Chapter 76: Truly Destined to Meet! (Fifth Update)

"The aura is as tangible as substance. Just a small cup can change the fate of Ordinary People." Zhao Xing gazed at the Golden Cup of Fortune. The increase in fortune could manifest in various ways. Perhaps it was in romantic luck, suddenly encountering an exceptional partner who, despite being blind, insisted on marrying you. Or it could be financial luck, where within a few years, you amass wealth that previous generations could only dream of.

There was also the possibility of meeting influential people, becoming a reliable ally, and receiving guidance along the way. If you were a cultivator, it would be the classic tale of finding treasure in a pile of junk, striking it rich at an auction, receiving pointers from a master, or gaining divine skills by leaping off a cliff.

Fortune affects all aspects of life. Besides longevity, what Zhao Xing desired most was 'fortune.'

"This small cup can elevate fortune from Level One to Level Two, but since I'm already at Level Two, it probably won't reach Level Three." Zhao Xing brought the cup to his nose and took a light sniff. The fortune within the Golden Cup vanished instantly, and the cup turned into an ordinary Stone Cup.

"The feeling of a racing heart is gone, and everything seems normal." Zhao Xing checked his status and, as expected, there was no breakthrough; he remained at Level Two.

Fortune is profound and mysterious, the most enigmatic and difficult to enhance, so Zhao Xing wasn't surprised.

"To reach Level Three from Level Two, I probably need two more high-quality spiritual treasures." Zhao Xing casually tossed the now dull Stone Cup aside and walked out of the mountain cave.

Although he hadn't advanced to Level Three, obtaining a small cup of fortune meant he would inevitably have good luck soon, though he didn't know in which aspect.

"Hmm?" As Zhao Xing stepped out of the cave, he felt a sense of emptiness and reluctance, as if he was about to miss a great opportunity.

"Meow~" A wildcat curiously pawed at Zhao Xing, wondering why he wasn't leaving.

"Little Wildcat, is there anything else good inside the cave?" Zhao Xing asked.

The wildcat nodded, then shook its little head.

"Is there or isn't there? Forget it... I'll go back and check myself." Having just acquired a cup of fortune, Zhao Xing was in a period of good luck and naturally wouldn't ignore such a feeling.

Returning to the cave, he searched all four passages thoroughly. After a thorough search, Zhao Xing found nothing unusual.

"Strange, I've searched all four passages in the cave and found nothing, yet as soon as I step out, that feeling of reluctance returns."

"Could it be my imagination? Am I overestimating the effects of fortune?" Zhao Xing was somewhat skeptical.

He re-entered the cave and approached the Ice Lotus Pool.

"Could it be them? But these three Ice Lotuses are far from mature, and even being this close, I don't feel any surge of excitement."

Approaching spiritual treasures usually evokes a strong sensation, but fortune is relatively vague.

"No, it's not them." Zhao Xing didn't pluck the immature spiritual treasures, as destroying them before they fully matured would be a waste.

At this moment, the wildcat tugged at Zhao Xing's pants.

"Hmm?" Zhao Xing looked down.

The wildcat had somehow retrieved the Stone Cup Zhao Xing had discarded, seemingly wanting to play with him.

"This broken cup is useless now, why did you pick it up? Go away, I don't have time to play right now." Zhao Xing was a bit annoyed.

"Meow meow~" The little wildcat seemed aggrieved.

"Oh, I'm not mad at you... fine, let's play." Zhao Xing picked up the Stone Cup, intending to toss it outside.

As soon as he picked it up, Zhao Xing raised an eyebrow.

In the instant he lifted the cup, he suddenly felt a sense of 'peace of mind.'

"Could it be this?"

Logically, the fortune should have disappeared, leaving this as just an ordinary Stone Cup.

Zhao Xing examined it closely, finding nothing unusual.

"Little Wildcat, let's go." Zhao Xing made up his mind and left the cave.

This time, even after leaving the cave, he didn't feel that sense of 'loss.'

"It really was it!" Zhao Xing happily rubbed the wildcat's head. Although he didn't know its use yet, there was no doubt that the wildcat had done a great job this time.

"Want to play? No problem, but just the two of us is no fun. Let's find someone else, and I'll make sure you have a great time."

After Zhao Xing and the wildcat left, a figure riding a Bamboo Horse appeared in the distance, watching them. After a moment of hesitation, the figure quickly rushed into the cave.

Meanwhile, at the Temple of Heaven Square, people gradually dispersed. The last wave of incense had been offered, and the temple doors were closed again. Everyone began a new day of seeking spiritual treasures.

However, the effect of offering incense gradually diminished, and those who came later were destined to only have a chance encounter with fortune.

Some people, on the other hand, were quickly patrolling the mountains, trying to seize opportunities from others.

In no time, the mountains echoed with the sounds of battles.

On a certain cliff, there was a small tree with vibrant divine energy, bearing three purple fruits that were crystal clear. However, the small tree was quite inconspicuous, growing in a crevice, and the fruits were hidden by dense leaves, making them hard to find.

"Clang!" Qin Feng stabbed his knife into the rock, using the force to leap upward.

"Sss sss sss~" The knife slipped in the crevice, causing debris to fall, and Qin Feng followed suit.

"Brother Qin, be careful!"

"Brother Qin!" Three companions below shouted in alarm.

Qin Feng fiercely pulled out the dagger from his waist, stabbing it into the cliff again, finally stopping his fall.

He found a foothold and finally stood firm.

"Thud~" The rock fell and shattered.

Qin Feng glanced down and couldn't help but wipe his sweat. If he had fallen, he would have ended up like the rock, shattered to pieces.

"This place is treacherous. The higher you go, the greater the resistance. Be careful, everyone." Qin Feng warned his companions below.

"I feel it too," a companion replied. "Elsewhere, a jump could easily reach seven or eight meters, but now, even with all my strength, I can only jump one or two meters."

"A heavy cliff, what a heavy cliff. This place is too dangerous. I jumped down from three meters before, and it shook my feet painfully," another person said, feeling a bit discouraged.

"Let's push on. The harder it is, the more it proves that the treasure above is rare. It might be a Middle Grade spiritual treasure!" Qin Feng licked his lips.

"Alright, Brother Qin, give me a hand."

"Okay."

Though the climbing was slow, the four of them worked together, and they eventually conquered the over two hundred meters high cliff.

"My heart is racing! It must be a Middle Grade spiritual treasure!" Qin Feng looked at the small tree within reach, his face showing greed.

"Brother Qin, how many fruits are on the small tree?" someone below asked.

"There are three!" Qin Feng replied with a smile.

"Quick, pick them and come down. It's hard to breathe up here."

"Alright."

Naturally, one couldn't consume the fruits on the cliff, as Middle Grade Yuan Method spiritual treasures required meditation to absorb Yuan Qi, and enlightenment required a quiet place.

On a heavy cliff where even standing was difficult, who would dare use spiritual treasures?

The four began to slowly climb down.

The descent was equally perilous, but fortunately, no one was injured.

They landed safely on the ground.

"We're on the ground," Qin Feng panted, looking at his three brothers, feeling a strange sense of unease.

Three fruits, but four people. How to divide them?

Since they couldn't divide them evenly, wouldn't it be better if he took them all?

"Brothers, let's divide the fruits," Qin Feng said, walking over, unconsciously gripping his knife.

"Hahaha, better late than never, Brother Qin. What a coincidence..." At that moment, a voice came from the woods, and several straw men carrying a chair appeared, with a smiling young man sitting on it.

He pointed ahead: "Brother Qin, there are four of you, but only three fruits. Why not give them to me to avoid you brothers killing each other?"

"What?" Qin Feng was stunned, recognizing the familiar voice.

Just as he was about to act, before the words were fully spoken, a black shadow rushed over.

In the next moment, Qin Feng felt his hand go numb, and the three fruits slipped from his grasp.

Looking again, they had disappeared, now in Zhao Xing's hand.

"You, you..." Qin Feng wanted to slash this handsome face with his knife. This person was too shameless, snatching from him again and breaking his thoughts.

"Brother Qin, I helped you resolve a crisis, and you don't even say thank you? Are all Lake City Martial Officers so ungrateful?"

"I..." Qin Feng looked at the other party, his heart filled with rage, cursing silently.

The other three also recognized Zhao Xing as the 'senior' who had beaten them before. Though robbed, they dared not speak out.

"Thank you!" Qin Feng gritted his teeth, forcing a smile uglier than crying.

"You're welcome. I hope we meet again." Zhao Xing waved, and the straw men carried him away.

Qin Feng and his companions watched helplessly, unable to do anything.

What could they do? They couldn't beat him!

Zhao Xing patted the wildcat: "See, you took their things, and they still have to thank us. Isn't it fun?"

"Meow!" The wildcat nodded, looking pleased.

"..." Qin Feng could still hear him, feeling so depressed he wanted to vomit blood.

Fun, your eighteen generations of ancestors! That was the spiritual treasure I worked so hard for!

"Brother Qin, we have another place to try our luck. Let's just forget it," a junior brother advised, seeing Qin Feng gripping his knife tightly.

"Right, you're the forty-eighth incense, and Seventh Junior Brother is the forty-second. We still have a chance."

Except for the first ten who were moved out, everyone else came and went as they pleased. Qin Feng and his group acted together, not limited to one place.

"Let's go." Qin Feng had no choice but to pick himself up and quickly leave for the next location.

East Lake Mountain was indeed a Spirit Mountain. As they headed to the place 'Seventh Junior Brother' mentioned, they sensed the presence of spiritual treasures again.

It was a pool of water, clear and shallow, with two unknown 'eggs' at the bottom, emitting a faint glow.

"Seems like Lower Grade spiritual treasures?"

"Yes, that's what I sense too."

"Is the water deep?"

"Not deep, only seven or eight meters!"

"Any danger?"

"I'll throw a stone to test it."

"Splash~" The stone sank into the pool, with no sign of any beasts appearing.

The four were overjoyed. Their luck was truly good!

Generally, even knowing the location of spiritual treasures, acquiring them could be challenging. Like the heavy cliff earlier, climbing it was difficult and dangerous.

Though these were only Lower Grade spiritual treasures, there were two of them, and no apparent danger, making it a free gift.

"Seventh Junior Brother's luck is really good. The forty-second incense has such an effect, and it doesn't even require effort."

"Yes, but it's a pity about Brother Qin's discovery..."

"Let's not mention that," Qin Feng waved his hand. "Who will go down?"

"I'll go." Quickly, someone retrieved the two unknown 'eggs' from the pool.

The joy of obtaining spiritual treasures dispelled some of the previous gloom.

However, before they could celebrate, a familiar voice rang out.

"Hahaha, you all are truly destined to meet me."

"Never mind, I'll resolve another disaster for you!" Zhao Xing lounged on a chair, smiling as he petted the wildcat.

With a meow, the wildcat leaped out like lightning.

Seventh Junior Brother, holding the two eggs, felt his arm go numb, and the treasures flew away.

"Damn it, this is too much!" Qin Feng cursed inwardly, instinctively drawing his knife.

"Senior Brother, let it go..." The other three quickly held Qin Feng back. "Have you forgotten how we were hung up and beaten?"

Seeing Qin Feng dare to draw his knife, Zhao Xing smirked: "What, I help you resolve a disaster, and you don't even recognize the favor?"

Qin Feng drew his knife and turned to Seventh Junior Brother: "Junior Brother, does my knife look good?"

Seventh Junior Brother: "..."

Having been robbed twice by the same person, Zhao Xing also felt that Qin Feng and his companions had particularly bad luck.

"Perhaps it's not their bad luck, but others' luck improving, making them seem worse by comparison."

"The strong get stronger. After the first and second nights, the gap between originally similar cultivators widens."

"It's not just cultivation, but also fortune in the shadows."

Undoubtedly, Zhao Xing now belonged to the strong!

"After consuming those three fruits, I've already broken through to the seventh stage of Gathering Essence. Although my realm isn't the highest on the mountain, with Little Wildcat, few can match my combat power." Zhao Xing was in high spirits.

Before going up the mountain, he was only at the fourth stage of Gathering Essence, but now, in just two days, he had reached the seventh stage!

Normal cultivation, even with good talent, would take at least three months.

As for the improvement in Magic Arts, that was even more exaggerated. Without going up the mountain, reaching this level might take a year, given the mundane distractions.

"Lower Grade spiritual treasures." Zhao Xing examined the two eggs, then cracked them open, consuming the yolk and white inside.

[You have consumed a Lower Grade spiritual treasure, gaining an additional year of life.]

[You have consumed a Lower Grade spiritual treasure, gaining an additional year of life.]

"I've already gained 38 years of extra life." Zhao Xing was quite satisfied. "I've taken another step towards the goal of longevity."

"After obtaining a cup of fortune, I've already encountered 'good luck' twice. According to the pattern, there should be one more 'good luck' in a short time."

"I wonder where it will be." Zhao Xing lounged on the straw men carrying him, wandering aimlessly.

"Cousin, after consuming this Yuan Method spiritual treasure, your injury should be better, right? Any breakthrough?" In a sheltered spot, Zhang Boran rested on a rock.

"Breakthrough? Hmph!" Wenzhao snorted coldly.

"No way, still no breakthrough?"

"If it weren't for you, would I have wasted this spiritual treasure?" Wenzhao pointed to his swollen eye. "Half the effect of this treasure was used for healing!"

Zhang Boran muttered, "Cousin, you can't blame me for that. Who could have expected that loser to invite a temple elder?"

"Ah, fate is fate." Wenzhao sighed heavily.

Originally, they had hoped to obtain the third incense stick and secure a high-grade spiritual treasure.

But Zhang Boran was disrupted by 'Yuan Bo,' only managing to be the tenth to enter, far from their expectations.

The top five could make a true king appear, granting any wish, but beyond that, the chances of obtaining a high-grade spiritual treasure were slim.

Steady as he was, Zhang Boran chose the more certain Middle Grade spiritual treasure, securing two locations.

However, he didn't act immediately, instead finding Wenzhao first.

After healing Wenzhao with one treasure, he sought the second location.

Without Wenzhao, he was just an ordinary eighth-stage Gathering Essence warrior. With Wenzhao, he was stronger than a typical ninth-stage Gathering Essence warrior.

Of course, it was safer to act with his cousin.

Below them was a small valley with a robust monkey tree bearing many golden chestnuts, but also guarded by many strong monkey-like beasts.

"Cousin, are you rested enough?" Zhang Boran was eager to try, sensing many treasures in the valley below.

"With the earth beneath my feet, the sky above my head, my aura stabilizes the universe." Wenzhao chanted, and Zhang Boran felt invigorated, his face flushed.

He leaped from the rock, landing in the valley.

A moment later, Zhang Boran reappeared on the slope.

His left shoulder bore a bloody scratch, his hair flying wildly as he ran.

Wenzhao was shocked: "How did you even lose your knife?"

"Cousin, run! I got a great haul." Zhang Boran didn't care about losing his weapon, his heart pounding as he clutched a clay pot sealed with mud.

"The earth follows my heart, reaching the sky's edge!" Wenzhao chanted, stepping out and appearing a hundred meters away.

Zhang Boran also ran with all his might, pursued by the angry roars of many monkeys from the ground and trees.

The two didn't know how far they ran.

Finally, they no longer heard the monkeys' cries.

"We... we made it." Wenzhao was exhausted.

"Phew~" Zhang Boran also stopped.

"We've shaken them off. There's a Bamboo Forest ahead; let's rest there."

"This Bamboo Forest is quite tall and dense, a good place to hide."

"Alright." Zhang Boran nodded, and the two headed towards the Bamboo Forest.

Zhao Xing, waiting for the Diamond Bamboo to mature in the Bamboo Forest, suddenly heard voices.

He rose from his chair, looking at the two figures ahead with a strange expression.

"Is that... Wenzhao and Zhang Boran?"

(End of Chapter)