Longzang

Chapter 549 Destiny
"Teacher Feng, could you explain the concept of destiny and fortune in more detail?" Wei Yuan seemed to have returned to his old classroom.

Feng Chutang then said, "The so-called 'one fate and two fortunes' means that fate alone can determine the life of most mortals. Fate is one's innate destiny, which everyone is born with. Fortune is one's acquired fortune, which may change throughout life."

Everyone is born with a destiny, and for most people, that destiny essentially determines their entire life. For example, the son of a refugee and a prince born into an imperial family are fundamentally destined for different fates from birth. That's why many people say that ten years of hard study is not as valuable as being born into a good family.

Let's talk about luck. Luck influences a person's circumstances, the people they encounter, and the events they experience. Often, you need the opportunity before you have room to work hard.

Like children born deep in the mountains, many never leave the mountains in their entire lives, let alone learn to read and write. No matter how hard they try, it's like chopping more firewood or watering the fields—such efforts are essentially meaningless. Without the opportunity to leave the mountains and participate in the grand examinations of the immortal sects, they remain ants for life. Thus, it is clear that fate is of paramount importance.

We cultivators defy the heavens, seizing the creation of heaven and earth; in essence, we alter our own destiny along the way. Therefore, some say that cultivating immortality is actually about defying fate. But to defy fate, one must first enter the immortal sect. That is to say, one must possess a certain level of destiny and fortune to have the opportunity to defy fate. And this threshold alone blocks out ninety-nine percent of people in the world.

Wei Yuan then asked, "Then who determines each person's fate?"

"It is itself heaven and earth."

Wei Yuan pondered: "Heaven and earth are impartial and impartial, so it is right to let them decide."

Feng Chutang smiled and said, "After cultivating for so long, do you still think that Heaven and Earth are truly ruthless and impartial? Look at the Wuyu Realm and the Liaoyu Realm, aren't they both eager to put our human race to death?"

Wei Yuan knew this, but he didn't understand the underlying principle. When he asked Zhang Sheng, Zhang Sheng couldn't answer either.

Seeing Wei Yuan ask, Feng Chutang shook her head: "I only know that heaven and earth are unfair, but I don't know why they are unfair. Perhaps only immortals know a thing or two about this. But among the many immortals throughout history, very few have cultivated a path related to destiny, and every immortal is very secretive about it. Even before they pass away, they refuse to leave behind a single word about the path of destiny."

All immortals who specialize in cultivating destiny possess unfathomable abilities, almost instantly reaching the pinnacle of immortality upon attaining it. However, everything comes at a price; over time, they will encounter various problems. Some problems are almost insurmountable; even the extermination of one's entire clan is a minor matter.

Are there immortals who specialize in destiny?
For some reason, when Wei Yuan first heard about this path, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, and vaguely sensed something extremely dangerous.

He pondered for a moment before asking, "Who are the immortals in this world who specialize in cultivating destiny?"

Feng Chutang said, "It's alright to tell you now. There is only one immortal in this era who specializes in the path of destiny, and that is the Palace Master of our Taichu Palace."

For some reason, Wei Yuan suddenly remembered that this mysterious palace master had been in seclusion. Even when Tinghai Immortal Lord was fighting Xu Wangu and was in dire straits, he had not shown up. Wei Yuan couldn't help but feel a tremor in his heart and couldn't help but think of Feng Chutang's words, "There will always be some problems."

Wei Yuan didn't ask any further questions, but returned to the original topic, saying, "So, why are some people able to contribute their luck while others can't?"

Feng Chutang said, "It's not really clear on this point, but generally speaking, the higher the position and the higher the cultivation level, the more human fortune one can generate. For example, with the same cultivation level, the human fortune that the Prince of Jin and a county magistrate can give you is incomparable. The fortune given by a prefectural governor with Dao Foundation and a Dharma Aspect is also different, and that's roughly how it is."

Wei Yuan intuitively felt the same way, but he still habitually asked, "Is there any evidence?"

Feng Chutang said, "The evidence is all in the historical records. If you read them carefully, you will be able to see it yourself."

Wei Yuan pondered for a moment, then said, "But this seems to go against the law of karma. When I kill ordinary people or witches and Liao people, I will generate karma to some extent. But as long as the other party is not blessed with great fortune and has a high cultivation level, it is actually fine to kill them. Above the Dharma Aspect level, there are even gifts from heaven and earth for killing them."

Feng Chutang said, "Karma is indeed contrary to the natural order of human destiny. Perhaps we can look at it this way: karma is the attitude of heaven and earth towards all living beings, while the natural order of human destiny is the attitude of our human race towards the world."

Wei Yuan seemed to understand something, and said, "I have learned something."

Feng Chutang smiled and said, "Actually, some experts like to play the field, pretending to be fortune tellers while secretly investigating people's fates. However, if they are unlucky and encounter someone born with great fortune, they may suffer a backlash, and the consequences could be very serious. Haha, if you meet such a person in the future, you might as well let him tell your fortune. Maybe you can take care of him without lifting a finger."

For some reason, Wei Yuan felt that Feng Chutang's words seemed to have a hidden meaning. "There's one last thing. How's your research on the formation coming along, sir? I have an idea, but I don't know if it's feasible." Wei Yuan then shared his idea.

Feng Chutang's expression turned serious. He said, "If you do this, you'll be moving one step closer to Buddhism. You should think this through."

Wei Yuan said, "I have thought it through very clearly. It is only a small step closer, but this small step can save hundreds of thousands of refugees from dying."

"There are hundreds of millions of people in the world. If you save hundreds of thousands today, hundreds of thousands more tomorrow; if you take a small step closer today, and another small step closer tomorrow, it won't be long before you have to enter the Buddhist order."

Wei Yuan laughed and said, "Uncle-Master, there is no need to worry about me. Even if I enter the Buddhist sect, it will not affect anything. I still have the Great Joyful King Buddha to inherit."

Even Feng Chutang was stunned when she heard this, and sighed, "Why does this sound like a reward for you? Never mind, it's best to discuss matters of karma with the Peacock Monk. His achievements in this path are far greater than mine."

Wei Yuan said, "It's rare to hear my uncle speak so highly of others."

Feng Chutang said calmly, "We should treat the world with humility. If others are stronger, we should admit it. There's nothing wrong with that. After all, apart from karma, that monk is far inferior to me in every other aspect."

Wei Yuan then understood that the last sentence was Feng Chutang's true feelings.

Leaving Feng Chutang's residence, Wei Yuan felt much clearer-headed, but his compassion for mortals had also deepened. From Feng Chutang's words, he understood that most mortals were born with their fate predetermined, never having a chance to strive throughout their lives. It seemed that being born into the right family truly mattered most.

Wei Yuan went straight to the residence of the Peacock Buddha Mother and chatted with her for an hour. The Peacock Buddha Mother then chanted a Buddhist prayer, saying, "Your actions, benefactor Wei, are of utmost virtue, and this humble monk finds them worthy. I hope you will soon enter my fold and enjoy ultimate bliss. At that time, it will be far more than just having many women on your left and right."

"Master is joking."

Although the monk was frivolous, he spoke these words with perfect composure, which frightened Wei Yuan so much that he fled in panic.

Now that everything was settled, Wei Yuan continued his efforts to poach Shu Li's men in the Netherworld.

Upon entering the Netherworld, Wei Yuan saw the Nether Iron hanging downwards above him, seemingly drawn by some unseen force from the depths of the earth. Fortunately, the space he had originally created was large enough, and the remaining space was sufficient for him to move around freely.

Dragon Eagle appeared beside Wei Yuan.

Wei Yuan cast the Melting Gold Dao Tome on the Nether Iron above his head, and sure enough, he felt the Nether Iron's properties loosen. Then, the Dragon Eagle blew out a wisp of true fire. Under the continuous burning of his true fire, a piece of Nether Iron gradually emitted a red glow. Wei Yuan then sliced ​​off a watermelon-sized piece of Nether Iron with his Crimson Night Immortal Execution Sword.

With the Melting Gold Dao Tome, the efficiency of cutting Nether Iron indeed increased significantly. Fortunately, the Dragon Eagle Dharma Form contained some bloodline of the Sacred Beast Vermilion Bird, capable of spewing Southern Bright Fire, which was of the same grade as the True Fire of the Sun. The Dragon Eagle was also at the late stage of the Dharma Form realm, so it only took the time it takes to drink a cup of tea to heat the Nether Iron to a point where it could be cut.

Having learned from his first experience, Wei Yuan attacked the second time without waiting for the Nether Iron to turn red, and indeed succeeded in cutting through it, thus greatly increasing his efficiency once again. Wei Yuan and Long Ying worked together seamlessly, quickly carving out a space about ten feet square.

Wei Yuan specially cut some square pieces of Nether Iron, stacked them into a pillar, and then had the Dragon Eagle breathe fire to fuse them together, thus supporting the sinking Nether Iron at the top.

At this moment, Wei Yuan's Dao power was exhausted, so he withdrew from the Netherworld to rest. An hour later, Wei Yuan's Dao power was replenished, and he returned. This time, his Scholar Dragon Guard appeared and used the Blazing Fire Dao Technique to assist the Dragon Eagle in heating the Nether Iron.

Although Wen Shilongwei only had the ability to melt steel, with him laying the groundwork, the dragon eagle only needed to heat the last part, and its speed increased significantly.

Pieces of Nether Iron continued to fall. When Wei Yuan's Dao power was exhausted again, a space the size of a house had appeared underground.

(End of this chapter)