In his previous life, about twenty years from Lu Yang's current point in time, the Saint Sect would launch a war of annihilation against a righteous path sect. The righteous path sect to be annihilated was called the “Divine Martial Sect.”
And in that previous life, Zhao Xuhe had eventually cultivated to the Perfection of the Qi Refining Realm and, together with Fairy Feixia, became a steward of the Saint Sect's market in the outside world. That market was located at Skull Mountain, bordering the Divine Martial Sect.
Before the war, the Saint Sect had transported a large quantity of supplies under the cover of the market. It was said that it was during that time that the two of them found a Foundation Establishment wondrous object. After that, as the war began, the two of them shone brilliantly, earning no small amount of merit.
They then redeemed another Foundation Establishment wondrous object from within the Saint Sect and requested a Pill Master to combine the two wondrous objects into one, refining it into a “Foundation Establishment Pill.” Only then did they have the chance to attempt Foundation Establishment. Although they ultimately failed, the opportunity itself was real.
“Both Zhao Xuhe and I cultivate the Nine Transformations Dragon Transformation Art. If he can attempt Foundation Establishment, then perhaps I also have a chance. No matter what, it's worth a try!”
Another three days passed. Lu Yang was meditating in his cave residence when suddenly, a Human-Faced Owl flew to the front of his cave. Its lips and teeth opened and closed, uttering a crisp and pleasant voice: “Junior Brother Lu, please come to my cave residence for a visit.”
It was Fairy Feixia. Seeing this, Lu Yang's eyes flickered. He immediately rose on a beam of sword light and flew towards Fairy Feixia’s cave residence, where he was then guided to a waterside tea pavilion.
Inside the pavilion, Fairy Feixia was brewing tea. Her fair hands moved gently, pouring spiritual water, urging the true fire, rinsing and brewing the tea—her movements were a delight to behold.
Lu Yang had arrived at just the right moment and was greeted by a faint, ethereal fragrance of tea that refreshed the mind and heart, even enlivening his spiritual sense.
“Junior Brother, please sit.”
Fairy Feixia finally raised her eyes to look at him, and after Lu Yang took his seat, she got straight to the point, “I've come looking for Junior Brother this time because the society's reply has arrived.”
“Oh.”
Lu Yang deliberately showed an excited expression.
“Has my Divine Ability arrived?”
“That's right.”
Fairy Feixia smiled faintly.
“Second Senior Brother has already sent over the list of Divine Abilities. Junior Brother may now choose one from the list to cultivate.”
“Many thanks, Senior Sister.”
Lu Yang cupped his hands, accepted the jade slip containing the list, and opened it. He was immediately dazzled by the densely packed list of Divine Abilities. After a careful look, he cursed inwardly.
This was because he had seen most of these Divine Abilities in the Scripture Pavilion on Heaven Mending Peak. However, the ones in the Scripture Pavilion were all neutered versions, their power far inferior to the complete versions on the list. The two appeared the same, but in reality, the difference was like that between heaven and earth.
It was clear to what extent the Saint Sect controlled its resources. It was simply outrageous. If not for joining the Three Rivers Society and signing an indenture contract, gaining the backing of a True Disciple, he probably would never have come into contact with these complete Divine Abilities in his entire life.
A moment later, Lu Yang’s eyes suddenly lit up. He had actually seen a familiar name on the list: Heavenly Demon Transforming Blood Divine Light—or to be precise, the complete version of the Heavenly Demon Transforming Blood Divine Light! The Supreme Yin Corpse-Shedding Form Transformation True Art!
“The Supreme Yin refines the body form, better than consuming a nine-revolutions pill. One's appearance becomes upright and solemn, their complexion like auspicious clouds. Ascending to the Supreme Ultimate Palace, they receive a scripture and become a Daoist Master.”
This was a great Divine Ability! The Heavenly Demon Transforming Blood Divine Light was merely its first step. Once fully mastered, one would transcend the Five Elements, becoming impervious to weapons, and could even be called a “Corpse-Shedding Immortal.”
“This is the one!”
Lu Yang immediately made his decision. He copied the contents of the Supreme Yin Corpse-Shedding Form Transformation True Art, then looked at Fairy Feixia and cupped his hands solemnly.
“Now that this matter is settled, does Senior Sister have any other important instructions?”
“To be honest with Junior Brother,” Fairy Feixia said with a light laugh, “I recently plan to apply for an external assignment to oversee the Skull Mountain market, and I'm in need of a few capable assistants…”
It was finally happening! Lu Yang was not surprised by Fairy Feixia’s invitation. After all, it was a classic carrot-and-stick approach.
Since the Three Rivers Society had given him a benefit, how could they not ask him to do something in return?
“If Senior Sister does not mind, I am willing to accompany you.”
Lu Yang did not hesitate for a moment and nodded directly. After all, this concerned his opportunity for Foundation Establishment. Even if Fairy Feixia had not taken the initiative to invite him, Lu Yang had planned to go to the Merit Hall and accept a mission to the Skull Mountain market anyway.
Seeing Lu Yang's decisiveness, the look in Fairy Feixia’s eyes grew even more satisfied.
“Junior Brother is indeed as I thought, a person with a firm Dao heart. If ordinary disciples like us are content with mediocrity, we are destined to never get ahead by staying within the Saint Sect. Only by going out to seek opportunities can we find a sliver of hope.”
“Only by burning our boats and putting thoughts of life and death aside can we have any hope of Foundation Establishment!”
After their conversation, Lu Yang noticed that the way Fairy Feixia looked at him had become much warmer; she clearly saw him as a kindred spirit. She wasn't wrong about putting life and death aside. However, it was not because he was burning his boats, but because he had the Book of a Hundred Lives.
He had no fear of failure. The worst that could happen is he died. He could just start over again!
Ten days later, aboard the airborne flying vessel bound for Skull Mountain. Lu Yang arrived in a streak of light, landing steadily on the vessel's deck. After greeting Fairy Feixia, he quietly blended into the crowd below.
On this trip to Skull Mountain, he had no intention of being too conspicuous. Compared to being the center of attention, he actually preferred to be unremarkable, the kind of person who, with a slight frown, could silently retreat behind the crowd. Soon, many cultivators had gathered on the flying vessel.
Besides Fairy Feixia, the leaders included two other cultivators at the seventh level of Qi Refining. He even recognized one of them: a disciple from under the Heaven Mending Peak Master, Lu Yuanchun.
“Hmph, sooner or later, I'll settle the score with him.”
A cold glint flashed in Lu Yang’s eyes before disappearing. He then looked around again. Since Lu Yuanchun was here, would Zhao Xuhe be here as well?
The Foundation Establishment opportunity of this life might just fall to him again! Sure enough, after scanning the area, Lu Yang spotted Zhao Xuhe in a remote corner of the vessel, silently drinking spiritual wine. However, the current Zhao Xuhe was several times more dejected than in his previous lives.
Lu Yang was not surprised. After all, in this life, Zhao Xuhe could not find him, so his fated opportunity had vanished into thin air. He had also lost his fortune speculating on Death-Substituting Yin Puppets, and his paramour, Fairy Qingchen, had surely left him as well.
He had truly lost both the person and the wealth. Lu Yang was already quite impressed that he hadn't jumped off Heaven Mending Peak yet.
“Senior Brother Zhao? Is that Senior Brother Zhao?”
Lu Yang took the initiative to walk over, deliberately feigning a look of pleasant surprise.
“I never thought I’d run into Senior Brother Zhao here. Senior Brother and I are truly bound by fate!”
“Ah? You are…”
Zhao Xuhe was stunned for a good while before his cultivator's memory finally recognized Lu Yang. He was instantly dumbfounded.
“... Junior Brother Lu? You’re at the mid-Qi Refining Realm?”
Zhao Xuhe had indeed fallen on hard times; he was completely unable to see through Lu Yang’s Breath-Concealing Art and thus had no way of knowing his true realm. But even so, the mid-Qi Refining Realm was enough to shock him. After all, ten years ago, Lu Yang was just an insignificant character in his eyes.
At this thought, Zhao Xuhe became even more depressed.
“Heh, are you here to laugh at me too? Get lost!”
“Why would Senior Brother say such a thing?”
Lu Yang looked puzzled, then quickly said, “I have always remembered Senior Brother's kindness from the past. How could I have any intention of mocking you?”
Kindness? What kindness?
Zhao Xuhe was stunned again, only then remembering that he did seem to have helped Lu Yang secure a loan back then. That counted as kindness? Did such a fool actually exist?
Thinking of this, Zhao Xuhe was just about to open his mouth with a sarcastic remark.
“I see that Senior Brother’s cultivation level seems to still be at the sixth level of Qi Refining. If Senior Brother doesn’t mind, I have a spiritual pill here that can enhance one's cultivation level.”
“Isn't this a bit inappropriate?”
Zhao Xuhe dazedly accepted the spiritual pill that Lu Yang had forcefully pushed into his hand. For some reason, looking at Lu Yang again, he actually felt a sense of familiarity! It was as if the two had known each other in a past life.
Could it be that we are truly fated to know each other?
(End of this chapter)