Chapter 752 - 537: The Celestial Mandate in Chaos (3)

Chapter 752: Chapter 537: The Celestial Mandate in Chaos (3)

If it weren’t for the Golden Core aura, Lu Qian wouldn’t have recognized this Golden Core as Master Kan Yuan just by looking!

Is this still the Master Kan Yuan who once appeared as ethereal and charismatic, with a distinguished presence?

The situation has indeed deteriorated to this extent...

"Sect Leader Lu, I am gravely injured and cannot fly to meet you. I beg your understanding." Master Kan Yuan weakly smiled.

Lu Qian shook his head repeatedly and supported him: "There’s no need for such formality, let’s talk inside."

Master Kan Yuan nodded and carefully looked Wei Zhaixing up and down, whose expression was stiff.

"Please!"

They once again passed through the artistic and winding corridors of the manor, but this time neither party had time to admire it, hurrying into the main hall to take their seats.

Once Master Kan Yuan instructed his disciple to leave the hall and close the door, only Master Kan Yuan, Lu Qian, and Wei Zhaixing remained inside.

Noticing the empty space behind Master Kan Yuan, missing a familiar figure, Lu Qian ultimately couldn’t help asking: "Brother Si Chen..."

Master Kan Yuan lowered his gaze, and a look of grief appeared on the face of the elderly cultivator.

"He failed the Celestial Tribulation and was turned to ashes by the storm."

Even though it was anticipated, Lu Qian still sighed. Over the years, he had learned much about the two-state war over a hundred and eighty years ago, knowing that Jiyang Manor suffered heavily, losing two generations of key members in battle, and all of Master Kan Yuan’s direct disciples died in combat.

In a bid to lead Jiyang Manor out of its predicament, Master Kan Yuan at the time forcefully attempted to divinate the Celestial Mandate, hoping to change fate, but faced backlash, never progressing in cultivation.

Afterward, Master Kan Yuan became disheartened, secluding himself in Jiyang Manor, and Xinghu County essentially isolated itself from the outside world.

Si Chen was the only disciple Master Kan Yuan took in again under such circumstances, raising him from a young age, personally transmitting the path, always treating him as his own.

Unexpectedly, the Si Chen upon whom all his hopes were pinned failed this time to cross the Celestial Tribulation, falling on the spot.

"Senior, your divination techniques are unparalleled in the realm; logically, you should have been prepared." Lu Qian couldn’t help asking, "Under your guidance, how could brother Si Chen still..."

Master Kan Yuan merely sighed wistfully.

"The Celestial Mandate cannot be altered."

"Counting this, I’ve attempted to change it twice, both ending in failure."

"Jiyang Manor is destined to decline under my hand, left to struggle for survival within the realm."

"And my disciple Si Chen was doomed to fall in the Celestial Tribulation, with my True Words of Prophecy revealing not a trace of vitality."

Lu Qian questioned in confusion: "Celestial Tribulation is a natural occurrence, neither deceitful nor avoidable, so how can it be divined? If success or failure could be known in advance, wouldn’t everyone come to you for a reading before preparing for the tribulation?"

"Sect Leader Lu may not understand. I can foretell Si Chen’s fate only because he is my disciple, influenced by my teachings for over a hundred and thirty years. Others, I indeed cannot predict."

"Even so, attributing all to the Celestial Mandate seems too defeatist." Lu Qian spoke earnestly, "Destiny exists in the unseen, but human effort dictates; man’s victory over heaven is not just an empty phrase."

Master Kan Yuan only managed a weak smile: "For Sect Leader Lu, perhaps it’s true, but for me..."

"No matter how much I strive, I can only watch Si Chen turn to ashes."

These calm words carried deep sorrow and pain, weighing on Lu Qian’s heart.

But he still noticed Master Kan Yuan’s phrasing, puzzled: "What do you mean by ’for me’?"

Master Kan Yuan looked towards Lu Qian.

"Sect Leader Lu, ever since our first meeting when my divine techniques automatically uttered a prophecy for you, I’ve been very curious and wanted to see your fate."

"But then I realized all my divination techniques lose their meaning with you."

"Your Celestial Mandate is already in chaos."