Threads of Fate
As I prepared to approach the figure, golden spiritualist soul force swept across the area. I accelerated instantly, scooping up the person and racing west using new movement techniques ~ ridiculously fast. A mile or two into the forest in mere moments, my vision perfectly mapping surroundings even at this speed thanks to my body's adaptability.
With this speed, I could poke around an enemy and return to original position while turning them into a meat sieve. The girl in my arms stayed protected by my soul force ~ otherwise her limbs and head would separate considering she hadn't reached Bronze rank.
After reaching a safe position devoid of demon beasts, I placed her on the ground. She immediately finished her interrupted statement: "...happened now?" She looked bewildered by the scenery change.
"You are... silver rank cultivation... how?" She couldn't sense any soul force from me after concealing techniques reinstated.
I lack protagonist aura, so that cultivator might search here later. Most likely reasoning that a silver rank entering training grounds means killing or kidnapping ~ like Dark Guild activities. Can't be seen with Sacred Family heir, and women at low cultivation ranks can't easily break realms at night. Best to transform, but I need her cooperation.
I willed myself into female form, quickly pulling a mid-length skirt from my interspatial ring ~ yes, I'd managed creating one using inscription and space law-infused metal after countless attempts. My attire shifted feminine as Xiao Ning'er stared in flabbergasted surprise.
"So you don't know me, right? Can we agree on that?"
"What? No, I need an explanation, Chen Tao. Who are you? If you have such cultivation, how did you fool everyone at the academy? And now... why are you a woman?"
"Why should I explain? What are you going to do about it?"
She gained confidence somehow. "I'll shout and activate my token to attract attention and reveal yours~"
I interrupted mid-speech, releasing soul pressure while covering her with my ethereal shield. "What makes you think I can't finish you off first?" My hand found her neck from behind ~ using increased perception and speed, I'd vanished from her front to reappear at her back. She couldn't move as I quietly removed her storage ring and token.
She grew flustered again. I released her with a sigh.
"Seems we've reached an impasse." After dramatic silence and another long sigh, "How about this ~ I help you, and you keep quiet. Otherwise I'll probably need soul shackles to bind you to me."
"Okay."
"Why are you trying to kill yourself?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why cultivate at night when you leak such high quantities of yin qi from your body? Aren't you in pain? I'm sure by your leg movement that your right foot hurts to walk on after cultivation, right? You have Arctic disease symptoms. If you advance to Bronze rank with your cold physique, you might not die thanks to your peculiar soul realm, but you'll definitely be bedridden for years, losing your prime cultivation time."
"Because... because I don't want to marry Shen Fei. That kind of person..." Tears started falling. "To control my own life, I practiced hard, trying non-stop to become strong. I'm finally about to reach Bronze level, and you tell me my cultivation will fall, I'll be bedridden or even die?" She was sobbing by the end. "You knowing about this means you can solve it, right? Will you?"
"I can, and I would... if you'd kindly introduce me as your family's servant to the next person coming here."
I applied flawless illusion to make my face resemble a twenty-year-old maid from my family. Being too handsome or beautiful isn't what a servant should be. That's for royal children. Exceptionally pretty faces among commoners exist, but they're usually in pleasure business in Glory City. Come to think of it, I should visit that place for research purposes.
Shortly after, a gold-ranked senior approached in swift motion to surprise low-level cultivators. Typical cultivator mystic showoffs.
"You're lady of Winged Dragon Family. Have you seen suspicious activity lately? We sensed soul fluctuations from a high-ranked cultivator here. You should be careful and leave assembly grounds early. And who is this?" He pointed at me, finally noticing the plain-looking girl.
"She's my valet," Xiao Ning replied. I kept my head down.
He left without reply. "Let's go. This place will be closed off for checking soon. Meet me tomorrow morning at class ~ we'll discuss what to do."
I picked her up princess-style and ran slowly this time to avoid search party gazes. After ten seconds we were back near the entrance. I followed as she submitted our tokens ~ tokens lack identification, only tracking runes, so it was easy. Few people remained since it was nighttime.
Walking toward her residence ~ wealthy nobles renting stays near the academy ~ I asked, "Why did you try touching my chest during the run back, Ning?"
She avoided my gaze, disappointment in her tone. "Just to confirm it's real. So you were a girl all along? Why dress as a young master? That's why you were too handsome." The last part came out quietly.
"I'm not a girl originally. I'm male by birth and prefer keeping it that way. I gained body transformation ability through cultivation techniques I practiced. I transformed only to remove connection to Chen Tao young master ~ people wouldn't usually associate gender change even when considering disguise."
I gently placed my thumb on her head while transmitting a soul-shackling inscription ~ the advanced, flawless version capable of restricting high-level powerhouses in Draconic Ruins realm.
She felt my soul signature forming special net-shaped inscription tightly bound over her soul boundary. "What did you do?" she demanded angrily.
"What do you expect? I'll conveniently explain everything about myself to a stranger and rely on your kind heart to keep secrets? I'm not an idiot. You have your goals, I have my secrets. I don't trust you yet. That's it. Don't bother asking for help ~ people in Glory City can't help you with that. Also, I could kill or torture you with a thought."
I left her standing there, merged into shadows, and returned to my dormitory.
While resting like my peers, I thought about today's actions. I could have transformed to feminine form before starting cultivation to prevent exposing my identity, but in excitement to gain knowledge, I didn't bother setting up concealing array and just sat down, casually using soul sweep to check dangers.
Absorbing all those items is better inside training grounds ~ it's still the most secure place nearby. Can't cultivate inside my dormitory. I need finding a place to stay outside, and for that, I need money.
Next morning, I arrived an hour early and found Xiao Ning'er waiting. I set up my space and sat down.
"My goal was freeing myself from Shen Fei's shackles, and for that I made a deal with the devil. Now he's put another shackle on me." She approached in a bad mood.
I got straight to the point. "You know my other identity. I'll come near your residence this evening. Invite me in like a friend ~ I don't want messing with Sacred Family right now."
"Why are you hiding your cultivation base?"
"Why do you think? I hate unwanted attention. It only brings trouble. If geniuses aren't allowed to grow, what would any prestige matter?"
"Cultivation is going against heaven, right? Why cultivate if you're afraid of trouble?"
"That's bullshit. I see you're also under influence of Nie Li's declaration." With cultivators and their short tempers... Now that I consider her an ally, sharing more knowledge is acceptable.
"Xiao Ning'er, I consider you my confidant ~ it's fine sharing with you. You know nothing about this world. Do you wish knowing more?"
"Confidant, you say? How come I feel like you're the master?"
Ignoring her, I pulled out a small illusion and concealment array disc I'd created with inscriptions, then briefly described this world's history and higher realms while not forgetting to use my shield. She was stunned by the scale I mentioned.
"You mentioned going against heaven, right? Do you know you're included in destiny heaven arranged? You know what happened yesterday ~ seemingly bum-looking Nie Li suddenly gained enlightenment and had bone to talk back to major family elder without caring about repercussions.
"I sensed temporal anomaly just before that. To know about it, you need understanding law energy I mentioned earlier ~ probably only Ye Mo knows about this in the city. After which he began talking about information he's not supposed to know unless he has knowledge about ancient languages and books in city library. I know about him over years ~ he's not remotely interested in reading such books.
"So I confirmed ~ either soul seizure or reincarnation. Since he has small soul force of five, it was easy scanning temporal information infusing with his memory without him knowing. That got me plethora of experiences and knowledge of these worlds and people only mentioned in academy books, confirming he's a reincarnator.
"Yesterday, when I ran soul force to cover you while running to safe space, I encountered similar space-time aura on you ~ not on your soul but localized spot over your back. Which meant you were also part of destiny heaven arranged for Nie Li. My involvement with you directly disrupted that destiny."
"Why do you sound like you're outside heaven's influence? How are you so knowledgeable? Are you also a reincarnator? What do you mean disrupt my destiny with Nie Li? Am I his supposed lover or something?"
"I have my ways. No, I'm not like that old pervert Nie Li. I was born with 'heaven-defying comprehension ability' ~ simply put, any techniques or arts I focus on, I understand perfectly and even improve upon. I spent earlier years effectively studying and enhancing techniques. With my experiences, starting cultivation as soon as body was capable came easily. You could investigate me ~ my profile isn't difficult obtaining.
"Disrupting destiny means besides me, only Nie Li would be capable of identifying your problem. In original timeline, your destiny was getting bedridden or dying since me meeting you at training grounds never happened ~ indirectly connected to Nie Li's action of hunting low-level beasts. From information I obtained, before Glory City was destroyed, you ventured into Black Devil Forest running from engagement and ended up mute and disfigured, living life as ghost fighting alongside Nie Li, whom you later meet and untimely die in one of his battles, long before he attains high-level cultivator status. Interestingly, he still doesn't know who that figure fighting for him was.
"In this timeline, maybe Nie Li would help you and get your support for his plans or whatever he intends doing. No, you're not that lucky ~ you're not his lover. That would be Ye Ziyun. He was staring at her all the time.
"Considering Nie Li didn't get into conversation with me, I've been some unimportant character or even ascended to higher realm way before Glory City destroyed ~ maybe dead since I was only present in his Orchid Academy memories, not later life memories."
Xiao Ning'er's eyes widened in shock, voice trembling. "This... this can't be real. I tried defying my fate only to end up mute and disfigured, living as ghost, not even recognized after death... untimely death?"
She choked back sobs, emotions overwhelming her. "Why Ye Ziyun? Since childhood she had better life, resources, no pressure from forced marriage, and now even fate helps her!"
She looked at me as her only support while I spoke. "So I'm your best bet, being with me will be your destiny in this life since you know secrets I intend hiding.
"About Ye Ziyun ~ don't be jealous. If it consoles you, think of her dating a five-hundred-year-old pervert if that ever happens."
She let out abrupt chuckle, stopping her held-back sob.
"What about your seal in my soul?" she asked, flustered.
"That stays until you reach Legend rank soul, as I programmed it. Now shoo, go away. Leave me alone." I noticed class filling up and stopped illusion, returning to usual self.
She left my seat, returning to hers thinking about all new information I'd presented.
Class resumed after teacher arrived. Everything was fine except Ning'er stealing glances at me, which didn't go unnoticed by Ye Ziyun.
That afternoon I went to Alchemy Guild, obtaining materials for Ye Ziyun's treatment ~ obviously recreating items using creation energy since I couldn't steal rare, valuable materials. Creation energy operations were permitted only within forty meters around me, radius increasing with cultivation. I'd create a pill using these ingredients as catalyst, enabling me to treat her once to solve the problem.
For money, I set up meeting with Yang Xin. I brought improved human meridian systems knowledge and soul force control technique, fire control technique based on improved version. It had only four flaws I intentionally left, compared to twenty-five flaws in their best available at Alchemy Guild. I addressed them as items obtained from sealed storage ring re-auctioned at cheaper rate, which I'd bought three years before since I wanted one to study. Its seller couldn't unlock it. Of course the ring traced back to me, but not the technique I made up.
Yang Xin flirted: "Little brother, you amaze me. With these items, pill quality will surely increase several times over. Our reputation will also increase. I'll offer 500,000 for soul control technique and fire control technique, and 200,000 demon spirit coins for meridian structure study. How about it?"
"Elder ~ no, Miss Yang Xin, don't try extorting me. You can feel how good these are since I recited first few parts, so it'll give our association significant revenue increase since individual pill creation cost decreases. Surely you just offered 500,000 and 250,000 demon spirit coins for items returning that much revenue in a day or two? What is this, cabbages you find everyday? You can't be thinking of swindling me because I'm not from noble family and under your apprenticeship, right? Business is business. And I'd like adding that this business remains confidential ~ though you could inform President if you want, but no mentioning any of this to major families. If one knows, all know, and currently my family has certain pressure from one of them. I don't like creating more friction." I said with innocent face.
"You're no fun, little brother. Why are you so different from peers? You won't even get flustered by my teasing? Never mind, I was testing you. The association will buy these items for 3,500,000 and 1,000,000 coins respectively. Considering your contributions and flawless performance last month, I'll recommend early apprentice senior exam for you personally ~ you can pass and get directly involved in pill production. Our dealings will be private. We'll help your family by buying more alchemical items from them."
"Thank you." I expressed goodwill for her consideration.
Deal complete, I got paid.
I later went to the two-story apartment I'd been eyeing and paid upfront ~ 250,000 demon spirit coins including city tax for first five years. After everything was done, I went inside with extra furniture and accessories to make it homely, purchased on the way.
After setting everything up, I drew flawless concealing, aura gathering, strengthening, regenerating inscriptions. I also ran defense field rune between walls and pillars so it wouldn't collapse even under demigod realm powerhouse attack. Now official ~ my house was Glory City's best defensive item against attack. Second one was my family mansion since I'd done similar things there. Took an hour.
I took out copies of alchemical cauldron, furnace, and array from association's best equipment, then rare materials. Measured Sunfire Petals carefully, placing them in cauldron center where energy was most concentrated. Observed Twilight Orchid Leaves changing color with soul force infusion. Once they reached perfect hue, I added them to cauldron, ensuring potion stability and smooth transformation. Finally scattered collected Moonlit Lotus Dew drops from midnight over mixture at defined intervals. These dewdrops acted as catalyst, initiating conversion process. The pill converted excess yin for yin physique girl and stabilized yin-yang balance by improving conversion when assisted internally or externally.
With everything done, I transformed to girl and changed my face to ordinary, then went out. Finally reached Xiao Ning'er's place after ten minutes walking. She saw me and took my hand, leading me inside.
We talked about many things, acting like long-lost friends for servants to witness ~ as I'd asked her to follow since medication happened at midnight. Moreover, any spying members for her family or Sacred Family could be found out.
Time reached near night, after which she arranged present servants to leave. We entered the room and closed the door. I began work by writing sound and soul force fluctuation concealing rune within, with lower-grade aura gathering added to mix.
"Take off your clothes and show me the bruises."
She blushed, taking time to remove them.
"Out with it ~ I'm a girl now, why are you blushing? Why are you making this more embarrassing?"
She quickly removed down to undergarments. I saw bruises ~ one on right leg, one on chest. I gave her the pill I'd made.
She took it with apprehension as I performed improved Daoyin technique on her bruises. I cleared her qi veins and blockages while guiding blood flow to affected regions after medicine consumption.
She twitched many times, saying it was very itchy and painful. After about an hour of operation with my silver realm soul force, I'd completely removed her problems. I also mentioned daytime medication preparation using golden striped grass and imperial sky grass. It was needed since though I'd stabilized her yin qi and yang qi, I'd provided pill fundamentally made from my creation energy. If she moved out of my range, she'd still get pain, bruises, and unbalanced yin-yang energy if cultivating at night again for some days. So I extracted energy back at will.
Using prescribed medicinal plants prepared, I created solution in specific ratio to drink.
I also made her reveal Temporal Demon Spirit page seal. Using LoHP, I found one flaw and exploiting it, extracted the page back. I stored it in my ring.
After treatment finished, I asked her to send me the cultivation formula. She gave me one, and I looked it over. I could already figure many flaws, but used LoHP to optimize it to no flaws. I instructed her to listen and mentioned all flaws, making her reiterate formula with me.
"The formula is good, but it'll only help till Legend rank peak ~ after which you can't advance even after I optimized it. If you're planning giving it to your family, just conceal the source. Probably won't be good idea now that major family is securing your land and businesses, and since Sacred Family probably has spies inside your servant groups. From their operation, they've also probably booked some elders to their side promising benefits ~ won't be wise move actually. Confide only with your father, but even he can't do anything unless some backlash is present. With way Nie Li shows obvious hostility to Sacred Family, we can soon expect them encountering trouble."
"Now about you ~ would you like serving me from now on as my confidant?"
Instead of answering, she asked: "Do you have someone you're romantically interested in? Are you into boys?"
"No, I haven't felt attracted to male sex, but you're definitely first candidate I have in mind for girlfriend."
"I'm upset that I'm in your total control. First you want me as confidant, then you propose I become girlfriend ~ you heartless bastard." After moment of silence: "If you seriously consider it... I don't mind." Her voice became almost whisper at the end.
"It is, then. But we have to deal with your engagement. Though Nie Li will move against Sacred Family, he doesn't have much reason assisting you other than from kindness of heart or to get something he wanted. I'll help you however I can.
"One more thing ~ from Nie Li's memory, there's important event about to take place. Chen Linjian's ruins exploration party will happen in about two weeks from now, under disguise of training at mountain valley. So Ziyun came in original timeline ~ you should pay attention."