Chapter 35: Senior Brother Zhao and I Have Destiny!

In the life before last, about twenty years after Lu Yang’s current point in time, the Saint Sect would launch an extermination war against an Orthodox sect.

The righteous sect that was wiped out was called “Divine Martial Sect”.

And in the life before last, Zhao Xuhe eventually cultivated to the Great Perfection of Qi Refining. Together with Fairy Feixia, he became a manager for the Saint Sect in an external market town.

That market town was located on [Skull Mountain], bordering the Divine Martial Sect.

Before the war, the Saint Sect transported large amounts of supplies using the market town as a cover. It was said that during that time, the two of them found a Foundation Establishment Treasure.

After that, as the war began, the two shone brilliantly and established significant merit. They exchanged for another Foundation Establishment Treasure from within the Saint Sect, then asked an Alchemist to combine the two treasure into one and refining a “Foundation Establishment Pill.” Only then did they have the opportunity to attempt Foundation Establishment.

Although they ultimately failed, the opportunity was real.

“Like Zhao Xuhe, I also cultivate the [Nine Transformations Dragon Art]. If he can attempt Foundation Establishment, perhaps I also have a chance. Regardless, it’s worth a try!”

Another three days passed.

Lu Yang was meditating in his Cave Abode when suddenly, a [Human-Faced Owl] flew to the front of his cave. Its lips parted, spitting out a crisp and pleasant voice:

“Junior Brother Lu, please come to my Cave Abode for a meeting.”

It was Fairy Feixia.

Lu Yang’s eyes moved slightly upon seeing this. He immediately rode a streak of sword light and flew towards Fairy Feixia’s Cave Abode. He was then guided to a tea pavilion amidst mountains and waters.

Inside the tea pavilion, Fairy Feixia was brewing tea. Her pale hands moved lightly, pouring spiritual water, igniting true fire, and brewing the tea with fluid and pleasing motions. Her movements were pleasing to the eye.

Lu Yang arrived just at the right time, feeling an ethereal tea fragrance rushing to his nose, pleasing the heart and refreshing the mind. Even his spiritual sense became much more active.

“Junior Brother, please sit.”

Only then did Fairy Feixia raise her eyebrows to look at him. After Lu Yang sat down, she got straight to the point: “I looked for Junior Brother this time because the reply from the society has arrived.”

“Oh.” Lu Yang deliberately showed an excited expression. “Is it my Divine Ability?”

“Correct.” Fairy Feixia smiled slightly. “Second Senior Brother has already sent over the list of Divine Abilities. Junior Brother can now choose any one from the list to cultivate.”

“Many thanks, Senior Sister.”

Lu Yang cupped his hands, took the jade slip containing the list, and opened it. He was instantly dazzled by the densely packed Divine Abilities. After carefully browsing through it, he cursed inwardly.

Because he had seen most of these Divine Abilities in the [Scripture Pavilion] on [Heaven-Mending Peak]. However, the ones in the [Scripture Pavilion] were all castrated versions. Their power was far inferior to the complete versions on the list. The two looked the same, but in reality, they were worlds apart. This showed the extent of the Saint Sect’s control over resources.

It was simply heinous.

If he hadn’t joined the [Three Rivers Society] and signed a contract of servitude, gaining a backing of a True Disciples above him, he probably wouldn’t have come into contact with these complete Divine Abilities in his entire life.

A moment later, Lu Yang’s eyes suddenly lit up.

Because he actually saw a familiar name on the list: [Heavenly Demon Blood-Dissolving Divine Light]—or more accurately, the complete version of the [Heavenly Demon Blood-Dissolving Divine Light]!

[Grand Yin Corpse Liberation Transformation True Method]!

“Grand Yin refines the bodily form, surpassing the Nine-Turn Pill. Appearance dignified and solemn, face like spiritual clouds. Ascending to the Taiji Palace, and granted the title of a Perfected One…”

This was a Great Divine Ability!

The [Heavenly Demon Blood-Dissolving Divine Light] was merely its first step. Once thoroughly mastered, the user would be beyond the Five Elements, immune to weapons, and even known as a “Corpse Liberation Immortal.”

“This is the one!”

Lu Yang made a decision on the spot. He copied the content of the [Grand Yin Corpse Liberation Transformation True Method], then looked at Fairy Feixia and cupped his hands solemnly.

“Now that this matter is settled, does Senior Sister have any important tasks to instruct?”

“To be honest with Junior Brother,” Fairy Feixia chuckled lightly, “I recently plan to apply for an external transfer to oversee the [Skull Mountain Market]. I happen to be short of a few satisfactory assistants…”

Here it comes, as expected!

Lu Yang wasn’t surprised by Fairy Feixia’s invitation. After all, sweet dates come with a big stick. Since the [Three Rivers Society] gave him benefits, how could they not make him work?

“If Senior Sister doesn’t discard me, I am willing to accompany Senior Sister.”

Lu Yang nodded directly without hesitation.

After all, it concerned the Foundation Establishment opportunity. Even if Fairy Feixia hadn’t actively invited him, Lu Yang planned to go to the [Benevolent Merit Tower] to accept a mission heading to [Skull Mountain Market].

Seeing Lu Yang being so decisive, the look in Fairy Feixia’s eyes became increasingly satisfied. “Junior Brother is indeed as I thought, a person with a firm Dao Heart. 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.”

“Burning one’s boats, placing life and death aside—only then is there hope for Foundation Establishment!”

After a conversation, Lu Yang found that Fairy Feixia’s gaze toward him had become affectionate. Clearly, she regarded him as a like-minded person.

Placing life and death aside… that wasn’t wrong.

But not because I’m burning my boats, but because I have the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes]. I’m basically not afraid of failure. If I die, I die; at worst, I’ll restart and come again!

…

Ten days later, on the flying boat heading to [Skull Mountain].

Lu Yang arrived via a streak of light, landing steadily on the deck of the flying boat. After greeting Fairy Feixia, he kept a low profile and blended into the crowd below.

Heading to [Skull Mountain] this time, he didn’t intend to be too conspicuous.

Compared to being the center of attention, he actually preferred to be lost in the crowd—the kind who could quietly retreat behind everyone with just a frown.

Soon, quite a few cultivators gathered on the flying boat.

Besides Fairy Feixia, the leaders included two cultivators at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining. One of them he even recognized— Lu Yuanchun, a disciple under the Peak Master of [Heaven-Mending Peak].

“Hmph… sooner or later I’ll settle the score.”

A cold glint flashed in Lu Yang’s eyes before disappearing. He then looked around. Since Lu Yuanchun was here, would Zhao Xuhe also come?

The Foundation Establishment opportunity in this life might just fall on him!

Sure enough, after patrolling a round, Lu Yang really saw Zhao Xuhe in a corner of the crowd, silently drinking spirit wine in a remote place on the flying boat.

However, the current Zhao Xuhe was several times more decadent than in the previous few lives. Lu Yang wasn’t surprised. After all, in this life, Zhao Xuhe couldn’t find him, his destined opportunity vanished into thin air, speculating on Substitute Death Yin Puppets bankrupted him, and his lover Fairy Qing Chen definitely left him too. It could be said he lost both people and wealth.

Lu Yang already admired him for not jumping off [Heaven-Mending Peak] yet.

“Senior Brother Zhao? Is it Senior Brother Zhao?”

Lu Yang took the initiative to step forward, deliberately showing a look of pleasant surprise. “I didn’t expect to meet Senior Brother Zhao here. Senior Brother and I have destiny!”

“Huh? You are…”

Zhao Xuhe was stunned for a long while before recognizing Lu Yang with a cultivator’s memory. He was immediately dumbfounded. “…Junior Brother Lu? You’re at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining?”

Zhao Xuhe was indeed down and out. He couldn’t see through Lu Yang’s [Qi Concealment Art] at all, so he naturally had no way of knowing his true realm. But even so, the Middle Stage of Qi Refining was enough to shock him greatly. After all, ten years ago, Lu Yang was just a dispensable minor character in his eyes.

Thinking of this, Zhao Xuhe instantly felt even more depressed.

“Heh, are you also here to mock me? Piss off!”

“Why does Senior Brother say such words?” Lu Yang looked confused, then hurriedly said, “I have always kept Senior Brother’s past kindness in mind. How could I have a heart of mockery?”

Kindness? What kindness?

Zhao Xuhe was stunned again. Then he remembered that he seemed to have indeed helped Lu Yang take out a loan back then. Does that count as kindness? Is there really such a fool?

Thinking of this, just as Zhao Xuhe wanted to open his mouth to mock…

“I see Senior Brother’s cultivation seems to be stuck at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining. If Senior Brother doesn’t mind, I have a spirit pill here that can benefit cultivation.”

“This isn’t appropriate, is it?”

Zhao Xuhe blankly accepted the spirit pill Lu Yang forcefully handed over. For some reason, looking at Lu Yang again, a feeling of affection actually arose in his heart!

It was as if the two had dealt with each other in a previous life.

Could it be we really have destiny?

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