Not long ago, at the cave residence on the summit of Heaven Mending Peak. A stark contrast to the hustle and bustle and the myriad mortal affairs on the rest of Heaven Mending Peak, the summit was a place where only clouds rose and fell, transcendent and detached, as if it had escaped the clamorous mortal realm.
And before a cliff, two figures stood, gazing down at the sea of clouds below.
One of them had the white hair of a crane but the complexion of a child, dressed in a black and white Daoist robe and holding a horsetail whisk in his hand, looking just like the kind and benevolent old immortals often seen in the storybooks of the mortal realm. The other, however, had the appearance of a middle-aged man.
He was speaking with a teasing look on his face.
"Butian, I hear you've been selecting a son-in-law for your daughter recently."
"What? Are you interested?"
The Heaven Mending Peak Master turned to the side to look at the middle-aged man.
"If it's a disciple from your sect, he would be a good match for Qian'er."
"Let's forget it."
The middle-aged man shook his head.
"I know my disciples. They're all for show and no substance. They wouldn't be able to handle that daughter of yours. You'd best ask someone more capable."
"Then forget it."
The Heaven Mending Peak Master shook his head.
"In any case, I already have someone in mind. This person has cultivated painstakingly for three lifetimes and possesses excellent merit and foundation. Not only does he have a thirty percent chance of forging a Dao foundation in the future, but after learning Daoist Master Panlong's Nine Transformations Dragon Transformation Art, he will also possess the might of a true dragon."
"Daoist Master Panlong? That's not right."
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man pinched his fingers to perform a divination, then shook his head and said, "Coiling Dragon Island vanished without a trace. The opportunity has already been obtained by someone, and it's not a disciple from your family."
"He will be soon."
The Heaven Mending Peak Master said flatly, "I have already calculated who seized the opportunity. I've sent Yuanchun with some men to handle it. It won't be long before things are back on track."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, you really show no mercy."
The middle-aged man shook his head upon hearing this.
"The Immortal Path is difficult to seek. Why must you be so harsh on a few youngsters?"
"You must give them a glimmer of hope occasionally. After all, the Saint Sect also needs fresh blood."
"I don't need you to teach me."
The Heaven Mending Peak Master sneered.
"If it were just that, I might not have acted. But I've calculated that the one who took Daoist Master Panlong's opportunity is somewhat unusual."
As he spoke, a hint of astonishment entered the Heaven Mending Peak Master's tone.
"This person has only been in the sect for a few years, yet not only did he profit greatly from the Death-Substituting Yin Puppet incident a few years ago, he has also cultivated the blood-transforming divine light, refined a sword pellet, mastered the sword arts of the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion, and has a cultivation level at the sixth level of Qi Refining."
"Oh? So accomplished?"
The middle-aged man looked surprised after hearing this. He then silently made some calculations for a moment before sighing with emotion, "To think that our Saint Sect has produced such a talent." After speaking, the middle-aged man's interest was clearly piqued.
"Come, come, point out his location for me. Let me see what kind of constitution he has. If the quality is good, perhaps I can refine him into a fine treasured pill."
"That's simple. He's right there... hmm?"
The Heaven Mending Peak Master originally had a smile on his face, but as he pointed out the direction and gazed into the distance, his smile gradually faded.
"Rumble!"
As the Heaven Mending Peak Master's gaze fell, the massive Heaven Mending Peak seemed to experience an earth dragon turning over. Boulders even began to roll off the edges and into the sea of clouds.
Inside a certain cave residence on Heaven Mending Peak, Liu Xin prostrated on the ground, so terrified he didn't even dare to breathe heavily, fearing he would attract the attention of the Heaven Mending Peak Master.
"He's not looking for me, he's not looking for me..."
Liu Xin desperately repeated this to himself in his heart, suppressing his guilt and fear. After all, that was a Foundation Establishment Daoist Master. Even a single glance was enough to kill someone in the Qi Refining Realm, and his own Myriad Spirits Banner concealed the master's son.
Once discovered, he would be doomed beyond redemption.
"No need to be afraid. I have the protection of a divine talisman. He can't calculate my whereabouts..."
Liu Xin's body trembled as he tightly gripped a talisman he carried with him.
"Yuanchun pays his respects to Master."
Lu Yuanchun coughed up blood as he kowtowed in apology to the face in the sky. There was not a shred of joy from surviving the ordeal; instead, his heart felt ice-cold. The Jade Pendant that had broken through Lu Yang's grand formation at the last moment contained a strand of the Heaven Mending Peak Master's spiritual sense.
It was the greatest reliance for a Foundation Establishment disciple like him. Because it was difficult to make, once used, it was almost impossible to replace. It could be said to be equivalent to one of his lives.
And now, it was gone. Furthermore, not only had he failed to help Junior Brother Zhao reclaim the opportunity on this trip, but he had also failed to protect him, leading to his accidental death. It was a complete and utter defeat.
With several crimes combined, his Immortal Path in this life was now hopeless.
"This disciple was incompetent."
Lu Yuanchun dared not speak, nor did he even dare to explain. He could only choose to kowtow and prostrate himself, waiting for his master to decide his fate after killing that Lu Yang.
Clang!
Just then, Lu Yuanchun suddenly heard the cry of a sword. The sound was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear, seeping into the heart and making it impossible to ignore. At first, the sound was like a clear spring flowing, tinkling gently.
But as time passed, the stream grew more turbulent and fierce, and the sound became increasingly deafening, finally turning into a roar like a great river, echoing thunderously between heaven and earth. Lu Yuanchun subconsciously raised his head.
Then he saw a figure in mid-air, standing tall and proud under the gaze of the Daoist Master, his back ramrod straight, fearlessly meeting the gaze. Beneath his feet was a surging river of sword qi. The river's water was scarlet, its roiling movements carrying a monstrous killing qi.
Yet, it did not spread, but continuously shrank and flowed back, finally entering a delicate sword pellet.
"What is he trying to do?"
Lu Yuanchun swallowed. He had actually already guessed, but he dared not believe it. How could there be such a bold person in this world, one who did not know his own fate?
At the same time, the face in the sky seemed to have realized something as well, its brow furrowed.
"You wish to strike at me?"
Lu Yang's expression was indifferent. The sword pellet devoured the entire blood river, its sharp edge pointing directly at the sky.
"Please enlighten me, Senior."
The face did not speak, as if disdaining to answer. In the next second, Lu Yang saw a black dot suddenly appear high in the sky. It then expanded rapidly, descending slowly towards him with the force of the heavens toppling over.
Only when the black dot drew closer could Lu Yang barely make out its full appearance. It was a finger, its skin texture clearly visible, falling from an unknown height. Understanding dawned on Lu Yang.
This was the other party's answer: How can an ant know the height of the heavens? In an instant, an intense sense of crisis swept over his entire body, nearly freezing his thoughts, like an ant crawling out of its hole and suddenly seeing the bright sun in the blue sky.
"You want to crush me to death with a single finger???"
Lu Yang exhaled deeply, and then all the True Qi in his body suddenly began to burn violently. The Life-Killing Curse he had obtained in his second life was now being pushed to its absolute limit. At this moment, life and death were cast aside.
All that remained in Lu Yang's heart was a chest full of fury. In this life, I didn't fight or vie for anything, focusing solely on cultivation, yet you calculated my karma and sent people to seize my opportunity. When they failed, you even personally came to kill me.
You talk of karmic ties from cultivation techniques, you speak of opportunities being predetermined. Am I destined to be a beast of burden, while you are destined to be high and mighty?
"Kill!"
Lu Yang opened his mouth, the True Qi in his chest transforming into a long roar. His blazing anger brewed into a streak of sword light that, without veering, slashed straight at the vast sky. A silent collision, like a candle flame flaring and dying.
After a brief moment of brilliance, darkness submerged Lu Yang's vision, and it also submerged his consciousness.