Inside the yingtian mirror.
Han Xuanji took a deep breath, and the space around him fluctuated.
A white light lit up once more, enveloping his figure. A familiar pulling force enveloped his body. After a brief moment of daze, his vision cleared, and he was no longer standing in that space within the mirror. The familiar laws of heaven and earth from the outside world surged into his mind once again.
Countless gazes simultaneously landed on him.
When Han Xuanji's figure appeared on the high platform, the entire venue erupted into deafening cheers once again.
Standing on the high platform, Han Xuanji looked indifferent, as if the shocking battle that had just occurred was merely an ordinary spar.
He glanced slightly to the side, his gaze meeting Hun Qianxue's in midair. Both of them saw the smile in each other's eyes.
In the distance, Xiao Yan's figure also appeared on the other side of the spectator stands. His face was somewhat pale, and his steps were slightly unsteady, but his back was as straight as a spear.
He looked toward the high platform, his gaze meeting Han Xuanji's from afar, and then nodded firmly.
Han Xuanji also nodded slightly.
In this battle, both of them had fought to their heart's content. Soon, many people gathered around him. Leading them was the representative of the Holy Court, who smiled and said,
"Congratulations on your victory, Young Friend Han. This Law Conference has indeed been a wonderful surprise."
As soon as the Holy Court representative finished speaking, a crowd of people swarmed forward. Those big shots who had previously sat as straight as pines on the spectator stands now had faces piled with smiles, as if they had been close friends with Han Xuanji for many years.
"Young Friend Han, I am Zhou Yuanhua of the Zhou Family from Cangyue City. That final battle just now was truly magnificent! If you have time to visit Cangyue City in the future, you must come and sit at my residence."
The speaker looked like a middle-aged scholar, and his tone was so warm it felt as if he wanted to drag Han Xuanji to his house for dinner right then and there.
"Young Master Han, I am Zhao Hengzhi of the Zhao family from Yunzhou. I have long heard of your great name! The duel just now was truly an eye-opener for us. You truly possess the bearing of a Sage—no, I see that you have the potential to become a Holy Lord!"
"Young Friend Han, I am the Alliance Leader of the Qixing Province Rogue Cultivator Alliance..."
Unfamiliar faces and passionate compliments surged toward him like a tide.
With a polite smile on his face, Han Xuanji cupped his hands in return:
"Thank you for your high regard, Seniors."
His voice was gentle and his attitude humble, yet there was not a hint of eagerness.
Naturally, Han Xuanji did not lose himself in their constant calls of "young friend." He knew very well in his heart that these people were only so passionate now because they saw the potential and value he had demonstrated today.
If he were to fall from grace one day, these people probably wouldn't even spare him a second glance.
However, he also understood.
The cultivation world had always been like this; those who added flowers to a brocade were many, while those who delivered charcoal in the snow were few.
He would not become arrogant because of this, nor would he be disappointed.
Just as he was dealing with the warmth coming from all directions, a figure squeezed through the crowd and approached him.
It was Deputy City Lord Jiang Boyuan, the Deputy City Lord of Cangyue City.
He was beaming with joy, his smile even more brilliant than the others, as if the person who had been sneering and mocking on the high platform earlier was someone else entirely.
He patted Han Xuanji on the shoulder, his tone as warm and affectionate as if he were speaking to his own Junior:
"Young Friend Han, earlier this old man failed to recognize your greatness and offended you. I hope you won't take it to heart.
If you have time to visit Cangyue City in the future, this old man will definitely entertain you well and show you the local customs of our Cangyue City!"
Looking at his smiling face, Han Xuanji felt a bit puzzled.
How had this man offended him?
But then he saw Hun Qianxue giving him a look, and he instantly understood.
It seemed there was some grievance between this man and Brother Hun.
Hun Qianxue grumbled inwardly. This old fox certainly changed his face quickly; just a moment ago, he was standing on the high platform with a cold face, silent, and now he was acting as warm and affectionate as family.
Showing no emotion on his face, Han Xuanji slightly cupped his hands:
"City Lord Jiang is too polite. If there is an fated opportunity, I will certainly pay a visit."
His tone was perfunctory, but Deputy City Lord Jiang Boyuan acted as if he didn't notice and laughed heartily:
"Then it's a promise! This old man will be waiting for you!"
Han Xuanji did not want to waste too much time on these people. Just as he was thinking of how to slip away, a gentle yet unquestionable voice came from above the high platform, overriding all the clamor in the venue.
"Han Xuanji."
The voice was not loud, yet it entered everyone's ears clearly, as if it were spoken right beside them.
The noisy chatter in the venue fell silent almost instantly, and all eyes turned toward the high platform.
Elder Meng stood with his hands behind his back, wearing a plain long robe. His face was as calm as water, but his eyes were bottomless, as deep as an ancient well.
"In this Law Conference, you have won the championship, overcoming all obstacles along the way. You have done well."
"His voice was unhurried, carrying a reassuring composure."
Han Xuanji turned around, cupped his hands, and bowed toward the high platform:
"Elder Meng praises me too highly. This Disciple merely did his best."
Elder Meng nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on him for a moment before he continued:
"The participants of this Law Conference are all talents from various provinces and cities. For you to stand out from among them is enough to prove your strength.
Naturally, you will not lack rewards—a ninth-grade eternal dao artifact, you may choose any one you wish.
In addition, you have a seed slot for the Jiuxuan Sacred Realm. If you have any other desired Holy Realms, I can also apply to the Great Dao Association for them on your behalf."
As soon as these words were spoken, an uproar broke out in the venue.
The top sixteen contestants were all on the stage, and the look of envy in their eyes as they looked at Han Xuanji could no longer be concealed.
A ninth-grade eternal dao artifact.
That was an existence known as a "quasi-saint weapon." An ordinary Eternal True God might not be able to obtain one even if they spent their entire fortune, yet Han Xuanji, as an Eternal Dao Lord, could choose any one he pleased. This was naturally extremely enviable.
One must know that although many of them were esteemed Prodigies, their companion treasures were usually only fifth-grade eternal dao artifacts.
Even less need be said about the Holy Realm slot. The so-called Holy Realms were worlds opened up by experts above the level of Eternal Saints, containing perfect laws of heaven and earth and countless opportunities.
Elder Meng's underlying meaning was that even if it was a Secret Realm better than the Jiuxuan Sacred Realm, he could still find a way to arrange it.
This was no longer an ordinary reward.
This was telling everyone that Han Xuanji had caught the eye of the Great Dao Association.
Although Han Xuanji did not have much interest in Dao Artifacts, a slot in a Holy Realm was indeed a solid benefit for him.
He bowed once more:
"Thank you for your favor, Elder Meng."
Elder Meng nodded, his gaze sweeping over the crowd as his voice returned to its usual indifference:
"This session of the Law Conference is now concluded.
The rewards for the top sixteen contestants will be delivered to your hands."
As his voice fell, the crowd on the high platform began to slowly disperse.
Although the representatives of those major forces still wanted to chat more with Han Xuanji, Elder Meng had already declared the end, so they could not stay any longer.
Just as Han Xuanji was about to turn and walk down the high platform, a voice sounded in his mind, calm and clear:
"Come with me for a moment."
It was a voice transmission from Elder Meng.
Han Xuanji's footsteps paused slightly. Showing no emotion on his face, he already understood seventy to eighty percent of what this meant.
His performance must have been quite good, right?