Chapter 36: Skeleton Mountain Market
With his understanding of Zhao Xuhe from several lifetimes, Lü Yang quickly became acquainted with him, allowing Zhao Xuhe to feel a long-lost sense of respect from outsiders.
To be honest, he hadn't felt this way in many years.
Ever since the price of Substitute Death Yin Puppets plummeted, Panlong Island mysteriously disappeared, and even his master, the Mending Heaven Peak Lord, couldn't calculate the cause and effect, his days had become increasingly difficult.
First, his master grew more and more disappointed in him; second, his cultivation stagnated, remaining at the mid-stage of Qi Refining for ten years without breaking through the bottleneck.
If there was any good news, it was that his master, seeing his declining state, canceled his engagement with his junior sister.
The vicissitudes of life and the warmth and coldness of human relationships—Zhao Xuhe had experienced them all in these ten years.
Therefore, upon hearing that Lü Yang had exited the market at the peak price of Substitute Death Yin Puppets and achieved financial freedom, Zhao Xuhe's eyes turned red with envy.
"Ah, junior brother, your Dao heart is firm, not corrupted by wealth; your future achievements are limitless. It's a pity I didn't have your Dao heart back then."
"Senior brother, you mustn't belittle yourself."
Lü Yang softly comforted, "Fortune doesn't favor just one moment. As long as you are determined on the path of immortality, what are temporary setbacks?"
"You're right."
Zhao Xuhe nodded, seemingly a bit more spirited, then glanced at Lü Yang with hesitation, opening his mouth but saying nothing.
Such behavior made his intentions clear to Lü Yang.
He wanted to borrow money.
Lü Yang smiled slightly.
Since Zhao Xuhe didn't mention it, he naturally wouldn't bring it up either. After all, if it's too easy to obtain, it won't be cherished.
At this moment, a voice suddenly came from the flying boat:
"Skeleton Mountain has arrived!"
Northern Frontier, Skeleton Mountain.
Though called a mountain, it was actually a vast mountain range stretching hundreds of miles, with peaks clustered like waves, each inch of land brimming with spiritual energy.
The Saint Sect established a market here for good reason.
Although it couldn't compare to the Sky-reaching Sea of Clouds, for secular rogue cultivators, Skeleton Mountain was already a treasure land.
At the center of the range was a White Bone Cave, where the Saint Sect's market was located.
"This place's geomancy is of extreme yin."
On the flying boat's deck, Lü Yang overlooked Skeleton Mountain's terrain, somewhat surprised: "Any cultivator buried here will inevitably transform into a zombie within ten years."
"Junior brother, your insight is sharp."
A sudden burst of rosy light appeared as Fairy Feixia, her feathered cloak fluttering, stepped out: "That's why the Saint Sect sent us to guard Skeleton Mountain and maintain market order."
"As you said, due to the unique geomancy, Skeleton Mountain experiences a massive zombie tide every thirty years. These zombies lack intelligence and only know to devour the living. It's a risk of Skeleton Mountain but also an opportunity, as these zombies are excellent materials for refining artifacts."
After explaining, Fairy Feixia continued:
"The market is protected by the 'Hundred Bones Return to True Formation.' Fellow Daoists Lu and Chen will each handle two formation eyes. Shall junior brother and I take one each of the remaining two?"
"At your command, senior sister."
Fairy Feixia nodded upon hearing this, then slightly furrowed her brows, glancing at Zhao Xuhe beside Lü Yang, who was wide-eyed and full of disbelief.
"What's wrong?" Lü Yang asked curiously, "Senior sister, do you know Senior Brother Zhao?"
"...I don't."
Fairy Feixia indifferently withdrew her gaze, no longer looking at Zhao Xuhe, and instead gave Lü Yang a gentle smile: "I'll be counting on you in the future, junior brother."
With that, she soared away on a beam of rosy light.
Zhao Xuhe remained in place, his expression complex, clearly realizing that Lü Yang's ability to oversee the market meant his strength wasn't just mid-stage Qi Refining as he sensed.
"Senior Brother Zhao?"
Lü Yang's voice came, and Zhao Xuhe froze.
His face showed a mix of joy and sorrow, his lips moved without sound, and finally, his demeanor became respectful as he clearly called out:
"My lord."
Seeing this, Lü Yang could only sigh helplessly: "Senior Brother Zhao, I have official duties to attend to. If you have any difficulties in the future, feel free to contact me."
With that, he also departed in a beam of light.
Only Zhao Xuhe remained, his expression uncertain, quickly collecting his previous emotions, his eyes revealing a thoughtful look.
"He's wary of me. Seems I was too hasty."
Entering the market, Lü Yang recalled Zhao Xuhe's earlier reaction and couldn't help but chuckle: "Just as I expected, he has another purpose for coming to this market."
"Good, good!"
"In this lifetime, I must consider him a close friend!"
Lü Yang wasn't afraid of Zhao Xuhe's wariness because he had enough patience.
If necessary, he could even give up this lifetime and truly be lifelong friends with Zhao Xuhe, gathering intelligence to prepare for the next life!
While pondering, Lü Yang arrived in front of a pavilion.
This was one of the four major formation eyes of the market and also the area with the most spiritual energy in Skeleton Mountain, estimated to have about thirty percent of the Saint Sect's cave dwelling level.
"Heaven-Slashing Blood River Sword Formation, activate!"
With a wave of his sleeve, Lü Yang sent the Blood Sun Sword Pill into the pavilion, anchoring the center. Then, formation patterns expanded, replacing the original ones.
Although the market's 'Hundred Bones Return to True Formation' was more marvelous than the Heaven-Slashing Blood River Sword Formation, firstly, Lü Yang only occupied one formation eye; secondly, as a formation master, he disliked entrusting his life to a formation set up by others.
"After all, I have many secrets."
"Moreover, the Skeleton Mountain market has been established for so long; even if the 'Hundred Bones Return to True Formation' is brilliant, its effects are already well-known."
The more one's background is exposed, the easier it is to be targeted.
So, if a formidable figure attacks the Skeleton Mountain market, they must be prepared with methods to break the 'Hundred Bones Return to True Formation.'
Therefore, by then, this formation might not be of much use.
That said, Lü Yang didn't abandon the formation directly but instead opened a new area within the pavilion, hiding a formation within a formation, serving as a trump card.
After completing all this, Lü Yang nodded in satisfaction.
Then, with another wave of his hand, he named the pavilion 'Blood Garment Tower,' marking his official residence in the Skeleton Mountain market and providing an external title.
At that moment, over a dozen beams of light flew in.
These were all Saint Sect disciples assigned to Lü Yang's area, mostly at the early to mid-stage of Qi Refining, here to perform tasks.
After the lights entered the Blood Garment Tower, they dispersed, revealing cultivators of various appearances, male and female, young and old, all respectfully arriving at the tower platform.
Beside the platform stood a handsome young man in blood-colored robes, leaning on the railing with a smile, overlooking them all.
"Greetings, Tower Master!"
The disciples didn't dare be negligent, bowing one after another.
Although within the Saint Sect they could address each other as senior and junior brothers, outside the sect, titles were used.
Especially since this was a senior brother at the late stage of Qi Refining!
Early, mid, late, and great perfection stages of Qi Refining might seem like four minor realms, but the gaps between them were vast.
"Rise."
Looking at the row of figures below, Lü Yang nodded in satisfaction, thinking to himself: "Not bad, all seem like cattle and horses at a glance, no capable ones."
The Saint Sect's cultivation environment was top-notch, so generally, those choosing external assignments were either like Lü Yang and Fairy Feixia, aiming for Foundation Establishment, or like these individuals—poor aptitude, older age, and little wealth, unable to survive in the sect.
"If I wanted, I could kill them all with one sword each."
Those intending to build a force might be dissatisfied with this situation, but Lü Yang felt it was just right; the weak atmosphere made him feel at ease.
"Disperse. Handle minor matters yourselves; no need to come to me."
Lü Yang casually instructed, then directly dismissed them, sealing the Blood Garment Tower, preparing to cultivate peacefully until the opportunity for Foundation Establishment arose!