Chapter 14 - Hidden Title.

Immortal World of the Zheng Clan - Thunder Capital.

The Thunder Capital was the safest city in the entire immortal world, not because it was ruled by the Thunder King, but because the Zheng clan ran it so well, malicious cultivators were non-existent.

The Capital was where it had the highest density of Qi in the entire midheaven, surpassing even the locations of the other kings. Despite public knowledge that the four Heavenly Kings rule the Middle Heavens, among the four kings, the Thunder King was the one with the highest level of cultivation.

The Qi density made the Zheng Clan Immortal World much better than other immortal worlds, and receiving many visits from powerful cultivators who wanted to cultivate there, it also became one of the richest places in the middle sky.

Earning the moniker the sacred land of cultivators, the capital was second in wealth, second only to the world of alchemists.

Having just arrived at the Zheng clan's immortal world, Zheng Xiang headed towards the Palace of Thunder.

Since Jack became Zheng Xiang, he moved from the Palace of Thunder. Aside from the gaudy decor, Jack felt no sense of familiarity with the place, and it was too dangerous to be around his new father.

As he walked, Zheng Xiang thought about his new father's crazy plans. Since he became Zheng Xiang, Jack has had four conversations with his father, and in one of them he told him his plan.

The Thunder King had already challenged and defeated all other kings, having consolidated his position as the strongest over Midheaven, he was gathering his clan's cultivators and preparing to invade the other clans and unify all of Midheaven.

But this was just the tip of the iceberg, the Thunder King wanted to bring the whole middle sky together for one purpose.

Invade the upper skies.

Even for Zheng Xiang, whom he has several sources of information and an identity capable of protecting him, he couldn't get anything about the upper heavens.

He took another deep breath before entering. Everything around it still looked exactly the same as it had seen every time he came to the palace. He went to the central hall, the place where he was likely to meet his father.

"Have you finally arrived?"

A majestic voice echoed throughout the hall, it was his father, Zheng Xiao.

"Yes, Royal Father, but I plan on coming back soon."

"So what do you want? I'm busy negotiating with the Bai clan, so be quick!"

"Dad, there will be a title war today."

"..." Zheng Xiao stared at his son for a few seconds. "Who?"

"Bai Xiang."

There are several subsidiaries of the Zheng clan, as the race for the heir title is fierce and deadly, the clans have to choose a prince to support. Only one clan was allowed to support a prince, but in this race that tradition was broken.

Because of two people, Zheng Xiang and Bai Xiang.

Two clans would hardly support the same prince, both because of the conflict of interest and the reward. However, this was a special case.

Bai Xiang wasn't interested in the title race, being Zheng Xiao's favorite son, he didn't want the title of heir, so no clan wanted to support him.

And the Thunder King, is prevented by all clans from interfering in the race, as it is a family tradition and even Zheng Xiao was crowned like that. Considered the strongest prince, Zheng Xiang is supported by the Wang clan, but when a clan was left without a prince, he also chose Zheng Xiang.

For the first time in history, a prince will be supported by two clans, Zheng Xiang had the support of the Wang clan and the Mao clan.

"It's not for the title race, so why!?"

Bai Xiang was the only son of his first wife, whom Zheng Xiao was always in love with. Having lost her, he tried to repay her incompetence by helping his son, but this made the others jealous as they almost never saw his father.

Even for Zheng Xiang, this has been the longest conversation with his father as long as he could remember.

"Bai Xiang has no interest in the title." Zheng Xiang sighed. "But he has something I want."

"Something? What? Just say it and I'll get it for you, there's nothing Bai Xiang has in possession that he doesn't have in the clan's treasury."

"No, royal father, what I want is the Artifact of Life."

'... Which!?' Zheng Xiao had a complicated expression on his face.

"No one knows, discovering this after going to the lower heaven." Ignoring his father's shocked expression, Zheng Xiang continued. "He doesn't need the Artifact of Life, as he doesn't intend to pursue the cultivation world."

Wasting no time, knowing that Zheng Xiang knew that his father favored Bai Xiang, he got straight to the point. he put his hand on his ring and was silent.

On the one hand, he couldn't stop him from attacking Bai Xiang, but on the other, he knew that of all the children he had, this one was most like his younger self, someone cruel who is willing to kill and manipulate to Achieve your goals.

Looking at his silent son, the Thunder King felt a little empty inside. Even though he wanted to talk to his son more and try to convince him not to kill his brother, he didn't know how. Having focused on his cultivation most of the time and giving attention only to Bai Xiang, he rarely knew the interests of his other children. He sighed and called out, "Come here."

Zheng Xiang immediately walked towards him as sweat poured down his body. Standing a few feet away from his father, he quickly bowed in respect and lowered his gaze, not daring to look him in the eye.

"Yue Min Gong order everyone out of the central hall."

There was no movement, but an answer echoed. "As you wish your majesty."

And then, the hall returned to silence.

"Look at me."

As ordered, Zheng Xiang did so. He watched his father reach into his storage ring and pull a fist-sized triangular gem out of it. As soon as he touched the jewel, Zheng Xiang watched his father's veins swell and his nose begin to bleed.

"Which!?" Before he could make any moves, he watched his veins return to normal.

"This is the Artifact of Fate, take it instead of the Artifact of Life."

"Y-you..." For some reason, Zheng Xiang was very angry at his father's actions. "Do you care so much about that boy!?"

Even though Jack felt nothing towards Zheng Xiao, Zheng Xiang did, and Jack's reincarnation was as if he had merged with the original Zheng Xiang, so his emotions affected him.

Seeing his father in silence, he stepped forward and picked up the artifact, watching it, he asked confused, "What does it do?"

"That depends on each wielder. Insert Qi into it and you'll know."

"Tsk... ok." Zheng Xiang bowed and came back.

He had a complicated expression on his face as he returned, this was the longest conversation he'd had in a long time, and he and his father didn't even ask about him.

'Looks like he doesn't really care...'

[...]

Immortal World of the Zheng Clan - Thunder Prince's Mansion.

Zheng Xiang returned to his cultivation chamber with the Artifact of Fate in hand. Ignoring his butler, he locked himself in his bed and began to study the Artifact.

Having heard the story about this object from old Wang, he knew that it was something powerful, mainly because it had something to do with fate. Turns out he wanted to get stronger quickly, and following the advice of Li Dao and old man Wang, that was one of the means.

He took the Artifact and inserted his Qi.

As soon as his Qi was inserted, Zheng Xiang found himself elsewhere. It was flat, dark and had several white lines on the floor.

Amidst the darkness, a body was forming, organ by organ, thread by thread, when Zheng Xiang saw him whole, he recognized him.

That short blue hair, straight posture and cold eyes as if no one was worthy to look him in the eye.

It was his father, Zheng Xiao.

He put his hands in his pockets and looked from head to toe at Zheng Xiang. "So you're the new carrier!?"

Taking a step, as if his step was a starting point, the darkness shone turning theonce black room into a finite white.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm just a remnant of soul." Snapping his fingers, the plan changed and Zheng Xiang found himself back in the palace where she had just left. "We are within the artifact dimension."

The palace had several portraits of people who were important to the Zheng clan, including Zheng Xiao, but unlike the other time, it only had 5 portraits and 4 of them Zheng Xiang had never seen in his life.

Watching the new wielder stare at the first frame, he appeared to the side smiling, which was shocking to Zheng Xiang, who had never seen his father smile.

"These are the Artifact bearers." He pointed to all the frames, going up to the third one, he pointed to it making a cup appear in his hand and drinking it. "That's my predecessor... Damn! this tea is really good!"

Zheng Xiang looked at his father confused, he had the looks, but he didn't act like his father at all.

"Who are you!?"

"I already told you, I'm a remnant of a soul. I got this artifact when I was very young, so you must be wondering my personality, but don't worry, the real has nothing to do with me." He grinned and shook his hands, causing the cup to fall, but before it could hit the ground, it crumbled to dust. "Oops... Back to what I was saying, this is my predecessor, the artifact allowed him to control his own destiny on a grand scale."

Zheng Xiang was shocked by what he saw. "Control fate!?"

"Yes! Shocking right!" Her father appeared beside him copying his expression. "He said he was the strongest user of the Artifact of Fate, stronger even than the creator."

Teleporting forward, he went to the next frame, where he had his own painting. "And this is me, or almost... The Artifact allowed me to have full control of my own cultivation, isn't that amazing too!?"

"... No?" Zheng Xiang hesitated for a few seconds before answering.

"You don't understand. Qi, physique, talent and techniques, I could change them at will. That's why I have the greatest talent in the middle sky, and my Qi is the densest in history." His playful expression faded as with every step he took towards Zheng Xiang, the place turned black again. "So tell me, stranger, how did you get this Artifact!? I would never give my greatest treasure to anyone."

Zheng Xiang felt his vision darken and immense pressure was on his body, with difficulty he responded. "To... Save... Bai... Xiang"

"Bai Xiang!?" He took his pressure off. "Who is he?"

"Your son."

The soul remnant was shocked for a few seconds. "So you... are threatening my son's life!?"

"I am also your son."

...

...

"The title race!?"

"Yes. I don't understand either, why that useless thing is so important that it made you get rid of your Artifact."

"Maybe it's an excuse to give it to you." He shook his head. "Whatever, if he's decided, who am I to deny it."

Opening his left palm, he appeared in front of Zheng Xiang and pushed him away while saying with a smile. "Get ready, it's going to hurt."

And as soon as he was warned, Zheng Xiang felt the ground disappear as his body began to fall.

"SHITTTTTTTTTTT!!"

As he fell, a message appeared.

[Congratulations on getting the Mystical Artifact of Destiny!]

[You have acquired 2000 Destiny Points!]

[Analyzing Artifact!]

[Congratulations on getting a never-before-seen new power!]

[Artifact of Fate.]

[Programmed Inefficiency: Can control the Fate of others (There is a limit!)]

[Information: The most mysterious artifact created by ???? At the ????. Forged from a material part of the lines of fate, said to rival the mighty Chaos Artifact.]

And watching everything that was written, before his brain could analyze what was happening, Zheng Xiang felt a strong pain throughout his body. Feeling as if a part was being ripped out of his entire body.

The process was so weird that he couldn't even scream, it looked like he had no vocal cords.

Feeling the worst pain he could feel, he passed out.

________________________

Chapter 14 - The Artifact of Fate.