Chapter 35: Senior Brother Zhao and I Are Fated!
Two lifetimes ago, starting from Lü Yang’s current point in time and going forward about twenty years, the Primordial Saint Sect would launch an extermination war against a righteous sect.
The righteous sect that was wiped out was called “Divine Martial Sect”.
In that same lifetime, Zhao Xuhe eventually cultivated to the peak of Qi Refining and, along with Fairy Feixia, became the manager of the sect’s marketplace in the outside world.
That marketplace was located in Skeleton Mountain, right next to the Divine Martial Sect.
Before the war, the Primordial Saint Sect transported a large amount of resources under the guise of the marketplace.
It was said that during that time, the two of them discovered a rare Foundation Establishment treasure.
Afterward, as the war broke out, both of them performed brilliantly, earning significant merit, and then exchanged it for another Foundation Establishment treasure within the sect.
They then asked an alchemist to combine the two treasures into one and refined a “Foundation Establishment Pill”, finally obtaining the chance to break through.
Although they ultimately failed, the opportunity was real.
“I cultivated the same Nine Transformations Dragon Art as Zhao Xuhe; if he had a chance to break through to Foundation Establishment, maybe I do too. Either way, it’s worth a try!”
Another three days passed.
Lü Yang was meditating in his cave dwelling when suddenly, a human-faced owl flew to his entrance.
Its beak moved and it spoke in a crisp and pleasant voice:
“Junior Brother Lü, please come to the cave dwelling.”
It was Fairy Feixia.
Upon seeing this, Lü Yang's eyes flickered slightly.
He immediately flew on a sword light toward Fairy Feixia’s cave dwelling and was then guided to a scenic tea pavilion amidst mountains and waters.
Inside the tea pavilion, Fairy Feixia was brewing tea.
Her fair hands moved gracefully, pouring spiritual water, igniting true fire, and brewing the tea with fluid and pleasing motions.
Lü Yang happened to arrive just in time and immediately caught a whiff of the delicate fragrance of tea, which calmed his mind and even invigorated his spiritual senses.
“Please sit, Junior Brother.”
Only then did Fairy Feixia raise her brows to look at him.
Once Lü Yang took his seat, she got straight to the point:
“This time I called you over because we’ve received the reply from the association.”
“Oh?” Lü Yang deliberately showed a look of excitement. “Could it be that my divine ability has arrived?”
“Indeed.” Fairy Feixia smiled slightly. “Second Senior Brother has already delivered the list of divine abilities. Junior Brother may now choose one to cultivate.”
“Many thanks, Senior Sister!”
Lü Yang cupped his hands, received the jade slip containing the list, and opened it.
He was instantly dazzled by the densely packed divine abilities.
After carefully browsing through them, he couldn't help but curse inwardly.
Most of these divine abilities he had already seen in the Library Pavilion of Mending Heaven Peak.
However, those versions were castrated—much weaker than the complete versions in this list.
Although they looked similar, the difference was like heaven and earth.
This showed just how strictly the sect controlled its resources.
It was utterly outrageous.
If not for joining the Three Rivers Society and signing a sell-body contract, gaining the backing of a true disciple, he would probably never have come into contact with these complete divine abilities in his lifetime.
After a moment, Lü Yang’s eyes suddenly lit up.
Because he actually saw a familiar term in the list: Heavenly Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Light—or to be more precise, its complete version!
《Taiyin Body-Shedding Corpse Liberation True Method》!
“Refine the body with lunar energy, surpass the Nine-Turn Pill. The form becomes proper and solemn, the complexion like a spiritual cloud. Ascend to the Supreme Polar Palace and be granted the title of True Person.”
This was a great divine ability!
The Heavenly Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Light was just its first step.
Once fully cultivated, the user would be beyond the Five Elements, immune to weapons, and even known as a “Corpse-Transcending Immortal”.
“This is the one!”
Lü Yang made the decision instantly.
He copied the contents of 《Taiyin Body-Shedding Corpse Liberation True Method》.
Then he looked at Fairy Feixia and solemnly cupped his hands:
“Now that this matter is done, does Senior Sister have any other instructions?”
“To be frank, Junior Brother.” Fairy Feixia chuckled softly. “I’ve been planning to apply for an external assignment—to take charge of the marketplace in Skeleton Mountain. I happen to be lacking a few reliable assistants.”
So it really came!
Lü Yang wasn’t surprised by her invitation.
Sweet dates always came with sticks.
Since the Three Rivers Society had given him benefits, how could they not make him work?
“If Senior Sister does not mind, I am willing to accompany you.”
Lü Yang didn’t hesitate at all and nodded immediately.
After all, this concerned the opportunity for Foundation Establishment.
Even if Fairy Feixia hadn’t invited him, Lü Yang had already planned to take on a mission at the Merit Hall to head to the marketplace at Skeleton Mountain.
Seeing Lü Yang so decisive, Fairy Feixia’s eyes became even more satisfied:
“Just as I thought, Junior Brother is a person of steadfast Dao heart. For ordinary disciples like us, if we sink into complacency, we’re doomed to remain obscure in the sect. Only by venturing out and seeking opportunities can we find a glimmer of hope.”
“Burn the boats, disregard life and death—only then can one hope for Foundation Establishment!”
After a conversation, Lü Yang noticed that Fairy Feixia’s gaze toward him had grown more cordial.
She clearly regarded him as a like-minded companion.
Disregarding life and death was indeed accurate.
But not because he had no retreat.
Rather, because he had the 【Book of a Hundred Lifetimes】 and feared no failure.
If he died, so what?
He could just restart!
Ten days later, aboard the flying boat bound for Skeleton Mountain—
Lü Yang soared in a stream of light, landed steadily on the deck, greeted Fairy Feixia, and then quietly blended into the crowd below.
He did not intend to be too conspicuous on this trip to Skeleton Mountain.
Rather than attracting attention, he preferred to blend in, ideally fading into the background with just a slight frown.
Very soon, many cultivators gathered on the flying boat.
The leaders, besides Fairy Feixia, included two Qi Refining seventh-layer cultivators.
One of them, Lü Yang even recognized—Lu Yuanchun, a disciple under the main branch of Mending Heaven Peak.
“Hmph, I’ll settle scores with him sooner or later.”
A cold glint flashed in Lü Yang’s eyes, then quickly faded.
He looked around.
Since Lu Yuanchun was here, would Zhao Xuhe also show up?
It was entirely possible that this lifetime’s Foundation Establishment opportunity would still fall into his hands.
Sure enough, after scanning the crowd, Lü Yang really spotted Zhao Xuhe quietly sipping spirit wine in a remote corner of the flying boat.
However, Zhao Xuhe now was several times more dejected than in any previous life.
Lü Yang wasn’t surprised.
After all, in this life, Zhao Xuhe couldn’t find him.
His fated opportunity had vanished into thin air.
The Substitute Death Yin Puppet had bankrupted him.
And his lover, Qing Chen Fairy, surely had left him as well.
He had truly lost everything.
Lü Yang was already impressed that Zhao Xuhe hadn’t jumped off Mending Heaven Peak yet.
“Senior Brother Zhao? Is that you, Senior Brother Zhao?”
Lü Yang took the initiative to approach, deliberately putting on a surprised expression:
“Never expected to see you here! We must be fated, Senior Brother!”
“Ah? You are…”
Zhao Xuhe stared blankly for a moment before recognizing Lü Yang by memory, and was instantly dumbfounded:
“Junior Brother Lü? You’ve reached mid-stage Qi Refining?!”
Zhao Xuhe was indeed down and out.
He couldn’t see through Lü Yang’s aura-concealing technique, and had no way of knowing his true realm.
Even so, mid-stage Qi Refining was enough to shock him.
After all, ten years ago, Lü Yang had seemed like a totally insignificant figure.
Thinking of this, Zhao Xuhe grew even more dispirited.
“Hmph, you’ve come to laugh at me too, haven’t you? Get lost!”
“Why would you say that, Senior Brother?” Lü Yang looked confused and quickly said:
“I’ve always remembered your kindness back then—how could I ever mock you?”
Kindness?
What kindness?
Zhao Xuhe was stunned again.
Then he recalled that he had once helped Lü Yang secure a loan.
Could that really count as kindness?
Was this guy a fool?
Just as Zhao Xuhe was about to mock him—
“I noticed your cultivation seems stuck at the sixth layer of Qi Refining. If you don’t mind, Senior Brother, I have a spiritual pill that might help.”
“Is that… appropriate?”
Zhao Xuhe dazedly accepted the spirit pill that Lü Yang forcibly handed him.
Strangely, when he looked at Lü Yang again, he actually felt a sense of closeness!
As if they had known each other in a past life.
Could we really be fated?