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Chapter 218: Intercepting Fate! A World-Shattering Secret!
🕑 Added 2024-11-08 13:08:11 +0000 UTCZhao Xing had been tasked by his master to escort Ji Zixuan and Murong Xue, so he decided to investigate their backgrounds a little.
Ji Zixuan, being a member of the royal family, should have been easy to trace—just a matter of checking the royal genealogy. However, it turned out to be more troublesome than expected, as Ji Zixuan had no official title, not even as an "Ongzhu" (Princess). The Great Zhou Dynasty had an enormous royal family, and it took Zhao Xing half an hour searching through the archives via the Earth Mirror to find her lineage.
Ji Zixuan was the granddaughter of "Prince Chenglan" from the Cuixian County in Pinghai Prefecture. However, she was not his legitimate granddaughter. Prince Chenglan was Emperor Jing’s cousin, but their relationship was quite ordinary, as they shared the same great-grandfather.
Even limiting the scope to Prince Chenglan’s lineage, Ji Zixuan had over two thousand living siblings!
In her 18 years of life, Ji Zixuan had only seen her grandfather three times before turning sixteen.
The first time was at her full moon celebration, but even then, he wasn’t there specifically for her; seven other siblings were born around the same time, and they had a joint celebration that the old prince attended briefly.
The second time was during her coming-of-age ceremony, but again, she was just one of many sisters being celebrated together.
The third time was indeed for her alone, because by the age of sixteen, she had distinguished herself, standing out from her numerous siblings by gaining entry into the Bishui Dao Academy through her own efforts.
Because of this, she was granted a small share of the royal family's fortune.
After entering the Bishui Dao Academy, Ji Zixuan met Princess Youruo. Yes, "met," because prior to that, they had never encountered each other despite their familial ties.
At the time, Princess Youruo had been bored and visited the academy to teach. After discovering that Ji Zixuan was a promising talent and also a blood relative, she took an interest in her and even brought her along to the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven.
Ji Zixuan didn’t declare her royal background but instead presented herself as a disciple of the Bishui Dao Academy. After all, within the royal family, she was virtually invisible, but in the academy, she was the top student of her cohort.
Just by looking at Ji Zixuan's family situation and her outstanding performance in the academy, Zhao Xing knew she was no ordinary person.
"To fight her way out of the palace ranks is no easier than rising through the bureaucracy. To become the top graduate of the Bishui Dao Academy, I can only imagine how much effort and thought she must have put into it," Zhao Xing thought silently.
On the surface, Ji Zixuan appeared innocent and sweet. When she saw Zhao Xing, she enthusiastically addressed him as "Senior Brother," over and over.
"Senior Brother, I’ve heard that Fire Dragon Pass is the strongest fortress in the territory of the Fire Demon Tribe?"
"Yes, it is."
"The army couldn’t take it, yet Senior Brother managed. That’s impressive."
"It wasn’t all my doing."
"I heard from our master that the Earth Fire Lotus is only a fourth-tier plant, yet Senior Brother managed to cultivate it into a fifth-tier, breaking its life limitations. Your mastery of cultivation is truly amazing, Senior Brother."
"…"
Although it seemed like she was asking questions, she was really just finding different ways to praise Zhao Xing.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed, Zhao Xing pretended to be distracted: "Oh, Junior Sister, what did you say? My, uh, Straw Puppet Technique... isn’t that well-practiced... I got distracted."
"No worries." Ji Zixuan beamed brightly. "Senior Brother is busy; I won't disturb you."
Ji Zixuan’s lively and cheerful demeanor caused Murong Xue to frown. She made up her mind that once they reached their destination, she would find an excuse to leave and not stay around this person.
However, hearing that Zhao Xing could cultivate a fifth-tier Earth Fire Lotus and mention the Straw Puppet Technique left Murong Xue shocked.
Since she was also a Shennong, she fully understood the value of these accomplishments.
"An Earth Fire Lotus is a fifth-tier treasure, and the Myriad Straw Puppet Technique requires one to master all five puppet methods to comprehend," she thought to herself. "No wonder Mother told me to follow him..."
She reconsidered her decision: "Maybe it’s not such a bad idea."
Although Ji Zixuan was irritating, Zhao Xing clearly had abilities worth recognizing.
Murong Xue couldn't help but glance at Zhao Xing as he busied himself preparing the Swordfish Airship for flight.
"Why does Murong Xue keep looking at me? Her thoughts really do change quickly—first, she wants to leave, and now she doesn’t," Zhao Xing noted, sensing her gaze even though his back was turned.
Moreover, his Heavenly Eye Technique had reached a high level.
With a high-level Heavenly Eye, one could not only see through someone's realm if it was lower but also perceive their emotional fluctuations.
As long as the other party wasn’t on high alert and wasn’t protected by spells or divine weapons, Zhao Xing could sense their thoughts.
"Murong Qing is from Yuanhe County, but Murong Xue claims to be from Taihe County..." Zhao Xing pondered.
"Old Liu is from Taihe County, so is she Old Liu’s daughter?"
"But why does she have her mother’s surname?"
"Her mother, Murong Qing, married Grandmaster of Rites Jiang Minghe."
"Shouldn’t she be called Jiang Xue? Is there some hidden reason?"
Zhao Xing’s thoughts wandered, unable to figure out the family ties, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that Jiang Minghe had a rather green glow over his head.
However, beyond these idle thoughts, Zhao Xing had no real interest in either woman.
To someone like him, solely focused on seeking longevity, women were merely distractions.
When he used the Fortune Observation Technique to assess their fortunes, both Ji Zixuan and Murong Xue had faint red Qi with traces of gray and white, indicative of the Derivation Two to Derivation Three level.
While Ji Zixuan was indeed a princess, her share of royal fortune was thinly spread.
Unless one was favored like Princess Youruo, whose fortune pillar appeared in hues of blue and purple with a coiled dragon surrounding it, her fortune soared like a flying dragon!
Princess Youruo’s fortune level was at least at Derivation Seven.
Not only was she Emperor Jing’s beloved daughter, but she was also the core successor of the Bishui Dao Academy and a direct descendant of the goddess Bishuia Yuanjun.
Marrying someone like Princess Youruo wouldn’t deplete one’s own fortune but would instead augment it, making her an ideal match.
But that was Old Liu’s business. Zhao Xing, though striving for longevity, wasn’t the type of twisted individual who would covet someone else’s lover.
"That old witch and half-crazy Liu are really a perfect pair," Zhao Xing chuckled to himself.
"If there’s a chance in this life, I might just help them get together."
"Why is Senior Brother smiling?" Ji Zixuan seized the opportunity, not missing any chance to strike up a conversation.
"I just thought of something amusing."
"Oh? What was it?"
"Wait, what did I just say?"
"You thought of something amusing."
"Oh, right, I thought of something amusing."
Ji Zixuan stared at him eagerly, but when no further explanation came, she realized that Zhao Xing had once again 'checked out.'
This was exasperating for someone like Ji Zixuan, who was prone to perfectionism. She quickly lost the energy to continue the conversation.
Talking with Zhao Xing was exhausting.
Back at the Lingxiu Hot Spring, Zhao Xing's main body dressed quickly.
"I’ve drained nine hot springs, and I’ve absorbed as much Fire Fortune as possible. It should be enough."
"Once I gather all five fortunes, my fortune level will increase again!"
Zhao Xing smiled, satisfied.
He had only recently reached Derivation Four, and typically, one would only break through again after rising to Fourth Rank.
Yet here he was, still at Sixth Rank, already seeing the potential for another upgrade.
"With a Fortune Cultivation Technique and all five fortunes gathered, breaking through to Derivation Five will bring immense benefits," Zhao Xing thought. "Where can I find more fortune?"
Closing his eyes, he recalled everything he knew about the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven.
"To the north is the Extreme Night Sea, the east has the Inverted Peak Mountain Range, the west reaches Penglai Marsh, and the south leads to Crimson Lake. Each of these locations holds fortune."
"I remember there are several fortune-laden spots in the Inverted Peak Mountains," Zhao Xing said as he approached the cloud map on the Kirin Airship.
The cloud map required calibration, factoring in the earth’s veins and celestial timing.
Though crafted by artisans, military-grade sand tables typically required a Shennong Officer to properly calibrate them for accuracy in complex terrains.
With the ascension of the cave-heaven, the terrain had shifted dramatically, making old maps unreliable.
Four of Zhao Xing's straw puppet incarnations were at work, one stationed at the Eighteen Locust Willow Courtyard, leading Murong Xue and Ji Zixuan through the Inverted Peak Mountains.
They weren’t wandering aimlessly—part of it was to buy time, but another part was to map the area and check for fortune spots.
"The reference points are changing constantly; a spot I marked yesterday has already shifted."
Zhao Xing adjusted the cloud map with various markings.
As he entered more detailed data, a scene in the southern part of the Inverted Peak Mountains caught Zhao Xing’s eye.
"Hm? This place…"
On the map, thirty-six miniature mountain peaks appeared, floating amidst a sea of clouds, intermittently visible as they followed a mysterious trajectory imbued with the wonders of heaven and earth.
"Excellent! The Cloud Sea Mystery Peaks! I can’t believe I’m the first to discover this spot—haha!" Zhao Xing couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
In his previous life, this treasure trove had been discovered by a Shennong Officer named Liang Ruohai.
The Cloud Sea Mystery Peaks held Myriad Law Fortune!
And not just any fortune—high-level fortune!
How high? Ordinary Myriad Law Fortune might claim to enhance myriad techniques, but in reality, there were limitations.
For instance, fate-related professions couldn’t use Myriad Law Fortune to break through.
Similarly, cross-profession techniques weren’t compatible.
But the Cloud Sea Mystery Peaks had no such restrictions!
"The ascension of the cave-heaven has brought blessings to all living beings. Those who seek the Dao will find it, and those who seek longevity will achieve it."
"This kind of opportunity might not come around even once in a millennium. Liang Ruohai, in this life, I’ll claim it first," Zhao Xing thought to himself.
Liang Ruohai was no nobody.
Zhao Xing clearly remembered that this individual was a Fifth-Rank Shennong Officer. His position as a Fifth-Rank official made him easy to trace through the Earth Mirror.
Currently, Liang Ruohai served at the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture and was a member of Prince Liang’s faction.
His status wasn’t insignificant either—he had taught several princes and nobles, and within the Prince's Manor, Liang Ruohai held a high rank among the guest officials.
Moreover, Liang Ruohai was also a renowned fortune-teller. It was said that Prince Liang’s Black Dragon Guard, including their war beasts, were all handpicked under his guidance.
"I need to act fast. Liang Ruohai has already arrived in Yang City." While searching the Earth Mirror, Zhao Xing spotted Liang Ruohai’s name, now part of an Elite Exploration Group.
Zhao Xing had already memorized the trajectory of the Cloud Sea Mystery Peaks.
Breaking up the cloud map, he stepped outside and called out, "Long Xiao, are you done yet? Hurry up!"
The only one still absorbing Fire Fortune was Long Xiao.
Xia Jing, Ji Ziyun, and Chen Shijie had long since reached their limits.
"I feel like I can keep going for a while longer. What’s the rush?" Long Xiao asked.
"Then stay here and keep absorbing; we’ll head out first," Zhao Xing said. "Soon, my straw puppet incarnation will arrive, and you can help protect them."
"Chen, Xia Jing, Brother Ji, let’s move out."
Meanwhile, in a mansion in Yang City.
"Young Master, the Exploration Group is assembled, and we are ready to depart," said a middle-aged man wearing a raincoat and holding a jade bamboo staff.
"Master, can you calculate where my fortune lies?" Next to him, a young man clad in black dragon armor asked in a low voice.
Liang Ruohai pondered for a moment before replying, "Young Master is a member of the royal family, and fortune flows eastward. Your destiny lies in the east."
Ji Dan nodded. "Then please lead the way, Master."
Ji Dan, the youngest son of Prince Liang, wasn’t exactly "young" at over seventy years old.
Yet as the youngest, Ji Dan was doted upon, like most youngest children.
For this expedition to the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven, Prince Liang had arranged for Ji Dan to join an Elite Exploration Group and assigned Liang Ruohai, a Fifth-Rank Shennong Officer with mastery in divination, to accompany him.
Ji Dan also had four other Fifth-Rank experts as his followers.
Among the members of this elite Exploration Group were other princes and nobles, making Ji Dan's faction one of the more formidable ones.
While Ji Dan was preparing to set out, Zhao Xing's Kirin Airship arrived at a vast sea of clouds.
"Brother, what is he searching for? We’ve been wandering through these clouds for nearly an hour," Xia Jing asked, puzzled.
Of everyone present, only Ji Ziyun had any knowledge of Feng Shui and fortune.
"Don’t ask me, I have no idea," Ji Ziyun shook his head. "I can’t see anything significant here."
"Brother, your uncle is an official. Didn’t he teach you a few tricks?" Xia Jing inquired. Ji Ziyun's uncle was a member of the imperial family and served in the Heavenly Secrets Hall. Though his rank wasn’t high, his position as a fate official was one of the most mysterious in the court.
"Qilin, what nonsense are you talking about?" Ji Ziyun replied. "Do you think the secrets of the Heavenly Secrets Hall are something he’d share with me? My uncle values his life, you know."
"I’ve only learned some superficial techniques, picked up here and there from the Dao Academy."
"Oh, I thought you knew more," Xia Jing remarked. "Zhao Xing probably only learned some basic techniques."
"..."
Ji Ziyun was left speechless.
"Perhaps because he’s a Military Shennong, he’s more sensitive to changes in the world, and when combined with his divination techniques, his accuracy improves," Chen Shijie added, trying to smooth things over.
In the days they had spent together, treasure hunting with Zhao Xing, it was clear that while both Ji Ziyun and Zhao Xing used divination techniques to locate treasure, Zhao Xing’s success rate and the quality of the treasures he found were far higher.
If they had access to a panel showing their lifespan or fortune, they’d likely be astonished at how much both had increased.
But without such metrics, Zhao Xing’s actions seemed less shocking. After all, the ascension of the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven had scattered treasures everywhere.
"Chen, stop the airship!"
As they were chatting, Zhao Xing’s voice suddenly called out from the ship’s bow.
"What did you find?" Xia Jing and Ji Ziyun immediately rushed to the front.
"Look twenty li east, about a hundred meters high," Zhao Xing pointed.
"Huh?" Xia Jing and Ji Ziyun looked over but saw nothing but rolling clouds.
"There’s nothing there."
"There’s a gate there," Zhao Xing said, his voice excited. "Brother Ji, what time is it?"
Ji Ziyun took out a calendar. No adjustments were needed these days since only one sun remained.
"It’s the third quarter of the Yin hour. Why?"
Zhao Xing explained, "By the seventh quarter of the Mao hour, we’ll see that gate."
"I’ve been observing for a while. The thirty-six peaks in this cloud sea are moving in a formation, and at the precise moment I mentioned, they will form a Heavenly Gate."
"I’ve calculated that if we pass through that gate at the right time, we’ll reap immense benefits!"
"How big?" Xia Jing asked eagerly.
"This big!" Zhao Xing stretched his arms wide.
"Fantastic!" Xia Jing beamed. "I knew following you would lead to great rewards."
It was rare to see Zhao Xing this animated. Even when they found the Sixth-Rank Giant Spirit Tree and the Lingxiu Hot Springs, Zhao Xing had remained composed.
Now, however, he was visibly excited, a clear sign they had stumbled upon a truly extraordinary location!
"Zhao Xing, how did you manage this?" Ji Ziyun couldn’t help but ask. "Your divination techniques are incredibly powerful."
Zhao Xing laughed, "Brother Ji, it’s not all about divination."
"All of us—Xia Jing, Chen, Long Xiao, and I—recently received promotions and underwent the Great Zhou’s fortune-washing ritual. Our fortunes are at their peak right now."
"Brother Ji, your fortune isn’t low either. Together, our combined good fortune increases our chances of finding treasure just by wandering around."
Ji Ziyun suddenly understood, "Indeed. My father once told me that a person’s fortune isn’t solely determined by their birth but also by timing and circumstance. Since you’ve all recently been promoted and titled, it’s no wonder I’ve been benefiting from your luck."
"Exactly," Zhao Xing nodded.
While Zhao Xing’s ability to locate the spot wasn’t solely based on his past life’s knowledge, it wasn’t just luck either.
Everyone, no matter how low their fortune, experiences one or two peaks of good luck in their lifetime.
For Xia Jing, Zhao Xing, Chen Shijie, and Long Xiao, their recent promotions had washed them with national fortune, placing them at the pinnacle of their good fortune.
According to the theory of fortune, even someone with Derivation Five or Derivation Six fortune could experience more success during their low moments than someone with higher fortune during an upswing.
Of course, seizing the opportunity when it arises is essential.
Without Zhao Xing’s foresight, even if Xia Jing and the others passed by this location, they might only find smaller treasures instead of the grand one waiting for them.
"The seventh quarter of the Mao hour, right? I’ll be waiting," Xia Jing said, his gaze fixed on the eastern horizon, filled with anticipation.
At the same time, Ji Zixuan and Murong Xue were being led to the Lingxiu Hot Springs.
Since Zhao Xing’s group had already left the springs and reached their absorption limit, only Long Xiao and his Mountain Cat, Ao Tian, remained behind.
In this case, it made sense to grant the two women some benefits.
After all, Zhao Xing had to account for Old Liu and Princess Youruo.
Considering the Sixth-Rank Dragon Soul Jade, Zhao Xing decided to bring them to the Lingxiu Hot Springs.
"Junior Sister, Miss Murong."
"There are multiple Lingxiu Hot Springs down in the valley," Zhao Xing pointed below. "The Fire Qi in the water will pass through your bodies. As you soak in it, your Five Element Fire Fortune will naturally grow."
"In the years of Wu and Gui, Fire Fortune will dominate, bringing you great opportunities during those years, months, and days."
Zhao Xing, fearing they might not understand, explained the concept of fortune in more detail.
However, he underestimated the two women. Both Ji Zixuan and Murong Xue were well-versed in the path of fortune and grasped his meaning instantly.
"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Ji Zixuan’s smile was now genuinely joyful.
"Thank you, Lord Zhao," Murong Xue said, her voice still cold but with a noticeable shift in tone.
Although Ji Zixuan was a royal princess, she had never experienced such an opportunity.
Murong Xue, having seen more of the world, was nonetheless impressed by the unique circumstances of this place.
The fortune here was so abundant that it could even be used for bathing!
"The Fire Qi passing through your bodies may induce feelings of lust or hallucinations. Be sure to set up formations or barriers around the hot springs for protection."
"To the southeast, my companions are soaking in two other springs. Don’t worry; I’ll ensure all surveillance is blocked."
After choosing a spring, Ji Zixuan smiled sweetly at Zhao Xing, "Thank you, Senior Brother. If you can’t find another spring, feel free to join me."
"Shameless!" Murong Xue cursed silently.
True to her mentor’s reputation, Zhao Xing remained stoic and said, "Thank you, Junior Sister, but I’ve already finished soaking."
He then escorted Murong Xue to another spring, "Miss Murong, this spot is yours."
"Thank you," Murong Xue replied with a bow.
Zhao Xing nodded and flew up to a cliff near the valley, where he sat down to meditate.
"Splish~"
It wasn’t long before the sound of water splashing came from both springs, indicating that the women had entered the water.
Over the next fifteen minutes, Murong Xue’s side remained quiet.
But faint, suggestive sounds began emanating from Ji Zixuan’s side.
Shaking his head, Zhao Xing quickly sealed off his hearing.
Ji Zixuan was indeed bold, making no preparations or even setting up a soundproof barrier.
However, her behavior triggered Zhao Xing’s memory:
"In my previous life, I never heard of the old witch having any disciples, though she did raise a group of assassins. Could Ji Zixuan be that Shadow Assassin?"
Back then, Zhao Xing had been killed by this very assassin.
He had failed to complete a mission assigned by the old witch to assassinate one of Liu Tianning’s key generals.
In retaliation, the old witch sent the Shadow Assassin to eliminate all the players involved in the mission.
That’s why Zhao Xing joked to himself that both the old witch and Liu were equally mad.
The old witch was also prone to cutting people down at the slightest provocation.
"Forget it, let bygones be bygones. The old witch had a rough life last time."
In his previous life, Princess Youruo had never married Liu Tianning. Instead, she had married into the Southern Barbarians during the reign of Emperor Jing.
When Emperor Jing’s campaign against the Southern Barbarians ended in failure, a peace treaty was signed. As part of the terms, the Flame Light Kingdom requested a princess as a show of goodwill.
Princess Youruo had volunteered to marry into the Flame Light Kingdom, which was home to the Babok Tribe that controlled the sandworms.
"Emperor Jing had originally planned to send a minor princess, but Princess Youruo stepped forward to volunteer. Could it be because of a falling out with Old Liu?"
It seemed highly plausible.
Zhao Xing had always been puzzled by Emperor Jing’s decision to marry off his beloved daughter.
Even though the war had ended in defeat, the loss of half of Yingyuan Prefecture wasn’t enough to warrant such a significant political marriage. The Great Zhou Dynasty remained strong.
"Could it be that she was heartbroken by Old Liu and decided to marry far away?"
"And that marriage resulted in nine years of bitter warfare in the Flame Light Kingdom."
Zhao Xing sighed deeply.
Why did he feel such a personal connection to Princess Youruo’s story? Because in his previous life, he had fought for nine long years in the Flame Light Kingdom.
After all, Emperor Wu had been raised by Princess Youruo, and during his Prince’s Trials, she had provided him with immense support.
After her marriage, Princess Youruo frequently wrote letters to Emperor Wu, pouring out her grievances.
Emperor Wu, still a crown prince at the time, swore to crush the Flame Light Kingdom and bring his sister back.
So when Emperor Wu ascended the throne, his first campaign was to conquer the Flame Light Kingdom.
Zhao Xing, in his previous life, had spent nine agonizing years fighting in the Flame Light Kingdom, all for the sake of retrieving the old witch.
"Ah, it turns out it was your entangled fates that caused us players such misery," Zhao Xing sighed, now finally understanding the situation.
…
Time passed, and an hour later.
At the Lingxiu Hot Springs, Ji Zixuan parted the mist and gazed in a particular direction.
Zhao Xing was still sitting on the mountain cliff, with his back turned to her.
"What a righteous man," Ji Zixuan thought, her face flushed as she licked her lips. "He hasn’t even tried to sneak a glance after all this time."
Emerging from the hot spring, Ji Zixuan caught her reflection in the water—a beautiful woman with skin as smooth as jade, her figure perfect, framed by the misty steam.
Running her fingers lightly across her face, Ji Zixuan mused, "Master wants me to get close to him, but he doesn’t seem moved at all."
She had no qualms about following Princess Youruo’s orders. Despite her royal lineage, Ji Zixuan’s status was low, her maternal family was weak, and even her spot in the Dao Academy had been earned through her own efforts.
Living in the palace, she knew that her future would likely involve some form of political marriage.
After reviewing Zhao Xing’s impressive track record, she saw him as an ideal match.
However... Ji Zixuan was perceptive enough to notice that Zhao Xing currently had no interest in her.
"For now, he’s not interested, but that doesn’t mean he’ll never be," Ji Zixuan smiled gently as she swiftly dressed.
She changed into a plain, elegant outfit, a stark contrast to her earlier flamboyant attire.
With her appearance altered, she also shifted her internal energy, transforming her aura completely. Her seductive charm vanished, replaced by a dignified and spirited demeanor.
After making a few final adjustments, Ji Zixuan flew up to Zhao Xing. "Thank you, Senior Brother, for your protection. I have absorbed as much as I can from the spirit spring."
"Good," Zhao Xing replied without lifting his head.
This time, he wasn’t faking distraction; his focus was entirely elsewhere.
Because the Mao hour had arrived, and his attention was locked onto the Cloud Sea’s thirty-six Mystery Peaks.
By the third quarter of the Yin hour, Zhao Xing, Xia Jing, Chen Shijie, and Ji Ziyun had waited until the seventh quarter of the Mao hour.
"Rumble~"
At that moment, thirty-six verdant peaks suddenly emerged from the misty cloud sea.
The lush green peaks, like natural formations, rotated within the clouds according to a profound trajectory.
"Whoosh~"
The cloud sea churned, and beams of radiant light shot from the peaks, refracting through the mist to form a golden gate in the sky.
Mysterious runes flickered across the golden gate, exuding an ethereal aura.
After a quarter of an hour, the gate had fully stabilized.
Xia Jing, Chen Shijie, and Ji Ziyun watched in awe as the spectacle unfolded, their eyes wide in disbelief.
"A real Heavenly Gate appeared..."
"My god, my heart is about to jump out of my chest!"
Ji Ziyun clutched his chest.
The surge of fortune was too strong, and they were too close.
This wasn’t just a momentary surge; their entire bodies trembled uncontrollably.
"Zhao-Zhao-Zhao… damn!" Xia Jing quickly activated his cultivation technique to regain control over his body and stop the shaking.
"What do we do now?"
Zhao Xing, equally exhilarated, smiled and said, "Have you heard the story of the fish leaping over the dragon gate?"
"Of course!" Xia Jing replied. "It’s said that in the ancient Dragon Court on the eastern shores, there was a legendary treasure. Every so often, the Dragon Court would open a portal, attracting the dragon’s descendants."
"Any fish, no matter how small or large, or even shrimp soldiers and crab generals, could become dragons if they jumped through the gate in a single day!"
"Exactly." Zhao Xing pointed at the golden gate. "What we need to do now is leap through that gate!"
"This natural Heavenly Gate formed by the cave-heaven contains all the laws of heaven and earth. If we pass through, our understanding of the Dao will soar to new heights."
"Wait?" Xia Jing blinked in surprise. "I just realized you mentioned fish, and I didn’t even react?!"
"Hahaha!" Zhao Xing and Chen Shijie couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
In the face of such immense fortune, even Xia Jing, a man who hated eating fish, was no longer bothered.
"My brothers, follow me! Let’s leap through the Heavenly Gate!"
Zhao Xing was the first to take flight, soaring toward the enormous gate in the sky.
Above the primeval forest, a Black Dragon Warship flew from north to east.
Onboard, Liang Ruohai, Ji Dan, and Xie Kuiguang were deep in discussion.
"Though we’ve joined the Elite Exploration Group, the tasks required to progress in the Military Realm are still demanding. Every few days, we must submit a quota of treasures," Ji Dan contemplated.
"Xie Kuiguang, go downstairs and find Lord Ding. Once we reach the Inverted Peak Mountains, follow Master Liang’s guidance and begin collecting treasures in these designated areas."
"Understood, Your Highness." General Xie Kuiguang immediately complied and left.
After issuing his orders, Ji Dan made his way to the observation deck.
There, Liang Ruohai was holding an ancient, black-and-white disk, arranging a few crystalline, jade-like bones on its surface.
"Master, any results?" Ji Dan asked, his gaze fixed on the disk.
Liang Ruohai studied the cracked bones in deep thought.
Seeing him remain silent, Ji Dan waited patiently.
After a moment, Liang Ruohai raised his head:
"The cracks in the jade bones are only an inch long, shorter by two inches than our previous calculations. The fortune bones have reversed, showing signs of collapse."
"What do you mean, Master?"
"For some reason, Your Highness’s fortune has abruptly come to an end," Liang Ruohai explained, staring at the bones. "It feels as though someone has intercepted it."
Ji Dan’s brow furrowed, his voice growing cold. "Intercepted? Are you saying someone is scheming against me?"
Liang Ruohai pondered, "It may not be aimed specifically at Your Highness, but the result does resemble someone seizing the fortune meant for you."
"Perhaps it’s just a coincidence."
Ji Dan’s eyebrows knitted together, a fierce glint in his eyes. "Master, how many coincidences are there in this world?"
"Someone must be plotting against me!"
Liang Ruohai remained silent.
Ji Dan continued, "Master, both my nineteenth and fifteenth brothers have entered Yang City. Do you think that’s a coincidence?"
"Please assist me, Master!"
Liang Ruohai nodded. "Your Highness, please fetch me the Black Dragon Essence Blood and Dragon Bone Marrow."
"I will calculate exactly who has taken your fortune."
Ji Dan gritted his teeth. "Very well. Once the result is clear, do not hide anything from me, Master. No matter who it is, I will make sure they suffer!"
The Heavenly Gate was a natural manifestation of the cave-heaven, containing the fundamental principles of the world’s ascension.
If comprehending the Dao outside was like sipping water through a straw, passing through the Heavenly Gate was akin to having water poured directly down your throat.
However, crossing the Heavenly Gate wasn’t easy.
The thirty-six peaks that formed the gate carried the weight of heaven and earth, exuding a natural pressure.
Though the gate appeared only a hundred meters tall, Zhao Xing felt as if he were flying ten thousand meters high.
It reminded him of the time he had pursued the path of the Away from Fire True Monarch.
Had he not already reached the Heavenly Gang Realm, Zhao Xing likely wouldn’t have been able to pass through this gate.
"Buzz~"
Finally, Zhao Xing reached the front of the gate.
With one step forward, the world spun around him.
Summer Jing, Chen Shijie, and Ji Ziyun were already becoming blurry and indistinct behind him.
Around him appeared a distorted, multicolored void of stars.
Countless insights flickered before Zhao Xing’s eyes.
Some of these lights gave him the illusion that by touching them, he could instantly become an immortal and achieve longevity.
Others radiated such immense power that mastering them seemed as if it would grant the ability to destroy worlds.
But Zhao Xing knew that most of these "paths" were false.
They were illusions.
"Passing through the Heavenly Gate, only the path of one’s own making is real."
Closing his eyes, Zhao Xing sat cross-legged.
Rather than chasing after new techniques he didn’t know, he began using the techniques he had already mastered.
"Crossing the Heavenly Gate won’t allow a Sixth-Rank cultivator to suddenly wield supreme techniques. I must resist the temptation."
"The most worthwhile techniques for me to break through right now are without a doubt the Great Derivation Canon, the Fate Marquis Technique, the Turtle Coin Divination, and the Five-Finger Fate Technique."
The other techniques could all be improved through other means.
But for fate-related techniques, progressing in the Great Zhou Dynasty was extremely difficult.
Without this opportunity, Zhao Xing might not have been able to reach a high level in these arts for many years.
This wasn’t a matter of talent—it was because of Emperor Taizu’s grand vision. He had placed restrictions on the fate-related professions, making it nearly impossible for anyone outside the court’s fate officials to advance to the higher levels.
Now, this was a perfect chance!
"I’ll start by breaking through the Five-Finger Fate Technique."
Zhao Xing quickly made up his mind. The Turtle Coin Divination would require a turtle.
In his excitement, he had forgotten to grab the turtle shell from the ship.
"I’ll start by advancing this technique."
Even now, the temptations persisted.
For instance, a beam of starlight floated past Zhao Xing, seemingly containing a supreme fate divination technique.
However, Zhao Xing, having gone through many trials at the Heart-Testing Platform, had a firm Dao heart and ignored these distractions.
"Five-Finger Fate Technique."
Zhao Xing’s fingers moved swiftly, starting to deduce what would happen to him in the near future.
Rumble~
The entire starry sky began to tremble.
Zhao Xing’s consciousness seemed to expand infinitely!
Inside him, the full expanse of the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven appeared!
"At this moment, the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven is like my internal five-element world. The Five-Finger Fate Technique's effects are being magnified to their fullest potential." Zhao Xing realized.
"Fate is my fate!"
In this moment, the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven temporarily served as Zhao Xing’s "internal five-element world," providing the foundation for his deductions.
All costs would be borne by the cave-heaven and wouldn’t affect Zhao Xing directly.
"Yang City."
Though he was physically in the Inverted Peak Mountains, Zhao Xing could see Yang City.
With a thought, he even saw the Eighteen Locust Willow Courtyard.
Everything inside was as clear as day in his mind.
"My will has briefly merged with that of the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven. This is what it means to truly borrow the power of heaven and earth."
"The power of a fate-related profession at this level is terrifying."
Zhao Xing mused.
Not only could he see Yang City, but also the Extreme Night Sea, Crimson Lake, and countless other locations.
Anything he wished to observe appeared before him.
However, when his gaze fell upon a high tower floating above Yang City, he immediately averted his eyes.
The high tower hovered in the void, completely unaffected by the cave-heaven’s transformations, as if it existed independently of this world.
The reason Zhao Xing quickly looked away was because within that tower, three terrifying presences resided.
"That must be where the three kings are."
Zhao Xing only glanced at it before quickly diverting his attention, even suppressing the thought. He acted as if he had never seen it.
At the same time, within the Hundred Weapons Tower.
The Tyrant King, who had been meditating, suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with confusion as he looked toward a specific direction.
The Asura King also opened his eyes, sensing something similar.
The King of Virtue noticed the other two’s reactions and asked, "What’s wrong, you two?"
"It feels like..." The Tyrant King frowned, "Something just looked at me."
"You felt it too?" Asura King said. "It’s as if someone was divining our fate."
Both were of the Primordial Soul Stage, their fates and karma souls immensely powerful.
If anyone attempted to calculate their fate, they would sense it.
Moreover, being within the Hundred Weapons Tower heightened their sensitivity.
"What’s going on? Who would dare to spy on you?" King of Virtue asked.
"It might not be spying," the Tyrant King said, his eyes swirling momentarily before returning to normal. "Perhaps it’s the Creation Disk's divination, and we’re somehow involved."
"Agreed," Asura King nodded. "The emperor is preparing for a massive invasion of the Southern Barbarians, so it wouldn’t be surprising if both of us were involved in the divination."
Both kings dismissed the idea of being spied on.
As the highest-ranking beings in the Hundred Weapons Tower, they weren’t concerned about external threats.
After all, Emperor Taizu had already significantly weakened fate-related professions.
The idea of being spied on by an enemy was impossible.
The only explanation was that the court’s fate officials or the Creation Disk had involved them in a large-scale divination.
"Fine." King of Virtue nodded. "It seems I’m too insignificant to be included in such divinations."
"Haha," the Tyrant King and Asura King both chuckled.
After avoiding the Hundred Weapons Tower, Zhao Xing quickly scanned the remaining areas.
He saw numerous portals scattered throughout the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven.
For instance, the "Azure Lake Entrance," a mountain pass portal on Five Plate Mountain, and the "Golden Dragon Portal" deep within the Great Origin Prefecture…
"Nine portals in total, just as I expected. Wait... what’s that?"
Zhao Xing’s gaze suddenly sharpened.
His attention was drawn to a mountain range in the south, where a mysterious ancient palace flickered faintly beneath the surface.
The aura from within leaked through, and Zhao Xing could tell that this palace’s boundary was thin, meeting the criteria for a cave-heaven portal.
But something seemed different.
"Could there be a tenth portal in the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven?" Zhao Xing wondered, his mind racing.
This mysterious palace was something he had never heard of in his previous life.
Yet the more he looked, the more familiar it seemed.
Though he couldn’t fully see the palace, the brief glimpse stirred his curiosity.
"This palace feels vaguely familiar."
Doubt and confusion filled Zhao Xing’s heart.
For now, he couldn’t see through the palace’s mysteries. Within moments, it vanished from his "divination sight."
Zhao Xing continued to search, but his calculations kept leading him elsewhere.
The mysterious palace seemed to block further divination.
"Time is running out."
Zhao Xing memorized the location and then shifted his focus to deducing any upcoming dangers or anomalies in his immediate future.
As for the cave-heaven’s treasures? No need to divine that—Zhao Xing already knew where to find them.
By tracing his calculations, countless images of "himself" appeared throughout the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven.
These images showed him digging into mountains, diving into waters, flying through the sky, or sitting on a ship.
In each vision, Zhao Xing’s avatars were doing different things.
Focusing only on the combat scenes, Zhao Xing’s heart suddenly raced.
"Wait, why am I fighting the Blood Spirit Sovereign?"
The Blood Spirit Sovereign was a member of the Xuantian Sect, and Zhao Xing had encountered his split soul in Gucheng. He had been the mastermind behind Zhao Xing’s previous capture.
"This doesn’t make sense. How could the Blood Spirit Sovereign be in the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven? There’s no reason for him to be here..."
"Could it be that palace?"
As Zhao Xing calculated further, a terrifying possibility crossed his mind, sending chills down his spine.
"Could the Ten Suns rising in my previous life have been orchestrated rather than a natural phenomenon?"
"And the mastermind behind it all... was the Xuantian Sect?"
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