In the Eastern Sea, seven states are allied to each other. Those are Qin, Chu, Zhao, Yan, Qi, Wei, and Han. Qin is the best when it comes to military strength. The other states are wary of Qin due to its rapid progress. However, everyone's sudden disappearance alarmed the rest. The most possible suspect for Qin's downfall should be Chu State. Though Chu State is not strong, it has a lot of connections and has the greatest wealth. However, the lack of evidence brought no explanation to Qin's demise.
"Will of Heaven, are you sure this was done by a variable?" Shen Mo asked as they traveled across the vast sea. In the end, he was the envoy Tao Supreme Sect sent. If it wasn't for Wu's security, he won't meddle and sent Gu Cheng.
"Yes. This variable is not simple too. He or she is able to infect millions of people in a day. This variable's existence can easily destroy Wu. The souls of those that vanished can't be traced. Maybe we can head to the Ghost Realm next. In case they are still there."
Will of Heaven is flying next to Shen Mo in the form of a majestic white avian. She can change her shape as she will, as long as it is within her control.
"Did they disappear in one day?" Shen Mo knew arrays that can cause such things but it should have left some fragments of Dao. Yet, according to Gu Cheng, there are no fragments.
"Not just in one day. It was not even a second." Will of Heaven's eyes sharpened. She had never encountered a variable as strong as this.
Usually, the variables she knows are still in her grasp. They are souls from other dimensions that occupied a body born in this universe she guards. Thus, they can't resist her manipulation most of the time. Very few can almost ascend to immortality. Will of Heaven used every local being in this universe to stop those half variables and it never fails. Unfortunately, a remarkable variable appeared this time. By the day it arrived, in just one second, everyone in Qin are gone. It agitated Will of Heaven.
Though she controls the universe, she can't directly meddle with these forces. She indirectly does that through local beings under her wing. For example, Shen Mo. He can be her representative in Wu and he is capable to solve this issue. She is betting on Shen Mo but if he can't, the whole universe is doomed.
"Why are variables being drawn here? Don't they have their own Will of Heaven to stop them from migrating?" Shen Mo sounds dissatisfied with aliens being deported in this world he is protecting. They can wreak havoc in any world they want, just leave Wu out of it or he goes berserk.
"I have no idea why. Just because I am the Will of Heaven, I can do whatever I want. I am only here to weave destinies and decide which is deserving or not."
"Pui! You are fate yourself and look what you did to other people. Deserving or not, that's crap. Your main purpose is to cause misery and drama every day." Shen Mo thought in secret. If he was to voice it out, a Heavenly Tribulation might befall him this second.
"Those variables are not in my control like I said. I've been guarding this world since the start of time but I never detected a soul going to another dimension. I'm afraid these deportees are sent on purpose by their Will of Heaven. As for their motive, I have no idea. The variables I got rid of were similar in one thing. They like being low-key even if they have massive strength. I can't find them unless they go through the tribulation. Sometimes I used tribulation to make them fail, cripple them or even cause their death. It's justifiable anyway."
Shen Mo stared at the Will of Heaven as if he heard something ridiculous. He wanted to retort since she has been trying to kill him for a thousand years. If he doesn't want to be an immortal, then fine, she can just corner him through a life and death situation. That was Will of Heaven's logic when dealing with an abnormal like him. Luckily for Shen Mo, he survived every tribulation and reaped benefits. He also took a grasp of Fate and became the first local being to have no destiny.
"Will of Heaven, I can decide my destiny without your intervention. Does that mean I'm a variable myself?"
He raised this question out of curiosity. The Will of Heaven shook her head and explained, "The fate you have originated from me. You are not a harmful variable to this world, but you're a disgusting virus for me. You can influence those around you and weaken my control of fate. Fortunately, we are allies and I always take advantage of your destiny for this world's own good. So, I don't bother eliminating you. Not until you become a god."
"Forget it." He scoffed unhappily. Shen Mo knew the Will of Heaven doesn't like him for a bit. She can do everything to dispatch him but she can also use him to secure her yard from aliens. It's all a win-win for her.
In no time, they arrived at Chu. This is their first destination because of Spring Blossom Sect. Hu Xuejia has all the information they need to know.
Spring Blossom Sect is in the rural areas of Chu. It was established here on purpose to get far from arrogant young masters in the city. After the foundation of Spring Blossom Sect was established, even outer court disciples are feared. Only a few men are stupid enough to harass its members.
The sect has neverending spring scenery. Not only the plant and trees are blooming, but the disciples are also exceptional beauties. Their sweet giggles can enchant a man easily.
From the highest peak of the sect, an alluring lady is waiting. Even with the veil covering her lower face, it can't hide her charm.
Ta!
Heels stepped on the tiled pavement leading in her direction. Hu Xuejia turned behind her to see Shen Mo. He is wearing his usual dark cloak and hood to hide his 'cursed' face. Shen Mo has this habit every time he leaves the Mainland. To those who never heard of him, they will just blurt out he looks like a woman. Thus, he prefers to hide his appearance.
"Senior Venerable, you're back." Hu Xuejia smiled underneath her veil, her apricot eyes formed to a sly crescent. She stepped forward and spread her arms. "I missed you~."
Tonk!
Shen Mo took out a fan and hit the top of her head, causing Hu Xuejia to squat down in pain. Though she look so pitiful with her endless tears, it didn't bring pity to Shen Mo.
"You still refuse to change, hm?" Shen Mo tapped the fan on his palm as if giving her a deadly warning. Hu Xuejia might be asking for a normal hug for other people's view but he knew how tricky she can be. If he had let her cling to him, she will harass him to her fill.
"Senior, I just want a hug. How can you do that to me?" Hu Xuejia cried out.
"Don't play dumb with me, Xuejia. I came here to talk about Qin State. It's very important." He brought the fan close to her so she can hold it and help her stand.
Upon mentioning Qin State, Hu Xuejia turned serious. She stood up on her own and retrieved a scroll. Hu Xuejia handed it to Shen Mo.
"It's all in there. I sent three elders to scout Qin and their reports are odd."
"There must be a survivor." Shen Mo asserted after reading the report.
It is mentioned in the scroll that the elders found food decreasing everywhere in Qin. Other than the food, some expensive clothes and shoes are missing. If it were bandits who attacked Qin, it should have left traces of blood or they would have taken everything they can loot. Yet, according to the elder's observation, only a few amounts of food are decreasing and no valuables are stolen. There are also smokes in some places, proving a trace of a survivor. What puzzled the elders is that they can't find who it was.
"I want to search Qin." Shen Mo closed the scroll and told her his decision.
Hu Xuejia had expected this. A lot of super forces are trying to investigate Qin's sudden downfall and determine who is behind it all. But, even with the combined forces of the whole Eastern Sea, they failed to find anything. It alarmed everyone for their own lives. Now the Mainland even sent Wu Patriarch for an investigation.
Qin is as desolate as they described. No one is around aside from the inanimate objects. The dusty wind blew on the faded curtains hanging in every store. There was no trace of life.
Not until a child stepped out of a hidden passage leading to an underground chamber. It was a young girl in a dirty red dress. She climbed out of the wooden door that is hidden behind a stall of fruit. The young girl was delighted to see the fruits are still fresh. She grabbed countless of it and started eating nonstop.
"Woah! Qin is so empty."
She was alarmed upon hearing a man's voice nearby. The young girl quickly hid behind the counter of the stall just as Shen Mo and Hu Xuejia got close.
"The last time I came here was five centuries ago. It was full of people." Shen Mo said. He looked around but his ear suddenly flinched. His gaze landed on the store of fruit. He is sure he heard something there. A sound identical to someone eating peaches.
"Senior Venerable, if I remember right, you were here to stop my engagement." Hu Xuejia sneered after bringing up that topic. Shen Mo reacted by looking away in avoidance. The pretty lady can't help but giggle. "I never knew you will be so sweet."
"It was because you will marry a possessed emperor. Don't twist my motives!" Shen Mo was annoyed at how she bent the meaning of his actions. He only rescued her from a demon lord that possessed the emperor's body.
Moreover, Hu Xuejia was strong enough to deal with that demon lord but she feigned weakness, and Shen Mo got fooled too. He thought she was abducted by a possessed emperor and will be used for improper dual cultivation. As her half senior brother, he is obliged to protect her first than anyone else.
"Xuejia." Shen Mo called and motioned for her to stay quiet.
Hu Xuejia did what he asked. Shen Mo approached the fruit stall without producing a sound. He used his divine consciousness to see through the wooden walls and found a girl eating hungrily.
"Wait a minute." He frowned. Shen Mo turned to Will of Heaven who is standing next to him. No one can see her aside from him or to those she chose to appear at.
Will of Heaven was skeptical. She shook her head in turn. "I don't know her. She doesn't have a name and she seems to be a normal human being. She can't cultivate."
"How come she is the only survivor?" Shen Mo transmitted his voice to the Will of Heaven. They are both confused by this question.
"I'm afraid she is already half a Chaos Bringer. She was infected. I can't see her future." Will of Heaven showed a distressed look. She reached a decision and became serious. "Shen Mo, this child must die."
Shen Mo's gaze was calm. He got closer to the stall and with a wave of his sleeve, everything turned to dust and pulps. However, the girl remained unscathed. Shen Mo met the girl's crystal clear eyes, devoid of any emotion. He was ready to kill her without the use of any weapon but after seeing her personally, there was hesitation in his heart.
That empty glance, fearless and everything else, was the same when he was a boy. She reminds him of his past.