Chapter 679: The Predestined Focus

Dark red light flowed silently through the underground cavern.

The central diamond-shaped crystal core rotated slowly, its internal light and shadow forming a world map of exquisite detail.

Upon close inspection, one could see that the map was not static.

The dim black aura representing the Yuan court was being gnawed and pierced by countless scarlet sparks of popular uprisings, like rotten wood breeding ants.

The bright red light clusters representing several major rebel armies were slowly and firmly expanding.

And on the northeastern edge of the vast map, a region originally dim was being continually soaked and filled with dark red nether energy, gradually glowing with an ominous light bearing sharp angles.

A figure wrapped in a heavy black robe silently "observed" the map.

His consciousness was linked to the crystal core and the entire nether energy network.

A flood of information surged.

A fluctuation record that would normally be filtered out in routine monitoring, insignificant in itself, was quietly promoted in priority after triggering an underlying rule keyword, and sent into his perception.

【Coordinates: Huai Xi, Haozhou, Zhongli.】

【Target Identification: Zhu Zhongba (a lowly refugee, formerly known as Zhu Yuanzhang).】

【Status: Vital signs reconstruction complete, consciousness fluctuations violently aberrant, 99.7% match with the historical node marker "Zhu Yuanzhang".】

【Determination: Key historical figure node — "Ming Ancestor Zhu Yuanzhang" activated.】

No emotional fluctuation.

Only a cold confirmation.

Another historical key figure, at the right time and place, stepped onto the stage.

According to the set script, he should struggle to survive here, then join Guo Zixing's unit of the Red Turban Army, step by step walking the blood‑stained road to the throne.

But…

The black‑robed figure's "gaze" focused on the tiny light point representing Zhu Zhongba.

The light point's hue was not pure scarlet (ambition/rebellion), nor did it represent the turbid hue of chaos.

Its core shimmered with an extremely faint yet unusually stable silver‑white luster.

This luster differed from any description of Zhu Yuanzhang's fortune momentum in historical records.

Moreover, it was starkly different from the fortune‑momentum hues of all variables and ambitious figures in the world at this moment.

It exuded a… cold rationality, and a yearning for "order" that transcended the age.

This is wrong.

The script is not written like this.

"Zhu Yuanzhang's" momentum should be the crimson of rustic dragons and snakes, the profound black of forbearing ruthlessness, and the bright yellow that ultimately embraces the world.

It certainly should not be this "silver‑white" that seems stripped of all era markings.

Abnormal.

Variable.

Interference source.

Several cold labels were instantly stamped onto the light point.

Almost as the marking was completed, the nether energy network's instinctive reaction was triggered—mobilizing resources, analyzing threats, preparing to execute the most efficient eradication command.

However, the command encountered an obstruction the moment it was generated.

An intangible repulsive force originating from the world‑rule level enveloped the vicinity of that light point.

It was not a strong barrier, but rather resembled a… "identity verification" error.

The nether energy network represents the authorization to "maintain established history".

But when it tried to directly interfere with this "Zhu Yuanzhang", rule feedback showed a certain contradiction—the target was indeed a key historical figure, yet its very state of existence seemed sheltered by another layer of rule power that shared the same source as "history preservation" but flowed in a different direction.

This protection was faint, yet of extremely high rank.

It does not block history from moving forward, yet it subtly repels any external "compulsive force" that intends to directly distort that node figure's self‑consciousness and destiny trajectory.

Direct erasure?

The rules do not support it.

Deep consciousness distortion?

Met with strong rejection, it consumes enormous energy and its success rate cannot be guaranteed.

The black‑robed figure stood still, but the nether energy network linked to the crystal core rippled faintly—a manifestation of high‑speed computation.

In an instant, the strategy adjustment was complete.

Since direct removal or distortion is impossible……

…then we shall guide, correct, and pull it back onto the proper course.

Using indirect means, by influencing his surroundings, people, and events, we create "coincidences" and "necessities" so that he himself "chooses" to walk that predetermined path.

As long as the final result fits the grand framework of the historical script, minor deviations in the process can be tolerated.

【New command generated.】

【Target: Zhu Zhongba (Zhu Yuanzhang).】

【Strategy: Indirect guidance, environmental intervention, destiny correction.】

【Priority: Highest‑level monitoring and guidance execution.】

【Synchronous command: Accelerate the catalysis of the backup script node "Jianzhou Jurchen". Activate risk‑hedging agreement.】

The command turned into an intangible ripple, swiftly spreading through the nether energy network.

In the Huai Xi region, the nether energy marks buried deep in the consciousness of certain "fortunate ones" lurking among Yuan local officials, garrison petty leaders, and even refugees were faintly activated.

They will unconsciously, in the days to come, make some seemingly reasonable choices that subtly push the young man called Zhu Zhongba toward a certain direction of "choice" or "suggestion".

Almost at the same moment.

Huai Xi, outside Zhongli County, a refugee camp.

In the chill of early morning, Zhu Yue jolted awake from a light sleep.

No nightmare.

But there was a cold sensation, like a thorn in his back, that tightly gripped his heart.

He sat up, instinctively pressing his hand to his chest.

His heartbeat was fast.

It wasn't fear, but rather… an intense discomfort, as if placed under a magnifying glass.

It felt as if all his actions, every thought, were placed under the calm scrutiny of some invisible presence.

This feeling was clearer and more unsettling than when he had sensed that strange 'regular signal' the night before.

The 'signal' was subtle, peaceful, even carrying a hint of inquiry.

But this feeling now was cold, evaluative, devoid of any emotion.

He lifted the torn curtain and stepped out of the tent.

The wilderness was cold and desolate; the camp had not yet fully awakened.

Everything appeared unchanged from yesterday.

But Zhu Yue's gaze swept over the few old men tending a fire at the camp's edge, over the distant leaning watchtower, over the grayish sky.

Something… was different.

The 'pressure' in the air had changed.

An ineffable sense of 'purposefulness' seemed to begin permeating the surrounding environment.

He walked over to the small patch of frozen ground they had cleared and crouched down.

The soil was still the same soil.

But when he reached out to touch it, his fingertips felt, besides the icy hardness, an extremely faint, discordant 'pull'.

It seemed as if this land, and indeed the whole world beneath this sky, had begun to exert on him, as an individual, a subtle yet purposeful 'force'.

As if trying to push him toward some direction.

Zhu Yue withdrew his hand, his eyes turning completely cold.

He recalled last night's signal, rich in regularity, as if demonstrating a principle.

And he contrasted it with the present omnipresent, purposeful repression and pull.

Two forces?

No.

More like… two different methods of the same kind of entity?

One attempts communication, demonstrating the pattern.

The other is harsher, trying to arrange, to shape.

The latter instinctively repulsed him.

He disliked being arranged, disliked being pushed along by an unseen hand.

Especially when he did not understand the rules or the purpose at all.

"Chong Ba, why are you up so early?"

Xu Da rubbed his eyes and walked over, seeing Zhu Yue's solemn expression, he froze for a moment.

"What's up? Did the soil freeze hard again?"

"Nothing."

Zhu Yue rose to his feet, brushed the dirt from his hands, and his expression returned to calm.

"Just thinking about what to do today."

His tone was as usual.

But deep down, the string named 'vigilance' had already been pulled taut.

No matter what force trying to 'arrange' him is.

No matter who the existence sending the 'signal' is.

He, Zhu Yue, will not follow any prewritten script.

He wants to see clearly the board and rules of this game.

Then, walk his own path.

The morning light gradually brightened.

The invisible 'gaze' remained cold.

The young man on the wilderness straightened his back and began his labor for the new day.

And thus began his first silent resistance against that invisible 'hand of fate'.