Mo Chenxiao stared at Han Xuanji for a moment, as if trying to discern the truth of his words.
Han Xuanji did not avoid his gaze; his heartbeat remained steady, and his breathing was normal. He could feel Mo Chenxiao's Divine Soul power gently brushing past him. It was an extremely subtle probe, one that even Elder Meng failed to notice.
For a Sage Lord-level Master of the Dao of the Divine Soul, peering into the true thoughts of an Eternal Dao Lord was naturally an effortless task.
However, Han Xuanji's mind was as solid as an impregnable fortress. At this moment, his mental willpower at the peak of the eternal true god realm, combined with his formidable Divine Soul, played its part, shutting out all external intrusion.
Naturally, Mo Chenxiao was only testing him and had no intention of pushing any further.
In truth, if he wanted to force his way into Han Xuanji's mind, he could have done so easily. However, as the grand Saint Lord Jiuxuan, he would not stoop to such actions.
Mo Chenxiao could perceive that Han Xuanji was not lying, though he did seem to be hiding some things.
But he didn't mind.
In fact, through his cultivation of the Way of Destiny, he had already gleaned some information about Han Xuanji's past. The youth valued loyalty and was by no means wicked, and his Cultivation Methods all had traceable origins, making him an excellent candidate for a Disciple.
If not for this, he wouldn't have bothered to personally come and snatch a Disciple.
A moment later, Mo Chenxiao nodded slightly. The faint scrutiny in his eyes finally faded, replaced by approval.
"That is good."
Mo Chenxiao picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and returned to his casual tone from earlier:
"Since you are not a Reincarnation, I am even more at ease. Reincarnated individuals often have unresolved past lives, bringing unclear and inexplicable entanglements.
But the path you have walked yourself—every step of it belongs to you."
He set down his teacup and looked at Han Xuanji, a hint of solemn anticipation in his gaze:
"So, how about joining my lineage?"
"Of course, you must think it through. On the Eternal Continent, the bond between Master and Disciple carries immense Karma. The status of a Direct Disciple is no different from that of a direct blood relative. If you take me as your Master, some of my Karma might affect you as well."
Han Xuanji naturally understood that choosing a Master was a very grave decision.
It wasn't a matter of the more, the better, or something to be done carelessly.
It didn't matter when he was a Mortal, but after embarking on cultivation, things became entirely different.
During his time in the Spirit Realm, he hadn't taken a Master, as there was no need.
Although he had taken a Master in the Immortal Realm, Immortal Lord Yunmiao's Karma was not significant, and he had repaid it ten-thousand-fold later, so it was naturally not an issue.
Now that he was on the Eternal Continent, frankly speaking, his current performance was not yet enough to catch the Dharma Eye of a Sage King expert. Furthermore, the temperaments of some Sage Lords were hard to predict; if their philosophies clashed with his, he wouldn't even want to become their Disciple.
The pavilion fell silent for a moment.
Sunlight streamed in at an angle through the window, casting a long, narrow shadow across the wooden floor.
The aroma of tea curled upward, drifting between the two of them.
Han Xuanji took a deep breath. Without hesitating for long, he bowed deeply:
"This Disciple has thought it through. Han Xuanji pays his respects to Master."
"Hahaha... Good!"
Mo Chenxiao burst into laughter, clearly very satisfied with Han Xuanji's response:
"From this day forth, Xuanji, you are the second Direct Disciple of Mo Chenxiao!"
Hearing this, Elder Meng's hopes were completely dashed. He had originally thought that if Han Xuanji were indeed the Reincarnation of some mighty figure and Mo Chenxiao gave up on taking him as a Disciple, he would reluctantly take him in himself. He hadn't expected Mo Chenxiao to just be putting on an act to test the boy.
Then again, it made sense.
If he hadn't intended to take him as a Disciple, why would he have come in person?
This whole sequence of actions was actually just this fellow trying to act like a grand Master, while taking the opportunity to beat down his future Disciple a bit.
Elder Meng felt that he had seen through everything.
"Forget it, I've actually gained from this too. By getting him to help me this once, my Natal Saint Weapon has a chance to advance further."
Elder Meng pondered silently.
This Mo Chenxiao was always someone who wouldn't lift a finger without gain. It was never easy to ask him for a favor. Making this trip to Qianhun City in exchange for getting him to act once was still a win for him.
Han Xuanji had also gained a Master stronger than him, and Mo Chenxiao had taken an excellent Disciple.
A three-way win!
"Xuanji, since you have taken me as your Master, I must naturally give you a meeting gift."
Mo Chenxiao said calmly:
"I know you come from a Primordial Chaos, but currently you only have one old friend by your side. I assume you still have some family and friends back in that Chaos?"
"Yes."
Han Xuanji's heart stirred as he replied.
Mo Chenxiao smiled and said:
"Since that is the case, I can help you relocate that Primordial Chaos over here."
"Thank you, Master!"
Han Xuanji was surprised; he hadn't expected this Master to be so considerate.
Right off the bat, he hadn't promised him massive benefits or given him divine weapons or Dharma Treasures, but had instead thought to resolve one of his worries.
Judging by this, this Master was someone worth associating with.
"Of course, this is merely an extra addition to your meeting gift. I have also prepared several other gifts for you."
Mo Chenxiao said unhurriedly.
He would naturally put more care into this young Disciple of his who came from a Primordial Chaos.
"For the first gift, I see that the Dao you cultivate includes the Way of Destiny, and your Divine Soul cultivation is quite high. Coincidentally, I also excel in these areas. This 'Nine Heavens Destiny Art' is the Inheritance I grant you. It is a Sage Lord-level Inheritance that can be cultivated up to the peak of the Sage Lord Realm. There is also the 'Nine Profound Soul Book', which is a Sage King Inheritance, though it likewise can only be cultivated to the peak of the Sage Lord Realm. These are the legacies I bestow upon you, but they must not be passed on to outsiders."
Han Xuanji was pleasantly surprised.
A Inheritance that could be cultivated to the peak of the Sage Lord Realm was no simple matter.
And one of them was even a Sage King Inheritance. Its value was inestimable. In the outside world, even a Sage would have to pay an immense price, fighting to the death for a supreme power just to have a chance of obtaining it.
Yet his Master had bestowed it upon him just like that. This was the benefit of being a Sage Lord's Disciple. However, this also showed that his Master's background was likely far from simple.
The fact that he took on few Disciples was very likely because his cultivation years were still relatively short, and he still had plenty of room to grow, leaving him with little time to take on Disciples.
On the other hand, many powerful experts took on numerous Disciples simply because their own cultivation had hit a bottleneck.
Taking Disciples and nurturing descendants was purely a way to pass the time for them.
Of course, such experts might have more time to teach their Disciples, but with so many Disciples, the resources each person received were limited, and they might even have to compete for favor.
"As for the second gift I have for you..."
Mo Chenxiao looked at Han Xuanji. A red light flashed in his hand, and a red box appeared.
When the box was opened, three green fruits rested inside. Just the slight fragrance wafting from them made Han Xuanji feel mentally refreshed, his Divine Soul nourished, and his thoughts spinning a bit faster.
"This is the 'qingyuan primordial dao fruit', a treasure our Founder found deep within the Sea of Hongmeng in the past. It is of no use to me now, so you may consume these remaining few."
"Do not underestimate it. The Qingyuan Grandmist Tree grows on a small island deep within the Sea of Hongmeng, close to the eternal divine tree. Influenced by the divine tree, the fruits it bears have an excellent nourishing effect on both the Divine Soul and the Physical Body. Consuming it will enhance your Innate Aptitude and significantly boost the Comprehension of even peerless geniuses."
Mo Chenxiao introduced seriously:
"Even within the Holy Court, this is an extremely rare treasure that cannot be exchanged for even a massive amount of contribution points. A person can only consume a maximum of three; any more will have almost no effect."
"I suggest you take one first to make a breakthrough, and then take one each in the eternal true god realm and the Eternal Saint Realm. Otherwise, if there is too much medicinal efficacy, I fear you won't be able to withstand it at all.
To be honest, if I hadn't detected that your Physical Body and Divine Soul are completely unlike those of an ordinary Eternal Dao Lord Cultivator, I wouldn't have dared to let you consume it alone."
"Yes, Master."
Han Xuanji could feel this Master's genuine concern for him. He truly wanted what was best for him, down to the smallest detail.