Lucky Star

A few days later, in a quiet room inside the Blood Garment Pavilion.

Fairy Feixia had long since fluttered away, and Lu Yang sat cross-legged on a straw mat, beginning to study the talismanic arts inheritance he had obtained earlier from discussing the Dao with her.

As for romantic entanglements, Lu Yang never kept them to his heart.

This was simply because he knew very well that in the Sacred Sect, what true love could there be? It was nothing more than an exchange of interests.

The grace of saving a life was only one aspect; on the other hand, because he held down the marketplace and even Qi Refining Great Perfection could do nothing to him, Fairy Feixia needed his help.

There was also a part of the reason that discussing the Dao through dual cultivation was faster.

After all, the Sacred Sect possessed a dual cultivation cultivation method like the Yin-Yang Great Joy Ode, which could directly plunder knowledge. Compared to verbal communication, physical communication was much more convenient.

However, if Fairy Feixia wanted to rely on these past few days of communication to demand any benefits from him, that was utterly impossible.

After all, over these past few days, he had also taught Fairy Feixia array formations.

Money and goods settled, very fair!

Talismanic arts...

As one of the Hundred Arts of True Cultivation, talismanic arts were also a relatively popular category. After several days of in-depth communication, Lu Yang gained a deeper understanding of talismanic arts as well.

In his view, so-called talismanic arts were actually a type of temporary miniature array formation. Although their power fell far short of actual array formations, their strength lay in being convenient to carry, requiring no earth veins or spiritual Qi support, and having no geographical restrictions—as long as the user injected Dharma power, they could activate them.

Lu Yang concentrated his mind and looked at the panel of the Hundred Lives Book.

Golden Light Talisman (Entry), Five Thunder Talisman (Entry), Sword Qi Talisman (Entry), Returning Wind and Fire Talisman (Entry)

Fairy Feixia had passed down four types of talismans to him in total, among which the Golden Light Talisman, Five Thunder Talisman, and Sword Qi Talisman were all relatively common, merely ninth grade in terms of rank.

Only the final one, the Returning Wind and Fire Talisman, was a major seventh-grade talisman.

This talisman could imprint and preserve a cultivator's state during a certain period of time, then overwrite it when needed, allowing the cultivator to return to their peak condition in a short time.

For example, when you had just experienced a fierce battle, were covered in injuries, and had less than one-tenth of your Dharma power remaining, using this talisman at this moment could immediately return you to an undamaged state at the peak of your Dharma power. Although the subsequent backlash would make the injuries three parts heavier, at a critical moment it was sufficient to use for emergencies.

Fairy Feixia's ability to escape all the way back to the marketplace earlier was thanks to the merit of this talisman.

And for her to actively impart this kind of life-saving talismanic spell, it showed that despite her harboring other motives during this Dao discussion and exchange, she still had a bit of sincerity.

Of course, the effects of the Returning Wind and Fire Talisman could not be stacked.

Moreover, because its efficacy was outstanding, the cooling time was correspondingly longer; after one use, one had to wait an interval of three months before using it a second time.

"Heaven is round and Earth is square, laws and decrees span nine chapters. Now I drop my brush, and all spirits lie hidden!"

Several talisman papers floated in the air. Lu Yang formed a hand seal with one hand while operating his Dharma power with the other to write on the paper. From time to time, loss of control over his Dharma power would cause a talisman paper to be destroyed.

However, Lu Yang quickly guided a new talisman paper to replenish it.

After a long time passed like this, Lu Yang slowly finished his work, and before him appeared four additional talismans radiating spiritual light, each with different colors and handwriting.

"Done!"

Lu Yang first put away the most precious Returning Wind and Fire Talisman, then took the remaining three talismans into his hands. Gazing at them intently, a thought suddenly arose.

Unlike the Returning Wind and Fire Talisman, the Golden Light Talisman, Five Thunder Talisman, and Sword Qi Talisman are all quite conventional. In fact, they do not require particularly profound talismanic techniques. As long as the materials are prepared and they are refined in large quantities, mass production is entirely possible. The only problem is how to find so many people to draw talismans for you unconditionally.

Fortunately, Lu Yang never worried about this point.

Right on cue, the banner spirits inside the Ten Thousand Spirit Banner had nothing to do all day, so he would pass down the art of drawing talismans to give them some work to pass the time.

Doing this could even save a sum of money.

After all, if he hired Sacred Sect Disciples to draw talismans, he would have to pay them wages.

As for the banner spirits—just kidding, being willing to give them work was already a blessing for them. If they wanted wages? Then they couldn't blame him for laying them off!

Walking out of the quiet room, Yun Miaoqing, who was standing guard outside the door, brought Lu Yang an unexpected piece of news.

"Zhao Xuhe?"

Lu Yang raised an eyebrow, pondering in his heart why this Senior Brother Zhao would suddenly come to find him, clearly when they last spoke he had been full of wariness toward him.

Seeing Lu Yang frown, Yun Miaoqing said softly, "If Dao Brother does not wish to see him, shall I chase him away?"

"...No need." Lu Yang smiled faintly. "Then let's see him."

Soon, Zhao Xuhe was led into the reception room of the Blood Garment Pavilion. Lu Yang secretly observed for a moment, discovered nothing amiss, and only then walked inside.

"Senior Brother Zhao! I've missed you to death!"

Lu Yang laughed heartily, grabbing Zhao Xuhe in an embrace the moment he stepped through the door, and said excitedly, "To not keep it from you, a while ago I fought too fiercely with that true disciple from the Divine Martial Sect. Although I beheaded him, I also suffered heavy injuries and took a very long time to recover, keeping Senior Brother Zhao waiting for a long time."

"No, no..."

Zhao Xuhe smiled awkwardly yet politely, while in his heart he was furious—he had actually seen Fairy Feixia walking out of the Blood Garment Pavilion!

However, his Dao Heart was resolute after all, and he quickly shook off the negative emotions.

"Junior Brother Lu, I have come this time to ask for a favor."

Zhao Xuhe cut straight to the point, saying in a deep voice, "Does Junior Brother know about the Witch Ghost Secret Realm? Recently, news regarding this secret realm is on everyone's lips."

"Of course I know." Lu Yang nodded.

Striking while the iron was hot, Zhao Xuhe said, "To not keep it from Junior Brother, I actually have some clues in my hands regarding the Witch Ghost Secret Realm, which might be related to a Foundation Establishment opportunity!"

"Oh."

Lu Yang's flat reaction instantly stunned Zhao Xuhe.

This wasn't right.

In his expectations, a Foundation Establishment opportunity was such a huge matter—upon hearing it, shouldn't Lu Yang immediately and eagerly inquire about the specific details?

Little did he know, Lu Yang's state of mind at the moment was very steady.

You had to know that when he originally learned about the Witch Ghost Secret Realm, it was dug out only after converting Ouyang Haoze into a banner spirit; it was definitely a little-known secret.

Yet what about now?

The entire Skull Mountain was buzzing with talk of the Witch Ghost Secret Realm. Everyone was discussing it, as if finding the secret realm meant even a mortal could successfully establish their foundation.

When the aunties in the neighborhood market start discussing stock trading, you should exit the market.

Was a secret known to everyone still a secret?

This was just waiting to harvest leeks!

Lu Yang saw through it very clearly: the more the Witch Ghost Secret Realm was hyped up to the skies with opportunities everywhere, the more resolute he became in his decision not to step half a step out of the marketplace.

Thinking of this, Lu Yang immediately shook his head. "Apologies, Senior Brother, I am not interested in secret realms."

"This..." Zhao Xuhe's mouth hung wide open, and he hurriedly tried to persuade him, "Junior Brother, cultivation is not easy, and a person only lives once. How can one shrink back at a critical moment?"

"The ancient Witch Ghost Sect was after all a major demonic sect. Although it was eventually destroyed by the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion, a centipede dies but never truly falls apart; there are still some good things left over. Perhaps there are Foundation Establishment rare treasures—could it be that Junior Brother is unmoved? You must know that opportunities are hard to come by in a lifetime, and once missed, they are gone!"

Opportunities are hard to come by in a lifetime... That's you.

I am different. If this lifetime doesn't work, we'll talk about the next lifetime.

Lu Yang scoffed inwardly, but on the surface he shook his head firmly. "My mind is made up. You must know that if it's in your fate, you will eventually have it; if it's not in your fate, do not force it."

Zhao Xuhe stood on the spot, speechless.

There was nothing he could do. Things had been said to this extent, and Lu Yang still didn't plan to come out of seclusion. He had no countermeasure and could only curse a damned old turtle in his heart.

"...Since that's the case, then so be it."

"However, coming here this time, I have another transaction I'd like to discuss with Junior Brother."

Clenching his teeth, Zhao Xuhe had no choice but to turn to his second plan, wearing a pained expression as he said, "I have a secret technique in my hands that can increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment."

"I want to use it as collateral to borrow thirty thousand contribution points from Junior Brother."

"...A Foundation Establishment secret technique?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Lu Yang, who had previously been about to see the guest out, instantly lit up. Looking at Zhao Xuhe, he felt the man was simply pleasing to the eye; this fellow truly was his lucky star.

Speculating on the Death Substitute Puppet, the Nine Transformations Dragon Art, the Skull Mountain Market...

And now an extra Foundation Establishment secret technique had appeared!

Among the many opportunities he had relied on up to now, which one did not have dear Senior Brother Zhao behind it? He couldn't be where he was today without the man's irrepressible contributions!