Chapter One: The Enlightened Master

Wuli Town, outside Lihe Village, Luoxia Wild Mountain.

Two flying swords, shimmering with cyan mist and rainbow light, descended from the void.

As the radiance faded, two young women in purple gauze dresses appeared at the foot of the mountain, raising their heads to gaze at the desolate peak.

Atop the wild mountain stood a dilapidated ancient temple.

Amidst the vast and boundless wilderness, the temple looked tiny, as if a single gust of wind could scatter it to pieces.

“According to the information, this is the altar where the villagers of Lihe worship—an old, ignorant place where the elderly pray for the heavens’ protection.

But looking at how rundown it is, it hardly seems like a place where an enlightened master would reside.

Could there really be such a heaven-defying diviner here?”

A purple-clad maiden with an ethereal air furrowed her brows, casting a doubtful glance at the girl beside her.

The other girl smiled gently at these words, her beautiful eyes instantly brightening. “Don’t worry, this master truly has real abilities. Soon, Sister Foster, you’ll see for yourself.”

The girl’s name was Ethan Carter, a true disciple of the The Foster Sanctuary.

And the stunning maiden at her side was none other than the first Saintess of The Foster Sanctuary, Fairy Foster.

Fairy Foster, whose real name was Emily Sullivan, had an identity and background known to none. Outsiders only knew her as Fairy Foster, assuming her name contained the character ‘漓’.

Emily Sullivan and Ethan Carter, though of different status, were as close as sisters.

Upon learning that Fairy Foster was searching for cultivators with the power to divine fate, Ethan Carter immediately introduced her to such a remarkable figure.

Over the years, Emily Sullivan had completely lost hope in fate-divining cultivators. She had seen far too many frauds and impostors, and no longer held any expectations.

But this time, she couldn’t resist Ethan Carter’s persistent persuasion, so she reluctantly agreed to come.

Unexpectedly, the moment she saw the environment, her hopes dropped by seventy percent.

A true enlightened master, even if returning to simplicity, would still exude an invisible aura and Daoist charm.

But this place...

It was not only desolate and bleak, but gusts of cold wind would occasionally stir up clouds of miasma.

Was this really the residence of an enlightened master? Or was it a haunt of demons and monsters?

With these doubts, Emily Sullivan and Ethan Carter arrived before the ruined temple at the mountaintop.

Upon entering, Emily Sullivan first saw a chaotic array of statues depicting all sorts of demons and monsters from folk legends—random objects of faith for the villagers, which, in her eyes, were nothing but ignorant and laughable.

Looking further into the temple’s rooms, there were actually some statues of genuine ‘great figures’, but these were broken and indistinct. There were no signs of offerings beneath them, making the whole scene seem insincere.

There wasn’t even a proper facade!

Being somewhat of a neat freak and a perfectionist, Emily Sullivan had already dismissed the owner’s abilities in her heart.

Not to mention anything else—just from their lifestyle, you could tell a person’s character.

Let alone that a true diviner’s mind should transcend the mundane, attaining the highest virtue and supreme detachment.

But here...

Emily Sullivan couldn’t sense the slightest trace of Daoist aura, nor any mysterious presence of fate.

“Looks like it’s just another charlatan, using the title of diviner to swindle people. The fact that he managed to win Little Ethan’s trust probably means he’s just a smooth talker.”

Emily Sullivan made her judgment again, her disappointment deepening.

Her gaze shifted, and soon she saw, on the other side of the statues, a young man in white scholar’s robes sitting cross-legged on a wooden bed.

He looked about seventeen or eighteen, with a refined and handsome appearance, extraordinary and elegant.

Judging by looks alone, he was truly outstanding.

Seeing this, Emily Sullivan was suddenly struck by a thought. She lowered her voice and teased, “Ethan Brooks, could it be you brought me here to see the young man in your heart?”

At these words, Ethan Carter’s pretty face immediately flushed with shyness, and a hint of panic flashed in her beautiful eyes. “Please don’t say that, Sister Foster. Master Carter’s ability to divine fate is truly formidable. We mustn’t be disrespectful to the master.”