Zhao, You and I Are Fated!

In the life before last, about twenty years from Lu Yang's current point in time, the Sacred Sect would launch 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 last, Zhao Xuhe had ultimately cultivated to Qi Refining Great Perfection and, together with Fairy Feixia, become 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 had used the marketplace as a cover to transport vast quantities of supplies there. It was said that this was when the two of them found the rare Foundation Establishment treasure.

Afterward, when the war began, the pair shone brilliantly and earned considerable merit. They then exchanged for another rare Foundation Establishment treasure from within the Sacred Sect, asked an alchemist to fuse the two treasures into one, and refined them into a "Foundation Establishment Pill." Only then did they gain a chance to attempt Foundation Establishment.

Though they ultimately failed, the opportunity had been real.

"Zhao Xuhe and I both cultivate the Nine Transformations Dragon Art. 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 quietly 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, after which he was led to a tea pavilion amid the mountains and waters.

Inside the tea pavilion, Fairy Feixia was brewing tea. Her delicate hands moved lightly as she poured spiritual water, kindled it with True Fire, moistened the leaves, and brewed the tea. Every movement was a feast for the eyes. Arriving at just the right moment, Lu Yang caught a waft of ethereal tea fragrance that filled his nose, leaving him refreshed and content. Even his spiritual sense became much livelier.

"Please sit, Junior Brother."

Only then did Fairy Feixia raise her brows and look over. Once Lu Yang sat down, she came straight to the point. "I called for you because the Society's reply has arrived."

"Oh?" Lu Yang deliberately showed excitement. "Has my divine ability arrived?"

"Indeed." Fairy Feixia smiled slightly. "Second Senior Brother has sent over a list of divine abilities. Junior Brother may now select any one from it to cultivate."

"Thank you, Senior Sister!"

Lu Yang cupped his hands, took the list Jade Slip, and opened it. The densely packed divine abilities nearly dazzled his eyes. After examining it carefully, he cursed furiously in his heart.

He had seen most of these divine abilities in the Library Pavilion on Mending Heaven Peak. However, the versions in the Library Pavilion had all been castrated, their power far inferior to the complete versions on this list. They looked identical, yet were truly as far apart as Heaven and earth. It was clear just how tightly the Sacred Sect controlled its resources.

It was simply outrageous.

If joining the Three Rivers Society had not required him to sign a contract of servitude, giving him the backing of a true inheritance, 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 precisely, the complete version of the Heavenly Demon Blood-Dissolving Divine Light!

"Yin Corpse-Dissolution Transformation True Method"!

"Greater Yin tempers the body's form, surpassing the taking of ninefold-transformed pills. The visage becomes upright and solemn, the complexion like spiritual clouds. Ascend to the Supreme Ultimate Gate and receive the scripture to become a True Person."

This was a great divine ability!

The Heavenly Demon Blood-Dissolving Divine Light was merely its first step. Once fully cultivated, one would not enter the Five Elements, blades and weapons would struggle to harm one, and one could even be called a "Corpse-Dissolution Immortal."

"This one!"

Lu Yang immediately made his choice, copied the contents of the "Yin Corpse-Dissolution Transformation True Method," and only then looked at Fairy Feixia, solemnly cupping his hands.

"Now that this matter is settled, does Senior Sister have any other important instructions?"

"To be honest, Junior Brother." Fairy Feixia chuckled. "I have recently planned to apply for an external posting to oversee the Skull Mountain Market. I am short of several capable assistants who suit my needs."

Here it comes!

Lu Yang was not surprised by Fairy Feixia's invitation. A sweet date came with a big stick; since the Three Rivers Society had given him benefits, how could it possibly refrain from making him work?

"If Senior Sister does not disdain me, I am willing to accompany Senior Sister."

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 intended to take a task from the Merit Building and head to Skull Mountain Market.

Seeing Lu Yang be so decisive, 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 for survival."

"Only by smashing the cauldrons and sinking the boats, casting life and death beyond consideration, can there be hope of Foundation Establishment!"

After their conversation, Lu Yang noticed that Fairy Feixia's gaze toward him had become much friendlier. Clearly, she now regarded him as a kindred spirit.

Casting life and death beyond consideration was not wrong.

But it was not because he was smashing the cauldrons and sinking the boats. It was because he had the Hundred Lives Book and simply did not fear failure. If he died, he died—at worst, he could Restart and do it again!

Ten days later, aboard a skyborne flying boat headed for Skull Mountain.

Lu Yang arrived on a streak of light and landed steadily on the flying boat's deck. After greeting Fairy Feixia, he quietly blended into the crowd below.

On this trip to Skull Mountain, he had no intention of making himself too conspicuous.

Compared to being the focus of countless eyes, he preferred to fade into the masses. Ideally, with a mere 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 head of the group. One of them was even someone Lu Yang knew: Lu Yuanchun, a disciple under the Peak Master of Heaven Mending.

Hmph. Sooner or later, I'll put him on my list.

A cold glint flashed through Lu Yang's eyes before vanishing. He then looked around again. Since Lu Yuanchun had come, would Zhao Xuhe be here too?

The Foundation Establishment opportunity in this life might very well fall into his hands again!

Sure enough, after scanning the area, Lu Yang spotted Zhao Xuhe in a remote corner of the flying boat, silently drinking spiritual wine.

However, Zhao Xuhe was several times more dispirited now than in the previous lives. Lu Yang was not surprised. In this life, Zhao Xuhe could not find him, his destined opportunity had vanished into thin air, he had gambled on Death Substitute Puppets until he lost everything, and his lover, Fairy Qingchen, had surely left him as well. He had lost both wealth and love.

Lu Yang already admired him for not having jumped off Mending Heaven Peak yet.

"Senior Brother Zhao? Is that Senior Brother Zhao?"

Lu Yang stepped forward on his own initiative, deliberately showing pleasant surprise. "I never expected to meet Senior Brother Zhao here as well. Senior Brother and I are fated!"

"Huh? You are..."

Zhao Xuhe was stunned for quite a while before relying on a cultivator's memory to recognize Lu Yang. His eyes immediately widened. "Junior Brother Lu? You've reached the Middle Qi Refining Stage?"

Zhao Xuhe truly had fallen on hard times. He could not see through Lu Yang's Breath Concealment Art, so he naturally had no way of knowing his real realm. Even so, the Middle Qi Refining Stage was enough to shock him greatly. After all, ten years ago, Lu Yang had been no more than an insignificant minor figure in his eyes.

At that thought, Zhao Xuhe became even more depressed.

"Heh, are you here to mock me too? Get lost!"

"Why would Senior Brother say such a thing?" Lu Yang wore an utterly puzzled expression, then hurriedly said, "I have always remembered Senior Brother's kindness from back then. How could I possibly wish to mock you?"

Kindness? What kindness?

Zhao Xuhe was stunned again. Only then did he recall that he seemed to have helped Lu Yang take out 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 sneer.

"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 improve cultivation."

"This... isn't appropriate, is it?"

Zhao Xuhe blankly accepted the spiritual pill Lu Yang forcibly handed him. For some reason, when he looked at Lu Yang again, he actually felt a sense of closeness arise within him!

It was as though the two of them had dealt with each other in a previous life.

Could it be that we truly are fated?

Happy New Year!