: wouldn't newly Ascended Cultivators easily die there?
After all, dropping from top-tier combat power to the bottom, if they provoked a big shot in the Upper Realm, they would be finished.
"Of course he's still alive, Emperor Lord is no ordinary person."
The Immortals cave Spirit snorted:
"The reason I remain here is simply because this Immortal Abode, since its inception, has been bound to this realm's Luck, and the world's Law has been integrated into the Immortal Abode's core.
As a Spirit, my existence depends on this. If forcibly separated, not only would the Immortal Abode collapse, but this realm would also be affected."
The Spirit's voice carried a hint of helplessness, and also a touch of pride.
"As for Emperor Lord..."
The Spirit's tone became reverent,
"His parents were originally great magnates of a certain power in the Upper Realm, with extremely noble identities.
Emperor Lord's descent to this realm was more for tempering his Dao Heart, experiencing the myriad forms of the Mortal World, and simultaneously leveraging the Luck of a realm to forge an unparalleled Dao Foundation.
Ascending to the Upper Realm, for him, was merely 'returning home.' With his Family's foundation protecting him, he naturally had nothing to worry about."
"So that's how it is."
Han Xuanji's mind suddenly cleared, and a sense of realization dawned upon him.
This was the difference between an "immortal second-generation" and a "grassroots" individual!
Someone like him, with no background, would probably have to tread carefully after Ascending to the Upper Realm.
"Then what exactly is the Upper Realm like?"
Han Xuanji took the Opportunity to ask.
"The Upper Realm..."
The Immortals cave Spirit pondered for a moment before replying:
"It is boundless, with perfected Laws and Spiritual Qi like a tide, far beyond what the Lower Realm can compare to.
It is a true immortal paradise, and also a battleground for myriad races."
Subsequently, Han Xuanji took the Opportunity to inquire about many common knowledge topics regarding the Upper Realm, Cultivation bottlenecks, and other questions.
The Immortals cave Spirit seemed to have a good impression of Han Xuanji due to the Grand Beginning Immortal Formula, and coupled with not having communicated with anyone for many years, he basically answered everything he knew, patiently explaining.
After this exchange, Han Xuanji's horizons broadened considerably.
"Senior, may I Cultivate here?"
Han Xuanji asked sincerely.
The Immortals cave Spirit looked at Han Xuanji's clear and resolute eyes, and nodded slightly:
"No matter, this place has been empty for a long time. Your Cultivation here will add some Life Qi, but the artifacts in the hall all have Restrictions, so do not move them rashly."
"Thank you, Senior, for your generosity!"
Han Xuanji's heart rejoiced, and he quickly expressed his gratitude.
As for those things, he certainly wouldn't touch them.
He trusted the strength of his System.
"If you wish to leave, just call out to me, and you can come whenever you wish."
The Immortals cave Spirit spoke indifferently, then his figure slowly faded like an ink wash painting, leaving only a sentence echoing in the hall.
"Cultivate diligently, and do not let down this talent and Opportunity..."
With the disappearance of the Spirit, the Azure Dragon Hall became completely quiet, leaving only the floating treasures emitting a soft halo, and the ubiquitous, impossibly dense Spiritual Qi.
Han Xuanji no longer hesitated, found a good spot, and sat down cross-legged.
He prepared to fuse the newly acquired trait.