C19 Un Destined

"Alright!" Ling Han felt a sudden sense of clarity after hearing the Eternity's affirmative assessment.

"However, don't get too cocky. With your current level of cultivation, if you encounter someone at the second level of astral force who wants to kill you, you'll still need to flee," the Eternity warned with a serious tone. "And if a master at the fourth or fifth level of astral force comes after you, you won't stand a chance of escaping!"

"Understood, Eternity. The path of cultivation leaves no room for laziness or arrogance," Ling Han acknowledged, well aware that pride can lead to setbacks.

"Still, there's something else I need to ask you," Ling Han quickly turned the conversation, "How much power can your Heavenly Book currently unleash? I've seen Miss Faang Yi wield the Scarlet Moon Whip, and she seems capable of taking on opponents well above her level."

It was clear that Ling Han was fascinated by weapons. Watching Faang Yi handle the Scarlet Moon Whip and hold her own against adversaries two levels above her had only deepened his obsession.

"Hmm? Are you referring to my true form?" the Eternity inquired, tempering expectations. "Don't count on me having the power I once did."

"If I had even one ten-thousandth of my former strength, a mere encounter with me would reduce you to ashes," the Eternity explained earnestly. "At my prime, I was close to the pinnacle of the Transcendent Realm, perhaps even surpassing it, with a significant presence in the vast cosmos. But those days are gone. Since I've absorbed the strongest system that was part of your body, I'm roughly at the Perfection level of the Awakening Stage."

"However, that's also because there are far too few believers in you on Earth. If there were over ten million, I might be able to regain one percent of my power," the Eternity declared, almost provocatively.

"What? Really?" Ling Han could hardly believe it. "Then why can't I continue to gather the power of faith to enhance your strength?"

Ling Han was keen to bolster the Eternity's power, as it would also ensure his own safety. After all, he had narrowly escaped death at the hands of the Chief Elder and was particularly concerned about the Eternity's well-being.

"Your most powerful system has been consumed by me, along with all the earthly power of faith within you. You're naturally unable to sense any stars now, nor can you feel the presence of your believers," Zhou Yu explained. "However, it's quite simple for you to enhance my strength. Once you've reached the realm of Astral Force, I'll teach you a technique that will allow you to tap into the stellar power within me."

"Then, it won't just be stars inhabited by mortals like Earth that can collect the power of faith for you. You might even be able to anchor your primordial spirit on stars inhabited by cultivators," Zhou Yu said with a hint of pride. "Rest assured, at your current level of Awakening, you're not yet able to grasp the intricacies of the power of faith. You'll need to refine your genuine energy further before you can learn the technique."

"Alright!" Ling Han replied, unfazed. He was certain of his abilities and knew that attaining the Astral Force Realm was just a matter of time.

"It's nearly noon; you should head over to Lunar Crest Keep promptly. Don't keep Miss Faang Yi waiting," Zhou Yu advised before disappearing into the depths of the Heavenly Book.

"Of course! I completely lost track of time with my cultivation—it's been a whole day," Ling Han suddenly realized, slapping his forehead. "I mustn't be late this time; I'm still looking forward to the reward Miss Faang Yi promised."

Soon after, Ling Han made his way hastily to Lunar Crest Keep.

Meanwhile, Faang Yi had already been waiting for him at the Outer Pavilion of Lunar Crest Keep.

"Could he have forgotten what I told him?" Faang Yi wondered, her lips pursed in annoyance. "Hmph! I arrived so early, and he doesn't even think to come sooner!"

"Miss Faang Yi!"

Just as Faang Yi was on the verge of getting upset, a voice cut through the air.

"Hee hee! You've finally arrived," Faang Yi greeted him with a sweet smile. "Here, this is your mission reward."

Despite the revealing encounter with Ling Han the day before, Faang Yi was resilient and had quickly moved past the embarrassment.

"Have you prepared Young Master Wang's portion of the reward?" Ling Han inquired, taking the reward but not yet examining it, choosing instead to remind Faang Yi.

"Of course not," Faang Yi said, her face darkening. "Wang Ji is the epitome of sleaze. He ran off when I was protecting you, a true hypocrite through and through."

"Now he's holed up in the Imperial Residence, and I doubt he'll ever set foot in Lunar Crest Keep again. That's probably for the best," she continued.

"You're right, Wang Ji isn't someone worth associating with," Ling Han agreed. "He's all talk, but when it comes down to it, he's not the kind of friend who will stand by you in tough times."

"By the way, I still owe you thanks for last time." Faang Yi looked down, her eyes demure. "Here, this is the shirt you lent me."

Ling Han accepted the shirt, noticing it was impeccably clean.

"I washed it by hand after I took it off. It's clean now, isn't it?" Faang Yi said with a chuckle.

As she recalled the warmth of the shirt and Ling Han's lingering scent, Faang Yi felt a fondness for the memory. Yet, her interaction with Ling Han remained cordial.

"Alright! I appreciate it, Miss Faang Yi!" Seeing Faang Yi blush, Ling Han decided it was best not to linger and risk further embarrassment.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Ling Han bid her farewell.

"Damn, can't that kid take a hint?" Faang Yi fumed as Ling Han quickly took his leave, along with the rewards. She felt a twinge of anger, followed by a sense of longing. "Right, I never got his address!"

But it was too late to chase after him now.

"Humph! Next time I see him, I'll be tougher on him. I won't let him think I'm a pushover."

Indeed, the heart of a woman is as elusive as a needle in a haystack.

However, once Ling Han had departed, a watchful presence from the depths of Lunar Crest Keep also receded.

"To think this young man possesses a Heavenly Weapon, something even I lack."

The observer was none other than the Tower Master herself, who had caught a glimpse of Ling Han when Faang Yi presented him with the reward.

Given the Tower Master's level of cultivation, it's no surprise that she had mastered clairvoyance techniques long ago, allowing her to see Ling Han through multiple barriers.

"Furthermore, my bead is with him. Could he be the one fated for this?" pondered the Tower Master, her mind awash with countless thoughts.