Chapter 45: Lucky Star

Several days later, in a quiet room within the Blood-Clad Tower.

Fairy Feixia had already floated away, while Lu Yang sat upright on a meditation mat, beginning to study the talisman inheritance he had obtained from discussing the Dao with her.

As for romance between men and women, Lu Yang never held it in his heart.

Because he knew very well in his heart that within the Saint Sect, there was no true love, only an exchange of benefits.

The grace of saving her life was just one aspect. The other aspect was that since he presided over the market and even a Great Perfection of Qi Refining cultivator could do nothing to him, Fairy Feixia needed his help.

There was also another reason— Demonic Arts made Dao discussions faster.

After all, the Saint Sect possessed cultivation methods like the Ode of Yin-Yang Great Bliss that could directly plunder cultivation bases and knowledge, which was far more convenient than verbal communication.

However, if Fairy Feixia wanted to rely on the interactions of these past few days to ask him for any benefits, that was absolutely impossible.

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

Money and goods cleared; it was very fair!

“Talisman Arts…”

As one of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation, Talisman Arts were also a relatively popular category. After several days of in-depth exchange, Lu Yang had gained a greater understanding of Talisman Arts.

In his view, so-called Talisman Arts were essentially a temporary miniature formations. Although their power was far inferior to formations, they won out in portability. Moreover, they did not require the support of earth veins or spiritual Qi, nor did they have geographical restrictions. As long as the user injected spiritual power, they could be activated.

Lu Yang focused his mind and looked at the panel of [The Book of a Hundred Lifetimes].

[Golden Light Talisman (Introductory), Five Thunders Talisman (Introductory), Sword Qi Talisman (Introductory), Wind-Returning Fire-Reverting Talisman (Introductory)]

Fairy Feixia had transmitted a total of four talismans to him. Among them, the Golden Light Talisman, Five Thunders Talisman, and Sword Qi Talisman were relatively common, and in terms of grade, they were no more than Grade 9.

Only the last one, the Wind-Returning Fire-Reverting Talisman, was a grand talisman of Grade 7.

This talisman could imprint a cultivator’s state from a certain period and preserve it. When needed, it could be overlaid again, allowing the cultivator to return to their peak condition for a short time.

For example, if you had just experienced a fierce battle, your whole body was covered in wounds, and less than one-tenth of your spiritual power remained, using this talisman at that moment would instantly return you to a pristine state with peak spiritual power. Although the backlash afterward would make the injuries three times worse, it was sufficient for emergencies at critical moments.

Fairy Feixia’s ability to escape all the way back to the market previously was due to the contribution of this talisman.

And being able to proactively teach such a life-saving talisman showed that although she harbored other intentions during this Dao discussion, she still had some sincerity.

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

Moreover, because its efficacy was outstanding, its cooldown time was longer. After one use, there had to be an interval of three months before it could be used a second time.

“Heaven is round and Earth is square, nine chapters of laws and decrees. Today I put brushto paper, myriad spirits conceal themselves…”

Several sheets of talisman paper floated in the air. Lu Yang pinched a seal with one hand and circulated spiritual power with the other to write on the paper. From time to time, spiritual power would spiral out of control, causing the talisman paper to be destroyed.

But soon, Lu Yang would draw new talisman paper to replenish it.

This went on for a long time before Lu Yang slowly finished his work. In front of him appeared four talismans, glowing with spiritual light, each with different colors and writing.

“It is done.”

Lu Yang first put away the most precious Wind-Returning Fire-Reverting Talisman, then took the remaining three talismans into his hand. Examining them closely, a thought suddenly occurred to him.

“Unlike the Wind-Returning Fire-Reverting Talisman, these Golden Light Talismans, Five Thunders Talismans, and Sword Qi Talismans are relatively conventional. Actually, they don’t require overly profound talisman skills. As long as materials are prepared and refinement is done frequently, they can completely be mass-produced. The only problem lies in how to find so many people to draw talismans for you for free…”

Fortunately, Lu Yang never worried about this point.

It just so happened that the banner spirits inside the Myriad Spirits Banner had nothing to do all day. He could pass down the art of drawing talismans to them, finding them some work to pass the time.

Doing so could even save a sum of money.

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

As for the banner spirits… are you kidding? Being willing to give them work was already their blessing. Wanting wages? Then don’t blame him for laying them off!

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

“Zhao Xuhe?”

Lu Yang raised his eyebrows, wondering why this Senior Brother Zhao would suddenly come to find him. Clearly, during their last conversation, 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. “Let’s meet him then.”

Soon, Zhao Xuhe was led into the reception room of the Blood-Clad Tower. Lu Yang secretly observed him for a moment and found nothing unusual before walking in.

“Senior Brother Zhao! I missed you to death!”

Lu Yang laughed loudly. As soon as he entered the door, he hugged Zhao Xuhe and said excitedly, “To tell you the truth, I fought too ruthlessly with that True Disciple of the Divine Martial Sect a while ago. Although I beheaded him, I also suffered heavy injuries and had to recuperate for a long time to recover. I made you wait, Senior Brother Zhao.”

“No, no…”

Zhao Xuhe smiled awkwardly but politely, though in his heart, he was gnashing his teeth with hate. He had seen Fairy Feixia walk out of the Blood-Clad Tower!

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

“Junior Brother Lu, I came this time to ask for a favor.”

Zhao Xuhe went straight to the point and said in a deep voice, “Does Junior Brother know about the Shaman-Ghost Secret Realm? Recently, news about this secret realm has been on everyone’s lips…”

“Of course I know.” Lu Yang nodded.

Zhao Xuhe struck while the iron was hot: “To be honest with Junior Brother, I actually have some clues about the Shaman-Ghost Secret Realm in my hands, 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. Shouldn’t Lu Yang immediately ask him for specific details with burning anxiety upon hearing it?

Little did he know, Lu Yang’s state of mind at this moment was very stable.

One must know that when he first learned about the Shaman-Ghost Secret Realm, it was dug out only after converting Ouyang Haoze into a banner spirit. It was absolutely a top secret known to very few.

But now?

The entire Skull Mountain was spreading news about the Shaman-Ghost Secret Realm. Everyone was discussing it, as if finding the secret realm would allow even mortals to successfully reach Foundation Establishment.

‘When the aunties in the neighborhood start discussing stock trading, you should leave the market…’

Is a secret that everyone knows still a secret?

This is waiting to harvest the leeks!

Lu Yang saw it very clearly. The more the Shaman-Ghost Secret Realm was hyped up as having opportunities everywhere, the more determined he became not to take half a step out of the market.

Thinking of this, Lu Yang immediately shook his head. “Sorry, Senior Brother, I am not interested in the secret realm.”

“This…” Zhao Xuhe’s mouth gaped open, and he hurriedly persuaded, “Junior Brother, cultivation is not easy, and a person only lives once. How can you shrink back at a critical moment?”

“The ancient Shaman-Ghost Path was a major sect of the Demonic Path. Although it was eventually destroyed by the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion, there must still be some good things left. Perhaps there are Foundation Establishment Treasures. Is Junior Brother not moved? You must know that opportunities are hard to come by in a lifetime. If you miss it, it’s gone!”

‘Opportunities are hard to come by in a lifetime… that’s you.’

‘I am different. If this life doesn’t work, we’ll talk about it in the next life…’

Lu Yang slandered in his heart, but on his face, he shook his head firmly. “My mind is made up. You should know that if something is meant to be yours, it will be; if it is not, do not force it.”

Zhao Xuhe stood in place, speechless.

There was no helping it. Even after saying all this, Lu Yang still didn’t intend to leave the mountain. He was out of options and could only curse this damn old turtle in his heart.

“…Since that is the case, then forget it.”

“However, coming here this time, I have another transaction I want to discuss with you, Junior Brother.”

Zhao Xuhe gritted his teeth and had no choice but to switch to Plan B. With a pained look on his face, he said, “I have a secret technique in my hand that can increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment.”

“I want to use it as collateral to borrow thirty thousand Contribution Points from you, Junior Brother.”

“…Foundation Establishment Secret Technique?”

As soon as these words came out, Lu Yang, who had originally wanted to see the guest out, instantly had his eyes light up. Looking at Zhao Xuhe, he found him incredibly pleasing to the eye. This man was truly his lucky star.

Speculating on Substitute Death Yin Puppets, the Nine Transformations Dragon Art, the Skull Mountain market.

And now another Foundation Establishment Secret Technique appeared!

Among the many opportunities he had relied on so far, which one didn’t have his dear Senior Brother Zhao behind it? For him to be where he is today, Senior Brother Zhao’s contribution was simply immense!

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