NOVPUBLing Long, an auspicious beast from ancient times, her very existence was a sign of good fortune.
In the world of cultivation, destiny was paramount. To reach the pinnacle, one needed both talent and destiny. And Ling Long could bestow destiny upon others. It was an irresistible temptation.
But Mu Zhi’an wasn’t particularly interested in destiny.
Within this Celestial Realm, destiny was indeed a treasure, but there was a greater treasure here. He discreetly observed the silver-haired woman, who seemed to be from the same era as the Two Polarities Sect’s founder. She held a teacup in her hands, her gaze calm and serene, her crimson eyes bright and clear, giving her an air of innocence.
He glanced down, unable to resist. Indeed, ample and fair, perhaps even more so than Bai Ruoxi.
She seemed to sense his gaze, turning to look at him, tilting her head. “Aaa?”
He tilted his head as well. “Aaa?”
She wrote on the table with her finger: You were staring at me. Were you thinking bad thoughts?
He froze, then quickly shook his head. “I apologize. It was just a natural reaction. I’ll try to control myself.”
Senior Sister Lan was right. She was sensitive to malicious intent, and not just malicious intent, but also certain thoughts. Fortunately, she seemed to have a good temperament. She simply smiled, not expelling him like she had the Third Prince. She was tolerant towards those she favored.
He sipped his tea, glancing at the two dragon puppets in the hall. They were crudely made, their eyes mismatched, one large, one small, giving them a comical expression. Despite their appearance, their strength was undeniable. They swooped down on the disciples, their wings beating powerfully, their attacks relentless. The Foundation Establishment cultivators struggled to defend themselves.
Ye Yu, however, was holding his own, barely managing to fend off one of the puppets. He’s not as useless as he seems. He watched Ye Yu fight, then his gaze shifted to a woman standing in the corner, watching Ye Yu. That girl beside him is quite pretty.
He studied the female cultivator who had been accompanying Ye Yu. Her beauty was above average, but her figure was exceptional. He looked away, his gaze returning to the silver-haired woman.
He cleared his throat. “Senior Lin Ling, did you choose me because of my destiny?”
She sipped her tea, her lips moist and alluring. She wrote on the table with her finger: Your destiny is sweet.
I’ve never heard of destiny being sweet. He watched as the disciples battled the puppets. “What does sweet destiny mean?”
It couldn’t be because my destiny is pink, right? Do destinies have different flavors? Is purple destiny lavender flavored?
She set down her teacup, moving closer to him. A sweet fragrance, stronger than the tea’s aroma, filled his nostrils. She turned to him, her face inches from his, then, to Ye Lingxuan’s astonishment, she licked his cheek, her tongue soft and wet.
He froze, the unexpected sensation sending a shiver down his spine. He looked at Ye Lingxuan, his eyes wide. He knew she probably didn’t care. She lacked experience with human relationships. But still, this was unexpected.
If she had licked him in her dragon form, it wouldn’t have been so shocking. But she was in her human form! And she was a silver-haired, crimson-eyed beauty! It was overwhelming.
Wei Mengrou also stared at them, her mouth agape, then she closed it, seemingly deciding to remain silent. As he wondered if she had a crush on him, she sat back, a shy smile playing on her lips.
She retrieved a black stone tablet and handed it to him. It was the Destiny Testing Monument! She wants me to test my destiny now?
He looked at the tablet, then placed his hand on its surface. A pink light emanated from the stone, but this time, he noticed something different. A purple aura was intertwined with the pink.
“Imperial Aura?” Ye Lingxuan exclaimed, staring at the monument. I don’t remember seeing that purple aura before. She frowned, confused.
He also stared at the purple aura, which resembled a dragon. Then he shook his head. “No, this isn’t Imperial Aura.” It felt familiar, but he couldn’t place it.
“What is it, Senior?” he asked, looking at Lin Ling.
She wrote four words on the table.
He stared at the words, his eyes widening with realization, then he looked at her, his voice filled with disbelief.
“Heavenly Dao Aura?!”
It was true. She had just placed a fragment of Heavenly Dao Aura within him! No wonder it felt familiar. Bai Ruoxi possessed Heavenly Dao Aura, and he had been helping her cultivate. He was acquainted with its aura.
“You placed a fragment of Heavenly Dao Aura within me?” he asked, looking at her, his voice laced with confusion. “Why?”
There was no such thing as a free lunch. He believed that wholeheartedly.
She wrote on the table: I have too much Heavenly Dao Aura. I need to share it.
Before he could process her words, she spoke, her voice soft and clear. “We’re a thousand feet above the ground.”
The scenery shifted again. Moments ago, they had been able to see the hall where the disciples were being tested. Now, they were surrounded by clouds. They were floating in the air! It’s inconvenient, but also convenient. He looked around, a flicker of envy in his eyes.
She touched the Destiny Testing Monument. Three different auras, each a different color, emanated from the stone. He stared at the monument, his eyes widening. She possessed three types of Heavenly Dao Aura! She wasn’t just a rich lady. She was a tycoon!
Even Ye Lingxuan, who had grown up surrounded by wealth and luxury, was stunned. Heavenly Dao Aura granted its possessor immense destiny. Even if all the cultivators in the world combined their Heavenly Dao Aura, they might not have seven portions. Yet this dragon possessed three different types! And even more astonishing, she could withstand such immense destiny.
She wrote on the table: You can absorb a portion of other people’s destiny.
His eyes flickered, his thoughts racing. So my destiny is connected to the women around me? The more women I know, the more women I pursue, the stronger my destiny becomes?
He had suspected as much, but now, seeing her confirmation, he was certain. He remembered how, back when he was a wastrel, his destiny had been unremarkable. But after meeting Bai Ruoxi, after their relationship deepened, he had noticed a significant improvement in his luck. That’s why my destiny is pink. It’s all from the other women. He understood.
He had started as a minor antagonist, a supporting character in the tutorial village. His destiny had been mediocre. His current pink destiny was most likely from Bai Ruoxi, the Ye sisters, and even Senior Sister Lan.
“Will absorbing their destiny affect them?” he asked.
She shook her head. Normally, when destiny reached a certain level, it would overflow. It wouldn’t continue to accumulate.
A long-held question had been answered, and he felt a sense of clarity. He then asked another question that had been on his mind. “Why did you summon me, Senior?”
She wrote on the table: To exchange a portion of our destiny. Then she added: Too much destiny attracts karmic fire. I need to transfer some of it.
Her destiny was too vast, so she was using this method to reduce it? He thought about it. It made sense. Possessing three types of Heavenly Dao Aura, a normal person wouldn’t be able to handle it.
“You want to absorb a portion of my destiny, and in return, you’ll give me a portion of yours?” he asked.
She nodded, her bright eyes fixed on him, as if seeking his approval. She didn’t act like a powerful being at all. It was a profitable deal, no matter how he looked at it. Ling Long’s existence represented destiny. Who would complain about having too much destiny?
He bowed respectfully. “I’m willing to help you, Senior.”
But how will she absorb my destiny, and how will she transfer hers to me? Will she lick me again?
He looked at her, a shy smile playing on her lips, and he couldn’t help but wonder. She didn’t hide her emotions at all. Her joy, her shyness, it was all transparent.
“Senior, I have a question. When we entered the realm, my friend sensed something calling to her. Do you know what it might be?” he asked.
She tilted her head. “Aaa?”
“Could you write it down, Senior?” he chuckled.
She wrote on the table: What is she to you?
Ye Lingxuan also saw the words, glancing at him.
He looked at her, his smile gentle. “Lingxuan is my precious sister.”
She frowned slightly, seemingly dissatisfied with his answer, but she didn’t say anything, maintaining her usual composure.
Lin Ling pondered for a moment, then looked at Ye Lingxuan, pointing at the words on the table.
“Follow me.”
Ye Lingxuan looked at Mu Zhi’an, as if seeking his permission.
He smiled at her, his voice soft. “Go with her, Lingxuan. This is your opportunity.”
She bowed to Lin Ling. “Thank you, Senior.”
Lin Ling nodded, then stood up to leave.
“What about the other disciples, the ones taking the trial?” Mu Zhi’an asked suddenly.
Words appeared on the table: Five destiny inheritances. You decide.
She’s not worried that I’ll take them all? He thought about it, then looked at her, her crimson eyes blinking innocently, and he understood. She hadn’t opened her realm to bestow destiny upon the disciples. She didn’t care what happened to them.
As she led Ye Lingxuan away, he noticed an ancient scroll lying on the table. He opened it, revealing a map. Five locations were marked, each labeled “Destiny Inheritance.”
Wei Mengrou glanced at the map, then at him. “What are you going to do?”
He pondered for a moment. “I’ll take three and give away two.”
He wasn’t sure if Ling Long was testing him. Taking all five inheritances would be unwise. But taking a portion, it was a good compromise.
She traced the rim of her teacup, her voice soft. “You might make some enemies.”
He shook his head, looking up at the clouds, a smile playing on his lips. “If they knew there were five inheritances, and I suddenly told them only two were available, they would be unhappy. They might even resent me.”
“But if I tell them there was only one inheritance, and I pleaded with Ling Long to grant them two more…”
“They won’t complain.”
“In fact…”
He shook his head, meeting Wei Mengrou’s disgusted gaze, his smile gentle.
“They’ll be grateful.”
