Book 2: Chapter 37: Exposed
"Let’s see how much you’ve comprehended."
"Yes, ma’am." Zhang Xuan caught the weapon.
It was clear she still didn’t fully trust him. On the surface, this was a teaching session, but in reality, it was a test. Lian Huo would have had the proper qualifications to wield the Mo Dao Heaven’s Fate. If Zhang Xuan failed to display the same, his cover would be blown.
"The moves are simple enough, but… what exactly is this Heaven’s Fate? How does it integrate with the technique?"
Zhang Xuan realized that if he hesitated or failed the test, Lady Yu would immediately attack, and the entire No Need Hall would turn against him, ruining his mission. Yet, the connection between Heaven’s Fate and martial techniques was beyond his current understanding.
He knew the moves; they were straightforward. He could easily replicate and even refine them to be more fluid than Lady Yu’s. But the key lay in the Heaven’s Fate Energy infused within the strikes—how it was summoned and harnessed was a mystery.
This wasn’t something that could be achieved by simply circulating True Energy or Source Power.
Heaven’s Fate, either passed down through a legacy or self-realized, required profound insight. Even in Destiny Hall, while books described these professions, they didn’t detail their cultivation methods.For a moment, Zhang Xuan found himself at a loss.
"You haven’t grasped anything?" Lady Yu’s voice grew colder, her brows furrowing.
"My aptitude is lacking. Please grant me a bit more time," Zhang Xuan replied, stroking the Mo Dao in his hands.
The residual Heaven’s Fate Energy from Lady Yu’s earlier demonstration still lingered on the weapon, as though it had been consecrated and tethered to the heavens.
"Flaw detection."
With a soft command, a book materialized in his mind.
"Qingyu Mo Dao, weapon of Lady Yu Qingyu from No Need Hall. Forged from Northern Mine Profound Iron, weighing 17 jin and 7 liang…"
Zhang Xuan sighed internally. What’s the use of this information?
Then an idea struck him.
"The Heaven’s Path Nature technique includes a mimicking ability. Maybe I can replicate Lady Yu’s mastery of the blade and the sensation she evokes with her Heaven’s Fate."
He had successfully used this mimicking ability in the past, even fooling Spirit Tribe experts by imitating bloodlines. Perhaps he could reproduce the technique’s exact energy and movement, even if he didn’t truly possess the Mo Dao Heaven’s Fate. ŘἈòBĘꞩ
Deciding to take the gamble, Zhang Xuan stopped hesitating. He flipped the Mo Dao in his hands, adjusted his grip, and steadied himself.
Recalling Lady Yu’s movements, Zhang Xuan began executing the blade technique while activating Heaven’s Path Nature’s mimicking capability.
In an instant, his movements synchronized perfectly with Lady Yu’s previous demonstration. As he swung the blade, wisps of Heaven’s Fate Energy responded, drawn by an unseen force.
His vision briefly flickered. A radiant river appeared overhead, flowing in midair, brimming with boundless streams of Heaven’s Fate Energy.
Before Zhang Xuan could fully comprehend it, the vision vanished like a fleeting dream.
"You’ve managed to grasp so much already?" Lady Yu’s voice broke his concentration, her tone filled with astonishment.
Zhang Xuan glanced at the Mo Dao in his hand. Threads of Heaven’s Fate Energy coiled around it, exuding an aura of fate-cutting power.
"Did… I succeed?" Zhang Xuan’s heart leaped in excitement.
Heaven’s Path Nature had worked flawlessly, mimicking even the intricacies of the Mo Dao Heaven’s Fate.
"So this is the Mo Dao Heaven’s Fate? The sense of destiny flowing in alignment… It even seems to accelerate cultivation breakthroughs."
This revelation deepened his appreciation for the Heaven’s Fate professions. Even someone with average talent could rapidly advance under the guidance of Heaven’s Fate.
Just then, a roar erupted from the Heaven’s Path Library. The numerous books containing Heaven’s Fate Energy ignited and merged into a bright, flowing river.
The river, resembling a Mo Dao, hung suspended within the library, seemingly connecting the intangible void to the library itself.
At the same time, the Destiny Disks Zhang Xuan had recently purchased shattered and integrated into the ethereal flow.
Watching his hard-earned Heaven’s Fate Energy vanish into the mysterious current, Zhang Xuan’s heart bled. Yet, the river still appeared starved, flickering weakly as though on the verge of extinguishing.
"Still not enough?"
Despite accumulating over 50,000 units of Heaven’s Fate Energy, it was insufficient. This formation consumed far more than even his highest-level techniques or flaw detections.
What exactly is this thing? Why does it demand so much?
"‘Heaven’s Fate Embodiment’... This is the Heaven’s Fate Embodiment stage. I haven’t even reached this level—how could you? This… this is impossible!"
Lady Yu’s exclamation pulled Zhang Xuan from his thoughts. She stared at the Mo Dao in his hands, her expression a mix of disbelief and fear.
"Heaven’s Fate Embodiment?" Zhang Xuan muttered, looking down at the Mo Dao. The Heaven’s Fate Energy coiled around the blade emitted a faint luminescence.
"You didn’t know?" Lady Yu seemed taken aback. "Of course, you wouldn’t. You’re not a Destiny Master."
Collecting herself, she explained, "Heaven’s Fate represents a cultivation path. Surely you knew that much?"
Zhang Xuan nodded.
Even if he hadn’t known before, his recent mimicry and observations had clarified the concept. Those aligned with the Mo Dao Heaven’s Fate could enhance their cultivation, sharpening their skills and breaking through faster.
Lady Yu continued, "Heaven’s Fate cultivation isn’t simple. There are two main paths. The first is through the Baptism of Destiny, finding a fate aligned with oneself and becoming a Destiny Master. This is the most sought-after but requires extraordinary talent."
Zhang Xuan recalled Yu Longqing mentioning this. Success in this path elevated one above the masses.
"The second path is for those with talent insufficient to become Destiny Masters. They can still gain partial recognition from a Destiny Master, granting them access to a portion of Heaven’s Fate Energy. This is how professions like Fate Guardians or disciples of halls like No Need Hall operate. While the improvements are modest, they offer crucial support when breakthroughs are within reach."
Lady Yu’s tone grew more serious. "However, those who reach the Heaven’s Fate Embodiment stage are extraordinary. Even without becoming full-fledged Destiny Masters, they’re considered prime candidates. And you’ve achieved it. This means… you possess the potential to become a true Destiny Master."
Zhang Xuan processed her words, then asked, "But I’ve heard that each Heaven’s Fate is unique. How can multiple people cultivate the same fate?"
Lady Yu gave him a piercing look before replying, "Each Heaven’s Fate is indeed unique, but that applies only at the highest levels, far beyond what we can access—levels even Lord Ling hasn’t reached. For now, those cultivating under the same fate are like soldiers under a king. The throne may be singular, but common soldiers aren’t competing for it."
Zhang Xuan finally understood.
In simpler terms, Heaven’s Fate was akin to a sect. A novice disciple had no reason to vie for the sect leader’s position.
His thoughts were interrupted as Lady Yu’s expression darkened, her eyes narrowing.
"You’re not Lian Huo. Who are you? Why have you come to No Need Hall?"
Zhang Xuan froze, his brows knitting tightly.
Exposed.
Author\'s Note