Everyone nodded in praise and began discussing the concept of "Examiner’s Thinking."
Afterward, Li Qingxian and the others reviewed the ten steps of the "Minor Official’s Promotion" Life Play, one by one. During this process, Li Qingxian discovered that, just as Master Xu Yuanhai had said, explaining it all helped him grasp concepts he had previously missed. He also received insights from the others, and many things suddenly clicked into place.
The entire review session took even longer than the Life Play itself.
After reviewing the final battle, many of the Fate Masters were lost in thought.
Those who had disliked the Life Play or doubted the level of Li Qingxian’s Fate Skill were now completely convinced.
Everyone now understood. Li Qingxian’s Fate Skill level was indeed not high, but his insight into Fate Skills and Trend Formations was far superior to that of other Fate Masters of the same grade.
Finally, Yanzi Head smiled and asked, "Play Leader, what was the single most important thing you learned from this Life Play? If you could only mention one thing, what would it be?"
"Just one thing..."
Li Qingxian pondered this for a long while before speaking. "At first, my deepest insight was that one must follow the grand trend, while also being able to perceive, discern, and ride that trend. But I gradually realized that in this Life Play, there was another force influencing my Destiny Gentleman, one in no way inferior to the external grand trend. That force is a person’s lifelong efforts—their hard work, learning, Cultivation, Human Destiny Star, and so on. At first, these things seem useless, but by persisting for years, decades, or even longer, they coalesce into a powerful Human Destiny Star that can completely transform a person. If you look at a person as a country, then what is the grand trend of this Destiny Gentleman’s life? Is it effort? Diligence? And what is the grand trend of my own life? If I can find my life’s grand trend and follow it, even if I don’t achieve great fame and success, wouldn’t that be far, far better than doing nothing at all?"
The crowd fell into deep thought.
"This guy is incredible..." whispered Parrot Head.
"Quite impressive," White Deer Head said with a faint nod.
Liu Laohu sighed. "Regardless of your past or your present, if you can grasp this concept and act on it, I guarantee you will become an Upper-Grade Fate Master one day! Don’t mind that I’m Seventh Grade and on the verge of breaking into Middle Grade—I never managed to grasp this point."
"If we Middle-Grade Fate Masters had participated in this Life Play, we might not have performed any worse, but who would dare claim their understanding is deeper than his? I certainly wouldn’t."
The Middle-Grade Fate Masters all nodded in agreement.
"’The world’s grand trend is beyond my control, but my life’s grand trend is within my grasp.’ This is the first I’ve heard such a thing," an old man sighed from nearby. "To have such an insight at his age... truly incredible."
The crowd continued to discuss the Life Play until dawn began to break, at which point they gradually dispersed.
Li Qingxian and Guo Xiang went back to browsing the Fate Master stalls, checking to see if they had missed anything.
A few people secretly asked for the price of his All-Purpose Jade Pendant, but Li Qingxian turned them down, using the excuse that it was a gift from a master and he couldn’t possibly sell it.
After walking a few steps, they were approached by White Deer Head, with Parrot Head in tow.
White Deer Head beamed at Li Qingxian, handing him a bamboo slip about an inch long. "You’re very impressive," she said with a smile. "Let’s be friends."
Li Qingxian was surprised to see her openly offering a name card, making no attempt to conceal her identity. He paused for a moment before taking it. The front was engraved with the character "Shen," and the back with the name "Xiaoyi."
Excellent Young Master, Shen Xiaoyi.
Its surface was engraved with light blue Magical Power cloud patterns, indicating it could be used with a Communication Talisman Disc.
"So it’s you. I’ve heard great things," Li Qingxian said politely, accepting the name card.
"My reputation is modest. I just run a merchant association and have organized a few trade fairs for Fate Masters, that’s all," Shen Xiaoyi replied, her gaze warm and her voice gentle and melodious.
"I recall someone saying you’re ranked among the top ten Young Fate Masters."
"It’s hard to say. We Fate Masters don’t have official rankings like those for Martial Arts or Literature Cultivation."
They chatted for a few more moments before parting ways.
Guo Xiang watched Shen Xiaoyi’s retreating figure. "You should check out the next trade fair held by Excellent Young Master."
"Is it famous?" Li Qingxian asked.
"Her family’s merchant association isn’t well-known in the north, but in the south, it’s easily one of the top three. It’s backed by the powers of Jiangnan’s Martial Arts, Literature Cultivation, and Fate Master communities—no small feat. Befriending her is more important than attending the trade fair itself."
"I see. No wonder she has so many Life Artifacts and knows so many Fate Skills. Turns out she’s loaded," Li Qingxian said.
"You should find time to buy a Communication Talisman Disc. You’re making friends with First-Grade masters and the Young Master of a merchant association. It’s going to be very inconvenient without one."
"Where can I buy one?"
"Most are commissioned by the Imperial Court from the Hundred Weapons Sect. They’re considered Court property and are reclaimed after an official dies. A few have made their way into the open market, and some other Sects can craft them, but those are either incredibly expensive or they can only make single-layer discs. At the rate your network is expanding, even a three-layer Talisman Disc might not be enough for you. As for where to buy one, it’s all down to luck."
"How much do they cost?"
"You’re really shooting for the stars. They start at ten thousand taels of silver. If you have people keep an eye out, you’ll eventually be able to buy one."
"Could I just buy a few single-layer Communication Talisman Discs instead?" Li Qingxian asked.
"I suppose that would work..." Guo Xiang said.
"I’ll figure out a way to get my hands on a few."
They made another round but found nothing worth buying. They did, however, collect seven or eight name cards. Liu Laohu handed his over with a long face. "I lost over seven thousand taels of silver on you. That was my nest egg for getting a wife! Here’s my card. If you come to the Capital City often, don’t hesitate to find me if you need anything."
"Master Liu, you’re too kind," said Li Qingxian.
"Don’t say that! You’ll shorten my lifespan with such politeness. If you keep going like this, you’ll probably surpass me, Liu Laohu, in a couple of years."
Guo Xiang cut in, "You lost over seven thousand on him, but how many tens of thousands did you win off everyone else?"
"Heh heh..." Liu Laohu just chuckled without answering.
As the sun rose, the Fate Masters began to depart.
After stepping off the Beast Bridge, the two reappeared on the small, dilapidated bridge. They boarded their carriage, and Guo Xiang waved a hand to seal the compartment with his Magical Power.
"How do you feel?"
"I’ve gained so much. My understanding of Fate Skill is much deeper now. I used to think it was just a special type of Magic, but now I realize it’s something far grander, though it’s hard to put into words. I have this faint feeling that what a Destiny Cultivator cultivates isn’t the Skill itself, but one’s life, the nation, and the world."
Guo Xiang nodded. "Those mediocre Lower-Grade Fate Masters can practice Cultivation their entire lives and never see this. They just treat Fate Skill like Magic or Martial Arts, and so they never reach Middle Grade. With this insight, your path in the Fate Skill Realm will be a smooth one. Your understanding of ’life’s grand trend’ is truly original. I suspect you’ll soon be famous throughout the Fate Skill Realm."
"It’s just a minor, unrefined thought," Li Qingxian said humbly.
"Have you ever heard what Flower-Seeking Master Liuu once said about the grand trend?"
Li Qingxian shook his head.
"He said, ’When you reach First Grade, you *are* the grand trend.’"
Li Qingxian slowly mulled this over.
Back at the Night Guard Office, bathed in the early morning sun, Li Qingxian greeted the just-awakened Han Anbo and Yu Ping before crashing into bed.
He hadn’t been asleep for long when a loud commotion outside startled him awake.
Li Qingxian sat up, annoyed. He squinted, still groggy, on the edge of his bed.
Han Anbo stood at the doorway. "Did we wake you?"
"What happened?"
"The Divine Capital Bureau... there’s been a great upheaval," Han Anbo said with a soft sigh.
"What do you mean?" The fog in Li Qingxian’s eyes cleared in an instant.