[A Fruitless Search, Returning to the Lineage, an Opportunity?]

[[Age 21]: As you continued using the [Eye of Illusion], you discovered another remarkable use for it.]

[—Directly "seeing" whether a region or event itself contained an opportunity, and what kind it was!]

[When you once again heard rumors about the [Myriad Beasts Mountain Range] and that "[Fire-type Heaven and Earth Wonder],"]

[Your heart lurched, and the fear of being at the mercy of a [Golden Core Powerhouse] surfaced again.]

[You took a deep breath and silently activated the [Eye of Illusion] toward the distant Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.]

[[Target]: Myriad Beasts Mountain Range (Blazing Fire Sect Secret Realm)]

[[Type]: Golden Core Secret Realm]

[[Opportunity category]: Claimed]

[[Danger level]: Extreme danger. Do not approach.]]

[The information remained sparse, clearly because your [Rank] was far too removed from the [Golden Core realm].]

[But the verdict of "Claimed," along with the words "Extreme danger. Do not approach," which looked as though they had been written in blood,]

[Sent an icy chill through your entire body, extinguishing your last shred of wishful hope.]

[Without another word, you immediately distanced yourself from everything connected to the Blazing Fire Sect and never looked back.]

[[Age 23]: Over the next two years, you traveled through nearly every known perilous site, ruin, and region rife with rumors in Blazing Sun Province.]

[With the [Eye of Illusion], you avoided countless traps and dangers, and saw the radiance of many "claimed opportunities" shining upon others.]

[Yet, to your despair, you failed to discover even a single [unclaimed Heaven and Earth Wonder]! ]

[It was simply unbelievable!]

[Blazing Sun Province was vast, with a [Nascent Soul True Lord] presiding over it and deep reserves of power and resources.]

[With the help of the [Twice the Results with Half the Effort] Talent, you were exceptionally efficient, yet still came away empty-handed.]

[You could not help beginning to doubt whether these so-called "unclaimed opportunities," especially those on the level of [Heaven and Earth Wonders], truly existed at all.]

[Perhaps they did exist, but your own "good fortune" or "destiny" was so meager that the odds approached infinitely close to Zero.]

[The [Twice the Results with Half the Effort] Talent could magnify a tiny probability, but if the starting value itself was Zero, multiplying it any number of times would still yield Zero.]

[The system's comment, "Forcing a pursuit without the Fortune to claim it will only diminish your own allotted fate," served as a warning.]

[You realized that forcibly pursuing things absent from your fate pattern would likely lead to an utterly miserable end.]

[[Age 25]: Helplessness and frustration lingered in your heart. Since opportunities on the Immortal path could not be forced, you decided to change your objective.]

[Gather information, especially on stable, efficient ways to earn Spirit Stones, to prepare for your next simulation!]

[After all, the Simulator was your greatest source of support.]

[You could not break through to [Heaven-grade Qi Refining] this time, but what if your next attempt, or the one after that, gave you a Talent that could grant [Heaven-grade Qi Refining] outright?]

[With a pragmatic mindset—even bordering on giving up—you slunk back to the [Chen Family].]

[After five years away, you no longer needed to deliberately conceal your cultivation at the [peak of the Embryonic Breath Realm].]

[You invented a story about obtaining a modest opportunity. After the lineage elders checked it and found nothing amiss, they allowed you to return.]

[Just as you were about to leave, Third Elder Chen Ming, with whom you had rarely interacted, stopped you and asked discreetly, "Chen Fan, would you be interested in serving as a Martial Instructor for the lineage?"]

[You were startled.]

[A Martial Instructor position! That was a cushy post!]

[All you had to do each day was teach the lineage's younger members the basics of body tempering. The work was light, and the pay generous.]

[More importantly, you would meet the children of many influential lineage elders—an excellent opportunity to build connections!]

[Though tempted, you maintained a respectful expression and said that you still lacked experience, but would do your utmost if the lineage needed you.]

[Third Elder Chen Ming smiled and patted your shoulder. "Your foundations are solid, and you managed to make something of yourself out there. Not bad. Go home and wait for good news."]

[Watching the Third Elder walk away, you were filled with questions.]

[You had no ties of kinship or friendship with him. Why would he take the initiative to offer you such a benefit?]

[When things strayed from the ordinary, something sinister had to be lurking. But on second thought, you were a penniless collateral descendant—the barefoot had nothing to fear from those wearing shoes.]

[Whatever the reason behind it, you would accept the martial instructor position first and deal with the rest later.]

[During the seven-day wait, your doubts did not diminish; instead, they grew with each passing day.]

[The Martial Instructor position was by no means easy to obtain, and competition was fierce. The Third Elder's actions were far too unusual.]

[When the official letter of appointment finally reached your hands, confirming that you had become one of the lineage's Martial Instructors, your unease reached its peak.]

[No conditions attached, no additional demands—you were simply appointed, just like that?]

[You hesitated no longer and went straight to Third Elder Chen Ming's residence to request an audience.]

[Upon meeting the Third Elder, you bowed, then got straight to the point. "Third Elder, I, your disciple Chen Fan, have doubts weighing on my mind. I hope you will enlighten me."]

["The Martial Instructor position is so valuable that even someone of your standing must have had to go to some trouble."]

["You and I have no ties of kinship or friendship. Why have you supported me like this? I truly... feel unworthy of accepting it, and my heart cannot rest easy."]

[You deliberately left out the words "ulterior motive," but your meaning was already clear.]

[Seated behind a tea table, Third Elder Chen Ming did not become angry at your words. Instead, a trace of approval flashed in his eyes. He set down his teacup and said with a faint smile:]

["Good. Direct, with no beating around the bush. In that respect, you're better than many direct descendants."]

[He paused, his gaze deep, then slowly continued:]

["In that case, I'll tell you. I wonder... have you ever heard of the [Hidden Dragon in the Abyss] [Fate Pattern]?"]