Chapter 661: Divination Techniques!

Divination!?

Lu Changsheng’s expression brightened suddenly at the sight of this reward.

Over the years, if there was one system reward he had been longing for, it was definitely the Divination Skills.

After all, this technique was a staple for top-tier powers.

With no diviner of his own, relying on the Heavenly Yuan Lotus and the family tree to obscure divine secrets felt far too passive.

In the Immortal City of Da Mengze, concerned about having his fortune revealed, he had to ask Qingluan Zhenren for help in concealing it.

Now, with the Divination Skills, he could do all of that on his own.

Though second-tier divination isn’t quite enough for his current stage.

However, the system lottery could convert other skills into experience.

As long as he draws another second-tier skill, he can transform that into divination experience and upgrade his divination to the third tier!

Wow, ‘Three Joys Arrive at Once!’

First, the Abyssal Sea Whale King survived the True Spirit Tribulation, and in a few years would challenge the fourth tier.

Now, on the journey back, he had a son with a Yang Body, and he finally obtained the coveted divination skill. Lu Changsheng felt elated.

“I, Lu, possess exceptional talent. With my Nascent Soul imminent, it’s reasonable to spend some time studying divination and breaking into it.”

Lu Changsheng turned his gaze toward the second-tier divination skill in the system space, his thoughts now set.

In an instant, a wave of profound knowledge flowed into Lu Changsheng’s mind.

‘Beginner’s Guide to Divination’

‘Attracting Good Fortune and Avoiding Disaster: Understanding Fate’

‘Observing Stars, Watching Heaven, Watching Fortune, and Observing Fate’

“Understand its methods, glimpse its mysteries, and comprehend its meanings. Once the mind merges with the heavens, my heart aligns with the celestial heart, my intent with the heavens’ intent; divine will combines with heaven. By harnessing the heavenly heart, I can sense the divine mysteries of my fate, interacting with the river of destiny to glimpse the fateful secrets and future trends, divergences in paths, and countless possibilities!”

After a long while, Lu Changsheng slowly opened his eyes.

Years ago, he had received ‘Strategizing Fate’ and barely glanced at it, failing to dive deep into its study.

After all, Hong Lian had mentioned that divination skills place great emphasis on talent.

Without the innate talent for divination, no amount of effort would yield results, and forced practice could lead to harm.

At that moment, he understood why divination was so difficult to master: it could shorten one’s lifespan, and forced training might even lead to mental confusion, causing one to become completely deranged.

Unlike formations, alchemy, crafting, and talismans, divination isn’t honed through sheer effort; it’s achieved through enlightenment! It’s entirely reliant on the cultivator’s mindset and perception! If one’s mentality and perception aren’t up to par, even understanding the methods won’t yield more than surface-level comprehension.

Yet, merely having the right mindset isn’t enough either. The entire process of training is fraught with danger.

Because this understanding requires transforming one’s mind into the heavenly mind, perceiving the operations of the universe, and comprehending the divine mysteries of fate.

This process consumes not only spirit and effort but is also very perilous.

A slight misstep could lead to sinking into confusion and losing oneself, resulting in mental exhaustion and spirit depletion.

Moreover, failing to maintain one’s true mind during this perception, and failing to capture elusive divine secrets might lead to backlash from fate itself.

“No wonder those who cultivate divination seldom live long. Even my child Xuanyuan experienced a reduction in lifespan simply from practicing it.”

Lu Changsheng shook his head and exhaled deeply.

To cultivate the path of divination, one must comprehend the divine mysteries of fate.

Without gaining insights through perception, one cannot achieve growth. If one sinks too deeply into seeking insights, they risk mental and spiritual strain that could reduce their lifespan.

Furthermore, overexerting oneself could lead to backlash from the divine mysteries of fate.

“This technique is still best enhanced through the system.”

Previously, Lu Changsheng thought that with his Taiyi Spirit and Nascent Soul-level spirit, he might be able to advance divination through his own efforts.

However, after gaining a clearer understanding, he discarded that thought.

His talent could only be considered average; if he cultivated actively and something went awry, it would be a terrible loss.

“I wonder if my current skill can unveil Ping’an’s situation?”

Though the second-tier divination might struggle to calculate the already Core Formation Lu Ping’an.

But as father and son, the blood bond could serve as a medium, so he could at least give it a try.

Immediately, Lu Changsheng began to calculate with his fingers, his gaze deepening and shrouded in mystery as he perceived the workings of the universe.

From his center, a web of fate spread out in all directions, complex and hard to decipher.

Using his bloodline as a medium, Lu Changsheng found the web of fate connected to his son, Lu Ping’an, and attempted to discern his situation.

“What’s going on? Though I’m only a second-tier diviner, I shouldn’t be completely unable to sense anything, right? Is the divine mystery completely shrouded in chaos?”

Moments later, Lu Changsheng furrowed his brows, sensing something was off.

He felt that he should be able to perceive his son’s presence.

Yet, moments ago, he couldn’t even sense Lu Ping’an’s existence—the entire divine mystery felt like endless chaos, utterly thwarted.

“Wait a moment.”

At that moment, Lu Changsheng felt a pause, as if he thought of something, and the family tree appeared in his hand.

Gazing at the family tree, he touched Lu Ping’an’s name, suppressing the divine mystery and temporarily nullifying the effects of divination, then continued to close his eyes and calculate.

In that instant, Lu Changsheng vaguely sensed Lu Ping’an’s existence.

However, the divine mystery before him remained obscured like a shroud of mist—extremely blurry and ethereal.

He wanted to clearly predict and analyze the divine signs of fortune and misfortune, but the resistance was immense; with his current divination skills, he couldn’t budge an inch.

“Damn it! What a useless technique!”

Lu Changsheng opened his eyes, looking somewhat exhausted as he cursed.

Years ago, when he obtained alchemy, crafting, and talisman-making skills, everything had felt effortless.

Now, having acquired the coveted skill of divination, as he attempted to discern his son Lu Ping’an’s situation, he truly realized what it meant to face the inscrutability of fate! No matter how hard Lu Changsheng tried, he couldn’t clear the clouds of divine mystery to perceive his son’s condition.

“Could the technique be flawed? Am I using the wrong method?”

After pondering for a moment, Lu Changsheng tried to calculate the situations of his other children through the bloodline medium.

Lu Wuyu, Lu Xile, Lu Qingshan, Lu Qingzhu, Lu Qingsong, Lu Wangshu, Lu Qingxian, Lu Ruyi, Lu Minghuang—he could gather vague information about all his children except Lu Qingshan.

However, he keenly noticed that the resistance of the divine mysteries during the calculation varied for each child.

“In addition to the cultivation realm, the means of obscuring the divine mysteries, the difficulty of calculation is also related to one’s fate and fortune. For instance, those with robust fortune and profound mysteries have complex fates, making calculations much harder.”

Lu Changsheng muttered to himself, gaining deeper insights into divination, as well as an understanding of observing together—observing fate.

Take his daughter Lu Qingzhu; though she’s a Foundation Establishment cultivator,

she not only has him, a peak Core Formation father, but also Lu Miaoge, a Core Formation mmther, Immortal Tian Yuan, a Core Formation master, and Lu Qingshan, her deeply connected brother.

With such connections, her fate becomes intricate and closely intertwined with the others, introducing great calculation resistance as the mysteries swirl chaotically.

Lu Wuyu and Lu Xile, despite having him as their father, have not embarked on their cultivation journey, lacking deeply connected divine mysteries, making calculations almost effortless.

As for Lu Qingxian, aside from his training in divination, he’s currently in the Immortal City of Qingluan, cloaked by its divine mysteries, making it difficult for Lu Changsheng to calculate.

Lu Wangshu and Lu Minghuang, aside from the family tree suppressing divine mysteries and protecting the calculations, also possess other means of concealing divine mysteries, thus also presenting an unseen resistance.

“Ping’an, aside from having reached Core Formation, is also a third-tier Body Refinement cultivator, but he likely has external forces shielding his divine mysteries. I’m unsure if someone else is using obstructive means, or if it’s like the Yuantong Magical Robe, a wondrous artifact blocking divine calculations!”

After confirming his divination technique wasn’t flawed through experimentation, Lu Changsheng continued to calculate Lu Ping’an’s situation.

He felt concerned as the divine signs of fortune and misfortune were obscured, with Lu Ping’an shrouded in clouds of mystery.

Additionally, having gained the divination skills, he wanted to experience further, see the limits of his abilities.

“If all else fails, I could burn a bit of lifespan.”

Sensing the insurmountable divine mystery, Lu Changsheng opened the system panel and checked his lifespan.

[Name: Lu Changsheng]

[Identity: Lord of Lu Family of Bihu Mountain]

[Cultivation: Core Formation Ninth Layer]

[Lifespan: 115/781]

[Spirit Root: Earth Spirit Root]

[Physique: Chaos Body]

Typically, a Core Formation cultivator has a lifespan of around five hundred years.

Even with lifespan extension pills and treasures, it’s hard to surpass six hundred.

But Lu Changsheng is different.

Not only has he consumed first, second, and third-tier lifespan extension pills, but he has also condensed the Dao Golden Core and possesses a Chaos Body.

Particularly, the combination of the Chaos Body with the Immaculate Heavenly Fragrance Body and various spiritual bodies greatly extends his lifespan! If it weren’t for frequently using the Life Transfer Technique in his earlier years, substantially reducing his lifespan, his limit might have already surpassed eight hundred years! “Boom!”

Lu Changsheng immediately burned some lifespan as a cost to forcibly divine his son Lu Ping’an’s current state.

However.

One year! Two years!

Three years!

“Damn!”

Lu Changsheng opened his eyes, ceasing his lifespan burn calculation.

From just now’s burning of lifespan, he had confirmed that his son Lu Ping’an not only had deep cultivation but also had treasures obscuring the divinations.

In this case, unless he continually burns lifespan, it’s hard to gain any relevant information.

“Considering this, while divination is powerful, its effectiveness is very limited. Once it exceeds one’s skill realm, it becomes immensely challenging to divine accurately.”

“While in the same realm, if the opponent possesses items that interfere with fate, the information that can be gleaned is severely limited. Significant costs are required; one cannot rely solely on divination for every detail.”

Although he burned three years of lifespan, Lu Changsheng realized that even if Immortal Tian Yuan or True Lord Xuanjian mastered divination, they wouldn’t misuse it.

At best, it’s used to steer clear of danger and help in making judgments and analyses.

If every detail were to be divined and pursued, no amount of lifespan would suffice.

“That’s true; if one could master divination, they could turn dangers into opportunities, knowing all fate through divination. Wouldn’t that put all divine secrets in the diviner’s hands?”

“Now, since Hong Lian’s body should be recovering, I’ll go pay a visit!”

Lu Changsheng exhaled lightly, murmuring, and signaled the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale to hurry back.

Endless Desert.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—”

The sky was filled with swirling yellow sand, roaring through the desert like a dust storm, endlessly rampaging.

In this harsh environment, aside from a few oases, it’s usually devoid of human presence.

But these days, it wasn’t uncommon to see several Core Formation cultivators riding through the desert, slaying sandworms and fierce beasts.

These cultivators were not here for leisure; it’s because the Mirage Domain of Vast Sands is about to open.

This secret realm is unlike any other; it doesn’t have a fixed entrance.

When it opens, the Mirage Domain appears like a mirage in the endless desert.

Thus, several Core Formation cultivators were soaring through the desert, attempting to get in as soon as possible to seize the initiative, aiming to gather opportunities and survive until the secret realm closed.

“Qingluan, based on the calculated timing, the Mirage Domain should be opening soon. Why hasn’t it appeared yet? Could it have collapsed and shattered, never to open again?”

On a sandy mountain peak, several cultivators were sitting cross-legged.

One purple-robed elder looked toward a graceful young master in blue, speaking in inquiry.

The others also turned their attention to the young master.

“According to the calculated time, the Mirage Domain should be opening now, but based on previous records, some discrepancies in timing are normal.”

Qingluan Zhenren, dressed in a luxurious robe of green jade, donned a green glazed crown and held a folding fan adorned with pictures of green phoenixes. She exuded an aura of cool arrogance, full of composure and grace.

While the conversation ensued, suddenly a ripple in space appeared as a robust middle-aged man with sharp features and gray hair, exuding an imposing presence, stepped out of the void.

He glanced at the group on the mountain and narrowed his eyes before addressing Qingluan Zhenren, saying, “I sensed a familiar aura; it’s you, Mu Qinghuang.”

“Friend Yin Lei, long time no see.”

Qingluan Zhenren replied casually, clasping her hands.

“Haha, indeed, it has been a long time.”

The middle-aged man surveyed Qingluan Zhenren for a moment, then replied with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, indicating a history of enmity between the two.

However, regardless of their past grievances, it wouldn’t be wise to escalate things here with the secret realm opening soon.

With a step, he vanished back into the void.

Qingluan Zhenren’s starlit eyes pierced through the void, knowing that this man wasn’t alone; there was a friend hidden within the void.

“Does Qingluan have grievances with Yin Lei Sword Lord?”

Someone nearby recognized the middle-aged man as a Nascent Soul loose cultivator from Qi Yun Kingdom who had previously slain a peak Golden Core cultivator from the Qi Yun sect and was being hunted by them.

“Yes, we had a conflict years ago.”

Qingluan Zhenren replied calmly.

As soon as this was mentioned, the expressions of those nearby changed slightly.

This Yin Lei Sword Lord had broken through to Nascent Soul over a century ago, while Qingluan Zhenren had only broken through for thirty or forty years, right? Based on what they just saw, it seemed Yin Lei had suffered under Qingluan Zhenren.

While Qingluan Zhenren was no ordinary person, possessing a brigade of Qingluan Dao soldiers and a top-tier spiritual beast, she seemingly wouldn’t be Yin Lei’s opponent, right? Yet Qingluan Zhenren chose not to elaborate.

After all, these matters could be summarized briefly; everyone present had conflicts and foes of their own. Choosing to cooperate in exploring the secret realm was merely a way to enhance their ability to mitigate risks and avoid being targeted by enemies within the realm.

The others avoided probing further.

Though many Core Formation cultivators and even Nascent Soul True Lords flocked to the Endless Desert, it didn’t greatly affect this barren land; transactions at Black Desert Immortal City have significantly increased lately.

At this moment, in a courtyard within Black Desert Immortal City.

“Senior, according to news from the Wolf-Slaying Society, the Wolf King has heard that treasures have emerged in Scorpion City and has personally gone there, leaving Black Desert Immortal City.”

A stocky, average-looking middle-aged man looked at the Jade Slip in his hand and then spoke coldly, muttering, “Finally gone, huh?”

After saying that, he stood up, tidied his things, and walked out of the Immortal City.