Chapter 44: Zhao Xuhe at the End of His Rope
Chapter 44: Zhao Xuhe's Desperate Plight
Outside the market at White Bone Cave on Skeleton Mountain.
Three figures emerged from the concealment of the forest where their escape light had hidden them—two were Wu Zhichong and Duanmu Yuan, who had previously attacked the market only to flee in disgrace.
The third was an elderly man with snow-white hair.
"Elder Ouyang..."
Wu Zhichong spoke cautiously, fearing this Qi Refining perfected elder might do something rash. Ahead lay the dragon's pool and tiger's den—a place of extreme danger.
"Rest assured, this old man knows his limits."
Ouyang Feng's expression was cold and stern. Though his eyes burned with deep-seated hatred as he gazed toward the market, his tone remained calm and steady.
"That demon is a ninth-grade formation master who has set up dual arrays around this market—not something ordinary cultivators can break. No wonder he's remained at large until now, building his so-called 'Blood Garment Tower Master' reputation. But he's not truly at Qi Refining perfected—his foundation is ultimately unstable."
"But Elder Ouyang, the Taiwei Mirror has also fallen into his hands."
Wu Zhichong quickly agreed before lowering his voice: "The Taiwei Mirror is mysterious and unpredictable. If that demon can control it, he might rival Qi Refining perfected cultivators..."
"Naturally, I've considered this."
Ouyang Feng sneered. "The Taiwei Mirror is after all our Divine Martial Gate's spiritual treasure—how could some demon master it so easily? If he dares use it, all the better!"
"I've already invited Master Yang Yanzi, the original craftsman who refined the Taiwei Mirror. He was furious to learn it had fallen into demonic hands and has agreed to come to Skeleton Mountain to reclaim the spiritual treasure and restore order. With him present, if that demon dares use the Taiwei Mirror against me, he'll be digging his own grave!"
Though filled with rage, Ouyang Feng hadn't lost his reason.
Moreover, with Ouyang Haoze's fate as a cautionary example, charging recklessly into the formation again was out of the question. After careful consideration, luring Lü Yang out of the formation seemed the better approach.
"When does this person usually leave the market?"
"Uh..."
Faced with Ouyang Feng's question, Wu Zhichong and Duanmu Yuan exchanged helpless glances, unable to answer.
Seeing this, Ouyang Feng frowned in displeasure. "You've been staking out this market for so long—how can you not know such a basic detail?"
"Reporting to the elder—this person has never once left the market since his arrival."
"...Never?"
Ouyang Feng was stunned. "Didn't you spread news of the Witch-Ghost Secret Realm? Doesn't he know Skeleton Mountain is currently overflowing with opportunities?"
The two looked aggrieved. "We spread it long ago."
"Then perhaps the Primordial Saint Sect's reinforcements haven't arrived yet? With demonic forces weak, he dares not venture out?"
"In fact, the demon sect's reinforcements arrived three months ago and have been active all over Skeleton Mountain. Only this person...hasn't left from beginning to end."
"Ah?"
After hearing their report, Ouyang Feng finally showed a look of utter bewilderment.
...........
"Leaving is out of the question."
Inside Blood Garment Tower, Lü Yang sat across from Fairy Feixia. While politely declining her invitation, he handed her a cup of spiritual tea.
"You really are something, junior brother..."
Fairy Feixia gazed at Lü Yang, her fair face suddenly showing a trace of distraction.
There was a time when she had been disappointed by this junior brother's timidity. Yet it was he who had advanced step by deliberate step, establishing the awe-inspiring reputation of Blood Garment Tower Master.
All immortal cultivators knew they contended with heaven for their lives—a single slow step could mean death when their lifespan ran out.
Even with talk of reincarnation, one might not encounter immortal opportunities in the next life, nor remain the same person after rebirth—hardly reliable assurances.
Yet meeting again now, Lü Yang remained unchanged—
Detached, serene, as if nothing in the world troubled him.
This rare temperament among cultivators suddenly reminded Fairy Feixia of an old saying: "Water benefits all things yet contends with none, therefore nothing can contend with it."
But in this life, if one doesn't contend, how can they seek the Dao?
Wait until the next life?
At this thought, Fairy Feixia couldn't help sighing. "...Shameful. This humble one fears she'll never reach junior brother's lofty state of mind."
"You flatter me too much, senior sister."
Lü Yang smiled faintly. "Didn't we agree before coming? Today we'll discuss no weighty matters—only the Dao. I'll teach you formations; you'll teach me talismans."
"This humble one will impart everything she knows."
Fairy Feixia's red lips curved slightly as her delicate fingers adjusted her veil, revealing a face of breathtaking beauty. Beneath her thin rosy garments, her curves rose like mountain peaks, her silhouette crescent-shaped. Even her voice unconsciously softened: "Speaking of which, I haven't properly thanked junior brother for saving my life before..."
...........
The next day, with the sun high overhead.
Inside the market, a disheveled young man paced anxiously in his cave dwelling, face twisted with inner conflict—none other than Lü Yang's old acquaintance Zhao Xuhe.
"How did it come to this? How?"
Zhao Xuhe had reached his breaking point: "News of the Witch-Ghost Secret Realm is everywhere now! If I don't act soon, I'll miss my chance!"
At this thought, his qi suddenly erupted—no longer at the sixth layer of Qi Refining when he first arrived, but having broken through to the seventh layer, late-stage realm. It was precisely this breakthrough past his long-standing bottleneck that gave him thoughts of venturing into the secret realm to seize opportunities.
But having thoughts didn't equate to having capability.
Without the opportunities from Panlong Island, he could only cultivate the Mending Heaven Peak's Ode of Yin-Yang Great Bliss—his true qi barely reached fifth-grade, and his divine abilities and magic treasures were all inferior.
In such circumstances, competing for opportunities meant certain death.
After much deliberation, Zhao Xuhe finally gritted his teeth and retrieved a long-dormant jade slip, channeling magic power to contact someone he hadn't seen in ages.
The jade slip glowed faintly. Only after a long wait did a voice emerge: "Who is it?"
The voice carried laziness and a hint of hoarseness, yet filled Zhao Xuhe with nostalgia. He couldn't help murmuring: "Feixia...it's me, Xuhe."
Indeed, he and Fairy Feixia had history.
Though "history" overstated it—they were merely former acquaintances. After being chosen as the Mending Heaven Peak Master's son-in-law, he'd cut ties with her to avoid suspicion.
He'd thought their paths would never cross again, yet now he found himself begging at her doorstep.
Zhao Xuhe clenched his jaw and whispered: "Feixia, I need to ask you a favor...My path forward seems hopeless now. I plan to leave the market for one final attempt."
He knew Fairy Feixia most admired those who burned their boats in pursuit of the Dao.
Only this approach might move her.
"But I have no contribution points left—I can't afford magic treasures or divine abilities. Even with my determination, I fear it would be a futile death."
"So...so...for old times' sake, could you lend me some..."
As he spoke, memories of his past with Fairy Feixia surfaced, stirring indescribable hope within him.
Yet the next moment brought icy rejection.
"Apologies, I don't know what you're talking about."
The once-warm voice turned frigid in an instant, indifferent as it stated: "Also, please don't contact me again."
"I'm currently discussing the Dao with Junior Brother Lü. I wouldn't want him to misunderstand."
Crack!
The jade slip shattered.
Zhao Xuhe stood frozen in place, unable to process what had happened for a long moment. Gradually, his features twisted into a mask of rage before he finally roared through gritted teeth:
"No—!!!"