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--- Chapter 331 ---
"You! Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?" Elder Qian pointed an angry finger at Han Yuan.
Elder Bai, equally stern, added, "Yes! You could have died out there!"
Han Yuan raised his arms slowly in defeat. "Um, yes, I know I was being reckless."
"But I was very confident in myself..."
"Look, I'm back unscathed." He flashed a grin, waving his hands casually.
Elder Qian and Elder Bai exchanged looks. 'This annoying kid. Our words seem to enter his left ear and exit through his right.'
Elder Qian and Elder Bai wanted to scold Han Yuan and then beat him up as a lesson, but they knew there was little chance of that succeeding.
After all, these Guardian Elders had seen him survive for hours in the Sea of Thousand Winds and Lightnings, using his secret technique, which not only protected him from the relentless forces of that place but also allowed him to gain some enlightenment.
What could they possibly do to this little monster?
They might be able to reprimand him this time, but in a few years, once he cultivated further and grew stronger than they were, they could easily imagine getting beaten by him in the future.
If it were any other genius, Elder Qian and Elder Bai wouldn't have been worried, but they believed in Han Yuan's potential.
They exchanged helpless glances and cursed silently, 'Damn it, has the world changed so much that we are afraid of a brat?'
Ultimately, they could only sigh inwardly and maintain their elderly image by snorting at Han Yuan.
"Hmph! It's good that you're alright!"
"Yes, take this as a lesson..."
Han Yuan nodded sensibly. "I understand, seniors."
After that, Elder Qian and Elder Bai led Han Yuan deeper into the Sea of Thousand Winds and Lightnings.
They encountered a violent wave of wind and lightning, but it was nothing that a Spatial Power barrier couldn't handle.
Han Yuan was intrigued by the way they used Spatial Power. It had an alluring, if slightly rusty, charm. The barrier felt stable yet somewhat malleable, radiating a sense of safety.
However, Han Yuan believed his Infinity technique was superior. After all, a defense that could automatically update itself was unique in this world.
"Hmm?" As they reached the true center of the desert, Han Yuan frowned, hearing a whispering voice.
It felt like calling Han Yuan, or more precisely, his martial soul. He felt his 'Purple Dawn Mist' martial soul trembling with excitement.
He couldn't help but stare deeply into the storm and finally saw a massive shape resembling an egg.
Yet, rather than a typical egg, it appeared more like a sapphire stone, the size of a house.
The 'egg' floated in the air, bound by countless ancient chains anchored to the ground. Countless archaic runes surrounded it, as if holding it in place.
"This is the egg?" Han Yuan asked curiously. At this time, he hadn't used his Eyes of Truth yet.
Elder Qian nodded and explained, "Yes, this is the ancient beast's egg that the Old Headmaster discovered in the ancient ruin secret realm and has been nourishing here for a few hundred years."
"According to his own words, once this egg hatches, the academy will undergo a massive change. We don't know what it is, but it will undoubtedly be something positive."
"Additionally, anyone who witnesses the beast's birth will have a fortuitous chance," he added with a smile directed at Han Yuan.
"This is our reward to you," Elder Bai chimed in, giving Han Yuan an agreeable look. "Your achievement of perfecting Old Headmaster's incomplete dou techniques made us believe in you."
Han Yuan was surprised. "Are you sure you want to give me such a life-changing experience? Shouldn't something like this go to the elders who need it more than a junior like me?"
The Guardian Elders shared a bittersweet smile upon hearing Han Yuan's question.
Elder Qian spoke up calmly, "While it's good that you're thinking this way, unfortunately, this sort of fortuitous chance is useless to Bai, me, and the other elders."
"Bai and I are at the peak of the Dou Ancestor Realms and have been stuck here for a while. What we truly need is the right state of mind, not fortuitous chances."
"Moreover, this opportunity is only applicable to one person—someone who can lead and protect the Jia Nan Academy."
"And that is the future."
"We're old."
"It's better to leave such chances to a young genius—no, a monster—like you."
"Is that even a compliment?" Han Yuan asked, momentarily speechless.
"Just consider it one," Elder Qian chuckled playfully.
Elder Bai focused on the suspended 'egg' and said, "Based on the notes left by the Old Headmaster, this ancient beast will hatch in a few days."
"I'll tell Hu Gan to notify your friends so they won't worry about your sudden disappearance."
"Your main focus should be meditating here now."
"Here? I thought you said it would be dangerous," Han Yuan replied with a cheeky smile.
Elder Qian, annoyed, said, "That's enough, brat! Just sit and meditate."
"Alright, jeez," Han Yuan replied, resigning himself to sit down and start meditating under the Guardian Elders' protection.
Han Yuan quickly entered a deep meditation, ignoring all the disturbances around him. Unknown to him, Elder Qian and Elder Bai were exchanging incredulous looks.
"He's entering deep meditation too fast! Kids these days are too damn ridiculous!" Elder Qian sighed in disbelief.
Elder Bai mirrored his sentiment, sighing as well. "At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if this kid someday becomes a Dou God."
"Do you really think he can reach that 'unreachable' realm?" Elder Qian asked, his eyes shining with hope.
Elder Bai gently shook his head and shrugged, "Honestly, I don't know. But if we're talking about raw potential..."
"If a monster like Han Yuan can't reach the Dou God Realm, then no one can!"
"That's true..." Elder Qian rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
---
Deep in meditation, Han Yuan lost track of time. His sole focus was on hearing the mysterious voice once more.
"You..."
"You're..."
"You're here."
Han Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly and responded, "And who might you be?"
"Qi... Qilin," the voice replied weakly.
"I am Qilin!"
Swoosh! BOOOOOOM!
As the voice echoed, Han Yuan felt a thunderous explosion in his mind, and the surroundings instantly became clear.
Yet, Elder Qian and Elder Bai were gone, leaving him alone in a space filled with a speck of golden dust.
Han Yuan looked up and noticed a breeze flowing, shaping the golden dust into something else.
The dust flowed like water before transforming into the appearance of a Qilin. It had a deer-like body, a dragon-like head, an ox-like tail, cloven hooves, and was 'beautifully' covered in jewel-like scales and clean azure fur, with sapphire-like eyes.
"I mean no harm," said Qilin to Han Yuan.
Han Yuan stared at the Qilin calmly and replied, "No, you're not Qilin."
"You're just a shell of Qilin."
"Your true form is Auspicious Wind."
The Qilin let out a soft roar. "No, I am Qilin. I am the Auspicious Wind. I am the partner of the Son of Destint. We are one!"
"And you're the chosen one of this world."
"You are among those who are worthy to be carriers of fortune, the ones who will change the world."
Han Yuan chuckled. "Huh, that's funny. So, you're saying I am this world's Son of Destiny?"
The Qilin nodded lightly. "Correct. There is another Son of Destiny, but compared to him, you're much better."
"At least you're not using your 'luck' blindly."
"What do you mean by 'blindly'?" Han Yuan asked, intrigued.
The Qilin gazed at Han Yuan deeply and replied, "Everything in this world has a spirit—moving air, flowing water, pebbles, the sun, the moon, and the stars. The fortune of the world carries them, and the Son of Destiny attracts these chances."
"However, the more the Son of Destiny pulls these chances, the more the world loses its essence. Using your 'luck' blindly means taking without giving back—being ungrateful for the role that has been given."
"What if I don't want such a role?" Han Yuan smiled faintly.
The Qilin blinked a few times before answering monotonously, "Rejection is futile. The role of the Son of Destiny is not child's play."
"Chosen or not, every move, every breath, and every blink you make will change this world."
"Therefore, accept my submission. Live your role, and fulfill your part of the deal.
"It is waiting for you."
After saying that, the Qilin did not give Han Yuan a chance to respond and transformed into a brilliant azure-gold light, piercing his chest—or more precisely, the Purple Dawn Mist martial soul.
'Damn, you really didn't give me a chance to reply,' Han Yuan thought helplessly.
'Oh well, whatever. Let's see just how much surprise you can give me, Qilin!'
---
Alternative Title: Auspicious Wind? Qilin?