King of Creation
Chapter 348 - 344 If You are Heaven, Then You are Fate

Chapter 348: Chapter 344 If You are Heaven, Then You are Fate

Before entering the Black Dragon Ancient Land, Second Elder Jis Che and Seventh Elder Zhongli Jing explained the details and precautions of the first two gates among the Heavenly Destiny Three Gates to the True Disciples of Qiyun Sect who had come to compete for the Black Dragon Ranking.

However, for the third gate of the Heavenly Destiny Three Gates — Heavenly Destiny, the only instruction both elders gave to everyone was a single sentence — "It all depends solely on personal fate!"

If Ye Zhen had about seventy to eighty percent confidence in passing the previous two gates, Void Iron Chain and Mist Sea Heart Confusion, as they pertained to strength,

as long as one’s strength reached that level and was properly handled, one would ultimately get through.

But the third gate, Heavenly Destiny, which depended solely on personal fate, left Ye Zhen feeling quite uncertain inside.

According to the experience of Qiyun Sect’s True Disciples competing for the Black Dragon Ranking through the ages, the third gate, Heavenly Destiny, appeared very simple.

It was merely crossing a small bridge sparkling with Spirit Light.

However, different people had completely different outcomes when they stepped onto this bridge.

Some, with one step, reached the other shore.

Some, with one step, fell into the abyss, forever lost.

Some, with one step, might face Heavenly Thunder and Ground Fire, with thousands of arrows piercing the heart.

Others, with one step, found clear skies and the Heavenly Palace Fairyland.

Qiyun Sect has records of every True Disciple’s experience in challenging for the Black Dragon Ranking. In a thousand years, nearly two thousand True Disciples reached the third gate, Heavenly Destiny, but each person’s encounter was different.

Among nearly two thousand True Disciples, more than forty percent were stuck at the third gate, Heavenly Destiny, missing the chance to compete for the Black Dragon Ranking.

Every time the Black Dragon Ancient Land opened, the Martial Artists who got stuck at this third gate, Heavenly Destiny, were the most numerous, sometimes even reaching half of all challengers.

"What about me?"

With this thought, Ye Zhen felt slightly nervous.

"Caiyi, the elders said that for this third gate, Heavenly Destiny, it’s all about fate, about one’s luck, it’s the most reliant on luck among the gates, what do you think?" Ye Zhen asked.

Caiyi did not hurry to answer Ye Zhen, but instead looked at him quietly with eyes that seemed to speak, just watching him.

With the unique calm in those beautiful eyes affecting Ye Zhen, until the slight nervousness in the depths of Ye Zhen’s heart gradually faded, Caiyi then said a sentence that would impact Ye Zhen’s life.

"Brother Ye Zhen, actually, if you are heaven, then you are... ’Heavenly Destiny’!"

Caiyi’s words, like the sound of a grand bell, resonated in Ye Zhen’s mind. In an instant, Ye Zhen remembered a sentence he had read in a book as a child — ’My fate is not dictated by heaven!’

"If you are heaven, then you are... ’Heavenly Destiny’!" Caiyi’s sentence seemed similar to "My fate is not dictated by heaven," but it had a different flavor.

Suddenly, Ye Zhen’s look toward Caiyi changed, suddenly imbued with... a touch of mystery, and a vague worry.

Ever since she was ambushed by Hong Banjiang before Ten Thousand Spirit Valley and awakened the bloodline of that terrifying existence who could tear apart the sky dome, Caiyi had exuded an increasing sense of mystery, and her strength had increasingly changed.

From the beginning to the end, Caiyi’s personality had not changed the slightest, including her relationship with Ye Zhen, which remained as before.

However, sometimes, Ye Zhen always had a vague worry, although he could not quite articulate what it was.

Nevertheless, this thought merely flickered by, as Ye Zhen pondered more about Caiyi’s words — "If you are heaven, then you are Heavenly Destiny!"

The phrase gave Ye Zhen a vague confidence about the third gate, Heavenly Destiny, but it was still shrouded in a layer of mystery.

After Hand Extreme Bu Changtian came out from Mist Sea Heart Confusion, Mo Xinsui, Zuo Bin, and others also came out one after another; however, when they saw Ye Zhen, their expressions were all the same... shocked.

A day’s time quickly passed, and more Martial Artists emerged from Mist Sea Heart Confusion, but not everyone.

The next day at noon, as a Strong Wind blew, the Spirit Mist within Mist Sea Heart Confusion seemed to be blown apart somewhat, suddenly becoming much lighter, revealing indistinct figures sitting cross-legged within.

Some were wandering around aimlessly, some were slashing about with swords, some were laughing, some were crying, and others were still sitting on the ground, drenched in sweat.

However, the situation inside the Mist Sea was very strange, for the Martial Artists trapped inside, no matter how they walked or changed direction, seemed to always be moving in two different directions, never coming together.

Having personally experienced Mist Sea Heart Confusion, Ye Zhen was very aware of the state those people were currently in, what slightly surprised Ye Zhen was the number of Martial Artists trapped in the Mist Sea.

Seven hundred, by Ye Zhen’s estimation, there were certainly more than seven hundred people.

This gate’s elimination rate was three times that of the first gate, Void Iron Chain.

"Awake, you all!"

A thunderous shout suddenly exploded from the sky, containing a wave of unusual Divine Soul Power, like a thunderclap on a clear day, startling the Martial Artists immersed in the illusions of the Mist Sea awake.

Those who were laughing froze their smiles, those who were crying strangely wiped the tears from their faces, everyone’s expressions turned somewhat ugly.

"One day has passed, you have all been eliminated. Leave now!"

The expressions of the people still seated in the Mist Sea immediately turned extremely bitter.

Amonong Qiyun Sect’s True Disciples, Luv Xin and Lud Shuo were also among them.

Including Ye Zhen, Qiyun Sect had a total of nine True Disciples eligible to compete for the Black Dragon Ranking, but the first gate eliminated one, and the second gate eliminated two, leaving six remaining.

The situation at the Lishui Sect was similar to that at Qiyun Sect. Ye Zhen also saw Chu Jun, who had, of course, smoothly passed the first two gates of the Heavenly Destiny Three Gates.

"Everyone, follow me to open the final gate, Heavenly Destiny, of the Black Dragon Ancient Land preliminaries!" the voice of Temporary Steward Qingyi resonated in the sky.

As everyone responded in unison, twelve Black Dragon Tokens flew out from above their heads. Each token emitted a radiant glow, converging at the forefront of the vast meadow.

A bridge formed purely of black mist appeared before everyone’s eyes. As the twelve rays of light gathered, they solidified atop the rolling black mist into a bridge of light, with three large, sparkling characters—Heavenly Destiny Bridge!

"The third gate of the preliminary trials begins, Heavenly Destiny. All martial artists, proceed in order across the Heavenly Destiny Bridge. Those who successfully cross to the other side will qualify to compete in the Black Dragon Ranking!" Qing Yii’s voice resounded across the entire meadow.

After the previous two gates, over a thousand people had been eliminated. Now, only around one thousand seven hundred martial artists were eligible to challenge the third gate.

Without a doubt, Huaa Wushuang was still the first martial artist to take the challenge.

With a folding fan in hand, Huaa Wushan stepped onto the Heavenly Destiny Bridge as if strolling leisurely in his own courtyard.

Immediately, the bridge lit up brilliantly, yet everyone was unable to see clearly what was happening on the bridge, nor could they see what events were unfolding on it.

About ten breaths later, the vague silhouette of Huaa Wushuang appeared at the far side of the Heavenly Destiny Bridge.

"Next!"

As Mo Xinsui of Hidden God Manor stepped onto the Heavenly Destiny Bridge, Qing Yii, the Temporary Steward in the sky, fixated his gaze on Huaa Wushuang’s figure, his eyes revealing a strange light.

"Eagle King, how many breaths did the successor from the Tiannan Huaa Family take to cross the Heavenly Destiny Bridge a hundred years ago? Six breaths or seven?" Qing Yii asked.

"Six breaths! It was my late master who served as the Grand Deacon a century ago, I remember very clearly," replied the Thousand Illusion Eagle King.

"Six breaths, huh? This time it took eleven breaths, it seems...." Qing Yii chuckled softly.

"What do you mean?" the Thousand Illusion Eagle King was somewhat puzzled.

"Eagle King, what is this bridge called?"

"The Heavenly Destiny Bridge?"

"Exactly right. Essentially, the duration it takes to cross the bridge represents the degree to which one is favored by fate. Two hundred years ago, the successor of the Tiannan Huaa Family took five breaths, a hundred years ago, it took six breaths, and this time, it took eleven breaths...." Qing Yii glanced at the Thousand Illusion Eagle King, his eyes filled with deep meaning.

"Are you saying the fate or perhaps the luck of the Tiannan Huaa Family is weakening?" In a moment, a gleam of understanding shone in the Thousand Illusion Eagle King’s eyes.

"It’s only possible to say that the trend is set, this matter of heavenly fate and luck is very mysterious, unpredictable," Qing Yii spoke.

"Hey, look at this girl quickly!"

The Thousand Illusion Eagle King’s eyes suddenly widened, just as the figure of Caiyi appeared at the far side of the Heavenly Destiny Bridge.

Qing Yii’s expression suddenly froze, "That fast? How many breaths did she take?"

"Four breaths, or maybe even less than four, possibly... three breaths!"

"Three breaths...."

Grand Deacon Qing Yii’s gaze seemed somewhat dazed, "Five hundred years ago, Flower King Huaa Mantian, who founded the five hundred years of fate for the Tiannan Huaa Family lineage, also took four breaths to cross the Heavenly Destiny Bridge.

This girl actually took three breaths?

This... how is this possible?"

"Qing Yii, don’t dwell on this. Although the Heavenly Destiny Bridge can reflect a person’s luck to a certain extent, it is not absolute! Have you forgotten about Huo Chuanqi from four hundred years ago? He crossed the bridge in four breaths, hailed as the second king after Flower King Huaa Mantian.

But what happened? He died prematurely in his middle age!

Also, Yan Suoming from two hundred years ago, who only took five breaths to cross, also died prematurely, not even reaching the age of forty," the Thousand Illusion Eagle King remarked, bringing Qing Yii, who had been somewhat entranced, back to his senses, "Indeed, you’re right. Destiny is not merely about an individual’s luck, but also about the sect, family lineage, bloodline, and even friends and enemies—it all has a certain influence."

"However, that girl is really too exceptional. We need to pay special attention to her," Qing Yii said.

"Next!"

In front of the Heavenly Destiny Bridge, although many martial artists were pushing forward, they were not eager to step onto the bridge. Everyone was observing, attempting to discern some clues from others who crossed, to glean some referential experience. Ye Zhen was among these observers.

Although nothing had been discovered yet, with thousands crossing, perhaps some patterns might emerge; that was what everyone was thinking.

As a result, there were many martial artists in front of the bridge, but after the "next" command was given, following the passage of a few of the heaven’s proud children, a temporary gap occurred in the number crossing.

Looking at the empty bridge, Ye Zhen suddenly felt a jolt of inspiration!

If you are the heavens, then you are heavenly fate!

My fate is determined by me, not by heavens!

Struggle!

These sentences sequenced down, and Ye Zhen suddenly realized a word—Struggle!

My fate is determined by me, not by heavens is struggle!

Struggle with fate!

Since it is a struggle, then everything is in one’s own hands, what is there to fear?

"Make way!"

With a sharp shout, Ye Zhen strode onto the Heavenly Destiny Bridge! (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to qidian.com to vote and support the author. For mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com.)