Chapter 35: Senior Brother Zhao and I Share Fate!

In the life before last, starting from Lu Yang's current point in time and moving forward about twenty years, the Holy Sect would launch a war of extermination against the orthodox sects.

The orthodox sect destined for extermination was named the "Divine Martial Sect."

And in that life before last, Zhao Xuhe ultimately cultivated to the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, and together with Fairy Feixia, became the stewards of the Holy Sect's market in the outside world.

That market was located at Skull Mountain, bordering the Divine Martial Sect.

Before the war, the Holy Sect used the market as cover to transport large quantities of supplies here; it was said that it was during that time the two of them found their Foundation Establishment treasures.

After that, as the war began, the two shone brilliantly, establishing significant merit, and exchanged for another Foundation Establishment treasure from within the Holy Sect. They then asked an alchemist to fuse the two treasures into one, refining them into a single "Foundation Establishment Pill," which finally gave them the chance to attempt Foundation Establishment.

Although they ultimately failed, the opportunity was real.

"Zhao Xuhe and I both cultivated the Nine Transformations Dragon Transformation Art. If he could attempt Foundation Establishment, perhaps I also have a chance. Regardless, this is worth trying!"

Three more days passed.

Lu Yang was sitting in meditation in his cave dwelling when suddenly, a human-faced owl flew to the entrance of his dwelling. Its beak opened and closed, emitting a clear and pleasant voice:

"Junior Brother Lu, please come to my cave dwelling for a meeting."

It was Fairy Feixia.

Seeing this, Lu Yang's eyes shifted slightly. He immediately soared up on a beam of sword light, flying toward Fairy Feixia's cave dwelling, and was subsequently guided to a pavilion nestled among mountains and waters.

Inside the tea pavilion, Fairy Feixia was brewing tea. Her fair hands moved gracefully, pouring spiritual water, catalyzing true fire, moistening the leaves, and brewing the infusion. Her movements were a delight to behold. Lu Yang, arriving just at this moment, felt a faint, ethereal tea fragrance drift to his nose, refreshing his heart and spirit, even making his spiritual sense more active.

"Junior Brother, please sit."

Only then did Fairy Feixia raise her brows to look at him. After Lu Yang took his seat, she got straight to the point: "The reason I sought you out this time is that the reply from the society has arrived."

"Oh?" Lu Yang deliberately displayed an excited expression: "Has my divine ability arrived?"

"Indeed." Fairy Feixia smiled slightly: "Second Senior Brother has already sent the list of divine abilities. Junior Brother may now choose any one from the list to cultivate."

"Thank you, Senior Sister!"

Lu Yang cupped his hands, took the jade slip containing the list, and opened it. Immediately, he was dazzled by the dense rows of divine abilities. After carefully reviewing them, he cursed bitterly in his heart.

This was because he had seen most of these divine abilities before in the library of Senior Butian Peak. However, the versions in the library were all castrated editions, their power far inferior to the complete versions on this list. Though the two appeared similar, the difference between them was as vast as heaven and earth, revealing just how strictly the Holy Sect controlled its resources.

It was simply outrageous.

If he hadn't joined the Sanhe Society and signed a contract of servitude, gaining the backing of a true disciple above him, he feared he would never in his lifetime have access to these complete divine abilities.

A moment later, Lu Yang's eyes suddenly brightened.

Because he had actually spotted familiar words on the list: Heavenly Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Light, or more accurately, the complete version of the Heavenly Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Light!

The "Great Art of Taiyin Corpse Liberation and Form Shedding"!

"Refining the form with Taiyin surpasses consuming nine-cycle pills; appearance becomes dignified and solemn, complexion resembles spiritual clouds; ascending to the Taiji Gate, receiving the register to become a True Person."

This was a major divine ability!

The Heavenly Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Light was merely its first step. Once fully refined, one would fall outside the Five Elements, be impervious to weapons, and even earn the title of "Corpse Liberation Immortal."

"This is the one!"

Lu Yang immediately made his decision. He copied the contents of the "Great Art of Taiyin Corpse Liberation and Form Shedding," then turned to look at Fairy Feixia, cupping his hands solemnly:

"Now that this matter is settled, does Senior Sister have any important tasks to assign?"

"To be honest with Junior Brother," Fairy Feixia laughed lightly, "I recently plan to apply for an external transfer to station myself at the Skull Mountain market, and I am currently short a few capable assistants."

Here it comes!

Lu Yang was not surprised by Fairy Feixia's invitation. After all, carrots must be paired with sticks; since the Sanhe Society had already bestowed benefits, how could they not expect him to work for them?

"If Senior Sister does not mind, I am willing to accompany you."

Lu Yang did not hesitate, nodding directly.

After all, this concerned the opportunity for Foundation Establishment. Even if Fairy Feixia had not actively invited him, Lu Yang had planned to accept a mission at the Merit Tower to travel to the Skull Mountain market.

Seeing Lu Yang so decisive, the expression in Fairy Feixia's eyes grew even more satisfied: "Junior Brother is exactly as I imagined, a person of firm Dao heart. If we ordinary disciples allow ourselves to degenerate and remain within the Holy Sect, we are destined never to rise. Only by venturing out to seek opportunities is there a sliver of hope for survival."

"Only by burning one's boats and placing life and death beyond consideration can there be hope for Foundation Establishment!"

After this conversation, Lu Yang noticed that the way Fairy Feixia looked at him had become affectionate; clearly, she now regarded him as a like-minded companion.

Placing life and death beyond consideration was not incorrect.

However, not because he was burning his boats, but because he possessed the 【Book of Hundred Lives】. He feared no failure at all; if he died, he died. At worst, he could simply restart!

Ten days later, aboard the sky-skimming flying boat heading to Skull Mountain.

Lu Yang rode a beam of light, landing steadily on the deck of the flying boat. After exchanging greetings with Fairy Feixia, he quietly blended into the crowd below.

For this journey to Skull Mountain, he did not intend to stand out too much.

Compared to being the center of attention, he actually preferred blending in with the masses. Ideally, he wanted to be the type who could frown slightly and silently retreat behind everyone else.

Soon, quite a few cultivators gathered on the flying boat.

Besides Fairy Feixia, the leaders included two cultivators at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining. He even recognized one of them: Lu Yuanchun, a disciple under Peak Master Senior Butian.

"Hmph, sooner or later I'll pull his list."

A cold light flashed in Lu Yang's eyes before vanishing. He then glanced around again; since Lu Yuanchun was here, would Zhao Xuhe also come?

The opportunity for Foundation Establishment in this life might very well fall upon him instead!

Sure enough, after scanning the crowd, Lu Yang truly spotted Zhao Xuhe in a corner, at a secluded spot on the flying boat, silently drinking spiritual wine.

However, the Zhao Xuhe of today was several times more decadent than in previous lives. Lu Yang was not surprised; after all, in this life, Zhao Xuhe could not find him, causing his fated opportunity to vanish into thin air. Furthermore, speculating on the substitute death yin puppet had bankrupted him, and his mistress, Fairy Qingchen, had surely left him as well. He could be said to have lost both his people and his wealth.

The fact that he had not yet jumped off Senior Butian Peak was something Lu Yang already admired him for.

"Senior Brother Zhao? Is that Senior Brother Zhao?"

Lu Yang stepped forward actively, deliberately displaying an expression of surprise: "I never expected to meet Senior Brother here again. Senior Brother and I truly share fate!"

"Ah? You are..."

Zhao Xuhe stared blankly for quite a while before relying on a cultivator's memory to recognize Lu Yang. Instantly, he was dumbfounded: "... unior Brother Lu? You have reached the Mid Stage of Qi Refining?"

Zhao Xuhe was indeed down on his luck; he could not see through Lu Yang's Qi Concealing Art at all, and thus had no way of knowing his true realm. Even so, the Mid Stage of Qi Refining was enough to shock him greatly. After all, ten years ago, Lu Yang had been nothing more than an insignificant minor character in his eyes.

Thinking of this, Zhao Xuhe felt even more depressed.

"Heh, are you here to mock me as well? Get lost!"

"Why does Senior Brother say such things?" Lu Yang feigned confusion, then quickly added: "I have always kept Senior Brother's past kindness in mind; how could I harbor any intention to mock you?"

Kindness? What kindness?

Zhao Xuhe was stunned again, only then remembering that he seemed to have once helped Lu Yang secure a loan. Could that count as kindness? Was there really such a fool?

Thinking this, Zhao Xuhe was just about to open his mouth to mock him when...

"I observe that Senior Brother's cultivation seems to still be stalled at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining. If Senior Brother does not mind, I have here a spiritual pill that can enhance cultivation."

"This isn't appropriate, is it?"

Zhao Xuhe blankly accepted the spiritual pill that Lu Yang forcibly pressed into his hand. For some reason, looking at Lu Yang again, he actually felt a sense of affection arise!

It was as if the two of them had dealt with each other in a past life.

Could it be that we truly share fate?

Happy New Year!

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(End of Chapter)