Chapter 45: Lucky Star
Several days later, within a quiet chamber of the Blood Garment Tower.
Fairy Feixia had long since departed gracefully, while Lü Yang sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, beginning to study the talisman techniques he had obtained through his discussions with her.
As for romantic entanglements, Lü Yang never dwelled on such matters.
He understood clearly—within the Saint Sect, there was no such thing as true love, only exchanges of mutual benefit.
Her saving his life was one aspect, but another was his position overseeing the market city—even a perfected Qi Refining cultivator couldn't easily oppose him. Fairy Feixia needed his assistance.
Another reason was that dual cultivation accelerated the exchange of knowledge.
After all, the Saint Sect possessed the Ode of Yin-Yang Great Bliss, a dual cultivation technique that allowed direct absorption of knowledge through physical union—far more efficient than mere conversation.
However, if Fairy Feixia thought these few days of exchange entitled her to demand favors from him, she was sorely mistaken.
He had, after all, taught her formations during this time.
A fair trade—goods and services balanced!
"Talisman techniques..."
As one of the hundred arts of cultivation, talismans were quite sought after. Through their intensive exchanges over these days, Lü Yang had gained deeper insights into the craft.
In his view, talismans were essentially temporary miniature formations. Though their power paled in comparison to full-scale formations, their advantages lay in portability—requiring neither spiritual veins nor concentrated qi, nor any geographical limitations. They could be activated simply by channeling magic power into them.
Focusing his mind, Lü Yang examined the panel of his Book of a Hundred Lifetimes:
[Golden Light Talisman (Novice), Five Thunder Talisman (Novice), Sword Qi Talisman (Novice), Return Wind Return Fire Talisman (Novice)]
Fairy Feixia had imparted four talisman techniques to him. The Golden Light, Five Thunder, and Sword Qi Talismans were relatively common, merely ninth-grade in rank.
Only the last—the Return Wind Return Fire Talisman—was a seventh-grade major talisman.
This talisman could imprint and preserve a cultivator's state during a specific period, allowing them to overlay that state later, briefly returning to peak condition.
For example, after a brutal battle—when one was covered in wounds with barely a tenth of their magic power remaining—activating this talisman would instantly restore them to an uninjured, peak state. Though the backlash afterward would worsen their injuries by another third, it served as a critical emergency measure.
Fairy Feixia's ability to escape back to the market city had relied partly on this talisman.
That she willingly taught him such a life-saving technique showed that despite her ulterior motives, there had been genuine sincerity in their exchange.
Of course, the effects of the Return Wind Return Fire Talisman couldn't stack.
Moreover, due to its exceptional efficacy, its cooldown period was correspondingly longer—three months between uses.
"Heaven round, earth square, by decree of the nine chapters—this brush now writes, commanding all spirits to submit..."
Several talisman papers floated in the air as Lü Yang formed seals with one hand while channeling magic power to inscribe characters with the other. Occasionally,uncontrolled magic power caused the papers to combust.
But soon, Lü Yang would summon new papers to replace them.
After a long while, he finally ceased his work. Before him lay four radiant talismans, each glowing with distinct hues and inscriptions.
"Success!"
Lü Yang first stored away the precious Return Wind Return Fire Talisman, then examined the remaining three. A thought struck him:
"Unlike the Return Wind Return Fire Talisman, these Golden Light, Five Thunder, and Sword Qi Talismans are quite conventional. They don't require advanced techniques—just proper materials and repeated practice. They could actually be mass-produced. The only issue is finding enough people to inscribe them for free..."
Fortunately, this was never a concern for Lü Yang.
The banner spirits within his Myriad Spirits Banner had been idle all day with nothing to do. Teaching them talisman inscription would give them productive work to pass the time.
It might even save him money.
Hiring Saint Sect disciples to inscribe talismans would require paying wages.
But banner spirits? Ha! Giving them work was favor enough. Asking for payment? Then don't blame him for layoffs!
..........
Exiting the quiet chamber, Yun Miaoqing—waiting outside—delivered unexpected news.
"Zhao Xuhe?"
Lü Yang's eyebrows rose as he wondered why this senior brother would seek him out now, when their last encounter had been marked by wariness.
Seeing his frown, Yun Miaoqing said softly, "If you'd rather not see him, I can send him away."
"...No need." Lü Yang smiled slightly. "Let's meet him."
Soon, Zhao Xuhe was escorted to the Blood Garment Tower's reception room. After discreetly observing him and finding nothing amiss, Lü Yang entered.
"Senior Brother Zhao! How I've missed you!"
Lü Yang laughed heartily, embracing Zhao Xuhe the moment he stepped in. "To be honest, my battle with that Divine Martial Gate true disciple left me severely injured despite killing him. I've only just recovered after a long convalescence—apologies for keeping you waiting."
"Not at all, not at all..."
Zhao Xuhe smiled awkwardly yet politely, though inwardly he was grinding his teeth—he'd seen Fairy Feixia leaving the Blood Garment Tower!
But his Dao heart was steadfast, quickly dispelling such negativity.
"Junior Brother Lü, I've come to ask a favor."
Cutting straight to the point, Zhao Xuhe said solemnly, "Have you heard of the Witch-Ghost Secret Realm? Recently, rumors about it have spread like wildfire..."
"Of course." Lü Yang nodded.
Seizing the momentum, Zhao Xuhe continued, "Truth be told, I have some leads regarding the Witch-Ghost Secret Realm—possibly related to a Foundation Establishment opportunity!"
"Oh."
Lü Yang's indifferent reaction stunned Zhao Xuhe.
This wasn't right.
In his expectations, a Foundation Establishment opportunity was monumental—shouldn't Lü Yang be urgently pressing for details?
Little did he know, Lü Yang's mindset was utterly calm.
He'd first learned of the Witch-Ghost Secret Realm after refining Ouyang Haoze into a banner spirit—information that had been truly confidential.
But now?
The entire Skeleton Mountain buzzed with rumors about the realm, as if merely finding it would allow even mortals to achieve Foundation Establishment.
'When even street vendors start discussing stocks, it's time to cash out...'
When everyone knows a secret, is it still a secret?
This was clearly bait for harvesting fools!
Lü Yang saw through it perfectly—the more hyped the Witch-Ghost Secret Realm became, the more he resolved not to step outside the market city.
Shaking his head, Lü Yang said firmly, "My apologies, senior brother. I have no interest in secret realms."
"This..." Zhao Xuhe's mouth hung open. Hurriedly, he persuaded, "Junior Brother, cultivation is arduous—we only live once! How can you shrink back at such a pivotal moment?"
"The Ancient Witch Ghost Path was a major demonic sect! Though ultimately destroyed by the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion, a centipede dies but never falls down—they must have left treasures behind, possibly Foundation Establishment rarities! Aren't you tempted? Opportunities like this come once in a lifetime—miss it, and it's gone forever!"
'Once in a lifetime... for you.'
'I'm different—if not this life, then the next...'
Though inwardly scoffing, Lü Yang maintained his resolute expression: "My decision is final. What's meant to be will come; what isn't shouldn't be forced."
Zhao Xuhe stood speechless.
With Lü Yang digging in his heels, there was nothing more to say—except cursing this damned turtle in his heart.
"...Very well, then."
"But since I'm here, there's another matter I'd like to discuss."
Gritting his teeth, Zhao Xuhe switched to his backup plan, saying with visible reluctance, "I possess a secret technique that increases Foundation Establishment success rates."
"I wish to use it as collateral to borrow thirty thousand Contribution Points from you."
"...A Foundation Establishment secret technique?"
This immediately brightened Lü Yang's eyes—he looked at Zhao Xuhe with newfound appreciation. This man was truly his lucky star.
Speculating on Substitute Death Yin Puppets, the Nine Transforming Dragon Art, the Skeleton Mountain market city...
And now a Foundation Establishment secret technique!
Every major opportunity he'd enjoyed thus far had traces of dear Senior Brother Zhao behind it. His current achievements owed no small debt to him!