Library of Heaven’s Path 2: Eternal Destiny

Vol 2 Chapter 124: The Second Realm of Destiny

"Could it be… those tributaries you saw… are them?"

After a long pause, the Sage of Space-Time finally snapped out of his daze, his eyes widening in shock.

A river with numerous tributaries could indeed have potential dangers. However, if these tributaries were at the level of the Yangtze, Yellow, Mekong, or Nile Rivers… they wouldn't be mere tributaries but empires of water!

"This… this…"

The Source Hall Master was equally at a loss for words.

Before them stood the Longevity Supreme, Feng Yuanping, Miao Hengsheng, Zhou Cang, and others. Although their cultivation and mastery of Heaven’s Fate were slightly inferior, each was a renowned figure in their own right, possessing immense strength. Combined, they were not people one could afford to offend lightly.

What they had assumed were insignificant tributaries or small fry turned out to be beings on par with themselves!

"We were too rash…"

Had they known Zhang Xuan was this formidable, they wouldn't have dared to make threats! After all the fuss, the true clowns turned out to be themselves.

Still, no matter how strong one's connections, if they lacked strength, it was all meaningless.

"Let’s go!"

Realizing that staying any longer would only lead to further humiliation, the Source Hall Master didn't hesitate. With a wave of his hand, Luo Ruoxi was enveloped in a surge of power, and the two disappeared into the void.

The Sage of Space-Time followed suit, taking Luo Qiqi with him.

"We shall take our leave as well!"

The Longevity Supreme gave no further explanation.

One by one, Zhou Cang, Feng Yuanping, and the others tore through space and departed. In mere moments, Zhang Xuan's allies—Liu Yang, Yuan Tao, Lu Chong, Wei Ruyan, Zhang Jiuxiao, Kong Shiyao, Shan Xiaotian, Bai Ruanqing, Dao Li, Little Chick, Luo Ruoxi, and Luo Qiqi—were all taken away.

Only Sun Qiang, Liu Mingyue, Yu Xiaoyu, and Hong Yi remained.

Sun Qiang’s mastery of Heaven’s Fate hadn't drawn the attention of any great powers. As for Liu Mingyue and the others, though Zhang Xuan’s teachings had elevated their talents above average, they were still far from true prodigies.

Even their comprehension of Heaven’s Fate failed to impress.

"Teacher… we've let you down…"

Liu Mingyue and the others flushed with embarrassment.

They had once thought themselves exceptional, capable of standing out anywhere. But after meeting their teacher’s other disciples, the gulf was stark.

Even in a simple examination, those earlier disciples were snatched up by powerful figures, while they… were left behind.

"There’s no such thing as letting me down as long as you keep cultivating earnestly," Zhang Xuan reassured them with a gentle smile.

"Don’t worry, Teacher. I’ll double my efforts and strive to become as talented as our senior brothers and sisters!" Liu Mingyue declared resolutely.

Her father was gone, the Liu family had fallen, and all that remained was to dedicate herself wholeheartedly to cultivation under Zhang Xuan’s guidance.

"Me too! I’ll work harder and stop playing around so much!" Yu Xiaoyu chimed in, her large eyes blinking earnestly.

She had always been talented but overly playful. In White Rock City, she hadn’t felt any pressure, but now she realized that if she didn’t change, she wouldn’t even measure up to Dao Li, much less her senior brothers and sisters.

"I-I’ll work hard too!" Hong Yi nodded fervently.

Zhang Xuan had given him the opportunity to choose his destiny; he couldn’t afford to squander it.

Seeing their determination, Zhang Xuan nodded in satisfaction.

It reminded him of Zhao Ya and the others when they first started out—lost but gradually growing resolute. With confidence, the future was no longer out of reach.

The surrounding spectators, meanwhile, began murmuring amongst themselves.

"What’s going on? How did we get here?"

"I have no idea. Maybe we were looking for missions at the Destiny Hall?"

"That makes sense. Let’s go check it out."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Many among the crowd seemed disoriented, their memories erased by the Source Hall Master.

Even prominent figures like Shi Yunjing and Qian Yuhuan were left puzzled.

The former frowned deeply and glanced over. "Gate Master Qian, did you bring me here?"

"Not that I recall…" Qian Yuhuan scratched his head before a thought occurred to him. "Wait, weren’t you checking on the Heaven’s Fate assessments? How did it go?"

"Yes, I was, but… who did I bring?" Shi Yunjing sank into contemplation.

As they tried to piece things together, Yan San-shisan rubbed his head. "Feels like I forgot something… No matter. At least I broke through to the Star River Realm during this test. Who in the Zouyi Dynasty can compare to me now?"

Seeing that everyone had mostly forgotten the critical events, Zhang Xuan heaved a sigh of relief. Calling for Sun Qiang and the others, he led them back to his residence.

Returning to Zhang Manor, Zhang Xuan went straight to his room.

Though he had made rapid progress, he still felt the need to push harder. Otherwise, he feared falling behind.

"Let’s focus on breaking through to the Star River Realm first."

He had reached the peak of the Dharma Aspect Realm. It was time to take the next step.

His comprehension of the Tidal Wave Momentum (Level Four), Mo Dao (Level Three), and Flowing Light (Level Two) were solid, yet the Heaven’s Fate of Pathos remained his weakest. Ironically, it was also the key to his further advancement.

He needed to elevate it to the Second Stage before breaking through.

Immersing his consciousness in the Library of Heaven’s Path, Zhang Xuan observed the Tidal Wave Momentum, massive and potent, yet constrained within the web of Pathos Heaven’s Fate—a cocoon waiting to unfurl.

Breaking through required grasping its profound principles and gathering sufficient Heaven’s Fate Energy.

As his mind followed the intricate threads of emotion, a hazy memory surfaced—a bright morning atop a mountain.

Standing beside his father-in-law, Nie Yun, he recalled:

"The Source World… can you sense it?" Nie Yun asked, gazing into the distant firmament.

Hesitating, Zhang Xuan answered, "Yes, all power to create new worlds originates from there. But it’s peculiar—unless fully controlled, it leaves hidden dangers that can’t be resolved."

Kong Shi nodded in agreement. "It feels as though someone else is controlling my fate, ready to sever it at any moment."

Nie Yun’s expression darkened. "Your senses are accurate. The Source World is indeed peculiar. Years ago, I was gravely injured by a single palm strike from someone wielding its power. Recently, I’ve uncovered who that person might be and why they targeted me."

Before Zhang Xuan and Kong Shi could ask further, Nie Yun pressed his finger to their foreheads, transmitting a beam of light.

"I’ve sealed the answer within your memories. You’ll understand when your cultivation reaches the requisite level. Knowing prematurely might expose you to danger."

With that, Nie Yun vanished into the Source World, leaving a cryptic warning: "Don’t recklessly use the powers of a new world when you arrive. The consequences could be dire."

Snapping back to the present, Zhang Xuan shook his head. The memory was too fragmented to piece together fully, but it would become clear in time.

For now, he focused on refining the Pathos Heaven’s Fate. Its network of emotional threads shone brighter, growing tougher and more resilient. He had succeeded in reaching the Second Stage!

Still, the breakthrough felt incomplete. Without sufficient Heaven’s Fate Energy, he couldn’t advance further. Others required only thousands of strands for similar breakthroughs, but he needed tens of millions.

"Why didn’t I ask them for resources earlier?" Zhang Xuan slapped his forehead in frustration.

It was too late now, but perhaps it was for the best. Asking for Heaven’s Fate Energy in front of so many might have raised suspicion. For now, he would make do.

Suddenly, the ground began to shake violently. A seven-colored cloud burst forth, illuminating the sky like blooming lotuses.

"What’s happening now?"

Zhang Xuan stepped out, puzzled. He hadn’t done anything… had he?

Author's Note