Chapter 46: Stealing Heaven's Mystery
“This method is named ‘Stealing Heaven’s Mystery’.”
After receiving Lu Yang’s approval, Zhao Xuhe took out a jade slip, infused it with his memories, and handed it to Lu Yang. It was an introduction to the effects of the Foundation Establishment Secret Technique he had mentioned.
Lu Yang scanned it with his spiritual consciousness and instantly revealed a look of amazement.
Upon reading this “Stealing Heaven’s Mystery” technique, Lu Yang knew immediately that it was created by an expert of the Saint Sect, as the unique style of the Saint Sect was evident between the lines.
The so-called “Stealing Heaven’s Mystery,” as the name suggested, involved first selecting a cultivator of the opposite sex whose age, talent, and cultivation were comparable to one’s own. Then, one would become Dao companions with them. Through continuous cultivation, one would gradually plant their own aura into the other’s body, replacing the other’s Qi Seed.
Once successful, the other party would no longer be cultivating their own Qi Seed, but the caster’s Qi Seed.
When the time came, whatever opportunities the other party obtained or whatever breakthroughs they made would ultimately only be stolen by the caster. A lifetime of cultivation would be in vain, serving as a bridal dress for someone else.
Insidious, malicious, treating talented people as raw materials… too classic.
Thinking of this, Lu Yang glanced at Zhao Xuhe again. He suddenly recalled that in his previous-previous life, he had heard that Zhao Xuhe seemed to have become Dao companions with Fairy Feixia…
‘So that’s how it was. No wonder they both perished after failing Foundation Establishment.’
‘Looking at it now, it’s likely that Zhao Xuhe caused Fairy Feixia’s death first, and then died from failing Foundation Establishment himself. In the end, all his plotting was for naught…’
While criticizing internally, Lu Yang also felt a secret chill.
From his perspective, Zhao Xuhe’s preparations in that past life could definitely be called perfect. He had utilized almost every resource available to him.
In that life, after becoming Dao companions with Fairy Feixia, Zhao Xuhe used Skull Mountain to leap forward. Not only did he break through to the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, but he also obtained two Foundation Establishment Treasures. If this “Stealing Heaven’s Mystery” technique was taken into account, Fairy Feixia’s share was actually also in Zhao Xuhe’s pocket.
Counting everything, Zhao Xuhe had prepared a full three methods to break through to Foundation Establishment!
Yet, the result?
He still failed.
“Foundation Establishment, Foundation Establishment, the Foundation of the Great Dao of Immortality… Without Foundation Establishment, one is ultimately a mediocre mortal. No wonder only Foundation Establishment cultivators are worthy of being called ‘Perfected Ones’.”
“Foundation Establishment is hard, harder than ascending to the azure heavens…”
After sighing with emotion, Lu Yang looked at the jade slip in his hand again.
“What does Junior Brother think?”
Zhao Xuhe looked expectant. “Using this as collateral, Junior Brother lends me thirty thousand Contribution Points. The term is three months. After three months, I will definitely pay back the money.”
“If I haven’t paid it off, the secret technique will be given to you, Junior Brother, to offset the debt.”
“But even if I pay it off, I will still give the secret technique to Junior Brother as a thank you for your kindness in sending charcoal in snowy weather and helping me through this difficulty!”
Zhao Xuhe spoke very generously, but after listening, Lu Yang sneered in his heart.
‘It sounds like as long as I’m willing to lend, this Stealing Heaven’s Mystery technique is mine, and I won’t lose either way… In reality, that’s not the case at all!’
The key was not the secret technique, nor the loan.
It was the three-month time limit.
Because once he lent the money, if Zhao Xuhe encountered any crisis within these three months, he would have to intervene; otherwise, he wouldn’t get his money back.
So this loan wasn’t lending money; it was lending a person!
Zhao Xuhe clearly wanted to use this Foundation Establishment Secret Technique to tie him down, forcing him to pay for his adventures and the karma he provoked in the future!
Simply put, this was a sugar-coated cannonball.
Yet, because it concerned Foundation Establishment, he couldn’t refuse.
“But what if I want the secret technique but don’t want to be responsible…”
Lu Yang looked at the jade slip in his hand, pondering if there was any way to eat the sugar coating and throw the cannonball back, such as sending Zhao Xuhe to become brothers with Liu Xin…
However, Lu Yang quickly rejected this plan in his heart. Just like how he took Ouyang Haoze as a banner spirit but failed to obtain the Divine Martial Sect’s cultivation methods from him, the cultivation world had plenty of means to prevent the leakage of cultivation methods and Divine Abilities. Since Zhao Xuhe dared to come to him, he must be prepared.
The success rate was too low.
Lu Yang was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, “…Fine.”
“I can agree to Senior Brother’s loan request, but I also have a condition. If Senior Brother cannot accept this condition, I would rather give up the secret technique.”
Hearing this, Zhao Xuhe was overjoyed. “Junior Brother, please speak!”
“The condition is simple.” Lu Yang said softly, “Senior Brother, you must give me the original copy of the secret technique. Otherwise, what if you go back on your word later and don’t give it to me?”
“Of course, you can place a restriction on the original copy of the secret technique. For example, make it self-destruct immediately if opened without authorization, and come back to lift the restriction after three months. With your spiritual power, Senior Brother, the restriction can last for at least eighty years. This way I can be at ease, and you can be at ease. What do you think, Senior Brother?”
Zhao Xuhe thought about it; there seemed to be nothing wrong with it?
The only problem was that his spiritual power was limited, and the restriction would automatically lift after eighty years when the spiritual power ran out. But by then, the day lilies would be cold.
One must know that the lifespan of a Qi Refining cultivator was around one hundred and fifty years.
And once past the age of one hundred, with declining essence, energy, and spirit, there was basically no hope of breaking through to Foundation Establishment.
Lu Yang was already over twenty this year. Eighty years later, he would definitely be over a hundred, with one foot in the grave. Even if he obtained the Foundation Establishment Secret Technique, it would be useless.
After all, his life would be almost over; with what would he establish his foundation?
In the next life?
The more Zhao Xuhe thought about it, the more he felt that Lu Yang was able to come up with such a proper plan. It achieved the transaction while avoiding mutual suspicion. It was truly a win-win!
“Junior Brother’s request is reasonable. Let’s do it like that!”
Zhao Xuhe nodded decisively. He took out another jade slip directly, first gathered spiritual power to carve a restriction on it, and then handed it to Lu Yang.
Seeing this, Lu Yang naturally accepted it with a smile.
For a time, both host and guest were happy.
“From now on, Zhao Xuhe is useless.”
“If he can come back alive, then so be it. If he really stirs up some trouble, I won’t care. At worst, I’ll wait eighty years to read the secret technique.”
“Either way, I don’t lose…”
After sending Zhao Xuhe away, Lu Yang hummed a little tune and happily set about arranging the market. After all, this market was now his capital for settling down and getting on with his life.
Moreover, the [Hundred-Bones Restoration Grand Formation] within the market was a Grade 7 formation, while his [Heavenly River Massacre Sword Formation Diagram] was only Grade 9, relying entirely on the [Heavenly Demon Blood-Dissolving Divine Light] for its power. Therefore, if he could thoroughly understand the [Hundred-Bones Restoration Grand Formation], the analogies drawn would be of considerable help to his formation attainments.
Soon, time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, another month passed. Lu Yang woke with a start from meditation, suddenly sensing a fragrant breeze hitting his face. Then he saw a graceful figure walking into the Blood-Clad Tower.
“Senior Sister…”
Lu Yang smiled broadly and said, “One does not visit a temple without a cause. Has Senior Sister perhaps gained some new insights into formations and wishes to exchange ideas with me?”
“How many times have I said it? Just call me Feixia.”
Fairy Feixia rolled her eyes at Lu Yang in annoyance. She habitually sat in Lu Yang’s lap, and only then spoke softly, “Someone from the Saint Sect has come.”
“Didn’t they arrive long ago?”
Lu Yang said nonchalantly, “I said it last time. I only want to cultivate quietly. I have no intention of provoking trouble and no interest in that whatever Shaman-Ghost Secret Realm.”
“The person who came this time is different.”
As soon as Fairy Feixia said this, Lu Yang instantly narrowed his eyes. “…Who is it?”
“It’s Second Senior Brother.”
Fairy Feixia’s face was serious. “The Second Senior Brother of the [Three Rivers Society], a True Disciple at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining. This time, he personally asked me to come over and pass a message.”
Hearing this, Lu Yang’s expression gradually darkened.
Because if he remembered correctly, the founder of the [Three Rivers Society], this large faction within the Saint Sect… seemed to be a Foundation Establishment Perfected One, right?
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