Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Senior Brother Zhao and I are Fated to Meet!
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In the life before last, about twenty years from Lu Yang's current point in time, the Primal Saint Sect would launch a war of annihilation against an orthodox sect.
The orthodox sect that was annihilated was called the "Divine Martial Sect."
And in that life, Zhao Xuhe eventually cultivated to the peak of the Qi Refining Realm and, along with Fairy Feixia, became a steward of the Primal Saint Sect's external marketplace.
That marketplace was located on Skull Mountain, bordering the Divine Martial Sect's territory.
Before the war, the Primal Saint Sect transported a large amount of supplies under the cover of the marketplace. It was said that during that time, the two of them found a rare item for Foundation Establishment.
After that, as the war began, the two of them shone brilliantly, earning significant merits. They then exchanged their merits for another rare Foundation Establishment item from within the sect. They then had a pill master combine the two items into one, refining them into a "Foundation Establishment Pill," which gave them the chance to attempt a breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment realm.
Although they ultimately failed, the opportunity was real.
"Zhao Xuhe and I both cultivate the Nine Transformations of the Dragon Art. If he could attempt Foundation Establishment, maybe I have a chance too. In any case, it's worth a try!"
Three more days passed.
Lu Yang was meditating in his cave-dwelling when suddenly, a Human-faced Owl flew to his entrance. Its beak opened, and a clear, pleasant voice emerged:
"Junior Brother Lu, please come to my cave-dwelling."
It was Fairy Feixia.
Seeing this, Lu Yang's eyes flickered. He immediately rode a streak of sword light towards Fairy Feixia's cave-dwelling and was then guided to a waterside tea pavilion.
Inside the pavilion, Fairy Feixia was brewing tea. Her slender hands moved gracefully, pouring spirit water, stoking a true fire, and rinsing the tea leaves before steeping them. The movements were a delight to watch. Lu Yang, arriving at just the right moment, was greeted by an ethereal tea fragrance that refreshed his spirit and even enlivened his spiritual sense.
"Please have a seat, Junior Brother."
Fairy Feixia finally looked up. After Lu Yang sat down, she got straight to the point, "I've sought you out, Junior Brother, because a reply has arrived from the association."
"Oh?"
Lu Yang feigned an excited expression. "Has my divine ability arrived?"
"Indeed."
Fairy Feixia smiled faintly. "Second Senior Brother has already sent the list of divine abilities. You may now choose one from the list to cultivate."
"Thank you, Senior Sister!"
Lu Yang cupped his hands in thanks, took the jade slip containing the list, and opened it. He was immediately dazzled by the dense array of divine abilities. After a careful look, he cursed inwardly.
Most of these divine abilities were ones he had seen in the Scripture Repository Pavilion on Heaven Mending Peak. However, the versions in the pavilion were all neutered, their power far inferior to the complete versions on this list. They looked the same, but the difference was like heaven and earth. It showed just how tightly the Primal Saint Sect controlled its resources.
It was simply outrageous.
If he hadn't joined the Three Rivers Association, signed an indenture contract, and gained the backing of a true disciple, he might have never come into contact with these complete divine abilities in his entire life.
A moment later, Lu Yang's eyes suddenly lit up.
He had actually spotted a familiar name on the list: the Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Divine Light—or to be precise, the complete version of it!
*Grand Yin Corpse Liberation and Form Shedding True Art*!
"Refine the body with Grand Yin, better than consuming a nine-revolutions pill. The form becomes solemn and stern, the complexion like a spirit cloud. Ascend to the Supreme Pole Palace, receive the scripture, and become a Perfected Being."
This was a grand divine ability!
The Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Divine Light was merely its first step. Once fully mastered, one would transcend the five elements, become impervious to weapons, and even earn the title of "Corpse Liberation Immortal."
"This is the one!"
Lu Yang made his decision on the spot, copying the contents of the *Grand Yin Corpse Liberation and Form Shedding True Art*. Only then did he look at Fairy Feixia and cup his hands solemnly.
"Now that this matter is settled, does Senior Sister have any other instructions for me?"
"To be frank, Junior Brother," Fairy Feixia chuckled lightly, "I've recently been planning to apply for an external posting to oversee the marketplace at Skull Mountain, and I'm in need of a few capable assistants..."
It's finally happening!
Lu Yang wasn't surprised by Fairy Feixia's invitation. After all, it was a classic carrot-and-stick approach. Since the Three Rivers Association had given him a benefit, how could they not expect him to do something for them?
"If Senior Sister does not mind, I am willing to accompany you."
Lu Yang nodded without hesitation.
This was about his chance at Foundation Establishment. Even if Fairy Feixia hadn't invited him, Lu Yang had planned to accept a mission from the Meritorious Deeds Tower to go to the Skull Mountain marketplace anyway.
Seeing Lu Yang's decisiveness, the satisfaction in Fairy Feixia's eyes grew. "Junior Brother is just as I thought, a person with a firm Dao heart. If ordinary disciples like us allow ourselves to stagnate, we are doomed to never get ahead within the sect. Only by venturing out to seek opportunities can we find a glimmer of hope."
"Only by burning our bridges and putting life and death aside can we hope to achieve Foundation Establishment!"
After their conversation, Lu Yang noticed that Fairy Feixia's gaze towards him had become much warmer. She clearly saw him as a kindred spirit.
She wasn't wrong about putting life and death aside.
But it wasn't about burning bridges. It was because he had the Book of a Hundred Lives. He wasn't afraid of failure at all. If he died, he died. He could just start over!
Ten days later, aboard the sky-faring vessel heading to Skull Mountain.
Lu Yang arrived in a streak of light, landing steadily on the vessel's deck. After greeting Fairy Feixia, he discreetly blended into the crowd below.
On this trip to Skull Mountain, he had no intention of standing out.
Compared to being the center of attention, he much preferred to be an unremarkable face in the crowd—the kind who could furrow his brow and silently retreat behind everyone else.
Soon, many cultivators had gathered on the vessel.
Besides Fairy Feixia, the leaders included two seventh-level Qi Refining cultivators. He even recognized one of them: Lu Yuanchun, a disciple under the Heaven Mending Peak Master.
"Hmph... Sooner or later, I'll settle the score with him."
A cold glint flashed in Lu Yang's eyes before vanishing. He then looked around. Since Lu Yuanchun was here, would Zhao Xuhe be here too?
In this life, the Foundation Establishment opportunity might just fall to him!
Sure enough, after scanning the area, Lu Yang spotted Zhao Xuhe in a secluded corner of the vessel, silently drinking spirit wine.
However, the current Zhao Xuhe was several times more dejected than in previous lives. Lu Yang wasn't surprised. After all, in this life, Zhao Xuhe couldn't find him, his fated opportunity had vanished into thin air, he had gone bankrupt speculating on Death-Substituting Yin Puppets, and his lover, Fairy Qingchen, had surely left him as well. He had truly lost both his woman and his wealth.
Lu Yang was quite impressed that he hadn't jumped off Heaven Mending Peak yet.
"Senior Brother Zhao? Is that you, Senior Brother Zhao?"
Lu Yang took the initiative to approach him, deliberately putting on a surprised and delighted expression. "I never expected to run into you here, Senior Brother. We must be fated to meet!"
"Huh? You are..."
Zhao Xuhe was stunned for a long moment before his cultivator's memory finally recognized Lu Yang. He was flabbergasted. "...Junior Brother Lu? You're at the mid-stage of Qi Refining?"
Zhao Xuhe had truly fallen on hard times; he couldn't see through Lu Yang's Qi Concealment Art, so he naturally had no way of knowing his true cultivation level. Even so, reaching the mid-stage of Qi Refining was enough to shock him. After all, ten years ago, Lu Yang was just an insignificant character in his eyes.
At this thought, Zhao Xuhe felt even more depressed.
"Hah, are you here to mock me too? Get lost!"
"Senior Brother, why would you say that?"
Lu Yang looked puzzled, then quickly added, "I have always remembered your kindness from the past. How could I possibly have any intention of mocking you?"
Kindness? What kindness?
Zhao Xuhe was taken aback again. Then he recalled that he had indeed helped Lu Yang secure a loan back then. That counted as kindness? Was there really such a fool in the world?
Just as Zhao Xuhe was about to open his mouth with a sarcastic remark...
"I see that Senior Brother's cultivation seems to still be at the sixth level of Qi Refining. If you don't mind, Senior Brother, I have a spirit pill here that can help enhance one's cultivation."
"This... isn't appropriate, is it?"
Zhao Xuhe blankly accepted the spirit pill that Lu Yang forcefully handed him. For some reason, as he looked at Lu Yang again, he actually felt a sense of familiarity!
It was as if the two had known each other in a past life.
Could it be that they were truly fated to meet?