BXBX NOVEL Book 2: Chapter 41: Desperate
If the cultivation barriers for Source Warriors were likened to stone gates, then these Heaven’s Fate Energies were akin to hammers pounding against them. Though weak individually, their accumulation over time and quantity could eventually pierce through the barriers, achieving an unexpected power.
“Giving me pills, which increase his strength? What kind of cultivation method is this?”
Zhang Xuan blinked in surprise.
It was evident that Han Xiao’s eagerness to provide soul-enhancing pills wasn’t due to their good relationship. Instead, it was clearly because doing so benefited Han Xiao himself.
With a thought, Zhang Xuan absorbed one wisp of the Heaven’s Fate Energy. As it entered the Library of Heaven\'s Path, it transformed into a radiant book. Compared to the previous Heaven’s Fate Energy he had absorbed, this one felt entirely identical, though it carried a sense of balance and neutrality.
“Could it be…”
Zhang Xuan recalled the library\'s record on Han Xiao:
Han Xiao, Hall Master of the Tianming Hall in Hanyuan City, peak of the third level of the Dharma Aspect Realm, cultivates the Balance Fate…“Mo Dao Fate refers to treating the Mo Dao and related martial techniques as one’s lifeblood. Once a corresponding cultivation technique is created or the martial techniques are mastered to an extraordinary level, it can attract Heaven’s Fate Energy to aid in breakthroughs.”
“Thousand Threads Fate, as per Yu Qingyu’s memories, allows a cultivator to control others via threads. The more people controlled, the stronger one’s power becomes, similarly drawing more Heaven’s Fate Energy to bolster strength.”
“Balance Fate… it seems the so-called balance means that one must ensure absolute fairness in all things…”
Dreamflower Fate, which increases cultivation with every act of rape in dreams!
Betrayal Fate, where strength grows with each betrayal.
Godfather Fate, which enhances cultivation after kneeling and gaining recognition from one’s ‘godfather.’
If these work like this, other Fate methods must follow similar rules.
Han Xiao’s Balance Fate requires him to balance everything around him. This explains why he made Ling Buyang prepare so extensively and appeased Feng Zhaoting, ensuring the two were evenly matched despite their disparity… The moment one gains an advantage, Han Xiao immediately aids the other, guaranteeing neutrality!
Interesting!
No wonder Han Xiao hurried to inquire about things after Zhang Xuan returned from White Roc City. He feared Feng Zhaoting gaining too much of an advantage. At the time, Zhang Xuan thought Han Xiao seemed quite kind, but it turned out to be for self-serving reasons.
Such a Fate couldn’t be widely utilized. This Hall Master’s cultivation of Balance Fate was deeply concealed, unknown to outsiders. Without the Library of Heaven\'s Path, Zhang Xuan wouldn’t have guessed that receiving aid from Han Xiao could also further Han Xiao’s cultivation. Instead, he might have been sincerely grateful for Han Xiao’s actions.
“Hidden Fate abilities, secretly absorbing Heaven’s Fate Energy… Anyone else wouldn’t even dream of such a method. But with the Library of Heaven’s Path and my Eye of Insight, I can not only discern the truth but also witness the absorption process directly…”
Zhang Xuan marveled.
Open practitioners like Ling Buyang and Feng Zhaoting, who openly recruited disciples and promoted their Fate methods, might grow in influence. But their Fates, being public, were less of a threat. It’s the secretive ones like Han Xiao who were the most dangerous.
Otherwise, that Dreamflower Fate practitioner wouldn’t have ended up with such a high bounty.
“Wait, if I linger nearby while he absorbs Heaven’s Fate Energy, can I siphon some off without him noticing?”
A bold idea took root.
He was in desperate need of Heaven’s Fate Energy, and purchasing it was prohibitively expensive. Since Han Xiao relied on balancing himself with Feng Zhaoting to gain an advantage, Zhang Xuan might as well siphon off some energy…
Just a little bit. If discovered, he’d return it!
With this in mind, Zhang Xuan focused his spirit, activating the Eye of Insight to observe Han Xiao closely.
Finally, he saw it: as Han Xiao employed his “Balance Path,” a faint balance scale-like air current appeared in the void, emitting Heaven’s Fate Energy. Due to the minor scope of balancing, only a few thousand wisps were present.
But even a mosquito’s meat is meat!
Extending his spiritual sense, Zhang Xuan quietly drew these energies into the Library of Heaven\'s Path, where they transformed into books.
“Hmm?”
After Zhang Xuan had absorbed all the Heaven’s Fate Energy, Han Xiao seemed unaware. Instead, he simply wondered why the power that usually enhanced his cultivation suddenly vanished.
“Could it be… that even with this pill, balance hasn’t been achieved?”
Han Xiao speculated, “Makes sense. When the two clashed earlier, Ling Buyang was clearly at a disadvantage. His own weakness, coupled with No Need Hall’s destruction, must have widened the gap further…”
Rubbing his temples, Han Xiao looked troubled.
For his cultivation to progress, he had to balance all surrounding forces. With No Need Hall annihilated and Ling Buyang lagging behind, if he didn’t rectify things quickly, not only would he fail to advance, but he might also face backlash!
That’s the nature of Fate. While it offers innate benefits, it also brings inherent risks.
“Looks like he hasn’t noticed…”
Zhang Xuan kept an eye on Han Xiao’s expressions as he siphoned the energy. Seeing no visible suspicion, he breathed a sigh of relief. Holding the Warm Spirit Pill in his palm, he put on a conflicted look.
“Hall Master, you must know that with my current strength, relying on this one pill alone won’t allow me to break through. Now that No Need Hall has been destroyed, competing for the position of Vice Hall Master is nothing but a pipe dream. I’d like to request your permission to withdraw…”
“Withdraw? That’s out of the question!”
Han Xiao waved his hand decisively.
From Han Xiao’s reaction, Zhang Xuan knew his guess had been correct. Still, he feigned confusion and asked, “Why not?”
Han Xiao explained, “Your competition with Elder Feng for the Vice Hall Master position has already become the talk of the town. If you withdraw now, not only will the deaths of your subordinates from No Need Hall be in vain, but you yourself could face suppression. Returning to the Zouyi Dynasty would be almost impossible!”
“Then what should I do now?”
Zhang Xuan sighed deeply. “With my current strength, still in the Wandering Realm, I’m far from the peak of the Dharma Aspect Realm. If only I had access to suitable cultivation techniques for that realm… perhaps I could comprehend something and gain an insight!”
“You don’t need to worry about Dharma Aspect Realm cultivation techniques. I can help find some for you…”
Han Xiao immediately offered.
He wasn’t afraid of Zhang Xuan making demands; he was afraid of him not making any.
“Then I’ll have to trouble the Hall Master!” Zhang Xuan replied, then added, “Even with techniques, breakthroughs require resources. No Need Hall is gone, and I’m broke…”
“This…”
Han Xiao hesitated before reluctantly taking out a stack of Source Coins, handing them over. “Here, a few million coins. Use them for now… Remember, I have high hopes for you to become the Vice Hall Master. Don’t disappoint me!”
“Thank you, Hall Master. You’re too kind…”
Zhang Xuan feigned gratitude, but inwardly, he was filled with intrigue about Fate Masters.
These Fate Masters with concealed abilities were enigmatic to outsiders. But with the Library of Heaven’s Path, Zhang Xuan could uncover their secrets and even exploit their strengths. For instance, he could lure someone cultivating Betrayal Fate into betrayal, or let himself appear controlled by someone practicing Thousand Threads Fate, thereby absorbing more Heaven’s Fate Energy.
Han Xiao, seeing Zhang Xuan no longer clamoring to withdraw, finally felt relieved. Yet as he extended his spiritual senses to absorb Heaven’s Fate Energy again, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Something felt off. Despite providing Zhang Xuan with so many resources, the balance between him and Feng Zhaoting hadn’t been restored. Could Feng Zhaoting have grown even stronger during this short time?
Meanwhile, Feng Zhaoting had returned to his quarters. His face darkened as he stared at the person kneeling before him.
“What happened with No Need Hall? I only asked you to teach them a lesson—why was it annihilated completely?”
Destroying someone’s establishment was a serious matter in any sect, a grudge that wouldn’t end until one party was eradicated.
“Reporting to the Hall Master, we didn’t do it. When we arrived, the people were already dead…”
The kneeling figure explained urgently. It was the black-clad leader who had led the group to No Need Hall.
“You didn’t do it? Then who did?”
Feng Zhaoting was stunned.
He didn’t doubt the subordinate’s words. This person had served him loyally for many years without making any mistakes. Otherwise, such a sensitive task wouldn’t have been entrusted to him.
The black-clad leader responded, “I also found it strange, so I discreetly investigated and uncovered something interesting.”
“Tell me,” Feng Zhaoting said.
“Elder Feng, the excuse Ling Buyang gave for attacking No Need Hall was avenging someone named Yu Fei. In the chaos, Yu Fei’s body was taken away. Later, I tracked it down and found that someone had given him a proper burial. After exhuming the corpse and interrogating the one responsible, I learned he was acting on behalf of another person. That person mentioned heading to No Need Hall before it was destroyed…”
The black-clad leader’s preparation satisfied Feng Zhaoting. “You suspect this person is the culprit?”
“Precisely,” the subordinate affirmed.
“When Yu Fei died, this person was on-site… arranging for the body to be buried. Could it be…”
Feng Zhaoting suddenly paused, as if struck by realization.
The black-clad leader added, “This person is none other than Ling Buyang—Elder Ling himself!”
“Ling Buyang killed all his subordinates to frame me?”
Feng Zhaoting couldn’t believe it at first, but after considering it, the scenario seemed plausible. If true, it was an act of utter madness!
Destroying a sect’s stronghold was unforgivable in any tradition. If Ling Buyang aimed to ruin him, this was an effective way to ensure no room for reconciliation.
“If he wants to kill me… then I’ll strike first!”
Feng Zhaoting’s eyes gleamed coldly.
Given their earlier exchange, he had already deduced that Ling Buyang’s strength was inferior to his. With an opportunity to advance further, he could make this advantage definitive.
“Half a Purple Bamboo Elixir might not guarantee success, but if I also gain control over someone more powerful…”
His gaze fell on the black-clad leader.
For the position of Vice Hall Master, if Ling Buyang was willing to kill all his disciples, then this subordinate’s sacrifice was a small price to pay.
Author\'s Note