Undying Life

Chapter 960: Orthodox Fate Cultivation

The distant battle was beyond Zhong Shan's sight, and he had no intention of watching it. He chose to wait quietly from afar. As he waited, he repeatedly recalled Ying's words:

"Someday, within heaven and earth, I shall always be ready at Xianyang of Great Qin. But for now, here at the end of time and space, if you can defeat me and my ministers, then we shall forfeit the Innate Eight Trigrams Diagram!"

Ying's words were brief but imbued with arrogance and dominance. "Someday, within heaven and earth, I shall always be ready at Xianyang of Great Qin"? Did this imply that as long as Ying was in the holy capital of Xianyang, not even a Saint could do anything to him?

Zhong Shan didn't think Ying was boasting. On the contrary, he believed Ying could indeed achieve this.

To contend with Saints? Such a dynasty was truly formidable!

It was reminiscent of the days of King You of Zhou, Ji Gongnie. A Saint had once mentioned in the underworld that Ji Gongnie had slain a Saint! Ji Gongnie was just an Ancestor Immortal, yet he had slain a Saint?

Taking a deep breath, Zhong Shan realized that many things were beyond reach unless one attained a certain height.

Patiently waiting, five days and nights passed. Suddenly, a figure returned to the plaza.

Who had won? Which Saint?

To his surprise, it was Gui Guzi! It was Mr. Gui Guzi who landed on the plaza.

Did Ying manage to fend off Saint Mi Tian?

What exactly had happened?

Gui Guzi approached the unnamed grand hall but did not enter. Instead, he made a gesture, and a golden light flashed from within. The Innate Eight Trigrams Diagram abruptly landed in Gui Guzi's hand.

Gui Guzi looked at the hall, then bowed slightly towards its interior.

With the blinding brilliance of the Innate Eight Trigrams Diagram gone, the interior of the grand hall revealed a massive coffin!

Nuwa's tomb?

Gui Guzi, having secured the Innate Eight Trigrams Diagram, disappeared in a flash.

Gui Guzi left.

Moments after his departure, the three Saints returned.

They stood silently before the grand hall's coffin.

Though their faces were obscured, Zhong Shan knew their hearts were filled with anger. He, too, would feel indignant in their place. Three Saints, two Ancestor Immortals, vying for one item, only for it to be taken by two Ancestor Immortals.

No matter what transpired, it could not justify the loss of the Innate Eight Trigrams Diagram.

"Hahaha, the Innate Eight Trigrams Diagram wasn't meant for us. Fate is unchangeable. Let's just let it go!" Mozi laughed heartily and vanished.

Confucius and Saint Mi Tian exchanged glances. Though they said nothing, they were far from as composed as Mozi.

Their figures flickered, and they too disappeared.

They were gone! All of them!

As for Ying, he would not return.

With the Innate Eight Trigrams Diagram taken, the Saints, no matter how desperate, would not target Nuwa's coffin, lest they invoke heaven's wrath.

Zhong Shan was certain that all the powerful figures had left.

"Two ancestors, Xingyun is unfilial, but the Feng family has only me left. To continue the Feng family bloodline, I had no choice!" Feng Xingyun kowtowed again.

At this moment, Feng Xingyun's eyes were filled with determination and murderous intent!

Zhong Shan sighed softly. At this moment, there was nothing more to say. As for Nuwa's coffin, Zhong Shan had no intention of disturbing it either.

Facing the direction of the palace, Zhong Shan gave a slight bow and prepared to descend the celestial staircase.

"Saint King Zhong!"

Just as Zhong Shan was about to leave, Feng Xingyun suddenly called out.

Zhong Shan was slightly surprised and turned to look at Feng Xingyun, who had now approached him.

"I regret the events that transpired. Regarding the Saints' attitudes, I was powerless to change anything," Zhong Shan said, shaking his head. After all, he and Feng Xingyun were not well-acquainted.

"The misfortune of my family is not something Saint King Zhong should blame himself for. I too share in this regret," Feng Xingyun replied with a bitter smile.

"Indeed. In that case, I shall not disturb you any further," Zhong Shan said, preparing to leave.

"Wait! I have a request to ask of you, Saint King Zhong!" Feng Xingyun called out urgently.

"Oh?"

"Is the Demon-Summoning Banner in your possession?" Feng Xingyun asked.

"Indeed," Zhong Shan replied solemnly, without hiding anything.

"At the end of time and space, this tomb was actually built by our ancestor Fuxi. The Demon-Summoning Banner can be used to unlock the ancestor's teachings. I ask that you lend it to me temporarily," Feng Xingyun explained.

"The end of time and space?" Zhong Shan asked, puzzled.

"The so-called end of time and space is the edge of the Grand Thousand World. Here, time slows down, and space becomes thinner, creating a unique environment. The further you go towards the edge, the slower time becomes, eventually coming to a stop. Space becomes thinner until it ceases to exist, which is called the Infinite Void," Feng Xingyun explained.

"The Infinite Void?"

"The Infinite Void gives rise to the Taiji, and the Taiji gives rise to the Two Forms. The Two Forms are the Yin and Yang realms of the Grand Thousand World. The entire Grand Thousand World is a Taiji, representing 'existence,' while the Infinite Void represents 'non-existence.' Beyond the end of time and space, there is nothing, and one cannot leave because as one moves towards the Infinite Void, one would cease to exist unknowingly. This is the end of time and space," Feng Xingyun elaborated.

"I see," Zhong Shan nodded.

"The Demon-Summoning Banner?" Feng Xingyun looked at Zhong Shan expectantly.

Zhong Shan flipped his hand to retrieve the Demon-Summoning Banner, without any hesitation, sensing that Feng Xingyun was speaking the truth. The banner had brought him here, indicating its significance.

"Thank you!" Feng Xingyun said, surprised and grateful.

He walked back to the plaza and stopped at a white stone tile, not far from the unnamed grand hall. Zhong Shan then noticed a slight indentation on the tile, perfectly matching the shape of the Demon-Summoning Banner. It was inconspicuous, something only a member of the Feng family could recognize.

Feng Xingyun placed the Demon-Summoning Banner in the indentation and forced out some of his blood, drawing a circle around the stone tile.

"Whoosh!"

Suddenly, a large amount of smoke began to rise from the ground.

"Boom!"

Behind Zhong Shan, the celestial staircase leading back to the Grand Thousand World abruptly collapsed.

Seeing this, Zhong Shan was alarmed. With the staircase destroyed, how would he leave this place?

Descending was no longer an option.

Zhong Shan already sensed the peril of the end of time and space, where time and space were extremely thin. Stepping beyond the plaza, he would lose control instantly.

Frowning, Zhong Shan moved to stand behind Feng Xingyun.

The white mist on the ground grew thicker, gradually enveloping all the palaces. In front of Zhong Shan and Feng Xingyun, a figure slowly began to materialize from the mist.

A man clad in a deerskin-like garment appeared, with long hair flowing behind him and a compassionate demeanor that inspired instinctive trust at a mere glance.

"Unworthy descendant pays respects to the ancestor!" Feng Xingyun immediately bowed.

Fuxi? Zhong Shan was startled.

"Do not bow. I have long since passed away; this is merely a projection, leaving some words for you. As I foresaw, my tomb has ultimately been unearthed," Fuxi said with a bitter smile.

Indeed, it was only a projection, as the man's eyes showed no awareness of others. It was a recorded message.

"The Innate Eight Trigrams Diagram is not necessary. Do not place too much importance on it," Fuxi continued.

Not necessary? Feng Xingyun and Zhong Shan looked at Fuxi in confusion.

"The Art of Fate Manipulation, altering destiny? It's a side path closest to 'Fate Cultivation' within fortune cultivation. I was too fixated on it in the past and missed the true orthodox fate cultivation. Sigh!" Fuxi sighed softly.

Orthodox fate cultivation? Isn't it said that no one can cultivate fate?

Fuxi seemed to reminisce before saying, "To you, the last scion of the Feng family, I will not say much. I do not wish for you to cultivate fate either. I can only foresee your generation. If the Feng family prospers in the future, then perhaps a few descendants can venture into fate cultivation."

Fate cultivation? What exactly is it? Both Zhong Shan and Feng Xingyun stared at Fuxi, but since it was only a projection, they could not ask questions.

"One's fate, fortune, feng shui, accumulated virtue, and fame! Fame is placed last, yet every ruler of a fortune dynasty is not weaker than a sect leader. Why?"

"Because cultivating as an emperor is cultivating fate!" Fuxi said with a bitter smile.

Huh? Zhong Shan was taken aback. Cultivating as an emperor is cultivating fate?

"A sect can replace its leader even if forced to step down. A feng shui master can pass on their legacy while alive. Someone cultivating fortune can do the same. But an emperor cannot. An emperor's world is always his unless he dies because he is cultivating fate!"

"Fame is also called studying the Five Classics. Those who cultivate fame are merely officials. Officials can be replaced continuously, but an emperor cannot be replaced. He is unique. The ruler of a fortune dynasty is truly cultivating fate, and it is the most orthodox fate cultivation! Unfortunately, I realized this too late. I had a fortune dynasty but turned to the Art of Fate Manipulation. The world's greatest Fate Manipulator? Hahaha, what a grand irony!" Fuxi expressed deep regret.

Am I cultivating fate? Zhong Shan was shaken to his core.

Feng Xingyun was equally shocked. This secret, realized by Fuxi, might be unknown to many, even to some rulers of fortune dynasties or possibly some Saints.

"Fate cultivation is fraught with danger. You are the last scion of the Feng family. Remember, do not step into this path until you have over a hundred descendants," Fuxi warned.

"Yes, I understand," Feng Xingyun solemnly responded, even though it was just a recording.

"For now, you can cultivate the Art of Fate Manipulation. The loss of the Innate Eight Trigrams Diagram is not critical. Go to the Bai family. There, you can learn anything you wish by revealing your identity," Fuxi instructed.

"The Bai family? I understand," Feng Xingyun nodded.

Finally, Fuxi's expression turned serious. "Remember, when you reach the Bai family, treat them with respect, especially their ancestor Bai Zhi. This person's abilities rival mine. With great virtue, Bai Zhi is highly esteemed, though very low-key. Low-key individuals tend to live long lives. Sigh!"

The Bai family? Bai Zhi? Zhong Shan made a mental note of the name.

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