Chapter 56: Without Foundation Establishment, One Remains a Pawn
For Lü Yang, this was an unprecedented experience.
He was "ascending."
In some profoundly mysterious state, his position was continuously climbing toward the "heights," making all mundane things appear increasingly insignificant to him.
'Is this the perspective of a Foundation Establishment True Person?'
'Is this... ascension!?'
Lü Yang had an epiphany. No wonder most Foundation Establishment True Persons were elusive, transcending the mundane world. Perhaps this "height" was one of the reasons.
At the same time, he recalled the "Taiyi Golden Radiance" that Yun Miaozhen had unleashed during their battle. That great divine ability had given him a similar sensation, though not as "high" as now. Reflecting on it, great divine abilities might be simulations of Foundation Establishment.
No wonder it was said that mastering a great divine ability could increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment.
It was like the difference between "starting the climb from the foot of the mountain" and "starting halfway up." The starting line differed, and so did the difficulty of reaching the summit.
The next moment, Lü Yang's mind was abruptly shaken violently.
Immediately afterward, he found himself in a pitch-black place that seemed to encompass everything yet was simultaneously void and silent. His spiritual sense struggled to expand.
However, the situation soon changed.
"Beasts! You pack of beasts!"
Accompanied by a furious roar, a burst of multicolored light exploded in the inexplicable space, surrounded by towering black energies sealing all directions.
Both the multicolored light and the black energies felt as heavy as mountains to Lü Yang. Yet, judging by the scene, the multicolored light was clearly pinned firmly in place by the black energies. Over time, large swathes of the multicolored light were being eroded, and the once-powerful roar grew increasingly feeble.
'Is this... a battle between Foundation Establishment cultivators?'
Lü Yang was both shocked and uncertain, realizing he was merely hitching a ride on True Person Yinshan's perception and couldn't truly witness the battle between True Persons.
Still, drawing from his past lives' experiences, he made a judgment.
'That multicolored light is likely the True Person from the Divine Martial Gate... I see! This is another scheme! Except this time, the bait is the entire Skeleton Mountain!'
With this realization, Lü Yang suddenly felt everything become clear.
Because what lay before him resolved a question he had never been able to answer.
Clearly, True Person Yinshan's fishing at Skeleton Mountain was for the Witch-Ghost Secret Realm, and from his words, it likely concerned his cultivation.
Yet, from beginning to end, there had only been one Foundation Establishment cultivator at Skeleton Mountain—True Person Yinshan.
Where were the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Divine Martial Gate?
Initially, Lü Yang had assumed True Person Yinshan's methods were so skillful that he could conceal his schemes from the True Persons of the Divine Martial Gate. But now, it seemed that wasn't the case.
In fact, the opposite was true.
'This True Person probably didn't conceal anything at all. Instead, he openly manipulated karma to lure out the Divine Martial Gate's Foundation Establishment cultivators!'
True Person Yinshan used Lü Yang as bait at Skeleton Mountain.
And the Saint Sect used True Person Yinshan as bait across the entire Northern Frontier! Now, the fish had taken the bait—the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Divine Martial Gate were all trapped!
Boom!
In an instant, the entire world trembled violently. A Foundation Establishment True Person from the Divine Martial Gate roared, "Demon Sect! Do you truly intend to annihilate our Divine Martial Gate's Dao lineage today?"
"Why else?"
A True Person from the Saint Sect sneered, "Let me guess—you're still hoping for those lunatics from the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion to come to your aid? Let me tell you, they won't be coming!"
"Ten years ago, during the battle at the mass grave in Jiangnan, our sect's Supreme Elder and the Sword Pavilion's Sect Master reached an agreement. The Northern Frontier belongs to our sect, and the Southern Frontier goes to the Sword Pavilion. So today, when our Saint Sect destroys your Divine Martial Gate, tomorrow the Sword Pavilion will annihilate the Myriad Poison Sect in the Miao Frontier. A fair exchange—neither side loses out."
"What... impossible! Chongguang, you're lying to me!"
Faced with the Divine Martial Gate True Person's furious rebuke, True Person Chongguang scoffed, "Fine, assume I'm lying. Regardless, after today, there will be no more Divine Martial Gate!"
"You... kill!"
In an instant, the multicolored light surged violently, transforming into five majestic auras. Yet instead of converging for a joint attack, they scattered in all directions, fleeing at breakneck speed.
"Everyone, scatter! Escape! Find a way back to the sect..."
"Escape? Wishful thinking!"
Once again, it was True Person Chongguang. This Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Saint Sect appeared especially domineering at this moment, laughing heartily, "Above the heavens or below, there's nowhere for you to run!"
Boom!
With a deafening explosion, Lü Yang completely lost all sensation and fell unconscious. He had no idea how much time passed before he gradually regained consciousness, dazed as if waking from a dream.
"Awake?"
A voice sounded beside his ear. Lü Yang's pupils contracted sharply as he fully regained awareness. Surveying his surroundings, he realized he had returned to the forests of Skeleton Mountain.
Beside him, True Person Yinshan stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching him with an enigmatic smile.
"Greetings, Senior Brother!"
Without hesitation, Lü Yang immediately performed a deep bow of respect.
"Rise."
True Person Yinshan raised a hand slightly and said with a light chuckle, "You've rendered great service by aiding me in securing the Witch-Ghost Secret Realm. Thus, I shall offer you a few words of advice."
"Please enlighten me, Senior Brother." Lü Yang replied respectfully.
"First, forcibly elevating your fate's breath and helping you seize another's fate's breath, though it allowed rapid progress in the short term, carries severe consequences."
True Person Yinshan deliberately paused here, observing Lü Yang's unchanged expression—calm and unperturbed—before nodding slightly and continuing, "Thus, by my calculations, your luck will be exceedingly poor for the next thirty years. It would be best not to cultivate or venture outside during this time, lest you face mortal danger."
"This humble one accepts your guidance."
Lü Yang dared not show the slightest dissatisfaction. After all, though he had lost thirty years of luck, True Person Yinshan had gained an entire Witch-Ghost Secret Realm in exchange.
Without reaching Foundation Establishment, one remains a pawn... How could a pawn dare to feel discontent?
For a Foundation Establishment True Person to deign to use you was already a blessing!
Moreover, True Person Yinshan had even been willing to warn him—this was purely out of consideration for Lü Yang's membership in the Three Rivers Association, making him somewhat of a subordinate.
Seeing Lü Yang so "understanding," True Person Yinshan was quite pleased. Smiling, he said, "Regardless, you've aided me in achieving my goal, which counts as a significant merit."
"In presiding over the Three Rivers Association, I've always believed in rewarding merit."
"Since you've already broken through to the tenth layer of Qi Refining, your next step is naturally Foundation Establishment... How about this—I shall bestow upon you a Foundation Establishment rare treasure. What do you think?"
The moment these words were spoken, Lü Yang's eyes widened instantly.
A Foundation Establishment rare treasure!?
'Right... In the life before last, Zhao Xuhe likely obtained his first Foundation Establishment rare treasure this way. Only now, I've replaced him...'
No wonder he had spent so long stationed at the market, sending people daily to gather information, yet hadn't caught even a glimpse of a Foundation Establishment rare treasure. Reflecting on it now, that must have been a deliberate rumor spread by Zhao Xuhe in that life to mislead outsiders and divert attention.
Thoughts raced through Lü Yang's mind—excitement, yearning.
Yet, in the end, his expression gradually calmed. After closing his eyes in contemplation for a moment, he actually shook his head and said, "Senior Brother, may I request a different reward?"
"...Oh?"
This time, True Person Yinshan was genuinely surprised. "Are you certain? This 'Ascension Token' in my possession can increase your chances of Foundation Establishment by at least ten percent."
"I am certain."
Lü Yang nodded. A Foundation Establishment rare treasure was indeed precious, but he knew full well that with his fate's breath damaged for the next thirty years, he wouldn't be able to protect such a treasure!
For him now, a Foundation Establishment rare treasure wasn't an opportunity—it was a curse, likely to lead to his untimely death... This much was evident from Zhao Xuhe's fate in the life before last. Thus, Lü Yang summoned immense willpower to suppress his greed.
'For me, there's no need to rush...'
'I've only just reached Qi Refining perfection. There's still much room for growth—such as mastering great divine abilities... I can always come back for a Foundation Establishment rare treasure in a few lifetimes...'
Lü Yang's certainty left True Person Yinshan silent.
Truthfully, initially, he hadn't planned to pay Lü Yang any mind. It was only after seeing him break through two realms consecutively, demonstrating prudence and adaptability, and being a member of the Three Rivers Association that he had considered nurturing him somewhat.
After a long pause, he spoke again, "What reward would you prefer instead?"
Without hesitation, Lü Yang replied, "I would like a treasure that enhances comprehension."
After all, the great divine ability he possessed—the 《Taiyin Transformation Corpse Dissolution True Method》—still lacked the "Taiwei Decree Absolution Treasure Scroll" to be complete. And this particular technique heavily emphasized comprehension.
If you didn't understand it, you simply didn't.
Without a treasure to boost his comprehension, Lü Yang estimated it might take him several more lifetimes to master this divine ability.