Library of Heaven’s Path 2: Eternal Destiny

Vol 2 Ch 22: The Turning Point of Destiny

The uncertainty didn’t last long. The courtyard door creaked open, and everyone saw "Ling Buyang" stepping out with a smile, looking apologetic as he spoke, "I’m truly sorry, this creature has been unruly lately and caused trouble for everyone."

Yu Longqing looked over quickly. The previously defiant Black-Scaled Phoenix Eagle now followed obediently behind Zhang Xuan, its once fierce gaze replaced with one full of submission. The great beast even nuzzled Zhang Xuan’s leg with its massive head, making chirping sounds like a newborn chick finding its mother.

"Ling Buyang is amazing!"

"As expected of a Destiny Master..."

The elders were full of admiration, their eyes brimming with respect.

In their eyes, it made sense—this was his beast companion after all. A lesson and it was back in line. Only Yu Longqing knew the real story and was left speechless with astonishment.

He had actually tamed it?

Turning another’s beast into his own... He’d assumed Zhang Xuan’s beast-taming prowess was limited to horses or the half-dead Cangback Eagle. But clearly, it was far beyond that!

The Black-Scaled Phoenix Eagle, at the Divine Soul stage, was nearly on par with his own strength!

"Let’s go! Time for a little flight..." Without minding the others’ thoughts, Zhang Xuan nodded, leaping lightly onto the eagle’s back. With a sharp screech, the beast spread its mighty wings and soared into the sky in the blink of an eye.

"So fast!"

Riding the eagle’s back, Zhang Xuan nodded in satisfaction.

He had been wondering how long it would take to reach the imperial capital. With this creature, travel would be much quicker.

After circling the sky a few times, Zhang Xuan lost interest and was about to return when an idea struck him. "I remember Sun Qiang gave me a list that included a task to kill a peak Jade Bone stage Source Beast at Golden Leaf Valley, for which the White Roc Apothecary would reward a million Source Coins. Since I have some free time, why not take a detour?"

The academy’s library had a map of Huaiyuan Mountain. He had looked at it while collecting techniques and knew the exact location. With a thought, the Black-Scaled Phoenix Eagle broke through the clouds, flying swiftly toward the destination.

Golden Leaf Valley was named for its fields of golden-blossomed bamboo flowers that covered the valley every spring, turning it into a sea of gold.

Outside the valley, several herbalists covered in blood stumbled out, disheveled.

"That was close..."

One of them, a scholarly-looking man, couldn’t shake the fear in his eyes from their harrowing escape.

Golden Leaf Valley spanned hundreds of miles, filled with countless herbs, making it a paradise for herbalists. In the past, they always returned with full baskets. But now, with that Source Beast lurking inside, every trip felt like entering hell.

"I’ve known Su Zhao for twenty years. Who would’ve thought he’d die to that beast..." sighed a burly man nearby.

The scholar added, "He had no choice. His wife is gravely ill, his son was hit by a carriage, and his elderly mother fell into madness last year. He needed money for all of them. He wouldn’t even buy resources for his own cultivation. When he heard the apothecary was desperate for White Egret Grass, which grows deep in Golden Leaf Valley, he thought one basket could solve all his problems. Who could have predicted such bad luck?"

"Exactly. Who among us doesn’t need money? Why else would we risk our lives for herbs?"

The burly man nodded solemnly. "We barely escaped. Had we been slower, we’d be dead too. Life’s unfair. We already live hard lives; why must it be like this? If anyone could kill that beast, I’d light incense for their long life every day."

The scholar nodded. "I’d do the same."

"It’s not that people don’t try; it’s just too powerful to kill. The White Roc Apothecary’s million-coin bounty has been up for over a year, but of the nearly two hundred hunters who have tried, none have come back."

"True. My cousin’s brother-in-law’s uncle’s nephew was among a group of twenty, the best of whom had reached the peak of the Jade Bone stage. Yet, they didn’t even make it out of the valley... We were lucky to escape."

They shuddered at the memory of the beast’s ferocity, and silence fell over them.

"Let’s move before it follows us out. If it does, we’re all dead..."

They caught their breath, preparing to leave. Just then, a furious roar echoed from deep within the valley, shaking the mountain itself.

"That’s the beast..."

Their pupils contracted with fear. "Is it coming after us?"

"It doesn’t sound like it’s getting closer. Actually... it sounds afraid?"

"Afraid?"

They were well-versed in Source Beast behavior. A roar’s emotion was easy to discern. Recalling the sound, it did seem to carry a hint of fear.

A peak Jade Bone stage Source Beast, one of the strongest in Huaiyuan Mountain, had just chased them away moments ago, and now they thought it was... afraid? Ridiculous.

"Should we check it out?"

A voice spoke up, and after a moment’s hesitation, the scholar agreed. "Alright."

They retraced their steps cautiously, stopping on a small hill that provided a view of the valley.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The ground shook as trees fell like dominos, each crash following the movements of some massive creature. Then came the beast’s anguished cries.

The group exchanged terrified looks.

What could terrify such a powerful creature?

"Look!"

Someone pointed, drawing their attention.

About two or three thousand meters away, a lone figure stood atop a tree crown. The Source Beast that had just chased them bellowed in fury and leaped toward him.

"Watch out..."

Seeing someone standing so nonchalantly, openly facing the beast, the herbalists clenched their fists in worry.

But their concern vanished in an instant. The mighty beast didn’t even reach the figure before a single palm strike sent it flying, smashing through tree trunks.

After several hits, the Source Beast, now visibly terrified, turned to flee. Yet it hadn’t gone far when the figure appeared on another branch in front of it and struck again.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Each strike weakened the Source Beast further. Its powerful presence diminished with each blow.

"Defeating a Source Beast using just his palm?"

The herbalists swallowed hard.

Source Beasts were known for their thick hides and immense size. Even skilled cultivators needed weapons to kill one. But this person had used only his palm, overpowering the beast with raw strength.

What level of power was this?

"Enough playing. You’re too weak—you can’t even withstand twenty percent of the Black Dragon Palm..."

The wind carried the words faintly to their ears, followed by the figure moving in for one last strike.

Boom!

The Source Beast was hurled over seventy or eighty meters into the air before crashing to the ground, convulsing a few times before falling still.

With a casual gesture, the figure collected the beast’s body. Moments later, a massive eagle descended, and he mounted it, soaring into the sky.

"Is it dead?"

"Did that master kill it? Does this mean we can safely gather herbs now?"

"Fantastic! Let’s hurry before others find out, or the best herbs will be gone..."

Excitement overtook their shock, and they rushed into the valley. They didn’t know who the mysterious master was, but they were determined to honor him with offerings for saving their lives.

"You’re telling me... Lord Ling Buyang went to Huaiyuan Mountain, killed that beast, and claimed the million Source Coin bounty?"

In the dean’s office, after listening to the dean’s account, Lu Mingrong was speechless.

How money-hungry was this Teacher Zhang? He had always seemed so low-key. But who among the low-key would go around claiming every bounty in the city in one day?

Wasn’t that drawing too much attention?

Ignoring the commotion his bounty hunting had caused in White Roc City, Zhang Xuan now faced his three students, expression neutral.

"That’s the situation. I’m impersonating Ling Buyang to infiltrate the Destiny Hall. It’s a grave offense, and if exposed, it could mean eternal damnation. If you choose to join me, you will be accomplices, unable to clear your names. The biggest challenge is facing constant danger, your lives never truly your own... Whether you stay or not is up to you. I won’t force you, but if you leave, don’t mention studying under me to anyone."

Back at his residence, Zhang Xuan cut straight to the point with the three girls who had arrived.

Whether they would betray him later was a different matter.

If they chose to stay, betrayal wouldn’t be an issue. If they didn’t, he had other means to handle that.

"This..."

The students were stunned to learn that their teacher had killed a Destiny Master and was now planning to impersonate him to infiltrate the Destiny Hall. They stood motionless, processing this bombshell.

After the shock, they fell into deep contemplation.

Would they follow him or not?

Having life was an opportunity in itself. Without it, even the best paths led only to the gates of hell.

Destiny changes course at every pivotal moment in life. This was undoubtedly the most significant one yet.

Author's Note

Hi there, readers! Here’s another chapter for you to enjoy from BOTI Translator Team! If our translations have brought you happiness, please leave a 5-star rating on NovelUpdates. Your kindness makes all the difference—thank you! 💖✨