Han Xiaoya's words shocked the entire hall!
The elders of the Myriad Artifact Palace widened their eyes.
The four forging prodigies, including the young man with sword-like eyebrows, were consumed by jealousy that could erupt for a hundred thousand feet.
"Young Palace Master, please do not treat this so lightly!"
"Indeed! We implore you to reconsider, reconsider, and reconsider again!"
The elders earnestly persuaded her, their attitudes firm, refusing to agree.
"This person's identity has not been verified. We absolutely cannot entrust him with such a crucial responsibility! Handing over the lives and heritage of millions within the Myriad Artifact Palace to him would be unacceptable to the masses."
Han Xiaoya smiled coldly, "I am also not from Qi Prefecture, and I have not been in the Myriad Artifact Palace for long. Do you think I am also unable to command their respect?"
The elders were immediately silenced.
"You, you, you, you are naturally incomparable to him. You are the heir personally appointed by the Palace Master. Now that the Palace Master has returned to the Qi Sect, the Myriad Artifact Palace naturally follows your lead. What merit does he have to be compared with you?"
"Even if my master were here, she would agree with my decision. Do not dally. Anyone who still has objections can report to her directly when she returns."
Han Xiaoya decisively settled the matter with great authority.
"Ling Fan, you will come to this hall every day at Chen Shi to find me. I will teach you the methods of cultivation and artifact forging. When my master returns, I will have her personally impart the core doctrines of the Qi Sect to you."
Although it felt a bit strange for him to acknowledge Han Xiaoya as his master,
It was not without its amusement.
Ling Fan shook his head with a smile and called out, "Thank you, Master."
For the next few days,
Ling Fan diligently sought out Han Xiaoya for his cultivation.
Han Xiaoya was also very dedicated, specifically setting aside her own cultivation time to guide Ling Fan.
Of course,
In reality, Ling Fan did not need Han Xiaoya's guidance. There were likely no individuals in this world capable of guiding him.
Initially, Ling Fan was merely cooperating with Han Xiaoya to play along.
However, as time went on, Ling Fan also became serious.
Because he discovered that Han Xiaoya possessed many innovative ideas, viewpoints, and approaches, which were even inspiring to him.
Thus,
Ling Fan transitioned from merely going through the motions to earnestly seeking Han Xiaoya's advice. When they were together, they would often engage in heated discussions, losing track of time.
The two couldn't help but exchange a smile.
Ling Fan stretched and bid farewell to Han Xiaoya.
Han Xiaoya, however, felt a sense of lingering attachment.
Since leaving Jin Prefecture and arriving in Qi Prefecture, it had been a long time since she had experienced such joyful, carefree moments, not since she had been apprenticed to her master.
This feeling of being completely engrossed in the path of artifact forging was something she hadn't experienced in a long time.
Just then,
A faint shadow was cast into the hall through the gap in the door.
"Have there been any changes in the Qing Xuan Sect?"
Han Xiaoya inquired.
When the Qing Xuan Sect was mentioned, her eyes flickered with the flames of hatred.
"Replying to the Young Palace Master." The shadow emitted the voice of a young woman, "Fan Lin, the newly appointed Vice Sect Master of the Qing Xuan Sect, has returned from Qi Prefecture. It coincided with the promotion of a servant of Emperor Gao Qiu of the Gao family to the Emperor realm. The Gao family made the first move, but ultimately, the Sect Master Lu Jiuwen, who revealed his Emperor realm strength, and Vice Sect Master Fan Lin joined forces to thwart them. The Gao family was almost annihilated, with only Gao Gan, suspected to be the reincarnation of Emperor Gao Qiu, escaping with his life."
"...The Gao family is destroyed!"
Han Xiaoya's voice trembled slightly.
After a long while,
She spoke again, "Originally, I planned to destroy the Gao family when I stepped into the Half-step Emperor realm. It seems I don't need to act now. Continue to track Gao Gan's whereabouts. Report to me immediately if you receive any news."
"Yes!"
After the shadow disappeared,
Han Xiaoya gazed into the empty space, lost in thought.
"That scoundrel actually became an Emperor! If he possessed such immense strength, why didn't he step forward sooner! Don't think that by destroying the Gao family, I will forgive you. When I reach the Emperor realm, I will be the first to kill you, you coward!"
...
...
Within the Myriad Artifact Palace,
Ling Fan had now become Han Xiaoya's disciple, his status soaring instantly, making him arguably the third most important figure in the Myriad Artifact Palace.
Apart from the Palace Master, who appeared only rarely, and her disciple Han Xiaoya, the Young Palace Master,
Ling Fan held the highest position.
Leveraging the convenience of this status, Ling Fan managed to acquire almost all the materials needed for forging the Supreme Ancestral Dragon Seal within the Myriad Artifact Palace.
"Indeed, it is worthy of the Myriad Artifact Palace. The collection of various rare materials and divine ores here is several orders of magnitude greater than that of the Qing Xuan Sect. They are incomparable!"
"The Supreme Ancestral Dragon Seal within my body already has the foundation of a peerless Emperor Armament. Coupled with the materials I have collected so far, I am not lacking in that regard."
Ling Fan was very satisfied with the harvest from his infiltration of the Myriad Artifact Palace.
One day, after Ling Fan left Han Xiaoya,
The sword-browed youth who had previously presented the Heavenly Imperfection Jade Ruyi to Han Xiaoya suddenly appeared and said to Ling Fan with a smile, "Brother Ling, please wait!"
"Oh, Elder Meng. Is there something you need? You'd best be quick, I haven't completed the task my master assigned me, and I'm in a hurry to get some materials for artifact forging from the treasury."
Ling Fan said with great pride.
A flicker of killing intent flashed in the sword-browed youth's eyes.
He considered himself a hundred, even a thousand times superior to this Ling Fan who had appeared out of nowhere.
Yet, this person had gained Han Xiaoya's favor, while he had only become an ordinary elder of the Myriad Artifact Palace.
This was completely unacceptable to him.
However, he was deeply cunning and concealed his emotions well, "I heard that Brother Ling is looking for some rare divine materials. Coincidentally, our Meng family happens to have something you desire: the Nine Dragon Heavenly Pearl! As soon as I heard about it, I rushed my family to send it over. I wonder if it can be of help to Brother Ling."
Ling Fan expressed surprise, "Oh? I couldn't find it even in the Myriad Artifact Palace treasury, and your Meng family possesses a Nine Dragon Heavenly Pearl! This is a supreme treasure that even Heavenly Venerates would use. You are willing to give it to me just like that?"
The sword-browed youth, Meng Nanxing, said humbly, "Of course! Brother Ling is now the Young Palace Master's disciple, and in the future, the next successor to the Myriad Artifact Palace. What is giving you a Nine Dragon Heavenly Pearl? As long as Brother Ling can remember the small favor between me and the Meng family, we will be content."
Ling Fan revealed a greedy expression and said impatiently, "Haha, it's a deal. You're so generous, I'll naturally look out for you in the future! Now, quickly take me to get that Nine Dragon Heavenly Pearl."
Seeing Ling Fan's demeanor, Meng Nanxing inwardly sneered with contempt.
But he maintained his composure outwardly and said, "Please follow me!"
Meng Nanxing led Ling Fan through the vast Myriad Artifact Palace, turning left and right.
As the surroundings became increasingly desolate and sparsely populated,
Ling Fan deliberately said, "Elder Meng, where exactly are you taking me? This place is so eerie, I feel a chill down my spine. I don't think I'll go!"
Meng Nanxing quickly replied, "Brother Ling, don't rush. We're not far ahead. As you know, treasures like the Nine Dragon Heavenly Pearl are immeasurably valuable and must not be lost. That's why I had members of our Meng family wait in such a secluded place, to avoid attracting attention and to save Brother Ling a lot of trouble."
Ling Fan was deeply moved, "So that's how it is. Elder Meng, you've truly thought of everything. I've made a friend in you!"
"Heh heh, then I thank Brother Ling!"
Meng Nanxing feigned overwhelming gratitude.
Inwardly, however, his contempt for Ling Fan grew.
After passing through another corridor,
Meng Nanxing led Ling Fan into a deserted garden.