Ling Yuxian stood there, her eyes half-closed, as if she were in a light sleep, her spirit wandering beyond the heavens.
It seemed as though the people in the hall and she were not in the same world, and she paid no attention to them at all. Even as many elders arrived, she did not bow or show any courtesy, remaining aloof and independent, surrounded by an air of cold detachment.
The attitude of the elders and disciples of the Imperial Immortal Palace toward Ling Yuxian was complex. Many speculated about her relationship with the current Palace Master, wondering if she might be his descendant.
After all, she shared the same surname as the Palace Master, Ling Qiuhan. However, the Palace Master had never taken a Dao companion, nor did he seem to have any descendants. Therefore, there were many rumors within the Imperial Immortal Palace about Ling Yuxian's origins.
Many believed that she might be the descendant of a former sage of the Imperial Immortal Palace, sealed away until this era. Palace Master Ling Qiuhan had never spoken about Ling Yuxian's identity. Although he appeared to be her master on the surface, his attitude toward her often did not match that of a mentor to a disciple.
However, there was no doubt about Ling Yuxian's talent—it was terrifying and unparalleled, making her one of the most exceptional figures since the founding of the Imperial Immortal Palace. Even the elders at the Dao Realm were unsure of her current level of strength.
Whenever Ling Yuxian's name was mentioned, the contemporary disciples of the Imperial Immortal Palace could not help but show reverence and admiration.
"There's no need to rush. Once all the elders have arrived, I will naturally inform you of the matter," Ling Qiuhan said, noticing the gazes of the disciples in the hall. He glanced at Ling Yuxian and shook his head slightly.
The unexpected nature of this matter had left him feeling caught off guard and incredulous. However, since it was Ling Yuxian who had informed him, he naturally chose to believe her.
Ling Yuxian's identity was special, something everyone in the Imperial Immortal Palace knew. But as for who Ling Yuxian truly was, aside from Palace Master Ling Qiuhan, only a handful of people knew.
The others who knew Ling Yuxian's identity were true living fossils of the Imperial Immortal Palace, figures with terrifying status and power. They spent years in seclusion deep within the fabric of time and space, comprehending the Great Dao, and would not appear for dozens of epochs.
Yet, even those living fossils treated Ling Yuxian with great respect, not at all as if she were a junior. Ling Qiuhan, as the current Palace Master of the Imperial Immortal Palace, had actually been tasked by those living fossils with taking care of Ling Yuxian.
He still remembered that moment vividly. The ancestors who had entrusted him with Ling Yuxian's care had spoken with unprecedented severity, even telling him that Ling Yuxian's existence was more important than the Imperial Immortal Palace itself.
This was because she was a figure from the same era as the founder of the Imperial Immortal Palace. They suspected that Ling Yuxian might be the founder's descendant, sealed within a Dao Source for some reason and only emerging in this era.
Ling Qiuhan had been shocked at the time, never imagining that he would one day come into contact with someone of such ancient and terrifying origins. Naturally, he did not dare to neglect her.
However, at that time, Ling Yuxian appeared to be only seven or eight years old, a delicate and adorable child, lively and charming, like a porcelain doll. She seemed completely unaware of her origins, no different from an ordinary little girl.
Ling Qiuhan suspected that she had no memory of her past and was just like any other child. As a result, his attitude toward her later became less cautious.
After entrusting Ling Yuxian to him, the ancestors left without further concern, retreating deep into the fabric of time and space to continue their seclusion and comprehension of the Great Dao, hoping to advance further one day.
Ling Qiuhan felt helpless but had no choice but to take on the responsibilities of managing the Imperial Immortal Palace while also raising and caring for Ling Yuxian.
Fortunately, although Ling Yuxian was young, she was exceptionally intelligent and sensible, requiring little effort on his part. Moreover, her talent in cultivation was terrifying.
Many ordinary disciples needed decades or even centuries to master certain Dao techniques and divine abilities, but she could master them in less than half a day, leaving others in awe.
Ling Qiuhan, who had cultivated for countless years to achieve his current Dao fruit and cultivation level, was naturally filled with pride and satisfaction. He had devoted his life to the Dao, never taking a Dao companion or having descendants, so he eventually came to regard Ling Yuxian as his adopted daughter.
A few years ago, due to certain circumstances, one of his great enemies broke free and came seeking revenge. To avoid dragging the Imperial Immortal Palace into the conflict, he went alone to confront this enemy.
Before leaving, he entrusted Ling Yuxian to an old friend for care. The battle between Ling Qiuhan and his enemy lasted over a decade, with neither side able to gain the upper hand. In the end, they had to cease fighting, agreeing to settle the score in the future.
Later, Ling Qiuhan went to his friend's secluded residence to retrieve Ling Yuxian, only to find that she seemed to be gradually awakening memories of her past. Her gaze and demeanor often made him feel a sense of dread and unease, to the point where he could not look directly at her.
Ling Yuxian was no longer the little girl she had once been. She had regained some of her past memories, exuding the majesty and dignity of a celestial being, making it impossible for others to approach her casually.
Naturally, Ling Qiuhan no longer treated her as his adopted daughter. To outsiders, he was still her master, but sometimes, when it came to cultivation issues, it was Ling Yuxian who offered him guidance.
This left Ling Qiuhan filled with mixed emotions and helpless, his lips dry with bitterness.
"Since Yuxian is from the same era as the Founder, her feeling that the Founder aura is returning and that the Founder is about to return must be true."
"But why would the Founder be trapped somewhere, requiring descendants to rescue him? Could there be some secret even I am unaware of?"
Ling Qiuhan's thoughts returned, and he shook his head. Although he had many questions, since this matter had been relayed to him by Ling Yuxian, he naturally did not doubt it.
The founder of the Imperial Immortal Palace had left behind no lineage or descendants. The various branches and lineages of the Imperial Immortal Palace had evolved over time.
Why did the founder disappear in the first place? This was actually an unsolved mystery within the Imperial Immortal Palace.
Outside the hall, more and more elders arrived with their disciples in tow.
Ling Yuxian, who had been half-asleep with her eyes closed, finally opened them and glanced at everyone.
"Fewer than ten True Dao Realm experts who have survived four Heavenly Decline Tribulations. Is this the current foundation of the Imperial Immortal Palace?"
"If we include some of the hidden old monsters, we might have a better chance."
She murmured softly.
Ling Qiuhan, who was closest to her, heard this and could not help but smile wryly.
The Imperial Immortal Palace was indeed far from what it once was, declining day by day.
Otherwise, the incident where the Ninth Prince of the Demon Court, Di Wen, had caused trouble within the Imperial Immortal Palace's territory, burning multiple universes, would not have been left unresolved.