"Are you worried, Hongyi, that by joining the Heaven-Suppressing Sect, I will become their cannon fodder?" Xu Ping suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his mind and asked straightforwardly.
"Thatâs just one aspect."
Hongyi shook his head slowly, his expression becoming increasingly grave:
"A sect like the Heaven-Suppressing Sect, capable of Divinity Transformation, has the ability to temporarily refine a cultivatorâs fate into the sect, enhancing the sectâs overall fate."
"What?"
Xu Ping was suddenly shocked.
What kind of method is this?
To be able to refine even the illusive and elusive fate?
"This method is called the âFate Gathering Array.â
Hongyi continued to explain, "In the Cultivation Realm, everything can form an array, fate is no exception."
"The Fate Gathering Array uses a special array structure and secret techniques to temporarily extract the fate of sect disciples and integrate it into the sectâs foundation, enhancing the sectâs overall fate."
"In this way, it can increase the chances of disciples breaking through realms and strengthen the sectâs overall strength."
"Although this approach eventually leads to fate backlash, for a sect like Heaven-Suppressing Sect, which is deeply rooted, the damage is very limited.
"But for the individual cultivator whose fate is refined, it is an unbearable burden."
"Going mad with lost cultivation is considered a good ending."
Hongyiâs tone was extremely serious, his eyes full of warning intent.
"Is it really so?"
Xu Ping felt a chill climb up his spine.
The Heaven-Suppressing Sect claims to be the guardian of the Nanchuan Realm, lofty and superior, yet performs such despicable deeds?
But upon second thought, he wasnât too surprised.
The essence of the Cultivation Realm is the contention for the great path, the survival of the fittest.
Those powerful sect forces, no matter how high their cultivation, regardless of their grand and noble reasons, are essentially cut from the same cloth.
The only difference is that some are blatantly marked as Demon Sect, while some are restrained enough to be called "righteous".
"Moreover..."
Hongyi paused, his gaze carrying an element of scrutiny and deeper meaning, looking directly at Xu Ping:
"The Heaven-Suppressing Sect is exceptionally proficient in matters of fate. If someoneâs fate wasnât acquired naturally, they can still discern it."
This sentence hit Xu Ping like a heavy hammer, striking deep into his heart.
His mind trembled fiercely, though his face remained calm, his mind was already swept by tumultuous waves.
Hongyiâs underlying message was clear enough; he had learned that Xu Pingâs fate wasnât natural but enhanced later.
Items capable of enhancing fate are legendary throughout the Cultivation Realm, each one an extremely precious treasure.
Even when faced with a Tier Four Longevity Pill, it would be considered ordinary beside it.
"Perhaps itâs the mysterious Nascent Soul cultivator residing in Hongyiâs Sea of Consciousness who informed him of this."
Xu Ping turned his thoughts quickly, discreetly casting a glance at the distant Yin Spirit Corpse.
Fortunately, Hongyi and that mysterious Nascent Soul probably bear no malice towards him, otherwise they wouldnât have warned him so subtly.
They were even willing to gift him such treasures as Tier Four Longevity Pill.
After a moment of silence, Xu Ping calmed his inner turmoil, bowed in gratitude, "Thank you, Hongyi, for the warning."
"A small matter."
Hongyi laughed, waving his hand, his expression returning to ease, "Weâve acquainted for over a hundred years and are together on the path of longevity, no need to be so courteous."
"The road of cultivation is long and arduous, itâs rare to have true friends."
On hearing this, Xu Ping also laughed, "Thatâs indeed true."
By reckoning, Hongyi should certainly be considered his longest-known friend in this world.
Moreover, the other party knows many of his untold secrets but has never harbored any intention towards him, truly a rare friend.
In future collaborations, he can be much more reassured.
...
After chatting idly about the Wind Origin Realm invasion, Hongyi made his farewells.
"Farewell!"
Hongyi bowed to Xu Ping, smiling, a slight flick of his sleeve, his whole being transformed into a smooth flow of deep blue Escape Light, disappearing in an instant against the dark horizon.
As for the Yin Spirit Corpse, it had long been stored away, with the Nine Nether Elder returning to Hongyiâs Sea of Consciousness, as if never appearing.
About this mysterious Nascent Soul cultivator, Xu Ping still has many questions.
But he understood, some secrets are not for him to explore now.
Xu Ping stood alone on the desolate battlefield, looking toward the direction Hongyi departed, his thoughts countless.
He spread his palm, the Thunder Transformation Pearl and Tier Four Longevity Pill quietly rested in it.
These two treasures, even Nascent Soul cultivators would covet with fervor.
"This time the gains are substantial... however, it also involves many problems." Xu Ping shook his head, his brow slightly furrowed.
Like his grand fate, itâs indeed a significant issue.
Especially after learning that the Wind Origin Realm would invade in over a hundred years, the issue became more thorny.
After all, his grand fate in the eyes of powerful Nascent Soul cultivators is like a beacon in the night, dazzling and conspicuous, prone to attracting all kinds of covetousness and dangers.
"It seems I need to speed up."
"First, help the Water Lake Mouse achieve transformation, then it will reciprocate to me."
"Once Iâve achieved Nascent Soul, Iâll search for a skill that can hide my fate."
"I heard the âProfound Jade Sectâ in the western Nanchuan Realm is quite knowledgeable about fate, perhaps worth investigating."
"Only then can I manage to survive once the Wind Origin Realm invades."
Xu Ping quickly planned out his next century of arrangements.
He has a long lifespan, everything must prioritize stability.
Xu Ping flipped his palm, placing the two treasures into his Storage Ring.