"Not seeing you off!!"
The words of the Yin-Yang Sect's Sect Master startled everyone. No one had expected that a Sect Master from such a powerful and revered sect would discard all decorum so easily.
One must understand.
Figures of such high standing, even if they harbor ill feelings in private, would still maintain a courteous and friendly facade in public.
They call it magnanimity!
Yet, this blunt dismissal was rare indeed.
This also clearly showed that, despite everything, the Yin-Yang Sect still did not respect this young Heaven Master of Xuanhuang.
After all, he was merely a Heavenly God!
"Farewell."
Qin Zi didn't rise to the provocation. Instead, he calmly summoned his carriage and departed from the Yin-Yang Sect.
Thirty years of prosperity, and in thirty years, it may still remain. There's no point in fussing over things without sufficient strength.
At this moment.
Deep within the Yin-Yang Sect, an old man in a black robe, with snow-white hair, slowly opened his eyes. His deep, unreadable gaze flashed with a trace of anger.
"Hmph, doesn't know his place! Does he really think that just because Xuanhuang Heaven has returned, he can rest easy? If they could fall once, they can fall again! And not every time will they be fortunate enough to rise again."
He had originally planned to play a waiting game, to make a small investment in this Heaven Master of Xuanhuang. Although he didn't believe Xuanhuang Heaven could survive the looming catastrophe, if by some chance they did, offering help at their lowest point would yield great returns.
This was called risk hedging!
But to his surprise, this nominal Heaven Master had been so arrogant. A mere Heavenly God, and yet he dared to reject him!
Since that's the case, let him fend for himself.
…
After leaving the Yin-Yang Sect, Qin Zi didn't linger outside and quickly returned to Xuanhuang Heaven.
For some reason, he had a constant feeling that someone wanted him dead. It didn't feel safe to stay outside.
Only by returning to Xuanhuang Heaven, into the embrace of his father, could he find that sense of invincible security.
"Have you broken through?"
Qin Chuan asked with a smile when he saw Qin Zi return.
"Yes! Not only that, I feel like I've found my own path." Qin Zi replied excitedly.
"What path?" Qin Chuan asked.
"Well… I can't quite describe it, but it feels like everything suddenly became clear. The world looks different to me now," Qin Zi said, scratching his head.
Qin Chuan's heart shook. Had this kid possibly opened the legendary Ren and Du meridians? But this world didn't follow those concepts. Those meridians were too basic for their level.
Still, he could tell that this boy had undergone a significant transformation, almost as if he had been reborn.
"Father, while I was at the Yin-Yang Sect, I encountered someone."
At that moment, Qin Zi's expression grew serious.
"Who?"
Qin Chuan asked, pretending not to know.
"Chu Zhongtian! He's the crown prince of the Chu family from the Eastern Region of the Fragmented Continent. He… he's the reincarnation of a giant!" Qin Zi said, his voice full of agitation.
"Oh." Qin Chuan responded nonchalantly.
"You're not surprised at all?!" Qin Zi's eyes widened. His father seemed far too calm for someone who had just learned about a giant, and an acquaintance at that.
"What's there to be surprised about? There are quite a few giants around you. I mean, even your master is one, right?" Qin Chuan replied calmly.
In truth, Qin Chuan had already figured it out. Many seemingly coincidental events were not coincidences. Why had they encountered so many reincarnated figures? It was because Qin Xiao Zhu was the true chosen one of destiny.
Fate, the tides of time, and the movements of the entire world revolved around the protagonist of destiny.
So he had a suspicion.
The people they had met so far—there were likely more than just one or two reincarnated figures, possibly even more than three!
"This… this…"
Qin Zi was utterly dumbfounded, suddenly feeling as if he was surrounded by bigshots.
He didn't know what to do, trembling slightly.
After a long time, he took a deep breath and asked, "Father, did you already know about all of this?"
"Yes."
Qin Chuan nodded calmly. There was no harm in playing it cool when there was no cost involved.
Qin Zi stared intently at his father, his breath quickening as he asked, "Father… who exactly are you?"
His heart raced with excitement and anticipation.
Based on everything that had happened so far, it seemed his father was even more unfathomable than a giant!
"I'm just your father, no other identity. At least in this world, you won't hear any stories about me." Qin Chuan replied, gazing out the window with a distant look in his eyes.
"You're… not from this world?!" Qin Zi was shaken to his core. Suddenly, something clicked in his mind, and he muttered to himself, "That explains it…"
Qin Chuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"That explains it?"
What had this boy figured out now?
He often encouraged Qin Zi to come up with his own explanations, after all, a self-crafted narrative was often the most convincing.
But ever since their time at Xuanhuang Mountain, Qin Chuan noticed that Qin Zi seemed to know things he, himself, did not.
It was starting to feel a little out of control.
Sometimes, Qin Zi even exuded a slight aura of mystery, a kind of wise ignorance.
"Is this what it means to be the chosen one?"
Qin Chuan's mood grew a bit heavy.
He suddenly recalled how many chosen ones of destiny start out being manipulated by others, but eventually, they all break free from the hands controlling their fate.
True freedom is the ultimate destination for the chosen one!
Would he, the one trying to control the chosen one, end up being outplayed?
"Forget it. Let things happen naturally."
After a long pause, he smiled, feeling at peace.
Controlling everything wasn't necessarily a good thing. If you controlled everything, one mistake could ruin everything, with no chance for redemption.
Variables represent uncertainty.
Sometimes they cause failure, but sometimes, they also represent hope.
A blessing in disguise, perhaps.
"Boom, boom, boom!"
Suddenly, the sky resounded with violent thunder, and all of Xuanhuang Heaven began to tremble.
"What's happening?" Qin Zi's expression changed.
"It's the Forbidden Divine Mountains. Several more of them have returned." Qin Chuan said, his eyes deep and calm.
"Will this cause trouble?"
Qin Zi asked, concerned.
Qin Chuan smiled meaningfully, "Why worry? You are the Heaven Master of Xuanhuang. Your status is even higher than theirs."
"But… what if they don't acknowledge my position?" Qin Zi said with a bitter smile.
Qin Chuan's smile faded, replaced by a look of overwhelming authority as he replied, "My son's status does not need anyone else's acknowledgment!"
"What do you mean?!" Qin Zi's eyes lit up, his breath quickening.
Qin Chuan patted his son on the head and encouraged him, "Don't think too highly of them. They are not as prestigious as you. After all, you are not just the Heaven Master of Xuanhuang; you are also… my son!"
Qin Zi felt a rush of blood coursing through him, filled with excitement.
He was invigorated.
Qin Chuan's expression grew even more affectionate as he added, "Let me teach you a phrase. If a giant arrives, speak these words aloud, and they will naturally adjust their attitude."
"Listen carefully."
Qin Chuan took a deep breath, his expression solemn as his voice rang with authority, "When you encounter an emperor, do not bow. Your true fate is already lost. Your name is etched on the Tablet of Reincarnation. One step, one bow. On the path of the afterlife, your sins are halved, and your true soul is protected!"
His voice was so commanding, like the voice of the heavens, that Qin Zi felt his scalp tingle.
"Father, this… this doesn't seem right?" Qin Zi's face flushed with embarrassment as he stammered.
This was way too bold!
Even though he didn't fully understand the meaning behind these words, just from the phrasing, it felt overly exaggerated.
With his current level of strength, saying such things—whether or not others reacted—he would certainly feel embarrassed.
"There's nothing wrong with it. Just do as I say." Qin Chuan's face was serious, his tone firm.
Then, he added with a final question: "Do you trust me, Xiao Zi?"
"Ah??"
Qin Zi's eyes widened, his jaw dropping slightly.
Those who knew him well would understand—he was doomed now.
When Qin Chuan asked that question, Qin Xiao Zhu never had the strength to resist!