Meanwhile, Su Kang sat in his residence, staring at the treasures Su Ting had left behind.
His thoughts weren't on the items but on the girl who had arrived in their lives unannounced.
"Fate, tell me more about her destiny." He hadn't been able to analyze her destiny before.
If he was going to deal with her, then he would need more information about her.
"She has Heaven's blessings. And it has the potential to grow even more in the future."
"If not for obstacles in her fate, I assume we would have considered her a potential candidate for a Child of Destiny as well."
"This... a potential candidate?" Su Kang didn't know what to say anymore. This was more than he had bargained for.
"There are others like Li Fang in this world?" Su Kang asked, looking troubled.
There was a brief pause before Fate answered, its tone more composed now.
"I feel there are. The will of Heaven—this world's guiding force—must have ambitions that are vast, and no single person can achieve them alone. To accomplish its objectives, it breaks them down into countless smaller purposes, scattering them throughout the world."
Su Kang listened intently.
"These fragments of purpose are assigned to various individuals. Each one is chosen to fulfill a specific task that contributes to the larger design. Whether they build sects, discover ancient relics, or merely assist others, they each serve a role in Heaven's grand strategy."
"And when these individuals encounter one another," Fate continued.
"They may oppose, assist, or even killed one another. But when one wins over another, the destiny and desired purpose of the fallen often go to the victor. This is how Heaven consolidates its intentions."
"Over time, fewer individuals remain, each carrying more of Heaven's expectations. In the end, one or a few may carry enough pieces to complete the desired effect for this era."
Su Kang nodded slowly.
"Li Fang is one of those individuals—someone central to Heaven's current design. A true Child of Destiny. Others, like Yue Mei, possess similar blessings but with less certainty. She may rise and fulfill her purpose… or fail and have her role absorbed by another."
Su Kang's thoughts turned cold.
A legendary artifact falling into Li Fang's hands might not be random at all. The villain who unearthed it, the ancient ruins that contained it—each step might have been orchestrated.
Their purpose may have been nothing more than to place the item into the hands of Heaven's chosen.
Women with extraordinary bloodlines or physiques often exist solely to support chosen individuals—tools shaped by Heaven to serve a greater plan.
"You said we're outsiders in this world," Su Kang said quietly.
"I'm certainly an outsider," Fate replied. "But you… you're different now. When you were reborn here, Heaven acknowledged your presence and accepted you. Maybe you were used to support Li Fang's rise."
Su Kang's expression darkened.
"But the moment you glimpsed your future, you stepped beyond Heaven's foresight. That kind of knowledge doesn't belong to the script it has written. From then on, you became a variable—a potential anomaly. Without my protection, Heaven would have noticed and intervened."
Fate paused, letting the weight of those words settle.
"Now, you exist in a strange in-between. Heaven regards you as one of this world's children, but you're working with me… quietly shifting the strings behind the curtain."
Su Kang closed his eyes, letting his thoughts sink deeper into the silence.
Sensing his unease, Fate continued, "I don't believe she poses any threat to you—or your family."
Su Kang opened his eyes, slightly puzzled. "Why do you think that?"
"My power are related to destiny, but I have some awareness of fate, fortune, luck, and blessings as well. I don't sense her as a bad omen to your family."
Those words eased the weight pressing on Su Kang's heart. He hadn't wanted her presence to signal disaster.
"Is this a new ability of yours?" he asked, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
"You could call it that," Fate replied. "It feels more like instinct than ability. The blessings and fortunes from Spiritual Vein has strengthened me greatly."
"Good," Su Kang nodded. "Then all that remains is to uncover why she came here in the first place."
Night had fallen. The sky outside was veiled in darkness, yet no answers surfaced in his thoughts.
Rising from his seat, he left his residence and made his way to Miss Yue's courtyard.
Upon arrival, he instructed the servants to prepare a dinner with the guest. However, moments later, a servant returned wearing an awkward expression.
"Young Master, Miss Yue has declined dinner. She is cultivating now."
A flicker of disappointment passed through him, but he nodded and turned away. He would speak to her later. For now, he decided to visit Su Ting.
At Su Ting's residence, another servant informed him that his brother was not present.
So, Su Kang chose to wait.
An hour passed in quiet patience beneath the lantern-lit garden, until Su Ting finally returned—his steps halting when he noticed Su Kang seated silently.
""Brother? You're here?" Su Ting asked, surprise evident in his voice.
Su Kang met his gaze, his tone laced with subtle tension. "Where were you?"
Su Ting blinked, then quickly understood the misunderstanding.
"I wasn't out drinking or socializing," he clarified, raising his hands in defense. "I was with Su Wei, then had dinner with Miss Yue."
The words hit Su Kang like a sharp breeze. "You did? Really?"
His disbelief echoed in the stillness.
Su Ting, unruffled, nodded. "I thought I might learn something from her."
"When did you go to her courtyard? How long were you there?"
Su Ting frowned slightly, sensing the edge in Su Kang's tone but answered honestly.
"I went just after sunset. I stayed for about half an hour, then came straight back."
"Did she say anything? Anything about her purpose here?"
"No. She only apologized for concealing her cultivation. Beyond that, she didn't share much."
Su Kang's thoughts swirled.
"She could have admitted it sooner," he muttered, deep in thought.
"Why wait until now? Did she overheard our conversation earlier, or is it merely a coincidence?"
Why had she chosen to dine with his brother and not with him? Su Kang couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.
"Alright. Record everything from the moment you met her. Also, take back your treasures." Su Kang handed over a jade scroll and a storage ring.
Su Ting understood and nodded. "I'll send you the recording tomorrow morning."
Su Kang returned a nod before heading back to his residence. He decided not to visit Bai Yunxi until he unraveled the mystery surrounding Yue Mei.
—
By the next morning, a servant arrived with a package from Su Ting and bowed.
"Young Master Su, the Young Lord has gone to have breakfast with Miss Yue."
Su Kang took the jade scroll, and with a breath, infused it with his spiritual sense.
Scenes played in his mind—Su Ting's memories, clear and vivid.
Moments passed. His eyes slowly opened, a flicker of confusion passing through them.
"Did Su Ting send me fake memories? Or… is that truly her?" Su Kang muttered under his breath, mind swirling with suspicion.
"No… Su Ting wouldn't do that. Not now, not when things are this serious," he reasoned, though unease still lingered.
"But even if it's real, how could a Core Formation cultivator act like that? Is my brother just ridiculously lucky… or is this an elaborate act?"
His thoughts felt like tangled threads. He needed clarity.
"Fate," Su Kang said, his tone contemplative. "Have you looked into my brother's destiny?"
There was a brief pause before Fate replied, its voice distant yet calm.
"Hmm… It's not particularly high, but the quality is excellent. My new abilities will be more useful now."
Su Kang's brow arched. "Be more specific."
Fate's voice was faintly amused.
"Your brother's destiny points are around 5,000, but 10% of them are purple. That means his fate has gained favor from the Heavenly Dao."
"Purple?" Su Kang frowned, his irritation rising. "Can you explain that from the basics? You are skipping over a lot of details here."