The Measure of Fate

After listening, Su Yao had already made up his mind.

The difference in weight among these silver ingots is not due to errors in casting, but rather to the different weights of the True Lord's destiny bestowed upon each person.

Zhang Ziyan's was the heaviest, probably because he cultivated the Metal Virtue Hidden Position. When the three Dao Ancestors divided the Five Virtues into Yin and Yang, they first divided water and fire into Yin and Yang. After the water and fire clashed, earth was born. Then, earth contained metal, and metal was the offspring of earth.

Liu Yunhe must have cultivated the He Wood, He Wood is the culmination of the Wood Virtue. Wood is born from earth, decays into earth and then into wood. In addition, He Wood represents fate, and those with fate will come naturally. Meeting is fate, hence the price of three taels and two coins.

Zhu Xuejie's was exactly three taels, which was her Xiu Radiant Fire, and fire generates earth. Li Siyi thought that since both were Wu Earth, they were either high above Human Sovereign or aloof immortals, which was incompatible with Proclaiming Earth, but in the end they were still of the Earth Virtue, so she gave them exactly three taels.

The lightest one, Han Ziyi's, might be related to his cultivation of the Kan Water element, since Kan Water represents flowing water, rivers and streams, which have the greatest impact on the Earth Virtue.

"Keep them safe," Su Yao said. "These silver ingots are imbued with the destiny of True Lord, and silver belongs to the two metals of Cang and Xin, representing concealment and fullness. When you break through to the Purple Mansion realm in the future, holding this silver will increase your chances by 20%. It will also help you quickly escape the calamity of the world's decline and ignorance."

Upon hearing this, the group's faces lit up with joy, and they were about to express their gratitude when Su Yao waved his hand in refusal:

"But you must remember, this item is tainted by the fate of the True Lord. Once used, you will be bound to the True Spirit. Even if you are reincarnated in the future, it will be difficult to break free. Unless you are reborn in Proclaiming Earth, you will never be able to seek the Golden Throne for all eternity."

After speaking, Su Yao carefully observed the reactions of the others.

He hadn't realized why he hadn't let them go to collect the silver ingots before, but after returning and investigating with the help of the Prism, he discovered the matter. He didn't want to say much, but these five were his men, and he needed to explain things in advance.

Immediately afterwards, Zhang Ziyan's face lit up with joy:

"Anything that helps Cheng Purple Mansion is acceptable, and I have never thought of seeking gold. If Daozi can achieve Dao in the future, I will entrust my Dharma Realm to Daozi and become a Divine Core or Human Immortal Loose Immortal, and I will be content."

Liu Yunhe also said:

I have never had any extravagant hopes for wealth.

Zhu Xuejie nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

Han Ziyi quickly waved his hand:

"Ziyi not hope to ask for gold."

Li Siyi bowed:

"If I didn't have to cultivate Wu Earth, I might even dare to hope for Metal. But my Lineage has cultivated Wu Earth for generations, and my ancestor was Divine Core. He was able to open up and continue his bloodline with the help of the Bright Yang Pill. Therefore, the aura of Wu Earth is already imprinted in my bloodline, and Wu Earth..."

She didn't say anything more after that, but everyone present understood the matter, since the two paths of Wu Earth Rainbow Clouds were truly profound and unfathomable.

The scriptures of Rainbow Clouds are extremely rare. Apart from Qixia Temple, people from other families occasionally come to seek the scriptures, but they are only passed down to the original practitioners and cannot be passed on to others.

The Wu Earth) represents two figures Human Sovereign and the South Pole.

The Human Sovereign was in front, residing in the Earthly Wu Earth, becoming the Heavenly Venerable, known as Sovereign Wu, whose lineage spread throughout the world.

Then came the Antarctic Celestial Venerable, also known as Immortal Wu, whose lineage was extremely rare. Only the Jieshi lineage, passed down by his disciple, the Northern Wu Celestial Venerable, had a lineage, as did the Qixia Temple because its founder was a Wu Earth subordinate, the three generations of founders were also Wu Earth remnants, and the Dao Zheng, the Wu Earth Fate-Controlling Celestial Immortal, had a lineage. The Li family ancestor was the protector of the three generations of founders, possessing the Wu Earth Divine Elixir, which is why the Immortal Wu lineage was left behind. However, he was only aiming for the remnant position left by the three generations of founders. But since the three generations of founders, no one has been able to attain this remnant position. Since his Divine Elixir ancestor, the highest-ranking member of the Li family has been a Human Immortal, who was affiliated with the hope Cheng True Lord and perished eight thousand years ago.

As for Sovereign Wu, although his lineage was extensive, the highest recorded achievement after the Human Sovereign was only at the Purple Mansion Middle Stage.

Seeing this Su Yao said:

"Well, it's alright. If you're interested in money, you can tell me. I'm not that kind of domineering person."

He paused, then said:

"This matter need not be publicized. Although True Lord's destiny is good, it is ultimately external. The foundation of the Purple Mansion path lies within oneself. You should all return and carefully contemplate what you have gained, and not waste this fortuitous opportunity."

Liu Yunhe and the other five bowed in unison and filed out of the cave abode.

After everyone left, Su Yao intended to calmly comprehend the Sword Intent, but suddenly, an official's voice came from outside the mountain:

Is Su Yao, the abbot of Qixia Temple's Golden Ao Mountain Pear Garden, present?

Hearing this, Su Yao was puzzled, but he still got up and left the cave abode.

Upon arriving at the cave abode, one sees a middle-aged man dressed in the robes of a county magistrate standing outside the cave, holding a document.

Then, Liu Yunhe and five others, Zilin, and Yang Xiu quickly arrived.

Upon seeing the group arrive, Su Yao waved his hand to indicate that everything was alright, and looked at Liu Yunhe:

"Yunhe, go and welcome the lord into the mountain!"

Liu Yunhe responded and headed out of the mountain.

Su Yao then said:

"Why don't you all Embracing Rosy Clouds Hall together?"

Everyone agreed, and together they headed towards the Embracing Rosy Clouds Hall.

As soon as they arrived in front of the hall, Liu Yunhe led the official over.

Upon seeing Su Yao, Liu Yunhe quickly stepped forward and said:

"Daozi, this is Lord Zheng newly appointed magistrate of Langqiong Zhao."

Then he turned to look at Lord Zheng:

"This is Su Yao, the Daoist Qixia Temple and the Abbot of the Qixia Temple Pear Garden at Golden Ao Mountain Qixia Temple!"

Upon hearing this, Su Yao and Lord Zheng exchanged a smile.

Su Yao turned to the side and pointed into the hall:

"Lord Zheng, why don't you come into the palace for a discussion?"

He shook his head and refused:

"I still need to deliver messages to a few other households later, so I won't stay any longer."

Upon hearing this, Su Yao turned around, Orthodox God, and said:

"May I ask, Your Excellency, what are the court's plans?"

County Magistrate Zheng straightened his collar and said loudly:

"His Highness the Crown Prince has issued an oral decree."

Upon hearing this, Su Yao, Zilin, and Yang Xiu's expressions changed drastically. They then leaned forward slightly and said no more. Liu Yunhe and the other five, along with Yang Xiu's three protectors, did the same.

Seeing this, County Magistrate Zheng remained expressionless, but sighed inwardly. Finally, he spoke:

"Although the Jiashen Agreement Jia Shen stipulated that all registered Daoist temples would not be under the jurisdiction of our dynasty, it is said that many Immortal Dao temples have set up branch temples in Nanzhao. These branch temples are not on the register and cannot be compared with the main temples. Now, with the recent death of the Emperor, the whole world is in mourning. All sects and factions in all regions are prohibited from recruiting disciples for fifty years. The same applies to the branch temples of the Daoist temples in Nanzhao."

He paused, then said:

"My father was benevolent and cared for his people during his lifetime. Even after he entered the Immortal Dao, he is still one of my people. For the next hundred years, no lanterns or celebrations are allowed."

Upon hearing this, Su Yao's expression softened slightly. The reincarnated True Lord was about to sweep through Nanzhao, and he was unwilling to cause trouble, so he said:

"I understand, and I will certainly not make things difficult for the magistrate."

County Magistrate Zheng breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing this, and then said:

"Since the Prefect is so sensible, after the national mourning period ends, I will instruct the craftsmen to erect a memorial archway for this villa."

Upon hearing this, Su Yao did not refuse and smiled:

"Then thank you very much, sir."

He extended the invitation again:

"Sir, please come inside and enjoy a cup of my Qixia Spirit Tea?"

But County Magistrate Zheng still refused, and said loudly again:

"His Majesty issued an edict of self-reproach before his death; Prefect Su, please listen!"