Chapter 21: Unwarranted Disaster
"Junior Brother Xiao is indeed a man of striking appearance."
Lü Yang laughed heartily while patting Xiao Shiye's shoulder: "I'm Lü Yang, likely entering the sect in the same batch as you, so I can't claim seniority."
"Same batch?"
Xiao Shiye looked surprised before quickly showing admiration: "In that case, Brother Lü must possess extraordinary talent to have reached such cultivation."
"Such praise is undeserved."
Lü Yang waved his hand dismissively. He knew his own limitations—his aptitude was far from good, relying entirely on pills for regular cultivation and forbidden arts to break through bottlenecks.
Had he cultivated conventionally, he'd probably still be stuck at Qi Refining third layer.
Learning Lü Yang was his peer, Xiao Shiye quickly shed his initial reserve. The two soon became familiar, chatting until Lü Yang tentatively suggested: "Having just broken through, I was planning to return to my cave to stabilize my cultivation. Where does Brother Xiao intend to go next?"
"Truthfully, Brother Lü, I planned to visit the Merit Pool."
Xiao Shiye smiled: "They say the Merit Pool tests one's luck most severely. Coincidentally, I've been rather fortunate lately and wanted to try my hand."
"The Merit Pool..."
Lü Yang felt an inexplicable impulse: "In that case, why not go together?"
Having already tried Xiao Shiye's winning numbers from his previous life, he was curious how Xiao Shiye would choose this time—was there truly some hidden manipulation?
..........
Meanwhile, above a sea of clouds outside Myriad Treasures Peak.
Over a dozen figures stood silently, led by a handsome youth in white robes who appeared elegant and unrestrained, wreathed in swirling mists.
Suddenly, one of them exclaimed excitedly:
"Senior Brother Liu, that Xiao fellow has emerged."
Before the words faded, the handsome youth seemed to awaken from meditation, the mists dispersing to reveal a face Lü Yang would never forget.
It was Liu Xin!
Now also at late-stage Qi Refining, Liu Xin's cultivation of the 《Innate Dao Book》 lent him an extra aura of transcendent grace compared to ordinary cultivators.
"Finally out..." Liu Xin smiled gently, his demeanor bearing none of a demonic cultivator's ferocity, instead radiating springlike warmth. Yet when he channeled qi to activate his Qi-Observing Art toward Xiao Shiye's direction, his smile abruptly froze.
"...Late-stage Qi Refining?"
Liu Xin frowned slightly, clearly not expecting Xiao Shiye to be accompanied by someone at late-stage Qi Refining—a variable significant enough to alter his plans.
Just then, a soft exclamation came from beside him.
Turning with a gentle smile, Liu Xin inquired: "What is it, Qing Chen? Do you recognize that late-stage Qi Refiner?"
The charming woman behind him pursed her lips: "Truthfully, Senior Brother Liu, I do know that late-stage Qi Refiner."
Her voice dripped with envy as she continued: "His name is Lü Yang, a disciple who entered months ago. During the Substitute Death Yin Puppet incident, he exited early and profited enormously—easily over ten thousand Contribution Points! No doubt he used that windfall to break through..."
This was none other than Qing Chen Fairy who had followed Zhao Xuhe in Lü Yang's previous life.
But unlike before, this lifetime saw Qing Chen Fairy fall out with Zhao Xuhe early on, becoming Liu Xin's paramour instead.
The reason was simple: Zhao Xuhe dragged her into speculating on Substitute Death Yin Puppets.
When Zhao Xuhe went bankrupt, Qing Chen Fairy naturally followed.
Incidentally, Liu Xin had speculated too.
And since this lifetime's Substitute Death Yin Puppet bubble was far larger, its collapse left both with losses dwarfing their previous life's.
Not only nearly bankrupt, but buried under massive debts.
Thus compelled, they turned to robbing fellow disciples—a crime they'd avoided last life—to recoup their losses.
Over time, they'd even formed a gang comprising disciples with decent sect connections who'd gone bankrupt from the same speculation, targeting ordinary disciples who'd exited early with small capitals to reap huge profits.
Xiao Shiye was their latest mark.
Now, hearing Qing Chen Fairy recount Lü Yang's story, Liu Xin's eyes brightened further—clearly adding Lü Yang to their list.
"Strike now before they escape!"
At Liu Xin's command, the group erupted in sinister chuckles before mounting escape lights to pursue Lü Yang and Xiao Shiye.
..........
Having just left Myriad Treasures Peak and flown some distance through the clouds, Lü Yang suddenly frowned as the sword pill between his brows pulsed warningly.
Following its alert, his expression darkened further.
From all directions around him and Xiao Shiye, escape lights were converging like a tightening net.
Soon, a voice called from behind:
"Fellow Daoist, stay your steps!"
Lü Yang's face darkened further.
Such ominous words—clearly hostile!
Without turning, Lü Yang ignored the voice, pouring all his magic power into his sword light as it enveloped Xiao Shiye to flee desperately toward the Merit Pool.
Yet their pursuers were prepared. Lü Yang had barely flown far when he halted, looking around to find the sea of clouds thinning, replaced by a vast mirage of kaleidoscopic illusions trapping them firmly within!
"Such unwarranted disaster..."
Lü Yang's expression soured. Using Qi-Observing Art to scan the distance, he gritted his teeth: "One late-stage Qi Refining, seven mid-stage... at best thirty percent odds of victory..."
What to do?
As Lü Yang pondered countermeasures, Xiao Shiye suddenly spoke: "Brother Lü, unless mistaken, these people are likely after me."
His face showed regret: "My oversight—they must want my treasures and Contribution Points. I thought months would make them give up, but their persistence... At this point, we should split up to escape."
"Split up?"
Lü Yang shook his head: "They've already sealed this cloud region with some powerful treasure. Escape seems impossible now."
"No matter, I have a solution."
Xiao Shiye whispered: "I possess two 'Treasure-Breaking Awls' that can carve an escape route when activated. I'll give one to you."
"You go first—I'll hold them off."
With that, he handed one awl to Lü Yang.
Testing its weight and channeling magic power, Lü Yang confirmed Xiao Shiye's claim—this treasure could indeed likely breach the mirage.
"...You're certain I should go first?" Lü Yang's expression was inscrutable.
"Brother Lü, the mountains are high and the road long—we'll meet again."
Xiao Shiye clasped his hands in farewell, wearing a serene smile before turning resolutely toward their pursuers, clearly ready to die.
Lü Yang fell into contemplation.
Having secluded himself for three months without making enemies, the attackers couldn't be targeting him. Compared to himself, Xiao Shiye was clearly the juicier prey.
So Xiao Shiye wasn't wrong.
Abandoning him would likely ensure Lü Yang's escape.
Then... should he?
Above the sea of clouds, watching Xiao Shiye's fearless advance—already disregarding life and death—Lü Yang's sword pill pulsed warnings as his expression flickered uncertainly.