432: Chapter 32 Golden Box 432: Chapter 32 Golden Box “Rarer visitors, rarer visitors…
come and sit down.”
Deep within the Imperial City, in a small pavilion backed by Carp Pond, a chessboard lay spread out.
An elder draped in a felt cloak sat sideways by the pavilion window, one hand playing chess pieces, the other gently scattering fish bait.
“Swish!”
Thousands of shimmering scales rippled out, bringing Carp Pond to life as countless young fish leapt from the water, creating bursts of splashing sounds.
“Mr.
Yan, Qi Lie visits by the order of his Master.”
Qi Lie stood before the pavilion, respectfully bowing.
Commissioned to leave Da Sui Sword Palace, he had come to the Imperial City to visit his Master’s old friend…
This friend was none other than Yan Xin, the current State Preceptor of Great Chu.
“How has the Law Enforcer been lately?”
Yan Xin leaned against the window railing, watching the glittering gold from the carp pond, his face full of spring warmth, voice gentle.
“The Master is in excellent spirits, having gained new insights recently.
This retreat might advance him even further.”
Qi Lie stood upright, extracting a golden box from the grotto heaven between his eyebrows, speaking solemnly, “For this reason, this year’s golden box is delivered by the junior to the elder…
Elder might want to check whether the golden box is damaged, and if the ‘item’ inside is intact.”
With a snap, the golden box landed on the table.
“Oh?” Yan Xin said warmly, “Zhao Tongtian trusting you to deliver the box shows he considers you the most trustworthy.
I am at ease with your handling.”
Da Sui Sword Palace, isolated during the Sealing Mountain period, severed worldly ties…
Seldom did the Sword Palace contact anyone.
State Preceptor Yan Xin was one of the very rare exceptions.
However, the communication between Da Sui Sword Palace and this Old National Master was also minimal; it was only that Zhao Tongtian would send a golden box every year.
This golden box contained neither treasures nor talismans, nor secret scriptures from Lotus Peak.
It was destiny.
Yan Xin beckoned lightly, and the long box on the table slid toward him.
“Click.”
Without seeing how the Old National Master moved, he just lifted his palm, laid it over the golden box, and it opened by itself, revealing a blinding golden radiance suspended inside.
“…”
Qi Lie squinted his eyes, gazing at the dazzling golden light.
It was also his first time seeing the so-called destiny.
This golden radiance was exceptionally fierce, its sharpness palpable even several feet away.
Could the elusive essence of destiny also condense into a tangible form?
However, the aura emitted by this destiny quite matched Qi Lie’s impression of Golden Turtle Peak.
The demeanor of the Law Enforcers from Da Sui Sword Palace was nearly the same:
Sacred, inviolable.
So brilliant, it could not be looked at directly.
Qi Lie knew that Da Sui Sword Palace placed high importance on the Sect’s destiny; the Sect Leader had used the Observing Qi Skill to relocate mountains and rivers, creating the unique Pocket World of Lotus Peak.
Still, it was only recently that he learned about this “Destiny Golden Box.” After the Lotus Grand Competition, Qi Lie was dispatched to guard Yuping Peak, temporarily taking the position of mountain chief for Sister Miao Yin.
According to the rules, he shouldn’t have left Yuping Peak, let alone Da Sui Mountain Gate…
Yet his Master called him to the back mountain and entrusted him with the task of delivering the box to the capital.
Zhao Tongtian didn’t elaborate much about the origins of this destiny, only instructing Qi Lie to take the box to the Imperial City and to ask Yan Xin if he had any questions.
“I heard from Master…”
Qi Lie pondered for a moment then curiously asked, “Is this destiny intended to be input into the Roundness Instrument?”
“Correct.”
Yan Xin nodded slightly, “Each activation of the Roundness Instrument requires a substantial amount of destiny…
the great families and holy lands of Great Chu, in fact, all need to supply the ‘Roundness Instrument’ with destiny.”
“An offering?”
“You could think of it that way.”
Yan Xin paused, then continued, “Many years ago during the Battle of Poison, the Demon Country had an astute demon advisor with foresight who ruthlessly used the Heavenly Observation Technique, aiding Mo Zhen Venerable in conquering cities and achieving victory after victory.
At the outset of this war, the forces of Great Chu were repeatedly defeated, only managing a difficult turnaround afterward.
We were outcalculated by the Demon Race from the start, and Great Chu paid a grievous price…
although we eventually triumphed, that demon advisor’s use of Heavenly Observation taught everyone a profound lesson.”
“At any cost, using the Heavenly Observation Technique?”
Qi Lie knew that the practitioners of Sky Watching exchanged their lifespan for heavenly insights, seeking foreknowledge at a considerable cost, hence short-lived.
“To use the Heavenly Observation Technique…
actually requires two things.”
The Old National Master raised two fingers, slowly shaking them with a smile, “Flesh and blood.
Or destiny.”
This was similar to the principle of ascending to a Yang God.
Very comparable.
Qi Lie suddenly understood why various holy lands would send their own destiny to the Roundness Instrument…
This national instrument responsible for maintaining the peace of Great Chu, if not supported by ample destiny, would need to consume flesh and blood.
The Sea Surfing King’s attempt to ascend to Yang God during the tidal sacrifice could result in the deaths of a hundred thousand beings.
The “feed” required by the Roundness Instrument would only be greater.
Qi Lie’s expression grew complex.
“You must be thinking, could the Roundness Instrument guarding Great Chu Imperial City actually be an Evil Artifact?”
“All things naturally lack notions of black and white, right and wrong.”
“Driving the Roundness Instrument requires a price to be paid, which is fair.”
Yan Xin seemed to see through the thoughts of the young man before him, deeply remarked, “The Heavenly Dao is above, uncaring of mortal affairs.”
“The ‘Heavenly Destiny’ contained within the Roundness Instrument has no distinction of good or evil; in the right hands, it can become a sword that cleaves through darkness.
But in the wrong hands, this powerful artifact can unleash uncontrollable bloodshed and carnage.”