Library of Heaven’s Path 2: Eternal Destiny

Book 2: Chapter 28: Zhi Lan Valley

Vol 2 Ch 28: Zhi Lan Valley

After hearing the explanation, Zhang Xuan fell silent.

No wonder Kong Shi sounded so anxious; it indeed seemed perilous.

With people hunting him outside and a singular destiny within the Divine Domain, failure to integrate meant eventual obliteration was inevitable.

“Are all Divine Domains of Fate the same, or do they vary?” Zhang Xuan pressed further.

If there were levels, Kong Shi might handle a lower-tier domain with his capabilities. But if it were too advanced, even Zhang Xuan’s intervention might be pointless.

“Of course, there are differences!” Han Xiao replied. “The stronger a Destiny Master was in life, the more formidable their Divine Domain of Fate. The forty-seven most renowned Divine Domains on the continent were said to have been left by figures who reached the Seizing Fate Realm and beyond. Each of these masters stood at the continent’s pinnacle, amassing countless followers. Their domains are unbreakable!”

A flicker of confusion crossed Zhang Xuan’s face. “If entering means no return, how can one gauge the strength or rank of these domains?”

If all Divine Domains of Fate were fatal, there would be no way to know their strength or grade, as no information would emerge.

Han Xiao clarified: “While the Divine Domains are treacherous, they hold immense opportunities. Within, rare and sometimes unattainable treasures can be found. Moreover, certain simpler domains are not wholly insurmountable. Some cultivators, ordinary at best, have stumbled into such places, gained a legacy, and advanced their cultivation greatly.”

Zhang Xuan nodded in understanding.

Even with only a one-in-a-thousand chance of becoming powerful, countless individuals would risk it all, believing they might be the chosen one.

The biggest killer of humans was self-confidence.

“To determine their level, one can enter the outskirts of a Divine Domain and still leave. There, treasures and refined Heaven’s Fate Energy may be found. The denser the energy, the higher the domain’s level. Additionally, knowing who created the domain can allow an estimate of its power based on their lifetime achievements,” Han Xiao continued. “Thus, the forty-seven famous Divine Domains have been ranked, with those higher on the list being more formidable. The reason I said that Chaotic Fate Practitioner wouldn’t escape is that there is only one Divine Domain in the entire Zouyi Dynasty!”

Zhang Xuan’s expression shifted sharply. “You mean... this domain is one of the top forty-seven?”

Han Xiao nodded. “Yes, it’s the [Zhi Lan Valley], ranked twenty-first. The identity of its creator is lost to history, but it was discovered three thousand years ago. Tens of thousands of Destiny Masters have entered since, and none have returned! I heard that the Chaotic Fate Practitioner’s power wasn’t significant. Escaping from such a place is nearly impossible.”

A tremor ran through Zhang Xuan as a strong sense of foreboding took hold.

He had initially believed that raising his cultivation would be enough to seek out Kong Shi and attempt a rescue. Now, it was clear he needed comprehensive knowledge about Divine Domains of Fate before making a move. Otherwise, risking his life could mean joining Kong Shi in peril without accomplishing anything.

“Let’s not discuss this further...”

Not wishing to dwell on it, Han Xiao looked over with a questioning expression: “A few days ago, you mentioned noticing some anomalies in White Roc City and planned to investigate. Why did you return so quickly? Did you find anything, and why didn’t you report it to me?”

Zhang Xuan’s heart clenched.

He had assumed that Ling Buyang hadn’t mentioned White Roc City, so he could keep the matter under wraps. To his dismay, Ling had given detailed accounts to Han Xiao.

He had no idea how much was said. Overexplaining could expose him, while too little might raise suspicion!

What now?

He had hoped to buy some time until his strength was formidable enough to be unafraid of anyone. Yet here he was, facing the strongest man in the entire Destiny Hall—the very definition of starting in hard mode.

After a brief pause, Zhang Xuan spoke: “Thank you for your concern, Hall Master. I did encounter some irregularities, but I managed to resolve them...”

This vague response, implying an issue was resolved, said nothing substantive. It was a catch-all answer, making it impossible to find fault.

“Resolved? Did... a Chaotic Fate Practitioner appear?” Han Xiao’s brows knitted.

Zhang Xuan’s scalp prickled; he hadn’t anticipated Han Xiao to be so informed. He quickly clarified: “A Chaotic Fate Practitioner? That’s not so easily found. Xu Xin exaggerated for the sake of merit.”

“Exaggerated? That doesn’t seem right. I thoroughly analyzed what you told me, and the likelihood of a Chaotic Fate Practitioner in White Roc City was significant...” Han Xiao pressed on.

“I believed Xu Xin’s words and mistakenly reported them to you. Upon arriving, I found it was hearsay—merely a talented youth,” Zhang Xuan explained.

“I see!”

Han Xiao nodded, recalling something: “Since it wasn’t related to a Chaotic Fate Practitioner and you returned from the Zouyi Dynasty empty-handed, your merit points are essentially zero. So, regarding the matter we discussed last time, I won’t be able to help...”

“...”

Zhang Xuan’s head throbbed.

What matter from last time?

What help was he supposed to receive... If only you’d spell it out!

Seeing Zhang Xuan’s dismayed look, Han Xiao shook his head: “Worrying won’t help. Elder Feng found a [Purple Bamboo Elixir] and brought it back, so I’ve already logged the merit points. Currently, things aren’t looking favorable for you...”

“Yes!” Zhang Xuan forced himself to nod with feigned disappointment.

Han Xiao offered a slight smile: “Keep trying. I mentioned two tasks last time. If this one didn’t pan out, try the second. Completing it will earn you just as much merit as Elder Feng. However, you only have ten days. I hope you seize this opportunity and don’t end before you start.”

“Thank you, Hall Master, for your support. I will do my best...” Zhang Xuan said, clasping his fists.

Even if he didn’t know what the task entailed, showing determination was essential.

“Good. Continue your search if you need to. I’ll take my leave now...” Han Xiao waved, exiting the room. Before reaching the door, he paused and turned back: “By the way, the item I asked you to bring back from the Zouyi Dynasty—you mentioned having it. Can I have it now?”

Zhang Xuan’s hand clenched tightly.

The item he brought back?

A direct question... He couldn’t simply admit not having it, but what could he give?

Why do leaders always talk in riddles? Couldn’t they just be straightforward?

“What’s wrong?”

Noticing Zhang Xuan’s changed expression, Han Xiao sensed something amiss but didn’t realize Zhang Xuan was an imposter. After all, who would dare impersonate a Destiny Master so boldly?

“Hall Master, I did bring it back from the Zouyi Dynasty, but I don’t have it on me now, so I didn’t dare meet with you...” Zhang Xuan feigned embarrassment.

“No matter. It’s not urgent...” Han Xiao said, hands clasped behind him as he walked away.

Once he left, Zhang Xuan exhaled in relief and resumed searching the library. He managed to find dozens of Dharma Aspect techniques, not enough to form a Heaven's Path technique but sufficient for a basic understanding.

The Dharma Aspect Realm had three sub-levels: Disembodiment, Wandering, and Manifestation.

Disembodiment meant the soul leaving the body.

Wandering allowed the soul to exit the body and conduct attacks, as Ling Buyang had, controlling his soul remotely, never expecting to die at Sun Qiang’s hands...

Manifestation meant the soul grew powerful enough to form a giant projection capable of killing within its domain—Han Xiao’s level.

Although Zhang Xuan had reached the Divine Soul Realm, exceeding 99 horsepower in strength, he was still far from matching such powerful Destiny Masters.

At the entrance, Zhang Xuan turned to the elderly guardian of the library and asked, “Is this all the Dharma Aspect techniques we have? Are there more?”

The elder bowed: “Elder Ling, cultivating Dharma Aspect techniques requires a destiny to learn. Usually, they are inherited, so even if the library has them, they cannot be practiced by everyone.”

“I know... I’m just asking if there are any that don’t need a destiny, ones that Fate Guardians can use?” Zhang Xuan clarified.

The elder understood. “You mean ordinary martial techniques. This is about all we have. Such methods are common and available at general shops.”

Zhang Xuan nodded, ending the conversation and leaving the room.

His trip had elevated him to the Divine Soul Realm and given him insight into Destiny Masters and the Divine Domains of Fate. It was time to leave.

He wondered if Sun Qiang had found a suitable place to stay. If he had, Zhang Xuan would settle there first.

As for returning to Ling Buyang’s home, that was out of the question for now.

While he could fool colleagues, deceiving family would be much harder. Visiting them might expose him after only a few words.

As Zhang Xuan left the library and walked through the Destiny Hall, pondering how to contact Sun Qiang, he spotted Xie Feng, who had initially greeted him, approaching.

“Elder Ling, Madam Yu heard of your return to Hanyuan City. She’s been waiting for you in the adjacent guest hall for some time, requesting that you see her as soon as you’re done in the library...”

“Madam Yu?”

Zhang Xuan’s brows furrowed.

Who was that?

“Yes!” Xie Feng confirmed.

Zhang Xuan pressed on, despite the apprehension: “Did you ask her why she wishes to see me now?”

Xie Feng hesitated before responding: “I dared not inquire directly, but I believe it’s related to your bet with Elder Liu...”

“A bet?”

Zhang Xuan’s eyes widened. “Could this Madam Yu be... Ling Buyang’s newly acquired concubine?”

Author's Note