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Zhang Xuan froze in place.

Seeing Lian Huo and his men’s vicious acts, he could understand why anyone would intervene. He’d already assumed that this so-called hall master was an irredeemable villain. But to find out that the ‘villain’ was actually himself was beyond belief...

“That can’t be right. Are you sure you’re not mistaken?” Zhang Xuan’s brows furrowed, and he couldn’t help but ask.

Yu Fei responded, “There’s no mistake. Bu Xu Hall once tried to recruit me, but I refused... If you don’t believe me, you can inquire about it. That Ling Buyang practices the Machete Sect’s techniques, and Bu Xu Hall’s men all wield machetes!”

Zhang Xuan glanced at the surrounding corpses; the fallen blades had dual edges and, while not overly long, each reached about 1.5 meters—a typical weapon of the Machete Sect.

From what he knew, mastery of Heaven’s Fate was only granted to those who earned recognition. Yu Fei’s claim was likely true: Bu Xu Hall really was part of Ling Buyang’s “domain.”

At that moment, Sun Qiang finished searching the bodies, gathering over 100,000 Source Coins—a substantial gain.

“I have other matters to attend to. Farewell for now!” Zhang Xuan said.

After a few more questions yielded no new information, he and Sun Qiang leaped back onto the Black-Scaled Phoenix Eagle, taking off at speed.

“They’re already leaving?”

Yu Fei and Xiao Ying exchanged looks of disbelief.

They had assumed that their savior would demand more in return, yet all he took was a single Source Coin.

“To do good without expecting anything in return—that’s true nobility. Pity we don’t even know his name... But I’ll remember his face and ask Steward Feng. With his high status and wide network, he might know who this was,” Yu Fei said, then looked at his wife with excitement. “With the Red Leaf Grass, Xiao Zhuo is saved!”

“Yes!” Xiao Ying smiled, lifting their son, eyes brimming with joy.

From certain death to miraculous salvation, their benefactor was truly a godsend.

How could someone like Ling Buyang be so vastly different from this mysterious hero?

---

On the eagle’s back.

“It seems the halls in Hanyuan City aren’t as straightforward as I thought. It’s possible that what Yu Fei said is true—that a Destiny Master supports them, like Ling Buyang...” Zhang Xuan analyzed.

Bu Xu Hall wasn’t even among the most prominent, hinting at the formidable nature of the other halls.

Still, the idea that Destiny Masters openly led halls and engaged in tyranny raised questions. Weren’t they afraid of public backlash?

“Maybe not all members are corrupt; perhaps Lian Huo and his group are just bad apples... No point guessing with so little information. I’ll know more once I reach Hanyuan City.”

With large organizations, it was inevitable for some unsavory elements to slip through. Without further clarity, speculation would get him nowhere. Zhang Xuan focused again, closing his eyes and channeling Source Energy into the Xuan World, refining his bone marrow.

As he absorbed more Source Energy, the Xuan World expanded, nearly doubling its previous size. Rivers of dense energy now crisscrossed the landscape, forming streams that converged into larger bodies of water, promising eventual transformation into lakes and seas.

However, as the Xuan World grew, it became unstable. Zhang Xuan was forced to channel 50,000 units of Heaven’s Fate Energy into it, stabilizing the realm once more.

But he knew next time, it might take 100,000 units or more. Even at this rate, the supply would never be enough!

“Young master, we’ve arrived at Hanyuan City!” Sun Qiang’s voice broke his focus. Zhang Xuan looked up.

Before him stood a colossal city sprawled below, a sea of towering structures that made White Roc City seem insignificant in comparison. The difference was vast, as though comparing a stream to an ocean.

“Where to, young master?” Sun Qiang asked.

Returning to Hanyuan City meant confronting a dilemma. The first option was to head straight to the Destiny Hall—risky if his disguise faltered. The second was to visit Ling Buyang’s residence, filled with his Fate Guardians and disciples who could easily spot inconsistencies.

But either way, he needed to choose. Staying away after a long absence would certainly raise suspicions.

After a moment’s thought, Zhang Xuan instructed, “Find a spacious house to rent, with a courtyard. Move Xiaoyu and the others in. I’m heading to the Destiny Hall.”

“Understood!” Sun Qiang nodded.

The Black-Scaled Phoenix Eagle landed outside the city, and they split ways. Zhang Xuan guided the eagle directly toward the towering building ahead.

Hanyuan City, as the imperial capital of the Hanyuan Dynasty, had its tallest and most magnificent structure in the royal palace. The second highest was the Destiny Hall, a spire piercing the sky like a sword, standing out against the horizon.

Before reaching it, Zhang Xuan directed the eagle to descend.

“Elder Ling, you’ve returned...”

A young man hurried forward to greet him.

Drawing on Xu Xin’s memories, Zhang Xuan identified him as Xie Feng, a Fate Guardian tasked with attending to visiting Destiny Masters at the hall.

Zhang Xuan nodded. “Take care of the Black-Scaled Phoenix Eagle. Any issues, and you’ll answer for it.”

Although the eagle was Ling Buyang’s beast companion, it was often left at the Destiny Hall for proper care and feeding—given its voracious appetite and need for rare sustenance only the hall could supply.

“Rest assured, Elder. I’ll see to it personally.” Xie Feng beamed and called for staff to take the eagle away.

Zhang Xuan strode into the hall, immediately enveloped by an intense flow of Source Energy. Special arrays within the hall attracted and stabilized the energy, making cultivation far more efficient here than outside.

“Ling Buyang, weren’t you supposed to be in Zouyi Dynasty hunting down a Chaotic Fate Practitioner? Why are you back?”

A voice called out, and Zhang Xuan turned to see an older man in his fifties approaching, eyes wide with surprise.

Zhang Xuan’s heart skipped a beat.

Xu Xin’s memories hadn’t included this man, which meant he was a stranger. Addressing him by name instead of “Elder” suggested they were of similar rank, likely both Destiny Masters.

From that one question, Zhang Xuan deduced two things: one, the man did not know of Ling Buyang’s death, and two, Ling Buyang’s mission to White Roc City was not widely known.

Relieved, Zhang Xuan replied, “The practitioner somehow caught wind and fled. Teacher had me return first.”

“Haha, knew it! Looks like I win our bet. Where’s my prize? Don’t think you can weasel out!”

The older man’s eyes gleamed.

Zhang Xuan frowned but remained silent.

He had no idea what wager or stakes were being discussed. Asking would only arouse suspicion.

“Don’t think playing dumb will save you,” the man said, growing irritated.

Seeing the situation tense, Zhang Xuan knew he needed to respond. “Do you have proof of this wager? Without evidence, do you expect me to believe you?”

“Proof? It was a verbal agreement! You’re as shameless as ever, Ling Buyang!” The elder huffed. “The hall master himself witnessed it. We can have him settle this.”

Zhang Xuan shook his head. “I have urgent matters to attend to. We’ll revisit this later.”

Avoiding a showdown was crucial. Meeting the hall master was out of the question. Xu Xin’s memories offered scant detail on the master, but Zhang Xuan suspected he was a powerful figure, beyond even the Dharma Aspect stage. Ling Buyang himself served this man willingly, hinting at tremendous strength.

Zhang Xuan knew his disguise, even powered by the New World’s abilities, would not withstand close scrutiny from such a formidable being.

“You’re not slipping away that easily!” The elder lunged, his hand reaching out with the force of a Source Pool Realm cultivator at the Dharma Aspect stage, locking down the space around them.

Forced to react, Zhang Xuan’s eyes narrowed. He channeled the sword energy from the Pathos of Heaven into his palm, launching a counterstrike with the Black Dragon Palm he had been practicing.

Their energies collided, and both staggered back a step.

The elder’s eyes widened. “No wonder you’re so bold. You’ve mastered a new technique... Impressive! How about this: I’ll forgo the bet if you teach me that palm technique.”

“A concubine?” Zhang Xuan’s eyelid twitched.

The wager involved a concubine? He never would have guessed.

Ling Buyang’s reputation had suggested otherwise—especially since Zhang Xuan recalled the man had a certain physical ‘infirmity.’ But it seemed he still managed to take concubines, and even gamble them...

“I need to sort this out. This is... quite confusing.” Zhang Xuan felt his mind reel with the unexpected revelation.

Author\'s Note