Chapter 4: Destiny Unveiling Rite (2)
Aerich thought for a little while before deciding whether he should bind to the target the system recommended. He was only allowed one entry, though he knew from years of reading novels that the limit for entries often increases over time.
His focus was to cultivate immortality; he wasn't interested in forming any close relationships with people in this world.
He chose "Yes," thankful he didn't have to do anything awkward like tapping in the air with his fingers, which would make him look like a lunatic.
[Successfully bound to the target 'Hua Lian']
"Oh, that little girl was from the Hua Family, daughter of the family head. Let's check her fate and see why the system chose her as a suitable target."
[Hua Lian]
Race: Human
Physique: Chrono-Lotus Physique (Locked)
Talent: Celestial Fate (Locked), Heavenly Fate (Locked)
Experiences: Hua Lian, a person who traveled through time and returned to where it all began after failing to ascend to a higher dimension due to heart demons.
[Binding Limit Reached 1/1]
[Do you want to receive rewards now? Yes/No]
"Celestial Fate?" Aerich was puzzled. In the novel, there were only four types of Fate. Was Celestial Fate a level above Heavenly Fate? And the Chrono-Lotus Physique seemed to involve time, as the Greek word chrónos represents "Time or Duration."
Aerich chose "No." He didn't know what he'd receive—whether it would be Hua Lian's physique or fate—but the best things were locked.
The real reason for his hesitation was that he didn't want to attract attention by having a Heavenly Fate. He was content with Earth Fate, as it would allow him to know who was a friend and who was an enemy.
A murmur filled the air from the large gathering of children and adults. The village of Yinhe Hollow had nearly 5,000 people, and about 80 percent of them were gathered here.
An elder from the kingdom that ruled over the eastern part of the Lingzhou Continent arrived. This was a long-standing tradition since the founding of the Qinglong Dominion.
The Qinglong Dominion was known for its ancient history and strict governance. A powerful kingdom, it had maintained control over the eastern lands of Lingzhou for centuries. Named after the mythical Azure Dragon, or "Qinglong," the kingdom valued strength, wisdom, and loyalty, embodying these dragon-like qualities as symbols of authority and protection. The royal family and its noble families upheld a rigid hierarchy, overseeing vast territories filled with influential clans, like the Yu Family of Yinhe Hollow, who contributed to the kingdom's stability and prosperity.
The elder released his aura, and the crowd fell into a deathly silence. The family heads nodded respectfully, though the elder ignored them. But they weren't offended—after all, who would expect courtesy from someone as strong as him, a Core Formation Realm master who saw those below him as mere ants?
Aerich and others his age couldn't sense the aura radiating from the elder, but every instinct told them that disrespect could mean death. The family heads' expressions and their quiet acceptance of being ignored made it clear that even they couldn't guarantee anyone's safety here.
"Everyone, thank you for gathering today for the Destiny Unveiling Rite…" The elder stepped onto the stage, starting with the history and origins of the Destiny Unveiling Rite. As expected, those in high positions loved giving lengthy introductions.
"Would I end up like that, too, by the time I reach my forties or fifties?" Aerich thought to himself.
The elder finally stopped his speech, and the ceremony began with the beat of drums announcing its start.
The elder pulled a scroll from his robe and started calling names.
"Chen Yun."
A boy walked out from the crowd of children, climbed onto the stage, and placed his hand on the Celestial Fate Stone. No one knew where the stone slab had come from, but it had been used to awaken talent since the beginning.
"Yang Ming."
"Zhao Liu."
"Jiang Xu."
On the Lingzhou Continent, everyone used the Celestial Fate Stone—an ancient slab crafted from a rare mineral that gleamed with a faint, ethereal light, imbued with mystical properties that revealed the innate destiny of anyone who touched it. When a child placed their hand on the stone, it emitted an aura that changed color and intensity to reflect their Fate Tier: Earth, Sky, Heavenly, Abyss, or the exceedingly rare Celestial. The stone's glow revealed not only the child's talent level but also the unique energies tied to their potential, making it a humbling experience for all present.
The Celestial Fate Stone was revered, even feared, by the families of Yinhe Hollow. It brought honor or shame, depending on the result.
Aerich's name was last, intended to create more impact when it was announced, following a common narrative device to highlight the "fall of a genius." In the novel, Aerich was blessed with a bit more Fate than commoners and awakened with Heavenly Fate, creating a sensation throughout Yinhe Hollow. Many great sects of Lingzhou fought to accept him as a disciple, some even offering the position of direct disciple to the Sect Master or a Great Elder.
"Aerich Yu." While he was lost in thoughts of a glorious future had he still been the protagonist, he heard the elder call his name.