Chapter 15: Fishing

“Who want to make a deal with you? We’ll talk about it in the next life!”

“With the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] in hand, at worst, I’ll take the [Dragon Sovereign Ascension Scripture] in this life, and get the [Nine Transformations Dragon Art] in the next life. They’ll both be mine anyway.”

From the very beginning, Lu Yang had never trusted Zhao Xuhe.

Sharing Daoist scriptures? That was nothing more than an expedient measure. Lu Yang was certain that as long as Zhao Xuhe escaped with his life, he would definitely find a way to kill him.

It just so happened that Zhao Xuhe was stronger. Lu Yang had no absolute certainty of killing him to eliminate future trouble. If they really fought to the death, it might even be Lu Yang who died.

Added to that, the loan was about to come due, and he couldn’t possibly repay it. Time in this life was running out. So, the moment the Daoist scripture was in hand, Lu Yang decisively self-destructed.

[You brazenly self-destructed and died.]

[Current Residual Pages of The Book of a Hundred Lifetimes: 97]

[Restarting a life. You may choose one of the following rewards from your past life:]

[1. Treasure] [2. Cultivation Base] [3. Lifespan] [4. Forfeit all rewards and awaken a Talent based on your past life’s experiences.]

“Those whose names are called, step forward.”

As his consciousness regained clarity, Liu Xin’s familiar and hateful voice rang out on the platform. Lu Yang turned a deaf ear and said in his heart, “I choose Cultivation Base.”

BOOM!

In the next second, Lu Yang felt a stream of True Qi surge from his Dantian, then quickly flow into his four limbs and hundreds of bones, frantically transforming his Essence, Spirit, and Qi. However, he gritted his teeth and circulated the [Qi Concealment Art] obtained from the three black-robed men, restraining all the commotion beneath his skin and flesh.

A moment later, Lu Yang exhaled a deep breath of turbid air.

“I’m back!”

Qi Refining Fourth Layer, Middle Stage!

Raising his head and looking at Liu Xin on the stage again, Lu Yang no longer had the fear from their first meeting. At this time, Liu Xin was merely at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining!

Only after selecting an honorary disciple and refining them into [Primordial One Qi] could Liu Xin break through the bottleneck and reach the Late Stage of Qi Refining. Only then might he potentially see through Lu Yang’s [Qi Concealment Art]. Before that, even if Lu Yang stood right in front of him, Liu Xin would only treat him as an ordinary person.

“However, there’s also an unexpected surprise…”

Lu Yang looked inside his Dantian and saw a wisp of steaming, misty white Qi floating there. It was surprisingly the [Primordial One Qi] from his previous life—it was still here in this life!

“I understand… The [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] doesn’t revert to the initial anchor point, but to my previous life!”

This was undoubtedly a good thing.

It meant that the treasures, cultivation base, and even lifespan he chose in each life could be preserved into the next life. He didn’t have to start from scratch every time.

Lu Yang’s subsequent actions followed the usual pattern.

Going on stage, take the assignment of Joyous Union Hall.

Counter-killing Yu Suzhen.

Silently lying dormant, breaking through three months later, and becoming a formal disciple in obscurity.

“According to my plan for this life, besides the remaining volume of [Nine Transformations Dragon Art], there are two major events worth attempting.”

The first was naturally the “Merit Gambling.”

Lu Yang stayed in his Cave Abode for a few days, then headed to the [Benevolent Merit Tower], accepted the “Accumulating Merit” mission, and immediately rushed non-stop to the [Merit Pool].

“2025113!”

Standing in the crowd around the [Merit Pool], Lu Yang combed his hair handsomely, beginning to envision how he should spend the grand prize after winning it.

One billion, oh one billion! I can’t finish spending it in a whole lifetime~!

Goodbye, poverty. I will miss you…

In the next second, a commotion erupted in the crowd. Countless people looked at Lu Yang with surprise, and at the Merit Fish he had drawn with his selected number.

“Brother, not bad luck.”

Someone leaned close to Lu Yang, their tone envious. “Purple Merit Fish. Although it’s only slightly better than White and Blue, it’s still rare to encounter.”

“…What?”

Lu Yang tilted his head, a row of question marks floating above it.

Purple Merit Fish?

Not Multi-Colored?

Lu Yang hurriedly looked at the Merit Fish he had drawn. It was indeed glowing with purple light. Looking at the number he chose again, it was 2025113, no mistake there.

Why didn’t I win!?

Could it be that the lucky guy from the previous life, Xiao Shiye, lied? But it was impossible for him to know someone could restart a life—he had absolutely no reason to lie.

In that case…

“It’s rigged!”

Lu Yang was shaking with anger, his face flushed red. Only then did he understand…What lucky guy? That Xiao Shiye was clearly a predetermined shill!

“Forget it, at least it’s a Merit Fish…” Lu Yang could only comfort himself this way. Purple was considered rare, second only to Gold and Multi-Colored. Although he missed the one billion grand prize, eating the Purple Merit Fish would probably allow his cultivation to quickly reach the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining.

Thinking of it this way, Lu Yang felt much better.

Then, just in case, he didn’t take the Merit Fish back to his Cave Abode. Instead, he ate it on the spot in front of everyone, then began regulating his breath and circulating his technique to refine it.

After finishing everything, Lu Yang clearly felt several gazes that had fallen on him disperse.

The result was as he expected. The Essence and Qi of the Purple Merit Fish allowed him to smoothly break through to the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining, even letting him touch the threshold of the Sixth Layer.

“This is only Purple. If it were Multi-Colored…”

Lu Yang’s heart yearned for a moment. After all, after Xiao Shiye ate the Multi-Colored Merit Fish in the previous life, he shot up from the First Layer of Qi Refining straight to Great Perfection overnight.

“Forget it, don’t force it.”

Lu Yang quickly regained his calm. The first matter was a bust, but there was still a chance for the second matter— the “Substitute Death Yin Puppet Price Bubble Event.”

Wang Bairong, the old man from the [Scripture Pavilion], lost almost his entire fortune because of this, and was subsequently deceived by Zhao Xuhe into becoming cannon fodder on [Coiled Dragon Island]. But ultimately, that was because Wang Bairong entered the market too late. Lu Yang was different—he knew the exact timing of the price bubble fluctuation very well.

“Actually, there is already an upward trend now.”

Lu Yang opened his disciple token and checked the price of Substitute Death Yin Puppets. He found there was indeed some fluctuation, clearly indicating insiders were manipulating it.

“To enter the market, I currently lack a sufficient amount of capital…”

Lu Yang thought for a moment, then turned and headed for the [Benevolent Merit Tower].

As expected, in the eyes of the veteran disciples, a newly entered disciple like him was a fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered. Before long, Zhao Xuhe took the initiative to walk over.

“This Junior Brother, your complexion isn’t good. Have you encountered some difficulty?”

Hearing this, Lu Yang raised his head and gave a bitter smile. “What difficulty could there be? Isn’t it just a lack of money? I wonder if Senior Brother has any missions that can earn Contribution Points?”

“So it’s a lack of money… That makes sense. Senior Brother here has been down that road. At your age, I was also worrying about Contribution Points, burning the candle at both ends every day. My Dao Companion even despised me and broke up with me… Sigh, endless missions every day, feeling like there was no hope in life.”

Zhao Xuhe spoke with a sigh, looking as if he sympathized with Lu Yang’s plight.

After speaking, he patted Lu Yang on the shoulder and said, “Senior Brother here wasted half a lifetime before finally summarizing a truth that applies everywhere.”

“Money is dead.”

“So you must make money beget money. Use Contribution Points to earn Contribution Points. Only then will you not become a slave to the Saint Sect, and only then can you break free from this destiny of being a beast of burden!”

Hearing this, Lu Yang immediately showed a look of admiration. “Listening to your words is better than studying for ten years!”

But soon, Lu Yang lowered his head in disappointment again. “But Senior Brother, I don’t even have Contribution Points right now. What can I use to earn Contribution Points?”

“Small! Your vision is too small!”

Zhao Xuhe’s expression became even more affectionate, flashing a toothy smile. “Although you don’t have money now, you can borrow it! Just pay it back after you earn money, right?”

“But…” Lu Yang still looked hesitant.

Seeing his performance metrics coming in, how could Zhao Xuhe let it go? He hurriedly said, “How about this? I see that Little Junior Brother and I have an affinity. I’ll lend you a sum!”

Lu Yang’s eyes instantly lit up. “Really?”

Looking at his drooling, thirsty appearance, Zhao Xuhe was certain: The fish has taken the bait!

“Of course it’s real!”

While patting his chest to guarantee, Zhao Xuhe brought out the signboard of the so-called [Three Rivers Society]. Then he asked Lu Yang, “Junior Brother, how much do you plan to borrow?”

Lu Yang fell silent for a moment, then held up two fingers.

“Two hundred?”

“Two thousand!”

Lu Yang looked resolute. “To be honest, my technique loan hasn’t been used yet. The technique loan is equivalent to 1000 Contribution Points. Plus my new disciple welfare—[White Bone Flying Sword], [Blood Qi Pill], [Human-Faced Owl]—I’ll use these as collateral. Senior Brother Zhao, can you lend me 2000 Contribution Points?”

Zhao Xuhe was stunned.

Are young people nowadays so reckless in their actions?

I’ve only bluffed a few sentences, and you’re already going all in?

Before Zhao Xuhe could react, Lu Yang said something that shocked him even more: “Senior Brother Zhao, I plan to buy Substitute Death Yin Puppets with that point.”

“What!?”

Zhao Xuhe was shocked at first, then as if realizing something, he quickly lowered his voice. “Junior Brother… could it be that you know some inside information?”

“Senior Brother sees clearly.” Lu Yang also whispered, “previously when I was selecting techniques in the [Scripture Pavilion], I overheard Senior Brother Wang Bairong at the door saying something. It seems the war situation in the south is unfavorable, and the Ten-Thousand-Man Pit that produces Substitute Death Yin Puppets has fallen. The Saint Sect has just secretly sealed off the relevant news…”

“Hiss!”

As soon as these words came out, Zhao Xuhe sucked in a breath of cold air. Immediately after, intense greed surfaced in his eyes. He had clearly sniffed out a business opportunity.

If the news was true, then the chance to get rich had arrived!

Looking at the unbearably excited Zhao Xuhe, Lu Yang sneered in his heart.

The fish has taken the bait!

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