242: Recruiting disciples on behalf of friends

Xuanjing Star, Imperial Palace.

On the high platform, the figure in the Dragon Robe stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze seemingly piercing through the endless sea of stars, looking towards that azure star System that had long become a legend.

His figure was clearly as majestic as a mountain, yet at this moment, his back exuded a loneliness that even the passage of time could not erase.

"In a flash, it has already been two thousand two hundred and thirty-two years."

A soft sigh, carried on the wind, as if from ancient times, filled with the desolation of war.

Behind him, an old eunuch bowed, his breathing so careful that he dared not make the slightest sound.

Throughout the entire Xianyang Palace, and even the entire Xuanjing Star, who didn't know that every sixty years, His Majesty would stand here, gazing in the direction of the Ancestral Star, for an entire day.

"Gao."

"This old servant is here."

"Which family is currently guarding the teleportation array between the Ancestral Star and our Xuanjing Star?" The figure did not turn around, his voice calm, without a hint of emotion.

The old eunuch became even more deferential, quickly replying, "Replying to Your Majesty, according to the rule of the Hundred Schools taking turns, this sixty-year cycle, it is the Confucian School's turn to guard it."

"Can it still be used?"

"This..." The old eunuch's voice carried a hint of hesitation, "Replying to Your Majesty, I fear... it cannot."

"The Confucian School sent a secret report a while ago, saying that the teleportation array on the Ancestral Star's side seems to have some problems. It appears to be due to its extreme age, coupled with some man-made damage, the array's foundation is already severely damaged and can no longer establish a connection with our Xuanjing Star's array platform."

"It requires a Grandmaster of Array Dao to personally cross the endless Universe and go to the Ancestral Star to repair it."

The figure on the high platform fell silent.

After a long while, he spoke again, his voice tinged with a hint of recollection.

"I remember, when Dao Master left, he left behind a 'Void Talisman'. As long as one has the coordinates of the Ancestral Star, one can tear space and arrive instantly."

"That is indeed true." The old eunuch quickly responded, "That Void Talisman is currently enshrined in the national treasury, personally overseen by Princess Yin Man."

"Deliver my imperial decree."

"Order Yin Man to take the Void Talisman and immediately return to the Ancestral Star."

"Repair the teleportation array, open the passage between the two realms!"

"Yes!"

...

The scene shifts.

Earth, Sakura Nation, at the foot of Mount Fuji.

Cherry blossoms bloomed in full glory across the mountains and plains, their pink and white petals drifting down with the wind, like a dream.

But beneath this beautiful scenery, there was a chilling aura that made one's heart palpitate.

Two figures slowly emerged from the forest.

Leading the way was an ordinary-looking young man, who was Lu Yuchen's Clone, Han Yan.

Behind him followed a stunning woman in a red dress, her figure slightly ethereal, Lin Rourou.

"Thank you... Thank you, Senior, for saving me." Lin Rourou bowed gracefully to Han Yan, her timid eyes now filled with confusion.

She couldn't understand why this mysterious powerful one would save her.

"No need for formalities." Han Yan waved his hand, a calm and collected expression of a master on his face, "I told you, I simply dislike those hypocrites from the Tai Xuan Immortal Sect."

He scrutinized Lin Rourou, a look of 'teachable talent' appearing in his eyes.

"Moreover, your bone structure is excellent. At such a young age, you have already cultivated to the realm of a Red-Clad Vicious Ghost, which is truly rare."

"I have an old friend who, before his death, entrusted me to find a suitable Legacy successor for him in this world. I think you are very suitable."

Upon hearing this, Lin Rourou's heart stirred, and a glimmer of anticipation flashed in her beautiful eyes.

"May I ask... Senior, your esteemed name? And who is your old friend?"

Upon hearing this, Han Yan turned his back, gazing at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle.

"As for me, I am the third Palace Master of Mora Palace, Han Yan."

He paused, seemingly wanting to give Lin Rourou some time to process, before continuing, "As for my old friend, his name is even more renowned."

"The Underworld, Du Ziren!"

Lin Rourou: "..."

She blinked her large eyes, looking utterly bewildered.

Mora Palace? Underworld? Du Ziren?

What are all these things?

Why had she never heard of any of them?

The scene became quite awkward for a moment.

Han Yan looked at her innocent and bewildered expression, his mouth twitching unconsciously.

Damn it, it seems he failed to act cool.

“Cough, cough.”

He cleared his throat twice, trying to save face, attempting to explain the identity of his 'awesome friend' in a more easily understandable way.

"Let's put it this way, you must have heard of the Great Emperor of Fengdu, right?"

Lin Rourou thought for a moment, having seemingly heard of it in some mythological story, and nodded hesitantly.

"My friend Du Ziren is... the Southern Ghost Emperor among the Five Ghost Emperors under the Great Emperor of Fengdu!"

Han Yan emphasized the words "Southern Ghost Emperor," his face showing an expression of "you should worship me."

However...

Lin Rourou still had that innocent and bewildered look, her large eyes filled with question marks.

Ghost Emperor?

What is that? Is it more powerful than a Ghost King?

Han Yan: "..."

He felt his Dao Heart was about to collapse.

Is it really this hard to act cool these days?!

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the frenzy in his heart, making a final effort.

"Then... then you must know the Ten Yama Kings, right?!"

"King Yama! The King Yama who makes you die at the third watch and never lets you live until the fifth!"

This time, Lin Rourou finally reacted!

She nodded frantically like a pecking chick, her face showing an expression of sudden realization.

"I know, I know! Of course, I know King Yama! They show him on TV every day!"

"Then it's easy!"

Han Yan felt as if he had been granted a great pardon, letting out a long breath, feeling like he was back in action.

He slowly spoke the words he had already prepared, his voice carrying a hint of temptation, as if saying, "you've struck gold."

"My friend Du Ziren is one of the Five Ghost Emperors. His status is even above the Ten Yama Kings!"

Boom!

Upon hearing this, Lin Rourou instantly became alert.

His status is even above King Yama?!

Then... then what kind of terrifying existence is that?!

She looked at Han Yan, her beautiful eyes now filled with nothing but endless shock and... disbelief!

"Se-Senior... do you mean... you want to introduce me... to become the Southern Ghost Emperor's Disciple?!"

She was so excited she was incoherent.

This was simply a heaven-sent Opportunity!

"Cough, theoretically, yes." Han Yan waved his hand, a look of 'past events are too painful to recall' appearing on his face, "It's just that, with the shattering of the Immortal Ancient era, the Underworld has long collapsed, and the netherworld no longer exists. My old friend, along with the other Four Ghost Emperors, also perished in that supreme tribulation that swept across the entire world."

[Ding! Detected that this world has no 'netherworld', 'Underworld' or other related Karma. Host can confidently bluff.]

In his mind, the System's cold notification sound rang out in time.

Han Yan's heart was completely at ease.

He looked at Lin Rourou, who had been excited but now instantly looked disappointed, and changed the subject.

"However, although he perished, his Dao lineage must not be broken."

"Now, I am merely finding a Disciple on behalf of my friend, to find a suitable Legacy successor for him."

"Are you willing?"

Lin Rourou heard this. Without thinking, she immediately dropped to her knees with a "thump," and gave Han Yan three solid kowtows!

"Disciple Lin Rourou, I am willing! Greetings, Junior Martial Uncle!"