Han Ming seemed to have realized something as she looked at Ning Zhuo, her eyes glowing with a look of deep inquiry.
She swallowed and cautiously asked, "Dare I ask, my lord, was it you who eliminated that old ape?"
Behind his mask, Ning Zhuo narrowed his eyes slightly. "Yes, it was. So what?"
Han Ming gasped, quickly adjusted her posture, and knelt on both knees, bowing deeply to Ning Zhuo.
"My lord, this humble girl is willing to be your maid and sign a soul contract, serving you loyally for life!"
Ning Zhuo frowned, finding her behavior peculiar.
Initially, when Ning Zhuo captured Han Ming to harvest soul essence for himself, she despised and loathed him deeply.
Later, her attitude softened out of fear for her life, forcing her submission.
But now, Ning Zhuo could sense a sincere and devoted loyalty from her.
Of course, his perception could be wrong, but Han Ming's demeanor indeed suggested a fundamental shift!
"Why?" Ning Zhuo asked, looking down at Han Ming indifferently.
Han Ming took a deep breath, straightening her upper body while keeping her knees on the ground, gazing up at Ning Zhuo.
"My lord, are you aware of fate energy?"
Ning Zhuo frowned, pondering for a moment before responding, "I know a bit."
"Fate energy refers to breath."
"From birth, we begin to breathe, and when life ends, breathing stops. The number of breaths is fate energy."
"Thus, many cultivators discourage fighting, striving to maintain inner peace."
"Battles and injuries can greatly reduce one's fate energy. Intense emotions like anger, fear, despair, or even extreme joy often make breathing erratic, decreasing fate energy."
"That's why many cultivators advocate non-contention and a calm heart, as this often leads to longevity."
Han Ming nodded. "This understanding of fate energy is indeed widespread in the cultivation world. It does reveal part of the essence, but it falls short."
"I was fortunate enough to read a text in my sect called Theory of Fate, Volume 1, a secret text from the Heavenly Path Sect."
Ning Zhuo raised an eyebrow slightly.
He had heard of the Heavenly Path Sect.
It was a super sect, highly mysterious and with few disciples.
Yet each disciple’s emergence would bring significant transformations to the cultivation world, as every generation's disciple would select a destined one, guiding the tides of fate, causing the downfall of old cultivation kingdoms, and establishing new ones.
Ning Zhuo mused silently, “The Soul Devouring Sect to which Han Ming belongs is indeed a prominent demonic sect, possessing such quality texts.”
For the past decade, Ning Zhuo himself had only been able to browse the public library of the Ning family and not the Secret Pavilion.
"Continue," Ning Zhuo prompted.
Han Ming swallowed again, still kneeling. "According to the Theory of Fate, each person's fate energy varies. Some have more, some less; some stronger, some weaker."
"The higher the spiritual roots and innate talent, the greater and stronger their fate energy tends to be."
"Among them, those with supreme talent are called Immortal Talents, possessing the highest and most resilient fate energy."
"Those with Immortal Talent often attract noble figures and opportunities."
"They would rarely fall into despair and would always find a glimmer of hope."
"By grasping it, they can survive near-death situations, escape from despair, and even turn misfortune into fortune."
"People with ordinary fate energy who attempt to oppose them often encounter various setbacks—either making mistakes themselves or being obstructed by external forces, ultimately failing at the last moment."
At this point, Ning Zhuo felt a slight stir in his heart, beginning to understand the reason for Han Ming's change in attitude.
"Interesting. Don’t stop."
"Yes." Han Ming continued, "The Theory of Fate lists numerous examples, all of which actually occurred."
"Many who possess Immortal Talent suffer various forms of suppression. If they can withstand and adapt, they often achieve rapid growth in certain areas due to the suppression."
"And those who oppose Immortal Talents often meet with bad outcomes."
"In dealing with them, they lose fate energy, leading to confusion, emotional turmoil, and making all sorts of erroneous judgments and actions."
"Ultimately, they suffer and bring ruin upon themselves."
"Immortal Talents cannot be slain by ordinary people!"
Han Ming looked at Ning Zhuo, the Mysterious Puppet Master, with undisguised fervor in her eyes.
"I understand what you mean."
Ning Zhuo, ever humble, replied, "However, I only managed to eliminate Yuan Dasheng with external help. "
"This act might have been due to a combination of my fate energy and that of others, together overwhelming Yuan Dasheng’s."
Han Ming immediately shook her head. "My lord, according to the Theory of Fate, fate energy does not simply add up in cooperation. Sometimes, it even depletes internally."
"In the Theory of Fate, the example of Nie Xiongfeng and Chu Liuyun is given. You likely know that both were Immortal Talents and sworn enemies."
"At first, Nie Xiongfeng underestimated Chu Liuyun and sent subordinates to hunt him down repeatedly."
"Through each pursuit, Chu Liuyun honed himself, growing stronger with every battle, and ultimately turned the tables, destroying Nie Xiongfeng."
Their Battle of Wind and Cloud is widely known in the cultivation world. Their struggle led to the fall of one super sect and the birth of another.
Han Ming sighed, "Only one in a million cultivators is born with Immortal Talent. And that’s a ratio among cultivators, not ordinary mortals."
"Each Immortal Talent possesses exceptionally strong fate energy, naturally attracting opportunities."
"Even if two high-grade talents cooperate with perfect synergy, their combined fate energy pales in comparison to a single person with supreme talent."
"I see." Ning Zhuo sneered. "You saw through it. Indeed, I am a Supreme Talent!"
Han Ming froze, then smiled joyfully, bowing once more. "My lord, this humble girl pledges to serve you wholeheartedly."
She had already submitted before.
But now, with her deduction of Ning Zhuo’s Immortal Talent, all pride as a disciple of a major demonic sect vanished.
It was worth following someone like him, promising a future of endless potential!
Of course, her decision was also driven by fear.
During this time, she had consumed far too many monkey souls.
She absolutely didn’t want to become some kind of monkey-woman!
Ning Zhuo nodded slightly.
He wasn’t certain of the validity of his concealed talent, but at this moment, agreeing was the best choice.
“Then I, the Mysterious Puppet Master, will reluctantly accept you,” he said, his voice still raspy.
"Thank you, my lord, for your kindness!" Han Ming was moved and kowtowed immediately.
When she looked up, she added, "I must also congratulate you, my lord. By eliminating an Immortal Talent, your own fate energy will significantly increase!"
"Oh? Is there an explanation for this?" Ning Zhuo asked curiously.