Interesting.

Life Dao, capable of sensing the vitality of all living beings.

Fan Wubing originally thought that the Life Dao should be like the Unwarranted Qi Creation Skill, a Dao that could heal oneself endlessly, possessing a continuous life force. But judging from current performances, it seems more fitting to the temperament of the Supreme Innate Dao.

Just like the Circulation Dao corresponds to the influence of the celestial cycles of the universe on the world.

The Life Dao, in turn, corresponds to the influence of all vitality on the world.

"I underestimated it..." Fan Wubing thought, "A Dao that only works on oneself doesn’t seem to live up to the title of ’supreme’."

This Life Dao also has its limits, it cannot indiscriminately grant life force to someone or something, giving them immortality.

Everyone has their own destiny.

Once the granted life force exceeds destiny, it loses effectiveness. Simply put, it’s impossible to extend someone’s lifespan.

"Destiny..."

Fan Wubing took a deep breath, temporarily setting aside other thoughts. Based on his impressions of Daiyu and Da Chun in the river of time, he began to search within the "Map of All Living Creatures" of the Life Dao.

Da Chun’s Fire of Life blazed like the midday sun, vast in number, intricate and complex, with layers of intertwined roots acting like the Forbidden Army in the icy seawater, blocking anything from entering the deep sea.

The Daoist School’s Immortal Mountain, Daiyu, lies beneath those roots.

Fan Wubing had seen Daiyu; it was essentially a gigantic fish, with Da Chun rooted atop its head. Strangely enough, at this moment, he couldn’t directly sense Daiyu’s Fire of Life. Logically, Daiyu’s Fire of Life should be blazing like Da Chun’s.

"Huh?"

Although he couldn’t sense Daiyu’s Fire of Life, Fan Wubing sensed another person. Judging by their location, they were within Da Chun’s dense roots, inside the long-lost Daoist Daiyu Immortal Mountain.

Could that person be a trial taker too?

This time, there are six trial takers for the Executor Dao trial. However, only four names are public: Fu Manman, Bai Yihuan, and those he encountered in the Da Chun Profound Realm, Yi Qin and Cheng Xinjun. The identities of the other two haven’t been shared.

Perhaps that person is one of them. But how did he get in?

Fan Wubing shared Daiyu’s location and the information he knew with Fu Manman and Bai Yihuan.

"Daiyu, the big fish! So that’s what it means?" Bai Yihuan had a look of sudden realization.

Fan Wubing said, "I’ll go with you."

Fu Manman gave him a soft glance, "You probably have other things to do, right?"

"Why do you say that?"

Fu Manman stepped forward, stood on tiptoes to smooth his furrowed brow with her thumbs, "You’ve been furrowing your brow since earlier, don’t think I didn’t notice." Once she smoothed it, she smiled, "That’s better, don’t frown, it’s not flattering."

Fan Wubing truly felt that Man’Er had changed. Became more... confident? Like he was being cared for.

He couldn’t help but sniffle, "Alright."

Fu Manman gazed at the sea, "Ultimately, this is my trial; I can’t always rely on your help. Even though I believe you won’t leave me, I definitely need to learn to handle things myself when you’re not around. Looking at it, I’m nineteen, almost twenty years old."

Fan Wubing’s eyelashes trembled slightly.

Fu Manman could catch his subtle expression instantly. Her eyes always precisely captured the slightest changes. She realized that there was something in her words that made Wubing feel "uneasy."

What was it?

Fu Manman thought it shouldn’t be the first part. She knew Wubing wasn’t the kind to have a strong desire for control, though he’d occasionally have little thoughts, he never trapped anyone beside him.

So, it was the second part. She thought, almost twenty years old also means Wubing is almost twenty too.

Could it be that twenty is an unfavorable milestone for him? Wubing’s senior sister, Fu Ming, spends years away trying to find a cure for his illness. But what illness does he have, he never mentioned.

Could it be that he, turning twenty, is when the "illness manifests?" Now it’s November, and his birthday is January 21st. Only two months left.

Fu Manman’s thoughts centered on this matter. She held Fan Wubing’s hand, smiled, and said, "I’ll strive to win the Executor Dao trial, so you can focus on your own matters, okay?"

"Okay." The worry at the corner of Fan Wubing’s eyes lessened, and the corner of his lips slightly lifted.

Fu Manman chuckled, patting Fan Wubing’s head, "Good luck!" 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Having said that, she called for Bai Yihuan and left together.

Fan Wubing stood stunned... She patted my head? She actually patted my head? She really has changed from before... she used to be so timid.

His heart beat slightly faster.

...

In the Wangxian Pavilion, a hall filled with the intent of Dao, at the chief position on a Dao platform.

The Primordial Transformation Celestial Venerable opened his eyes and looked out.

Xue Ya crossed over twenty-seven steps, entering the hall. Her toes pointed straight, causing her hips to sway slightly more, and her loose-fitting Daoist robe flowed lightly, giving off a sense of riding the wind. She never deliberately dressed herself, whether it was her hair, attire, or demeanor, everything was spontaneous, cultivating a "carefree spirit," which ironically made her appear more in harmony with nature and the Dao.

"Sect Leader Celestial Venerable, there are three matters." Xue Ya tucked her gold-streaked hair behind her ear, speaking lightly and swiftly, "First, Fan Wubing doesn’t seem like a Demon Cultivator, yet his body accepts rootless Qi very well; second, the guardian of the river of time, Celestial Snake has appeared; lastly, I recommend ’Fu Manman’ as the next millennia’s Human World Executor Dao under the Wangxian Pavilion."