"Does the Dou Qi Continent have such a thing as a Child of Destiny?"
Zhang Yuan sat alone, drinking tea as he quietly pondered several matters.
Aside from the anomaly that was Tou She Ancient God, no Dou Emperor had emerged on this continent for tens of thousands of years.
Yet in ancient times, quite a few Dou Emperors had been born. The existence of the Ancient Eight Clans and the Ancient Void Dragon Clan alone suggested there had been more than eight. There were no fewer of them than the Reincarnation Stage experts from that other continent who had overcome Reincarnation Tribulations.
Reincarnation Stage experts were difficult even for the passage of time to erase. Even after falling, they could be reborn through reincarnation, nearly immortal and indestructible. Dou Emperors, however, could revitalize an entire clan through their bloodline. It was hard to say which was superior.
Before his transmigration, Tudou had just started streaming and claimed that the Ancestral Realm equaled Dou Emperor equaled Sovereign Realm. Thinking of how Brother Dong had obtained the Symbol Ancestor's inheritance, received the blessing of the Eight Ancestral Symbols, and enjoyed every possible advantage, only to barely break through to the Ancestral Realm after his wife died—only for it to become the Sovereign Realm—it was utterly ridiculous.
He only wanted to say: what the hell did Tudou know about Battle Through the Heavens, Martial Universe, and the Great Thousand World?
"Brother Dong's world has a Plane Embryo, so it definitely has a Child of Destiny."
"Little Yan brought a second spring to this world and cultivated the Flame Mantra, the only technique of the Age of Declining Dharma capable of producing a Dou Emperor. It is hard to say he was not born in response to destiny. Besides, when he fought the West Heaven War Emperor in the future, he mentioned the Son of the Continent."
"The Azure Vault Ranking is the manifestation of the World Will. Mu Chen might very well be a Child of Destiny."
"So fortune may be ethereal, but it truly exists."
With that thought, Zhang Yuan rose and stretched his body.
Ying Huanhuan had descended from the Ice Spirit Clan of the Great Thousand World, while Lin Qingtuan was also from the Great Thousand World. It was entirely possible for Qing Yanjing, a prodigy of the Futuo Ancient Clan, to have descended as well. There had to be a reason behind her supposedly bringing misfortune to those around her.
Even without the Thunder God Visualization Diagram, he now wanted to properly investigate this woman. If she truly was a visitor from the Great Thousand World, perhaps he could find the Emperor Origin through her. At the very least, she would make it easier for him to travel to the Great Thousand World in the future.
With that decision made, Zhang Yuan headed for the Myriad Books Pavilion.
Meanwhile, Princess Yaoye appeared in the neighboring room, looking aggrieved as she faced Jia Xingtian. "Great-Grandfather, Zhang Yuan is so annoying. Do I really have to learn the art of rulership from him?"
"You do." Jia Xingtian nodded. "Though he is even younger than you, he handles matters with considerable method. If you possessed even thirty percent of his skill in dealing with people and affairs, this old man could rest easy."
"Since your grandfather and father died one after another, signs of instability have already begun to emerge within the Jia Ma Empire. If you do not have the strength to suppress everyone, then you must possess the political skill to balance the various factions."
Princess Yaoye was still unconvinced. "I admit Zhang Yuan is clever, but he is only sixteen. His experience is still inferior to mine. What could he possibly know about human nature?"
"Heh." Jia Xingtian clasped his hands on the table and smiled lightly. "Yaoye, do you know that a powerful expert is hidden at his side, protecting him? That person's strength is no weaker than mine."
"What?" Princess Yaoye's eyes widened.
Jia Xingtian was a Peak Dou Emperor and could become a Dou Zong at any time.
Yet a Peak Dou Emperor was secretly following Zhang Yuan around and protecting him?
"He has real ability, so learn from him properly. Even if he does not, befriending such a prodigy would bring nothing but benefits." Jia Xingtian lowered his head slightly, and a glint of light reflected off his monocle.
There was one thing he had not told Princess Yaoye. He had not discovered the expert at Zhang Yuan's side himself. Rather, the other party had deliberately released their aura for him to notice, and it had happened when Zhang Yuan was lecturing Princess Yaoye.
That person had clearly done so on purpose, lending greater weight to Zhang Yuan's words.
"Then aren't you worried he might harm the empire?" Princess Yaoye asked in confusion.
"Harm it?" Jia Xingtian sighed. "Yaoye, if someone can dispatch a Peak Dou Emperor to protect Zhang Yuan, how powerful do you think the force behind him must be?"
Princess Yaoye's heart jolted as she realized she had been overthinking things.
If the force behind Zhang Yuan truly had designs on the Jia Ma Empire, the imperial family would not be able to stop them.
At that moment, Princess Yaoye realized that the status she had always taken pride in was nothing remarkable. For the first time, she matured inwardly.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yuan had already ridden to a five-story pavilion that occupied a considerable area. The plaque above its entrance bore the two words: "Myriad Books."
The doors stood open, and inside, rows of neatly arranged bookshelves could be seen, each filled with books. It somewhat resembled a library from his previous life.
"Li Qingchang greets Lord Commandant." A middle-aged man emerged from within and cupped his fists in greeting.
Zhang Yuan remembered this man somewhat. He was the one who had invited him at Twin Dragon Pass to ask whether he wished to cross the Illusionary Mist Mountain Range together.
"Has everyone else arrived?" Zhang Yuan asked as he dismounted and handed his horse to the guard at the entrance.
"They have already arrived. Please follow me, my lord." Li Qingchang stepped aside and invited Zhang Yuan in.
Upon entering, he could smell the scent of books and ink.
Quite a few people stood before the bookshelves selecting books, most of them children and elderly people.
Remembering Princess Yaoye's words, Zhang Yuan could not help asking Li Qingchang, "We met at Twin Dragon Pass last time. What position do you hold in the Myriad Books Pavilion?"
"In reply to you, my lord, I am the chief steward of the Myriad Books Pavilion. I handle all matters of buying and selling books," Li Qingchang replied.
"Chief steward? Then you must have served the Myriad Books Pavilion for quite some time," Zhang Yuan said casually.
"Not at all." Li Qingchang shook his head. "You may not know this, my lord, but I have only worked for the Myriad Books Pavilion for half a year and will leave after another half year. The Myriad Books Pavilion has a unique rule, one known to everyone in Qingyun Town: every year, it changes its steward as well as a batch of guards and maidservants."
Zhang Yuan understood upon hearing this.
This was likely a countermeasure Qing Yanjing had devised. Perhaps she also believed herself to be an inauspicious person.
That would make it even more difficult to befriend her.
As he pondered, Li Qingchang led Zhang Yuan into a private room on the third floor.
Meng Xing and the others were already seated. When they saw Zhang Yuan, they all rose and saluted him.
"There is no need for such courtesy. Meeting is fate."
Zhang Yuan motioned for everyone to relax and naturally took the seat of honor.
Qin Hai first drained three cups of wine, saying it was to thank Zhang Yuan for helping him that day. Then he took out a round bead and placed it on the table. "I imagine Lord Commandant has no interest in ordinary items. I obtained this while escorting a shipment. At the time, two Fourth-tier Magical Beasts fought fiercely over it, and both ended up severely injured. I was the one who benefited in the end."
"Would this round bead be considered precious?"
For two Fourth-tier Magical Beasts, comparable to Dou Ling experts, to fight to the death over it, it was certainly precious.
But no matter how precious something was, if no one could identify it and it could not be used, it was no different from scrap metal.
For Qin Hai, using this seemingly precious but useless item to thank and befriend Zhang Yuan was well worth it.
"Escort Master Qin, you are too polite."
It had merely been a small favor, and Zhang Yuan had no intention of accepting it.
If anyone could befriend him simply by giving him a small gift, then his friendship would be far too cheap.
But before he could refuse, Ling Ying's voice suddenly sounded by his ear. "Young Master Zhang Yuan, this is a good thing. Take it quickly."
Ling Ying was a Peak Dou Emperor and a member of the Ancient Clan. His judgment was exceptionally high.
For him to call it a "good thing," it was certainly no ordinary treasure.
Princess Yaoye had claimed Qing Yanjing brought disasters upon those around her. Was this not good fortune she had brought him instead?
The smile on Zhang Yuan's face did not change as he continued politely, "I am not a greedy man."
Upon hearing that, Qin Hai appealed to both reason and sentiment, hoping Zhang Yuan would accept it.
"Ah!"
After three rounds of refusal and insistence, Zhang Yuan sighed and put away the bead. "Very well. If I keep refusing, I will seem difficult to please. Then I shall accept it without further ceremony."
He did not want it either, but he could not refuse such earnest hospitality.
Ling Ying: "..."
"Miss, come quickly and see how good this man is at putting on an act."
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