Chapter 426 ·Changes in Fate
Chapter 426: Changes in Fate
“Unity of Heaven and Man, Yang Spirit nurtured within. Junior Brother Chen had only just formed his Nascent Soul, yet he could already easily suppress and kill Demonic Sect True Monarchs. Such aptitude and combat strength are far above mine, truly admirable.”
Xin Yu proactively changed how she addressed Chen Beiwu, calling him Junior Brother rather than Dao Child.
“Indeed. To break the situation and seize victory in this battle, leaving Yun Xi and Yu Qianpo behind, the foremost contribution unquestionably belongs to Junior Brother Chen.” Zhu Jinglong slightly nodded and spoke from the heart.
Suppressing and killing a Nascent Soul True Monarch was no easy matter.
Since the Three-Realm War began, only a handful of Nascent Soul True Monarchs had fallen on the front lines, fewer than the fingers on one hand, and most had been early-stage Nascent Soul True Monarchs.
Yet today alone, two mid-stage Nascent Soul True Monarchs of the Demonic Sects had fallen.
One could imagine that once this news spread, the name of Mirror Moon Dao Child Chen Ziang would shake the Yellow Evolution Territory, Western Evolution Territory, and Earth Proliferation Territory, causing enormous waves.
“Senior Brother and Senior Sister flatter me.” Chen Beiwu modestly said.
“Junior Brother need not be so modest. Strong is strong, weak is weak.”
Zhu Jinglong shook his head, swept his gaze across the devastated Blood-Weeping River, and turned to serious matters：
“The timing and location of the Demonic Sect’s ambush this time were grasped with extreme precision. It is obvious they had prepared long beforehand. Most likely, a high-ranking member within the sect has defected.”
“Senior Brother is right. Without a traitor colluding with them, the Demonic Sect True Monarchs could never have known that the two of us would be here and laid an ambush in advance.”
Xin Yu coldly snorted and looked toward the Mirror Moon Sect：“To avoid information leaking again, we had better return to the sect immediately, thoroughly investigate this matter, root out the parasites, and clean house.”
Zhu Jinglong slightly nodded and looked toward Chen Beiwu：“Junior Brother, will you return to the sect with the two of us, or remain here to oversee the establishment of the Blackstone Gorge stronghold?”
Hearing this, Mo Li’s heart jolted, and her gaze instinctively turned toward Chen Beiwu, her mood particularly tense.
‘Return to the sect?’
The instant this thought arose in Chen Beiwu’s mind, the Heavenly Fortune Violet Dragon within the Chaotic Heaven and Earth suddenly raised its head and released a dragon roar.
In an instant, a powerful sense of danger so intense that even the Nascent Soul within Chen Beiwu’s sea of consciousness slightly throbbed suddenly surged into his heart.
With the Heavenly Fortune Violet Dragon issuing a warning, his intuition told him that following the two Senior Brother and Senior Sister back to the sect at this moment was an omen of great calamity!
‘Interesting. Does this danger warning originate from Deputy Sect Master Lin, the sect Patriarch, or the Heavenly One True Dragon?’
Ripples of thought rose within Chen Beiwu’s heart, but his expression remained completely unchanged, revealing nothing.
After pondering for a moment, he shook his head and decided to maintain his original arrangement：“Senior Brother Zhu, I have only recently advanced to True Monarch and deeply feel that the Great Dao is boundless, while what I have seen is merely one corner.
During this period, I wish to use this insight to continue traveling throughout the Earth Proliferation Territory, stabilize my cultivation, and perhaps gain some hope of touching that trace of opportunity to seek truth.”
As far as Chen Beiwu knew, cultivation for True Monarchs in the Southern Wastes differed from that of True Monarchs in the Immortal Alliance. There was no Four Origins Dao Attainment, nor were there Rituals for Seeking Truth and Position.
Whether a Southern Wastes Nascent Soul True Monarch could pierce through the barrier of their realm and touch that elusive opportunity to seek truth depended on continuously increasing cultivation, trekking across mountains and rivers, comprehending the Dao amidst the mortal world, and illuminating the heart to perceive one’s nature.
To summarize it simply with one word, that word was “Comprehension”.
It was precisely because of this that, in the cultivation world of the Southern Wastes, Nascent Soul True Monarchs with exceptional comprehension who could verify and practice their own Great Dao could advance by leaps and bounds.
Conversely, Nascent Soul True Monarchs who failed to seek the Dao and pursue truth, and who could not clarify their own Dao path, progressed slowly. There was no shortage of cultivators who remained at the early-stage Nascent Soul realm for thousands of years, unable to advance even one step further until their lifespan ran out and they perished.
Hearing this, admiration appeared in Zhu Jinglong’s eyes, while a faint sense of inspiration stirred in his heart.
A newly advanced True Monarch who, rather than spending a hundred years in Fetal Breathing and Sitting in Oblivion, already wanted to wholeheartedly seek the Dao, pursue truth, and break through realms—was this the spirit of our sect’s Mirror Moon Dao Child?
No wonder Junior Brother Chen had not long attained the Dao as a True Monarch yet could already fight two alone and suppress and kill two mid-stage Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivators!
If his own heart in seeking the Dao had been firm enough, and if he could have ignored worldly affairs like Junior Brother Chen and wholeheartedly entered seclusion to pursue truth, perhaps he would already have broken through the mid-stage Nascent Soul barrier and advanced to the late-stage Nascent Soul realm.
“Since that is the case, Junior Brother should travel well through the mortal world. Leave sect affairs to Senior Brother.” Zhu Jinglong said.
“Then I will be responsible for guarding Blackstone Gorge.” Xin Yu followed.
Chen Beiwu nodded and watched Zhu Jinglong and Xin Yu activate their escaping light and depart, then looked toward Mo Li, Wang Hao, and Bai Zhi.
The first two looked respectful, while only Bai Zhi appeared somewhat uneasy and nervous.
……
The next day, Blackstone Gorge.
A private room.
Chen Beiwu sat drinking tea, while Mo Li and Wang Hao stood motionless.
“Why aren’t you sitting?”
Chen Beiwu glanced at the two.
“This junior/this disciple does not dare!” Mo Li and Wang Hao replied in unison.
The Dao Child’s generous temperament did not mean they could ignore distinctions of status and seniority.
Especially since they had just personally witnessed Bai Zhi, whose conduct was improper and who harbored malicious intentions, being expelled from the Beast-Taming Lineage.
Chen Beiwu’s eyes shifted as he looked toward the fate surrounding the two.
Mo Li’s fate was Auspicious Fortune, while Wang Hao’s fate radiance was dark blue.
“Mo Li, would you be willing to become my disciple?” Chen Beiwu invited.
When accepting disciples, he did not care about whether their fate rank was high or low. What he valued more was Mo Li’s temperament and will.
The fact that she had grown step by step from a village herb-gathering girl into a Foundation Establishment cultivator already demonstrated her potential.
Disciple?
Mo Li froze, her eyes filled with surprise.
After learning more during this period, she deeply understood the Immortal Master’s status and strength within the Mirror Moon Sect.
Mirror Moon Dao Child Chen Ziang!
A peerless prodigy who had successfully attained the Dao as a True Monarch before reaching a hundred years of age, a top existence with hopes of becoming the future Sect Master of the Mirror Moon Sect!
If she could become the Immortal Master’s disciple, resources, guidance, protection, and everything else that had once been far beyond her reach would all become easily obtainable. Even Golden Core elders of the Mirror Moon Sect would probably have to show her some respect upon meeting her.
Even forming a Golden Core and attaining the Dao as a True Monarch in the future would no longer be mere fantasy!
But Mo Li did not immediately agree.
There was no other reason. Once the master-disciple status was established, if she later wanted something to happen between herself and the Immortal Master, that would violate human ethics.
‘Why aren’t you dropping to your knees and accepting him as your master? What are you waiting for?’
Wang Hao looked at Mo Li with eyes full of envy, wishing he could replace her.
He understood very clearly what it meant to become the Lineage Master’s founding first disciple!
With such a rare opportunity placed before her, this Foundation Establishment cultivator from a minor sect was actually hesitating? She truly did not know what was good for her!
“Mo Li’s aptitude is dull and ordinary. I only ask to remain by True Monarch’s side, sweep the floors, pour tea, serve, and learn.”
Mo Li slightly lowered her head, not daring to directly meet Chen Beiwu’s gaze, afraid that her little thoughts would be discovered.
‘She refused?’
Wang Hao’s pupils contracted, his heart filled with disbelief.
A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator had actually refused a True Monarch’s offer to accept her as a disciple. This person truly had astounding courage!
Hearing this, Chen Beiwu’s gaze lingered on Mo Li for a moment.
With his powerful Divine Sense, he could naturally tell that the reason Mo Li did not want to become his disciple was to avoid becoming a rebellious disciple who pursued her master in the future. Her temperament was stubborn to the point of awkwardness.
“Very well. We can discuss becoming master and disciple another day. For now, follow by my side. How much you can learn will depend entirely on your comprehension.” Chen Beiwu did not force her.
Mo Li froze slightly, then revealed a heartfelt smile and nodded in agreement.
“From now on, you don’t need to address me as True Monarch. Just call me Young Master.” Chen Beiwu reminded her.
“Yes, Young Master.”
As soon as Mo Li finished speaking, under Chen Beiwu’s gaze, the Auspicious Fortune circulating around her suddenly changed. It spiraled and gathered as though alive, forming an Auspicious Fortune Scarlet Dragon about one zhang long.
The next instant, the Auspicious Fortune Scarlet Dragon raised its head and softly cried out. Then its dragon body turned illusory and coiled around Mo Li, causing an almost imperceptible change in her bearing.
‘So fate can actually be changed like this?’
Chen Beiwu’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly he was somewhat surprised.
Without even becoming his disciple, merely following by his side had drastically changed her fate, transforming it from Auspicious Fortune into an Auspicious Fortune Scarlet Dragon. For Mo Li to possess this kind of fortune, calling her a Child of Fate would not be an exaggeration.
Why did he say this?
When Chen Beiwu originally contracted Golden Egg, Iron Egg, Xuele, and Zhi Ling, the fate of the four little fellows had not undergone a transformation like Mo Li’s due to the Heavenly Fortune Violet Dragon’s influence.
From this, it could be inferred that Mo Li was probably a relatively rare Dormant Dragon among Children of Fate, one who needed to follow the momentum and receive support from a benefactor before she could soar into the heavens.
‘Damn, that works too?’
Hearing their conversation, Wang Hao froze, and the corner of his eye involuntarily drifted toward Mo Li.
He had thought too narrowly and misunderstood her. This woman had tremendous ambition!
The status of a personal disciple alone was not enough. This Foundation Establishment cultivator……no, Fairy Mo actually wanted the status of a True Monarch’s concubine, or even a True Monarch’s Dao Companion.
Indeed. Compared to the status of a True Monarch’s Dao Companion, what did a mere Golden Core True Person amount to.
At that moment, Wang Hao noticed the Dao Child’s gaze turn toward him, and his heart immediately tightened.
“Would you be willing to become a disciple under me?” Chen Beiwu asked.
“Disciple Wang Hao greets Master.” Wang Hao’s heart jolted. He instinctively dropped to his knees and heavily kowtowed three times.
‘As expected, Wang Hao’s fate is still dark blue, without the slightest change.’
Chen Beiwu’s eyes shifted, becoming even more certain of his conjecture.
“Your temperament is good, but if you want to remove the word introductory from your status, you must form a top-three-grade Golden Core and pass the assessment before you qualify to become my personal disciple.” Chen Beiwu instructed.
“Disciple understands.” Delight appeared on Wang Hao’s face.
The status of an introductory disciple far surpassed that of a nominal disciple. It was enough for him to borrow Master Chen’s influence to suppress the other competitors and obtain the sect’s Golden Palace Pill.
“Very good. This is the Core Formation introductory Cultivation Method of my Beast-Taming Lineage. Study it carefully.”
Chen Beiwu slightly raised a finger. Two streaks of light landed before Mo Li and Wang Hao, transforming into two Cultivation Method jade slips.
“Starting today, I will enter seclusion for a period of time. If you have questions regarding cultivation, you may ask Martial Aunt Xin.”
After speaking, Chen Beiwu said no more. He stepped forward and teleported into the high-grade Cave Residence Senior Sister Xin had prepared.
Seeing this, Mo Li and Wang Hao deeply bowed toward the direction where Chen Beiwu had disappeared.
……
Inside the Cave Residence.
Golden Egg, Iron Egg, Xuele, and Zhi Ling were sorting through Yun Xi and Yu Qianpo’s Storage Rings.
Unexpectedly to the four little fellows, the inheritances of these two mid-stage Nascent Soul True Monarchs were truly ordinary. They were not even as wealthy as True Monarch Shangyi.
At least True Monarch Shangyi had possessed a damaged Creation Heavy Artifact, priceless beyond measure and impossible to value in Spirit Stones.
“Woof.”（Very normal）
Iron Egg softly barked.
If he needed to carry out a sect decapitation mission, he would not carry all his assets on his body either.
“Na.”
Xuele finished counting all the assets and came to a conclusion.
Low-Grade Spirit Stones were piled into five small mountains. She could not be bothered to count them with Divine Sense, but there were roughly more than ten million.
There were one hundred fifty-eight thousand nine hundred thirty-three Mid-Grade Spirit Stones and four thousand sixty-five High-Grade Spirit Stones.
Other scattered miscellaneous items below the Fourth-Tier were temporarily ignored.
There were ten Fourth-Tier lower-grade Mystical Talismans and two middle-grade ones.
There were seven Fourth-Tier lower-grade Mystical Medicines and one middle-grade one.
There were three Fourth-Tier lower-grade Mystical Treasures, one middle-grade Mystical Treasure Ten Thousand Souls Banner, one Blood Marrow Spike……
“Ying.”
Zhi Ling blinked, somewhat regretful.
Unfortunately, these resources were all illicit goods and needed to be gradually laundered within the Immortal Alliance. Otherwise, Beiwu would not lack cultivation resources before reaching the mid-stage Nascent Soul realm.
“Xiao Yu is watching things on the Immortal Alliance side. There is no rush to launder these items. It would be easy for something to go wrong. Resources we can use ourselves should be used directly, while anything unusable should be exchanged for useful resources here in the Southern Wastes.” Chen Beiwu picked up the Ten Thousand Souls Banner and the Soul Refining Sect Cultivation Method jade slip.
Things were different now.
Many Fourth-Tier resources could neither appear out of nowhere nor be easily laundered.
Unless Chen Beiwu was willing to become a Star Conqueror and possess a reasonable channel to explain the origin of these resources, taking the risk to launder them would instead make it easier to expose his secrets.
“If a Soul-Trapping Stone were refined into this Ten Thousand Souls Banner and its grade increased, perhaps it could be refined into a Nether King Banner.” Chen Beiwu inwardly pondered.
He had suppressed and killed Yu Qianpo so quickly that the two Fourth-Tier Ghost Kings within the Ten Thousand Souls Banner were still alive.
If he used a Soul-Trapping Stone to refine the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, perhaps he could refine every ghost within this demonic Mystical Treasure into a Primordial Nether Ghost King whose combat strength rivaled a late-stage Nascent Soul True Monarch.
‘But committing sins for this and affecting my fate would truly not be worth it.’
Chen Beiwu hesitated for a moment, put down the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, and prepared to deal with it later.
“Roar!”
At that moment, a resounding dragon roar came from within the Chaotic Heaven and Earth.
Chen Beiwu’s mind sank, and he entered the Chaotic Heaven and Earth.
After suppressing and killing Yun Xi and Yu Qianpo, through the fate plundering of the Fate Decree Embryo Divine Ability, he had successfully obtained one strand of Auspicious Fortune Scarlet Dragon-level fate.
Including the two strands of Auspicious Fortune Scarlet Dragon fate he had accumulated before, Chen Beiwu now possessed a full three Auspicious Fortune Scarlet Dragon fates.
However, these three Auspicious Fortune Scarlet Dragons had still not further fused even today, transforming into Violet Fortune or a Heavenly Fortune Violet Dragon.
‘Now I’m only missing a little more fate!’
Chen Beiwu looked at the Auspicious Fortune Scarlet Dragons swimming through the chaos above, and Xiao Yu’s figure instinctively surfaced in his mind.
Although the fate on Xiao Yu’s body was strange, he also possessed Auspicious Fortune Scarlet Dragon fate, and one-third of the Scarlet Dragon’s body had transformed into misty violet qi.
If Chen Beiwu could suppress and kill him on the Life-and-Death Platform and use the Fate Decree Embryo Divine Ability to plunder his fate, there was a high probability that he could nurture a strand of Violet Qi, or even a Heavenly Fortune Violet Dragon.
At that time, whether Chen Beiwu used the Nine-Breath Chaos Divine Ability to draw upon the Violet Qi and trigger a Divine Transformation fortuitous encounter, or used the Fate Decree Embryo Divine Ability to enlighten Golden Egg, it would be a tremendous opportunity.
His future goal of contending for supremacy in the Southern Wastes and seizing fate would also proceed more smoothly!
At this thought, Chen Beiwu’s gaze slightly hardened.
Delay invited change. Previously, his strength had been insufficient to suppress and kill Xiao Yu, so he had restrained the killing intent in his heart.
But things were different now. There was no need to wait another ten years. As long as he successfully refined the Nascent Soul Nourishing Liquid gifted by Senior Sister Su and completed the Immortal Alliance’s Nascent Soul Formation Ceremony, he would have ninety-seven percent confidence in suppressing and killing Xiao Yu.
‘The karma from back then should also be settled now, lest the snake survive the beating and return to harm me!’
At this thought, Chen Beiwu’s mind stirred. He activated the Gate of Ten Directions, and his figure disappeared from the Cave Residence.
And at the same time Chen Beiwu returned to the Immortal Alliance, his terrifying battle achievement at the Blood-Weeping River—fighting two alone, suppressing and killing Blood Marrow and Bitter Soul True Monarchs, and forcing back Wondrous Desire True Monarch—had already formed a massive storm that swept across the Earth Proliferation Territory, Western Evolution Territory, and Yellow Evolution Territory, alarming the upper ranks of numerous major cultivation sects and triggering widespread controversy and doubt.