YM778.TV Book 2: Chapter 57: Deputy Palace Master
When Zhang Xuan walked over, Chai Yunsheng stood up and cupped his fists. “Elder Ling—oh, no, Vice Hall Master Ling, let me offer my early congratulations!”
“Vice Hall Master?” Zhang Xuan was puzzled.
Han Xiao smiled and nodded. “We’ve already held the Elder Council meeting and decided to promote you to Vice Hall Master. Here’s your appointment letter. From now on, you and Vice Hall Master Chai will jointly manage the Destiny Hall in Hanyuan City. Let’s strive to make it even greater!”
Taking the appointment letter, Zhang Xuan’s face showed excitement. “Thank you, Hall Master, for nurturing me. If it weren’t for the pills you gave me, I wouldn’t have broken through so quickly…”
“It’s what I should do!” Han Xiao raised his hand to interrupt him, his expression full of expectation. “It makes me happy to see you grow so fast. To be honest, I plan to step down as Hall Master next year… After that, the Destiny Hall will depend on the two of you.”
Zhang Xuan was stunned. “Hall Master, you’re still young…”
Han Xiao shook his head. “For years, I’ve wanted to pursue a higher realm, but I’ve been tied down by too many trivial matters to focus on cultivation. Now that you’ve had a breakthrough and the Destiny Hall has no further worries, there’s no need for me to hold onto this position. Starting today, I’ll evaluate everything you two do. Once I step down, the more outstanding one will become the Hall Master!”
Chai Yunsheng and Zhang Xuan exchanged glances and nodded simultaneously. “Understood!”Han Xiao smiled, stroking his beard. “Buyang, the books you asked for are ready. They’re on the third floor of the Destiny Hall. Now that you’re a Vice Hall Master, you’re qualified to view them. I won’t keep you any longer.”
With that, Han Xiao and Chai Yunsheng turned to leave. After a few steps, Zhang Xuan heard Han Xiao’s voice transmission.
“Buyang, to be honest, I think you’re the better candidate. I’ve always hoped for you to take my place. If you hadn’t become Vice Hall Master, I might have held on for a few more years…”
Zhang Xuan quickly cupped his fists. “Thank you, Hall Master, for your trust and nurturing!”
“Hmm, work hard!” Han Xiao finished speaking and walked out of the hall. Moments later, Zhang Xuan saw streams of Heaven’s Fate Energy surging from the void and entering his body, though not in large quantities.
The balance of fate was once again restored.
Zhang Xuan did not absorb it. Instead, he headed for the outer area while saying, “I’m going to the Destiny Hall!”
On the third floor of the Destiny Hall’s library, he found the books Han Xiao mentioned. They were all about the Ninth Level of the Source Pool Realm, densely packed, totaling two to three hundred volumes.
Running his fingers over the spines, he collected them all into the Library of Heaven’s Path. With the books now sufficient, he used the ability of Heaven’s Path Order to successfully create a cultivation technique for the Dharma Aspect Realm.
On the street, the corpses of Jade Scholar and the others had been cleared away. The previously chaotic scene was now filled with the earthy scent of freshly turned soil, as though the battle had never happened.
“Your Majesty, Yu Longqing and Lu Mingrong are already on their way and should arrive at the imperial capital by noon tomorrow.”
A golden-armored guard approached.
Han Qianchou nodded.
“Yu Longqing and Lu Mingrong? The City Lord and Dean of White Roc City?” Sun Lianxiang asked curiously from the side.
Her father, Sun Chengyou, had lived in White Roc City for a long time and had recently returned there, so she was quite familiar with it.
Han Qianchou replied, “After Ling Buyang returned from White Roc City, his cultivation suddenly surged, and his actions became completely different from before. I suspect someone else is impersonating him. Based on my investigation, a genius named Zhang Xuan appeared in White Roc City during this time, and the two seem to be connected. I want to summon these two for questioning.” �
Sun Lianxiang frowned. “Zhang Xuan?”
Han Qianchou looked over. “The Princess Consort knows him?”
Sun Lianxiang nodded. “I’ve met this genius before. His medical skills are extraordinary. My father was saved from the brink of death because of him.”
Han Qianchou’s eyes widened in shock. “The royal family summoned dozens of top physicians, and none could cure Elder Sun. This person succeeded? What happened? Could you tell me in detail?”
“Here’s what happened. My father, knowing his illness was incurable, returned to White Roc City. By the time I arrived, he had already passed…”
Sun Lianxiang recounted her experience in detail.
After hearing her story, Han Qianchou and Han Qianye exchanged incredulous glances.
To revive someone who had already stopped breathing… Such medical skills were beyond extraordinary.
“Brother, are you suspecting… Ling Buyang is Zhang Xuan in disguise?” Han Qianye asked.
Han Qianchou nodded. “Exactly! Sudden personality changes are not uncommon, but such drastic transformations are exceedingly rare. For instance, would the old Ling Buyang agree to spar with you? And when faced with Jade Scholar and the others, would he kill them all, leaving no survivors?”
Han Qianye fell silent.
Ling Buyang’s strength wasn’t weak, but his reputation in Hanyuan City had always been mediocre. The recent events were filled with valor and decisiveness, utterly unlike his former self.
“That doesn’t make sense!” After a moment of silence, Han Qianye said, “If it’s a disguise, how could he perform Heaven’s Fate Mo Dao or cultivate to the Second Stage of Heaven’s Fate?”
This was the biggest flaw.
Heaven’s Fate techniques couldn’t be learned by mere observation. Only those recognized by the wielder could unlock the Fate Lock and practice them.
Thus, while someone could use disguises to impersonate another, the use of Heaven’s Fate techniques would expose them immediately.
Han Qianchou said, “Have you heard of the Chaotic Fate Practitioners?”
“Of course. They are said to disrupt heavenly patterns and alter predestined fates, which the Destiny Hall cannot tolerate. Are you suggesting Zhang Xuan might be a Chaotic Fate Practitioner?”
Han Qianchou’s gaze sharpened. “Exactly. The Princess Consort mentioned that not only is this person skilled in medicine, but he’s also an expert in taming beasts and has an unimaginable cultivation speed. Most importantly, he disappeared soon after Ling Buyang arrived in White Roc City, as if he never existed. It’s suspicious from every angle. Anyway, speculating here won’t help. Once Yu Longqing and the others arrive, the truth will come to light.”
Han Qianye nodded. “If it’s confirmed that Ling Buyang is Zhang Xuan in disguise and a Chaotic Fate Practitioner, how will you handle it?”
“Chaotic Fate Practitioners are enemies of all! If the Hanyuan Dynasty captures him first, we’ll gain unimaginable benefits, perhaps even helping you and me break through to the next realm.”
Han Qianye agreed.
The Destiny Hall feared Chaotic Fate Practitioners immensely. Capturing one could bring tremendous rewards, enough to increase the Hanyuan Dynasty’s territory tenfold.
Still, this needed careful confirmation and planning.
“Of course, Chaotic Fate Practitioners are rare and unique. If he can be recruited, it would also be an excellent choice. It depends on whether he knows what’s good for him,” Han Qianchou said confidently, gesturing expansively.
As an emperor, he enjoyed being in control. Even a Chaotic Fate Practitioner could become a powerful ally if handled correctly.
“Yes!” Han Qianye said no more as the group strode toward the imperial palace.
In his room, Zhang Xuan stood up.
Although the Heaven’s Path cultivation technique for the Ninth Level of the Source Pool Realm was complete, progress wasn’t as rapid as before. After a night’s effort, he had just stabilized his Roaming Realm.
In terms of cultivation, he was now on par with Ling Buyang. However, when it came to combat power, even peak Dharma Aspect Realm experts would find it nearly impossible to defeat him. In all of Hanyuan City, he was among the strongest.
“There must be realms beyond the Ninth Level of the Source Pool. I wonder what they are…” Zhang Xuan speculated.
The techniques in Hanyuan City only went up to the Ninth Level of the Source Pool, with nothing beyond. However, he was certain that the Dharma Aspect Realm was not the end of cultivation.
As he left the room, pondering who to ask, he suddenly felt a surge of unique power. His recently stabilized cultivation seemed to improve slightly.
“This is… someone comprehended Heaven’s Fate Mo Dao? Who could it be?”
Zhang Xuan’s curiosity was instantly piqued.
Author\'s Note
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