Chapter 116: Do Not Open

Not activating.

Sensing the icy female voice echoing within his mind, Li Changsheng’s expression remained unreadable. A faint scoff stirred deep within as his gaze swept across the grand hall.

There knelt a maid who had deliberately destroyed her cultivation, beside her the scowling, resentful Fate Child, and at his side the stunned Sword Sect Master.

Huh?

Next to the two stood a handsome young man exuding undeniable presence—surely that insignificant sycophant.

And the woman, though her cultivation was utterly ruined, in Li Changsheng’s estimation—considering the personality of the original owner of this body—would most likely remain indifferent to the unfolding events, allowing matters to proceed unchecked.

Next would come the Fate Child’s desperate scheming to win the beauty’s favor.

Then, step by step, dismantle his own power base…

Tsk…

Trying to be a modest, low-key big shot is truly difficult.

“Li Changsheng!”

“Li Changsheng! If you are a man, then lower your cultivation and fight me! Using your background to oppress this woman—what do you call that?”

Feeling the pressure on him lighten, Lin Hao slowly rose, brushing dust off his body.

He fixed his resentful, angry gaze on Li Changsheng, who had never once opened his eyes to look at him. His voice thundered through the hall.

“How dare you! The young master’s name is not something a scoundrel like you can speak of lightly!”

At that moment, the young man with undeniable presence glared ferociously and shouted in reprimand.

Indeed, a promising lackey…

Though inwardly appreciative, Li Changsheng acted as if the affairs within the hall meant nothing to him. He calmly sipped his tea, expression serene.

Utterly ignoring them.

Pretending to be impressive? I can’t be bothered to spare you a glance.

The onlookers all exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of surprise and suspicion.

First time slapping down Lin Hao—host gains 500 Destiny Points.

Is this even possible???

Destiny Points so easy to earn???

A knowing smile crept over Li Changsheng’s lips.

“I am currently at half-step Immortal Realm cultivation; if I were to kill him now…”

As he sipped his tea, a thought rose in his mind, only to be interrupted by that cold female voice in his soul:

“Warning! The Fate Child’s life fate is extremely strong. If the host forcibly kills him, a backlash of Destiny will occur, damaging the foundation!”

In other words, even as a half-step Immortal, if he acted recklessly, a powerful figure connected to Lin Hao might suddenly emerge and strike him down to a pitiful state.

Or worse, in the days to come, even drinking water could harm his dantian.

Soul shock from drinking water, paralysis of half the body?

Or else, helplessly watch the Fate Child grow stronger and brutally crush him?

“Open the attribute panel. Check Destiny value.”

Though irritated, Li Changsheng shifted his thoughts and silently commanded.

A glowing panel instantly appeared in his mind:

Host: Li Changsheng

Destiny Value:

Identity: Descendant of the Underworld God across generations, Lord of the River of the Dead, the only true deity in the world, sole legitimate heir of the pinnacle Qingling family.

Cultivation: Half-step Immortal Realm

Destiny Points: 500, available for use in the store

Store???

Opening it, Li Changsheng saw skills and magical artifacts priced in the hundreds of thousands of Destiny Points—far beyond his means!

Seeing this, Li Changsheng felt a faint despair.

To act impressive once costs 500 Destiny Points; if I do it once a day, I’d have to keep it up for three years???

What a pain in the ass!!

Gritting his teeth, Li Changsheng couldn’t help but look at Lin Hao.

Name: Lin Hao

Destiny Value:

Identity: Ninth generation of the ancient demon-immortal lineage, eighth generation direct disciple of the demon-immortals, candidate for ruler of the Qingling Realm.

Cultivation: Perfect Qi Condensation

Seeing Lin Hao’s Destiny Value, Li Changsheng was stunned and even more bewildered.

A mere ten thousand Destiny Points? I could kill him with a finger and still suffer foundation damage???

Even if the cost is mutual, wiping out ten thousand Destiny Points each, I still have over 980,000 left!

Paralysis my ass.

“Warning: The Fate Child is favored by the Way of Heaven’s Destiny. If the host forcibly kills him, the host will lose a hundredfold of the Fate Child’s Destiny Points!”

The system’s voice sounded again, leaving Li Changsheng slightly dazed.

Ten thousand times a hundred is one million. I only have 999,999?

Kill him, and my Destiny Points will instantly be one?

So, I’m still a “villain” no one cares about???

What use is this Destiny Value to me???

“Li Changsheng! If you are a man, then lower your cultivation and fight me at equal footing!”

Feeling Li Changsheng’s complete disregard, Lin Hao’s anger flared higher. His gaze swept over the woman beside him, who was nearly fainting, and he roared again.

Imbecile…

Once more ignoring Lin Hao’s shout, Li Changsheng’s eyes scanned the kneeling, cultivation-ruined woman. He flicked a golden pill from his finger and spoke lightly:

“Take this pill and serve at my side.”

This is!!!

A golden-quality Heavenly Spirit Pill!!

Taking it will instantly repair shattered meridians, even raise aptitude and cultivation!

This is a divine pill!

Seeing the golden pill before the woman, the Sword Sect Master’s face changed dramatically, exclaiming in shock.

Yet, as the exclamation echoed, his expression froze.

With Li’s status, producing a golden-quality Heavenly Spirit Pill was effortless.

The onlookers all showed envy.

If only they had the chance to follow such a lord… to ascend to immortality and ancient heights, how difficult could it be?

Thinking this, their disdain and contempt for Lin Hao deepened.

Lin Hao sensed all this, his face darkening like mud.

He began to doubt his life’s meaning.

Risking his life to stand up for you, yet you’d rather have that man’s pill???

“Yes…”

The black-clad woman’s eyes rippled with a trace of emotion.

After swallowing the pill as instructed, her aura gradually stabilized as she rose and walked toward the front of the hall.

“Ding! Host slapped Lin Hao’s face; gained 1000 Destiny Points.”

Tsk tsk…

“Master, this servant will pour tea for you…”

Zhao Wan’er stepped forward respectfully beside Li Changsheng, her delicate hand lifting the jade cup to pour his tea.

“Wan’er, it seems he has some interest in you?”

Gazing at the beauty whose aura now calmed, Li Changsheng suddenly pulled her into his embrace.

Hand on her slender waist, fingers caressing her jet-black hair, he spoke softly.

“Ding! Lin Hao’s mental state impaired; Destiny Points reduced by 500. Additional reward: Host gains 5000 Destiny Points.”

“He is but a lowly scoundrel who brings his own downfall. Whether Wan’er lives or dies, she remains the master’s maid. Destiny cannot be changed.”

With such a noble status, how could Li Changsheng easily fall for another?

Zhao Wan’er was no fool and understood this well.

She showed just the right amount of respect, nodding gently and speaking softly.

Though her voice was quiet, it carried throughout the hall.

Those present exchanged puzzled glances, uncertain what to make of it.

None dared to speak.

Only Lin Hao, watching the intimate scene before him, felt a rising fury.

“Ding! Lin Hao’s mental state further impaired; Destiny Points reduced by 500. Additional reward: Host gains 5000 Destiny Points.”

This Fate Child is still too young.

At this rate, the store’s treasures are within reach.

As the female voice echoed in his mind, Li Changsheng’s indifferent expression gave way to a smile.

The Fate Child’s rise across different realms boils down to two things: encountering fools or being too arrogant.

I’m neither foolish nor arrogant, with overwhelming background and terrifying talent.

Playing to destroy a half-grown Fate Child—how easy can it be?

“Li Changsheng!! I’m talking about the previous ambush! Do you dare to fight me?”

Lin Hao’s eyes were bloodshot, fists clenched tight, teeth grinding as he spoke.

His voice was hoarse, nearly a roar.

He could not endure this persistent disregard—it was utterly humiliating!

“Activate River of the Dead Seal.”

Ignoring Lin Hao’s voice again, Li Changsheng silently commanded.

Suddenly, the entire void trembled inexplicably.

Perhaps it was the Qingling Realm itself, or even the endless star sea beyond, the myriad heavens and worlds!

A mysterious tremor rippled through all existence.

Some immensely powerful cultivators suddenly felt a strong wave of unease.

Everyone’s heart skipped a beat as a profound awe rose within them.

As if their fate was being controlled by an unseen force!

Whirr… whirr…

As their shock grew, a sound like the primordial flow of all things, from the beginning of time to its end, faintly echoed through the souls of all beings.

At that moment, a gleam flickered in Li Changsheng’s deep eyes, and a faint, illusory river suddenly appeared around him.

The ultimate breath of life and death intertwined and merged, while a tremendous aura of causality surged forth!

Above their heads, countless faint, illusory threads appeared.

These threads connected, some strong, some weak, many stretching beyond the Sword Sect to the endless horizon!

Only Li Changsheng could perceive that above everyone’s head was a subtle thread tied to their very lives.

Leading straight to that illusory River of the Dead!

“Causality Threads!!!”

The Sword Sect Master’s face turned pale with fear as he shouted.

Witnessing this, the crowd’s expressions filled with profound astonishment.

Sensing Li Changsheng’s overwhelming command over causality, a deep reverence stirred within their hearts!

“You actually command the Way of Causality!!!”

Lin Hao, unable to remain calm, stared in horror and exclaimed.

His master had told him that the Way of Causality could slay immortals—the strongest primordial art in the world!

It could erase all traces of a being’s existence!

Even his master revered it deeply! Yet this damned Li Changsheng, he actually mastered the Way of Causality!!

It’s over.

With this thought, Lin Hao’s heart brimmed with bitter resentment.

Why should someone like him wield causality?

I am the direct heir of the demon-immortal lineage—how can I be inferior?

Heaven is blind!!

If I remain, I will only suffer humiliation.

But, as his master said, the opportunity has not yet come. He cannot leave the Sword Sect for now.

Soon, Lin Hao suppressed his resentment and fell silent.

Apart from Lin Hao’s sullen face, the crowd’s fear quickly dissipated, replaced by unrestrained joy!

The Sword Sect Master’s eyes gleamed brightly.

This mighty lord had not reprimanded them earlier—he must have tacitly approved their loyalty!

Now that they had climbed the high branch, who would dare to challenge them?

As long as they mastered the art of skillful flattery, the Sword Sect would soon become the greatest sect in this realm!

“The first seal of the River of the Dead leads directly to the origin of causality, huh?”

Noticing the expressions below, Li Changsheng smiled broadly.

“Host astonished the crowd and slapped Lin Hao’s face; Destiny Points increased by 2000.”

The system’s voice sounded as Li Changsheng narrowed his eyes, scanning the few causality threads extending far above Lin Hao.

Those must be the ancient demon-immortal lineage’s forebears.

“Lin Hao! At this point, do you still have anything to say?”

The young man with undeniable presence, having recovered from shock, coldly rebuked:

“You insulted the young master repeatedly first—how can I tolerate you!”

“The young master is mighty and favored by Destiny! How could a filthy wretch like you dare spy on him?”

“Wang Youcai, you go too far!”

Lin Hao’s face instantly darkened upon hearing this. Humiliation flashed in his eyes as his aura surged and he launched a fierce punch!

Can’t beat Li Changsheng, but can you beat me?

A mere mortal dares insult the heir of the demon-immortal lineage?

A bully riding on power!

“You’re overstepping!”

Wang Youcai raised an eyebrow, snorted coldly, and unleashed a punch in return.

Boom! Crash!

Their fists collided repeatedly. Wang Youcai grew increasingly alarmed.

Lin Hao, with only Perfect Qi Condensation, could hold his own against someone at mid Foundation Establishment?

“How dare you!”

Watching the two brawling without regard for the occasion, the Sword Sect Master’s face darkened.

Casting a wary glance at Li Changsheng, he shouted with terrifying authority, suppressing their fighting instantly.

Young master has yet to speak—what are you two playing at?

Indeed, this was an upgraded lackey.

Li Changsheng, still gently holding the beauty, sat calmly sipping tea, expression indifferent as he watched the two miserable figures below, ignoring them completely.

Only when looking at the Sword Sect Master did a hint of admiration flash in his eyes.

“Guards, imprison Lin Hao and Wang Youcai in the Blackwater Prison for three years of reflection!”

Sensing the admiration in Li Changsheng’s gaze, Sect Master Zhao Ming’s heart swelled with joy, though his expression remained impassive.

He formed hand seals to seal the two’s cultivation, then barked an order.

“Ding! Lin Hao’s actions are restricted, somewhat impacting his Destiny opportunities; Destiny Points reduced by 100. Host rewarded 1000 Destiny Points.”

Yes, sitting at home, points fall from the sky.

With 990,000 Destiny Points, the configuration is indeed incomparable to a mere 10,000.

I only produced a pill and gave a few light orders, yet Destiny Points rise swiftly.

If I acted personally, would the heavens collapse and the sun darken in an instant?

By contrast, Lin Hao’s plight was miserable.

“Master, today’s incident was due to my poor planning. I beg your forgiveness.”

After Lin Hao and Wang Youcai were taken away, Zhao Ming hurriedly knelt before Li Changsheng, repeatedly kowtowing.

He looked like a lackey who had failed in his duties.

In truth, this lord would not hold grudges given their earlier flattery.

Still, formal respect must be shown.

“Boring.”

Li Changsheng understood Zhao Ming’s thoughts and disdainfully uttered two words.

Setting down his tea cup, he ignored everyone else and turned to leave the hall.

Zhao Wan’er, the maid who had destroyed her cultivation earlier, followed closely with light steps.

Within the hall, a dozen or so black-clad figures suddenly vanished in an eerie instant.

They were Li Changsheng’s attendants.