Library of Heaven's Path 2: Eternal Fate of the Heavens

"What on earth is going on?"

Standing in the majestic reading hall of the library, looking around at the familiar layers of books, Zhang Xuan was overwhelmed by a surge of emotions.

In the final battle, to prevent the collapse of the Empyrean, he had offered up the library in his mind to complete the Heavenly Dao. Now before his eyes stood a new version, recreated with Great Magical Power in a newly created world, containing the powers of Heavens' Imperfections, Heavens' Order, and Natural Heavenly Dao—truly and completely a Defying Heavenly Treasure of his own.

Aside from perceiving flaws, he also controlled the orderly power to predict cultivation methods, Creation of the Elements, and stabilize nature among countless other effects, its power limitless.

However… this Heavenly Dao belonged to the new world, not the Source World.

That was why he was suppressed when he arrived here and unable to use it. It was unexpected that he revived after absorbing just a wisp of Heavenly Mandate Vitality.

Could it be... that Heavenly Mandate Vitality is the bridge connecting the Library of Heaven's Path and the Heavenly Dao of the Source World?

As long as he kept absorbing, could he replace the Heavenly Dao of the Source World with that of the new world?

If that were true, it would truly defy the heavens!

Barely containing his excitement, Zhang Xuan gestured with one hand, and a book slowly floated over, landing in his palm. He gently opened it and looked down.

The script was blurred, like looking at the moon reflected in water or flowers in a mirror, indistinguishable.

"It must be that I haven't absorbed enough Heavenly Mandate Vitality..."

Zhang Xuan speculated in his heart.

With a thought, tentacles condensed from soul energy reached out once more toward the Yuan Power that had leaked before him.

Many people were absorbing it, and since his name wasn't on the Nine Dragons Pillar, nobody knew whether he absorbed more or less.

Whoosh!

A stream of Heavenly Mandate Vitality entered the library through his forehead, and the next moment, it was as if a huge incandescent lamp had lit up before him; the vast void became exceptionally dazzling. Zhang Xuan looked down again, and indeed, the script on the book had become much clearer.

"It seems my guess is correct, this kind of Heavenly Mandate Vitality can indeed allow the library to connect with the Heavenly Dao of the Source World..."

Zhang Xuan was invigorated.

He had previously thought that, even as a master of a realm, it would be difficult for him to rise quickly on his own. Now that the Library of Heaven's Path was available, why serve as a coachman when he could be the World's Teacher?

What? This world doesn't have one?

Then he would be the first!

He would be like Empyrean Kong shi of old, setting new orders and mastering the ways of all lifetimes.

With a goal in mind, Zhang Xuan contained his excitement, controlled the power, and rapidly absorbed the Heavenly Mandate Vitality that was leaking before him.

Stream after stream of pure strength flowed into his brow and nourished him. The quiet Library of Heaven's Path, bolstered by these energies, underwent earth-shattering changes, gradually adapting to the Source World and blending as a part of it.

Although it was only an initial link, it also equated to the development of endless abilities, now easily usable.

As the books in the library became clearer and clearer, the leaking Heavenly Mandate Vitality was also absorbed more and more.

Two streams!

Three streams!

Ten streams!

A hundred streams!

...

For an Origin warrior, to merge with Heavenly Mandate Vitality, they first needed to consider the size of the Source Pool. With an insufficient Source Pool, no matter how much more one wanted to absorb, it would be futile, much like eating—without a large enough stomach, no matter how delicious the food, one can't eat much.

The Source Pool has its limits, but… the Library of Heaven's Path is limitless!

Having absorbed hundreds of streams of Heavenly Mandate Vitality, it still felt like a drop in the bucket, like pouring a jug of water into a dried-up ocean. It did have some effect, making a few hundred books clearer, but relative to the entire library, the effect was minuscule.

However, as long as there was a flow of fresh water, even the deepest abyss could be filled.

"Let's see if this Heavenly Mandate Vitality can help me create a Source Pool and heal the injuries on my body..."

The backlash of strength five days ago had left him severely injured. Had it not been for merging with the Undying Power of the Little Chick, he wouldn't even be able to walk, let alone tend to horses.

He directed part of the Heavenly Mandate Vitality into the library and another part along his meridians.

The Library of Heaven's Path could be used, which was an unexpected joy, but what he currently wanted most was to practice and regain his strength. That way, he wouldn't have to keep a low profile!

Indeed, Heavenly Mandate Vitality was much more temperate than Origin qi. Although it flowed through his body without causing harm, it could not heal his injuries. More importantly, after a thorough search, the so-called Source Pool was nowhere to be found.

Could it be...

As an outsider with a unique constitution, does he not have a Source Pool?

That shouldn't be the case!

"It seems I still need to learn a cultivation method..."

After several more attempts and realizing that he indeed couldn't find it, Zhang Xuan had no choice but to stop his continued search.

Not knowing the method to find the Source Pool, and without any secret manuals, relying merely on aimless searching was indeed not the best choice.

"Forget it, let's first absorb the Heavenly Mandate Vitality into the library!"

As his body couldn't contain it, and he couldn't waste the hard-earned opportunity, Zhang Xuan once again focused his mind and quickly grabbed at the splendid Heavenly Mandate Vitality before him.

...

Not far from the arena, on one of the spectator stands, the Vice Dean of Baiyan Academy along with more than a dozen Elders and dozens of teachers sat, all of them intently watching the names shining on the Nine Dragons Pillar, filled with excitement and anticipation.

This was precisely the popular "Catching Life before the Pillar" event held annually at Baiyan Academy.

After the new students absorbed the Heavenly Mandate Vitality, their talents would be revealed, and these teachers and Elders naturally wouldn't miss such an opportunity. They awaited here with the purpose that, upon identifying a prodigy, they would immediately extend an olive branch and take them under their tutelage.

Students would benefit greatly from choosing good teachers, as they could advance more rapidly in their cultivation; teachers would also gain more resources and a better reputation with good students, making it a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Watching the sky filled with Heavenly Mandate Vitality being dispersed, an elder in coarse cloth, smiling as he stroked his beard, couldn't help but say, "I wonder how many prodigies will emerge this year!"

First Elder of Baiyan Academy, Ran Qingxu.

"Last year saw more than 800 Eighth-Grade, over a hundred seventh rank, and even as many as fifty grade-6! It's been the most bountiful year in recent times. This year... may not match up!"

A nearby elder spoke slowly.

The Second Elder, Wu Liuyun.

"That might not necessarily be true. I heard that Mo Yanxue from the Mo Family, although untested, had spent a considerable amount of resources to open her Source Pool, nearly exhausting the Mo Family. The more resources, the more robust the Source Pool, as we all know... I imagine her talent is quite high!"

Ran Qingxu said.

"True, Yu Xiaoyu of the City Lord Residence and Liu Mingyue of the Liu Clan are also impressive... it now depends on what grade they can reach!" Wu Liuyun nodded.

"Look quick, they have already absorbed the Heavenly Mandate Vitality, and the Nine Dragons Pillar has started to pulse..."

As the two speculated, the towering Nine Dragons Pillar nearby suddenly emitted light.

This signified that someone had completely absorbed a strand of Heavenly Mandate Vitality and the first prodigy's name and results were about to appear.

"I think it's Mo Yanxue!"

"That's not for certain; Yu Xiaoyu may seem naïve, but her cultivation talent is not the slightest bit inferior, and her chances of appearing first are even greater!"

"I'm betting on Liu Mingyue!"

Upon seeing this scene, the teachers also displayed their differences in opinion.

"Vice Dean, what do you think?"

Ran Qingxu turned his head to look at Wu Yunzhou in the center, wanting to hear his opinion.

With the Dean absent and as the highest authority of Baiyan Academy present, and moreover, having activated the Destiny Plate and drawn down Heavenly Mandate Vitality, if anyone was most qualified to speak, it was him.

Hearing the question, the other teachers stopped their argument and turned unanimously, all eager to hear the Vice Dean's esteemed opinion.

Wu Yunzhou smiled, "I think it's Mo Yanxue. This girl's talent may not necessarily surpass Yu Xiaoyu or Liu Mingyue, but she is the most reliable and should be the first to forge the Heavenly Mandate Vitality..."

In cultivation, talent is one aspect, and character is another. Mo Yanxue was clearly more stable. If true results were to occur, she was definitely the first.

"I agree with the Vice Dean..."

Ran Qingxu smiled, but before he could finish, they saw the light on one of the stone pillars to the north slowly fade, and soon words emerged as if they were imprinted at the top—

Name: Unrecorded.

Forge: One strand.

"Unrecorded? What does that mean?"

"Could it be saying...that the person who surpassed Mo Yanxue, the first to forge the Heavenly Mandate Vitality, actually kept such a low profile and didn't participate in the evaluation?"

Looking at one another, everyone simultaneously froze on the spot.