Morning mist clung to the tiled rooftops of Qinghe Village, turning the dirt paths into winding streams of gray. The faint aroma of pine resin drifted in from the forest beyond.
Li Yun fastened the worn hemp belt at his waist and stepped out of his modest wooden hut, an axe in hand. Today, like most days, he was expected to help gather spirit wood from the nearby Azureleaf Grove.
But as soon as he took his first step onto the path, something stirred in his vision.
Floating above the head of Old Zhao, the village elder stacking firewood by the roadside, was a set of luminous characters:
[Name: Zhao Min]
[Age:] 60
[Realm: None]
[Fate: Honest Farmer, Dutiful Father]
[Destiny: Will work the fields until the age of 65 before passing peacefully in his sleep.]
[Talent:Yellow Grade]
[Recent Opportunity: Will find a low-grade Spirit Herb sprouting behind his pigsty in three days.]
Li Yun's steps faltered.
This strange ability had first appeared a month ago, revealing the hidden threads of fate around him. He could see people's names, realms, fates, and even the opportunities that would soon come their way.
It was a power no one else seemed to have and one he had learned to keep secret.
"Li Yun! Why are you standing there like a fool?!"
The sharp voice came from Meng Fei, the only son of the village leader, a broad-shouldered youth whose very presence carried an oppressive, hateful aura. His cold gaze swept over the group like a hawk surveying prey, and behind him stood several other young men, each gripping an axe with silent readiness.
Li Yun met his gaze. "I heard you."
Meng Fei smirked and turned to the group.
"Listen carefully! Today, each of you must chop four spirit woods. If anyone delivers less than half, I'll make sure you can't walk for half a year!"
"Yes!" the group answered, voices tinged with reluctance.
Li Yun's brow furrowed.
Meng Fei was well-known for this sort of thing — taking the most difficult missions from the village head, forcing others to do the hard labor, and claiming the rewards for himself. Speaking out would only invite a beating.
Li Yun fell into step behind the group, though his eyes never left Meng Fei's back.
That was when another panel appeared.
> [Name: Meng Fei]
[Age:]21
[Realm:] Major Achievement of Body Tempering Realm
[Fate: Weapon Adept, Somewhat Lucky]
[Destiny: Will reach the peak of the Meridian Tempering Realm, serve as a deacon of the Qingxuan Sect, and die ten years later in a factional struggle within the sect.]
[Talent:] Profound Grade
[Recent Opportunity: While chopping spirit wood today, will discover a cloth pouch hidden in a tree hollow containing a Meridian Tempering Pill.]
Li Yun's grip on the axe tightened.
A Meridian Tempering Pill… a treasure that could cleanse one's marrow, lay the perfect foundation for cultivation, and multiply the speed of progress many times over.
And if fate had its way, that treasure would fall into Meng Fei's hands.
Li Yun's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Not today," he thought.
As if in response to that thought, another panel shimmered into view, one that only he could see.
> [Name:] Li Yun
[Age:]18
[Realm:] None
[Fate:] Ordinary Laborer
[Destiny:] Will die at the age of 19 while chopping spirit wood… unless fate is changed.
[Talent:] Profound Grade
[Recent Opportunity:] None.
A bitter taste fills his mouth. Profound Grade. In the outside world, it was enough to make one a small sect inner disciple if one had resources. But in Qinghe Village, with no backing, it might as well be a death sentence for ambition.
No "Recent Opportunity" was listed. His path was stagnant… unless he took one from someone else.
A cold shiver ran down his spine.
This wasn't the first time he had seen his own destiny, but each time it appeared, it served as a grim reminder: his so-called fate was a death sentence.
But perhaps… it didn't have to be.