In his previous life before the last, about twenty years from Lu Yang's current point in time, the Sacred Sect launched a war of extermination against the righteous sects.
The righteous sect that was destroyed was called the Divine Martial Sect.
And in that life before the last, Zhao Xuhe ultimately cultivated to Qi Refining Great Perfection and, together with Fairy Feixia, became a steward of the Sacred Sect's external marketplace.
That marketplace was located at Skull Mountain, bordering the Divine Martial Sect.
Before the war, the Sacred Sect used the marketplace as cover to transport vast quantities of supplies there. It was said that the two of them found a Foundation Establishment treasure during that time.
Afterward, when the war began, the pair shone brilliantly and earned considerable merit. They exchanged for another Foundation Establishment treasure from the Sacred Sect, then asked an alchemist to combine the two treasures into a single "Foundation Establishment Pill." Only then did they have a chance to attempt Foundation Establishment.
Although they ultimately failed, the opportunity itself had been real.
"I cultivate the Nine Transformations Dragon Art just like Zhao Xuhe. If he could attempt Foundation Establishment, perhaps I can too. No matter what, it is worth trying!"
Another three days passed.
Lu Yang was meditating in his cave abode when a Human-Faced Owl suddenly flew to its entrance. Its beak opened and closed, releasing a crisp, pleasant voice:
"Junior Brother Lu, please come to my cave abode."
It was Fairy Feixia.
Lu Yang's gaze flickered. He immediately rose on a streak of sword light and flew toward Fairy Feixia's cave abode, where he was then led to a Tea Pavilion nestled amid mountains and water.
Inside the Tea Pavilion, Fairy Feixia was making tea. Her delicate hands moved lightly as spiritual water poured, True Fire kindled, and the tea was warmed and brewed. Every motion pleased the eye. Arriving at just the right moment, Lu Yang caught a waft of ethereal tea fragrance that filled his nose and refreshed his mind, even stirring his Spiritual Sense into greater activity.
"Please, sit, Junior Brother."
Only then did Fairy Feixia raise her eyes to look at him. Once Lu Yang had taken his seat, she went straight to the point. "I called for you because the society's reply has arrived."
"Oh?" Lu Yang deliberately revealed an excited expression. "Has my divine ability arrived?"
"Indeed." Fairy Feixia smiled faintly. "Second Senior Brother has sent over a list of divine abilities. Junior Brother may now choose any one of them to cultivate."
"Thank you, Senior Sister!"
Lu Yang cupped his hands, accepted the list Jade Slip, and opened it. The densely packed divine abilities nearly dazzled his eyes. Yet after examining them carefully, he cursed furiously in his heart.
Most of these divine abilities had appeared in the Library Pavilion on Mending Heaven Peak. However, those in the Library Pavilion were all castrated versions, their power far inferior to the complete versions listed here. They looked alike on the surface, but in truth they differed as vastly as Heaven and earth. It showed just how tightly the Sacred Sect controlled its resources.
It was simply outrageous beyond all reason.
Had he not joined the Three Rivers Society and signed a contract selling himself away, gaining the backing of a True Disciple above him, he likely would never have encountered these complete divine abilities in his entire life.
A moment later, Lu Yang's eyes suddenly lit up.
He had actually spotted familiar words on the list: Heavenly Demon Blood-Dissolving Divine Light—or, more accurately, the complete version of Heavenly Demon Blood-Dissolving Divine Light!
"Yin Corpse-Dissolution Transformation True Method"!
"Greater Yin refines the body's form, surpassing the taking of nine-revolution pills. The visage is proper and solemn, the complexion like spiritual clouds. Ascend to the Supreme Ultimate Palace above, receive the scripture, and become a True Person."
This was a great divine ability!
Heavenly Demon Blood-Dissolving Divine Light was merely its first step. Once fully cultivated, one would not enter the Five Elements, would be difficult to harm with blades or weapons, and could even be called a "Corpse-Dissolution Immortal."
"This one!"
Lu Yang made his decision at once. He copied the contents of the "Yin Corpse-Dissolution Transformation True Method," then looked toward Fairy Feixia and solemnly cupped his hands.
"Now that this matter is settled, does Senior Sister have any other important instructions?"
"To be honest, Junior Brother," Fairy Feixia said with a light laugh, "I have recently planned to apply for an external posting, to be stationed at Skull Mountain Market. I happen to be lacking a few capable helpers who suit my needs."
Here it comes!
Lu Yang was not surprised by Fairy Feixia's invitation. After all, sweet dates came with a big stick. Since the Three Rivers Society had given him benefits, how could they possibly refrain from making him work?
"If Senior Sister does not find me unsuitable, I am willing to accompany you."
Lu Yang nodded without the slightest hesitation.
After all, this concerned an opportunity for Foundation Establishment. Even if Fairy Feixia had not invited him, Lu Yang had planned to accept a mission from the Merit Building and head to Skull Mountain Market.
Seeing how decisive Lu Yang was, Fairy Feixia's expression grew increasingly satisfied. "Junior Brother is indeed as I expected—a person with a steadfast Dao Heart. If ordinary disciples like us willingly sink into depravity and remain within the Sacred Sect, we are destined never to rise. Only by venturing out to seek opportunities can we find a sliver of hope."
"Only by breaking the cauldrons and sinking the boats, casting life and death aside, can one hope for Foundation Establishment!"
After their conversation, Lu Yang noticed that Fairy Feixia's gaze had become much warmer. Clearly, she now regarded him as someone of like mind.
Casting life and death aside was not wrong.
But it was not because he was breaking the cauldrons and sinking the boats. It was because he had the Hundred Lives Book and did not fear failure at all. If he died, he died—at worst, he could Restart and do it all over again!
Ten days later, aboard an airborne flying boat bound for Skull Mountain.
Lu Yang arrived on a streak of light and landed steadily upon the flying boat's deck. After greeting Fairy Feixia, he quietly blended into the crowd below.
On this journey to Skull Mountain, he had no intention of standing out too much.
Compared to being the center of attention, he preferred blending into the masses. Ideally, with a furrow of his brow, he could silently retreat behind everyone else.
Before long, quite a few cultivators had gathered aboard the flying boat.
Besides Fairy Feixia, there were two Qi Refining Seventh Layer cultivators at the forefront. Lu Yang even knew one of them: Lu Yuanchun, a disciple under the Peak Master of Heaven Mending.
"Hmph. Sooner or later, I'll put him on my list."
A glint of cold light flashed through Lu Yang's eyes before vanishing. He then looked around again. Since Lu Yuanchun was here, would Zhao Xuhe be coming as well?
The Foundation Establishment opportunity in this life might very well still fall into his hands!
Sure enough, after surveying the area, Lu Yang truly spotted Zhao Xuhe in a remote corner of the flying boat, silently drinking spiritual wine.
Yet Zhao Xuhe was several times more dejected than in his previous lives. Lu Yang was not surprised. In this life, Zhao Xuhe could not find him, so his fated opportunity had vanished into thin air. Speculating on Death Substitute Puppets had also left him bankrupt, and Fairy Qingchen, his lover, had surely abandoned him as well. He had lost both man and money.
Lu Yang already greatly admired him for not jumping off Mending Heaven Peak by now.
"Senior Brother Zhao? Is that Senior Brother Zhao?"
Lu Yang took the initiative to approach him, deliberately revealing a delighted expression. "I never expected to run into Senior Brother Zhao here. Senior Brother and I are fated!"
"Huh? You are..."
Zhao Xuhe stared blankly for quite some time before finally recognizing Lu Yang through a cultivator's memory. His eyes immediately widened in shock. "Junior Brother Lu? You're in the Middle Qi Refining Stage?"
Zhao Xuhe truly had fallen into dire straits. He could not see through Lu Yang's Breath Concealment Art and naturally had no way of knowing his real realm. Even so, the Middle Qi Refining Stage was enough to leave him stunned. Ten years ago, Lu Yang had been nothing more than an insignificant minor figure in his eyes.
At that thought, Zhao Xuhe became even more miserable.
"Heh. Have you come to mock me too? Get lost!"
"Why would Senior Brother say such a thing?" Lu Yang looked utterly confused, then hurriedly said, "I have always remembered Senior Brother's kindness from those days. How could I possibly mean to mock you?"
Kindness? What kindness?
Zhao Xuhe froze again. Only then did he remember that he seemed to have helped Lu Yang borrow a loan back then. That counted as kindness? Was there really such a fool?
With that thought, Zhao Xuhe was just about to open his mouth and mock him.
"I see that Senior Brother's cultivation seems to still be at Qi Refining Sixth Layer. If Senior Brother does not mind, I have a spiritual pill here that can enhance cultivation."
"Is that appropriate?"
Zhao Xuhe blankly accepted the spiritual pill that Lu Yang forcibly pressed into his hand. For some reason, when he looked at Lu Yang again, he truly felt a sense of closeness arise within him.
It was as though the two of them had dealt with each other in a past life.
Could it be that we really are fated?
Happy New Year!
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