He Waits in the River of Fate, Waiting for the Appointed Time to Arrive

Qin Wangchuan tapped his fingertip against the Flame Clan fire-pattern seal on the gift box.

Crimson light seeped from the gaps like molten lava, scorching the air until it rippled and distorted.

With a soft "click," the seal shattered, and a fluffy, crimson fireball rolled into his palm.

So much for the Golden Crow Divine Bird capable of burning the heavens and boiling the seas; this is clearly just a wilted, dispirited little Red Velvet chick.

Its down was so sparse that its pink, tender skin was visible. It had only three tail feathers, one of which was charred and curled, looking exactly like a clump of weeds struck by lightning.

"Chirp?" The chick lifted its head.

Its bean-sized eyes shimmered with a glazed luster, reflecting Qin Wangchuan's expressionless face.

It tried to flap its wings to get closer to its "mother," but ended up falling flat on its bottom, sparks flying from between its downy feathers.

Qin Wangchuan lowered his gaze to see the Red Velvet chick tilting its head, its glass-like eyes brimming with affection as its tiny claws gripped his sleeve tightly.

But the moment the maid's figure drew near, the little creature suddenly retracted its neck and hid its feathers, its tail quills trembling as they emitted a few timid sparks of blue flame.

"I heard it treats the first person it sees upon hatching as its closest kin. How interesting."

"It's just too small to be of any use."

"Keep it." The youth pinched the chick by the scruff of its neck and tossed it aside.

The Red Velvet ball traced an arc through the air, landing steadily in the hands of the maid behind him.

From then on, it was cared for by specialists every day, drinking Heavenly Dew and pecking at Divine Crystals. Even the warm nest where it roosted was meticulously woven from rare treasures hard to find in the outside world.

When its wings grew full and its tail feathers began to glow, that would be the time for it to be of use.

"Next..."

"The land deeds for the Eighty-six Prefectures of the Western Territory?" Qin Wangchuan scanned the Gilded Jade Records with little interest.

This gift from the Central Province Dynasty looked substantial, but in reality, it was a burden.

The territory is fine, but I don't have the energy to manage it right now.

"Perhaps I can hand it over to Seventh Sister?"

Qin Wangchuan rubbed his chin in thought. "Although Seventh Sister is an out-and-out profiteer, she has always been top-tier when it comes to management."

He flicked his sleeve and immediately sent a voice transmission to Seventh Sister.

Then, he turned his gaze toward a jade casket.

He remembered this one; it was the few Dragon Hearts sent by Fifth Sister.

"Fifth Sister is certainly practical." Qin Wangchuan opened the jade box. Inside lay three Primordial Dragon Hearts, red as blood, still beating as if alive.

Forging the body with a Dragon Heart can cast a supreme foundation.

But at this moment, he no longer had any use for them.

"Take these and roast them." Qin Wangchuan handed the jade box to the maid in black robes beside him.

It was Ye Jianwei.

Her figure was slender, and her ink-colored dress outlined her exquisite curves. Now, every gesture she made carried a certain grace that drew eyes.

Small bells hung from the hem of her skirt, chiming softly as she moved.

Relying on these sound waves, she could not only "see" this world, but she could see it more clearly than most people.

"Yes."

In less than half a cup of tea's time, Ye Jianwei returned, carrying a gilded food tray.

The three Dragon Hearts had been roasted to a golden, crispy finish. Amber-colored Dragon Fat congealed on the surface, and the aroma coalesced into three miniature Flood Dragons swimming above the plate.

"Let's eat together." Qin Wangchuan tore off the fattest piece of Dragon Heart meat. As the oil dripped, it ignited into tiny golden flames in the air.

Ye Jianwei's eyelashes trembled slightly, but she dared not actually sit down to eat with him.

She merely stood with her head bowed, holding the piece of dragon meat in both hands. When she took a small bite, her lips were stained with a golden, glistening sheen of oil.

The moment the dragon meat slid down her throat, a violent surge of blood energy exploded within her body, as if her sinews and bones were being reshaped by a raging fire.

Fine, dense patterns of dragon scales appeared on the surface of her skin, only to vanish in an instant.

Ye Jianwei fared even worse; dense dragon scales emerged across her snow-white skin.

With every bite she swallowed, the dragon scales on her body grew brighter, and her toes curled tightly and unconsciously, as if she were suppressing the surging power within her.

"Young Master?!" She suddenly pressed against her heaving chest, where a ball of golden light was traveling along her meridians.

"It is fine. Try circulating your spiritual energy."

Ye Jianwei focused her spirit platform, and the restless golden light immediately turned docile.

"The Primordial Dragon Heart is condensed from the Essence Blood of a true dragon. While not as effective as direct absorption, consuming it can shed one's mortal coil and forge a Dragon Spirit Body."

He casually tore off a second piece of dragon meat and said unhurriedly:

"Dragon scales appearing on the skin serve as Dragon Armor to protect the body, making it difficult for ordinary magical treasures to cause harm. The golden light traveling through the meridians can turn all poisons into nutrients." Qin Wangchuan wiped the oil from his fingertips. As he stood up, his robes fluttered, leaving behind a lingering trace of dragon breath.

His gaze swept over the maids in the hall. "There is plenty left. You all should come and eat some as well; consider it a stroke of fortune."

The maidservants were stunned at first, then their eyes filled with a mix of disbelief and delight.

They bowed in unison, their movements appearing respectful, yet the moment they straightened up, they all quickened their pace in unspoken agreement.

Their fingertips, holding the dragon meat, trembled slightly. They wanted to maintain their composure and eat in small, dainty bites, but they couldn't help but take frequent, eager mouthfuls—they didn't even bother to wipe the grease from their vermilion lips, instead furtively licking it away with the tips of their tongues.

The eldest maid in purple felt tears welling up in the corners of her eyes, but she dared not raise a hand to wipe them away.

She took tiny, measured bites, repeating to herself with every mouthful: It is simply wonderful to serve the Young Master!

It was nothing like the sisters serving the Eighth Young Master; the last time they were even a second slow while combing his hair, they were punished by being forced to kneel on shattered jade for an entire night.

"Next, these three."

Qin Wangchuan waved his hand, and the flying sword gifted by his eldest brother, Qin Wudao, immediately flew out.

Along with it came the Dao Fruit gifted by the Wood Ancestor.

And the transparent ancient sword gifted by the Li Clan, which sealed a single drop of blood within it.

He looked at his eldest brother's gift first.

The blade was edgeless, yet it seemed capable of rending the void itself.

"A fine sword!" Qin Wangchuan's eyes brightened. The moment his fingertip touched the hilt, he felt a vast Sword Intent surge into his Meridians.

—This sword had already birthed a spirit, and it resonated perfectly with his own Dao Rhyme!

"Refine!"

He let a drop of blood fall onto it. The Chaos Flying Sword transformed into a streak of light, merging with his spiritual altar.

In an instant, the Sword Qi around Qin Wangchuan surged violently, like a river of stars cascading from the heavens.

Guluan flew out on its own, circling this "uninvited guest" as if sizing it up.

"Right, a name." Qin Wangchuan pondered for a moment before an idea struck him. "Guluan... Guluan cries to the heavens... Lixiao!"

"You shall be called Lixiao."

He put away both swords.

"The Wood Ancestor said consuming this allows one to glimpse the River of Fate. I wonder what it is like." Qin Wangchuan lowered his gaze to stare at the Dao Fruit in his palm; within the crystalline, translucent flesh, rivers of stars seemed to swirl.

Without hesitation, he tilted his head back and swallowed it.

As the Dao Fruit slid down his throat, Qin Wangchuan's consciousness was suddenly pulled away, as if he had become a single droplet of water falling into a vast, boundless river.

He was still himself, yet it felt as if he were no longer him.

Drifting with the current, muddled and confused, I do not know how long I floated before my consciousness finally began to coalesce.

When I raised my eyes, a towering mountain stood before me—no, that was not a mountain, but a person!

The figure merely stood there, yet it made Qin Wangchuan's soul tremble. It was as if an ant were gazing up at the firmament; even his breathing stalled.

He merely lowered his gaze, and it was as if celestial light descended.

"It is not yet your time to come."