Library of Heaven’s Path 2: Eternal Destiny

Vol 2 Ch 60: The Talents of Zhao Ya and Others

Slowly opening his eyes, Hall Master Han Xiao’s gaze revealed a hint of confusion.
What’s going on?
Didn’t having Ling Buyang and Chai Yunsheng compete already stabilize the balance?
Why is there a sudden loss of power again?

“Could it be that Ling Buyang broke through? That’s unlikely—he just recently reached the Second Stage. There shouldn’t be any progress in such a short time… Unless he has recruited more Destiny Masters!”

The competition between the two vice hall masters for the position of hall master typically followed two paths.
The first: elevating one’s cultivation. For instance, when Ling Buyang eliminated Feng Zhaoting, removing a competitor. Without an opponent, maintaining balance was impossible.
The second: forming alliances to expand one’s influence. Ling Buyang had also done this before, even going as far as offering his concubine to win over Elder Liu Bingshan.

Aside from these, other methods existed—such as allying with oneself to set the tone or seeking backing from a higher-level Destiny Hall. However, such approaches were rare and unpopular.
Using authority to overpower others would leave one struggling to win respect, even if they became the hall master.

“Forget it. The backlash isn’t severe, so it shouldn’t be a big issue…”

Sensing that his injuries weren’t too serious, Han Xiao stopped dwelling on it and closed his eyes to continue cultivating.

“Surpassed Hall Master Han and reached 21 sticks…”

As the Heaven’s Fate Energy in the incense dissipated, the crowd looked on, stunned.

The pinnacle expert of Hanyuan City, the most gifted Han Xiao, had only lit 17 sticks. Yet this obscure girl had lit 21 in one go…

Incredible!

“With a genius of this caliber as an ally… Vice Hall Master Ling’s chances of becoming hall master have significantly increased!” Xie Feng’s expression was solemn.

The advantages of befriending such a prodigy were self-evident. What seemed like an even match between the two vice hall masters now tilted in Ling Buyang’s favor, thanks to this girl.

Of course… they still needed to determine her exact relationship with Ling Buyang. The closer the bond, the greater the advantage. Otherwise, changes could occur before the genius fully matured.

As the Heaven’s Fate Energy settled, Liu Mingyue clenched her fists, letting out a breath of relief.

“With talent like this, my teacher should give me some special attention now, right?”

She glanced at the young man nearby. Yet, instead of joy, he had a slight frown as though deep in thought.

“Congratulations…”

Yu Xiaoyu was full of envy.

Liu Mingyue nodded, her gaze shifting to Zhao Ya and the others.

On the way here, without mastering the running technique, she had lagged behind them. But now, with this talent assessment, she should finally stand out and make a name for herself!

Although her teacher never demanded much, she still didn’t want to fall behind.

“Yu Xiaoyu!”

Unaware of her thoughts, Zhang Xuan beckoned.

“Yes!” Yu Xiaoyu walked over and shook the bamboo tube in her hand. Moments later, a single lot floated out and began igniting Heaven’s Fate Incense.

One, two, three…

“She also has Destiny talent…”

The crowd, still reeling, was once again shocked.

Two people in a row with remarkable talent, lighting the incense at speeds previously unseen.

Vice Hall Master Ling’s luck seemed almost too good to be true—where had he found such individuals?

“Both junior sisters are impressive…” Zheng Yang chuckled.

“Indeed! No wonder the teacher accepted them as students—they truly have merit,” Zhao Ya agreed.

“Of course, our teacher’s judgment is always sharp,” Kong Shiyao added with a laugh.

As the group marveled, Yu Xiaoyu continued igniting the incense. Her speed was no slower than Liu Mingyue’s, and within just a few dozen breaths, she also reached 21 sticks.

Finally, she stopped—at 23 sticks!

Her talent surpassed even Liu Mingyue’s by a whole level.

Pfft!

Inside the cultivation chamber, Han Xiao spat blood again.

If the earlier backlash wasn’t severe, this one had completely undone his recent progress.

“Someone, find out what’s happening with Elders Chai Yunsheng and Ling Buyang!”

After opening the door and giving the order, he swallowed a pill to stabilize his chaotic energy flow.

Two bouts of backlash had left him spitting blood, but surely there wouldn’t be a third time… right?

No matter. Even if one of them had an unexpected breakthrough, it shouldn’t have caused multiple consecutive advancements. Once the cause was identified, he could restore balance and avoid unnecessary worry.

With that thought, he sat down cross-legged again.

In the hall, Zhang Xuan turned to look at Hong Yi.

After the two senior sisters completed their tests, it was his turn. Unfortunately, this guy seemed to lack any talent as a Destiny Master. When the Heaven’s Fate Energy formed a lot, it hovered over the incense but failed to ignite it.

“His talent is just too poor…”

Although Yu Xiaoyu and Liu Mingyue had benefited from his help, they had decent natural aptitude. But Hong Yi… was genuinely weak.

Without Destiny talent, his potential was capped. Even with help, reaching the pinnacle would be nearly impossible.

“Can I transfer my unused Destiny to him?”

A thought crossed Zhang Xuan’s mind. Concentrating, the Thousand Threads Stream in the Library of Heaven’s Path flowed silently from his fingertip and into Hong Yi.

This was a copy of the Thousand Threads Heaven’s Fate he had acquired from killing Feng Zhaoting. He had rarely used it. Perhaps transferring it could shatter the barriers preventing Hong Yi from cultivation?

The Thousand Threads Stream entered Hong Yi’s brow, coursing through his body.

The next moment, the previously unlit incense suddenly sparked and burst into flame.

“This…”

Everyone was stunned.

They had believed it impossible for the incense to ignite, yet an unexpected change had occurred.

Ssssss!

The unusual development continued. One stick ignited, followed by another, and soon over ten sticks were ablaze in mere moments.

“So fast…” Yu Xiaoyu and Liu Mingyue’s eyes widened in disbelief.

They had assumed their junior brother’s talent was far below theirs, but he seemed even more extraordinary, as though his potential knew no bounds.

After several dozen breaths, the speed finally slowed and stopped.

Thirty-seven sticks!

From having no talent to igniting 37 sticks, Hong Yi, with Zhang Xuan’s Thousand Threads Stream, had far surpassed Yu Xiaoyu and Liu Mingyue!

“Destiny can indeed be inherited…”

Zhang Xuan’s expression turned serious.

Transferring his Thousand Threads Heaven’s Fate to Hong Yi caused him to lose his own understanding of it.

If this were his only Destiny, it would mean he had lost it entirely.

“Teacher…”

Hong Yi returned, his face full of emotion.

He clearly understood what had just happened.

His teacher had transferred his own Destiny comprehension to him—a kindness too great for words.

Normally, no one would do such a thing unless at the brink of life and death, let alone for someone who wasn’t exceptionally close.

“Focus on your cultivation. Don’t waste my efforts!” Zhang Xuan instructed.

“Yes!”

Hong Yi clenched his fists.

Previously, without Destiny talent, his future was limited despite any effort. Now, not only did he possess talent, but his aptitude surpassed that of Yu Xiaoyu and Liu Mingyue. His future achievements were boundless—all thanks to his teacher!

“My talent is the weakest… dead last?”

Liu Mingyue felt dizzy, on the verge of tears.

She had thought lighting 21 sticks of incense with her Mo Dao Heaven’s Fate would make her stand out among her peers, but… she truly stood out—as the weakest.

“No matter. The other senior brothers and sisters surely aren’t as gifted as I am…”

Glancing at Zhao Ya and the others, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Having three disciples with such talent already made their teacher renowned. She couldn’t imagine the rest being as gifted as she was.

“Zhao Ya!”

Following Zhang Xuan’s call, Zhao Ya strode forward. Using the same process, she began igniting the incense.

20… 30… 50…

In mere moments, 80 sticks were lit.

 

If the crowd had only been shocked before, now they were utterly stunned.

 

Thirty-seven sticks had seemed like an unattainable limit. But Zhao Ya, in less than ten breaths, lit 80 sticks—and the speed didn’t slow.

 

Whoosh!

 

All 99 sticks were ignited.

 

“Zhao Ya and the others, under my guidance, have long defied destiny and gained the power to shape their own fates. Lighting these sticks is naturally no challenge…” Zhang Xuan speculated.

 

Destiny talent, in essence, represented one’s ability to control fate.

 

Some individuals, no matter their humble beginnings, could rise against all odds. Others, born into privilege, squandered it and fell into ruin.

 

Zhao Ya, having followed him, had already become the ruler of a world. Destiny was firmly in her grasp, and her talent was naturally unmatched.

 

“Zheng Yang…”

 

To confirm his hypothesis, Zhang Xuan called upon Zheng Yang next.

 

Inside the chamber, Han Xiao’s face turned pale again.

 

Pfft!

 

Another mouthful of blood sprayed out, this backlash worse than the previous ones.

 

Struggling to rise, he felt a sharp pain in his chest.

 

Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!

 

Blood gushed uncontrollably. His hard-earned cultivation regressed from the peak of the Dharma Aspect Realm to its later stages.

 

Once ranked among Hanyuan City’s top three experts, he now struggled to remain in the top ten.

 

“Can someone tell me what on earth is happening?!”

 

Tears streamed down Han Xiao’s face.

 

From the heights of power, he had fallen to ruin. Who was behind such a ruthless act?