Chapter 440 - 263: Landing

Fang Zhen uttered the two words.

A look of solemn respect immediately appeared on Alexander’s face.

"I’ve heard that some people are so exceptionally talented they can find their own path to the Extraordinary Realm, but I’ve never seen it myself. I thought those were just rumors, but it turns out to be true," Alexander said, his voice filled with awe and wonder.

Fang Zhen just smiled and didn’t explain.

Alexander composed himself and said, "The so-called Extraordinary Realm is a state of having transcended the mortal plane."

"When we fought, did you also perceive my next move? And yet, you must have sensed that my actions were different from others. You can completely lock onto them, but with me, even if you sensed my intentions, you couldn’t fully predict my actions because that premonition would change."

Fang Zhen nodded slightly, looked at Alexander, and asked, "You are too?"

Alexander nodded. "This is one of the characteristics of the Extraordinary Realm."

"The meaning of ’Extraordinary’ can be understood quite literally. What does it mean to be ordinary? It’s the inevitable outcome for the majority of people living under a set of established laws."

"Most people in this world have a destiny that follows a more-or-less fixed course. They seem free, but in reality, they’re bound by countless restrictions. Their capacity for change is nowhere near as great as they imagine. For these people, the trajectory of their lives is almost completely predetermined. The portion they can control is minuscule, and the only real difference between them is whether or not they’re aware of this fact."

"According to legend, there is another kind of person—one who can transcend the shackles of fate that bind ordinary people. They can take their destiny into their own hands, or at least control it far more than the average person."

"Is that what it means to be Extraordinary?" Fang Zhen’s eyes lit up as he asked Alexander.

"Yes, but there’s more to it. To walk the path beyond the Extraordinary, your physical strength must reach a critical threshold, or you must be exceptionally prominent in a specific area."

"I possess an inherited legacy, and it mentions that only when one’s power reaches a certain level will signs of breaking free from one’s original fated trajectory begin to appear."

"For Martial Artists like us, this trait manifests as a thorough understanding of oneself, the ability to perceive the trajectory of another’s actions—even to predict them—while not being bound by such predictions oneself."

"And that’s just one aspect. The impact on Martial Arts is actually just a small part. On a much grander scale, once you step into the Extraordinary Realm, your entire life will change."

"In short, a Transcendent is not bound by destiny. They can always achieve the miraculous."

Fang Zhen’s eyes shone slightly as he listened.

Previously, Fang Zhen’s understanding of a Transcendent was merely someone whose fundamental abilities were strong enough to prolong their life and surpass ordinary people. He never imagined that Alexander would now open an entirely new door for him.

’So this is the true meaning of the Extraordinary Realm—to remain unchanged by adversity, to master one’s own destiny.’

Fang Zhen thought about it and felt he understood.

It was like in physics: a larger mass attracts a smaller one. But if the smaller mass increases, it becomes harder to attract. If it grows large enough, it will, in turn, attract the object that once attracted it.

If destiny was a form of fated attraction, then by becoming powerful enough, one could gradually break free from its unchangeable bonds.

’From that perspective, I’m already approaching that state,’ Fang Zhen thought. ’It’s just that my so-called Extraordinary trait comes from a skill, not a level I’ve reached through my own power.’

’If I want to see the way forward, I still need to find a legacy. After all, my own wisdom can’t possibly compare to the knowledge accumulated by generations of masters.’

Having thought it through, Fang Zhen turned to look at Alexander.

"I will stay here and fight alongside the people of Lanxi City against this crisis of the invading aberrations. But after the crisis is over, I want access to the part of the Curse Sealer legacy that details the path of a Transcendent. I want to borrow it for a single viewing."

Alexander thought for a moment before nodding decisively. "Alright. Considering the goodwill you’ve shown by bringing the Alchemy Potions and helping us in our time of need, what’s the harm in letting you view the legacy?"

Fang Zhen nodded. ’This Alexander is a man of integrity,’ he thought, ’magnanimous and straightforward.’

Fang Zhen had initially wanted to ask why Alexander was so determined to defend Lanxi City to the death. However, he stopped himself. He was a newcomer, and it wasn’t appropriate to ask such a probing question. He recalled how Alexander had just brushed off Anglo, a high-ranking member of the Whig Society, with a canned response for asking the same thing. Although figuring out the Whig Society’s true motive was part of his mission, and he was certain it was more complex than Alexander let on, now wasn’t the right time. He needed to build more trust first. Even though Alexander called him a friend, in a situation like this, there was no guarantee he wasn’t suspected of being a spy for the Eternal Night Council.

Fang Zhen decided against speaking of deep matters with a new acquaintance.

"Alright. Since I’ll be free for the next few days anyway, I might as well join the Whig Society in hunting aberrations on Glan Island," Fang Zhen said.

...

「Two days later.」

In front of a village on Glan Island, a group of Warriors, coordinating with several Curse Sealers, were laying siege to a Black Armored Fierce Ghost.

The ground nearby was littered with the corpses of other aberrations, their bodies blown apart—the clear result of using the Blood Burst Secret Medicine.

The Black Armored Fierce Ghost charged forward, attempting to break through the encirclement.

Although this Black Armored Fierce Ghost’s defenses were high, the surrounding Curse Sealers employed a special tactic. Several of them continuously cast the Kun Sha Seal, an attack that directly targeted the Spirit. It was not something the Black Armored Fierce Ghost’s exoskeleton could block.