Book 2: Chapter 27: The Divine Domain of Fate
“No matter the species, as long as they exist, they possess their own destiny and are bound by the shackles of fate. No one can escape their destiny or the cycle of creation and reincarnation laid out for them.”
“If one cannot break free, then could they control their destiny to make life smoother?”
“Thus, Destiny Masters were born. While they cannot defy and change fate, they can foresee its turns and crises, enabling better decisions and even adding ‘color’ to destiny...”
In the library, Zhang Xuan skimmed through the book in his hand, gradually deepening his understanding of Destiny Masters.
On the Master Teacher Continent, cultivation focused on power. In this world, cultivation was all about fate!
The so-called paths of medicine, teaching, beast taming, alchemy, and smithing seemed powerful but were mere appendages dependent on the "Path of Fate."
It was like an old theory from his past life: fate was the numeral “1,” and skills like driving, playing music, practicing medicine, or cooking were zeros added to that “1.” The more zeros added after “1,” the higher one’s value. But if the “1” was removed, no number of zeros would hold any significance.
This world was no different.Only Destiny Masters or their believers were qualified to study medicine, beast taming, alchemy, and other disciplines. Otherwise, they would be suppressed by the Heaven’s Fate Lock, rendering them unable to learn despite trying.
“Fate is singular; only one person can ultimately master each profession...”
For example, in teaching, countless people on the Master Teacher Continent pursued this path, but only one achieved the highest mastery—Kong Shi!
No matter how outstanding future generations were, becoming a teacher meant abiding by the principles he established. Even Zhang Xuan, who had rivaled that level on the continent, was still following in Kong Shi’s footsteps.
Understanding dawned on Zhang Xuan.
No wonder the Master Teacher Continent was subordinate to the Source World. It was merely a branch within the greater framework.
“For cultivators, fate is singular, but for the Destiny World, there are infinite paths! Someone might struggle with medicine for decades and never progress, signifying that fate denies them that path. Yet, the same person might take up running and become a world champion, or play soccer and become a star!”
“Some may fail at alchemy, unable to tell herbs apart after months, yet pick up an instrument and become the next Beethoven or Mozart...”
“And fate can branch into countless directions. Two people might share a writing destiny; one struggles with 500-word reports, while the other pens a 50,000-word novel effortlessly...”
A realization crystallized in Zhang Xuan’s mind.
For ordinary people, cultivating a single fate was arduous enough. Zhang Xuan’s display of teaching, beast taming, and medical skills in White Roc City made it unsurprising that Ling Buyang suspected him of being a Chaotic Fate Practitioner.
With a sweep of his hand, he stored all the books on Destiny Masters into the Library of Heaven\'s Path. Just as he planned to search for information on Chaotic Fate Practitioners, an old man approached, eyes full of suspicion: “You return to Hanyuan City and don’t come to see me, only to read these books?”
The old man’s brows knitted, clearly puzzled.
It was Han Xiao, the Hall Master of the Destiny Hall!
He thought Ling Buyang’s urgency indicated he had unresolved questions or sought crucial knowledge, but it was only this...
While these books were rare to ordinary people, they were basic knowledge for Destiny Masters, no more complex than knowing one plus one equals two.
“Yes…”
Zhang Xuan was momentarily taken aback but quickly cupped his fists.
He didn’t know who this person was, but the dignified aura and evident authority suggested someone significant. It was best to answer cautiously.
“What content are you searching for? Maybe I can help clear up any confusion...” Han Xiao asked.
After a brief hesitation, Zhang Xuan said, “I’m looking for detailed information and records on Chaotic Fate Practitioners!”
He had already stored the books on Destiny Masters, so reviewing them later was fine. More pressing was understanding Chaotic Fate Practitioners to avoid exposure and investigate Kong Shi’s circumstances.
“No need to look; it’s not here!”
Han Xiao shook his head. “Chaotic Fate Practitioners emerged a few decades ago. They exist beyond fate’s constraints, able to cultivate multiple fate-bound professions without conflict. The most crucial part is... the fate they cultivate isn’t controlled by anyone! For example, practicing the Machete Sect, you would be bound by Lord Mo Baiye’s influence. If he couldn’t break through, neither could you.”
Zhang Xuan nodded.
He had read similar notes in the books.
Take teaching as an example: when Kong Shi established the path of teaching, even the most talented disciples, like Zigong and Yan Hui, could not surpass him unless he advanced to a nine-star Master Teacher first.
This was the manifestation of the singular fate.
Han Xiao continued, “Chaotic Fate Practitioners defy this constraint. If they practice the Machete Sect, not only would you fail to sense their progress, even Lord Mo Baiye, the founder, wouldn’t know their level or strength! Such people disrupt balance and are considered aberrations that must be eradicated!”
Zhang Xuan’s expression grew serious.
People often said that a divine creator shaped the world, using such beliefs to pacify and govern the masses. If someone appeared espousing materialism instead, wouldn’t eliminating them be a priority?
After his explanation, Han Xiao looked puzzled: “You, as a Destiny Master from the Zouyi Dynasty, should know these details better than I do, right? In fact, most of what I said was previously explained by you. Why do you seem unaware after just one trip out?”
“I’m not unaware; I just wanted to understand more deeply...”
Zhang Xuan’s heart skipped a beat, but he maintained a calm expression, nodding with a smile.
“You came back precisely to learn more, didn’t you?” Han Xiao’s confusion deepened.
“I...”
Knowing that speaking too much without knowing the facts would arouse more suspicion, Zhang Xuan paused, studying the old man before him.
Xu Xin’s memories didn’t include this person’s identity, so he truly didn’t recognize him.
Without knowing the other party’s name, even changing the subject would be difficult.
With a thought, Zhang Xuan tucked the access token into the new world.
Boom!
Without the token, the library’s formation detected an intruder and activated, spreading an immense pressure in all directions.
Zhang Xuan involuntarily stepped back, a groan escaping him.
“What’s going on?”
Han Xiao hadn’t expected the formation to suddenly trigger. With a swift gesture, he unleashed a surge of power that enveloped the area, quelling the formation’s energy.
“Flaws!”
This was precisely Zhang Xuan’s goal: to provoke a response. As Han Xiao acted, Zhang Xuan’s mind activated.
Swoosh!
The Library of Heaven\'s Path shimmered, and a book materialized.
“Han Xiao, Hall Master of the Destiny Hall in Hanyuan City, pinnacle of the third level of Dharma Aspect, cultivator of [Balanced Fate]...”
Zhang Xuan blinked in shock.
So, this was the Hall Master, someone he’d rather avoid, and now they had met! Thankfully, he hadn’t said too much, or he’d surely be exposed.
“Wait... Balanced Fate?”
The initial surprise gave way to confusion.
Curiosity piqued, he read on, thankful for the book’s explanation.
Balanced Fate involved seeking equilibrium in all actions. Only by maintaining neutrality could one gain benefits and advance their cultivation...
Zhang Xuan blinked in astonishment.
He had assumed that fate only included traditional paths like alchemy, medicine, and teaching, akin to professions on the Master Teacher Continent. It turned out to be more bizarre and diverse than expected.
Balanced Fate, this approach of staying neutral and impartial, was entirely unheard of.
Yet such people not only existed but were common.
They wouldn’t favor anyone or show bias, consistently treating all equally...
And this, too, could form a destiny. That there were people cultivating it was hard to believe without witnessing it firsthand.
As the book formed, Zhang Xuan returned the access token to his pocket, causing the pressure from the formation to recede.
“Hall Master Han, in truth, I didn’t meet with the teacher on this last visit. The Chaotic Fate Practitioner escaped into the Divine Domain of Fate and hasn’t been captured since...”
After some thought, Zhang Xuan spoke.
Ling Buyang’s journey to the Zouyi Dynasty was in Xu Xin’s memories, aligning perfectly with the information passed down from Kong Shi. This explanation should suffice.
Han Xiao nodded in realization: “The Divine Domain of Fate? Anyone who enters there is as good as dead. No need to pursue further!”
“This...”
Zhang Xuan’s heart tightened. “What exactly is the Divine Domain of Fate? The teacher never spoke of it before, and I don’t quite understand...”
Han Xiao smiled. “Any Destiny Master who reaches the Establishing Fate Realm will develop their own Fate Path. They blend their cultivation, life, fortune, and knowledge into it, making it stronger until it becomes the sole destiny. If this fate has a successor, it will continue; if not, upon death, it forms a Divine Domain infused with their will. This is what we call the Divine Domain of Fate.”
“This place embodies the cultivator’s destiny. Any intruder whose
fate diverges from it will be consumed and used as fuel. However, if they can inherit the knowledge, they will experience a rapid breakthrough in cultivation...”
“But destiny is singular. Without being the direct successor or possessing deep understanding, it is nearly impossible to inherit it. Hence, those who mistakenly enter the Divine Domain of Fate are almost certainly doomed.”
Author\'s Note