Chapter 291: Child of Destiny

In a mysterious, colossal underground palace, Qi Miaoxuan sat cross-legged in the air. Below him, dark purple magma churned, viscous as blood. Sparks erupted from bursting bubbles, splashing against the rock walls, only to extinguish instantly upon touching the dangling stalactites. The surface of the milky-white stalagmites was covered in frost, and cold air seeped down in wisps from the cave ceiling. It collided with the heat waves rising from below, coalescing into an eerie white mist in mid-air.

The structure of this underground palace defied all common sense. The temperature difference between the dome and the ground distorted the air, reflecting the eerie blue runes that glowed on the rock walls. Even more frightening were the magic arrays suspended in mid-air. They were not carved into the stone but were circular patterns composed of countless tiny light streaks, slowly rotating at a visible speed. Each light streak exuded an ancient might, and as they rotated, they meticulously drew out shimmering white chains of spiritual energy.

These chains were not illusory; they were tangible and icy, writhing like living entities. They ultimately plunged in unison into Qi Miaoxuan’s chest, precisely ensnaring the black dagger lodged near his heart. The blade was now tightly bound by the spiritual energy chains, and each time it attempted to tremor, it caused the chains to constrict even tighter, sending agonizing throbs through his chest.

"Roar!"

From within the dagger came the roaring and howling of a dragon soul. "Vile slave, how dare you presumptuously attempt to usurp your master? Everything you possess was granted by me. What means do you have that you think you can control me? Do you not know that my very being is the embodiment of the rules of heaven and earth, neither born nor dying?"

Qi Miaoxuan sat shirtless, revealing his brawny physique, his white hair drifting around him as he floated in the air. He opened his eyes slightly and calmly remarked, "Azure Dragon, the more you act like this, the more hysterical you appear!"

"Hmph, vile slave seeks death..."

With a fierce dragon's roar, the dagger began to vibrate violently. A blue phantom suddenly materialized in the void – the image of a dragon, its body coiled, its scales and talons outstretched. Though composed of only a few strokes of light and shadow, it exuded an aura of peerless dominion. As its head lifted, a muffled but piercing dragon's roar faintly resonated.

However, the dragon phantom, coiled in the void, was wreathed in runic iron chains imbued with the chill of profound ice. Each chain was inscribed with luminous golden incantations, and with every low moan and tremor from the dragon's body, the iron chains contracted and tightened like living things.

But in that very instant,

"ROAR!"

The Azure Dragon let out a furious roar!

Its azure-green dragon body suddenly arched like a full moon, its bronze-sheened scales flaring like surging waves, unleashing cataclysmic power. The profound ice chains wrapped around its neck first emitted a strained, muffled *crack*, then shattered piece by piece like a spiderweb. The links exploded into fiery shrapnel, shooting outwards with piercing whistles, cleaving the surrounding spiritual reefs into scattered debris.

The broken iron chains vaporized into mist, and the Azure Dragon leaped upwards. A storm erupted from where its tail swept, tearing the light barrier of the entire confined space into fragments like broken glass. Its molten-gold eyes burned with sky-scorching rage, and as its dragon head lowered, two streams of scorching dragon breath spewed forth, scorching two deep furrows into the ground.

"Vile slave!" A thunderous roar, wrapped in crushing oppressive force, slammed downwards. Fragments of chains still clung to the dragon's maw, clinking to the ground. "You think a few wisps of earth vein spiritual power can trap my body, capable of overturning rivers and seas?"

The void convulsed as the Azure Dragon, carrying a cataclysmic and ferocious aura, crashed towards Qi Miaoxuan. The gale-force winds spewing from its wide-open maw shredded the clouds like cotton, and crimson-gold sparks erupted as its scales scraped against the air. The mountain-toppling draconic might caused spiderweb-like ripples to spread through space, and in an instant, it was directly before Qi Miaoxuan.

Yet, Qi Miaoxuan remained perfectly still, suspended unperturbed in the swirling currents. His frost-white long hair stirred without a breeze. He merely lifted his eyelids slightly, then lashed out with a palm.

In that instant, a purple flame appeared in his palm, like an inky lotus blooming in a cold night, its edges pulsating with esoteric rhythms. Upon leaving his hand, it transformed into a gigantic purple fire lotus, its ethereal glow surging as it engulfed the charging Azure Dragon.

"That wretch, the Fire Kirin, wasn't a match for me even when alive. You vile slave, to think you can use his primordial ancestral flame against me, it's utterly absurd!" Thunderous disdain rolled from the dragon's throat, and its molten-gold eyes gleamed with scorn.

Before the words had fully faded, the dragon's body convulsed violently, and the surrounding purple flames erupted like a living entity, transforming into a diffuse mist.

However, before the Azure Dragon could react further, the vast mist had already coalesced in mid-air into countless purple crystal chains, intertwined with incantations.

Concurrently, nine dark, floating ritual platforms materialized in the void, their surfaces inscribed with spells. As luminous violet bridges lit up between the platforms, all the chains interlinked like spirit serpents, weaving an impenetrable web of curses around the Azure Dragon, forming a grand binding array!

The Azure Dragon scoffed disdainfully and swept its tail, but it was startled to find an unprecedented resilience emanating from the chains. The purple crystal chains seemed to absorb its power; each struggle caused the chains to constrict even tighter. As a soul entity, its very essence began to dissipate into wisps of violet smoke, merging into the purple crystal chains.

Even more terrifyingly, the array runes glowed in unison, continuously compressing the entire space inwards. The originally enormous dragon phantom was forcibly reduced in size by several circles, and fine cracks erupted across its azure soul body in agony.

The Azure Dragon's expression shifted drastically. "What is this?" it demanded.

Qi Miaoxuan rose slowly, walking barefoot across the void towards the Azure Dragon. He softly said, "Azure Dragon, you have been dead for over two thousand years, dwelling within the Reverse Scale Blade for over eighteen hundred years, and I have been serving as your blade's scabbard for over twelve hundred years!

During these twelve hundred years, you were largely dormant, rarely awake. Thus, you are utterly unaware of the immense changes this world has undergone. You know nothing of war qi, nor the advanced levels to which array formations have developed. You are also ignorant of the prodigious talents that have emerged in this world, and how martial arts have become truly miraculous.

The restrictions you placed upon me are now utterly obsolete in this era. You only know that the Fire Kirin's primordial ancestral flame cannot harm you, but you are unaware that this Heaven-Deceiving Grand Array, with the ancestral flame as its eye, would be impossible for you to break free from, even if your true dragon body were intact."

The Azure Dragon showed a hint of panic. It said, "Even if you trap me for a moment, you cannot trap me for an eternity. While the ancestral flame's energy is strong, it is also finite. It is not a living being and lacks consciousness; it only possesses sheer instinct. The energy it instinctively absorbs cannot compensate for what it expends. When its energy is depleted, I promise you will beg for death and not find it!"

A faint smile touched Qi Miaoxuan's lips. He said, "Guess what I intended by bringing back the Fire Kirin's body, even at the cost of severe injury?"

The Azure Dragon's voice deepened. "What new machinations do you have now?"

Qi Miaoxuan replied, "I have found a way to absorb the Fire Kirin's power. I will incorporate the Fire Kirin into my very being. At that time, my entire body will become a grand array; I will *be* the Fire Kirin. I will continually draw in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and thus, the ancestral flame will never be depleted of energy. As for you, you will never escape. I will gradually refine you, and your origin will be forever sealed within the Reverse Scale Blade!"

The Azure Dragon roared furiously, "Vile slave, you dare usurp your master..."

"Shut up!" snapped Qi Miaoxuan. "What right do you have to accuse me of usurpation? You are merely a beast, clinging to existence after death by serving as a weapon spirit. The Reverse Scale Blade is *my* weapon, and you, Azure Dragon soul, are nothing more than its weapon spirit. I am the master, and you are the servant. It is you who has always sought to devour your master!"

The Azure Dragon retorted angrily, "You're spouting nonsense! If I hadn't granted you immortality, you would have long turned to dust!"

Qi Miaoxuan sneered, "So what? We simply took what we needed from each other. I required immortality, and you, my innate talent. I am a born sage, blessed with the visage of a dragon and the mark of the sun. You needed my destiny to regain your consciousness; you only transferred a portion of your primal power onto me to preserve your life. We had a symbiotic relationship, yet you enslaved me for over a thousand years using your tricks. Now, it's time for our positions to be reversed!"

With a swift motion, Qi Miaoxuan reached out and pulled down the Azure Dragon, still ensnared within its prison.

Qi Miaoxuan looked at the Azure Dragon and said, "Don't worry, refining you will take a considerable amount of time. You can witness how I grasp the true Great Dao and ascend to become the Heavenly Dao!"

The Azure Dragon scoffed coldly, "A fool's dream. There is no Heavenly Dao in this world; it's merely a concept!"

Qi Miaoxuan stated coldly, "When I have devoured all origins, then I will *be* the Heavenly Dao!"

As his words fell silent, Qi Miaoxuan performed a hand seal, quickly compressing the cage to the size of a fist, forming a purple iron sphere. The Azure Dragon struggled frantically within it.

Qi Miaoxuan inserted the iron sphere into the wound on his chest.

In that very instant, the entire underground palace became intensely hot. Golden liquid flowed from all directions, like countless runes, binding the very fabric of this realm. In a flash, the golden liquid poured into his body, and a phantom image of the Kirin seemed to roar within him.

***

For Gu Mo, the journey to Mobei had yielded immense rewards, including a seven-star martial art, the Tathagata Palm, and an eight-star martial art, the Art of the War God.

The Art of the War God, in particular, elevated his cultivation to a level beyond the Ascension Realm, granting him insight into the fundamental laws governing the world.

It was a truly unique state of being.

The moment he broke through, his consciousness entered an ethereal state, as if he had transcended the world itself, standing in a singular vantage point. In that moment, people and objects before him appeared as individual frames, as if with a mere flick of his hand, he could rewind or fast-forward through time.

In that moment, he understood: he had perceived the underlying patterns and laws.

For instance, after spring comes summer – that is a law.

And in Gu Mo's current perception, everything seemed to operate similarly. Though the future was ostensibly unknown, he saw an invisible thread connecting events, revealing that the future was not uncertain, but a predetermined progression governed by these laws.

As these laws operated, they would give rise to a special 'Qi of Laws,' akin to the purple flame that had emerged from the Fire Kirin's body after its death.

This Qi was profoundly unique, its essence not residing in quantity, but in comprehension and application.

It was then that Gu Mo finally understood why he hadn't been able to kill Qi Miaoxuan.

They were simply not on the same level of existence.

However, he had been able to wound Qi Miaoxuan and kill the Kirin because, even before fully perceiving the laws, he had already grasped a certain amount of this 'Qi of Laws.'

Earlier, when Gu Mo acquired the Dragon God Art and the Dao Heart Seed Demon Grand Art, he could already sense the fluctuations of all things in heaven and earth. Theoretically, he had been sensing the world's laws even then.

It was just that his cultivation realm at the time wasn't high enough to fully perceive them. Yet, subtly, he had already begun to grasp a certain amount of the 'Qi of Laws.'

It was no wonder Qi Miaoxuan hadn't taken him seriously; after all, Gu Mo couldn't even *see* this 'Qi' at the time, so he naturally couldn't utilize it to its fullest potential.

In hindsight, Gu Mo found his battle quite perilous.

Had it not been for the Dragon God Art's dragon transformation awakening the remnant soul of the Azure Dragon within Qi Miaoxuan's body, their battle that day would undoubtedly have been far more troublesome.

Nevertheless, Gu Mo felt no lingering fear.

After all, he hadn't fought with every last ounce of his strength. If he had been utterly incapable of inflicting harm, he would surely have lost. However, while he couldn't *see* the 'Qi of Laws' at the time, it didn't mean he lacked it entirely. By exerting his full power, he wouldn't have been completely powerless.

Beyond the Tathagata Palm and the Art of the War God, Gu Mo's gains from Yu Shier were also substantial. He acquired a trove of highly valuable heavenly materials and earthly treasures, a wide variety of medicinal herbs, and Yu Shier's lifelong medical compendium, which would undoubtedly be considered a top-tier secret manual in the martial world.

Furthermore, Gu Mo retrieved the poison pearl from Yu Shier, which contained all the world's exotic poisons, from within the Void Array and took it with him.

Finally, Gu Mo accompanied Ye Jinglan's group until they reached Qingzhou before parting ways.

The reason for the escort was Mobei's unique location as a border region, separated from the State of Chu by a vast desert. There was no guarantee that Chu would not dispatch forces to intercept them upon learning of the Hegui ruins.

Ultimately, it turned out Gu Mo's concerns were unfounded, as they encountered no interception throughout their journey to Qingzhou.

Gu Mo returned to Linjiang City almost to the minute, arriving precisely the day before Lunar New Year's Eve.

Upon arriving at the former site of the Buer Villa, Gu Mo saw that it had been renamed 'Gu Manor.'

"Brother, you're back!" Just then, Gu Chudong and Hongyi returned from outside, laden with numerous bags and packages.

Gu Chudong quickly ran up to Gu Mo, his small head tilted up as he proudly boasted, "How is it, Brother? This manor's renovation is quite good, isn't it? I've got all the furniture set up, and I even bought a dozen or so maids, so when Sister-in-Law moves in, she'll have plenty of people to serve her..."

Gu Chudong pulled Gu Mo into the manor, eagerly showing him around.

It had to be said that Gu Chudong had indeed accomplished a great deal during this time. The original villa had been a cloth shop, with many furnishings designed for business rather than direct habitation. But now, all traces of its former purpose were gone, transformed into a thorough residential estate.

The only minor flaw was that the strength of the guards Gu Chudong had recruited didn't quite match the prestige of the Gu Manor. After all, for the home of the world's foremost expert, there wasn't even a single first-rate martial artist among the ranks.

However, upon closer consideration, it wasn't particularly necessary.

After all, Gu Chudong, wielding the Heavenly Demon Guqin, was capable of contending with Grandmasters on Qian's Heaven List, while Hongyi and Qinshi were practically the pinnacles of human combat power. Even if the guards were Grandmasters, it seemed somewhat redundant.

Gu Chudong, holding Gu Mo's hand, walked around the manor happily, meticulously introducing every stone and tree.

As they walked, Gu Chudong suddenly said, "Oh, Brother, after the New Year, it seems we'll have to make another trip to the capital."

Gu Mo asked, puzzled, "What's happening?"

Gu Chudong replied, "A couple of days ago, His Majesty Emperor Qian sent a letter inviting us to attend a ceremony in the capital. On the second day of the second lunar month, the Crown Prince will be officially appointed, and a grand enthronement ceremony will be held in the Imperial City!"

Gu Mo nodded slightly. The last time he had met Emperor Qian in the Imperial Palace, after returning from Penglai Island, the Emperor had already informed him that the second prince, Prince Jin Li Zhongqing, had been chosen as the Crown Prince. It was only natural for an enthronement ceremony to be held now.

"Arrange your schedule, and we'll go then!"

Gu Mo wasn't particularly interested in the Crown Prince's enthronement itself, but the timing was convenient. He had already planned to visit Chang'an City after the New Year.

There were two matters he needed to attend to in Chang'an City.

First, Yu Shier's legacy remained beneath the Corpse Cocoon Cave in Ghost City, which Gu Mo needed to retrieve. Second, there was the 'poison pearl game' orchestrated by Qi Miaoxuan.

Gu Mo was keenly aware of the poison pearl's destructive power. If it were to truly detonate within Chang'an City, its toxic plague would be so terrifying that it could turn the entire city into a necropolis within ten days, perhaps even as little as one or two.

While Gu Mo had already informed Ye Jinglan, the sheer power of the poison pearl might be beyond the control of Ye Jinglan and the imperial family.

It wasn't that the Qian imperial family was weak; rather, the poison pearl was simply too formidable, being a creation developed over two hundred years by the Plague God, one of the Thirteen Taboos. Theoretically, it was a product that transcended the human realm.

***

Chang'an, Imperial City. Heavy snow fell, blanketing the entire city in a vast, desolate expanse.

Li Zhongqing, soon to be enthroned as Crown Prince, was conversing with Emperor Qian in the imperial study. Father and son sat facing each other in the slightly chilly room.

Emperor Qian handed Li Zhongqing a folded document and said, "This is a message sent back by Minister Ye Jinglan via homing pigeon. The ancient city of Hegui has been successfully opened, and the treasures left behind by the Hegui Kingdom have been found. They can support the front lines for at least another half a year of warfare!"

Li Zhongqing exclaimed with delighted surprise, "That's excellent news! Congratulations, Father! Our Great Qian is sure to win this war, and you will undoubtedly expand our territory and leave an indelible mark on history!"

Emperor Qian waved his hand. "That's not what I wanted to discuss. Minister Ye's letter also mentioned some complications during the process; it turns out the legendary taboos – the Fire Kirin and the Plague God – truly existed. The good news, however, is that both of these taboos were slain by Grandmaster Gu!"

Li Zhongqing's eyes widened in utter shock.

Emperor Qian continued, "But there is also bad news: the Plague God left behind a poison pearl capable of turning Chang'an City into a necropolis, and it's being propagated throughout the martial world via the legacy of Iron Hanshan."

Li Zhongqing's heart seized. "Your son has heard whispers of this matter. About half a year ago, it suddenly ignited a considerable stir in the martial world, specifically regarding the treasure maps of the Hanshan Treasury. Rumor has it that this treasury contains invincible martial arts, wealth rivaling nations, and the world's most potent divine weapons."

Emperor Qian stated gravely, "According to Minister Ye, this is merely a cruel game played by the Plague God, intended to bring about the destruction of Chang'an City and create an unsolved historical enigma. We must, by all means, locate the poison pearl and eliminate this threat. Furthermore, we must ensure strict information blockade; not a single whisper of this must leak out. The Crown Prince's enthronement ceremony is imminent, and various nations have dispatched delegations to observe. The State of Chu has also arrived, represented by their Eldest Princess Xiao Ziyin. This woman is exceptionally shrewd. If she were to learn of the poison pearl's existence, she would undoubtedly find a way to unleash its power, even if it meant risking her own life. Should the poison pearl truly erupt in Chang'an City, the State of Qian would be ruined, and Chu's unification of the realm would be within reach!"

Li Zhongqing nodded. "Your son will certainly not let any information leak. However, rather than worrying about Xiao Ziyin, your son is more concerned about Ye Chen, who is accompanying her."

"Ye Chen? Who is this person?" Emperor Qian asked, puzzled.

Li Zhongqing explained, "He is a martial artist from the State of Chu, holding no official rank or position, so it's normal for you not to know him. Had I not been a hostage in Chu for ten years, I likely wouldn't have noticed an ordinary martial artist within their delegation. However, this person holds significant renown in Chu; he is arguably the most famous and undisputed foremost prodigy in the current martial world of Chu. Originally, he was quite unremarkable, with no reputation to speak of in the jianghu. But just five years ago, he suddenly emerged, and in a short span, became the most prominent prodigy in Chu."

Emperor Qian inquired, "What makes this individual extraordinary?"

Li Zhongqing pondered for a moment before replying, "Simply put, he's uncanny. To what extent, you ask? Well, imagine others falling off a cliff to their deaths – he'll somehow encounter a reclusive master who imparts peerless skills, even bestowing a lifetime of cultivation. Every time he faces certain death, a path to survival inexplicably appears at the last moment. Whether it's assistance from a powerful expert, a sudden breakthrough in battle, or simply surviving a catastrophe to gain a fortuitous encounter – something always happens. Most crucially, he possesses a non-confrontational and unassuming personality, yet good fortune consistently falls into his lap. It's said he's never practiced martial arts for a single day, but by the time I returned to our nation, he was already ranked third on Chu's Heaven List. What's even stranger is that those who offend him invariably suffer terrible misfortunes, yet investigations always show that he was never directly responsible."

Emperor Qian exclaimed in great astonishment, "He's truly that uncanny?"

Li Zhongqing's expression grew solemn. "It is said that this person is a born sage, blessed with cosmic anomalies and boundless fortune!"