Library of Heaven's Path 2: Eternal Fate of the Heavens

Practicing Balanced Destiny, Han Xiao always advocated fair competition among subordinates, and she would speak this way to anyone. Little did she expect her own rhetoric to be thrown back at her in full measure, leaving her feeling as if she were suffocating, a tightness gripping her chest uncomfortably.

Slightly displeased, Han Xiao frowned and said, "Vice Hall Master Ling, as the Vice Hall Master of the Heaven Mandate Hall, shouldn't you consider the interests of the hall more and contribute to its well-being? To be solely focused on personal gain and even considering trading with the Wanxiang Sect, how can I trust you with the position of Hall Master?"

"So what should I do?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

Han Xiao replied, "It's simple. Bring the person here now, and let me send them to headquarters. Once the higher-ups are pleased and reward us, it will be of great help to your future! Rest assured, as long as we perform well, we will be recognized. Asking for rewards outright is off-putting and squanders a good future. Vice Hall Master Ling, I'm saying this for your own good, I truly want to hand over the position of Hall Master to you... If it were Vice Hall Master Chai instead, I wouldn't waste so many words on him. You must understand my sincere intentions!"

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

He really knows how to PUA, no wonder he can cultivate Balanced Destiny so successfully—his gift of gab is unparalleled.

After letting him speak his piece, Zhang Xuan then looked over with feigned excitement, "Does the Hall Master truly intend to pass on the position of Hall Master to me?"

Han Xiao nodded, "Of course, you are so outstanding. In our Han Yuan City's Heaven Mandate Hall, aside from Chai Yunsheng, no one can compare. Originally, you and he were on par in terms of Merit Points. If you can offer up these talents, I can assure you will be the first to be considered..."

Cutting him off, Zhang Xuan said, "Don't bother with 'first to be considered.' Since Master Yue is here, let's draft an agreement now. You resign as Hall Master and transfer the position to me. If you agree, and the talents are sent to Heaven Mandate Hall, I might consider..."

"This..."

Flushed, Han Xiao felt a surge of power in her chest, barely under control.

If she agreed to his terms, it would be equivalent to personally breaking the balance, certain to backfire against her.

Zhang Xuan said, "How about it, can't do it? Or... right now, you remove Vice Hall Master Chai Yunsheng's position and leave only me!"

"This... wouldn't be right! Vice Hall Master Chai has always been diligent and hardworking. Doing this, I fear it would chill his heart..."

Han Xiao shook her head.

"This won't do, that won't do, everything is just empty promises. If this is how Heaven Mandate Hall treats me, why should I keep it in mind?"

Zhang Xuan waved his hand dismissively.

"How dare you!"

Han Xiao frowned, "As the Vice Hall Master of Heaven Mandate Hall, you have been given status and power by the hall. To not think of repaying that, and only seeking personal gain, is that fair to your conscience?"

"I'm sorry, but I, Ling Buyang, have no conscience!"

Zhang Xuan shook his head, "If Master Han had a conscience, you wouldn't say these things. Careful not to hurt my feelings, or I'll quit this Vice Hall Master role right now!"

Trying to PUA me? Save it!

"You..."

Han Xiao was almost left breathless with anger, as if she could suffocate on the spot.

The Ling Buyang of the past, though not weak, was meek and would dutifully follow orders, which is why she had confirmed his candidacy for Vice Hall Master. She could never have imagined that after just a few days of absence, he would change so drastically.

His strength skyrocketed, and he had countless trump cards. Speaking so aggressively now, he didn't take her seriously at all...

Could it really be someone else in disguise?

Earlier, seeing him use the Mo Dao Destiny had dispelled her suspicions, but now they returned stronger than before.

Tired of engaging with him, Zhang Xuan turned to Yue Longxiao, "Master Yue, do you think what I'm saying is reasonable?"

Yue Longxiao nodded, "Of course! Whether as a Hall Master or Vice Hall Master, the goal is to practice and seek resources. If there are other ways to obtain resources, all these formalities are trivial..."

Zhang Xuan praised, "Master Yue is generous!"

Yue Longxiao smiled, "I wonder, Vice Hall Master Ling, what kind of resources do you need? I would want to report it to the headquarters in advance for preparation."

Zhang Xuan said, "It's very simple, I need a considerable amount of Heavenly Mandate Vitality. As long as it's enough, take anyone you want. After all, they're just passersby in my life; might as well make a profit where I can."

"Alright!" Yue Longxiao nodded.

"Master Han, Master Yue, then I shall await your good news... I have other matters, so I'll take my leave now." Uninterested in continuing the conversation, Zhang Xuan cupped his hands in a farewell gesture and turned to leave.

"Master Han, I shall take my leave as well, see you in three days!"

Yue Longxiao also cupped his fists, turned, and walked outside.

Watching the two leave, Han Xiao finally managed to suppress her frustration and strode out of the hall toward the inner chambers.

She'd been too busy contending with the backlash of power and hadn't yet reported the news to headquarters.

To be honest, when 99 Heavenly Destiny Incense sticks were lit, she knew there must be incredible talents, but she didn't know how talented they were specifically. Her attempts to intervene were more of a spur-of-the-moment reaction to Yue Longxiao's sudden appearance to snatch them up.

"Master..."

She had only walked a few steps and was yet to reach her room when she saw Xie Feng rushing in, his face fraught with urgency.

"What is it?"

Han Xiao stopped in her tracks.

"Reporting to the Hall Master, an individual from the Zhou Yi Dynasty, claiming to be Mo Qing, asks for an audience with you!" Xie Feng said hastily.

"Mo Qing..."

Han Xiao was stunned for a moment before she realized, full of surprise, "Could it be the elder of the Mo Blade Sect, renowned as a master of the elder ranks? It is said that his cultivation has already surpassed the Ninefold Source Pool, and even in the Heaven Mandate Hall of the Zhou Yi Dynasty, he is respected as an Elder. Why has he come? Quickly, take me to him!"

Mo Qing, she had heard of him; more than a decade ago, he had practiced the Heavenly Destiny Martial Technique to the second level, thereby breaking through to the Source Pool Realm. Such a master, wherever he goes, should not be neglected.

Upon reentering the living room, sure enough, she saw a tall and stern middle-aged man sitting in the room, with a slender Mo Dao saber leaning against the table.

"Han Yuan City's Han Xiao, pays respects to Elder Mo Qing..."

Han Xiao bowed and clasped her hands together in greeting.

Mo Qing nodded slightly, "Hall Master Han need not be nervous. I came to you first to inquire about a few matters."

Han Xiao breathed a sigh of relief, "Please feel free to ask Elder Mo Qing anything you wish. As long as I know, I will spare no detail in my explanation."

"That will be best!"

Mo Qing smiled as he looked over, "I just heard that my junior brother, Ling Buyang, has become one of our Vice Hall Masters of the Heaven Mandate Hall. May I know... how much do you understand about him? Has his comprehension of the Mo Dao Destiny reached the second level?"

When asked about Ling Buyang, Han Xiao was momentarily startled before quickly responding, "Vice Hall Master Ling, just yesterday, broke through to the second level during combat... As members of the same Mo Dao bloodline, surely Master Mo would have sensed his progress, right?"

Such heritable destinies can impact the master when a direct disciple makes a breakthrough or advances.

Ling Buyang breaking through to the second level was a significant advancement. Even if Mo Baiye was thousands of miles away, he should have been aware of it. Why then send a disciple to inquire?

Mo Qing smiled awkwardly, "Some years ago, my junior brother did something wrong, and in fear that he would be backlashed, our teacher proactively severed some of our connection. Only when his cultivation advances can we sense it. As it happened... the incense made for the Mo Dao Destiny was lit, yet the teacher did not sense it, so he sent me to investigate."

Han Xiao suddenly understood.

Issues related to direct disciples or linked destinies can either aid progress or cause backlash. However, as the master of a fragment of the heavens, it is possible to proactively sever part of the connection.

Otherwise, to kill a strong individual, if one were to constantly target his disciples, wouldn't this mean that his cultivation would plummet incessantly?

The mingmen of the strong is not so vulnerable!

Take Han Xiao for example; the reason she suffered backlash was due to her cultivation of the Power of Destiny, which depended on maintaining balance between Chai Yunsheng and Ling Buyang. Thus, when someone disrupted the balance, she received the backlash.

While the backlash is severe, it is not necessarily fatal.

As long as she severed the connection in time, the problem wouldn't be significant. However, if she wanted to use the other party for cultivation practices in the future, it would be much more difficult.

"Vice Hall Master Ling has indeed comprehended the Mo Dao to the second level and has displayed the second level of saber art... But there is something strange I found, and I'm unsure if I should discuss it," Han Xiao said after pondering.

"Hall Master Han, please speak freely!" Mo Qing looked over.

Han Xiao shared her suspicions, "A few days ago, Vice Hall Master Ling had heard about a Mandate Chaos Master appearing within the Zhou Yi Dynasty and went to help. After he returned... not only had his cultivation greatly improved, but his personality had completely changed from before..."

"You mean to suggest that brother Buyang may very well be an impostor?" Mo Qing frowned.

"I am merely speculating and lack evidence to make any bold claims..." Han Xiao quickly nodded.

Mo Qing looked doubtful, "The Mo Dao Destiny was created by our teacher, and to practice it, one must be taught by or receive consent from the teacher. Outsiders cannot cultivate it to the second level, so there is an extremely small possibility of impersonation. However... it is not impossible. Let me personally test him. Once I assess his comprehension of the Mo Dao, we should be able to see the truth."

Han Xiao asked, "What kind of test does Elder Mo Qing require? How can I assist?"

Mo Qing explained, "It's very simple. Call junior brother Buyang here, and I'll have a bout with him. Then everything will become clear."

Han Xiao relaxed, "That's easy. I'll arrange it right away. However, there is another matter I need to discuss with Elder Mo Qing... Just now, Vice Hall Master Ling brought some people to test their talents, and among them, three geniuses emerged who lit up 99 Heavenly Destiny Incense sticks..."

Although Mo Qing is from the Mo Blade Sect, he is also an Elder of the Heaven Mandate Hall within the Zhou Yi Dynasty. Reporting to him is much like reporting to a higher authority. With him being present, it also facilitates making decisions.

"Lit up 99 Heavenly Destiny Incense sticks? Are you certain?"

Mo Qing's pupils constricted sharply as he stood abruptly.

While the other party might not grasp what this represents, he understood very clearly that such geniuses, even on the mainland as a whole, would be considered at the very top.

"The Wanxiang Sect has also been alarmed, and Yue Longxiao just left from here..."

Han Xiao summarized the recent events.

"If the Wanxiang Sect has confirmed it, then if these individuals can practice the Mo Dao... my strength breaking through to the third level, challenging the current cultivation realm, and possibly replacing the teacher, is not out of the question!"

A flash of excitement gleamed in Mo Qing's eyes, revealing his intense anticipation.