Child of Fate

This was a choice between two absolutely mutually exclusive options!

Now that he knew Yuanhuai Heaven and Jielin Hall, the orthodox Grand Yin lineage of Qinghuan, were at odds, choosing to stay in Lüyu would put Jielin Hall in an extremely awkward position.

But Jiang Wangxuan really had no choice. Even in Lüyu, there were precious few people he trusted. Going to an unfamiliar Xuantian after starting out elsewhere, Jiang Wangxuan had no confidence whatsoever.

If he stayed in Lüyu and openly followed the educational system, it would mean that he and Lüyu-or Yuanhuai Heaven-had chosen each other.

In a traditional master-disciple relationship, outsiders found it hard to interfere. When a master accepted a direct disciple, their fates became entangled. It was an intensely private relationship.

But as a teacher and student, they would have the backing of the reforms implemented by Qinghuan's major Xuantian over the past century. In extreme circumstances, Qinghuan could step in.

Traditional students were in a weaker position before lecturers and professors, so Qinghuan naturally had to protect their rightful interests. But he, a [Grand Yin] student, would instead be in the stronger position!

In a sense, by taking True Person Chonghuan as his mentor, his Immortal Foundation, "Autumn Moon Osmanthus," would come under Qinghuan's public jurisdiction!

So what would he gain?

First and foremost was status. Over the past dozen years or so, with the True Lord deliberately loosening his hold, Luyu University had gradually replaced Xuantian as Yuanhuai Heaven's sole platform for speaking to the outside world.

Thus, the position of Luyu University's president was extremely important under the current circumstances. As the president's only student recruited from outside, the social resources he could obtain were naturally beyond what an ordinary person could measure.

Moreover, as long as he made no fundamental mistakes, there would be plenty of room for negotiation in many matters!

Most importantly, staying in Lüyu as the president's student would necessarily put him on good terms with the great figure of Xuantian. Xuantian's goodwill would be his protective talisman in the future!

The price was that he would lose the guidance of a Grand Yin master and potentially leave a negative impression on Jielin Hall, while Yuanhuai Heaven would gain a Grand Yin Immortal Foundation, "Autumn Moon Osmanthus," over which it had considerable initiative.

Even if only for Xuantian's own face, its great figure would have to provide well for him, Jiang Wangxuan. Thus, his interests would be completely bound to Yuanhuai Heaven's!

After weighing all the gains and losses, he consulted the plan Big Fat Fish had given him. Sure enough, it too called for staying in Lüyu, without a doubt.

His eyes clear, Jiang Wangxuan stepped forward and took out the tea that True Person Chonghuan had just named "Osmanthus Rain Essence" from the tea packet. He then ran a stream of warm spring water through the cups to wash them. After doing this three times, he summoned his true essence to wrap around the tea leaves and awaken the spirituality within!

Lin Tongjiang watched Jiang Wangxuan without blinking. His tea-making movements flowed like clouds and running water, a delight to the eye. Lin naturally understood that this "student" of his had made his choice!

His breathing grew a little hurried, but he assumed the solemn, reverent bearing he had worn when his master took him in and stood at his master's side!

Before long, the delicate fragrance of osmanthus rain flower tea rose once more in the attic. True Person Chonghuan lowered his eyes to the clear tea, where a few flowers and leaves steeped serenely.

"Before you pick up that cup of tea, I want to hear your reasons for staying in Lüyu!"

True Person Chonghuan's voice sounded especially gentle and refined at that moment, as mellow as the flower tea itself.

Jiang Wangxuan held the teacup in both hands and looked at Lin Tongjiang, a smile in his eyes. "Not long ago, I took my younger sister Jinyi to visit Senior Brother after she had just enrolled. I didn't expect him to go out of his way to secure some Dui White Pure Metal Sha for her. Jinyi was very grateful!"

"Then Senior Brother turned around and tore into me, saying I was stubbornly going my own way, raising my cultivation too quickly and neglecting my own Dao attainment and foundation. He also told me that slow is fast, and fast is slow!"

True Person Chonghuan leaned back in his chair and listened intently.

Jiang Wangxuan continued, "I took those words to heart. This time, I had a small fortuitous opportunity when I returned home, and only then did I understand that one must first attain the wondrous before forging an Immortal Foundation. I thought that with a senior brother like him, his master's lineage could hardly be lacking!"

Listening at the side, Lin Tongjiang gave a wry smile. "It was my duty, nothing more!"

"There was something else Senior Brother said that I also took to heart. He said I was still so young, and asked how many times I had seen the rolling red dust of the mortal world. Thanks to Senior Brother's care, I've lived fairly comfortably in Lüyu these past six years. Though devoting myself to quiet cultivation has been a little monotonous, it's like drinking water-only the drinker knows whether it's warm or cold!"

"I know that after Foundation Establishment, things are bound to be anything but peaceful. Outside Xuantian, the great figures have all manner of schemes, and within Lüyu, there are disputes of every kind. But if I stay here under the protection of my teachers, I imagine there won't be many blind fools who can swagger around in front of me."

"I've cultivated the Dao for many years, ever since I was young. I also want to pause for a while and see the mortal world, handle my clan's affairs, shore up my state of mind, and spend some days that are peaceful yet not entirely quiet. As for a Purple Mansion Divine Ability, I think what is meant to come will naturally come!"

Sincerity was the greatest finishing move of all! Scheming first, sincerity afterward!

Today, True Person Chonghuan had seen much in his "student": a mind as intricately woven as hemp, sincerity in dealing with others-the way of a gentleman!

"Teacher, please have some tea!"

Jiang Wangxuan simply offered the tea to True Person Chonghuan with both hands. There was no elaborate ceremony, only respect!

True Person Chonghuan straightened up and took the cup in his right hand. Leaning forward slightly, he breathed in the osmanthus fragrance and took a small sip, then slowly set the cup on the tea table.

"From now on, you are my student. I am greatly gratified!"

Only then did Jiang Wangxuan perform the disciple's salute, bowing deeply. "Your student, Jiang Wangxuan, greets you, Teacher!"

True Person Chonghuan rose, his face full of smiles. He reached out to lift Jiang Wangxuan by the arm and patted his student on the shoulder. "Though you are my student, Wangxuan, your status is much higher than your senior brother's. I have very few rules for my disciples, and none of the bad old customs of the great immortal sects of the past!"

"But there are a few things you must remember!"

Lin Tongjiang and Jiang Wangxuan both lowered their heads and listened respectfully.

"First, cultivators of the Dao must put themselves first. Second, fellow disciples must treat one another with affection and goodwill. I, Chonghuan, do not believe I can hold the bowl of water perfectly level, but I will devote every effort to each of your Dao Paths. This is my promise to you as your master!"

True Person Chonghuan spoke with ringing conviction. In the past, Lin Tongjiang had been his only disciple. Today he had taken in a [Grand Yin] student, and another young member of his clan was also hurrying over. It was better to speak openly about many things in advance!

"Your student will heed your teachings!" "Your disciple will heed your teachings!"

"Mm!" True Person Chonghuan nodded. Both of them were good. Lin Tongjiang, as the eldest senior brother, had also served as Wangxuan's teaching assistant, which counted as teaching on his master's behalf. There should be no problems between the two of them!

Yet while True Person Chonghuan was still pondering what else he should say, a beam of "moonlight" abruptly appeared on him.

Then three rays of light from Divine Abilities, pale black in color, appeared one by one behind True Person Chonghuan. A raging river split the earth, mountains rose steep and treacherous, and flood dragons coiled and danced. The force of Kan Water surged without end, while a shaft of moonlight shone between the perilous peaks and the raging river.

A flood dragon stretched out its head and swallowed the moonlight. Its eyes, once deep and hidden in the abyss, flashed with silvery-white light.

At the side, Lin Tongjiang's Immortal Foundation, "Flow Eastward," erupted in turmoil, and a faint layer of moonlight covered the pale green river!

After quite some time, the two finally suppressed the agitation of their Divine Abilities and Immortal Foundations. An indescribable gravity also settled over Jiang Wangxuan's face.

"How is this possible? How is this possible!"

Lin Tongjiang's mouth and throat were dry as he found himself some tea to wet his throat. That ray of moonlight had just surged unreasonably into his Qi sea, and his Immortal Foundation, "Flow Eastward," had thrashed about as though it had swallowed some miraculous immortal pill!

True Person Chonghuan silently watched his newly accepted student, his gaze seemingly nailed to Jiang Wangxuan.

"It's [Grand Yin] fate!"

A Child of Fate was a favored child cherished by an attainment. This was something one was born with, accompanied by all sorts of strange phenomena from birth. Relatives, masters, friends, and even enemies closely connected to a Child of Fate could receive gifts from the entanglement of fate!

Jiang Wangxuan fell silent. He was certain that no miraculous phenomenon like the gaze of [Grand Yin] had ever appeared when he was born.

But Jiang Wangxuan and Big Fat Fish had long considered the matter of fate. "Immortal Moon Township" had been forged from a ray of moonlight closest to the primordial essence and the Five Lunar Phases of Grand Yin.

Once his Immortal Foundation reached perfection and the five phases revolved, it was highly likely that [Grand Yin] would cast its gaze upon him!

That was also why Jiang Wangxuan had dared to stay in Lüyu without the guidance of a Grand Yin master!

On the one hand, he had the Supreme Dao Wisdom, Big Fat Fish, as solid support. On the other, during that brief state of "comprehending the Dao," Jiang Wangxuan had already comprehended more than half of the Five Lunar Phases of Grand Yin!

But Jiang Wangxuan had never imagined that [Grand Yin] fate had already fallen upon him, and that after he had just entered his master's lineage, both his teacher, True Person Chonghuan, and his senior brother had benefited from this wave of fate's feedback!

"Teacher, Senior Brother, I also..."

But True Person Chonghuan raised a hand to interrupt his student. "I'm very glad now that you stayed in Lüyu and became my student. As things stand, I don't believe you could have safely made it to a Purple Mansion Divine Ability in Jielin Hall!"

"Wangxuan, not a single person outside can be allowed to know that you bear Grand Yin fate. You must register your name with Huaqi as soon as possible and see whether you can find a method to conceal the fate upon you. [Grand Yin] is peerless at concealment; Huaqi may have related methods in its collection!"

Jiang Wangxuan cupped his hands. "I understand!"

"Lin Tongjiang, take this down. I am making the following adjustments to our arrangements!"

True Person Chonghuan stood with his hands behind his back. "First, transfer ownership of Clear Frost Osmanthus Garden to your junior brother tonight. Submit the report and I'll sign the approval. From now on, Wangxuan, make Clear Frost Osmanthus Garden your cave abode."

"Second, send an urgent message to your junior sister ordering her to report to Lüyu within five days. I imagine she has also noticed the strange phenomenon by now!"

"Third, go personally to visit Venerable Chiming first thing tomorrow morning. Tell him only about the Grand Yin Foundation Establishment and have him quickly adjust Huaqi's schedule."

"Fourth, destroy every electronic record concerning your junior brother on file in Lüyu. Personally take custody of and seal all paper records. Also, personally complete your junior brother's teacher-selection formalities and upload them for the record!"

"Fifth, during the time until I return from the grotto-heaven, I grant you the highest authority at Luyu University. Use your own judgment in all related matters. Whatever happens, Xuantian will handle the aftermath for you!"

With that, True Person Chonghuan patted his student on the shoulder again. "Wangxuan, put your mind at ease. This is a tremendous blessing for your cultivation. Take more walks around the university when you have time; there's no need to rush your cultivation right this moment. Everything can wait until I return!"

Then the True Person, who had come and gone in such haste, vanished from the attic. Lin Tongjiang, newly promoted from teaching assistant to eldest senior brother, returned alone to the academic affairs building, his mind weighed down with worries!

Jiang Wangxuan was left alone instead, drinking tea and savoring osmanthus in the night. There was no telling how many more leisurely days like this lay ahead!