Chapter 207: Fate
Chu Qiguang seemed to have noticed Qiao Zhi's bewilderment, and he asked telepathically, Do you know this guy?
If I'm not mistaken, he should be the future Hundred Beast King, Yi Siman, Qiao Zhi replied with a peculiar expression. Right now, he's just the fourteenth son of the Ninghai Prince.
Is he supposed to be really strong? Chu Qiguang asked.
He does go on to reach the Dao Comprehension state, but the reason why he's left such a deep impression on me is because the way he got there is a little... special, Qiao Zhi replied.
How so? Chu Qiguang asked.
Just like how you can compose yourself by petting cats, everyone has different personalities, and that grants them different quirks on the path of cultivation, Qiao Zhi explained. Some people like cats, some people like dogs, some people like wine... Yi Siman likes women. Fooling around with women has a similar calming effect for him as petting cats for you, and it can even help him make mental breakthroughs.
Right now, he should have infiltrated the Imperial Heavenly Dao in the Yong Province, in the process of subduing the Imperial Heavenly Dao's holy maiden. After that, he goes on a mission of conquest across the entire Yong Province, subduing all types of female fiends and even ghosts.
The reason why he goes on to be known as the Hundred Beast King is because there's enormous specieal diversity in his future offspring. Ever since he came to the central plains, it was like he became blessed by the heavens. Not only was he able to subdue a large number of fiends, he also made significant strides in both martial arts and Dao arts, and in just a few years, he was able to become one of the most powerful cultivators below the Dao Comprehension state.
That's certainly an... interesting way of cultivation, Chu Qiguang mused with a peculiar expression. So how does he reach the Dao Comprehension state?
During the wolf race's conquest of the Great Han Empire, Yi Siman was leading their army, and after storming the capital, Yi Siman went against orders and barged his way into the imperial palace, Qiao Zhi said. The very next day, he came out of the palace as a Dao Comprehension state cultivator. If the Eight Han Resurgence Generals are supposed to be able to turn the fortunes of the Great Han Empire, then Yi Siman is the equivalent of that for the fiends.
Now that I think about it, every attack that he made on the Great Han Empire went extremely smoothly, almost as if the heavens were on his side. Not only was he able to secure resounding victories every single time, those victories are often also accompanied by significant advancements in his cultivation base.
If he's supposed to be the future hope of the fiends, then why are you helping me and not him, Master Qiao? Chu Qiguang asked.
Humans and fiends are one and the same to begin with, so in my eyes, it's pointless to differentiate based on race, Qiao Zhi shrugged. As for why I'm helping you, that's because you have the makings of a heavenly immortal, which means that you have the potential to ultimately ascend to the immortal realm!
Over the past few months, Chu Qiguang had heard mention of the immortal realm from Qiao Zhi on several occasions, but even after poring over so many scriptures from the Demon Vanquishing Department, he was still yet to see any written records of this immortal realm.
While Chu Qiguang was observing Yi Siman, the latter was also observing him, and the saber in his hand was buzzing faintly as if it were a living being.
"Who's this companion of yours, Brother Chu?" Chu Qiguang asked.
Chu Youtian was just about to reply, but Yi Siman beat him to the punch, declaring, "My name is Yi Siman. I am nothing more than an ordinary wolf fiend from the northern grasslands. I heard that you are the ruler of all of the fiends of Azure Sun County, and that you've even slain a thousand man commander of the Demon Vanquishing Department, so I wanted to come and meet you for myself."
"Is that right?" Chu Qiguang mused.
The tension in the air was rapidly mounting, and even the surrounding air seemed to have become more viscous, striking Chu Youtian with a sense of asphyxiation.
Master Qiao, if the northern fiends succeed in their invasion of the Great Han Empire, the entire world will be plunged into chaos, and that would be detrimental to our development, Chu Qiguang said. Instead, it would be much more beneficial for our Hidden Fiend Village if the Great Han Empire remained in power. Hence, if it's possible, I would like to buy some time for the Great Han Empire.
That's not a problem, but both of the top two divination masters under the heavens have concluded that fiends are destined to emerge victorious over humans, so if you choose to do this, then you'll be opposing fate itself, Qiao Zhi warned.
Haven't I already overcome fate by defeating Jiang Longyu? Chu Qiguang asked with a smile. If I've already overcome fate once, then why can't I do it again? Besides, fate is not something that's set in stone; it's something that's constantly changing and can be altered by the right people.
Right at this moment, a blanket of dark clouds suddenly appeared in the sky above.
Immediately thereafter, a resounding thunderclap rang out, and arcs of electricity could be seen flashing through the dark storm clouds.
It was as if there were some type of fearsome power constantly grinding and crashing against itself in the clouds, producing more and more lightning in the process.
Is this just a coincidence, or is fate really in effect here? Qiao Zhi thought to himself with a stunned expression.
Meanwhile, the auras of Chu Qiguang and Yi Siman were continuing to elevate, and Chu Youtian could sense that a battle was about to break out at any moment.
Chu Qiguang clasped his hands behind his back, and his gaze was fixed on Yi Siman as he asked, "I take it that you've come here to challenge me today? Seeing as you're a friend of Chu Youtian's, I can oblige that request. You look like you're quite skilled with a saber. Come then, show me what you've got."
"Where's your weapon?"Yi Siman asked in a cold voice.
"I won't be needing one," Chu Qiguang replied in an indifferent manner.
"You're going to fight me unarmed?" Yi Siman asked as a hint of anger surfaced in his eyes, clearly feeling as if he were being slighted.
Seemingly fueled by his rage, the saber in his hand was buzzing and trembling more violently than ever, producing a rumbling noise that complemented the thunderclaps ringing out up above.
"This saber of mine was forged from the fang of a legendary beast fiend. It weighs over six kilograms and can slice through iron like butter. If you don't take this seriously, it may be the last mistake that you ever make."
All the while, Chu Qiguang was looking up at the flashing lightning in the sky, and it seemed like he was more interested in the storm raging up above than he was in the opponent standing before him.