Library of Heaven’s Path 2: Eternal Destiny

Hearing these words, many in the room came to their realizations as well and turned their gazes in unison.

The Nine Heavens Cloud Palace Mirror was an ancient celestial treasure fortuitously obtained by the Crown Prince. Once forged, it could illuminate the heart demons of the cultivator and repeatedly temper calamities within the mirror, thereby increasing the likelihood of breaking through cultivation realms.

Each breakthrough for a cultivator is akin to brushing against life and death. Such a treasure, which could simulate experiences, was immensely valuable—it allowed cultivators to identify shortcomings and build confidence. However, all treasures possess dualities, both strengths and weaknesses.

The path of cultivation defies the heavens, seizing a sliver of life from the Way of Heaven. Nothing comes with absolute certainty. And especially when breaking through realms, success often requires momentum; hesitation leads to decline, stagnation to exhaustion. Over-reliance on assured breakthroughs can leave one flustered when facing true peril.

For this reason, while this celestial treasure was invaluable to ordinary cultivators, to prodigies, it was as useless as chicken ribs.

This Zhang Xuan, who even managed to make someone like the Crown Prince suffer a major setback, clearly possessed unparalleled talent. Yet now, just for a “chicken rib” treasure, he had offended the most powerful individuals within the Source World. No matter how one thought about it, it seemed profoundly strange.

“Do you think… it could be that the Peerless Divine Pill just forged by the Second Imperial Brother was stolen by this guy? Could that be why he’s so enraged and has offered such an enormous bounty? And why, even when questioned by so many, he refuses to produce the pill?”

Before Prince Yuanqing could respond, a low chuckle echoed from outside. A tall, jade-faced young man strode in.

He was garbed in luxurious robes, draped in a mink fur cape, adorned with a scholar’s hat, and atop it perched a perfectly round pearl, radiant and exquisite as snow.

“Though he competes with the Crown Prince, he rarely intervenes personally. Why would he appear now and speak so boldly? Could he have uncovered some evidence?”

“But what he says isn’t without reason! The timing aligns too perfectly; the Peerless Divine Pill being stolen—this might actually be true.”

“If the prestigious Prince Yuanqing had his pill stolen by some insignificant figure, his dignity would be utterly ruined…”

The sudden appearance of the prince caused an uproar, and everyone in the room turned back to Yuanqing, their expressions riddled with incredulity.

“As a prince of the realm, to malign the Crown Prince—Yuan Bin, you’re quite daring!”

Yuanqing did not offer an explanation but instead cast an icy glare.

“There’s no need, my Imperial Brother, to pin baseless accusations on me. As the Crown Prince, one should remember the responsibilities and stature their title demands, and refrain from actions that compromise the dignity of our Tianli Empire!”

Despite the veiled threat, Yuan Bin merely smiled faintly, unfazed.

“Is it not you who compromises the honor of the royalty?”

Yuanqing stepped forward, his aura surging like a tidal wave. “You, as a prince, fail to observe the courtesies owed to the Crown Prince, openly doubt the legitimacy of the heir; you, as a younger brother, do not protect your elder’s dignity, but instead spread deceit, instigate misunderstandings… Yuan Bin, you’re quite audacious!”

“This…”

Taken by surprise at being put on the defensive in mere moments, Yuan Bin’s face turned ashen. Yet, bowing slightly, he cupped his fists in submission. “My Imperial Brother’s rebuke is well-founded; it was indeed inconsiderate of me. If I have been disrespectful, I beseech the Crown Prince’s forgiveness. My remarks arose solely out of concern that the Peerless Divine Pill, forged using countless resources of the Empire, might have been seized by an outsider…”

Narrowing his eyes, Yuanqing’s gaze sharpened. To contend for the position of Crown Prince, this Third Prince was clearly no novice.

If Yuan Bin had continued to press the issue, as the heir apparent, Yuanqing could have openly punished him. Yet now, with the latter showing deference and framing his actions as stemming from worry, Yuanqing was instead left with an uncomfortable quandary.

So many resources consumed; if the pill were truly stolen, wouldn’t that indicate negligence? Did he, Yuanqing, actually deserve the title of Crown Prince? It inadvertently brought underlying issues to light.

Of course, though Yuan Bin was shrewd, Yuanqing was no fool either. Despite his simmering rage, an amused smile played across his face. “Does the Third Prince mean to suggest he would like to see the Peerless Divine Pill?”

“Naturally! A pill capable of advancing one to the Eternal Heart—who wouldn’t be intrigued? A glimpse would be entirely reasonable.”

The Third Prince said.

“Since you suspect my pill was stolen by Zhang Xuan, why don’t we wager on it?” Yuanqing proposed.

“What kind of wager?” Yuan Bin furrowed his brows.

“I’ve heard the pearl atop my Imperial Brother’s hat was obtained from the East Sea and is of tremendous value. Would you care to use it as the stake?” Yuanqing asked.

“Very well! But if the Crown Prince loses, how about gifting me the Nine Heavens Cloud Palace Mirror?” Yuan Bin retorted with a sneer.

The pearl, though precious, was of little consequence to someone of Yuan Bin’s stature as a high-ranking prince. However, losing the wager publicly would tarnish his reputation significantly, rendering his pursuit of the throne nearly impossible.

Thus, if he was to gamble, he had to gamble big.

If he lost, it was just a pearl; but if Yuanqing lost and the Nine Heavens Cloud Palace Mirror—purportedly stolen by Zhang Xuan—was suddenly produced, every lie would be exposed on the spot.

In an instant, a cold smirk crossed Yuan Bin’s lips, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

…

Deep within the royal palace, beside a tranquil pond.

Emperor Fusheng and a handsome, refined middle-aged man once again arranged a game of chess.

Holding a chess piece, the middle-aged man shook his head. “The Third Prince is still too impatient.”

The Emperor chuckled. “If he had not stepped forward personally and instead let his subordinates continue, I might even hold him in higher regard. But now, the outcome is certain.”

The middle-aged man sighed. “To turn such a passive situation into one of advantage for himself—it seems he dug a deliberate trap, waiting for the other side to leap in. His aim, to eliminate all doubts from everyone.”

The Emperor nodded. “He has a touch of my own flair.”

The middle-aged man mused, “No wonder, two days ago, he suddenly approached me, expending a small fortune to borrow three drops of blood essence. It turns out he had planned it all along, yet played the part of the unsuspecting this entire time.”

“If he didn’t feign innocence, how would the Third Prince fall for it?”

The Emperor shook his head. “This child Yuan Bin—he has many good qualities: talent, personality—yet he’s overly proud. Believing victory was in his hands, he revealed himself. In truth, every piece of information he thought he knew, every assumption he made, was intentionally spread by Yuanqing.”

“I must say, watching your family’s infighting is truly entertaining!”

The middle-aged man flicked his wrist, a pile of sunflower seeds appearing in his hand. As he cracked one open, he smiled.

“You…” Emperor Fusheng glanced at him helplessly and shook his head. “Honestly, sometimes I envy you. A life without a wife, without heirs, not even a single disciple. Alone, free to go wherever you wish, to do whatever you please. Among the eight Hongyuan Tier-1 Empires, all others are bound by family obligations. Only you live free and unrestrained.”

“Hahaha! Freedom truly is wonderful. But without snacks like these, life would be so boring. Enough talk—they’re about to begin… Honestly, I’m also curious to see what kind of backup plan Yuanqing has up his sleeve to make him so confident!”

With a hearty laugh, the flawless middle-aged man offered some sunflower seeds.

Emperor Fusheng sighed in exasperation, but still reached out to take some, joining in with a resigned smile.