Return to the Institute
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the training grounds as I returned to my assigned class.
"I have been made aware. You may enter." I heard a voice reaching me before I step in.
Every pair of eyes in the courtyard turned toward me to sense my strength, but I simply converged my aura, pulling the aura inward until it felt like nothing more than a gentle breeze.
They couldn't sense the true depth of my power now, though my reputation had already spread throughout the East Institute. A nine-star heavenly spirit root ~ such a rating was almost mythical in these lands.
The instructor, addressed the obvious tension in the air. "It is rare for someone of the Heavenly Fate sixth realm to be placed among junior students, but the East Institute follows proper procedures. You will learn the fundamentals alongside your peers and cultivate during your time here." He gestured broadly to the other students. "For the rest of you, do not worry. His presence will not affect the selection of five students for advancement to East institute. Grouping you together would be fundamentally unfair."
The lesson focused on fate souls and their properties. During the practical cultivation session, we received instruction on condensing spiritual flames. For someone with my experience and understanding of the Dao ~ the fundamental essence underlying all natural phenomena ~ the process felt as natural as breathing. I held back the full magnitude of my capabilities during that first attempt, allowing only a fraction of my soul power to manifest.
Nie Li succeeded with his characteristic ease, though he couldn't resist his typical display of playful showing off, immediately irritating several classmates who shot him dark looks. I could practically see them adding his name to their mental lists of people to eventually settle scores with.
The classes proceeded as expected. Basic theory, fundamental techniques, the usual introductory material that every cultivation institute taught. Later, a young master from the Jin Clan approached with what he clearly considered a generous invitation. I declined without much thought. These assigned classes served mainly as a way to pass time and maintain some semblance of normalcy after the intense cultivation I'd undergone in that other world.
As we settled into the daily rhythm, my attention was drawn to Long Yuyin. Her appearance struck me immediately ~ she bore a remarkable resemblance to Actor Zendaya from my past life, though her hair carried a distinct pink tint instead of brown, skin pale instead of warm skin tone. Her looks was notably aloof cold, her facial features more refined, creating a combination that was both familiar and utterly foreign.
Perhaps it was my presence that tempered her usual approach. When she spoke to Nie Li, her characteristic air of condescension seemed muted. She made some comments about watching out for others who might surpass him due to better resources, but her tone lacked its usual sharp edge.
When she approached me personally later, that characteristic aura of superiority was still present but notably restrained. There was an innate arrogance in her bearing, as if I had somehow passed her criteria for talent and she was considering recruiting me into the Long Yin clan.
"I appreciate the offer," I said simply, "but I prefer to remain independent."
Her eyes flashed with irritation, but she seemed to recognize that I possessed the strength to back up such a bold refusal.
Gu Bei arrived. Not the previous northern saint of Apotheosis world, this was simply a young man from the Gu Clan who quickly integrated himself into our expanding circle of companions. After observing Nie Li for a few days, I decided to nudge events in a particular direction since due to possessing large amount of spiritual stones, the group of three near my dormitory went to cultivate peacefully and not establish a deeper connection with people involved as story portrayed.
"Nie Li," I said one afternoon at residence "I happened to notice a particular task posted at the mission board. It involves treating someone's mysterious ailment ~ apparently Gu Bei's sister needs medical attention. Given your abilities, perhaps you could help? From what I've observed, Gu Bei seems like a genuinely decent person." I paused, watching his expression. "I heard his sister was very talented before some tragedy befell her."
Nie Li's eyes lit up with interest. He had always been drawn to having reliable connections, and the prospect of helping someone whose information of past clearly appealed, is greater. Later that day, he accepted the mission from the training hall.
When he reached Gu Lan's location, he found her seated in a wheelchair, softly reciting melancholy poems about the transient nature of existence and the inevitability of mortality. Her voice carried a haunting quality that spoke of deep pain and resignation.
In his typical fashion, Nie Li diagnosed her condition with a single comprehensive examination. His eyes grew distant as he processed what he observed, then brightened as he formulated a treatment plan. The solution came to him as easily as breathing ~ a testament to his profound practical medical knowledge.
Both Gu Bei and Gu Lan were overwhelmed with gratitude when Nie Li explained the treatment. Their heartfelt thanks brought a genuine smirk to his face.
Connections Across Distance
The soul corridor I had established proved invaluable for long-distance communication. Xiao Ning'er reached out to me regularly, her presence a welcome comfort across the vast distances.
"Hey you didn't told us about our spirit roots..." she reported during one of our conversations. "Both Ye Ziyun and I were discovered to have ninth-grade heaven spirit roots. The Heavenly Note Sect has taken great interest in our development."
I shared my own experiences at the East Institute, describing how my presence seemed to be shifting the familiar patterns of events from story I remembered from before.
Spiritual Cultivation
Back in the solitude of my quarters, I settled into my cultivation routine. The essence spiritual crystals from my ring world provided the fuel for my primary technique: Boundless Divine Transformations of Energy, Body, and Spirit. Within minutes, the spiritual energy contained within the crystals was completely absorbed, leaving them drained and brittle.
Compared to essence cultivation heavenly energy cultivation felt like a leisure time activity.
I found it was better to enter ring world and cultivate there. After securing my room's entrance and activating concealment inscriptions to prevent intrusion, I entered my ring world for more intensive practice. The familiar landscape of my personal realm spread out before me ~ vast territories.
I spent considerable time clearing massive hordes of dragon dao beasts, systematically pushing back their expanding dominion to reclaim usable land. The work was necessary. Yu Yan had already reached the fifth fate realm, while Shen Xiu was gradually keeping pace with her advancement.
The divine phaseless trees I had made Shen Xiu farm, demanded careful handling. I consumed the fruit as whole, utilizing its immense concentrated energy to refine my qi, spirit, and physical form simultaneously. The power contained within the fruit was chaotic and dangerous ~ without precise control using essence energy manipulation, it could easily cause cultivation deviation or worse just explode.
The process took two full days of intensive focus. I balanced the otherwise chaotic forces within the fruit with precise care, feeling my overall soul cultivation surge forward dramatically. My inner world expanded somewhat during this period, the boundaries stretching to accommodate the increased energy flow.
When I finally completed the refinement process, I had achieved a breakthrough to the seventh Heavenly Fate Soul Realm. The advancement felt solid and stable, without any of the instability that often accompanied rapid cultivation increases.
I had carefully adjusted the temporal flow within my internal world to twice the rate of the outside world. This prevented centuries from passing in mere moments, though the energy consumption only slightly affected my overall progress. Balancing faith generation and population dynamics remained critical ~ the faith of my world's inhabitants continued to nourish my divine spark, providing a steady foundation for my growing power.
I pulled my perception back to my physical form because even experts like the sect master would find my advancement rate ridiculous if this continued unchecked. Better to maintain some semblance of normal progression, at least in their eyes.
Yet despite the immense power at my disposal, a persistent doubt lingered in the depths of my consciousness. What would happen if I were to intentionally die in the outside world? What would become of my true cultivation base and physical achievements? Would my fate soul retain the ability to restore this level of power?
The answer was almost certainly no. This realization reinforced my decision not to leave my fate soul in the soul hall. With my power more than martial ancestors here if I try doing that it would be absurd.
The Sacred Soul Celestial Testing Ground
A month passed in this manner. Due to my contribution of spirit stones, Nie Li's group had abundant resources and felt no urgency to seek out dangerous opportunities. The legendary scene I remembered ~ Nie Li's confrontation with Long Yuyin ~ never materialized. Similarly, Ying Yueru had no direct encounters with him, since we maintained a relatively low profile. The yearly ranking competitions had already concluded, limiting our opportunities for public demonstration.
Regarding Ying Yueru and the calculations of fate ~ even though my realm appeared relatively low in terms of unsealed strength, I was actually more powerful than the heavenly way itself. The world and even the draconic ruins lands weren't significantly affected by my presence, since I kept most of my power shielded within a limited subrealm. I had configured this protection to cover only my immediate vicinity while employing rule domain techniques.
On the outside, Fate and Destiny remained readable to those with the appropriate skills. However, this didn't mean they weren't affected. My mere presence caused calculations to shift in subtle ways. The threads of fate were no longer quite the same as they had been before my arrival.
Eventually, news reached us about the Saint Soul Testing Grounds. Nie Li expressed interest in testing himself there, and Xiao Yu called us out to join her expedition. She had reached the fourth fate heavenly soul realm, while Nie Li and Lu Piao were both at the third fate heavenly soul realm. I wasn't excluded from the invitation.
I thought fate was finally returning to a familiar track, leading to the events I had observed before. As we approached the testing ground, I witnessed Nie Li and his master shedding tears during their emotional recollection as he began ascending the steps.
Ying Yueru stood several steps above us, and she was breathtakingly beautiful. I had to acknowledge, however, I like to emphasize here that my own appearance upon transformation is arguably more striking.
Her long black hair flowed like liquid shadow, while her piercing purple eyes ~ eyes that mirrored my own unusual coloration ~ seemed to hold depths of wisdom and mystery.
I accompanied Xiao Yu, stepping at a faster pace compared to Nie Li and Lu Piao. Our gazes met for a brief, electric moment before Ying Yueru began descending to meet Nie Li.
I possessed the power to save her from her predetermined fate if I chose to intervene. I existed outside the normal constraints of destiny and fate, capable of bending the rules that bound ordinary cultivators to their prescribed paths. Sometimes in the act to fit in, I forgot just how powerful I had truly become, how few beings in any realm could realistically challenge my authority.
Only deity or Emperor-ranked experts could hope to pose genuine threats to my existence, and even then, with my inner world safely hidden from detection, I retained the ability to be reborn if necessary.
Should I intervene? Perhaps it would be better to let her approach me on her own terms. I saw no point in going out of my way to help people who hadn't asked for assistance.
As Nie Li engaged in conversation with Ying Yueru, several other cultivators on the testing ground took obvious offense at her apparent attention toward him while completely ignoring their own attempts to gain her notice.
I reached the 123rd step without experiencing any significant strain. For me, each step felt much the same as the last, and sensing that I could ascend much further, I didn't stop even though I noticed Xiao Yu resting several steps below my current position.
The spiritual energy at this elevation was considerably denser than even the concentrated atmosphere within my ring world. However, if I activated my usual cultivation technique, the energy surrounding this area would be rapidly depleted. I continued moving upward step by step.
The Heavenly Path represented the cultivation of heaven itself. For someone who had transcended universal laws and possessed an internal world of heaven and earth, with further training in the true meaning of the Dao, the ascent felt as natural as breathing. I moved carelessly upward until I reached the very top temple.
The people below were dumbfounded. Although I had been identified as possessing sixth fate cultivation, no one truly understood my actual abilities. The top ranking has considerably more steps in between. The difficulty of reaching the very top was supposed to challenge even Heavenly Axis cultivators, let alone those in the Star realm. However, no one had reliable data since people with high talent typically lost their opportunity to enter the Saint Soul Grounds after obtaining the top rewards.
I toured the interior of the temple and discovered the complete heavenly spirit well directly inside. Seeing no point in wasting such a resource, I cultivated normally without devouring too much energy. Without surprise, I advanced to the eighth star heavenly fate soul level, though only the fate soul just been born far from its maturity.
I decided to copy the entire tower structure, including the spiritual well beneath, to my ring world. Since the World Laws were similar, they merged seamlessly. I sent messages to Shen Xiu, Yu Yan, and Xiao Huo, instructing them to visit the structure and test it for themselves.
Returning to the steps, I found myself growing bored with remaining in place. I observed that Nie Li had also reached a very high step ~ much higher than his challenged step with Long Yuyin in the story I remembered. He was definitely within the top ten performers. Lu Piao and Xiao Yu were positioned just behind in the top fifteen, pushing back the achievements of even Long Yuyin.
When Long Yuyin learned of these results, she came to test herself as well. However, Nie Li simply maintained his composure like calm water after discovering she wasn't really a challenge for him anymore.
The events at the Saint Soul Grounds spread quickly beyond the testing area. Several hours had already passed during my actual cultivation advancement, so I decided there was no point in remaining and began my descent.
I moved past the other cultivators, slowly descending the steps until I passed by Long Yuyin, who wasn't in the best mental state for cultivation. Unlike Nie Li, who seemed to harbor personal resentment toward her condescending attitude and also for her past actions involving killing his master, I felt no particular ill will toward her.
If we were to engage in a true comparison of qualifications and achievements, who in this realm could possibly stand as an impartial judge of my worth? Does that gives me reason to mock others? No.
This day four people had surpassed her pushing her rank down that much, she was obviously in much discomfort. And seeing the cultivation stages of the individuals involved, many had different thoughts.
For some reason, she began following my steps and descended alongside me. I only observed after I returned from my thoughts.
"Why are you following me?" I asked.
"I'm going down. Who's following you?" she replied with obvious irritation.
I understood the source of her superiority complex. It was the natural result of her privileged upbringing and constant reinforcement of her elevated status from those around her.
"Is that so?" I responded mildly.
"Don't be too smug. If I had your cultivation level, I would have done the same thing."
"I believe you." Seeing that talking to me was like punching cotton, she produced a communication card from her storage space.
"However, are you prepared for what's waiting for you down below?"
I had already sensed the presence of Gu Hong, Situ Beiyan, Li Yunfeng, Li Xingyun, and others from various factions gathering near the exit.
"Let's see," I replied simply.
Upon reaching the exit of the Saint Soul Grounds, She gestured toward the tablet displaying my name in first position, then looked at the people approaching me.
"Congratulations, Junior Tao. You are indeed as talented as people say," Long Yunfeng said with a practiced smile.
"Who might you be?" I asked.
The lackeys surrounding him proudly announced, "Young Master Long Yunfeng is the first in line successor of the Ashen Flames family."
"Good to know. I have some things to attend to." I walked past them as if they were air. My presence can feel threat to even heavenly axis realm because my breakthrough had just been done and spiritual compression may not be perfect, so they just let me walk off.
The next group to intercept me included Situ Beiyan and his companions.
"You must be Chitao. I am..." he began.
"I know who you are, Situ Beiyan. I met your father, the sect master."
His expression brightened at this connection. "Then you know our reputation. If you are ever in need of resources, you can join our faction. We have everything from Dragon bloodline spirits to rare cultivation materials."
"If you're here to invite me to join your side, the answer is no. I've already decided to remain neutral. You don't need to convince me. Farewell."
"Our offer remains open," he called after me as I continued walking. Geniuses have their own arrogance, they thought.
After those two groups departed, I thought the encounters were finished when I sensed Gu Heng approaching. Knowing his evil schemes from the stories I remembered, I had no desire to listen to his explanations. Within the rule domain that I suddenly expanded to encompass the approaching teams, I employed the saintly meaning of true holy words.
"Go away," I said quietly.
Even though my utterance was so low that Long Yuyin, who was still walking behind me, couldn't hear it with her enhanced senses, for the people affected it resonated like thunder in their minds.
As I moved closer to Gu Heng's group, they involuntarily parted ways, stupefied by their incomplete control over their own bodies.
The true meanings were actually weakened under my current rule domain configuration, but these people's power levels were ridiculously low. Even dragon dao realms would have significant effects on them.
I successfully passed through their formation. Even though people like Gu Lan and Ying Yueru were present in the crowd, I wasn't friends with any of them. Waving goodbye to Gu Bei, I slowly departed the area.
"Is your clan also coming to recruit me? Why are you still following me?" I asked Long Yuyin.
"Will you join us then? You could become part of the greater Dragon Seal family."
"No interest. You can go your own way."
She stopped walking and was about to step away when another group approached. A young man who looked like he belonged in a boy band from my past life approached with a sycophantic smile, clearly intending to meet with Long Yuyin.
"Your boyfriend?" I asked her.
"No, I don't know him," she replied, turning away her head with a disgusted expression.
The approaching young man heard this exchange, and his smile dimmed considerably.
"You must be the new genius, Tian Chitao. We from the Hu Clan cordially..." he began.
"Goodbye," I interrupted, turning to Long Yuyin in the middle of his speech and walking away.
"You... how dare..." he started to say angrily.
Before his voice could finish the sentence, I applied invisible soul pressure to target their entire group. The application lasted only a moment before I withdrew it. I couldn't make them collapse or lose consciousness, as that would count as assault since this is in public, but it served as an effective deterrent.
They staggered under the pressure, but it was sufficient for my purposes. I continued walking away without looking back.
"I will destroy his nine clans," I heard the young man ranting behind me. "He's only at the sixth fate realm, right? How can he deter the nine fate souls we have? He must have used some kind of trick."
"Don't waste your energy," Long Yuyin's voice carried clearly. "You can't compare to him. Go to the Saint Soul Grounds and check what he's capable of. He'll learn himself how not to offend others when he ventures into the outside world."
I would be sent to the central institute soon, so their attempts at retaliation were meaningless. I had already demonstrated the bare minimum talent required by the sect, beyond the initial evaluation. I am just playing around.
I didn't remain to witness the aftermath. I was already on my way, teleporting directly back to my room to prevent any other unwanted visitors.
Night Interventions
That night, I monitored the area with my divine sense, observing how the major families and elders were responding to the day's events. My attention was drawn to a particular scene ~ someone coughing up blood, their skin becoming wrinkled, aging rapidly as they gasped out a name.
"That's how it is... Nie Li. Temporal Demon Spirit Book"
It was Ying Yueru. Due to the presence of an anomaly like myself, the fate of someone like Nie Li, who was already difficult to prophesy, had become increasingly turbulent. When initial clues were revealed to her, she discovered she was indeed connected to him in ways that defied normal understanding. For that reason, she had gone out of her way to investigate him in complete detail.
On a casual impulse, I decided to help her. Her location was outside my shield domain but well within range of my divine sense. It wasn't difficult to manipulate space and teleport an item to her position.
As she struggled to stabilize her deteriorating condition, the space in front of her suddenly fluctuated. A small pile of green glowing stones materialized before her startled eyes.
These were copies of the lifestones I had excavated from the Apotheosis reality when I was in the Saint's inner world. The life energy contained within was fundamentally compatible with this universe's laws ~ not a chaotic product like those from the God Domain.
With her current cultivation strength, it would be relatively easy to resolve any minor law conflicts and absorb the pure life energy. I projected my voice directly to her soul through divine sense. She was startled, sensing no physical presence nearby.
"Those are life energy stones. Try to absorb the energy within, and you will recover. I'm sure you can figure out a method."
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice weak but alert.
"That's for you to figure out. If you do, I can indeed shield your fate from certain death and help you reach the pinnacle of your technique, after you've helped your certain fated disciple."
If she thought about it logically, it would be fairly easy for her to identify me. When performing fate calculations, whether I was shielded or not, the technique would show that I simply didn't exist. The divination would fail because there was no target that could be locked onto. If she started with the top figures of the sect, she wouldn't find me there. But if she began divining among the new recruits... she would discover me as an anomaly.
I didn't particularly care whether she lived or died, but letting her come to me on her own terms felt more rewarding than simply offering direct assistance than this any more.
That same night, I focused on stabilizing the new fate soul using the abundant heavenly energy and a significant portion of a divine essence fruit from my internal world. The process required attention, but the results were satisfying.