A Sidekick's First Move
After hearing Su Kang's words, Li Fang fell silent. He could sense that Su Kang was holding something back, but in the end, he chose not to pry.
Joining him two years later would be enough.
He trusted Su Kang's character. The looming war with demon cultivators would most likely end within a year.
By then, he would have gained a firm foothold in the Central Plains. When Su Kang delivered his family, settling them would no longer pose a problem.
Li Fang's gaze softened, and a carefree smile stretched across his face.
"Brother Su, I respect your decision."
The weight in Su Kang's heart lightened. He knew—at this moment—he had successfully changed his own fate.
Li Fang no longer insisted. Although a trace of reluctance lingered in his eyes, Su Kang's explanation had convinced him.
The sect master had personally promised to shelter the Li family, but how much protection could the sect truly offer?
The sect master's focus lay on larger matters, while the Li family lacked the strength to protect themselves. Li Fang's mother, a mere Qi Refining cultivator, could not weather the storm on her own.
One small mistake... and the Li family would be wiped out.
Between the Qingyun Sect and the Su family, Li Fang naturally felt more at ease leaving his family in Su Kang's hands.
"Then I will thank Brother Su on behalf of my Li family." Li Fang cupped his fists sincerely.
"You don't need to thank me. It's the least I can do for you. You can leave them with me without worry."
"When I head to the Central Plains, I'll personally escort them to your side." Su Kang's voice was calm, carrying an air of quiet confidence.
At these words, Sect Master Chu's cloudy eyes lingered on Su Kang for a moment, as if deep in thought. However, he remained silent.
He could naturally discern the meaning hidden beneath Su Kang's words.
The Qingyun Sect was more than capable of sheltering the Li family — especially with his promise.
Yet, this arrangement depended on Li Fang's own wishes. Since Li Fang had made his decision, Sect Master Chu would not interfere.
The meeting soon concluded.
Su Kang mingled with Li Fang's followers, chatting casually with his fellow junior disciples. The atmosphere brimmed with anticipation.
The group had decided to depart two weeks later, giving everyone time to return home and settle family matters.
"They're leaving sooner than I remember..." Su Kang's brows furrowed slightly.
In his future's vision, they had departed a full month later.
"So I was the one holding them back..."
He felt no particular attachment to the difference. If anything, he was relieved to avoid the coming slaughter.
After piecing together various clues, Su Kang had begun to suspect that this war was nothing more than a carefully laid trap.
The Sky Demon Sect—the true masterminds—never sent their disciples to support the demon cultivators directly.
Instead, they supplied them with abundant resources from behind the scenes, keeping their hands clean while fanning the flames of conflict.
The war would ravage countless Foundation Building cultivators, yet Pill Formation experts from both factions rarely risked their lives in battle.
Li Fang's group would shatter this delicate balance, drawing endless attention as they hunted down several Pill Formation demon cultivators.
Their names would spread far and wide, paving the way for their future fame.
More importantly... this war would alter the recruitment process of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Traditionally, most of the sect's disciples came from powerful families or sects—those with established backgrounds.
Casual cultivators without backing could hardly compete on equal footing.
But this war would change it
Countless rogue cultivators would rise through the bloodshed, earning the right to enter the Heavenly Sword Sect despite their humble origins.
In this situation, infiltrating the Heavenly Sword Sect with spies would not be difficult. The sect's loose recruitment process made it vulnerable for spy infiltration.
Su Kang was increasingly convinced that this was the most plausible explanation.
They shouldn't have any information about him. Someone must have informed them, and this person was likely a member of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
The protagonist's halo had always been a double-edged sword—attracting both fortune and calamity.
One by one, Li Fang's friends without any major backing were either died or left behind.
In their place, new companions with powerful family backgrounds took their seats at Li Fang's side.
It was said that Li Fang had violated a demon saintess. Su Kang had tried to probe the truth of this matter, but Li Fang had never given him a clear answer.
Whether the rumor was true or false, its consequences were undeniable.
The demon sect's fury was not something that would simply dissipate.
At that time, the Li family was settling in the Central Plains under the protection of the Heavenly Sword Sect, leaving the demon cultivators powerless to act against them directly.
But hatred could not be extinguished so easily.
Some demon cultivators lacked patience. Unable to touch Li Fang or his family, they began targeting those around him—starting with those of weaker backgrounds.
Su Kang became the best target to calm the anger of demon cultivators. They attacked his family all the way to the Jiang state.
He clenched his fist, forcing himself to steady his thoughts.
He would settle this debt sooner or later.
He exited the meeting hall alongside Li Fang's group. They were heading home to bid farewell to their families.
Su Kang separated from the group and left the Qingyun sect. He was going to the Su manor in the Qingyun city.
...
After returning to his room, Su Kang sat cross-legged on his bed, his expression calm but his mind restless.
He closed his eyes.
"Fate, can you tell me about Li Fang's destiny?" Su Kang asked with his thoughts.
A familiar cold, indifferent voice echoed in his mind.
"Destiny is far more complex than you imagine. However I can tell you this—Li Fang is destined to achieve great things. His destiny is continuously growing stronger as more people with great destinies gather around him."
Su Kang's brows furrowed.
"Can you quantify destiny in numbers for me to understand?"
Numbers were easier to comprehend than vague concepts. A tangible comparison would help him measure the true gap between them.
Fate fell silent for a moment, as if contemplating.
"Currently, Li Fang's destiny value is approximately 32,000."
"And mine?"
"8,000."
Four times.
A tremor ran through his heart.
He was stunned with the gap.
He hadn't even begun considering the practical effects of this sheer difference but the implications were terrifying.
If both of them were caught in the same life-and-death crisis, Li Fang would survive without a scratch while he would become a corpse.
Even the opportunities they encountered would be vastly different.
After a long silence, his mind churned with thoughts.
"Can destiny help me in cultivation?"
He didn't hold much hope—but he still decided to ask.
"It can," Fate replied without hesitation.
"However, you cannot follow Li Fang's path. If you attract too much destiny of heavens to yourself, the Heavenly Dao will notice you. I have a different method. But it requires a large amount of destiny in exchange."
Su Kang's heart trembled slightly.
"What method? Explain it to me."
"I can extract destiny from you and, in return, provide treasures and cultivation resources."
For a brief moment, Su Kang was left speechless.
Cultivation resources in exchange for destiny?
If these resources came from Fate, they would undoubtedly surpass ordinary cultivation treasures.
A spark of excitement flickered in Su Kang's heart, but he quickly suppressed it.
"You have cultivation resources?" he asked, curiosity creeping into his voice.
"I possess treasures stored within a space pocket. They are sufficient to support your cultivation, but you cannot choose them. I will select what suits your current needs best."
Su Kang's pupils contracted.
A space pocket.
Only Mythical-grade artifacts were rumored to possess such capabilities. Yet this fragment, this sliver of an artifact, already defied convention.
What kind of existence would the complete artifact be?
A fervent light ignited in his eyes.
With the power of Fate by his side, he could challenge the protagonist.
He, an insignificant sidekick, would fight against destiny itself from the shadows.