Library of Heaven's Path 2: Eternal Fate of the Heavens

"It's a success!"

Zhang Xuan was filled with excitement.

It was sheer luck: the opponent was completely focused on commanding the Yellow River Guiding Flower to mature and hadn't noticed him. Moreover, although the opponent practiced the Power of Heavenly Mandate, it was merely a branch and not its main form. Otherwise, no matter how strong the Love Destiny was, it wouldn't have been so easy to succeed.

Extending his palm, he gently grasped a book.

Rustle!

A surge of Heavenly Mandate Vitality dissipated and drilled into his palm. In the blink of an eye, Zhang Xuan felt as though he had become the sole master of the world, able to command anything at his will.

This wasn't soul energy nor a corporeal strength—it was a power rooted in the very fabric of the laws.

"So this is the reason why the Tianli Empire is so formidable, its core inheritor unmatched among peers… Such ability!"

The Power of Heavenly Mandate merged into his body—a control over the principles of heaven and earth. To confront someone wielding this power was to yield in shame before even striking a blow; the psychological defeat preceded the physical battle.

It was akin to being a close companion vying with the Crown Prince—no matter how justified your argument, your presence would never be as commanding.

The gap in identity and status wasn't something reason or logic could bridge, for power was—beyond reason—a truth.

Suppressing the shock in his heart, Zhang Xuan controlled the Love Silk, continuously absorbing Heavenly Mandate Vitality from the river while looking ahead at the Crown Prince.

Aided by the authority within the River of Destiny and strength emanating from the Crown Prince Token, the once closed Yellow River Guiding Flower was visibly blooming at breakneck speed.

"It's blooming…"

"His Highness is too powerful…"

The faces of Elder Yao Yun and others were flushed with excitement, and even Elder Jiang Li, who was in the middle of forging pills, couldn't help releasing a sigh of relief.

The flower's bloom was crucial—only then would the previously forged medicines hold significance. Otherwise, their prior efforts would have been completely in vain.

As time passed, the Yellow River Guiding Flower fully opened, releasing an intense fragrance that rapidly spread. In the blink of an eye, Zhang Xuan and the others' vision blurred, appearing as though they were seeing a bridge leading deep into a dark abyss—ancient and desolate, evoking a profound sense of melancholy.

"Come… Come here… By crossing, all your worries will vanish, and you'll attain endless joy..."

An ethereal, dreamlike voice came from the end of the bridge, scratching irresistibly at the heart.

Zhang Xuan felt dazed—the voice was exceptionally soothing, and amidst its allure, he began to forget his cares. His spirit seemed poised to drift away.

Just then, a majestic voice interrupted him.

"Wake up, everyone! This is the Yellow Spring Road… Once you fall in, there's no chance of return!"

Zhang Xuan was jolted awake and looked up to see Elder Jiang Li with furrowed brows, his expression grave.

Quickly glancing around, Zhang Xuan realized the bridge was nonexistent—everything had been mere illusions.

"The Yellow River Guiding Flower leads paths into the Yellow Spring. Those lacking sufficient cultivation will easily die… Because of this danger, the flower, while precious, has so few capable of harvesting it. Most end as souls in custody—you don't believe me? Look!"

Elder Yao Yun sighed and motioned toward the flower.

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted involuntarily as he looked over.

Beside the brilliant yet sinister flower bud were countless eerie white bones—dense and innumerable. Previously obscured by the Yellow Water of the Netherworld and diverted attention, they hadn't been clearly visible.

Elder Yao Yun flicked his fingers, projecting a weapon into the Yellow Spring.

Sizzle, sizzle!

In mere moments, like steel tossed into acid, bubbling corrosion occurred. Within a few fleeting breaths, the weapon completely dissolved without trace.

Elder Yao Yun remarked gravely, "The Yellow Water of the Netherworld is incredibly corrosive. The fact that these bones could remain intact for all these years without melting proves their owners were frighteningly strong—most likely Life Sea Realm cultivators at their weakest…"

Zhang Xuan silently nodded.

Judging by the sheer quantity of bones, there must be no fewer than several hundred.

Hundreds of Life Sea Realm cultivators failing to succeed… truly affirmed the peril and value of the Yellow River Guiding Flower.

Even a single stalk of such medicinal material was priceless—how much stronger would the pills forged using it as the main ingredient be?

Zhang Xuan couldn't help but glance at Elder Jiang Li.

Elder Jiang seemed to have reached the crucial moment, sweat dripping as he tossed medicinal materials with faltering speed.

"The Guiding Flower!"

A sudden shout pierced the air—his hand stretched out.

The Crown Prince Yuanqing nodded, sliding his palm across. The newly matured flower instantly took to the air, flying straight toward the other's palm.

With a gentle grasp and a flick of his fingers, the flower hurtled toward the cauldron—drilling directly inside.

Boom!

As soon as the flower entered, the inferno beneath the cauldron seemed agitated—as though provoked—and exploded violently. The scorching heat radiated outward, causing distortions throughout the underground chamber.

"Something's wrong! The flames are out of control…"

Elder Jiang Li's face darkened.

Since the beginning of forging pills, he had tightly controlled the flames, but now sudden explosions occurred—clearly beyond his original plans.

The most critical factor in pill forging was heat regulation. If the inferno became uncontrollable, it could lead to an ominous phenomenon—explosive cauldron failure!

"By my authority as Crown Prince, I order the flames restored! Continue forging!"

Hovering midair, Crown Prince Yuanqing's aura intensified. Lightning flashed in his eyes, and his figure radiated a divine, awe-inspiring dominion akin to a god of creation.

Threads of law-like force surged into the cauldron, flowing through Elder Jiang's pill-forging streams.

"Now's my chance..."

Seeing him fully occupied with regulating the furnace's temperature, Zhang Xuan's spirit jolted. The Love Silk connected to the Power of Heavenly Mandate expanded frantically, ravenously absorbing the Heavenly Mandate Vitality as it flowed.

Absorbing naturally was slow—but this approach would allow him to gather more books for future use.

Prince Yuanqing clearly didn't expect someone to steal his Heavenly Mandate Vitality during such a critical moment. His eyes glinted pitch-black as the mighty jade seal in his hand unleashed immense power.

With the fire under his suppression, Elder Jiang Li's complexion improved slightly, and he resumed adding the final medicinal material.

Hum!

The material was a yang-attribute herb designed to neutralize the ice-attribute in the Yellow River Guiding Flower. Upon entering the cauldron, a volatile reaction occurred—it was akin to pouring water on fire or immersing heated metal in ice for tempering.

Spurt!

Elder Jiang Li couldn't manage control any longer and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Teacher!"

Elder Yao Yun and others' expressions shifted sharply.

"Quickly suppress the flames and stabilize the power—otherwise the cauldron will explode for certain!"

Ignoring his physical pain, Elder Jiang Li urged desperately as the group sprang to his aid.

"Yes!" They complied without hesitation, extending their hands to pour power into the cauldron.

However, the cauldron seemed greatly agitated, resisting their forces no matter how much energy they channeled. Its exterior cracked further, deep fractures threatening imminent rupture.