A Daoist true immortal could send his primordial spirit soaring to the heavens or plunging into the underworld. Moreover, he could intercept a portion of the heavenly secrets from the abyss of the unseen realm and calculate fate and fortune.
Of course, Wu Ming had become a cultivator later in life. He excelled most in magical duels, while forging magical artifacts was secondary. When it came to divination and predicting heavenly omens or calculating cosmic fate, he was still slightly inferior to those old experts who had undergone formal training.
However, he had his own methods. At this moment, he fetched a basin of clear water, silently recited a magical incantation, and pointed a finger: “Swift!”
A water screen floated up, faintly displaying images of mountains and rivers, great cities, and commoners bustling about—these were the landscapes of Chufeng and Nanfeng Prefectures.
“Although I cannot calculate the cosmic fate, I can still observe it!”
Assisted by the Main Divine Hall (Shen-dian), Wu Ming mastered the True Vision technique, integrating it with the divine eye method of the Eastern Peak Emperor. This granted him the ability to discern the grand currents of celestial will, making the observation of two mere prefectures effortless for him.
At this moment, he flicked his sleeve.
Buzz!
Ripples spread out, and the water screen immediately changed.
From the vast land emerged countless specks of light, which gathered together to form thick pillars of energy surging straight into the sky.
“This is the cosmic fate of Chufeng and Nanfeng Prefectures…”
Wu Ming gazed carefully and saw that the family fortune of the Wu Clan in Nanfeng Prefecture was thick and robust, faintly exuding an aura of aggression. Beside it, two streams of fortune provided support—one displayed golden divine energy with a white dragon appearing in the center, while the other resembled a black python, carrying the aura of mortal destiny.
“The Wu Clan’s foundation has always been deeper than the Li Clan’s. Now, with the assistance of the River Duke and the Pacification Marquis, it’s only natural they would plot against Chufeng Prefecture…”
Looking at Chufeng Prefecture’s fortune, Wu Ming observed two streams of energy entangled within the light pillar, forming a pattern of internal conflict. He shook his head: “Li Yu was always at a disadvantage from birth. Now, he’s at odds with Xing Ju, and with external enemies invading, a great calamity is imminent!”
Of course, beyond these two streams of fortune, scattered throughout the two prefectures were other minor lights, representing neutral families or factions.
Among them, the most prominent was not the Daoist Academy but rather the Wu Clan itself!
Among the neutral forces between the two prefectures, the Wu Clan’s fortune stood out uniquely, transforming into a red current. Above it, several stars faintly appeared as guardians, giving off an impression of prolonged blessings. Even amidst the conflict of the two prefectures, it stood proudly and resolutely, a sight that made Wu Ming almost laugh bitterly.
“Wu Qing, Wu Tiehu, and others all carry their own fortunes. Originally, as long as they maintained strict neutrality, regardless of how the two prefectures evolved, those in power would seek their favor… But they haven’t realized this yet, likely because of my return!”
Wu Ming observed closely and saw that within the red current of the Wu Clan’s fortune, a brilliant crimson-gold light stood out, exuding a sense of suppressing fortune. This was none other than himself—a Daoist immortal and half-step Grand Master, a rare expert throughout the entire land. Naturally, protecting a small family like the Wu Clan was more than within his capabilities.
“What about the Wu Clan’s internal affairs?”
With another wave of his hand, the water screen zoomed in, revealing that although the Wu Clan’s fortune in Nanfeng Prefecture was formidable, internally it was also divided. A crimson-red star faintly showed signs of usurping the throne.
“Hmm… Overall, no matter how the Wu Clan evolves in the future, Chufeng Prefecture is destined for destruction… As for my Wu Clan, we are the third most powerful force next to the two, making us capable of intervening!”
If calculating the heavenly omens and observing the cosmic fortune had revealed the Wu Clan’s fortune to be thriving and the clan leader’s position unshakable, Wu Ming would naturally not commit such a foolish act.
However, now the Wu Clan’s hidden supporters were merely the River Duke and the Pacification Marquis, not beyond Wu Ming’s capabilities. Thus, he could attempt intervention.
“The Zhou World will be my foundation for a long time to come. To rashly interfere in mortal fortune would be inappropriate. First, I must forge magical artifacts to suppress my cosmic fate, ensuring my own safety before taking action!”
With a wave of his hand, the water screen fell, and the previous wondrous scene vanished.
He sat cross-legged in meditation, secretly activating his arcane techniques. After a long while, he retrieved the Suizhou Pearl.
“This pearl possesses an inherently mystical nature and has undergone many wondrous encounters in my hands. It harmonizes with the dragon’s heavenly omen and has attracted fortune—thus, it can become a supreme treasure!”
“Ji!”
He pointed a finger straight at the Suizhou Pearl. White light erupted, and golden-green energy swarmed like bees. Inside, the coiled dragon soared and transformed, displaying the momentum of ascending as a dragon!
…
Three days later.
Within the secret chamber, Wu Ming withdrew his Samadhi Fire and revealed the Suizhou Pearl.
Compared to before, the pearl had slightly shrunk in size. The swirling clouds and coiled dragon inside were no longer visible, replaced instead by a crystal-clear luster.
Seeing this, Wu Ming nodded in satisfaction: “Good! The great task is accomplished!”
With a gesture, the Suizhou Pearl flew automatically to hover above his head, emitted a flash of light, and then vanished. Wu Ming felt a refreshing sensation throughout his body.
Opening his heavenly eye, he saw a luminous pearl floating within his fortune aura, radiating light outward.
With the pearl’s assistance, golden-yellow energy within his personal fortune thickened in threads, while his external fortune became stable and solid, exuding an immovable aura like an unshakable mountain.
“Excellent! Truly excellent!”
At this moment, a thought stirred within him, and the golden-red star representing himself in the Wu Clan’s fortune disappeared.
Wu Ming understood this signified his fortune being deeply concealed, making it impossible even for true immortals or grand masters to locate him.
What is a supreme treasure for suppressing cosmic fortune?
With such a treasure, one’s foundation is deeply hidden, unmoving from all directions—this is the essence of cosmic fortune!
“Now, if I were to bury this pearl in the Wu Clan’s ancestral graveyard or enshrine it in the ancestral hall, it would surely ensure the clan’s prosperity for twenty generations, granting them wealth and honor. If used by ordinary people, even a commoner could rise swiftly to become a high official or even a duke or marquis…”
Wu Ming’s eyes flickered with calculation: “By using this treasure to suppress my cosmic fate, coupled with my status as a true immortal, I can safely intervene in the struggle for supremacy in the Zhou Dynasty—even if I fail, I will remain unharmed!”
It was foreseeable that for a long time, the Zhou Dynasty would remain his primary world, and its power level was quite profound, leaving Wu Ming no room for recklessness.
Thus, he prepared several additional measures before concluding his retreat.
“How did it go?”
Wu Qing had been waiting anxiously outside the meditation chamber and immediately asked upon seeing Wu Ming emerge.
“The heavenly secrets cannot be revealed!”
Wu Ming smiled slightly, only to receive a scornful glare from Wu Qing in response.
Seeing this, Wu Ming also dropped his playful expression and retrieved a luminous pearl from his sleeve.
“What is this…?”
Wu Qing took it, noticing that the pearl was about the size of a dragon’s eye, with a deep blue center resembling the vast ocean, faintly glowing—a rare treasure indeed.
“This is the Canghai Luminous Pearl. Please deliver it to Wu Zhi on my behalf.”
Legend has it that the Canghai Moon Pearl Tears were formed from the tears of merfolk in the Canghai Sea, possessing profound and mysterious properties. In the Divine Hall’s exchange system, it ranked equally with the Suizhou Pearl.
Of course, the Suizhou Pearl in Wu Ming’s possession had undergone numerous adventures and was now refined into a supreme treasure for suppressing cosmic fortune, surpassing the Canghai Moon Pearl by an immeasurable margin.
“How beautiful this pearl is…”
A mischievous expression suddenly appeared on Wu Qing’s face: “Is this a betrothal gift?”
In the ancient rituals of the Zhou Dynasty, when a man and woman exchanged betrothal gifts, it was referred to as “Wen Ding.”
“If my elder sister believes so, then it is. After all, I should marry soon and carry on the Wu Clan’s lineage, shouldn’t I?”
Since he had been reborn into this body, he naturally bore certain responsibilities.
At the very least, he needed to leave behind descendants to continue the Wu Clan’s legacy—this was essential for resolving this karmic bond.
The people of the Zhou world placed great importance on such matters. For example, Wu Qing’s original agreement with Wu Zhi was that she would marry into the Wu Clan, and their children would bear the Wu surname. However, one son would be chosen to inherit Wu Zhi’s legacy and continue his great enterprise—a practice entirely different from becoming a son-in-law living in the wife’s family.
As for Wu Ming, his heart was set on pursuing the Dao and seeking transcendence. Though he might seem affectionate, he was ultimately indifferent to worldly attachments. Matters of marriage were truly of little concern to him.
However, once he married a woman, he would naturally fulfill his duty as a husband.
From this perspective, the daughter of the Wu Clan seemed like a suitable match—united by mutual needs without entanglements of love, and she was also a beauty of celestial grace. In any case, he wouldn’t be the one at a disadvantage.
Of course, everything still depended on her choice.
If she had already accepted her fate or decided to act independently without relying on the Wu Clan, then naturally everything would be abandoned. Wu Ming would then sever Wu Qing’s emotional ties, even if it damaged his Dao foundation. In the future, there might still be ways to repair it.
But if she chose to accept the gift and actively seek her own salvation, then as the saying goes, those who help themselves shall be helped by heaven. If heaven won’t help, he would!
Human affairs lie entirely in one’s own choice! Wu Ming did not reveal this directly but gave careful instructions: “My elder sister, you only need to deliver this item. Whether she accepts it or not depends entirely on her choice! Do not impose your own views upon her, and under no circumstances should you tell her that I have already broken through to the True Immortal stage!”
“You can rest assured. After all, your elder sister is also a cultivator—surely I understand such taboos?”
Wu Qing bit her lip slightly: “Fine, this time I’ll use this opportunity to see what kind of person Wu Zhi truly is. If things don’t go well, our Wu Clan won’t be desperate enough to rely on that lofty branch anyway!”
“Good!”
Wu Ming smiled and nodded. With this thought, he slightly transcended himself, no longer affected by Wu Zhi’s fortune.
…
In Nanfeng Prefecture, the Wu Clan’s estate.
The Wu Clan was a prestigious family, previously having usurped the authority of the prefectural governor and controlled military and financial power, effectively becoming a de facto regional warlord. Now, they even openly occupied the governor’s mansion, their rebellious intentions evident.
“Little sister…”
Within a deep garden courtyard, a young man with a pale complexion, resembling a playboy, smiled as he blocked Wu Zhi’s path: “Father has already ordered you not to return to the military camp, hasn’t he? The Pacification Marquis’s heir is soon coming to marry you. A young lady should stay at home, managing household affairs and supporting her husband, rather than wielding swords and spears—it’s simply unseemly!”
“This is my own matter, big brother. You needn’t concern yourself!”
Wu Zhi glanced at the two guards behind the young man, both exuding a calm and formidable aura. She smiled slightly: “Actually, I must commend your skills. After your previous henchmen were eliminated, you’ve quickly grown new ones. Just be careful not to lose them again!”
As a Grand Master of martial arts, a third-level expert, her mere gaze released a sharp martial aura that made even the two guards bristle with tension and retreat involuntarily. The young nobleman nearly stumbled and fell.
“Little sister takes her leave first!”
Seeing this, Wu Zhi’s phoenix-like eyes gleamed with amusement. She slightly bowed and departed with Jian Qiu.
The eldest son of the Wu Clan steadied himself with difficulty, watching Wu Zhi’s retreating figure. His face turned crimson with rage, his veins bulging as he spat out hatefully: “Bitch!”
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