174: Chapter 174 Returning to the Holy Land, Jiang Xuan's Answer

A few days later, in a city in the Southern Wasteland of Sand Province, Jiang Xuan, having changed his appearance, walked along the city streets.

Looking at the powerful Cultivators ubiquitous on the roadside, he sighed with emotion; Sand Province was probably the liveliest place now, besides Divine Province.

Innumerable Prodigies and forces came here, drawn by his reputation. Most of the external forces wanted to join the Heavenly Realm. Although Jiang Xuan hadn't yet announced that he would recruit subordinates, everyone understood the principle that 'the early bird catches the worm'; there was always that 'what if'.

Hearing the constant, intense discussions around him, most of which were related to him, Jiang Xuan couldn't help but feel a unique sensation.

"Once I achieve a Breakthrough to Great Emperor, the Heavenly Realm can open its doors to recruit Disciples from across the continent," Jiang Xuan thought to himself as he heard the crowd mention the Heavenly Realm.

Not long after, Jiang Xuan returned to Supreme Beginning Holy Land, Tianxuan Peak, where Wu Tian was already waiting. He had sensed Jiang Xuan the moment he entered the Holy Land.

Seeing Wu Tian, Jiang Xuan felt a warmth in his heart. Every time he returned, his Revered Master would be waiting for him here in advance, without exception.

Feeling the aura of a Supreme Saint from his Revered Master, Jiang Xuan smiled, "It seems Revered Master has succeeded." Thinking this, Jiang Xuan cupped his fists and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Revered Master, on breaking through your shackles and achieving the Supreme Saint Realm."

Wu Tian laughed heartily. Seeing his precious Disciple always made him happy. "Hahaha, Disciple, this is all thanks to you! Otherwise, this old man would have remained a Supreme for life, never having the chance to achieve a Breakthrough to Supreme Saint."

As he said this, Wu Tian couldn't help but feel shocked. The Supreme Qi Jiang Xuan had left in his body was too powerful; it had directly elevated him to Supreme Saint without any Bottleneck.

This was nothing short of a miracle according to the Cultivation rules of the Heaven Continent. However, he hadn't told anyone about it, and no one would ever know, not even his closest kin.

Wu Tian deeply understood the importance of this matter. If it were to leak, Jiang Xuan would be plunged into endless trouble. Even if it meant his death, he would keep this secret buried within him.

Inside Tianxuan Peak, Jiang Xuan and Wu Tian sat opposite each other. "Revered Master, how has the Wild Alliance been recently? Nothing has happened, has it?"

Wu Tian shook his head. "Nothing major. Everything is running normally. Especially after the news of your actions in Sand Province spread, people from various forces have become even more diligent."

After speaking, he looked at Jiang Xuan with a satisfied expression. His Disciple's prestige was growing higher and higher.

Jiang Xuan nodded. All matters were falling into place; everything was just waiting for him to become an Emperor!

Just then, Jiang Xuan's brow suddenly furrowed. An unfamiliar aura of Great Emperor Perfection appeared within the Holy Land. Ao Yin's voice suddenly entered Jiang Xuan's mind, "Old Ancestor, a Human Race Great Emperor has arrived."

Jiang Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Don't appear yet. Let's observe first."

Jiang Xuan didn't sense any killing intent from the Great Emperor's aura, so he didn't act rashly. If the newcomer harbored ill intentions, he wouldn't mind letting him experience the taste of being ganged up on by several Demon Emperors.

As he pondered, Lin Wuyuan descended upon Tianxuan Peak and said urgently, "Jiang Xuan, a Human Race Senior has come to visit, saying he has important matters to discuss with you."

Jiang Xuan secretly mused, "Discuss important matters with me? Strange, what could a Great Emperor at Perfection have to discuss with me?"

However, judging by Lin Wuyuan's tone, he seemed quite respectful of this Great Emperor. If it were Hei Ming Great Emperor, he wouldn't be acting like this now.

For the Holy Lord to willingly address him as a Human Race Senior, it seems this person holds considerable prestige. Moreover, he bears no ill will towards the Holy Land. In that case, I shall meet him.

In the Holy Lord's main hall, a middle-aged man in a dark imperial robe stood with his hands behind his back. Upon seeing Jiang Xuan arrive, he took a brief look, and a flicker of unusual light passed through his deep, star-like eyes.

Lin Wuyuan bowed slightly to the middle-aged man and then exited the hall, leaving only Jiang Xuan and the middle-aged man.

Jiang Xuan stepped forward, cupped his fists, neither humble nor arrogant, "Junior Jiang Xuan greets Emperor Xuan Yuan Zixiao."

On the way, Lin Wuyuan had already informed Jiang Xuan of the Great Emperor's identity.

Xuan Yuan Zixiao, an Old Ancestor of the Xuan Yuan Imperial Clan, had guarded the Human Race for countless years, constantly stationed at the borderlands, the Demon Race boundary of the Sea of Emptiness.

Jiang Xuan held deep respect for these Seniors who dedicated everything to the Human Race, just like those admirable people in his previous life. During his mercenary days, whenever he encountered such individuals, he would immediately give them a wide berth.

Xuan Yuan Zixiao didn't speak but held a Dao Fruit in his palm. It then transformed into a streak of light, embedding the Dao Fruit into a stone pillar nearby.

"Little friend, can you pluck this Heart-Questioning Dao Fruit within three breaths?"

Before he finished speaking, Jiang Xuan felt the air around him suddenly solidify, as if he had fallen into an endless swamp. Ancient runes lit up around Jiang Xuan.

Innumerable armored phantoms appeared—Human Race martyrs who died on the battlefield, women and children slaughtered by foreign races—each face, tragic or angry, rotated before his eyes, threatening to tear apart one's Dao Heart!

In his mind, a series of seductive whispers suddenly echoed, "Give up. You cannot bear the future of the Human Race. Do you see that Dao Fruit? To pluck it means to endure ten thousand years of sin. Is it worth it?"

Xuan Yuan Zixiao stood with his hands behind his back, purple-gold Dao runes flowing in his eyes, quietly observing Jiang Xuan, who was trapped in the illusion.

From ancient times until now, the fastest to emerge from the Heart-Questioning Dao Fruit's illusion was three breaths. Jiang Xuan, can you do it? The true test is never a battle of strength.

Within the illusion, Jiang Xuan yawned and muttered to himself, "Of all things to test, why test illusions and states of mind?"

After speaking, a purple light flashed in Jiang Xuan's eyes. His Eye of Demolition opened, instantly dispelling the illusion before him.

Xuan Yuan Zixiao was still guessing how many breaths Jiang Xuan would need when he saw the illusion suddenly vanish. Jiang Xuan was holding the Dao Fruit, tossing it up and down in his hand.

This speed... not even one breath? So fast? Xuan Yuan Zixiao was stunned for a moment.

After a long while, he recovered his senses. At this moment, he felt that the Human Race was saved.

Suppressing his inner surprise, Emperor Xuan Yuan Zixiao asked, "Jiang Xuan, may this Emperor ask you a question?"

Jiang Xuan smiled, "Senior, please ask."

Emperor Xuan Yuan Zixiao's expression grew serious. "From your deeds, this Emperor has generally understood your character. For your loved ones, you would go to any lengths; for your enemies, you are ruthless."

"But if one day the Demon Race descends, and the entire continent is plunged into misery, would you choose to stand by idly, or rather, would you fight for your family, or for all living beings?"

Hearing this, Jiang Xuan paused for a moment, then a smile played on his lips. "Is there a difference?"

If it were before, Jiang Xuan would definitely say for his family. But now, his family and friends were all on the Heaven Continent; he couldn't escape it no matter what.

Regardless of the reason for fighting, for Jiang Xuan, there was no difference. Would the Demon Race spare him? Would the Giant Race spare him?

As things stood, he had no other choice. For the current him, if they were enemies, there was only one outcome: death!

If the Demon Race and the Giant Race wanted to be his enemies, then he would exterminate their races. Conversely, if all living beings wanted to be his enemies, then he would slaughter all of them!