< Chapter 79: The Theory of Fate >
Han Ming said, "According to the book's explanation, those with celestial aptitude are the favored children of heaven and earth. Once they overcome a challenge, it is like undergoing a tribulation or refining gu poison. Climbing over a mountain brings a new landscape to life."
"Master, you must be vigilant in the near future. When your fate increases significantly, opportunities often follow!"
Ning Zhuo grew more interested, "Are there other methods to increase fate?"
Han Ming replied, "Cultivation is the primary method. The stronger a cultivator's strength, the greater their fate."
"Borrowing momentum also works. But it must be borrowed well; if not, it can lead to internal exhaustion."
"Additionally, there are certain treasures. For example, every super sect, super family, and any cultivation nation has at least one significant treasure that can be used to suppress fate and adjust fortune."
Ning Zhuo nodded, "Copy out the entire ‘Theory of Fate'."
Han Ming replied again, "Yes, Master."
Ning Zhuo then asked about the soul contract.
Han Ming explained that this was a spell from the Soul-Devouring Sect, which could use souls to sign contracts, making them very reliable.
The key point was that the essence of Han Ming's cultivation lay in her soul. Signing a soul contract was the best way to control her. Once signed, her life and death would be in Ning Zhuo's hands.
Ning Zhuo studied the soul contract a little but found he couldn't understand it.
He decided to proceed cautiously.
Fortunately, the materials and talismans needed to establish the soul contract required time to collect, so there was no rush.
"You may say you have pledged allegiance to me, but time is needed to verify your loyalty."
"In the future, you must perform well," Ning Zhuo admonished.
Han Ming bowed her head obediently, speaking softly, "Yes, Master."
Ning Zhuo thought for a moment. Before leaving, he extended the length of the chain, allowing Han Ming to move within half the cell as a reward.
Ning Zhuo hadn't expected to gain so much from this meeting with Han Ming.
He learned about Yuan Dasheng's celestial aptitude.
It's important to note that detecting celestial aptitude is a rather complex matter. Three Golden Core cultivators had examined Yuan Dasheng's corpse, yet none of them detected it.
"It was because I had Han Ming devour his soul that it was accidentally stimulated, allowing me to identify it."
"His righteous bones are as hard as gold, making them excellent materials for creating mechanisms. Marvelous!"
Additionally, he gained insights into the secrets of fate.
"The ‘Theory of Fate' is quite intriguing."
Finally, he also subdued Han Ming.
Of course, Ning Zhuo harbored doubts about Han Ming's submission.
At this moment, he wished he had Zhu Xuanji's methods for detecting lies. Unfortunately, Zhu Xuanji's lie-detection abilities were based on specific mana, spells, and golden eyes.
As for these fundamentals, Ning Zhuo had none of them.
Due to the presence of Yuan Dasheng's righteous bones, his corpse had to be dealt with later.
In the meantime, Ning Zhuo needed to ensure that Yuan Dasheng's soul remained weak to prevent it from being drawn to the palace of souls.
However, now that Yuan Dasheng's body was dead, it could no longer nourish his soul. Even if Ning Zhuo did nothing, according to natural law, the soul would continue to weaken.
Ning Zhuo needed to intensify his supervision to prevent any unexpected occurrences.
What is the best kind of enemy?
The best kind of enemy is one that is completely dead!
Until Yuan Dasheng's soul could be utilized, Ning Zhuo would keep a close watch on it.
Ning Zhuo closed his eyes and began his daily review.
The knowledge of fate gave him a deeper understanding of himself, his exploration of the Immortal Palace, and the world.
He first thought about himself.
"If I truly have extraordinary aptitude, having strong fate would make sense."
"Without the protection of my parents, I have grown smoothly to sixteen years old and have developed and amassed wealth that my uncle and aunt could never achieve in their lifetimes."
"Since I began exploring the Immortal Palace, I have repeatedly encountered crises, but even in the worst situations, there has always been a glimmer of hope, never a fatal blow."
For example, his name not being discovered by others gave Ning Zhuo time to make adjustments.
Another example was the unexpected appearance of Yuan Dasheng. His comings and goings did not coincide with Meng Chong and others.
Yuan Dasheng didn't encounter anyone else, and the three major forces didn't discover him, giving Ning Zhuo a chance to struggle.
Ning Zhuo then thought about Yuan Dasheng.
"In Yuan Dasheng's case, he also had several opportunities for survival."
If Ning Zhuo hadn't successfully changed his name or had not done so in time, Yuan Dasheng would have realized his true situation immediately. He would have become alert and more accurately countered Ning Zhuo's trap.
If he hadn't injured his soul to care for Yuan Er and had continued to explore the Immortal Palace, he might have run into others. Although this might not have been beneficial, it could have presented a turning point.
If, during the Huoshi Festival, the Mechanical Ape hadn't attacked Yuan Er and failed to converge, the subsequent chaos wouldn't have ensued. Ning Zhuo's scheme would have been thwarted!
If, during the chain explosions in the Millennium Huoshi Forest, it hadn't concerned itself with Yuan Er and had instead withdrawn, even considering the surrounding dangers without using demonic arts, it could have protected itself with the peak-level Five Elements Mana of the third layer.
Perhaps it might have remained conscious after the explosion. Being conscious or unconscious were completely different states, with a qualitative difference.
In the end, even if Yuan Dasheng had protected Yuan Er, and it had fallen into a coma, there would still be a glimmer of hope. That hope lay in Zhu Xuanji being moved to intervene and help. As long as it endured for a period and woke up or its soul entered the Immortal Palace, there would be a chance for a turnaround.
Unfortunately, Ning Zhuo acted swiftly, decisively entering the fray, and Yuan Er performed poorly, failing to protect his Uncle Monkey.
"Fate actually gave it many opportunities, but it failed to seize them."
"It was also dragged down by Yuan Er."
Ning Zhuo sighed inwardly, gaining a deeper understanding of some of the concepts in the study of destiny.
His mind churned within his spiritual sea, reviewing the entire process, continuously generating insights and realizations.
Amidst the countless thoughts, he touched the treasured seal in his spiritual sea, leading to an unexpected discovery.
“Why has the Buddha Heart Demon Seal been used so many times?”
Ning Zhuo, wary of Zhu Xuanji, had rarely employed the Buddha Heart Demon Seal during this covert operation. The most prominent instance was when he used the heart seal to command the Mechanical Monkeys into a frenzy.
As these monkeys were destroyed by the formation, it effectively obliterated the evidence.
Even if discovered, Ning Zhuo could perfectly explain himself as the creator.
In the subsequent negotiations with Yuan Er, he had not used this treasured seal at all, meticulously avoiding any small flaw.
In the cultivation world, the methods were countless, and Ning Zhuo pursued utmost caution.
To Ning Zhuo, no matter how precious the Buddha Heart Demon Seal was, it was merely a tool. And since it was a tool, its value depended on the user's skill. Over-reliance on a single tool was inadvisable; if trouble didn't occur now, it would eventually.
Thus, according to Ning Zhuo's knowledge, he had not used the Buddha Heart Demon Seal many times.
But now, as he interacted with the Buddha Heart Demon Seal, he unexpectedly discovered that the facts clashed significantly with his recollection.
“When did this happen? I've used the Buddha Heart Demon Seal not just once, but at least three or four times.”
Ning Zhuo couldn't help but be astonished.
This had never happened before.