Where Fates Converge

Outside Heaven Dou City.

A black rift opened.

A black-haired youth dropped straight out of it, pale-faced and blood at the corners of his mouth, clutching something like a tray tightly to his chest.

Directly beneath the black-haired youth, a blue-haired maid leaped into the air and caught him in a princess carry.

They were none other than Su Xuan and Emma, master and servant.

Emma complained softly,

"Ah, my dear master, you should practice using teleportation arrays more in the future. There was another deviation."

After landing safely, Emma's maid skirt fluttered lightly, revealing a sight meant for no one else.

The first thing Emma did after landing was quickly examine Su Xuan's injuries. Once she was done, a trace of heartache appeared on the blue-haired maid's face.

"Dugu Bo."

Emma softly uttered the Poison Douluo's name. A glint of killing intent shone in her bright eyes. Anyone who dared hurt her master had to die!

Su Xuan showed signs of slight bleeding throughout his internal organs. Though he was slowly recovering, he still could not avoid falling unconscious. It was the body's self-protective mechanism.

Emma took medicine from her spatial ring and fed it to Su Xuan.

Then, Emma carried Su Xuan toward the distance, where one of Core Flame's bases was located.

Core Flame Base.

"Is His Highness all right?"

Chrysanthemum Douluo stood beside the bed, looking at pale-faced Su Xuan with concern.

Emma replied softly, "Master only suffered light injuries. He will be fine."

"All right, then how should we deal with this girl?"

Chrysanthemum Douluo pointed at the light-green-haired Cat Girl in the corner of the room.

Emma had a headache as well. Su Xuan had not given any instructions. "Treat her well for now. Master was injured saving her, after all. We can discuss it once Master wakes up."

"All right, then I'll leave it to you. I still have work to do, so I'll be going."

Chrysanthemum Douluo turned and left. As a Titled Douluo, his duties were hardly easy, especially with Core Flame expanding so rapidly these past few years. As one of Su Xuan's true confidants, he was almost overwhelmed with work.

Emma walked over to the light-green-haired Cat Girl and asked as gently as she could, "What is your name? Do you have parents?"

"Did... did you buy me?" The Cat Girl's voice trembled slightly, and her eyes were filled with deep fear.

Emma felt a little sympathy for the girl. She gently shook her head and took the Cat Girl's hand. "No. We are not with those people from the auction house. Here, you will not have to live in fear as you did before."

The Cat Girl was still fearful and afraid. Emma felt slightly helpless. The trauma and shadows left behind from childhood could not be resolved overnight, and her master, who was best at such matters—his moral golden light paired with maxed-out sweet-talking buffs—was currently unconscious.

For the moment, Emma had no solution. Everything would have to wait until Su Xuan woke up.

A place that shone with golden light.

Brilliant, multicolored threads interwove below, intricate and tangled, with no discernible pattern at all.

A black-haired young man stood at the highest point of the area, looking down below with helplessness in his pale golden eyes.

"Boss, what exactly is going on here?"

Su Xuan could not hold back any longer. Ever since he had fallen unconscious, he had appeared in this place. It was filled with dazzling golden light and a chaotic mess of threads. He could not make sense of anything, no matter how long he looked.

The Dao Scripture's voice slowly sounded. "Don't be impatient. Observe a little longer. This is a place where one may glimpse fate. Looking more closely will benefit your cultivation as well."

Hearing this, Su Xuan gathered Soul Power in his eyes and circulated it in a particular manner—the Daoist Secret Technique, Divine Eye.

Crimson-gold flames danced in his pale golden eyes. Cold sweat gradually formed on Su Xuan's forehead. Peering into the secrets of heaven came at a price, though most of the consequences were borne by the Dao Scripture for him.

"What did you see?"

Su Xuan fell silent for a moment.

"I couldn't see my thread?!"

It was not Su Xuan boasting. As Spirit Hall's designated heir, he was unquestionably a key figure on this continent, linking the past and the future. But there was no thread for him here?

"Heh heh, that is exactly as it should be. Those who peer into the secrets of heaven cannot glimpse their own fate."

Su Xuan was speechless. So that was the reason?

"Then what else did you see? How much did you see?"

Su Xuan steadied his gaze. "I saw a very strange place. Countless bright, shining threads were tangled together in one spot."

"That's right. That is a node, where fates converge. Next, those who will be able to command a region in the future will gather there."

"Do I have to go?"

Su Xuan frowned. Core Flame was still developing.

"Of course. Your allies are there, and so are your enemies."

Su Xuan shook his head. "I don't think it is necessary. The people on my side are already strong enough."

"Heh heh, I'll just ask you this: are you going or not?"

Su Xuan pulled a bitter face. "Fine, fine, I'll go. All right?"

"Honestly, if you had just listened earlier, there would not have been so much trouble."

"Mmm... ah."

Su Xuan struggled to sit up.

"Master, you're awake?" Emma said in surprise.

"How long was I unconscious?"

Su Xuan held his head. It was spinning badly.

"About two days."

"Where are we now?"

"One of Core Flame's branch bases."

Su Xuan nodded, stretched his joints, and checked his injuries internally. Satisfied, he nodded again. He had already recovered completely. The Five-Clawed Golden Dragon truly deserved to be called a top-tier bloodline.

Su Xuan got out of bed, casually draped a robe over himself, and stretched.

"Where is that little girl?"

"She's in the room next door. She's a little afraid of strangers," Emma replied softly.

"Take me to see her."

"As you command."

The master and servant arrived before a redwood door.

Knock, knock.

"C-come in."

Su Xuan pushed open the door. The light-green-haired Cat Girl was curled up in one corner of the bed, huddled into a tiny ball, unable to conceal the fear on her face.

Su Xuan felt a faint stab in his heart. He knew she was not an isolated case.

With a gentle smile, Su Xuan sat beside the Cat Girl and asked softly, "Are you afraid of me?"

The Cat Girl seemed to want to nod, but then shook her head instead, looking deeply conflicted.

Su Xuan knew he could not rush her, or he would frighten the girl. "What is your name?"

"I... I don't have a name. I only have... a number."

Su Xuan's heart sank. Those bastards.

Su Xuan took the Cat Girl's small hand. It was fair, tender, smooth, and bonelessly soft.

"Follow me from now on. What should I call you?"

Su Xuan thought for a moment, then smiled, as warm as a spring breeze.

"From now on, your name will be Cat Nanbei. Remember it, all right?"

The Cat Girl lowered her head and said quietly, "I understand."

Su Xuan gently ruffled Cat Nanbei's hair.

"My name is Su Xuan. Remember my name. From now on, you are one of my people. If I am not by your side, just give them my name, and no one will dare bully you."

"Mhm." The Cat Girl slowly raised her head and looked seriously at the youth before her. His expression was solemn, as if he were declaring something immensely important. "Really?"

Su Xuan nodded, his expression serious. "I have always been an honest person."

P.S.: Please