Chapter 47: The Hidden Dragon Does Not Leave the Abyss

Perhaps it was like a bird startled by the mere twang of a bowstring, or perhaps it was like the man worrying about the sky falling, but in any case, Lu Yang was now wary of all forces with a Foundation Establishment background.

Especially those forces capable of paying attention to him.

‘Unlike before, in this life I have the protection of the Divine Talisman. [Heaven-Mending Peak] Master cannot calculate my fate, and as part of the Orthodox Path, the [Divine Martial Sect] shouldn’t be setting up traps for their own people… In that case, the Foundation Establishment Perfected One who remains hidden in the dark, plotting against [Skull Mountain], might really be the one behind the [Three Rivers Society]!’

The more Lu Yang thought about it, the more suspicious he found the [Three Rivers Society]. However, his expression remained unchanged.

“So that’s how it is. Does Second Senior Brother want to see me?”

“Correct.” Fairy Feixia nodded. “Second Senior Brother has come to Skull Mountain and is currently short of a few capable helpers, so he hopes you can lend a hand, Senior Brother.”

Helpers? Cannon fodder seemed more like it.

Lu Yang shook his head decisively. “Although I know a little about formations, it also means that without formations, my strength is greatly reduced. How could I be worthy of Second Senior Brother’s high regard?”

“It would be better for Second Senior Brother to find someone more qualified.”

Lu Yang spoke with great confidence.

Although he had joined the [Three Rivers Society] and signed a contract, he was not a slave of the [Three Rivers Society]. He still had this bit of autonomy. Who could force him?

Fairy Feixia evidently thought so too, so she was merely passing on the message.

Now that the message had been delivered, her expression gradually became flirtatious. Two patches of red clouds appeared on her fair and beautiful face, and her glances were full of charm and seduction.

“Junior Brother, I have recently encountered some difficulties in understanding formations. I would like to ask Junior Brother for more guidance…”

“That is excellent.”

Lu Yang instantly became spirited.

For the next three months, the pace of Lu Yang’s life slowed down.

Every day, he was either discussing the Dao with Fairy Feixia or outside studying the [Hundred-Bones Restoration Grand Formation]. sometimes when the mood struck, he would simply do both things at once.

However, compared to his tranquil years, [Skull Mountain] outside the market was a chaotic mess.

Not only were the [Divine Martial Sect] and the [Primordial Saint Sect] involved, but also their subordinate sects, and even some rogue cultivators with astonishing Divine Abilities had been attracted over.

When the three parties met, naturally, they fought chaotically.

During this period, several ruins of the ancient Shaman-Ghost Path were excavated, further confirming the existence of the [Shaman-Ghost Secret Realm].

It was also at this time that Fairy Feixia brought him news that Zhao Xuhe was using his name to snatch quite a few opportunities outside the market.

“I didn’t expect my name to be so useful…”

Lu Yang was somewhat surprised after hearing this. Zhao Xuhe had fought with others for opportunities several times and fallen into danger, but each time he managed to turn danger into safety by bringing up Lu Yang’s name.

Clearly, Ouyang Haoze’s death had indeed made many people wary of him.

Of course, this was also because Zhao Xuhe was very clever and knew when to advance and retreat. So far, he hadn’t provoked any truly formidable characters, which was why he could use the tiger’s might to intimidate others.

“Junior Brother, do you really not intend to do anything about this?”

Fairy Feixia’s face was grim, her words filled with iciness. “This person is using your name and provoking karma for you. In my opinion, it would be better to kill him first!”

“No need to bother with him.”

Lu Yang shook his head. Zhao Xuhe basically never returned to the market now, bent on searching Skull Mountain for the ruins of the ancient Shaman-Ghost Path and that [Shaman-Ghost Secret Realm].

To kill him, Lu Yang would have to leave the market.

But how was that possible?

“Let him go. He borrowed a sum of Contribution Points from me using collateral, and I also agreed back then that he could borrow my name. There is nothing more to say.”

After sending Fairy Feixia away, the expression on Lu Yang’s face gradually retracted.

“Hehe!”

“Interesting. Over these past few months, everything I’ve heard and seen seems to be urging me, wanting me to leave the market?”

A word unconsciously arose in Lu Yang’s heart— Tribulation!

He was merely a petty Qi Refining cultivator, yet he was targeted by a Foundation Establishment Perfected One, having his karma calculated and being plotted against in a hundred ways. If this wasn’t a tribulation, what could be called a tribulation?

“Karma… this damn thing!”

“No matter what, with tribulation looming overhead, I absolutely must not lose my temper recklessly. Only by keeping my cave doors tightly shut there hope to escape this calamity…”

First, it was the [Three Rivers Society] applying external pressure.

Now it was Zhao Xuhe, implicated by internal causes.

“No matter how you try to fish for me, I just won’t bite the hook. The hidden dragon does not leave the abyss. I am arrogant, what can you do to me?”

Thinking of this, Lu Yang suddenly felt his mind clear. His slightly restless thoughts returned to calm, and his whole body felt relaxed, as if he had thrown off another layer of karma.

Time passed, and another month went by.

…

Skull Mountain market, more than a thousand li to the east.

A streak of light was fleeing for its life, seemingly using some method of burning Blood Essence. Behind it followed seven or eight streaks of light.

“Zhao Xuhe! Where do you think you’re running!”

The pursuers were all heavily armored and armed, their Qi and blood soaring into the sky. They were clearly disciples of the [Divine Martial Sect], with cultivation bases generally at the Late Stage of Qi Refining, though there were no Great Perfection of Qi Refining cultivators.

If not for this, with Zhao Xuhe’s cultivation, it would have been difficult for him to escape.

But even so, fleeing all the way here was approaching his limit. The reason he hadn’t fainted yet was entirely due to the hope in his heart.

“I can still be saved!”

“I already sent a flying letter to Lu Yang earlier. As long as… as long as I can escape to that place… escape to the vicinity of the market, Lu Yang will definitely save me!”

Zhao Xuhe fled desperately, trying hard to convince himself.

“My restriction is still on the [Stealing Heaven’s Mystery] technique. As long as he still wants to break through to Foundation Establishment and not wait until he is old and frail eighty years later, he must come to save me!”

“He will come to save me!”

“He definitely will!”

Just then, what invigorated Zhao Xuhe immensely was that a brilliant light finally rose from the direction of the market, seemingly having discovered that he was in a desperate situation.

“He’s coming! I knew he wouldn’t leave me to die!”

Seeing this scene, Zhao Xuhe instantly felt his spirits lift. The pursuers behind him also hurriedly slowed down upon seeing this, seeming to be waiting for something as well.

However, as time passed, everyone realized something was wrong.

Although that brilliant light was still on its way, it just never arrived.

Finally, Zhao Xuhe could run no more. The pursuers from the [Divine Martial Sect] also somewhat reluctantly trapped him, and the two sides began to fight just like that.

This battle lasted for a small half of the day.

In the end, the pursuers from the [Divine Martial Sect] didn’t even dare to use full force, afraid that one move would kill Zhao Xuhe. They glanced in the direction of the escaping light from time to time.

Looking closely… wasn’t that light getting further and further away?

In the very end, Zhao Xuhe completely broke down.

“No! Why!?”

He suddenly spat out a mouthful of heart’s blood and collapsed to his knees. He had thoroughly exhausted his last bit of strength, and even his life force began to dissipate rapidly.

Before dying, only one thought remained in his mind.

Did Lu Yang not want the [Stealing Heaven’s Mystery] secret technique anymore?

“Why didn’t you save me!?”

Little did he know, this was also the thought of the mastermind who had designed this pursuit.

In the dark, the [Divine Martial Sect] Elder Ouyang Feng was equally baffled. Looking at the distant [Skull Mountain] market, a trace of unwillingness and helplessness appeared in his eyes.

“Why didn’t he save him?”

…

“Only a fool would save him!”

Lu Yang looked at the flying letter for help—he didn’t know which number it was—sent by Zhao Xuhe and tossed it aside casually. “Did you really think you could threaten me with a secret technique?”

“Isn’t it just eighty years? I can wait!”

“When your restriction naturally dissipates, the secret technique will still be mine! If this life doesn’t work, at worst I’ll use it in the next life…”

Thinking of this, Lu Yang couldn’t help but sigh at Zhao Xuhe’s bad luck. If he had really managed to escape all the way into the market, Lu Yang wouldn’t have minded helping him.

But outside the market? Then it could only be said that fate wasn’t on his side.

“Senior Brother Zhao, go in peace. You sacrificed yourself for the calamity of the Saint Sect. In the future, I will definitely petition the Peak Master of [Heaven-Mending Peak] to grant you a glorious burial.”

“As for your debt, let’s forget it in this life. I’ll come to collect from you in the next life!”

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