Chapter 35: Senior Brother Zhao and I Share Fate!
Two lifetimes ago—roughly twenty years from Lü Yang's current timeline—the Saint Sect would launch a sect-exterminating war against righteous factions.
The righteous sect targeted for annihilation was called the "Divine Martial Gate."
In that previous life, Zhao Xuhe had ultimately cultivated to Great Perfection of Qi Refining and, together with Fairy Feixia, became an overseer of the Saint Sect's external market.
That market was located at Skeleton Mountain, bordering the Divine Martial Gate.
Before the war, the Saint Sect had transported vast quantities of supplies under the guise of market operations. It was said that during this period, the two had discovered a Foundation Establishment Rare Item.
Afterward, as the war commenced, they distinguished themselves remarkably, earning considerable merit. They exchanged their contributions for another Foundation Establishment Rare Item within the sect, then commissioned an alchemist to combine the two into a single "Foundation Establishment Pill," thereby gaining the opportunity to attempt a breakthrough.
Though they ultimately failed, the opportunity itself was genuine.
"Since Zhao Xuhe and I both cultivate the Nine Transforming Dragon Art, if he could attempt Foundation Establishment, perhaps I have a chance too. In any case, it's worth trying!"
Three more days passed.
While Lü Yang was meditating in his cave abode, suddenly, a human-faced owl landed before his dwelling. Its lips parted, emitting a crisp and melodious voice:
"Junior Brother Lü, please come to my cave abode for a meeting."
It was Fairy Feixia.
Lü Yang's eyes flickered with intent. He immediately summoned a sword light and flew toward Fairy Feixia's cave abode, where he was guided to a tea pavilion nestled amidst mountains and water.
Inside the pavilion, Fairy Feixia was brewing tea. Her delicate hands moved gracefully—pouring spiritual water, igniting true fire, steeping the leaves—each motion a visual delight. The timing was impeccable; as Lü Yang arrived, an ethereal tea fragrance wafted toward him, refreshing his spirit and invigorating his divine sense.
"Junior Brother, please take a seat."
Only then did Fairy Feixia raise her gaze. Once Lü Yang was seated, she cut straight to the point: "The reason I summoned you today is that the association's response has arrived."
"Oh?" Lü Yang deliberately feigned excitement. "Has my divine ability arrived?"
"Indeed." Fairy Feixia smiled faintly. "Second Senior Brother has delivered the list of divine abilities. You may now select one from it to cultivate."
"Many thanks, Senior Sister!"
Lü Yang clasped his hands in gratitude and accepted the jade slip containing the list. Upon opening it, his eyes were dazzled by the densely packed entries. After careful perusal, he inwardly cursed.
Most of these divine abilities were ones he had seen in the Library Pavilion of Mending Heaven Peak—except those versions were neutered, their power far inferior to the complete versions listed here. Superficially identical, they were worlds apart in reality, a testament to the Saint Sect's ruthless control over resources.
It was downright outrageous.
Had he not joined the Three Rivers Association and signed what amounted to a contract of servitude, gaining the backing of a true disciple, he would likely never have accessed these complete divine abilities in his lifetime.
After a moment, Lü Yang's eyes suddenly brightened.
Because he spotted familiar characters in the list: the Heavenly Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Light... or more precisely, its complete version—
《Taiyin Corpse-Liberation Molting True Method》!
"Refining form with Taiyin, surpassing even the Nine-Cycle Elixir;
Features dignified and solemn, complexion like spiritual clouds;
Ascend to the Supreme Ultimate Palace, receive scriptures as a True Person..."
This was a supreme divine ability!
The Heavenly Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Light was merely its first step. Once fully mastered, it rendered one untouchable by the five elements, impervious to blades, even earning the title of "Corpse Dissolution Immortal."
"This is the one!"
Lü Yang immediately made his decision, copied the contents of the 《Taiyin Corpse-Liberation Molting True Method》, then turned to Fairy Feixia and solemnly clasped his hands:
"With this matter settled, does Senior Sister have any further instructions?"
"To be frank with you, Junior Brother." Fairy Feixia chuckled lightly. "I recently applied for an external assignment to oversee the market at Skeleton Mountain and am in need of capable assistants..."
As expected!
Lü Yang wasn't surprised by Fairy Feixia's invitation. After all, the carrot came with the stick—having granted him benefits, the Three Rivers Association wouldn't let him idle.
"If Senior Sister does not find me unworthy, I would gladly accompany you."
Lü Yang agreed without hesitation.
This concerned his Foundation Establishment opportunity. Even if Fairy Feixia hadn't invited him, he would have taken a Merit Hall mission to Skeleton Mountain anyway.
Seeing Lü Yang's decisiveness, Fairy Feixia's gaze grew even more approving: "As I thought, Junior Brother is resolute in his Dao heart. For ordinary disciples like us, staying within the Saint Sect without ambition guarantees obscurity. Only by venturing out can we grasp a sliver of hope."
"Burn your boats, stake your life—only then can Foundation Establishment be within reach!"
After their conversation, Lü Yang noticed Fairy Feixia's gaze toward him had grown noticeably warmer, clearly viewing him as a kindred spirit.
Staking his life... She wasn't wrong.
But not because of burning boats—it was because he possessed the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes]. Failure meant nothing; death was just a restart!
...........
Ten days later, aboard the flying vessel bound for Skeleton Mountain.
Lü Yang descended in a streak of light, landing steadily on the deck. After greeting Fairy Feixia, he discreetly blended into the crowd below.
For this trip, he had no intention of drawing attention.
Compared to being the center of attention, he preferred anonymity—ideally, the type who could frown and silently retreat behind everyone else.
Soon, the vessel was crowded with cultivators.
Aside from Fairy Feixia, the leaders included two seventh-layer Qi Refining cultivators, one of whom Lü Yang even recognized: Lu Yuanchun, a disciple of the Mending Heaven Peak Master.
"Hmph... I'll settle accounts with him sooner or later."
A cold glint flashed in Lü Yang's eyes before vanishing. He then scanned his surroundings—if Lu Yuanchun was here, would Zhao Xuhe be as well?
In this lifetime, the Foundation Establishment opportunity might still hinge on him!
Sure enough, after surveying the crowd, Lü Yang spotted Zhao Xuhe in a secluded corner of the vessel, silently drinking spiritual wine.
However, the current Zhao Xuhe was several times more despondent than in previous lives. Lü Yang wasn't surprised—after all, in this life, Zhao Xuhe had failed to find him, lost his destined opportunity, gone bankrupt speculating on Substitute Death Yin Puppets, and undoubtedly been abandoned by his paramour, Fairy Qingchen. He had lost both wealth and love.
That he hadn't jumped off Mending Heaven Peak yet was already admirable in Lü Yang's eyes.
"Senior Brother Zhao? Is that you, Senior Brother Zhao?"
Lü Yang approached proactively, deliberately feigning delight: "I never imagined I'd meet Senior Brother here! Truly, fate binds us!"
"Ah? You are..."
Zhao Xuhe stared blankly for a long moment before his cultivator's memory kicked in, leaving him dumbfounded: "...Junior Brother Lü? You've reached mid-stage Qi Refining?"
Zhao Xuhe had indeed fallen on hard times—he couldn't penetrate Lü Yang's Qi Concealment Technique and thus had no way of discerning his true cultivation level. Yet even mid-stage Qi Refining was enough to shock him. Ten years ago, Lü Yang had been an insignificant figure in his eyes.
The thought made Zhao Xuhe sink deeper into melancholy.
"Heh, have you come to mock me too? Piss off!"
"Why would Senior Brother say such a thing?" Lü Yang wore a puzzled expression before hastily adding, "I've always remembered Senior Brother's kindness from back then. How could I harbor mockery?"
Kindness? What kindness?
Zhao Xuhe froze again before recalling that he had indeed helped Lü Yang secure a loan back then. That counted as kindness? Was this guy an idiot?
Just as Zhao Xuhe was about to sneer—
"I see Senior Brother's cultivation seems stalled at the sixth layer of Qi Refining. If you don't mind, I have a spirit pill here that can enhance one's cultivation."
"This... isn't appropriate, is it?"
Zhao Xuhe numbly accepted the pill Lü Yang forced into his hand. For some reason, when he looked at Lü Yang again, he actually felt a strange sense of familiarity!
As if they'd interacted in a past life.
Could it be... we truly share fate?