Shadows of Fate (2)

Chapter 7: Shadows of Fate (2)

Ding!

[Hua Lian has reached Qi Gathering Second Layer. Do you want to receive rewards now?]

[Hua Lian has reached Qi Gathering Fourth Layer. Do you want to receive rewards now?]

[Hua Lian has reached Qi Gathering Sixth Layer. Do you want to receive rewards now?]

[Hua Lian has reached Qi Gathering Eighth Layer. Do you want to receive rewards now?]

Aerich had heard these prompts throughout the past year. Hearing the latest one, he muttered, "It seems Hua Lian has now reached the Qi Gathering Eighth Layer. Celestial Fate is truly different."

He dismissed the prompts and continued flipping through the cultivation manuals.

In this world, devoid of phones or the internet, Aerich had found solace in the imaginary worlds within books.

Knock, knock!

"Enter," he said.

Li Bo stepped in through the sliding door.

"Young Master, the Family Head has summoned you."

"Alright," Aerich replied.

He placed the book to the side and stood, smoothing the wrinkles in his robes with a swipe of his hand.

When he reached his father's study, he called out, "Father, may I enter?"

"Come in," Yu Zhong replied.

"Father, you wished to see me?"

"Hmm... I wanted to ask about your cultivation progress. How is it coming along? Let me know if you need any resources."

"Father, you know my talent. Even for someone with Earth Fate, it takes around five to ten years to make significant progress. How could I have achieved much in just one year?"

"Yes, I know, but I've noticed you haven't been cultivating much lately, apart from reading cultivation manuals."

Aerich's face turned red, caught off guard by his father's observation. It was true—he hadn't been cultivating. But how could he explain that he had a system that would take care of everything, even if the sky were to fall?

"Don't lose hope. Earth Fate does not define your limit. We cultivators spend our lives defying fate, so never give up," Yu Zhong said calmly.

"...Father, thank you," Aerich said sincerely. He felt grateful for a family that supported him, even when he was untalented and ridiculed by others. Many families would have severed ties in the face of such shame.

"Go," Yu Zhong said, nodding toward the door.

"..."

"Do you want to ask something?" Yu Zhong inquired, noticing Aerich's hesitation.

"Father, I heard a rumor that the Azure Sky Sect is coming to Yinhe Hollow Village to recruit Hua Lian."

"Yes, but we have not received any official confirmation from the sect," Yu Zhong replied.

"Don't worry. When they arrive, I'll ensure that you can join the Azure Sky Sect as well."

'What?!' Aerich screamed internally.

He nearly choked on the words forming in his throat when he saw his father's expectant expression.

He didn't know how things had escalated to this. He wasn't even eligible for the sect's inner discipleship, as it required at least a Sky Fate to take the entrance test. Outer disciples often spent their lives toiling in obscurity, fawning over inner disciples and completing dangerous sect missions, where their lives were treated as expendable.

The idea of being a "good-for-nothing young master" with limited talent but a peaceful inheritance in a small village suddenly seemed far more appealing than navigating sect politics and deadly missions.

Aerich returned to his room with a lifeless expression.

Time passed quickly, and Aerich soon turned nine.

The long-awaited day arrived when the Azure Sky Sect finally descended upon the village.

Aerich stood inside the Hua Family Hall, surrounded by the fragrance of medicinal herbs, a hallmark of the Hua Family's expertise in medicine.

Seated in the elder chairs were five people—four young cultivators in blue robes and an older man dressed in orange robes. The four youths, each around nineteen, exuded an air of arrogance, their expressions brimming with the pride of being "chosen ones."

The elder in orange robes observed the cultivators gathered in the hall. His sharp gaze swept over them, and finding no one particularly impressive, he closed his eyes.

The tension in the room rose. The hopeful cultivators, who had dreamed of catching the elder's attention, became visibly nervous. For them, joining the Azure Sky Sect was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform their fates.

The murmur of voices suddenly broke out.

Aerich leaned against one of the hall's wooden pillars. The noise around him, which had been absent moments ago, signaled one thing—the protagonist of today's event had arrived.

It had been three years, and Hua Lian had long reached the peak of Foundation Building. Aerich knew this because of the frequent prompts from the system. However, outwardly, she presented herself as being at the peak of Qi Gathering.

'As an Empress in her past life, she must have unresolved heart demons tied to her time as a mortal,' Aerich thought.

He silently prayed that her heart demons had nothing to do with him or this village.

The elder in orange robes opened his eyes and spoke.

"Hmm..."

The soft sound immediately silenced the room.

"I am Elder Shang Tian, an inner sect elder of the Azure Sky Sect. Elder Lin Yue of Qinglong Dominion mentioned a girl named Hua Lian from the Hua Family, who has awakened Heavenly Fate. Under the sect's orders, I am here to recruit Hua Lian."

Elder Shang Tian's voice was calm but carried undeniable authority.

Hua Mei-Ling, Hua Lian's father, stepped forward and said respectfully, "Elder Shang Tian, I understand, but you must also know that my daughter is only nine years old. The sect's criteria require a minimum age of fifteen. I hope you understand my concern."

"There is a difference between average talent and a Heavenly genius," Elder Shang Tian replied patiently. "I understand your worries, but rest assured, she has been chosen as a disciple by the Supreme Elder and will receive privileges on par with those of the Sect Master's disciples."

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