"You should have asked about this earlier," Fate's voice echoed, tinged with faint amusement.
"Didn't you say you were still absorbing the blessings from the Spiritual Vein? I assumed it would take longer," Su Kang replied, a slight frown crossing his face as he defended his timing.
"Fine. Just remember, this classification system was created for your understanding. Don't mistake these interpretations for absolute truths," Fate responded, its tone indifferent yet firm.
Su Kang gave a silent nod.
"I have divided a person's destiny into five primary qualities, each represented by a color: Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Purple."
Fate's voice grew steady, almost instructional.
"Orange symbolizes the ordinary path—limited potential, stagnant growth. It reflects mediocrity, the baseline most lives tend toward unless shaped by powerful change. Common mortals and cultivators whose paths have stagnated often have this as their dominant hue."
"Yellow reflects a destiny forged through hardship. It denotes a path marked by struggle, but also resilience—the chance to rise through sheer effort. Many who rise from humble beginnings possess a strong Yellow influence."
"Green represents inherent advantages. A favorable birth, reliable bloodline talents, inherited resources, or a spiritual constitution—it signifies a stable platform granted at birth rather than earned. It's the destiny of those born with tools already in hand."
"Blue represents the exceptional—fortune that transcends inheritance. It embodies profound opportunities, a unique concentration of fate. Serendipitous encounters, rare spiritual bodies, or unmatched talent often follow it."
Fate paused briefly before continuing, its tone sharpening slightly.
"Purple is the rarest. It suggests Heaven has favored them, nudging their fate for a specific purpose, whether for blessing or trial. Even a small amount can drastically shape how the other colors manifest."
Fate let the words hang for a moment, allowing the weight of its explanation to settle.
"No one's destiny is made of a single colour. It is a blend—a complex tapestry, each shade weaving through time and choice. The percentages indicate dominance, but their interplay defines the path. No one is purely one thing; even the weakest mortals often hold a flicker of potential."
Su Kang tapped his fingers lightly against the table, absorbing the explanation with a thoughtful gaze.
After a moment, he exhaled and voiced the question lingering in his mind.
"So… what colors make up mine?"
Fate responded without hesitation. "You are a variable now. Your destiny has already diverged from the plans of Heaven. These percentages do not define your future, but they offer a glimpse—an approximation of your value and opportunities in the eyes of the Heavenly Dao."
Su Kang understood. With the influence of Fate, his destiny could shift at any time. These numbers could not show his true potential.
"You currently possess 10% Blue, 25% Green, 30% Yellow, and the remainder is Orange," Fate revealed.
He acknowledged the answer with a quiet nod, but waited—he sensed more was coming.
"As for your brother… his destiny contains 10% Purple, 25% Green, and the remainder is Yellow. There's no Orange. He has received some form of Heavenly favor, and yet his path remains that of an average person."
Su Kang frowned deeply. "How is that possible? With Purple in his destiny and no Orange at all—how can he still be so unremarkable?"
"I suspect karmic interference or a deeper factor beyond my current comprehension. That is why I must continue absorbing destiny and refining my understanding. In time, I may uncover the truth."
Su Kang exhaled slowly. He couldn't afford to sacrifice more Spiritual Veins. They were exceedingly rare in the Jiang State. He would revisit this when the time was right.
His thoughts shifted toward another person. "What about Li Fang?"
Fate's tone became unreadable. "I'll need to observe him again to give you an accurate reading."
Su Kang nodded, then asked another question. "And Yue Mei?"
"Her destiny is composed of 10% Purple, 15% Blue, 40% Green, and the rest is Yellow. She faces challenges, but her fortune is of excellent quality overall."
After listening to Fate's words, Su Kang felt he had a basic grasp of the system. Yue Mei's profile confirmed his suspicions—this new guest was indeed significant.
"She certainly has the potential to become a figure of great influence," he mused, a faint smile playing at his lips. "But acting like that…"
He glanced at the jade scroll again and let out a quiet chuckle.
"Let's make their morning… a bit more entertaining."
The rich aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling meats filled the air, blending with the faint scent of dew-kissed grass.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting soft golden patches over the elegant dining setup in the eastern garden pavilion.
At the center of it all sat Su Ting and Yue Mei, sharing a luxurious breakfast.
Su Ting was the first to spot him, his face lighting up with his usual exuberance. "Brother! Come, join us!"
Across from him, Yue Mei barely lifted her gaze, offering only a subtle nod in acknowledgment before resuming her meal.
Su Kang took his time approaching, his movements deliberate. "Good morning," he greeted, his voice calm, yet carrying an unmistakable edge.
He slid into the seat beside his brother, eyes sweeping over the extravagant spread before him—steamed dumplings, fragrant spiritual congee, stir-fried greens, and the succulent meat of spiritual beasts.
For a mere breakfast, my brother sure knows how to impress, Su Kang thought, amused.
"I didn't realize you preferred eating here," he remarked, a teasing lilt in his voice.
His gaze flickered toward Yue Mei. "It seems her charm has swayed you."
Su Ting choked on his tea, his face reddening. "Brother, what are you even talking about?"
He waved his hands frantically. "Miss Yue merely mentioned the garden was beautiful, so I thought it would be nice to eat here!"
Su Kang said nothing, only smiling knowingly.
His attention shifted to Yue Mei. Even as Su Ting flailed, she remained composed, her expression unreadable while she continued eating with measured grace.
Her movements were refined and elegant—too polished to be casual.
She is not affected by this. Her bearing is that of nobility. She must have been raised in an environment of strict etiquette.
He leaned slightly forward. "I hope everything is to your liking, Miss Yue," he said, his tone polite, though laced with subtle intent. "We want to ensure your stay here is as comfortable as possible."
She finally met his gaze. Her crimson eyes were calm, giving away nothing. "The meal is agreeable," she replied, voice smooth as still water. A slight pause. "Your chefs have a way with recipes."
Su Kang chuckled. "I'm sure you're not here just for the food. If so, I wouldn't mind sending my brother along with you. Our chefs are excellent, but I imagine he'd make a better companion—and who knows, perhaps he'll grow up in the Xuantian Empire."
Su Ting groaned. "Brother!"
A flicker of something passed through Yue Mei's eyes, quickly extinguished.
Su Kang noticed it.
He pressed forward. "So, Miss Yue, what brings someone of your stature to a place like Jiang State?"
Yue Mei remained composed. "My journey brought me here by chance, Young Master Su. I was searching for knowledge regarding an ancient, rare medicinal herb said to grow in this region."
"The spiritual energy here may seem weak, but for the right eyes, this land holds many valuable treasures."
Su Kang hummed thoughtfully. Inwardly, however, he was unconvinced.
Valuable treasures? Did she not even bother making her excuse more convincing—or does she truly believe this?
Still smiling, he concealed his thoughts. "It's always refreshing to see talented individuals pursue their passions. I hope your search proves fruitful."
Su Ting sat awkwardly, his thoughts a mess.
What's going on with brother? Why is he acting like younger uncle? Miss Yue is a Core Formation cultivator too, yet he's treating her like a junior.
As if sensing his confusion, Su Kang turned toward him.
"Su Ting, have you been entertaining our esteemed guest well? If not, there will be consequences."
Su Ting blinked. "Consequences?"
Su Kang sighed. He leaned forward slightly, expression grave, voice low enough for only his brother to hear.
"The Family Head has decided to punish you for your actions," he said. "I lessened the penalty, but... you'll still have to lose one of your limbs."
Su Ting's body froze.
The Family Head? Eldest Uncle made that decision—but why?
His mind stalled, struggling to process the weight of the words. Slowly, his thoughts turned to Yue Mei.
He had assumed that as long as she wasn't some hidden disaster, he would be forgiven. After all, even if she had fooled him, she was a Core Formation expert.
He had considered reporting her to the family, but after Su Kang's reassurances, he left the matter alone.
Now, it seemed the family had judged him regardless.
Worse than the punishment itself was the thought of his parents—the disappointment in their eyes.