Chapter 4: The Girl with the Golden Fate
Three days passed.
At the edge of the Sword Trial Valley, the mountain breeze carried the scent of blood and steel. Xiao Tian limped along the path, wrapped in tattered robes. His once clear skin was marred with healing sword marks, his breath slow but steady.
> Sword Body: 1-Star Awakened – Basic Sword Intent Circulation Activated
[Body Strength: +52%]
[Sword Qi Resistance: +70%]
[True Qi Conductivity: +31%]
Each step was pain, but also power.
And when he crossed the outer gate of the Taichu Holy Land, the elders watching the trial site noticed.
"Isn't that the handyman who went missing?"
"He actually returned… and with a faint trace of Sword Intent?"
Unbelievable.
But Xiao Tian ignored the stares. His mind was focused.
> Life Script Scan: Initiating…
[Detected: Lin Chen – Destiny Child Variant]
[Status: Confused. Scheduled to attempt Sword Trial in 2 days.]
[Effect of Interference: 79% of planned fortune path disrupted.]
He smirked faintly. "The higher he climbs, the harder he'll fall."
But it wasn't Lin Chen who caught his attention this time.
A new figure had arrived in the sect—through the back gates, her wrists shackled in enchanted rope, her feet bare and cracked from the road. She was barely fifteen, hair wild, dressed in tattered slave cloth.
Just another auctioned good for outer disciples.
But…
> Life Script Identified
[Name: Ye Qingyu (??)]
[Race: Human (Mutation)]
[Fate Threads: Red, Gold, Gold, Red]
[Destiny: Phoenix Rebirth Soul Body (Dormant)]
[Opportunity: Ancient Phoenix Bloodline Awakening (Suppressed)]
[Hidden Entry: Unawakened Soul Sutra – Flame of Eternity (7-Colored Entry, Sealed)]
[Current Status: Soul Contaminated, Bloodline Rejection, Spiritual Suppression]
> "Will be purchased by Lin Chen in 2 days, sacrificed for blood ritual unlocking Phoenix Inheritance. Fate: Death."
Xiao Tian's heart turned cold.
"...So that's how he was going to awaken his so-called divine flame talent. He planned to burn her life into ash for a shortcut."
The auctioneer yelled from a dusty stall, "Fresh slave girl! High-quality! Good bones, not broken! One spirit stone starting!"
Disciples laughed crudely. Someone tossed a stone toward her, and she flinched, but didn't cry out. Her dull eyes stared past them.
Xiao Tian stepped forward, voice steady.
"One spirit stone. I'll buy her."
The crowd blinked.
"Who is that? A handyman disciple…?"
The auctioneer snorted. "You sure? Feed her and clean her yourself, then."
> Ding! Life Script Interference Successful. Ye Qingyu's death fate has been nullified.
[Golden Fate Entry – Phoenix Rebirth Soul Body: Resonating]
[Red Fate Entry – Flame of Eternal Memory: Stirring]
> Bond Formed – "Sword and Flame, Chosen by Destiny"
Xiao Tian gently pulled off her restraints. She looked up for the first time—eyes dull, lips dry.
"Why?" she asked, voice barely audible.
He met her gaze. "Because fate already killed me once. Now, I kill it first."
---
Back in his modest stone hut, he gave her warm food and clean robes. She sat quietly, still not trusting this new master.
> Ding! Side Opportunity: Soul Contamination Purification Unlocked
[Requirement: Phoenix Blood Awakening – Needs 3-Star Sword Body to resist backlash.]
Xiao Tian closed his eyes, sat cross-legged, and began cultivating. He still had much to prepare before the second trial of the inheritance… and now, a golden fate to protect.