Library of Heaven's Path 2: Eternal Fate of the Heavens

Chapter 195 Heavenly Destiny of Ceremony

The Heavenly Mandate Vitalities here were incredibly dense, having formed into a liquid state under the immense pressure of a tremendous force.

"This… There must be four to five hundred million strands, right?"

Pupils shrank and everyone breathed excitedly with short gasps, especially Mo Baiye, whose fists clenched involuntarily.

Four to five hundred million strands of Heavenly Mandate Vitality was equivalent to forty to fifty thousand Destiny Plates!

He had been chased by the people of Heaven Mandate Hall on the outside, and in all had only "borrowed" eight thousand Destiny Plates. If he could comprehend the destiny before him and absorb all the Yuan Power in this pool, he would not only pay off all his debts at once but would also increase his fortunes by dozens of times!

Looking at it this way, not to mention the strands of destiny, just these Yuan Powers alone would mean a huge profit!

Indeed, upon realizing what this pool was, the previously indifferent crowd all began to breathe heavily with excitement.

As long as one was a Fate Master, no one could resist the Heavenly Mandate Vitality, the essential and fundamental basis of practice.

"But… how are we to practice?"

Having confirmed the value of the Tri-Colored Land, and following the excitement, each person exchanged glances with the others, all hesitant to step forward rashly.

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To be honest, everyone was afraid.

Even crossing a river had its rules, comprehending such destiny couldn't be without regulations, and hasty advancement could mean instant annihilation.

"Who will try it out?"

Mo Baiye surveyed his surroundings.

Silence reigned, with no response.

When no artifacts were in sight, they could fight desperately, but now the sight of them made them cherish their lives; none wanted to fall at the final hurdle.

"I have a suggestion. How about this: whoever can comprehend the destiny contained within the sculpture can take all the Heavenly Mandate Vitality. The others cannot contest it and can only guard it! What does everyone think of this idea?"

Su Chen spoke up.

Mo Baiye and the others around him exchanged glances, each frowning.

"It's possible, but there's one thing the lucky one who comprehends the destiny must promise everyone."

After pondering for a moment, Mo Baiye said.

"Please speak, Master Mo!" Su Chen looked over.

"It's simple, we've all put in so much effort just to give him the chance to comprehend destiny. If someone really succeeds, I hope that once he becomes powerful, he can help the rest of us to obtain artifacts, and also offer his services for free once for everyone!"

Mo Baiye stated.

Being here was due to a group of people depleting their life force to test the rules, effectively contributing to the other's success; naturally, they would want reciprocation.

"Of course!" Su Chen nodded: "I agree, how does everyone feel? If it's acceptable, then let's agree to this!"

"I agree too!"

Quickly, everyone reached a consensus.

"Let's begin. Whoever comprehends first gains the advantage… Whether one can achieve it depends on their destiny!"

Having made a decision, Mo Baiye called out.

"I'd like to give it a try…"

After a moment's silence, someone finally stepped forward.

It was a cultivator at the Galaxy 4-dan level, the weakest among those left. Even without putting themselves forward boldly, survival would be difficult; a gamble might be preferable.

They approached the first sculpture.

This sculpture was about two meters tall, wore a tall hat, was dressed in a long robe, and bowed in salute.

Remembering the experience upon entering earlier, the cultivator immediately mimicked the same gestures.

However, before his salute was finished, flames erupted from inside him, and in moments, he was reduced to ashes.

Eyebrows jumped among the crowd.

Previously, the lack of a salute resulted in annihilation by the rules, but now, even after saluting, annihilation followed… to bow or not to bow?

As the crowd hesitated, Zhang Xuan, who had followed behind, also crossed the river and arrived not far from the crowd.

"So much Heavenly Mandate Vitality…"

Zhang Xuan was excited.

It seemed following them here was the right choice!

Forty to fifty thousand Destiny Plates, even if one scoured Zouyi Royal City entirely, could not be found. And yet now, they lay quietly in the nearby pool. If he could absorb it all, his Youqing Destiny would surely be able to charge into the third level! His strength would also inevitably push into the Galaxy 4-dan.

With such strength and by leveraging the comprehended strands of destiny, even without burning the power of the New World, he probably could easily annihilate this Mo Baiye.

But… how to absorb it?

Did he need to comprehend the so-called destiny?

He looked questioningly at the sculptures.

These sculptures, all carved from ash-gray rock, varied wildly in form and mood—joy, anger, sorrow, shyness…

The twelve sculptures seemed to represent twelve different emotions, each corresponding to a form of etiquette.

For instance, the one that knelt in deference looked sorrowful as if bidding farewell to a lost loved one.

Another with a joyful face seemed like a newlywed drinking clear wine with his bride, brimming with happiness.

"It appears that the destiny legacy of Zhilan Valley is 'Ceremony'!"

Zhang Xuan realized.

Having heard all the rules from Empyrean Kong, he had his suspicions, and now it seemed he was finally certain.

Remove shoes when encountering water, light a candle in the dark, speak not loudly, make no noise while eating… from any angle, these all seemed part of etiquette.

This Heaven Mandate Domain always governed the world through adherence to ceremonies.

"Since it's 'Ceremony', these sculptures must naturally also represent various etiquettes. As long as one can comprehend all the applications of the etiquette, they should be able to grasp it…"

Zhang Xuan speculated.

However, even if he could guess, it wouldn't be convenient for him to step forward and learn.

If he were discovered by Mo Baiye and the others, these people might disregard the artifacts altogether and just kill him!

And his current strength clearly wasn't sufficient to take everyone down in this place.

"My goal isn't to learn this destiny, but… to absorb the Yuan Power! Without learning the destiny, I wonder if I can still absorb it?"

An idea surfaced.

Zhang Xuan had already practiced many types of destiny, and one more or less didn't matter to him. But if he could devour these Yuan Powers, that would be a big gain!

Others facing these Yuan Powers might struggle to use them without comprehending destiny, but not him. The Library of Heaven's Path combined with the Source Pool was incomparably vast; not just four to five hundred million strands, even ten or a hundred times more wouldn't matter.

"Let's try!"

With this thought, Zhang Xuan discreetly shifted his position to the closest spot to the pool where he wouldn't be noticed and quietly sat down.

With a thought, all the pores in his body opened up, swallowing towards the fog-congealed Heavenly Mandate Vitality in front of him.

After running his cultivation technique for a while, he realized there wasn't the slightest intention for the essence to leak out, unable to absorb even a fraction no matter how much he tried.

"It's still too far away…"

Zhang Xuan frowned.

He was currently about thirty meters from the pool. Although he could charge to the front in one step, to remain undetected while absorbing the Heavenly Mandate Vitality, it was still too distant.

To attempt to devour it, he needed to get even closer. Only within a ten-meter radius would he stand a chance of success.

Yet, moving so close would definitely expose him to Mo Baiye and the others.

In an instant, Zhang Xuan found himself in a predicament.