Chapter 268 - 263: Sneaking Into the Island

Chapter 268: Chapter 263: Sneaking Into the Island

"You’re trying to keep us in suspense again, Master Fatty!"

The Female Cultivator next to him thought Master Fatty was deliberately teasing them, so she moved a little closer.

"This time, I’m not trying to be mysterious. I’m just debating whether or not I should say anything."

This time, no matter how much the surrounding Female Cultivators pressed him, Master Fatty didn’t utter another word and quickly made his escape.

Jiang Xu’s curiosity only grew stronger upon hearing this.

It was obvious that the third place Master Fatty was about to mention was related to that so-called ’control over fortune and misfortune’.

’Fortune and misfortune... What sort of place could be related to that?’

Jiang Xu considered many possibilities, but none of them seemed right.

In the end, Jiang Xu decided to go find Master Fatty and ask him directly.

"You’re asking me about the last place?" Master Fatty sounded a little surprised.

Jiang Xu nodded.

Master Fatty glanced furtively to his left and right.

"You’re not asking about Peach Blossom Valley or the Gladiatorial Arena? Those two represent a man’s greatest loves, lust and violence, yet you’re not interested?"

"Those two are certainly tempting, but the pursuit of the unknown is also human nature."

"Well said. But are you aware that the unknown is often the most dangerous?"

"I just want to learn about it. I don’t necessarily have to get deeply involved."

Master Fatty gave Jiang Xu a profound look.

"Once you learn about certain things, you’re not far from succumbing to them."

"..."

"Alright, I was just trying to scare you. It’s not actually that serious. If you really want to hear about it, I suppose I can tell you."

Master Fatty’s expression turned cheerful again as he began to speak of the third place.

"Greed Wolf Island has many Divination Masters. They are experts in Astrology Skill and can use the Purple Star Divination Technique to map out your entire life."

"If that were all, it wouldn’t be such a taboo subject. In fact, many people would be flocking to it."

"However, this so-called third place is different from ordinary divination. It refers to a mysterious region in a hidden valley on Greed Wolf Island, a place the locals call the ’Abyss of Destiny’."

"It is said the Divination Masters there are no ordinary mortals. They can draw upon the power of the heavens, the earth, and the stars, along with the island’s unique natural environment, to perform profound divinations and predictions. Their accuracy is extraordinary—they can even interpret the major turning points in a person’s destiny."

"But such power is a double-edged sword. While it might allow someone to know in advance the opportunities or crises in their life, giving them a tremendous advantage, it could also trigger karmic retribution for prying too deeply into the secrets of heaven. This might cause fortuitous opportunities to vanish or accelerate the arrival of misfortune."

"Those who become too reliant on or abuse this power of divination often fall into endless suffering. Some give up on life after foreseeing their own death. Others suffer a backlash from some unseen, mysterious force for meddling too much with their destiny."

"Moreover, there are unsung stories on Greed Wolf Island about people who tried to change their fate this way. They ended up being controlled by their own fear, greed, or desires, causing their lives to deviate from the proper path and end in unexpected tragedy. So, while many yearn for this power, very few dare to set foot in that place and truly delve into its secrets."

Master Fatty clapped Jiang Xu on the shoulder and said earnestly,

"Young man, curiosity is a good thing, but you must understand that the more you know about certain things, the heavier the burden. This is especially true when it comes to destiny—sometimes, ignorance is a blessing. We who live in this world must learn to remain reverent in the face of fate and calmly accept what life gives us, rather than attempting to defy the heavens and alter our destiny."

Jiang Xu took Master Fatty’s advice to heart and decided against deliberately seeking out the "Abyss of Destiny."

In the Cultivation Realm, two theories about the Celestial Dao have always been fiercely debated.

One is the "Theory of Rebellious Heaven."

It posits that Cultivation is an act of defiance against the heavens, championing the idea that "if the heavens obstruct me, I will rebel against them; if the heavens seek my doom, I will annihilate them." This theory asserts that Cultivation means never bowing before hardship and challenges, and having the courage and resolve to resist the arrangements of the Celestial Dao.

It advocates that Cultivators should boldly challenge their preordained destiny and the Laws of the Celestial Dao, viewing the path of Cultivation itself as a struggle against fate.

By constantly elevating their Cultivation, Cultivators break through the limits of life and even attempt to transcend the shackles of natural law, thereby achieving ultimate control over their own existence.

Cultivators who adhere to the Theory of Rebellious Heaven firmly believe that only by constantly fighting, seizing, and transforming—gathering all resources unto themselves—can they reach higher Realms and achieve extraordinary levels of Cultivation.

The other is the "Theory of Following the Heavens."

In contrast, the Theory of Following the Heavens leans toward respecting and conforming to the natural workings of the Celestial Dao, emphasizing that "the Dao is constant in non-action, yet there is nothing it does not do."

Proponents of this theory believe that all things in the universe possess an inherent order and pattern, which is the Celestial Dao.

They advocate that a Cultivator should align with these patterns, reaching a Realm of communion with heaven and earth, and unity with nature, through a deep understanding and enlightenment of the Celestial Dao.

Guided by this philosophy, Cultivators do not forcibly defy the heavens. Instead, they focus on their Cultivation, improve themselves, bide their time, and calmly await the arrival of their destiny.

They believe that true opportunities and advancement come from comprehending and harmonizing with the Celestial Dao, not from blindly struggling against fate.

Within the Cultivation Realm, there are many extremists on both sides of this debate.

Of course, most Cultivators seek a balance between the two, and Jiang Xu was no exception.