The blood-red fiendish aura transformed into a crimson cloud, covering the sky.
It emerged from Zhao Feng's mansion and rapidly spread across Xianyang City.
As this blood-colored cloud expanded, nearly half of Xianyang was shrouded beneath it.
Even the Qin Royal Palace was engulfed by the crimson mist.
In an instant, countless citizens of Xianyang raised their heads, staring at the sky in astonishment.
"A red cloud? What is happening?"
"I've never seen such a celestial phenomenon before."
"Is it about to rain? But why is there no thunder? This cloud isn't dark; it's blood-red as if formed from fresh blood."
"This is too eerie."
"What kind of omen is this?"
"Is this a blessing or a disaster for Great Qin?"
"A blood cloud looms over the city… something strange is afoot."
…
As they gazed at the sky, the citizens of Xianyang murmured among themselves.
Fortunately, the phenomenon covered a large part of the city. If it had only surrounded Zhao Feng's mansion, it would have certainly drawn immense attention, sparking countless rumors at court the next day.
At this moment, not only were the city's civilians watching, but even the city patrol troops and the palace guards noticed the blood-red sky, all looking up with expressions of shock.
In Zhangtai Palace, inside the Qin Royal Palace
Hearing the commotion outside and the urgent voices echoing throughout the palace, Ying Zheng set down the memorial he was reading, his expression unreadable as he turned toward the door.
"What is happening?"
A court official, Ren Xiao, immediately stepped forward and reported in a loud voice:
"Your Majesty, an anomaly has appeared in the sky! A blood-red cloud now blankets the capital, and the entire palace is engulfed in its glow."
"A blood cloud?" Ying Zheng's brows furrowed in surprise.
Glancing outside the hall, he noticed that the golden sunlight, which had been illuminating the chamber moments ago, had now been replaced by an eerie crimson glow.
"Your Majesty should witness it for yourself."
Ren Xiao spoke respectfully.
Ying Zheng did not hesitate. He immediately stood and strode outside the palace hall.
As he lifted his gaze
The entire sky was indeed covered by a thick, blood-red cloud, its color so dense that it even dimmed the sunlight.
"It truly is a blood cloud?"
"What could be the cause?"
A serious expression settled on Ying Zheng's face.
In this era or rather, in any time before the advent of modern science celestial anomalies were deeply regarded as omens of great events.
"Your Majesty," Ren Xiao spoke carefully. "Perhaps summoning the Grand Diviner would be wise."
"Summon him immediately." Ying Zheng commanded with a wave of his hand.
But before an order could even be relayed
"Minister Chen Yi of the Grand Divination Bureau seeks an audience!"
A hoarse voice sounded from outside the hall. The elderly diviner had already arrived, escorted by several palace guards.
"Let him in."
Ying Zheng's voice was calm yet firm.
"By royal decree, the Grand Diviner is summoned to the hall!" Ren Xiao declared.
Moments later, an elderly man in official robes quickly entered and bowed deeply before the Qin Emperor.
"Your servant, Chen Yi, pays respects to Your Majesty."
Ying Zheng's sharp eyes focused on the aged diviner.
"This sudden celestial phenomenon what does it foretell?"
The Emperor's tone was grave as he gazed at the ominous sky.
Ying Zheng deeply believed in the significance of celestial omens.
Years ago, before he had returned to Qin, his great-grandfather King Zhaoxiang of Qin had once dreamed of him. In the dream, a prophecy had foretold that Ying Zheng would be the one to unify the world.
However, by the time Ying Zheng returned to Xianyang, he was too late to meet his great-grandfather one last time.
Had he returned sooner, his path might not have been so arduous. His status might have been more secure, and he might have avoided the endless schemes that questioned his legitimacy such as the widespread rumors that he was the son of Lü Buwei.
That crisis had nearly cost him everything.
Now, staring at the sky once more, Ying Zheng's expression turned even more serious.
"Your Majesty," Chen Yi began solemnly, "this phenomenon signals a great calamity."
"It is either a natural disaster or a human catastrophe."
"Precaution must be taken immediately."
"A disaster or a war?"
Ying Zheng's gaze darkened.
Natural disasters brought by the heavens were beyond human control.
But a human catastrophe could mean either a devastating plague or an impending war.
And then
Whoosh!
Suddenly, in the sky
The massive blood cloud that had shrouded the city began to contract at an incredible speed.
In mere moments, it vanished entirely, as though it had never been there.
Sunlight poured down once more.
It was as if nothing had ever happened.
At that very moment
Inside Zhao Feng's closed-door chamber
All of the killing intent and fiendish aura that had spread across the city rapidly retracted, condensing back into his body.
Then
A blood-red barrier erupted from Zhao Feng's figure.
Ten zhang.
Fifty zhang.
One hundred zhang.
In the blink of an eye
It expanded to cover a full thousand zhang, enveloping not only Zhao Feng's entire estate but also the surrounding buildings.
"Slaughter Dao Domain."
"Within my domain, the manipulation of true qi and all forms of magic shall fall under my control."
"Moreover, I can condense killing intent to suppress my enemies."
"This domain can suppress opponents even those stronger than me will be affected by its power."
"Within the Domain of the Killing Dao, I am everywhere."
As the domain expanded, its immense power was completely mastered by Zhao Feng.
With the manifestation of his domain, Zhao Feng also comprehended his divine ability.
At this moment
He had truly stepped into the Divine Ability Realm.
The Martial Dao Divine Ability Realm.
"Congratulations to the host for successfully comprehending a divine ability! You have been rewarded with a Tier-3 Treasure Chest."
Just as Zhao Feng completed his comprehension, the system panel once again displayed a notification.
At the same time
The attributes of his newly acquired domain appeared before him.
[Primary Killing Dao Domain]: Can extend up to a thousand zhang, with its range increasing alongside the user's strength. Any enemy within the domain will have their strength suppressed by 30%. The user can perceive the enemy's attack trajectory. Killing intent, baleful energy, and blood energy can be condensed within the domain for offense, depending on the user's power.
"Divine Ability Realm. Martial Dao Divine Ability."
"My divine ability is heaven-defying."
"This is the perfect breakthrough!"
"And on top of that, I even received an extra Tier-3 Treasure Chest."
"This feels amazing."
Seeing this
Zhao Feng's face lit up with satisfaction.
To him, this was an absolute windfall.
A Tier-4 Treasure Chest.
A Tier-3 Treasure Chest.
Two Tier-2 Treasure Chests.
And on top of all that, his strength had skyrocketed.
Even if his attributes had only been slightly below a hundred thousand before, the moment he crossed that threshold, his power had increased by at least twentyfold.
At this moment, Zhao Feng could annihilate his past self with a single strike.
This was his current level of power.
If, at the peak of the Grandmaster Realm, he had relied solely on his true qi before it was fully depleted he could have single-handedly slaughtered an army of ten thousand, even if they were all heavily armored soldiers…
Then now, Zhao Feng could single-handedly decimate an army of a hundred thousand.
He could send them fleeing in terror.
This was his power now.
With the transformation of his attributes, he had already completely transcended the realm of mortals.
Of course
This was also because the opposing nations lacked the protection of destiny.
All along
Zhao Feng had been unstoppable, relying on the might of Qin's armies. However, if he were to personally infiltrate an enemy nation's capital to assassinate their king and high-ranking officials…
Within the heart of their city, protected by their soldiers, an invisible force shielded them.
That force was destiny.
This was something Zhao Feng had witnessed firsthand when he observed the Qin King.
The moment he merely extended his divine sense toward the Qin King, he felt an overwhelming power capable of annihilating everything.
It was as if the moment Zhao Feng took one step further, he would be struck down by that terrifying force.
Or rather
If Zhao Feng himself did not possess a force similar to that power…
After much contemplation, he realized it came from his official status the destiny bestowed upon him by Great Qin.
This was the very reason why he had not been repelled by the Qin King's destiny.
The cultivation technique Zhao Feng practiced incorporated the power of destiny.
The key reason he had been able to raise all his attributes to over a hundred thousand in just three months
Was the assistance of this force of destiny?
His cultivation progressed at an exponential rate.
Besides absorbing spiritual energy, this destiny-assisted growth had no drawbacks.
After that, upon sensing the Qin King's destiny, Zhao Feng recalled numerous novels and mythological stories from his past life about how rulers were blessed by fate, and untouched by evil.
A mortal assassin might have a chance, but Zhao Feng was fundamentally different from mere mortals. His power inevitably triggered the influence of destiny.
Zhao Feng was able to behead the King of Yan.
He was able to slay the King of Donghu.
They all had one thing in common
The battlefield.
War.
Leading armies to conquer.
The reason for his success lay in the conflicts between nations. The armies carried Great Qin's destiny, suppressing the opposing nation's fate. As their territory was gradually annexed, their destiny was also absorbed into Great Qin's.
This was one of the ways the power of destiny worked.
Devouring. Growing stronger.
The power of destiny had limitless potential.
The reason Zhao Feng was considering founding his dynasty during the decline of Qin in the future
Was precisely because he had developed a deep interest in this power.
It could be his path to ultimate strength.
Moreover, Zhao Feng had a feeling if he could master the use of destiny, he might even be able to break free from the invisible laws of the world, surpassing the constraints of lifespan.
Perhaps he could even grant immortality to those close to him through cultivation.
However
This was just an early plan.
The Qin King was still alive and well, and the fall of Qin was still far off.
Moreover, with Zhao Feng's unintentional interference, the Qin King had never consumed that poisonous elixir.
The timeline of Qin's eventual collapse may now be delayed.
For now, Zhao Feng could remain under the Qin King's command, leading armies to expand their territory.
First, he could collect attributes.
Second, he could uncover even greater opportunities.
And investigate the secrets of this world of Shenzhou itself.
Yet Zhao Feng was unaware.
At that very moment, he broke into the Divine Ability Realm and manifested his Martial Dao Divine Ability, far from Xianyang.
In what was once the land of Wei, now a part of Great Qin
Amidst towering mountains
Veiled in mist
A place where standing at the peak felt like one could survey all beneath the heavens.
A place resembling a paradise on earth.
A white-haired old man, his long hair draped over his shoulders, clad in a black robe, stood at the mountain's summit with his hands clasped behind his back.
A strange glint flashed across his aged face.
"How can this power exist?"
"How could there be a cultivator in the mortal realm… who possesses power equivalent to the 'Returning to the Void' stage?"
"And this aura… it's in Qin?"
"The mortal world still retains the remnants of human destiny, leaving no room for demonic seeds to take root."
"Those pseudo-cultivators, who use demonic seeds as their foundation, could never step into Shenzhou."
"Then how… could such a 'Returning to the Void' stage cultivator appear here?"
"Strange… truly strange…"
The old man gazed in the direction of Xianyang City, his face filled with astonishment, surprise, and even confusion.
He remained in this state for a long time.
It seemed that the aura he had just sensed was so extraordinary that he found it hard to believe.
After a moment of contemplation, the old man suddenly opened his eyes.
With a swift movement, he formed a hand seal.
Immediately after, an invisible energy gathered between his hands.
If Zhao Feng were present, he would have noticed that this energy was not true qi, but a completely different kind of power.
The cultivators he had been searching for truly existed, hidden away in the mountains.
Even if one were to search deliberately, it would be impossible to find them.
"Divination of Heaven's Secrets."
"Pierce through."
The old man muttered in a low voice.
The power between his hands reached its peak.
An immensely terrifying aura radiated from his body.
The surrounding mountains and trees trembled under the influence of his power as if it had truly transcended the mortal realm.
Then
He released the hand seal, sending it shooting toward the void above.
In the blink of an eye
It merged into the sky.
The old man's consciousness seemed to follow this energy into the void.
After a brief moment
"Pfft!"
The old man's expression suddenly changed, and he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.
The terrifying aura around him immediately dissipated.
His body wavered unsteadily.
But he quickly composed himself, sat cross-legged on the mountain peak, and began to regulate his breathing.
After some time
"Whew."
The old man exhaled deeply, his face gradually regaining some color.
"Interesting."
"I am an immortal who has transcended the mortal realm, yet I cannot divine the origins of this aura."
"Even though I was severely injured during my battle with the false immortals of the demon seed, it should not be so difficult for me to read the fate of a mere mortal."
"The threads of destiny are in chaos, impossible to decipher, and I even suffered a backlash from the attempt. This person must be one of immense destiny."
"Moreover, the fact that he remains hidden among mortals proves that he is not of the demon seed."
"Otherwise, the fate of the human race would have already obliterated him."
"In this world today, the false immortals of the demon seed slaughter endlessly, devouring everything in their path. Immortality... may cease to exist in the future."
The old man let out a long sigh, filled with helplessness and sorrow.
After a while
The old man finally recovered.
But he did not attempt to divine again. Instead, he gazed toward Xianyang, his eyes deep and thoughtful.
"Come to think of it..."
"Wei Liao entered the mortal world nearly twenty years ago."
"He happens to be in the Qin capital. Perhaps I should have him keep an eye out for any extraordinary individuals in Qin, anyone who possesses great fortune."
"With this, I may be able to locate this person of immense destiny."
"To achieve such a level of cultivation in a world ruled by false immortals of the demon seed... this could be an opportunity."
"I... I truly do not wish to remain hidden here any longer. I do not want to cower any longer."
"One day, the divine land will fall into chaos again. The fate of the world will ultimately crumble, and all... will be reduced to mere sustenance."
"Sigh..."
The old man let out a heavy sigh, filled with endless sorrow, as if he carried an unimaginable burden one beyond what any mortal in this land could comprehend.
He had endured much.
Meanwhile
Xianyang City.
Zhao Residence!
Zhao Feng was completely unaware of the grand phenomena he had just caused.
After all, during the breakthrough and comprehension of his divine ability, there was no way for him to suppress it.
Once he had sorted out everything he had just obtained
He ceased his meditation.
Zhao Feng then turned his attention to the four treasure chests he had received.
Unlike before, the treasure chests he obtained were no longer first-tier.
They had reached second-tier.
At the very least, second-tier treasures were guaranteed. As for higher-tier rewards, it all depended on luck.
Any higher-level treasure could potentially be drawn, though the odds were relatively low.
If Zhao Feng's luck exploded, he might just get something truly extraordinary.
Every opening was an opportunity.
"Open the second-tier treasure chest." Zhao Feng commanded.
As his command was issued
"Opening second-tier treasure chest."
"Obtained 5,000 high-grade spirit stones."
"Obtained Earth-grade high-tier technique: [Martial Slaughter Art]."
Two treasure chests had been opened.
"Not bad."
"High-grade spirit stones I've never had them before, and now I have 5,000."
"Even though I don't need them, I can save them for Yan'er and the others in the future."
"As for this [Martial Slaughter Art], an Earth-grade high-tier technique... it's even stronger than the [Dragon Elephant Art]."
"This technique is excellent."
With these two second-tier treasure chests, Zhao Feng was very satisfied.
Then
Zhao Feng's gaze shifted to the remaining two treasure chests.
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