Library of Heaven’s Path 2: Eternal Destiny

Vol 2 Ch 59: Asking for divination and lighting incense

Knowing full well that this group of kids lacked the necessary strength, Zhang Xuan intentionally quickened his pace.

Cultivation is a process of aligning with nature and the Heaven's Path. Only by mastering one’s strength and establishing a specific rhythm while walking can the process become effortless.

This was something Zhao Ya and the others quickly understood. Even though their cultivation level in the Source World was inferior to that of Yu Xiaoyu and her group, they were still able to adapt with ease.

The latter group, however, clearly struggled to keep up.

“We’ve pushed them too hard…”

These three had only recently begun cultivating, so it was natural for them not to measure up to Zhao Ya and the others—super strong cultivators at the pinnacle of their world.

“You three, adjust your breathing and circulate your energy as I instruct…”

With a sigh, Zhang Xuan transmitted his voice to them.

Yu Xiaoyu, Liu Mingyue, and Hong Yi nodded simultaneously.

The teacher’s voice was like heavenly music. Following his instructions, the three quickly found their rhythm. Their nearly exhausted True Energy began to regenerate, flowing gently through their meridians and forming a unique cycle.

By following this cycle and borrowing strength, they no longer appeared as disheveled as before.

“Wait a moment… earlier, when Senior Sister transmitted her energy to me, wasn’t her True Energy circulating in the same way?”

A thought struck Yu Xiaoyu as she recalled the earlier scene.

When Zhao Ya had placed her arm on her shoulder, the energy flowing into her body had guided her True Energy in precisely this manner. She just hadn’t noticed it then.

“Senior Sister, did Teacher teach you how to circulate energy this way?”

Unable to hold back her curiosity, she asked.

“Nope!” Zhao Ya shook her head, surprised. “Isn’t it something simple you can figure out on your own?”

“...”

Yu Xiaoyu’s face flushed red with embarrassment.

Turning to look at Liu Mingyue, she saw her companion’s toes digging into the ground in equal discomfort.

Just moments ago, she had thought Liu Mingyue lacked talent and had decided to be polite and not mock her. It turned out, however, that the real fool was herself…

What a profound cultivation method—others had grasped it with ease, while she could only stick her tongue out and scramble to keep up. The gap was just too wide!

As she was lamenting this disparity, Liu Mingyue’s voice rang in her ear.

“They’ve probably been with Teacher long enough to develop stronger comprehension skills. Their innate talent may not actually be better than ours. After all, we rank among the top in all of White Roc City…”

Yu Xiaoyu nodded.

It wasn’t arrogance; the two of them were undeniably among the top ten prodigies in the city’s thousands of years of history. Other than Mo Yanxue, they feared no one!

Even if Teacher had exceptional luck, it wasn’t likely that every disciple he took in would be so ridiculously strong!

With these thoughts, she felt much better.

Having mastered the method, the three no longer held the group back. Running at full speed, they arrived at the towering Destiny Hall half an hour later.

Zhang Xuan still maintained his guise as Ling Buyang. As soon as they reached the entrance, a servant came forward to greet him.

“Vice Hall Master Ling, you’ve arrived…”

It was Xie Feng, the one who had received him before.

By now, every servant in the hall knew he had been promoted to Vice Hall Master. The ridicule and contempt from before had completely disappeared.

“These people wish to test their Heaven’s Fate aptitude. Make the arrangements,” Zhang Xuan instructed, gesturing to his group.

The Destiny Hall aptitude test only required a fee. Every year, countless people came for it. It wasn’t considered unusual.

Xie Feng nodded and motioned to Zhao Ya and the others. “Everyone, please follow me.”

He led Liu Mingyue and the rest toward a side room.

“Testing Heaven’s Fate aptitude differs from normal aptitude tests. The latter relies on the Source Pool Assessment to measure part of one’s potential, but for the former, such methods are ineffective!”

As they walked, Xie Feng explained, “Heaven’s Fate is about destiny. To harness this power, one must first master Heaven’s Fate Energy, so the test is relatively straightforward…”

They arrived at a grand hall. Xie Feng pushed the doors open and led them inside.

The room was spacious, with dozens of incense stands arranged in the center. Each stand held a pale blue stick of incense.

Some of the incense sticks at the front bore burn marks, while those at the back appeared untouched, as if they had never been lit.

Noticing their confusion, Xie Feng explained, “Here, we have 99 sticks of Destiny Incense. The test taker steps inside and uses Heaven’s Fate Energy to light one. Lighting even a single stick indicates talent, and the more you light, the stronger your talent.”

“What’s the highest number of sticks ever lit here?” Liu Mingyue asked curiously.

Xie Feng smiled. “In Hanyuan City’s Destiny Hall, the record belongs to Hall Master Han Xiao. Forty years ago, he lit 17 sticks during his test, becoming a living legend!”

“17 sticks?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to the Destiny Incense, and sure enough, 17 burned sticks stood out clearly.

At that moment, others were also praying in the hall. Zhang Xuan glanced toward the center, where a plump man stood holding a cylinder, bowing deeply.

“Junior Xu Yuancheng seeks to glimpse his destiny. May the heavens take pity and guide my path…”

As he spoke, he gave the cylinder a light shake. A wooden lot fell out, transforming into a wisp of Heaven’s Fate Energy that floated toward the Destiny Incense.

Zhang Xuan watched with interest.

He had read about this method, called Destiny Divination, in books. It was a fairly accurate way to measure talent, with each divination costing around 100,000 Source Coins—not cheap.

Back then, even Yu Longqing had tried it but managed to light only one stick of Destiny Incense. While he possessed talent, it wasn’t impressive, forcing him to spend vast sums on the Heaven’s Fate Tide. Unfortunately, he still failed to gain destiny’s favor.

To be honest, destiny is something you either have or don’t; it can’t be forced.

The wisp of Heaven’s Fate Energy, controlled by the plump man, reached the first stick of incense. It sparked briefly but failed to ignite.

“What a pity…”

Xie Feng sighed. “It was so close—just a little more, and it would’ve lit!”

Others in the hall also expressed regret, but the man simply laughed.

“No need to feel sorry. If the test shows I have no talent, I can give up peacefully. It’s better than lighting one stick and getting false hope, only to waste my time.”

“True!”

“Having no talent means you can focus on other things. What’s really frustrating is having just a bit of talent—not enough to make it worthwhile but too much to ignore…”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Zhang Xuan glanced at the man, somewhat impressed.

This individual was remarkably pragmatic. If only Yu Longqing had possessed such a mindset, he wouldn’t have wasted 30 million Source Coins in vain.

Several others underwent testing after that. Of a dozen people, only two managed to light any incense, with the highest being two sticks—a modest level of talent.

“Such aptitude qualifies them to enter the hall and learn Heaven’s Fate martial techniques,” Xie Feng noted.

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Lighting any incense stick was proof of some talent. Even if one couldn’t become a Destiny Master, they could still train as a Fate Guardian or apprentice in the hall.

For example, Xu Xin had lit two sticks during his test.

“Vice Hall Master Ling, how will your people proceed with the test?” Xie Feng asked, looking over curiously.

“Here’s their testing fee. Let them all take the test,” Zhang Xuan replied, handing over several Source Notes.

At 100,000 Source Coins per person, it was a significant expense, but it was trivial to him now.

Taking the notes, Xie Feng prepared the hall and then bowed. “Who will go first?”

“Mingyue, why don’t you try?” Zhang Xuan suggested.

Since this girl could cultivate Heaven’s Fate martial techniques, she clearly possessed talent. Testing her would provide clarity.

“Yes!”

Being chosen first by her teacher, Liu Mingyue’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

This was her chance to impress Teacher and perhaps earn formal discipleship instead of being merely an auditor.

She stepped into the hall, took the cylinder, and peered inside.

It held dozens of lots, each surrounded by a unique energy. They weren’t physical objects but condensations of Heaven’s Fate Energy.

Taking a deep breath, Liu Mingyue gave the cylinder a shake.

“Swish!”

A lot flew out, transforming into pure energy as it floated toward the first stick of Destiny Incense.

Whoosh!

It lit effortlessly.

“Impressive! She has talent!”

 

Xie Feng’s eyes gleamed with envy.

 

Though he worked in the hall, his lack of talent relegated him to the lowest ranks. If he could light even one stick, his life would’ve been different.

 

Buzz, buzz, buzz!

 

While Xie Feng marveled, Liu Mingyue continued. In rapid succession, she lit three more sticks!

 

In less than ten breaths, she had ignited four sticks—an impressive achievement unmatched in the past two months.

 

“Incredible!”

 

“Are we witnessing the rise of a prodigy?”

 

“Four sticks is good, but ten or more is required to qualify as a Destiny Master…”

 

Everyone in the hall stopped to watch, curiosity piqued by the young girl’s performance.

 

Even Zhang Xuan was intrigued.

 

He could elevate others’ cultivation or teach them techniques, but lighting the incense was beyond his ability to influence.

 

Such talent was predetermined at birth—either you had it, or you didn’t.

 

Buzz, buzz, buzz!

 

After lighting four sticks, Liu Mingyue seemed to find her rhythm. The pace quickened, and the number climbed. In the blink of an eye, she surpassed ten sticks.

 

“With this level of talent, she’s destined to become a Destiny Master… Vice Hall Master Ling, where did you find her?” Xie Feng was astonished.

 

In Hanyuan City, the odds of possessing talent for Heaven’s Fate were roughly one in ten thousand. Yet Vice Hall Master Ling had casually brought someone with such potential. His luck was extraordinary!

 

If this girl successfully sought destiny and gained an inheritance, Ling Buyang’s position as Vice Hall Master would be unshakable. Surpassing Vice Hall Master Chai would only be a matter of time!

 

Deep within the Destiny Hall, Han Xiao, who was in the middle of cultivation, suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.