Chapter 99

It's Chapter 100. The story has fully unfolded. This book is meticulously conceived and wildly written. The pace is fast, yet the structure is tight, with layers of excitement and no shortage of highlights; most importantly, the characters are numerous but not chaotic, and the plot is clear and straightforward.

It's no longer about one person conquering the world, but rather the battle between groups. It's no longer the protagonist's monologue, but a vivid world co-created by countless characters.

Focusing on the protagonist Li Xian, the story revolves around the group as a whole, the world as the body, the cities as acupoints, the people's wealth as true essence, the development of rune technology as cultivation, and the central group, sphere of influence, number of talents, and their loyalty as realms, creating a new world of group rivalry and cosmic contention.

A new era of cultivation, we welcome your visit.

By the way, I'm shamelessly asking for recommendations, collections, and donations. If any of the following conditions are met: 100 recommendation tickets, or 10 donations, or 5000 points, I will immediately add an extra chapter.

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On Cloud Peak, Li Xian basked in the sun, feeling truly refreshed to be on a snowy mountain in the middle of summer.

"Ah..." Li Xian stretched lazily, "This life is so boring! I have nothing to do, yet I can't leave the imperial tomb. I can't even have a sow on the entire construction site of the imperial tomb! What kind of life is this!"

Song Xing stood beside him, trying hard not to laugh.

Standing at the cliff's edge, Li Xian suddenly felt a surge of inspiration: "When I stand at the peak, all the mountains appear small! Ha..."

"Good words!" Ge Zhengfeng slowly approached, "Mr. Li has been quite leisurely lately."

"Mr. Ge, please sit. Song Xing, bring tea; this is a little hobby of mine. Using melted snow from the mountain to brew tea has a unique flavor. The high mountain snow accumulates a faint coldness, which is then melted by the intense heat of the sun, creating a sense of perfect harmony."

Ge Zhengfeng took the teacup and savored it, praising it endlessly. "The tea is excellent, but Mr. Li, you are here to supervise the construction of the imperial tomb, not to bask in the sun."

"Mr. Ge, you flatter me. I know what I can and cannot do; not causing trouble or giving random orders on the construction site is the only thing I can do."

"Very good, very good. What I admire most about you is this self-awareness, which sets you apart."

Li Xian was speechless. Self-awareness? Brother, this is modesty, do you understand? Seeing the smile in Ge Zhengfeng's eyes, Li Xian finally realized he was being mocked! He finally said in a low voice, "I'll leave the construction to you, Mr. Ge. I'll just take care of the spending."

"Ha ha ha..." Ge Zhengfeng laughed heartily, "Mr. Li, your words were good, but they weren't written by you, were they?"

"How do you know?"

"You're on the halfway point of the mountain."

"Uh..." Li Xian looked up at the peak piercing the clouds and laughed sheepishly, not the least bit embarrassed.

Ge Zhengfeng didn't let up, "Mr. Li, I see you: sipping tea at the cliff's edge, one lazy man makes all others small. Lazy as in 'lazy,' and small as in 'shirt.'"

"Spit..." Li Xian sprayed out a mouthful of tea, coughing violently; the guards beside him, including Song Xing, turned red from holding back their laughter but didn't dare to laugh out loud.

After coughing for a long time, Li Xian finally calmed down, "Mr. Ge, you have great literary talent, I admit defeat."

"Thank you, thank you, but your fame is greater than mine."

"Of course, who doesn't know the Brilliant Starlight Trading Company, who doesn't know the theory of industrial and commercial prosperity, who doesn't know..."

"No, no, no, I'm talking about literary talent, not business."

" Literary talent?" Li Xian was confused, "What literary talent do I have?"

Ge Zhengfeng said seriously, "The sea, it's all water!"

Everyone on the mountain laughed uncontrollably, even the most serious guards couldn't help but laugh. Only Li Xian's face turned black. Damn, good news doesn't leave the house, but bad news travels a thousand miles! My reputation is completely ruined.

Ge Zhengfeng laughed for a long time before finally calming down, "Alright, alright, just a joke. The reason I say you have literary talent is not because of your writing, but because of your views. Your slogan of industrial and commercial prosperity has already spread beyond Cai State. A few days ago, I received a letter from an old friend, who mentioned that the Qi State in the southeast has already started to try it, and the results are said to be good.

However, my old friend has a few points he doesn't quite understand and wants me to ask Mr. Li about them."

Li Xian immediately shook his head, "Mr. Ge, I am a citizen of the Great Xia State, not Qi State. My heart is with the Great Xia State. I'm sorry, but I can't help with this."

"Uh..." Ge Zhengfeng didn't expect such an answer and was momentarily at a loss for words.

Li Xian personally poured tea for Ge Zhengfeng, the aroma filling the air, "Mr. Ge, I have a question. It's about the concept of destiny."

Ge Zhengfeng hesitated for a moment but finally took a sip of tea, "Mr. Li's tea is truly unique."

Li Xian laughed, seemingly not noticing the hidden meaning in Ge Zhengfeng's words, "Song Xing, pack a pound of the finest Mao Feng tea for Mr. Ge."

Song Xing was quick, and in a few breaths, he placed the packed tea in front of Ge Zhengfeng. Ge Zhengfeng's lips twitched slightly, "Like father, like son, your skill at feigning deafness is even more refined than your father's."

"Too much praise, too much praise..."

"I'm not praising you!"

"I'll take it as both praise and jealousy. Come, come, Mr. Ge, please enjoy the tea."

"Fine, I'll explain the concept of destiny to you briefly. It developed from divination, Yi Dao, astrology, geography, the six paths of reincarnation, and fate, and after a long period of exploration and sedimentation, it gradually formed a fixed school called astrology.

Astrology believes that there is a corresponding relationship between humans and the stars in the sky. There are countless stars, which are divided into three categories: upper, middle, and lower.

The upper category is the stars of the heavens, totaling 365 plus one, with 365 as the base and the extra one being the Purple Star. People with the Purple Star destiny mostly stand out; a few with the best destiny can even achieve great power and become emperors.

The commonly known stars such as the Big Dipper, the Twelve Celestial Palaces, the Nine Palaces, the Five Elements stars, the Four Symbols stars, and the Three Enclosures all belong to the stars of the heavens.

The destinies of the stars of the heavens can exist independently, meaning they have the ability to dominate a region.

Because they can exist independently, the stars of the heavens are also called 'Star Lords.'

The middle category is the meeting stars, totaling 129,600. Unlike the stars of the heavens, the meeting stars cannot exist independently. Commonly known stars like the Cowherd and Weaver stars, the Well Mouth star, and the Horse Hoof star are all composed of multiple stars and cannot exist independently. Therefore, they are also called 'Star Officials.'

People with such destinies can also enjoy wealth and success, but they must rely on others; if they act on their own, they will surely fail and may even face unforeseen disasters!

The lower category is the River Han stars, named after the Milky Way, meaning countless as the sands of the Milky Way. People with such destinies can have a peaceful life, which is their greatest happiness. Most people in the world are like this, living a muddled life, going with the flow, and having no self."

Li Xian listened quietly, "Is this astrology accurate?"

"What do you think?" Ge Zhengfeng raised an eyebrow.

Li Xian thought for a moment and suddenly smiled, "Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Ge. Please enjoy the tea."

Ge Zhengfeng looked at Li Xian with a half-smile, "Mr. Li, what about the theory of industrial and commercial prosperity..."

"Ha ha, the weather is really nice today, sunny and pleasant. Wow, lying on a high hill, sipping tea leisurely, watching the gentle breeze, and gazing at the rolling clouds. Come, come, Mr. Ge, don't miss this beautiful scenery."

Ge Zhengfeng was so angry by Li Xian's "good weather" that his eyes and mouth twisted. Finally, he huffed, "Mr. Li, you enjoy the scenery. I have work to do!"

(Save me: I need some names of small constellations (star officials) from ancient China. Not the major star houses. I need the kind that appear in folk stories, like the Well Mouth star, the Horse Hoof star, the Cowherd and Weaver stars, etc.

If not, I'll have to use Western constellation names.)

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