DiploNovel Chapter 316 : Transformation of Fate
Chapter 316 : Transformation of Fate
Within Water-Derivation Residence.Chen Beiwu’s spiritual mechanism circulated throughout his body, the Yuanshi Golden Core within him shining brilliantly as he entered a state of cultivation where both self and surroundings were forgotten.
Under his guidance, the Golden Egg, which had long been unable to enter the Technique Entry Stage, also began to sense a trace of the profundity within the Primordial Origin Dongzhen Azure Splendor Immortal Art of Myriad Tribulations and Myriad Spirits.
“Knock knock knock!”
Suddenly, faint ripples stirred across the restrictions of the cave dwelling.
“Mm?”
Chen Beiwu’s brows furrowed slightly. Activating his divine sense, he connected to the grand formation of the cave dwelling and looked toward the entrance.
Who would be so idle as to pay a visit in the dead of night and knock upon the restriction? Could it be Xu Ziqing?
Yet when Chen Beiwu discerned the visitor’s aura and appearance clearly, he could not help but feel surprised.
What was going on? Chi Quan!
He had indeed said they could exchange insights, but there was no need for Chi Quan to be this anxious and come visiting at midnight. Could something urgent have happened?
Chen Beiwu “glanced” at the nervous-looking Chi Quan outside. With a thought, the cave dwelling restriction opened, revealing the passage inside.
“Buzz!”
Seeing the waterfall before him split apart out of thin air, Chi Quan pursed his lips, a surge of wild joy rising within his heart.
As expected. I did not guess wrong.
A peerless genius like Master Chen, rare through the ages—every action he took must contain profound meaning.
Chi Quan took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement. Carefully adjusting his robe, he then stepped into the cave dwelling.
Contrary to his expectations, Master Chen’s residence was not luxuriously extravagant as he had imagined. Instead, it was arranged with extreme simplicity and elegance, even plainer than the dwellings of some Immortal Students born from True Venerable Clans.
His surprise lasted only a fleeting moment before transforming into understanding and admiration.
‘Unattached to material things, unburdened by the external world—only the Dao, only the True. This is the true state of mind of a genuine cultivator!’
Stepping into the small courtyard of green bamboo, the reverence in Chi Quan’s heart deepened. His gaze immediately turned toward the figure within the bamboo house.
He saw Master Chen with eyes gently closed, expression calm and unruffled, as though he had merged with heaven and earth itself, carrying the ethereal bearing of a banished immortal.
At that moment, the admiration and awe in Chi Quan’s heart reached their peak.
Chen Beiwu opened his eyes and looked toward the respectful Chi Quan, his tone steady. “You knock upon my restriction in the dead of night—do you have urgent business?”
Hearing this, Chi Quan’s heart jolted. He knew the true test had arrived.
Without hesitation, he dropped to his knees and pressed his forehead to the ground. “Reporting to Master Chen! This disciple… this disciple is dull-witted. During the day, I received Master Chen’s guidance—you patted this disciple’s shoulder three times.”
He paused slightly. “After returning, this disciple pondered it over and over, unable to rest. I dared to presume that those three pats carried hidden meaning—pointing me to come at the third watch tonight to receive instruction.”
Chen Beiwu looked at Chi Quan kneeling below him, feeling rather strange.
When he had patted that shoulder three times during the day, there had been no hidden meaning whatsoever.
He had merely seen that Chi Quan possessed decisive temperament and bore the nascent sign of the Crimson Fortune Dragon. He was indeed promising material. Moreover, after kneeling publicly and being refused, Chi Quan had inevitably felt embarrassed.
So Chen Beiwu had casually patted his shoulder as a gesture of closeness, offering him some dignity and comfort.
If he truly intended to instruct him, with his current strength and status, he could do so anytime and anywhere. There was no need to choose the middle of the night.
Thinking of this, Chen Beiwu almost laughed to himself and transmitted a thought to his two companions: ‘Do I look like the type who enjoys being deliberately mysterious?’
Iron Egg and the Five Qi Vine hurriedly shook their heads.
‘Then the problem is obvious—it lies with this over-imaginative fellow.’ Chen Beiwu glanced at Chi Quan.
Yet after hearing Chi Quan’s explanation, his own thoughts stirred. He recalled the widely circulated legend on the Immortal Alliance Official Website about an immortal who touched a disciple’s head to grant enlightenment.
But what level of existence had that immortal been, according to ancient records?
And Chen Beiwu was merely a Golden Core True Person.
For Chi Quan to compare him with that immortal was truly exaggerated.
Though he had created a supreme Core Formation wondrous method, he was still countless miles away from those heaven-reaching powers who founded sects and could enlighten even stubborn stones.
Yet despite his inward self-mockery, a faint, almost imperceptible delight rose within him.
Among cultivators of the Immortal Alliance, how many did not yearn to attain the Dao and achieve immortality, to secure everlasting life?
Though Chi Quan’s imagination ran wild, his words were nonetheless pleasing to hear.
With that thought, Chen Beiwu’s mind shifted. Perhaps he could simply go along with it—offer Chi Quan some guidance and take him under his banner.
“Rise.”
At his words, Chi Quan stood, hands lowered respectfully.
“Speak. What troubles you?” Chen Beiwu asked.
“This disciple is dull. I beg Master Chen to illuminate my confusion!” Chi Quan bowed deeply, eyes burning with intensity. “How should this disciple form his Golden Core?”
Chen Beiwu smiled faintly, unsurprised by the question.
Chi Quan was currently at the peak of Foundation Establishment, not far from Core Formation. Whether his future path would proceed smoothly depended entirely on the grade of the Golden Core he forged.
“The path of Core Formation ultimately converges to one source. It is nothing more than uniting the Three Treasures—essence, qi, and spirit—borrowing the strength of the Companion Beast, using True Qi to transform dragon and tiger, seizing the essence of Innate Earthly Sha, and condensing immortal golden nature.”
His voice was calm, striking directly at the essence. “But each person’s endowment differs. The depth of one’s Companion Dao Foundation varies. Thus the Core formed differs as heaven and earth—divided into Upper-Third-Grade Golden Core, Mid-Third-Grade Golden Core, and lower three grades.”
He paused slightly and fixed his gaze upon Chi Quan. “What kind of Core do you wish to form?”
Feeling Chen Beiwu’s scrutiny, Chi Quan steeled himself and spoke frankly. “A low-grade Golden Core extends life by several centuries, yet ends in dust. A mid-grade Golden Core holds hope for the Nascent Soul, but the path remains arduous. What this disciple seeks is a First-Grade Golden Core—even a Title Golden Core!”
The moment his words fell, silence descended upon the cave dwelling.
Iron Egg and the Five Qi Vine also raised their heads slightly, their gazes landing upon Chi Quan.
Even for one with Limit-Breaking Foundation Establishment, forging a First-Grade Golden Core was already a heaven-defying blessing. To aim for a Title Golden Core could only be described as wishful thinking.
“Your ambition is not small,” Chen Beiwu said calmly. “A Title Golden Core cannot be attained without great perseverance, great opportunity, and great wisdom.
“With your current Dao Foundation, you may not even forge a Third-Grade Golden Core—let alone a First-Grade Golden Core.”
A trace of unwillingness flashed in Chi Quan’s eyes.
Was his aptitude truly so poor?
If even the Grand Unity Five Directions Nine Revolutions Foundation-Laying Core Method could not help him forge a First-Grade Golden Core, would his life end at the Golden Core stage, forever barred from becoming a Nascent Soul True Monarch?
“However.”
At that moment, Chen Beiwu’s tone shifted. “If your comprehension is sufficient, and you can use the Grand Unity Five Directions Nine Revolutions method to reshape your Dao Foundation—break and then reestablish it—enter the Budding Core Realm, forging a First-Grade Golden Core should not be difficult.”
“May Master bestow the method.”
Chi Quan’s heart pounded. He hurriedly bowed, attempting to kneel and perform the ceremony of apprenticeship.
With a slight movement of divine sense from Chen Beiwu, Chi Quan’s body stiffened, his knees unable to bend further.
“No need.”
Seeing Chi Quan’s confusion, Chen Beiwu spoke calmly. “The position of Founding Senior Disciple under my sect carries great weight. None but one who forges a Title Golden Core may assume it.
“If you are willing, you may become my registered disciple. If unwilling, you may turn and leave.”
Hearing this, Chi Quan’s eyes dimmed slightly as he instantly grasped the implication.
Indeed. For a prodigy like Master, only one with a Title Golden Core would qualify as chief disciple.
For him to gain even the status of registered disciple was already exceedingly rare.
“Disciple greets Master.”
Chi Quan knelt without hesitation and performed the ceremony of apprenticeship.
This time, Chen Beiwu did not stop him, but calmly accepted.
“Still your breath and focus your mind. Keep your Spirit Platform clear.”
Chen Beiwu raised two fingers like a sword. The true intent of the cultivation method gathered at his fingertips as he lightly tapped Chi Quan between the brows.
“Boom!”
Chi Quan’s entire body trembled violently as if struck by lightning. The light in his eyes vanished instantly, his consciousness fully immersed in the Grand Unity Five Directions Nine Revolutions Foundation-Laying Core Method.
“Na?” (Just like that, you taught him?)
The Five Qi Vine turned to look at Chen Beiwu, rubbing two of its tendrils together.
If it were in his place, not seizing the chance to collect a proper apprenticeship gift would be a waste.
Chen Beiwu shook his head speechlessly.
Collect what apprenticeship gift?
If this registered disciple had sufficient cultivation resources, he would not have risked forcing himself into a desperate situation before everyone’s eyes.
“Woof?”
Iron Egg looked somewhat puzzled.
It had not forgotten that its master had once said he did not like Chi Quan’s temperament.
‘It is nothing more than a registered disciple slot.’ Chen Beiwu replied through divine thought.
The Immortal Alliance valued lineage above all. “One day a master, a lifetime a father” was no empty phrase.
If parents bestowed physical life, then a master bestowed the foundation of the Dao path.
For certain cultivators, the master-disciple lineage could at times surpass even familial bonds—especially for someone like Chi Quan, who was not valued within his clan.
A registered disciple was different from a personal disciple. They would not be incorporated into the core inheritance of the master’s lineage, yet they were still bound by ritual propriety and required to obey the master’s summons at any time. Though called a disciple, such a role was closer to that of a subordinate, barely counted as part of the outer network of the master’s influence.
Chen Beiwu happened to aspire toward the Great Dao. He needed people to handle miscellaneous affairs and to establish the foundation of his influence, yet he did not wish to be entangled in excessive trivialities or karmic ties. Taking registered disciples was the best method.
A registered disciple, bound by the nominal relationship of master and disciple, was more secure and loyal than a simple employment arrangement. Betrayal was virtually impossible.
“Can he learn it?”
The Golden Egg finished cultivating, its three dragon heads turning simultaneously toward Chi Quan, whose eyes were tightly shut.
“Who knows.” Chen Beiwu smiled faintly.
The Grand Unity Five Directions Nine Revolutions Foundation-Laying Core Method was a heaven-reaching method. But a method was ultimately a tool—a raft.
Whether Chi Quan could comprehend it successfully, use the raft to cross the bitter sea, and step into the Budding Core Realm depended entirely on himself.
Time flowed swiftly; two hours passed in the blink of an eye.
Chi Quan opened his eyes, bitterness filling them. “This disciple is truly dull. I only feel that the Grand Unity Five Directions Nine Revolutions Foundation-Laying Core Method is boundlessly profound, like a mountain, like the sea—yet I cannot glimpse the path of entry.”
“It matters not.”
Seeing Chi Quan’s dispirited expression, Chen Beiwu chuckled lightly.
“This method is exceedingly difficult to enter. If within fifty years you can dispel confusion, straighten the method’s pathways, and successfully draw Top-Grade Five Elements Earthly Sha Essence into your body, forging a First-Grade Golden Core will be as natural as water flowing downhill.”
Chi Quan was stunned.
If entering the method within fifty years meant attaining a First-Grade Golden Core, could he accomplish it?
“Return and enter seclusion. How much you comprehend depends entirely upon your own fortune.”
Chen Beiwu flicked his sleeve and closed his eyes.
“This disciple takes his leave.”
Chi Quan pressed his lips together. The doubt, astonishment, and reverence in his eyes all transformed into determination.
He bowed deeply toward Chen Beiwu before turning and walking out of the cave dwelling.
Only after Chi Quan’s figure vanished did Chen Beiwu let his mind sink inward, entering the Chaos World.
“Buzz!”
Within the depths of the Chaos World, a phantom Crimson Fortune Dragon was slowly forming.
But unlike the fate he had previously accumulated or the Dragon Vein Qi he had obtained, this Crimson Fortune Dragon seemed to lack something. Compared to ordinary fate, it resembled more his own status—or perhaps the manifestation of Heavenly Mandate Fate.
‘Interesting. Merely accepting a Foundation Establishment prodigy has added a Crimson Fortune Dragon to the Chaos World!’
Chen Beiwu extended his right hand and grasped toward the red dragon.
“Roar!”
The red dragon did not resist. It obediently curled into Chen Beiwu’s palm.
With a slight stirring of his mind, Chen Beiwu discovered that this Crimson Fortune Dragon could neither trigger fortuitous encounters nor be enhanced onto the Golden Egg, Iron Egg, or the Five Qi Vine through the Art of Fate Gathering. It could only attach itself to Nine-Breath Chaos to suppress fate.
Wait!!!
Chen Beiwu’s eyes sharpened as he suddenly perceived another function of this Crimson Fortune Dragon.
Though nearly imperceptible, through divine sense he discovered that his efficiency in gathering heaven and earth’s fate via the Nine-Breath Chaos Divine Ability had increased by a full twenty percent.
Incredible—so this was the true might of the Divine Power? Gathering the momentum of the world as a furnace, refining the fate of all living beings as fire, harnessing the grand momentum of the Immortal Dao to nourish one’s own fortune.
By this logic, if he accepted ten disciples who possessed Crimson Fortune Dragon fate, then in the future, when using Divine Power to accumulate fate, would his efficiency not double?
At this thought, Chen Beiwu sensed something amiss.
If that were the case, why had the Golden Egg, Iron Egg, and the Five Qi Vine not provided him with additional fate?
“Suppress!”
With a movement of divine sense, the fate of status swirling around him suddenly condensed and manifested into a majestic red dragon.
Things were no longer as before. The single horn of the Crimson Fortune Dragon was now entirely tinged with wisps of purple qi—not cloud, not mist. Even its dragon body was visibly being dyed with purple qi.
At this rate, it might not take many years before his status fate transformed into Fifth-Tier Purple Fate, granting him fortune comparable to a Divine Transformation True Venerable.
The more he pondered, the more questions arose. Taking a deep breath, Chen Beiwu activated the Nine-Breath Chaos Divine Ability.
As the Divine Power revolved continuously, his divine sense perception expanded gradually, even transcending the Purple Mansion, sensing in the unseen the steady strengthening of his own status fate.
The sensation was exceedingly subtle. He could even see invisible streams flowing ceaselessly into his fate.
‘So that is it. The merit of opening a new path has such wondrous benefits.’
After a long while, Chen Beiwu opened his eyes, understanding dawning within them.
The source nourishing and strengthening his status fate did not come solely from Chi Quan, but also from numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Yuqing Immortal Sect.
Simply put, the Nine-Breath Chaos Divine Ability was profoundly mysterious. It could not only gather the momentum of the world as a furnace, but also, through the merit of opening a new path, refine the fate of all living beings as fire. Moreover, this fate augmentation was not a one-time settlement—it was continuous and unceasing.
Unfortunately, aside from Chen Beiwu himself, no one had truly stepped onto the Budding Core path yet. Otherwise, he could have seized even more vast fate.
‘Had I known this, on the day I opened the lecture to transmit the Dao, I should have passed down a simplified version of the Grand Unity Five Directions Nine Revolutions Foundation-Laying Core Method.’ Chen Beiwu’s brows furrowed slightly.
Yet in the next moment, the Guarding-the-One Mirror flickered softly, cleansing dust and purifying thoughts. Chen Beiwu regained calm and ceased hesitating.
His steady approach had been correct.
To lead by one step made one a peerless prodigy. The Immortal Alliance’s history had seen such figures before.
But to lead by two steps—if he could completely simplify even the newly opened Budding Core method and monopolize all the benefits produced by the merit of opening the path—that would be far too dangerous. It might even expose the secrets of Nine-Breath Chaos.
‘Better to remain steady.’ Chen Beiwu thought inwardly.
There were advantages to not simplifying the method.
The Immortal Alliance possessed countless cultivation magnates. The Budding Core cultivation path he proposed would sooner or later be optimized and popularized, known to the prodigies of the Thirteen Immortal Sects and the Five Great Grotto-Heavens.
At that time, as the originator of the path, Chen Beiwu would naturally obtain considerable fate. There was no need to take risks.
And the cultivation magnates of the Yuqing Immortal Sect, as integrators of the method, could endorse him and seize vast benefits within the Immortal Alliance.
In plain terms, swallowing the entire cake of benefits alone might invite disaster. Sharing it with the Yuqing Immortal Sect would instead elevate his status and influence.
More importantly, Chen Beiwu understood gratitude.
Without the Yuqing Immortal Sect’s recognition, he would never have obtained the Core Formation Immortal Method—let alone forged the Yuanshi Golden Core.