Hao Xuan silently listened to what he had to say but he already knew what Henrik was talking about.
The "great treasure" was left behind by the last warden. It was supposed to be used for his successor, to help him or her reach a significantly high realm and once again gain control of the prison.
The centerpiece of this 'treasure' was the God's personal inheritance. But it also included numerous resources including high-grade spirit stones, cultivation techniques, weapons and so much more.
It would be a lie if Hao Xuan said he never thought about getting his hands on it, but when he saw where it was, he gave up immediately.
It was located at perhaps the most heavily infected area in the entire prison. Just getting to the place would take months without any teleportation items or shortcuts, without even taking into account the increasing number of infected creatures that would start showing up.
It was on the other side of the planet, thousands of kilometers deep underground.
He looked towards Henrik with a surprised expression, "How did they find out? What's this 'seer' you mentioned?"
Henrik sighed upon hearing his query. He often forgot Hao Xuan wasn't from the same 'humble' beginnings as him but questions like this reminded him once again.
"Seers are those beings that have the innate ability to see the threads of destiny," he said before taking a seat around the campfire that was burning on the side. Hao Xuan sat down as well.
The rain still hadn't let up but the portable camp had built-in barriers that provided cover so they were still able to remain dry.
Henrik looked at the log of fire for a few seconds, as if lost in deep thought. Hao Xuan had never seen him like this before. He was always so cheerful but he seemed out of sorts at this moment.
"Destiny, eh? It's not easy to put into words. Some say our destiny is written the moment we are born. How we will live our lives and in the end, die. But us as cultivators, by our very existence we stand against it."
"We HAVE to believe our actions are our own and we're not just following a script. That's one popular point of view," at this point he looked up to meet Hao Xuan's curious gaze.
"Another states that destiny is what we create as we go on. By our actions and inaction, by the people we meet. And seers are the people that can see the threads of destiny and in turn read and interpret it. It's similar to seeing the future but at the same time very different. I'm so sure myself haha," he finished with a weak chuckle.
Hao Xuan didn't know what to say. He wasn't too close to Henrik but they weren't strangers either. He patted him on the shoulder, "Why the fuck are YOU depressed? One of your girlfriends leave you or something?" he asked jokingly.
Henrik was taken aback by the response and couldn't help but break out laughing.
"Hahaha, no no, I'm sorry. I was just thinking about some stuff, don't worry about it," Henrik shook his head, "Anyways, what are we gonna do now? Do you want to join the expeditions into the structure? Each of the institutions are making parties of 10-15 experienced and powerful cultivators and sending them down there. I can get you in if you want."
Hao Xuan shook his head firmly, "No. I didn't come here for that. I told them its dangerous down there so if they are so hell-bent on obtaining this treasure, good luck to them."
"Let them do their own thing. I have a lot of things to do on my own end as well."
"Good, I was worried you'd want to go with them," Henrik finished the conversation by standing up.
"If you need anything, call me over," he said before walking back towards the dormitory.
Hao Xuan waited till he was out of sight before taking out the little black book that was given to him by the stranger to kill Dai Zhi.
Now that he had some time, he wanted to catch up n a few things including his cultivation. It had been a good long while until he had worked on his mind palace but the translation of this book mattered more.
With another wave of his hand, a plain piece of paper and a pen appeared. He picked it up with his right hand and with his left, started feeling for the characters on the book's cover.
It took more than 20 minutes to translate just one line. The invisible characters seemed like they were alive, continuously moving around if he let go of the book, making him start from the beginning.
Hao Xuan let out a breath of turbid air. It had actually exhausted him mentally and spiritually translating this bit.
He looked down with hazy eyes and mumbled the words under his breath.
"The Gates of Chaos - Part 1."