On the surface, it seemed this was truly an opportune moment for Long Qinghuang to continue her advance. Gu Zhanting’s old injuries were flaring up, and his army, having just been rescued from the brink of death, was exhausted and at its weakest. If they were to strike, now would be the time.

However, the reality was not so simple… Juyao Guan was unlike the defenses they had encountered before.

The branches and leaves of the Tree of Destiny gently swayed, as if responding to Lin Yi’s words. The silvery-white thread of destiny still slowly flowed through the air, like a newly formed脉luò, reweaving the entire River of Destiny. Lin Yi and Lu Chen stood beneath the tree, gazing at the thread, and an unprecedented sense of tranquility and awe arose within them both.

“The origin of destiny…” Lin Yi murmured softly, the lingering warmth of the silver light still on his fingertips. He could feel that the imprint of destiny had quietly been seared into the depths of his soul. It was not a restriction, but a true understanding.

Lu Chen remained silent for a long time, then suddenly spoke, “So, what should we do next? The rift in destiny has been repaired, and the power of chaos has been dispelled, but are new rifts perhaps quietly forming in this world?”

Lin Yi slowly turned, his gaze directed towards the distant void. There, the former rift in destiny had completely closed, but the flow of the River of Destiny continued as usual, as if it had never been affected. However, a faint premonition arose within him: the end of destiny was not a true end, but the prelude to another beginning.

“Destiny does not stop,” Lin Yi said. “As long as living beings continue to make choices, destiny will not end. And we, as witnesses, must also continue to move forward.”

Lu Chen nodded, a flash of determination in his eyes. “Then, where shall we go?”

Lin Yi did not answer immediately. Instead, he raised his hand and gently touched the silvery-white thread of destiny. In an instant, a faint ripple spread from the thread, like a wave gently touching the depths of the River of Destiny.

“Another path of destiny…” Lin Yi murmured. “Perhaps we should seek that path.”

Lu Chen was slightly stunned. “Another path?”

Lin Yi withdrew his hand, his gaze firm. “Destiny is not just one main thread, but an intertwining of countless possibilities. The figure I saw just now, it said it was the beginning and the end of destiny. But I think it might just be a branch of destiny, a truth we have not yet touched.”

Lu Chen pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. “Are you saying there is destiny beyond destiny?”

“Yes,” Lin Yi said. “We always thought destiny was a predetermined trajectory, but in reality, it is only the trajectory we know. And beyond this trajectory, there are countless unknown possibilities. Perhaps that is true destiny.”

Lu Chen fell silent. He gazed at the silvery-white thread of destiny, and an inexplicable stir arose within him. The thread seemed to be calling them, guiding them towards an unknown direction.

“Then, how do we find that path?” Lu Chen asked.

Lin Yi smiled faintly. “Another path of destiny might be at the end of destiny. And we must step into the rift of destiny once again.”

Lu Chen’s expression hardened. “Are you saying… the rift of destiny?”

“Yes,” Lin Yi nodded. “Although that rift was repaired, its very existence proves that destiny is not unbreakable. And behind that rift, perhaps lies the true secret of destiny.”

Lu Chen was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. “Alright, I’ll go with you.”

Lin Yi extended his hand and gently touched the silvery-white thread of destiny. In an instant, a faint light emerged from the thread, transforming into a door-like phantom, suspended in the void.

“That is another path of destiny,” Lin Yi said. “Let’s go in.”

Lu Chen took a deep breath, and walked alongside Lin Yi, stepping into the light.

In an instant, the world inverted. The River of Destiny seemed to be torn apart, and their consciousness was swept into an unfamiliar space.

Here, it was a pure white world. There were no stars, no sun or moon, only endless white light, as if the entire world was enveloped by the radiance of destiny. A faint fragrance permeated the air—the fragrance of destiny.

Lin Yi and Lu Chen stood still, looking around, and an inexplicable sense of familiarity arose within them both.

“Is this… the other side of destiny?” Lu Chen asked softly.

Lin Yi slowly nodded. “Yes. This is another path of destiny.”

Just then, a figure slowly emerged from the white light ahead. The figure was cloaked in white, its face blurred, but its eyes revealed a hint of gentleness and compassion.

“You have finally arrived,” the figure said softly, with a touch of relief in its voice.

Lin Yi was slightly stunned. “Who are you?”

The figure slowly approached, revealing a face strikingly similar to Lin Yi’s, but with an added softness and serenity in its eyes.

“I am another path of destiny,” the figure slowly said. “And I am the possibility you did not choose.”

Lin Yi was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, “So, what exactly is another path of destiny?”

The figure smiled faintly. “Another path of destiny is freedom.”

“Freedom?” Lu Chen was slightly stunned.

“Yes,” the figure nodded. “The main thread of destiny is the choice of all living beings. And another path of destiny is the freedom of all living beings. Here, there is no predetermined trajectory, no shackles of destiny. Every living being can choose their own path and write their own future.”

Lin Yi’s heart trembled. “Are you saying… this is a world outside of destiny?”

“Yes,” the figure nodded. “This is another path of destiny, the end and also the beginning of destiny. If you are willing, you can stay and become the guardians of this world.”

Lin Yi and Lu Chen exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of wavering in the other’s eyes.

“Stay…” Lin Yi murmured.

The figure smiled faintly. “Yes. You can stay and become the guardians of another path of destiny. You will no longer be bound by destiny, but become the creators of destiny.”

Lin Yi pondered for a long time, then slowly spoke, “But can another path of destiny truly replace the main thread of destiny?”

The figure gently shook its head. “No. Another path of destiny is not meant to replace the main thread of destiny, but to offer more possibilities to all living beings. The main thread of destiny still exists, and another path of destiny is a symbol of the freedom of all living beings.”

Lin Yi slowly nodded, and an unprecedented clarity arose within him.

“Another path of destiny… is freedom,” he whispered.

The figure smiled faintly. “Yes. And are you willing to become the guardians of this place of freedom?”

Lin Yi and Lu Chen exchanged glances, both seeing determination in the other’s eyes.

“We are willing,” Lin Yi slowly said.

The figure smiled faintly, and with a gentle touch, a white light emerged from its fingertip, landing on Lin Yi’s and Lu Chen’s foreheads.

In an instant, they felt an unprecedented power surge into their bodies. It was the power of another path of destiny, the will of freedom.

They finally understood that destiny was not unbreakable, and freedom was not out of reach.

Another path of destiny had opened.

And they had already become the guardians of that path.

Lin Yi and Lu Chen stood in another path of destiny, feeling the purity and freedom of this world. Their consciousness seemed to be cleansed, their minds clearer than ever before. Here, there were no shackles of destiny, no predetermined trajectories, only a future interwoven with countless possibilities.

“This is freedom…” Lu Chen murmured softly, a trace of dazedness in his eyes.

Lin Yi slowly nodded, his gaze fixed on the endless white light ahead. “Yes. This is a world beyond destiny. Here, every living being can choose their own path and write their own future.”

The figure, strikingly similar to Lin Yi, stood before them, a gentle smile in its eyes. “You have understood. Another path of destiny is not meant to replace the main thread of destiny, but to offer more possibilities to all living beings.”

Lin Yi pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke, “So, does the main thread of destiny still exist?”

The figure nodded. “The main thread of destiny still flows. All living beings still move forward in the River of Destiny, making their own choices. And this is just another possibility of destiny.”

Lu Chen frowned slightly. “But if another path of destiny exists, does it mean the main thread of destiny will be affected?”

“No,” the figure gently shook its head. “The main thread of destiny is the choice of all living beings. And another path of destiny is the freedom of all living beings. They coexist, without interfering with each other. The main thread of destiny is still determined by the will of all living beings, and another path of destiny is a symbol of the freedom of all living beings.”

Lin Yi was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke, “Then, how do we guard this land of freedom?”

The figure smiled faintly. “You will become the guardians of this world. Your duty is to guard another path of destiny, so that it is not swallowed by the main thread of destiny, nor eroded by chaos.”

Lu Chen’s expression hardened. “Chaos? Does that mean… the power of chaos will also affect this place?”

The figure nodded. “Yes. Chaos is the other side of destiny. It exists not only within the main thread of destiny, but also lurks at the edge of another path of destiny. Your duty is to guard this land of freedom and prevent the power of chaos from eroding it.”

Lin Yi and Lu Chen exchanged glances, both seeing determination in the other’s eyes.

“We are willing to undertake this responsibility,” Lin Yi slowly said.

The figure smiled faintly, and with a gentle touch, a white light emerged from its fingertip, landing on Lin Yi’s and Lu Chen’s foreheads.

In an instant, they felt an unprecedented power surge into their bodies. It was the power of another path of destiny, the will of freedom.

Their consciousness seemed to expand, allowing them to perceive every corner of this world. They saw countless branches of destiny interwoven here, each branch representing an unchosen possibility.

“You have become one with this world,” the figure said softly. “From now on, you are the guardians of another path of destiny.”

Lin Yi slowly closed his eyes, feeling the pulse of this world. He could sense that another path of destiny was slowly expanding, and more and more living beings were beginning to touch this land of freedom.

“Another path of destiny…” Lin Yi murmured softly. “It is not just a symbol of freedom, but also another possibility of destiny.”

Lu Chen stood beside him, his gaze firm. “We cannot let chaos erode this place. We must guard this land of freedom.”

The figure smiled faintly. “You have understood. Another path of destiny needs guardians, and it also needs faith. Your existence is the cornerstone of this world.”

Lin Yi slowly opened his eyes, his gaze directed towards the distance. He saw another path of destiny constantly extending, like a long river leading to the unknown, waiting for all living beings to explore.

“The journey of destiny will never end,” Lin Yi said softly. “And we have already become the guardians of another path of destiny.”

Lu Chen nodded, a trace of determination in his eyes. “Then, our journey will also continue.”

The figure smiled faintly, its form gradually dissipating, transforming into a white light that merged into another path of destiny.

Lin Yi and Lu Chen stood side by side, gazing at this endless land of freedom, an unprecedented tranquility arising within them.

Another path of destiny had opened.

And they would guard this land of freedom, preventing it from being swallowed by the main thread of destiny, nor eroded by chaos.

The River of Destiny still flowed, and they had already become the true guardians of destiny.