Chapter 620: Destined Connection (II)
"So it's Fellow Xiao... It's been a long time. Your strength has advanced to the point that even I can't see through it anymore. Now that you've entered the Shackles realm, we're all fellow seekers on the path of martial cultivation. There's no need to call me Senior. 'Fellow' will do," Nie Zhiyu said with a gentle smile.
She was a remarkably gentle woman, quite unlike the other martial artists who carried themselves with sharp, imposing auras.
"You're too kind, Senior. I don't dare presume to address you as 'Fellow.' As for my strength, I've merely encountered a few fortunate opportunities. It isn't entirely my own ability," Lin Zheyu replied vaguely.
Lin Zheyu studied Nie Zhiyu with curiosity. Although he did not use the golden Heavenly Eye, he could still vaguely sense her strength. From his perception, she had already broken all seven shackles and forged her own path of martial cultivation. As for how powerful she truly was, he could not tell without crossing hands with her.
This was another major difference between martial cultivation and other cultivation systems. Beyond the Shackles realm, there were no longer clearly defined cultivation stages. Every martial artist walked a different path, and their strengths varied enormously. Only by fighting could one truly gauge another's power.
Senior Nie's martial cultivation path seems different from the others'. I don't sense the familiar auras of the Immortal Dao, the Shamanic Clan, the barbarians, or anything similar... Hmm... could this be the aura of an ancient yao? Lin Zheyu wondered to himself.
He sensed a faint aura from Nie Zhiyu that bore some resemblance to that of the Heart-Enchanting Demon Fox. The aura was so subtle that, even after examining it for quite some time, he still could not be certain. If he were to use the golden Heavenly Eye, he would likely gain a better understanding of her strength. However, doing so would be extremely impolite. Nie Zhiyu had left him with a favorable impression, and if possible, he did not wish to commit such a discourteous act.
"Then 'Senior' it is. It's only a form of address, after all." Nie Zhiyu smiled, blinked, and asked curiously, "That item from last time... was it you who delivered it to Feng Xuanji?"
Hearing the question, Lin Zheyu was somewhat taken aback.
That exquisite little black box? That was two years ago. Why is Senior Nie Zhiyu suddenly bringing it up now?
"Yes. Is there some hidden secret behind all this? And what exactly was inside that little black box?" Lin Zheyu nodded and asked curiously.
"I don't know what was inside it either. But since you successfully delivered it to Feng Xuanji, it proves that you're someone with the destined connection. For an ordinary person, meeting Feng Xuanji is nearly impossible. Without sufficient destined connection, even immense strength won't get you there," Nie Zhiyu explained.
Seeing Lin Zheyu frown and his expression turn serious, Nie Zhiyu guessed what was troubling him and continued, "Before you, we sent more than a dozen people to deliver the little black box, but every one of them failed. None of them possessed sufficient destined connections. Only you managed to place the little black box into Feng Xuanji's hands.
"You don't need to worry. This isn't a bad thing. A great calamity is approaching, and an age of chaos is about to begin. Turbulent times create heroes, and countless powerful cultivators destined by fate will rise rapidly. Only cultivators blessed with tremendous fortune, like you, possess enough destined connection to deliver the little black box to Feng Xuanji."
"This is a form of selection," Nie Zhiyu explained. "Because of you, our Martial Alliance has entered the Heavenly Dao Sect's field of view."
"The Heavenly Dao Sect? So, in their eyes, I'm one of those destined to emerge with the times?" Lin Zheyu asked, his brow furrowing slightly.
If he had a choice, he wanted nothing less than to draw the attention of the world's true powerhouses so early. In a world as dangerous as this, quietly cultivating in obscurity until he possessed sufficient strength to protect himself was the only sensible path. The thought that he had inexplicably caught the Heavenly Dao Sect's attention left him feeling uneasy.
"That's right. But you needn't worry. Every time a great calamity approaches, countless people emerge in response to the era, yet only a handful truly grow into great figures. Fate is ever-changing, and the workings of heaven are impossible to predict. Even the Heavenly Dao Sect dares not interfere excessively with your destined paths.
"They merely observe and use people like you, those born with the tide of destiny, as anchor points for divining the heavenly secrets. It won't bring you any harm. In fact, if you do manage to rise to prominence, you may even receive tremendous opportunities from the Heavenly Dao Sect in the future..."
Nie Zhiyu explained everything in considerable detail to ease Lin Zheyu's concerns. Through her explanation, he gained a basic understanding of the so-called Heavenly Dao Sect.
"What kind of opportunities?" Lin Zheyu asked with genuine curiosity. He relaxed slightly, though a trace of doubt and unease still lingered in his heart.
"There are many. It's said that every great bearer of fortune who truly grows to maturity after being born in response to a calamity is granted entry into one of the Heavenly Dao Sect's secret realms to cultivate. Even Void Cavern realm experts would eagerly compete for the chance to enter such a place." Nie Zhiyu smiled encouragingly and said, "Work hard. The future of martial cultivation may very well rest on your shoulders."
"Uh..." Lin Zheyu cupped his fists solemnly and said, "This junior will do his utmost."
Nie Zhiyu smiled as she took out a jade token. "Here. This is the Flamefire Token, a gift from the alliance leader. It's an additional reward for successfully delivering the little black box to Feng Xuanji last time. With the Flamefire Token, you're free to consult any text within the library. The only restrictions are that you may not remove any books from the library or disclose their contents."
She had not revealed the whole truth. It was indeed true that only those with sufficient destined connection could meet Feng Xuanji and personally deliver the mysterious little black box to her. However, not everyone who accomplished that would earn the Heavenly Dao Sect's attention. Lin Zheyu was one of the rare exceptions. Because of him, the Martial Alliance had entered the Heavenly Dao Sect's notice and had already received considerable benefits.
"The Flamefire Token?" Lin Zheyu took hold of the token, feeling a warm, smooth sensation spread across his palm.
It was the first time he had ever heard of such a special token. Yet as he held the Flamefire Token, he felt no joy, only a faint sense of unease. He could not shake the feeling that the matter was far more complicated than it appeared. If he had the chance to choose again, he would rather never have accepted that mission or become involved with the enigmatic Feng Xuanji.
"I've been with the Martial Alliance for quite some time now, yet I've never once met the alliance leader. May I ask who the alliance leader actually is?" Lin Zheyu asked cautiously.
He had already inquired of Qiu Kun and the others, but they knew very little about the alliance leader. Bai Lin and the others had not even seen the Martial Alliance's alliance leader for well over a decade.
"You'll have to discover that for yourself. I believe you'll be meeting him before long." Nie Zhiyu smiled and asked, "Well, I've delivered what I came to deliver. Do you have any other questions?"
"Nothing else. Thank you, Senior." Lin Zheyu shook his head, suppressing the lingering unease in his heart.
There was no point in worrying excessively. At least for now, the situation had brought him considerable benefits. The Flamefire Token alone had spared him a great deal of trouble. Letting out a quiet breath and clearing away the distracting thoughts in his mind, Lin Zheyu stepped onto the third floor of the Library Pavilion and began browsing the countless texts within.
"The Flamefire Token came at just the right time. It saves me a great deal of trouble and lets me devote myself entirely to studying these texts so I can build up my foundation as quickly as possible," Lin Zheyu murmured softly.
Over the following days, he practically made the library his home. Aside from occasionally returning to his courtyard to push himself through extreme training, break his limits, and accumulate Origin Force, he spent all of his remaining time immersed in the Library Pavilion.
***
Within the demon god barrier, the roars of the yao rose and fell without end. A stunning woman with an air of effortless indolence revealed a hint of surprise in her eyes.
"So he finally has some free time..." Tu Mingzhen muttered after reading Lin Zheyu's message, shaking her head speechlessly.
Do you have any idea what these past few years have been like for me?
Tu Mingzhen had waited so long for Lin Zheyu's message that she felt flowers could have bloomed and withered in the meantime. Looking up at the terrifying aura gathering in the void above, she took out a transmission talisman and sent him a reply.
"Let's wait until this opportunity involving the rule fragments is over. By then, Uncle Ming should have returned as well. The timing will be just right," Tu Mingzhen murmured softly. Her figure flickered before she shot into the node fissure.
***
Within a secret realm of the Shamanic Clan, several figures were hunched over atop a massive mountain covered in mysterious runes, sweat pouring down their foreheads.
"Old man, bring the pagoda closer. Damn it, I can't hold on much longer!" Ling Feng gasped, his body bent forward. His eyes were bloodshot, and his chest heaved violently as he struggled to catch his breath.
"Got it!" Fan Hongwei took a deep breath and forced himself several steps forward against the overwhelming pressure. Channeling his power, he caused the pagoda to emit a faint halo that enveloped Ling Feng.
"Fellow Kong Di, are you certain this is the right place?" Fan Hongwei asked, frowning as he looked toward the burly man beside him.
As a martial artist of the ancient martial Kong Family, Kong Di possessed a unique bloodline. The family's bloodline divine ability was closely tied to spiritual power.
"I... think so?" Kong Di replied uncertainly.
A blood-red eye had opened on his forehead, its pupil emitting an eerie crimson glow. It was the Kong Family's unique bloodline divine ability.
"You think?" Ling Feng's voice shot up an octave, his tone brimming with irritation.
"Damn it! I told you we shouldn't have charged in so recklessly. These brute martial artists can't be relied on at all," Ling Feng grumbled.
They had been exploring this Shamanic Clan secret realm for several years. Thanks to Kong Di's eye of divine ability, everything had gone smoothly at first. But as they ventured deeper, their progress slowed until they were eventually trapped within this enormous mountain covered in intricate shamanic patterns.
"Enough. Complaining won't accomplish anything now. We'd be better off deciding whether to keep moving forward or figure out how to get out of here," Fan Hongwei said in a low voice with a frown.
Even he was beginning to reach his limit. If they continued wasting time here, a single mistake could cost them their lives. Fan Hongwei frowned and turned toward Kong Di. For some reason, he suddenly thought of the martial artist named Xiao Yu.
If that lucky young fellow were here, perhaps things would go more smoothly with the help of his awakened spirit divine ability?