Library of Heaven’s Path 2: Eternal Destiny

Book 2: Chapter 42: Unless You Pay More

Vol 2 Ch 42: Unless You Pay More

“Hall Master…”

Seeing that look in his eyes, the man in black felt a tightness in his chest.

Feng Zhaoting said, “Ah Zhu, you’ve been following me for twenty years now, haven’t you?”

The man in black, Ah Zhu, nodded. “It’s been twenty-one years since I was fortunate enough to be chosen by you to learn the Thousand Threads of Destiny. I was only seventeen at the time.”

Feng Zhaoting continued, “After all this time, you’ve been loyal and worked tirelessly for me. I’ve also given you cultivation techniques and opportunities, allowing you to achieve your current strength. Now, it’s time for you to repay me.”

Ah Zhu cupped his hands. “Whatever you command, Hall Master, I will not hesitate…”

Before he finished speaking, three fine needles shot out straight from his sleeve, gleaming coldly as they aimed for Feng Zhaoting’s brow, chest, and heart.

At the same time, Ah Zhu turned and bolted toward the exit.

The two were close, and the needles moved with incredible speed and precision. Under normal circumstances, even a cultivator at the Dharma Aspect realm would struggle to block them. But Feng Zhaoting seemed to have anticipated this. He smiled faintly and snapped his fingers.

Swish!

A thin thread was drawn from Ah Zhu’s body. With a light flick, all the strength in Ah Zhu’s body drained away, as if a balloon had been punctured. His complexion turned deathly pale.

Without strength to support them, the needles were easily blocked by Feng Zhaoting’s divine soul. With another flick, the fleeing Ah Zhu collapsed to the ground, terror written all over his face. “You… you… left Thousand Threads in my body?”

Feng Zhaoting smiled faintly. “Cultivating my path of destiny naturally comes with my control. If you try to kill me, you will suffer backlash. I told you this when I first taught you the technique, didn’t I?”

With that, Feng Zhaoting flicked his hand in the air. Dozens of threads pierced into Ah Zhu’s body. Although Ah Zhu tried to resist, his gaze became vacant after a brief moment, like a walking corpse. “Master!”

Being controlled by Thousand Threads meant gradually losing one’s own consciousness.

“Hmm.”

Feng Zhaoting nodded, feeling countless streams of Heaven’s Fate Energy spontaneously pouring into his body.

The more cultivators controlled by the Thousand Threads of Destiny, and the stronger they were, the faster his strength grew. This Ah Zhu had already reached the Divine Soul realm, making him the strongest person Feng Zhaoting had controlled so far.

Swallowing half a Purple Bamboo Elixir, he merged the medicinal energy with the power of destiny. After half an hour, countless streams of energy gathered in the room. Feng Zhaoting’s divine soul trembled, and a three-meter-tall Dharma Aspect emerged behind him.

This was the Dharma Aspect, the third realm within the Nine Levels of the Source Pool Realm!

Having such strength meant truly standing at the pinnacle of the Source Pool Realm.

“It succeeded… Ling Buyang, how are you going to fight me now?” Feng Zhaoting’s eyes gleamed.

Don’t underestimate this minor breakthrough. The gap between those who had reached this level and those who hadn’t was enormous.

A roaming divine soul could at most harm someone’s spirit, but a Dharma Aspect possessed physical combat capability. Its strength had also surpassed 500 ma! R

Such a strong divine soul could even tear a physical body to pieces!

Whoosh!

Retracting his divine soul, Feng Zhaoting’s eyes flashed. “Ling Buyang, you killed my brother, then murdered your own disciples and framed me. Don’t blame me for being merciless…”

He used to worry that fully breaking ties would lead Hall Master Han to interfere. But now that the situation had escalated, there was no need to pretend to be a nice guy!

If that’s the case, I’ll kill you.

However, I need to find the right opportunity. Otherwise, if it’s discovered that I was behind it, it’ll be difficult to explain. Most importantly, you still have a sect backing you. Provoking them would mean I couldn’t stand a chance, even with ten times my strength.

…

A small boat glided into a vast cave. Zhang Xuan sat on the boat, observing the surroundings.

After parting with Han Xiao, Zhang Xuan knew he had become a target. Instead of staying long, he quietly returned to the place Sun Qiang had found, where he guided his companions in cultivation and studied the Mo Dao Waterflow that had appeared in the Library.

This waterflow seemed “incomplete” and required a substantial amount of Heaven’s Fate Energy. After pouring in hundreds of streams and finding it still insufficient, Zhang Xuan stopped.

He wasn’t exactly wealthy. He’d wait until he had more resources.

Though the Heaven’s Fate Energy he provided was limited, every time he practiced blade techniques with the Mo Dao Waterflow, he gained insights that loosened the barriers to his Divine Soul realm.

At this rate, even without a cultivation technique for the Dharma Aspect realm, frequent practice with the Mo Dao would inevitably lead to a breakthrough!

Realizing this, Zhang Xuan finally understood that, as Yu Qingyu had suggested, he had comprehended the Mo Dao Heaven’s Fate.

After some time cultivating, as his understanding of the Mo Dao deepened, he also attempted to draw Heaven’s Fate Energy from the void to strengthen himself. However, as the energy descended, the World’s Power suppressed him.

Clearly, the Mo Dao Heaven’s Fate was a replica created by the Library of Heaven’s Path. While identical to the original, he couldn’t openly draw Heaven’s Fate Energy from it.

Comprehending a Heaven’s Fate but unable to derive more energy from it left Zhang Xuan uninterested. Fortunately, the three-day agreement with Fu Yingying had arrived. Disguised as Ling Buyang again, he entered the black market.

This time, the Tea Master knew his identity and no longer blindfolded him.

The black rock walls were jagged, with bizarre stones hanging ominously above. After navigating a bend, the area opened up, revealing bright lights that illuminated the surroundings. The black market came into view.

After walking along the corridor for a while, Zhang Xuan arrived at the same house as before.

“Elder Ling, you were decisive in taking action. Truly admirable…”

Seeing him arrive, Fu Yingying smiled faintly.

When she first heard about him, she was shocked. With such a high bounty, she thought he’d be killed quickly. Yet three days had passed without a single stir. Not only that, but he dared to appear openly. What audacity!

“Are the books I requested ready?” Zhang Xuan asked without responding to her praise.

“They’ve been prepared…”

Fu Yingying gestured, and several attendants brought over stacks of books, piling them on the table.

“There are more than three hundred volumes in total! This is everything I could gather…”

Zhang Xuan nodded, stepped forward, and ran his fingers lightly over the books.

Inside the Library of Heaven’s Path, the books were instantly replicated.

With these 300 volumes, along with what he had previously collected, he was almost done.

“The total is 3.14 million. Just give me 3 million…”

Seeing his casual handling of the books, Fu Yingying was curious but didn’t pry.

After paying, Zhang Xuan looked at her again. “Do you have any pills or medicinal herbs for boosting cultivation? I’d like to purchase some.”

“We have plenty. It depends on the grade you’re looking for—the higher the grade, the higher the price…”

Fu Yingying began her introduction.

An hour later, Zhang Xuan finally relaxed, holding a large pile of herbs.

With these, Zhao Ya and the others should be able to make another leap in their strength.

The techniques he had passed on to them were fast, but simply absorbing Source Energy was too slow. These herbs would help them reach the Jade Bone realm or even the Divine Soul realm in no time.

After some hesitation, he also bought feed to help Dao Li improve. Finally, he stopped.

After doing the math, he realized he’d spent over ten million again.

The reward for killing Feng Yizhou, along with the money he swindled from Han Xiao, was almost gone.

“Elder Ling, we’ve found information about Li Yue’an on the black market. Are you interested in hunting him with us? If we succeed… we’ll split the reward 50-50.”

“Li Yue’an? You mean the 41st-ranked Fate Master on the Hunting List, the one who comprehended Betrayal Fate?” Zhang Xuan asked.

“That’s right!”

Fu Yingying nodded.

Zhang Xuan was puzzled. “He’s been in hiding for years. How did you find him?”

He had read the man’s profile. Betraying benefactors, companions, and teachers alike, Li Yue’an was despised by all. Like the notorious thief known as the Flower Snatcher, he had vanished without a trace. How had they located him?

Fu Yingying smiled. “Luck, mostly. He’s been hiding, yes, but he’s also been busy. He took on a disciple, and that disciple betrayed him, secretly contacting the black market to get rid of his master…”

“This…”

Zhang Xuan’s eyelid twitched.

The hunter became the hunted.

The betrayer betrayed.

Karma indeed.

“Honestly, it’s no surprise. Even if his disciple hadn’t turned on him, Li Yue’an would’ve betrayed them sooner or later. Their cultivation of Betrayal Fate makes it inevitable

. It all depends on who acts first,” Fu Yingying explained, thinking Zhang Xuan was lost in thought.

“Alright, I agree. We can work together,” Zhang Xuan nodded.

After all, the target was a scoundrel. Killing him and earning some money was a win-win.

Hearing his agreement, Fu Yingying breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. Let me warn you upfront: the Hunting List records his strength as being at the Departure Realm, but that information is from seven years ago. We don’t know what level he’s reached now or how strong he’s become. This mission carries some risk.”

“Understood.” Zhang Xuan nodded calmly.

Seven years ago, Li Yue’an had reached the Departure Realm. By now, he was likely at the Roaming Soul or even Dharma Aspect level.

Of course, cultivating Betrayal Fate required enough people to betray. Without sufficient targets, his progress wouldn’t be too drastic.

Fu Yingying smiled and said, “Since you’ve agreed, let’s head out now.”

Zhang Xuan raised an eyebrow. “You’re coming along? If I’m not mistaken, your strength is only at the Divine Soul Realm. Going up against someone who reached the Departure Realm seven years ago could be dangerous, don’t you think?”

Fu Yingying brushed back her hair with a playful smile, her graceful figure accentuated. “Oh my, Elder Ling, are you worried about me? If you like me, just say so. I’ve always been drawn to strong men, and you’re not bad yourself…”

“You’re overthinking it,” Zhang Xuan replied, his tone indifferent. “What I mean is, if you’re in danger, don’t expect me to rescue you.”

After a brief pause, he added, “Unless…”

Her playful expression turned curious. “Unless what?”

Zhang Xuan nodded seriously. “Unless you pay extra.”

“…”

Author's Note