NOVEL NEXT Ch. 22
Chapter 22: Observing Life Fates
After successfully taking in two individuals blessed with great fortune, Jiang Zhaoming observed them for several days, yet still could not quite determine the source of their fortune.
Later, within the River of Fortune, Jiang Zhaoming discovered a rule that he had almost overlooked.
【Your subordinates who are granted Life Fates or Innate Talents by you can also have their Life Fates and Innate Talents viewed by you】
Ever since arriving at Anxi Prefecture, he had been busy with government affairs and leading troops in battle.
He had never gotten around to studying this function, had he?
Jiang Zhaoming then exited the River of Fortune and turned his gaze toward his close guard, Xu Xian.
Sensing his lord’s gaze, Xu Xian respectfully bowed to Jiang Zhaoming.
“Your Highness, what are your orders?”
“……”
After waiting for a moment and hearing no response from his lord, Xu Xian raised his head slightly in puzzlement.
Then he saw his lord looking at him with an extremely peculiar expression.
“Your Highness, this is...?”
Jiang Zhaoming lifted his hand to halt Xu Xian—he was trying various methods to see Xu Xian’s fortune clearly.
Just when Jiang Zhaoming was about to give up, his own fortune finally stirred Xu Xian’s fortune.
A moment later, a message appeared in his mind.
【Xu Xian
Life Fate: Loyal Heart of Crimson Gall (Green Life Fate — possesses extremely high loyalty toward his lord; while serving his ruler, gains enhanced comprehension and cultivation speed)
Innate Talent: Sword Dao Genius (Green Talent — possesses exceptional aptitude in the way of the sword)】
“Your Highness? Your Highness?”
Hearing Xu Xian’s call, Jiang Zhaoming came back to his senses and quickly indicated that he was fine.
Then, his gaze swept toward Xu Xian’s weapon—a long saber.
He then spoke, “Xu Xian, why don’t you try cultivating the Sword Dao?”
Upon hearing this, Xu Xian answered without hesitation, “As you command, Your Highness. I shall practice once I return.”
Over the next few days, Jiang Zhaoming examined the Life Fates of all his generals, among them:
【Qin Wei
Life Fates: Lone Wolf Battle Intent (Blue Life Fate — when fighting alone, his sharpness shines; his offensives are fierce and unmatched, growing braver the longer he fights), Scion of the General’s Lineage (Blue Life Fate — born into a family of generals, possesses extraordinary talent for combat)
Innate Talent: Blade of the Army-Breaker (Blue Talent — possesses great aptitude in the use of long weapons)】
【Yan Chen
Life Fate: Innate General Talent (Blue Life Fate — capable of commanding hundreds of battles without losing composure in crisis)
Innate Talent: Ironblood Command (Blue Talent — his troops possess exceptional discipline and can swiftly execute complex formation shifts)】
【Ma Fei
Life Fate: Defend Even Against Tenfold (Blue Life Fate — when outnumbered, his defenders turn into unyielding stone, arrows fall like rain yet they do not retreat an inch; the fortress becomes indestructible)
Innate Talent: Master of Mechanisms (Blue Talent — under his adjustments, siege and defensive machinery double in power)】
After examining their Life Fates and Talents, Jiang Zhaoming gained new insights into the strengths of his generals.
Qin Wei was a charge-type general, Yan Chen was gifted in command, and Ma Fei excelled at siege and defense machinery.
Each general had their own area of expertise, and understanding these details would help Jiang Zhaoming assign their duties more appropriately.
At the same time, the appearance of the Moon-Howling Wolf Den also caused a stir.
A squad of Black-Armored Army cavalry “accidentally” passed through that region and was attacked by hundreds of giant wolves.
Each of these wolves possessed the strength of the Tempering Bones Realm, and among them was even a Blood Refining Realm Wolf King—nearly causing casualties within the Black-Armored Army squad.
This mention of “nearly causing casualties” was no exaggeration—it truly happened.
The event genuinely took Jiang Zhaoming by surprise.
Not only could he not control those wolves, but he also could not influence the den’s output; he had no idea whether it would produce Moon-Hidden Wolves or Moon-Howling Wolves.
After careful study, he finally understood the key difference.
It turned out that things like the Black-Armored Army Barracks were Divine Artifacts within the River of Fortune, whereas the Moon-Howling Wolf Den was a Wonder.
He could control Divine Artifacts and the lives within them, but he could not control what occurred within a Wonder.
No wonder the Moon-Howling Wolf Den had such outrageous yields—after all, it was not something Jiang Zhaoming could command.
Fortunately, he had discovered it before disaster struck.
Jiang Zhaoming immediately ordered Yan Chen to mobilize his troops and personally led them to the vicinity of the den.
The bitterly cold wind howled across the land, stirring up whirling snowflakes.
The cliffs of the Tianwu Plateau were long covered in pristine white snow—seen from afar, they resembled a colossal silver sword thrust into the heavens.
At the base of the plateau, a strange den stood silently.
It spanned several hundred acres and was shaped like the remains of some ancient beast.
Its black skeletal frame jutted out from the earth, its surface coated in a thin layer of blue ice crystals that shimmered coldly under the snowy light.
Ever since the den’s appearance, all living creatures for miles around had suffered.
No birds flew.
No beasts roamed.
Animal carcasses lay scattered across the snow, some still stained with half-dried blood.
“Step, step, step...”
The sound of orderly footsteps echoed across the snow as the prefectural army formed a semicircular battle formation, advancing slowly toward the den.
The soldiers held long spears and had bows slung at their waists. Every pair of eyes locked firmly ahead, not daring to relax in the slightest.
Suddenly—
“Awoooo—!”
A chilling wolf’s howl tore through the silence.
From within the snow, a massive wolf with fur blending seamlessly into the snow suddenly raised its head and howled toward the sky.
That howl acted like a signal, instantly echoing throughout the entire den’s territory.
Inside the den, the resting wolves awoke; from afar, hunting wolves turned back, sprinting madly toward the den.
Yan Chen’s eyes grew cold. Raising his long blade high, he shouted, “Shoot to kill!”
“Swish—!”
An arrow shot forth, piercing through the wolf’s throat with deadly precision.
The giant wolf let out a pained cry and collapsed heavily into the snow, blood dyeing the white ground crimson.
However, the death cry of their companion did not frighten the wolf pack—it instead ignited their ferocity.
In the distance, countless white figures raced across the snowy plains with accelerating speed!
“Close in faster!” Yan Chen barked sternly.
The prefectural troops quickly shifted formation—spearmen in front, archers behind—pressing toward the den like an iron wall.
Just as the encirclement was about to complete—
Boom!
The snow at the den’s entrance suddenly exploded outward, and a massive creature slowly stepped forth.
It was a giant wolf nearly three meters tall, its fur a deep blue like the starry night sky.
Its eyes shone silver-white, yet its pupils glowed crimson like blood moons. Merely standing there, it exuded a suffocating pressure.
Around it, the Moon-Hidden Wolves—each about two meters tall, their fur pure white—stood behind their king, glaring at their enemies.
“What a magnificent beast! I’ve never seen a wolf like this before!”
Jiang Zhaoming couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
Standing beside him, Yan Chen volunteered, “If Your Highness is interested in this giant wolf, this subordinate can attempt to tame it.”
Jiang Zhaoming nodded—that was exactly what he wanted.
Before them stood the wolf pack clearly ruled by this Moon-Howling Wolf King.
If Yan Chen could subdue the Wolf King, then conquering the entire pack would not be impossible.
Jiang Zhaoming then commanded, “All soldiers, hear my order! General Yan will proceed to tame the Wolf King—none of you are to let the other wolves escape!”