Chapter 43: Heavenly Insight Eye! The Fate of Accompanying the Protagonist!

A complex rune flickered within Chen Xuan’s eyes. Though invisible to others, it covered his pupils completely.

His vision rapidly changed, as if he had stepped into another dimension.

Everything became clearer than ever before. He even had the intoxicating illusion that the world’s deepest secrets had been laid bare before him.

Fortunately, having experienced something similar during his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm, he quickly snapped out of it.

Forcing himself to remain calm, he concentrated on Xiao Huo—or rather, the space just the boy’s head.

A dense, golden cloud immediately flooded his vision.

It floated a few meters above the boy, swirling around his body like a protective shield.

The cloud seemed to sense his gaze. It trembled before lashing out at the air around him.

Fortunately, it was unable to pinpoint the source of his observation. It soon settled, returning to its steady, pulsing state.

In the past, such a sight would have baffled Chen Xuan.

However, having read the System’s description of the Heavenly Insight Eye, the upgraded version of the Insight Eye, he understood exactly what he was looking at.

...

[Heavenly Insight Eye—Possessing all the abilities of its predecessor, Insight Eye, it can extract even profound information. Additionally, it allows the Host to glimpse the luck and destiny of others.]

...

That’s right! The golden cloud represented Xiao Huo’s luck.

Chen Xuan had glimpsed the luck of many people, both within and outside the Jade Pure Sect.

Yet this was the first time he had seen anything so terrifying.

The golden mist carried an unfathomable power, as if it were a direct extension of the Heavens themselves.

But upon taking a closer look, Chen Xuan noticed a flaw.

A small chunk of the cloud was missing.

Although it was only a tiny part along its edges, it was glaringly obvious to him.

’Is his current condition the result of this lost luck?’ he wondered.

Unable to restrain curiosity, Chen Xuan took the initiative to activate the Heavenly Insight Eye.

...

[Name: Xiao Huo]

[Physique: Great Sun Holy Body (Low-Grade) {Damaged}]

[Cultivation: Qi Refining (Late)]

[Technique: Fire Buddha Lotus Art (3rd Level)]

[Talent Rating: 6.5 (7) Stars]

[Evaluation: ...]

[Due to certain events, this person’s luck has diminished. While it will naturally recover over time, they are currently highly vulnerable to luck plundering.]

[Secrets: This person has received the guidance of a mysterious Soul Transformation cultivator.]

...

Xiao Huo’s panel had changed significantly since Chen Xuan last viewed it.

More information was shown due to the upgrade of Insight Eye, while his Talent Rating had fallen by 0.5, down to 6.5.

Chen Xuan mainly focused his eyes on the last two prompts.

The first prompt, and the golden cloud he had just seen, answered his doubts.

Was Xiao Huo the ’Destined Protagonist’? Yes!

Was his current fate related to his own interference? Also yes!

However, Chen Xuan did not have time to mull over this.

The [Secrets] column left him breathless.

’A Soul Transformation cultivator?’ he nearly gasped aloud.

That was the realm above Soul Formation, two full stages higher than his current Nascent Soul realm.

To his knowledge, no such expert existed within Jade Pure Sect, at least on the surface. Such beings were practically mythical figures within the Tianxuan Domain.

Yet Xiao Huo had received the guidance of such an expert?

Chen Xuan quickly recovered from the initial shock.

Recalling the many books he had read in the previous life and thinking of his identity as a ’Destined Protagonist’, he consciously scanned Xiao Huo’s body once more.

Soon, his gaze locked onto a simple ring on the boy’s right hand.

He hadn’t noticed anything unusual before, but the moment his gaze settled on this ring, a cold shiver ran down his spine.

He had a sudden hunch: if he did anything out of line, such as trying to kill Xiao Huo, he would die instantly.

Cold sweat prickled across his skin. He felt as if he were walking on a tightrope.

He found it difficult not to flee immediately.

Deactivating the Heavenly Insight Eye, he maintained a solemn expression and turned to Lan Lanyue, who was watching him with growing anxiety.

"How is it, Junior Brother Chen? Do you believe my disciple can survive this misfortune?" he asked, a hopeful look shining in his eyes.

Chen Xuan didn’t answer immediately. A thoughtful look emerged on his face before he finally nodded.

But before Lan Lanyue could relax, Chen Xuan sighed and shook his head.

"This boy’s condition is not fatal, but it is grave," he prefaced.

"Both his soul and Physique have been severely wounded. The latter is fine; with time and the right pills, it can be mended. But the damage to his soul is...."

Chen Xuan did not finish his sentence, but his implication was clear.

Lan Lanyue didn’t need him to finish.

He knew that soul injuries were notoriously difficult to treat. Only cultivators at Nascent Soul and higher had a chance to recover from such a blow, though even then, the chances were slim.

The last hope in Lan Lanyue’s heart shattered.

He understood Chen Xuan’s unspoken meaning: his disciple was finished!

Even if he were to survive, his path of cultivation was over!

A look of sorrow washed over Lan Lanyue’s face as he stared at Xiao Huo, silently blaming himself in his heart.

However, he quickly suppressed his grief and forced a faint smile.

"Junior Brother Chen, thank you for your help," he said, offering a deep bow.

"Although you couldn’t heal my disciple, our agreement still stands firm. I’ll provide the materials you requested immediately."

Saying this, he paused briefly, gritted his teeth, and added:

"You may call upon me if you encounter any trouble during the coming war. I, Lan Lanyue, will surely repay today’s favor."

--

Lan Lanyue escorted Chen Xuan to the border of Battle Peak.

Then, he returned to the infirmary, seemingly intent on staying by Xiao Huo’s side.

Watching the man’s genuine display of guilt, Chen Xuan couldn’t help but shake his head.

He felt somewhat moved. Perhaps he might have misunderstood this Senior Brother of his.

’Senior Brother Lan may be ambitious, but he isn’t necessarily evil. At least, he is willing to cast aside his pride and beg for my help in order to save his disciple.’

Though he stood on Qian Lingxue’s side, and the two could technically be considered enemies, Chen Xuan felt no ill will toward him.

At most, the other party was simply overly ambitious.

He guessed this was the reason why Qian Lingxue tolerated him. As long as he didn’t do anything that harmed the Jade Pure Sect’s interests, his ambition was merely part of the sect’s internal politics.

’The promise of a Late Stage Nascent Soul cultivator is a precious thing. At any other time, it would greatly increase my chances of survival.’

’Unfortunately...’ Chen Xuan shook his head.

Before the two had parted, he had momentarily activated the Heavenly Insight Eye to look at Lan Lanyue.

The result was grim.

A black cloud, crackling with chaotic lightning, hovered over his head, looking as though it were ready to devour his very existence.

Much like Xiao Huo’s golden cloud, it was a phenomenon Chen Xuan had never encountered before.

Yet, its meaning was unmistakable: Lan Lanyue was doomed.

’Is this the so-called misfortune that accompanies the Destined Protagonist’s close ones? Even a Nascent Soul expert cannot suppress it.’

’I wonder if this is meant to pave the way for Xiao Huo’s recovery...’ he wondered.