The ruin breathed.
That was the first thing Li Yuan realized.
Not metaphorically—literally.
The air pulsed in slow, uneven rhythms, like the lungs of a dying beast. Every pulse caused the stone walls to shift by imperceptible degrees, rearranging pathways, sealing exits, guiding the frightened outer disciples deeper inside.
This was no natural ruin.
This was a stage.
---
Panic spread fast.
"Where's the exit?!"
"My jade slip isn't responding!"
"We're trapped—this wasn't in the records!"
Voices overlapped, fear escalating into chaos. Several disciples rushed blindly down branching corridors, only to vanish behind bending stone.
Li Yuan stood still.
Too still.
The world wanted movement.
So he refused it.
---
The system interface hovered quietly in his vision, restrained but alert.
---
[Eternal Progenitor System]
Fate Correction Level: Moderate
Observation Focus: — Progenitor Behavior Under Stress —
Note: Excessive deviation may trigger escalated response.
---
"So it's watching how I choose," Li Yuan thought.
Not whether he survived.
But how.
---
A roar echoed through the ruin.
Not a beast.
A construct.
Stone cracked as a guardian emerged—humanoid, massive, carved with ancient runes meant to suppress qi.
Outer disciples screamed and scattered.
Li Yuan felt the intent immediately.
This guardian was not meant to kill everyone.
Only enough.
Enough loss to justify "natural correction."
---
The guardian struck.
One disciple was thrown aside, blood spraying against the wall.
Another barely escaped, arm shattered.
The system pulsed sharply.
---
[Eternal Progenitor System]
Projected Casualties: • Acceptable (World Threshold): 7–12 • Current Projection: 9
---
Li Yuan's eyes hardened.
"So that's the number."
---
He stepped forward.
Not rushing.
Not shouting.
Just walking.
The guardian's runes flared as Li Yuan entered its radius. Suppression formations activated instantly, pressing down on his cultivation, attempting to force him into helplessness.
Li Yuan allowed it.
His qi sank.
His aura dulled.
To the system's surprise—
His presence did not vanish.
It condensed.
---
He raised a hand.
Not to strike.
But to align.
The surrounding spiritual flow shifted subtly, nudged by intent rather than power. The guardian's next step faltered—not because it was damaged, but because the space beneath its foot miscalculated.
Stone cracked.
Balance failed.
The guardian staggered.
---
The disciples stared.
"What did he do?"
"I didn't feel any qi fluctuation!"
"That wasn't a technique!"
They were right.
It wasn't.
It was causality adjustment.
---
The system reacted sharply.
---
[Eternal Progenitor System]
Warning.
Intervention registered.
Deviation Index: Rising
---
Li Yuan didn't stop.
He stepped closer, placing his palm against the guardian's chest.
The runes flickered wildly.
Not overwritten.
Confused.
The construct was built to suppress cultivators.
Li Yuan was no longer acting as one.
---
"Stand down," Li Yuan said calmly.
The guardian froze.
Its core rune dimmed.
Then—
It knelt.
---
Silence crushed the ruin.
Disciples stared in disbelief.
The world hesitated.
The system delivered its verdict.
---
[Eternal Progenitor System]
Outcome Altered.
Casualties Reduced Below Threshold.
World Response: • Confusion • Recalculation Initiated
Hidden Result: — Fate Evaluation Failed —
---
Li Yuan closed his eyes briefly.
"So even fate can misjudge."
---
The ruin began to collapse—not violently, but dismissively. Corridors unlocked. Exits reopened. The trial ended early, officially blamed on "structural instability."
The world retreated.
For now.
---
When Li Yuan returned to the sect, night had already fallen.
The residence was quiet.
Too quiet.
He stepped inside.
Chen Yue was awake, holding Li Chen.
The moment Li Yuan crossed the threshold—
The child opened his eyes.
And smiled.
---
The system erupted.
---
[Eternal Progenitor System]
Critical Feedback Event!
Descendant Resonance Surge Detected.
Cause: • Progenitor resisted fate correction • Descendant stability reinforced
Reward Granted:
— Bloodline Authority: Passive Override (Minor) —
Effect: • Low-level fate manipulation possible • Descendant safety priority increased
---
Li Yuan froze.
Then laughed softly.
"So this is how rewards are paid now."
---
Far above.
Beyond the sky.
Threads of fate tightened.
Some snapped.
Others retreated.
An unseen will revised its calculations.
"…This one does not bend," it acknowledged.
"…Then we adapt."
---
Li Yuan took his son into his arms.
The boy's tiny hand grasped his finger firmly.
Stronger than it should be.
Steadier than it should be.
Li Yuan smiled.
"Good," he whispered.
"Let them adapt."
---