On the grasslands, within the Dantai tribe.

Upon their first encounter, Li Ziye and Dantai Jingyue inexplicably felt a strong aversion towards each other. Although neither uttered a word, the feeling of repulsion arose in both their hearts.

However, with so many people present, neither showed their feelings and quickly averted their gazes.

“Celestial Maiden.”

The Law and Confucianism scholar dismounted and courteously bowed.

“Law and Confucianism.”

Dantai Jingyue returned the bow, her demeanor equally polite.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Dantai Jingyue arranged accommodations for the guests, suggesting that the weary travelers rest first.

Li Ziye silently followed Law and Confucianism and the others away, remaining silent from beginning to end.

“Brother Li, what’s wrong? Ever since we entered the Dantai tribe, I’ve felt something off about you.”

Once everyone had left, Bai Wangyu looked at the young man beside him with concern and asked.

Having spent over half a year with Brother Li, he knew him well. Today’s Brother Li was not acting normal.

“Old Bai, I just don’t like that Celestial Maiden,” Li Ziye said inexplicably.

“Why?”

Bai Wangyu asked, puzzled. “Brother Li, this should be your first time meeting the Dantai tribe’s Celestial Maiden.”

“Indeed, it’s our first meeting.”

Li Ziye replied irritably, “But for some reason, I just don’t like her.”

Bai Wangyu frowned, puzzled. Brother Li, although capricious, was not unreasonable. What was going on today?

The Dantai Celestial Maiden hadn’t provoked Brother Li, so why did he dislike her so much?

At the same time, within a distant tent, Dantai Jingyue sat quietly in thought, silent.

“Celestial Maiden.”

Before long, Dantai Zhen entered and respectfully bowed, “I’ve found out, that young man is the legitimate son of the Li Family from Yuzhou City, Li Ziye.”

“It’s him!”

Upon hearing this, a cold light flashed in Dantai Jingyue’s eyes, the Central Plains prodigy who had invented many things unseen in this world.

“Now, this scion of the Li Family has become an instructor at the Imperial Academy, accompanying the Confucian School here. It’s said that he was personally selected by the Confucian Scholar. Although not a member of the Confucian School, his relations with several of the school’s scholars and disciples are quite good, especially with the Confucian School’s top disciple, Bai Wangyu, with whom he shares a bond of life and death,” Dantai Zhen added.

“How is his cultivation?” Dantai Jingyue continued to inquire.

“He hasn’t made many moves, but it’s estimated that he’s between the early and middle stages of the second realm,” Dantai Zhen said.

Dantai Jingyue thought for a moment and then asked, “If you were to take action, what are the chances you could eliminate him?”

Dantai Zhen was taken aback and replied, “Celestial Maiden, the Confucian School is here to help us resist the demon creatures.”

“Answer me!” Dantai Jingyue said indifferently.

Dantai Zhen trembled, realizing he had spoken out of turn, and quickly bowed his head, “One hundred percent, but only in a one-on-one situation without interference.”

“How long would you need?” Dantai Jingyue asked calmly.

“A quarter of an hour!” Dantai Zhen answered.

“A quarter of an hour, huh? Good, I will create an opportunity for you. Remember, you must succeed in this mission; failure is not an option,” Dantai Jingyue commanded coldly.

“Yes!” Dantai Zhen responded respectfully.

“You may leave,” Dantai Jingyue gestured.

“Your subordinate takes his leave.”

Dantai Zhen accepted the command and promptly stood up to leave.

The tent returned to silence, and Dantai Jingyue watched the flickering lamp light, a glimmer of light flashing in her eyes.

That Li Family scion made her feel an indescribable danger.

This was unprecedented.

She trusted her instincts; this person must not be allowed to remain.

Elsewhere, in the tent where the lights flickered, Li Ziye was still pondering the encounter with Dantai Jingyue from earlier that day, becoming increasingly irritable.

It was too strange.

Why?

It was the first time he felt such a strong repulsion towards someone.

And it was only their first meeting.

“Brother Li, don’t overthink it. Get some rest.”

Beside him, Bai Wangyu saw the young man still deep in thought and couldn’t help but speak up.

“Mm.”

Li Ziye nodded and replied softly.

“Brother Li, this isn’t like you. Even if your fate clashes with that Celestial Maiden’s, at most you just avoid her. Why be so troubled?”

On the other side, Wen Xiuru also chimed in, “We’re just passing through the Dantai tribe for a brief rest. We won’t have much to do with that Celestial Maiden.”

“I understand.”

Li Ziye nodded again, “Alright, I got it. I won’t think about it anymore. Sleep!”

With that, Li Ziye closed his eyes, pulled up the blanket, and covered his face.

On both sides, Bai Wangyu and Wen Xiuru exchanged glances, both confused. They couldn’t understand what was going on between Brother Li and the Dantai tribe’s Celestial Maiden.

“Like kings that do not meet.”

Meanwhile, in the small courtyard on the east side of the Imperial Academy in the Capital City, Kong Qiu gazed northward and calmly said.

“What do you mean?”

Qin E’nuo asked, puzzled.

“Heaven’s mandate.”

Kong Qiu spoke softly, “In this world, there are always two people with similar abilities and destinies, yet with completely opposing stances. The Dantai tribe’s Celestial Maiden and the Li Family’s young master have carried Heaven’s mandate since birth. However, their destinies are starkly different. Dantai Jingyue was born in the Desert North, while the Li Family’s young master was born in the Central Plains. If they never meet, all is well, but once they do, one must perish.”

Pausing for a moment, Kong Qiu continued, “The Book of Heaven decrees, like kings that do not meet, if the Celestial Maiden heads south, she will die. Similarly, if the Li Family’s young master goes north, great danger awaits!”

Upon hearing this, Qin E’nuo’s expression shook, “Does Li Ziye face mortal danger on this journey? If so, why does the Confucian Scholar still insist on sending him?”

“He cannot escape it.”

Kong Qiu sighed lightly, “The Li Family’s young master heading north is only a matter of time. The Dantai Celestial Maiden has not yet reached the peak of her destiny. Meeting her now might still offer a glimmer of hope. If she were at the height of her power when Li Ziye heads north, he would have no chance of survival.”

“Does the Confucian Scholar mean that Li Ziye can survive this calamity?” Qin E’nuo asked with a serious tone.

“We can only say that now is his best chance,” Kong Qiu replied.

“Is there no way to break this destiny between the two?”

Qin E’nuo asked gravely, “Is it not too hasty to determine their life and death based solely on the decree of the Book of Heaven?”

“The bell ringer must untie the bell.”

Kong Qiu looked northward, “The decree of the Book of Heaven is but a prophecy. What matters is how the two choose. If the Celestial Maiden can abandon her intention to lead the eight tribes of the Desert North on a southern campaign, or if the Li Family’s young master chooses to avoid her edge and remain uninvolved, there might be a chance for coexistence. But it’s difficult!”

Qin E’nuo furrowed her brows and continued to inquire, “The Confucian Scholar just said that if Li Ziye heads north before the Celestial Maiden reaches the peak of her destiny, there might be a sliver of hope. Does that mean if he overcomes this ordeal, he will be key to stopping her when she heads south?”

“Correct.”

Kong Qiu stated calmly, “The Li Family’s young master was born in the Central Plains. If the Celestial Maiden heads south, her destiny weakens slightly. At that time, it will be the Li Family’s young master who restrains the Dantai Celestial Maiden. Of course, there are exceptions. If one of them completely surpasses the other’s destiny, whether they head south or north, it will make no difference.”

“Has there been a precedent?” Qin E’nuo asked with concern.

“There has.”

Kong Qiu stared into the horizon, a flicker of light passing through his ancient eyes, “Light and darkness. In the past, light overcame darkness. But soon, that may change.”